Document ID: SEC-2008-1541-0001
Agency: sec
Document Type: Notice
Title: Self-Regulatory Organizations; Proposed Rule Changes: Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.
Posted Date: 2008-11-18T05:00Z

[Federal Register: November 18, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 223)]
[Notices]               
[Page 68467-68471]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr18no08-125]                         

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

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-58909; File No. SR-FINRA-2008-046]

 
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Financial Industry Regulatory 
Authority, Inc.; Order Granting Approval of a Proposed Rule Change, as 
Modified by Amendment No. 1 Thereto, To Realign the Representation of 
Industry Members on the National Adjudicatory Council To Follow More 
Closely the Categories of Industry Representation on the FINRA Board

November 6, 2008.
    On September 8, 2008, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. 
(``FINRA,'' f/k/a National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and 
NASD) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(``Commission'') pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934 (``Act'')\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ a 
proposed rule change to amend the By-Laws of FINRA's regulatory 
subsidiary, FINRA Regulation, Inc. (``FINRA Regulation,'' f/k/a NASD 
Regulation, Inc.). On September 17, 2008, FINRA filed Amendment No. 1 
to the proposed rule change. The proposed rule change was published in 
the Federal Register on September 30, 2008.\3\ The Commission received 
one comment on the proposal.\4\ This order approves the proposed rule 
change.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \3\ Securities Exchange Act Release No. 58626 (September 23, 
2008), 73 FR 56872 (``Notice'').
    \4\ The commenter stated that FINRA's proposal seemed reasonable 
and that he generally favored it. However, he expressed concern 
about the elimination of the regional representation on the National 
Adjudicatory Council (``NAC''). See letter from Neal E. Nakagiri, 
Esq., NPB Financial Group, LLC, to Florence E. Harmon, Acting 
Secretary, Commission, dated October 20, 2008.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I. Background and Description of the Proposal

A. Background

    On July 30, 2007, NASD and the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. 
consolidated their member firm regulation operations into a combined 
organization, FINRA. As part of the consolidation, the Commission 
approved amendments to the NASD By-Laws to implement governance and 
related changes.\5\ The approved changes included a FINRA Board 
governance structure that balanced public and industry representation 
and designated seven governor seats to represent member firms of 
various sizes based on the criteria of firm size.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 56145 (July 26, 
2007), 72 FR 42169 (August 1, 2007), as amended by Securities 
Exchange Act Release No. 56145A (May 30, 2008), 73 FR 32377 (June 6, 
2008) (File No. SR-NASD-2007-023).
    \6\ The FINRA Board consists of eleven Public Governors (who are 
appointed), ten Industry Governors (seven of whom are elected by 
industry members), the current Chief Executive Officer (``CEO'') of 
NYSE Regulation, and the current CEO of FINRA. The ten Industry 
Governors include: (a) Three elected Governors who are registered 
with member firms that employ 500 or more registered persons (Large 
Firm Governors); (b) one elected Governor who is registered with a 
member firm that employs at least 151 and no more than 499 
registered persons (Mid-Size Firm Governor); (c) three elected 
Governors who are registered with member firms that employ at least 
one and no more than 150 registered persons (Small Firm Governors); 
(d) one appointed Governor who is associated with a floor member of 
the New York Stock Exchange; (e) one appointed Governor who is 
associated with an independent contractor financial planning member 
firm or an insurance company affiliate; and (f) one appointed 
Governor who is associated with an affiliate of an investment 
company. See FINRA By-Laws, Article VII (Board of Governors).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    FINRA Regulation is a subsidiary of FINRA that operates according 
to the Plan of Allocation and Delegation of Functions by NASD to 
Subsidiaries, as amended, which NASD adopted first in 1996 when it 
formed NASD Regulation. FINRA Regulation's By-Laws were not amended at 
the time of the

[[Page 68468]]

consolidation, other than in a few sections where those By-Laws 
conflicted with the new FINRA By-Laws.

B. Description of the Proposal

    The proposed rule change would amend the FINRA Regulation By-Laws 
(``By-Laws'') to: (1) Restructure the industry representation on the 
NAC to parallel the firm-size criteria for industry representation on 
the FINRA Board; (2) modify the nomination process for certain industry 
member seats on the NAC by using the FINRA Nominating Committee 
(``Nominating Committee'') and by discontinuing the Regional Nominating 
Committees; and (3) adopt conforming changes to reflect the corporate 
name change and similar matters.\7\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ The proposed rule change would revise, delete, and/or 
renumber various provisions of the FINRA Regulation By-Laws. 
Renumbered sections are referred to herein as ``proposed FINRA 
Regulation By-Laws.'' All other sections (that is, sections for 
which new numbering did not result from the proposed revisions) are 
referred to as ``current FINRA Regulation By-Laws.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Changes to the NAC
    The NAC reviews all disciplinary decisions issued by Hearing Panels 
and presides over disciplinary matters that have been appealed to or 
called for review by the NAC. The NAC also reviews statutory 
disqualification matters and considers appeals of membership 
proceedings and exemption requests.\8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ See current FINRA Regulation By-Laws, Article V, Section 5.1 
(Appointment and Authority).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

a. Composition
    Under the current By-Laws, the NAC must consist of no fewer than 12 
and no more than 14 members, and the number of non-industry members, 
including at least three public members, must equal or exceed the 
number of industry members.\9\ Since 1999, each of five geographic 
regions, which had been established by the NASD Board of Governors, has 
been represented on the NAC. Consistent with Article V of the FINRA 
Regulation By-Laws, the current NAC consists of 14 members \10\ and 
includes seven industry and seven non-industry members.\11\ Five of the 
industry NAC members represent the five geographic regions, and the 
remaining two industry seats are ``at-large'' seats, which NASD 
historically used (and FINRA currently uses) to add balance to the 
types of firms being represented on the NAC.\12\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ See current FINRA Regulation By-Laws, Article V, Section 5.2 
(Number of Members and Qualifications).
    \10\ See Notice, supra note 3, 73 FR 56872, 56873, n.6.
    \11\ See Notice, supra note 3, 73 FR at 56873.
    \12\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    FINRA proposes to eliminate the size range of the NAC (12-14 
members) prescribed by the current By-Laws and instead provide that the 
NAC consist of 14 members. Additionally, FINRA proposes that the NAC be 
divided equally between industry and non-industry members, and thereby 
eliminate the possibility that the number of non-industry members 
exceed the number of industry members.
    The proposed rule change also would eliminate regional 
representation on the NAC and instead provide for representation of the 
various firm sizes. Specifically, FINRA would replace the five region-
based industry members of the NAC with two small firm, one mid-size 
firm, and two large firm industry representatives.
    In summary, the restructured NAC would consist of 14 members, 
including seven industry members, two of whom would be ``at large,'' 
and five of whom would be designated specifically as representatives of 
large firms, mid-size firms, and small firms, and seven non-industry 
members, three of whom are public.\13\ The tenure of NAC members 
generally is three years and the terms of the members are staggered. 
The proposal would not disrupt the process of approximately one-third 
of the NAC members completing their service in a particular year and 
being replaced with newly appointed NAC members. The proposal would 
result in a Small Firm and a Large Firm NAC Member joining the NAC near 
the beginning of 2009; a Mid-Size Firm NAC Member joining in 2010; and 
a Small Firm and Large Firm NAC Member joining in 2011.\14\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ A public member of the NAC has no material business 
relationship with a broker or dealer or a self-regulatory 
organization registered under the Act.
    \14\ A Large Firm is any broker or dealer admitted to membership 
in FINRA which, at the time of determination, has 500 or more 
registered persons. A Mid-Size Firm is any broker or dealer admitted 
to membership in FINRA which, at the time of determination, has at 
least 151 and no more than 499 registered persons. A Small Firm is 
any broker or dealer admitted to membership in FINRA which, at the 
time of determination, has at least 1 and no more than 150 
registered persons. See proposed FINRA Regulation By-Laws, Article I 
(Definitions) (defining Small Firm, Small Firm NAC Member, Large 
Firm, Large Firm NAC Member, Mid-Size Firm, and Mid-Size Firm NAC 
Member, respectively).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

b. Nomination and Election Process
    Currently, non-industry members of the NAC and two ``at-large'' 
industry members are nominated to serve on the NAC by the Nominating 
Committee and then appointed by the FINRA Regulation Board.\15\ The 
five industry members of the NAC who are drawn from the five geographic 
regions are selected through Regional Nominating Committees (through 
either an uncontested or a contested nomination process), then 
nominated by the Nominating Committee, and finally appointed by the 
FINRA Regulation Board.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ See supra note 13.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In conjunction with its proposed transition to representation on 
the NAC based on firm size, FINRA would simplify the NAC appointment 
process for industry representatives and follow more closely the 
procedures for electing industry members of the FINRA Board. FINRA 
proposes to eliminate the five Regional Nominating Committees and have 
the Nominating Committee perform their function. Instead of relying on 
Regional Nominating Committees to identify possible industry candidates 
and submit candidates to the Nominating Committee and the FINRA 
Regulation Board, FINRA proposes that the Nominating Committee would 
identify and solicit candidates for all NAC seats, including the five 
industry-member positions that are to be based on firm size.\16\ FINRA 
states that the Nominating Committee would be free to consult with or 
receive recommendations for industry NAC members from other FINRA 
committees, such as the District Nominating Committees, before 
communicating its nominations to the FINRA Board.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ See proposed FINRA Regulation By-Laws, Article V, Section 
5.3 (Appointments).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Individuals who seek to serve on the NAC but who were not nominated 
(``Additional Candidates'') would still be allowed to gather petitions 
in support of their candidacy and potentially compete in a contested 
election. The proposed rule change permits Additional Candidates to 
petition for consideration as Small, Mid-Size, or Large Firm NAC 
Members, based on the size of the firm with which they are registered. 
Additional Candidates would be able to qualify for a contested election 
by gathering petitions from three percent (or ten percent in the case 
of petitions in support of more than one person) of the firms in their 
size category.\17\ In the event of a contested election, FINRA members 
would have an opportunity to vote for a NAC candidate based on firm 
size.\18\

[[Page 68469]]

Specifically, small, mid-size, or large firms would vote for NAC 
candidates only if the contested election was for a NAC seat designated 
for a firm of corresponding size.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ See proposed FINRA Regulation By-Laws, Article V, Section 
6.2 (Designation of Additional Candidates).
    \18\ See proposed FINRA Regulation By-Laws, Article VI, Section 
6.3 (List of FINRA Members Eligible to Vote) and Article VI, Section 
6.7 (Ballots).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposed rule change authorizes the FINRA Secretary to collect 
information from candidates to determine that the nominee or Additional 
Candidate, as applicable, satisfies the definition of an Industry, 
Small Firm, Mid-Sized Firm, Large Firm, Non-Industry, or Public Member 
of the NAC.\19\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \19\ See proposed FINRA Regulation By-Laws, Article V, Section 
5.4 (Nomination Process).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposed rule change also ensures that the winner of a 
contested election serves on the NAC. While all NAC members would 
continue to be recommended initially by the Nominating Committee and 
appointed by the FINRA Board,\20\ the candidate who receives the most 
votes in any contested election for a Small, Mid-Size, or Large Firm 
NAC Member seat would be required under the FINRA Regulation By-Laws to 
be appointed to the NAC.\21\ FINRA does not propose to change the NAC 
selection process if no Additional Candidates reach the threshold to 
qualify for a contested election; when there are no Additional 
Candidates, the industry NAC members selected by the Nominating 
Committee would not have a contested election and would be recommended 
for appointment to the NAC.\22\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \20\ The Exchange states that the seven non-industry members and 
two at-large industry members would continue to follow the 
nomination and Board appointment process currently employed for non-
industry and at-large industry NAC members. See Notice, supra note 
3, 73 FR at 56874, n. 14.
    \21\ See proposed FINRA Regulation By-Laws, Article V, Section 
5.3 (Appointments) and 5.5 (Rejection of Nominating Committee 
Nominee).
    \22\ The proposed FINRA Regulation By-Laws would continue to 
allow the Nominating Committee to propose two or more candidates for 
a single open small, mid-size, or large firm NAC seat. See proposed 
FINRA Regulation By-Laws, Article VI, Section 6.5 (Notice of 
Contested Nomination). In such a case, there would be a contested 
election. The proposed rule change would clarify that only when the 
Nominating Committee nominates two or more candidates for the same 
open seat would the Nominating Committee trigger a contested 
election.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Additionally, FINRA proposes to modify the provision that restricts 
NAC members and certain committees from communicating in an official 
capacity in support of a candidate in a contested election. The current 
provisions that permit individuals who are Directors or NAC or other 
committee members to communicate their views regarding a candidate in 
an individual capacity would remain the same. The modification would 
specify the narrow circumstances under which the Nominating Committee 
may support its candidate by sending a maximum of two mailings in 
support of its nominee.\23\ The proposal clarifies that this limited 
support is available during contested NAC elections by referring to 
support allowed ``under these By-Laws,'' which includes the support 
allowed under Article IV, Section 4.16.\24\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \23\ See proposed FINRA Regulation By-Laws, Article IV, Section 
4.16(b) (Communication of Views Regarding Contested Election or 
Nomination). Section 4.16(b) would also mirror the language of the 
FINRA By-Law provision that allows, in contested elections, the 
appropriate FINRA committee to communicate a responsive message in 
reply to an additional candidate's communication. See FINRA By-Laws, 
Article VII, Section 11(b) (Communication of Views).
    \24\ See proposed FINRA Regulation By-Laws, Article VI, Section 
6.6 (Administrative Support).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposed rule change would designate the Secretary of FINRA, 
instead of the FINRA Regulation Secretary, as the person who would: 
send notice to FINRA members announcing a contested NAC election; 
assist in preparing ballots; prepare a list of FINRA members eligible 
to vote; arrange for the location for counting of ballots by an 
independent agent; resolve ballots that were set aside, if necessary; 
extend a time period regarding elections for good cause; and perform 
similar duties.\25\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \25\ See proposed FINRA Regulation By-Laws, Article VI, Sections 
6.5, 6.7, 6.8, 6.10, 6.11, 6.13, and 6.14.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Other Changes
    FINRA proposes to allow the NAC to continue to function while a 
vacancy is being filled. More specifically, the By-Laws would be 
changed to provide that a vacancy on the NAC lasting six months or less 
does not result in a violation of the compositional requirements of the 
NAC.
    FINRA proposes to amend provisions of the By-Laws governing 
resignation, removal, appointment, and disqualification of NAC members 
and the NAC's authority to act on FINRA's behalf to designate the FINRA 
Board as the body authorized to oversee the NAC.\26\ Under the 
proposal, the FINRA Board would have authority to remove all NAC 
members (for refusal, failure, neglect, or inability to discharge 
duties), accept their resignations, appoint them, and declare them 
disqualified.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \26\ See current FINRA Regulation By-Laws, Article V, Sections 
5.1 (Appointment and Authority), and proposed Sections 5.7-5.9.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposed rule change would eliminate the By-Laws provision that 
requires the Chair of the NAC to serve as a Director of the FINRA 
Regulation Board for a one-year term.
    The proposed rule change would modify the By-Laws' definition of 
``Industry Member'' by limiting the look-back test that measures 
whether a NAC or committee member is considered ``industry.'' 
Currently, a person who has served as an officer, director, or employee 
of a broker or dealer, within the past three years is considered to be 
``industry.'' The proposal would shorten that period to one year.
    The proposal also would add the term ``independent director'' to 
the portion of the definition of ``Industry Member'' that excludes 
outside directors of a broker or dealer. According to FINRA, 
``independent director'' is synonymous with outside director, but would 
be added to the exclusionary clause of the definition to harmonize the 
FINRA Regulation By-Laws with the FINRA By-Laws' use of the term 
``independent director'' when defining an Industry Governor. In 
addition, the definitions of ``Public Director'' and ``Public Member,'' 
which refer to NAC or committee members, would be modified to clarify 
that, for example, a Public Director's service on FINRA Regulation's 
Board or a Public Member's service on the NAC does not disqualify that 
person from satisfying the definition of Public Director or Public 
Member.\27\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \27\ See proposed FINRA Regulation By-Laws, Article I(hh) and 
(ii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Finally, the proposed rule change would make certain non-
substantive changes to several articles of the FINRA Regulation By-Laws 
as follows:
     ``The NASD'' or ``NASD'' is to be replaced with ``FINRA'' 
or ``the Corporation;''
     ``NASD Regulation'' is to be changed to ``FINRA 
Regulation;''
     ``The Rules of the Association'' is to be replaced with 
``the Rules of the Corporation;'' and
     ``National Nominating Committee'' is to be replaced with 
``Nominating Committee.''

II. Discussion and Commission's Findings

    After careful review, including consideration of the comment letter 
received \28\ and FINRA's response thereto,\29\ the Commission finds 
that the proposed rule change is consistent with the requirements of 
the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to a 
national securities

[[Page 68470]]

association.\30\ In particular, the Commission finds that the proposed 
rule change is consistent with Section 15A(b)(4) of the Act,\31\ which 
requires that FINRA rules are designed to assure a fair representation 
of FINRA's members in the administration of its affairs. Additionally, 
the Commission finds that the proposed rule change is consistent with 
Section 15A(b)(6) of the Act,\32\ 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \28\ See supra note 4.
    \29\ See letter from Carla Carloni, Associate Vice President, 
FINRA, to Florence E. Harmon, Acting Secretary, Commission, dated 
October 22, 2008, at 1 (``FINRA Response Letter'').
    \30\ In approving this proposed rule change, the Commission 
notes that it has considered the proposed rule's impact on 
efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 
78c(f).
    \31\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-3(b)(4).
    \32\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-3(b)(6).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

A. Changes to the NAC

1. Composition
    FINRA proposes that the restructured NAC consist of 14 members, 
including seven industry members, two of whom will be ``at large'' and 
five of whom will be designated specifically as representatives of 
large firms, mid-size firms, and small firms, and seven non-industry 
members, three of whom are public.\33\ As noted above, the Commission 
received one letter regarding this proposal.\34\ The commenter 
expressed support for the proposal, although he noted a concern that 
NAC members no longer would be required to come from different 
geographic regions of the country. In response, FINRA stated that it 
will ``remain sensitive'' to the commenter's concern.\35\ FINRA also 
pointed out that, under the proposed nomination process, which is 
discussed further below, the District Nominating Committees, which 
currently select the five industry members on the NAC that come from 
the five geographic regions, are permitted to recommend candidates to 
the Nominating Committee.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \33\ A public member of the NAC has no material business 
relationship with a broker or dealer or a self-regulatory 
organization registered under the Act.
    \34\ See supra note 4.
    \35\ See FINRA Response Letter, supra note 29.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission finds that the proposed composition of the NAC 
satisfies the fair representation requirement of Section 15A(b)(4) of 
the Act because five of the 14 NAC members will be industry members, 
elected by member firms of similar size.\36\ The proposed rule change 
aligns the representation of industry members on the NAC to follow more 
closely the industry representation of the FINRA Board. Previously, the 
Commission found that the composition of the FINRA Board satisfies the 
fair representation requirement of Section 15A(b)(4) of the Act.\37\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \36\ See infra note 43 and accompanying text.
    \37\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 56145, supra note 
5, 72 FR at 42182.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Nomination and Election
    FINRA proposes that the Nominating Committee identify and solicit 
candidates for all NAC seats, including the five industry-member 
positions that are based on firm size. The Nominating Committee would 
be free to consult with and receive recommendations for industry NAC 
members from other FINRA committees, including the District Nominating 
Committees, before submitting nominees to the FINRA Board.
    Under the proposed rule change, Additional Candidates would be: (a) 
Permitted to petition for consideration as Small, Mid-Size, or Large 
Firm NAC Members, based on the size of the firm with which they are 
registered; and (b) able to qualify for a contested election by 
gathering petitions from three percent of the firms in their size 
category. In the event of a contested election, FINRA members would 
have an opportunity to vote for a NAC candidate based on firm size.\38\ 
Specifically, small, mid-size, or large firms would vote for NAC 
candidates only if the contested election was for a NAC seat designated 
for a firm of corresponding size.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \38\ See proposed FINRA Regulation By-Laws, Article VI, Section 
6.3 (List of FINRA Members Eligible to Vote) and Article VI, Section 
6.7 (Ballots).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposed rule change authorizes the FINRA Secretary to collect 
information from candidates to determine that the nominee or Additional 
Candidate, as applicable, satisfies the definition of an Industry, 
Small Firm, Mid-Sized Firm, Large Firm, Non-Industry, or Public Member 
of the NAC.\39\ The proposed rule change also ensures that the winner 
of a contested election would serve on the NAC. While all NAC members 
would continue to be recommended initially by the Nominating Committee 
and appointed by the FINRA Board,\40\ the candidate who receives the 
most votes in any contested election for a Small, Mid-Size, or Large 
Firm NAC Member seat would be required under the FINRA Regulation By-
Laws to be appointed to the NAC.\41\ FINRA does not propose to change 
the NAC selection process if no Additional Candidates reach the 
threshold to qualify for a contested election. When there are no 
additional candidates, the industry NAC members selected by the 
Nominating Committee would not have a contested election and would be 
recommended for appointment to the NAC.\42\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \39\ See proposed FINRA Regulation By-Laws, Article V, Section 
5.4 (Nomination Process).
    \40\ The seven non-industry members and two at-large industry 
members would continue to follow the nomination and Board 
appointment process currently employed for non-industry and at-large 
industry NAC members.
    \41\ See proposed FINRA Regulation By-Laws, Article V, Section 
5.3 (Appointments) and 5.5 (Rejection of Nominating Committee 
Nominee).
    \42\ The proposed FINRA Regulation By-Laws would continue to 
allow the Nominating Committee to propose two or more candidates for 
a single open small, mid-size, or large firm NAC seat. See proposed 
FINRA Regulation By-Laws, Article VI, Section 6.5 (Notice of 
Contested Nomination). In such a case, there would be a contested 
election. The proposed rule change would clarify that only when the 
Nominating Committee nominates two or more candidates for the same 
open seat would the Nominating Committee trigger a contested 
election.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission finds that the proposed petition process, coupled 
with the proposed By-Law provisions on the NAC's composition, also are 
consistent with the fair representation requirement of Section 
15A(b)(4) of the Act. As noted above, the Commission previously 
approved a proposed rule change relating to the composition of the 
FINRA Board that similarly provided firms with the right to petition 
for and vote on FINRA Board candidates industry members, according to 
firm size.\43\ The Commission also notes that FINRA's proposal to 
permit Additional Candidates to qualify for a contested election by 
gathering petitions from three percent of the firms in their size 
category (or ten percent in the case of petitions in support of more 
than one person) is lower than the ten percent threshold that has been 
in place under the By-Laws to qualify a FINRA member as an Additional 
Candidate for a regional NAC seat.\44\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \43\ See supra note 37.
    \44\ Compare current FINRA Regulation By-Laws, Article VI, 
Section 6.15 (Requirement for Petition Supporting Additional 
Candidate) with proposed FINRA Regulation By-Laws, Article VI, 
Section 6.2 (Designation of Additional Candidates).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, FINRA proposes to: (a) The narrow circumstances under 
which the Nominating Committee may support its candidate by sending a 
maximum of two mailings in support of its nominee; and (b) assign to 
the Secretary of FINRA the duties of sending notice to FINRA members 
announcing a contested NAC election, assisting in preparing ballots; 
preparing a list of FINRA members eligible to vote, arranging for the 
location for counting of ballots by an independent agent; resolving 
ballots that were set aside, as necessary,

[[Page 68471]]

extending a time period regarding elections for good cause, and similar 
duties. The Commission finds that these proposals are consistent with 
Section 15A(b)(6) of the Act,\45\ 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \45\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-3(b)(6).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. Other Changes
    FINRA proposes to allow NAC to continue to function for a period of 
6 months or less while a vacancy is being filled.
    FINRA proposes to broaden the FINRA Board's oversight authority 
over the NAC.\46\ The proposed rule change grants the FINRA Board 
authority to remove all NAC members (for refusal, failure, neglect, or 
inability to discharge duties), accept their resignations, appoint 
them, and declare them disqualified. FINRA believes that this change 
will benefit the appellate portion of the disciplinary process.\47\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \46\ The authority of the FINRA Board to establish disciplinary 
procedures, impose sanctions, and review disciplinary decisions of 
the NAC are discussed in the Notice. See Notice, supra note 3, 73 FR 
at 56875.
    \47\ See id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposed rule change eliminates the reference to the Chair of 
the NAC serving as a Director of the FINRA Regulation Board for a one-
year term. FINRA explains that this provision is obsolete because the 
NAC Chair is no longer an automatic member of the FINRA Regulation 
Board.
    FINRA proposes to narrow the pool of people qualified to be an 
``Industry Member,'' requiring that a person who has served as an 
officer, director, or employee of a broker or dealer, within the past 
year (instead of three years) is considered to be ``industry.'' The 
proposed change is consistent with the definitions of ``Industry 
Governor'' and ``Industry committee member'' in the FINRA By-Laws.\48\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \48\ See FINRA By-Laws, Article I(t).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposal also adds the term ``independent director'' to the 
portion of the definition of ``Industry Member'' that excludes outside 
directors of a broker or dealer. FINRA states that the goal of this 
proposal is to harmonize use of the term ``independent director'' when 
defining an Industry Governor in the FINRA Regulation By-Laws and the 
FINRA By-Laws.
    In addition, FINRA would modify the qualifications for ``Public 
Director'' and ``Public Member.'' Currently, only someone with no 
material business relationship with a broker, dealer, or the NASD, NASD 
Regulation, or a market for which NASD provides regulation is eligible 
for those positions. Alternatively, FINRA proposes to require that 
Public Directors and Public Members have no material business 
relationship with a broker, dealer, or a self regulatory organization 
registered under the Act (``SRO''), provided that service as a public 
director of an SRO or as a public member on an SRO committee is not 
disqualifying.
    Finally, FINRA proposes to make the following non-substantive 
replacements in the FINRA Regulation By-Laws:
     Substitute ``the NASD'' or ``NASD'' with ``FINRA'' or 
``the Corporation;''
     Substitute ``NASD Regulation'' with ``FINRA Regulation;''
     Substitute ``the Rules of the Association'' with ``the 
Rules of the Corporation;'' and
     Substitute ``National Nominating Committee'' with 
``Nominating Committee.''
    The Commission finds that these proposed changes are consistent 
with Section 15A(b)(6) of the Act,\49\ 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \49\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-3(b)(6).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

III. Conclusion

    It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the 
Act,\50\ that the proposed rule change (SR-FINRA-2008-046) be, and it 
hereby is, approved.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \50\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\51\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \51\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Florence E. Harmon,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8-27249 Filed 11-17-08; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 8011-01-P