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Regulatory ComplianceTrust AccountsABMEDIUM

During its monthly reconciliation, an Alberta brokerage determines that its trust account is short by $5,000. Under the RECA Rules, what must the brokerage do?

Correct Answer

C) Deposit its own money into the trust account as soon as the shortage amount is determined

Rule 88 requires a brokerage, whenever there is a shortage of money in a trust account, to deposit the brokerage's own money into the account as soon as the amount of the shortage is determined. Here the amount is known, so the brokerage funds it immediately; Rule 89 requires written notice to the registrar only where the amount is not yet determined or the brokerage cannot fund the shortage immediately.

Answer Options
A
Notify RECA within 24 hours and wait for instructions before putting any money back
B
Complete an internal investigation into the cause before taking any other step at all
C
Deposit its own money into the trust account as soon as the shortage amount is determined
D
Tell each affected client first, and then decide later whether the brokerage will replace the money

Why This Is the Correct Answer

Rule 88 says that if at any time there is a shortage of money in a trust account, the brokerage shall deposit the brokerage's own money into the account as soon as the amount of the shortage is determined. The shortage amount is known here, so the brokerage must fund it right away.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

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Key Terms

trust shortageRule 88brokerage's own moneymonthly reconciliationRule 89
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