GWFS Equities,
Inc., (GWFS) a wholly owned subsidiary of Great-West Life &
Annuity Insurance Company and an affiliate of First Great-West Life
& Annuity Insurance Company*, maintains a comprehensive business
continuity plan designed to respond reasonably and effectively to
events that lead to significant business disruption, such as natural
disasters, power outages, or other events of varying scope. This
plan defines critical functions and systems, alternate work locations,
vital books and records, and staff resources, and provides for the
continuation of business operations with minimal impact, depending
on the severity and scope of the disruption. The plan is reviewed
and tested no less than once annually to ensure that the information
in the plan is kept current and that documented recovery and continuity
strategies adequately support its business operations. Of utmost
importance to the plan is the ability for customers to maintain
access to securities accounts and assets in those accounts.
In the event that one of the Call Centers or back office operation
facilities becomes unavailable for any reason, calls would be re-routed
to one of the firm’s alternative call center or operations
facilities. In the event of a significant business disruption to
the primary office and/or data center, access to customer accounts
will be provided via the Company’s Web site and voice response
system, operated from an alternative data center. Customer Service
will continue to be provided by re-routing telephone calls to a
Call Center located in one or more alternative sites located outside
of the region. While no contingency plan can eliminate the risk
of business interruption, or prevent temporary delays with account
access, the firm’s continuity plan is intended to mitigate
all reasonable risk and resume critical business operations within
24 hours or the next business day, whichever is later.
* Record keeping and administrative services
are provided by Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company,
or one of its affiliates. Securities offered in your account may
be offered through another broker/dealer NASD member firm other
than GWFS Equities, Inc. Please contact your investment provider
for more information if needed.
This disclosure is subject to modification
at any time. The most current version of this disclosure can be
found on the Web site or can be obtained by requesting a written
copy by mail. |