Self-Regulatory Organizations; Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend Certain MSRB Rules To Update Cross-References to the Rules of Other Self-Regulatory Organizations, To Amend Rules With Grammatical or Typographical Errors and To Delete Certain Sections of MSRB Rules That Are Outdated or No Longer Relevant, 17897-17899 [2019-08399]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 81 / Friday, April 26, 2019 / Notices
Rule 8.6 does not affect intramarket
competition. The proposed applies an
affirmative obligation to all MarketMakers to hold themselves out as
continuously willing to buy and sell
options for their own account, justifying
favorable treatment and benefitting the
trading interest of all customers. The
Exchange believes that the proposed
change to continuous quoting
requirements does not affect intermarket
competition, as this proposal is based
on other exchanges’ rules previously
filed with the Commission.28 The
Exchange also notes that to the degree
that other exchanges have varying
continuous quoting obligations for
Market-Makers, market participants on
other exchanges are welcome to become
Market-Makers on C2 if they determine
that this proposed rule change has made
market making on C2 more attractive or
favorable. Finally, the Exchange
believes that the proposed rule change
will relieve any burden on market
participants because it serves to provide
Market-Makers with affirmative quoting
requirements that ensure each
appointed class will receive appropriate
liquidity to the benefit of all market
participants who interact with that
liquidity.
Additionally, the proposed rule
change to amend Rule 8.2 does not
address competitive issues, but rather,
as discussed above, is merely intended
to correct an inadvertent uses of an
inaccurate cross-reference, as well as
delete an obsolete provision, which will
alleviate potential confusion.
amozie on DSK9F9SC42PROD with NOTICES
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 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:
A. Significantly affect the protection
of investors or the public interest;
B. impose any significant burden on
competition; and
C. 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 29 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6) 30
thereunder. At any time within 60 days
28 See
supra note 5.
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
30 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
29 15
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Jkt 247001
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. If the
Commission takes such action, the
Commission will institute proceedings
to determine whether the proposed rule
change 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–
C2–2019–007 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–C2–2019–007. 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
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
17897
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–C2–2019–007 and should
be submitted on or before May 17, 2019.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.31
Eduardo A. Aleman,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2019–08398 Filed 4–25–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–85699; File No. SR–MSRB–
2019–08]
Self-Regulatory Organizations;
Municipal Securities Rulemaking
Board; Notice of Filing and Immediate
Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule
Change To Amend Certain MSRB
Rules To Update Cross-References to
the Rules of Other Self-Regulatory
Organizations, To Amend Rules With
Grammatical or Typographical Errors
and To Delete Certain Sections of
MSRB Rules That Are Outdated or No
Longer Relevant
April 22, 2019.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’
or ‘‘Exchange Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4
thereunder,2 notice is hereby given that
on April 10, 2019 the Municipal
Securities Rulemaking Board (‘‘MSRB’’)
filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (‘‘SEC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’)
the proposed rule change as described
in Items I, II, and III below, which Items
have been prepared by the MSRB. The
Commission is publishing this notice to
solicit comments on the proposed rule
change from interested persons.
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Terms of Substance of
the Proposed Rule Change
The MSRB filed with the Commission
a proposed rule change to amend certain
MSRB rules to update cross-references
to the rules of other self-regulatory
organizations (SROs), to amend rules
with grammatical or typographical
errors and to delete certain sections of
MSRB rules that are outdated or no
longer relevant given the expiration or
passing of time limitations set forth
therein (the ‘‘proposed rule change’’).
The MSRB is filing the proposed rule
31 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
1 15
E:\FR\FM\26APN1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 81 / Friday, April 26, 2019 / Notices
change under Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) 3 of
the Act and Rule 19b–4(f)(6) 4
thereunder, as a noncontroversial rule
change that renders the proposal
effective upon receipt of this filing by
the Commission. The operative date of
the proposed rule change will be June
3, 2019.
The text of the proposed rule change
is available on the MSRB’s website at
www.msrb.org/Rules-andInterpretations/SEC-Filings/2019Filings.aspx, at the MSRB’s principal
office, 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
MSRB 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 MSRB 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
amozie on DSK9F9SC42PROD with NOTICES
1. Purpose
The MSRB has been conducting a
retrospective review of its rules in an
effort to ensure the rules are effective in
their principal goal of protecting
investors, issuers and the public
interest. The retrospective review also
seeks to ensure that MSRB rules are not
overly burdensome, are clear and
harmonized with the rules of other
regulators, as appropriate, and are
reflective of current market practices.
In its review, the MSRB identified
several instances where cross references
to the rules of other SROs are incorrect.
In addition, the MSRB has identified
two rule sections with date references
that are no longer valid. Finally, the
MSRB has identified several places
where grammatical or typographical
corrections are needed. The proposed
rule change would make nonsubstantive changes to address these
issues.
Cross-References to Other SRO Rules
The Financial Industry Regulatory
Authority (FINRA) is an SRO providing
regulatory oversight of brokers and
dealers doing business in the United
3 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
4 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
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17:28 Apr 25, 2019
Jkt 247001
States. It was formed by the
consolidation of the member regulation,
enforcement and arbitration operations
of the New York Stock Exchange, NYSE
Regulation, Inc. and the National
Association of Securities Dealers
(NASD). Prior to this consolidation, the
NASD served as a predecessor SRO to
FINRA. As a result, many of the MSRB’s
rules continue to cross-reference
outdated NASD rules that have since
been updated with the creation of the
FINRA rulebook.5 The proposed rule
change would update incorrect NASD
rule references in the MSRB rulebook to
the correct FINRA rule, by amending:
• Rule G–20, on gifts, gratuities, noncash compensation and expenses of
issuance, to change the reference in
subsection (b)(iv) from NASD Rule 2830
to FINRA Rule 2341.
• Rule G–27, on supervision, to
change references in subsection (g)(vi)
from NASD Rules 2110, 2120, 2310,
2330, 2440, 3010 (failure to supervise
only), 3310 and 3330 to FINRA Rules
2010, 2020, 2111, 2150, 2121, 3110
(failure to supervise only), 5210 and
5230, respectively.
• Rule G–35, on arbitration, to delete
reference to ‘‘the Code of Arbitration
Procedure of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. (‘‘NASD’’),’’
‘‘NASD’s Code of Arbitration
Procedure,’’ and ‘‘NASD’’ and to change
these reference as follows:
Æ Code of Arbitration Procedure of
the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. (‘‘NASD’’) would be
changed to ‘‘the Financial Industry
Regulatory Authority’s (FINRA) Code of
Arbitration Procedure for Customer
Disputes and Code of Arbitration
Procedure for Industry Disputes, as
appropriate,’’
Æ NASD’s Code of Arbitration
Procedure would be changed to
‘‘FINRA’s Code of Arbitration Procedure
for Customer Disputes and Code of
Arbitration Procedure for Industry
Disputes, as appropriate,’’ and
Æ NASD would be changed to
‘‘FINRA’’.
• Rule G–41, on anti-money
laundering compliance programs, to
change the reference therein from NASD
Rule 3011 to FINRA Rule 3310.
Outdated Date References
There are two MSRB rules that have
date references that are outdated or no
longer necessary for purposes of
compliance with the rules. To eliminate
5 In some instances, a single NASD rule
subsequently became multiple FINRA rules (e.g.,
NASD Rule 3010 became FINRA Rules 3110 and
3170). The proposed rule change only references
those FINRA rules that are relevant to the particular
MSRB rule being amended.
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
these outdated or unnecessary
references, the proposed rule change
would amend:
• Rule G–38, on solicitation of
municipal securities business, to delete
subsection (c) in its entirety, as this
section addresses transitional payments
made for solicitation activities that
occurred ‘‘on or prior to August 29,
2005.’’ In particular, this subsection
requires a filing to be made ‘‘by the last
day of the month following the end of
each calendar quarter during which
payments for such solicitations are
made or remain pending.’’ The MSRB
has not received a Form G–38t filing for
two years which would indicate
payments for solicitations pursuant to
subsection (c) are no longer occurring or
pending. If such payments were still
being made or were pending for activity
occurring prior to August 29, 2005, a
Form G–38t would have been filed
indicating so. As a result, the MSRB
believes there is no longer a need for the
requirements set forth in subsection (c).
The proposed rule change also would
delete from section (a) reference to
section (c) for consistency.
• Rule G–45, on reporting of
information on municipal fund
securities, to delete subsection (e),
which provides a transition provision
for reporting related to the Stephen
Beck, Jr., Achieving a Better Life
Experience Act of 2014 (‘‘ABLE
program’’). Rule G–45 requires reporting
of information on Form G–45 to the
MSRB of certain primary offerings of
municipal fund securities. Subsection
(e) indicates that for underwriters in
primary offerings of an ABLE program,
the first submissions due pursuant to
the rule ‘‘will be for the reporting period
ending June 30, 2018.’’ Because this
deadline has passed, the proposed rule
change would delete this provision as it
is no longer necessary for compliance
with the rule.
Typographical or Grammatical Errors
The proposed rule change would fix
typographical or grammatical errors by
amending:
• Rule G–12, on uniform practice, to
delete duplicative language from
paragraph (h)(ii)(A) on close-out by
seller.
• Rule G–26, on customer account
transfers, to change the word ‘‘affect’’ to
‘‘effect’’ as it appears in Supplementary
Material .02 Written Procedures.
2. Statutory Basis
The MSRB believes that the proposed
rule change is consistent with the
provisions of Section 15B(b)(2)(C) of the
E:\FR\FM\26APN1.SGM
26APN1
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 81 / Friday, April 26, 2019 / Notices
Act,6 which provides that the MSRB’s
rules shall:
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 municipal
securities and municipal financial products,
to remove impediments to and perfect the
mechanism of a free and open market in
municipal securities and municipal financial
products, and, in general, to protect
investors, municipal entities, obligated
persons, and the public interest.
The proposed rule change would
promote just and equitable principles of
trade by ensuring that existing rule
provisions are accurate and
understandable. While the proposed
rule change affects rules applicable to
brokers, dealers and municipal
securities (‘‘dealers’’), it is meant to
clarify existing MSRB rules and would
not impose additional burdens on
dealers.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
Section 15B(b)(2)(C) of the Exchange
Act requires that MSRB rules not be
designed to impose any burden on
competition not necessary or
appropriate in furtherance of the
purposes of the Exchange Act.7 The
MSRB does not believe that the
proposed rule change would impose any
burden on competition that is not
necessary or appropriate in furtherance
of the purposes of the Exchange Act
because it would apply equally to all
dealers.8
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.
6 15
U.S.C. 78o–4(b)(2)(C).
amozie on DSK9F9SC42PROD with NOTICES
7 Id.
8 The Board’s policy on the use of economic
analysis limits its applications regarding those rules
for which the Board seeks immediate effectiveness.
The scope of the Board’s policy on the use of
economic analysis in rulemaking provides that:
‘‘[t]his Policy addresses rulemaking activities of the
MSRB that culminate, or are expected to culminate,
in a filing of a proposed rule change with the SEC
under Section 19(b) of the Exchange Act, other than
a proposed rule change that the MSRB reasonably
believes would qualify for immediate effectiveness
under Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Exchange Act if
filed as such (e.g., fee filing or facility filing) or as
otherwise provided under the exception process of
this Policy.’’ Policy on the Use of Economic
Analysis in MSRB Rulemaking. For those rule
changes which the MSRB seeks immediate
effectiveness, the MSRB usually focuses exclusively
its examination on the burden of competition on
regulated entities.
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17:28 Apr 25, 2019
Jkt 247001
III. Date of Effectiveness of the
Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
The foregoing proposed rule change
has become effective pursuant to
Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Exchange
Act 9 and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) 10 thereunder.
At any time within 60 days of the filing
of the proposed rule change, the
Commission summarily may
temporarily suspend such rule change if
it appears to the Commission that such
action is necessary or appropriate in the
public interest, for the protection of
investors, or otherwise in furtherance of
the purposes of the Act.
IV. Solicitation of Comments
Interested persons are invited to
submit written data, views, and
arguments concerning the foregoing,
including whether the proposed rule
change is consistent with the Act.
Comments may be submitted by any of
the following methods:
Electronic Comments
• Use the Commission’s internet
comment form (https://www.sec.gov/
rules/sro.shtml); or
• Send an email to rule-comments@
sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–
MSRB–2019–08 on the subject line.
Paper Comments
• Send paper comments in triplicate
to Secretary, Securities and Exchange
Commission, 100 F Street NE,
Washington, DC 20549.
All submissions should refer to File
Number SR–MSRB–2019–08. 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
9 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
10 17
PO 00000
Frm 00128
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
17899
filing also will be available for
inspection and copying at the principal
office of the MSRB. 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–MSRB–2019–08 and should
be submitted on or before May 17, 2019.
For the Commission, pursuant to delegated
authority.11
Eduardo A. Aleman,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2019–08399 Filed 4–25–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Investment Company Act Release No.
33450; 812–14995]
M–CAM International LLC, et al.
April 23, 2019.
Securities and Exchange
Commission (‘‘Commission’’).
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
Notice of an application for an order
under section 6(c) of the Investment
Company Act of 1940 (the ‘‘Act’’) for an
exemption from sections 2(a)(32),
5(a)(1), 22(d), and 22(e) of the Act and
rule 22c–1 under the Act, under
sections 6(c) and 17(b) of the Act for an
exemption from sections 17(a)(1) and
17(a)(2) of the Act, and under section
12(d)(1)(J) for an exemption from
sections 12(d)(1)(A) and 12(d)(1)(B) of
the Act. The requested order would
permit (a) index-based series of certain
open-end management investment
companies (‘‘Funds’’) to issue shares
redeemable in large aggregations only
(‘‘Creation Units’’); (b) secondary market
transactions in Fund shares to occur at
negotiated market prices rather than at
net asset value (‘‘NAV’’); (c) certain
Funds to pay redemption proceeds,
under certain circumstances, more than
seven days after the tender of shares for
redemption; (d) certain affiliated
persons of a Fund to deposit securities
into, and receive securities from, the
Fund in connection with the purchase
and redemption of Creation Units; and
(e) certain registered management
investment companies and unit
investment trusts outside of the same
group of investment companies as the
Funds (‘‘Funds of Funds’’) to acquire
shares of the Funds.
11 17
E:\FR\FM\26APN1.SGM
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
26APN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 81 (Friday, April 26, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17897-17899]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-08399]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-85699; File No. SR-MSRB-2019-08]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Municipal Securities Rulemaking
Board; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule
Change To Amend Certain MSRB Rules To Update Cross-References to the
Rules of Other Self-Regulatory Organizations, To Amend Rules With
Grammatical or Typographical Errors and To Delete Certain Sections of
MSRB Rules That Are Outdated or No Longer Relevant
April 22, 2019.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(``Act'' or ``Exchange Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice
is hereby given that on April 10, 2019 the Municipal Securities
Rulemaking Board (``MSRB'') filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (``SEC'' or ``Commission'') the proposed rule change as
described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared
by the MSRB. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit
comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
\2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change
The MSRB filed with the Commission a proposed rule change to amend
certain MSRB rules to update cross-references to the rules of other
self-regulatory organizations (SROs), to amend rules with grammatical
or typographical errors and to delete certain sections of MSRB rules
that are outdated or no longer relevant given the expiration or passing
of time limitations set forth therein (the ``proposed rule change'').
The MSRB is filing the proposed rule
[[Page 17898]]
change under Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) \3\ of the Act and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6) \4\ thereunder, as a noncontroversial rule change that renders
the proposal effective upon receipt of this filing by the Commission.
The operative date of the proposed rule change will be June 3, 2019.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
\4\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The text of the proposed rule change is available on the MSRB's
website at www.msrb.org/Rules-and-Interpretations/SEC-Filings/2019-Filings.aspx, at the MSRB's principal office, 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 MSRB 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 MSRB 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 MSRB has been conducting a retrospective review of its rules in
an effort to ensure the rules are effective in their principal goal of
protecting investors, issuers and the public interest. The
retrospective review also seeks to ensure that MSRB rules are not
overly burdensome, are clear and harmonized with the rules of other
regulators, as appropriate, and are reflective of current market
practices.
In its review, the MSRB identified several instances where cross
references to the rules of other SROs are incorrect. In addition, the
MSRB has identified two rule sections with date references that are no
longer valid. Finally, the MSRB has identified several places where
grammatical or typographical corrections are needed. The proposed rule
change would make non-substantive changes to address these issues.
Cross-References to Other SRO Rules
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is an SRO
providing regulatory oversight of brokers and dealers doing business in
the United States. It was formed by the consolidation of the member
regulation, enforcement and arbitration operations of the New York
Stock Exchange, NYSE Regulation, Inc. and the National Association of
Securities Dealers (NASD). Prior to this consolidation, the NASD served
as a predecessor SRO to FINRA. As a result, many of the MSRB's rules
continue to cross-reference outdated NASD rules that have since been
updated with the creation of the FINRA rulebook.\5\ The proposed rule
change would update incorrect NASD rule references in the MSRB rulebook
to the correct FINRA rule, by amending:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ In some instances, a single NASD rule subsequently became
multiple FINRA rules (e.g., NASD Rule 3010 became FINRA Rules 3110
and 3170). The proposed rule change only references those FINRA
rules that are relevant to the particular MSRB rule being amended.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rule G-20, on gifts, gratuities, non-cash compensation and
expenses of issuance, to change the reference in subsection (b)(iv)
from NASD Rule 2830 to FINRA Rule 2341.
Rule G-27, on supervision, to change references in
subsection (g)(vi) from NASD Rules 2110, 2120, 2310, 2330, 2440, 3010
(failure to supervise only), 3310 and 3330 to FINRA Rules 2010, 2020,
2111, 2150, 2121, 3110 (failure to supervise only), 5210 and 5230,
respectively.
Rule G-35, on arbitration, to delete reference to ``the
Code of Arbitration Procedure of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. (``NASD''),'' ``NASD's Code of Arbitration Procedure,''
and ``NASD'' and to change these reference as follows:
[cir] Code of Arbitration Procedure of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. (``NASD'') would be changed to ``the Financial
Industry Regulatory Authority's (FINRA) Code of Arbitration Procedure
for Customer Disputes and Code of Arbitration Procedure for Industry
Disputes, as appropriate,''
[cir] NASD's Code of Arbitration Procedure would be changed to
``FINRA's Code of Arbitration Procedure for Customer Disputes and Code
of Arbitration Procedure for Industry Disputes, as appropriate,'' and
[cir] NASD would be changed to ``FINRA''.
Rule G-41, on anti-money laundering compliance programs,
to change the reference therein from NASD Rule 3011 to FINRA Rule 3310.
Outdated Date References
There are two MSRB rules that have date references that are
outdated or no longer necessary for purposes of compliance with the
rules. To eliminate these outdated or unnecessary references, the
proposed rule change would amend:
Rule G-38, on solicitation of municipal securities
business, to delete subsection (c) in its entirety, as this section
addresses transitional payments made for solicitation activities that
occurred ``on or prior to August 29, 2005.'' In particular, this
subsection requires a filing to be made ``by the last day of the month
following the end of each calendar quarter during which payments for
such solicitations are made or remain pending.'' The MSRB has not
received a Form G-38t filing for two years which would indicate
payments for solicitations pursuant to subsection (c) are no longer
occurring or pending. If such payments were still being made or were
pending for activity occurring prior to August 29, 2005, a Form G-38t
would have been filed indicating so. As a result, the MSRB believes
there is no longer a need for the requirements set forth in subsection
(c). The proposed rule change also would delete from section (a)
reference to section (c) for consistency.
Rule G-45, on reporting of information on municipal fund
securities, to delete subsection (e), which provides a transition
provision for reporting related to the Stephen Beck, Jr., Achieving a
Better Life Experience Act of 2014 (``ABLE program''). Rule G-45
requires reporting of information on Form G-45 to the MSRB of certain
primary offerings of municipal fund securities. Subsection (e)
indicates that for underwriters in primary offerings of an ABLE
program, the first submissions due pursuant to the rule ``will be for
the reporting period ending June 30, 2018.'' Because this deadline has
passed, the proposed rule change would delete this provision as it is
no longer necessary for compliance with the rule.
Typographical or Grammatical Errors
The proposed rule change would fix typographical or grammatical
errors by amending:
Rule G-12, on uniform practice, to delete duplicative
language from paragraph (h)(ii)(A) on close-out by seller.
Rule G-26, on customer account transfers, to change the
word ``affect'' to ``effect'' as it appears in Supplementary Material
.02 Written Procedures.
2. Statutory Basis
The MSRB believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with
the provisions of Section 15B(b)(2)(C) of the
[[Page 17899]]
Act,\6\ which provides that the MSRB's rules shall:
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\6\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-4(b)(2)(C).
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 municipal securities and
municipal financial products, to remove impediments to and perfect
the mechanism of a free and open market in municipal securities and
municipal financial products, and, in general, to protect investors,
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municipal entities, obligated persons, and the public interest.
The proposed rule change would promote just and equitable
principles of trade by ensuring that existing rule provisions are
accurate and understandable. While the proposed rule change affects
rules applicable to brokers, dealers and municipal securities
(``dealers''), it is meant to clarify existing MSRB rules and would not
impose additional burdens on dealers.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
Section 15B(b)(2)(C) of the Exchange Act requires that MSRB rules
not be designed to impose any burden on competition not necessary or
appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Exchange Act.\7\ The
MSRB does not believe that the proposed rule change would impose any
burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in
furtherance of the purposes of the Exchange Act because it would apply
equally to all dealers.\8\
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\7\ Id.
\8\ The Board's policy on the use of economic analysis limits
its applications regarding those rules for which the Board seeks
immediate effectiveness. The scope of the Board's policy on the use
of economic analysis in rulemaking provides that: ``[t]his Policy
addresses rulemaking activities of the MSRB that culminate, or are
expected to culminate, in a filing of a proposed rule change with
the SEC under Section 19(b) of the Exchange Act, other than a
proposed rule change that the MSRB reasonably believes would qualify
for immediate effectiveness under Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the
Exchange Act if filed as such (e.g., fee filing or facility filing)
or as otherwise provided under the exception process of this
Policy.'' Policy on the Use of Economic Analysis in MSRB Rulemaking.
For those rule changes which the MSRB seeks immediate effectiveness,
the MSRB usually focuses exclusively its examination on the burden
of competition on regulated entities.
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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
The foregoing proposed rule change has become effective pursuant to
Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Exchange Act \9\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) \10\
thereunder. At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed
rule change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule
change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or
appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or
otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
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\9\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
\10\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
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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 [email protected]. Please include
File Number SR-MSRB-2019-08 on the subject line.
Paper Comments
Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities
and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549.
All submissions should refer to File Number SR-MSRB-2019-08. 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 MSRB. 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-MSRB-2019-08 and should be submitted on
or before May 17, 2019.
For the Commission, pursuant to delegated authority.\11\
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\11\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Eduardo A. Aleman,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2019-08399 Filed 4-25-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P