What is a Pattern Day Trader? FINRA Day Trading Rules Explained

Day trading remains a high-velocity segment of the US equities market, and broker-dealers must ensure strict compliance with FINRA’s pattern day trader (PDT) rules. Understanding these regulations is crucial, not only for regulatory compliance but also for protecting your firm and its clients from unnecessary risk. Here’s an in-depth look at what constitutes a pattern day trader, the rules that govern them, and what broker-dealers need to know for robust compliance.

Defining a Pattern Day Trader (PDT)

Under FINRA Rule 4210, a pattern day trader is any customer who executes four or more day trades within five business days in a margin account, provided those day trades represent more than 6% of the customer’s total trades in that same period.

• Day trade: Buying and selling (or selling and buying) the same security on the same day in a margin account. This includes stocks and options, as well as both long and short positions.
• Margin accounts only: PDT rules do not apply to cash accounts—only to accounts with margin privileges.

Example:
If a client makes 60 trades in five business days, and at least 4 of those are day trades (and those day trades are more than 6% of total trades), they are classified as a pattern day trader.

Broker-dealers are also empowered to designate a customer as a PDT if they have a reasonable basis to believe the client will engage in pattern day trading, such as after providing day trading training or observing trading behavior.

FINRA’s Pattern Day Trading Rules: Key Requirements

1. Minimum Equity Requirement

• $25,000 Minimum: Pattern day traders must maintain at least $25,000 in equity in their margin account at all times when day trading. This can be a combination of cash and eligible securities.
• Enforcement: If the account falls below $25,000, the customer is prohibited from day trading until the account is restored to the minimum equity level.
• Pre-trade Funding: The $25,000 must be deposited before any day trading activity begins.

2. Day-Trading Buying Power

• 4x Maintenance Margin Excess: Pattern day traders can trade up to four times the maintenance margin excess as of the close of business on the previous day. Maintenance margin excess is the amount by which the account equity exceeds the required margin.
• Exceeding Buying Power: If a client exceeds their day-trading buying power, the broker-dealer must issue a margin call. The client then has five business days to meet the call.

3. Margin Calls and Restrictions

• Unmet Margin Calls: If the margin call is not met within five business days, the account is restricted to trading on a cash-available basis for 90 days or until the call is met.
• No Cross Guarantees: Each account must independently meet its margin requirements—cross guarantees are not allowed.

4. Designation and Monitoring

• Broker-dealers must monitor accounts for PDT activity and apply restrictions or designations as required by FINRA rules.
• Firms may apply stricter definitions or additional requirements, so broker-dealers should communicate their policies to clients.

Compliance Implications for Broker-Dealers

Why These Rules Matter

FINRA’s PDT rules are designed to:

• Protect investors from the risks of frequent, leveraged trading.
• Protect broker-dealers from exposure to clients with insufficient capital.
• Maintain market stability by ensuring traders have adequate equity to cover potential losses.

Key Compliance Actions

• Automated Monitoring: Implement systems that flag accounts approaching PDT thresholds and automatically enforce restrictions.
• Client Communication: Clearly disclose PDT rules and margin requirements during account opening and in ongoing client education.
• Pre-Trade Controls: Prevent clients from initiating day trades if their equity falls below $25,000.
• Documentation: Maintain records of all margin calls, client communications, and account restrictions as required by FINRA and the SEC.

Common Pitfalls

• Misclassification: Failing to promptly designate a client as a PDT can expose the firm to regulatory risk.
• Inadequate Controls: Allowing trades to proceed below the $25,000 minimum or exceeding buying power can result in FINRA sanctions.
• Poor Client Education: Clients unaware of PDT rules may become frustrated and blame the broker-dealer for trading restrictions.

Best Practices for Broker-Dealers

• Leverage Technology: Use advanced compliance platforms to automate PDT monitoring and reporting. ETNA is the only platform on the market with fully automated PDT monitoring. 
• Educate Proactively: Provide clients with clear, accessible resources that explain PDT rules and the risks associated with day trading.
• Review Policies Regularly: Stay updated on FINRA guidance and adapt firm policies as needed to remain compliant.
• Document Everything: Ensure all client communications, designations, and margin calls are well-documented for audit readiness.

Conclusion

Pattern day trader rules are a cornerstone of FINRA’s approach to managing risk in the US securities markets. Broker-dealers must not only understand and enforce these rules but also proactively educate clients and maintain robust compliance systems. By doing so, you protect your firm, your clients, and the integrity of the markets.