Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change Relating To Amend Its Rules Relating to Categories of Registration and Respective Qualification Examinations Required for Trading Permit Holders (“TPHs”) and Associated Persons That Engage in Trading Activities on the Exchange, 47663-47665 [2018-20433]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 183 / Thursday, September 20, 2018 / Notices SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION the most significant aspects of such statements. [Release No. 34–84142; File No. SR–CBOE– 2018–064] A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change Relating To Amend Its Rules Relating to Categories of Registration and Respective Qualification Examinations Required for Trading Permit Holders (‘‘TPHs’’) and Associated Persons That Engage in Trading Activities on the Exchange September 14, 2018. 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 September 7, 2018, Cboe Exchange, Inc. (the ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘Cboe Options’’) 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. amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1 I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change Cboe Exchange, Inc. (the ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘Cboe Options’’) proposes to amend its rules relating to categories of registration and respective qualification examinations required for Trading Permit Holders (‘‘TPHs’’) and associated persons that engage in trading activities on the Exchange. The text of the proposed rule change is also available on the Exchange’s website (https://www.cboe.com/ AboutCBOE/ CBOELegalRegulatoryHome.aspx), at the Exchange’s Office of the Secretary, and at the Commission’s Public Reference Room. II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of 3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 81098 (July 7, 2017), 82 FR 32419 (July 13, 2017) (Order Approving File No. SR–FINRA–2017–007). 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:01 Sep 19, 2018 1. Purpose The SEC recently approved a proposed rule change to restructure the FINRA representative-level qualification examination program.3 The rule change, which will become effective on October 1, 2018, restructures the examination program into a more efficient format whereby all new representative-level applicants will be required to take a general knowledge examination (the Securities Industry Essentials Examination (‘‘SIE’’)) and a tailored, specialized knowledge examination (a revised representative-level qualification examination) for their particular registered role. Individuals are not required to be associated with an Exchange or any other self-regulatory organization (‘‘SRO’’) member to be eligible to take the SIE. However, passing the SIE alone will not qualify an individual for registration with the Exchange. To be eligible for registration, an individual must also be associated with a firm, pass an appropriate qualification examination for a representative or principal and satisfy the other requirements relating to the registration process. The SIE would assess basic product knowledge; the structure and function of the securities industry markets, regulatory agencies and their functions; and regulated and prohibited practices. In particular, the SIE will cover four major areas. The first, ‘‘Knowledge of Capital Markets,’’ focuses on topics such as types of markets and offerings, broker-dealers and depositories, and economic cycles. The second, ‘‘Understanding Products and Their Risks,’’ covers securities products at a high level as well as associated investment risks. The third, ‘‘Understanding Trading, Customer Accounts and Prohibited Activities,’’ focuses on accounts, orders, settlement and prohibited activities. The final area, ‘‘Overview of the Regulatory Framework,’’ encompasses topics such as SROs, registration requirements and specified conduct rules. It’s anticipated that the SIE would include 75 scored questions plus an additional 10 unscored pretest questions. The passing score would be determined through methodologies compliant with testing Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00064 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 47663 industry standards used to develop examinations and set passing standards. The restructured program eliminates duplicative testing of general securities knowledge on the current representative-level qualification examinations by moving such content into the SIE. The SIE will test fundamental securities related knowledge, including knowledge of basic products, the structure and function of the securities industry, the regulatory agencies and their functions and regulated and prohibited practices, whereas the revised representative-level qualification examinations will test knowledge relevant to day-to-day activities, responsibilities and job functions of representatives. The SIE was developed in consultation with a committee of industry representatives and representatives of several other SROs. Each of the current representative-level examinations covers general securities knowledge, with the exception of the Research Analyst (Series 86 and 87) examinations. The Exchange proposes to require that effective October 1, 2018, new applicants seeking to register in a representative capacity with the Exchange must pass the SIE before their registrations can become effective. The Exchange proposes to make the requirement operative on October 1, 2018 to coincide with the effective date of FINRA’s requirement. The Exchange notes that individuals who are registered as of October 1, 2018 are eligible to maintain their registrations without being subject to any additional requirements. Individuals who had been registered within the past two years prior to October 1, 2018, would also be eligible to maintain those registrations without being subject to any additional requirements, provided they register within two years from the date of their last registration. However, with respect to an individual who is not registered on the effective date of the proposed rule change but was registered within the past two years prior to the effective date of the proposed rule change, the individual’s SIE status in the CRD system would be administratively terminated if such individual does not register with the Exchange within four years from the date of the individual’s last registration. The Exchange also notes that consistent with Interpretation and Policy .05 of Rule 3.6A, the Exchange will consider waivers of the SIE alone or the SIE and the representative or principal-level examination(s) for TPHs who are E:\FR\FM\20SEN1.SGM 20SEN1 47664 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 183 / Thursday, September 20, 2018 / Notices seeking registration in a representativeor principal-level registration category.4 Lastly, the Exchange proposes to adopt Interpretation and Policy .09 of Rule 3.6A and Interpretation and Policy .02 of Rule 9.3 to provide individuals who are associated persons of firms and who hold foreign registrations an alternative, more flexible, process to obtain an Exchange representative-level registration. The Exchange believes that there is sufficient overlap between the SIE and these foreign qualification requirements to permit them to act as exemptions to the SIE. As such the Exchange proposes to provide that individuals who are in good standing as representatives with the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom or with a Canadian stock exchange or securities regulator would be exempt from the requirement to pass the SIE, and thus would be required only to pass a specialized knowledge examination to register with the Exchange as a representative. The proposed approach would provide individuals with a United Kingdom or Canadian qualification more flexibility to obtain an Exchange representativelevel registration. The Exchange notes that FINRA has adopted a similar rule.5 amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1 2. Statutory Basis The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ‘‘Act’’) and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to the Exchange and, in particular, the requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act.6 Specifically, the Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the Section 6(b)(5) 7 requirements that the rules of an exchange be designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in regulating, clearing, settling, processing information with respect to, and facilitating transactions in securities, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest. Additionally, the Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with 4 Pursuant to a Regulatory Services Agreement between FINRA and Cboe Options, FINRA provides Cboe Options certain exam waiver services in responding to exam waiver requests from Cboe Options TPHs. 5 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 81098 (July 7, 2017), 82 FR 32419 (July 13, 2017) (Order Approving File No. SR–FINRA–2017–007). 6 15 U.S.C. 78f(b). 7 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:01 Sep 19, 2018 Jkt 244001 the Section 6(b)(5) 8 requirement that the rules of an exchange not be designed to permit unfair discrimination between customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers. The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change will improve the efficiency of the Exchange’s examination requirements, without compromising the qualification standards, by eliminating duplicative testing of general securities knowledge on examinations. FINRA has indicated that the SIE was developed in an effort to adopt an examination that would assess basic product knowledge; the structure and function of the securities industry markets, regulatory agencies and their functions; and regulated and prohibited practices. The Exchange also notes that the introduction of the SIE and expansion of the pool of individuals who are eligible to take the SIE, has the potential of enhancing the pool of prospective securities industry professionals by introducing them to securities laws, rules and regulations and appropriate conduct before they join the industry in a registered capacity. Lastly, the Exchange notes adopting the SIE requirement is consistent with the requirement recently adopted by FINRA.9 B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Burden on Competition The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change, which harmonizes its rules with recent rule changes adopted by FINRA and which is being filed in conjunction with similar filings by the other national securities exchanges, will reduce the regulatory burden placed on market participants engaged in trading activities across different markets. The Exchange believes that the harmonization of these registration requirements across the various markets will reduce burdens on competition by removing impediments to participation in the national market system and promoting competition among participants across the multiple national securities exchanges. C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others The Exchange neither solicited nor received written comments on the proposed rule change. 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 10 and Rule 19b– 4(f)(6) thereunder. A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b–4(f)(6) normally does not become operative for 30 days from the date of filing. However, Rule 19b– 4(f)(6)(iii) 11 permits the Commission to designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange has asked the Commission to waive the 30-day operative delay so that the proposal may become operative on October 1, 2018 to coincide with the effective date of FINRA’s proposed rule change on which the proposal is based.12 The waiver of the operative delay would make the Exchange’s qualification requirements consistent with those of FINRA. Therefore, the Commission believes that the waiver of the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest and hereby waives the 30-day operative delay and designates the proposal operative on October 1, 2018.13 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, 10 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii). 12 See supra note 3. 13 For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay, the Commission has also considered the proposed rule’s impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f). 11 17 8 Id. 9 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 81098 (July 7, 2017), 82 FR 32419 (July 13, 2017) (Order Approving File No. SR–FINRA–2017–007). PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\20SEN1.SGM 20SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 183 / Thursday, September 20, 2018 / Notices 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– CBOE–2018–064 on the subject line. amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1 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–CBOE–2018–064. 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 website (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 website 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. Persons submitting comments are cautioned that we do not redact or edit personal identifying information from comment submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–CBOE–2018–064 and should be submitted on or before October 11, 2018. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.14 Eduardo A. Aleman, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. 2018–20433 Filed 9–19–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P 14 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:01 Sep 19, 2018 Jkt 244001 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–84130; File No. SR–ICC– 2018–007] Self-Regulatory Organizations; ICE Clear Credit LLC; Order Approving Proposed Rule Change Relating to the Clearance of an Additional Credit Default Swap Contract September 14, 2018. I. Introduction On June 13, 2018, ICE Clear Credit LLC (‘‘ICC’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’), pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2 a proposed rule change to revise the ICC Rulebook (the ‘‘Rules’’) 3 to provide for the clearance of an additional Standard Emerging Market Sovereign CDS contract (‘‘EM Contract’’). The proposed rule change was published for comment in the Federal Register on July 3, 2018.4 The Commission did not receive comments regarding the proposed rule change. On August 16, 2018, the Commission designated a longer period for Commission action on the proposed rule change.5 For the reasons discussed below, the Commission is approving the proposed rule change. II. Description of the Proposed Rule Change The proposed rule change will provide the basis for ICC to clear an additional credit default swap contract. ICC proposes to amend Subchapter 26D of its Rules to provide for the clearance of an additional EM Contract, the Lebanese Republic. ICC represents that this additional EM Contract has terms consistent with the other EM Contracts approved for clearing at ICC and is governed by Subchapter 26D of the Rules.6 Minor revisions to Subchapter 26D (Standard Emerging Market Sovereign (‘‘SES’’) Single Name) are being made to provide for clearing the additional EM Contract. Specifically, in Rule 26D–102 (Definitions), ‘‘Eligible SES Reference Entities’’ is modified to include the Lebanese Republic in the 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). CFR 240.19b–4. 3 Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined have the meaning set forth in the ICC Rules. Available at https://www.theice.com/publicdocs/ clear_credit/ICE_Clear_Credit_Rules.pdf. 4 Securities Exchange Act Release No. 34–83545 (June 28, 2018), 83 FR 31244 (July 3, 2018) (SR– ICC–2018–007) (‘‘Notice’’). 5 Securities Exchange Act Release No. 34–83864 (August 16, 2018), 83 FR 42540 (August 22, 2018) (SR–ICC–2018–007). 6 Notice, 83 FR at 31245. 2 17 PO 00000 Frm 00066 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 47665 list of specific Eligible SES Reference Entities to be cleared by ICC. ICC has also represented that clearing of the additional EM Contract will not require any changes to ICC’s Risk Management Framework or other policies and procedures constituting rules within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’).7 III. Discussion and Commission Findings Section 19(b)(2)(C) of the Act directs the Commission to approve a proposed rule change of a self-regulatory organization if it finds that such proposed rule change is consistent with the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to such organization.8 Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act requires, among other things, that the rules of a registered clearing agency be designed to promote the prompt and accurate clearance and settlement of securities transactions, assure the safeguarding of securities and funds which are in the custody or control of the clearing agency for which it is responsible and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest.9 The Commission finds that the rule change is consistent with Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act 10 and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to ICC. The Commission has reviewed the terms and conditions of this contract and has determined that it is substantially similar to the other contracts listed in Subchapter 26D of the ICC Rules, all of which ICC currently clears, the key difference being that the underlying reference obligations will be issuances by the Lebanese Republic. Moreover, after reviewing the Notice and ICC’s Rules, policies and procedures, the Commission finds that the additional EM Contract will be cleared pursuant to ICC’s existing clearing arrangements and related financial safeguards, protections and risk management procedures.11 In addition, based on its own experience and expertise, including a review of data on volume, open interest, and the number of ICC clearing participants (‘‘CPs’’) that currently trade in the additional EM Contract as well as certain model parameters for the additional EM Contract, the Commission finds that ICC’s rules, policies, and procedures are reasonably designed to price and measure the 7 Id. 8 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(C). U.S.C. 78q–1(b)(3)(F). 10 15 U.S.C. 78q–1. 11 Notice, 83 FR at 31245. 9 15 E:\FR\FM\20SEN1.SGM 20SEN1

Agencies

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 183 (Thursday, September 20, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47663-47665]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-20433]



[[Page 47663]]

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-84142; File No. SR-CBOE-2018-064]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe Exchange, Inc.; Notice of 
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change Relating 
To Amend Its Rules Relating to Categories of Registration and 
Respective Qualification Examinations Required for Trading Permit 
Holders (``TPHs'') and Associated Persons That Engage in Trading 
Activities on the Exchange

September 14, 2018.
    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 September 7, 2018, Cboe Exchange, Inc. (the ``Exchange'' or 
``Cboe Options'') 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \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

    Cboe Exchange, Inc. (the ``Exchange'' or ``Cboe Options'') proposes 
to amend its rules relating to categories of registration and 
respective qualification examinations required for Trading Permit 
Holders (``TPHs'') and associated persons that engage in trading 
activities on the Exchange.
    The text of the proposed rule change is also available on the 
Exchange's website (https://www.cboe.com/AboutCBOE/CBOELegalRegulatoryHome.aspx), at the Exchange's Office of the 
Secretary, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

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

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

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

1. Purpose
    The SEC recently approved a proposed rule change to restructure the 
FINRA representative-level qualification examination program.\3\ The 
rule change, which will become effective on October 1, 2018, 
restructures the examination program into a more efficient format 
whereby all new representative-level applicants will be required to 
take a general knowledge examination (the Securities Industry 
Essentials Examination (``SIE'')) and a tailored, specialized knowledge 
examination (a revised representative-level qualification examination) 
for their particular registered role. Individuals are not required to 
be associated with an Exchange or any other self-regulatory 
organization (``SRO'') member to be eligible to take the SIE. However, 
passing the SIE alone will not qualify an individual for registration 
with the Exchange. To be eligible for registration, an individual must 
also be associated with a firm, pass an appropriate qualification 
examination for a representative or principal and satisfy the other 
requirements relating to the registration process.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 81098 (July 7, 
2017), 82 FR 32419 (July 13, 2017) (Order Approving File No. SR-
FINRA-2017-007).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The SIE would assess basic product knowledge; the structure and 
function of the securities industry markets, regulatory agencies and 
their functions; and regulated and prohibited practices. In particular, 
the SIE will cover four major areas. The first, ``Knowledge of Capital 
Markets,'' focuses on topics such as types of markets and offerings, 
broker-dealers and depositories, and economic cycles. The second, 
``Understanding Products and Their Risks,'' covers securities products 
at a high level as well as associated investment risks. The third, 
``Understanding Trading, Customer Accounts and Prohibited Activities,'' 
focuses on accounts, orders, settlement and prohibited activities. The 
final area, ``Overview of the Regulatory Framework,'' encompasses 
topics such as SROs, registration requirements and specified conduct 
rules. It's anticipated that the SIE would include 75 scored questions 
plus an additional 10 unscored pretest questions. The passing score 
would be determined through methodologies compliant with testing 
industry standards used to develop examinations and set passing 
standards.
    The restructured program eliminates duplicative testing of general 
securities knowledge on the current representative-level qualification 
examinations by moving such content into the SIE. The SIE will test 
fundamental securities related knowledge, including knowledge of basic 
products, the structure and function of the securities industry, the 
regulatory agencies and their functions and regulated and prohibited 
practices, whereas the revised representative-level qualification 
examinations will test knowledge relevant to day-to-day activities, 
responsibilities and job functions of representatives. The SIE was 
developed in consultation with a committee of industry representatives 
and representatives of several other SROs. Each of the current 
representative-level examinations covers general securities knowledge, 
with the exception of the Research Analyst (Series 86 and 87) 
examinations.
    The Exchange proposes to require that effective October 1, 2018, 
new applicants seeking to register in a representative capacity with 
the Exchange must pass the SIE before their registrations can become 
effective. The Exchange proposes to make the requirement operative on 
October 1, 2018 to coincide with the effective date of FINRA's 
requirement.
    The Exchange notes that individuals who are registered as of 
October 1, 2018 are eligible to maintain their registrations without 
being subject to any additional requirements. Individuals who had been 
registered within the past two years prior to October 1, 2018, would 
also be eligible to maintain those registrations without being subject 
to any additional requirements, provided they register within two years 
from the date of their last registration. However, with respect to an 
individual who is not registered on the effective date of the proposed 
rule change but was registered within the past two years prior to the 
effective date of the proposed rule change, the individual's SIE status 
in the CRD system would be administratively terminated if such 
individual does not register with the Exchange within four years from 
the date of the individual's last registration. The Exchange also notes 
that consistent with Interpretation and Policy .05 of Rule 3.6A, the 
Exchange will consider waivers of the SIE alone or the SIE and the 
representative or principal-level examination(s) for TPHs who are

[[Page 47664]]

seeking registration in a representative- or principal-level 
registration category.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ Pursuant to a Regulatory Services Agreement between FINRA 
and Cboe Options, FINRA provides Cboe Options certain exam waiver 
services in responding to exam waiver requests from Cboe Options 
TPHs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Lastly, the Exchange proposes to adopt Interpretation and Policy 
.09 of Rule 3.6A and Interpretation and Policy .02 of Rule 9.3 to 
provide individuals who are associated persons of firms and who hold 
foreign registrations an alternative, more flexible, process to obtain 
an Exchange representative-level registration. The Exchange believes 
that there is sufficient overlap between the SIE and these foreign 
qualification requirements to permit them to act as exemptions to the 
SIE. As such the Exchange proposes to provide that individuals who are 
in good standing as representatives with the Financial Conduct 
Authority in the United Kingdom or with a Canadian stock exchange or 
securities regulator would be exempt from the requirement to pass the 
SIE, and thus would be required only to pass a specialized knowledge 
examination to register with the Exchange as a representative. The 
proposed approach would provide individuals with a United Kingdom or 
Canadian qualification more flexibility to obtain an Exchange 
representative-level registration. The Exchange notes that FINRA has 
adopted a similar rule.\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 81098 (July 7, 
2017), 82 FR 32419 (July 13, 2017) (Order Approving File No. SR-
FINRA-2017-007).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with 
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ``Act'') and the rules and 
regulations thereunder applicable to the Exchange and, in particular, 
the requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act.\6\ Specifically, the 
Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the 
Section 6(b)(5) \7\ requirements that the rules of an exchange be 
designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to 
promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation 
and coordination with persons engaged in regulating, clearing, 
settling, processing information with respect to, and facilitating 
transactions in securities, to remove impediments to and perfect the 
mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system, and, 
in general, to protect investors and the public interest. Additionally, 
the Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the 
Section 6(b)(5) \8\ requirement that the rules of an exchange not be 
designed to permit unfair discrimination between customers, issuers, 
brokers, or dealers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \7\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
    \8\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change will improve 
the efficiency of the Exchange's examination requirements, without 
compromising the qualification standards, by eliminating duplicative 
testing of general securities knowledge on examinations. FINRA has 
indicated that the SIE was developed in an effort to adopt an 
examination that would assess basic product knowledge; the structure 
and function of the securities industry markets, regulatory agencies 
and their functions; and regulated and prohibited practices. The 
Exchange also notes that the introduction of the SIE and expansion of 
the pool of individuals who are eligible to take the SIE, has the 
potential of enhancing the pool of prospective securities industry 
professionals by introducing them to securities laws, rules and 
regulations and appropriate conduct before they join the industry in a 
registered capacity. Lastly, the Exchange notes adopting the SIE 
requirement is consistent with the requirement recently adopted by 
FINRA.\9\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 81098 (July 7, 
2017), 82 FR 32419 (July 13, 2017) (Order Approving File No. SR-
FINRA-2017-007).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will 
impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate 
in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The Exchange believes that 
the proposed rule change, which harmonizes its rules with recent rule 
changes adopted by FINRA and which is being filed in conjunction with 
similar filings by the other national securities exchanges, will reduce 
the regulatory burden placed on market participants engaged in trading 
activities across different markets. The Exchange believes that the 
harmonization of these registration requirements across the various 
markets will reduce burdens on competition by removing impediments to 
participation in the national market system and promoting competition 
among participants across the multiple national securities exchanges.

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

    The Exchange neither solicited nor received written comments on the 
proposed rule change.

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 \10\ and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6) thereunder.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) normally does 
not become operative for 30 days from the date of filing. However, Rule 
19b-4(f)(6)(iii) \11\ permits the Commission to designate a shorter 
time if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and 
the public interest. The Exchange has asked the Commission to waive the 
30-day operative delay so that the proposal may become operative on 
October 1, 2018 to coincide with the effective date of FINRA's proposed 
rule change on which the proposal is based.\12\ The waiver of the 
operative delay would make the Exchange's qualification requirements 
consistent with those of FINRA. Therefore, the Commission believes that 
the waiver of the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the 
protection of investors and the public interest and hereby waives the 
30-day operative delay and designates the proposal operative on October 
1, 2018.\13\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
    \12\ See supra note 3.
    \13\ For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay, 
the Commission has also considered the proposed rule's impact on 
efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 
78c(f).
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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,

[[Page 47665]]

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 [email protected]. Please include 
File Number SR-CBOE-2018-064 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-CBOE-2018-064. 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 website (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 website 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. Persons submitting comments are 
cautioned that we do not redact or edit personal identifying 
information from comment submissions. You should submit only 
information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions 
should refer to File Number SR-CBOE-2018-064 and should be submitted on 
or before October 11, 2018.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\14\
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    \14\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2018-20433 Filed 9-19-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P

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