# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0000858875
**File Stem:** 0000858875-23-000005
**Filing Date:** 2023-3
**Character Count:** 20364
**Document Hash:** 6b19e3617a84c58af2f78f3abb546abf
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0000858875-23-000005.hdr.sgml**: 20230328

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0000858875-23-000005

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: X-17A-5

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 5

**CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT**: 20221231

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20230328

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20230328

**EFFECTIVENESS DATE**: 20230328

**PERIOD START**: 20220101

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTORS, LLC
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0000858875
- **IRS NUMBER:** 522233674
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** DE
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1231

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** X-17A-5
- **SEC ACT:** 1934 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 008-42123
- **FILM NUMBER:** 23766705

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 525 WASHINGTON BOULEVARD
- **CITY:** JERSEY CITY
- **STATE:** NJ
- **ZIP:** 07310
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** (212) 314-2137

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 1290 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
- **STREET 2:** 14TH FLOOR
- **CITY:** NEW YORK
- **STATE:** NY
- **ZIP:** 10104

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** AXA DISTRIBUTORS, LLC
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 20020131

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** AXA DISTRIBUTORS LLC                                    /BD
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 20020131

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTORS INC                             //BD
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 20020111

### Attached PDF Documents

**Attachment 1:** `22distexemptionpwcv2.pdf`

![img-0.jpeg](img-0.jpeg)

## **Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm**

To the Board of Directors of Equitable Distributors, LLC

We have reviewed Equitable Distributors, LLC's assertions, included in the accompanying Equitable Distributors, LLC's Exemption Report, in which (1) the Company identified 17 C.F.R. § 240.15c3-3(k)(1), as the provision under which the Company claimed an exemption from 17 C.F.R. § 240.15c3-3 (the 'exemption provision') and (2) the Company stated that it met the identified exemption provision throughout the year ended December 31, 2022 without exception. The Company's management is responsible for the assertions and for compliance with the identified exemption provision throughout the year ended December 31, 2022.

Our review was conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and, accordingly, included inquiries and other required procedures to obtain evidence about the Company's compliance with the exemption provision. A review is substantially less in scope than an examination, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion on management's assertions. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to management's assertions referred to above for them to be fairly stated, in all material respects, based on the provisions set forth in paragraph (k)(1) of 17 C.F.R. § 240.15c3-3.

*PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP*

March 24, 2023

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 214 North Tryon Street, Suite 4200, Charlotte, NC 28202  
T: (704) 344 7500, F: (704) 344 4100, www.pwc.com/us

**Attachment 2:** `22distsipcaupv2.pdf`

![img-0.jpeg](img-0.jpeg)

# Report of Independent Accountants

To Management of Equitable Distributors, LLC

We have performed the procedures included in Rule 17a-5(e)(4) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and in the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (“SIPC”) Series 600 Rules, which are enumerated below, on the accompanying Certification of Exclusion From Membership (Form SIPC-3) of Equitable Distributors, LLC (the “Company”) for the year ended December 31, 2022. Management of Equitable Distributors, LLC is responsible for its Form SIPC-3 and for its compliance with the applicable instructions on Form SIPC-3.

In an agreed-upon procedures engagement, we perform specific procedures that the Company has agreed to and acknowledged to be appropriate for the intended purpose of the engagement and we report on findings based on the procedures performed. Management of the Company has agreed to and acknowledged that the procedures performed are appropriate to meet the intended purpose of assisting you and SIPC in evaluating the Company’s compliance with the exclusion requirements from membership in SIPC under section 78ccc(a)(2)(A) of the Securities Investor Protection Act of 1970 for the year ended December 31, 2022, as noted on the accompanying Form SIPC-3. Additionally, SIPC has agreed to and acknowledged that the procedures performed are appropriate for their intended purpose. This report may not be suitable for any other purpose. The procedures performed may not address all the items of interest to a user of this report and may not meet the needs of all users of this report and, as such, users are responsible for determining whether the procedures performed are appropriate for their purposes. The sufficiency of these procedures is solely the responsibility of those parties specified in this report. Consequently, we make no representation regarding the sufficiency of the procedures described below either for the purpose for which this report has been requested or for any other purpose.

The procedures we performed and the associated findings are as follows:

1. Compared the Total Revenues amount reported in the accompanying Schedule of Form SIPC-3 Revenues prepared by the Company for the year ended December 31, 2022 to the Total Revenues amount reported on page 3 of the Annual Audited Report Form X-17A-5 Part III for the year ended December 31, 2022, noting a difference of $779,520 of interest income that was included in the total revenue in the Company’s audited financial statements and not listed on the Schedule of Form SIPC-3 Revenues.
2. Compared any amount of Business activities through which revenue was earned reported in the accompanying Schedule of Form SIPC-3 Revenues prepared by the Company for the year ended December 31, 2022 with the supporting schedules and working papers, as follows:
   a. Compared the Distribution of shares of registered open end investment companies or unit investment trusts amount of $276,352,896 to the SIPC-3 Rev Workpaper and Trial Balance provided by Candace Scappato, Equitable Distributors Chief Financial Officer, noting no differences.
   b. Compared the Sale of variable annuities amount of $609,422,992 to the SIPC-3 Rev Workpaper and Trial Balance provided by Candace Scappato, Equitable Distributors Chief Financial Officer, noting no differences.
   c. Compared Insurance commissions and fees amount of $45,870,548 to the SIPC-3 Rev Workpaper and Trial Balance provided by Candace Scappato, Equitable Distributors Chief Financial Officer, noting no differences.
3. Recalculated the arithmetical accuracy of the Total Revenues amount reflected in the accompanying Schedule of Form SIPC-3 Revenues prepared by the Company for the year ended December 31, 2022 and in the related schedules and working papers obtained in procedure 2, as follows:
   a. Recalculated the mathematical accuracy of the Total Revenues amount reflected in the accompanying Schedule of Form SIPC-3 Revenues of $931,646,436 by summing the individual business activities through which revenue was earned, noting no differences.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 214 North Tryon Street, Suite 4200, Charlotte, NC 28202
T: (704) 344 7500, F: (704) 344 4100, www.pwc.com/us

![img-1.jpeg](img-1.jpeg)

b. Recalculated the mathematical accuracy of the Distribution of shares of registered open end investment companies or unit investment trusts reflected in the accompanying Schedule of Form SIPC-3 Revenues of $276,352,896 by summing General Ledger Account Numbers 43000340, 42100000, and 42103000 on the Distributors' trial balance ('Distributors Hierarchy Drill' tab in the SIPC-3 workpapers), noting no differences.
c. Recalculated the mathematical accuracy of the Sale of variable annuities reflected in the accompanying Schedule of Form SIPC-3 Revenues of $609,422,992 by summing General Ledger Account Numbers 43000080, 43000210, 43000110, 43000100, 43000180, 43000330, 43000030, 43000220, 43000050, 43000150, and topside on the Distributors' trial balance ('Distributors Hierarchy Drill w top side' tab in the SIPC-3 workpapers) and then applying the ratio of Variable Insurance Contracts to total insurance based products (which was obtained from the SIPC-3 workpaper and the mathematical accuracy was recalculated using the 'Q4 22 SSOI Map' tab in the Q4 22 FOCUS workpapers), noting no differences.
d. Recalculated the mathematical accuracy of the Insurance commissions and fees reflected in the accompanying Schedule of Form SIPC-3 Revenues of $45,870,548 by summing General Ledger Account Numbers 43000080, 43000210, 43000110, 43000100, 43000180, 43000330, 43000030, 43000220, 43000050, 43000150, and topside on the Distributors' trial balance ('Distributors Hierarchy Drill w top side' tab in the SIPC-3 workpapers) and then applying the ratio of Non-Variable Insurance Contracts to total insurance based products (which was obtained from the SIPC-3 workpaper and the mathematical accuracy was recalculated using the 'Q4 22 SSOI Map' tab in the Q4 22 FOCUS workpapers), noting no differences.

We were engaged by the Company to perform this agreed-upon procedures engagement and conducted our engagement in accordance with attestation standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). We were not engaged to, and did not conduct an examination or review engagement, the objective of which would be the expression of an opinion or conclusion, respectively, on the Company's Form SIPC-3 and on its compliance with the applicable instructions on Form SIPC-3 for the year ended December 31, 2022. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion or conclusion. Had we performed additional procedures, other matters might have come to our attention that would have been reported to you.

We are required to be independent of the Company and to meet our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with the relevant ethical requirements related to our agreed-upon procedures engagement.

This report is intended solely for the information and use of Management of Equitable Distributors and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation and is not intended to be, and should not be, used by anyone other than these specified parties.

March 24, 2023

2

# **Equitable Distributors, LLC**

# **Schedule of Form SIPC-3 Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2022**

| Amount ($) | Business activities through which revenue was earned |
| --- | --- |
| $0 | Business conducted outside the United States and its territories and possessions |
| $276,352,896 | Distribution of shares of registered open end investment companies or unit investment trusts |
| $609,422,992 | Sale of variable annuities |
| $45,870,548 | Insurance commissions and fees |
| $0 | Investment advisory services to one of more registered investment companies or insurance company separate accounts |
| $0 | Transactions in securities futures products |
| $931,646,436 | Total Revenues |

**Attachment 3:** `dist22exemptionfinalv2.pdf`

EQUITABLE

# Equitable Distributors, LLC's Exemption Report

Equitable Distributors, LLC (the "Company") is a registered broker-dealer subject to Rule 17a-5 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (17 C.F.R. §240.17a-5, "Reports to be made by certain brokers and dealers"). This Exemption Report was prepared as required by 17 C.F.R. § 240.17a-5(d)(1) and (4). To the best of its knowledge and belief, the Company states the following:

(1) The Company claimed an exemption from 17 C.F.R. § 240.15c3-3 under the following provision of 17 C.F.R. § 240.15c3-3 (k): (1).
(2) The Company met the identified exemption provision in 17C.F.R. § 240.15c3-3 (k) throughout the year ended December 31, 2022 without exception.

Equitable Distributors, LLC

I, Candace Scappator, affirm that, upon information and belief and reasonable inquiry through the appropriate supervisory personnel into the records available in connection with the Company's compliance with the prompt forwarding requirements, this Exemption Report is true and correct.

By: Candace Scappator

Title: Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Principal Financial Officer

Equitable

1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York 10104

Equitable is the brand name of Equitable Holdings, Inc. and its family of companies, including Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company (EFLIC) (NY, NY), Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company of America (EFLOA), an AZ stock company headquartered in Jersey City, NJ, Equitable Advisors, LLC (member FINRA, SIPC) and Equitable Distributors, LLC.

**Attachment 4:** `distfacing22finalv4.pdf`

# UNITED STATES

# SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

# Washington, D.C. 20549

# OMB APPROVAL

OMB Number: 3235-0123

Expires: Oct. 31, 2023

Estimated average burden

hours per response: 12

# ANNUAL REPORTS

# FORM X-17A-5

# PART III

# SEC FILE NUMBER

# 8-42123

# FACING PAGE

Information Required Pursuant to Rules 17a-5, 17a-12, and 18a-7 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

| FILING FOR THE PERIOD BEGINNING | 01/01/2022 | AND ENDING | 12/31/2022 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
|  | MM/DD/YY |  | MM/DD/YY |

# A. REGISTRANT IDENTIFICATION

NAME OF FIRM: Equitable Distributors, LLC

TYPE OF REGISTRANT (check all applicable boxes):

☑ Broker-dealer

☐ Security-based swap dealer

☐ Major security-based swap participant

☐ Check here if respondent is also an OTC derivatives dealer

ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS: (Do not use a P.O. box no.)

1290 Avenue of the Ameericas

| (No. and Street) |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| New York | NY | 10104 |
| (City) | (State) | (Zip Code) |

PERSON TO CONTACT WITH REGARD TO THIS FILING

| Candace L Scappator | 704-341-6841 | candace.scappator@equitable.com |
| --- | --- | --- |
| (Name) | (Area Code - Telephone Number) | (Email Address) |

# B. ACCOUNTANT IDENTIFICATION

INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT whose reports are contained in this filing*

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

| (Name - if individual, state last, first, and middle name) |  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 300 Madison Avenue | New York | NY | 10017 |
| (Address) | (City) | (State) | (Zip Code) |
| 10/20/2003 |  | 238 |  |

(Date of Registration with PCAOB)(if applicable)

(PCAOB Registration Number, if applicable)

# FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

* Claims for exemption from the requirement that the annual reports be covered by the reports of an independent public accountant must be supported by a statement of facts and circumstances relied on as the basis of the exemption. See 17 CFR 240.17a-5(e)(1)(ii), if applicable.

Persons who are to respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB control number.

# **OATH OR AFFIRMATION**

I, Candace L. Scappato, swear (or affirm) that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the financial report pertaining to the firm of Equitable Distributors, LLC, as of February 15th, 2023, is true and correct. I further swear (or affirm) that neither the company nor any partner, officer, director, or equivalent person, as the case may be, has any proprietary interest in any account classified solely as that of a customer.

Signature:  
Candace L. Scappato  
Title: Controller / Ass't VP

**SANDRA LEE AYERS**
Notary Public
Lincoln Co., North Carolina
My Commission Expires Feb. 18, 2023

Notary Public

**This filing** contains (check all applicable boxes):**

- ☑ (a) Statement of financial condition.
- ☑ (b) Notes to consolidated statement of financial condition.
- ☑ (c) Statement of income (loss) or, if there is other comprehensive income in the period(s) presented, a statement of comprehensive income (as defined in § 210.1-02 of Regulation S-X).
- ☑ (d) Statement of cash flows.
- ☑ (e) Statement of changes in stockholders' or partners' or sole proprietor's equity.
- ☐ (f) Statement of changes in liabilities subordinated to claims of creditors.
- ☑ (g) Notes to consolidated financial statements.
- ☑ (h) Computation of net capital under 17 CFR 240.15c3-1 or 17 CFR 240.18a-1, as applicable.
- ☐ (i) Computation of tangible net worth under 17 CFR 240.18a-2.
- ☐ (j) Computation for determination of customer reserve requirements pursuant to Exhibit A to 17 CFR 240.15c3-3.
- ☐ (k) Computation for determination of security-based swap reserve requirements pursuant to Exhibit B to 17 CFR 240.15c3-3 or Exhibit A to 17 CFR 240.18a-4, as applicable.
- ☐ (l) Computation for Determination of PAB Requirements under Exhibit A to § 240.15c3-3.
- ☑ (m) Information relating to possession or control requirements for customers under 17 CFR 240.15c3-3.
- ☐ (n) Information relating to possession or control requirements for security-based swap customers under 17 CFR 240.15c3-3(p)(2) or 17 CFR 240.18a-4, as applicable.
- ☑ (o) Reconciliations, including appropriate explanations, of the FOCUS Report with computation of net capital or tangible net worth under 17 CFR 240.15c3-1, 17 CFR 240.18a-1, or 17 CFR 240.18a-2, as applicable, and the reserve requirements under 17 CFR 240.15c3-3 or 17 CFR 240.18a-4, as applicable, if material differences exist, or a statement that no material differences exist.
- ☐ (p) Summary of financial data for subsidiaries not consolidated in the statement of financial condition.
- ☑ (q) Oath or affirmation in accordance with 17 CFR 240.17a-5, 17 CFR 240.17a-12, or 17 CFR 240.18a-7, as applicable.
- ☐ (r) Compliance report in accordance with 17 CFR 240.17a-5 or 17 CFR 240.18a-7, as applicable.
- ☑ (s) Exemption report in accordance with 17 CFR 240.17a-5 or 17 CFR 240.18a-7, as applicable.
- ☐ (t) Independent public accountant's report based on an examination of the statement of financial condition.
- ☑ (u) Independent public accountant's report based on an examination of the financial report or financial statements under 17 CFR 240.17a-5, 17 CFR 240.18a-7, or 17 CFR 240.17a-12, as applicable.
- ☐ (v) Independent public accountant's report based on an examination of certain statements in the compliance report under 17 CFR 240.17a-5 or 17 CFR 240.18a-7, as applicable.
- ☑ (w) Independent public accountant's report based on a review of the exemption report under 17 CFR 240.17a-5 or 17 CFR 240.18a-7, as applicable.
- ☐ (x) Supplemental reports on applying agreed-upon procedures, in accordance with 17 CFR 240.15c3-1e or 17 CFR 240.17a-12, as applicable.
- ☐ (y) Report describing any material inadequacies found to exist or found to have existed since the date of the previous audit, or a statement that no material inadequacies exist, under 17 CFR 240.17a-12(k).
- ☐ (z) Other: _______________

**To request confidential treatment of certain portions of this filing, see 17 CFR 240.17a-5(e)(3) or 17 CFR 240.18a-7(d)(2), as applicable.**

### UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
**Washington, D.C. 20549**

## FORM X-17A-5

### ANNUAL AUDITED REPORT

### Filer Information

**Filer CIK:** 0000858875

**Filer CCC:** XXXXXXXX

**Is this a LIVE or TEST filing?:** LIVE

**Would you like a Return Copy?:** Yes

### Submission Information

**Report Period Begin Date:** 01-01-2022

**Report Period End Date:** 12-31-2022

**Type of Registrant:** Broker-dealer

**Any material weaknesses identified?:** No

### Registrant Identification

**Name of Broker-Dealer:** EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTORS, LLC

**Business Address:** 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY, 10104

**Contact Person:** Candace scappator

**Contact Phone:** 704-341-6841

### Independent Public Accountant Identification

**Accountant Name:** PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

**Accountant Address:** 300 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10017

**Accountant Type:** Certified Public Accountant

### OATH OR AFFIRMATION

I, **Candace Scappator**, swear (or affirm) that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the accompanying financial statements and supporting schedules pertaining to the firm of **EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTORS, LLC**, as of **02-16-2023**, are true and correct.

**Signature:** Candace Scappator

**Title:** CFO

**Notarized:** Yes