Self-Regulatory Organizations; Boston Stock Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change and Amendment No. 1 Thereto Relating to Exchange Fees and Charges To Be Assessed in Connection With the Implementation of an Electronic Registration Process, 3767-3769 [E8-997]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 14 / Tuesday, January 22, 2008 / Notices
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
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 the Exchange. 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 available publicly. All
submissions should refer to File
Number SR–Amex–2007–130 and
should be submitted on or before
February 12, 2008.
IV. Commission’s Findings and Order
Granting Accelerated Approval of the
Proposed Rule Change
After careful consideration, the
Commission finds that the proposed
rule change is consistent with the
requirements of the Act and the rules
and regulations thereunder applicable to
a national securities exchange.8 In
particular, the Commission finds that
the proposed rule change is consistent
with section 6(b)(5) of the Act,9 which
requires that the rules of a national
securities exchange be designed, among
other things, to promote just and
equitable principles of trade, to remove
impediments to and perfect the
mechanism of a free and open market
and a national market system, and, in
general, to protect investors and the
public interest.
The Commission believes that the
Exchange’s proposal is consistent with
the Act, and, in particular, reasonably
balances the removal of impediments to
a free and open market with the
protection of investors and the public
interest, two principles set forth in
section 6(b)(5) of the Act. The
8 In approving this rule change, the Commission
notes that it has considered the proposed rule’s
impact on efficiency, competition, and capital
formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
9 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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Jkt 214001
Commission notes that a variety of
exchange-traded funds seeking to
provide (a) investment results that
correspond to or exceed twice (200%)
the direct performance of a specified
stock index, or (b) investment results
that correspond to twice (¥200%) the
inverse or opposite of the index’s
performance, are currently listed and
traded on the Exchange.10 In addition,
the Commission further believes that
heightened suitability standards are
appropriate for derivative securities
products, including section 107
Securities, that seek to provide
investment results that correspond to
the direct or inverse performance of an
underlying reference asset by a specified
multiple and allow for a loss or negative
payment at maturity to be accelerated by
a specified multiple. Before
recommending transactions in these
types of leveraged products, Exchange
members must have a reasonable basis
to believe that the customer can
evaluate the special characteristics, and
is able to bear the financial risks, of
such investment. The Commission
expects the Exchange to continue to
monitor the application of its suitability
requirements, including those under
Commentary .05 to Amex Rule 411, as
proposed.
The Commission finds good cause for
approving the proposed rule change
prior to the thirtieth day after the date
of publication of notice thereof in the
Federal Register. The Commission notes
that it has approved identical revisions
to the initial listing standards for the
same type of derivative securities
products, as proposed by another
national securities exchange.11 With
respect to the revisions to Commentary
.05 to Amex Rule 411, the Commission
believes that the proposal strengthens
the suitability standards and raises no
new regulatory issues. Accordingly, the
Commission finds good cause for
approving the proposal on an
accelerated basis, pursuant to section
19(b)(2) of the Act.
VI. Conclusion
It is therefore ordered, pursuant to
section 19(b)(2) of the Act,12 that the
10 See
supra note 5 and accompanying text.
11 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 57149
(January 15, 2008) (SR–NYSEArca–2007–122)
(approving the proposal to make substantively
identical revisions to the initial listing standards for
Index-Linked Securities listed and/or traded on
NYSE Arca, Inc. (‘‘NYSE Arca’’)). See also
Securities Exchange Act Release No. 56907
(December 5, 2007), 72 FR 70640 (December 12,
2007) (SR–NYSEArca–2007–122) (providing notice
of the proposal to make substantively identical
revisions to the initial listing standards for IndexLinked Securities listed and/or traded on NYSE
Arca).
12 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
PO 00000
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Fmt 4703
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3767
proposed rule change (SR–Amex–2007–
130), as modified by Amendment Nos.
1 and 2 thereto, be, and it hereby is,
approved on an accelerated basis.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.13
Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8–996 Filed 1–18–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–57152; File No. SR–BSE–
2007–55]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Boston
Stock Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing
and Immediate Effectiveness of a
Proposed Rule Change and
Amendment No. 1 Thereto Relating to
Exchange Fees and Charges To Be
Assessed in Connection With the
Implementation of an Electronic
Registration Process
January 15, 2008.
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
21, 2007, the Boston Stock Exchange,
Inc. (‘‘BSE’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with
the Securities and Exchange
Commission (‘‘Commission’’) the
proposed rule change as described in
Items I, II and III below, which Items
have been prepared substantially by the
Exchange. On January 11, 2008, BSE
filed Amendment No. 1 to the proposed
rule change. BSE has designated this
proposal as one establishing or changing
a member due, fee, or other charge
imposed by the Exchange under section
19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act 3 and Rule 19b–
4(f)(2) 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,
as amended, from interested persons.
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Terms of Substance of
the Proposed Rule Change
The BSE proposes to amend the BSE
Fee Schedule and the Boston Options
Exchange (‘‘BOX’’) Fee Schedule in
order to adopt certain fees to be charged
13 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)(ii).
4 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(2).
1 15
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3768
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 14 / Tuesday, January 22, 2008 / Notices
to all active members 5 and to all
member and participant organizations
(collectively, the ‘‘members’’) associated
with the implementation of an
electronic registration process through
the Financial Industry Regulatory
Authority’s (‘‘FINRA’’) Web Central
Registration Depository (‘‘Web CRD’’).
The text of the proposed rule change is
available at https://
www.bostonstock.com, the principal
offices of the Exchange, and the
Commission’s Public Reference Room.
II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
In its filing with the Commission, the
Exchange 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. BSE
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
The purpose of the proposed rule
change is to adopt fees associated with
the implementation of an electronic
registration process through FINRA’s
Web CRD, which should, in turn, create
a more efficient registration process by
migrating from a manual paper-based
Exchange procedure for registration to a
Web-based registration process that is
operated by FINRA. The proposed fees
are similar to those fees charged by
other self-regulatory organizations that
use FINRA’s Web CRD.6
Specifically, the Exchange proposes to
adopt the following fees that will be
imposed upon all members in
connection with their required
participation in Web CRD: (a) A FINRA
CRD Processing Fee of $85.00; (b) a
FINRA Disclosure Processing Fee of
$95.00; (c) a FINRA Annual System
Processing Fee of $30.00; and (d)
fingerprinting fees that will vary
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
5 Because
BSE ceased operations of its BeX equity
market on September 5, 2007, the only active
members that this now applies to are those
members of BOX.
6 See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 51641
(May 2, 2005), 70 FR 24155 (May 6, 2005) (SR–
PCX–2005–49); 48066 (June 19, 2003), 68 FR 38409
(June 27, 2003) (SR–AMEX–2003–49); 45112
(November 28, 2001), 66 FR 63086 (December 4,
2001) (SR–NYSE–2001–47); and 53688 (April 20,
2006), 71 FR 24885 (April 27, 2006) (SR–Phlx–
2006–24).
VerDate Aug<31>2005
20:38 Jan 18, 2008
Jkt 214001
depending on the submission: For a first
card submission the fee will be $30.25;
for a second card submission the fee
will be $13.00; for a third card
submission the fee will be $30.25; for
processing fingerprint results where the
member had prints processed through a
self-regulatory organization and not
FINRA, the fee will be $13.00
(collectively, the ‘‘FINRA Fees’’). The
Exchange also proposes to adopt: (e) An
individual initial registration fee of
$60.00; (f) an individual transfer fee for
$40.00 with a transfer time period of
thirty (30) days; (g) an individual
renewal fee for $50.00; and (h) an
individual termination fee of $30.00
(collectively, the ‘‘Exchange Fees’’).
FINRA will process the fingerprint cards
and will make the results available to
the Exchange, its members, and member
and participant organizations via Web
CRD.
Members and participant
organizations will be instructed to pay
the FINRA Fees and the Exchange Fees
associated with Web CRD directly to
FINRA through Web CRD. FINRA will
retain the FINRA Fees and remit the
Exchange Fees it collects to BSE.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the
Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
The foregoing proposed rule change
has been designated as a fee change
pursuant to section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the
Act 10 and Rule 19b–4(f)(2) 11
thereunder, because it establishes or
changes a due, fee, or other charge
imposed on members by the Exchange.
Accordingly, the proposal is effective
upon filing 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
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.12
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that the
proposed rule change is consistent with
section 6(b) of the Act,7 in general, and
furthers the objectives of section 6(b)(4)
of the Act,8 in particular, in that it is
designed to provide for the equitable
allocation of reasonable dues, fees and
other charges among its members and
issuers and other persons using its
facilities in connection with their use of
Web CRD. The fees are imposed upon
all members equally. The Exchange
believes the proposed fees are
reasonable in that they are similar to
those charged by other self-regulatory
organizations that use FINRA’s Web
CRD.9
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–BSE–2007–55 on the
subject line.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange 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
The Exchange has neither solicited
nor received written comments on the
proposed rule change.
7 15
U.S.C. 78f(b).
U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
9 See note 6, supra.
8 15
PO 00000
Frm 00109
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
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:
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–BSE–2007–55. 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
10 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
CFR 240.19b–4(f)(2).
12 For purposes of calculating the 60-day period
within which the Commission may summarily
abrogate the proposed rule change under Section
19(b)(3)(C) of the Act, the Commission considers
the period to commence on January 11, 2008, the
date on which the Exchange filed Amendment No.
1.
11 17
E:\FR\FM\22JAN1.SGM
22JAN1
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 14 / Tuesday, January 22, 2008 / Notices
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 the Exchange. 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–BSE–2007–55 and should
be submitted on or before February 12,
2008.
(‘‘CME Holdings’’). On January 17, 2007,
the Exchange filed Amendment No. 1 to
the proposed rule change which
replaced and superseded the filing. The
proposed rule change, as modified by
Amendment No. 1, was published for
notice and comment in the Federal
Register on February 6, 2007.3 The
Commission received 174 comment
letters from 134 separate commenters on
the proposed rule change, including
comment letters from CBOT members
and legal counsel to CBOT and CBOT
members. The CBOE submitted its
response to comments on June 15,
2007.4 On June 29, 2007, CBOE filed
Partial Amendment No. 2 to the
proposal.5 This order approves the
proposed rule change, as modified by
Amendment Nos. 1 and 2.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.13
Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8–997 Filed 1–18–08; 8:45 am]
As compensation for the ‘‘special
contribution’’ of time and money that
the CBOT expended in the development
of the CBOE in the early 1970s, an
‘‘Exercise Right’’ was granted to each
‘‘member of [the CBOT]’’ entitling him
or her to become a member of the CBOE
without having to acquire a separate
CBOE membership.6 This right,
established in Article Fifth(b) of the
CBOE Certificate of Incorporation
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
Release No. 34–57159; File No. SR–CBOE–
2006–106]
Self-Regulatory Organizations;
Chicago Board Options Exchange,
Incorporated; Order Granting Approval
to a Proposed Rule Change, as
Modified by Amendment Nos. 1 and 2
Thereto, Relating to an Interpretation
of Paragraph (b) of Article Fifth of Its
Certificate of Incorporation
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
January 15, 2008.
I. Introduction
On December 12, 2006, the Chicago
Board Options Exchange, Incorporated
(‘‘CBOE’’ or the ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with
the Securities and Exchange
Commission (‘‘Commission’’ or ‘‘SEC’’),
pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(‘‘Exchange Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4
thereunder,2 a proposed rule change to
adopt an interpretation of the rules of
CBOE in response to the acquisition of
the Board of Trade of the City of
Chicago, Inc. (‘‘CBOT’’) by Chicago
Mercantile Exchange Holdings, Inc.
13 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
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20:38 Jan 18, 2008
Jkt 214001
II. Description of the Proposed Rule
Change
A. Background
3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 55190
(January 29, 2007), 72 FR 5472 (SR–CBOE–2006–
106) (‘‘Notice’’).
4 See Letter from Michael L. Meyer, Schiff Hardin,
to Nancy M. Morris, Secretary, Commission, dated
June 15, 2007 (‘‘CBOE Response to Comments’’).
5 The CBOE submitted an opinion of counsel as
Exhibit 3f to Amendment 1 to its proposal. See
Letter from Wendell Fenton, Esq., Richards, Layton
& Finger, to Joanne Moffic-Silver, General Counsel
and Corporate Secretary, CBOE, dated January 16,
2007 (‘‘First Opinion of Counsel’’). CBOE
subsequently submitted an updated legal opinion
via Partial Amendment No. 2, which opines that the
proposed rule change embodied in SR–CBOE–
2006–106 constitutes an interpretation of Article
Fifth(b), and not an amendment of Article Fifth(b),
consistent with the conclusions reached in the
opinion letters of Delaware counsel that CBOE
submitted to the Commission in connection with
CBOE rule filings SR–CBOE–2004–16 and SR–
CBOE–2005–19. See Letter from Wendell Fenton,
Esq., Richards, Layton & Finger, to Joanne MofficSilver, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary,
CBOE, dated June 28, 2007 (‘‘Second Opinion of
Counsel’’). The Commission believes that because
Partial Amendment No. 2 raises no new or novel
issues, it is technical in nature and not subject to
separate notice and comment.
6 As CBOE explained in the notice of its proposal,
the ‘‘special contribution’’ of the members of CBOT
referred to in Article Fifth(b) consisted primarily of
CBOT’s providing the seed capital for the start-up
of CBOE in the early 1970s by means of direct cash
expenditures, CBOT’s guarantee of a bank loan to
CBOE to fund additional CBOE start-up costs, and
CBOT’s contribution of intellectual property. See
Notice, supra note 3, 72 FR at 5473.
PO 00000
Frm 00110
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
3769
(‘‘Article Fifth(b)’’), provides, in
relevant part:
In recognition of the special contribution
made to the organization and development of
the [CBOE] by the members of [the CBOT]
* * * every present and future member of
[the CBOT] who applies for membership in
the [CBOE] and who otherwise qualifies
shall, so long as he remains a member of said
Board of Trade, be entitled to be a member
of the [CBOE] notwithstanding any such
limitation on the number of members and
without the necessity of acquiring such
membership for consideration or value from
the [CBOE], its members or elsewhere.
Article Fifth(b) states that no
amendment may be made to it without
the approval of at least 80% of those
CBOT members who have ‘‘exercised’’
their right to be CBOE members and
80% of all other CBOE members.
Since Article Fifth(b) does not define
what a ‘‘member of [the CBOT]’’ means,
on several occasions in the past, the
CBOE has interpreted the meaning of
Article Fifth(b), in particular the term
‘‘member of [the CBOT],’’ in response to
changes in the ownership structure of
the CBOT. On each such occasion, the
CBOE and CBOT ultimately reached a
mutual agreement on the particular
interpretation at issue, and those
interpretations are reflected in various
agreements and letter agreements
between CBOE and CBOT. CBOE filed
these interpretations of Article Fifth(b)
with the Commission, reflected in
amendments to CBOE Rule 3.16(b)
(‘‘Special Provisions Regarding Chicago
Board of Trade Exerciser
Memberships’’), as proposed rule
changes pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of
the Exchange Act.7 The Commission
approved each such interpretation.
1. 1992 Agreement
In 1993, the Commission approved
the CBOE’s proposed interpretation of
the meaning of the term ‘‘member of
[the CBOT]’’ as used in Article Fifth(b)
that was embodied in an agreement
dated September 1, 1992 (the ‘‘1992
Agreement’’) and reflected in CBOE
Rule 3.16(b).8 The 1992 Agreement
addressed, among other things, the
effect on the Exercise Right of CBOT’s
plans to divide the membership
interests of the then-existing 1,402
member-owners of CBOT into parts.
That interpretation provided that all
such parts, together with the trading
rights appurtenant thereto, must be in
the possession of an individual in order
for that individual to be eligible to
7 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
Securities Exchange Act Release No. 32430
(June 8, 1993), 58 FR 32969 (June 14, 1993) (SR–
CBOE–92–42).
8 See
E:\FR\FM\22JAN1.SGM
22JAN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 14 (Tuesday, January 22, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3767-3769]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-997]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-57152; File No. SR-BSE-2007-55]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Boston Stock Exchange, Inc.;
Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change
and Amendment No. 1 Thereto Relating to Exchange Fees and Charges To Be
Assessed in Connection With the Implementation of an Electronic
Registration Process
January 15, 2008.
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 21, 2007, the Boston Stock Exchange, Inc. (``BSE'' or
``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II
and III below, which Items have been prepared substantially by the
Exchange. On January 11, 2008, BSE filed Amendment No. 1 to the
proposed rule change. BSE has designated this proposal as one
establishing or changing a member due, fee, or other charge imposed by
the Exchange under section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act \3\ and Rule 19b-
4(f)(2) 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, as amended, 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)(ii).
\4\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change
The BSE proposes to amend the BSE Fee Schedule and the Boston
Options Exchange (``BOX'') Fee Schedule in order to adopt certain fees
to be charged
[[Page 3768]]
to all active members \5\ and to all member and participant
organizations (collectively, the ``members'') associated with the
implementation of an electronic registration process through the
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority's (``FINRA'') Web Central
Registration Depository (``Web CRD''). The text of the proposed rule
change is available at https://www.bostonstock.com, the principal
offices of the Exchange, and the Commission's Public Reference Room.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ Because BSE ceased operations of its BeX equity market on
September 5, 2007, the only active members that this now applies to
are those members of BOX.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange 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. BSE 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
The purpose of the proposed rule change is to adopt fees associated
with the implementation of an electronic registration process through
FINRA's Web CRD, which should, in turn, create a more efficient
registration process by migrating from a manual paper-based Exchange
procedure for registration to a Web-based registration process that is
operated by FINRA. The proposed fees are similar to those fees charged
by other self-regulatory organizations that use FINRA's Web CRD.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\ See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 51641 (May 2,
2005), 70 FR 24155 (May 6, 2005) (SR-PCX-2005-49); 48066 (June 19,
2003), 68 FR 38409 (June 27, 2003) (SR-AMEX-2003-49); 45112
(November 28, 2001), 66 FR 63086 (December 4, 2001) (SR-NYSE-2001-
47); and 53688 (April 20, 2006), 71 FR 24885 (April 27, 2006) (SR-
Phlx-2006-24).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Specifically, the Exchange proposes to adopt the following fees
that will be imposed upon all members in connection with their required
participation in Web CRD: (a) A FINRA CRD Processing Fee of $85.00; (b)
a FINRA Disclosure Processing Fee of $95.00; (c) a FINRA Annual System
Processing Fee of $30.00; and (d) fingerprinting fees that will vary
depending on the submission: For a first card submission the fee will
be $30.25; for a second card submission the fee will be $13.00; for a
third card submission the fee will be $30.25; for processing
fingerprint results where the member had prints processed through a
self-regulatory organization and not FINRA, the fee will be $13.00
(collectively, the ``FINRA Fees''). The Exchange also proposes to
adopt: (e) An individual initial registration fee of $60.00; (f) an
individual transfer fee for $40.00 with a transfer time period of
thirty (30) days; (g) an individual renewal fee for $50.00; and (h) an
individual termination fee of $30.00 (collectively, the ``Exchange
Fees''). FINRA will process the fingerprint cards and will make the
results available to the Exchange, its members, and member and
participant organizations via Web CRD.
Members and participant organizations will be instructed to pay the
FINRA Fees and the Exchange Fees associated with Web CRD directly to
FINRA through Web CRD. FINRA will retain the FINRA Fees and remit the
Exchange Fees it collects to BSE.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent
with section 6(b) of the Act,\7\ in general, and furthers the
objectives of section 6(b)(4) of the Act,\8\ in particular, in that it
is designed to provide for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues,
fees and other charges among its members and issuers and other persons
using its facilities in connection with their use of Web CRD. The fees
are imposed upon all members equally. The Exchange believes the
proposed fees are reasonable in that they are similar to those charged
by other self-regulatory organizations that use FINRA's Web CRD.\9\
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\7\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
\8\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
\9\ See note 6, supra.
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B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange 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
The Exchange has neither solicited nor received written comments on
the proposed rule change.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
The foregoing proposed rule change has been designated as a fee
change pursuant to section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act \10\ and Rule
19b-4(f)(2) \11\ thereunder, because it establishes or changes a due,
fee, or other charge imposed on members by the Exchange. Accordingly,
the proposal is effective upon filing 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
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.\12\
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\10\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
\11\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).
\12\ For purposes of calculating the 60-day period within which
the Commission may summarily abrogate the proposed rule change under
Section 19(b)(3)(C) of the Act, the Commission considers the period
to commence on January 11, 2008, the date on which the Exchange
filed Amendment No. 1.
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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-BSE-2007-55 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-BSE-2007-55. 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
[[Page 3769]]
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 the Exchange. 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-BSE-2007-55 and should be submitted on
or before February 12, 2008.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\13\
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\13\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8-997 Filed 1-18-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P