Self-Regulatory Organizations; Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Relating to Revisions to the Series 55 Examination Program, 1385-1387 [E8-90]
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 5 / Tuesday, January 8, 2008 / Notices
will remain at 50, and candidates will
continue to have 11⁄2 hours to complete
the exam. Also, each question will
continue to count one point, and each
candidate must correctly answer 70
percent of the questions to receive a
passing grade.
2. Statutory Basis
FINRA believes that the proposed
revisions to the Series 42 examination
program are consistent with the
provisions of Sections 15A(b)(6) 8 and
15A(g)(3) of the Act,9 which authorize
FINRA to prescribe standards of
training, experience, and competence
for persons associated with FINRA
members.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
Interested persons are invited to
submit written data, views, and
arguments concerning the foregoing,
including whether the proposed rule
change is consistent with the Act.
Comments may be submitted by any of
the following methods:
Electronic Comments
• Use the Commission’s Internet
comment form (https://www.sec.gov/
rules/sro.shtml); or
• Send an e-mail to rulecomments@sec.gov. Please include File
Number SR–FINRA–2007–029 on the
subject line.
Paper Comments
FINRA does not believe that the
proposed rule change will result in any
burden on competition that is not
necessary or appropriate in furtherance
of the purposes of the Act.
pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES
IV. Solicitation of Comments
• Send paper comments in triplicate
to Nancy M. Morris, Secretary,
Securities and Exchange Commission,
Station Place, 100 F Street, NE.,
Washington, DC 20549–1090.
1385
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.12
Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8–89 Filed 1–7–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–57077; File No. SR–FINRA–
2007–030]
Self-Regulatory Organizations;
Financial Industry Regulatory
Authority, Inc.; Notice of Filing and
Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed
Rule Change Relating to Revisions to
the Series 55 Examination Program
December 31, 2007.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
notice is hereby given that on December
12, 2007, Financial Industry Regulatory
Authority, Inc. (‘‘FINRA’’) (f/k/a
C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
All submissions should refer to File
Statement on Comments on the
Number SR–FINRA–2007–029. This file National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. (‘‘NASD’’)) filed with the
Proposed Rule Change Received From
number should be included on the
Securities and Exchange Commission
Members, Participants or Others
subject line if e-mail is used. To help the
(‘‘SEC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed
Commission process and review your
Written comments were neither
rule change as described in Items I, II
comments more efficiently, please use
solicited nor received.
and III below, which Items have been
only one method. The Commission will prepared substantially by FINRA.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the
post all comments on the Commission’s FINRA has designated this proposal as
Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/
constituting a stated policy, practice, or
Commission Action
rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the
interpretation with respect to the
The proposed rule change has become submission, all subsequent
meaning, administration, or
amendments, all written statements
effective pursuant to Section
enforcement of an existing rule of the
19(b)(3)(A)(i) of the Act 10 and Rule 19b– with respect to the proposed rule
self-regulatory organization pursuant to
4(f)(1) thereunder,11 in that the
change that are filed with the
Section 19(b)(3)(A)(i) of the Act 3 and
proposed rule change constitutes a
Commission, and all written
Rule 19b–4(f)(1) thereunder,4 which
stated policy, practice, or interpretation communications relating to the
renders the proposal effective upon
with respect to the meaning,
filing with the Commission. The
proposed rule change between the
administration, or enforcement of an
Commission and any person, other than Commission is publishing this notice to
existing rule of the self-regulatory
solicit comments on the proposed rule
those that may be withheld from the
organization. FINRA proposes to
change from interested persons.
public in accordance with the
implement the revised Series 42
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
examination program on February 12,
available for inspection and copying in
Statement of the Terms of Substance of
2008. FINRA will announce the
the Commission’s Public Reference
the Proposed Rule Change
implementation date in a Regulatory
Room, 100 F Street, NE., Washington,
FINRA is filing revisions to the study
Notice to be published on December 12,
DC 20549, on official business days
outline and selection specifications for
2007, the date FINRA filed SR–FINRA–
between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. the Limited Representative—Equity
2007–29 with the Commission.
Copies of such filing also will be
Trader (Series 55) examination
At any time within 60 days of the
available for inspection and copying at
program.5 The proposed revisions
filing of the proposed rule change, the
the principal office of FINRA. All
Commission may summarily abrogate
12 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
comments received will be posted
such rule change if it appears to the
1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
without change; the Commission does
Commission that such action is
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
not edit personal identifying
necessary or appropriate in the public
3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(i).
information from submissions. You
interest, for the protection of investors,
4 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(1).
should submit only information that
or otherwise in furtherance of the
5 FINRA also is proposing corresponding
you wish to make publicly available. All revisions to the Series 55 question bank, but based
purposes of the Act.
submissions should refer to File
upon instruction from the Commission staff, FINRA
is submitting SR–FINRA–2007–030 for immediate
Number SR–FINRA–2007–029 and
8 15 U.S.C. 78o–3(b)(6).
effectiveness pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the
9 15 U.S.C. 78o–3(g)(3).
should be submitted on or before
Act and Rule 19b–4(f)(1) thereunder, and is not
10 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(i).
January 29, 2008.
filing the question bank for Commission review. See
11 17
CFR 240.19b–4(f)(1).
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:32 Jan 07, 2008
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1386
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 5 / Tuesday, January 8, 2008 / Notices
update the material to reflect changes to
the laws, rules and regulations covered
by the examination and to better reflect
the duties and responsibilities of a
Limited Representative—Equity Trader.
FINRA is not proposing any textual
changes to the By-Laws, Schedules to
the By-Laws, or Rules of FINRA.
The text of the proposed rule change
is available at https://www.finra.org, the
principal offices of FINRA, and the
Commission’s Public Reference Room.
The Series 55 selection specifications
have been submitted to the Commission
under separate cover with a request for
confidential treatment pursuant to Rule
24b–2 under the Act.6
II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
In its filing with the Commission,
FINRA included statements concerning
the purpose of and basis for the
proposed rule change and discussed any
comments it received on the proposed
rule change. The text of these statements
may be examined at the places specified
in Item IV below. FINRA has prepared
summaries, set forth in Sections A, B,
and C below, of the most significant
aspects of such statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES
1. Purpose
Section 15A(g)(3) of the Act 7 requires
FINRA to prescribe standards of
training, experience, and competence
for persons associated with FINRA
members. In accordance with that
provision, FINRA has developed
examinations, and administers
examinations developed by other selfregulatory organizations, that are
designed to establish that persons
associated with FINRA members have
attained specified levels of competence
and knowledge. FINRA periodically
reviews the content of the examinations
to determine whether revisions are
necessary or appropriate in view of
changes pertaining to the subject matter
covered by the examinations.
Pursuant to NASD Rule 1032(f), each
associated person of a member who is
included within the definition of
Letter to Alden S. Adkins, Senior Vice President
and General Counsel, NASD Regulation, from
Belinda Blaine, Associate Director, Division of
Market Regulation, SEC, dated July 24, 2000,
attached as Exhibit 3c to the proposed rule change.
The question bank is available for Commission
review.
6 17 CFR 240.24b–2.
7 15 U.S.C. 78o–3(g)(3).
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:32 Jan 07, 2008
Jkt 214001
representative in NASD Rule 1031(b) is
required to register with FINRA as a
Limited Representative—Equity Trader
if, with respect to transactions in equity,
preferred or convertible debt securities
effected otherwise than on a securities
exchange, such person is engaged in
proprietary trading, the execution of
transactions on an agency basis or the
direct supervision of such activities.
There is an exception from the Limited
Representative—Equity Trader
requirement for any associated person of
a member whose trading activities are
conducted principally on behalf of an
investment company that is registered
with the Commission pursuant to the
Investment Company Act of 1940 and
that controls, is controlled by, or is
under common control with the
member. The Series 55 examination is
the FINRA examination that qualifies an
individual to function as a Limited
Representative—Equity Trader. Before
registration as a Limited
Representative—Equity Trader may
become effective, the individual must be
registered as either a General Securities
Representative (Series 7) or Limited
Representative-Corporate Securities
(Series 62).
A committee of industry
representatives, together with FINRA
staff, recently undertook a review of the
Series 55 examination program. As a
result of this review, FINRA is
proposing to make revisions to the study
outline to reflect changes to the laws,
rules and regulations covered by the
examination and to better reflect the
duties and responsibilities of a Limited
Representative—Equity Trader.
Among other revisions, FINRA is
proposing to revise the references to the
FINRA and The NASDAQ Stock Market
LLC (‘‘NASDAQ’’) rules in the study
outline to reflect NASDAQ’s separation
from FINRA (then known as NASD).
FINRA also is proposing to add sections
on NASD Rules 2441 (Net Transactions
with Customers) and 5110 (Transactions
Related to Initial Public Offerings).
FINRA is proposing to change the title
of Section 2 of the study outline from
‘‘NASDAQ Display, Execution and
Trading Systems’’ to ‘‘Display,
Execution and Trading Systems.’’
Further, as a result of the revisions
discussed above, the number of
questions on each section of the study
outline was modified as follows:
NASDAQ and Over-The-Counter
Markets, increased from 41 to 42
questions; Display, Execution and
Trading Systems, decreased from 17 to
12 questions; Trade Reporting
Requirements, increased from 19 to 22
questions; and General Industry
PO 00000
Frm 00073
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Standards, increased from 23 to 24
questions.
FINRA is proposing similar changes
to the Series 55 selection specifications
and question bank. The number of
questions on the Series 55 examination
will remain at 100, and candidates will
continue to have 3 hours to complete
the exam. Also, each question will
continue to count one point, and each
candidate must correctly answer 70
percent of the questions to receive a
passing grade.
2. Statutory Basis
FINRA believes that the proposed
revisions to the Series 55 examination
program are consistent with the
provisions of Sections 15A(b)(6) 8 and
15A(g)(3) of the Act,9 which authorize
FINRA to prescribe standards of
training, experience, and competence
for persons associated with FINRA
members.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
FINRA does not believe that the
proposed rule change will result in any
burden on competition that is not
necessary or appropriate in furtherance
of the purposes of the Act.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Comments on the
Proposed Rule Change Received From
Members, Participants or Others
Written comments were neither
solicited nor received.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the
Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
The proposed rule change has become
effective pursuant to Section
19(b)(3)(A)(i) of the Act 10 and Rule 19b–
4(f)(1) thereunder,11 in that the
proposed rule change constitutes a
stated policy, practice, or interpretation
with respect to the meaning,
administration, or enforcement of an
existing rule of the self-regulatory
organization. FINRA proposes to
implement the revised Series 55
examination program on February 12,
2008. FINRA will announce the
implementation date in a Regulatory
Notice to be published on December 12,
2007, the date FINRA filed SR–FINRA–
2007–30 with the Commission.
At any time within 60 days of the
filing of the proposed rule change, the
Commission may summarily abrogate
such rule change if it appears to the
8 15
U.S.C. 78o–3(b)(6).
U.S.C. 78o–3(g)(3).
10 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(i).
11 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(1).
9 15
E:\FR\FM\08JAN1.SGM
08JAN1
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 5 / Tuesday, January 8, 2008 / Notices
Commission that such action is
necessary or appropriate in the public
interest, for the protection of investors,
or otherwise in furtherance of the
purposes of the Act.
IV. Solicitation of Comments
Interested persons are invited to
submit written data, views, and
arguments concerning the foregoing,
including whether the proposed rule
change is consistent with the Act.
Comments may be submitted by any of
the following methods:
pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES
Electronic Comments
• Use the Commission’s Internet
comment form (https://www.sec.gov/
rules/sro.shtml); or
• Send an e-mail to rulecomments@sec.gov. Please include File
Number SR–FINRA–2007–030 on the
subject line.
Paper Comments
• Send paper comments in triplicate
to Nancy M. Morris, Secretary,
Securities and Exchange Commission,
Station Place, 100 F Street, NE.,
Washington, DC 20549–1090.
All submissions should refer to File
Number SR–FINRA–2007–030. This file
number should be included on the
subject line if e-mail is used. To help the
Commission process and review your
comments more efficiently, please use
only one method. The Commission will
post all comments on the Commission’s
Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/
rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the
submission, all subsequent
amendments, all written statements
with respect to the proposed rule
change that are filed with the
Commission, and all written
communications relating to the
proposed rule change between the
Commission and any person, other than
those that may be withheld from the
public in accordance with the
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
available for inspection and copying in
the Commission’s Public Reference
Room, 100 F Street, NE., Washington,
DC 20549, on official business days
between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Copies of such filing also will be
available for inspection and copying at
the principal office of FINRA. All
comments received will be posted
without change; the Commission does
not edit personal identifying
information from submissions. You
should submit only information that
you wish to make publicly available. All
submissions should refer to File
Number SR–FINRA–2007–030 and
should be submitted on or before
January 29, 2008.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:32 Jan 07, 2008
Jkt 214001
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.12
Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8–90 Filed 1–7–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–57079; File No. SR–FINRA–
2007–033]
Self-Regulatory Organizations;
Financial Industry Regulatory
Authority, Inc.; Notice of Filing and
Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed
Rule Change Relating to Revisions to
the Series 82 Examination Program
December 31, 2007.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
notice is hereby given that on December
12, 2007, Financial Industry Regulatory
Authority, Inc. (‘‘FINRA’’) (f/k/a
National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. (‘‘NASD’’)) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission
(‘‘SEC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed
rule change as described in Items I, II
and III below, which Items have been
prepared substantially by FINRA.
FINRA has designated this proposal as
constituting a stated policy, practice, or
interpretation with respect to the
meaning, administration, or
enforcement of an existing rule of the
self-regulatory organization pursuant to
Section 19(b)(3)(A)(i) of the Act 3 and
Rule 19b–4(f)(1) thereunder,4 which
renders the proposal effective upon
filing with the Commission. The
Commission is publishing this notice to
solicit comments on the proposed rule
change from interested persons.
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Terms of Substance of
the Proposed Rule Change
FINRA is filing revisions to the study
outline and selection specifications for
the Limited Representative—Private
Securities Offerings (Series 82)
examination program.5 The proposed
12 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(i).
4 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(1).
5 FINRA also is proposing corresponding
revisions to the Series 82 question bank, but based
upon instruction from the Commission staff, FINRA
is submitting SR–FINRA–2007–033 for immediate
effectiveness pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the
Act and Rule 19b–4(f)(1) thereunder, and is not
filing the question bank for Commission review. See
Letter to Alden S. Adkins, Senior Vice President
1 15
PO 00000
Frm 00074
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
1387
revisions update the material to reflect
changes to the laws, rules and
regulations covered by the examination
and to better reflect the duties and
responsibilities of a Limited
Representative—Private Securities
Offerings. FINRA is not proposing any
textual changes to the By-Laws,
Schedules to the By-Laws, or Rules of
FINRA.
The text of the proposed rule change
is available at https://www.finra.org, the
principal offices of FINRA, and the
Commission’s Public Reference Room.
The Series 82 selection specifications
have been submitted to the Commission
under separate cover with a request for
confidential treatment pursuant to Rule
24b-2 under the Act.6
II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
In its filing with the Commission,
FINRA included statements concerning
the purpose of and basis for the
proposed rule change and discussed any
comments it received on the proposed
rule change. The text of these statements
may be examined at the places specified
in Item IV below. FINRA has prepared
summaries, set forth in Sections A, B,
and C below, of the most significant
aspects of such statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
1. Purpose
Section 15A(g)(3) of the Act 7 requires
FINRA to prescribe standards of
training, experience, and competence
for persons associated with FINRA
members. In accordance with that
provision, FINRA has developed
examinations, and administers
examinations developed by other selfregulatory organizations, that are
designed to establish that persons
associated with FINRA members have
attained specified levels of competence
and knowledge. FINRA periodically
reviews the content of the examinations
to determine whether revisions are
necessary or appropriate in view of
changes pertaining to the subject matter
covered by the examinations.
Pursuant to NASD Rule 1032(h), each
associated person of a member who is
and General Counsel, NASD Regulation, from
Belinda Blaine, Associate Director, Division of
Market Regulation, SEC, dated July 24, 2000,
attached as Exhibit 3c to the proposed rule change.
The question bank is available for Commission
review.
6 17 CFR 240.24b–2.
7 15 U.S.C. 78o–3(g)(3).
E:\FR\FM\08JAN1.SGM
08JAN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 5 (Tuesday, January 8, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1385-1387]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-90]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-57077; File No. SR-FINRA-2007-030]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Financial Industry Regulatory
Authority, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of
Proposed Rule Change Relating to Revisions to the Series 55 Examination
Program
December 31, 2007.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(``Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given that
on December 12, 2007, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.
(``FINRA'') (f/k/a National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
(``NASD'')) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``SEC''
or ``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II
and III below, which Items have been prepared substantially by FINRA.
FINRA has designated this proposal as constituting a stated policy,
practice, or interpretation with respect to the meaning,
administration, or enforcement of an existing rule of the self-
regulatory organization pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(i) of the Act
\3\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(1) thereunder,\4\ which renders the proposal
effective upon filing with the Commission. The Commission is publishing
this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from
interested persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
\2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
\3\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(i).
\4\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change
FINRA is filing revisions to the study outline and selection
specifications for the Limited Representative--Equity Trader (Series
55) examination program.\5\ The proposed revisions
[[Page 1386]]
update the material to reflect changes to the laws, rules and
regulations covered by the examination and to better reflect the duties
and responsibilities of a Limited Representative--Equity Trader. FINRA
is not proposing any textual changes to the By-Laws, Schedules to the
By-Laws, or Rules of FINRA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ FINRA also is proposing corresponding revisions to the
Series 55 question bank, but based upon instruction from the
Commission staff, FINRA is submitting SR-FINRA-2007-030 for
immediate effectiveness pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act
and Rule 19b-4(f)(1) thereunder, and is not filing the question bank
for Commission review. See Letter to Alden S. Adkins, Senior Vice
President and General Counsel, NASD Regulation, from Belinda Blaine,
Associate Director, Division of Market Regulation, SEC, dated July
24, 2000, attached as Exhibit 3c to the proposed rule change. The
question bank is available for Commission review.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The text of the proposed rule change is available at https://
www.finra.org, the principal offices of FINRA, and the Commission's
Public Reference Room. The Series 55 selection specifications have been
submitted to the Commission under separate cover with a request for
confidential treatment pursuant to Rule 24b-2 under the Act.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\ 17 CFR 240.24b-2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
In its filing with the Commission, FINRA included statements
concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and
discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The
text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in
Item IV below. FINRA has prepared summaries, set forth in Sections A,
B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
1. Purpose
Section 15A(g)(3) of the Act \7\ requires FINRA to prescribe
standards of training, experience, and competence for persons
associated with FINRA members. In accordance with that provision, FINRA
has developed examinations, and administers examinations developed by
other self-regulatory organizations, that are designed to establish
that persons associated with FINRA members have attained specified
levels of competence and knowledge. FINRA periodically reviews the
content of the examinations to determine whether revisions are
necessary or appropriate in view of changes pertaining to the subject
matter covered by the examinations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\7\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-3(g)(3).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pursuant to NASD Rule 1032(f), each associated person of a member
who is included within the definition of representative in NASD Rule
1031(b) is required to register with FINRA as a Limited
Representative--Equity Trader if, with respect to transactions in
equity, preferred or convertible debt securities effected otherwise
than on a securities exchange, such person is engaged in proprietary
trading, the execution of transactions on an agency basis or the direct
supervision of such activities. There is an exception from the Limited
Representative--Equity Trader requirement for any associated person of
a member whose trading activities are conducted principally on behalf
of an investment company that is registered with the Commission
pursuant to the Investment Company Act of 1940 and that controls, is
controlled by, or is under common control with the member. The Series
55 examination is the FINRA examination that qualifies an individual to
function as a Limited Representative--Equity Trader. Before
registration as a Limited Representative--Equity Trader may become
effective, the individual must be registered as either a General
Securities Representative (Series 7) or Limited Representative-
Corporate Securities (Series 62).
A committee of industry representatives, together with FINRA staff,
recently undertook a review of the Series 55 examination program. As a
result of this review, FINRA is proposing to make revisions to the
study outline to reflect changes to the laws, rules and regulations
covered by the examination and to better reflect the duties and
responsibilities of a Limited Representative--Equity Trader.
Among other revisions, FINRA is proposing to revise the references
to the FINRA and The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (``NASDAQ'') rules in the
study outline to reflect NASDAQ's separation from FINRA (then known as
NASD). FINRA also is proposing to add sections on NASD Rules 2441 (Net
Transactions with Customers) and 5110 (Transactions Related to Initial
Public Offerings).
FINRA is proposing to change the title of Section 2 of the study
outline from ``NASDAQ Display, Execution and Trading Systems'' to
``Display, Execution and Trading Systems.'' Further, as a result of the
revisions discussed above, the number of questions on each section of
the study outline was modified as follows: NASDAQ and Over-The-Counter
Markets, increased from 41 to 42 questions; Display, Execution and
Trading Systems, decreased from 17 to 12 questions; Trade Reporting
Requirements, increased from 19 to 22 questions; and General Industry
Standards, increased from 23 to 24 questions.
FINRA is proposing similar changes to the Series 55 selection
specifications and question bank. The number of questions on the Series
55 examination will remain at 100, and candidates will continue to have
3 hours to complete the exam. Also, each question will continue to
count one point, and each candidate must correctly answer 70 percent of
the questions to receive a passing grade.
2. Statutory Basis
FINRA believes that the proposed revisions to the Series 55
examination program are consistent with the provisions of Sections
15A(b)(6) \8\ and 15A(g)(3) of the Act,\9\ which authorize FINRA to
prescribe standards of training, experience, and competence for persons
associated with FINRA members.
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\8\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-3(b)(6).
\9\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-3(g)(3).
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B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
FINRA does not believe that the proposed rule change will result in
any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in
furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants or Others
Written comments were neither solicited nor received.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
The proposed rule change has become effective pursuant to Section
19(b)(3)(A)(i) of the Act \10\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(1) thereunder,\11\ in
that the proposed rule change constitutes a stated policy, practice, or
interpretation with respect to the meaning, administration, or
enforcement of an existing rule of the self-regulatory organization.
FINRA proposes to implement the revised Series 55 examination program
on February 12, 2008. FINRA will announce the implementation date in a
Regulatory Notice to be published on December 12, 2007, the date FINRA
filed SR-FINRA-2007-30 with the Commission.
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\10\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(i).
\11\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(1).
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At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule
change, the Commission may summarily abrogate such rule change if it
appears to the
[[Page 1387]]
Commission that such action is necessary or appropriate in the public
interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance
of the purposes of the Act.
IV. Solicitation of Comments
Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule
change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of
the following methods:
Electronic Comments
Use the Commission's Internet comment form (https://
www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
Send an e-mail to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include
File Number SR-FINRA-2007-030 on the subject line.
Paper Comments
Send paper comments in triplicate to Nancy M. Morris,
Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, Station Place, 100 F
Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090.
All submissions should refer to File Number SR-FINRA-2007-030. This
file number should be included on the subject line if e-mail is used.
To help the Commission process and review your comments more
efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will post all
comments on the Commission's Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/
rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments,
all written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that
are filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating
to the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person,
other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance
with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for inspection
and copying in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street,
NE., Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours
of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of such filing also will be available for
inspection and copying at the principal office of FINRA. All comments
received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit
personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit
only information that you wish to make publicly available. All
submissions should refer to File Number SR-FINRA-2007-030 and should be
submitted on or before January 29, 2008.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\12\
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\12\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8-90 Filed 1-7-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
