Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend Cboe Options Rule 3.34, 28639-28641 [2023-09447]
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 86 / Thursday, May 4, 2023 / Notices
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
the most significant aspects of such
statements.
[Release No. 34–97404; File No. SR–CBOE–
2023–021]
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 To Amend Cboe Options
Rule 3.34
April 28, 2023.
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 April 20,
2023, 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 substantially prepared by the
Exchange. The Exchange filed the
proposal as a ‘‘non-controversial’’
proposed rule change pursuant to
section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 3 and
Rule 19b–4(f)(6) thereunder.4 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
Cboe Exchange, Inc. (the ‘‘Exchange’’
or ‘‘Cboe Options’’) proposes to amend
Cboe Options Rule 3.34. The text of the
proposed rule change is provided in
error 5.
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.
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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
1 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
CFR 240.19b–4.
3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
4 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
2 17
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1. Purpose
The proposed rule change amends
Cboe Options Rule 3.34. Specifically,
the Exchange proposes to amend Cboe
Options Rule 3.34 to reinsert
requirements related to filing of an
electronic Uniform Termination Notice
for Securities Industry Registration
(‘‘Form U5’’).
In 2021, following the approval of
Financial Industry Regulatory
Authority, Inc. (‘‘FINRA’’) rule changes,
which, among other things,
consolidated FINRA registration rules,5
the Exchange amended, reorganized,
and enhanced its rules regarding
registration, qualification examinations,
and continuing education, in order to
conform the Exchange’s rules more
closely to those of its affiliated
exchanges and non-affiliated exchanges
in the interest of uniformity and to
facilitate compliance with membership,
registration and qualification regulatory
requirements by members of multiple
exchanges.6
As part of the rule change, the
Exchange adopted new Cboe Options
Rule 3.34, Electronic Filing
Requirements for Uniform Forms,
which, among other things,
consolidated various Form U5
electronic filing requirements in a single
location and also imposed certain new
requirements. In consolidating the
electronic filing requirements, the
Exchange inadvertently removed
requirements for the submission of
Form U5 and related amendments,
previously contained in Cboe Options
Rule 3.37. Specifically, Cboe Options
Rule 3.37(b) previously contained a
requirement that a Form U5 must be
electronically submitted by a Trading
Permit Holder (‘‘TPH’’) organization
immediately following the date of
termination of any registered person,
but in no event later than 30 days
following termination. Further, the
Exchange inadvertently removed the
requirement for a copy of the Form U5
5 See Exchange Act Release No. 81098 (July 7,
2017), 82 FR 32419 (July 13, 2017) (Order
Approving File No. SR–FINRA–2017–007). See also
FINRA Regulatory Notice 17–30 (SEC Approves
Consolidated FINRA Registration Rules,
Restructured Representative-Level Qualification
Examinations and Changes to Continuing Education
Requirements) (October 2017).
6 See Exchange Act Release 34–91576 (April 15,
2021), 86 FR 20760 (April 21, 2021) (SR–CBOE–
2021–022).
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28639
to be provided concurrently to the
person whose association has been
terminated, also previously contained in
Cboe Options Rule 3.37(b). Finally, the
Exchange inadvertently removed the
requirement, previously set forth in
Cboe Options Rule 3.37(c), that a TPH
submit an amendment to the Form U5
in the event that the TPH learns of facts
or circumstances causing any
information set forth in the Form U5 to
become inaccurate or incomplete, and
that such amendment shall be provided
concurrently to the person whose
association has been terminated no later
than 30 days after the TPH learns of the
facts or circumstances giving rise to the
need for the amendment.
The Exchange now proposes to amend
Cboe Options Rule 3.34(e) to insert
these provisions that were previously
inadvertently deleted from Cboe
Options Rule 3.37. Specifically, the
Exchange proposes to amend Cboe
Options Rule 3.34(e) to state that a Form
U5 is required to be electronically
submitted by a TPH organization
immediately following the date of
termination, but in no event later than
30 days following termination, and to
state that a copy of the Form U4 [sic]
shall be provided concurrently to the
person whose association has been
terminated. Further, the Exchange
proposes to amend Cboe Options 3.34(e)
to state that a TPH shall submit an
amendment to the Form U5, in the event
that the TPH organization learns of facts
or circumstances causing any
information set forth in the Form U5 to
become inaccurate or incomplete, and
that such amendment shall be provided
concurrently to the person whose
association has been terminated no later
than 30 days after the TPH organization
learns of the facts or circumstances
giving rise to the need for the
amendment.
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.7 Specifically, the
Exchange believes the proposed rule
change is consistent with the section
6(b)(5) 8 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,
7 15
8 15
U.S.C. 78f(b).
U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
E:\FR\FM\04MYN1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 86 / Thursday, May 4, 2023 / Notices
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) 9 requirement that the
rules of an exchange not be designed to
permit unfair discrimination between
customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers.
In particular, the Exchange believes
the proposed rule change will remove
impediments to and perfect the
mechanism of a free and open market
and a national market system, and, in
general, will protect investors and the
public interest by correcting errors and
clarifying text within the Cboe Options
Rules. Specifically, by adding language
that was inadvertently removed
regarding requirements for Form U5
submissions and amendments, the
proposed rule change is designed to
make the Rulebook more accurate and
add clarity to the Cboe Options Rules,
thereby mitigating any potential
confusion for TPHs, particularly those
who are also FINRA members. The
Exchange believes the amendments
reduce the possibility of a significant
regulatory gap between Exchange and
FINRA rules, providing more uniform
standards across the securities industry.
Further, the Exchange believes that the
alignment of rules regarding Form U5
submissions and amendments
immediately and expeditiously would
serve to avoid potential confusion for
those members registered at both the
Exchange and FINRA, prevent
unnecessary regulatory burdens, and
promote the efficient administration of
the rules.
The proposed rule change will have
no impact on trading on the Exchange.
As the Exchange did not intend to
delete these requirements and did not
provide specific notice to TPHs of any
changes specifically regarding such
requirements following the inadvertent
deletion, the Exchange believes the
proposed clarifying rule amendments
will not result in any practical changes
to the Form U5 submission and
amendment process from an Exchange
or TPH standpoint. The proposed
requirements are merely being added
back to the Rulebook for purposes of
clarity and accuracy.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange does not believe that
the proposed rule change will impose
9 Id.
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17:12 May 03, 2023
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any burden on competition that is not
necessary or appropriate in furtherance
of the purposes of the Act. The
proposed rule change merely reinserts
language that was inadvertently
removed regarding requirements for
Form U5 submissions and related
amendments. As the Exchange did not
intend to delete these requirements and
did not provide notice to TPHs of any
changes specifically regarding such
requirements following the inadvertent
deletion, the Exchange believes the
proposed clarifying rule amendments
will not result in any practical changes
to the Form U5 submission and
amendment process from an Exchange
or TPH standpoint. Further, other SelfRegulatory Organizations (‘‘SROs’’),
including FINRA, have continued to
maintain these requirements for the
submission of Form U5 and related
amendments in their rules.10
The proposed rule change makes no
substantive changes to the Cboe Options
Rules, and thus will have no impact on
trading on the Exchange. The proposed
rule change is not intended to have any
impact on competition.
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: (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 11 and Rule 19b–
4(f)(6) thereunder.12
A proposed rule change filed under
Rule 19b–4(f)(6) normally does not
become operative for 30 days after the
date of filing. However, pursuant to
Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii), the Commission
may 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
this proposed rule change may become
operative immediately upon filing.13
10 See
FINRA By-Laws, Article V, Section 3.
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
12 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
13 In addition, Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii) requires a selfregulatory organization to give the Commission
11 15
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Waiver of the 30-day operative delay
would allow the Exchange to reinsert
language that the Exchange states was
inadvertently removed regarding
requirements for Form U5 submissions
and related amendments. As the
Exchange states it did not intend to
delete these requirements, did not
provide notice to TPHs of any changes
specifically regarding such requirements
following the inadvertent deletion, and
the other SROs, including FINRA, still
have continued to maintain these
requirements for the submission of
Form U5 and related amendments in
their rules, allowing a waiver will
eliminating the regulatory gap between
the FINRA and Exchange rules,
providing more uniform standards
across the securities industry, and
helping to avoid confusion for registered
persons of the Exchange that are also
FINRA members. For this reason, the
Commission believes that waiver of the
30-day operative delay for this proposal
is consistent with the protection of
investors and the public interest.
Accordingly, the Commission hereby
waives the 30-day operative delay and
designates the proposal operative upon
filing.14
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. If the
Commission takes such action, the
Commission shall 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
written notice of its intent to file a proposed rule
change under that subsection at least five business
days prior to the date of filing, or such shorter time
as designated by the Commission. 17 CFR 240.19b–
4(f)(6)(iii). The Exchange has provided such notice.
14 For purposes only of waiving the 30-day
operative delay, the Commission has considered the
proposed rule change’s impact on efficiency,
competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C.
78c(f).
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 86 / Thursday, May 4, 2023 / Notices
• Send an email to rule-comments@
sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–
CBOE–2023–021 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–2023–021. 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. Do not include
personal identifiable information in
submissions; you should submit only
information that you wish to make
available publicly. We may redact in
part or withhold entirely from
publication submitted material that is
obscene or subject to copyright
protection. All submissions should refer
to File Number SR–CBOE–2023–021
and should be submitted on or before
May 25, 2023.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.15
Sherry R. Haywood,
Assistant Secretary.
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[FR Doc. 2023–09447 Filed 5–3–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
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CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–97406; File No. SR–
CboeEDGX–2023–016]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe
EDGX Exchange, Inc.; Suspension of
and Order Instituting Proceedings To
Determine Whether To Approve or
Disapprove Proposed Rule Change To
Amend the EDGX Equities Fee
Schedule To Eliminate and Modify
Certain Growth Tiers and NonDisplayed Step-Up Volume Tiers,
Modify a Retail Growth Tier, Introduce
New Fee Code DX and Modify Fee
Code DQ
April 28, 2023.
I. Introduction
On March 1, 2023, Cboe EDGX
Exchange, Inc. (the ‘‘Exchange’’ or
‘‘EDGX’’) filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’),
pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(‘‘Exchange Act’’ or ‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule
19b–4 thereunder,2 a proposed rule
change (File Number SR–CboeEDGX–
2023–016) to amend the EDGX Equities
Fee Schedule (‘‘Fee Schedule’’) to
eliminate and modify certain Growth
Tiers and Non-Displayed Step-Up
Volume Tiers, modify a Retail Growth
Tier, introduce new fee code DX and
modify fee code DQ.3 The proposed rule
change was immediately effective upon
filing with the Commission pursuant to
section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act.4 The
proposed rule change was published for
comment in the Federal Register on
March 9, 2023.5 The Commission has
received no comment letters on the
proposed rule change. Under section
19(b)(3)(C) of the Act,6 the Commission
is hereby: (i) temporarily suspending
File Number SR–CboeEDGX–2023–016;
and (ii) instituting proceedings to
determine whether to approve or
disapprove File Number SR–
CboeEDGX–2023–016.
II. Description of the Proposed Rule
Change
The Exchange operates a ‘‘MakerTaker’’ model whereby it pays rebates to
1 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
CFR 240.19b–4.
3 See Notice, infra note 5, at 14658.
4 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). A proposed rule change
may take effect upon filing with the Commission if
it is designated by the exchange as ‘‘establishing or
changing a due, fee, or other charge imposed by the
self-regulatory organization on any person, whether
or not the person is a member of the self-regulatory
organization.’’ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
5 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 97042
(March 3, 2023), 88 FR 14657 (‘‘Notice’’).
6 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(C).
2 17
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28641
Members 7 that add liquidity and
assesses fees to those that remove
liquidity.8 The Exchange also offers
tiered pricing which provides Members
opportunities to qualify for higher
rebates or reduced fees where certain
volume criteria and thresholds are met.9
According to the Exchange, tiered
pricing provides an incremental
incentive for Members to strive for
higher tier levels, which provides
increasingly higher benefits or discounts
for satisfying increasingly more
stringent criteria.10
The Exchange proposes to amend its
Fee Schedule to eliminate and modify
certain Growth Tiers and Non-Displayed
Step-Up Volume Tiers, modify a Retail
Growth Tier, introduce new fee code DX
and modify fee code DQ, which fee
changes became effective on March 1,
2023.11 With respect to the Exchange’s
Growth Tiers, the Exchange offers five
Growth Tiers that each provide an
enhanced rebate for Members’
qualifying orders yielding fee codes B,
V, Y, 3, and 4, where a Member reaches
certain add volume-based criteria,
including ‘‘growing’’ its volume over a
certain baseline month.12 The Exchange
proposes to discontinue Growth Tiers
1–3 and to modify the criteria of Growth
Tier 4 and Growth Tier 5 (renumbered
to Growth Tier 1 and Growth Tier 2,
respectively and referred to herein as
‘‘proposed Growth Tier 1’’ and
‘‘proposed Growth Tier 2’’).13
Specifically, the Exchange proposes to
add a third prong to the Required
Criteria for proposed Growth Tier 1. As
7 See EDGX Rule 1.5(n). The term ‘‘Member’’ shall
mean any registered broker or dealer that has been
admitted to membership in the Exchange. A
Member will have the status of a ‘‘member’’ of the
Exchange as that term is defined in section 3(a)(3)
of the Act. Membership may be granted to a sole
proprietor, partnership, corporation, limited
liability company or other organization which is a
registered broker or dealer pursuant to section 15
of the Act, and which has been approved by the
Exchange.
8 See Notice, supra note 5, at 14658.
9 Id.
10 Id.
11 See Notice, supra note 5, at 14658. Under
footnotes 1 and 2 of the Exchange’s Fee Schedule,
the tiered pricing fee table lists the tier, the ‘‘rebate
per share to add’’ or the ‘‘fee per share to remove,’’
as applicable, and the ‘‘Required Criteria’’—
sometimes referred to as ‘‘prongs’’—that must be
met by a Member in order to qualify for the
applicable tiered pricing fee.
12 See Notice, supra note 5, at 14658. See also Fee
Schedule, Footnotes, 1, Add/Remove Volume Tiers.
13 The Exchange states it is eliminating Growth
Tiers 1–3 because no Members have satisfied those
Growth Tier criteria within the past six months and
the Exchange no longer wishes to, nor is required
to, maintain such tiers. The Exchange states that it
would rather redirect future resources and funding
into other programs and tiers intended to
incentivize increased order flow. See Notice, supra
note 5, at 14658.
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 86 (Thursday, May 4, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28639-28641]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-09447]
[[Page 28639]]
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-97404; File No. SR-CBOE-2023-021]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe Exchange, Inc.; Notice of
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend
Cboe Options Rule 3.34
April 28, 2023.
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 April 20, 2023, 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 substantially prepared by the Exchange.
The Exchange filed the proposal as a ``non-controversial'' proposed
rule change pursuant to section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act \3\ and
Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\4\ 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\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
\4\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 Cboe Options Rule 3.34. The text of the proposed rule change
is provided in error 5.
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 proposed rule change amends Cboe Options Rule 3.34.
Specifically, the Exchange proposes to amend Cboe Options Rule 3.34 to
reinsert requirements related to filing of an electronic Uniform
Termination Notice for Securities Industry Registration (``Form U5'').
In 2021, following the approval of Financial Industry Regulatory
Authority, Inc. (``FINRA'') rule changes, which, among other things,
consolidated FINRA registration rules,\5\ the Exchange amended,
reorganized, and enhanced its rules regarding registration,
qualification examinations, and continuing education, in order to
conform the Exchange's rules more closely to those of its affiliated
exchanges and non-affiliated exchanges in the interest of uniformity
and to facilitate compliance with membership, registration and
qualification regulatory requirements by members of multiple
exchanges.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ See Exchange Act Release No. 81098 (July 7, 2017), 82 FR
32419 (July 13, 2017) (Order Approving File No. SR-FINRA-2017-007).
See also FINRA Regulatory Notice 17-30 (SEC Approves Consolidated
FINRA Registration Rules, Restructured Representative-Level
Qualification Examinations and Changes to Continuing Education
Requirements) (October 2017).
\6\ See Exchange Act Release 34-91576 (April 15, 2021), 86 FR
20760 (April 21, 2021) (SR-CBOE-2021-022).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
As part of the rule change, the Exchange adopted new Cboe Options
Rule 3.34, Electronic Filing Requirements for Uniform Forms, which,
among other things, consolidated various Form U5 electronic filing
requirements in a single location and also imposed certain new
requirements. In consolidating the electronic filing requirements, the
Exchange inadvertently removed requirements for the submission of Form
U5 and related amendments, previously contained in Cboe Options Rule
3.37. Specifically, Cboe Options Rule 3.37(b) previously contained a
requirement that a Form U5 must be electronically submitted by a
Trading Permit Holder (``TPH'') organization immediately following the
date of termination of any registered person, but in no event later
than 30 days following termination. Further, the Exchange inadvertently
removed the requirement for a copy of the Form U5 to be provided
concurrently to the person whose association has been terminated, also
previously contained in Cboe Options Rule 3.37(b). Finally, the
Exchange inadvertently removed the requirement, previously set forth in
Cboe Options Rule 3.37(c), that a TPH submit an amendment to the Form
U5 in the event that the TPH learns of facts or circumstances causing
any information set forth in the Form U5 to become inaccurate or
incomplete, and that such amendment shall be provided concurrently to
the person whose association has been terminated no later than 30 days
after the TPH learns of the facts or circumstances giving rise to the
need for the amendment.
The Exchange now proposes to amend Cboe Options Rule 3.34(e) to
insert these provisions that were previously inadvertently deleted from
Cboe Options Rule 3.37. Specifically, the Exchange proposes to amend
Cboe Options Rule 3.34(e) to state that a Form U5 is required to be
electronically submitted by a TPH organization immediately following
the date of termination, but in no event later than 30 days following
termination, and to state that a copy of the Form U4 [sic] shall be
provided concurrently to the person whose association has been
terminated. Further, the Exchange proposes to amend Cboe Options
3.34(e) to state that a TPH shall submit an amendment to the Form U5,
in the event that the TPH organization learns of facts or circumstances
causing any information set forth in the Form U5 to become inaccurate
or incomplete, and that such amendment shall be provided concurrently
to the person whose association has been terminated no later than 30
days after the TPH organization learns of the facts or circumstances
giving rise to the need for the amendment.
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.\7\ Specifically, the
Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the
section 6(b)(5) \8\ 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,
[[Page 28640]]
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) \9\ requirement that the rules of an exchange not be designed
to permit unfair discrimination between customers, issuers, brokers, or
dealers.
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\7\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
\8\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
\9\ Id.
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In particular, the Exchange believes the proposed rule change will
remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open
market and a national market system, and, in general, will protect
investors and the public interest by correcting errors and clarifying
text within the Cboe Options Rules. Specifically, by adding language
that was inadvertently removed regarding requirements for Form U5
submissions and amendments, the proposed rule change is designed to
make the Rulebook more accurate and add clarity to the Cboe Options
Rules, thereby mitigating any potential confusion for TPHs,
particularly those who are also FINRA members. The Exchange believes
the amendments reduce the possibility of a significant regulatory gap
between Exchange and FINRA rules, providing more uniform standards
across the securities industry. Further, the Exchange believes that the
alignment of rules regarding Form U5 submissions and amendments
immediately and expeditiously would serve to avoid potential confusion
for those members registered at both the Exchange and FINRA, prevent
unnecessary regulatory burdens, and promote the efficient
administration of the rules.
The proposed rule change will have no impact on trading on the
Exchange. As the Exchange did not intend to delete these requirements
and did not provide specific notice to TPHs of any changes specifically
regarding such requirements following the inadvertent deletion, the
Exchange believes the proposed clarifying rule amendments will not
result in any practical changes to the Form U5 submission and amendment
process from an Exchange or TPH standpoint. The proposed requirements
are merely being added back to the Rulebook for purposes of clarity and
accuracy.
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 proposed rule change
merely reinserts language that was inadvertently removed regarding
requirements for Form U5 submissions and related amendments. As the
Exchange did not intend to delete these requirements and did not
provide notice to TPHs of any changes specifically regarding such
requirements following the inadvertent deletion, the Exchange believes
the proposed clarifying rule amendments will not result in any
practical changes to the Form U5 submission and amendment process from
an Exchange or TPH standpoint. Further, other Self-Regulatory
Organizations (``SROs''), including FINRA, have continued to maintain
these requirements for the submission of Form U5 and related amendments
in their rules.\10\
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\10\ See FINRA By-Laws, Article V, Section 3.
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The proposed rule change makes no substantive changes to the Cboe
Options Rules, and thus will have no impact on trading on the Exchange.
The proposed rule change is not intended to have any impact on
competition.
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: (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 \11\ and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6) thereunder.\12\
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\11\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
\12\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
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A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) normally does
not become operative for 30 days after the date of filing. However,
pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii), the Commission may 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 this proposed
rule change may become operative immediately upon filing.\13\
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\13\ In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) requires a self-
regulatory organization to give the Commission written notice of its
intent to file a proposed rule change under that subsection at least
five business days prior to the date of filing, or such shorter time
as designated by the Commission. 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii). The
Exchange has provided such notice.
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Waiver of the 30-day operative delay would allow the Exchange to
reinsert language that the Exchange states was inadvertently removed
regarding requirements for Form U5 submissions and related amendments.
As the Exchange states it did not intend to delete these requirements,
did not provide notice to TPHs of any changes specifically regarding
such requirements following the inadvertent deletion, and the other
SROs, including FINRA, still have continued to maintain these
requirements for the submission of Form U5 and related amendments in
their rules, allowing a waiver will eliminating the regulatory gap
between the FINRA and Exchange rules, providing more uniform standards
across the securities industry, and helping to avoid confusion for
registered persons of the Exchange that are also FINRA members. For
this reason, the Commission believes that waiver of the 30-day
operative delay for this proposal is consistent with the protection of
investors and the public interest. Accordingly, the Commission hereby
waives the 30-day operative delay and designates the proposal operative
upon filing.\14\
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\14\ For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay,
the Commission has considered the proposed rule change'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. If the Commission
takes such action, the Commission shall 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
[[Page 28641]]
Send an email to [email protected]. Please include
File Number SR-CBOE-2023-021 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-2023-021. 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. Do
not include personal identifiable information in submissions; you
should submit only information that you wish to make available
publicly. We may redact in part or withhold entirely from publication
submitted material that is obscene or subject to copyright protection.
All submissions should refer to File Number SR-CBOE-2023-021 and should
be submitted on or before May 25, 2023.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\15\
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\15\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Sherry R. Haywood,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023-09447 Filed 5-3-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P