Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by NYSE Amex LLC Amending Rule 390, 13623-13625 [2010-6150]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 54 / Monday, March 22, 2010 / Notices 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. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action The proposed rule change is designated by the Exchange as establishing or changing a due, fee, or other charge, thereby qualifying for effectiveness on filing pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) 6 of the Act and subparagraph (f)(2) of Rule 19b–4 7 thereunder. 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: pwalker on DSK8KYBLC1PROD 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–CBOE–2010–022 on the subject line. 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 Web site viewing and printing 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 will also 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 No. SR–CBOE– 2010–022 and should be submitted on or before April 12, 2010. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.8 Florence E. Harmon, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2010–6148 Filed 3–19–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–61705; File No. SR– NYSEAmex–2010–23] Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by NYSE Amex LLC Amending Rule 390 March 15, 2010. Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) 1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Paper Comments ‘‘Act’’) 2 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,3 • Send paper comments in triplicate notice is hereby given that, on March 5, to Secretary, Securities and Exchange 2010, NYSE Amex LLC (‘‘NYSE Amex’’ Commission, 100 F Street, NE., or the ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Washington, DC 20549–1090. Securities and Exchange Commission All submissions should refer to File (the ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule Number SR–CBOE–2010–022. This file change as described in Items I and II, number should be included on the below, which Items have been prepared subject line if e-mail is used. To help the by the self-regulatory organization. The Commission process and review your 8 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). comments more efficiently, please use 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). U.S.C. 78a. 3 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 6 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii). 7 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(2). VerDate Nov<24>2008 16:41 Mar 19, 2010 2 15 Jkt 220001 PO 00000 Frm 00141 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 13623 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 sharing in accounts rule to harmonize its requirements with those of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (‘‘FINRA’’). A copy of this filing is available on the Exchange’s Web site at https://www.nyse.com, at the Exchange’s principal office and at the Commission’s Public Reference Room. The text of the proposed rule change is below. Proposed new language is in italics and proposed deletions are in [brackets]. Rules of NYSE Amex, Inc. * * * * * Rule 390. [Assumption of Loss Prohibited] Prohibition Against Guarantees and Sharing in Accounts (a) Prohibition Against Guarantees No member or member organization shall guarantee any customer against loss in his account. [or take or receive directly or indirectly a share in the profits of any customer’s account or share in any losses sustained in any such account. For the purposes of this rule the term customer shall not be deemed to include the member or member organization or any joint, group, or syndicate account with such member or member organization.] (b) Sharing in Accounts; Extent Permissible (1)(A) Except as provided in paragraph (2) no member or person associated with a member shall share directly or indirectly in the profits or losses in any account of a customer carried by the member or any other member; provided, however, that a member or person associated with a member may share in the profits or losses in such an account if (i) such person associated with a member obtains prior written authorization from the member employing the associated person; (ii) such member or person associated with a member obtains prior written authorization from the customer; and (iii) such member or person associated with a member shares in the profits or losses in any account of such customer only in direct proportion to the financial contributions made to such account by either the member or person associated with a member. (B) Exempt from the direct proportionate share limitation of paragraph (1)(A)(iii) are accounts of the immediate family of such member or person associated with a member. For E:\FR\FM\22MRN1.SGM 22MRN1 13624 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 54 / Monday, March 22, 2010 / Notices purposes of this Rule, the term ‘‘immediate family’’ shall include parents, mother-in-law or father-in-law, husband or wife, children or any relative to whose support the member or person associated with a member otherwise contributes directly or indirectly. (2) Notwithstanding the prohibition of paragraph (1), a member or person associated with a member that is acting as an investment adviser (whether or not registered as such) may receive compensation based on a share in profits or gains in an account if (A) such person associated with a member seeking such compensation obtains prior written authorization from the member employing the associated person; (B) such member or person associated with a member seeking such compensation obtains prior written authorization from the customer; and (C) all of the conditions in Rule 205– 3 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (as the same may be amended from time to time) are satisfied. * * * * * 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. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant parts of such statements. pwalker on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with NOTICES A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and the Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose Pursuant to Rule 17d–2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the American Stock Exchange, LLC (n/k/a NYSE Amex, LLC), the Boston Stock Exchange, Inc., the Chicago Board Options Exchange, Inc., the International Securities Exchange, LLC, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC, the New York Stock Exchange, LLC, NYSE Arca, Inc., and the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, Inc. (collectively the ‘‘Options Self Regulatory Council’’), entered into an agreement dated June 5, 2008 (the ‘‘17d– 2 Agreement’’) to allocate regulatory VerDate Nov<24>2008 16:41 Mar 19, 2010 Jkt 220001 responsibility for common rules. By this proposal, the Exchange seeks to harmonize its ‘Sharing in Accounts’ rule with FINRA’s rule for purposes of the 17d–2 Agreement. In order to maintain substantial similarity with FINRA rules, the Exchange proposes to delete the language of NYSE Amex Rule 390 related to sharing in the profits and losses of a customer account, and replace it with the language of FINRA 2150(c), Sharing in Accounts; Extent Permissible. FINRA Rule 2150(c) contains the same prohibition against sharing in accounts as NYSE Amex Rule 390, but with additional limited exceptions. The general prohibition contained in NYSE Amex Rule 390 against sharing in the profits or losses of a customer account is currently covered by the 17d–2 Agreement. However, the limited exceptions of FINRA Rule 2150(c) are not covered by the 17d–2 Agreement. The Exchange proposes to add those limited exceptions in order to harmonize its rule with the FINRA rule and add those limited exceptions to the 17d–2 Agreement. The portion of the rule prohibiting the guarantee of a customer against loss will remain in place. 2. Statutory Basis The proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) 4 of the Act, in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) 5 in particular in that it 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 facilitating transactions in securities, and to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanisms of a free and open market and a national market system. Specifically, the changes proposed herein, by harmonizing NYSE Amex rules with FINRA rules, provide NYSE Amex Members with a clearer regulatory scheme. The Exchange further notes that the changes proposed herein are neither novel nor controversial and are modeled on existing FINRA rules. 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 Act. 4 15 5 15 PO 00000 U.S.C. 78f(b). U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). Frm 00142 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action The Exchange has filed the proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 6 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6) thereunder.7 Because the 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 prior to 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate, if consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest, the proposed rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 8 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder.9 A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b–4(f)(6) 10 normally does not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of the filing. However, pursuant to Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii),11 the Commission may designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange requests that the Commission waive the 30-day preoperative waiting period contained in Exchange Act Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii).12 The Exchange requests this waiver so that these changes can be both immediately effective and operative, thus minimizing any possible confusion. The Exchange believes that by harmonizing NYSE Amex rules with FINRA rules, NYSE Amex Members will be provided with a clearer regulatory scheme. The Commission believes that waiving the 30-day operative delay will permit the Exchange to harmonize its rules with the corresponding FINRA rule immediately, thus promoting 6 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii). CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). 8 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). 9 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b– 4(f)(6)(iii) requires the Exchange to give the Commission written notice of the Exchange’s intent to file the proposed rule change along with a brief description and text of the proposed rule change, at least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission. The Exchange has satisfied the pre-filing requirement. 10 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). 11 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii). 12 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii). 7 17 E:\FR\FM\22MRN1.SGM 22MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 54 / Monday, March 22, 2010 / Notices clarity with respect and minimizing confusion with respect to the requirements regarding guarantees and sharing in accounts.13 The Commission notes that the FINRA financial responsibility rules are currently in operation. For these reasons, the Commission designates the proposed rule change as operative upon filing. 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: pwalker on DSK8KYBLC1PROD 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–NYSEAmex–2010–23 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 Number SR–NYSEAmex–2010–23. 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 Web site viewing and printing in the Commission’s Public Reference Section, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549 on official business days between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of the filing will also be available for inspection and copying at the NYSE’s principal office and on its Internet Web site at https:// www.nyse.com. 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– NYSEAmex–2010–23 and should be submitted on or before April 12, 2010. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.14 Florence E. Harmon, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2010–6150 Filed 3–19–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated; Order Approving a Proposed Rule Change Relating to CoLocation Service Fees I. Introduction On January 28, 2010, Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated (‘‘CBOE’’ or the ‘‘Exchange’’) 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 thereunder,2 a proposed rule change relating to co-location services and related fees. The proposed rule change was published for comment in the Federal Register on February 10, 2010.3 The Commission received no comment letters on the proposal. This order approves the proposed rule change. II. Description For a monthly fee, the Exchange provides members with cabinet space in CBOE’s building for placement of network and server hardware. The fee is $10 per month per ‘‘U’’ of shelf space (which is equal to 1.75 inches).4 A 14 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). CFR 240.19b–4. 3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 61489 (February 4, 2010), 75 FR 6764 (‘‘Notice’’). 4 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 57191 (January 24, 2008), 73 FR 5611 (January 30, 2008). 1 15 13 For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay of this proposal, the Commission has considered the proposed rule’s impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f). VerDate Nov<24>2008 16:41 Mar 19, 2010 Jkt 220001 2 17 PO 00000 Frm 00143 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 13625 member also receives power, cooling, security and assistance with installation and connection of the equipment to the Exchange’s servers, at no additional charge. This ‘‘co-location service’’ provides members with close physical proximity to the Exchange’s electronic trading system, which helps meet their need for high performance processing and low latency. The co-location service is available to any member that requests the service and pays the monthly fee.5 In the Notice, the Exchange represented that it believes that for the foreseeable future, it has sufficient space to accommodate all members who may request the colocation service. In addition, the Exchange represented that, other than the co-location service, the Exchange does not provide any co-locating member with any advantage over any other co-locating member or any non-colocating member with respect to access to the Exchange’s trading system. Further, the Exchange represented that its systems are designed to minimize, to the extent possible, any advantage for one member over another. The Exchange noted that the above representations apply equally to both inbound and outbound data. The proposal clarifies the Exchange’s Fee Schedule relating to co-location fees in two respects. First, the Exchange proposes to move the co-location fees from Section 17 of the Fees Schedule (Hybrid Fees) to Section 8 (Facility Fees) because it believes that these fees are more accurately described as facility fees. Second, the Exchange proposes to clarify that the co-location fees are charged in increments of 4 ‘‘U’’ (which is equal to 7 inches) because the cabinet space is available in 4 U increments. III. Discussion and Commission’s Findings 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 The fee for a Sponsored User is $20 per month per ‘‘U.’’ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 58189 (July 18, 2008), 73 FR 43274 (July 24, 2008). 5 A member using the co-location service may also pay certain CBOEdirect Connectivity Charges that are set forth in Section 16 of the Fee Schedule. The Exchange represents that these fees are charged for member connectivity to CBOEdirect regardless of whether or not a member is using the co-location service. These fees include a $40 per month ‘‘CMi Application Server’’ fee for server hardware used to connect to the CBOE CMi API, a $40 per month ‘‘Network Access Port’’ fee for use of the CMi API, and a $40 per month ‘‘FIX Port’’ fee for use of the FIX API. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 57191, supra note 1. Each of the foregoing fees is $80 per month for a Sponsored User. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 58189, supra note 1. E:\FR\FM\22MRN1.SGM 22MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 54 (Monday, March 22, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13623-13625]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-6150]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-61705; File No. SR-NYSEAmex-2010-23]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate 
Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by NYSE Amex LLC Amending Rule 
390

March 15, 2010.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) \1\ of the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934 (the ``Act'') \2\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\3\ notice is hereby 
given that, on March 5, 2010, NYSE Amex LLC (``NYSE Amex'' or the 
``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 
``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I and 
II, below, which Items have been prepared by the self-regulatory 
organization. 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\ 15 U.S.C. 78a.
    \3\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposes to amend its sharing in accounts rule to 
harmonize its requirements with those of the Financial Industry 
Regulatory Authority (``FINRA''). A copy of this filing is available on 
the Exchange's Web site at https://www.nyse.com, at the Exchange's 
principal office and at the Commission's Public Reference Room. The 
text of the proposed rule change is below. Proposed new language is in 
italics and proposed deletions are in [brackets].
Rules of NYSE Amex, Inc.
* * * * *
    Rule 390. [Assumption of Loss Prohibited] Prohibition Against 
Guarantees and Sharing in Accounts
    (a) Prohibition Against Guarantees
    No member or member organization shall guarantee any customer 
against loss in his account. [or take or receive directly or indirectly 
a share in the profits of any customer's account or share in any losses 
sustained in any such account. For the purposes of this rule the term 
customer shall not be deemed to include the member or member 
organization or any joint, group, or syndicate account with such member 
or member organization.]
    (b) Sharing in Accounts; Extent Permissible
    (1)(A) Except as provided in paragraph (2) no member or person 
associated with a member shall share directly or indirectly in the 
profits or losses in any account of a customer carried by the member or 
any other member; provided, however, that a member or person associated 
with a member may share in the profits or losses in such an account if
    (i) such person associated with a member obtains prior written 
authorization from the member employing the associated person;
    (ii) such member or person associated with a member obtains prior 
written authorization from the customer; and
    (iii) such member or person associated with a member shares in the 
profits or losses in any account of such customer only in direct 
proportion to the financial contributions made to such account by 
either the member or person associated with a member.
    (B) Exempt from the direct proportionate share limitation of 
paragraph (1)(A)(iii) are accounts of the immediate family of such 
member or person associated with a member. For

[[Page 13624]]

purposes of this Rule, the term ``immediate family'' shall include 
parents, mother-in-law or father-in-law, husband or wife, children or 
any relative to whose support the member or person associated with a 
member otherwise contributes directly or indirectly.
    (2) Notwithstanding the prohibition of paragraph (1), a member or 
person associated with a member that is acting as an investment adviser 
(whether or not registered as such) may receive compensation based on a 
share in profits or gains in an account if
    (A) such person associated with a member seeking such compensation 
obtains prior written authorization from the member employing the 
associated person;
    (B) such member or person associated with a member seeking such 
compensation obtains prior written authorization from the customer; and
    (C) all of the conditions in Rule 205-3 of the Investment Advisers 
Act of 1940 (as the same may be amended from time to time) are 
satisfied.
* * * * *

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. 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 the 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose
    Pursuant to Rule 17d-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 
the American Stock Exchange, LLC (n/k/a NYSE Amex, LLC), the Boston 
Stock Exchange, Inc., the Chicago Board Options Exchange, Inc., the 
International Securities Exchange, LLC, Financial Industry Regulatory 
Authority, Inc., The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC, the New York Stock 
Exchange, LLC, NYSE Arca, Inc., and the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, 
Inc. (collectively the ``Options Self Regulatory Council''), entered 
into an agreement dated June 5, 2008 (the ``17d-2 Agreement'') to 
allocate regulatory responsibility for common rules. By this proposal, 
the Exchange seeks to harmonize its `Sharing in Accounts' rule with 
FINRA's rule for purposes of the 17d-2 Agreement.
    In order to maintain substantial similarity with FINRA rules, the 
Exchange proposes to delete the language of NYSE Amex Rule 390 related 
to sharing in the profits and losses of a customer account, and replace 
it with the language of FINRA 2150(c), Sharing in Accounts; Extent 
Permissible. FINRA Rule 2150(c) contains the same prohibition against 
sharing in accounts as NYSE Amex Rule 390, but with additional limited 
exceptions. The general prohibition contained in NYSE Amex Rule 390 
against sharing in the profits or losses of a customer account is 
currently covered by the 17d-2 Agreement. However, the limited 
exceptions of FINRA Rule 2150(c) are not covered by the 17d-2 
Agreement. The Exchange proposes to add those limited exceptions in 
order to harmonize its rule with the FINRA rule and add those limited 
exceptions to the 17d-2 Agreement. The portion of the rule prohibiting 
the guarantee of a customer against loss will remain in place.
2. Statutory Basis
    The proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) \4\ of the 
Act, in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) \5\ in 
particular in that it 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 facilitating transactions in securities, and to 
remove impediments to and perfect the mechanisms of a free and open 
market and a national market system. Specifically, the changes proposed 
herein, by harmonizing NYSE Amex rules with FINRA rules, provide NYSE 
Amex Members with a clearer regulatory scheme. The Exchange further 
notes that the changes proposed herein are neither novel nor 
controversial and are modeled on existing FINRA rules.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \5\ 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 
impose 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

    No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the 
proposed rule change.

III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for 
Commission Action

    The Exchange has filed the proposed rule change pursuant to Section 
19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act \6\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\7\ 
Because the 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 prior to 
30 days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as 
the Commission may designate, if consistent with the protection of 
investors and the public interest, the proposed rule change has become 
effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \8\ and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder.\9\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
    \7\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
    \8\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \9\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) 
requires the Exchange to give the Commission written notice of the 
Exchange's intent to file the proposed rule change along with a 
brief description and text of the proposed rule change, at least 
five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule 
change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission. The 
Exchange has satisfied the pre-filing requirement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) \10\ normally 
does not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of the 
filing. However, pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii),\11\ the Commission 
may designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the 
protection of investors and the public interest.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
    \11\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange requests that the Commission waive the 30-day pre-
operative waiting period contained in Exchange Act Rule 19b-
4(f)(6)(iii).\12\ The Exchange requests this waiver so that these 
changes can be both immediately effective and operative, thus 
minimizing any possible confusion. The Exchange believes that by 
harmonizing NYSE Amex rules with FINRA rules, NYSE Amex Members will be 
provided with a clearer regulatory scheme. The Commission believes that 
waiving the 30-day operative delay will permit the Exchange to 
harmonize its rules with the corresponding FINRA rule immediately, thus 
promoting

[[Page 13625]]

clarity with respect and minimizing confusion with respect to the 
requirements regarding guarantees and sharing in accounts.\13\ The 
Commission notes that the FINRA financial responsibility rules are 
currently in operation. For these reasons, the Commission designates 
the proposed rule change as operative upon filing. 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\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
    \13\ For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay of 
this proposal, the Commission has considered the proposed rule's 
impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. 15 U.S.C. 
78c(f).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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-NYSEAmex-2010-23 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 Number SR-NYSEAmex-2010-23. 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 Web site 
viewing and printing in the Commission's Public Reference Section, 100 
F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549 on official business days between 
the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of the filing will also be 
available for inspection and copying at the NYSE's principal office and 
on its Internet Web site at https://www.nyse.com. 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-NYSEAmex-2010-23 and should be submitted 
on or before April 12, 2010.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\14\
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    \14\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2010-6150 Filed 3-19-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
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