Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ OMX BX, Inc.; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change To Amend IM-2110-4 To Reflect Changes to a Corresponding FINRA Rule, 48116-48117 [E9-22682]
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48116
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 181 / Monday, September 21, 2009 / Notices
and re-licensing fees of both
representatives and principals, and
therefore applies equally to all
categories of associated persons who
would incur fees pursuant to Rule
7003(b)(1) and (2). In addition, the
Commission notes that the Exchange
has been waiving these fees since
January 1, 2009, and believes waiving
the fees for an additional three months,
retroactive from July 1, 2009 until
October 1, 2009, is a reasonable
extension of the fee holiday. Based on
the above, the Commission believes the
proposed rule change constitutes an
equitable allocation of reasonable dues,
fees, and other charges under Section
6(b)(4) of the Act,12 and is otherwise
consistent with the requirements of the
Act.
IV. Conclusion
It is therefore ordered, pursuant to
Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,13 that the
proposed rule change (SR–BX–2009–
043), be, and hereby is, approved.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.14
Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E9–22685 Filed 9–18–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–60662; File No. SR–BX–
2009–053]
Self-Regulatory Organizations;
NASDAQ OMX BX, Inc.; Notice of Filing
of Proposed Rule Change To Amend
IM–2110–4 To Reflect Changes to a
Corresponding FINRA Rule
mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES
September 11, 2009.
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
September 1, 2009, NASDAQ OMX BX,
Inc. (the ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘BX’’) 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 by the Exchange.
The Exchange has designated the
proposed rule change as constituting a
non-controversial rule change under
Rule 19b–4(f)(6) under the Act,3 which
12 Id.
13 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.
3 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
14 17
VerDate Nov<24>2008
17:24 Sep 18, 2009
Jkt 217001
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
The Exchange is filing this proposed
rule change to amend BX Equity Rule
IM–2110–4 to reflect recent changes to
a corresponding rule of the Financial
Industry Regulatory Authority
(‘‘FINRA’’). BX will implement the
proposed rule change thirty days after
the date of the filing. The text of the
proposed rule change is available at
https://nasdaqomxbx.cchwallstreet.com,
at the Exchange’s principal office, 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
Exchange 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
Many of the Equity Rules adopted by
BX in conjunction with its resumption
of the trading of cash equities are based
on rules of FINRA (formerly the
National Association of Securities
Dealers (‘‘NASD’’)). During 2008, FINRA
embarked on an extended process of
moving rules formerly designated as
‘‘NASD Rules’’ into a consolidated
FINRA rulebook. In most cases, FINRA
has renumbered these rules, and in
some cases has substantively amended
them. Accordingly, BX also proposes to
initiate a process of modifying its
rulebook to ensure that BX rules
corresponding to FINRA/NASD rules
continue to mirror them as closely as
practicable. In some cases, it will not be
possible for the rule numbers of BX
rules to mirror corresponding FINRA
rules, because existing or planned BX
rules make use of those numbers.
However, wherever possible, BX plans
PO 00000
Frm 00066
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
to update its rules to reflect changes to
corresponding FINRA rules.
This filing addresses BX IM–2110–04,
which bars trading ahead of research
reports and which formerly
corresponded to NASD IM–2110–04. In
SR–FINRA–2008–054,4 FINRA
redesignated that rule as FINRA Rule
5280 and made substantive amendments
to strengthen and simplify the rule.
Notably, the amended FINRA rule
requires FINRA members to establish,
maintain and enforce policies and
procedures reasonably designed to
restrict or limit the flow of information
between research department personnel
or other persons with knowledge of the
content or timing of a research report,
and trading department personnel. Such
policies and procedures had formerly
been recommended but not required. BX
is adopting the new FINRA rule in full
(with minor modifications to reflect
limits on its jurisdiction to regulate nonExchange conduct), but is continuing to
designate its rule as IM–2110–04 in
order to maintain the 5000 Series of the
BX Equity Rules for possible future use.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that the
proposed rule change is consistent with
the provisions of Section 6 of the Act,5
in general, and with Sections 6(b)(5) of
the Act,6 in particular, in that the
proposal 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. The
proposed changes will conform BX
Equity Rule IM–2110–04 to recent
changes made to a corresponding
FINRA rule, to promote application of
consistent regulatory standards.
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, as amended.
4 Securities Exchange Act Release No. 59254
(January 15, 2009), 74 FR 4271 (January 23, 2009)
(SR–FINRA–2008–054).
5 15 U.S.C. 78f.
6 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
E:\FR\FM\21SEN1.SGM
21SEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 181 / Monday, September 21, 2009 / Notices
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
Because the foregoing proposed rule
change does not: (i) Significantly affect
the protection of investors or the public
interest; (ii) impose any significant
burden on competition; and (iii) become
operative for 30 days from the date on
which it was filed, or such shorter time
as the Commission may designate, it has
become effective pursuant to Section
19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 7 and Rule 19b–
4(f)(6) thereunder.8
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.
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:
mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD 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–BX–2009–053 on the
subject line.
Paper Comments
• Send paper comments in triplicate
to Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary,
Securities and Exchange Commission,
Station Place, 100 F Street, NE.,
Washington, DC 20549–1090.
All submissions should refer to File
Number SR–BX–2009–053. 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
7 15
8 17
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
VerDate Nov<24>2008
17:24 Sep 18, 2009
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 publicly available. All
submissions should refer to File
Number SR–BX–2009–053 and should
be submitted on or before October 13,
2009.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.9
Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E9–22682 Filed 9–18–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–60659; File No. SR–FINRA–
2009–044]
Self-Regulatory Organizations;
Financial Industry Regulatory
Authority, Inc.; Order Approving
Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by
Amendment No. 1, To Adopt FINRA
Rules 2262 (Disclosure of Control
Relationship With Issuer), 2269
(Disclosure of Participation or Interest
in Primary or Secondary Distribution)
and 5260 (Prohibition on Transactions,
Publication of Quotations, or
Publication of Indications of Interest
During Trading Halts) in the
Consolidated FINRA Rulebook
thereunder,2 a proposed rule change to
adopt without material change NASD
Rules 2240 (Disclosure of Control
Relationship with Issuer), 2250
(Disclosure of Participation or Interest
in Primary or Secondary Distribution)
and 3340 (Prohibition on Transactions,
Publication of Quotations, or
Publication of Indications of Interest
During Trading Halts) as FINRA rules in
the Consolidated FINRA Rulebook and
to delete NYSE Rules 312(f)(1) through
312(f)(3) and 321.24. The proposed rule
change would renumber NASD Rules
2240, 2250 and 3340 as FINRA Rules
2262, 2269 and 5260, respectively, in
the Consolidated FINRA Rulebook.
The proposed rule change was
published for comment in the Federal
Register on July 24, 2009.3 FINRA filed
Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule
change on September 11, 2009.4 The
Commission received no comment
letters on the proposed rule change.
This order approves the proposed rule
change, as modified by Amendment No.
1.
After careful review, 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 association.5 In particular, the
Commission finds that the proposed
rule change is consistent with the
provisions of Section 15A(b)(6) of the
Act,6 which requires, among other
things, that FINRA rules be designed to
prevent fraudulent and manipulative
acts and practices, to promote just and
equitable principles of trade, and, in
general, to protect investors and the
public interest.
The Commission believes that
transferring NASD Rules 2240 and 2250
into the Consolidated FINRA Rulebook
as FINRA Rules 2262 and 2269 will
ensure that disclosures or notifications
that member firms must provide to
customers in connection with certain
securities transactions will continue to
be made. These rules are intended to
provide disclosure to a customer about
certain relationships involving the
member that may present a conflict of
interest. The Commission believes that
repealing NYSE Rules 312(f) and 321.24
September 11, 2009.
On June 29, 2009, Financial Industry
Regulatory Authority, Inc. (‘‘FINRA’’) (f/
k/a National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. (‘‘NASD’’)) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission
(‘‘Commission’’), pursuant to Section
19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4
9 17
1 15
Jkt 217001
48117
PO 00000
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
Frm 00067
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
2 17
CFR 240.19b–4.
Securities Exchange Act Release No. 60330
(July 17, 2009), 74 FR 36787.
4 Amendment No. 1 is a technical amendment
that clarifies that the proposed rule change would
not change Incorporated NYSE Rule 312(h);
therefore, Amendment No. 1 does not require notice
and comment.
5 In approving this proposal, the Commission has
considered the proposed rule’s impact on
efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See
15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
6 15 U.S.C. 78o–3(b)(6).
3 See
E:\FR\FM\21SEN1.SGM
21SEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 181 (Monday, September 21, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48116-48117]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-22682]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-60662; File No. SR-BX-2009-053]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ OMX BX, Inc.; Notice of
Filing of Proposed Rule Change To Amend IM-2110-4 To Reflect Changes to
a Corresponding FINRA Rule
September 11, 2009.
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 September 1, 2009, NASDAQ OMX BX, Inc. (the ``Exchange'' or ``BX'')
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 by the Exchange. The Exchange has designated
the proposed rule change as constituting a non-controversial rule
change under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) under the Act,\3\ 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\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange is filing this proposed rule change to amend BX Equity
Rule IM-2110-4 to reflect recent changes to a corresponding rule of the
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (``FINRA''). BX will implement
the proposed rule change thirty days after the date of the filing. The
text of the proposed rule change is available at https://nasdaqomxbx.cchwallstreet.com, at the Exchange's principal office, 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 Exchange 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
Many of the Equity Rules adopted by BX in conjunction with its
resumption of the trading of cash equities are based on rules of FINRA
(formerly the National Association of Securities Dealers (``NASD'')).
During 2008, FINRA embarked on an extended process of moving rules
formerly designated as ``NASD Rules'' into a consolidated FINRA
rulebook. In most cases, FINRA has renumbered these rules, and in some
cases has substantively amended them. Accordingly, BX also proposes to
initiate a process of modifying its rulebook to ensure that BX rules
corresponding to FINRA/NASD rules continue to mirror them as closely as
practicable. In some cases, it will not be possible for the rule
numbers of BX rules to mirror corresponding FINRA rules, because
existing or planned BX rules make use of those numbers. However,
wherever possible, BX plans to update its rules to reflect changes to
corresponding FINRA rules.
This filing addresses BX IM-2110-04, which bars trading ahead of
research reports and which formerly corresponded to NASD IM-2110-04. In
SR-FINRA-2008-054,\4\ FINRA redesignated that rule as FINRA Rule 5280
and made substantive amendments to strengthen and simplify the rule.
Notably, the amended FINRA rule requires FINRA members to establish,
maintain and enforce policies and procedures reasonably designed to
restrict or limit the flow of information between research department
personnel or other persons with knowledge of the content or timing of a
research report, and trading department personnel. Such policies and
procedures had formerly been recommended but not required. BX is
adopting the new FINRA rule in full (with minor modifications to
reflect limits on its jurisdiction to regulate non-Exchange conduct),
but is continuing to designate its rule as IM-2110-04 in order to
maintain the 5000 Series of the BX Equity Rules for possible future
use.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ Securities Exchange Act Release No. 59254 (January 15,
2009), 74 FR 4271 (January 23, 2009) (SR-FINRA-2008-054).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent
with the provisions of Section 6 of the Act,\5\ in general, and with
Sections 6(b)(5) of the Act,\6\ in particular, in that the proposal 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. The proposed
changes will conform BX Equity Rule IM-2110-04 to recent changes made
to a corresponding FINRA rule, to promote application of consistent
regulatory standards.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ 15 U.S.C. 78f.
\6\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, as amended.
[[Page 48117]]
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
Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not: (i)
Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public
interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii)
become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or
such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become
effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \7\ and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6) thereunder.\8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\7\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
\8\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
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-BX-2009-053 on the subject line.
Paper Comments
Send paper comments in triplicate to Elizabeth M. Murphy,
Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, Station Place, 100 F
Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090.
All submissions should refer to File Number SR-BX-2009-053. 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 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-BX-2009-053 and should be
submitted on or before October 13, 2009.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\9\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\9\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E9-22682 Filed 9-18-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P