Self-Regulatory Organizations; Proposed Rule Changes:

Federal Register: December 22, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 245)

Notices

Page 80556-80557

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

DOCID:fr22de10-114

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Release No. 34-63561; File No. SR-FINRA-2010-066

Self-Regulatory Organizations; Financial Industry Regulatory

Authority, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of

Proposed Rule Change To Update a Cross-Reference in FINRA Rule 2232

(Customer Confirmations)

December 16, 2010.

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(``Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given that on December 13, 2010, 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'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I and

II below, which Items have been prepared by FINRA. FINRA has designated the proposed rule change as ``constituting a stated policy, practice, or interpretation with respect to the meaning, administration, or enforcement of an existing rule'' under Section 19(b)(3)(A)(i) of the

Act \3\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(1) thereunder,\4\ which renders the proposal effective upon receipt of this filing by the Commission. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.

\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).

\2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.

\3\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(i).

\4\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(1).

  1. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change

    FINRA is proposing to update a certain cross-reference in FINRA

    Rule 2232 (Customer Confirmations) to reflect changes adopted in the consolidated FINRA rulebook.

    The text of the proposed rule change is available on FINRA's website at http://www.finra.org, at the principal office of FINRA, on the Commission's Web site at http://www.sec.gov, and at the

    Commission's Public Reference Room.

  2. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and

    Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

    In its filing with the Commission, FINRA included statements concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in

    Item IV below. FINRA has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A,

    B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements.

    1. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and

      Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose

      FINRA is in the process of developing a new consolidated rulebook

      (``Consolidated FINRA Rulebook'').\5\ As part of that process, the SEC recently approved the adoption of FINRA Rule 2232 (Customer

      Confirmations) in the Consolidated FINRA Rulebook.\6\

      \5\ The current FINRA rulebook consists of (1) FINRA Rules; (2)

      NASD Rules; and (3) rules incorporated from NYSE (``Incorporated

      NYSE Rules'') (together, the NASD Rules and Incorporated NYSE Rules are referred to as the ``Transitional Rulebook''). While the NASD

      Rules generally apply to all FINRA members, the Incorporated NYSE

      Rules apply only to those members of FINRA that are also members of the NYSE (``Dual Members''). The FINRA Rules apply to all FINRA members, unless such rules have a more limited application by their terms. For more information about the rulebook consolidation process, see Information Notice, March 12, 2008 (Rulebook

      Consolidation Process).

      \6\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 63150 (October 21, 2010), 75 FR 66173 (October 27, 2010) (Order Approving Proposed Rule

      Change; File No. SR-FINRA-2009-058).

      The proposed rule change updates a certain cross-reference in FINRA

      Rule 2232 to reflect recent changes adopted in the Consolidated FINRA

      Rulebook, specifically, the transfer of the definition of ``direct participation program'' from former FINRA Rule 6642 to current FINRA

      Rule 6420.\7\

      \7\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 61819 (March 31, 2010), 75 FR 17806 (April 7, 2010) (Order Approving Proposed Rule

      Change; File No. SR-FINRA-2009-061).

      FINRA has filed the proposed rule change for immediate effectiveness. The implementation date of FINRA Rule 2232 will be June 17, 2011. 2. Statutory Basis

      FINRA believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the provisions of Section 15A(b)(6) of the Act,\8\ which requires, among other things, that FINRA rules must be designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest. FINRA believes the proposed rule change will provide greater clarity to members and the public regarding FINRA's rules.

      \8\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-3(b)(6).

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

      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.

    3. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed

      Rule Change Received From Members, Participants or Others

      Written comments were neither solicited nor received.

      Page 80557

  3. 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 \9\ and paragraph (f)(1) of Rule 19b-4 thereunder.\10\ 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.

    \9\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).

    \10\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(1).

  4. 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 e-mail to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include

    File Number SR-FINRA-2010-066 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.

    All submissions should refer to File Number SR-FINRA-2010-066. 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 (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 website viewing and printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room on official business days between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of such filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of FINRA. All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make publicly available. All submissions should refer to File Number

    SR-FINRA-2010-066 and should be submitted on or before January 12, 2011.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.\11\

    \11\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).

    Florence E. Harmon,

    Deputy Secretary.

    FR Doc. 2010-32090 Filed 12-21-10; 8:45 am

    BILLING CODE 8011-01-P

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