Subject: S7-04-23: Webform Comments from Ben Mason
From: Ben Mason
Affiliation: Historical Masonry Restoration

Oct. 23, 2023

I didn't read the proposal, but I did read the
comments of those who did to get a feel for the sentiment. I think it
was the 26 big money groups that said 

"Requiring qualified custodians to hold client cash in
segregated, off-balance sheet 
accounts would fundamentally disrupt the core banking model of taking
deposits, 
providing credit, and facilitating payments. For individuals,
businesses, and communities, 
mandatory cash deposit segregation would reduce banks’ ability to
provide credit. For 
investors and other market participants, segregation would slow down
payment and 
settlement cycles, increase cost of funding and credit, and increase
operational risks and 
trade failures."

And therefore I support this proposal. Please make the markets fair
for Household Investors going up against conglomerates with access to
time to read the entire proposals, AI and high frequency trading.
Thank you for your time.