82_FR_6690 82 FR 6678 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Bats BZX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change Related to Fees for Use of the Exchange's Equity Options Platform

82 FR 6678 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Bats BZX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change Related to Fees for Use of the Exchange's Equity Options Platform

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 12 (January 19, 2017)

Page Range6678-6684
FR Document2017-01149

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 12 (Thursday, January 19, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 12 (Thursday, January 19, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6678-6684]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-01149]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-79775; File No. SR-BatsBZX-2017-01]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Bats BZX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of 
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change Related to 
Fees for Use of the Exchange's Equity Options Platform

January 12, 2017.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(the ``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given 
that on January 3, 2017, Bats BZX Exchange, Inc. (the ``Exchange'' or 
``BZX'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 
``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, 
and III below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The 
Exchange has designated the proposed rule change as one establishing or 
changing a member due, fee, or other charge imposed by the Exchange 
under Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act \3\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(2) 
thereunder,\4\ which renders the proposed rule change effective upon 
filing with the Commission. The Commission is publishing this notice to 
solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \3\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
    \4\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange filed a proposal to amend the fee schedule applicable 
to Members \5\ and non-members of the Exchange pursuant to BZX Rules 
15.1(a) and (c).
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    \5\ The term ``Member'' is defined as ``any registered broker or 
dealer that has been admitted to membership in the Exchange.'' See 
Exchange Rule 1.5(n).
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    The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Exchange's 
Web site at www.batstrading.com, at the principal office of the 
Exchange, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

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

    In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements 
concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and 
discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The 
text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in 
Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in 
Sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant parts of such 
statements.

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

1. Purpose
    The Exchange proposes to amend its fee schedule for its equity 
options platform (``BZX Options'') to: (i) Add definitions of terms 
``OCC Customer Volume'' or ``OCV'' and ``Options Step-Up Add TCV'' to 
the Definitions section; and (ii) modify the criteria for tiers under 
footnotes 1 through 13 to reflect the new definition of OCV. The 
Exchange also proposes to (i) increase the rebate provided in the 
Customer \6\ Cross-Asset Add Tier under footnote 1; (ii) add a new 
Step-Up Tier under footnote 1; (iii) eliminate and replace the existing 
Step-Up Tier under footnote 3 with a new Step-Up Tier; (iv) add Tier 3 
under footnote 7; (iv) add Tier 2 and a Step-Up Tier under footnote 12; 
and (v) add a new footnote 14 entitled,

[[Page 6679]]

``Customer Penny Pilot Take Volume Tier.''
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    \6\ As defined in the Exchange's fee schedule available at 
http://www.bats.com/us/options/membership/fee_schedule/bzx/.
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New Defined Terms
    OCC Customer Volume or OCV. The Exchange proposes to add the 
definition of ``OCC Customer Volume'' or ``OCV'' to the definition 
section of its fee schedule. OCC Customer Volume or OCV will be defined 
as the total equity and Exchange Traded Fund (``ETF'') options volume 
that clears in the Customer range at the Options Clearing Corporation 
(``OCC'') for the month for which the fees apply, excluding volume on 
any day that the Exchange experiences an Exchange System Disruption \7\ 
and on any day with a scheduled early market close.
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    \7\ An ``Exchange System Disruption'' means ``any day that the 
Exchange's system experiences a disruption that lasts for more than 
60 minutes during Regular Trading Hours.'' Id.
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    Options Step-Up Add OCV. The Exchange proposes to replace the 
definition of ``Options Step-Up Add TCV'' \8\ with the definition of 
``Options Step-Up Add OCV'' to reflect the new tier qualifications 
resulting from the change in calculation from Total Consolidated Volume 
(``TCV'') \9\ to OCV. Similar to the definition of Options Step-Up Add 
TCV, Options Step-Up Add OCV will be defined as, ``ADAV \10\ as a 
percentage of OCV in the relevant baseline month subtracted from 
current ADAV as a percentage of OCV''. The only difference between the 
two definitions is replacing the term TCV with OCV.
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    \8\ Id.
    \9\ As defined in the Exchange's fee schedule available at 
http://www.bats.com/us/options/membership/fee_schedule/bzx/.
    \10\ Id.
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Tier Qualifications Change
    The Exchange proposes to replace current tier qualifications which 
refer to TCV with a reference to OCV in the tiers under footnotes 1 
through 13. Because OCV generally makes up a smaller range than the 
prior TCV, the Exchange also proposes to amend the percentage of OCV 
necessary to achieve the tier so that it is substantially identical to 
the previously required percentage of TCV. Doing so will keep each 
tier's criteria relatively unchanged from its current requirements. The 
rates for each tier are unchanged. Changes to each tier are described 
below.
    Customer Penny Pilot Add Tiers under footnote 1. Customer orders 
that yield fee code PY \11\ are given a standard rebate of $0.25 per 
contract. Footnote 1 of the fee schedule sets forth eight tiers, each 
providing enhanced rebates, ranging from $0.40 to $0.53 per contract, 
to a Member's order that yields fee code PY upon satisfying monthly 
volume criteria.
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    \11\ Fee code PY is appended to a Member's Customer orders which 
add liquidity in Penny Pilot options. Id.
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     Tier 1 currently requires that a Member has an ADV \12\ 
equal to or greater than 0.05% of average TCV. As amended, a Member 
must have an ADV equal to or greater than 0.05% of average OCV.\13\
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    \12\ Id.
    \13\ The Exchange proposes to retain the 0.05% requirement as 
adjusting that number to reflect replacing TCV with OCV will result 
in a de minimmis change in the percentage.
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     Tier 2 currently requires that a Member has an ADV equal 
to or greater than 0.30% of average TCV. As amended, a Member must have 
an ADV equal to or greater than 0.40% of average OCV.
     Tier 3 currently requires that a Member has an ADV equal 
to or greater than 1.00% of average TCV. As amended, a Member must have 
an ADV equal to or greater than 1.30% of average OCV.
     Tier 4 currently requires that a Member has an ADAV in 
Customer orders equal to or greater than 1.00% of average TCV. As 
amended, a Member must have an ADAV in Customer orders equal to or 
greater than 1.30% of average OCV.
     Tier 5 currently requires that a Member has an: (i) ADAV 
in Customer orders equal to or greater than 0.60% of average TCV; (ii) 
ADAV in Market Maker \14\ orders equal to or greater than 0.25% of 
average TCV; and (iii) ADAV in orders on the Exchange equities platform 
(``BZX Equities'') equal to or greater than 0.30% of average TCV. As 
amended, a Member must have an: (i) An ADAV in Customer orders equal to 
or greater than 0.80% of average OCV; (ii) an ADAV in Market Maker 
orders equal to or greater than 0.35% of average OCV; and (iii) ADAV in 
orders on BZX Equities equal to or greater than 0.30% of average TCV.
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    \14\ Id.
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     Tier 6 currently requires that a Member has an ADAV in 
Customer orders equal to or greater than 1.30% of average TCV. As 
amended, a Member must have an ADAV in Customer orders equal to or 
greater than 1.70% of average OCV.
     The Customer Step-Up Volume Tier currently requires that a 
Member has an Options Step-Up Add TCV in Customer orders from September 
2015 baseline equal to or greater than 0.40%. As amended, a Member must 
have an Options Step-Up Add OCV in Customer orders from September 2015 
baseline equal to or greater than 0.45%.
     The Customer Cross-Asset Add Tier currently requires that 
a Member has an: (i) ADV equal to or greater than 0.80% of average TCV; 
and (ii) ADAV on BZX Equities equal to or greater than 0.50% of average 
TCV. As amended, a Member must have an: (i) ADAV in Customer orders 
equal to or greater than 0.50% of average OCV; and (ii) ADAV on BZX 
Equities greater than or equal to 0.50% of average TCV. As a result of 
the change from requiring a Member to meet a certain threshold of ADV 
to a certain threshold of ADAV, the Exchange proposes to increase the 
rebate provided by this tier from $0.50 to $0.52 per contract. The 
Exchange believes an increased rebate more appropriately corresponds 
with the tier's more stringent criteria.
    Firm,\15\ Broker Dealer,\16\ and Joint Back Office \17\ Penny Pilot 
Add Volume Tiers under footnote 2. Firm, Broker Dealer and Joint Back 
Office orders that yield fee code PF \18\ are given a standard rebate 
of $0.36 per contract. Footnote 2 of the fee schedule sets forth two 
tiers, each providing enhanced rebates of $0.43 and $0.46 per contract 
to a Member's order that yields fee codes PF upon satisfying monthly 
volume criteria.
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    \15\ Id.
    \16\ Id.
    \17\ Id.
    \18\ Fee code PF is appended to a Member's Firm, Broker Deal and 
Joint Back Office orders which add liquidity in Penny Pilot options. 
As defined in the Exchange's fee schedule available at http://www.bats.com/us/options/membership/fee_schedule/bzx/.
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     Tier 1 currently requires that a Member has an: (i) ADAV 
in Away Market Maker,\19\ Firm, Broker Dealer and Joint Back Office 
orders greater than or equal to 0.80% of average TCV; and (ii) ADV 
greater than or equal to 1.50% of average TCV. As amended, a Member 
must have an: (i) ADAV in Away Market Maker, Firm, Broker Dealer and 
Joint Back Office orders greater than or equal to 1.05% of average OCV; 
and (ii) ADV greater than or equal to 1.95% of average OCV.
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    \19\ Id.
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     Tier 2 currently requires that a Member has an: (i) ADV 
greater than or equal to 0.40% of average TCV; and (ii) ADAV in Away 
Market Maker, Firm, Broker Dealer and Joint Back Office greater than or 
equal to 0.30% of average TCV. As amended, a Member must have an: (i) 
ADV greater than or equal to 0.50% of average OCV; and (ii) ADAV in 
Away Market Maker, Firm, Broker Dealer and Joint Back Office greater 
than or equal to 0.40% of average OCV.

[[Page 6680]]

    Non-Customer Penny Pilot Take Volume Tiers under footnote 3. Non-
Customer orders that yield fee code PP \20\ are charged a standard fee 
of $0.50 per contract. Footnote 3 of the fee schedule sets forth three 
tiers, each providing reduced fees ranging from $0.44 to $0.47 per 
contract to a Member's order that yields fee codes PP upon satisfying 
monthly volume criteria.\21\
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    \20\ Fee code PP is appended to a Member's Non-Customer orders 
which remove liquidity in Penny Pilot options. Id.
    \21\ Footnote 3 also includes an additional Step-Up Tier under 
which Members orders that yield fee code PP receive an additional 
$0.01 discount upon satisfying certain criteria. As described in 
more detail below, the Exchange proposes to delete this tier with a 
new Step-Up Tier as part of this filing.
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     Tier 1 currently requires that a Member has an: (i) ADAV 
in Customer orders greater than or equal to 0.60% of average TCV; (ii) 
ADAV in Market Maker orders greater than or equal to 0.25% of average 
TCV and (iii) ADAV on BZX Equities greater than or equal to 0.30% of 
average TCV. As amended, a Member must have an: (i) ADAV in Customer 
orders greater than or equal to 0.80% of average OCV; (ii) ADAV in 
Market Maker orders greater than or equal to 0.35% of average OCV; and 
(iii) ADAV on BZX Equities greater than or equal to 0.30% of average 
TCV.
     Tier 2 currently requires that a Member has an ADAV in 
Customer orders greater than or equal to 1.00% of average TCV. As 
amended, a Member must have an ADAV in Customer orders greater than or 
equal to 1.30% of average OCV.
     Tier 3 currently requires that a Member has an ADAV in 
Customer orders greater than or equal to 1.30% of average TCV. As 
amended, a Member must have an ADAV in Customer orders greater than or 
equal to 1.70% of average OCV.
    National Best Bid or Best Offer (``NBBO'') Setter Tiers under 
footnote 4. Footnote 4 of the fee schedule sets forth five tiers, each 
providing enhanced rebates, ranging from $0.02 to $0.05 per contract, 
to a Member's orders that establish a new NBBO and yield fee codes PF, 
PM \22\ or PN \23\ upon satisfying monthly volume criteria.
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    \22\ Fee code PM is appended to a Member's Market Maker orders 
which add liquidity in Penny Pilot options and provides a standard 
rebate of $0.35 per contract. Id.
    \23\ Fee code PN is appended to a Member's Away Market Maker 
orders which add liquidity in Penny Pilot options and provides a 
standard rebate of $0.30 per contract. As defined in the Exchange's 
fee schedule available at http://www.bats.com/us/options/membership/fee_schedule/bzx/.
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     Tier 1 currently requires that a Member has an ADV greater 
than or equal to 0.30% of average TCV. As amended, a Member must have 
an ADV greater than or equal to 0.40% of average OCV.
     Tier 2 currently requires that a Member has an ADV greater 
than or equal to 1.00% of average TCV. As amended, a Member must have 
an ADV greater than or equal to 1.30% of average OCV.
     Tier 3 currently requires that a Member has an: (i) ADV 
greater than or equal to 0.40% of average TCV; and (ii) ADAV in Away 
Market Maker, Firm, Broker Dealer and Joint Back Office orders greater 
than or equal to 0.30% of average TCV. As amended, a Member must have 
an: (i) ADV greater than or equal to 0.50% of average OCV; and (ii) 
ADAV in Away Market Maker, Firm, Broker Dealer and Joint Back Office 
orders greater than or equal to 0.40% of average OCV.
     Tier 4 currently requires that a Member has an ADAV in 
Market Maker \24\ orders greater than or equal to 0.40% of average TCV. 
As amended a Member must have an ADAV in Market Maker orders greater 
than or equal to 0.50% of average OCV.
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    \24\ Id.
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     Tier 5 currently requires that a Member has an ADAV in 
Non-Customer orders greater than or equal to 2.30% of average TCV. As 
amended a Member must have an ADAV in Non-Customer orders greater than 
or equal to 3.00% of average OCV.
    Quoting Incentive Program (``QIP'') Tiers under footnote 5. 
Footnote 5 sets forth four tiers each providing additional rebates 
ranging from $0.02 to $0.05 per contract for an order appended with fee 
code PM or NM \25\ that adds liquidity to the BZX Options order book in 
options classes in which a Member is a Market Maker registered on BZX 
Options pursuant to Exchange Rule 22.2. A Market Maker must be 
registered with BZX Options in an average of 20% or more of the 
associated options series in a class in order to qualify for QIP 
rebates for that class.
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    \25\ Fee code NM is appended to a Member's Market Maker orders 
which add liquidity in Non-Penny Pilot options. As defined in the 
Exchange's fee schedule available at http://www.bats.com/us/options/membership/fee_schedule/bzx/.
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     Tier 1 currently requires that a Member has an ADV greater 
than or equal to 0.30% of average TCV. As amended, a Member must have 
an ADV greater than or equal to 0.40% of average OCV.
     Tier 2 currently requires that a Member has an ADV greater 
than or equal to 1.00% of average TCV. As amended, a Member must have 
an ADV greater than or equal to 1.30% of average OCV.
     Tier 3 currently requires that a Member has an ADV greater 
than or equal to 2.50% of average TCV. As amended, a Member must have 
an ADV greater than or equal to 3.25% of average OCV.
     Tier 4 currently requires that a Member has an ADV [sic] 
in Market Maker orders greater than or equal to 0.40% of average TCV. 
As amended, a Member must have an ADV [sic] in Market Maker orders 
greater than or equal to 0.50% of average OCV.
    Market Maker Penny Pilot Add Volume Tiers under footnote 6. 
Footnote 6 of the fee schedule sets forth two tiers, each providing 
enhanced rebates of $0.40 and $0.42 per contract to a Member's order 
that yields fee code PM upon satisfying monthly volume criteria.
     Tier 1 currently requires that a Member has an ADV greater 
than or equal to 0.30% of average TCV. As amended, a Member must have 
an ADV greater than or equal to 0.40% of average OCV.
     Tier 2 currently requires that a Member has an: (i) ADAV 
in Market Maker and/or Away Market Maker orders greater than or equal 
to 1.00% of average TCV; and (ii) ADV greater than or equal to 2.00% of 
average TCV. As amended, a Member must have an: (i) ADAV in Market 
Maker and/or Away Market Maker orders greater than or equal to 1.30% of 
average OCV; and (ii) ADV greater than or equal to 2.60% of average 
OCV.
    Market Maker Non-Penny Pilot Add Volume Tiers under footnote 7. 
Footnote 7 of the fee schedule sets forth two tiers, each providing 
enhanced rebates of $0.45 and $0.52 per contract to a Member's order 
that yields fee code NM upon satisfying monthly volume criteria,\26\
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    \26\ As described in more detail below, the Exchange also 
proposes to adopt a third tier under footnote 7 as part of this 
filing.
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     Tier 1 currently requires that a Member has an ADV greater 
than or equal to 0.30% of average TCV. As amended, a Member must have 
an ADV greater than or equal to 0.40% of average OCV.
     Tier 2 currently requires that a Member has an ADV greater 
than or equal to 1.00% of average TCV. As amended, a Member must have 
an ADV greater than or equal to 1.30% of average OCV.
    Firm, Broker Dealer, and Joint Back Office Non-Penny Pilot Add 
Volume Tiers under footnote 8. Firm, Broker Dealer and Joint Back 
Office orders that

[[Page 6681]]

yield fee code NF \27\ are given a standard rebate of $0.30 per 
contract. Footnote 8 of the fee schedule sets forth three tiers, each 
providing enhanced rebates ranging from $0.45 to $0.69 per contract to 
a Member's order that yields fee codes NF upon satisfying monthly 
volume criteria.
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    \27\ Fee code NF is appended to a Member's Firm, Broker Dealer 
and Joint Back Office orders which add liquidity in Non-Penny Pilot 
options. Id.
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     Tier 1 currently requires that a Member has an ADV greater 
than or equal to 0.15% of average TCV. As amended, a Member must have 
an ADV greater than or equal to 0.20% of average OCV.
     Tier 2 currently requires that a Member has an ADV greater 
than or equal to 0.25% of average TCV. As amended, a Member must have 
an ADV greater than or equal to 0.35% of average OCV.
     Tier 3 currently requires that a Member has an: (i) ADV 
greater than or equal to 1.75% of average TCV; and (ii) ADAV in Away 
Market Maker, Firm, Broker Dealer, and Joint Back Office orders greater 
than or equal to 1.25% of average TCV. As amended, a Member must have 
an: (i) ADV greater than or equal to 2.30% of average OCV; and (ii) 
ADAV in Away Market Maker, Firm, Broker Dealer, and Joint Back Office 
orders greater than or equal to 1.65% of average OCV.
    Professional Penny Pilot Add Volume Tiers under footnote 9. 
Professional orders that yield fee code PA \28\ are given a standard 
rebate of $0.25 per contract. Footnote 9 of the fee schedule sets forth 
four tiers, each providing enhanced rebates ranging from $0.42 to $0.48 
per contract to a Member's order that yields fee codes PA upon 
satisfying monthly volume criteria.
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    \28\ Fee code PA is appended to a Member's Professional orders 
which add liquidity in Penny Pilot options. Id.
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     Tier 1 currently requires that a Member has an ADAV in 
Customer and Professional orders greater than or equal to 0.10% of 
average TCV. As amended, a Member must have an ADAV in Customer and 
Professional orders greater than or equal to 0.15% of average OCV.
     Tier 2 currently requires that a Member has an ADAV in 
Customer and Professional orders greater than or equal to 0.20% of 
average TCV. As amended, a Member must have an ADAV in Customer and 
Professional orders greater than or equal to 0.25% of average OCV.
     Tier 3 currently requires that a Member has an ADAV in 
Customer and Professional orders greater than or equal to 0.30% of 
average TCV. As amended, a Member must have an ADAV in Customer and 
Professional orders greater than or equal to 0.40% of average OCV.
     Tier 4 currently requires that a Member has an ADAV in 
Customer and Professional orders greater than or equal to 0.50% of 
average TCV. As amended a Member must have an ADAV in Customer and 
Professional orders greater than or equal to 0.65% of average OCV.
    Away Market Maker Penny Pilot Add Volume Tiers under footnote 10. 
Away Market Maker orders that yield fee code PN are given a standard 
rebate of $0.30 per contract. Footnote 10 of the fee schedule sets 
forth three tiers, each providing enhanced rebates ranging from $0.40 
to $0.46 per contract to a Member's order that yields fee code PN upon 
satisfying monthly volume criteria.
     Tier 1 currently requires that a Member has an ADV greater 
than or equal to 0.30% of average TCV. As amended, a Member must have 
an ADV greater than or equal to 0.40% of average OCV.
     Tier 2 currently requires that a Member has an: (i) ADAV 
in Away Market Maker, Firm, Broker Dealer and Joint Back Office orders 
greater than or equal to 0.80% of average TCV; and (ii) ADV greater 
than or equal to 1.50% of average TCV. As amended, a Member must have 
an: (i) ADAV in Away Market Maker, Firm, Broker Dealer and Joint Back 
Office orders greater than or equal to 1.05% of average OCV; and (ii) 
ADV greater than or equal to 1.95% of average OCV.
     Tier 3 currently requires that a Member has an: (i) ADV 
greater than or equal to 0.40% of average TCV: and (ii) ADAV in Away 
Market Maker, Firm, Broker Dealer and Joint Back Office orders greater 
than or equal to 0.30% of average TCV. As amended, a Member must have 
an: (i) ADV greater than or equal to 0.50% of average OCV; and (ii) 
ADAV in Away Market Maker, Firm, Broker Dealer and Joint Back Office 
orders greater than or equal to 0.40% of average OCV.
    Away Market Maker Non-Penny Pilot Add Volume Tiers under footnote 
11. Away Market Maker orders that yield fee code NN \29\ are given a 
standard rebate of $0.30 per contract. Footnote 11 of the fee schedule 
sets forth two tiers, each providing enhanced rebates of $0.40 and 
$0.52 per contract to a Member's order that yields fee code NN upon 
satisfying monthly volume criteria.
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    \29\ Fee code NN is appended to a Member's Away Market Maker 
orders which add liquidity in Non-Penny Pilot options. Id.
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     Tier 1 currently requires that a Member has an ADV greater 
than or equal to 0.30% of average TCV. As amended, a Member must have 
an ADV greater than or equal to 0.40% of average OCV.
     Tier 2 currently requires that a Member has an ADV greater 
than or equal to 1.00% of average TCV. As amended, a Member must have 
an ADV greater than or equal to 1.30% of average OCV.
    Customer Non-Penny Pilot Add Volume Tier under footnote 12. 
Customer orders that yield fee code NY \30\ are given a standard rebate 
of $0.85 per contract. Footnote 12 of the fee schedule sets forth one 
tier, providing an enhanced rebate of $1.00 per contract to a Member's 
order that yields fee code NY upon satisfying monthly volume 
criteria.\31\
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    \30\ Fee code NY is appended to a Member's Customer orders which 
add liquidity in Non-Penny Pilot options. As defined in the 
Exchange's fee schedule available at http://www.bats.com/us/options/membership/fee_schedule/bzx/.
    \31\ As described in more detail below, the Exchange proposes to 
implement a second and third tier under footnote 12 as part of this 
filing.
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     Tier 1 currently requires that a Member has an ADAV in 
Customer orders greater than or equal to 0.70% of average TCV. As 
amended a Member must have an ADAV in Customer orders greater than or 
equal to 0.90% of average OCV.
    Non-Customer Non-Penny Pilot Take Volume Tiers, under footnote 13. 
Non-Customer orders that yield fee code NP \32\ are charged a standard 
fee of $1.07 per contract. Footnote 13 of the fee schedule sets forth 
three tiers, each providing reduced fees ranging from $1.01 to $1.02 
per contract to a Member's order that yields fee code NP upon 
satisfying monthly volume criteria.
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    \32\ Fee code NP is appended to a Member's Non-Customer orders 
which remove liquidity in Non-Penny Pilot options. Id.
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     Tier 1 currently requires that a Member has an: (i) ADAV 
in Customer orders greater than or equal to 0.60% of average TCV; (ii) 
ADAV in Market Maker orders greater than or equal to 0.25% of average 
TCV; and (iii) ADAV on BZX Equities greater than or equal to 0.30% of 
average TCV. As amended, a Member must have an: (i) ADAV in Customer 
orders greater than or equal to 0.80% of average OCV; (ii) ADAV in 
Market Maker orders greater than or equal to 0.35% of average OCV; and 
(iii) ADAV on BZX Equities greater than or equal to 0.30% of average 
TCV.
     Tier 2 currently requires that a Member has an ADAV in 
Customer

[[Page 6682]]

orders greater than or equal to 1.00% of average TCV. As amended a 
Member must have an ADAV in Customer orders greater than or equal to 
1.30% of average OCV.
     Tier 3 currently requires that a Member has an ADAV in 
Customer orders greater than or equal to 1.30% of average TCV. As 
amended, a Member must have an ADAV in Customer orders greater than or 
equal to 1.70% of average OCV.
Addition of the Step-Up Tier, Under Footnote 1
    As described above, the Exchange currently offers eight Customer 
Penny Pilot Add Volume Tiers under footnote 1 which provide enhanced 
rebates ranging from $0.40 to $0.53 per contract for orders which yield 
fee code PY and meet the required criteria. The Exchange now proposes 
to add a Step-Up Tier which would provide an additional rebate of $0.02 
to orders appended with fee code PY, including those orders that 
satisfy the required criteria under the tiers listed under footnote 1. 
To qualify for the additional rebate, a Member must have an Options 
Step-Up Add OCV in Customer orders from October 2016 baseline equal to 
or greater than 0.45%.
Elimination and Replacement of the Step-Up Tier Under Footnote 3
    As described above, the Exchange currently offers three Non-
Customer Penny Pilot Take Volume Tiers under footnote 3 which provide 
reduced fees of $0.44 and $0.47 per contract for orders which yield fee 
code PP and meet the required criteria. Additionally, footnote 3 
provides a Step-Up Tier under which Members may receive an additional 
discount of $0.01 per contract for orders appended with fee code PP, 
including those orders that satisfy the required criteria under the 
tiers listed under footnote 3. To receive the additional $0.01 per 
contract discount, the Member must have an Options Step-Up Add TCV in 
Customer orders from September 2016 baseline greater than or equal to 
0.30%. The Exchange now proposes to delete and replace this Step-Up 
Tier under footnote 3 with a new Step-Up Tier which would provide a 
reduced fee of $0.47 per contract for orders which yield fee code PP 
and where the Member has an Options Step-Up Add OCV in Customer orders 
from October 2016 baseline greater than or equal to 0.45%.
Addition of Tier 3 Under Footnote 7
    As described above, the Exchange currently offers two Market Maker 
Non-Penny Pilot Add Volume Tiers under footnote 7 which provide 
enhanced rebates of $0.45 and $0.52 per contract for orders which yield 
fee code NM and meet the required criteria. The Exchange now proposes 
to add Tier 3 under which a Member would receive an enhanced rebate of 
$0.65 per contract where that Member has an: (i) ADAV in Market Maker 
orders in Non-Penny Pilot Securities greater than or equal to 0.20% of 
average OCV; and (ii) ADAV in Non-Customer orders greater than or equal 
to 3.00% of average OCV. The Exchange also notes that changes are 
required to the Standard Rates table of the fee schedule applicable to 
fee code NM in connection with this change.
Addition of Tier 2 and the Customer Step-Up Tier Under Footnote 12
    As described above, the Exchange currently offers one Customer Non-
Penny Pilot Add Volume Tier under footnote 12 which provides an 
enhanced rebate of $1.00 per contract for orders which yield fee code 
NY and meet the required criteria. The Exchange now proposes to add two 
new tiers under footnote 12. First, proposed Tier 2 would provide an 
enhanced rebate of $1.05 per contract where that Member has an ADAV in 
Customer orders greater than or equal to 2.10% of average OCV. Second, 
the proposed Step-Up Tier will provide an enhanced rebate of $1.00 per 
contract where that Member has an Options Step-Up Add OCV in Customer 
orders from October 2016 baseline greater than or equal to 0.45%. The 
Exchange also notes that changes are required to the Standard Rates 
table of the fee schedule applicable to fee code NY in connection with 
these changes.
Addition of Footnote 14, the Customer Penny Pilot Take Volume Tier
    The Exchange proposes to add new footnote 14 entitled, ``Customer 
Penny Pilot Take Volume Tier''. Under the proposed Cross-Asset Tier, a 
Member's orders that yield fee code PC \33\ would be charged a reduced 
fee of $0.48 per contract where that Member has an: (i) ADAV in 
Customer orders greater than or equal to 0.50% of average OCV; and (ii) 
ADAV on BZX Equities greater than or equal to 0.50% of average TCV. The 
Exchange also notes that changes are required to the Standard Rates 
table of the fee schedule applicable to fee code PC in connection with 
this change. In addition, the Exchange proposes to append footnote 14 
to fee code PC within in the Fee Codes and Associated Fees table.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \33\ Fee code PC is appended to a Member's Customer orders which 
remove liquidity in Penny Pilot options and is charged a standard 
fee of $0.49 per contract. Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Implementation Date
    The Exchange proposes to implement this amendment to its fee 
schedule on January 3, 2017.\34\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \34\ The Exchange notes that the date of the fee schedule was 
updated to January 3, 2017 in SR-BatsBZX-2016-90 (filed on December 
27, 2016).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent 
with the objectives of Section 6 of the Act,\35\ in general, and 
furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(4),\36\ in particular, as it is 
designed to provide for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, 
fees and other charges among its Members and other persons using its 
facilities. The Exchange also notes that it operates in a highly-
competitive market in which market participants can readily direct 
order flow to competing venues if they deem fee levels at a particular 
venue to be excessive. The Exchange believes that the proposed fee 
changes are equitable and non-discriminatory in that they apply 
uniformly to all Members. The Exchange believes the rates remain 
competitive with those charged by other venues and, therefore, are 
reasonable and equitably allocated to Members.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \35\ 15 U.S.C. 78f.
    \36\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

New Defined Terms
    The Exchange believes adopting a definition of OCV, utilizing OCV 
in lieu of TCV, and changing the definition of Options Step-Up Add TCV 
to Options Step-Up Add OCV are reasonable, fair and equitable, and non-
discriminatory because the Exchange also proposed to modify the tier's 
related criteria in order to maintain substantially identical 
requirements to qualify for the tier without changing the rate provided 
for by the tiers. In addition, the amount of OCV historically tends to 
remain reasonably consistent from month to month, as opposed to TCV 
which is less consistent. OCV is also more consistent than options 
volume that clears in the Market Maker or Firm range at the OCC, as 
Market Maker and Firm volume may vary drastically from month to month 
based on market events, as opposed to Customer options volume which 
remains relatively consistent. Therefore, the Exchange believes 
utilizing OCV would result in consistent tier criteria as OCV is a 
relatively static monthly number which would enable market participants 
to better predict whether they may achieve a tier criteria each month 
and qualify for that tier's preferred pricing.

[[Page 6683]]

    The Exchange also believes that the use of OCV provides a 
calculation that is identical to that which was implemented in December 
2016 on the EDGX Options fee schedule.\37\ Additionally, the OCV 
calculation is reasonably identical to and is not a significant 
departure from tier qualifications conventions offered by other 
exchanges.\38\ The Exchange believes that the proposed definition of 
OCV and the proposed revision of the definition of Options Step-Up Add 
TCV to Options Step-Up Add OCV are reasonable, fair and equitable, and 
non-discriminatory, and will provide additional transparency and 
simplicity to Members regarding the calculations used to determine 
volume levels for purposes of the proposed tiered pricing model.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \37\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 239239 [sic] 
(December 7, 2016), 81 FR 90009 (December 13, 2016) (SR-BatsEDGX-
2016-68).
    \38\ See the NYSE MKT LLC (``NYSE MKT'') fee schedule available 
at https://www.nyse.com/publicdocs/nyse/markets/amex-options/NYSE_Amex_Options_Fee_Schedule.pdf (setting forth tiers that provide 
preferred pricing to options market makers who meet certain 
criteria, including achieving a specific ``Monthly Volume as a % of 
Industry Customer Equity and Exchange Traded Fund (``ETF'') Option 
Volume''); NYSE Arca, Inc. (``NYSE ARCA'') options fee schedule 
available at https://www.nyse.com/publicdocs/nyse/markets/arca-options/NYSE_Arca_Options_Fee_Schedule.pdf (setting forth a Market 
Maker Incentive tier that provides preferred pricing to market 
makers who meet certain criteria, including achieving a specific 
percentage of ``Total Industry Customer equity and ETF option 
ADV''); Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (``Nasdaq'') options fee schedule 
available at http://www.nasdaqtrader.com/Micro.aspx?id=optionsPricing (setting forth tiers that provide 
preferred pricing to market makers who meet certain criteria, 
including achieving a specific percentage of ``total industry 
customer equity and ETF option ADV contracts per month''); and 
Nasdaq BX LLC (``BX'') options fee schedule available at http://www.nasdaqtrader.com/Micro.aspx?id=BXOptionsPricing (setting forth 
tiers that provide preferred pricing to market makers who meet 
certain criteria, including achieving a specific percentage of 
``total industry customer equity and ETF option ADV contracts per 
month'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Volume-Based Tier Modifications
    The Exchange believes that the proposed modifications to the tiered 
pricing structure are reasonable, fair and equitable, and non-
discriminatory. The Exchange operates in a highly competitive market in 
which market participants may readily send order flow to many competing 
venues if they deem fees at the Exchange to be excessive. The proposed 
fee structure remains intended to attract order flow to the Exchange by 
offering market participants a competitive pricing structure. The 
Exchange believes it is reasonable to offer and incrementally modify 
incentives intended to help to contribute to the growth of the 
Exchange.
    Volume-based rebates such as that proposed herein have been widely 
adopted by exchanges, including the Exchange, and are equitable because 
they are open to all Members on an equal basis and provide additional 
benefits or discounts that are reasonably related to: (i) The value to 
an exchange's market quality; (ii) associated higher levels of market 
activity, such as higher levels of liquidity provisions and/or growth 
patterns; and (iii) introduction of higher volumes of orders into the 
price and volume discovery processes.
    The proposed modifications and additions proposed herein are also 
intended to incentivize additional Members to send orders to the 
Exchange in an effort to qualify for the enhanced rebate made available 
by the tiers. The Exchange believes the proposed change to each tier's 
criteria is consistent with the Act.
    Proposed Revisions and New Tiers under Footnotes 1, 3, 7, and 12. 
The Exchange believes the proposed tiers under footnotes 1, 3 7, and 12 
are reasonable, fair and equitable, and non-discriminatory. The 
proposed tiers are intended to attract order flow to the Exchange by 
offering market participants a competitive pricing structure. The 
Exchange believes it is reasonable to offer incrementally modified 
incentives intended to help to contribute to the growth of the 
Exchange. First, the Exchange believes the revisions to the Customer 
Cross-Asset Add Tier under footnote 1 are equitable and reasonable 
because further incentivize Members to reach certain thresholds on both 
BZX Options and BZX Equities. Such pricing programs thereby reward a 
Member's growth pattern on the Exchange and such increased volume 
increases potential revenue to the Exchange, and will allow the 
Exchange to continue to provide and potentially expand the incentive 
programs operated by the Exchange. To the extent a Member participates 
on the BZX Options but not on BZX Equities, the Exchange does believe 
that the proposal is still reasonable, equitably allocated and non-
discriminatory with respect to such Member based on the overall benefit 
to the Exchange resulting from the success of BZX Equities.
    Additionally, the Exchange believes the elimination and replacement 
of the Step-Up tier under footnote 3 is reasonable, fair, and equitable 
because the current tier was not providing the desired result of 
incentivizing Members to increase their participation over time. 
Therefore, eliminating the current Step-Up Tier under footnote 3 will 
have a negligible effect on order flow and market behavior. The 
Exchange believes the proposed new Step-Up Tier under footnote 3 should 
incentives Members to increase their participation in Customer and Non-
Customer orders. Likewise, the proposed tiers under footnotes 1, 7 and 
12 are also designed to incentivize Members to increase their 
participation on the Exchange. The Exchange believes it is reasonable 
to continue to modify the volume based incentives to help to contribute 
to the growth of the Exchange. The Exchange also believes the proposed 
change is not unfairly discriminatory because it will apply equally to 
all participants.
    Addition of Footnote 14, Customer Penny Pilot Take Volume Tier. The 
Exchange believes that the proposal to add a Cross-Asset Tier is a 
reasonable, fair and equitable, and not unfairly discriminatory 
allocation of fees and rebates for similar reasons stated above with 
regard to the revisions of the Customer Cross-Asset Add Tier under 
footnote 1. Specifically, the Exchange believes the proposed tier will 
provide Members with an additional incentive to reach certain 
thresholds on both BZX Equities and BZX Options. The increased 
liquidity from this proposal also benefits all investors by deepening 
the BZX Equities and BZX Options liquidity pools, offering additional 
flexibility for all investors to enjoy cost savings, supporting the 
quality of price discovery, promoting market transparency and improving 
investor protection. Such pricing programs thereby reward a Member's 
growth pattern on the Exchange and such increased volume increases 
potential revenue to the Exchange, and will allow the Exchange to 
continue to provide and potentially expand the incentive programs 
operated by the Exchange. To the extent a Member participates on the 
Exchange but not on BZX Equities, the Exchange does believe that the 
proposal is still reasonable, equitably allocated and non-
discriminatory with respect to such Member based on the overall benefit 
to the Exchange resulting from the success of BZX Options. As noted 
above, such success allows the Exchange to continue to provide and 
potentially expand its existing incentive programs to the benefit of 
all participants on the Exchange, whether they participate on BZX 
Options or not. The proposed pricing program is also fair and equitable 
in that membership in BZX Options is available to all market 
participants which would provide them with access to the benefits on 
BZX Options provided by the proposed changes, as described above, even 
where a member of BZX Options is not

[[Page 6684]]

necessarily eligible for the proposed increased rebates on the 
Exchange. Further, the proposed changes will result in Members 
receiving either the same or an increased rebate than they would 
currently receive. The Exchange also believes that the proposed tiered 
pricing structure is consistent with pricing previously offered by the 
Exchange as well as other options exchanges and does not represent a 
significant departure from such pricing structures.\39\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \39\ See, e.g., BZX Exchange Options Fee Schedule, Footnote 1, 
Customer Add Tier, which provides an enhanced rebate to Customer 
orders on BZX Options based on both Customer volume and Market Maker 
volume. The BZX Options Fee Schedule is available at: http://www.batsoptions.com/support/fee_schedule/bzx/.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    The Exchange does not believe its proposed amendment to its fee 
schedule would impose any burden on competition that is not necessary 
or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The Exchange 
does not believe that the proposed changes represents a significant 
departure from previous pricing offered by the Exchange or pricing 
offered by the Exchange's competitors. The Exchange believes that its 
proposal to amend the qualification criteria and to incorporate OCV as 
proposed would not impose any burden on competition that is not 
necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act 
because the Exchange also proposed to modify the tier's related 
criteria in order to maintain substantially identical requirements to 
qualify for each tier. Additionally, Members may opt to disfavor the 
Exchange's pricing if they believe that alternatives offer them better 
value. Accordingly, the Exchange does not believe that the proposed 
changes to the volume discount and rebate structure will impair the 
ability of Members or competing venues to maintain their competitive 
standing in the financial markets. The Exchange believes that its 
proposal would not burden intramarket competition because the proposed 
rate changes would continue to apply uniformly to all Members. As 
stated above, the Exchange notes that it operates in a highly 
competitive market in which market participants can readily direct 
order flow to competing venues if they deem fee structure s to be 
unreasonable or excessive. The Exchange does not believe the proposed 
tiers would burden intramarket competition as they would apply to all 
Members uniformly.

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

    The Exchange has not solicited, and does not intend to solicit, 
comments on this proposed rule change. The Exchange has not received 
any unsolicited written comments from Members or other interested 
parties.

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

    The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 
19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \40\ and paragraph (f) of Rule 19b-4 
thereunder.\41\ At any time within 60 days of the filing of the 
proposed rule change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend 
such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is 
necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of 
investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \40\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \41\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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-BatsBZX-2017-01 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-BatsBZX-2017-01. This 
file number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To 
help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, 
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on 
the Commission's Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all 
written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are 
filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to 
the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other 
than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the 
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and 
printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the filing also will be available 
for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All 
comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does 
not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should 
submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All 
submissions should refer to File Number SR-BatsBZX-2017-01 and should 
be submitted on or before February 9, 2017.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\42\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \42\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-01149 Filed 1-18-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                                  6678                            Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 12 / Thursday, January 19, 2017 / Notices

                                                  III. Date of Effectiveness of the                          public in accordance with the                          publishing this notice to solicit
                                                  Proposed Plan and Timing for                               provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be                    comments on the proposed rule change
                                                  Commission Action                                          available for Web site viewing and                     from interested persons.
                                                     Pursuant to Section 17(d)(1) of the                     printing in the Commission’s Public
                                                                                                                                                                    I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                  Act 11 and Rule 17d–2 thereunder,12                        Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,
                                                                                                             Washington, DC 20549, on official                      Statement of the Terms of Substance of
                                                  February 3, 2017 declare the plan                                                                                 the Proposed Rule Change
                                                  submitted by MIAX, MIAX PEARL, and                         business days between the hours of
                                                  FINRA, File No. 4–678, to be effective                     10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the                    The Exchange filed a proposal to
                                                  if the Commission finds that the plan is                   plan also will be available for inspection             amend the fee schedule applicable to
                                                  necessary or appropriate in the public                     and copying at the principal offices of                Members 5 and non-members of the
                                                  interest and for the protection of                         MIAX, MIAX PEARL, and FINRA. All                       Exchange pursuant to BZX Rules 15.1(a)
                                                  investors, to foster cooperation and                       comments received will be posted                       and (c).
                                                  coordination among self-regulatory                         without change; the Commission does
                                                                                                                                                                       The text of the proposed rule change
                                                  organizations, or to remove                                not edit personal identifying
                                                                                                                                                                    is available at the Exchange’s Web site
                                                  impediments to and foster the                              information from submissions. You
                                                                                                                                                                    at www.batstrading.com, at the
                                                  development of the national market                         should submit only information that
                                                                                                                                                                    principal office of the Exchange, and at
                                                  system and a national system for the                       you wish to make available publicly. All
                                                                                                                                                                    the Commission’s Public Reference
                                                  clearance and settlement of securities                     submissions should refer to File
                                                                                                                                                                    Room.
                                                  transactions and in conformity with the                    Number 4–678 and should be submitted
                                                  factors set forth in Section 17(d) of the                  on or before February 3, 2017.                         II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                  Act.                                                         For the Commission, by the Division of               Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                                                                             Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated             Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                                  IV. Solicitation of Comments                               authority.13                                           Change
                                                    In order to assist the Commission in
                                                  determining whether to approve the                         Eduardo A. Aleman,                                       In its filing with the Commission, the
                                                  proposed 17d–2 Plan and to relieve                         Assistant Secretary.
                                                                                                                                                                    Exchange included statements
                                                  MIAX and MIAX PEARL of the                                                                                        concerning the purpose of and basis for
                                                                                                             [FR Doc. 2017–01151 Filed 1–18–17; 8:45 am]
                                                  responsibilities which would be                                                                                   the proposed rule change and discussed
                                                                                                             BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                                  assigned to FINRA, interested persons                                                                             any comments it received on the
                                                  are invited to submit written data,                                                                               proposed rule change. The text of these
                                                  views, and arguments concerning the                        SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                                statements may be examined at the
                                                  foregoing. Comments may be submitted                       COMMISSION                                             places specified in Item IV below. The
                                                  by any of the following methods:                                                                                  Exchange has prepared summaries, set
                                                                                                             [Release No. 34–79775; File No. SR–                    forth in Sections A, B, and C below, of
                                                  Electronic Comments                                        BatsBZX–2017–01]                                       the most significant parts of such
                                                    • Use the Commission’s Internet                          Self-Regulatory Organizations; Bats
                                                                                                                                                                    statements.
                                                  comment form (http://www.sec.gov/                          BZX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing                   A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                  rules/other.shtml); or                                     and Immediate Effectiveness of a                       Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                    • Send an email to rule-comments@
                                                                                                             Proposed Rule Change Related to Fees                   Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                                  sec.gov. Please include File Number4–
                                                                                                             for Use of the Exchange’s Equity                       Change
                                                  678 on the subject line.
                                                                                                             Options Platform
                                                                                                                                                                    1. Purpose
                                                  Paper Comments
                                                                                                             January 12, 2017.
                                                     • Send paper comments in triplicate                        Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
                                                                                                                                                                       The Exchange proposes to amend its
                                                  to Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Securities                                                                         fee schedule for its equity options
                                                                                                             Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
                                                  and Exchange Commission, Station                                                                                  platform (‘‘BZX Options’’) to: (i) Add
                                                                                                             ‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
                                                  Place, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC                                                                           definitions of terms ‘‘OCC Customer
                                                                                                             notice is hereby given that on January 3,
                                                  20549–1090.                                                                                                       Volume’’ or ‘‘OCV’’ and ‘‘Options Step-
                                                                                                             2017, Bats BZX Exchange, Inc. (the
                                                  All submissions should refer to File                                                                              Up Add TCV’’ to the Definitions section;
                                                                                                             ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘BZX’’) filed with the
                                                  Number 4–678. This file number should                                                                             and (ii) modify the criteria for tiers
                                                                                                             Securities and Exchange Commission
                                                  be included on the subject line if email                                                                          under footnotes 1 through 13 to reflect
                                                                                                             (the ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule
                                                  is used. To help the Commission                                                                                   the new definition of OCV. The
                                                                                                             change as described in Items I, II, and
                                                  process and review your comments                                                                                  Exchange also proposes to (i) increase
                                                                                                             III below, which Items have been
                                                  more efficiently, please use only one                                                                             the rebate provided in the Customer 6
                                                                                                             prepared by the Exchange. The
                                                  method. The Commission will post all                       Exchange has designated the proposed                   Cross-Asset Add Tier under footnote 1;
                                                  comments on the Commission’s Internet                      rule change as one establishing or                     (ii) add a new Step-Up Tier under
                                                  Web site (http://www.sec.gov/rules/                        changing a member due, fee, or other                   footnote 1; (iii) eliminate and replace
                                                  other.shtml). Copies of the submission,                    charge imposed by the Exchange under                   the existing Step-Up Tier under footnote
                                                  all subsequent amendments, all written                     Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act 3 and               3 with a new Step-Up Tier; (iv) add Tier
                                                  statements with respect to the proposed                                                                           3 under footnote 7; (iv) add Tier 2 and
                                                                                                             Rule 19b–4(f)(2) thereunder,4 which
                                                  rule change that are filed with the                                                                               a Step-Up Tier under footnote 12; and
                                                                                                             renders the proposed rule change
                                                                                                                                                                    (v) add a new footnote 14 entitled,
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES




                                                  Commission, and all written                                effective upon filing with the
                                                  communications relating to the                             Commission. The Commission is
                                                  proposed rule change between the                                                                                    5 The term ‘‘Member’’ is defined as ‘‘any

                                                  Commission and any person, other than                        13 17
                                                                                                                                                                    registered broker or dealer that has been admitted
                                                                                                                     CFR 200.30–3(a)(34).                           to membership in the Exchange.’’ See Exchange
                                                  those that may be withheld from the                          1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
                                                                                                                                                                    Rule 1.5(n).
                                                                                                               2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.                                    6 As defined in the Exchange’s fee schedule
                                                    11 15   U.S.C. 78q(d)(1).                                  3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
                                                                                                                                                                    available at http://www.bats.com/us/options/
                                                    12 17   CFR 240.17d–2.                                     4 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(2).                            membership/fee_schedule/bzx/.



                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014      21:20 Jan 18, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00197   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\19JAN1.SGM   19JAN1


                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 12 / Thursday, January 19, 2017 / Notices                                                     6679

                                                  ‘‘Customer Penny Pilot Take Volume                      each providing enhanced rebates,                          • The Customer Cross-Asset Add Tier
                                                  Tier.’’                                                 ranging from $0.40 to $0.53 per contract,              currently requires that a Member has an:
                                                                                                          to a Member’s order that yields fee code               (i) ADV equal to or greater than 0.80%
                                                  New Defined Terms
                                                                                                          PY upon satisfying monthly volume                      of average TCV; and (ii) ADAV on BZX
                                                     OCC Customer Volume or OCV. The                      criteria.                                              Equities equal to or greater than 0.50%
                                                  Exchange proposes to add the definition                    • Tier 1 currently requires that a                  of average TCV. As amended, a Member
                                                  of ‘‘OCC Customer Volume’’ or ‘‘OCV’’                   Member has an ADV 12 equal to or                       must have an: (i) ADAV in Customer
                                                  to the definition section of its fee                    greater than 0.05% of average TCV. As                  orders equal to or greater than 0.50% of
                                                  schedule. OCC Customer Volume or                        amended, a Member must have an ADV                     average OCV; and (ii) ADAV on BZX
                                                  OCV will be defined as the total equity                 equal to or greater than 0.05% of                      Equities greater than or equal to 0.50%
                                                  and Exchange Traded Fund (‘‘ETF’’)                      average OCV.13                                         of average TCV. As a result of the
                                                  options volume that clears in the                          • Tier 2 currently requires that a                  change from requiring a Member to meet
                                                  Customer range at the Options Clearing                  Member has an ADV equal to or greater                  a certain threshold of ADV to a certain
                                                  Corporation (‘‘OCC’’) for the month for                 than 0.30% of average TCV. As                          threshold of ADAV, the Exchange
                                                  which the fees apply, excluding volume                  amended, a Member must have an ADV                     proposes to increase the rebate provided
                                                  on any day that the Exchange                            equal to or greater than 0.40% of                      by this tier from $0.50 to $0.52 per
                                                  experiences an Exchange System                          average OCV.                                           contract. The Exchange believes an
                                                  Disruption 7 and on any day with a                         • Tier 3 currently requires that a                  increased rebate more appropriately
                                                  scheduled early market close.                           Member has an ADV equal to or greater                  corresponds with the tier’s more
                                                     Options Step-Up Add OCV. The                         than 1.00% of average TCV. As                          stringent criteria.
                                                  Exchange proposes to replace the                        amended, a Member must have an ADV
                                                  definition of ‘‘Options Step-Up Add                     equal to or greater than 1.30% of                         Firm,15 Broker Dealer,16 and Joint Back
                                                  TCV’’ 8 with the definition of ‘‘Options                average OCV.                                           Office 17 Penny Pilot Add Volume Tiers
                                                  Step-Up Add OCV’’ to reflect the new                       • Tier 4 currently requires that a                  under footnote 2. Firm, Broker Dealer
                                                  tier qualifications resulting from the                  Member has an ADAV in Customer                         and Joint Back Office orders that yield
                                                  change in calculation from Total                        orders equal to or greater than 1.00% of               fee code PF 18 are given a standard
                                                  Consolidated Volume (‘‘TCV’’) 9 to OCV.                 average TCV. As amended, a Member                      rebate of $0.36 per contract. Footnote 2
                                                  Similar to the definition of Options                    must have an ADAV in Customer orders                   of the fee schedule sets forth two tiers,
                                                  Step-Up Add TCV, Options Step-Up                        equal to or greater than 1.30% of                      each providing enhanced rebates of
                                                  Add OCV will be defined as, ‘‘ADAV 10                   average OCV.                                           $0.43 and $0.46 per contract to a
                                                  as a percentage of OCV in the relevant                     • Tier 5 currently requires that a                  Member’s order that yields fee codes PF
                                                  baseline month subtracted from current                  Member has an: (i) ADAV in Customer                    upon satisfying monthly volume
                                                  ADAV as a percentage of OCV’’. The                      orders equal to or greater than 0.60% of               criteria.
                                                  only difference between the two                         average TCV; (ii) ADAV in Market                          • Tier 1 currently requires that a
                                                  definitions is replacing the term TCV                   Maker 14 orders equal to or greater than               Member has an: (i) ADAV in Away
                                                  with OCV.                                               0.25% of average TCV; and (iii) ADAV                   Market Maker,19 Firm, Broker Dealer
                                                                                                          in orders on the Exchange equities                     and Joint Back Office orders greater than
                                                  Tier Qualifications Change                              platform (‘‘BZX Equities’’) equal to or                or equal to 0.80% of average TCV; and
                                                    The Exchange proposes to replace                      greater than 0.30% of average TCV. As                  (ii) ADV greater than or equal to 1.50%
                                                  current tier qualifications which refer to              amended, a Member must have an: (i)                    of average TCV. As amended, a Member
                                                  TCV with a reference to OCV in the tiers                An ADAV in Customer orders equal to                    must have an: (i) ADAV in Away Market
                                                  under footnotes 1 through 13. Because                   or greater than 0.80% of average OCV;                  Maker, Firm, Broker Dealer and Joint
                                                  OCV generally makes up a smaller range                  (ii) an ADAV in Market Maker orders                    Back Office orders greater than or equal
                                                  than the prior TCV, the Exchange also                   equal to or greater than 0.35% of                      to 1.05% of average OCV; and (ii) ADV
                                                  proposes to amend the percentage of                     average OCV; and (iii) ADAV in orders                  greater than or equal to 1.95% of
                                                  OCV necessary to achieve the tier so                    on BZX Equities equal to or greater than               average OCV.
                                                  that it is substantially identical to the               0.30% of average TCV.                                     • Tier 2 currently requires that a
                                                  previously required percentage of TCV.                     • Tier 6 currently requires that a                  Member has an: (i) ADV greater than or
                                                  Doing so will keep each tier’s criteria                 Member has an ADAV in Customer                         equal to 0.40% of average TCV; and (ii)
                                                  relatively unchanged from its current                   orders equal to or greater than 1.30% of               ADAV in Away Market Maker, Firm,
                                                  requirements. The rates for each tier are               average TCV. As amended, a Member                      Broker Dealer and Joint Back Office
                                                  unchanged. Changes to each tier are                     must have an ADAV in Customer orders                   greater than or equal to 0.30% of
                                                  described below.                                        equal to or greater than 1.70% of                      average TCV. As amended, a Member
                                                    Customer Penny Pilot Add Tiers                        average OCV.                                           must have an: (i) ADV greater than or
                                                  under footnote 1. Customer orders that                     • The Customer Step-Up Volume Tier                  equal to 0.50% of average OCV; and (ii)
                                                  yield fee code PY 11 are given a standard               currently requires that a Member has an                ADAV in Away Market Maker, Firm,
                                                  rebate of $0.25 per contract. Footnote 1                Options Step-Up Add TCV in Customer                    Broker Dealer and Joint Back Office
                                                  of the fee schedule sets forth eight tiers,             orders from September 2015 baseline                    greater than or equal to 0.40% of
                                                                                                          equal to or greater than 0.40%. As                     average OCV.
                                                    7 An ‘‘Exchange System Disruption’’ means ‘‘any
                                                                                                          amended, a Member must have an
                                                  day that the Exchange’s system experiences a            Options Step-Up Add OCV in Customer
                                                  disruption that lasts for more than 60 minutes                                                                   15 Id.
                                                                                                          orders from September 2015 baseline
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                                                  during Regular Trading Hours.’’ Id.                                                                              16 Id.
                                                    8 Id.                                                 equal to or greater than 0.45%.                          17 Id.
                                                    9 As defined in the Exchange’s fee schedule                                                                     18 Fee code PF is appended to a Member’s Firm,
                                                  available at http://www.bats.com/us/options/              12 Id.
                                                                                                                                                                 Broker Deal and Joint Back Office orders which add
                                                  membership/fee_schedule/bzx/.                             13 The Exchange proposes to retain the 0.05%         liquidity in Penny Pilot options. As defined in the
                                                    10 Id.                                                requirement as adjusting that number to reflect        Exchange’s fee schedule available at http://
                                                    11 Fee code PY is appended to a Member’s              replacing TCV with OCV will result in a de             www.bats.com/us/options/membership/
                                                  Customer orders which add liquidity in Penny Pilot      minimmis change in the percentage.                     fee_schedule/bzx/.
                                                  options. Id.                                              14 Id.                                                  19 Id.




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                                                  6680                         Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 12 / Thursday, January 19, 2017 / Notices

                                                     Non-Customer Penny Pilot Take                        amended, a Member must have an ADV                     greater than or equal to 1.30% of
                                                  Volume Tiers under footnote 3. Non-                     greater than or equal to 0.40% of                      average OCV.
                                                  Customer orders that yield fee code                     average OCV.                                             • Tier 3 currently requires that a
                                                  PP 20 are charged a standard fee of $0.50                 • Tier 2 currently requires that a                   Member has an ADV greater than or
                                                  per contract. Footnote 3 of the fee                     Member has an ADV greater than or                      equal to 2.50% of average TCV. As
                                                  schedule sets forth three tiers, each                   equal to 1.00% of average TCV. As                      amended, a Member must have an ADV
                                                  providing reduced fees ranging from                     amended, a Member must have an ADV                     greater than or equal to 3.25% of
                                                  $0.44 to $0.47 per contract to a                        greater than or equal to 1.30% of                      average OCV.
                                                  Member’s order that yields fee codes PP                 average OCV.                                             • Tier 4 currently requires that a
                                                  upon satisfying monthly volume                            • Tier 3 currently requires that a                   Member has an ADV [sic] in Market
                                                  criteria.21                                             Member has an: (i) ADV greater than or                 Maker orders greater than or equal to
                                                     • Tier 1 currently requires that a                   equal to 0.40% of average TCV; and (ii)                0.40% of average TCV. As amended, a
                                                  Member has an: (i) ADAV in Customer                     ADAV in Away Market Maker, Firm,                       Member must have an ADV [sic] in
                                                  orders greater than or equal to 0.60% of                Broker Dealer and Joint Back Office                    Market Maker orders greater than or
                                                  average TCV; (ii) ADAV in Market                        orders greater than or equal to 0.30% of               equal to 0.50% of average OCV.
                                                  Maker orders greater than or equal to                   average TCV. As amended, a Member                        Market Maker Penny Pilot Add
                                                  0.25% of average TCV and (iii) ADAV                     must have an: (i) ADV greater than or                  Volume Tiers under footnote 6. Footnote
                                                  on BZX Equities greater than or equal to                equal to 0.50% of average OCV; and (ii)                6 of the fee schedule sets forth two tiers,
                                                  0.30% of average TCV. As amended, a                     ADAV in Away Market Maker, Firm,                       each providing enhanced rebates of
                                                  Member must have an: (i) ADAV in                        Broker Dealer and Joint Back Office                    $0.40 and $0.42 per contract to a
                                                  Customer orders greater than or equal to                orders greater than or equal to 0.40% of               Member’s order that yields fee code PM
                                                  0.80% of average OCV; (ii) ADAV in                      average OCV.                                           upon satisfying monthly volume
                                                  Market Maker orders greater than or                       • Tier 4 currently requires that a                   criteria.
                                                  equal to 0.35% of average OCV; and (iii)                Member has an ADAV in Market                             • Tier 1 currently requires that a
                                                  ADAV on BZX Equities greater than or                    Maker 24 orders greater than or equal to               Member has an ADV greater than or
                                                  equal to 0.30% of average TCV.                          0.40% of average TCV. As amended a                     equal to 0.30% of average TCV. As
                                                     • Tier 2 currently requires that a                   Member must have an ADAV in Market                     amended, a Member must have an ADV
                                                  Member has an ADAV in Customer                          Maker orders greater than or equal to                  greater than or equal to 0.40% of
                                                  orders greater than or equal to 1.00% of                0.50% of average OCV.                                  average OCV.
                                                  average TCV. As amended, a Member                         • Tier 5 currently requires that a                     • Tier 2 currently requires that a
                                                  must have an ADAV in Customer orders                    Member has an ADAV in Non-Customer                     Member has an: (i) ADAV in Market
                                                  greater than or equal to 1.30% of                       orders greater than or equal to 2.30% of               Maker and/or Away Market Maker
                                                  average OCV.                                            average TCV. As amended a Member                       orders greater than or equal to 1.00% of
                                                     • Tier 3 currently requires that a                   must have an ADAV in Non-Customer                      average TCV; and (ii) ADV greater than
                                                  Member has an ADAV in Customer                          orders greater than or equal to 3.00% of               or equal to 2.00% of average TCV. As
                                                  orders greater than or equal to 1.30% of                average OCV.                                           amended, a Member must have an: (i)
                                                  average TCV. As amended, a Member                         Quoting Incentive Program (‘‘QIP’’)                  ADAV in Market Maker and/or Away
                                                  must have an ADAV in Customer orders                    Tiers under footnote 5. Footnote 5 sets                Market Maker orders greater than or
                                                  greater than or equal to 1.70% of                       forth four tiers each providing                        equal to 1.30% of average OCV; and (ii)
                                                  average OCV.                                            additional rebates ranging from $0.02 to               ADV greater than or equal to 2.60% of
                                                     National Best Bid or Best Offer                      $0.05 per contract for an order                        average OCV.
                                                  (‘‘NBBO’’) Setter Tiers under footnote 4.               appended with fee code PM or NM 25                       Market Maker Non-Penny Pilot Add
                                                  Footnote 4 of the fee schedule sets forth               that adds liquidity to the BZX Options                 Volume Tiers under footnote 7. Footnote
                                                  five tiers, each providing enhanced                     order book in options classes in which                 7 of the fee schedule sets forth two tiers,
                                                  rebates, ranging from $0.02 to $0.05 per                a Member is a Market Maker registered                  each providing enhanced rebates of
                                                  contract, to a Member’s orders that                     on BZX Options pursuant to Exchange                    $0.45 and $0.52 per contract to a
                                                  establish a new NBBO and yield fee                      Rule 22.2. A Market Maker must be                      Member’s order that yields fee code NM
                                                  codes PF, PM 22 or PN 23 upon satisfying                registered with BZX Options in an                      upon satisfying monthly volume
                                                  monthly volume criteria.                                average of 20% or more of the                          criteria,26
                                                     • Tier 1 currently requires that a                   associated options series in a class in                  • Tier 1 currently requires that a
                                                  Member has an ADV greater than or                       order to qualify for QIP rebates for that              Member has an ADV greater than or
                                                  equal to 0.30% of average TCV. As                       class.                                                 equal to 0.30% of average TCV. As
                                                                                                            • Tier 1 currently requires that a                   amended, a Member must have an ADV
                                                     20 Fee code PP is appended to a Member’s Non-
                                                                                                          Member has an ADV greater than or                      greater than or equal to 0.40% of
                                                  Customer orders which remove liquidity in Penny
                                                  Pilot options. Id.                                      equal to 0.30% of average TCV. As                      average OCV.
                                                     21 Footnote 3 also includes an additional Step-Up    amended, a Member must have an ADV                       • Tier 2 currently requires that a
                                                  Tier under which Members orders that yield fee          greater than or equal to 0.40% of                      Member has an ADV greater than or
                                                  code PP receive an additional $0.01 discount upon
                                                                                                          average OCV.                                           equal to 1.00% of average TCV. As
                                                  satisfying certain criteria. As described in more                                                              amended, a Member must have an ADV
                                                  detail below, the Exchange proposes to delete this        • Tier 2 currently requires that a
                                                  tier with a new Step-Up Tier as part of this filing.    Member has an ADV greater than or                      greater than or equal to 1.30% of
                                                     22 Fee code PM is appended to a Member’s Market
                                                                                                          equal to 1.00% of average TCV. As                      average OCV.
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                                                  Maker orders which add liquidity in Penny Pilot         amended, a Member must have an ADV                       Firm, Broker Dealer, and Joint Back
                                                  options and provides a standard rebate of $0.35 per                                                            Office Non-Penny Pilot Add Volume
                                                  contract. Id.
                                                     23 Fee code PN is appended to a Member’s Away          24 Id.
                                                                                                                                                                 Tiers under footnote 8. Firm, Broker
                                                  Market Maker orders which add liquidity in Penny          25 Fee code NM is appended to a Member’s             Dealer and Joint Back Office orders that
                                                  Pilot options and provides a standard rebate of         Market Maker orders which add liquidity in Non-
                                                  $0.30 per contract. As defined in the Exchange’s fee    Penny Pilot options. As defined in the Exchange’s        26 As described in more detail below, the

                                                  schedule available at http://www.bats.com/us/           fee schedule available at http://www.bats.com/us/      Exchange also proposes to adopt a third tier under
                                                  options/membership/fee_schedule/bzx/.                   options/membership/fee_schedule/bzx/.                  footnote 7 as part of this filing.



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                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 12 / Thursday, January 19, 2017 / Notices                                                      6681

                                                  yield fee code NF 27 are given a standard               a Member must have an ADAV in                          upon satisfying monthly volume
                                                  rebate of $0.30 per contract. Footnote 8                Customer and Professional orders                       criteria.
                                                  of the fee schedule sets forth three tiers,             greater than or equal to 0.40% of                        • Tier 1 currently requires that a
                                                  each providing enhanced rebates                         average OCV.                                           Member has an ADV greater than or
                                                  ranging from $0.45 to $0.69 per contract                   • Tier 4 currently requires that a                  equal to 0.30% of average TCV. As
                                                  to a Member’s order that yields fee                     Member has an ADAV in Customer and                     amended, a Member must have an ADV
                                                  codes NF upon satisfying monthly                        Professional orders greater than or equal              greater than or equal to 0.40% of
                                                  volume criteria.                                        to 0.50% of average TCV. As amended                    average OCV.
                                                    • Tier 1 currently requires that a                    a Member must have an ADAV in                            • Tier 2 currently requires that a
                                                  Member has an ADV greater than or                       Customer and Professional orders                       Member has an ADV greater than or
                                                  equal to 0.15% of average TCV. As                       greater than or equal to 0.65% of                      equal to 1.00% of average TCV. As
                                                  amended, a Member must have an ADV                      average OCV.                                           amended, a Member must have an ADV
                                                  greater than or equal to 0.20% of                          Away Market Maker Penny Pilot Add                   greater than or equal to 1.30% of
                                                  average OCV.                                            Volume Tiers under footnote 10. Away                   average OCV.
                                                    • Tier 2 currently requires that a                                                                             Customer Non-Penny Pilot Add
                                                                                                          Market Maker orders that yield fee code
                                                  Member has an ADV greater than or                                                                              Volume Tier under footnote 12.
                                                                                                          PN are given a standard rebate of $0.30
                                                  equal to 0.25% of average TCV. As                                                                              Customer orders that yield fee code
                                                                                                          per contract. Footnote 10 of the fee                   NY 30 are given a standard rebate of
                                                  amended, a Member must have an ADV
                                                                                                          schedule sets forth three tiers, each                  $0.85 per contract. Footnote 12 of the
                                                  greater than or equal to 0.35% of
                                                                                                          providing enhanced rebates ranging                     fee schedule sets forth one tier,
                                                  average OCV.
                                                    • Tier 3 currently requires that a                    from $0.40 to $0.46 per contract to a                  providing an enhanced rebate of $1.00
                                                  Member has an: (i) ADV greater than or                  Member’s order that yields fee code PN                 per contract to a Member’s order that
                                                  equal to 1.75% of average TCV; and (ii)                 upon satisfying monthly volume                         yields fee code NY upon satisfying
                                                  ADAV in Away Market Maker, Firm,                        criteria.                                              monthly volume criteria.31
                                                  Broker Dealer, and Joint Back Office                       • Tier 1 currently requires that a                    • Tier 1 currently requires that a
                                                  orders greater than or equal to 1.25% of                Member has an ADV greater than or                      Member has an ADAV in Customer
                                                  average TCV. As amended, a Member                       equal to 0.30% of average TCV. As                      orders greater than or equal to 0.70% of
                                                  must have an: (i) ADV greater than or                   amended, a Member must have an ADV                     average TCV. As amended a Member
                                                  equal to 2.30% of average OCV; and (ii)                 greater than or equal to 0.40% of                      must have an ADAV in Customer orders
                                                  ADAV in Away Market Maker, Firm,                        average OCV.                                           greater than or equal to 0.90% of
                                                  Broker Dealer, and Joint Back Office                       • Tier 2 currently requires that a                  average OCV.
                                                  orders greater than or equal to 1.65% of                Member has an: (i) ADAV in Away                          Non-Customer Non-Penny Pilot Take
                                                  average OCV.                                            Market Maker, Firm, Broker Dealer and                  Volume Tiers, under footnote 13. Non-
                                                    Professional Penny Pilot Add Volume                   Joint Back Office orders greater than or               Customer orders that yield fee code
                                                  Tiers under footnote 9. Professional                    equal to 0.80% of average TCV; and (ii)                NP 32 are charged a standard fee of $1.07
                                                  orders that yield fee code PA 28 are                    ADV greater than or equal to 1.50% of                  per contract. Footnote 13 of the fee
                                                  given a standard rebate of $0.25 per                    average TCV. As amended, a Member                      schedule sets forth three tiers, each
                                                  contract. Footnote 9 of the fee schedule                must have an: (i) ADAV in Away Market                  providing reduced fees ranging from
                                                  sets forth four tiers, each providing                   Maker, Firm, Broker Dealer and Joint                   $1.01 to $1.02 per contract to a
                                                  enhanced rebates ranging from $0.42 to                  Back Office orders greater than or equal               Member’s order that yields fee code NP
                                                  $0.48 per contract to a Member’s order                  to 1.05% of average OCV; and (ii) ADV                  upon satisfying monthly volume
                                                  that yields fee codes PA upon satisfying                greater than or equal to 1.95% of                      criteria.
                                                  monthly volume criteria.                                average OCV.                                             • Tier 1 currently requires that a
                                                    • Tier 1 currently requires that a                       • Tier 3 currently requires that a                  Member has an: (i) ADAV in Customer
                                                  Member has an ADAV in Customer and                      Member has an: (i) ADV greater than or                 orders greater than or equal to 0.60% of
                                                  Professional orders greater than or equal               equal to 0.40% of average TCV: and (ii)                average TCV; (ii) ADAV in Market
                                                  to 0.10% of average TCV. As amended,                    ADAV in Away Market Maker, Firm,                       Maker orders greater than or equal to
                                                  a Member must have an ADAV in                           Broker Dealer and Joint Back Office                    0.25% of average TCV; and (iii) ADAV
                                                  Customer and Professional orders                        orders greater than or equal to 0.30% of               on BZX Equities greater than or equal to
                                                  greater than or equal to 0.15% of                       average TCV. As amended, a Member                      0.30% of average TCV. As amended, a
                                                  average OCV.                                            must have an: (i) ADV greater than or                  Member must have an: (i) ADAV in
                                                    • Tier 2 currently requires that a                    equal to 0.50% of average OCV; and (ii)                Customer orders greater than or equal to
                                                  Member has an ADAV in Customer and                      ADAV in Away Market Maker, Firm,                       0.80% of average OCV; (ii) ADAV in
                                                  Professional orders greater than or equal               Broker Dealer and Joint Back Office                    Market Maker orders greater than or
                                                  to 0.20% of average TCV. As amended,                    orders greater than or equal to 0.40% of               equal to 0.35% of average OCV; and (iii)
                                                  a Member must have an ADAV in                           average OCV.                                           ADAV on BZX Equities greater than or
                                                  Customer and Professional orders                           Away Market Maker Non-Penny Pilot                   equal to 0.30% of average TCV.
                                                  greater than or equal to 0.25% of                       Add Volume Tiers under footnote 11.                      • Tier 2 currently requires that a
                                                  average OCV.                                            Away Market Maker orders that yield                    Member has an ADAV in Customer
                                                    • Tier 3 currently requires that a                    fee code NN 29 are given a standard                      30 Fee code NY is appended to a Member’s
                                                  Member has an ADAV in Customer and                      rebate of $0.30 per contract. Footnote 11              Customer orders which add liquidity in Non-Penny
                                                  Professional orders greater than or equal
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                                                                                                          of the fee schedule sets forth two tiers,              Pilot options. As defined in the Exchange’s fee
                                                  to 0.30% of average TCV. As amended,                    each providing enhanced rebates of                     schedule available at http://www.bats.com/us/
                                                                                                          $0.40 and $0.52 per contract to a                      options/membership/fee_schedule/bzx/.
                                                    27 Fee code NF is appended to a Member’s Firm,                                                                 31 As described in more detail below, the

                                                  Broker Dealer and Joint Back Office orders which
                                                                                                          Member’s order that yields fee code NN                 Exchange proposes to implement a second and
                                                  add liquidity in Non-Penny Pilot options. Id.                                                                  third tier under footnote 12 as part of this filing.
                                                    28 Fee code PA is appended to a Member’s                29 Fee code NN is appended to a Member’s Away          32 Fee code NP is appended to a Member’s Non-

                                                  Professional orders which add liquidity in Penny        Market Maker orders which add liquidity in Non-        Customer orders which remove liquidity in Non-
                                                  Pilot options. Id.                                      Penny Pilot options. Id.                               Penny Pilot options. Id.



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                                                  6682                         Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 12 / Thursday, January 19, 2017 / Notices

                                                  orders greater than or equal to 1.00% of                footnote 7 which provide enhanced                      within in the Fee Codes and Associated
                                                  average TCV. As amended a Member                        rebates of $0.45 and $0.52 per contract                Fees table.
                                                  must have an ADAV in Customer orders                    for orders which yield fee code NM and
                                                                                                                                                                 Implementation Date
                                                  greater than or equal to 1.30% of                       meet the required criteria. The Exchange
                                                  average OCV.                                            now proposes to add Tier 3 under                         The Exchange proposes to implement
                                                    • Tier 3 currently requires that a                    which a Member would receive an                        this amendment to its fee schedule on
                                                  Member has an ADAV in Customer                          enhanced rebate of $0.65 per contract                  January 3, 2017.34
                                                  orders greater than or equal to 1.30% of                where that Member has an: (i) ADAV in                  2. Statutory Basis
                                                  average TCV. As amended, a Member                       Market Maker orders in Non-Penny Pilot
                                                  must have an ADAV in Customer orders                                                                              The Exchange believes that the
                                                                                                          Securities greater than or equal to 0.20%
                                                  greater than or equal to 1.70% of                                                                              proposed rule change is consistent with
                                                                                                          of average OCV; and (ii) ADAV in Non-
                                                  average OCV.                                                                                                   the objectives of Section 6 of the Act,35
                                                                                                          Customer orders greater than or equal to               in general, and furthers the objectives of
                                                  Addition of the Step-Up Tier, Under                     3.00% of average OCV. The Exchange                     Section 6(b)(4),36 in particular, as it is
                                                  Footnote 1                                              also notes that changes are required to                designed to provide for the equitable
                                                                                                          the Standard Rates table of the fee                    allocation of reasonable dues, fees and
                                                     As described above, the Exchange
                                                                                                          schedule applicable to fee code NM in                  other charges among its Members and
                                                  currently offers eight Customer Penny
                                                                                                          connection with this change.                           other persons using its facilities. The
                                                  Pilot Add Volume Tiers under footnote
                                                  1 which provide enhanced rebates                        Addition of Tier 2 and the Customer                    Exchange also notes that it operates in
                                                  ranging from $0.40 to $0.53 per contract                Step-Up Tier Under Footnote 12                         a highly-competitive market in which
                                                  for orders which yield fee code PY and                                                                         market participants can readily direct
                                                  meet the required criteria. The Exchange                  As described above, the Exchange                     order flow to competing venues if they
                                                  now proposes to add a Step-Up Tier                      currently offers one Customer Non-                     deem fee levels at a particular venue to
                                                  which would provide an additional                       Penny Pilot Add Volume Tier under                      be excessive. The Exchange believes
                                                  rebate of $0.02 to orders appended with                 footnote 12 which provides an                          that the proposed fee changes are
                                                  fee code PY, including those orders that                enhanced rebate of $1.00 per contract                  equitable and non-discriminatory in that
                                                  satisfy the required criteria under the                 for orders which yield fee code NY and                 they apply uniformly to all Members.
                                                  tiers listed under footnote 1. To qualify               meet the required criteria. The Exchange               The Exchange believes the rates remain
                                                  for the additional rebate, a Member                     now proposes to add two new tiers                      competitive with those charged by other
                                                  must have an Options Step-Up Add                        under footnote 12. First, proposed Tier                venues and, therefore, are reasonable
                                                  OCV in Customer orders from October                     2 would provide an enhanced rebate of                  and equitably allocated to Members.
                                                  2016 baseline equal to or greater than                  $1.05 per contract where that Member                   New Defined Terms
                                                  0.45%.                                                  has an ADAV in Customer orders greater
                                                                                                          than or equal to 2.10% of average OCV.                   The Exchange believes adopting a
                                                  Elimination and Replacement of the                      Second, the proposed Step-Up Tier will                 definition of OCV, utilizing OCV in lieu
                                                  Step-Up Tier Under Footnote 3                           provide an enhanced rebate of $1.00 per                of TCV, and changing the definition of
                                                     As described above, the Exchange                     contract where that Member has an                      Options Step-Up Add TCV to Options
                                                  currently offers three Non-Customer                     Options Step-Up Add OCV in Customer                    Step-Up Add OCV are reasonable, fair
                                                  Penny Pilot Take Volume Tiers under                     orders from October 2016 baseline                      and equitable, and non-discriminatory
                                                  footnote 3 which provide reduced fees                   greater than or equal to 0.45%. The                    because the Exchange also proposed to
                                                  of $0.44 and $0.47 per contract for                     Exchange also notes that changes are                   modify the tier’s related criteria in order
                                                  orders which yield fee code PP and                      required to the Standard Rates table of                to maintain substantially identical
                                                  meet the required criteria. Additionally,               the fee schedule applicable to fee code                requirements to qualify for the tier
                                                  footnote 3 provides a Step-Up Tier                      NY in connection with these changes.                   without changing the rate provided for
                                                  under which Members may receive an                                                                             by the tiers. In addition, the amount of
                                                  additional discount of $0.01 per                        Addition of Footnote 14, the Customer                  OCV historically tends to remain
                                                  contract for orders appended with fee                   Penny Pilot Take Volume Tier                           reasonably consistent from month to
                                                  code PP, including those orders that                                                                           month, as opposed to TCV which is less
                                                                                                             The Exchange proposes to add new                    consistent. OCV is also more consistent
                                                  satisfy the required criteria under the                 footnote 14 entitled, ‘‘Customer Penny
                                                  tiers listed under footnote 3. To receive                                                                      than options volume that clears in the
                                                                                                          Pilot Take Volume Tier’’. Under the                    Market Maker or Firm range at the OCC,
                                                  the additional $0.01 per contract                       proposed Cross-Asset Tier, a Member’s
                                                  discount, the Member must have an                                                                              as Market Maker and Firm volume may
                                                                                                          orders that yield fee code PC 33 would                 vary drastically from month to month
                                                  Options Step-Up Add TCV in Customer                     be charged a reduced fee of $0.48 per
                                                  orders from September 2016 baseline                                                                            based on market events, as opposed to
                                                                                                          contract where that Member has an: (i)                 Customer options volume which
                                                  greater than or equal to 0.30%. The                     ADAV in Customer orders greater than                   remains relatively consistent. Therefore,
                                                  Exchange now proposes to delete and                     or equal to 0.50% of average OCV; and                  the Exchange believes utilizing OCV
                                                  replace this Step-Up Tier under footnote                (ii) ADAV on BZX Equities greater than                 would result in consistent tier criteria as
                                                  3 with a new Step-Up Tier which would                   or equal to 0.50% of average TCV. The                  OCV is a relatively static monthly
                                                  provide a reduced fee of $0.47 per                      Exchange also notes that changes are                   number which would enable market
                                                  contract for orders which yield fee code                required to the Standard Rates table of                participants to better predict whether
                                                  PP and where the Member has an                          the fee schedule applicable to fee code                they may achieve a tier criteria each
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                                                  Options Step-Up Add OCV in Customer                     PC in connection with this change. In                  month and qualify for that tier’s
                                                  orders from October 2016 baseline                       addition, the Exchange proposes to                     preferred pricing.
                                                  greater than or equal to 0.45%.                         append footnote 14 to fee code PC
                                                  Addition of Tier 3 Under Footnote 7                                                                              34 The Exchange notes that the date of the fee

                                                                                                            33 Fee code PC is appended to a Member’s             schedule was updated to January 3, 2017 in SR–
                                                    As described above, the Exchange                      Customer orders which remove liquidity in Penny        BatsBZX–2016–90 (filed on December 27, 2016).
                                                  currently offers two Market Maker Non-                  Pilot options and is charged a standard fee of $0.49     35 15 U.S.C. 78f.

                                                  Penny Pilot Add Volume Tiers under                      per contract. Id.                                        36 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).




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                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 12 / Thursday, January 19, 2017 / Notices                                             6683

                                                     The Exchange also believes that the                     Volume-based rebates such as that                   market behavior. The Exchange believes
                                                  use of OCV provides a calculation that                  proposed herein have been widely                       the proposed new Step-Up Tier under
                                                  is identical to that which was                          adopted by exchanges, including the                    footnote 3 should incentives Members
                                                  implemented in December 2016 on the                     Exchange, and are equitable because                    to increase their participation in
                                                  EDGX Options fee schedule.37                            they are open to all Members on an                     Customer and Non-Customer orders.
                                                  Additionally, the OCV calculation is                    equal basis and provide additional                     Likewise, the proposed tiers under
                                                  reasonably identical to and is not a                    benefits or discounts that are reasonably              footnotes 1, 7 and 12 are also designed
                                                  significant departure from tier                         related to: (i) The value to an exchange’s             to incentivize Members to increase their
                                                  qualifications conventions offered by                   market quality; (ii) associated higher                 participation on the Exchange. The
                                                  other exchanges.38 The Exchange                         levels of market activity, such as higher              Exchange believes it is reasonable to
                                                  believes that the proposed definition of                levels of liquidity provisions and/or                  continue to modify the volume based
                                                  OCV and the proposed revision of the                    growth patterns; and (iii) introduction of             incentives to help to contribute to the
                                                  definition of Options Step-Up Add TCV                   higher volumes of orders into the price                growth of the Exchange. The Exchange
                                                  to Options Step-Up Add OCV are                          and volume discovery processes.                        also believes the proposed change is not
                                                  reasonable, fair and equitable, and non-                   The proposed modifications and                      unfairly discriminatory because it will
                                                  discriminatory, and will provide                        additions proposed herein are also                     apply equally to all participants.
                                                  additional transparency and simplicity                  intended to incentivize additional                        Addition of Footnote 14, Customer
                                                  to Members regarding the calculations                   Members to send orders to the Exchange                 Penny Pilot Take Volume Tier. The
                                                  used to determine volume levels for                     in an effort to qualify for the enhanced               Exchange believes that the proposal to
                                                  purposes of the proposed tiered pricing                 rebate made available by the tiers. The
                                                                                                                                                                 add a Cross-Asset Tier is a reasonable,
                                                  model.                                                  Exchange believes the proposed change
                                                                                                                                                                 fair and equitable, and not unfairly
                                                                                                          to each tier’s criteria is consistent with
                                                  Volume-Based Tier Modifications                                                                                discriminatory allocation of fees and
                                                                                                          the Act.
                                                     The Exchange believes that the                          Proposed Revisions and New Tiers                    rebates for similar reasons stated above
                                                  proposed modifications to the tiered                    under Footnotes 1, 3, 7, and 12. The                   with regard to the revisions of the
                                                  pricing structure are reasonable, fair and              Exchange believes the proposed tiers                   Customer Cross-Asset Add Tier under
                                                  equitable, and non-discriminatory. The                  under footnotes 1, 3 7, and 12 are                     footnote 1. Specifically, the Exchange
                                                  Exchange operates in a highly                           reasonable, fair and equitable, and non-               believes the proposed tier will provide
                                                  competitive market in which market                      discriminatory. The proposed tiers are                 Members with an additional incentive
                                                  participants may readily send order                     intended to attract order flow to the                  to reach certain thresholds on both BZX
                                                  flow to many competing venues if they                   Exchange by offering market                            Equities and BZX Options. The
                                                  deem fees at the Exchange to be                         participants a competitive pricing                     increased liquidity from this proposal
                                                  excessive. The proposed fee structure                   structure. The Exchange believes it is                 also benefits all investors by deepening
                                                  remains intended to attract order flow to               reasonable to offer incrementally                      the BZX Equities and BZX Options
                                                  the Exchange by offering market                         modified incentives intended to help to                liquidity pools, offering additional
                                                  participants a competitive pricing                      contribute to the growth of the                        flexibility for all investors to enjoy cost
                                                  structure. The Exchange believes it is                  Exchange. First, the Exchange believes                 savings, supporting the quality of price
                                                  reasonable to offer and incrementally                   the revisions to the Customer Cross-                   discovery, promoting market
                                                  modify incentives intended to help to                   Asset Add Tier under footnote 1 are                    transparency and improving investor
                                                  contribute to the growth of the                         equitable and reasonable because                       protection. Such pricing programs
                                                  Exchange.                                               further incentivize Members to reach                   thereby reward a Member’s growth
                                                                                                          certain thresholds on both BZX Options                 pattern on the Exchange and such
                                                     37 See Securities Exchange Act Release No.
                                                                                                          and BZX Equities. Such pricing                         increased volume increases potential
                                                  239239 [sic] (December 7, 2016), 81 FR 90009            programs thereby reward a Member’s                     revenue to the Exchange, and will allow
                                                  (December 13, 2016) (SR–BatsEDGX–2016–68).                                                                     the Exchange to continue to provide and
                                                     38 See the NYSE MKT LLC (‘‘NYSE MKT’’) fee           growth pattern on the Exchange and
                                                  schedule available at https://www.nyse.com/             such increased volume increases                        potentially expand the incentive
                                                  publicdocs/nyse/markets/amex-options/                   potential revenue to the Exchange, and                 programs operated by the Exchange. To
                                                  NYSE_Amex_Options_Fee_Schedule.pdf (setting             will allow the Exchange to continue to                 the extent a Member participates on the
                                                  forth tiers that provide preferred pricing to options                                                          Exchange but not on BZX Equities, the
                                                  market makers who meet certain criteria, including      provide and potentially expand the
                                                  achieving a specific ‘‘Monthly Volume as a % of         incentive programs operated by the                     Exchange does believe that the proposal
                                                  Industry Customer Equity and Exchange Traded            Exchange. To the extent a Member                       is still reasonable, equitably allocated
                                                  Fund (‘‘ETF’’) Option Volume’’); NYSE Arca, Inc.        participates on the BZX Options but not                and non-discriminatory with respect to
                                                  (‘‘NYSE ARCA’’) options fee schedule available at
                                                  https://www.nyse.com/publicdocs/nyse/markets/           on BZX Equities, the Exchange does                     such Member based on the overall
                                                  arca-options/NYSE_Arca_Options_Fee_                     believe that the proposal is still                     benefit to the Exchange resulting from
                                                  Schedule.pdf (setting forth a Market Maker              reasonable, equitably allocated and non-               the success of BZX Options. As noted
                                                  Incentive tier that provides preferred pricing to                                                              above, such success allows the
                                                  market makers who meet certain criteria, including
                                                                                                          discriminatory with respect to such
                                                  achieving a specific percentage of ‘‘Total Industry     Member based on the overall benefit to                 Exchange to continue to provide and
                                                  Customer equity and ETF option ADV’’); Nasdaq           the Exchange resulting from the success                potentially expand its existing incentive
                                                  Stock Market LLC (‘‘Nasdaq’’) options fee schedule      of BZX Equities.                                       programs to the benefit of all
                                                  available at http://www.nasdaqtrader.com/
                                                  Micro.aspx?id=optionsPricing (setting forth tiers
                                                                                                             Additionally, the Exchange believes                 participants on the Exchange, whether
                                                  that provide preferred pricing to market makers         the elimination and replacement of the                 they participate on BZX Options or not.
                                                                                                          Step-Up tier under footnote 3 is                       The proposed pricing program is also
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                                                  who meet certain criteria, including achieving a
                                                  specific percentage of ‘‘total industry customer        reasonable, fair, and equitable because                fair and equitable in that membership in
                                                  equity and ETF option ADV contracts per month’’);
                                                  and Nasdaq BX LLC (‘‘BX’’) options fee schedule         the current tier was not providing the                 BZX Options is available to all market
                                                  available at http://www.nasdaqtrader.com/               desired result of incentivizing Members                participants which would provide them
                                                  Micro.aspx?id=BXOptionsPricing (setting forth tiers     to increase their participation over time.             with access to the benefits on BZX
                                                  that provide preferred pricing to market makers                                                                Options provided by the proposed
                                                  who meet certain criteria, including achieving a
                                                                                                          Therefore, eliminating the current Step-
                                                  specific percentage of ‘‘total industry customer        Up Tier under footnote 3 will have a                   changes, as described above, even where
                                                  equity and ETF option ADV contracts per month’’).       negligible effect on order flow and                    a member of BZX Options is not


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                                                  6684                         Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 12 / Thursday, January 19, 2017 / Notices

                                                  necessarily eligible for the proposed                   C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                          Commission and any person, other than
                                                  increased rebates on the Exchange.                      Statement on Comments on the                               those that may be withheld from the
                                                  Further, the proposed changes will                      Proposed Rule Change Received from                         public in accordance with the
                                                  result in Members receiving either the                  Members, Participants, or Others                           provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
                                                  same or an increased rebate than they                     The Exchange has not solicited, and                      available for Web site viewing and
                                                  would currently receive. The Exchange                   does not intend to solicit, comments on                    printing in the Commission’s Public
                                                  also believes that the proposed tiered                  this proposed rule change. The                             Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,
                                                  pricing structure is consistent with                    Exchange has not received any                              Washington, DC 20549, on official
                                                  pricing previously offered by the                       unsolicited written comments from                          business days between the hours of
                                                  Exchange as well as other options                       Members or other interested parties.                       10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the
                                                  exchanges and does not represent a                                                                                 filing also will be available for
                                                  significant departure from such pricing                 III. Date of Effectiveness of the                          inspection and copying at the principal
                                                  structures.39                                           Proposed Rule Change and Timing for                        office of the Exchange. All comments
                                                                                                          Commission Action                                          received will be posted without change;
                                                  B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                          The foregoing rule change has become                    the Commission does not edit personal
                                                  Statement on Burden on Competition                      effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)                  identifying information from
                                                     The Exchange does not believe its                    of the Act 40 and paragraph (f) of Rule                    submissions. You should submit only
                                                  proposed amendment to its fee schedule                  19b–4 thereunder.41 At any time within                     information that you wish to make
                                                  would impose any burden on                              60 days of the filing of the proposed rule                 available publicly. All submissions
                                                  competition that is not necessary or                    change, the Commission summarily may                       should refer to File Number SR–
                                                  appropriate in furtherance of the                       temporarily suspend such rule change if                    BatsBZX–2017–01 and should be
                                                  purposes of the Act. The Exchange does                  it appears to the Commission that such                     submitted on or before February 9, 2017.
                                                  not believe that the proposed changes                   action is necessary or appropriate in the                    For the Commission, by the Division of
                                                  represents a significant departure from                 public interest, for the protection of                     Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
                                                  previous pricing offered by the                         investors, or otherwise in furtherance of                  authority.42
                                                  Exchange or pricing offered by the                      the purposes of the Act.                                   Eduardo A. Aleman,
                                                  Exchange’s competitors. The Exchange                    IV. Solicitation of Comments                               Assistant Secretary.
                                                  believes that its proposal to amend the                   Interested persons are invited to                        [FR Doc. 2017–01149 Filed 1–18–17; 8:45 am]
                                                  qualification criteria and to incorporate               submit written data, views, and                            BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                                  OCV as proposed would not impose any                    arguments concerning the foregoing,
                                                  burden on competition that is not                       including whether the proposed rule
                                                  necessary or appropriate in furtherance                 change is consistent with the Act.                         DEPARTMENT OF STATE
                                                  of the purposes of the Act because the                  Comments may be submitted by any of
                                                  Exchange also proposed to modify the                                                                               [Public Notice: 9825]
                                                                                                          the following methods:
                                                  tier’s related criteria in order to                                                                                60-Day Notice of Proposed Information
                                                  maintain substantially identical                        Electronic Comments
                                                                                                                                                                     Collection: Passport Demand
                                                  requirements to qualify for each tier.                    • Use the Commission’s Internet                          Forecasting Survey
                                                  Additionally, Members may opt to                        comment form (http://www.sec.gov/
                                                  disfavor the Exchange’s pricing if they                 rules/sro.shtml); or                                             Notice of request for public
                                                                                                                                                                     ACTION:
                                                  believe that alternatives offer them                      • Send an email to rule-comments@                        comment.
                                                  better value. Accordingly, the Exchange                 sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–
                                                  does not believe that the proposed                      BatsBZX–2017–01 on the subject line.                       SUMMARY:   The Department of State is
                                                  changes to the volume discount and                                                                                 seeking Office of Management and
                                                  rebate structure will impair the ability                Paper Comments                                             Budget (OMB) approval for the
                                                  of Members or competing venues to                         • Send paper comments in triplicate                      information collection described below.
                                                  maintain their competitive standing in                  to Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Securities                  In accordance with the Paperwork
                                                  the financial markets. The Exchange                     and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street                      Reduction Act of 1995, we are
                                                  believes that its proposal would not                    NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090.                            requesting comments on this collection
                                                  burden intramarket competition because                  All submissions should refer to File                       from all interested individuals and
                                                  the proposed rate changes would                         Number SR–BatsBZX–2017–01. This file                       organizations. The purpose of this
                                                  continue to apply uniformly to all                      number should be included on the                           notice is to allow 60 days for public
                                                  Members. As stated above, the Exchange                  subject line if email is used. To help the                 comment preceding submission of the
                                                  notes that it operates in a highly                      Commission process and review your                         collection to OMB.
                                                  competitive market in which market                      comments more efficiently, please use                      DATES: The Department will accept
                                                  participants can readily direct order                   only one method. The Commission will                       comments from the public up to March
                                                  flow to competing venues if they deem                   post all comments on the Commission’s                      20, 2017.
                                                  fee structure s to be unreasonable or                   Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/                     ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
                                                  excessive. The Exchange does not                        rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the                            by any of the following methods:
                                                  believe the proposed tiers would burden                 submission, all subsequent                                    • Web: Persons with access to the
                                                  intramarket competition as they would                   amendments, all written statements                         Internet may comment on this notice by
                                                                                                                                                                     going to www.Regulations.gov. You can
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                                                  apply to all Members uniformly.                         with respect to the proposed rule
                                                                                                          change that are filed with the                             search for the document by entering
                                                    39 See, e.g., BZX Exchange Options Fee Schedule,      Commission, and all written                                ‘‘Docket Number: DOS–2016–0079’’ in
                                                  Footnote 1, Customer Add Tier, which provides an        communications relating to the                             the Search field. Then click the
                                                  enhanced rebate to Customer orders on BZX                                                                          ‘‘Comment Now’’ button and complete
                                                  Options based on both Customer volume and
                                                                                                          proposed rule change between the
                                                  Market Maker volume. The BZX Options Fee                                                                           the comment form.
                                                                                                            40 15   U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
                                                  Schedule is available at: http://
                                                  www.batsoptions.com/support/fee_schedule/bzx/.            41 17   CFR 240.19b–4(f).                                  42 17   CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).



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Document Created: 2018-02-01 15:15:47
Document Modified: 2018-02-01 15:15:47
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 Citation82 FR 6678 

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