Self-Regulatory Organizations; Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Extend the Tier Size Pilot of Rule 6433 (Minimum Quotation Size Requirements for OTC Equity Securities), 23953-23955 [2017-10596]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 99 / Wednesday, May 24, 2017 / Notices asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES exchanges and FINRA are proposing this proposed fee schedule to implement the requirements of the CAT NMS Plan. Therefore, this is not a competitive fee filing and, therefore, it does not raise competition issues between and among the exchanges and FINRA. Moreover, as previously described, Phlx believes that the proposed rule change fairly and equitably allocates costs among CAT Reporters. In particular, the proposed fee schedule is structured to impose comparable fees on similarly situated CAT Reporters, and lessen the impact on smaller CAT Reporters. CAT Reporters with similar levels of CAT activity will pay similar fees. For example, Industry Members (other than Execution Venue ATSs) with higher levels of message traffic will pay higher fees, and those with lower levels of message traffic will pay lower fees. Similarly, Execution Venue ATSs and other Execution Venues with larger market share will pay higher fees, and those with lower levels of market share will pay lower fees. Therefore, given that there is generally a relationship between message traffic and market share to the CAT Reporter’s size, smaller CAT Reporters generally pay less than larger CAT Reporters. Accordingly, the Exchange does not believe that the CAT Fees would have a disproportionate effect on smaller or larger CAT Reporters. In addition, ATSs and exchanges will pay the same fees based on market share. Therefore, Phlx does not believe that the fees will impose any burden on the competition between ATSs and exchanges. Accordingly, Phlx believes that the proposed fees will minimize the potential for adverse effects on competition between CAT Reporters in the market. Furthermore, the tiered, fixed fee funding model limits the disincentives to providing liquidity to the market. Therefore, the proposed fees are structured to limit burdens on competitive quoting and other liquidity provision in the market. 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 The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act.57 At any time 57 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii). VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:43 May 23, 2017 Jkt 241001 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 (i) necessary or appropriate in the public interest; (ii) for the protection of investors; or (iii) otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule should be approved or disapproved. IV. Solicitation of Comments Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: Electronic Comments • Use the Commission’s Internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/ rules/sro.shtml); or • Send an email to rule-comments@ sec.gov. Please include File Number SR– PHLX–2017–37 on the subject line. Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–PHLX–2017–37. This file number should be included on the subject line if email 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 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 PO 00000 Frm 00182 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 23953 submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–PHLX– 2017–37, and should be submitted on or before June 14, 2017. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.58 Eduardo A. Aleman, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. 2017–10594 Filed 5–23–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–80727; File No. SR–FINRA– 2017–014] Self-Regulatory Organizations; Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Extend the Tier Size Pilot of Rule 6433 (Minimum Quotation Size Requirements for OTC Equity Securities) May 18, 2017. Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2 notice is hereby given that on May 16, 2017, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (‘‘FINRA’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘SEC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared by FINRA. FINRA has designated the proposed rule change as constituting a ‘‘non-controversial’’ rule change under paragraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b–4 under the Act,3 which renders the proposal effective upon receipt of this filing by the Commission. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons. I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change FINRA is proposing to amend FINRA Rule 6433 (Minimum Quotation Size Requirements for OTC Equity Securities) to extend the Tier Size Pilot, which currently is scheduled to expire on June 9, 2017, until December 8, 2017. The text of the proposed rule change is available on FINRA’s Web site at https://www.finra.org, at the principal 58 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 3 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). 1 15 E:\FR\FM\24MYN1.SGM 24MYN1 23954 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 99 / Wednesday, May 24, 2017 / Notices office of FINRA 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, FINRA included statements concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. FINRA has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements. A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES FINRA proposes to amend FINRA Rule 6433 (Minimum Quotation Size Requirements for OTC Equity Securities) (the ‘‘Rule’’) to extend, until December 8, 2017, the amendments set forth in File No. SR–FINRA–2011–058 (‘‘Tier Size Pilot’’ or ‘‘Pilot’’), which currently are scheduled to expire on June 9, 2017.4 The Tier Size Pilot was filed with the SEC on October 6, 2011,5 to amend the minimum quotation sizes (or ‘‘tier sizes’’) for OTC Equity Securities.6 The goals of the Pilot were to simplify the tier structure, facilitate the display of customer limit orders, and expand the scope of the Rule to apply to additional quoting participants. During the course of the Pilot, FINRA collected and provided to the SEC specified data with which to assess the impact of the Pilot tiers on market quality and limit order display.7 On September 13, 2013, FINRA provided to the Commission an assessment on the operation of the Tier Size Pilot utilizing data covering the period from November 12, 2012 through June 30, 2013.8 As noted in the 2013 4 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 79401 (November 25, 2016), 81 FR 86762 (December 1, 2016) (Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of File No. SR–FINRA–2016–044). 5 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 65568 (October 14, 2011), 76 FR 65307 (October 20, 2011) (Notice of Filing of File No. SR–FINRA–2011–058). 6 ‘‘OTC Equity Security’’ means any equity security that is not an ‘‘NMS stock’’ as that term is defined in Rule 600(b)(47) of SEC Regulation NMS; provided, however, that the term OTC Equity Security shall not include any Restricted Equity Security. See FINRA Rule 6420. 7 FINRA ceased collecting Pilot data for submission to the Commission on February 13, 2015. 8 The assessment is part of the SEC’s comment file for SR–FINRA–2011–058 and also is available on VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:43 May 23, 2017 Jkt 241001 Assessment, FINRA believed that the analysis of the data generally showed that the Tier Size Pilot had a neutral to positive impact on OTC market quality for the majority of OTC Equity Securities and tiers; and that there was an overall increase of 13% in the number of customer limit orders that met the minimum quotation sizes to be eligible for display under the Pilot tiers. In the 2013 Assessment, FINRA recommended adopting the tiers as permanent, but extended the Pilot period to allow more time to gather and analyze data after the November 12, 2012 through June 30, 2013 assessment period.9 The purpose of this filing is to further extend the operation of the Tier Size Pilot until December 8, 2017, to provide additional time to finalize a permanent proposal with regard to the Tier Size Pilot.10 FINRA has filed the proposed rule change for immediate effectiveness. The operative date of the proposed rule change will be June 9, 2017. 2. Statutory Basis FINRA believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the provisions of Section 15A(b)(6) of the Act,11 which requires, among other things, that FINRA rules must 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. FINRA also believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the provisions of Section 15A(b)(11) of the Act.12 Section 15A(b)(11) requires that FINRA rules include provisions governing the form and content of quotations relating to securities sold otherwise than on a national securities exchange which may be distributed or published by any member or person associated with a member, and the persons to whom such quotations may be supplied. FINRA believes that the extension of the Tier Size Pilot until December 8, 2017, is consistent with the Act in that it would provide the Commission and FINRA with additional time to finalize a proposal with regard to the Tier Size Pilot. B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Burden on Competition FINRA does not believe that the proposed rule change will result in any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others Written comments were neither solicited nor received. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not: (i) Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii) become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act13 and Rule 19b– 4(f)(6) thereunder.14 A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b–4(f)(6) 15 normally does not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of filing. However, pursuant to Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii),16 the Commission may designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. FINRA has asked the Commission to waive the 30-day operative delay so that the proposal may become operative immediately upon filing. The Commission believes that waiver of the operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest because such waiver will allow the pilot program to continue without interruption. Therefore, the Commission designates the proposal operative upon filing.17 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 13 15 FINRA’s Web site at: https://www.finra.org/Industry/ Regulation/RuleFilings/2011/P124615 (‘‘Pilot Assessment’’). 9 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 70839 (November 8, 2013), 78 FR 68893 (November 15, 2013) (Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of File No. SR–FINRA–2013–049). 10 FINRA reviewed the post-June 30, 2013 data, and stated that the impact described in the 2013 Assessment continued to hold (and improved in certain areas). See June 2016 Extension [sic]. 11 15 U.S.C. 78o–3(b)(6). 12 15 U.S.C. 78o–3(b)(11). PO 00000 Frm 00183 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). As required under Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii), the Exchange provided the Commission with written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change, along with a brief description and the text of the proposed rule change, at least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule change. 15 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). 16 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii). 17 For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay, the Commission has considered the proposed rule’s impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f). 14 17 E:\FR\FM\24MYN1.SGM 24MYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 99 / Wednesday, May 24, 2017 / Notices investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule should be approved or disapproved. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.18 Eduardo A. Aleman, Assistant Secretary. IV. Solicitation of Comments BILLING CODE 8011–01–P 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 email to rule-comments@ sec.gov. Please include File Number SR– FINRA–2017–014 on the subject line. asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–FINRA–2017–014. This file number should be included on the subject line if email 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 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 such filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of FINRA. 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–FINRA– 2017–014 and should be submitted on or before June 14, 2017. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:43 May 23, 2017 Jkt 241001 [FR Doc. 2017–10596 Filed 5–23–17; 8:45 am] SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [SEC File No. 270–087, OMB Control No. 3235–0078] Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request Upon Written Request, Copies Available From: Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of FOIA Services, 100 F St. NE., Washington, DC 20549– 0213 Extension: Rule 15c3–3 Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (‘‘OMB’’) a request for approval of extension of the previously approved collection of information provided for in Rule 15c3–3 (17 CFR 240.15c3–3), under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.) (‘‘Exchange Act’’). Rule 15c3–3 requires that a brokerdealer that holds customer securities obtain and maintain possession and control of fully-paid and excess margin securities they hold for customers. In addition, the Rule requires that a brokerdealer that holds customer funds make either a weekly or monthly computation to determine whether certain customer funds need to be segregated in a special reserve bank account for the exclusive benefit of the firm’s customers. It also requires that a broker-dealer maintain a written notification from each bank where a Special Reserve Bank Account is held acknowledging that all assets in the account are for the exclusive benefit of the broker-dealer’s customers, and to provide written notification to the Commission (and its designated examining authority) under certain, specified circumstances. Finally, brokerdealers that sell securities futures products (‘‘SFP’’) to customers must provide certain notifications to customers and make a record of any changes of account type. A broker-dealer required to maintain the Special Reserve Bank Account 18 17 PO 00000 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). Frm 00184 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 23955 prescribed by Rule 15c3–3 must obtain and retain a written notification from each bank in which it has a Special Reserve Bank Account to evidence the bank’s acknowledgement that assets deposited in the Account are being held by the bank for the exclusive benefit of the broker-dealer’s customers. In addition, a broker-dealer must immediately notify the Commission and its designated examining authority if it fails to make a required deposit to its Special Reserve Bank Account. Finally, a broker-dealer that effects transactions in SFPs for customers will also have paperwork burdens to make a record of each change in account type. The Commission staff estimates a total annual time burden of 555,604 hours and an aggregate cost of $1,848,465 to comply with the rule. These amounts were adjusted after publication of the 60-day notice to reflect the addition of a previously-omitted information collection and higher postage costs. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information under the PRA unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The public may view background documentation for this information collection at the following Web site, www.reginfo.gov. Comments should be directed to: (i) Desk Officer for the Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10102, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503, or by sending an email to: Shagufta_ Ahmed@omb.eop.gov; and (ii) Pamela Dyson, Director/Chief Information Officer, Securities and Exchange Commission, c/o Remi Pavlik-Simon, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549, or send an email to: PRA_ Mailbox@sec.gov. Comments must be submitted to OMB within 30 days of this notice. Dated: May 19, 2017. Eduardo A. Aleman, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. 2017–10617 Filed 5–23–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Sunshine Act Meeting; Date and Time Change FEDERAL REGISTER CITATION OF PREVIOUS ANNOUNCEMENT: To be published. PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED TIME AND DATE OF THE MEETING: Thursday, May 25, 2017 2:00 p.m. E:\FR\FM\24MYN1.SGM 24MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 99 (Wednesday, May 24, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23953-23955]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-10596]


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

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-80727; File No. SR-FINRA-2017-014]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Financial Industry Regulatory 
Authority, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a 
Proposed Rule Change To Extend the Tier Size Pilot of Rule 6433 
(Minimum Quotation Size Requirements for OTC Equity Securities)

May 18, 2017.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given that 
on May 16, 2017, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. 
(``FINRA'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``SEC'' 
or ``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I and 
II below, which Items have been prepared by FINRA. FINRA has designated 
the proposed rule change as constituting a ``non-controversial'' rule 
change under paragraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b-4 under the Act,\3\ which 
renders the proposal effective upon receipt of this filing by the 
Commission. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit 
comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \3\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    FINRA is proposing to amend FINRA Rule 6433 (Minimum Quotation Size 
Requirements for OTC Equity Securities) to extend the Tier Size Pilot, 
which currently is scheduled to expire on June 9, 2017, until December 
8, 2017.
    The text of the proposed rule change is available on FINRA's Web 
site at https://www.finra.org, at the principal

[[Page 23954]]

office of FINRA 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, FINRA included statements 
concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and 
discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The 
text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in 
Item IV below. FINRA has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, 
B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements.

A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose
    FINRA proposes to amend FINRA Rule 6433 (Minimum Quotation Size 
Requirements for OTC Equity Securities) (the ``Rule'') to extend, until 
December 8, 2017, the amendments set forth in File No. SR-FINRA-2011-
058 (``Tier Size Pilot'' or ``Pilot''), which currently are scheduled 
to expire on June 9, 2017.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 79401 (November 25, 
2016), 81 FR 86762 (December 1, 2016) (Notice of Filing and 
Immediate Effectiveness of File No. SR-FINRA-2016-044).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Tier Size Pilot was filed with the SEC on October 6, 2011,\5\ 
to amend the minimum quotation sizes (or ``tier sizes'') for OTC Equity 
Securities.\6\ The goals of the Pilot were to simplify the tier 
structure, facilitate the display of customer limit orders, and expand 
the scope of the Rule to apply to additional quoting participants. 
During the course of the Pilot, FINRA collected and provided to the SEC 
specified data with which to assess the impact of the Pilot tiers on 
market quality and limit order display.\7\ On September 13, 2013, FINRA 
provided to the Commission an assessment on the operation of the Tier 
Size Pilot utilizing data covering the period from November 12, 2012 
through June 30, 2013.\8\ As noted in the 2013 Assessment, FINRA 
believed that the analysis of the data generally showed that the Tier 
Size Pilot had a neutral to positive impact on OTC market quality for 
the majority of OTC Equity Securities and tiers; and that there was an 
overall increase of 13% in the number of customer limit orders that met 
the minimum quotation sizes to be eligible for display under the Pilot 
tiers. In the 2013 Assessment, FINRA recommended adopting the tiers as 
permanent, but extended the Pilot period to allow more time to gather 
and analyze data after the November 12, 2012 through June 30, 2013 
assessment period.\9\ The purpose of this filing is to further extend 
the operation of the Tier Size Pilot until December 8, 2017, to provide 
additional time to finalize a permanent proposal with regard to the 
Tier Size Pilot.\10\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 65568 (October 14, 
2011), 76 FR 65307 (October 20, 2011) (Notice of Filing of File No. 
SR-FINRA-2011-058).
    \6\ ``OTC Equity Security'' means any equity security that is 
not an ``NMS stock'' as that term is defined in Rule 600(b)(47) of 
SEC Regulation NMS; provided, however, that the term OTC Equity 
Security shall not include any Restricted Equity Security. See FINRA 
Rule 6420.
    \7\ FINRA ceased collecting Pilot data for submission to the 
Commission on February 13, 2015.
    \8\ The assessment is part of the SEC's comment file for SR-
FINRA-2011-058 and also is available on FINRA's Web site at: https://www.finra.org/Industry/Regulation/RuleFilings/2011/P124615 (``Pilot 
Assessment'').
    \9\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 70839 (November 8, 
2013), 78 FR 68893 (November 15, 2013) (Notice of Filing and 
Immediate Effectiveness of File No. SR-FINRA-2013-049).
    \10\ FINRA reviewed the post-June 30, 2013 data, and stated that 
the impact described in the 2013 Assessment continued to hold (and 
improved in certain areas). See June 2016 Extension [sic].
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    FINRA has filed the proposed rule change for immediate 
effectiveness. The operative date of the proposed rule change will be 
June 9, 2017.
2. Statutory Basis
    FINRA believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the 
provisions of Section 15A(b)(6) of the Act,\11\ which requires, among 
other things, that FINRA rules must 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. FINRA also believes that the proposed rule change is 
consistent with the provisions of Section 15A(b)(11) of the Act.\12\ 
Section 15A(b)(11) requires that FINRA rules include provisions 
governing the form and content of quotations relating to securities 
sold otherwise than on a national securities exchange which may be 
distributed or published by any member or person associated with a 
member, and the persons to whom such quotations may be supplied.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-3(b)(6).
    \12\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-3(b)(11).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    FINRA believes that the extension of the Tier Size Pilot until 
December 8, 2017, is consistent with the Act in that it would provide 
the Commission and FINRA with additional time to finalize a proposal 
with regard to the Tier Size Pilot.

B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    FINRA does not believe that the proposed rule change will result in 
any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in 
furtherance of the purposes of the Act.

C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed 
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others

    Written comments were neither solicited nor received.

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

    Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not: (i) 
Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public 
interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii) 
become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or 
such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become 
effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act\13\ and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6) thereunder.\14\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \14\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). As required under Rule 19b-
4(f)(6)(iii), the Exchange provided the Commission with written 
notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change, along with a 
brief description and the text of the proposed rule change, at least 
five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule 
change.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) \15\ normally 
does not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of filing. 
However, pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii),\16\ the Commission may 
designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the 
protection of investors and the public interest.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
    \16\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    FINRA has asked the Commission to waive the 30-day operative delay 
so that the proposal may become operative immediately upon filing. The 
Commission believes that waiver of the operative delay is consistent 
with the protection of investors and the public interest because such 
waiver will allow the pilot program to continue without interruption. 
Therefore, the Commission designates the proposal operative upon 
filing.\17\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay, 
the Commission has considered the proposed rule's impact on 
efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 
78c(f).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

[[Page 23955]]

investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If 
the Commission takes such action, the Commission shall institute 
proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule should be approved 
or disapproved.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views and 
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule 
change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of 
the following methods:

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's Internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an email to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include 
File Number SR-FINRA-2017-014 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

     Send paper comments in triplicate to Brent J. Fields, 
Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20549-1090.

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-FINRA-2017-014. This 
file number should be included on the subject line if email 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 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 such filing also will be available 
for inspection and copying at the principal office of FINRA. 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-FINRA-2017-014 and should be 
submitted on or before June 14, 2017.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\18\
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    \18\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-10596 Filed 5-23-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
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