68 FR 58 pgs. 14732-14733 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by the National Futures Association Regarding the Interpretive Notice to NFA Compliance Rule 2-9 Concerning Ethics Training Requirements
Type: NOTICEVolume: 68Number: 58Pages: 14732 - 14733
Docket number: [Release No. 34-47539; File No. SR-NFA-2003-02]
FR document: [FR Doc. 03-7112 Filed 3-25-03; 8:45 am]
Agency: Securities and Exchange Commission
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-47539; File No. SR-NFA-2003-02]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by the National Futures Association Regarding the Interpretive Notice to NFA Compliance Rule 2-9 Concerning Ethics Training Requirements
March 19, 2003.
Pursuant to section 19(b)(7) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act"),1and Rule 19b-7 under the Act,2notice is hereby given that on March 6, 2003, the National Futures Association ("NFA") filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC" or "Commission") the proposed rule change described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by the NFA. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons. NFA also has filed the proposed rule change with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC").
Footnotes:
1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(7).
2 17 CFR 240.19b-7.
On March 5, 2003, NFA submitted the proposed rule change to the CFTC for approval. The CFTC has not yet given such approval.
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Description of the Proposed Rule Change
The proposed rule change adopts a new Interpretive Notice to NFA Compliance Rule 2-9 Concerning Ethics Training Requirements. The Interpretive Notice expands on the CFTC's Statement of Acceptable Practices for ethics training and provides additional guidance to firms in meeting their ethics training obligations.
Section 15A(k) of the Act3makes NFA a national securities association for the limited purpose of regulating the activities of members who are registered as brokers or dealers in security futures products under section 15(b)(11) of the Act.4Some of the firms that are affected by this rule change are broker-dealers registered under section 15(b)(11).
Footnotes:
3 15 U.S.C. 78o-3(k).
4 15 U.S.C. 78o(b)(11).
II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
NFA has prepared statements concerning the purpose of, and basis for, the proposed rule change, burdens on competition, and comments received from members, participants, and others. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. These statements are set forth in Sections A, B, and C below.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
1. Purpose
During examinations of its Member firms, NFA asks for feedback on any areas in which Members may need more guidance. One of the areas that has recently required some clarification is ethics training. In 2001, the CFTC issued a Statement of Acceptable Practices ("Statement") for ethics training. This Statement was designed to allow flexibility in the format, frequency and providers of ethics training, giving each firm the freedom to tailor training to suit their own operations. Also, firms are no longer required to submit ethics training information to NFA. Because the CFTC Statement is general in nature, Member firms have indicated that they would like NFA to provide some type of additional guidance.
In response, NFA's Board of Directors ("Board") adopted the proposed Interpretive Notice to assist NFA Members in interpreting the changes to the ethics training rules. The Interpretive Notice outlines these changes and discusses them in more detail than the CFTC's Statement. This guidance comes in the form of an Interpretive Notice because the Board considers ethics training to be an element of a Member's supervisory obligations under NFA Compliance Rule 2-9.
2. Statutory Basis
The rule change is authorized by, and consistent with, section 15A(k)(2)(D) of the Act.5
Footnotes:
5 15 U.S.C. 78o-3(k).
B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
The rule change will not impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act and the Commodity Exchange Act.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others
NFA did not publish the rule change to the membership for comment. NFA did not receive comment letters concerning the rule change.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action
The proposed rule change is not effective because the CFTC has not approved the proposed rule change.
Within 60 days of the date of effectiveness of the proposed rule change, the Commission, after consultation with the CFTC, may summarily abrogate the proposed rule change and require that the proposed rule change be refiled in accordance with the provisions of section 19(b)(1) of the Act.6
Footnotes:
6 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
IV. Solicitation of Comments
Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change conflicts with the Act. Persons making written submissions should file nine copies of the submission with the Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW., Washington, DC 20549-0609. Comments also may be submitted electronically to the following e-mail address: rule-comments@sec.gov. Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for inspection and copying in the Commission's Public Reference Room. Copies of these filings also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of NFA. Electronically submitted comments will be posted on the Commission's website ( http://www.sec.gov ). All submissions should refer to File No. SR-NFA-2003-02 and should be submitted by April 16, 2003.
For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority.7
Footnotes:
7 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(75).
Margaret H. McFarland,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 03-7112 Filed 3-25-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P