Corporate Culture

WMS is an employee owned, privately held securities firm with goals of business continuity and a strong financial condition. To protect your long-term interests, WMS leadership creates a positive and secure environment for its colleagues, clients and investors while placing major emphasis on innovation, creativity and performance.

• Client Financial Safety: Chapter 1 - November 2007
• Client Financial Safety: Chapter 2 - March 2008
• Client Financial Safety: Chapter 3 - August 2008

SEC & FINRA

WMS is regulated by and subject to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), all of which have a common interest in protecting investors. For more information visit:

• SEC
• FINRA

SIPC & Excess SIPC

WMS is a member of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) that was created by Congress to protect customers of securities brokers and dealers and to promote public confidence in the U.S. securities markets. Customers of a SIPC-covered firm that fails financially are afforded special benefits under the Securities Investor Protection Act of 1970 (SIPA).

WMS is pleased to provide protection for each of its clients and for the clients of its correspondents. In the unlikely event that assets in client accounts are not fully recovered, each client is protected up to $25,500,000.* SIPC provides protection up to $500,000, of which a maximum of $100,000 applies to cash credit balances.

In addition to the coverage provided by SIPC, WMS has purchased from Lloyd's of London an Excess SIPC bond that provides additional coverage for up to $25,000,000 in cash and securities for each client, subject to an aggregate loss limit of $100,000,000. The excess SIPC bond, together with SIPC coverage, provides protection for cash credit balances for each client to a maximum of $1,000,000. Clients may purchase additional protection for their accounts by contacting their Investment Executive, who can provide information and pricing. Click here to view the SIPC brochure. For more information visit:

• SIPC
• Lloyd's of London

(* This protection will replace clients' cash and/or securities that are missing. It does not cover clients from losses resulting from the decline in the market value of securities held in their accounts.)

Additional Safeguards

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Rule 15c3-3 is intended to safeguard client assts held by securities firms. Fully paid for and excess margin securities held in WMS client accounts are segregated from firm assets in compliance with this rule. In the case of a liquidation proceeding of a broker-dealer, clients' funds and securities will be available to the trustee for transfer to the client or to another broker dealer. The SEC and the FINRA regularly audit the safeguards and controls set up to protect client accounts and their securities custodied at WMS.

SEC Rule 15c3-1 established a uniform and comprehensive net capital standard for the securities industry. WMS maintains excess capital significantly in excess of the levels required.

For additional information on the Client Financial Safety of WMS, please contact your Investment Executive or local Sales Office Manager. Click here to view office locations.