Archiving

Connect CurrentClient to your compliance archiver

If you're in financial services, you're likely required to archive your business communications. CurrentClient makes this easy by integrating with the most popular compliance archivers, so your texts are automatically captured and preserved.

Why you need to archive#

Financial regulators require firms to retain records of all business-related communications. This includes text messages, calls, and other electronic correspondence, regardless of whether they're sent through company systems or personal devices.

SEC Rule 17a-4 is the primary regulation governing electronic recordkeeping for broker-dealers. It requires firms to preserve business communications for at least three years and make them accessible within 24 hours of a regulatory request.

Key regulations#

SEC Rule 17a-4 requires broker-dealers to:

Preserve electronic communications (emails, texts, instant messages) for 3+ years
Store records in a non-rewriteable, non-erasable format (or use an audit-trail system)
Produce records promptly upon regulatory request

FINRA Rule 4511 requires member firms to:

Make and preserve books and records per FINRA and SEC rules
Retain records covering emails, texts, instant messages, and social media
Comply regardless of whether communications are sent via firm or personal devices

FINRA Rule 3110 requires firms to:

Establish supervisory systems for electronic communications
Review written and electronic communications as part of compliance procedures

Regulators actively enforce these requirements. Off-channel communications sent through personal devices or unauthorized apps like WhatsApp are a particular focus. Failing to archive business communications can result in significant penalties, including fines and suspension.

How archiving works with CurrentClient#

Setting up archiving takes just a few minutes:

Choose your archiver

Select your compliance archiver from the list below.

Get your journal address

Your archiver will provide you with a journal destination email address. This is where CurrentClient sends your communications.

Connect in CurrentClient

Add the archiver connection in your CurrentClient settings and enter your journal address. That's it!

Once connected, all your text messages are automatically captured and sent to your archiver in real-time.

Learn more#

For detailed information on recordkeeping requirements, check out these official resources:

SEC Rule 17a-4

Official SEC guidance on electronic recordkeeping requirements

FINRA Books and Records

FINRA's guidance on books and records requirements