80_FR_77306 80 FR 77068 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Amending Exchange Rules To Prescribe the Securities Traders Examination as the Qualifying Examination for Employees of ETP Holders Engaged Solely in Proprietary Trading, and Amend Continuing Education Requirement Applicable to Such Members

80 FR 77068 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Amending Exchange Rules To Prescribe the Securities Traders Examination as the Qualifying Examination for Employees of ETP Holders Engaged Solely in Proprietary Trading, and Amend Continuing Education Requirement Applicable to Such Members

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 238 (December 11, 2015)

Page Range77068-77070
FR Document2015-31277

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 238 (Friday, December 11, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 238 (Friday, December 11, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77068-77070]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-31277]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-76578; File No. SR-NYSEARCA-2015-117)


Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing 
and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Amending Exchange 
Rules To Prescribe the Securities Traders Examination as the Qualifying 
Examination for Employees of ETP Holders Engaged Solely in Proprietary 
Trading, and Amend Continuing Education Requirement Applicable to Such 
Members

December 8, 2015.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) \1\ of the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934 (the ``Act'') \2\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\3\ notice is hereby 
given that, on November 23, 2015, NYSE Arca, Inc. (the ``Exchange'' or 
``NYSE Arca'') 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 self-regulatory 
organization. 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\ 15 U.S.C. 78a.
    \3\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
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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 Exchange rules to prescribe the 
Securities Traders examination (Series 57) (the ``Series 57 
Examination'') as the qualifying examination for employees of ETP 
Holders \4\ (``Member'') engaged solely in proprietary trading, and 
amend Exchange rules regarding continuing education requirement 
applicable to such Members. The proposed rule change is available on 
the Exchange's Web site at www.nyse.com, at the principal office of the 
Exchange, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.
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    \4\ Pursuant to NYSE Arca Equities Rule 1.1(n), the term ``ETP 
Holder'' refers to a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, 
limited liability company or other organization in good standing 
that has been issued an ETP. An ETP Holder must be a registered 
broker or dealer pursuant to Section 15 of the Act. NYSE Arca 
Equities Rule 1.1(m) defines ``ETP'' as an Equity Trading Permit 
issued by the Exchange for effecting approved securities 
transactions on the Exchange.
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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 self-regulatory organization 
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 those 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 parts of such statements.

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

1. Purpose
    Rule 2.21 currently requires each employee of an ETP Holder 
compensated directly or indirectly for the solicitation or handling of 
business in securities, including trading in securities for the account 
of the ETP Holder to be appropriately registered in Web CRD. The rule 
further states that in order to satisfy the registration requirement, 
among other things, a Member must satisfy applicable examination 
requirements as prescribed by the Exchange. In order to engage in 
proprietary trading on the Exchange, or directly supervise such 
activity, employees of ETP Holders must be registered as a General 
Securities Representative (Series 7) as NYSE Arca does not recognize 
the Series 56 Examination as an acceptable qualification standard for 
employees of ETP Holders engaged in equities proprietary trading.\5\
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    \5\ While the Series 7 Examination is required for employees of 
ETP Holders engaged in proprietary trading, Exchange rules do not 
require such individuals to work at a proprietary trading firm only. 
These individuals can work at any type of firm. However, they only 
may engage in proprietary trading at the firm where they are 
employed. For example, an individual engaged in proprietary trading 
at a full service firm, who is registered solely to engage in 
proprietary trading, may not act as a registered representative for 
that firm.
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    The Exchange proposes to amend Rule 2.21 to recognize a new 
category of limited representative registration for a Securities Trader 
and allow such individual to register in Web CRD \6\ as a Securities 
Trader in order to engage in proprietary trading. As proposed, a 
Securities Trader would be any person engaged in the purchase or sale 
of securities or other similar instruments for the account of an ETP 
Holder with which such person is associated, as an employee or 
otherwise, and who does not transact any business with the public.\7\ 
Under the proposed rule, a Securities Trader must be registered as such 
on Web CRD and pass an appropriate qualification examination as 
prescribed by the Exchange. With this proposed rule change, a Member 
engaged solely in proprietary trading, or who supervises such activity, 
would qualify for registration by passing the Series 57 Examination.
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    \6\ Web CRD is the central licensing and registration system for 
the U.S. securities industry and its regulators.
    \7\ The proposed definition is similar to NYSE MKT LLC Rule 341, 
Commentary .01(c) and NYSE Arca, Inc. Rule 2.23(b)(2)(C) [sic].
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Series 57 Examination is being developed by the Financial 
Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (``FINRA'') in consultation with 
industry and exchange representatives. The Series 57 Examination will 
be based on industry rules applicable to trading of equity securities 
and listed options contracts. The Series 57 examination will cover, 
among other things, recordkeeping and recording requirements; types and 
characteristics of securities and investments; trading practices; and 
display, execution, and trading systems.\8\ The Exchange believes that 
acceptance of the Series 57 Examination will benefit both the Exchange 
and the applicable proprietary traders affected by the proposal because 
the examination would allow an individual who wishes to transact 
business on NYSE Arca in a limited capacity to qualify by passing an 
examination tailored to that limited capacity.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 75783 (August 28, 
2015), 80 FR 53369 (September 3, 2015) (SR-FINRA-2015-017) (Order 
Approving a Proposed Rule Change to Establish the Securities Trader 
and Securities Trader Principal Registration Categories).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Individuals currently engaged solely in proprietary trading, who 
currently qualify for registration by passing the Series 7 Examination 
and have registered in Web CRD as Proprietary Traders will have their 
registration converted in Web CRD on January 4, 2016 to a Securities 
Trader without having to take any additional examinations and without 
having to take any other actions. However, the registration of 
individuals who have taken the Series 7 Examination will not be 
converted to a Securities Trader if they have not registered as a 
Proprietary Trader in Web CRD by December 28, 2015. After that date, 
these individuals

[[Page 77069]]

would be required to take the Series 57 Examination in order to 
register as Securities Traders as the Series 7 Examination would no 
longer serve as a qualifying exam to engage solely in proprietary 
trading on the Exchange. In addition, individuals registered as 
Proprietary Traders in Web CRD prior to the effective date of the 
proposed rule change will be eligible to register as Securities Traders 
without having to take any additional examinations, provided that no 
more than two years have passed between the date the individual last 
registered as a Proprietary Trader and the date the individual 
registers as a Securities Trader.\9\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ See Rule 2.21, Commentary .04.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, the Exchange proposes to amend Rule 2.21 to create a 
new category of limited representative Principal--the Securities Trader 
Principal. Registration as a Securities Trader Principal would be 
restricted to individuals whose supervisory responsibilities are 
limited to Securities Traders, as defined in amended Commentary .03 to 
Rule 2.21. As proposed, a supervisor of a Securities Trader must 
satisfy its registration requirements under Commentary .03 to Rule 2.21 
by registering and qualifying as a Securities Trader Principal in Web 
CRD if (a) such supervisor's supervisory responsibilities are limited 
solely to supervising Securities Traders; (b) such supervisor is 
qualified to be so registered by passing the General Securities 
Principal Qualification Examination--Series 24; and (c) such supervisor 
is registered pursuant to Exchange Rules as a Securities Trader. Under 
the proposed rule change, a Securities Trader Principal would not be 
qualified to function in a Principal or supervisory capacity with 
responsibility over any area of business other than that involving 
proprietary trading.\10\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ The proposed rule is similar to NYSE MKT LLC Rule 341, 
Commentary .01(e) and NYSE Arca, Inc. Rule 2.23(b)(3)(B).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange notes that in order to currently qualify as a 
Proprietary Trader Principal, an individual must pass the Series 7 
Examination and the Series 24 Examination. Once the Series 57 
Examination becomes the qualifying exam for a Securities Trader, such 
individuals would need to pass the Series 57 Examination and the Series 
24 Examination in order to register as a Securities Trader Principal. 
Only those individuals who are registered as such would be qualified to 
supervise a Securities Trader. Individuals registered as a General 
Securities Principal would not be qualified to supervise a Securities 
Trader, nor would a Securities Trader Principal be able to act as a 
General Securities Principal, unless the individual is appropriately 
registered as a Securities Trader Principal and a General Securities 
Principal.
    Further, registered persons are required under Rule 2.21(d) to 
comply with the Exchange's continuing education requirements. 
Specifically, under Rule 2.21(d), no Member may permit any registered 
person to continue to, and no registered person may continue to, 
perform duties as a registered person, unless such person has complied 
with the Exchange's continuing education requirements. The Exchange 
proposes to amend the rule to specifically require each registered 
person who is qualified solely as a Securities Trader to comply with 
the continuing education requirements appropriate for the Series 
57.\11\
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    \11\ Registered persons will be required to complete the S101 
Program to fulfill the Regulatory Element of their continuing 
education requirement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Within 30 days of filing the proposed rule change, the Exchange 
will issue a Regulatory Bulletin announcing the operative date of the 
rule change, which will not be sooner than January 4, 2016.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 
6(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Act''),\12\ in general, 
and furthers the objectives of Section 6(c)(3)(B) \13\ of the Act, 
pursuant to which a national securities exchange prescribes standards 
of training, experience and competence for members and their associated 
persons, and Section 6(b)(5) \14\ of the Act, in particular, in that it 
is designed, among other things, to promote just and equitable 
principles of trade, 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. The Exchange 
believes that the proposed rule change to make the Series 57 
Examination the qualifying exam for individuals engaged solely in 
proprietary trading is appropriate because the Series 57 Examination 
addresses industry topics that establish the foundation for the 
regulatory and procedural knowledge necessary for such individuals to 
appropriately register under Exchange rules. In addition, the Series 57 
Examination is expected to be shared by other exchanges and become the 
industry standard.\15\ Accordingly, adopting the Series 57 Examination 
will help to promote consistency in examination requirements and 
uniformity across markets.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \13\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(c)(3)(B).
    \14\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
    \15\ See supra, note 8.
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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 not necessary or appropriate in 
furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The proposed rule change does 
not impose any additional examination burdens on persons who are 
already registered. There is no obligation to take the Series 57 
examination in order to continue in their present duties, so the 
proposed rule change is not expected to disadvantage current registered 
persons relative to new entrants in this regard.

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

    No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the 
proposed rule change.

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

    The Exchange has filed the proposed rule change pursuant to Section 
19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act \16\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\17\ 
Because the 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 prior to 
30 days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as 
the Commission may designate, if consistent with the protection of 
investors and the public interest, the proposed rule change has become 
effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
    \17\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) \18\ normally 
does not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of the 
filing. However, pursuant to Rule 19b4(f)(6)(iii),\19\ the Commission 
may designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the 
protection of investors and the public interest.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \18\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
    \19\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
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    At any time within 60 days of the filing of such proposed rule 
change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule 
change if it appears to the Commission that such

[[Page 77070]]

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 under Section 19(b)(2)(B) \20\ of the Act to 
determine whether the proposed rule change should be approved or 
disapproved.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \20\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include 
File Number SR-NYSEARCA-2015-117 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

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

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSEARCA-2015-117. 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 Section, 100 F Street 
NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090. Copies of the filing will also be 
available for inspection and copying at the NYSE's principal office and 
on its Internet Web site at www.nyse.com. 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-NYSEARCA-2015-117 and should be 
submitted on or before January 4, 2016.
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    \21\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\21\
Robert W. Errett,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-31277 Filed 12-10-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                                  77068                        Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 238 / Friday, December 11, 2015 / Notices

                                                    For the Commission, by the Division of                change is available on the Exchange’s                  Securities Trader in order to engage in
                                                  Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated              Web site at www.nyse.com, at the                       proprietary trading. As proposed, a
                                                  authority.20                                            principal office of the Exchange, and at               Securities Trader would be any person
                                                  Robert W. Errett,                                       the Commission’s Public Reference                      engaged in the purchase or sale of
                                                  Deputy Secretary.                                       Room.                                                  securities or other similar instruments
                                                  [FR Doc. 2015–31283 Filed 12–10–15; 8:45 am]                                                                   for the account of an ETP Holder with
                                                                                                          II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                  BILLING CODE 8011–01–P                                                                                         which such person is associated, as an
                                                                                                          Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                                                                                                                                 employee or otherwise, and who does
                                                                                                          Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                                                                                                                                                 not transact any business with the
                                                                                                          Change
                                                  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                                                                                        public.7 Under the proposed rule, a
                                                  COMMISSION                                                 In its filing with the Commission, the              Securities Trader must be registered as
                                                                                                          self-regulatory organization included                  such on Web CRD and pass an
                                                  [Release No. 34–76578; File No. SR–                     statements concerning the purpose of,
                                                  NYSEARCA–2015–117)                                                                                             appropriate qualification examination as
                                                                                                          and basis for, the proposed rule change                prescribed by the Exchange. With this
                                                  Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE                     and discussed any comments it received                 proposed rule change, a Member
                                                  Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing and                        on the proposed rule change. The text                  engaged solely in proprietary trading, or
                                                  Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed                     of those statements may be examined at                 who supervises such activity, would
                                                  Rule Change Amending Exchange                           the places specified in Item IV below.                 qualify for registration by passing the
                                                  Rules To Prescribe the Securities                       The Exchange has prepared summaries,                   Series 57 Examination.
                                                  Traders Examination as the Qualifying                   set forth in sections A, B, and C below,                  The Series 57 Examination is being
                                                  Examination for Employees of ETP                        of the most significant parts of such                  developed by the Financial Industry
                                                  Holders Engaged Solely in Proprietary                   statements.                                            Regulatory Authority, Inc. (‘‘FINRA’’) in
                                                  Trading, and Amend Continuing                           A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                      consultation with industry and
                                                  Education Requirement Applicable to                     Statement of the Purpose of, and the                   exchange representatives. The Series 57
                                                  Such Members                                            Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                 Examination will be based on industry
                                                                                                          Change                                                 rules applicable to trading of equity
                                                  December 8, 2015.                                                                                              securities and listed options contracts.
                                                     Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) 1 of the                1. Purpose                                             The Series 57 examination will cover,
                                                  Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the                       Rule 2.21 currently requires each                   among other things, recordkeeping and
                                                  ‘‘Act’’) 2 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,3                  employee of an ETP Holder                              recording requirements; types and
                                                  notice is hereby given that, on                         compensated directly or indirectly for                 characteristics of securities and
                                                  November 23, 2015, NYSE Arca, Inc.                      the solicitation or handling of business               investments; trading practices; and
                                                  (the ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘NYSE Arca’’) filed               in securities, including trading in                    display, execution, and trading
                                                  with the Securities and Exchange                        securities for the account of the ETP                  systems.8 The Exchange believes that
                                                  Commission (the ‘‘Commission’’) the                     Holder to be appropriately registered in               acceptance of the Series 57 Examination
                                                  proposed rule change as described in                    Web CRD. The rule further states that in               will benefit both the Exchange and the
                                                  Items I, II, and III below, which Items                 order to satisfy the registration                      applicable proprietary traders affected
                                                  have been prepared by the self-                         requirement, among other things, a                     by the proposal because the
                                                  regulatory organization. The                            Member must satisfy applicable                         examination would allow an individual
                                                  Commission is publishing this notice to                 examination requirements as prescribed                 who wishes to transact business on
                                                  solicit comments on the proposed rule                   by the Exchange. In order to engage in                 NYSE Arca in a limited capacity to
                                                  change from interested persons.                         proprietary trading on the Exchange, or                qualify by passing an examination
                                                  I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                       directly supervise such activity,                      tailored to that limited capacity.
                                                  Statement of the Terms of Substance of                  employees of ETP Holders must be                          Individuals currently engaged solely
                                                  the Proposed Rule Change                                registered as a General Securities                     in proprietary trading, who currently
                                                                                                          Representative (Series 7) as NYSE Arca                 qualify for registration by passing the
                                                     The Exchange proposes to amend                       does not recognize the Series 56                       Series 7 Examination and have
                                                  Exchange rules to prescribe the                         Examination as an acceptable                           registered in Web CRD as Proprietary
                                                  Securities Traders examination (Series                  qualification standard for employees of                Traders will have their registration
                                                  57) (the ‘‘Series 57 Examination’’) as the              ETP Holders engaged in equities                        converted in Web CRD on January 4,
                                                  qualifying examination for employees of                 proprietary trading.5                                  2016 to a Securities Trader without
                                                  ETP Holders 4 (‘‘Member’’) engaged                         The Exchange proposes to amend                      having to take any additional
                                                  solely in proprietary trading, and amend                Rule 2.21 to recognize a new category of               examinations and without having to
                                                  Exchange rules regarding continuing                     limited representative registration for a              take any other actions. However, the
                                                  education requirement applicable to                     Securities Trader and allow such                       registration of individuals who have
                                                  such Members. The proposed rule                         individual to register in Web CRD 6 as a               taken the Series 7 Examination will not
                                                                                                                                                                 be converted to a Securities Trader if
                                                    20 17  CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
                                                    1 15
                                                                                                             5 While the Series 7 Examination is required for
                                                                                                                                                                 they have not registered as a Proprietary
                                                          U.S.C.78s(b)(1).                                employees of ETP Holders engaged in proprietary
                                                     2 15 U.S.C. 78a.
                                                                                                                                                                 Trader in Web CRD by December 28,
                                                                                                          trading, Exchange rules do not require such
                                                     3 17 CFR 240.19b–4.                                  individuals to work at a proprietary trading firm      2015. After that date, these individuals
                                                     4 Pursuant to NYSE Arca Equities Rule 1.1(n), the    only. These individuals can work at any type of
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                  term ‘‘ETP Holder’’ refers to a sole proprietorship,    firm. However, they only may engage in proprietary       7 The proposed definition is similar to NYSE

                                                  partnership, corporation, limited liability company     trading at the firm where they are employed. For       MKT LLC Rule 341, Commentary .01(c) and NYSE
                                                  or other organization in good standing that has been    example, an individual engaged in proprietary          Arca, Inc. Rule 2.23(b)(2)(C) [sic].
                                                  issued an ETP. An ETP Holder must be a registered       trading at a full service firm, who is registered        8 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 75783

                                                  broker or dealer pursuant to Section 15 of the Act.     solely to engage in proprietary trading, may not act   (August 28, 2015), 80 FR 53369 (September 3, 2015)
                                                  NYSE Arca Equities Rule 1.1(m) defines ‘‘ETP’’ as       as a registered representative for that firm.          (SR–FINRA–2015–017) (Order Approving a
                                                  an Equity Trading Permit issued by the Exchange            6 Web CRD is the central licensing and              Proposed Rule Change to Establish the Securities
                                                  for effecting approved securities transactions on the   registration system for the U.S. securities industry   Trader and Securities Trader Principal Registration
                                                  Exchange.                                               and its regulators.                                    Categories).



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                                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 238 / Friday, December 11, 2015 / Notices                                             77069

                                                  would be required to take the Series 57                 Trader, nor would a Securities Trader                  Series 57 Examination will help to
                                                  Examination in order to register as                     Principal be able to act as a General                  promote consistency in examination
                                                  Securities Traders as the Series 7                      Securities Principal, unless the                       requirements and uniformity across
                                                  Examination would no longer serve as a                  individual is appropriately registered as              markets.
                                                  qualifying exam to engage solely in                     a Securities Trader Principal and a
                                                                                                          General Securities Principal.                          B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                  proprietary trading on the Exchange. In
                                                  addition, individuals registered as                       Further, registered persons are                      Statement on Burden on Competition
                                                  Proprietary Traders in Web CRD prior to                 required under Rule 2.21(d) to comply                    The Exchange does not believe that
                                                  the effective date of the proposed rule                 with the Exchange’s continuing                         the proposed rule change will impose
                                                  change will be eligible to register as                  education requirements. Specifically,                  any burden on competition not
                                                  Securities Traders without having to                    under Rule 2.21(d), no Member may                      necessary or appropriate in furtherance
                                                  take any additional examinations,                       permit any registered person to continue               of the purposes of the Act. The
                                                  provided that no more than two years                    to, and no registered person may                       proposed rule change does not impose
                                                  have passed between the date the                        continue to, perform duties as a                       any additional examination burdens on
                                                  individual last registered as a                         registered person, unless such person                  persons who are already registered.
                                                  Proprietary Trader and the date the                     has complied with the Exchange’s                       There is no obligation to take the Series
                                                  individual registers as a Securities                    continuing education requirements. The                 57 examination in order to continue in
                                                  Trader.9                                                Exchange proposes to amend the rule to                 their present duties, so the proposed
                                                    In addition, the Exchange proposes to                 specifically require each registered                   rule change is not expected to
                                                  amend Rule 2.21 to create a new                         person who is qualified solely as a                    disadvantage current registered persons
                                                  category of limited representative                      Securities Trader to comply with the                   relative to new entrants in this regard.
                                                  Principal—the Securities Trader                         continuing education requirements
                                                                                                          appropriate for the Series 57.11                       C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                  Principal. Registration as a Securities
                                                                                                            Within 30 days of filing the proposed                Statement on Comments on the
                                                  Trader Principal would be restricted to
                                                                                                          rule change, the Exchange will issue a                 Proposed Rule Change Received From
                                                  individuals whose supervisory
                                                                                                          Regulatory Bulletin announcing the                     Members, Participants, or Others
                                                  responsibilities are limited to Securities
                                                  Traders, as defined in amended                          operative date of the rule change, which                 No written comments were solicited
                                                  Commentary .03 to Rule 2.21. As                         will not be sooner than January 4, 2016.               or received with respect to the proposed
                                                  proposed, a supervisor of a Securities                  2. Statutory Basis                                     rule change.
                                                  Trader must satisfy its registration                                                                           III. Date of Effectiveness of the
                                                  requirements under Commentary .03 to                       The Exchange believes that its
                                                                                                          proposal is consistent with Section 6(b)               Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
                                                  Rule 2.21 by registering and qualifying                                                                        Commission Action
                                                                                                          of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                                                  as a Securities Trader Principal in Web
                                                                                                          (‘‘Act’’),12 in general, and furthers the                 The Exchange has filed the proposed
                                                  CRD if (a) such supervisor’s supervisory
                                                                                                          objectives of Section 6(c)(3)(B) 13 of the             rule change pursuant to Section
                                                  responsibilities are limited solely to
                                                                                                          Act, pursuant to which a national                      19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 16 and Rule
                                                  supervising Securities Traders; (b) such
                                                                                                          securities exchange prescribes standards               19b–4(f)(6) thereunder.17 Because the
                                                  supervisor is qualified to be so
                                                                                                          of training, experience and competence                 proposed rule change does not: (i)
                                                  registered by passing the General
                                                                                                          for members and their associated                       Significantly affect the protection of
                                                  Securities Principal Qualification
                                                                                                          persons, and Section 6(b)(5) 14 of the                 investors or the public interest; (ii)
                                                  Examination—Series 24; and (c) such
                                                                                                          Act, in particular, in that it is designed,            impose any significant burden on
                                                  supervisor is registered pursuant to
                                                                                                          among other things, to promote just and                competition; and (iii) become operative
                                                  Exchange Rules as a Securities Trader.                  equitable principles of trade, to remove
                                                  Under the proposed rule change, a                                                                              prior to 30 days from the date on which
                                                                                                          impediments to, and perfect the                        it was filed, or such shorter time as the
                                                  Securities Trader Principal would not                   mechanism of a free and open market
                                                  be qualified to function in a Principal or                                                                     Commission may designate, if
                                                                                                          and a national market system, and, in                  consistent with the protection of
                                                  supervisory capacity with responsibility                general, to protect investors and the
                                                  over any area of business other than that                                                                      investors and the public interest, the
                                                                                                          public interest. The Exchange believes                 proposed rule change has become
                                                  involving proprietary trading.10                        that the proposed rule change to make
                                                    The Exchange notes that in order to                                                                          effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)
                                                                                                          the Series 57 Examination the qualifying               of the Act and Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii)
                                                  currently qualify as a Proprietary Trader               exam for individuals engaged solely in
                                                  Principal, an individual must pass the                                                                         thereunder.
                                                                                                          proprietary trading is appropriate                        A proposed rule change filed under
                                                  Series 7 Examination and the Series 24                  because the Series 57 Examination
                                                  Examination. Once the Series 57                                                                                Rule 19b–4(f)(6) 18 normally does not
                                                                                                          addresses industry topics that establish               become operative prior to 30 days after
                                                  Examination becomes the qualifying                      the foundation for the regulatory and
                                                  exam for a Securities Trader, such                                                                             the date of the filing. However, pursuant
                                                                                                          procedural knowledge necessary for                     to Rule 19b4(f)(6)(iii),19 the Commission
                                                  individuals would need to pass the                      such individuals to appropriately
                                                  Series 57 Examination and the Series 24                                                                        may designate a shorter time if such
                                                                                                          register under Exchange rules. In
                                                  Examination in order to register as a                                                                          action is consistent with the protection
                                                                                                          addition, the Series 57 Examination is
                                                  Securities Trader Principal. Only those                                                                        of investors and the public interest.
                                                                                                          expected to be shared by other                            At any time within 60 days of the
                                                  individuals who are registered as such                  exchanges and become the industry
                                                  would be qualified to supervise a                                                                              filing of such proposed rule change, the
                                                                                                          standard.15 Accordingly, adopting the
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                                                  Securities Trader. Individuals registered                                                                      Commission summarily may
                                                  as a General Securities Principal would                   11 Registered persons will be required to complete
                                                                                                                                                                 temporarily suspend such rule change if
                                                  not be qualified to supervise a Securities              the S101 Program to fulfill the Regulatory Element     it appears to the Commission that such
                                                                                                          of their continuing education requirement.
                                                    9 See                                                   12 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).                                  16 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
                                                         Rule 2.21, Commentary .04.
                                                    10 The                                                  13 15 U.S.C. 78f(c)(3)(B).                            17 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
                                                           proposed rule is similar to NYSE MKT LLC
                                                                                                            14 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).                               18 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
                                                  Rule 341, Commentary .01(e) and NYSE Arca, Inc.
                                                  Rule 2.23(b)(3)(B).                                       15 See supra, note 8.                                 19 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii).




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                                                  77070                            Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 238 / Friday, December 11, 2015 / Notices

                                                  action is necessary or appropriate in the                  information that you wish to make                     proposed rule change. The text of these
                                                  public interest, for the protection of                     available publicly. All submissions                   statements may be examined at the
                                                  investors, or otherwise in furtherance of                  should refer to File Number SR–                       places specified in Item IV below. The
                                                  the purposes of the Act. If the                            NYSEARCA–2015–117 and should be                       Exchange has prepared summaries, set
                                                  Commission takes such action, the                          submitted on or before January 4, 2016.               forth in sections A, B, and C below, of
                                                  Commission shall institute proceedings                       For the Commission, by the Division of              the most significant aspects of such
                                                  under Section 19(b)(2)(B) 20 of the Act to                 Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated            statements.
                                                  determine whether the proposed rule                        authority.21
                                                                                                                                                                   A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                  change should be approved or                               Robert W. Errett,                                     Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                  disapproved.                                               Deputy Secretary.                                     Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                                  IV. Solicitation of Comments                               [FR Doc. 2015–31277 Filed 12–10–15; 8:45 am]          Change
                                                                                                             BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                                    Interested persons are invited to                                                                              1. Purpose
                                                  submit written data, views, and
                                                                                                                                                                      The Exchange proposes to amend its
                                                  arguments concerning the foregoing,
                                                                                                             SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                               Fees Schedule.3 Specifically, the
                                                  including whether the proposed rule
                                                                                                             COMMISSION                                            Exchange proposes to increase the
                                                  change is consistent with the Act.
                                                  Comments may be submitted by any of                        [Release No. 34–76567; File No. SR–CBOE–              Customer Priority Surcharge fee
                                                  the following methods:                                     2015–109]                                             assessed to contracts executed in VIX
                                                                                                                                                                   volatility index options (‘‘VIX options’’)
                                                  Electronic Comments                                        Self-Regulatory Organizations;                        and weekly S&P 500 options (‘‘SPXW
                                                     • Use the Commission’s Internet                         Chicago Board Options Exchange,                       options’’). Currently, the VIX Customer
                                                  comment form (http://www.sec.gov/                          Incorporated; Notice of Filing and                    Priority Surcharge (‘‘VIX Surcharge’’) is
                                                  rules/sro.shtml); or                                       Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed                 assessed on all Customer (C) VIX
                                                     • Send an email to rule-comments@                       Rule Change To Amend the Fees                         contracts executed electronically that
                                                  sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–                    Schedule                                              are Maker and not Market Turner.
                                                  NYSEARCA–2015–117 on the subject                                                                                 Additionally, the VIX Surcharge is only
                                                                                                             December 7, 2015.                                     assessed on such contracts that have a
                                                  line.
                                                                                                                Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the                premium of $0.11 or greater. The
                                                  Paper Comments                                             Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the                  Exchange proposes to increase the VIX
                                                     • Send paper comments in triplicate                     ‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2                Surcharge from $0.10 per contract to
                                                  to Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Securities                  notice is hereby given that on November               $0.20 per contract on such contracts that
                                                  and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street                      24, 2015, Chicago Board Options                       have a premium of $0.11 or greater. The
                                                  NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090.                            Exchange, Incorporated (the ‘‘Exchange’’              SPXW Customer Priority Surcharge
                                                  All submissions should refer to File                       or ‘‘CBOE’’) filed with the Securities                (‘‘SPXW Surcharge’’) is currently
                                                  Number SR–NYSEARCA–2015–117.                               and Exchange Commission (the                          assessed on all Customer (C) SPXW
                                                  This file number should be included on                     ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule                     contracts executed electronically.4 The
                                                  the subject line if email is used. To help                 change as described in Items I, II, and               Exchange also proposes to increase the
                                                  the Commission process and review                          III below, which Items have been                      SPXW Surcharge from $0.05 per
                                                  your comments more efficiently, please                     prepared by the Exchange. The                         contract to $0.10 per contract.
                                                  use only one method. The Commission                        Commission is publishing this notice to                  The Exchange also proposes to amend
                                                  will post all comments on the                              solicit comments on the proposed rule                 the Fees Schedule with respect to the
                                                  Commission’s Internet Web site (http://                    change from interested persons.                       Qualified Contingent Cross (‘‘QCC’’)
                                                  www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). Copies of                    I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                     Orders Rate Table. By way of
                                                  the submission, all subsequent                             Statement of the Terms of the Substance               background, the Fees Schedule
                                                  amendments, all written statements                         of the Proposed Rule Change                           currently provides for a ‘‘QCC Rate
                                                  with respect to the proposed rule                                                                                Table’’ which sets forth a transaction fee
                                                                                                                The Exchange proposes to amend its
                                                  change that are filed with the                                                                                   and credit for QCC transactions. In
                                                                                                             Fees Schedule. The text of the proposed
                                                  Commission, and all written                                                                                      addition, the ‘‘Notes’’ section of the
                                                                                                             rule change is available on the
                                                  communications relating to the                                                                                   QCC Rate Table includes the definition
                                                                                                             Exchange’s Web site (http://
                                                  proposed rule change between the                                                                                 of a QCC transaction. Specifically the
                                                                                                             www.cboe.com/AboutCBOE/
                                                  Commission and any person, other than                                                                            ‘‘Notes’’ section currently provides that
                                                                                                             CBOELegalRegulatoryHome.aspx), at
                                                  those that may be withheld from the                                                                              ‘‘A QCC transaction is comprised of an
                                                                                                             the Exchange’s Office of the Secretary,
                                                  public in accordance with the                                                                                    ‘initiating order’ to buy (sell) at least
                                                                                                             and at the Commission’s Public
                                                  provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be                                                                              1,000 contracts, coupled with a contra-
                                                                                                             Reference Room.
                                                  available for Web site viewing and                                                                               side order to sell (buy) an equal number
                                                  printing in the Commission’s Public                        II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                    of contracts . . .’’ The Exchange notes
                                                  Reference Section, 100 F Street NE.,                       Statement of the Purpose of, and                      that it recently amended its QCC rules
                                                  Washington, DC 20549–1090. Copies of                       Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                to expand the availability of QCC orders
                                                  the filing will also be available for                      Change
                                                                                                                                                                     3 The Exchange initially filed the proposed fee
                                                  inspection and copying at the NYSE’s                          In its filing with the Commission, the             change on November 2, 2015 (SR–CBOE–2015–
                                                  principal office and on its Internet Web
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                                                                                                             Exchange included statements                          101). On November 24, 2015, the Exchange
                                                  site at www.nyse.com. All comments                         concerning the purpose of and basis for               withdrew that filing and submitted this filing.
                                                  received will be posted without change;                    the proposed rule change and discussed                  4 The SPXW Surcharge is not assessed to

                                                  the Commission does not edit personal                      any comments it received on the                       contracts executed by a floor broker using a PAR
                                                  identifying information from                                                                                     terminal or orders in SPXW options in SPXW
                                                                                                                                                                   electronic book that are executed during opening
                                                  submissions. You should submit only                          21 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).                          rotation on the final settlement day of VIX options
                                                                                                               1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).                              and futures which have the expiration that
                                                    20 15   U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).                               2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.                                 contribute to the VIX settlement calculation.



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Document Created: 2018-03-02 09:13:19
Document Modified: 2018-03-02 09:13:19
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 77068 

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