go here for their explanation:
http://www.datek.com/helpdesk/margin.html#dayMarginRules
here is also a e-mail i sent to them and the response i received:
hello,
i have a question about the new margin rule. i got a paper in the mail from you that says:
"'pattern day traders' (those who make at least four round-trip day trades within five business days) must keep a minimum equity balance of $25,000 in their account. A pattern day trading account that falls below $25,000, will be restricted to cash transactions until the minimum balance is restored."
here is my question: right now my account is around $25,000. i know in the past i would have been considered a "pattern day trader." however, i no longer intend to open and close the same position in the same day unless it is for stop loss reasons. i don't think in the future that will happen frequently enough for me to be considered a "pattern day trader." what i'm wondering is, am i still considered a "pattern day trader" because i once was? when do i lose my "pattern day trader" status?
thank you
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I appreciate the opportunity to respond to your e-mail.
Customer who day trades 4 or more times within 5 days will be consider
as a pattern day trader.
The classification will remain on the customer's account for 90-days.
Therefore, if you does not day trade 4 or more times within 5 days in a
90 period the classification will be lifted.
Beginning Friday morning (Sept 28) the trading patterns of all margin
account holders will be monitored to see if there are 4 day trades in
any rolling 5-day period. Once you are classified as a pattern day
trader you will receive three messages from us:
A mailbot from Datek informing that your account has been classified.
Your account status will show that the account has been classified.
A new message will be displayed in your message screen informing the
customer that the account has been classified.