I. Introduction

On August 24, 2009, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) (f/k/a National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (“NASD”)) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC” or “Commission”), pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act” or “Act”) ^[1] and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,^[2] a proposed rule change to adopt FINRA Rule 2232 (Customer Confirmations) in the ( printed page 66174) consolidated FINRA rulebook and to delete NASD Rule 2230, NASD IM-2110-6 and Incorporated NYSE Rule 409(f). The proposed rule change was published for comment in the Federal Register on September 21, 2009.^[3] The Commission received three comments in response to the proposed rule change.^[4] On September 16, 2010, FINRA responded to the comments ^[5] and filed Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule change.^[6] The Commission is publishing this notice and order to solicit comments on Amendment No. 1 and to approve the proposed rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 1, on an accelerated basis.

II. Description of the Proposed Rule Change

As part of the process of developing a new Consolidated FINRA Rulebook,^[7] FINRA proposed to adopt a new, consolidated customer confirmation rule by adopting FINRA Rule 2232 (Customer Confirmations) and deleting NASD Rule 2230, NASD IM-2110-6 and NYSE Rule 409(f).^[8]

A. Background

NASD and NYSE rules set forth certain basic requirements with respect to confirmations of transactions with customers.^[9]

1. NASD Rule 2230

NASD Rule 2230 provides that a member, at or before the completion of each transaction ^[10] with a customer shall, give or send to the customer written notification ( i.e., confirmation) disclosing: (a) Whether the member is acting as a broker for the customer, as a dealer for its own account, as a broker for some other person, or as a broker for both the customer and some other person; and (b) in any case in which the member is acting as a broker for the customer or for both the customer and some other person, either the name of the person from whom the security was purchased or to whom it was sold for the customer and the date and time when the transaction took place or the fact that such information will be furnished upon the request of the customer, and the source and amount of any commission or other remuneration received or to be received by the member in connection with the transaction.

When NASD Rule 2230 was adopted in 1939 ^[11] its requirements essentially duplicated those set forth in Exchange Act Rule 15c1-4 as originally adopted by the Commission. The primary difference between the two rules was that the scope of Rule 15c1-4 was restricted to over-the-counter transactions while the NASD rule by its terms extended to all member transactions with customers.^[12] In 1977, the Commission rescinded Rule 15c1-4 and adopted Exchange Act Rule 10b-10, indicating that it would apply “regardless of the manner in which a broker-dealer conducts its business or the marketplace where transactions are effected.” ^[13] Since then, the Commission has amended Rule 10b-10 several times.^[14]

2. NASD IM-2110-6

NASD IM-2110-6 requires that any member providing a customer confirmation pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 10b-10 in connection with any transaction in callable common stock ^[15] must disclose on the confirmation that the security is callable common stock and that a customer may contact the member for more information concerning the security.

When IM-2110-6 was adopted in 2000, FINRA noted that an investor purchasing callable common stock is subject to unique risks not typically associated with ownership of common stock, even when such stock is called away at a premium.^[16] FINRA also stated that the ability of an issuer's common stock to be called away from a shareholder generally is a material fact to an investor. Accordingly, in adopting the IM, FINRA stated that high standards of commercial honor and just and equitable principles of trade would require members to provide the disclosures as set forth in the IM. FINRA further emphasized that the disclosure of the call feature on the confirmation in no way relieves a member of its obligation to consider the callable nature of the security when complying with any applicable suitability obligations.

3. NYSE Rule 409(f)

NYSE Rule 409(f) requires that confirmation of all transactions in securities admitted to dealings on the NYSE—whether over-the-counter or on an exchange—sent by members or member organizations to their customers, must clearly set forth with a suitable legend the settlement date of each transaction. The rule provides that this requirement also applies to confirmations or reports from an organization to a correspondent, but does not apply to reports made by floor brokers to the member organization from which the orders were received. The rule further contains a general cross-reference instructing members to refer to Exchange Act Rule 10b-10.

B. Proposal

As discussed in the Notice, the proposed rule change would delete current NASD Rule 2230 from the FINRA rulebook and replace it with proposed FINRA Rule 2232, which would streamline and combine basic customer confirmation requirements in the NASD and NYSE Rules. Specifically:

• Proposed FINRA Rule 2232 would provide that confirmations must be given or sent to customers in conformity with the requirements of Exchange Act Rule 10b-10. FINRA believes that incorporating by reference the requirements of Rule 10b-10, as opposed to replicating Rule 10b-10's detailed requirements in FINRA's rule, would make the proposed rule clear and serve the interests of regulatory efficiency.
• The proposed rule change would delete NASD IM-2110-6 from the FINRA rulebook and transfer its requirements to proposed FINRA Rule 2232. Proposed FINRA Rule 2232 would expand the coverage of those requirements to make clear that the requirement to disclose that the security is callable (and that further information is available from the member) applies to any callable equity security,^[17] not just callable common stock. As stated in the Notice, FINRA believes that, from the standpoint of investor protection, this change is necessary to ensure that the rule covers, for instance, callable preferred stock.^[18]

• The proposed rule would include the requirement in NYSE Rule 409(f) to disclose the settlement date of the transaction, with two changes. First, consistent with FINRA's investor protection mission, the requirement to disclose the settlement date of the transaction would include all transactions in securities, not just NYSE-listed securities. Second, because the proposed rule would address customer confirmations, the elements of the NYSE rule addressing member-to-member communications would, consistent with the parameters of Exchange Act Rule 10b-10, be deleted.

FINRA will announce the implementation date of the proposed rule change in a Regulatory Notice to be published no later than 90 days following Commission approval. The implementation date will be no later than 240 days following Commission approval.

III. Summary of Comment Letters and FINRA's Response

The Commission received three comments on the proposed rule change,^[19] all of which objected to the settlement disclosure requirement of the proposed rule, particularly with respect to mutual fund and variable annuity transactions. Among the reasons cited for the objections were differences in calculating settlement dates for mutual fund purchases through a broker-dealer versus those purchased through a mutual fund's underwriter.^[20] Another commenter was of the view that variable annuity transactions were not a “good fit” because they do not settle like other securities transactions.^[21] One commenter also objected to the potential costs associated with reprogramming and testing automated confirmation systems to include settlement date information.^[22] This commenter also made a number of procedural objections.^[23] One commenter urged FINRA to revise the proposed rule to relieve broker-dealers from having to disclose the settlement date when that date is the same as the trade date, or considering the settlement date requirement to be satisfied if the trade date on the confirmation is the same as the settlement date.^[24] Another commenter indicated that there should be a two-year implementation timetable if the rule change is adopted as proposed.^[25]

In its response, FINRA clarified that it intended the settlement date provisions to apply only to transactions in traditional equity securities, whether traded on an exchange or over-the-counter where, according to FINRA, the disclosure of settlement date serves the purposes of investor protection.^[26] FINRA filed Amendment No. 1 to clarify this intent by limiting the settlement date provisions of the proposed rule to transactions in: (1) Any NMS stock as defined in Rule 600 of Regulation NMS; ^[27] and (2) any equity security subject to the reporting requirements of the FINRA Rule 6600 series, other than direct participation programs as defined in FINRA Rule 6642. FINRA stated that it also made other minor changes to the proposed rule in the interest of clarity.

FINRA also noted that with respect to considering the implementation costs of a proposed rule filing, in a self-regulatory organization rulemaking, the appropriate standard, as stated in Section 15A(b)(9) of the Exchange Act, is that the rules do not impose any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Exchange Act.^[28] Moreover, FINRA tailors its proposed rule changes as narrowly as possible to achieve the intended and necessary regulatory benefit. As stated in Item 4 of the proposed rule change, FINRA does not believe that the proposed rule change will result in any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. FINRA also noted that, as required under Section 19(b)(1) of the Exchange Act,^[29] it submitted to the Commission a concise general statement of the basis and purpose of the proposed rule.^[30]

IV. Discussion and Commission Finding

After carefully considering the proposal, as amended by Amendment No. 1, the comments, and FINRA's ( printed page 66176) Response, the Commission finds that the proposed rule change is consistent with the requirements of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder that are applicable to national securities associations.^[31] In particular, the Commission believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the provisions of Section 15A(b)(6) of the Exchange Act,^[32] which requires, among other things, that FINRA rules must be designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, promote just and equitable principles of trade, and in general, to protect investors and the public interest. The proposed rule change is consistent with FINRA's obligations under the Exchange Act to protect investors and the public interest because the proposed rule streamlines the rules governing broker-dealers' confirmation requirements by cross-referencing Exchange Act Rule 10b-10 while maintaining the additional disclosure requirements of NASD IM-2110-6 ( i.e., relating to callable securities) and extending the additional NYSE Rule 409(f) requirements ( i.e., relating to settlement date) to a broader range of equity securities.

The Commission believes that FINRA has adequately addressed the concerns raised by commenters with respect to the application of the settlement date provisions to mutual fund and variable annuity transactions. In particular, Amendment No. 1 limits the settlement date disclosure requirement to Regulation NMS stock and over-the-counter equity securities subject to the FINRA Rule 6600 series. We also believe that the proposed rule is consistent with the public interest and the protection of investors because information regarding the callable status of a security is generally a material fact for investors. Indeed, callable securities can subject investors to additional reinvestment risk because investors may have less attractive alternatives for reinvesting the proceeds if the issuer calls the security earlier than the investor's intended sell date, even when the security is called away at a premium. In addition, the disclosure of settlement date on a confirmation is important for investors because many of the rights and benefits associated with the beneficial ownership of a security do not confer until settlement date.^[33] Finally, we note that the Exchange Act does not require a cost/benefit analysis with respect to proposed self-regulatory organization rules that are filed with, and approved by, the Commission.

V. Accelerated Approval

The Commission finds good cause, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Exchange Act,^[34] for approving the proposed rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 1, prior to the 30th day after publication of Amendment No. 1 in the Federal Register . The changes proposed in Amendment No. 1 respond to specific concerns raised by commenters. In particular, Amendment No. 1 will limit the application of the settlement date provisions to transactions in Regulation NMS securities and to over-the-counter equity securities subject to the reporting requirements of the FINRA Rule 6600 series, other than direct participation programs as defined in FINRA Rule 6642.

Accordingly, the Commission finds that good cause exists to approve the proposal, as modified by Amendment No. 1, on an accelerated basis.

VI. 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 (www.sec.gov/​rules/​sro.shtml); or
• Send an e-mail torule-comments@sec.gov. Please include File Number SR-FINRA-2009-058 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

• Send paper comments in triplicate to Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090.

VII. Conclusion

It is therefore ordered, pursuant to section 19(b)(2) of the Exchange Act,^[35] that the proposed rule change (SR-FINRA-2009-058), as modified by Amendment No. 1, be, and hereby is, approved on an accelerated basis.

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-FINRA-2009-058. This file number should be included on the subject line if e-mail 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 ( 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 a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of such filings also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of FINRA. All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-FINRA-2009-058 and should be submitted on or before November 17, 2010.