[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 191 (Monday, October 4, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53762-53763]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-25700]


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

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-41937; File No. SR-NASD-99-43]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate 
Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by the National Association of 
Securities Dealers, Inc. Relating to Central Registration Depository 
Fees

September 28, 1999.
    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 September 7, 1999, the National Association of Securities Dealers, 
Inc. (``NASD'' or ``Association''), through its wholly owned subsidiary 
NASD Regulation, Inc. (``NASD Regulation'' or ``NASDR''), filed with 
the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') the proposed 
rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items 
have been prepared by NASD Regulation. The NASD has designated this 
proposal as one changing a due, fee, or other charge imposed by the 
NASD under Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act,\3\ 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. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of 
Substance of the Proposed Rule Change

    The NASD proposes to amend Schedule A of the NASD By-Laws to revise 
the fees imposed for filings made with the Central Registration 
Depository (``CRD''). Below is the text of the proposed rule change. 
Proposed new language is italicized; proposed deletions are in 
brackets.

Schedule A to the NASD By-Laws

Section 2--Fees
    (b) The NASD shall assess each member a fee of:
* * * * *
    [(3) $20.00 for each amended Form U-4 or Form U-5 filed by the 
member with the NASD;]
    [(4)] (3) $95.00 for the additional processing of each initial or 
amended Form U-4 or Form U-5 that includes the initial reporting, 
amendment, or certification of one or more disclosure events or 
proceedings;
    [(5)] (4) $10.00 for each fingerprint card submitted by the member 
to the NASD, plus any other charge that may be imposed by the United 
States Department of Justice for processing such fingerprint card; and
    [(6)] (5) [$15.00] $30.00 annually for each of the member's 
registered representatives and principals [to renew the registration 
for the following year] for system processing.
* * * * *

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 NASDR 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 NASDR has prepared summaries, set forth in sections 
A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements.

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

1. Purpose
    The proposed rule change amends Schedule A of the NASD By-Laws to 
revise certain fees charged for operating the Central Registration 
Depository (``CRD''). Currently, the NASD charges a $20.00 fee for each 
Form U-4 and U-5 amendment, and a $15.00 annual registration renewal 
fee for each registered person. The NASD has determined to discontinue 
charging the $20.00 amendment fee and instead charge an annual $30.00 
system processing fee, which is designed to cover the costs of both 
registration renewals and amendments. This fee structure is more 
predictable and will assist firms in budgeting for CRD-related expenses 
and the NASD in forecasting its revenues to help ensure that all CRD

[[Page 53763]]

costs are covered by fee revenues. NASD Regulation plans to make the 
proposed fee change effective on January 1, 2000. The proposed rule 
change will be announced in a Notice to Members at least 30 days in 
advance of the effective date.
2. Statutory Basis
    The NASD believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with 
the provisions of Section 15A(b)(5) of the Act,\4\ which requires, 
among other things, that the Association's rules must provide for the 
equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other charges among 
members and issuers and other persons using any facility or system 
which the Association operates or controls. The NASD believes that the 
amended fees will be easier for firms and the NASD to administer and 
are equitably allocated.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-3(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    The NASD 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, as amended.

C. 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.

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

    The proposed rule change is effective immediately upon filing 
pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act \5\ and subparagraph 
(f)(2) of Rule 19b-4 under the Act \6\ because the proposal is 
establishing or changing a due, fee or other charge. At any time within 
60 days of the filing of the proposed rule change, the Commission may 
summarily abrogate 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \6\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.\7\ Persons making written 
submissions should file six copies thereof with the Secretary, 
Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, 
DC 20549-0609. 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 inspection and 
copying at the Commission's Public Reference Room. Copies of such 
filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the 
principal office of the NASD. All submissions should refer to File No. 
SR-NASD-99-43 and should be submitted by October 25, 1999.

    \7\ In reviewing this proposal, the Commission has considered 
its potential impact on efficiency, competition and capital 
formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Margaret H. McFarland,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 99-25700 Filed 10-1-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-M