80_FR_9809 80 FR 9773 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.; Notice of Filing of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend the Codes of Arbitration Procedure To Increase the Late Cancellation Fee

80 FR 9773 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.; Notice of Filing of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend the Codes of Arbitration Procedure To Increase the Late Cancellation Fee

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 36 (February 24, 2015)

Page Range9773-9776
FR Document2015-03660

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 36 (Tuesday, February 24, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 36 (Tuesday, February 24, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9773-9776]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-03660]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-74289; File No. SR-FINRA-2015-003]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Financial Industry Regulatory 
Authority, Inc.; Notice of Filing of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend 
the Codes of Arbitration Procedure To Increase the Late Cancellation 
Fee

February 18, 2015.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given that 
on February 5, 2015, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. 
(``FINRA'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``SEC'' 
or ``Commission'') the proposed

[[Page 9774]]

rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items 
have been substantially prepared by FINRA. 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.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    FINRA is proposing to amend Rules 12214 and 12601 of the Code of 
Arbitration Procedure for Customer Disputes (``Customer Code'') and 
Rules 13214 and 13601 of the Code of Arbitration Procedure for Industry 
Disputes (``Industry Code'') (together, ``Codes'') to require that 
parties give more advance notice before cancelling or postponing a 
hearing, or be assessed a higher late cancellation fee if such notice 
is not provided. The text of the proposed rule change is available at 
the principal office of FINRA, on FINRA's Web site at http://www.finra.org, 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, FINRA 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. FINRA 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
Introduction
    Under current Rules 12601(b)(2) and 13601(b)(2) of the Codes, each 
arbitrator selected for a case receives a $100 honorarium when a 
hearing is postponed or cancelled \3\ within three business days of the 
scheduled date. However, if the postponement or cancellation occurs 
more than three business days in advance of the scheduled hearing, the 
arbitrators do not receive an honorarium.\4\
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    \3\ If the parties settle an arbitration case, hearings that 
were scheduled to occur after settlement are cancelled, and 
depending on the timing of the cancellation, could result in the 
assessment of a cancellation fee. See Rules 12902(d) and 13902(d). 
These rules incorporate the fees and costs incurred under Rules 
12601 and 13601, and, therefore, would incorporate the proposed rule 
change to the late cancellation fee.
    \4\ For each postponement agreed to by the parties, or granted 
upon request of one or more parties, FINRA assesses a postponement 
fee to the parties, equal to the applicable hearing session fee 
(``Postponement Fee''). See Rules 12601(b)(1) and 13601(b)(1). This 
fee is paid to FINRA and not passed through to the arbitrators.
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    FINRA is proposing to amend Rules 12601(b)(2) and 13601(b)(2) \5\ 
to require that if a postponement or cancellation request is made by 
one or more parties within ten calendar days before a scheduled hearing 
session and granted, the party or parties making the request would pay 
a fee of $600 per arbitrator (``Late Cancellation Fee''). Under the 
proposed rule change, therefore, the Late Cancellation Fee for a three-
person arbitration panel would be $1,800, instead of $300 under the 
current rules.\6\ The primary purpose of the proposed rule change is to 
encourage parties to provide more advance notice of postponements and 
cancellations, or, in the alternative, to compensate arbitrators more 
than they are currently paid for lost time and opportunities in the 
event of a late postponement or cancellation.
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    \5\ FINRA would also amend the Late Cancellation Fee reference 
(defined infra) in Rules 12214(a) and 13214(a).
    \6\ Pursuant to an analysis of FINRA's data, for the period from 
September 1, 2013 to August 31, 2014, approximately 80 percent of 
arbitration cases were heard by a three-person panel. The number of 
arbitrators that the parties may select for a case typically depends 
on the amount of the claim. See Rules 12401 and 13401 (describing, 
among other things, the parameters for when panels may consist of 
three arbitrators).
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    Under the proposed rule change, the Late Cancellation Fee would be 
assessed if a hearing is postponed or cancelled within ten calendar 
days before a scheduled hearing session. To simplify the discussion, 
the following explanation will use the term ``cancellation'' or a 
variation thereof to describe either scenario.
Background
    In FINRA arbitration, once the parties select arbitrators, they 
hold an initial pre-hearing conference with the parties, usually over 
the telephone, to discuss procedural issues, the mediation alternative, 
discovery, and scheduling of hearings.\7\ In many cases, the hearing 
dates are selected months in advance, thus requiring arbitrators to 
reserve these dates and forego other opportunities that would result in 
a conflict with the scheduled dates. FINRA has received many complaints 
from arbitrators concerning the current late cancellation rule (``Late 
Cancellation Rule''),\8\ which applies when parties postpone, settle in 
advance of, or otherwise cancel a scheduled hearing session within 
three business days of its start date. It is the most frequent 
complaint Dispute Resolution staff receives from arbitrators.
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    \7\ A hearing is a meeting between the parties and the 
arbitrators of four hours or less to determine the merits of the 
arbitration. See Rules 12100(m) and 13100(m); see also Rules 
12100(n) and 13100(n). A typical day in an arbitration case has two 
hearing sessions.
    \8\ See Rules 12601(b)(2) and 13601(b)(2).
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    In fact, when FINRA formed the Dispute Resolution Task Force 
(``Task Force'') in 2014 to consider possible enhancements to its 
arbitration and mediation forum, the majority of arbitrator responses 
to the Task Force's request for comments suggested that FINRA should 
address the issue of late hearing cancellation requests.\9\ According 
to feedback received by FINRA, the current rule is inadequate because 
the three-business-day cancellation window does not provide 
arbitrators, who have committed to dates to hear a case, with enough 
time to schedule other income-generating opportunities. Moreover, the 
$100 honorarium for these late cancellations does not adequately 
compensate arbitrators for the preparation time expended and the income 
that would have been earned from conducting a hearing. FINRA has 
learned that the lack of sufficient notice and compensation is 
frustrating for arbitrators and is a reason some arbitrators leave 
FINRA's roster.
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    \9\ The Task Force comprises individuals from the public and 
industry sectors, who work together to suggest strategies to enhance 
the transparency, impartiality, and efficiency of FINRA's securities 
dispute resolution forum for all participants. See FINRA Dispute 
Resolution Task Force, available at http://www.finra.org/ArbitrationAndMediation/FINRADisputeResolution/MoreonFINRADisputeResolution/P600966.
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Proposal To Increase Late Cancellation Fees and Cancellation Timeframe
    FINRA is proposing, therefore, to amend the Codes \10\ to require 
that parties give more advance notice before cancelling a hearing, or 
be assessed a higher Late Cancellation Fee if such notice is not 
provided. Specifically, FINRA would amend Rule 12601(b)(2) to require 
that if a cancellation request is made by one or more parties within 
ten calendar days before a scheduled hearing session and granted, the 
party or parties making the request shall pay a

[[Page 9775]]

fee of $600 per arbitrator in addition to the Postponement Fee.
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    \10\ FINRA is proposing to amend Rules 12601 and 12214 of the 
Customer Code and Rules 13601 and 13214 of the Industry Code. To 
simplify the explanation, FINRA's discussion of the proposed rule 
changes focuses on changes to the Customer Code rules. However, the 
proposed rule changes, and, thus, the discussion also apply to the 
Industry Code rules.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    First, the proposed rule change would move from three business days 
to ten calendar days the timeframe within which parties must cancel 
hearings to avoid incurring the proposed Late Cancellation Fee.\11\ 
This change would provide arbitrators with more advance notice than 
they currently receive, which could give them an opportunity to secure 
other income-generating opportunities. Further, it could help them 
minimize the time lost in preparing for their assigned arbitration 
hearings, which, depending on the number of parties involved and the 
complexity of the case, could involve many hours of reviewing 
materials. For example, parties sometimes submit detailed exhibits and 
legal briefs to support their positions and theories of the case for 
arbitrators to review in advance of the hearings. Other than the 
honoraria funded by the Late Cancellation Fee, FINRA does not 
compensate arbitrators for their preparation time in the event the 
hearings are cancelled.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ The proposed rule change would make the calculation of 
deadlines consistent under the Codes. Under the Codes, ``day'' is 
defined as a calendar day, not a business day. See Rules 12100(j) 
and 13100(j).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Second, the proposed rule change would increase the honorarium for 
late cancellations from $100 to $600 per arbitrator. The proposal would 
make the honorarium equal to that which arbitrators would have received 
for one typical day of hearings,\12\ no matter how many consecutive 
days are cancelled.\13\ The Late Cancellation Fee would be charged to 
the party or parties making the request.\14\ However, Rule 12601(b)(2) 
provides that the arbitrators may allocate all or a portion of the fee 
to the non-requesting party if the arbitrators determine that the non-
requesting party caused or contributed to the cancellation. If an 
extraordinary circumstance prevents a party or parties from making a 
timely cancellation request, arbitrators may use their discretion to 
waive the fee.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ An arbitrator receives an honorarium payment for each 
hearing session in which the arbitrator participates. If two hearing 
sessions are conducted in one day, an arbitrator would receive $300 
for each session or a total of $600 for the day. See supra note 7. 
On September 29, 2014, the SEC approved a proposal to increase the 
amount of honoraria paid to an arbitrator for participation in a 
hearing session to $300 per session; the $300 rate became effective 
on December 15, 2014 for all cases filed on or after the approval 
date. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 73245 (Sept. 29, 
2014), 79 FR 59876 (Oct. 3, 2014) (Order Approving File No. SR-
FINRA-2014-026) (``Honoraria Increase Proposal'').
    \13\ See Notice to Members 04-53 (Arbitrator Hearing 
Adjournments), July 2004, available at http://www.finra.org/web/groups/industry/@ip/@reg/@notice/documents/notices/p006140.pdf.
    \14\ If the parties cannot agree on the allocation, the 
arbitrators typically split the fee among the parties.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    FINRA notes that there are some mitigation strategies that parties 
could employ to avoid incurring a Late Cancellation Fee. As the 
objective of the proposal is to encourage parties to address issues 
earlier in their cases, parties could provide notice of a cancellation 
ten or more calendar days prior to the first scheduled hearing session. 
Further, if the parties agree to cancel the hearing inside the ten-day 
window, then they could negotiate which party pays this fee or a 
percentage of the fee. In addition the rules permit the panel to waive 
the fees, and they may do so, if the circumstances warrant, like a 
sudden illness or accident.
    Third, the proposed rule change would shift the phrase ``and 
granted'' to the end of the first dependent clause in Rule 12601(b)(2) 
to clarify that the timing of the parties' cancellation request 
controls whether the fee is assessed, not the timing of the 
arbitrators' decision on such request, if a decision is required. For 
example, the parties may jointly request cancellation of a hearing. A 
joint request means that the parties to the arbitration agree to cancel 
the hearing and, thus, the arbitrator or panel is not required to 
decide the request. Under the proposed rule change, if the parties make 
such a request ten calendar days or more before a scheduled hearing, 
they would not be assessed a Late Cancellation Fee.\15\ Further, one 
party may make a cancellation request without the agreement of other 
parties to the arbitration; in such a case, the arbitrator or panel 
would be required to decide the party's motion. Under the proposed rule 
change, if the party makes such a motion ten calendar days or more 
before a scheduled hearing, the party would not be assessed a Late 
Cancellation Fee, regardless of when the arbitrators act on the 
request.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ See Rules 12601(a)(1) and 13601(a)(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Fourth, FINRA notes that the Late Cancellation Fee is revenue-
neutral to FINRA; it is currently passed through to the arbitrators. 
This practice would not change under the proposed rule change.
    Last, FINRA is proposing to make conforming changes to Rule 
12214(a), by amending the reference to the Late Cancellation Fee in 
Rule 12214(a).
    The proposed rule change would address further a concern raised by 
many FINRA arbitrators--that the forum's honoraria are too low. FINRA 
began the process of increasing arbitrator honoraria by filing the 
Honoraria Increase Proposal with the SEC in June 2014, which proposed 
increasing the amount that arbitrators receive for one hearing session, 
among other things. On September 29, 2014, the SEC approved FINRA's 
proposal.\16\ While approval of the honoraria increases was an 
important step, FINRA also believes that changes are needed to the Late 
Cancellation Rule to further compensate arbitrators for lost 
opportunity costs as well as time spent in preparing for arbitration 
hearings that do not take place. Given arbitrators' numerous 
responsibilities in preparing for, managing, and conducting 
arbitrations, FINRA believes the proposed changes to the Late 
Cancellation Rule as well as the other recently-implemented honoraria 
increases would better compensate the arbitrators for their time 
commitments and their service to the forum.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ See supra note 12.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    FINRA acknowledges that customers are likely to pay at least some 
of the increased Late Cancellation Fee under the proposed rule change. 
As a result, the proposed rule change might have an effect on 
settlement negotiations, especially if the potential settlement amount 
is small compared to the Late Cancellation Fee. For example, in cases 
where negotiations extend past the ten-calendar-day deadline, the 
increased cost of cancellation, under the proposed rule change, may 
affect the amount agreed upon in settlement or even the probability of 
settlement. FINRA notes that the forum's rules are designed to help 
parties resolve their disputes fairly and efficiently. Parties pursue 
settlement when they believe it is in their financial interest to do 
so. The proposed fee increase would be another factor that parties 
would weigh in determining when or whether to settle or to proceed to 
hearing.
    FINRA believes, however, that the proposed changes would result in 
fewer late cancellations by the parties, as the higher Late 
Cancellation Fee would provide parties with an incentive to consider 
and begin settlement negotiations earlier in the process, if such an 
approach is in their interests. In addition, FINRA believes that the 
proposed rule change could help it minimize arbitrator turnover by 
addressing arbitrators' concerns that the current honoraria funded by 
the Late Cancellation Fee does not adequately compensate them for time 
spent and opportunities lost.
2. Statutory Basis
    FINRA believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the 
provisions

[[Page 9776]]

of Section 15A(b)(6) of the Act,\17\ which requires, among other 
things, that FINRA rules must be designed to prevent fraudulent and 
manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable 
principles of trade, and, in general, to protect investors and the 
public interest. FINRA also believes that the proposed rule change is 
consistent with the provisions of Section 15A(b)(5) of the Act,\18\ 
which requires, among other things, that FINRA rules provide for the 
equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other charges among 
members and issuers and other persons using any facility or system that 
FINRA operates or controls. FINRA believes that the proposed rule 
change appropriately allocates the proposed fee increase among those 
parties that cancel hearings on short notice. The Late Cancellation Fee 
would be paid by the parties, and passed through to the arbitrators to 
provide them with more compensation for preparation time expended and 
lost opportunities in the event of a cancellation on short notice. 
FINRA believes, therefore, that the proposed Late Cancellation Rule 
represents an equitable allocation of a reasonable fee to use the 
forum. While arbitrators would typically allocate the Late Cancellation 
Fee to the requesting party or parties, FINRA rules permit the 
arbitrators to allocate all, or a portion of the fee, to the non-
requesting party, if the arbitrators determine that the non-requesting 
party caused or contributed to the late cancellation. Moreover, the 
Late Cancellation Fee can be avoided altogether if the parties provide 
ten or more calendar days advance notice of such a cancellation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-3(b)(6).
    \18\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-3(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Finally, FINRA believes that the proposed rule change will protect 
investors and the public interest by improving FINRA's ability to 
retain qualified arbitrators willing to devote the time and effort 
necessary to consider thoroughly all arbitration issues presented, 
which, FINRA believes, is an essential element for FINRA to achieve its 
mission of investor protection and market integrity.

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

    FINRA does not believe that the proposed rule change would result 
in any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in 
furtherance of the purposes of the Act.

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

    Written comments on the proposed rule change were neither solicited 
nor received.

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

    Within 45 days of the date of publication of this notice in the 
Federal Register or within such longer period (i) as the Commission may 
designate up to 90 days of such date if it finds such longer period to 
be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or (ii) as to 
which the self-regulatory organization consents, the Commission will:
    (A) By order approve or disapprove such proposed rule change, or
    (B) institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule 
change should be disapproved.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and 
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule 
change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of 
the following methods:

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's Internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or Send an email to [email protected]. Please include File Number SR-FINRA-2015-003 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-FINRA-2015-003. 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 such filing also will be available 
for inspection and copying at the principal office of FINRA. 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-FINRA-2015-003 and 
should be submitted on or before March 17, 2015.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\19\
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    \19\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-03660 Filed 2-23-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                                                           Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 36 / Tuesday, February 24, 2015 / Notices                                                  9773

                                              not offered any explanation as to why                   In particular, the Commission seeks                    Commission process and review your
                                              permitting its pegging orders to peg to                 comment on the following:                              comments more efficiently, please use
                                              hidden interest is, on balance, good for                   1. As described above, the Exchange                 only one method. The Commission will
                                              its members or the quality of its market                proposes to add a new definition for ‘‘next            post all comments on the Commission’s
                                              or why it is otherwise consistent with                  available best-priced interest’’ in connection         Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/
                                              section 6(b)(5) of the Act. Similarly, the              with pegging interest. As shown in the                 rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the
                                              Exchange’s filing does not explain why                  Exchange’s example, discussed above,23 the             submission, all subsequent
                                              this use of an order type would be                      proposal would, when pegging interest is               amendments, all written statements
                                              available to floor brokers or to those                  entered with a limit price outside the PBBO,           with respect to the proposed rule
                                                                                                      allow pegging interest to peg to a Non-                change that are filed with the
                                              who submit orders through a floor                       Display Reserve Order or Non-Display
                                              broker, but would not otherwise be                                                                             Commission, and all written
                                                                                                      Reserve e-Quote that is not at the top of the
                                              available to other exchange members.                    Exchange’s book. Therefore, the functionality
                                                                                                                                                             communications relating to the
                                                                                                      would allow the member entering pegging                proposed rule change between the
                                              IV. Procedure: Request for Written                      interest with a limit price to potentially             Commission and any person, other than
                                              Comments                                                detect the presence of a hidden order outside          those that may be withheld from the
                                                                                                      the PBBO, if there are no other displayable            public in accordance with the
                                                The Commission requests that                          orders at that price point. Given that, as             provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
                                              interested persons provide written                      noted above,24 pegging interest was                    available for Web site viewing and
                                              submissions of their views, data, and                   instituted originally to facilitate the ability of     printing in the Commission’s Public
                                              arguments with respect to the concerns                  manual Floor brokers to maintain orders at             Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,
                                              identified above, as well as any other                  the best displayed prices, do commenters
                                                                                                                                                             Washington, DC 20549, on official
                                              concerns they may have with the                         believe that allowing pegging interest to
                                                                                                      potentially operate in this manner is
                                                                                                                                                             business days between the hours of
                                              proposed rule change. Although there                                                                           10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such
                                              do not appear to be any issues relevant                 beneficial, or detrimental, to Exchange
                                                                                                      members or the quality of the Exchange’s               filing also will be available for
                                              to approval or disapproval which would                  market? 25                                             inspection and copying at the principal
                                              be facilitated by an oral presentation of                  2. Do commenters believe that the                   office of the Exchange. All comments
                                              views, data, and arguments, the                         Exchange’s proposal sufficiently describes             received will be posted without change;
                                              Commission will consider, pursuant to                   the characteristics, functionality, priority,          the Commission does not edit personal
                                              Rule 19b–4, any request for an                          and execution pricing of each of its order             identifying information from
                                              opportunity to make an oral                             types and modifiers? If not, which aspects of          submissions. You should submit only
                                              presentation.21 Interested persons are                  the Exchange’s order types and modifiers
                                                                                                                                                             information that you wish to make
                                              invited to submit written data, views,                  remain ambiguous or undescribed? Please be
                                                                                                      specific.
                                                                                                                                                             available publicly. All submissions
                                              and arguments regarding whether the                                                                            should refer to File Number SR–
                                              proposal should be approved or                            Comments may be submitted by any                     NYSEMKT–2014–95 and should be
                                              disapproved by March 17, 2015. Any                      of the following methods:                              submitted on or before March 17, 2015.
                                              person who wishes to file a rebuttal to                 Electronic Comments                                      For the Commission, by the Division of
                                              any other person’s submission must file                                                                        Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
                                              that rebuttal by March 31, 2015.                          • Use the Commission’s Internet                      authority.26
                                                                                                      comment form (http://www.sec.gov/                      Brent J. Fields,
                                                The Commission invites the written
                                                                                                      rules/sro.shtml); or
                                              views of interested persons concerning                                                                         Secretary.
                                                                                                        • Send an email to rule-comments@
                                              whether the proposal is consistent with                                                                        [FR Doc. 2015–03678 Filed 2–23–15; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                      sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–
                                              section 6(b)(5) of the Act,22 any other                                                                        BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                                                                                      NYSEMKT–2014–95 on the subject line.
                                              provision of the Act, or the rules and
                                              regulations thereunder. The                             Paper Comments
                                              Commission asks that commenters                                                                                SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                                                                                                         • Send paper comments in triplicate
                                              address the sufficiency and merit of the                                                                       COMMISSION
                                                                                                      to Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Securities
                                              Exchange’s statements in support of the                 and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street                  [Release No. 34–74289; File No. SR–FINRA–
                                              proposed rule change, in addition to any                NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090.                        2015–003]
                                              other comments they may wish to
                                              submit about the proposed rule change.                  All submissions should refer to File                   Self-Regulatory Organizations;
                                                                                                      Number SR–NYSEMKT–2014–95. This                        Financial Industry Regulatory
                                                                                                      file number should be included on the                  Authority, Inc.; Notice of Filing of a
                                              Floor brokers to stay with a quickly changing
                                              quote.’’ See Securities Exchange Act Release No.        subject line if email is used. To help the             Proposed Rule Change To Amend the
                                              61081 (Dec. 1, 2009), 74 FR 64105 (Dec. 7, 2009)                                                               Codes of Arbitration Procedure To
                                              (approving the predecessor Exchange’s proposal to         23 See text accompanying note 16, supra.
                                              update d-Quote functionality and provide for e-           24 See, supra, note 20 and accompanying text.
                                                                                                                                                             Increase the Late Cancellation Fee
                                              Quotes to peg to the National Best Bid or Offer). The     25 The Commission notes that, while ALO orders
                                              Commission further notes that the Exchange’s rules                                                             February 18, 2015.
                                                                                                      or Day ISO orders on the Exchange can be re-priced
                                              are based on the rules of the New York Stock            in a manner that reveals the existence of hidden          Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
                                              Exchange, Inc.                                          orders, ALO orders or Day ISO orders are displayed     Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                                                 21 Section 19(b)(2) of the Act, as amended by the
                                                                                                      and would tighten the quoted spread. The               (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
                                              Securities Act Amendments of 1975, Public Law           Commission approved the ALO order and the Day
                                              94–29 (June 4, 1975), grants the Commission
                                                                                                                                                             notice is hereby given that on February
                                                                                                      ISO order re-pricing mechanism on the basis that
                                              flexibility to determine what type of proceeding—       their re-pricing mechanism would contribute to         5, 2015, Financial Industry Regulatory
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                              either oral or notice and opportunity for written       public price discovery, an objective consistent with   Authority, Inc. (‘‘FINRA’’) filed with the
                                              comments—is appropriate for consideration of a          the requirements of the Act. See Securities            Securities and Exchange Commission
                                              particular proposal by a self-regulatory                Exchange Act Release No. 73333 (Oct. 9, 2014), 79
                                              organization. See Securities Act Amendments of
                                                                                                                                                             (‘‘SEC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed
                                                                                                      FR 62223 (Oct. 16, 2014) (approving the Exchange’s
                                              1975, Senate Comm. on Banking, Housing & Urban          proposal to make the Add Liquidity Only modifier
                                                                                                                                                               26 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(57).
                                              Affairs, S. Rep. No. 75, 94th Cong., 1st Sess. 30       available for Limit Orders and to make the Day
                                              (1975).                                                 Time-In-Force condition and Add Liquidity Only           1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
                                                 22 Id.                                               modifier available for Intermarket Sweep Orders).        2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.




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                                              9774                           Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 36 / Tuesday, February 24, 2015 / Notices

                                              rule change as described in Items I, II,                   scheduled hearing, the arbitrators do not                FINRA has received many complaints
                                              and III below, which Items have been                       receive an honorarium.4                                  from arbitrators concerning the current
                                              substantially prepared by FINRA. The                          FINRA is proposing to amend Rules                     late cancellation rule (‘‘Late
                                              Commission is publishing this notice to                    12601(b)(2) and 13601(b)(2) 5 to require                 Cancellation Rule’’),8 which applies
                                              solicit comments on the proposed rule                      that if a postponement or cancellation                   when parties postpone, settle in
                                              change from interested persons.                            request is made by one or more parties                   advance of, or otherwise cancel a
                                                                                                         within ten calendar days before a                        scheduled hearing session within three
                                              I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                          scheduled hearing session and granted,                   business days of its start date. It is the
                                              Statement of the Terms of Substance of                     the party or parties making the request                  most frequent complaint Dispute
                                              the Proposed Rule Change                                   would pay a fee of $600 per arbitrator                   Resolution staff receives from
                                                 FINRA is proposing to amend Rules                       (‘‘Late Cancellation Fee’’). Under the                   arbitrators.
                                              12214 and 12601 of the Code of                             proposed rule change, therefore, the                       In fact, when FINRA formed the
                                              Arbitration Procedure for Customer                         Late Cancellation Fee for a three-person                 Dispute Resolution Task Force (‘‘Task
                                              Disputes (‘‘Customer Code’’) and Rules                     arbitration panel would be $1,800,                       Force’’) in 2014 to consider possible
                                              13214 and 13601 of the Code of                             instead of $300 under the current rules.6                enhancements to its arbitration and
                                              Arbitration Procedure for Industry                         The primary purpose of the proposed                      mediation forum, the majority of
                                              Disputes (‘‘Industry Code’’) (together,                    rule change is to encourage parties to                   arbitrator responses to the Task Force’s
                                              ‘‘Codes’’) to require that parties give                    provide more advance notice of                           request for comments suggested that
                                              more advance notice before cancelling                      postponements and cancellations, or, in                  FINRA should address the issue of late
                                              or postponing a hearing, or be assessed                    the alternative, to compensate                           hearing cancellation requests.9
                                              a higher late cancellation fee if such                     arbitrators more than they are currently                 According to feedback received by
                                              notice is not provided. The text of the                    paid for lost time and opportunities in                  FINRA, the current rule is inadequate
                                              proposed rule change is available at the                   the event of a late postponement or                      because the three-business-day
                                              principal office of FINRA, on FINRA’s                      cancellation.                                            cancellation window does not provide
                                              Web site at http://www.finra.org, and at                      Under the proposed rule change, the                   arbitrators, who have committed to
                                              the Commission’s Public Reference                          Late Cancellation Fee would be assessed                  dates to hear a case, with enough time
                                              Room.                                                      if a hearing is postponed or cancelled                   to schedule other income-generating
                                                                                                         within ten calendar days before a                        opportunities. Moreover, the $100
                                              II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                                                                         scheduled hearing session. To simplify                   honorarium for these late cancellations
                                              Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                                                                         the discussion, the following                            does not adequately compensate
                                              Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                                                                                         explanation will use the term                            arbitrators for the preparation time
                                              Change
                                                                                                         ‘‘cancellation’’ or a variation thereof to               expended and the income that would
                                                In its filing with the Commission,                       describe either scenario.                                have been earned from conducting a
                                              FINRA included statements concerning                                                                                hearing. FINRA has learned that the lack
                                                                                                         Background
                                              the purpose of and basis for the                                                                                    of sufficient notice and compensation is
                                              proposed rule change and discussed any                        In FINRA arbitration, once the parties                frustrating for arbitrators and is a reason
                                              comments it received on the proposed                       select arbitrators, they hold an initial                 some arbitrators leave FINRA’s roster.
                                              rule change. The text of these statements                  pre-hearing conference with the parties,
                                              may be examined at the places specified                    usually over the telephone, to discuss                   Proposal To Increase Late Cancellation
                                              in Item IV below. FINRA has prepared                       procedural issues, the mediation                         Fees and Cancellation Timeframe
                                              summaries, set forth in sections A, B,                     alternative, discovery, and scheduling of
                                                                                                         hearings.7 In many cases, the hearing                       FINRA is proposing, therefore, to
                                              and C below, of the most significant                                                                                amend the Codes 10 to require that
                                              aspects of such statements.                                dates are selected months in advance,
                                                                                                         thus requiring arbitrators to reserve                    parties give more advance notice before
                                              A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                          these dates and forego other                             cancelling a hearing, or be assessed a
                                              Statement of the Purpose of, and                           opportunities that would result in a                     higher Late Cancellation Fee if such
                                              Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                     conflict with the scheduled dates.                       notice is not provided. Specifically,
                                              Change                                                                                                              FINRA would amend Rule 12601(b)(2)
                                                                                                            4 For each postponement agreed to by the parties,     to require that if a cancellation request
                                              1. Purpose                                                                                                          is made by one or more parties within
                                                                                                         or granted upon request of one or more parties,
                                              Introduction                                               FINRA assesses a postponement fee to the parties,        ten calendar days before a scheduled
                                                                                                         equal to the applicable hearing session fee              hearing session and granted, the party or
                                                Under current Rules 12601(b)(2) and                      (‘‘Postponement Fee’’). See Rules 12601(b)(1) and
                                              13601(b)(2) of the Codes, each arbitrator                  13601(b)(1). This fee is paid to FINRA and not
                                                                                                                                                                  parties making the request shall pay a
                                              selected for a case receives a $100                        passed through to the arbitrators.
                                                                                                            5 FINRA would also amend the Late Cancellation          8 See Rules 12601(b)(2) and 13601(b)(2).
                                              honorarium when a hearing is
                                                                                                         Fee reference (defined infra) in Rules 12214(a) and        9 The Task Force comprises individuals from the
                                              postponed or cancelled 3 within three                      13214(a).                                                public and industry sectors, who work together to
                                              business days of the scheduled date.                          6 Pursuant to an analysis of FINRA’s data, for the    suggest strategies to enhance the transparency,
                                              However, if the postponement or                            period from September 1, 2013 to August 31, 2014,        impartiality, and efficiency of FINRA’s securities
                                              cancellation occurs more than three                        approximately 80 percent of arbitration cases were       dispute resolution forum for all participants. See
                                                                                                         heard by a three-person panel. The number of             FINRA Dispute Resolution Task Force, available at
                                              business days in advance of the                            arbitrators that the parties may select for a case       http://www.finra.org/ArbitrationAndMediation/
                                                                                                         typically depends on the amount of the claim. See        FINRADisputeResolution/
                                                 3 If the parties settle an arbitration case, hearings   Rules 12401 and 13401 (describing, among other           MoreonFINRADisputeResolution/P600966.
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                                              that were scheduled to occur after settlement are          things, the parameters for when panels may consist         10 FINRA is proposing to amend Rules 12601 and

                                              cancelled, and depending on the timing of the              of three arbitrators).                                   12214 of the Customer Code and Rules 13601 and
                                              cancellation, could result in the assessment of a             7 A hearing is a meeting between the parties and      13214 of the Industry Code. To simplify the
                                              cancellation fee. See Rules 12902(d) and 13902(d).         the arbitrators of four hours or less to determine the   explanation, FINRA’s discussion of the proposed
                                              These rules incorporate the fees and costs incurred        merits of the arbitration. See Rules 12100(m) and        rule changes focuses on changes to the Customer
                                              under Rules 12601 and 13601, and, therefore,               13100(m); see also Rules 12100(n) and 13100(n). A        Code rules. However, the proposed rule changes,
                                              would incorporate the proposed rule change to the          typical day in an arbitration case has two hearing       and, thus, the discussion also apply to the Industry
                                              late cancellation fee.                                     sessions.                                                Code rules.



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                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 36 / Tuesday, February 24, 2015 / Notices                                             9775

                                              fee of $600 per arbitrator in addition to                 from making a timely cancellation                     Honoraria Increase Proposal with the
                                              the Postponement Fee.                                     request, arbitrators may use their                    SEC in June 2014, which proposed
                                                First, the proposed rule change would                   discretion to waive the fee.                          increasing the amount that arbitrators
                                              move from three business days to ten                         FINRA notes that there are some                    receive for one hearing session, among
                                              calendar days the timeframe within                        mitigation strategies that parties could              other things. On September 29, 2014,
                                              which parties must cancel hearings to                     employ to avoid incurring a Late                      the SEC approved FINRA’s proposal.16
                                              avoid incurring the proposed Late                         Cancellation Fee. As the objective of the             While approval of the honoraria
                                              Cancellation Fee.11 This change would                     proposal is to encourage parties to                   increases was an important step, FINRA
                                              provide arbitrators with more advance                     address issues earlier in their cases,                also believes that changes are needed to
                                              notice than they currently receive,                       parties could provide notice of a                     the Late Cancellation Rule to further
                                              which could give them an opportunity                      cancellation ten or more calendar days                compensate arbitrators for lost
                                              to secure other income-generating                         prior to the first scheduled hearing                  opportunity costs as well as time spent
                                              opportunities. Further, it could help                     session. Further, if the parties agree to             in preparing for arbitration hearings that
                                              them minimize the time lost in                            cancel the hearing inside the ten-day                 do not take place. Given arbitrators’
                                              preparing for their assigned arbitration                  window, then they could negotiate                     numerous responsibilities in preparing
                                              hearings, which, depending on the                         which party pays this fee or a                        for, managing, and conducting
                                              number of parties involved and the                        percentage of the fee. In addition the                arbitrations, FINRA believes the
                                              complexity of the case, could involve                     rules permit the panel to waive the fees,             proposed changes to the Late
                                              many hours of reviewing materials. For                    and they may do so, if the                            Cancellation Rule as well as the other
                                              example, parties sometimes submit                         circumstances warrant, like a sudden                  recently-implemented honoraria
                                              detailed exhibits and legal briefs to                     illness or accident.                                  increases would better compensate the
                                              support their positions and theories of                      Third, the proposed rule change                    arbitrators for their time commitments
                                              the case for arbitrators to review in                     would shift the phrase ‘‘and granted’’ to             and their service to the forum.
                                              advance of the hearings. Other than the                   the end of the first dependent clause in                 FINRA acknowledges that customers
                                              honoraria funded by the Late                              Rule 12601(b)(2) to clarify that the                  are likely to pay at least some of the
                                              Cancellation Fee, FINRA does not                          timing of the parties’ cancellation                   increased Late Cancellation Fee under
                                              compensate arbitrators for their                          request controls whether the fee is                   the proposed rule change. As a result,
                                              preparation time in the event the                         assessed, not the timing of the                       the proposed rule change might have an
                                              hearings are cancelled.                                   arbitrators’ decision on such request, if             effect on settlement negotiations,
                                                Second, the proposed rule change                        a decision is required. For example, the              especially if the potential settlement
                                              would increase the honorarium for late                    parties may jointly request cancellation              amount is small compared to the Late
                                              cancellations from $100 to $600 per                       of a hearing. A joint request means that              Cancellation Fee. For example, in cases
                                              arbitrator. The proposal would make the                   the parties to the arbitration agree to               where negotiations extend past the ten-
                                              honorarium equal to that which                            cancel the hearing and, thus, the                     calendar-day deadline, the increased
                                              arbitrators would have received for one                   arbitrator or panel is not required to                cost of cancellation, under the proposed
                                              typical day of hearings,12 no matter how                  decide the request. Under the proposed                rule change, may affect the amount
                                              many consecutive days are cancelled.13                    rule change, if the parties make such a               agreed upon in settlement or even the
                                              The Late Cancellation Fee would be                        request ten calendar days or more before              probability of settlement. FINRA notes
                                              charged to the party or parties making                    a scheduled hearing, they would not be                that the forum’s rules are designed to
                                              the request.14 However, Rule                              assessed a Late Cancellation Fee.15                   help parties resolve their disputes fairly
                                              12601(b)(2) provides that the arbitrators                 Further, one party may make a                         and efficiently. Parties pursue
                                              may allocate all or a portion of the fee                  cancellation request without the                      settlement when they believe it is in
                                              to the non-requesting party if the                        agreement of other parties to the                     their financial interest to do so. The
                                              arbitrators determine that the non-                       arbitration; in such a case, the arbitrator           proposed fee increase would be another
                                              requesting party caused or contributed                    or panel would be required to decide                  factor that parties would weigh in
                                              to the cancellation. If an extraordinary                  the party’s motion. Under the proposed                determining when or whether to settle
                                              circumstance prevents a party or parties                  rule change, if the party makes such a                or to proceed to hearing.
                                                                                                        motion ten calendar days or more before                  FINRA believes, however, that the
                                                11 The proposed rule change would make the              a scheduled hearing, the party would                  proposed changes would result in fewer
                                              calculation of deadlines consistent under the Codes.      not be assessed a Late Cancellation Fee,              late cancellations by the parties, as the
                                              Under the Codes, ‘‘day’’ is defined as a calendar         regardless of when the arbitrators act on             higher Late Cancellation Fee would
                                              day, not a business day. See Rules 12100(j) and
                                              13100(j).
                                                                                                        the request.                                          provide parties with an incentive to
                                                12 An arbitrator receives an honorarium payment            Fourth, FINRA notes that the Late                  consider and begin settlement
                                              for each hearing session in which the arbitrator          Cancellation Fee is revenue-neutral to                negotiations earlier in the process, if
                                              participates. If two hearing sessions are conducted       FINRA; it is currently passed through to              such an approach is in their interests. In
                                              in one day, an arbitrator would receive $300 for          the arbitrators. This practice would not              addition, FINRA believes that the
                                              each session or a total of $600 for the day. See supra
                                              note 7. On September 29, 2014, the SEC approved
                                                                                                        change under the proposed rule change.                proposed rule change could help it
                                              a proposal to increase the amount of honoraria paid          Last, FINRA is proposing to make                   minimize arbitrator turnover by
                                              to an arbitrator for participation in a hearing session   conforming changes to Rule 12214(a), by               addressing arbitrators’ concerns that the
                                              to $300 per session; the $300 rate became effective       amending the reference to the Late                    current honoraria funded by the Late
                                              on December 15, 2014 for all cases filed on or after      Cancellation Fee in Rule 12214(a).
                                              the approval date. See Securities Exchange Act                                                                  Cancellation Fee does not adequately
                                              Release No. 73245 (Sept. 29, 2014), 79 FR 59876              The proposed rule change would                     compensate them for time spent and
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                                              (Oct. 3, 2014) (Order Approving File No. SR–              address further a concern raised by                   opportunities lost.
                                              FINRA–2014–026) (‘‘Honoraria Increase Proposal’’).        many FINRA arbitrators—that the
                                                13 See Notice to Members 04–53 (Arbitrator
                                                                                                        forum’s honoraria are too low. FINRA                  2. Statutory Basis
                                              Hearing Adjournments), July 2004, available at
                                              http://www.finra.org/web/groups/industry/@ip/@
                                                                                                        began the process of increasing                          FINRA believes that the proposed rule
                                              reg/@notice/documents/notices/p006140.pdf.                arbitrator honoraria by filing the                    change is consistent with the provisions
                                                14 If the parties cannot agree on the allocation, the

                                              arbitrators typically split the fee among the parties.     15 See   Rules 12601(a)(1) and 13601(a)(1).            16 See   supra note 12.



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                                              9776                            Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 36 / Tuesday, February 24, 2015 / Notices

                                              of Section 15A(b)(6) of the Act,17 which                  C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                     public in accordance with the
                                              requires, among other things, that                        Statement on Comments on the                          provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
                                              FINRA rules must be designed to                           Proposed Rule Change Received From                    available for Web site viewing and
                                              prevent fraudulent and manipulative                       Members, Participants, or Others                      printing in the Commission’s Public
                                              acts and practices, to promote just and                     Written comments on the proposed                    Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,
                                              equitable principles of trade, and, in                    rule change were neither solicited nor                Washington, DC 20549, on official
                                              general, to protect investors and the                     received.                                             business days between the hours of
                                              public interest. FINRA also believes that                                                                       10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such
                                              the proposed rule change is consistent                    III. Date of Effectiveness of the                     filing also will be available for
                                              with the provisions of Section 15A(b)(5)                  Proposed Rule Change and Timing for                   inspection and copying at the principal
                                                                                                        Commission Action                                     office of FINRA. All comments received
                                              of the Act,18 which requires, among
                                              other things, that FINRA rules provide                       Within 45 days of the date of                      will be posted without change; the
                                                                                                        publication of this notice in the Federal             Commission does not edit personal
                                              for the equitable allocation of reasonable
                                                                                                        Register or within such longer period (i)             identifying information from
                                              dues, fees, and other charges among
                                                                                                        as the Commission may designate up to                 submissions. You should submit only
                                              members and issuers and other persons
                                                                                                        90 days of such date if it finds such                 information that you wish to make
                                              using any facility or system that FINRA                                                                         available publicly.
                                              operates or controls. FINRA believes                      longer period to be appropriate and
                                              that the proposed rule change                             publishes its reasons for so finding or                  All submissions should refer to File
                                              appropriately allocates the proposed fee                  (ii) as to which the self-regulatory                  Number SR–FINRA–2015–003 and
                                              increase among those parties that cancel                  organization consents, the Commission                 should be submitted on or before March
                                                                                                        will:                                                 17, 2015.
                                              hearings on short notice. The Late
                                                                                                           (A) By order approve or disapprove                   For the Commission, by the Division of
                                              Cancellation Fee would be paid by the
                                                                                                        such proposed rule change, or                         Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
                                              parties, and passed through to the                           (B) institute proceedings to determine
                                              arbitrators to provide them with more                                                                           authority.19
                                                                                                        whether the proposed rule change
                                              compensation for preparation time                                                                               Brent J. Fields,
                                                                                                        should be disapproved.
                                              expended and lost opportunities in the                                                                          Secretary.
                                              event of a cancellation on short notice.                  IV. Solicitation of Comments                          [FR Doc. 2015–03660 Filed 2–23–15; 8:45 am]
                                              FINRA believes, therefore, that the                         Interested persons are invited to                   BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                              proposed Late Cancellation Rule                           submit written data, views, and
                                              represents an equitable allocation of a                   arguments concerning the foregoing,
                                              reasonable fee to use the forum. While                    including whether the proposed rule                   SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                                              arbitrators would typically allocate the                  change is consistent with the Act.                    COMMISSION
                                              Late Cancellation Fee to the requesting                   Comments may be submitted by any of
                                              party or parties, FINRA rules permit the                  the following methods:                                [Release No. 34–74287; File No. SR–NYSE–
                                              arbitrators to allocate all, or a portion of              Electronic Comments                                   2015–07]
                                              the fee, to the non-requesting party, if
                                              the arbitrators determine that the non-                     • Use the Commission’s Internet                     Self-Regulatory Organizations; New
                                              requesting party caused or contributed                    comment form (http://www.sec.gov/                     York Stock Exchange LLC; Notice of
                                              to the late cancellation. Moreover, the                   rules/sro.shtml); or Send an email to                 Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of
                                                                                                        rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include                 Proposed Rule Change Amending
                                              Late Cancellation Fee can be avoided
                                                                                                        File Number SR–FINRA–2015–003 on                      Section 402.05 of the NYSE Listed
                                              altogether if the parties provide ten or
                                                                                                        the subject line.                                     Company Manual To Clarify That
                                              more calendar days advance notice of
                                              such a cancellation.                                      Paper Comments                                        Listed Companies Soliciting Proxy
                                                                                                                                                              Material Through Brokers or Other
                                                 Finally, FINRA believes that the                         • Send paper comments in triplicate                 Entities Must Comply With SEC Rule
                                              proposed rule change will protect                         to Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Securities             14a–13
                                              investors and the public interest by                      and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street
                                              improving FINRA’s ability to retain                       NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090.                       February 18, 2015.
                                              qualified arbitrators willing to devote                   All submissions should refer to File                     Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) 1 of the
                                              the time and effort necessary to consider                 Number SR–FINRA–2015–003. This file                   Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
                                              thoroughly all arbitration issues                         number should be included on the                      ‘‘Act’’) 2 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,3
                                              presented, which, FINRA believes, is an                   subject line if email is used. To help the            notice is hereby given that, on February
                                              essential element for FINRA to achieve                    Commission process and review your                    3, 2015, New York Stock Exchange LLC
                                              its mission of investor protection and                    comments more efficiently, please use                 (‘‘NYSE’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the
                                              market integrity.                                         only one method. The Commission will                  Securities and Exchange Commission
                                                                                                        post all comments on the Commission’s                 (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule
                                              B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                         Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/                change as described in Items I and II
                                              Statement on Burden on Competition                        rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the                       below, which Items have been prepared
                                                                                                        submission, all subsequent                            by the self-regulatory organization. The
                                                FINRA does not believe that the
                                                                                                        amendments, all written statements                    Commission is publishing this notice to
                                              proposed rule change would result in
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                                                                                                        with respect to the proposed rule                     solicit comments on the proposed rule
                                              any burden on competition that is not                     change that are filed with the                        change from interested persons.
                                              necessary or appropriate in furtherance                   Commission, and all written
                                              of the purposes of the Act.                               communications relating to the                          19 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
                                                                                                        proposed rule change between the                        1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
                                                17 15   U.S.C. 78o–3(b)(6).                             Commission and any person, other than                   2 15 U.S.C. 78a.
                                                18 15   U.S.C. 78o–3(b)(5).                             those that may be withheld from the                     3 17 CFR 240.19b–4.




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Document Created: 2015-12-18 13:22:54
Document Modified: 2015-12-18 13:22:54
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 9773 

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