81 FR 47184 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange LLC; Order Approving Proposed Rule Change Removing From Its Rules Certain Internal Procedures Regarding the Use of Fine Income
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 139 (July 20, 2016)
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 139 (July 20, 2016)
| Page Range | 47184-47187 | |
| FR Document | 2016-17096 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 139 (Wednesday, July 20, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 47184-47187] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-17096] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34-78326; File No. SR-NYSE-2016-37] Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange LLC; Order Approving Proposed Rule Change Removing From Its Rules Certain Internal Procedures Regarding the Use of Fine Income July 14, 2016. I. Introduction On May 13, 2016, New York Stock Exchange LLC (``NYSE'' or ``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission''), pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) \1\ of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Act''),\2\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\3\ a proposed rule change to remove internal procedures regarding the use of fine income, as described below. The proposed rule change was published for comment in the Federal Register on May 31, 2016.\4\ The Commission received one comment letter on the proposed rule change \5\ and a response to the comment letter from the Exchange.\6\ This order approves the proposed rule change. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). \2\ 15 U.S.C. 78a. \3\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4. \4\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 77899 (May 24, 2016), 81 FR 34393 (``Notice''). \5\ See letter from Michael Walsh, Attorney, received by the Commission on June 7, 2016 (``Walsh Letter''). \6\ See letter from Martha Redding, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary, NYSE, to Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Commission, dated June 16, 2016 (``NYSE Response Letter''). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- II. Description of the Proposal NYSE proposes to remove as Exchange rules internal procedures regarding the use of fine income, which were approved by the Commission in 2007 (``Fine Income Procedures'' or ``Procedures'') \7\ in connection with the 2006 merger between New York Stock Exchange, Inc. and Archipelago Holdings, Inc. (``Archipelago Merger'').\8\ The Exchange explains that, at that time, it had delegated certain of its regulatory functions to its then subsidiary, NYSE Regulation, Inc. (``NYSE Regulation'') \9\ pursuant to a delegation agreement (``Delegation Agreement'').\10\ As a result, as originally approved, the Fine Income Procedures referred to actions to be taken by NYSE Regulation and NYSE Regulation's board of directors (``NYSE Regulation Board''). However, following termination of the Delegation Agreement, the Regulatory Oversight Committee (``ROC'') of the Exchange's board of directors (``Board'') assumed responsibility for providing independent oversight of the regulatory function of the Exchange.\11\ The Exchange explains that, in addition to the restrictions in the Fine Income Procedures, Section 4.05 of the Exchange's Operating Agreement (``Section 4.05'') contains limitations on the use of regulatory assets and income, including fine income.\12\ Specifically, Section 4.05 prohibits the Exchange from: (i) Using any regulatory assets or any regulatory fees, fines or penalties collected by its regulatory staff for commercial purposes; or (ii) distributing such assets, fees, fines or penalties to NYSE Group, Inc. (``NYSE Group''), i.e., the member of New York Stock Exchange LLC, or any other entity.\13\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \7\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 55216 (January 31, 2007), 72 FR 5779 (February 7, 2007) (``Order Approving the Fine Income Procedures''). \8\ The Exchange states that the Archipelago Merger had the effect of ``demutualizing'' New York Stock Exchange, Inc. by separating equity ownership from trading privileges, and converting it to a for-profit entity. See Notice, supra note 4, at 34394 n.5 (citing Securities Exchange Act Release No. 53382 (February 27, 2006), 71 FR 11251, 11254 (March 6, 2006) (``Merger Approval Order'')). \9\ See Notice, supra note 4, at 34394. The Exchange states that, as approved, the Fine Income Procedures provide that fines would play no role in the annual NYSE Regulation budget process and that the use of fine income by NYSE Regulation would be subject to specific review and approval by the NYSE Regulation Board. See id.; see also Securities Exchange Act Release No. 55003 (December 22, 2006), 71 FR 78497, 78498 (December 29, 2006) (``Fine Income Procedures Proposing Release''). The Exchange notes that, in approving the Fine Income Procedures, the Commission expressed that the Fine Income Procedures would ``guard against the possibility that fines may be assessed to respond to budgetary needs rather than to serve a disciplinary purpose.'' See Order Approving the Fine Income Procedures, supra note 7, at 5780. \10\ The Delegation Agreement terminated as of February 16, 2016. See Notice, supra note 4, at 34394; see also Securities Exchange Act Release No. 75991 (September 28, 2015), 80 FR 59837, 59839 (October 2, 2015) (``NYSE Approval Order''). \11\ See Notice, supra note 4, at 34394. \12\ See id.; see also Ninth Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of New York Stock Exchange LLC (``Operating Agreement''), Art. IV, Sec. 4.05; NYSE Approval Order, supra note 10, at 59839. \13\ See Operating Agreement, Art. IV, Sec. 4.05; see also NYSE Approval Order, supra note 10, at 59839. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Exchange proposes to delete the Fine Income Procedures, noting that the Exchange would continue to remain subject to the restrictions of Section 4.05, which, coupled with the Operating Agreement provisions governing the ROC,\14\ the Exchange believes are sufficient to address concerns about its power to fine member organizations and the proper use of such funds.\15\ The [[Page 47185]] Exchange also believes that limitations on the use of such funds are not the most effective way to assure the proper exercise by Exchange regulatory staff of the Exchange's power to fine member organizations; in fact, the Exchange states that ``usage limitations on fine income do not provide oversight of regulatory performance.'' \16\ Rather, the Exchange believes that the responsibility to assure proper exercise by its regulatory staff of the Exchange's power to fine member organizations more properly lies with the ROC, which is responsible for overseeing the Exchange's regulatory and self-regulatory organization responsibilities and assessing its regulatory performance.\17\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \14\ The Exchange explains that ``the ROC is specifically charged with reviewing the regulatory budget of the Exchange and inquiring into the adequacy of resources available in the budget for regulatory activities.'' See Notice, supra note 4, at 34395 (citing Operating Agreement, Art. II, Sec. 2.03(h)(ii)). \15\ See Notice, supra note 4, at 34395. \16\ Id. \17\ Id. (citing the Operating Agreement, Art. II, Sec. 2.03(h)(ii)). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Moreover, the Exchange believes that its disciplinary procedures, and specifically the appellate process contained therein, serve as ``a powerful check on the improper exercise by Exchange regulatory staff of the power to fine members and member organizations.''\18\ The Exchange notes that in the event of an adverse hearing panel determination, members first have the opportunity to appeal the decision to a Board committee comprised of independent directors and individuals associated with member organizations of the Exchange (``Committee for Review'' or ``CFR''), which recommends a disposition to the Board, and then can appeal the decision to the Commission, whose decision in turn can be challenged in federal court.\19\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \18\ See id. at 34395. \19\ Id. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- In support of its position that the protections in Section 4.05 are sufficient to ensure the proper use by the Exchange of fine income, the Exchange states that Section 4.05 is in fact ``wider in scope than the Fine Income Procedures,'' explaining that ``because Section 4.05 encompasses all regulatory assets and income, not just fines, it ensures the proper use by the Exchange of a broader range of regulatory funds, by prohibiting their use for commercial purposes or distributions.'' \20\ The Exchange adds that Section 4.05 also guards against the possibility that other regulatory income, such as examination, access, registration, qualification, arbitration, dispute resolution and regulatory fees, or regulatory assets could be used or assessed to respond to the Exchange's budgetary needs.\21\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \20\ Id. \21\ Id. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Exchange also believes that the circumstances that led to the creation of the Fine Income Procedures no longer exist.\22\ The Exchange states that when the Fine Income Procedures were adopted, a predecessor to Section 4.05 was in effect that directly bound the Exchange but not the entity--NYSE Regulation--actually performing the Exchange's regulatory functions at the time.\23\ Following NYSE's reintegration of its regulatory functions and the corresponding termination of the Delegation Agreement, the Exchange itself is the entity that fines member organizations and is directly subject to the limits of Section 4.05.\24\ Accordingly, the Exchange believes that removing the Fine Income Procedures and relying on Section 4.05, as well as the provisions governing the ROC,\25\ would provide adequate protections against the use of regulatory assets, or assessment of regulatory income, to respond to budgetary needs.\26\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \22\ Id. \23\ Id. The Exchange notes that the Commission, when approving the Archipelago Merger, stated in the approval order that while ``NYSE Regulation had the obligation under the Delegation Agreement to assure compliance with the rules of the Exchange, . . . the Fine Income Procedures provided a more direct commitment by NYSE Regulation to ensure the proper exercise of NYSE Regulation's power to fine member organizations and the proper use by NYSE Regulation of fines collected.'' Id. (citing the Merger Approval Order). \24\ See Notice, supra note 4, at 34394; see also NYSE Approval Order, supra note 10. \25\ See Operating Agreement, Art. II, Sec. 2.03(h)(ii). \26\ See Notice, supra note 4, at 34395. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Furthermore, NYSE explains that the proposed change would have the benefit of bringing the Exchange's restrictions on the use of regulatory assets and income into greater conformity with those of its affiliates, NYSE MKT LLC and NYSE Arca, Inc., and would be consistent with limitations on the use of regulatory assets and income of other self-regulatory organizations (``SROs'').\27\ The Exchange surveyed the rules of other SROs and found that no other SRO limits the use of fine income to extra-budgetary use or subjects the use of fine income to specific review and approval by a regulatory oversight committee or any other body. \28\ Rather, the Exchange found that other SROs' limitations on the use of regulatory funds are largely similar to Section 4.05, by generally limiting the use of regulatory funds to the funding of an SRO's legal, regulatory and (in some cases) surveillance operations, and prohibiting the SRO from making a distribution to its member or stockholder, as applicable.\29\ In support of its position, the Exchange references the limitations on the use of regulatory funds by NYSE MKT LLC; NYSE Arca, Inc.; BOX Options Exchange LLC; International Securities Exchange, LLC; ISE Gemini, LLC; ISE Mercury, LLC; BATS BZX Exchange, Inc.; BATS BYX Exchange, Inc.; BATS EDGX Exchange, Inc.; EDGA Exchange, Inc.; Miami International Securities Exchange, LLC; National Stock Exchange, Inc.; NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; and Boston Stock Exchange, Inc. (n/k/a NASDAQ BX, Inc.).\30\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \27\ See id. at 34395-96. \28\ See id. at 34396. \29\ See id. \30\ See id. at 34395-96 nn.18-26 and accompanying text. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- As noted above, the Commission received one comment letter on the proposed rule change.\31\ The commenter objects to the proposed rule change, citing both substantive and procedural bases.\32\ The commenter enumerates the following specific concerns with the proposal: (1) The Exchange's proposal is deficient because it does not include a ``redline'' of the rule text to allow interested persons to review the proposed changes; \33\ (2) the Exchange's argument that the proposed rule change would bring it closer in line with other SROs' rules is objectionable because NYSE, as an industry leader, should be held to a higher standard and ``leading the way for other exchanges;'' \34\ (3) the Exchange, as an SRO, is both a market participant and a regulator, and the Fine Income Procedures ``are important because they provide an objectively justifiable arms-length limitation to separate business from regulation;'' \35\ (4) the Exchange's argument that its disciplinary process, including, in particular, the appellate process, provides safeguards is insufficient and does not provide the same ``checks and balances'' as the Fine Income Procedures do;\36\ (5) the rule of statutory construction that the ``specific provision prevails over the general'' makes ``the Fine Income Procedures superior to Section 4.05;'' \37\ and (6) the Exchange's argument that the circumstances that led to the Fine Income Procedures no longer exist fails to explain what circumstances changed and what prevents their reoccurrence.\38\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \31\ See Walsh Letter, supra note 5. \32\ See id. at 1. \33\ See id. \34\ See id. at 1-2. \35\ See id. at 2-4. \36\ See id. at 4-5. \37\ See id. at 5. \38\ See id. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Exchange submitted a letter responding to the issues raised by the [[Page 47186]] commenter.\39\ With respect to the commenter's assertion that the proposal was insufficient because the Exchange's proposal omitted a redline of the rule text, the Exchange explains that the Fine Income Procedures are internal rules that are not included in its published rulebook or governing documents, but the content of the rules are set forth in its proposal.\40\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \39\ See NYSE Response Letter, supra note 6. \40\ See id. at 3-4. The Commission notes that the Fine Income Procedures were reproduced in the Notice. See Notice, supra note 4, at 34394. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- With respect to the commenter's claim that the Exchange should be held to a higher standard than other SROs and should not be permitted to delete the Fine Income Procedures simply because it would bring NYSE closer in line with the limitations of other SROs, the Exchange explains that it cited to other SROs' provisions relating to use of fine income to demonstrate that there are mechanisms other than the Fine Income Procedures that the Commission has found appropriate for ensuring that an SRO uses its regulatory funds properly.\41\ The Exchange contends that ``[j]ust as the Commission found that the provisions in these other SROs' governing documents were consistent with the Act, the Exchange believes that the Commission should conclude that Section 4.05, as an alternative to the Fine Income Procedures, is consistent with the Act.'' \42\ The Exchange further states that it would be inappropriate to hold NYSE to a higher standard than other SROs (as the commenter has urged) because ``[a]s a national securities exchange, the Exchange is subject to the same obligations and requirements under the Act as other national securities exchanges.'' \43\ Moreover, the Exchange maintains that to ``hold individual exchanges to different standards based on their size, economic worth, leadership or any of the other factors that the comment letter cites would be contrary to just and equitable principles of trade, would create impediments to a free and open market and national market system, and would impede the protection of investors and the public interest.'' \44\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \41\ See id. at 5. \42\ Id. \43\ Id. \44\ Id. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regarding the commenter's statement that the Fine Income Procedures are a means to ensure the separation of the Exchange's business from its regulation, the Exchange states that it does not rely on the Fine Income Procedures to ensure the independence of its self-regulatory responsibilities and regulatory performance from its business interests, and instead notes how its corporate structure, including the required compositions of the Board, ROC, and CFR help to ensure the independence of its regulatory obligations.\45\ The Exchange also notes that the Fine Income Procedures are in fact limited in scope and thus the ROC and Section 4.05 in combination are more effective means in providing adequate protections against the use of regulatory assets, or the assessment of regulatory income, to respond to the budgetary needs of the Exchange.\46\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \45\ See id. at 6. \46\ See id. at 6-7. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- With respect to the commenter's statement that the disciplinary process, and the appellate process in particular, alone does not provide sufficient safeguards against potential conflicts of interest, the Exchange disagrees with the commenter's assertion that the Fine Income Procedures provide a greater check on regulatory misbehavior than the appellate process.\47\ The Exchange reiterates its view that the Fine Income Procedures do not provide oversight of regulatory performance and simply monitor how the resulting fine income is spent.\48\ In addition, the Exchange describes how its appellate process provides an independent check on the disciplinary process and the possibility of improper exercise by Exchange regulatory staff of the power to fine members and member organizations in light of the CFR's composition, which requires the inclusion of both independent directors as well as representatives of Exchange members.\49\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \47\ See id. at 7-8. \48\ See id. \49\ See id. at 8. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Exchange also addresses the commenter's statutory construction argument that deletion of the ``more specific provision'' (i.e., Fine Income Procedures) could imply that the conduct prohibited by the Fine Income Procedures is no longer prohibited. In response, the Exchange notes that both the Fine Income Procedures and Section 4.05 apply to the use of fine income. The Exchange notes that, if the Fine Income Procedures are deleted, Section 4.05 would still apply to the use of the Exchange's fine income and other regulatory assets.\50\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \50\ See id. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Finally, the Exchange takes issue with the commenter's assertion that it did not address ``what circumstances occurred that will not occur again.'' The Exchange states that the Fine Income Procedures provided a more direct commitment by NYSE Regulation to ensure the proper exercise of NYSE Regulation's power to fine member organizations and the proper use by NYSE Regulation of fines collected.\51\ The Exchange notes that because the Delegation Agreement is no longer in effect, it is the Exchange itself that fines member organizations, and the Exchange is subject to the limitations of Section 4.05. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \51\ See id. at 8-9. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- III. Discussion and Commission Findings After careful review, the Commission finds that the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to a national securities exchange.\52\ In particular, the Commission finds that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b)(1) of the Act, which requires an exchange to be so organized and have the capacity to carry out the purposes of the Act and to comply, and to enforce compliance by its members and persons associated with its members, with the Act, the rules and regulations thereunder, and the rules of the exchange.\53\ In addition, the Commission finds that the proposal is consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act, which requires that the rules of the exchange be designed, among other things, to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, 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.\54\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \52\ In approving this proposed rule change, the Commission notes that it has considered the proposed rule's impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f). \53\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(1). \54\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- As the Exchange notes, it implemented the Fine Income Procedures in connection with the Archipelago Merger, which had the effect of demutualizing New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (the predecessor to New York Stock Exchange LLC) by separating NYSE's equity ownership from trading privileges and converting it to a for-profit entity.\55\ According to the Exchange, at that time it had delegated certain of its regulatory functions to its then subsidiary, NYSE Regulation, pursuant to the Delegation Agreement. In September 2015, the Commission approved the Exchange's proposal to revise its regulatory structure by amending various Exchange rules and the Operating Agreement, including to establish as a committee of the Board a ROC, to be composed of at least three [[Page 47187]] members who satisfy the Exchange's independence requirements.\56\ The Delegation Agreement recently was terminated in connection with the Exchange's reorganization of its regulatory structure that had resulted in the creation of the ROC. Because the Fine Income Procedures were instituted in connection with the delegation of certain of the Exchange's regulatory functions to NYSE Regulation, the Commission believes that it is appropriate for the Exchange to remove the Procedures because NYSE Regulation no longer performs any regulatory services on behalf of the Exchange. Further, given that the Exchange has reintegrated its regulatory functions under the oversight of the ROC, the Commission believes that Section 4.05 should continue to help ensure that the Exchange does not inappropriately use its regulatory assets, fees, fines or penalties for commercial purposes or to distribute such assets, fees, fines or penalties to its direct parent, NYSE Group, Inc., or to any other entity. Finally, the Commission believes that creation of the ROC, along with its responsibilities under Section 2.03(h)(ii) of the Operating Agreement, should help to ensure the proper oversight of the Exchange's regulatory program, including the exercise by the Exchange's regulatory staff of its power to fine member organizations, and the use of regulatory assets, fees, fines and penalties collected by the Exchange's regulatory staff. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \55\ See supra note 8. \56\ See NYSE Approval Order, supra note 10. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- As noted above, the commenter raises several concerns regarding the Exchange's proposal, including by asserting that the proposal was insufficient because it did not include rule text indicating the deletion of the Procedures. The Exchange responds that the Procedures are available in the Exchange's filing and on the Exchange's Web site. The Commission believes that, because the Fine Income Procedures were internal procedures of the Exchange and were not part of the Exchange's rulebook or governing documents, it was appropriate for the Exchange to include the Procedures in its Form 19b-4 describing the proposed rule change, which were published by the Commission as part of the Notice.\57\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \57\ See Notice, supra note 4, at 34394. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The commenter remarks that the NYSE should be ``held to a higher standard'' than other exchanges. In response, the Exchange states that, as a national securities exchange, treating it differently than any other national securities exchange based on its size, prominence or any of the other factors noted in the comment letter, among other things, would be contrary to just and equitable principles of trade.\58\ The Commission previously found that Section 4.05 is consistent with the Act \59\ and continues to believe that it is consistent with the Act, and that it is substantially similar to requirements relating to the use of regulatory assets, fees, fines and penalties that were approved by the Commission with respect to other exchanges, including the Exchange's affiliates--NYSE MKT LLC and NYSE Arca, Inc.\60\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \58\ See NYSE Response Letter, supra note 6, at 5. \59\ See NYSE Approval Order, supra note 10, at 59842-43. \60\ See Notice, supra note 4, at 34395-96 nn.18-26 and accompanying text. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The commenter also expresses the view that deleting the Fine Income Procedures would remove rules that serve to separate the Exchange's business function from its regulatory obligations, and that the Exchange's disciplinary process did not provide an adequate safeguard against ``regulator misbehavior.'' The Commission believes that the Exchange has adopted several measures to ensure the independence of its regulatory functions including, among other things, creating a ROC, which is composed entirely of directors of the Exchange who satisfy the Exchange's independence requirements, and the CFR, which is composed of Exchange members and directors who satisfy the Exchange's independence requirements.\61\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \61\ See NYSE Approval Order, supra note 10, at 59838-41. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The commenter further expresses concern that deleting the Fine Income Procedures may imply that the conduct banned by the Procedures no longer is prohibited. The Commission believes, however, that even with the deletion of the Fine Income Procedures, given the scope of Section 4.05, the Exchange would continue to be prohibited from using regulatory assets, fees, fines or penalties for other than regulatory purposes. Finally, the commenter states that Exchange did not adequately describe why the circumstances that existed at the time the Fine Income Procedures were adopted no longer exist. The Commission notes that the Exchange's proposal states that NYSE Regulation no longer performs regulatory services on behalf of the Exchange. IV. Conclusion It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act, that the proposed rule change (SR-NYSE-2016-37) is approved. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.\62\ Jill M. Peterson, Assistant Secretary. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \62\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [FR Doc. 2016-17096 Filed 7-19-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
![47184 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 139 / Wednesday, July 20, 2016 / Notices
ESTIMATE OF ANNUAL RESPONDENT BURDEN
Annual Time Burden
Form No. responses (minutes) (hours)
AA–1 (without assistance) ........................................................................................................... 100 62 103
AA–1cert (with assistance) .......................................................................................................... 4,620 30 2,310
AA–1sum (with assistance) ......................................................................................................... 8,000 29 3,867
AA–1d (with assistance) .............................................................................................................. 2,600 60 2,600
AA–1d (without assistance) ......................................................................................................... 5 85 7
G–204 .......................................................................................................................................... 20 15 5
Total ...................................................................................................................................... 15,345 ........................ 8,892
Additional Information or Comments: The Commission received one comment approved, the Fine Income Procedures
To request more information or to letter on the proposed rule change 5 and referred to actions to be taken by NYSE
obtain a copy of the information a response to the comment letter from Regulation and NYSE Regulation’s
collection justification, forms, and/or the Exchange.6 This order approves the board of directors (‘‘NYSE Regulation
supporting material, contact Dana proposed rule change. Board’’). However, following
Hickman at (312) 751–4981 or termination of the Delegation
II. Description of the Proposal
Dana.Hickman@RRB.GOV. Comments Agreement, the Regulatory Oversight
regarding the information collection NYSE proposes to remove as Committee (‘‘ROC’’) of the Exchange’s
should be addressed to Charles Exchange rules internal procedures board of directors (‘‘Board’’) assumed
Mierzwa, Railroad Retirement Board, regarding the use of fine income, which responsibility for providing
844 North Rush Street, Chicago, Illinois were approved by the Commission in independent oversight of the regulatory
60611–2092 or emailed to 2007 (‘‘Fine Income Procedures’’ or function of the Exchange.11 The
Charles.Mierzwa@RRB.GOV. Written ‘‘Procedures’’) 7 in connection with the Exchange explains that, in addition to
comments should be received within 60 2006 merger between New York Stock the restrictions in the Fine Income
days of this notice. Exchange, Inc. and Archipelago Procedures, Section 4.05 of the
Holdings, Inc. (‘‘Archipelago Merger’’).8 Exchange’s Operating Agreement
Charles Mierzwa, The Exchange explains that, at that (‘‘Section 4.05’’) contains limitations on
Chief of Information Resources Management. time, it had delegated certain of its the use of regulatory assets and income,
[FR Doc. 2016–17249 Filed 7–19–16; 8:45 am] regulatory functions to its then including fine income.12 Specifically,
BILLING CODE 7905–01–P subsidiary, NYSE Regulation, Inc. Section 4.05 prohibits the Exchange
(‘‘NYSE Regulation’’) 9 pursuant to a from: (i) Using any regulatory assets or
delegation agreement (‘‘Delegation any regulatory fees, fines or penalties
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE Agreement’’).10 As a result, as originally collected by its regulatory staff for
COMMISSION commercial purposes; or (ii) distributing
5 See letter from Michael Walsh, Attorney,
such assets, fees, fines or penalties to
[Release No. 34–78326; File No. SR–NYSE– received by the Commission on June 7, 2016
(‘‘Walsh Letter’’).
NYSE Group, Inc. (‘‘NYSE Group’’), i.e.,
2016–37] the member of New York Stock
6 See letter from Martha Redding, Associate
General Counsel and Assistant Secretary, NYSE, to Exchange LLC, or any other entity.13
Self-Regulatory Organizations; New Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Commission, dated June The Exchange proposes to delete the
York Stock Exchange LLC; Order 16, 2016 (‘‘NYSE Response Letter’’). Fine Income Procedures, noting that the
Approving Proposed Rule Change 7 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 55216
Exchange would continue to remain
Removing From Its Rules Certain (January 31, 2007), 72 FR 5779 (February 7, 2007)
(‘‘Order Approving the Fine Income Procedures’’). subject to the restrictions of Section
Internal Procedures Regarding the Use 8 The Exchange states that the Archipelago 4.05, which, coupled with the Operating
of Fine Income Merger had the effect of ‘‘demutualizing’’ New York Agreement provisions governing the
Stock Exchange, Inc. by separating equity
July 14, 2016. ownership from trading privileges, and converting
ROC,14 the Exchange believes are
it to a for-profit entity. See Notice, supra note 4, at sufficient to address concerns about its
I. Introduction 34394 n.5 (citing Securities Exchange Act Release power to fine member organizations and
No. 53382 (February 27, 2006), 71 FR 11251, 11254 the proper use of such funds.15 The
On May 13, 2016, New York Stock (March 6, 2006) (‘‘Merger Approval Order’’)).
Exchange LLC (‘‘NYSE’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) 9 See Notice, supra note 4, at 34394. The
filed with the Securities and Exchange Exchange states that, as approved, the Fine Income 34394; see also Securities Exchange Act Release No.
75991 (September 28, 2015), 80 FR 59837, 59839
Commission (‘‘Commission’’), pursuant Procedures provide that fines would play no role
(October 2, 2015) (‘‘NYSE Approval Order’’).
to Section 19(b)(1) 1 of the Securities in the annual NYSE Regulation budget process and
11 See Notice, supra note 4, at 34394.
that the use of fine income by NYSE Regulation
Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’),2 and would be subject to specific review and approval 12 See id.; see also Ninth Amended and Restated
Rule 19b–4 thereunder,3 a proposed rule by the NYSE Regulation Board. See id.; see also Operating Agreement of New York Stock Exchange
change to remove internal procedures Securities Exchange Act Release No. 55003 LLC (‘‘Operating Agreement’’), Art. IV, Sec. 4.05;
(December 22, 2006), 71 FR 78497, 78498 NYSE Approval Order, supra note 10, at 59839.
regarding the use of fine income, as (December 29, 2006) (‘‘Fine Income Procedures 13 See Operating Agreement, Art. IV, Sec. 4.05;
described below. The proposed rule Proposing Release’’). The Exchange notes that, in see also NYSE Approval Order, supra note 10, at
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
change was published for comment in approving the Fine Income Procedures, the 59839.
Commission expressed that the Fine Income 14 The Exchange explains that ‘‘the ROC is
the Federal Register on May 31, 2016.4
Procedures would ‘‘guard against the possibility specifically charged with reviewing the regulatory
that fines may be assessed to respond to budgetary budget of the Exchange and inquiring into the
1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). needs rather than to serve a disciplinary purpose.’’ adequacy of resources available in the budget for
2 15 U.S.C. 78a. See Order Approving the Fine Income Procedures, regulatory activities.’’ See Notice, supra note 4, at
3 17 CFR 240.19b–4. supra note 7, at 5780. 34395 (citing Operating Agreement, Art. II, Sec.
4 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 77899 10 The Delegation Agreement terminated as of 2.03(h)(ii)).
(May 24, 2016), 81 FR 34393 (‘‘Notice’’). February 16, 2016. See Notice, supra note 4, at 15 See Notice, supra note 4, at 34395.
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commenter.39 With respect to the business interests, and instead notes Regulation’s power to fine member
commenter’s assertion that the proposal how its corporate structure, including organizations and the proper use by
was insufficient because the Exchange’s the required compositions of the Board, NYSE Regulation of fines collected.51
proposal omitted a redline of the rule ROC, and CFR help to ensure the The Exchange notes that because the
text, the Exchange explains that the Fine independence of its regulatory Delegation Agreement is no longer in
Income Procedures are internal rules obligations.45 The Exchange also notes effect, it is the Exchange itself that fines
that are not included in its published that the Fine Income Procedures are in member organizations, and the
rulebook or governing documents, but fact limited in scope and thus the ROC Exchange is subject to the limitations of
the content of the rules are set forth in and Section 4.05 in combination are Section 4.05.
its proposal.40 more effective means in providing
With respect to the commenter’s III. Discussion and Commission
adequate protections against the use of Findings
claim that the Exchange should be held regulatory assets, or the assessment of
to a higher standard than other SROs regulatory income, to respond to the After careful review, the Commission
and should not be permitted to delete budgetary needs of the Exchange.46 finds that the proposed rule change is
the Fine Income Procedures simply With respect to the commenter’s consistent with the Act and the rules
because it would bring NYSE closer in statement that the disciplinary process, and regulations thereunder applicable to
line with the limitations of other SROs, and the appellate process in particular, a national securities exchange.52 In
the Exchange explains that it cited to alone does not provide sufficient particular, the Commission finds that
other SROs’ provisions relating to use of safeguards against potential conflicts of the proposed rule change is consistent
fine income to demonstrate that there interest, the Exchange disagrees with with Section 6(b)(1) of the Act, which
are mechanisms other than the Fine the commenter’s assertion that the Fine requires an exchange to be so organized
Income Procedures that the Commission Income Procedures provide a greater and have the capacity to carry out the
has found appropriate for ensuring that check on regulatory misbehavior than purposes of the Act and to comply, and
an SRO uses its regulatory funds the appellate process.47 The Exchange to enforce compliance by its members
properly.41 The Exchange contends that reiterates its view that the Fine Income and persons associated with its
‘‘[j]ust as the Commission found that the Procedures do not provide oversight of members, with the Act, the rules and
provisions in these other SROs’ regulatory performance and simply regulations thereunder, and the rules of
governing documents were consistent monitor how the resulting fine income the exchange.53 In addition, the
with the Act, the Exchange believes that is spent.48 In addition, the Exchange Commission finds that the proposal is
the Commission should conclude that describes how its appellate process consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the
Section 4.05, as an alternative to the provides an independent check on the Act, which requires that the rules of the
Fine Income Procedures, is consistent disciplinary process and the possibility exchange be designed, among other
with the Act.’’ 42 The Exchange further of improper exercise by Exchange things, to prevent fraudulent and
states that it would be inappropriate to regulatory staff of the power to fine manipulative acts and practices, to
hold NYSE to a higher standard than members and member organizations in promote just and equitable principles of
other SROs (as the commenter has light of the CFR’s composition, which trade, to remove impediments to and
urged) because ‘‘[a]s a national requires the inclusion of both perfect the mechanism of a free and
securities exchange, the Exchange is independent directors as well as open market and a national market
subject to the same obligations and system, and, in general, to protect
representatives of Exchange members.49
requirements under the Act as other The Exchange also addresses the investors and the public interest.54
national securities exchanges.’’ 43 As the Exchange notes, it
commenter’s statutory construction
Moreover, the Exchange maintains that implemented the Fine Income
argument that deletion of the ‘‘more
to ‘‘hold individual exchanges to Procedures in connection with the
specific provision’’ (i.e., Fine Income
different standards based on their size, Archipelago Merger, which had the
Procedures) could imply that the
economic worth, leadership or any of effect of demutualizing New York Stock
conduct prohibited by the Fine Income
the other factors that the comment letter Exchange, Inc. (the predecessor to New
Procedures is no longer prohibited. In
cites would be contrary to just and York Stock Exchange LLC) by separating
response, the Exchange notes that both
equitable principles of trade, would NYSE’s equity ownership from trading
the Fine Income Procedures and Section
create impediments to a free and open privileges and converting it to a for-
4.05 apply to the use of fine income. profit entity.55 According to the
market and national market system, and The Exchange notes that, if the Fine
would impede the protection of Exchange, at that time it had delegated
Income Procedures are deleted, Section certain of its regulatory functions to its
investors and the public interest.’’ 44 4.05 would still apply to the use of the
Regarding the commenter’s statement then subsidiary, NYSE Regulation,
Exchange’s fine income and other pursuant to the Delegation Agreement.
that the Fine Income Procedures are a
regulatory assets.50 In September 2015, the Commission
means to ensure the separation of the Finally, the Exchange takes issue with
Exchange’s business from its regulation, approved the Exchange’s proposal to
the commenter’s assertion that it did not
the Exchange states that it does not rely revise its regulatory structure by
address ‘‘what circumstances occurred
on the Fine Income Procedures to amending various Exchange rules and
that will not occur again.’’ The
ensure the independence of its self- the Operating Agreement, including to
Exchange states that the Fine Income
regulatory responsibilities and establish as a committee of the Board a
Procedures provided a more direct
regulatory performance from its ROC, to be composed of at least three
commitment by NYSE Regulation to
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
39 See
ensure the proper exercise of NYSE 51 See id. at 8–9.
NYSE Response Letter, supra note 6.
40 See id. at 3–4. The Commission notes that the 52 Inapproving this proposed rule change, the
45 See id. at 6.
Fine Income Procedures were reproduced in the Commission notes that it has considered the
46 See id. at 6–7.
Notice. See Notice, supra note 4, at 34394. proposed rule’s impact on efficiency, competition,
41 See id. at 5. 47 See id. at 7–8. and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
42 Id. 48 See id. 53 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(1).
43 Id. 49 See id. at 8. 54 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
44 Id. 50 See id. 55 See supra note 8.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 139 / Wednesday, July 20, 2016 / Notices 47187
members who satisfy the Exchange’s noted in the comment letter, among For the Commission, by the Division of
independence requirements.56 The other things, would be contrary to just Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
Delegation Agreement recently was and equitable principles of trade.58 The authority.62
terminated in connection with the Commission previously found that Jill M. Peterson,
Exchange’s reorganization of its Section 4.05 is consistent with the Act 59 Assistant Secretary.
regulatory structure that had resulted in and continues to believe that it is [FR Doc. 2016–17096 Filed 7–19–16; 8:45 am]
the creation of the ROC. Because the consistent with the Act, and that it is BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
Fine Income Procedures were instituted substantially similar to requirements
in connection with the delegation of relating to the use of regulatory assets,
certain of the Exchange’s regulatory fees, fines and penalties that were SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
functions to NYSE Regulation, the approved by the Commission with COMMISSION
Commission believes that it is respect to other exchanges, including [Release No. 34–78334; File No. SR–
appropriate for the Exchange to remove the Exchange’s affiliates—NYSE MKT BatsBZX–2016–29]
the Procedures because NYSE LLC and NYSE Arca, Inc.60
Regulation no longer performs any The commenter also expresses the Self-Regulatory Organizations; Bats
regulatory services on behalf of the view that deleting the Fine Income BZX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing of
Exchange. Further, given that the Procedures would remove rules that a Proposed Rule Change To Adopt
Exchange has reintegrated its regulatory serve to separate the Exchange’s Paragraph (c) to Exchange Rule 11.27
functions under the oversight of the business function from its regulatory To Describe Changes to System
ROC, the Commission believes that obligations, and that the Exchange’s Functionality Necessary To Implement
Section 4.05 should continue to help disciplinary process did not provide an the Regulation NMS Plan To Implement
ensure that the Exchange does not adequate safeguard against ‘‘regulator a Tick Size Pilot Program
inappropriately use its regulatory assets, misbehavior.’’ The Commission believes
fees, fines or penalties for commercial July 14, 2016.
that the Exchange has adopted several Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
purposes or to distribute such assets, measures to ensure the independence of
fees, fines or penalties to its direct Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
its regulatory functions including, ‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
parent, NYSE Group, Inc., or to any among other things, creating a ROC,
other entity. Finally, the Commission notice is hereby given that on June 29,
which is composed entirely of directors 2016, Bats BZX Exchange, Inc. (the
believes that creation of the ROC, along of the Exchange who satisfy the
with its responsibilities under Section ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘BZX’’) filed with the
Exchange’s independence requirements, Securities and Exchange Commission
2.03(h)(ii) of the Operating Agreement, and the CFR, which is composed of
should help to ensure the proper (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule
Exchange members and directors who change as described in Items I and II
oversight of the Exchange’s regulatory satisfy the Exchange’s independence
program, including the exercise by the below, which Items have been prepared
requirements.61 by the Exchange. The Commission is
Exchange’s regulatory staff of its power The commenter further expresses
to fine member organizations, and the publishing this notice to solicit
concern that deleting the Fine Income comments on the proposed rule change
use of regulatory assets, fees, fines and Procedures may imply that the conduct
penalties collected by the Exchange’s from interested persons.
banned by the Procedures no longer is
regulatory staff. prohibited. The Commission believes, I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
As noted above, the commenter raises Statement of the Terms of Substance of
however, that even with the deletion of
several concerns regarding the the Proposed Rule Change
the Fine Income Procedures, given the
Exchange’s proposal, including by
scope of Section 4.05, the Exchange The Exchange filed a proposal to
asserting that the proposal was
insufficient because it did not include would continue to be prohibited from adopt paragraph (c) to Exchange Rule
rule text indicating the deletion of the using regulatory assets, fees, fines or 11.27 to describe changes to System 3
Procedures. The Exchange responds that penalties for other than regulatory functionality necessary to implement
the Procedures are available in the purposes. the Regulation NMS Plan to Implement
Exchange’s filing and on the Exchange’s Finally, the commenter states that a Tick Size Pilot Program (‘‘Plan’’ or
Web site. The Commission believes that, Exchange did not adequately describe ‘‘Pilot’’).4 In determining the scope of
because the Fine Income Procedures why the circumstances that existed at the proposed changes to implement the
were internal procedures of the the time the Fine Income Procedures Pilot,5 the Exchange carefully weighed
Exchange and were not part of the were adopted no longer exist. The the impact on the Pilot, System
Exchange’s rulebook or governing Commission notes that the Exchange’s complexity, and the usage of such order
proposal states that NYSE Regulation no types in Pilot Securities.
documents, it was appropriate for the
longer performs regulatory services on The text of the proposed rule change
Exchange to include the Procedures in
behalf of the Exchange. is available at the Exchange’s Web site
its Form 19b–4 describing the proposed
rule change, which were published by IV. Conclusion 62 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
the Commission as part of the Notice.57 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
The commenter remarks that the It is therefore ordered, pursuant to 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
NYSE should be ‘‘held to a higher Section 19(b)(2) of the Act, that the 3 The term ‘‘System’’ is defined as the ‘‘electronic
standard’’ than other exchanges. In proposed rule change (SR–NYSE–2016– communications and trading facility designated by
37) is approved. the Board through which securities orders of Users
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
response, the Exchange states that, as a are consolidated for ranking, execution and, when
national securities exchange, treating it applicable, routing away.’’ See Exchange Rule
58 See
NYSE Response Letter, supra note 6, at 5.
differently than any other national 1.5(aa).
59 See
NYSE Approval Order, supra note 10, at 4 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 74892
securities exchange based on its size, 59842–43. (May 6, 2015), 80 FR 27513 (May 13, 2015)
prominence or any of the other factors 60 See Notice, supra note 4, at 34395–96 nn.18–
(‘‘Approval Order’’).
26 and accompanying text. 5 Unless otherwise specified, capitalized terms
56 See NYSE Approval Order, supra note 10. 61 See NYSE Approval Order, supra note 10, at used in this rule filing are defined as set forth in
57 See Notice, supra note 4, at 34394. 59838–41. the Plan.
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Document Created: 2018-02-08 07:56:55
Document Modified: 2018-02-08 07:56:55
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 47184 |
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