Quick Answer
Methods of communication are the ways a firm communicates in its relationships and dealings with customers, vendors, and associated persons. The exam treats the communication method as its own topic: identify the method used and the party involved, without assuming that information privacy is necessarily the issue.
Communication is one part of a relationship or dealing. It is distinct from the information that might be discussed through that method.
Communication in Firm Relationships
- Methods of communication: The methods a firm uses when dealing with customers, vendors, and associated persons of the firm.
- Customers: People with whom the firm has customer-facing dealings.
- Vendors: Outside parties with whom the firm has business dealings.
- Associated persons: Persons associated with the firm who are included in this relationships-and-dealings context.
| Exam question focus | Identify |
|---|---|
| A communication fact pattern | The method of communication and the party involved |
| An information fact pattern | Whether nonpublic personal information is the separate issue being tested |
Exam Tip: Gotchas
Methods of communication and nonpublic personal information are separate concepts. A question can test the communication method even when information privacy is not the issue.