80_FR_62338 80 FR 62139 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change Relating to Delivery of the Regulatory Element of the Exchange's Continuing Education Program

80 FR 62139 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change Relating to Delivery of the Regulatory Element of the Exchange's Continuing Education Program

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 199 (October 15, 2015)

Page Range62139-62142
FR Document2015-26155

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 199 (Thursday, October 15, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 199 (Thursday, October 15, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62139-62142]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-26155]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-76107; File No. SR-CBOE-2015-084]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Board Options Exchange, 
Incorporated; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a 
Proposed Rule Change Relating to Delivery of the Regulatory Element of 
the Exchange's Continuing Education Program

October 8, 2015.
    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 30, 2015, Chicago Board Options Exchange, 
Incorporated (the ``Exchange'' or ``CBOE'') filed with the Securities 
and Exchange Commission (the ``Commission'') the proposed rule change 
as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been 
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.
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    \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).
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposes to amend Rule 9.3A (Continuing Education for 
Registered Persons) to provide for Web-based delivery of the Regulatory 
Element of the Exchange's continuing education (``CE'') program. The 
text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's Web 
site (http://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 CE requirements under Rule 9.3A consist of a Regulatory Element 
\5\ and a Firm Element.\6\ The Regulatory Element applies to all 
registered persons \7\ and consists of periodic computer-based training 
on regulatory, compliance, ethical, and supervisory subjects and sales 
practice standards, which must be completed within prescribed 
timeframes.\8\ In addition, a registered person is required to retake 
the Regulatory Element in the event that such person: (i) Becomes 
subject to any statutory disqualification as defined in Section 
3(a)(39) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ``Act''); (ii) 
becomes subject to suspension or to the imposition of a fine of $5,000 
or more for violation of any provision of any securities law or 
regulation, or any agreement with or rule or standard of conduct of any 
securities governmental agency, securities self-regulatory 
organization, or as imposed by any such regulatory or self-regulatory 
organization in connection with a disciplinary proceeding; or (iii) is

[[Page 62140]]

ordered as a sanction in a disciplinary action to re-take the 
Regulatory Element by any securities governmental agency or securities 
self-regulatory organization.\9\ Currently, the Exchange offers the 
following Regulatory Elements for Exchange registered persons: The S201 
Supervisor Program for registered principals and supervisors; the S106 
Series 6 Program for Series 6 registered persons; the S501 Series 56 
Proprietary Trader continuing education program for Series 56 
registered persons, and the S101 General Program for Series 7 and all 
other registered persons.\10\ Currently, the Regulatory Element may be 
administered in a test center or in-firm subject to specified 
procedures.\11\
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    \5\ See Rule 9.3A(a) (Regulatory Element).
    \6\ See Rule 9.3A(c) (Firm Element).
    \7\ For purposes of the Regulatory Element, a ``registered 
person'' means a Trading Permit Holder (``TPH''), associated person, 
and/or Representative approved by and registered with the Exchange. 
See Interpretation and Policy .01 to Rule 9.3A.
    \8\ Pursuant to Rule 9.3A(a), each registered person shall 
complete the Regulatory Element of the continuing education program 
beginning with the occurrence of their second registration 
anniversary date and every three years thereafter, or as otherwise 
prescribed by the Exchange. On each occasion, the Regulatory Element 
must be completed within one hundred twenty days after the person's 
registration anniversary date. A person's initial registration date, 
also known as the ``base date'', shall establish the cycle of 
anniversary dates for purposes of the Rule. The content of the 
Regulatory Element of the program shall be determined by the 
Exchange for each registration category of persons subject to the 
Rule.
    \9\ See Rule 9.3A(a)(2) (Disciplinary Actions).
    \10\ See Rule 9.3A(a)(3) (Required Programs).
    \11\ Under current Rule 9.3A(b) (In-House Delivery of Regulatory 
Element), TPH organizations are permitted to administer the 
Regulatory Element of the CE program to their registered persons by 
instituting a firm program acceptable to the Exchange. Among others, 
the following procedures are required in order to administer the 
Regulatory Element of the CE program in-house: (1) The TPH 
organization must designate a senior officer or partner to be 
responsible for the firm's delivery of the Regulatory Element of the 
CE program; (2) the location of the delivery site must be under the 
control of the TPH organization; (3) the communication links and 
firm delivery computer hardware must comply with standards defined 
by the Exchange or its designated vendor; (4) the TPH organization's 
written supervisory procedures must contain the procedures 
implemented to comply with the requirements of its delivery of 
Regulatory Element continuing education; (5) all sessions must be 
proctored by an authorized person during the entire Regulatory 
Element continuing education session; (6) all appointments must be 
scheduled in advance using the procedures and software specified by 
the Exchange, its agent or designated vendor; and (7) a Letter of 
Attestation for In-Firm Delivery of Regulatory Element CE must be 
completed.
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    The Firm Element consists of annual, TPH organization-developed and 
administered training programs for covered registered persons,\12\ 
which must be appropriate for the business of the TPH or TPH 
organization and, at a minimum, must cover the following matters 
concerning securities products, services and strategies offered by the 
Trading Permit Holder or TPH organization: (a) General investment 
features and associated risk factors; (b) suitability and sales 
practice considerations; and (c) applicable regulatory requirements.
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    \12\ Under Rule 9.3A(c)(1) (Persons Subject to the Firm 
Element), a ``covered registered person'' means any registered 
person who has a Series 56 registration or direct contact with 
customers in the conduct of the TPH's or TPH organization's 
securities sales, trading or investment banking activities, and to 
the immediate supervisors of such persons.
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    Today, most registered persons complete the Regulatory Element in a 
test center rather than in-firm. Given the advances in Web-based 
technology, the Exchange believes that there is diminishing utility in 
the test center and in-firm delivery methods. Moreover, according to 
FINRA,\13\ TPHs and registered persons have raised concerns with the 
test center delivery method because of the travel involved, the limited 
time currently available to complete a Regulatory Element session \14\ 
and the use of rigorous security measures at test centers, which are 
appropriate for taking qualification examinations, but onerous for a CE 
program.\15\ Also, according to FINRA, the test center is expensive to 
operate.\16\
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    \13\ FINRA is currently responsible for the operation of the 
test centers used for test center delivery method of the Regulatory 
Element.
    \14\ The current session time is three-and-a-half hours.
    \15\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 75154 (June 11, 
2015), 80 FR 34777 (Notice of Filing of a Proposed Rule Change To 
Provide a Web-Based Delivery Method for Completing the Regulatory 
Element of the Continuing Education Requirements) (SR-FINRA-2015-
015).
    \16\ Id. at 34779.
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    In response to the issues noted above, FINRA engaged in extensive 
outreach with the industry and completed a pilot of a Web-based 
delivery system for administering the Regulatory Element.\17\ According 
to FINRA, the proposed Web-based system performed well during the pilot 
in terms of both performance and accessibility.\18\ FINRA also received 
positive feedback from firms and the individual pilot participants.\19\ 
FINRA noted that among other things, pilot participants appreciated the 
expanded time to focus on the provided learning materials without the 
pressure of a timed session and the ability to resume or complete their 
session from where they left off.\20\
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    \17\ Id.
    \18\ Id.
    \19\ Id.
    \20\ Id.
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Proposal
    Based on the recent amendments to FINRA Rule 1250,\21\ the Exchange 
proposes to amend Rule 9.3A to provide for a Web-based delivery method 
for completing the Regulatory Element. Specifically, the Exchange 
proposes to amend Rule 9.3A(b) to provide that the continuing education 
Regulatory Element set forth in paragraph (a) of Rule 9.3A will be 
administered through Web-based delivery or such other technological 
manner and format as specified by the Exchange. Should the Exchange 
determine to administer the Regulatory Element through a delivery 
mechanism other than Web-based delivery, however, the Exchange would 
notify the Commission and would need to file a further rule change with 
the Commission.
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    \21\ See FINRA Rule 1250 (Continuing Education Requirements). 
See also Securities Exchange Act Release No. 75581 (July 31, 2015) 
(Order Approving a Proposed Rule Change to Provide a Web-based 
Delivery Method for Completing the Regulatory Element of the 
Continuing Education Requirements) (SR-FINRA-2015-015).
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    In addition to proposing to amend Rule 9.3A to provide for a Web-
based delivery method for completing the Regulatory Element, the 
Exchange also proposes to remove the option for Series 56 registered 
persons to participate in the S501 Series 56 Proprietary Trader 
continuing education program in order to satisfy the Regulatory 
Element. The S501 Series 56 Proprietary Trader continuing education 
program is being phased out along with the Series 56 Proprietary Trader 
qualification examination and being replaced with the Series 57 
Securities Trader qualification examination.\22\ As a result, effective 
January 4, 2016, the S501 Series 56 Proprietary Trader continuing 
education program for Series 56 registered persons will cease to exist. 
In place of the S501 Series 56 Proprietary Trader continuing education 
program for Series 56 registered persons, the Exchange proposes that 
Series 57 registered persons be permitted to enroll in the S101 General 
Program for Series 7 and all other registered persons.
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    \22\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 75783 (August 28, 
2015) (Order Approving a Proposed Rule Change to Establish the 
Securities Trader and Securities Trader Principal Registration 
Categories) (SR-FINRA-2015-017).
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    The first phase of the Web-based delivery system would be launched 
October 1, 2015 and include the Regulatory Element of the S106 Program 
for Series 6 registered persons and the S201 Supervisor Program for 
registered principals and supervisors. The second phase of the Web-
based delivery system would be launched January 4, 2016 and include the 
Regulatory Element of the S101 General Program for Series 7 and all 
other registered persons, including, but not limited to Securities 
Traders.\23\
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    \23\ The Exchange has submitted a proposal to the Commission 
that would replace the Proprietary Trader registration category as 
referred to in Interpretation and Policy .08 to Rule 3.6A 
(Registration and Qualification of Trading Permit Holders and 
Associated Persons) with the Securities Trader registration category 
effective January 4, 2016.
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    The Exchange is proposing to phase out test-center delivery by no 
later than six months after January 4, 2016. Registered persons will 
continue to have the option of completing the Regulatory Element in a 
test center, but they will be required to use the Web-based system 
after that date.\24\
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    \24\ The Exchange anticipates filing fee filings to reduce the 
cost for Web-delivery of the Regulatory Element from $100 to $55 by 
October 1, 2015 for the S106 and S201 Regulatory Element Programs 
and by January 4, 2016 for Web-delivery of the S101 Regulatory 
Element Program. Fees for completing the Regulatory Element of the 
respective programs at a test center will remain $100.

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[[Page 62141]]

    Further, the Exchange is proposing to phase out the current option 
for in-firm delivery on a rolling basis as each Regulatory Element 
program becomes available for Web-based delivery. Firms will not be 
able to establish new in-firm delivery programs after October 1, 2015. 
Moreover, firms that have pre-existing in-firm delivery programs 
established prior to October 1, 2015 would not be able to use that 
delivery method for the S106 and S201 Regulatory Element programs after 
October 1, 2015, which is the anticipated launch date of Web-based 
delivery for these programs. However, such firms may continue to use 
their pre-existing in-firm delivery programs for the S501 Regulatory 
Element and S101 Regulatory Element program until January 4, 2016, 
which is the anticipated launch date of Web-based delivery for the S101 
program.\25\ The Exchange is also proposing to eliminate Rule 9.3A(b) 
relating to in-firm delivery of the Regulatory Element of these CE 
programs. The proposed Web-based delivery method will provide 
registered persons the flexibility to complete the Regulatory Element 
at a location of their choosing, including their private residence, at 
any time during their 120-day window for completion of the Regulatory 
Element.\26\
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    \25\ No firms currently provide the Regulatory Element of the 
S501 program in-house.
    \26\ Although the proposed rule change provides such 
flexibility, firms may choose to impose their own conditions based 
on their supervisory and compliance needs. For instance, a firm that 
wishes to have registered persons complete CE on the firm's premises 
can do so by having the registered person access Web-based CE from a 
firm device and location. Moreover, firms would have to update their 
written policies and procedures regarding the Regulatory Element to 
reflect the transition to Web-based CE and communicate the update to 
registered persons.
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    The Exchange notes that the Web-based format will include 
safeguards to authenticate the identity of the CE candidate. For 
instance, prior to commencing a Web-based session, the candidate will 
be asked to provide a portion of their SSN (either first five or last 
four digits) and their date of birth. This information will only be 
used for matching data in FINRA's Web-CRD system. The Web CE system 
will discard this information after the matching process. Further, 
before commencing a Web-based session, each candidate will be required 
to agree to the Rules of Conduct for Web-based delivery. Among other 
things, the Rules of Conduct will require each candidate to attest that 
he or she is in fact the person who is taking the Web-based session. 
The Rules of Conduct will also require that each candidate agree that 
the Regulatory Element content is intellectual property and that the 
content cannot be copied or redistributed by any means. If the Exchange 
discovers that a candidate has violated the Rules of Conduct, the 
candidate will forfeit the results of the Web-based session and may be 
subject to disciplinary action by the Exchange.\27\ Violation of the 
Rules of Conduct will be considered conduct inconsistent with high 
standards of commercial honor and just and equitable principles of 
trade, in violation of Rule 4.1 (Just and Equitable Principles of 
Trade). The Exchange is not proposing any changes to the Firm Element 
requirements under Rule 9.3A other than to change references from the 
Series 56 Proprietary Trader registration category to the Series 57 
Securities Trader registration category, consistent with recently 
proposed changes to Rule 3.6A (Qualification and Registration of 
Trading Permit Holders and Associated Persons) and NASD Rules 1022(a) 
(General Securities Principal) and 1032(f) (Limited Representative--
Securities Trader).\28\ The Exchange will announce the effective date 
for Web-delivery of the Regulatory Element of the S106 Program for 
Series 6 registered persons and the S201 Supervisor Program for 
registered principals and supervisors in a Regulatory Circular in 
October 2015 and the launch of Web-delivery of the Regulatory Element 
of the S101 General Program for Series 7 and all other registered 
persons, including, but not limited to Securities Traders in a 
Regulatory Circular at a date prior to January 4, 2016.
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    \27\ See generally Chapter XVII (Discipline).
    \28\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 75394 (July 8, 
2015), 80 FR 41119 (July 14, 2015) (Notice of Filing of a Proposed 
Rule Change to Establish the Securities Trader and Securities Trader 
Principal Registration Categories) (SR-FINRA-2015-017).
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2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with 
the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to the 
Exchange and, in particular, the requirements of Section 6(b) of the 
Act.\29\ Specifically, the Exchange believes the proposed rule change 
is consistent with the Section 6(b)(5) \30\ 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) \31\ requirement that the rules of 
an exchange not be designed to permit unfair discrimination between 
customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers and Section 6(c)(3) \32\ of the 
Act, which authorizes the Exchange to, among other things, prescribe 
standards of financial responsibility or operational capability and 
standards of training, experience and competence for its Trading Permit 
Holders and person associated with Trading Permit Holders.
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    \29\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \30\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
    \31\ Id.
    \32\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(c)(3).
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    In particular, the Exchange believes that the proposed rule change 
will improve TPHs' compliance efforts and will allow registered persons 
to spend a greater amount of time on the review of CE materials and 
potentially achieve better learning outcomes, which will in turn 
enhance investor protection. Further, while the proposed rule change 
will provide more flexibility to TPHs and registered persons, it will 
maintain the integrity of the Regulatory Element of the CE program and 
the CE program in general.

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 notes that the 
proposed rule change is specifically intended to reduce the burden on 
firms while preserving the integrity of the CE program. As described 
above, the Web-based delivery method will provide registered persons 
the flexibility to complete the Regulatory Element at any location that 
they choose. Further, Web-based delivery is efficient and offers 
significant cost savings over test-center and in-firm deliveries. With 
respect to the authentication process for Web-based delivery, the CE 
candidate's personal identifying information will be masked and will be 
submitted to FINRA through a secure, encrypted, network. The personal 
identifying information submitted via the Web-based system will be used 
for authentication purposes only--the information will not be stored in 
the Web-based system.

[[Page 62142]]

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:
    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 \33\ and 
Rule 19b-4(f)(6) \34\ 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. If the Commission takes such action, the 
Commission will institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed 
rule change should be approved or disapproved.
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    \33\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \34\ 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 (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an email to [email protected]. Please include 
File Number SR-CBOE-2015-084 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-2015-084. This file 
number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help 
the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, 
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on 
the Commission's Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all 
written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are 
filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to 
the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other 
than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the 
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and 
printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20549 on official business days between the hours of 
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the filing also will be available 
for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All 
comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does 
not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should 
submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All 
submissions should refer to File Number SR-CBOE-2015-084 and should be 
submitted on or before November 5, 2015.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\35\
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    \35\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Robert W. Errett,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-26155 Filed 10-14-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 199 / Thursday, October 15, 2015 / Notices                                                     62139

                                                  in establishing the effective date for the                 For the Commission, by the Division of              II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                  proposed rule change.46                                  Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated            Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                                                                           authority.51                                          Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                                  IV. Discussion and Commission                            Robert W. Errett,                                     Change
                                                  Findings                                                 Deputy Secretary.                                        In its filing with the Commission, the
                                                     After careful review of the proposed                  [FR Doc. 2015–26157 Filed 10–14–15; 8:45 am]          Exchange included statements
                                                  rule change, the comment letters, and                    BILLING CODE 8011–01–P                                concerning the purpose of and basis for
                                                  FINRA’s response to the comments, the                                                                          the proposed rule change and discussed
                                                  Commission finds that the proposed                                                                             any comments it received on the
                                                  rule change is consistent with the                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                               proposed rule change. The text of these
                                                  requirements of the Act and the rules                    COMMISSION                                            statements may be examined at the
                                                  and regulations thereunder that are                                                                            places specified in Item IV below. The
                                                                                                           [Release No. 34–76107; File No. SR–CBOE–              Exchange has prepared summaries, set
                                                  applicable to a national securities
                                                                                                           2015–084]                                             forth in sections A, B, and C below, of
                                                  association.47 Specifically, the
                                                                                                                                                                 the most significant aspects of such
                                                  Commission finds that the proposed                       Self-Regulatory Organizations;                        statements.
                                                  rule change is consistent with Section                   Chicago Board Options Exchange,
                                                  15A(b)(6) of the Act,48 which requires,                                                                        A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                                                                           Incorporated; Notice of Filing and
                                                  among other things, that FINRA rules be                                                                        Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                                                                           Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed                 Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                                  designed to prevent fraudulent and                       Rule Change Relating to Delivery of
                                                  manipulative acts and practices, to                                                                            Change
                                                                                                           the Regulatory Element of the
                                                  promote just and equitable principles of                 Exchange’s Continuing Education                       1. Purpose
                                                  trade, and, in general, to protect                       Program                                                  The CE requirements under Rule 9.3A
                                                  investors and the public interest. The                                                                         consist of a Regulatory Element 5 and a
                                                  proposed rule change, by requiring a                     October 8, 2015.
                                                                                                                                                                 Firm Element.6 The Regulatory Element
                                                  hyperlink to BrokerCheck on members’                        Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the                applies to all registered persons 7 and
                                                  Web sites is designed to increase                        Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the                  consists of periodic computer-based
                                                  investors’ awareness and use of                          ‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2                training on regulatory, compliance,
                                                  BrokerCheck. BrokerCheck is an                           notice is hereby given that on                        ethical, and supervisory subjects and
                                                  important tool for investors to use to                   September 30, 2015, Chicago Board                     sales practice standards, which must be
                                                  help them make informed choices about                    Options Exchange, Incorporated (the                   completed within prescribed
                                                  the individuals and firms with which                     ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘CBOE’’) filed with the              timeframes.8 In addition, a registered
                                                  they conduct business.49 The                             Securities and Exchange Commission                    person is required to retake the
                                                  Commission believes that the                             (the ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule                Regulatory Element in the event that
                                                  requirement for the hyperlink to                         change as described in Items I, II, and               such person: (i) Becomes subject to any
                                                  BrokerCheck to be readily apparent                       III below, which Items have been                      statutory disqualification as defined in
                                                  should make it easy for investors to find                prepared by the Exchange. The                         Section 3(a)(39) of the Securities
                                                  and use BrokerCheck. The Commission                      Exchange filed the proposal as a ‘‘non-               Exchange Act of 1934 (the ‘‘Act’’); (ii)
                                                  appreciates FINRA’s continuing efforts                   controversial’’ proposed rule change                  becomes subject to suspension or to the
                                                                                                           pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of               imposition of a fine of $5,000 or more
                                                  to enhance BrokerCheck and encourages
                                                                                                           the Act 3 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6)                        for violation of any provision of any
                                                  FINRA to continue improving it and to
                                                                                                           thereunder.4 The Commission is                        securities law or regulation, or any
                                                  consider the suggestions made by                                                                               agreement with or rule or standard of
                                                                                                           publishing this notice to solicit
                                                  commenters that could result in                          comments on the proposed rule change                  conduct of any securities governmental
                                                  increased use of BrokerCheck by the                      from interested persons.                              agency, securities self-regulatory
                                                  investing public.                                                                                              organization, or as imposed by any such
                                                                                                           I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                     regulatory or self-regulatory
                                                  V. Conclusion                                            Statement of the Terms of Substance of                organization in connection with a
                                                    It is therefore ordered, pursuant to                   the Proposed Rule Change                              disciplinary proceeding; or (iii) is
                                                  Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,50 that the                    The Exchange proposes to amend                        5 See  Rule 9.3A(a) (Regulatory Element).
                                                  proposed rule change (SR–FINRA–                          Rule 9.3A (Continuing Education for                     6 See  Rule 9.3A(c) (Firm Element).
                                                  2015–022) be, and hereby is, approved.                   Registered Persons) to provide for Web-                  7 For purposes of the Regulatory Element, a
                                                                                                           based delivery of the Regulatory                      ‘‘registered person’’ means a Trading Permit Holder
                                                    46 See  FINRA Letter at 7.                             Element of the Exchange’s continuing                  (‘‘TPH’’), associated person, and/or Representative
                                                    47 In approving this proposed rule change, the         education (‘‘CE’’) program. The text of               approved by and registered with the Exchange. See
                                                                                                                                                                 Interpretation and Policy .01 to Rule 9.3A.
                                                  Commission has considered the proposed rule’s            the proposed rule change is available on                 8 Pursuant to Rule 9.3A(a), each registered person
                                                  impact on efficiency, competition, and capital           the Exchange’s Web site (http://                      shall complete the Regulatory Element of the
                                                  formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).                         www.cboe.com/AboutCBOE/                               continuing education program beginning with the
                                                    48 15 U.S.C. 78o–3(b)(6).
                                                                                                           CBOELegalRegulatoryHome.aspx), at                     occurrence of their second registration anniversary
                                                    49 The Commission encourages investors to                                                                    date and every three years thereafter, or as
                                                                                                           the Exchange’s Office of the Secretary,
                                                                                                                                                                 otherwise prescribed by the Exchange. On each
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                                                  utilize all sources of information, including the
                                                  databases of state regulators, as well as legal search
                                                                                                           and at the Commission’s Public                        occasion, the Regulatory Element must be
                                                  engines and records searches to conduct a thorough       Reference Room.                                       completed within one hundred twenty days after
                                                  search of any associated person or firm with which                                                             the person’s registration anniversary date. A
                                                                                                                                                                 person’s initial registration date, also known as the
                                                  they are considering doing business. See also              51 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
                                                                                                                                                                 ‘‘base date’’, shall establish the cycle of anniversary
                                                  Securities Exchange Act Release No. 62476 (July 8,         1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).                              dates for purposes of the Rule. The content of the
                                                  2010), 75 FR 41254 (July 15, 2010) (SR–FINRA–              2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
                                                                                                                                                                 Regulatory Element of the program shall be
                                                  2010–012).                                                 3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
                                                                                                                                                                 determined by the Exchange for each registration
                                                    50 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).                                  4 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).                           category of persons subject to the Rule.



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                                                  62140                       Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 199 / Thursday, October 15, 2015 / Notices

                                                  ordered as a sanction in a disciplinary                 Exchange believes that there is                       Exchange determine to administer the
                                                  action to re-take the Regulatory Element                diminishing utility in the test center and            Regulatory Element through a delivery
                                                  by any securities governmental agency                   in-firm delivery methods. Moreover,                   mechanism other than Web-based
                                                  or securities self-regulatory                           according to FINRA,13 TPHs and                        delivery, however, the Exchange would
                                                  organization.9 Currently, the Exchange                  registered persons have raised concerns               notify the Commission and would need
                                                  offers the following Regulatory Elements                with the test center delivery method                  to file a further rule change with the
                                                  for Exchange registered persons: The                    because of the travel involved, the                   Commission.
                                                  S201 Supervisor Program for registered                  limited time currently available to                      In addition to proposing to amend
                                                  principals and supervisors; the S106                    complete a Regulatory Element                         Rule 9.3A to provide for a Web-based
                                                  Series 6 Program for Series 6 registered                session 14 and the use of rigorous                    delivery method for completing the
                                                  persons; the S501 Series 56 Proprietary                 security measures at test centers, which              Regulatory Element, the Exchange also
                                                  Trader continuing education program                     are appropriate for taking qualification              proposes to remove the option for Series
                                                  for Series 56 registered persons, and the               examinations, but onerous for a CE                    56 registered persons to participate in
                                                  S101 General Program for Series 7 and                   program.15 Also, according to FINRA,                  the S501 Series 56 Proprietary Trader
                                                  all other registered persons.10 Currently,              the test center is expensive to operate.16            continuing education program in order
                                                  the Regulatory Element may be                             In response to the issues noted above,              to satisfy the Regulatory Element. The
                                                  administered in a test center or in-firm                FINRA engaged in extensive outreach                   S501 Series 56 Proprietary Trader
                                                  subject to specified procedures.11                      with the industry and completed a pilot               continuing education program is being
                                                     The Firm Element consists of annual,                 of a Web-based delivery system for                    phased out along with the Series 56
                                                  TPH organization-developed and                          administering the Regulatory Element.17               Proprietary Trader qualification
                                                  administered training programs for                      According to FINRA, the proposed Web-                 examination and being replaced with
                                                  covered registered persons,12 which                     based system performed well during the                the Series 57 Securities Trader
                                                  must be appropriate for the business of                 pilot in terms of both performance and                qualification examination.22 As a result,
                                                  the TPH or TPH organization and, at a                   accessibility.18 FINRA also received                  effective January 4, 2016, the S501
                                                  minimum, must cover the following                       positive feedback from firms and the                  Series 56 Proprietary Trader continuing
                                                  matters concerning securities products,                 individual pilot participants.19 FINRA                education program for Series 56
                                                  services and strategies offered by the                  noted that among other things, pilot                  registered persons will cease to exist. In
                                                  Trading Permit Holder or TPH                            participants appreciated the expanded                 place of the S501 Series 56 Proprietary
                                                  organization: (a) General investment                    time to focus on the provided learning                Trader continuing education program
                                                  features and associated risk factors; (b)               materials without the pressure of a                   for Series 56 registered persons, the
                                                  suitability and sales practice                          timed session and the ability to resume               Exchange proposes that Series 57
                                                  considerations; and (c) applicable                      or complete their session from where                  registered persons be permitted to enroll
                                                  regulatory requirements.                                they left off.20                                      in the S101 General Program for Series
                                                     Today, most registered persons                                                                             7 and all other registered persons.
                                                  complete the Regulatory Element in a                    Proposal                                                 The first phase of the Web-based
                                                  test center rather than in-firm. Given the                Based on the recent amendments to                   delivery system would be launched
                                                  advances in Web-based technology, the                   FINRA Rule 1250,21 the Exchange                       October 1, 2015 and include the
                                                    9 See
                                                                                                          proposes to amend Rule 9.3A to provide                Regulatory Element of the S106 Program
                                                           Rule 9.3A(a)(2) (Disciplinary Actions).
                                                    10 See  Rule 9.3A(a)(3) (Required Programs).
                                                                                                          for a Web-based delivery method for                   for Series 6 registered persons and the
                                                    11 Under current Rule 9.3A(b) (In-House Delivery      completing the Regulatory Element.                    S201 Supervisor Program for registered
                                                  of Regulatory Element), TPH organizations are           Specifically, the Exchange proposes to                principals and supervisors. The second
                                                  permitted to administer the Regulatory Element of       amend Rule 9.3A(b) to provide that the                phase of the Web-based delivery system
                                                  the CE program to their registered persons by           continuing education Regulatory                       would be launched January 4, 2016 and
                                                  instituting a firm program acceptable to the
                                                  Exchange. Among others, the following procedures        Element set forth in paragraph (a) of                 include the Regulatory Element of the
                                                  are required in order to administer the Regulatory      Rule 9.3A will be administered through                S101 General Program for Series 7 and
                                                  Element of the CE program in-house: (1) The TPH         Web-based delivery or such other                      all other registered persons, including,
                                                  organization must designate a senior officer or
                                                  partner to be responsible for the firm’s delivery of
                                                                                                          technological manner and format as                    but not limited to Securities Traders.23
                                                  the Regulatory Element of the CE program; (2) the       specified by the Exchange. Should the                    The Exchange is proposing to phase
                                                  location of the delivery site must be under the                                                               out test-center delivery by no later than
                                                  control of the TPH organization; (3) the                   13 FINRA is currently responsible for the
                                                                                                                                                                six months after January 4, 2016.
                                                  communication links and firm delivery computer          operation of the test centers used for test center
                                                  hardware must comply with standards defined by
                                                                                                                                                                Registered persons will continue to have
                                                                                                          delivery method of the Regulatory Element.
                                                  the Exchange or its designated vendor; (4) the TPH         14 The current session time is three-and-a-half    the option of completing the Regulatory
                                                  organization’s written supervisory procedures must      hours.                                                Element in a test center, but they will
                                                  contain the procedures implemented to comply               15 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 75154   be required to use the Web-based system
                                                  with the requirements of its delivery of Regulatory
                                                  Element continuing education; (5) all sessions must
                                                                                                          (June 11, 2015), 80 FR 34777 (Notice of Filing of     after that date.24
                                                                                                          a Proposed Rule Change To Provide a Web-Based
                                                  be proctored by an authorized person during the         Delivery Method for Completing the Regulatory           22 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 75783
                                                  entire Regulatory Element continuing education          Element of the Continuing Education Requirements)
                                                  session; (6) all appointments must be scheduled in                                                            (August 28, 2015) (Order Approving a Proposed
                                                                                                          (SR–FINRA–2015–015).
                                                  advance using the procedures and software                  16 Id. at 34779.
                                                                                                                                                                Rule Change to Establish the Securities Trader and
                                                  specified by the Exchange, its agent or designated                                                            Securities Trader Principal Registration Categories)
                                                                                                             17 Id.
                                                  vendor; and (7) a Letter of Attestation for In-Firm                                                           (SR–FINRA–2015–017).
                                                                                                             18 Id.                                               23 The Exchange has submitted a proposal to the
                                                  Delivery of Regulatory Element CE must be
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                                                                                                             19 Id.
                                                  completed.                                                                                                    Commission that would replace the Proprietary
                                                    12 Under Rule 9.3A(c)(1) (Persons Subject to the         20 Id.                                             Trader registration category as referred to in
                                                  Firm Element), a ‘‘covered registered person’’             21 See FINRA Rule 1250 (Continuing Education       Interpretation and Policy .08 to Rule 3.6A
                                                  means any registered person who has a Series 56         Requirements). See also Securities Exchange Act       (Registration and Qualification of Trading Permit
                                                  registration or direct contact with customers in the    Release No. 75581 (July 31, 2015) (Order Approving    Holders and Associated Persons) with the Securities
                                                  conduct of the TPH’s or TPH organization’s              a Proposed Rule Change to Provide a Web-based         Trader registration category effective January 4,
                                                  securities sales, trading or investment banking         Delivery Method for Completing the Regulatory         2016.
                                                  activities, and to the immediate supervisors of such    Element of the Continuing Education Requirements)       24 The Exchange anticipates filing fee filings to

                                                  persons.                                                (SR–FINRA–2015–015).                                  reduce the cost for Web-delivery of the Regulatory



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                                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 199 / Thursday, October 15, 2015 / Notices                                          62141

                                                     Further, the Exchange is proposing to                or she is in fact the person who is taking             in regulating, clearing, settling,
                                                  phase out the current option for in-firm                the Web-based session. The Rules of                    processing information with respect to,
                                                  delivery on a rolling basis as each                     Conduct will also require that each                    and facilitating transactions in
                                                  Regulatory Element program becomes                      candidate agree that the Regulatory                    securities, to remove impediments to
                                                  available for Web-based delivery. Firms                 Element content is intellectual property               and perfect the mechanism of a free and
                                                  will not be able to establish new in-firm               and that the content cannot be copied or               open market and a national market
                                                  delivery programs after October 1, 2015.                redistributed by any means. If the                     system, and, in general, to protect
                                                  Moreover, firms that have pre-existing                  Exchange discovers that a candidate has                investors and the public interest.
                                                  in-firm delivery programs established                   violated the Rules of Conduct, the                     Additionally, the Exchange believes the
                                                  prior to October 1, 2015 would not be                   candidate will forfeit the results of the              proposed rule change is consistent with
                                                  able to use that delivery method for the                Web-based session and may be subject                   the Section 6(b)(5) 31 requirement that
                                                  S106 and S201 Regulatory Element                        to disciplinary action by the                          the rules of an exchange not be designed
                                                  programs after October 1, 2015, which is                Exchange.27 Violation of the Rules of                  to permit unfair discrimination between
                                                  the anticipated launch date of Web-                     Conduct will be considered conduct                     customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers
                                                  based delivery for these programs.                      inconsistent with high standards of                    and Section 6(c)(3) 32 of the Act, which
                                                  However, such firms may continue to                     commercial honor and just and                          authorizes the Exchange to, among other
                                                  use their pre-existing in-firm delivery                 equitable principles of trade, in                      things, prescribe standards of financial
                                                  programs for the S501 Regulatory                        violation of Rule 4.1 (Just and Equitable              responsibility or operational capability
                                                  Element and S101 Regulatory Element                     Principles of Trade). The Exchange is                  and standards of training, experience
                                                  program until January 4, 2016, which is                 not proposing any changes to the Firm                  and competence for its Trading Permit
                                                  the anticipated launch date of Web-                     Element requirements under Rule 9.3A                   Holders and person associated with
                                                  based delivery for the S101 program.25                  other than to change references from the               Trading Permit Holders.
                                                  The Exchange is also proposing to                       Series 56 Proprietary Trader registration                In particular, the Exchange believes
                                                  eliminate Rule 9.3A(b) relating to in-                  category to the Series 57 Securities                   that the proposed rule change will
                                                  firm delivery of the Regulatory Element                 Trader registration category, consistent               improve TPHs’ compliance efforts and
                                                  of these CE programs. The proposed                      with recently proposed changes to Rule                 will allow registered persons to spend a
                                                  Web-based delivery method will                          3.6A (Qualification and Registration of                greater amount of time on the review of
                                                  provide registered persons the flexibility              Trading Permit Holders and Associated                  CE materials and potentially achieve
                                                  to complete the Regulatory Element at a                 Persons) and NASD Rules 1022(a)                        better learning outcomes, which will in
                                                  location of their choosing, including                   (General Securities Principal) and                     turn enhance investor protection.
                                                  their private residence, at any time                    1032(f) (Limited Representative—                       Further, while the proposed rule change
                                                  during their 120-day window for                         Securities Trader).28 The Exchange will                will provide more flexibility to TPHs
                                                  completion of the Regulatory Element.26                 announce the effective date for Web-                   and registered persons, it will maintain
                                                     The Exchange notes that the Web-                     delivery of the Regulatory Element of                  the integrity of the Regulatory Element
                                                  based format will include safeguards to                 the S106 Program for Series 6 registered               of the CE program and the CE program
                                                  authenticate the identity of the CE                     persons and the S201 Supervisor                        in general.
                                                  candidate. For instance, prior to                       Program for registered principals and                  B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                  commencing a Web-based session, the                     supervisors in a Regulatory Circular in                Statement on Burden on Competition
                                                  candidate will be asked to provide a                    October 2015 and the launch of Web-
                                                                                                          delivery of the Regulatory Element of                    The Exchange does not believe that
                                                  portion of their SSN (either first five or
                                                                                                          the S101 General Program for Series 7                  the proposed rule change will impose
                                                  last four digits) and their date of birth.
                                                                                                          and all other registered persons,                      any burden on competition that is not
                                                  This information will only be used for
                                                                                                          including, but not limited to Securities               necessary or appropriate in furtherance
                                                  matching data in FINRA’s Web-CRD
                                                                                                          Traders in a Regulatory Circular at a                  of the purposes of the Act. The
                                                  system. The Web CE system will discard
                                                                                                          date prior to January 4, 2016.                         Exchange notes that the proposed rule
                                                  this information after the matching
                                                                                                                                                                 change is specifically intended to
                                                  process. Further, before commencing a                   2. Statutory Basis                                     reduce the burden on firms while
                                                  Web-based session, each candidate will
                                                                                                             The Exchange believes the proposed                  preserving the integrity of the CE
                                                  be required to agree to the Rules of
                                                                                                          rule change is consistent with the Act                 program. As described above, the Web-
                                                  Conduct for Web-based delivery. Among
                                                                                                          and the rules and regulations                          based delivery method will provide
                                                  other things, the Rules of Conduct will
                                                                                                          thereunder applicable to the Exchange                  registered persons the flexibility to
                                                  require each candidate to attest that he
                                                                                                          and, in particular, the requirements of                complete the Regulatory Element at any
                                                  Element from $100 to $55 by October 1, 2015 for
                                                                                                          Section 6(b) of the Act.29 Specifically,               location that they choose. Further, Web-
                                                  the S106 and S201 Regulatory Element Programs           the Exchange believes the proposed rule                based delivery is efficient and offers
                                                  and by January 4, 2016 for Web-delivery of the S101     change is consistent with the Section                  significant cost savings over test-center
                                                  Regulatory Element Program. Fees for completing         6(b)(5) 30 requirements that the rules of              and in-firm deliveries. With respect to
                                                  the Regulatory Element of the respective programs
                                                  at a test center will remain $100.
                                                                                                          an exchange be designed to prevent                     the authentication process for Web-
                                                     25 No firms currently provide the Regulatory         fraudulent and manipulative acts and                   based delivery, the CE candidate’s
                                                  Element of the S501 program in-house.                   practices, to promote just and equitable               personal identifying information will be
                                                     26 Although the proposed rule change provides        principles of trade, to foster cooperation             masked and will be submitted to FINRA
                                                  such flexibility, firms may choose to impose their      and coordination with persons engaged                  through a secure, encrypted, network.
                                                  own conditions based on their supervisory and
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                                                  compliance needs. For instance, a firm that wishes
                                                                                                                                                                 The personal identifying information
                                                  to have registered persons complete CE on the
                                                                                                            27 See  generally Chapter XVII (Discipline).         submitted via the Web-based system
                                                                                                            28 See  Securities Exchange Act Release No. 75394
                                                  firm’s premises can do so by having the registered                                                             will be used for authentication purposes
                                                  person access Web-based CE from a firm device and       (July 8, 2015), 80 FR 41119 (July 14, 2015) (Notice
                                                                                                          of Filing of a Proposed Rule Change to Establish the
                                                                                                                                                                 only—the information will not be stored
                                                  location. Moreover, firms would have to update
                                                  their written policies and procedures regarding the     Securities Trader and Securities Trader Principal      in the Web-based system.
                                                  Regulatory Element to reflect the transition to Web-    Registration Categories) (SR–FINRA–2015–017).
                                                                                                             29 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).                                 31 Id.
                                                  based CE and communicate the update to registered
                                                  persons.                                                   30 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).                              32 15    U.S.C. 78f(c)(3).



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                                                  62142                       Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 199 / Thursday, October 15, 2015 / Notices

                                                  C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                       only one method. The Commission will                  Items I, II and III below, which Items
                                                  Statement on Comments on the                            post all comments on the Commission’s                 have been prepared by the Exchange.
                                                  Proposed Rule Change Received From                      Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/                The Commission is publishing this
                                                  Members, Participants, or Others                        rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the                       notice to solicit comments on the
                                                    The Exchange neither solicited nor                    submission, all subsequent                            proposed rule change from interested
                                                  received written comments on the                        amendments, all written statements                    persons.
                                                  proposed rule change.                                   with respect to the proposed rule
                                                                                                          change that are filed with the                        I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                  III. Date of Effectiveness of the                       Commission, and all written                           Statement of the Terms of Substance of
                                                  Proposed Rule Change and Timing for                     communications relating to the                        the Proposed Rule Change
                                                  Commission Action                                       proposed rule change between the                         The Exchange filed a proposal to
                                                     Because the foregoing proposed rule                  Commission and any person, other than                 amend the fees applicable to securities
                                                  change does not:                                        those that may be withheld from the                   listed on the Exchange, which are set
                                                     A. Significantly affect the protection               public in accordance with the                         forth in BATS Rule 14.13.
                                                  of investors or the public interest;                    provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be                      The text of the proposed rule change
                                                     B. impose any significant burden on                  available for Web site viewing and                    is available at the Exchange’s Web site
                                                  competition; and                                        printing in the Commission’s Public                   at www.batstrading.com, at the
                                                     C. become operative for 30 days from                 Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,                     principal office of the Exchange, and at
                                                  the date on which it was filed, or such                 Washington, DC 20549 on official                      the Commission’s Public Reference
                                                  shorter time as the Commission may                      business days between the hours of                    Room.
                                                  designate, it has become effective                      10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the
                                                                                                          filing also will be available for                     II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                  pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the
                                                                                                          inspection and copying at the principal               Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                  Act 33 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6) 34
                                                                                                          office of the Exchange. All comments                  Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                                  thereunder. At any time within 60 days
                                                                                                          received will be posted without change;               Change
                                                  of the filing of the proposed rule change,
                                                  the Commission summarily may                            the Commission does not edit personal                   In its filing with the Commission, the
                                                  temporarily suspend such rule change if                 identifying information from                          Exchange included statements
                                                  it appears to the Commission that such                  submissions. You should submit only                   concerning the purpose of and basis for
                                                  action is necessary or appropriate in the               information that you wish to make                     the proposed rule change and discussed
                                                  public interest, for the protection of                  available publicly. All submissions                   any comments it received on the
                                                  investors, or otherwise in furtherance of               should refer to File Number SR–CBOE–                  proposed rule change. The text of these
                                                  the purposes of the Act. If the                         2015–084 and should be submitted on                   statements may be examined at the
                                                  Commission takes such action, the                       or before November 5, 2015.                           places specified in Item IV below. The
                                                  Commission will institute proceedings                     For the Commission, by the Division of              Exchange has prepared summaries, set
                                                  to determine whether the proposed rule                  Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated            forth in Sections A, B, and C below, of
                                                  change should be approved or                            authority.35                                          the most significant parts of such
                                                  disapproved.                                            Robert W. Errett,                                     statements.
                                                                                                          Deputy Secretary.
                                                  IV. Solicitation of Comments                                                                                  A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                                                                          [FR Doc. 2015–26155 Filed 10–14–15; 8:45 am]          Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                    Interested persons are invited to
                                                  submit written data, views, and
                                                                                                          BILLING CODE 8011–01–P                                Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                                  arguments concerning the foregoing,                                                                           Change
                                                  including whether the proposed rule                     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                               1. Purpose
                                                  change is consistent with the Act.                      COMMISSION                                               On August 30, 2011, the Exchange
                                                  Comments may be submitted by any of
                                                                                                          [Release No. 34–76113; File No. SR–BATS–              received approval of rules applicable to
                                                  the following methods:
                                                                                                          2015–80]                                              the qualification, listing, and delisting
                                                  Electronic Comments                                                                                           of companies on the Exchange,3 which
                                                                                                          Self-Regulatory Organizations; BATS                   it modified on February 8, 2012 in order
                                                    • Use the Commission’s Internet
                                                                                                          Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and                  to adopt pricing for the listing of
                                                  comment form (http://www.sec.gov/                       Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed
                                                  rules/sro.shtml); or                                                                                          exchange traded products (‘‘ETPs’’) 4 on
                                                                                                          Rule Change To Adopt an Issuer
                                                    • Send an email to rule-comments@                                                                           the Exchange,5 which it subsequently
                                                                                                          Incentive Program Applicable to                       modified again on June 4, 2014.6 On
                                                  sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–
                                                                                                          Securities Listed on BATS Exchange,                   October 16, 2014, the Exchange
                                                  CBOE–2015–084 on the subject line.
                                                                                                          Inc.                                                  modified Rule 14.13, entitled ‘‘Company
                                                  Paper Comments                                                                                                Listing Fees’’ to eliminate the annual
                                                                                                          October 8, 2015.
                                                    • Send paper comments in triplicate                      Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the                fees for ETPs not participating in the
                                                  to Secretary, Securities and Exchange                   Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the                  Exchange’s Competitive Liquidity
                                                  Commission, 100 F Street NE.,                           ‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
                                                  Washington, DC 20549–1090.                              notice is hereby given that on
                                                                                                                                                                   3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 65225

                                                                                                                                                                (August 30, 2011), 76 FR 55148 (September 6, 2011)
                                                  All submissions should refer to File                    September 30, 2015, BATS Exchange,                    (SR–BATS–2011–018).
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                                                  Number SR–CBOE–2015–084. This file                      Inc. (the ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘BATS’’) filed                4 As defined in BATS Rule 11.8(e)(1)(A), the term

                                                  number should be included on the                        with the Securities and Exchange                      ‘‘ETP’’ means any security listed pursuant to
                                                  subject line if email is used. To help the              Commission (‘‘Commission’’) the                       Exchange Rule 14.11.
                                                                                                                                                                   5 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 66422
                                                  Commission process and review your                      proposed rule change as described in                  (February 17, 2012), 77 FR 11179 (February 24,
                                                  comments more efficiently, please use                                                                         2012) (SR–BATS–2012–010).
                                                                                                            35 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).                             6 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 72377
                                                    33 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).                              1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).                              (June 12, 2014), 79 FR 34822 (June 18, 2014) (SR–
                                                    34 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).                              2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.                                 BATS–2014–024).



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Document Created: 2018-02-27 08:52:38
Document Modified: 2018-02-27 08:52:38
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
FR Citation80 FR 62139 

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