Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ PHLX LLC; Order Approving Proposed Rule Change To Amend Phlx Rule 748, Supervision, 93986-93988 [2016-30794]

Download as PDF 93986 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 246 / Thursday, December 22, 2016 / Notices 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 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 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–Phlx– 2016–119 and should be submitted on or before January 12, 2017. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.27 Eduardo A. Aleman, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. 2016–30795 Filed 12–21–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–79583; File No. SR-Phlx2016–104] Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ PHLX LLC; Order Approving Proposed Rule Change To Amend Phlx Rule 748, Supervision December 16, 2016. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES I. Introduction On October 14, 2016, NASDAQ PHLX LLC (‘‘Phlx’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘SEC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’), pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Exchange Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,2 a proposed rule change to amend several provisions of Rule 748 in order to modernize, upgrade, and strengthen the Exchange’s rules pertaining to supervisory obligations of its members and member organizations. 27 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 1 15 VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:40 Dec 21, 2016 Jkt 241001 The proposed rule change was published for comment in the Federal Register on November 3, 2016.3 The public comment period closed on November 25, 2016. The Commission received no comments in response to the Notice. This order grants approval of the proposed rule change. II. Description of the Proposed Rule Change 4 Rule 748(a) Rule 748(a) currently provides in the first paragraph that each office, location, department, or business activity of a member or member organization (including foreign incorporated branch offices) shall be under the supervision and control of the member or member organization establishing it and of an appropriately qualified supervisor. The Exchange is amending the first paragraph of Rule 748(a) to clarify and state clearly that each trading system and internal surveillance system of a member or member organization (including foreign incorporated branch offices) shall, inasmuch as they are aspects of their business activity, be under the supervision and control of the member or member organization establishing it and of an appropriately qualified supervisor. Rule 748(b) Rule 748(b), Designation of Supervisor by Member Organizations, currently provides in relevant part that the general partners or directors of each member organization shall provide for appropriate supervisory control and shall designate a general partner or principal executive officer to assume overall authority and responsibility for internal supervision and control of the organization and compliance with securities’ (sic) laws and regulations, including the By-Laws and Rules of the Exchange. It provides that the designated person shall delegate to qualified principals or qualified employees responsibility and authority for supervision and control of each office, location, department, or business activity, (including foreign incorporated branch offices), and provide for appropriate written procedures of supervision and control. The Exchange proposes to amend Rule 748(b) to provide that the delegated person shall likewise delegate to qualified principals 3 See Exchange Act Release No. 79185 (Oct. 28, 2016), 81 FR 76637 (Nov. 3, 2016) (File No. SR– Phlx–2016–104) (‘‘Notice’’). 4 The subsequent description of the proposed rule change is substantially excerpted from the Exchange’s description in the Notice. PO 00000 Frm 00106 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 or qualified employees responsibility and authority for supervision and control of each trading system and internal surveillance system.5 Rule 748(c) Rule 748(c) currently provides that each person with supervisory control, as described in paragraphs (a) and (b) of Rule 748, must meet the Exchange’s qualification requirements for supervisors, including successful completion of the appropriate examination. The Exchange proposes to add to Rule 748(c) a new requirement that each member or member organization must make reasonable efforts to determine that each person with supervisory control, as described in paragraphs (a) and (b) of Rule 748, is qualified by virtue of experience or training to carry out his or her assigned responsibilities. Rule 748(g) Rule 748(g), Office Inspections, currently provides that each member or member organization for which the Exchange is the Designated Examining Authority shall inspect each office or location (including foreign incorporated branch offices) of the member or member organization according to a cycle that shall be established in its written supervisory procedures. In establishing such inspection cycle, the member or member organization shall give consideration to the nature and complexity of the securities activities for which the office or location is responsible, the volume of business done, and the number of registered representatives, employees, and associated persons at each office or location. Rule 748(g) is proposed to be amended to provide that an inspection may not be conducted by any person within that office or location who has supervisory responsibilities or by any individual who is directly or indirectly supervised by such person. The Exchange also proposes to add language requiring the examination schedule and an explanation of the factors considered in determining the frequency of the examinations in the cycle to be set forth in the member or member organization’s written supervisory procedures. It also proposes to require that the inspection be reasonably designed to assist in preventing and detecting violations of, and achieving compliance with, applicable securities laws and regulations, and with applicable Exchange rules. 5 The Exchange also proposes to delete the extraneous apostrophe following the word ‘‘securities.’’ E:\FR\FM\22DEN1.SGM 22DEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 246 / Thursday, December 22, 2016 / Notices sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES Rule 748(h) Rule 748(h) in the first paragraph currently requires each member or member organization to establish, maintain, and enforce written supervisory procedures, and a system for applying such procedures, to supervise the types of business(es) in which the member or member organization engages and to supervise the activities of all registered representatives, employees, and associated persons. The written supervisory procedures and the system for applying such procedures shall reasonably be expected to prevent and detect, insofar as practicable, violations of the applicable securities laws and regulations, including the By-Laws and Rules of the Exchange. The Exchange proposes to substitute the word ‘‘designed’’ for the word ‘‘expected.’’ Rule 748(h) in the second paragraph currently requires that the written supervisory procedures set forth the supervisory system established by the member or member organization and include the name, title, registration status, and location of all supervisory personnel required by this rule, the dates for which supervisory designations were or are effective, and the responsibilities of supervisory personnel as these relate to the types of business(es) the member or member organization engages in, and securities laws and regulations, including the ByLaws and Rules of the Exchange. The Exchange proposes to add a requirement that this record be preserved for a period of not less than three years, the first two in an easily accessible place. Rule 748(h) in the third paragraph currently requires a copy of the written supervisory procedures to be kept and maintained at each location where supervisory activities are conducted on behalf of the member or member organization. It requires each member or member organization to amend its written supervisory procedures as appropriate within a reasonable time after changes occur in supervisory personnel or supervisory procedures, and to communicate such changes throughout its organization within a reasonable time. The Exchange proposes to amend Rule 748(h) to likewise amend and communicate changes to its written supervisory procedures as appropriate within a reasonable time after changes occur in applicable securities laws and regulations and Exchange rules. III. Comment Summary As noted above, the Commission received no comments on the proposed rule change. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:40 Dec 21, 2016 Jkt 241001 IV. Discussion and Commission Findings The Commission has carefully considered the proposal. Based on its review of the record, the Commission finds that the proposal is consistent with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder that are applicable to a national securities exchange.6 Specifically, the Commission finds that the rule change is consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Exchange Act,7 which requires, among other things, that the rules of a national securities exchange be designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest. As stated in the Notice, the Exchange believes that ‘‘[r]equiring increased comprehensive supervision by members and member organizations of their activities should promote the Exchange’s ability to enforce compliance by members and member organizations with the [Exchange] Act and the regulations thereunder.’’ 8 With respect to the proposed amendments of Rule 748(a) and (b), the Exchange believes that these amendments ‘‘should protect investors and the public interest by specifically requiring supervision and control’’ of trading systems and internal surveillance systems to be supervised and controlled by ‘‘an appropriately qualified individual.’’ 9 The Exchange believes that the proposed amendments to Rule 748(c) ‘‘should protect investors and the public interest by requiring that each person with supervisory control as described in Rules 748(a) and (b) to be qualified by virtue of experience or training to carry out his or her assigned responsibilities, such that the individual has the actual capacity to fulfill those responsibilities.’’ 10 Further, the Exchange believes that the proposed amendments to Rule 748(g) will ‘‘minimiz[e] the potential for conflicts of interest in the conduct of office inspections’’ by prohibiting those inspections ‘‘from being conducted by any person within that office or location who has supervisory responsibilities or by any individual who is directly or indirectly supervised by such a person who may be incentivized to minimize 6 In approving this rule change, the Commission has considered the rule’s impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f). 7 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). 8 Notice at 76638. 9 Id. 10 Id. PO 00000 Frm 00107 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 93987 any compliance issues identified in the inspection.’’ 11 The Exchange also believes ‘‘[t]he proposed amendments to Rule 748(g) concerning the examination schedule and specifically requiring that the inspection be reasonably designed to assist in preventing and detecting violations of, and achieving compliance with, applicable securities laws and regulations and with applicable Exchange rules should assure that inspections take place with a predictable and adequate frequency and are reasonably designed to identify violations of applicable law and rules.’’ 12 The Exchange believes that the proposed amendments to Rule 748(h), which address the design and maintenance of written supervisory procedures, will ‘‘facilitate identification of instances where the procedures were not followed’’ and also ‘‘clarif[y] the affirmative nature of the member or member organization’s obligations under the rule when creating such procedures.’’ 13 Finally, the Exchange believes that the proposed amendment to Rule 748(h) with respect to updating written supervisory procedures ‘‘should promote the continued usefulness of the procedures in the context of ongoing changes in the regulatory environment in which members and member organizations conduct their business.’’ 14 The Commission notes that the proposal received no comments from the public. Taking into consideration the Exchange’s views about the proposed amendments, the Commission believes that the proposal will help protect investors and the public interest by strengthening and clarifying the supervisory obligations of Exchange members and member organizations. The Commission believes that the approach proposed by the Exchange is appropriate and designed to protect investors and the public interest, consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Exchange Act. For these reasons, the Commission finds that the proposed rule change is consistent with the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. V. Conclusion It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) 15 of the Exchange Act,16 that the proposed rule change 11 Id. 12 Id. at 76638–39. at 76639. 13 Id. 14 Id. 15 Id. 16 15 E:\FR\FM\22DEN1.SGM U.S.C. 78s(b)(2). 22DEN1 93988 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 246 / Thursday, December 22, 2016 / Notices (SR–Phlx–2016–104) be, and hereby is, approved. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.17 Eduardo A. Aleman, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. 2016–30794 Filed 12–21–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–79585; File Nos. SR– BatsBZX–2016–68; SR–BatsBYX–2016–29; SR–BatsEDGA–2016–24; SR–BatsEDGX– 2016–60] Self-Regulatory Organizations; Bats BZX Exchange, Inc.; Bats BYX Exchange, Inc.; Bats EDGA Exchange, Inc.; Bats EDGX Exchange, Inc.; Order Granting Approval of Proposed Rule Change in Connection With the Proposed Corporate Transaction Involving Bats Global Markets, Inc. and CBOE Holdings, Inc. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES December 16, 2016. I. Introduction On November 2, 2016, Bats BZX Exchange, Inc. (‘‘BZX’’), Bats BYX Exchange, Inc. (‘‘BYX’’ and, together with BZX, the ‘‘Bats Exchanges’’), Bats EDGA Exchange, Inc. (‘‘EDGA’’) and Bats EDGX Exchange, Inc. (‘‘EDGX’’ and, together with EDGA, the ‘‘Edge Exchanges’’) (the Bats Exchanges and the Edge Exchanges are the ‘‘Exchanges’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’), pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) 1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’),2 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,3 proposed rule changes in connection with the proposed corporate transaction (the ‘‘Transaction’’), as described in more detail below, involving their ultimate parent company, Bats Global Markets, Inc. (‘‘BGM’’), CBOE Holdings, Inc. (‘‘CBOE Holdings’’), and two wholly owned subsidiaries of CBOE Holdings, CBOE Corporation and CBOE V, LLC (‘‘CBOE V’’). CBOE Holdings is the parent company of Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated (‘‘CBOE’’) and C2 Options Exchange, Incorporated (‘‘C2’’), each a national securities exchange registered with the Commission pursuant to Section 6(a) of the Act,4 and CBOE Futures Exchange, 17 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 15 U.S.C. 78a. 3 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 4 15 U.S.C. 78f(a). 1 15 VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:40 Dec 21, 2016 Jkt 241001 LLC (‘‘CBOE Futures,’’ and together with CBOE and C2, the ‘‘CBOE Exchanges’’), a national securities exchange that lists or trades securityfutures products notice-registered with the Commission pursuant to Section 6(g) of the Act.5 The proposed rule changes were published for comment in the Federal Register on November 15, 2016.6 The Commission received no comments on the proposal. After careful review, the Commission finds that the proposed rule changes are consistent with the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to a national securities exchange.7 In particular, the Commission finds that the proposed rule changes are consistent with Sections 6(b)(1) and (3) of the Act,8 which, among other things, require a national securities exchange to be so organized and have the capacity to be able to carry out the purposes of the Act, and to enforce compliance by its members and persons associated with its members with the provisions of the Act, the rules and regulations thereunder, and the rules of the exchange, and assure the fair representation of its members in the selection of its directors and administration of its affairs, and provide that one or more directors shall be representative of issuers and investors and not be associated with a member of the exchange, broker, or dealer. The Commission also finds that the proposal is consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,9 which requires that the rules of the exchange be 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. II. Discussion A. Corporate Structure 1. Current Structure The Exchanges are each Delaware corporations that are national securities 5 15 U.S.C. 78f(g). Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 79266 (November 8, 2016), 81 FR 80101 (November 15, 2016) (SR–BatsBZX–2016–68); 79269 (November 8, 2016), 81 FR 80093 (November 15, 2016) (SR– BatsBYX–2016–29); 79265 (November 8, 2016), 81 FR 80146 (November 15, 2016) (SR–BatsEDGA– 2016–24) and 79264 (November 8, 2016), 81 FR 80114 (November 15, 2016) (SR–BatsEDGX–2016– 60) (‘‘Notices’’). 7 In approving the proposed rule changes, the Commission has considered their impact on efficiency, competition and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f). 8 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(1) and (b)(3). 9 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). 6 See PO 00000 Frm 00108 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 exchanges registered with the Commission pursuant to Section 6(a) of the Act.10 BZX and BYX are each direct, wholly owned subsidiaries of Bats Global Market Holdings, Inc. (‘‘BGM Holdings’’), a Delaware corporation that is a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of BGM. BGM Holdings also owns 100 percent of the equity interest in Bats Trading, Inc. (‘‘Bats Trading’’), a Delaware corporation that is a brokerdealer registered with the Commission that provides routing services outbound from, and in certain instances inbound to, each Exchange. EDGX and EDGA are direct, wholly owned subsidiaries of Direct Edge LLC (‘‘Direct Edge’’), a Delaware limited liability company that is a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of BGM. BGM, a Delaware corporation, is a publicly traded company listed on BZX. CBOE Holdings, a Delaware corporation, is a publicly traded company listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market. CBOE Holdings owns 100 percent of the equity interest in the CBOE Exchanges. 2. The Transaction In contemplation of the Transaction, CBOE Holdings formed two additional entities, CBOE Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and CBOE V, a Delaware limited liability company, each of which are direct, wholly owned subsidiaries of CBOE Holdings. Neither CBOE Corporation nor CBOE V currently have material assets or conduct any operations. On September 25, 2016, BGM, CBOE Holdings, CBOE Corporation and CBOE V entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the ‘‘Merger Agreement’’). Pursuant to and subject to the terms of the Merger Agreement, upon completion of the mergers described below that effectuate the Transaction (the ‘‘Closing’’), among other things: (i) CBOE Corporation will be merged with and into BGM, whereupon the separate existence of CBOE Corporation will cease and BGM will be the surviving company (the ‘‘Merger’’); (ii) by virtue of the Merger and without any action required on the part of BGM, CBOE Corporation or any holder of BGM or CBOE Corporation stock, each share of BGM common stock (whether voting or non-voting) issued and outstanding (with the exception of shares owned by CBOE Holdings, BGM or any of their respective subsidiaries and certain shares held by persons that are entitled to and properly demand appraisal rights) will be converted into 10 15 E:\FR\FM\22DEN1.SGM U.S.C. 78f(a). 22DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 246 (Thursday, December 22, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 93986-93988]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-30794]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-79583; File No. SR-Phlx-2016-104]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ PHLX LLC; Order Approving 
Proposed Rule Change To Amend Phlx Rule 748, Supervision

December 16, 2016.

I. Introduction

    On October 14, 2016, NASDAQ PHLX LLC (``Phlx'' or ``Exchange'') 
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``SEC'' or 
``Commission''), pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934 (``Exchange Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4 
thereunder,\2\ a proposed rule change to amend several provisions of 
Rule 748 in order to modernize, upgrade, and strengthen the Exchange's 
rules pertaining to supervisory obligations of its members and member 
organizations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposed rule change was published for comment in the Federal 
Register on November 3, 2016.\3\ The public comment period closed on 
November 25, 2016. The Commission received no comments in response to 
the Notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ See Exchange Act Release No. 79185 (Oct. 28, 2016), 81 FR 
76637 (Nov. 3, 2016) (File No. SR-Phlx-2016-104) (``Notice'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This order grants approval of the proposed rule change.

II. Description of the Proposed Rule Change \4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ The subsequent description of the proposed rule change is 
substantially excerpted from the Exchange's description in the 
Notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rule 748(a)

    Rule 748(a) currently provides in the first paragraph that each 
office, location, department, or business activity of a member or 
member organization (including foreign incorporated branch offices) 
shall be under the supervision and control of the member or member 
organization establishing it and of an appropriately qualified 
supervisor. The Exchange is amending the first paragraph of Rule 748(a) 
to clarify and state clearly that each trading system and internal 
surveillance system of a member or member organization (including 
foreign incorporated branch offices) shall, inasmuch as they are 
aspects of their business activity, be under the supervision and 
control of the member or member organization establishing it and of an 
appropriately qualified supervisor.

Rule 748(b)

    Rule 748(b), Designation of Supervisor by Member Organizations, 
currently provides in relevant part that the general partners or 
directors of each member organization shall provide for appropriate 
supervisory control and shall designate a general partner or principal 
executive officer to assume overall authority and responsibility for 
internal supervision and control of the organization and compliance 
with securities' (sic) laws and regulations, including the By-Laws and 
Rules of the Exchange. It provides that the designated person shall 
delegate to qualified principals or qualified employees responsibility 
and authority for supervision and control of each office, location, 
department, or business activity, (including foreign incorporated 
branch offices), and provide for appropriate written procedures of 
supervision and control. The Exchange proposes to amend Rule 748(b) to 
provide that the delegated person shall likewise delegate to qualified 
principals or qualified employees responsibility and authority for 
supervision and control of each trading system and internal 
surveillance system.\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ The Exchange also proposes to delete the extraneous 
apostrophe following the word ``securities.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rule 748(c)

    Rule 748(c) currently provides that each person with supervisory 
control, as described in paragraphs (a) and (b) of Rule 748, must meet 
the Exchange's qualification requirements for supervisors, including 
successful completion of the appropriate examination. The Exchange 
proposes to add to Rule 748(c) a new requirement that each member or 
member organization must make reasonable efforts to determine that each 
person with supervisory control, as described in paragraphs (a) and (b) 
of Rule 748, is qualified by virtue of experience or training to carry 
out his or her assigned responsibilities.

Rule 748(g)

    Rule 748(g), Office Inspections, currently provides that each 
member or member organization for which the Exchange is the Designated 
Examining Authority shall inspect each office or location (including 
foreign incorporated branch offices) of the member or member 
organization according to a cycle that shall be established in its 
written supervisory procedures. In establishing such inspection cycle, 
the member or member organization shall give consideration to the 
nature and complexity of the securities activities for which the office 
or location is responsible, the volume of business done, and the number 
of registered representatives, employees, and associated persons at 
each office or location. Rule 748(g) is proposed to be amended to 
provide that an inspection may not be conducted by any person within 
that office or location who has supervisory responsibilities or by any 
individual who is directly or indirectly supervised by such person. The 
Exchange also proposes to add language requiring the examination 
schedule and an explanation of the factors considered in determining 
the frequency of the examinations in the cycle to be set forth in the 
member or member organization's written supervisory procedures. It also 
proposes to require that the inspection be reasonably designed to 
assist in preventing and detecting violations of, and achieving 
compliance with, applicable securities laws and regulations, and with 
applicable Exchange rules.

[[Page 93987]]

Rule 748(h)

    Rule 748(h) in the first paragraph currently requires each member 
or member organization to establish, maintain, and enforce written 
supervisory procedures, and a system for applying such procedures, to 
supervise the types of business(es) in which the member or member 
organization engages and to supervise the activities of all registered 
representatives, employees, and associated persons. The written 
supervisory procedures and the system for applying such procedures 
shall reasonably be expected to prevent and detect, insofar as 
practicable, violations of the applicable securities laws and 
regulations, including the By-Laws and Rules of the Exchange. The 
Exchange proposes to substitute the word ``designed'' for the word 
``expected.''
    Rule 748(h) in the second paragraph currently requires that the 
written supervisory procedures set forth the supervisory system 
established by the member or member organization and include the name, 
title, registration status, and location of all supervisory personnel 
required by this rule, the dates for which supervisory designations 
were or are effective, and the responsibilities of supervisory 
personnel as these relate to the types of business(es) the member or 
member organization engages in, and securities laws and regulations, 
including the By-Laws and Rules of the Exchange. The Exchange proposes 
to add a requirement that this record be preserved for a period of not 
less than three years, the first two in an easily accessible place.
    Rule 748(h) in the third paragraph currently requires a copy of the 
written supervisory procedures to be kept and maintained at each 
location where supervisory activities are conducted on behalf of the 
member or member organization. It requires each member or member 
organization to amend its written supervisory procedures as appropriate 
within a reasonable time after changes occur in supervisory personnel 
or supervisory procedures, and to communicate such changes throughout 
its organization within a reasonable time. The Exchange proposes to 
amend Rule 748(h) to likewise amend and communicate changes to its 
written supervisory procedures as appropriate within a reasonable time 
after changes occur in applicable securities laws and regulations and 
Exchange rules.

III. Comment Summary

    As noted above, the Commission received no comments on the proposed 
rule change.

IV. Discussion and Commission Findings

    The Commission has carefully considered the proposal. Based on its 
review of the record, the Commission finds that the proposal is 
consistent with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and 
regulations thereunder that are applicable to a national securities 
exchange.\6\ Specifically, the Commission finds that the rule change is 
consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Exchange Act,\7\ which requires, 
among other things, that the rules of a national securities exchange be 
designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to 
promote just and equitable principles of trade, and, in general, to 
protect investors and the public interest.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ In approving this rule change, the Commission has considered 
the rule's impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. 
See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
    \7\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As stated in the Notice, the Exchange believes that ``[r]equiring 
increased comprehensive supervision by members and member organizations 
of their activities should promote the Exchange's ability to enforce 
compliance by members and member organizations with the [Exchange] Act 
and the regulations thereunder.'' \8\ With respect to the proposed 
amendments of Rule 748(a) and (b), the Exchange believes that these 
amendments ``should protect investors and the public interest by 
specifically requiring supervision and control'' of trading systems and 
internal surveillance systems to be supervised and controlled by ``an 
appropriately qualified individual.'' \9\ The Exchange believes that 
the proposed amendments to Rule 748(c) ``should protect investors and 
the public interest by requiring that each person with supervisory 
control as described in Rules 748(a) and (b) to be qualified by virtue 
of experience or training to carry out his or her assigned 
responsibilities, such that the individual has the actual capacity to 
fulfill those responsibilities.'' \10\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ Notice at 76638.
    \9\ Id.
    \10\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Further, the Exchange believes that the proposed amendments to Rule 
748(g) will ``minimiz[e] the potential for conflicts of interest in the 
conduct of office inspections'' by prohibiting those inspections ``from 
being conducted by any person within that office or location who has 
supervisory responsibilities or by any individual who is directly or 
indirectly supervised by such a person who may be incentivized to 
minimize any compliance issues identified in the inspection.'' \11\ The 
Exchange also believes ``[t]he proposed amendments to Rule 748(g) 
concerning the examination schedule and specifically requiring that the 
inspection be reasonably designed to assist in preventing and detecting 
violations of, and achieving compliance with, applicable securities 
laws and regulations and with applicable Exchange rules should assure 
that inspections take place with a predictable and adequate frequency 
and are reasonably designed to identify violations of applicable law 
and rules.'' \12\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ Id. at 76638-39.
    \12\ Id. at 76639.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange believes that the proposed amendments to Rule 748(h), 
which address the design and maintenance of written supervisory 
procedures, will ``facilitate identification of instances where the 
procedures were not followed'' and also ``clarif[y] the affirmative 
nature of the member or member organization's obligations under the 
rule when creating such procedures.'' \13\ Finally, the Exchange 
believes that the proposed amendment to Rule 748(h) with respect to 
updating written supervisory procedures ``should promote the continued 
usefulness of the procedures in the context of ongoing changes in the 
regulatory environment in which members and member organizations 
conduct their business.'' \14\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ Id.
    \14\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission notes that the proposal received no comments from 
the public. Taking into consideration the Exchange's views about the 
proposed amendments, the Commission believes that the proposal will 
help protect investors and the public interest by strengthening and 
clarifying the supervisory obligations of Exchange members and member 
organizations. The Commission believes that the approach proposed by 
the Exchange is appropriate and designed to protect investors and the 
public interest, consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Exchange Act. 
For these reasons, the Commission finds that the proposed rule change 
is consistent with the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations 
thereunder.

V. Conclusion

    It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) \15\ of the 
Exchange Act,\16\ that the proposed rule change

[[Page 93988]]

(SR-Phlx-2016-104) be, and hereby is, approved.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ Id.
    \16\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\17\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-30794 Filed 12-21-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.