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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 239 (Thursday, December 12, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 100578-100581]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-29143]

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-101830; File No. SR-NYSEAMER-2024-75]

Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE American LLC; Notice of 
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Change To Amend Rule 342

December 6, 2024.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) \1\ of the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934 (``Act'') \2\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\3\ notice is hereby given 
that, on December 3, 2024, NYSE American LLC (``NYSE American'' or the 
``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 
``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II 
below, which Items have been prepared by the self-regulatory 
organization. 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\ 15 U.S.C. 78a.
    \3\ 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

    The Exchange proposes to amend Rule 342 to add clarity to the 
process for a broker-dealer to become or remain a member organization 
notwithstanding a statutory disqualification. The proposed rule change 
is available on the Exchange's website at www.nyse.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 self-regulatory organization 
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 those 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 the 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose
    The Exchange proposes to amend proposes to amend Rule 342 to add 
clarity to the process to the process for a broker-dealer to become or 
remain a member organization notwithstanding a statutory 
disqualification.
Background and Proposed Rule Filing
    Section 3(a)(39) of the Act defines the term ``statutory 
disqualification'' and the circumstances that can cause a person 
(either a Member, or a person associated with a Member) to be subject 
to a statutory disqualification.\4\ Absent relief, a statutory 
disqualification would preclude a broker-dealer or person associated 
with a broker-dealer from certain activities, including membership in a 
self-regulatory organization (``SRO'').
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    \4\ 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(39).
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    There is, however, a well-established process through which a 
broker-dealer (or a person associated with a broker-dealer) may 
continue to operate in the securities industry (and either become a 
member of, or continue as a member of, one or more SROs) despite being 
subject to a statutory disqualification.\5\ In particular, SEC Rule 
19h-1 \6\ describes several ways an SRO may seek relief for a member 
(or prospective member) that is subject to a statutory 
disqualification,

[[Page 100579]]

including whether an SRO must file a notice with the Commission in 
order to allow the disqualified firm to become or continue as a member 
with the SRO (a ``19h-1 Notice''). A 19h-1 Notice does not, for 
instance, need to be filed by an SRO if the firm subject to a statutory 
disqualification is a member of at least one other SRO, and that SRO 
intends to file a 19h-1 Notice for the firm.\7\
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    \5\ See FINRA Regulatory Notice 09-19 (``Amendments to FINRA 
Rule 9520 Series to Establish Procedures Applicable to Firms and 
Associated Persons Subject to Certain Statutory 
Disqualifications'').
    \6\ 17 CFR 240.19h-1.
    \7\ Id. at (a)(3).
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    Rule 342 (Association of Members, Member Organizations, and Persons 
Associated With Member Organizations) of the Office Rules provides 
that, except as otherwise permitted by the Exchange, no member, member 
organization, approved person, employee, or any person directly or 
indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with a 
member or member organization shall have associated with him or it any 
person who is known, or in the exercise of reasonable care should be 
known, to be subject to any ``statutory disqualification'' defined in 
Section 3(a)(39) of the Act.
    Recently, a non-member broker-dealer firm subject to a statutory 
disqualification that is currently under review by the Financial 
Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (``FINRA'') applied for Exchange 
membership.\8\
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    \8\ The processing of new membership applications at the 
Exchange includes statutory disqualification disclosures and 
background investigations. Review, assessment, and processing of 
these membership applications has been conducted on behalf of the 
Exchange by FINRA pursuant to a regulatory services agreement.
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    In reviewing this application, the Exchange determined that this 
situation is not explicitly addressed in its rules as it is in the 
rules of other exchanges.\9\ Specifically, BOX, Cboe BZX, Cboe BYX, 
Cboe EDGX, and Cboe EDGA each amended their respective rules in 2016 to 
provide more clarity as to the authority of each exchange to determine 
whether to admit a prospective member that is subject to a statutory 
disqualification.\10\ The 2016 rule change filings of these exchanges 
also amended several other aspects of their application procedures, but 
the Exchange only seeks to harmonize its rules insofar as they apply to 
member organizations and prospective member organizations (and 
associated persons of member organizations) that are subject to a 
statutory disqualification in order to address the membership 
application described herein.\11\
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    \9\ See Cboe EDGX Exchange, Inc. (``Cboe EDGX'') Rule 2.5(a) & 
Interpretation and Policies .04; Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. (``Cboe 
BZX'') Rule 2.5(a) & Interpretation and Policies .04; Cboe BYX 
Exchange, Inc. (``Cboe BYX'') Rule 2.5(a) & Interpretation and 
Policies .04; Cboe EDGA Exchange, Inc. (``Cboe EDGA'') Rule 2.5(a) & 
Interpretation and Policies .04; and BOX Options Exchange LLC 
(``BOX'') Rule 2040(a) & IM-2040-08.
    \10\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 78449 (August 1, 
2016), 81 FR 51947 (August 5, 2016) (SR-BOX-2016-26); Securities 
Exchange Act Release No. 79229 (November 3, 2016), 81 FR 78875 
(November 9, 2016) (SR-BatsBZX-2016-67); Securities Exchange Act 
Release No. 79233 (November 3, 2016), 81 FR 78869 (November 9, 2016) 
(SR-BatsBYX-2016-28); Securities Exchange Act Release No. 79234 
(November 3, 2016), 81 FR 78867 (November 9, 2016) (SR-BatsEDGA-
2016-23); Securities Exchange Act Release No. 79236 (November 3, 
2016), 81 FR 78878 (November 9, 2016) (SR-BatsEDGX2016-59).
    \11\ The 2016 rule filings also added some other conditions for 
eligibility for exchange membership such as adding a restriction 
that members must meet any condition the exchange placed on such 
member, which the Exchange believes are adequately addressed in 
other Exchange rules. See, e.g., Rule 310 (Formation of or Admission 
to Member Organization or Membership Owner). Moreover, the Rule 9520 
Series sets forth procedures for a covered person (defined in Rule 
9120(g) as a member, principal executive, approved person, 
registered or non-registered employee of a member organization or an 
ATP Holder (an options permit holder, see Rule 900.2NY 
(Definitions)), or other person (excluding a member organization) 
subject to the jurisdiction of the Exchange) to become or remain 
associated with a member organization or ATP Holder notwithstanding 
the existence of a statutory disqualification as defined in Section 
3(a)(39) of the Act, and for a current member organization or 
covered person to obtain relief from the eligibility or 
qualification requirements of the Exchange's Rules, referred to in 
the Rule as ``eligibility proceedings.''
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    The Exchange accordingly proposes to align its rule with these 
other exchanges specifically with respect to the process of assessing 
an applicant for membership that is subject to a statutory 
disqualification.\12\ As discussed below, the Exchange is making the 
proposed rule changes and seeks waiver of the 30-day operative delay in 
order to address an unusual and time sensitive situation in which a 
firm subject to a statutory disqualification seeks to become an 
Exchange member organization during the pendency of the process by 
which the firm is seeking relief from the statutory disqualification.
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    \12\ The proposed changes mirror the language in the following 
rules: BOX Rule 2040(a) and IM-2040-08; Cboe BZX Rule 2.5(a) and 
Interpretation and Policies .04; Cboe BYX Rule 2.5(a) and 
Interpretation and Policies .04; Cboe EDGA Rule 2.5(a) and 
Interpretation and Policies .04; and Cboe EDGX Rule 2.5(a) and 
Interpretation and Policies .04.
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    To effectuate these changes, the Exchange proposes to add 
Supplementary Material .01 to Rule 342 to provide that the Exchange 
could approve an applicant for membership (or association with a member 
organization) that is subject to a statutory disqualification when a 
proceeding is pending before another SRO to determine whether to permit 
a member, member organization, approved person, employee, or any person 
directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common 
control with a member or member organization to become or continue 
membership or association notwithstanding a statutory disqualification. 
This provision, which is consistent with SEC Rule 19h-1(a)(3), would 
provide as follows (additions italicized):
    .01 Statutory Disqualification Proceedings Pending Before Another 
SRO. The Exchange may waive the provisions of this Rule when a 
proceeding is pending before another self-regulatory organization to 
determine whether to permit a member or associated person of a member 
to become or continue membership or association notwithstanding a 
statutory disqualification. In the event the Exchange determines to 
waive the provisions of this Rule with respect to an existing or 
prospective member, member organization, approved person, employee, or 
any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under 
common control with a member or member organization, the Exchange shall 
determine whether it will concur in any Exchange Act Rule 19h-1 filing 
made by another self-regulatory organization with respect to such 
person.
    This Supplementary Material is substantively identical to IM-2040-8 
to BOX Rule 2040 and Interpretation and Policies .04 to Cboe BZX, BYX, 
EDGX, and EDGA Rules 2.5, except for language clarifying that the new 
supplementary material would apply to both prospective and existing 
members, member organizations, approved persons, employees, or any 
person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under 
common control with a member or member organization.
    The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change would 
appropriately align its rules with the Commission's rules regarding 
statutory disqualifications and harmonize the Exchange's process with 
several other SROs. The Exchange notes that in assessing the statutory 
disqualification of a member organization or a prospective member 
organization, it must act consistent with the protection of investors 
and in the public interest and cannot unfairly discriminate against 
existing or prospective member organizations.\13\ Moreover, as noted 
above, a current member organization or covered person can seek relief 
from the Exchange's eligibility or qualification requirements pursuant 
to the Rule 9520 Series.\14\ In addition, any prospective

[[Page 100580]]

member organization that has been denied membership in the Exchange or 
barred from becoming associated with a member organization is entitled 
to certain due process pursuant to the Rule 308--Equities 
(Acceptability Proceedings), which includes, but is not limited to, 
potential review by the Commission.
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    \13\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
    \14\ See note 11, supra.
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2. Statutory Basis
    The proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act 
\15\ in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5),\16\ in 
particular, because it is designed to prevent fraudulent and 
manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable 
principles of trade, to foster cooperation and coordination with 
persons engaged in facilitating transactions in securities, to remove 
impediments to, and perfect the mechanism of, a free and open market 
and a national market system and, in general, to protect investors and 
the public interest.
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    \15\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \16\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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    The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change would better 
align the Exchange's rules with the Commission's rules regarding 
statutory disqualifications and enable a consistent process across the 
Exchange and several other SROs to make appropriate filings with 
respect to persons subject to a statutory disqualification, thereby 
protecting investors and the public interest by providing more clarity 
and consistency with respect to the process of seeking relief from a 
statutory disqualification and in general enabling the Exchange to more 
efficiently administer membership applications involving statutory 
disqualifications. The Exchange further believes that the proposed 
change would remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free 
and open market and a national market system and, in general, protect 
investors and the public interest, and add clarity, transparency and 
consistency to the Exchange's disciplinary rules. The Exchange believes 
that market participants would benefit from the increased clarity, 
thereby reducing potential confusion.

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

    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will 
impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate 
in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The proposed rule change is 
not intended to address competitive issues but rather is concerned 
solely with aligning the Exchange's rules with those of other exchanges 
and with the Commission's approach to handling firms that are subject 
to statutory disqualification.

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

    No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the 
proposed rule change.

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

    Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not: (i) 
significantly affect the protection of investors or the public 
interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii) 
become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or 
such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become 
effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \17\ and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6) thereunder.\18\
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    \17\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \18\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6) 
requires a self-regulatory organization to give the Commission 
written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change, along 
with a brief description and text of the proposed rule change, at 
least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed 
rule change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission. 
NYSE American has satisfied this requirement.
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    A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) \19\ normally 
does not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of the 
filing. However, pursuant to Rule 19b4(f)(6)(iii),\20\ the Commission 
may designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the 
protection of investors and the public interest. NYSE American has 
asked the Commission to waive the 30-day operative delay so that the 
proposed rule change may become operative upon filing. NYSE American 
states that waiving the 30-day delay in this manner would allow the 
Exchange to address an unusual and time sensitive situation in which a 
firm subject to a statutory disqualification seeks to become an 
Exchange member organization during the pendency of the process by 
which the firm is seeking relief from the statutory disqualification. 
For this reason, the Commission believes that waiving the 30-day 
operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the 
public interest. Therefore, the Commission hereby waives the operative 
delay and designates the proposal operative upon filing.
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    \19\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
    \20\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
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    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. If the Commission 
takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings to 
determine whether the proposed rule should be approved or 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 (https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an email to [email protected]. Please include 
file number SR-NYSEAMER-2024-75 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-NYSEAMER-2024-75. 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 website (https://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, 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 the Exchange. Do not 
include personal identifiable information in submissions; you should 
submit only information

[[Page 100581]]

that you wish to make available publicly. We may redact in part or 
withhold entirely from publication submitted material that is obscene 
or subject to copyright protection. All submissions should refer to 
file number SR-NYSEAMER-2024-75 and should be submitted on or before 
January 2, 2025.

    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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Sherry R. Haywood,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2024-29143 Filed 12-11-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
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