From: Chris White [cwhite@providentbank.com]
Sent: Monday, July 01, 2002 10:31 AM
To: Rule-comments@sec.gov
Subject: File No. S7-25-99

I strongly oppose the proposed SEC rule, "Certain Broker-Dealers Deemed
Not To Be Investment Advisers," as referenced with the file number
above.
This rule would allow B-Ds to provide comprehensive financial planning
advice without the required registration under the Investment Advisers
Act of 1940.
It is imperative that standards of ethics, competency, and disclosure
structured to serve the interests of our clients as the overriding focus
exist.
Without such qualifications, these clients become highly vulnerable to
opportunists holding themselves out as competent and reliable financial
advisors.
We provide trust and expertise to our clients.  Investors treated
detrimentally by those calling themselves financial advisors will have a
much larger economic impact than just tarnishing our profession.
Please maintain or raise the bar so individuals needing these services
have an inherent assurance that their advisor is qualified and acting in
a fiduciary capacity.


Chris White, CFP
Vice President, Financial Planning
Provident Financial Advisors
cwhite@providentbank.com
(513) 639-5550