[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 142 (Wednesday, July 23, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42844-42848]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-16826]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-58176; File No. SR-FINRA-2008-021]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Financial Industry Regulatory 
Authority, Inc.; Notice of Filing of a Proposed Rule Change and 
Amendment No. 1 Thereto, Relating to the Adoption of NASD Rules 4000 
Through 10000 Series and the 12000 Through 14000 Series as FINRA Rules 
in the New Consolidated FINRA Rulebook

July 16, 2008.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``SEA'' or ``Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby 
given that on May 23, 2008, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, 
Inc. (``FINRA'') (f/k/a National Association of Securities Dealers, 
Inc. (``NASD'')), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(``Commission'' or ``SEC'') the proposed rule change as described in 
Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been substantially 
prepared by FINRA. On July 11, 2008, FINRA filed Amendment No. 1 to the 
proposed rule change. The Commission is publishing this notice to 
solicit comments on the proposed rule change, as amended, from 
interested persons.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    FINRA is proposing to adopt the following NASD rules (which are 
part of the existing FINRA rulebook) \3\ as FINRA rules in the new 
consolidated FINRA rulebook: the 4000 through 10000 Series and the 
12000 through 14000 Series. The text of the proposed rule change is 
available at FINRA, the Commission's Public Reference Room, and http://www.finra.org.
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    \3\ As further discussed herein, the FINRA rulebook currently 
consists of the NASD rules and certain incorporated NYSE rules.
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II. 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.

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

1. Purpose
Background
    On July 30, 2007, NASD and NYSE consolidated their member firm 
regulation operations into a combined organization, FINRA.\4\ As part 
of the transaction, FINRA incorporated into its existing rulebook NYSE 
rules related to member firm conduct (``Incorporated NYSE Rules''). 
Thus, the current FINRA rulebook consists of two sets of rules: (1) 
NASD rules; and (2) the Incorporated NYSE Rules (together referred to 
as the ``Transitional Rulebook'').\5\ The Incorporated NYSE Rules apply 
only to Dual Members.\6\ The new consolidated rulebook (``Consolidated 
FINRA Rulebook'') will consist only of FINRA rules and will apply to 
all FINRA members, unless such rules have a more limited application by 
their terms.
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    \4\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 56145 (July 26, 
2007); 72 FR 42169 (August 1, 2007) (Order Approving SR-NASD-2007-
023 (``Release No. 34-56145'')).
    \5\ Pursuant to Rule 17d-2 under the Act, 17 CFR 240.17d-2, 
NASD, NYSE and NYSE Regulation entered into an agreement to reduce 
regulatory duplication for firms that are members of both FINRA and 
the NYSE (``Dual Members'') by allocating regulatory 
responsibilities for the Incorporated NYSE Rules to FINRA. FINRA has 
assumed examination, enforcement and surveillance responsibilities 
under the agreement relating to compliance by Dual Members to the 
extent such responsibilities involve member firm regulation. See 
Securities Exchange Act Release No. 56148 (July 26, 2007), 72 FR 
42146 (August 1, 2007) (File No. 4-544).
    \6\ The Incorporated NYSE Rules continue to apply to persons 
affiliated with Dual Members to the same extent and in the same 
manner as they did before the consolidation. In applying the 
Incorporated NYSE Rules to Dual Members and such affiliated persons, 
FINRA has incorporated the related interpretative positions set 
forth in the NYSE Rule Interpretations Handbook and NYSE Information 
Memos.
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    The proposed rule change represents the first phase of the rulebook 
consolidation process.\7\ During this process, FINRA members will be 
subject to both the Consolidated FINRA Rulebook, as it becomes 
populated with rules filed with and approved by the Commission, and the 
Transitional Rulebook. (The NYSE Incorporated Rules in the Transitional 
Rulebook will continue to apply only to Dual Members.) As the 
Consolidated FINRA Rulebook expands with SEC-approved final FINRA 
rules, the Transitional Rulebook will be reduced by the elimination of 
those rules, or sections thereof, that address the same subject matter 
of regulation. As a result, when the Consolidated FINRA Rulebook is 
completed, the Transitional Rulebook will have been eliminated in its 
entirety.
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    \7\ FINRA issued an Information Notice on March 12, 2008 that 
describes the rulebook consolidation process in greater detail.
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    The proposed rule change would transfer from the Transitional 
Rulebook to the Consolidated FINRA Rulebook the NASD Rule 4000 through 
14000 Series, with the exception of the Rule 11000 Series (Uniform 
Practice Code). As described in more detail below, the NASD Rule 4000 
through 7000 Series generally involve regulatory requirements and fees 
for quoting, trading, reporting, clearing and comparing over-the-
counter transactions. The NASD Rule 8000 Series involves investigations 
and sanctions. The NASD Rule 9000 Series involves disciplinary 
procedures. The NASD Rule 10000, 12000, 13000 and 14000 Series involve 
Dispute Resolution (arbitration and mediation) procedures. The proposed 
rule change would adopt these rule series in their entirety as FINRA 
rules as part of the Consolidated FINRA Rulebook, with certain non-
material changes.

[[Page 42845]]

    The rules proposed to be transferred as part of the proposed rule 
change would occupy the Rule 6000 through 10000 Series and the Rule 
12000 through 14000 Series in the Consolidated FINRA Rulebook as set 
forth in a Table of Contents attached as Exhibit 2 to the proposed rule 
change. The proposed rule change would reserve Rule Series 0100 through 
5000 for future transfers and amendments to member conduct rules 
involving, among others, member application processes and associated 
person registration, transactions with customers, supervision, 
communications and disclosures, and financial responsibility.
    Additionally, and with the exception of the Arbitration Code, the 
Consolidated FINRA Rulebook will no longer contain Interpretive 
Materials (``IMs''); rather, the IMs either will become stand alone 
rules or will be integrated into existing rule text or moved to a 
``Supplementary Material'' section at the end of a rule. The 
``Supplementary Material'' will set forth the same type of legally 
binding guidance and additional information that IMs provide today and 
will be filed with the Commission.
Rules To Be Transferred
    The proposed rule change would adopt in their entirety the 
following NASD rules as FINRA rules in the Consolidated FINRA Rulebook, 
save minor changes, including: Replacing references to NASD or the 
Association with FINRA; certain renumbering to effectuate a new 
organizational framework for the rulebook that groups and categorizes 
rules into more logical and related subject matter areas; and certain 
conforming changes to rule references, e.g., the Exchange Act, SEA 
rules, the Securities Act of 1933 (``Securities Act'') and Securities 
Act rules.
Marketplace Rules
    The NASD Rule 4000 through 7000 Series (Marketplace Rules) 
generally set forth the regulatory requirements and fees for quoting, 
trading, reporting, clearing and comparing, as applicable, over-the-
counter transactions in NMS stocks, as defined in SEC Rule 600(b)(47) 
of Regulation NMS under the Act, OTC Equity Securities \8\ and certain 
eligible debt securities. These rules would occupy the Rule 6000 Series 
(Quotation and Transaction Reporting Facilities) and Rule 7000 Series 
(Clearing, Transaction and Order Data Requirements, and Facility 
Charges) in the Consolidated FINRA Rulebook.
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    \8\ ``OTC Equity Security'' is defined in NASD Rule 6610 and 
generally encompasses those securities not traded on an exchange, 
including OTC Bulletin Board and Pink Sheets securities.
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    The following rule series to be transferred cover reporting, 
clearing and comparison, as applicable, of transactions in NMS stocks 
effected otherwise than on an exchange through FINRA's Trade Reporting 
Facilities (``TRFs''): \9\ the NASD Rule 4000 and 6100 Series (relating 
to the FINRA/Nasdaq TRF), renumbered as the Rule 6300A and 7200A 
Series, respectively; the NASD Rule 4000C and 6000C Series (relating to 
the FINRA/NSX TRF), renumbered as the Rule 6300B and 7200B Series, 
respectively; and the NASD Rule 4000E and 6000E Series (relating to the 
FINRA/NYSE TRF), renumbered as the Rule 6300C and 7200C Series, 
respectively. For the most part, these rule series are identical, with 
relatively minor differences reflecting distinctions in TRF 
functionality. Each TRF rule set currently contains two definition 
sections: NASD Rules 4200 and 4631 (relating to the FINRA/Nasdaq TRF), 
NASD Rules 4200C and 4631C (relating to the FINRA/NSX TRF) and NASD 
Rules 4200E and 4631E (relating to the FINRA/NYSE TRF). These 
definition sections would be combined for each TRF in Rules 6320A, 
6320B, and 6320C, respectively, of the Consolidated FINRA Rulebook.
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    \9\ The three TRFs are: the FINRA/Nasdaq TRF, the FINRA/NSX TRF 
and the FINRA/NYSE TRF. The relevant formation documents have been 
amended to change the name of each TRF from ``NASD'' to ``FINRA,'' 
where necessary. The proposed rule change would reflect the name 
changes in the Consolidated FINRA Rulebook.
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    The NASD Rule 4000A and 6100A Series, renumbered as the Rule 6200 
and 7100 Series, respectively, cover quoting, reporting, clearing and 
comparison of transactions in NMS stocks effected otherwise than on an 
exchange through FINRA's Alternative Display Facility (``ADF''), which 
is both a trade reporting and quotation display and collection 
facility.
    The NASD Rule 5000 Series relates to trading in NMS stocks effected 
otherwise than on an exchange and applies uniformly to transactions 
reported to the TRFs and ADF. This series would be transferred to the 
Consolidated FINRA Rulebook and renumbered as the Rule 6100 Series and 
renamed ``Quoting and Trading in NMS Stocks,'' and certain rules 
relating to the TRFs and ADF would be combined and relocated to the 
Rule 6100 Series. Specifically, NASD Rules 4633, 4120A, 4633C, and 
4633E relating to halts in over-the-counter trading in NMS stocks would 
be combined to form Rule 6120 (Trading Halts). In addition, NASD IM-
4632, IM-4632C, and IM-4632E relating to timely transaction reporting 
would be combined to form Rule 6181 (Timely Transaction Reporting). 
Finally, NASD IM-6130, IM-6130C, and IM-6130E relating to the reporting 
of short sales would be combined to form Rule 6182 (Trade Reporting of 
Short Sales).
    NASD Rule 5000, renumbered as Rule 6110 (Trading Otherwise Than On 
An Exchange), requires members to report transactions in NMS stocks 
effected otherwise than on or through a national securities exchange to 
FINRA. This series also includes rules relating to initial public 
offering transactions (NASD Rule 5110, renumbered as Rule 6130), 
members' obligations to provide information to FINRA upon request (NASD 
Rule 5130, renumbered as Rule 6150), the use of multiple Market 
Participant Symbols (MPIDs) for TRF participants (NASD Rule 5140 and 
IM-5140, renumbered as Rule 6160 and Supplementary Material 
thereunder), and FINRA's authority to provide exemptive relief from 
certain Regulation NMS-related trade reporting requirements (NASD Rule 
5150, renumbered as Rule 6183). In addition, NASD Rule 5120 relating to 
prohibited trading practices would be renumbered as Rule 6140 and 
paragraph (i) of that rule would be amended to define ``Stop Stock 
Transaction'' and ``Stop Stock Price.'' (Currently, NASD Rule 5120 
cross-references those definitions in NASD Rule 4200.) Finally, NASD 
Rule 4613A(b) and IM-4613A-1 relating to the ADF would be relocated to 
this series as Rule 6170 (Primary and Additional MPIDs for Alternative 
Display Facility Participants) and Supplementary Material thereunder.
    The NASD Rule 6000 Series comprises a number of more specific rule 
series, as described herein. As noted above, the NASD Rule 6100 Series 
covers reporting, clearing and comparison of over-the-counter 
transactions in NMS stocks through the FINRA/Nasdaq TRF. This rule 
series also covers reporting, clearing and comparison of transactions 
in OTC Equity Securities through FINRA's OTC Reporting Facility 
(``ORF''). A single rule series would no longer apply to these two 
facilities. Rather, the NASD Rule 6100 Series would be amended, as 
necessary, to form the Rule 7200A Series, applicable only to the FINRA/
Nasdaq TRF (i.e., the references to the ORF, OTC Equity Securities and 
Direct Participation Program (``DPP'') securities would be deleted). 
The NASD Rule 6100 Series also would be amended, as necessary, to form 
the Rule 7300 Series, applicable only to the ORF (i.e., the references 
to the FINRA/Nasdaq TRF and ``designated

[[Page 42846]]

securities,'' as well as the provisions relating to the transaction fee 
transfer mechanism, which is only supported by the FINRA/Nasdaq TRF, 
would be deleted). Finally, the references to NASD Rule 6410 and the 
ITS/CAES System would be deleted, as those references inadvertently 
were not deleted from NASD Rule 6110 as part of a prior rule filing 
approved by the Commission.\10\
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    \10\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 54537 (September 
28, 2006), 71 FR 59173 (October 6, 2006) (Order Approving File No. 
SR-NASD-2006-091).
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    The NASD Rule 6200 Series, renumbered as the Rule 6700 Series, 
covers the reporting and dissemination, as applicable, of over-the-
counter secondary market transactions in eligible debt securities to 
FINRA's Trade Reporting and Compliance Engine (``TRACE'').
    The NASD Rule 6500 Series covers the operation and use of FINRA's 
OTC Bulletin Board (``OTCBB'') service, which is an electronic 
quotation medium for members to display quotations in OTCBB-eligible 
securities. This series will remain as the Rule 6500 Series in the 
Consolidated FINRA Rulebook.
    The NASD Rule 6600 Series, renumbered as the Rule 6400 Series and 
renamed ``Quoting and Trading in OTC Equity Securities,'' sets forth 
the recording and reporting requirements applicable to certain 
quotations and unpriced indications of interest displayed on inter-
dealer quotation systems and the requirements applicable to reporting 
transactions in OTC Equity Securities to the ORF.
    NASD Rule 6620, which sets forth the reporting requirements 
applicable to transactions in OTC Equity Securities, would be 
renumbered as Rule 6622 and included in a separate series, the Rule 
6600 Series (OTC Reporting Facility). The Rule 6600 Series would 
comprise all rules applicable to trade reporting to the ORF, including 
the NASD Rule 6700 and 6900 Series, discussed below. New Rule 6610 
would explain that members that report transactions in OTC Equity 
Securities and DPP securities to the ORF also must comply with the 7300 
Series, as well as all other applicable rules and regulations. 
Additionally, new Rule 6621 would cross-reference the definitions set 
forth in Rule 6420, which are applicable to trading and quoting in OTC 
Equity Securities. NASD IM-4632, which is cross-referenced in NASD Rule 
6620, would form Rule 6623 (Timely Transaction Reporting), and NASD IM-
6130 would form Rule 6624 (Trade Reporting of Short Sales).
    The NASD Rule 6700 Series, renumbered as the Rule 6630 Series, 
covers trade reporting to the ORF of debt and equity transactions in 
PORTAL securities, which are foreign and domestic securities that are 
eligible for resale under Securities Act Rule 144A. NASD Rule 6732, 
renumbered as Rule 6633, would be amended to delete from paragraph 
(a)(1) the reference to ``paragraph (d).'' That reference inadvertently 
was not deleted as part of a prior rule filing approved by the 
Commission.\11\
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    \11\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 54084 (June 30, 
2006), 71 FR 38935 (July 10, 2006) (Order Approving File No. SR-
NASD-2005-087).
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    The NASD Rule 6900 Series, renumbered as the Rule 6640 Series, 
covers trade reporting to the ORF of secondary market transactions in 
DPP securities other than transactions executed on a national 
securities exchange. The definition of ``OTC Reporting Facility'' in 
Rule 6642 would be amended to clarify that the comparison function is 
not available for DPPs that are not eligible for clearance and 
settlement through the National Securities Clearing Corporation (which 
mirrors this term's definition in NASD Rule 6610(k)).
    The NASD Rule 6950 Series, renumbered as the Rule 7400 Series, sets 
forth member obligations to record and report to FINRA's Order Audit 
Trail System certain information with respect to orders in equity 
securities listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market and OTC equity securities. 
NASD Rule 6957 (Effective Date) would be deleted, as all requirements 
of the Order Audit Trail System are now effective.
    The NASD Rule 7000 Series, renumbered as the Rule 7700 Series, 
covers applicable fees for use of the ORF, OTCBB and TRACE services. 
The Rule 7000A Series, renumbered as the Rule 7500 Series, covers 
charges for ADF services and equipment. The following rule series cover 
fees and market data revenue rebates for trade reporting, clearing and 
comparison, as applicable, through the TRFs: The NASD Rule 7000B 
Series, renumbered as the Rule 7600A Series (relating to the FINRA/
Nasdaq TRF); the NASD Rule 7000C Series, renumbered as the Rule 7600B 
Series (relating to the FINRA/NSX TRF); and the NASD Rule 7000E Series, 
renumbered as the Rule 7600C Series (relating to the FINRA/NYSE TRF).
Investigations and Sanctions Rules
    The NASD Rule 8000 Series generally covers investigations and 
sanctions and would be transferred substantively unchanged to the 
Consolidated FINRA Rulebook. It comprises several more specific rule 
series, as described herein. The NASD Rule 8100 Series has a 
definitional section and requirements regarding the availability of the 
manual.\12\ The NASD Rule 8200 Series permits FINRA to inspect members' 
books and records and requires members to provide information in 
connection with FINRA investigations, examinations or proceedings. The 
NASD Rule 8200 Series also provides for automated submission of certain 
trading data. The NASD Rule 8300 Series provides FINRA with authority 
to sanction members and their associated persons for violations of 
FINRA's rules, federal securities laws, and Municipal Securities 
Rulemaking Board's rules. NASD IM-8310-1 addresses the effect of a bar 
or suspension, revocation or cancellation of a person's registration. 
In addition, NASD IM-8310-2 and IM-8310-3 govern FINRA's release of 
certain information regarding members and their associated persons 
through FINRA BrokerCheck, as well as FINRA's release of certain 
disciplinary complaints, decisions and other information. These IMs 
would be renumbered in the Consolidated FINRA Rulebook as Rules 8311, 
8312 and 8313.
Code of Procedure
    The NASD Rule 9000 Series generally provides procedures for 
initiating and adjudicating various types of actions, including 
disciplinary, eligibility, expedited, and cease and desist proceedings. 
The NASD Rule 9100 Series, for instance, sets forth rules of general 
applicability to disciplinary and other proceedings that FINRA 
initiates against members and their associated persons. This rule 
series includes a definitional section, provisions for service, filing 
and notice of papers, rules relating to the conduct of parties, counsel 
and adjudicators, and the allowance of motions practice.\13\ The

[[Page 42847]]

NASD Rule 9200 Series delineates specific procedures for disciplinary 
proceedings. It includes provisions for filing complaints and answers, 
requesting and holding hearings, settlement procedures and issuing 
decisions. NASD IM-9216 sets forth violations eligible for disposition 
under the Minor Rule Violation Plan (``MRVP'') and would be renumbered 
as Rule 9217 in the Consolidated FINRA Rulebook--the only rule to be 
renumbered in the Rule 9000 Series.\14\ The NASD Rule 9300 Series sets 
forth the procedures for disciplinary matters that are appealed to or 
called for review by the National Adjudicatory Council or called for 
review by the Board of Governors. The NASD Rule 9520 Series covers 
eligibility proceedings.\15\ The proposed rule change would delete the 
NASD Rule 9530 Series--a change that should have been effectuated in a 
previous rule filing.\16\ The NASD Rule 9550 Series sets forth 
standards and procedures for expedited proceedings, which cover various 
situations, ranging from members' failing to pay arbitration awards to 
members' experiencing financial or operations difficulties.\17\ The 
NASD Rule 9600 Series provides procedures for exemptions, while the 
NASD Rule 9700 Series sets forth procedures for grievances concerning 
automated systems. The Rule NASD 9800 Series governs temporary cease 
and desist orders.
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    \12\ NASD Rule 8110 currently requires that members keep and 
maintain a copy of the manual in a readily accessible place and make 
it available to customers upon request. The proposed rule change 
would further clarify that members may comply with Rule 8110 by 
maintaining electronic access to the manual and providing customers 
with such access upon request. See also Securities Exchange Act 
Release No. 39470 (December 19, 1997), 62 FR 67927 (December 30, 
1997) (Order Approving File No. SR-NASD-97-81) (seeking to, among 
other things, simplify NASD Rule 8110 to allow members to maintain 
an electronic version of the NASD manual as their required copy of 
the manual).
    \13\ NASD Rule 9144(b) (Separation of Adjudicators) would be 
amended to conform to changes made to the FINRA By-Laws as a result 
of the consolidation transaction to reflect that the Chair of the 
National Adjudicatory Council will no longer automatically occupy a 
seat on the Board of Governors. See Release No. 34-56145, supra note 
4.
    \14\ NASD IM-9216 also would be amended to reflect that FINRA 
members may now be subject to a minor rule violation for a violation 
of a FINRA rule, in addition to addressing violations of the FINRA 
By-Laws, Schedules to the By-Laws, NASD rules, Incorporated NYSE 
Rules, SEA Rules and Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board 
(``MSRB'') rules. In this regard, FINRA notes that it is filing a 
separate rule change addressing the application of the FINRA rules 
to those members subject to NASD IM-1013 (Membership Waive-In 
Process for Certain NYSE Member Organizations) (commonly referred to 
as the ``waive-in firms''). The proposed rule change also would 
reorganize IM-9216 to group by type the provisions and rules 
specified therein (i.e., By-Law provisions, FINRA rules, NASD rules, 
SEA rules, MSRB rules and Incorporated NYSE Rules), and to present 
them in numerical order within each group. The proposed rule change 
would not add new substantive rules to the MRVP.
    \15\ NASD Rule 9526(d) (Call for Review) would be amended to 
conform to changes made to the FINRA By-Laws as a result of the 
consolidation transaction by eliminating reference to the Non-
Industry classification of Governor. See Release No. 34-56145, supra 
note 4.
    \16\ As part of a 2004 rule proposal approved by the Commission, 
FINRA moved the hearing provisions of the NASD Rule 9530 Series to 
NASD Rule 9559 and the remaining provisions to NASD Rule 9553. See 
Securities Exchange Act Release No. 49380 (March 9, 2004), 69 FR 
12386 (March 16, 2004) (Order Approving File No. SR-NASD-2003-110). 
However, the corresponding rule text inadvertently was not deleted 
as part of that filing and remained in the NASD Manual. FINRA is 
thus proposing to delete the NASD Rule 9530 Series.
    \17\ As part of the rulebook consolidation process, FINRA is 
considering changes relating to FINRA's rules governing financial 
responsibility, including NASD Rules 9557 and 9559, which provide 
the notice and procedural framework applicable when a member is 
experiencing financial or operational difficulties. See Regulatory 
Notice 08-23 (May 14, 2008) (Proposed Consolidated FINRA Rules 
Governing Financial Responsibility). For administrative ease, the 
proposed rule change transfers NASD Rules 9557 and 9559 without 
substantive change to the Consolidated FINRA Rulebook. However, 
FINRA anticipates proposing changes to Rules 9557 and 9559 as part 
of a future filing governing the financial responsibility rules.
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    FINRA is amending Rules 8313(b)(1) and (c)(1), 9556(a), 9558(a), 
9810(a) and 9860, respectively, to change references from ``NASD 
Chairman and CEO'' or ``President of NASD Regulatory Policy and 
Oversight'' to ``FINRA's Chief Executive Officer'' to reflect FINRA's 
new organizational structure. Mary L. Schapiro now serves as FINRA's 
Chief Executive Officer. The proposed rule change also would permit 
FINRA's Chief Executive Officer to delegate his or her authority to 
such other senior officers as he or she may designate. Certain rules 
previously granted alternative authority to NASD's Senior Executive 
Vice President for Regulatory Policy and Programs. In light of FINRA's 
new organizational structure, FINRA believes it appropriate to permit 
the CEO to delegate his or her authority to other senior officers of 
FINRA.
Code of Arbitration Procedure
    The NASD Rule 10000 Series sets forth the Code of Arbitration 
Procedure, including rules governing arbitration and mediation matters 
filed prior to April 16, 2007. This Code continues to be relevant to 
those matters, until they are closed by award, settlement or otherwise.
    The NASD Rule 12000 through 14000 Series contains the revised Code 
of Arbitration Procedure, which is organized into three sections: the 
Customer, Industry and Mediation Codes. These three Codes apply to 
matters filed on or after April 16, 2007. The Rule 12000 Series 
contains the Code of Arbitration Procedure for Customer Disputes. The 
Rule 13000 Series contains the Code of Arbitration Procedure for 
Industry Disputes. The Rule 14000 Series contains the Code of Mediation 
Procedure.
Rules of General Applicability
    FINRA notes that certain rules in the Transitional Rulebook have 
general application to the entirety of rules that govern FINRA members. 
For example, NASD Rule 0115 states that all rules apply to both members 
and their associated persons and that associated persons have the same 
duties and obligations as the member. And the definitions in NASD Rule 
0120 apply to all rules, unless the context otherwise requires. Those 
rules of general applicability would apply equally to both the 
Transitional Rulebook and the Consolidated FINRA Rulebook.
Rule References
    Because the Consolidated FINRA Rulebook will be populated over the 
course of multiple rule filings, certain remaining rules in the 
Transitional Rulebook will refer to NASD rules or Incorporated NYSE 
Rules that have been transferred to, or otherwise incorporated into, 
the Consolidated FINRA Rulebook under the proposed rule change or 
future filings. In those instances, FINRA intends for the reference to 
NASD rules or Incorporated NYSE Rules to be treated as a reference to 
the corresponding rules in the Consolidated FINRA Rulebook. Thus, for 
example, NASD IM-1013-1 states that firms admitted to FINRA membership 
pursuant to the IM are subject to, among others, the NASD Rule 8000 and 
9000 Series. Upon Commission approval and effectiveness of the proposed 
rule change, those members would remain subject to the 8000 and 9000 
Series in the Consolidated FINRA Rulebook.\18\ In the event that the 
referenced NASD Rule has been renumbered in the Consolidated FINRA 
Rulebook, members need to be cognizant of the rule's new number to 
ensure they are cross-referencing the correct rule in the Consolidated 
FINRA Rulebook. FINRA will be preparing a conversion chart that will 
map the eliminated legacy NASD and Incorporated NYSE Rules to the final 
FINRA rules.
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    \18\ See also supra note 14 discussing application of the FINRA 
rules to the waive-in firms.
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    Similarly, certain rules that would be transferred to the 
Consolidated FINRA Rulebook under the proposed rule change refer to 
remaining rules in the Transitional Rulebook. For the time being, the 
remaining rules in the Transitional Rulebook will be identified as 
``NASD Rules'' or ``NYSE Rules,'' as the case may be, in the 
Consolidated FINRA Rulebook and references to Consolidated FINRA 
Rulebook rules will not be qualified. Thus, for example, rules in the 
Consolidated FINRA Rulebook that refer to NASD Rule 2110 will 
specifically identify that rule as ``NASD'' Rule 2110 until such time 
as that rule is transferred to the Consolidated FINRA Rulebook.
    As noted in Item 2 of this filing, FINRA will announce the

[[Page 42848]]

implementation date(s) of the proposed rule change in a Regulatory 
Notice to be published no later than 60 days following Commission 
approval.
2. Statutory Basis
    FINRA believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the 
provisions of Section 15A(b)(6) of the Act,\19\ 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; and Section 15A(b)(5) of the Act,\20\ which requires, 
among other things, that FINRA rules provide for the equitable 
allocation of reasonable dues, fees and other charges among members and 
issuers and other persons using any facility or system that FINRA 
operates or controls. The proposed rule change makes non-material 
changes to rules that have proven effective in meeting statutory 
mandates.
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    \19\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-3(b)(6).
    \20\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-3(b)(5).
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B. 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.

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

    Within 35 days of the date of publication of this notice in the 
Federal Register or within such longer period (i) as the Commission may 
designate up to 90 days of such date if it finds such longer period to 
be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or (ii) as to 
which FINRA consents, the Commission will:
    A. By order approve such proposed rule change; or
    B. Institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule 
change should be disapproved.

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 e-mail to [email protected]. Please include 
File Number SR-FINRA-2008-021 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

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

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-FINRA-2008-021. 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 inspection 
and copying 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 the 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 available publicly. All 
submissions should refer to File Number SR-FINRA-2008-021 and should be 
submitted on or before August 13, 2008.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\21\
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    \21\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Florence E. Harmon,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8-16826 Filed 7-22-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P