Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change by International Securities Exchange, LLC Relating to Changes to Rule 312 in Connection With the Purchase of Equity Interests by International Securities Exchange Holdings, Inc. in Optifreeze, LLC, 38068-38070 [E9-18169]
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38068
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 145 / Thursday, July 30, 2009 / Notices
The CBOE proposes to amend CBOE
Rule 6.53C(c)(ii)(3) to require market
participants whose quotes or orders are
not eligible to rest in the COB to enter
only IOC orders and such other order or
quote types as the CBOE may determine
on a class-by-class basis. Quote types
that are not eligible to rest in or trade
against the COB will be cancelled
automatically.5 According to the CBOE,
Market Makers whose quotes are not
eligible to rest in or trade against the
COB would be able, at a minimum, to
submit IOC orders to trade against the
COB.6
Finally, the CBOE proposes to amend
CBOE Rule 6.53C(c)(i) to clarify that an
order entry firm whose complex orders
are not eligible to route to the COB
could route its orders to the firm’s
booth, as well as to PAR.
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III. Discussion and Commission
Findings
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.7 In particular, the
Commission finds that the proposal is
consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the
Act,8 which requires, in part, that the
rules of a national securities exchange
be designed to prevent fraudulent and
manipulative acts and practices, 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. CBOE
Rule 6.53C(c)(i) currently allows the
Exchange to determine the class of
entities that may enter orders to rest in
the COB. By requiring market
participants who are not eligible to rest
orders or quotes in the COB to enter
only IOC orders and such other order or
quote types as the CBOE determines,
and by providing for the automatic
cancellation of quote types that are not
eligible to rest in or trade against the
COB, the proposal could help to prevent
the entry of ineligible orders and quote
types in the COB. The Commission
notes that Market Makers that are not
eligible to enter quotes to rest in or trade
against the COB would be permitted, at
a minimum, to enter IOC orders to trade
against orders in the COB. Finally, the
Commission believes that the
5 See
CBOE Rule 6.53C(c)(ii)(3).
Market Makers may enter quotes.
7 In approving this proposed rule change, the
Commission has considered the proposed rule’s
impact on efficiency, competition, and capital
formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
8 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
6 Only
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amendment to CBOE Rule 6.53C(c)(i) to
indicate that an order entry firm may
route its orders to the firm’s booth, as
well as to PAR, should clarify the
operation of CBOE Rule 6.53C.
IV. Conclusion
It is therefore ordered, pursuant to
Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,9 that the
proposed rule change (File No. SR–
CBOE–2009–038) is approved.
Liability Company (‘‘Optifreeze’’). The
text of the proposed rule change is
available on the Exchange’s Web site
https://www.ise.com, at the principal
office of the Exchange, and at the
Commission’s Public Reference Room.
II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.10
Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E9–18168 Filed 7–29–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–60382; File No. SR–ISE–
2009–45]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice
of Filing of Proposed Rule Change by
International Securities Exchange, LLC
Relating to Changes to Rule 312 in
Connection With the Purchase of
Equity Interests by International
Securities Exchange Holdings, Inc. in
Optifreeze, LLC
July 24, 2009.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
‘‘Exchange Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4
thereunder,2 notice is hereby given that
on July 23, 2009, the International
Securities Exchange, LLC (the
‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘ISE’’) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission
(‘‘Commission’’ or ‘‘SEC’’) the proposed
rule change as described in Items I, II,
and III below, which Items have been
prepared by the Exchange. 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
The Exchange is submitting this
proposed rule change (the ‘‘Proposed
Rule Change’’) to the Commission to
amend ISE Rule 312 (Limitation on
Affiliation between the Exchange and
Members) in connection with the capital
contribution by its parent company,
International Securities Exchange
Holdings, Inc. (‘‘ISE Holdings’’), in
Optifreeze LLC, a Delaware Limited
9 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
10 17
PO 00000
Frm 00090
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
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. The
self-regulatory organization 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
On June 5, 2009, ISE Holdings entered
into a Membership Purchase Agreement
(‘‘Purchase Agreement’’) with
Optifreeze. Pursuant to the Purchase
Agreement, ISE Holdings contributed
cash to the capital of Optifreeze in
exchange for membership interests
representing on the date of such
issuance 8.57% of the aggregate
membership interests in Optifreeze
(‘‘Purchased Interests’’). ISE Holdings
and its subsidiaries and affiliates do not
have any voting or other ‘‘control’’
arrangements with any of the other
members of Optifreeze relating to its
investment in Optifreeze. The purchase
by ISE Holdings of the Purchased
Interests (the ‘‘Transaction’’) was
consummated on June 5, 2009. As a
result of such purchase, ISE Holdings
became a member of Optifreeze
pursuant to the Third Amended and
Restated Operating Agreement of
Optifreeze dated June 5, 2009, and is
entitled to appoint one representative to
the Optifreeze Board of Directors.
Ballista Securities LLC (‘‘Ballista
Securities’’), a wholly-owned subsidiary
of Optifreeze, is an electronic access
member (‘‘EAM’’) of the Exchange.
In connection with the capital
contribution by ISE Holdings in
Optifreeze, the Exchange proposes to
amend ISE Rule 312 (Limitation on
Affiliation between the Exchange and
Members) to reflect ISE Holdings’
ownership interest in Ballista Securities,
and to set forth certain limitations and
obligations relating to such relationship.
E:\FR\FM\30JYN1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 145 / Thursday, July 30, 2009 / Notices
In particular, the Exchange proposes
that there be an exemption from Rule
312 of the Exchange with respect to the
investment by ISE Holdings in
Optifreeze. In relevant part, Rule 312
provides that, without prior SEC
approval, the Exchange, or any entity
with which the Exchange is affiliated
shall not, directly or indirectly, acquire
or maintain an ownership interest in a
member or non-member owner. In
addition, the Rule 312 provides that
nothing in that rule shall prohibit a
member or non-member owner from
being or becoming an affiliate of the
Exchange, or an affiliate of an affiliate
of the Exchange solely by reason of any
officer, director or partner of such
member becoming an Exchange Director
(as defined in the Amended and
Restated Constitution of the ISE). As a
result of the Transaction, the Exchange,
through ISE Holdings, will maintain an
ownership interest in an ISE member,
Ballista Securities, which, without
Commission approval, would be
prohibited by Rule 312. The
Commission has also has previously
noted its concern regarding (1) the
potential for conflicts of interest in
instances where an exchange is
affiliated with one of its members, and
(2) the potential for informational
advantages that could place an affiliated
member of an exchange at a competitive
`
advantage vis-a-vis the other nonaffiliated members. The Commission
has also noted its concerns about
potential unfair competition and
conflicts of interest between an
exchange’s self-regulatory obligations
and its commercial interest when the
exchange is affiliated with one of its
members. As such, ISE proposes to
amend Rule 312 to permit the proposed
relationship subject to several
conditions and limitations.
Accordingly, the Exchange is
proposing to adopt subsection (c) to
Rule 312 to require that, for so long as
(i) ISE Holdings maintains an ownership
interest in Ballista Securities; and (ii)
Ballista Securities remains a member of
the Exchange: (1) Financial Industry
Regulatory Authority (‘‘FINRA’’), a selfregulatory organization unaffiliated with
the Exchange or any of its affiliates, will
carry out oversight and enforcement
responsibilities as the designated
examining authority designated by the
Commission pursuant to Rule 17d-1 of
the Exchange Act with the
responsibility for examining Ballista
Securities for compliance with
applicable financial responsibility rules;
(2) the Exchange shall (a) enter into a
plan pursuant to Rule 17d-2 under the
Exchange Act with a non-affiliated self-
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15:34 Jul 29, 2009
Jkt 217001
regulatory organization (‘‘SRO’’) to
relieve the Exchange of regulatory
responsibilities for Ballista Securities
with respect to rules that are common
rules between the Exchange and the
SRO, and (b) enter into a regulatory
services contract with a non-affiliated
SRO to perform certain regulatory
responsibilities for Ballista Securities
for unique Exchange rules; 3 (3) the
regulatory services contract shall require
the Exchange to provide the nonaffiliated SRO with information, in an
easily accessible manner, regarding all
exception reports, alerts, complaints,
trading errors, cancellations,
investigations, and enforcement matters
(collectively, ‘‘Exceptions’’) in which
Ballista Securities is identified as a
participant that has potentially violated
Exchange or SEC rules, and shall require
that the nonaffiliated SRO provide a
report to the Exchange quantifying
Exceptions on not less than a quarterly
basis; (4) the Exchange shall establish
and maintain procedures and internal
controls reasonably designed to ensure
that Ballista Securities and its affiliates
do not have access to nonpublic
information obtained as a result of ISE
Holdings’ ownership interest in Ballista
Securities, until such information is
available generally to similarly situated
members of the Exchange in connection
with the provision of inbound order
routing to the Exchange; and (5) the
ownership interest of ISE Holdings, Inc.
in Ballista Securities is subject to the
conditions set forth above and is granted
on a temporary basis, for not longer than
one year from the date of Commission
approval of this filing.
In addition, the Exchange notes that
ISE Holdings owns less than 9% of the
equity in Optifreeze and therefore does
not own a controlling interest in
Optifreeze or otherwise have any veto or
other special voting rights with respect
to the management or operation of
Optifreeze. The Exchange acknowledges
that if the Exchange or any of its
affiliates were to directly or indirectly
increase the equity ownership of
Optifreeze, such increase would require
prior Commission approval. The
Exchange believes that the foregoing
measures and factors minimize the
concerns identified by the Commission
regarding potential conflicts of interest.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that the
proposed rule change is consistent with
the provisions of Section 6 of the
3 The non-affiliated SRO will perform certain
regulatory responsibilities for Ballista Securities
other than market surveillance, including, but not
limited to, investigative and disciplinary services.
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
38069
Exchange Act,4 in general, and with
Sections 6(b)(1) and (b)(5) of the
Exchange Act,5 in particular, in that the
proposal enables the Exchange to be so
organized as to have the capacity to be
able to carry out the purposes of the
Exchange Act and to comply with and
enforce compliance by members and
persons associated with members with
provisions of the Exchange Act, the
rules and regulations thereunder, and
SRO rules, and is designed to prevent
fraudulent and manipulative acts and
practices, to promote just and equitable
principles of trade, to foster cooperation
and coordination with persons engaged
in regulating, clearing, settling,
processing information with respect to,
and facilitating transactions in
securities, 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. In
particular, this rule change will address
any potential regulatory issues that
could arise with ISE Holdings’
investment in, and providing capital to,
an innovative brokerage operation.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange does not believe that
the proposed rule change will impose
any burden on competition that is not
necessary or appropriate in furtherance
of the purposes of the Exchange Act.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Comments on the
Proposed Rule Change Received From
Members, Participants or Others
The Exchange has not solicited, and
does not intend to solicit, comments on
this proposed rule change. The
Exchange has not received any
unsolicited written comments from
members, participants or others.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the
Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
Within 35 days of the date of
publication of this notice in the Federal
Register or within such longer period (i)
as the Commission may designate up to
90 days of such date if it finds such
longer period to be appropriate and
publishes its reasons for so finding or
(ii) as to which the self-regulatory
organization consents, the Commission
will:
(a) By order approve such proposed
rule change; or
4 15
5 15
E:\FR\FM\30JYN1.SGM
U.S.C. 78f.
U.S.C. 78f(b)(3), (5).
30JYN1
38070
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 145 / Thursday, July 30, 2009 / Notices
(b) institute proceedings to determine
whether the proposed rule change
should be disapproved.
For the Commission, by the Division
of Trading and Markets, pursuant to
delegated authority.6
IV. Solicitation of Comments
Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E9–18169 Filed 7–29–09; 8:45 am]
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:
BILLING CODE 8010–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
Electronic Comments
[Release No. 34–60376; File No. SR–CBOE–
2009–044]
• 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 No. SR–ISE–2009–45 on the subject
line.
Self-Regulatory Organizations;
Chicago Board Options Exchange,
Incorporated; Notice of Filing and
Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed
Rule Change To Amend Its Chicago
Board Options Exchange Stock
Exchange Fees Schedule To Establish
Facility Fees
Paper Comments
July 23, 2009.
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• Send paper comments in triplicate
to Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary,
Securities and Exchange Commission,
100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC
20549–1090.
All submissions should refer to File No.
SR–ISE–2009–45. 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 changes 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 ISE. 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 No.
SR–ISE–2009–45 and should be
submitted on or before August 20, 2009.
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Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
notice is hereby given that on July 2,
2009, the Chicago Board Options
Exchange, Incorporated (the ‘‘Exchange’’
or ‘‘CBOE’’) filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the
‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule
change as described in Items I, II, and
III below, which Items have been
prepared by the Exchange. 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
The Exchange proposes to amend its
CBOE Stock Exchange (‘‘CBSX’’) Fees
Schedule to establish facility fees. The
text of the proposed rule change is
available on the Exchange’s Web site
(https://www.cboe.org/legal), at the
Exchange’s Office of the Secretary, and
at 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
self-regulatory organization 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 those statements may be examined at
the places specified in Item IV below.
PO 00000
6 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
1 15
Frm 00092
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
The Exchange has prepared summaries,
set forth in sections A, B, and C below,
of the most significant parts of such
statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
1. Purpose
The Exchange proposes to amend the
CBSX Fees Schedule to adopt a facility
fee for the use of a perimeter booth by
CBSX Trading Permit Holders that are
not CBSX Market-Makers at a cost of
$350 per month.3 This fee is applicable
to CBSX Trading Permit Holders seeking
perimeter booth space, as opposed to a
regular CBOE member (who is eligible
to trade on CBSX) who pays for
perimeter booth space pursuant to the
CBOE fee schedule.
The Exchange also proposes to amend
the CBSX Fees Schedule to adopt a
facility fee for the use of a CBSX Floor
Post booth by CBSX Market Makers at
a cost of $350 per month. CBSX MarketMakers that are not CBSX DPMs may
not use the Floor Post until a change to
Rule 51.12 allowing such use is
approved. The proposed fee changes
will take effect on July 2, 2009.
2. Statutory Basis
The proposed rule change is
consistent with Section 6(b) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(‘‘Act’’),4 in general, and furthers the
objectives of Section 6(b)(4) 5 of the Act
in particular, in that it is designed to
provide for the equitable allocation of
reasonable dues, fees, and other charges
among CBOE members and other
persons using its facilities.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
CBOE does not believe that the
proposed rule change will impose any
burden on competition 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
No written comments were solicited
or received with respect to the proposed
rule change.
3 Perimeter booths are located in rows that are
situated around the perimeter of the trading floor.
These booths are typically utilized by Floor
Brokers.
4 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
5 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 145 (Thursday, July 30, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38068-38070]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-18169]
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-60382; File No. SR-ISE-2009-45]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule
Change by International Securities Exchange, LLC Relating to Changes to
Rule 312 in Connection With the Purchase of Equity Interests by
International Securities Exchange Holdings, Inc. in Optifreeze, LLC
July 24, 2009.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(the ``Exchange Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is
hereby given that on July 23, 2009, the International Securities
Exchange, LLC (the ``Exchange'' or ``ISE'') filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (``Commission'' or ``SEC'') the proposed rule
change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have
been prepared by the Exchange. 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange is submitting this proposed rule change (the
``Proposed Rule Change'') to the Commission to amend ISE Rule 312
(Limitation on Affiliation between the Exchange and Members) in
connection with the capital contribution by its parent company,
International Securities Exchange Holdings, Inc. (``ISE Holdings''), in
Optifreeze LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability Company (``Optifreeze'').
The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's Web
site https://www.ise.com, at the principal office of the Exchange, and
at 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. The self-regulatory organization 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
On June 5, 2009, ISE Holdings entered into a Membership Purchase
Agreement (``Purchase Agreement'') with Optifreeze. Pursuant to the
Purchase Agreement, ISE Holdings contributed cash to the capital of
Optifreeze in exchange for membership interests representing on the
date of such issuance 8.57% of the aggregate membership interests in
Optifreeze (``Purchased Interests''). ISE Holdings and its subsidiaries
and affiliates do not have any voting or other ``control'' arrangements
with any of the other members of Optifreeze relating to its investment
in Optifreeze. The purchase by ISE Holdings of the Purchased Interests
(the ``Transaction'') was consummated on June 5, 2009. As a result of
such purchase, ISE Holdings became a member of Optifreeze pursuant to
the Third Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Optifreeze dated
June 5, 2009, and is entitled to appoint one representative to the
Optifreeze Board of Directors. Ballista Securities LLC (``Ballista
Securities''), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Optifreeze, is an
electronic access member (``EAM'') of the Exchange.
In connection with the capital contribution by ISE Holdings in
Optifreeze, the Exchange proposes to amend ISE Rule 312 (Limitation on
Affiliation between the Exchange and Members) to reflect ISE Holdings'
ownership interest in Ballista Securities, and to set forth certain
limitations and obligations relating to such relationship.
[[Page 38069]]
In particular, the Exchange proposes that there be an exemption from
Rule 312 of the Exchange with respect to the investment by ISE Holdings
in Optifreeze. In relevant part, Rule 312 provides that, without prior
SEC approval, the Exchange, or any entity with which the Exchange is
affiliated shall not, directly or indirectly, acquire or maintain an
ownership interest in a member or non-member owner. In addition, the
Rule 312 provides that nothing in that rule shall prohibit a member or
non-member owner from being or becoming an affiliate of the Exchange,
or an affiliate of an affiliate of the Exchange solely by reason of any
officer, director or partner of such member becoming an Exchange
Director (as defined in the Amended and Restated Constitution of the
ISE). As a result of the Transaction, the Exchange, through ISE
Holdings, will maintain an ownership interest in an ISE member,
Ballista Securities, which, without Commission approval, would be
prohibited by Rule 312. The Commission has also has previously noted
its concern regarding (1) the potential for conflicts of interest in
instances where an exchange is affiliated with one of its members, and
(2) the potential for informational advantages that could place an
affiliated member of an exchange at a competitive advantage vis-
[agrave]-vis the other non-affiliated members. The Commission has also
noted its concerns about potential unfair competition and conflicts of
interest between an exchange's self-regulatory obligations and its
commercial interest when the exchange is affiliated with one of its
members. As such, ISE proposes to amend Rule 312 to permit the proposed
relationship subject to several conditions and limitations.
Accordingly, the Exchange is proposing to adopt subsection (c) to
Rule 312 to require that, for so long as (i) ISE Holdings maintains an
ownership interest in Ballista Securities; and (ii) Ballista Securities
remains a member of the Exchange: (1) Financial Industry Regulatory
Authority (``FINRA''), a self-regulatory organization unaffiliated with
the Exchange or any of its affiliates, will carry out oversight and
enforcement responsibilities as the designated examining authority
designated by the Commission pursuant to Rule 17d-1 of the Exchange Act
with the responsibility for examining Ballista Securities for
compliance with applicable financial responsibility rules; (2) the
Exchange shall (a) enter into a plan pursuant to Rule 17d-2 under the
Exchange Act with a non-affiliated self-regulatory organization
(``SRO'') to relieve the Exchange of regulatory responsibilities for
Ballista Securities with respect to rules that are common rules between
the Exchange and the SRO, and (b) enter into a regulatory services
contract with a non-affiliated SRO to perform certain regulatory
responsibilities for Ballista Securities for unique Exchange rules; \3\
(3) the regulatory services contract shall require the Exchange to
provide the non-affiliated SRO with information, in an easily
accessible manner, regarding all exception reports, alerts, complaints,
trading errors, cancellations, investigations, and enforcement matters
(collectively, ``Exceptions'') in which Ballista Securities is
identified as a participant that has potentially violated Exchange or
SEC rules, and shall require that the nonaffiliated SRO provide a
report to the Exchange quantifying Exceptions on not less than a
quarterly basis; (4) the Exchange shall establish and maintain
procedures and internal controls reasonably designed to ensure that
Ballista Securities and its affiliates do not have access to nonpublic
information obtained as a result of ISE Holdings' ownership interest in
Ballista Securities, until such information is available generally to
similarly situated members of the Exchange in connection with the
provision of inbound order routing to the Exchange; and (5) the
ownership interest of ISE Holdings, Inc. in Ballista Securities is
subject to the conditions set forth above and is granted on a temporary
basis, for not longer than one year from the date of Commission
approval of this filing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ The non-affiliated SRO will perform certain regulatory
responsibilities for Ballista Securities other than market
surveillance, including, but not limited to, investigative and
disciplinary services.
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In addition, the Exchange notes that ISE Holdings owns less than 9%
of the equity in Optifreeze and therefore does not own a controlling
interest in Optifreeze or otherwise have any veto or other special
voting rights with respect to the management or operation of
Optifreeze. The Exchange acknowledges that if the Exchange or any of
its affiliates were to directly or indirectly increase the equity
ownership of Optifreeze, such increase would require prior Commission
approval. The Exchange believes that the foregoing measures and factors
minimize the concerns identified by the Commission regarding potential
conflicts of interest.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent
with the provisions of Section 6 of the Exchange Act,\4\ in general,
and with Sections 6(b)(1) and (b)(5) of the Exchange Act,\5\ in
particular, in that the proposal enables the Exchange to be so
organized as to have the capacity to be able to carry out the purposes
of the Exchange Act and to comply with and enforce compliance by
members and persons associated with members with provisions of the
Exchange Act, the rules and regulations thereunder, and SRO rules, and
is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices,
to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster
cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in regulating,
clearing, settling, processing information with respect to, and
facilitating transactions in securities, 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.
In particular, this rule change will address any potential regulatory
issues that could arise with ISE Holdings' investment in, and providing
capital to, an innovative brokerage operation.
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\4\ 15 U.S.C. 78f.
\5\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(3), (5).
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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
impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate
in furtherance of the purposes of the Exchange Act.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants or Others
The Exchange has not solicited, and does not intend to solicit,
comments on this proposed rule change. The Exchange has not received
any unsolicited written comments from members, participants or others.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
Within 35 days of the date of publication of this notice in the
Federal Register or within such longer period (i) as the Commission may
designate up to 90 days of such date if it finds such longer period to
be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or (ii) as to
which the self-regulatory organization consents, the Commission will:
(a) By order approve such proposed rule change; or
[[Page 38070]]
(b) institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule
change should be disapproved.
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 No. SR-ISE-2009-45 on the subject line.
Paper Comments
Send paper comments in triplicate to Elizabeth M. Murphy,
Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE.,
Washington, DC 20549-1090.
All submissions should refer to File No. SR-ISE-2009-45. 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 changes 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 ISE. 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 No. SR-ISE-2009-45 and should be
submitted on or before August 20, 2009.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\6\
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\6\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E9-18169 Filed 7-29-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P