Self-Regulatory Organizations; The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Relating to the Collection of Exchange Fees, 80102-80104 [2010-31925]
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80102
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 244 / Tuesday, December 21, 2010 / Notices
123C(2)(b)(ii) 6 and 123C(2)(c)(iii) 7
pertaining to a ‘‘no imbalance’’
notification after dissemination of an
Informational Imbalance as well as the
text of current Rule 123C(2)(b)(iii),
because these provisions are no longer
necessary due to the system-enforced
compliance with MOC/LOC order entry.
In addition, the Exchange proposes to
amend Rule 123C(3)(c) to clarify that
Exchange systems will reject
cancellations of MOC, LOC and CO
orders after 3:58 p.m. and to add a
reference to Rule 123C(9), which
pertains to alternative procedures in the
case of extreme order imbalances at the
close.
Because the Exchange previously
disclosed this system functionality to
member organizations, the Exchange
believes that this rule proposal would
not require technical programming and/
or modification by members or member
organizations.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that its
proposal is consistent with Section 6(b)
of the Act,8 in general, and furthers the
objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,9
in particular, in that it is 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. Specifically, the changes
proposed herein would reflect that
Exchange systems enforce compliance
with Rule 123C(2) and (3) and therefore
clarify that Exchange members and
member organizations are not
responsible for ensuring such
compliance.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES
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.
6 See e-mail from Clare F. Saperstein, Vice
President, Regulatory Policy and Management,
NYSE Regulation, Inc., to Nathan Saunders, Special
Counsel, Division of Trading and Markets,
Commission, dated December 10, 2010 (amending
the proposed rule change by replacing the reference
to ‘‘Rule 123C(2) and (3)’’ with ‘‘Rule 123C(2)(b)(ii)
and 123C(2)(c)(iii)’’).
7 See id.
8 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
9 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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20:40 Dec 20, 2010
Jkt 223001
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
III. Date of Effectiveness of the
change that are filed with the
Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission, and all written
Commission Action
communications relating to the
proposed rule change between the
The foregoing proposed rule change
Commission and any person, other than
will take effect upon filing with the
those that may be withheld from the
Commission pursuant to Section
19(b)(3)(A)(i) of the Act 10 and Rule 19b– public in accordance with the
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
4(f)(1) thereunder,11 because it
available for Web site viewing and
constitutes a stated policy, practice, or
printing in the Commission’s Public
interpretation with respect to the
Reference Room, 100 F Street, NE.,
meaning, administration, or
Washington, DC 20549, on official
enforcement of an existing rule.
business days between the hours of 10
Specifically, the change proposed
a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of the filing also
herein would reflect that Exchange
will be available for inspection and
systems enforce compliance with Rule
copying at the principal office of the
123C(2) and (3) and therefore clarify
Exchange. All comments received will
that Exchange members and member
be posted without change; the
organizations are not responsible for
Commission does not edit personal
ensuring such compliance.
identifying information from
At any time within 60 days of the
submissions. You should submit only
filing of the proposed rule change, the
information that you wish to make
Commission summarily may
temporarily suspend such rule change if available publicly. All submissions
should refer to File Number SR–NYSE–
it appears to the Commission that such
action is necessary or appropriate in the 2010–75 and should be submitted on or
before January 11, 2011.
public interest, for the protection of
investors, or otherwise in furtherance of
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
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.
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:
authority.12
Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2010–31928 Filed 12–20–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
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–NYSE–2010–75 on the
subject line.
[Release No. 34–63536; File No. SR–
NASDAQ–2010–163]
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–NYSE–2010–75. This file
number should be included on the
subject line if e-mail is used. To help the
Commission process and review your
December 14, 2010.
Self-Regulatory Organizations; The
NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of
Proposed Rule Change Relating to the
Collection of Exchange Fees
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 2 thereunder,
notice is hereby given that, on December
8, 2010, The NASDAQ Stock Market
LLC (‘‘NASDAQ’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed
with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (‘‘SEC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’)
the proposed rule change as described
in Items I and II below, which Items
12 17
10 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(i).
11 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(1).
PO 00000
Frm 00069
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
1 15
E:\FR\FM\21DEN1.SGM
21DEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 244 / Tuesday, December 21, 2010 / Notices
have been prepared by the NASDAQ.
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 NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
proposes to create a new Rule 7007
titled ‘‘Collection of Exchange Fees and
Other Claims—NASDAQ Options
Market’’ to require members to provide
a clearing account number at the
National Securities Clearing Corporation
(‘‘NSCC’’) for purposes of permitting the
Exchange to debit any undisputed or
final fees, fines, charges and/or other
monetary sanctions or monies due and
owing to the Exchange.
The text of the proposed rule change
is available on the Exchange’s Web site
at https://
www.nasdaq.cchwallstreet.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. 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.
srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES
A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and the
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
1. Purpose
The purpose of the proposed rule
change is to create an efficient method
of collecting undisputed or final fees,
fines, charges and/or other monetary
sanctions or monies due and owing to
the Exchange from NASDAQ Options
Market (‘‘NOM’’) members.3 This
proposal would provide a cost savings
to the Exchange by alleviating
administrative processes related to the
collection of monies owed to the
Exchange. Collection matters divert staff
resources away from the Exchange’s
regulatory and business purposes. In
addition, the debiting process would
3 The Exchange will not debit accounts for fees
that are unusually large or for special
circumstances, unless such debiting is requested by
the member.
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20:40 Dec 20, 2010
Jkt 223001
prevent member accounts from
becoming overdue.
Currently, the Exchange issues
monthly invoices to NOM members,
which invoices are paid by NOM
members directly to the Exchange’s
accounting department. The Exchange
proposes to require NOM members and
applicants to provide a clearing account
number for an account at NSCC in order
to permit the Exchange to debit any
undisputed or final fees, fines, charges
and/or monetary sanctions or other
monies due and owing to the Exchange
or other charges related to Rule
1002(c)(2).4
The Exchange would continue to send
a monthly invoice 5 to each NOM
member on approximately the 4th–6th
business day of the following month.
The Exchange would also send a file to
NSCC each month on approximately the
23rd of the following month to initiate
the debit of the appropriate amount
stated on the member’s invoice for the
prior month. Because the members
would receive an invoice well before
any monies are debited (normally
within two weeks), the members would
have adequate time to contact the staff
with any questions concerning their
invoice.
If a NOM member disagrees with the
invoice, the Exchange would not
commence the debit until the dispute is
resolved. Specifically, if a member
disputes an invoice, the Exchange will
not include the disputed amount in the
debit if the member has disputed the
amount in writing to the Exchange’s
designated staff by the 15th of the
month, or the following business day if
the 15th is not a business day, and the
amount in dispute is at least $10,000 or
greater.
Once NSCC receives the file from the
Exchange, NSCC would proceed to debit
the amounts indicated from the clearing
members’ account. In the instance
where the member clears through an
Exchange clearing member, the
estimated transactions fees owed to the
Exchange are typically debited by the
clearing member on a daily basis in
order to ensure adequate funds have
4 Exchange Rule 1002(c)(1) titled Payment of
Fees, Dues, Assessments, and Other Charges by
Members and Associated Persons, states that fees,
dues, assessments, and other charges shall be called
and payable by members and associated persons as
determined by Nasdaq from time to time.
5 The monthly invoice will indicate that the
amount on the invoice will be debited from the
designated NSCC account. Each month, the
Exchange will send a file to the member’s clearing
firm which will indicate the amounts to be debited
from each member. If a member is ‘‘self-clearing,’’
no such file would be sent as the member would
receive the invoice, as noted above, which would
indicate the amount to be debited.
PO 00000
Frm 00070
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
80103
been escrowed. The Exchange would
debit any monies owed including
undisputed or final fees,6 fines, charges
and/or monetary sanctions or monies
due and owed to the Exchange.7 The
Exchange believes that the debit process
would eliminate the risk of unpaid
invoices because of the large amounts of
capital held at NSCC by members.
The Exchange is also proposing to
amend Exchange Rules 1002,
Qualifications of Nasdaq Members and
Associated Persons, and Exchange Rule
8320, Payment of Fines, Other Monetary
Sanctions, or Costs; Summary Action for
Failure to Pay, to reference new
Exchange Rule 7007.
The Exchange would provide NOM
members with a thirty (30) day period,
upon publication of this rule change, to
provide the Membership Department
with an NSCC number.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that its
proposal is consistent with Section 6(b)
of the Act 8 in general, and furthers the
objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act 9
in particular, in that it is designed 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, by
providing its NOM members with an
efficient process to pay undisputed or
final fees, fines, charges and/or
monetary sanctions or monies due and
owing to the Exchange. The Exchange
believes that this process of debiting
NSCC accounts would ease the NOM
member’s administrative burden in
paying monthly invoices, avoid overdue
balances and provide same day
collection from all NOM members, who
owe monies to the Exchange, which
results in equitable treatment.
6 See applicable Exchange fees at Rule 7050 and
Rule 7053.
7 This includes, among other things, fines which
result from: violations of the Minor Rule Plan
pursuant to Chapter X, Section 7 and monetary
sanctions pursuant to Rule 8310, 8320 or 8330.
With respect to disciplinary sanctions, the
Exchange would not debit any monies until such
action is final. The Exchange would not consider
an action final until all appeal periods have run
and/or all appeal timeframes are exhausted. With
respect to non-disciplinary actions, the Exchange
would similarly not take action to debit a member
account until all appeal periods have run and/or all
appeal timeframes are exhausted. Any uncontested
disciplinary or non-disciplinary actions will be
debited, and the amount due will appear on the
members invoice prior to the actual NSCC debit.
8 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
9 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
E:\FR\FM\21DEN1.SGM
21DEN1
80104
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 244 / Tuesday, December 21, 2010 / Notices
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 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 either
solicited or 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 after the date of
the filing, or such shorter time as the
Commission may designate, it has
become effective pursuant to 19(b)(3)(A)
of the Act 10 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6) 11
thereunder.
At any time within 60 days of the
filing of the proposed rule change, the
Commission summarily may
temporarily suspend 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 rulecomments@sec.gov. Please include File
Number SR–NASDAQ–2010–163 on the
subject line.
Securities and Exchange Commission,
100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC
20549–1090.
All submissions should refer to File
Number SR–NASDAQ–2010–163. 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,12 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 the filing also
will be available for inspection and
copying at the principal office of the
Exchange. All comments received will
be posted without change; the
Commission does not edit personal
identifying information from
submissions. You should submit only
information that you wish to make
available publicly. All submissions
should refer to File Number SR–
NASDAQ–2010–163 and should be
submitted on or before January 11, 2011.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.13
Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2010–31925 Filed 12–20–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES
• Send paper comments in triplicate
to Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary,
10 15
11 17
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20:40 Dec 20, 2010
Jkt 223001
[Release No. 34–63544; File No. SR–C2–
2010–011]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; C2
Options Exchange, Incorporated;
Notice of Filing and Immediate
Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule
Change To Amend the C2 Fees
Schedule
December 14, 2010.
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 December
8, 2010, C2 Options Exchange,
Incorporated (the ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘C2’’)
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 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
C2 proposes to amend its Fees
Schedule. 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.
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
Paper Comments
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b–
4(f)(6) requires a self-regulatory organization to give
the Commission written notice of its intent to file
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. NASDAQ has satisfied this
requirement.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
12 The text of the proposed rule change is
available on the Commission’s Web site at https://
www.sec.gov.
13 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
PO 00000
Frm 00071
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
1. Purpose
C2 proposes to amend its Fee
Schedule to clarify that the transaction
fees in the Fee Schedule also apply to
equity options listed on C2 that are not
in the options penny pilot. The current
transaction fee section of the C2 Fee
1 15
2 17
E:\FR\FM\21DEN1.SGM
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
CFR 240.19b–4.
21DEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 244 (Tuesday, December 21, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 80102-80104]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-31925]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-63536; File No. SR-NASDAQ-2010-163]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC;
Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change
Relating to the Collection of Exchange Fees
December 14, 2010.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 \2\ thereunder, notice is hereby given
that, on December 8, 2010, The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (``NASDAQ'' or
``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(``SEC'' or ``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in
Items I and II below, which Items
[[Page 80103]]
have been prepared by the NASDAQ. 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 NASDAQ Stock Market LLC proposes to create a new Rule 7007
titled ``Collection of Exchange Fees and Other Claims--NASDAQ Options
Market'' to require members to provide a clearing account number at the
National Securities Clearing Corporation (``NSCC'') for purposes of
permitting the Exchange to debit any undisputed or final fees, fines,
charges and/or other monetary sanctions or monies due and owing to the
Exchange.
The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's
Web site at https://www.nasdaq.cchwallstreet.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. 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 the
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
1. Purpose
The purpose of the proposed rule change is to create an efficient
method of collecting undisputed or final fees, fines, charges and/or
other monetary sanctions or monies due and owing to the Exchange from
NASDAQ Options Market (``NOM'') members.\3\ This proposal would provide
a cost savings to the Exchange by alleviating administrative processes
related to the collection of monies owed to the Exchange. Collection
matters divert staff resources away from the Exchange's regulatory and
business purposes. In addition, the debiting process would prevent
member accounts from becoming overdue.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ The Exchange will not debit accounts for fees that are
unusually large or for special circumstances, unless such debiting
is requested by the member.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Currently, the Exchange issues monthly invoices to NOM members,
which invoices are paid by NOM members directly to the Exchange's
accounting department. The Exchange proposes to require NOM members and
applicants to provide a clearing account number for an account at NSCC
in order to permit the Exchange to debit any undisputed or final fees,
fines, charges and/or monetary sanctions or other monies due and owing
to the Exchange or other charges related to Rule 1002(c)(2).\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ Exchange Rule 1002(c)(1) titled Payment of Fees, Dues,
Assessments, and Other Charges by Members and Associated Persons,
states that fees, dues, assessments, and other charges shall be
called and payable by members and associated persons as determined
by Nasdaq from time to time.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Exchange would continue to send a monthly invoice \5\ to each
NOM member on approximately the 4th-6th business day of the following
month. The Exchange would also send a file to NSCC each month on
approximately the 23rd of the following month to initiate the debit of
the appropriate amount stated on the member's invoice for the prior
month. Because the members would receive an invoice well before any
monies are debited (normally within two weeks), the members would have
adequate time to contact the staff with any questions concerning their
invoice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ The monthly invoice will indicate that the amount on the
invoice will be debited from the designated NSCC account. Each
month, the Exchange will send a file to the member's clearing firm
which will indicate the amounts to be debited from each member. If a
member is ``self-clearing,'' no such file would be sent as the
member would receive the invoice, as noted above, which would
indicate the amount to be debited.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
If a NOM member disagrees with the invoice, the Exchange would not
commence the debit until the dispute is resolved. Specifically, if a
member disputes an invoice, the Exchange will not include the disputed
amount in the debit if the member has disputed the amount in writing to
the Exchange's designated staff by the 15th of the month, or the
following business day if the 15th is not a business day, and the
amount in dispute is at least $10,000 or greater.
Once NSCC receives the file from the Exchange, NSCC would proceed
to debit the amounts indicated from the clearing members' account. In
the instance where the member clears through an Exchange clearing
member, the estimated transactions fees owed to the Exchange are
typically debited by the clearing member on a daily basis in order to
ensure adequate funds have been escrowed. The Exchange would debit any
monies owed including undisputed or final fees,\6\ fines, charges and/
or monetary sanctions or monies due and owed to the Exchange.\7\ The
Exchange believes that the debit process would eliminate the risk of
unpaid invoices because of the large amounts of capital held at NSCC by
members.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\ See applicable Exchange fees at Rule 7050 and Rule 7053.
\7\ This includes, among other things, fines which result from:
violations of the Minor Rule Plan pursuant to Chapter X, Section 7
and monetary sanctions pursuant to Rule 8310, 8320 or 8330. With
respect to disciplinary sanctions, the Exchange would not debit any
monies until such action is final. The Exchange would not consider
an action final until all appeal periods have run and/or all appeal
timeframes are exhausted. With respect to non-disciplinary actions,
the Exchange would similarly not take action to debit a member
account until all appeal periods have run and/or all appeal
timeframes are exhausted. Any uncontested disciplinary or non-
disciplinary actions will be debited, and the amount due will appear
on the members invoice prior to the actual NSCC debit.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Exchange is also proposing to amend Exchange Rules 1002,
Qualifications of Nasdaq Members and Associated Persons, and Exchange
Rule 8320, Payment of Fines, Other Monetary Sanctions, or Costs;
Summary Action for Failure to Pay, to reference new Exchange Rule 7007.
The Exchange would provide NOM members with a thirty (30) day
period, upon publication of this rule change, to provide the Membership
Department with an NSCC number.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section
6(b) of the Act \8\ in general, and furthers the objectives of Section
6(b)(5) of the Act \9\ in particular, in that it is designed 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,
by providing its NOM members with an efficient process to pay
undisputed or final fees, fines, charges and/or monetary sanctions or
monies due and owing to the Exchange. The Exchange believes that this
process of debiting NSCC accounts would ease the NOM member's
administrative burden in paying monthly invoices, avoid overdue
balances and provide same day collection from all NOM members, who owe
monies to the Exchange, which results in equitable treatment.
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\8\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
\9\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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[[Page 80104]]
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 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 either solicited or 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 after the date of the filing, or such
shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become effective
pursuant to 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \10\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) \11\
thereunder.
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\10\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
\11\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)
requires a self-regulatory organization to give the Commission
written notice of its intent to file 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.
NASDAQ has satisfied this requirement.
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At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule
change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend 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-NASDAQ-2010-163 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-NASDAQ-2010-163. 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,\12\ 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 the
filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the
principal office of the Exchange. All comments received will be posted
without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying
information from submissions. You should submit only information that
you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to
File Number SR-NASDAQ-2010-163 and should be submitted on or before
January 11, 2011.
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\12\ The text of the proposed rule change is available on the
Commission's Web site at https://www.sec.gov.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\13\
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\13\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2010-31925 Filed 12-20-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P