22 December 2011

SEC Discloses Self-Regulatory Orgs Bamboozle

Bamboozle synonyms: deceive, beguile, bluff, buffalo, burn, catch, con, cozen, delude, dupe, fake out, fool, gaff, gammon, gull, have, have on [chiefly British], hoax, hoodwink, hornswoggle, humbug, juggle, misguide, misinform, mislead, snooker, snow, spoof, string along, sucker, suck in, take in, trick

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 246 (Thursday, December 22, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 79714-79723]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-32753]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-65991; File No. 4-566]


Program for Allocation of Regulatory Responsibilities Pursuant to 
Rule 17d-2; Notice of Filing and Order Approving and Declaring 
Effective an Amendment to the Plan for the Allocation of Regulatory 
Responsibilities Among BATS Exchange, Inc., BATS Y-Exchange, Inc., 
Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated, Chicago Stock Exchange, 
Inc., EDGA Exchange, Inc., EDGX Exchange, Inc., Financial Industry 
Regulatory Authority, Inc., NASDAQ OMX BX, Inc., NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC, 
The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC, National Stock Exchange, Inc., New York 
Stock Exchange LLC, NYSE Amex LLC, and NYSE Arca, Inc. Relating to the 
Surveillance, Investigation, and Enforcement of Insider Trading Rules

December 16, 2011.
    Notice is hereby given that the Securities and Exchange Commission

[[Page 79715]]

(``Commission'') has issued an Order, pursuant to Section 17(d) of the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Act''),\1\ approving and declaring 
effective an amendment to the plan for allocating regulatory 
responsibility (``Plan'') filed pursuant to Rule 17d-2 of the Act,\2\ 
by and among BATS Exchange, Inc. (``BATS''), BATS Y-Exchange, Inc. 
(``BYX''), Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated (``CBOE''), 
Chicago Stock Exchange, Inc. (``CHX''), EDGA Exchange, Inc. (``EDGA''), 
EDGX Exchange, Inc. (``EDGX''), the Financial Industry Regulatory 
Authority, Inc. (``FINRA''), NASDAQ OMX BX, Inc., (``NASDAQ OMX BX''), 
NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC, (``NASDAQ OMX PHLX''), The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC 
(``Nasdaq''), National Stock Exchange, Inc. (``NSX''), New York Stock 
Exchange LLC (``NYSE''), NYSE Amex LLC (``NYSE Amex''), and NYSE Arca, 
Inc. (``NYSE Arca'') (each a ``Participating Organization'' and 
collectively, ``Participating Organizations'' or ``parties'').
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78q(d).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.17d-2.
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I. Introduction

    Section 19(g)(1) of the Act,\3\ among other things, requires every 
self-regulatory organization (``SRO'') registered as either a national 
securities exchange or national securities association to examine for, 
and enforce compliance by, its members and persons associated with its 
members with the Act, the rules and regulations thereunder, and the 
SRO's own rules, unless the SRO is relieved of this responsibility 
pursuant to Section 17(d) \4\ or Section 19(g)(2) \5\ of the Act. 
Without this relief, the statutory obligation of each individual SRO 
could result in a pattern of multiple examinations of broker-dealers 
that maintain memberships in more than one SRO (``common members''). 
Such regulatory duplication would add unnecessary expenses for common 
members and their SROs.
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    \3\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(g)(1).
    \4\ 15 U.S.C. 78q(d).
    \5\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(g)(2).
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    Section 17(d)(1) of the Act \6\ was intended, in part, to eliminate 
unnecessary multiple examinations and regulatory duplication.\7\ With 
respect to a common member, Section 17(d)(1) authorizes the Commission, 
by rule or order, to relieve an SRO of the responsibility to receive 
regulatory reports, to examine for and enforce compliance with 
applicable statutes, rules, and regulations, or to perform other 
specified regulatory functions.
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    \6\ 15 U.S.C. 78q(d)(1).
    \7\ See Securities Act Amendments of 1975, Report of the Senate 
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs to Accompany S. 
249, S. Rep. No. 94-75, 94th Cong., 1st Session 32 (1975).
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    To implement Section 17(d)(1), the Commission adopted two rules: 
Rule 17d-1 and Rule 17d-2 under the Act.\8\ Rule 17d-1 authorizes the 
Commission to name a single SRO as the designated examining authority 
(``DEA'') to examine common members for compliance with the financial 
responsibility requirements imposed by the Act, or by Commission or SRO 
rules.\9\ When an SRO has been named as a common member's DEA, all 
other SROs to which the common member belongs are relieved of the 
responsibility to examine the firm for compliance with the applicable 
financial responsibility rules. On its face, Rule 17d-1 deals only with 
an SRO's obligations to enforce member compliance with financial 
responsibility requirements. Rule 17d-1 does not relieve an SRO from 
its obligation to examine a common member for compliance with its own 
rules and provisions of the federal securities laws governing matters 
other than financial responsibility, including sales practices and 
trading activities and practices.
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    \8\ 17 CFR 240.17d-1 and 17 CFR 240.17d-2, respectively.
    \9\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 12352 (April 20, 
1976), 41 FR 18808 (May 7, 1976).
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    To address regulatory duplication in these and other areas, the 
Commission adopted Rule 17d-2 under the Act.\10\ Rule 17d-2 permits 
SROs to propose joint plans for the allocation of regulatory 
responsibilities with respect to their common members. Under paragraph 
(c) of Rule 17d-2, the Commission may declare such a plan effective if, 
after providing for notice and comment, it determines that the plan is 
necessary or appropriate in the public interest and for the protection 
of investors, to foster cooperation and coordination among the SROs, to 
remove impediments to, and foster the development of, a national market 
system and a national clearance and settlement system, and is in 
conformity with the factors set forth in Section 17(d) of the Act. 
Commission approval of a plan filed pursuant to Rule 17d-2 relieves an 
SRO of those regulatory responsibilities allocated by the plan to 
another SRO.
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    \10\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 12935 (October 28, 
1976), 41 FR 49091 (November 8, 1976).
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II. The Plan

    On September 12, 2008, the Commission declared effective the 
Participating Organizations' Plan for allocating regulatory 
responsibilities pursuant to Rule 17d-2.\11\ The Plan is designed to 
eliminate regulatory duplication by allocating regulatory 
responsibility over Common FINRA Members \12\ (collectively ``Common 
Members'') for the surveillance, investigation, and enforcement of 
common insider trading rules (``Common Rules'').\13\ The Plan assigns 
regulatory responsibility over Common FINRA Members to FINRA for 
surveillance, investigation, and enforcement of insider trading by 
broker-dealers, and their associated persons, with respect to Listed 
Stocks (as defined in the Plan), irrespective of the marketplace(s) 
maintained by the Participating Organizations on which the relevant 
trading may occur.
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    \11\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 58536 (September 
12, 2008), 73 FR 54646 (September 22, 2008). See also Securities 
Exchange Act Release Nos. 58806 (October 17, 2008), 73 FR 63216 
(October 23, 2008); 61919 (April 15, 2010), 75 FR 21051 (April 22, 
2010); 63103 (October 14, 2010), 75 FR 64755 (October 20, 2010); and 
63750 (January 21, 2011), 76 FR 4948 (January 27, 2011).
    \12\ Common FINRA Members include members of FINRA and at least 
one of the Participating Organizations.
    \13\ Common rules are defined as: (i) Federal securities laws 
and rules promulgated by the Commission pertaining to insider 
trading, and (ii) the rules of the Participating Organizations that 
are related to insider trading. See Exhibit A to the Plan.
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III. Proposed Amendment to the Plan

    On November 3, 2011, the Participating Organizations submitted an 
amendment to the Plan. The proposed amendment was submitted to reflect 
the addition of BATS as a Listing Market (as defined in the Plan) and 
to expand the coverage of Listed Stocks to include an equity security 
that is listed on BATS.\14\ Other similar conforming amendments were 
made to reflect this addition. The Participating Organizations also 
amended the Plan to update the contact information and SRO rules that 
are covered by the Agreement. In addition, the Participating 
Organizations entered into a regulatory services agreement that 
addresses investigation and enforcement in situations involving Insider 
Trading by non-Common FINRA Members. The text of the proposed amended 
17d-2 plan is as follows (except for paragraph headings, which are 
italicized, additions are italicized; deletions are [bracketed]):
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    \14\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 65225 (August 30, 
2011), 76 FR 55148 (September 6, 2011) (Order approving proposed 
rule change to adopt rules for the qualification, listing and 
delisting of companies on BATS).
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* * * * *

[[Page 79716]]

Agreement for the Allocation of Regulatory Responsibility of 
Surveillance, Investigation and Enforcement for Insider Trading 
pursuant to Sec.  17(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 15 
U.S.C. 78q(d), and Rule 17d-2 Thereunder

    This agreement (the ``Agreement'') by and among BATS Exchange, Inc. 
(``BATS''), BATS Y-Exchange, Inc. (``BYX''), Chicago Board Options 
Exchange, Inc. (``CBOE'') \*\, Chicago Stock Exchange, Inc. (``CHX''), 
EDGA Exchange, Inc. (``EDGA''), EDGX Exchange, Inc. (``EDGX''), 
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (``FINRA''), NASDAQ OMX 
BX, Inc. (``NASDAQ OMX BX''), NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC (``NASDAQ OMX 
PHLX''), The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (``NASDAQ''), National Stock 
Exchange, Inc. (``NSX''), New York Stock Exchange LLC (``NYSE''), NYSE 
Amex LLC (``NYSE Amex''), and NYSE Arca, Inc. (``NYSE Arca'') (each a 
``Participating Organization'' and together, the ``Participating 
Organizations''), is made pursuant to Sec.  17(d) of the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934 (the ``Act''), 15 U.S.C. 78q(d), and Securities 
and Exchange Commission (``SEC'') Rule 17d-2, which allow for plans to 
allocate regulatory responsibility among self-regulatory organizations 
(``SROs''). Upon approval by the SEC, this Agreement shall amend and 
restate the agreement among the Participating Organizations approved by 
the SEC on [October 14, 2010] January 21, 2011.
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    \*\ CBOE's allocation of certain regulatory responsibilities to 
FINRA under this Agreement is limited to the activities of the CBOE 
Stock Exchange, LLC, a facility of CBOE.
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    Whereas, the Participating Organizations desire to: (a) Foster 
cooperation and coordination among the SROs; (b) remove impediments to, 
and foster the development of, a national market system; (c) strive to 
protect the interest of investors; and (d) eliminate duplication in 
their regulatory surveillance, investigation and enforcement of insider 
trading;
    Whereas, the Participating Organizations are interested in 
allocating to FINRA regulatory responsibility for Common FINRA Members 
(as defined below) for surveillance, investigation and enforcement of 
Insider Trading (as defined below) in Listed Stocks (as defined below) 
irrespective of the marketplace(s) maintained by the Participating 
Organizations on which the relevant trading may occur in violation of 
Common Insider Trading Rules (as defined below);
    Whereas, the Participating Organizations will request regulatory 
allocation of these regulatory responsibilities by executing and filing 
with the SEC a plan for the above stated purposes (this Agreement, also 
known herein as the ``Plan'') pursuant to the provisions of Sec.  17(d) 
of the Act, and SEC Rule 17d-2 thereunder, as described below; and
    Whereas, the Participating Organizations will also enter into a 
Regulatory Services Agreement (the ``Insider Trading RSA''), of even 
date herewith, to provide for the investigation and enforcement of 
suspected Insider Trading against broker-dealers, and their associated 
persons, that are not Common FINRA Members in the case of Insider 
Trading in Listed Stocks.
    Now, therefore, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained 
hereafter, and other valuable consideration to be mutually exchanged, 
the Participating Organizations hereby agree as follows:
    1. Definitions. Unless otherwise defined in this Agreement, or the 
context otherwise requires, the terms used in this Agreement will have 
the same meaning they have under the Act, and the rules and regulations 
thereunder. As used in this Agreement, the following terms will have 
the following meanings:
    a. ``Rule'' of an ``exchange'' or an ``association'' shall have the 
meaning defined in Section 3(a)(27) of the Act.
    b. ``Common FINRA Members'' shall mean members of FINRA and at 
least one of the Participating Organizations.
    c. ``Common Insider Trading Rules'' shall mean (i) the federal 
securities laws and rules thereunder promulgated by the SEC pertaining 
to insider trading, and (ii) the rules of the Participating 
Organizations that are related to insider trading, as provided on 
Exhibit A to this Agreement.
    d. ``Effective Date'' shall have the meaning set forth in paragraph 
28.
    e. ``Insider Trading'' shall mean any conduct or action taken by a 
natural person or entity related in any way to the trading of 
securities by an insider or a related party based on or on the basis of 
material non-public information obtained during the performance of the 
insider's duties at the corporation, or otherwise misappropriated, that 
could be deemed a violation of the Common Insider Trading Rules.
    f. ``Intellectual Property'' will mean any: (1) Processes, 
methodologies, procedures, or technology, whether or not patentable; 
(2) trademarks, copyrights, literary works or other works of 
authorship, service marks and trade secrets; or (3) software, systems, 
machine-readable texts and files and related documentation.
    g. ``Plan'' shall mean this Agreement, which is submitted as a Plan 
for the allocation of regulatory responsibilities of surveillance for 
insider trading pursuant to Sec.  17(d) of the Act, 15 U.S.C. 78q(d), 
and SEC Rule 17d-2.
    h. ``Listed Stock(s)'' shall mean NYSE Listed Stock(s), NASDAQ 
Listed Stock(s), NYSE Amex Listed Stock(s), NYSE Arca Listed Stock(s), 
BATS Listed Stock(s) or CHX Solely Listed Stock(s).
    i. ``NYSE Listed Stock'' shall mean an equity security that is 
listed on the NYSE.
    j. ``NASDAQ Listed Stock'' shall mean an equity security that is 
listed on NASDAQ.
    k. ``NYSE Amex Listed Stock'' shall mean an equity security that is 
listed on NYSE Amex.
    l. ``NYSE Arca Listed Stock'' shall mean an equity security that is 
listed on NYSE Arca.
    m.  ``BATS Listed Stock'' shall mean an equity security that is 
listed on BATS.
    n. ``CHX Solely Listed Stock'' shall mean an equity security that 
is listed only on the CHX.
    [n]o. ``Listing Market'' shall mean NYSE Amex, NASDAQ, NYSE, [or] 
NYSE Arca or BATS, but not CHX.
    2. Assumption of Regulatory Responsibilities. On the Effective Date 
of the Plan, FINRA will assume regulatory responsibilities for 
surveillance, investigation and enforcement of Insider Trading by 
broker-dealers, and their associated persons, for Common FINRA Members 
with respect to Listed Stocks, irrespective of the marketplace(s) 
maintained by the Participant Organizations on which the relevant 
trading may occur in violation of the Common Insider Trading Rules 
(``Regulatory Responsibilities'').
    3. Certification of Insider Trading Rules.
    a. Initial Certification. By signing this Agreement, the 
Participating Organizations, other than FINRA, hereby certify to FINRA 
that their respective lists of Common Insider Trading Rules contained 
in Exhibit A hereto are correct, and FINRA hereby confirms that such 
rules are Common Insider Trading Rules as defined in this Agreement.
    b. Yearly Certification. Each year following the commencement of 
operation of this Agreement, or more frequently if required by changes 
in the rules of the Participating Organizations, each Participating 
Organization shall submit a certified and updated list of Common 
Insider Trading Rules to

[[Page 79717]]

FINRA for review, which shall (i) add Participating Organization rules 
not included in the then-current list of Common Insider Trading Rules 
that qualify as Common Insider Trading Rules as defined in this 
Agreement; (ii) delete Participating Organization rules included in the 
current list of Common Insider Trading Rules that no longer qualify as 
Common Insider Trading Rules as defined in this Agreement; and (iii) 
confirm that the remaining rules on the current list of Common Insider 
Trading Rules continue to be Participating Organization rules that 
qualify as Common Insider Trading Rules as defined in this Agreement. 
FINRA shall review each Participating Organization's annual 
certification and confirm whether FINRA agrees with the submitted 
certified and updated list of Common Insider Trading Rules by each of 
the Participating Organizations.
    4. No Retention of Regulatory Responsibility. The Participating 
Organizations do not contemplate the retention of any responsibilities 
with respect to the regulatory activities being assumed by FINRA under 
the terms of this Agreement.
    5. Dually Listed Stocks. Stocks that are listed on more than one 
Participating Organization shall be designated as an NYSE Listed Stock, 
a NASDAQ Listed Stock, an NYSE Arca Listed Stock or an NYSE Amex Listed 
Stock based on the applicable transaction reporting plan for the equity 
security as set forth in paragraph 1.b. of Exhibit B.
    6. Fees. FINRA shall charge Participating Organizations for 
performing the Regulatory Responsibilities, as set forth in the 
Schedule of Fees, attached as Exhibit B.
    7. Applicability of Certain Laws, Rules, Regulations or Orders. 
Notwithstanding any provision hereof, this Agreement shall be subject 
to any statute, or any rule or order of the SEC. To the extent such 
statute, rule, or order is inconsistent with one or more provisions of 
this Agreement, the statute, rule, or order shall supersede the 
provision(s) hereof to the extent necessary to be properly effectuated 
and the provision(s) hereof in that respect shall be null and void.
    8. Exchange Committee; Reports.
    a. Exchange Committee. The Participating Organizations shall form a 
committee (the ``Exchange Committee''), which shall act on behalf of 
all of Participating Organizations in receiving copies of the reports 
described below and in reviewing issues that arise under this 
Agreement. Each Participating Organization shall appoint a 
representative to the Exchange Committee. The Exchange Committee 
representatives shall report to their respective executive management 
bodies regarding status or issues under this Agreement. The 
Participating Organizations agree that the Exchange Committee will meet 
regularly up to four (4) times a year, with no more than one meeting 
per calendar quarter. At these meetings, the Exchange Committee will 
discuss the conduct of the Regulatory Responsibilities and identify 
issues or concerns with respect to this Agreement, including matters 
related to the calculation of the cost formula and accuracy of fees 
charged and provision of information related to the same. The SEC shall 
be permitted to attend the meetings as an observer.
    b. Reports. FINRA shall provide the reports set forth in Exhibit C 
hereto and any additional reports related to this Agreement reasonably 
requested by a majority vote of all representatives to the Exchange 
Committee at each Exchange Committee meeting, or more often as the 
Participating Organizations deem appropriate, but no more often than 
once every quarterly billing period.
    9. Customer Complaints. If a Participating Organization receives a 
copy of a customer complaint relating to Insider Trading or other 
activity or conduct that is within FINRA's Regulatory Responsibilities 
as set forth in this Agreement, the Participating Organization shall 
promptly forward to FINRA, as applicable, a copy of such customer 
complaint.
    10. Parties to Make Personnel Available as Witnesses. Each 
Participating Organization shall make its personnel available to FINRA 
to serve as testimonial or non-testimonial witnesses as necessary to 
assist FINRA in fulfilling the Regulatory Responsibilities allocated 
under this Agreement. FINRA shall provide reasonable advance notice 
when practicable and shall work with a Participating Organization to 
accommodate reasonable scheduling conflicts within the context and 
demands as the entity with ultimate regulatory responsibility. The 
Participating Organization shall pay all reasonable travel and other 
expenses incurred by its employees to the extent that FINRA requires 
such employees to serve as witnesses, and provide information or other 
assistance pursuant to this Agreement.
    11. Market Data; Sharing of Work-Papers, Data and Related 
Information.
    a. Market Data. FINRA shall obtain raw market data necessary to the 
performance of regulation under this Agreement from (a) the 
Consolidated Tape Association (``CTA'') as the exclusive securities 
information processor (``SIP'') for all NYSE Listed Stocks, NYSE Amex 
Listed Stocks, NYSE Arca Listed Stocks, BATS Listed Stocks and CHX 
Solely Listed Stocks and (b) the NASDAQ Unlisted Trading Privileges 
Plan as the exclusive SIP for all NASDAQ Listed Stocks.
    b. Sharing. A Participating Organization shall make available to 
FINRA information necessary to assist FINRA in fulfilling the 
Regulatory Responsibilities assumed under the terms of this Agreement. 
Such information shall include any information collected by a 
Participating Organization in the course of performing its regulatory 
obligations under the Act, including information relating to an on-
going disciplinary investigation or action against a member, the amount 
of a fine imposed on a member, financial information, or information 
regarding proprietary trading systems gained in the course of examining 
a member (``Regulatory Information''). This Regulatory Information 
shall be used by FINRA solely for the purposes of fulfilling its 
Regulatory Responsibilities.
    c. No Waiver of Privilege. The sharing of documents or information 
between the parties pursuant to this Agreement shall not be deemed a 
waiver as against third parties of regulatory or other privileges 
relating to the discovery of documents or information.
    d. Intellectual Property.
    (i) Existing Intellectual Property. FINRA is and will remain the 
owner of all right, title and interest in and to the proprietary 
Intellectual Property it employs in the provision of regulation 
hereunder (including the SONAR and Stock Watch systems), and any 
derivative works thereof. To the extent certain elements of FINRA's 
systems, or portions thereof, may be licensed or leased from third 
parties, all such third party elements shall remain the property of 
such third parties, as applicable. Likewise, any other Participating 
Organization is and will remain the owner of all right, title and 
interest in and to its own existing proprietary Intellectual Property.
    (ii) Enhancements to Existing Intellectual Property or New 
Developments. In the event FINRA (a) makes any changes, modifications 
or enhancements to its Intellectual Property for any reason, or (b) 
creates any newly developed Intellectual Property for any reason, 
including as a result of requested enhancements or new development by 
the Exchange Committee (collectively, the ``New IP''), the 
Participating Organizations acknowledge and agree that FINRA shall

[[Page 79718]]

be deemed the owner of the New IP created by it (and any derivative 
works thereof), and shall retain all right, title and interest therein 
and thereto, and each other Participating Organization hereby 
irrevocably assigns, transfers and conveys to FINRA without further 
consideration all of its right, title and interest in or to all such 
New IP (and any derivative works thereof).
    (iii) Fees for New IP. FINRA will not charge the Participating 
Organizations any fees for any New IP created and used by FINRA; 
provided, however, that FINRA will be permitted to charge fees for 
software maintenance work performed on systems used in the discharge of 
its duties hereunder.
    12. Special or Cause Examinations. Nothing in this Agreement shall 
restrict or in any way encumber the right of a party to conduct special 
or cause examinations of Common FINRA Members as any party, in its sole 
discretion, shall deem appropriate or necessary.
    13. Dispute Resolution Under this Agreement.
    a. Negotiation. The parties to this Agreement will attempt to 
resolve any disputes through good faith negotiation and discussion, 
escalating such discussion up through the appropriate management levels 
until reaching the executive management level. In the event a dispute 
cannot be settled through these means, the parties shall refer the 
dispute to binding arbitration.
    b. Binding Arbitration. All claims, disputes, controversies, and 
other matters in question between the parties to this Agreement arising 
out of or relating to this Agreement or the breach thereof that cannot 
be resolved by the parties will be resolved through binding 
arbitration. Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, a dispute 
submitted to binding arbitration pursuant to this paragraph shall be 
resolved using the following procedures:
    (i) The arbitration shall be conducted in the city of New York in 
accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American 
Arbitration Association and judgment upon the award rendered by the 
arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof; and
    (ii) There shall be three arbitrators, and the chairperson of the 
arbitration panel shall be an attorney.
    14. Limitation of Liability. As between the Participating 
Organizations, no Participating Organization, including its respective 
directors, governors, officers, employees and agents, will be liable to 
any other Participating Organization, or its directors, governors, 
officers, employees and agents, for any liability, loss or damage 
resulting from any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions with 
respect to its performing or failing to perform regulatory 
responsibilities, obligations, or functions, except (a) as otherwise 
provided for under the Act, (b) in instances of a Participating 
Organization's gross negligence, willful misconduct or reckless 
disregard with respect to another Participating Organization, (c) in 
instances of a breach of confidentiality obligations owed to another 
Participating Organization, or (d) in the case of any Participating 
Organization paying fees hereunder, for any payments due. The 
Participating Organizations understand and agree that the Regulatory 
Responsibilities are being performed on a good faith and best effort 
basis and no warranties, express or implied, are made by any 
Participating Organization to any other Participating Organization with 
respect to any of the responsibilities to be performed hereunder. This 
paragraph is not intended to create liability of any Participating 
Organization to any third party.
    15. SEC Approval.
    a. The parties agree to file promptly this Agreement with the SEC 
for its review and approval. FINRA shall file this Agreement on behalf, 
and with the explicit consent, of all Participating Organizations.
    b. If approved by the SEC, the Participating Organizations will 
notify their members of the general terms of this Agreement and of its 
impact on their members.
    16. Subsequent Parties; Limited Relationship. This Agreement shall 
inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the Participating 
Organizations hereto and their respective legal representatives, 
successors, and assigns. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or 
implied, is intended or shall: (a) Confer on any person other than the 
Participating Organizations hereto, or their respective legal 
representatives, successors, and assigns, any rights, remedies, 
obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, (b) 
constitute the Participating Organizations hereto partners or 
participants in a joint venture, or (c) appoint one Participating 
Organization the agent of the other.
    17. Assignment. No Participating Organization may assign this 
Agreement without the prior written consent of all the other 
Participating Organizations, which consent shall not be unreasonably 
withheld, conditioned or delayed; provided, however, that any 
Participating Organization may assign this Agreement to a corporation 
controlling, controlled by or under common control with the 
Participating Organization without the prior written consent of any 
other party.
    18. Severability. Any term or provision of this Agreement that is 
invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such 
jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or 
unenforceability without rendering invalid or unenforceable the 
remaining terms and provisions of this Agreement or affecting the 
validity or enforceability of any of the terms or provisions of this 
Agreement in any other jurisdiction.
    19. Termination.
    a. Any Participating Organization may cancel its participation in 
this Agreement at any time, provided that it has given 180 days written 
notice to the other Participating Organizations (or in the case of a 
change of control in ownership of a Participating Organization, such 
other notice time period as that Participating Organization may 
choose), and provided that such termination has been approved by the 
SEC. The cancellation of its participation in this Agreement by any 
Participating Organization shall not terminate this Agreement as to the 
remaining Participating Organizations.
    b. The Regulatory Responsibilities assumed under this Agreement by 
FINRA may be terminated by FINRA against any Participating Organization 
as follows. The Participating Organization will have thirty (30) days 
from receipt to satisfy the invoice. If the Participating Organization 
fails to satisfy the invoice within thirty (30) days of receipt 
(``Default''), FINRA will notify the Participating Organization of the 
Default. The Participating Organization will have thirty (30) days from 
receipt of the Default notice to satisfy the invoice.
    c. FINRA will have the right to terminate the Regulatory 
Responsibilities assumed under this Agreement if a Participating 
Organization has Defaulted in its obligation to pay the invoice on more 
than three (3) occasions in any rolling twenty-four (24) month period.
    20. Intermarket Surveillance Group (``ISG''). In order to 
participate in this Agreement, all Participating Organizations to this 
Agreement must be members of the ISG.
    21. General. The Participating Organizations agree to perform all 
acts and execute all supplementary instruments or documents that may be 
reasonably necessary or desirable to carry out the provisions of this 
Agreement.
    22. Liaison and Notices. All questions regarding the implementation 
of this Agreement shall be directed to the

[[Page 79719]]

persons identified below, as applicable. All notices and other 
communications required or permitted to be given under this Agreement 
shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given upon 
(i) actual receipt by the notified party or (ii) constructive receipt 
(as of the date marked on the return receipt) if sent by certified or 
registered mail, return receipt requested, to the following addresses:
* * * * *
    23. Confidentiality. The parties agree that documents or 
information shared shall be held in confidence, and used only for the 
purposes of carrying out their respective regulatory obligations under 
this Agreement. No party shall assert regulatory or other privileges as 
against the other with respect to Regulatory Information that is 
required to be shared pursuant to this Agreement, as defined by 
paragraph 11, above.
    24. Regulatory Responsibility. Pursuant to Section 17(d)(1)(A) of 
the Act, and Rule 17d-2 thereunder, the Participating Organizations 
jointly and severally request the SEC, upon its approval of this 
Agreement, to relieve the Participating Organizations, jointly and 
severally, of any and all responsibilities with respect to the matters 
allocated to FINRA pursuant to this Agreement for purposes of 
Sec. Sec.  17(d) and 19(g) of the Act.
    25. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be deemed to have been made 
in the State of New York, and shall be construed and enforced in 
accordance with the law of the State of New York, without reference to 
principles of conflicts of laws thereof. Each of the parties hereby 
consents to submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of 
New York in connection with any action or proceeding relating to this 
Agreement.
    26. Survival of Provisions. Provisions intended by their terms or 
context to survive and continue notwithstanding delivery of the 
regulatory services by FINRA, the payment of the Fees by the 
Participating Organizations, and any expiration of this Agreement shall 
survive and continue.
    27. Amendment.
    a. This Agreement may be amended to add a new Participating 
Organization, provided that such Participating Organization does not 
assume regulatory responsibility, solely by an amendment executed by 
FINRA and such new Participating Organization. All other Participating 
Organizations expressly consent to allow FINRA to add new Participating 
Organizations to this Agreement as provided above. FINRA will promptly 
notify all Participating Organizations of any such amendments to add a 
new Participating Organization.
    b. All other amendments must be approved by each Participating 
Organization. All amendments, including adding a new Participating 
Organization, must be filed with and approved by the SEC before they 
become effective.
    28. Effective Date. The Effective Date of this Agreement will be 
the date the SEC declares this Agreement to be effective pursuant to 
authority conferred by Sec.  17(d) of the Act, and SEC Rule 17d-2 
thereunder.
    29. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of 
counterparts, including facsimile, each of which will be deemed an 
original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one single 
agreement between the parties.
* * * * *

Exhibit A: Common Insider Trading Rules

    1. Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Section 10(b), and rules and 
regulations promulgated there under in connection with insider trading, 
including SEC Rule 10b-5 (as it pertains to insider trading), which 
states that:
Rule 10b-5--Employment of Manipulative and Deceptive Devices
    It shall be unlawful for any person, directly or indirectly, by the 
use of any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce, or of the 
mails or of any facility of any national securities exchange,
    a. To employ any device, scheme, or artifice to defraud,
    b. To make any untrue statement of a material fact or to omit to 
state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, 
in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not 
misleading, or
    c. To engage in any act, practice, or course of business which 
operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any person, in 
connection with the purchase or sale of any security.
    2. Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Section 17(a), and rules and 
regulations promulgated there under in connection with insider trading, 
including SEC Rule 17a-3 (as it pertains to insider trading).
    3. The following SRO Rules as they pertain to violations of insider 
trading:

FINRA Rule 2010 (Standards of Commercial Honor and Principles of Trade)
FINRA Rule 2020 (Use of Manipulative, Deceptive or Other Fraudulent 
Devices)
FINRA NASD Rule 3010 (Supervision)
FINRA NASD Rule 3110(a) and (c) (Books and Records; Financial 
Condition)
[NYSE Rule 401(a) (Business Conduct)]
[NYSE Rule 476(a) (Disciplinary Proceedings Involving Charges Against 
Members, Member Organizations, Allied Members, Approved Persons, 
Employees, or Others)]
[NYSE Rule 440 (Books and Records)]
NYSE Rule 342 (Offices--Approval, Supervision and Control)
NYSE Rule 440 (Books and Records)
NYSE Rule 476(a) (Disciplinary Proceedings Involving Charges Against 
Members, Member Organizations, Principal Executives, Approved Persons, 
Employees, or Others)
NYSE Rule 2010 (Standards of Commercial Honor and Principles of Trade)
NYSE Rule 2020 (Use of Manipulative, Deceptive or Other Fraudulent 
Devices)
NYSE Amex Equities Rule 342 (Offices--Approval, Supervision and 
Control)
NYSE Amex Equities Rule 440 (Books and Records)
NYSE Amex Equities Rule 476(a) (Disciplinary Proceedings Involving 
Charges Against Members, Member Organizations, Principal Executives, 
Approved Persons, Employees, or Others)
NYSE Amex Equities Rule 2010 (Standards of Commercial Honor and 
Principles of Trade)
NYSE Amex Equities Rule 2020 (Use of Manipulative, Deceptive or Other 
Fraudulent Devices)
[NYSE Amex Cons. Art. II Sec. 3 Confidential Information]
[NYSE Amex Cons. Art. V Sec. 4 Suspension or Expulsion (b), (h), (i), 
(j) and (r)]
[NYSE Amex Cons. Art. XI Sec. 4 Controlled Corporations and 
Associations--Responsibility for Corporate Subsidiary; Duty to Produce 
Books]
[NYSE Amex Rule 3 General Prohibitions and Duty to Report (d), (h) (j) 
and (l)]
[NYSE Amex Rule 3 AEMI General Prohibitions and Duty to Report (d) and 
(h)]
[NYSE Amex Rule 16 Business Conduct]
[NYSE Amex Rule 320 Offices--Approval, Supervision and Control]
[NYSE Amex Rule 324 Books and Records]
NASDAQ OMX Rule 2110 (Standards of Commercial Honor and Principles of 
Trade)

[[Page 79720]]

NASDAQ OMX Rule 2120 (Use of Manipulative, Deceptive or Other 
Fraudulent Devices)
NASDAQ OMX Rule 3010 (Supervision)
NASDAQ OMX Rule 3110 (a) and (c) (Books and Records; Financial 
Condition)
CHX Article 8, Rule 3 (Fraudulent Acts)
CHX Article 9, Rule 2 (Just & Equitable Trade Principles)
CHX Article 11, Rule 2 (Maintenance of Books and Records)
CHX Article 6, Rule 5 (Supervision of Registered Persons and Branch and 
Resident Offices)
CBOE Rule 4.1 (Practices inconsistent with just and equitable 
principles)
CBOE Rule 4.2 (adherence to law)
CBOE Rule 4.7 (Manipulation)
CBOE Rule 4.18 (Prevention of the misuse of material non public 
information)
NASDAQ OMX PHLX Rule 707 (Conduct Inconsistent with Just and Equitable 
Principles of Trade)
NASDAQ OMX PHLX Rule 748 (Supervision)
NASDAQ OMX PHLX Rule 760 (Maintenance, Retention and Furnishing of 
Books, Records and Other Information)
NASDAQ OMX PHLX Rule 761 (Supervisory Procedures Relating to ITSFEA and 
to Prevention of Misuse or Material Nonpublic Information)
NASDAQ OMX PHLX Rule 782 (Manipulative Operations)
NYSE Arca Equities Rule 2.24 (ETP Books and Records)
NYSE Arca Equities Rule 6.3 (Prevention of the Misuse of Material, 
Nonpublic Information)
NYSE Arca Equities Rule 6.2(b) (Prohibited Acts (J&E))
NYSE Arca Equities Rule 6.1 (Adherence to Law)
NYSE Arca Equities Rule 6.18 (Supervision)
NYSE Arca Equities Rule 9.1(c) (Office Supervision)
NYSE Arca Equities Rule 9.2(b) (Account Supervision)
NYSE Arca Equities Rule 9.2(c) (Customer Records)
NYSE Arca Equities Rule 2010 (Standards of Commercial Honor and 
Principles of Trade)
NYSE Arca Equities Rule 2020 (Use of Manipulative, Deceptive or Other 
Fraudulent Devices)
[NYSE Arca Rule 9.17 Books and Records]
NSX Rule 3.1 (Business Conduct of ETP Holders)
NSX Rule 3.2 (Violations Prohibited)
NSX Rule 3.3 (Use of Fraudulent Devices)
NSX Rule 4.1 (Requirements)
NSX Rule 5.1 (Written Procedures)
NSX Rule 5.3 (Records)
NSX Rule 5.5 (Chinese Wall Procedures)
NASDAQ OMX BX Rule 2110 (Standards of Commercial Honor and Principles 
of Trade)
NASDAQ OMX BX Rule 2120 (Use of Manipulative, Deceptive or Other 
Fraudulent Devices)
NASDAQ OMX BX Rule 3010 (Supervision)
NASDAQ OMX BX Rule 3110 (a) and (c) (Books and Records; Financial 
Condition)
BATS Rule 3.1 (Business Conduct of Members)
BATS Rule 3.2 (Violations Prohibited)
BATS Rule 3.3 (Use of Fraudulent Devices)
BATS Rule 4.1 (Requirements)
BATS Rule 5.1 (Written Procedures)
BATS Rule 5.3 (Records)
BATS Rule 5.5 (Prevention of the Misuse of Material, Non-Public 
Information)
BATS Rule 12.4 (Manipulative Transactions)
BYX Rule 3.1 (Business Conduct of ETP Holders)
BYX Rule 3.2 (Violations Prohibited)
BYX Rule 3.3 (Use of Fraudulent Devices)
BYX Rule 4.1 (Requirements)
BYX Rule 5.1 (Written Procedures)
BYX Rule 5.3 (Records)
BYX Rule 5.5 (Prevention of the Misuse of Material, Non-Public 
Information)
BYX Rule 12.4 (Manipulative Transactions)
EDGA 3.1 (Business Conduct of Members)
EDGA 3.2 (Violations Prohibited)
EDGA 3.3 (Use of Fraudulent Devices)
EDGA 4.1 (Requirements)
EDGA 5.1 (Written Procedures)
EDGA 5.3 (Records)
EDGA 5.5 (Prevention of M[m]isuse of M[m]aterial, N[n]onpublic 
I[i]nformation)
EDGA 12.4 (Manipulative Transactions)
EDGX 3.1 (Business Conduct of Members)
EDGX 3.2 (Violations Prohibited)
EDGX 3.3 (Use of Fraudulent Devices)
EDGX 4.1 (Requirements)
EDGX 5.1 (Written Procedures)
EDGX 5.3 (Records)
EDGX 5.5 (Prevention of M[m]isuse of M[m]aterial, N[n]onpublic 
I[i]nformation)
EDGX 12.4 (Manipulative Transactions)

Exhibit B: Fee Schedule

    1. Fees. FINRA shall charge each Participating Organization a 
Quarterly Fee in arrears for the performance of FINRA's Regulatory 
Responsibilities under the Plan (each, a ``Quarterly Fee,'' and 
together, the ``Fees'').
    a. Quarterly Fees.
    (1) Quarterly Fees for each Participating Organization will be 
charged by FINRA according to the Participating Organization's 
``Percentage of Publicly Reported Trades'' occurring over three-month 
billing periods. The ``Percentage of Publicly Reported Trades'' shall 
equal a Participating Organization's number of reported Listed Stock 
trades during the relevant period (the ``Numerator''), divided by the 
total number of all Listed Stock trades for the same period (the 
``Denominator''). For purposes of clarification, ADF and Trade 
Reporting Facility (``TRF'') activity will be included in the 
Denominator. Additionally, with regard to TRFs, TRF trade volume will 
be charged to FINRA. Consequently, for purposes of calculating the 
Quarterly Fees, the volume for each Participant Organization's TRF will 
be calculated separately (that is, TRF volume will be broken out from 
the Participating Organization's overall Percentage of Publicly 
Reported Trades) and the fees for such will be billed to FINRA in 
accordance with paragraph 1a.(2), rather than to the applicable 
Participating Organization.
    (2) The Quarterly Fees shall be determined by FINRA in the 
following manner for each Participating Organization:
    (a) Less than 1.0%: If the Participating Organization's Percentage 
of Publicly Reported Trades for the relevant three-month billing period 
is less than 1.0%, the Quarterly Fee shall be $6,250, per quarter 
(``Static Fee'');
    (b) Less than 2.0% but No Less than 1.0%: If the Participating 
Organization's Percentage of Publicly Reported Trades for the relevant 
three-month billing period is less than 2.0% but no less than 1.0%, the 
Quarterly Fee shall be $18,750, per quarter (``Static Fee'');
    (c) 2.0% or Greater: If the Participating Organization's Percentage 
of Publicly Reported Trades for the relevant three-month billing period 
is 2.0% or greater, the Quarterly Fee shall be the amount equal to the 
Participating Organization's Percentage of Publicly Reported Trades 
multiplied by FINRA's total charge (``Total Charge'') for its 
performance of Regulatory Responsibilities for the relevant three-month 
billing period.
    (3) Increases in Static Fees. FINRA will re-evaluate the Quarterly 
Fees on an annual basis during the annual budget process outlined in 
paragraph 1.c. below. During each annual re-evaluation, FINRA will have 
the discretion to increase the Static Fees by a percentage no greater 
than the percentage increase in the Final Budget

[[Page 79721]]

over the preceding year's Final Budget. Any changes to the Static Fees 
shall not require an amendment to this Agreement, but rather shall be 
memorialized through the budget process.
    (4) Increases in Total Charges. Any change in the Total Charges 
(whether a Final Budget increase or any mid year change) shall not 
require an amendment to this Agreement, but rather shall be 
memorialized through the budget process.
    b. Source of Data. For purposes of calculation of the Percentage of 
Publicly Reported Trades for each Participating Organization, FINRA 
shall use (a) the Consolidated Tape Association (``CTA'') as the 
exclusive securities information processor (``SIP'') for all NYSE 
Listed Stocks, NYSE Amex Listed Stocks, NYSE Arca Listed Stocks, BATS 
Listed Stocks and CHX Solely Listed Stocks, and (b) the Unlisted 
Trading Privileges Plan as the exclusive SIP for NASDAQ Listed Stocks.
    c. Annual Budget Forecast. FINRA will notify the Participating 
Organizations of the forecasted costs of its insider trading program 
for the following calendar year by close of business on October 15 of 
the then-current year (the ``Forecasted Budget''). FINRA shall use best 
efforts to provide as accurate a forecast as possible. FINRA shall then 
provide a final submission of the costs following approval of such 
costs by its Board of Governors (the ``Final Budget''). Subject to 
paragraph 1d. below, in the event of a difference between the 
Forecasted Budget and the Final Budget, the Final Budget will govern.
    d. Increases in Fees over Five Percent.
    (1) In the event that any proposed increase to Fees by FINRA for a 
given calendar year (which increase may arise either during the annual 
budgetary forecasting process or through any mid-year increase) will 
result in a cumulative increase in such calendar year's Fees of more 
than five percent (5%) above the preceding calendar year's Final Budget 
(a ``Major Increase''), then senior management of any Participating 
Organization (a) that is a Listing Market or (b) for which the 
Percentage of Publicly Reported Trades is then currently twenty percent 
(20%) or greater, shall have the right to call a meeting with the 
senior management of FINRA in order to discuss any disagreement over 
such proposed Major Increase. By way of example, if FINRA provides a 
Final Budget for 2011 that represents an 4% increase above the Final 
Budget for 2010, the terms of this paragraph 1.d.(1) shall not apply; 
if, however, in April of 2011, FINRA notifies the Exchange Committee of 
an increase in Fees that represents an additional 3% increase above the 
Final Budget for 2010, then the increase shall be deemed a Major 
Increase, and the terms of this paragraph 1.d.(1) shall become 
applicable (i.e., 4% and 3% represents a cumulative increase of 7% 
above the 2010 Final Budget).
    (2) In the event that senior management members of the involved 
parties are unable to reach an agreement regarding the proposed Major 
Increase, then the matter shall be referred back to the Exchange 
Committee for final resolution. Prior to the matter being referred back 
to the Exchange Committee, nothing shall prohibit the parties from 
conferring with the SEC. Resolution shall be reached through a vote of 
no fewer than all Participating Organizations seated on the Exchange 
Committee, and a simple majority shall be required in order to reject 
the proposed Major Increase.
    e. Time Tracking. FINRA shall track the time spent by staff on 
insider trading responsibilities under this Agreement; however, time 
tracking will not be used to allocate costs.
    2. Invoicing and Payment. FINRA shall invoice each Participating 
Organization for the Quarterly Fee associated with the regulatory 
activities performed pursuant to this Agreement during the previous 
three-month billing period within forty five (45) days of the end of 
such previous 3-month billing period. A Participating Organization 
shall have thirty (30) days from date of invoice to make payment to 
FINRA on such invoice. The invoice will reflect the Participating 
Organization's Percentage of Publicly Reported Trades for that billing 
period.
    3. Disputed Invoices; Interest. In the event that a Participating 
Organization disputes an invoice or a portion of an invoice, the 
Participating Organization shall notify FINRA in writing of the 
disputed item(s) within fifteen (15) days of receipt of the invoice. In 
its notification to FINRA of the disputed invoice, the Participating 
Organization shall identify the disputed item(s) and provide a brief 
explanation of why the Participating Organization disputes the charges. 
FINRA may charge a Participating Organization interest on any 
undisputed invoice or the undisputed portions of a disputed invoice 
that a Participating Organization fails to pay within thirty (30) days 
of its receipt of such invoice. Such interest shall be assessed 
monthly. Interest will mean one and one half percent per month, or the 
maximum allowable under applicable law, whichever is less.
    4. Taxes. In the event any governmental authority deems the 
regulatory activities allocated to FINRA to be taxable activities 
similar to the provision of services in a commercial context, the other 
Participating Organizations agree that they shall bear full 
responsibility, on a joint and several basis, for the payment of any 
such taxes levied on FINRA, or, if such taxes are paid by FINRA 
directly to the governmental authority, the other Participating 
Organizations agree that they shall reimburse FINRA for the amount of 
any such taxes paid.
    5. Audit Right; Record Keeping.
    a. Audit Right.
    (i) Once every rolling twelve (12) month period, FINRA shall permit 
no more than one audit (to be performed by one or more Participating 
Organizations) of the Fees charged by FINRA to the Participating 
Organizations hereunder and a detailed cost analysis supporting such 
Fees (the ``Audit''). The Participating Organization or Organizations 
that conduct this Audit will select a nationally-recognized independent 
auditing firm (or may use its regular independent auditor, providing it 
is a nationally-recognized auditing firm) (``Auditing Firm'') to act on 
its, or their behalf, and will provide reasonable notice to other 
Participating Organizations of the Audit. FINRA will permit the 
Auditing Firm reasonable access during FINRA's normal business hours, 
with reasonable advance notice, to such financial records and 
supporting documentation as are necessary to permit review of the 
accuracy of the calculation of the Fees charged to the Participating 
Organizations. The Participating Organization, or Organizations, as 
applicable, other than FINRA, shall be responsible for the costs of 
performing any such audit.
    (ii) If, through an Audit, the Exchange Committee determines that 
FINRA has inaccurately calculated the Fees for any Participating 
Organization, the Exchange Committee will promptly notify FINRA in 
writing of the amount of such difference in the Fees, and, if 
applicable, FINRA shall issue a reimbursement of the overage amount to 
the relevant Participating Organization(s), less any amount owed by the 
Participating Organization under any outstanding, undisputed 
invoice(s). If such an Audit reveals that any Participating 
Organization paid less than what was required pursuant to the 
Agreement, then that Participating Organization shall promptly pay 
FINRA the difference between what the Participating Organization owed 
pursuant to the Agreement and what that Participating Organization

[[Page 79722]]

originally paid FINRA. If FINRA disputes the results of an Audit 
regarding the accuracy of the Fees, it will submit the dispute for 
resolution pursuant to the dispute resolution procedures in paragraph 
13 of the Agreement.
    (iii) In the event that through the review of any supporting 
documentation provided during the Audit, any one or more Participating 
Organizations desire to discuss with FINRA the supporting documentation 
and any questions arising therefrom with regard to the manner in which 
regulation was conducted, the Participating Organization(s) shall call 
a meeting with FINRA. FINRA shall in turn notify the Exchange Committee 
of this meeting in advance, and all Participating Organizations shall 
be welcome to attend (the ``Fee Analysis Meeting''). The parties to 
this Agreement acknowledge and agree that while FINRA commits to 
discuss the supporting documentation at the Fee Analysis Meeting, FINRA 
shall not be subject, by virtue of the above Audit rights or any 
discussions during the Fee Analysis Meeting or otherwise, to any 
limitation whatsoever, other than the Increase in Fee provisions set 
forth in paragraph 1.d. of this Exhibit, on its discretion as to the 
manner and means by which it conducts its regulatory efforts in its 
role as the SRO primarily liable for regulatory decisions under this 
Agreement. To that end, no disagreement among the Participating 
Organizations as to the manner or means by which FINRA conducts its 
regulatory efforts hereunder shall be subject to the dispute resolution 
procedures hereunder, and no Participating Organization shall have the 
right to compel FINRA to alter the manner or means by which it conducts 
its regulatory efforts. Further, a Participating Organization shall not 
have the right to compel a rebate or reassessment of fees for services 
rendered, on the basis that the Participating Organization would have 
conducted regulatory efforts in a different manner than FINRA in its 
professional judgment chose to conduct its regulatory efforts.
    b. Record Keeping. In anticipation of any audit that may be 
performed by the Exchange Committee under paragraph 5.a. above, FINRA 
shall keep accurate financial records and documentation relating to the 
Fees charged by it under this Agreement.

Exhibit C: Reports

    FINRA shall provide the following information in reports to the 
Exchange Committee, which information covers activity occurring under 
this Agreement:
    1. Alert Summary Statistics: Total number of surveillance system 
alerts generated by quarter along with associated number of reviews and 
investigations. In addition, this paragraph shall also reflect the 
number of reviews and investigations originated from a source other 
than an alert. A separate table would be presented for NYSE Listed 
Stock, NYSE Amex Listed Stock, NYSE Arca Listed Stock, NASDAQ Listed 
Stock, BATS Listed Stock and CHX Solely Listed Stock trading activity.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Surveillance
                   2008                        alerts     Investigations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st Quarter
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Quarter
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd Quarter
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4th Quarter
                                           -----------------------------
  2008 Total
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    2. Aging of Open Matters: Would reflect the aging for all currently 
open matters for the quarterly period being reported. A separate table 
would be presented for NYSE Listed Stock, NYSE Amex Listed Stock, NYSE 
Arca Listed Stock, NASDAQ Listed Stock, BATS Listed Stock and CHX 
Solely Listed Stock trading activity.
    Example:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Surveillance
                                               alerts     Investigations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0-6 months
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6-9 months
------------------------------------------------------------------------
9-12 months
------------------------------------------------------------------------
12+ months
                                           -----------------------------
  Total
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    3. Timeliness of Completed Matters: Would reflect the total age of 
those matters that were completed or closed during the quarterly period 
being reported. FINRA will provide total referrals to the SEC.
    Example:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Surveillance
                                               Alerts     Investigations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0-6 months
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6-9 months
------------------------------------------------------------------------
9-12 months
------------------------------------------------------------------------
12+ months
                                           -----------------------------
  Total
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    4. Disposition of Closed Matters: Would reflect the disposition of 
those matters that were completed or closed during the quarterly period 
being reported. A separate table would be presented for NYSE Listed 
Stock, NYSE Amex Listed Stock, NYSE Arca Listed Stock, NASDAQ Listed 
Stock, BATS Listed Stock and CHX Solely Listed Stock trading activity.
    Example:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Surveillance  Investigations
                                                 YTD            YTD
------------------------------------------------------------------------
No Further Review
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Letter of Caution/Admonition/Fine
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Referred to Legal/Enforcement
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Referred to SEC/SRO
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Merged
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other
                                           -----------------------------
  Total
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    5. Pending Reviews. In addition to the above reports, the Chief 
Regulatory Officer (CRO) (or his or her designee) of any Participating 
Organization that is also a Listing Market (including CHX) may inquire 
about pending reviews involving stocks listed on that Participating 
Organization's market. FINRA will respond to such inquiries from a CRO; 
provided, however, that (a) the CRO must hold any information provided 
by FINRA in confidence and (b) FINRA will not be compelled to provide 
information in contradiction of any mandate, directive or order from 
the SEC, US Attorney's Office, the Office of any State Attorney General 
or court of competent jurisdiction.
* * * * *

IV. Solicitation of Comments

    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and 
arguments concerning the foregoing. 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

[[Page 79723]]

     Send an email to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include 
File Number 4-566 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

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

All submissions should refer to File Number 4-566. 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 Web site (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). 
Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written 
statements with respect to the proposed plan that are filed with the 
Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed 
plan 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 Web site 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 plan also will be available for inspection and 
copying at the principal offices of BATS, BYX, CBOE, CHX, EDGA, EDGX, 
FINRA, NASDAQ OMX BX, NASDAQ OMX Phlx, NASDAQ, NSX, NYSE, NYSE Amex, 
and NYSE Arca. 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 4-566 
and should be submitted on or before January 12, 2012.

V. Discussion

    The Commission finds that the Plan, as proposed to be amended, is 
consistent with the factors set forth in Section 17(d) of the Act \15\ 
and Rule 17d-2 \16\ thereunder in that it is necessary or appropriate 
in the public interest and for the protection of investors, fosters 
cooperation and coordination among SROs, and removes impediments to and 
fosters the development of the national market system. The Commission 
continues to believe that the Plan, as amended, should reduce 
unnecessary regulatory duplication by allocating regulatory 
responsibility for the surveillance, investigation, and enforcement of 
Common Rules to FINRA. Accordingly, the proposed amendment to the Plan 
promotes efficiency by consolidating these regulatory functions in a 
single SRO. Under paragraph (c) of Rule 17d-2, the Commission may, 
after appropriate notice and comment, declare a plan, or any part of a 
plan, effective. In this instance, the Commission believes that 
appropriate notice and comment can take place after the proposed 
amendment is effective. The purpose of the amendment is to amend the 
Plan to reflect that BATS has adopted rules for the qualification, 
listing, and delisting of companies on BATS. Accordingly, the amendment 
expands the coverage of Listed Stocks to include an equity security 
that is listed on BATS. The Commission believes that the amended Plan 
should become effective without undue delay in order to reflect the 
expanded coverage to BATS-listed securities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ 15 U.S.C. 78q(d).
    \16\ 17 CFR 240.17d-2
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, the Commission notes that the prior version of this 
Plan was published for comment, and the Commission did not receive any 
comments thereon.\17\ Finally, the Commission does not believe that the 
amendment to the Plan raises any new regulatory issues that the 
Commission has not previously considered.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ See supra note 11.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

VI. Conclusion

    This order gives effect to the amended Plan submitted to the 
Commission that is contained in File No. 4-566.
    It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 17(d) of the Act,\18\ 
that the Plan, as amended, is hereby approved and declared effective.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \18\ 15 U.S.C. 78q(d).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    It is further ordered that the Participating Organizations are 
relieved of those regulatory responsibilities allocated to FINRA under 
the amended Plan to the extent of such allocation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \19\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(34)

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\19\
Kevin M. O'Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011-32753 Filed 12-21-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P