71 FR 190 pgs. 58032-58034 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (n/k/a New York Stock Exchange LLC); Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change and Amendment Nos. 1 and 2 Thereto Relating to Rule 409 Regarding Statements of Accounts to Customers and Proposed New Rule 409A Regarding SIPC Disclosure
Type: NOTICEVolume: 71Number: 190Pages: 58032 - 58034
Docket number: [Release No. 34-54491; File No. SR-NYSE-2005-09]
FR document: [FR Doc. E6-16112 Filed 9-29-06; 8:45 am]
Agency: Securities and Exchange Commission
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-54491; File No. SR-NYSE-2005-09]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (n/k/a New York Stock Exchange LLC); Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change and Amendment Nos. 1 and 2 Thereto Relating to Rule 409 Regarding Statements of Accounts to Customers and Proposed New Rule 409A Regarding SIPC Disclosure
September 22, 2006.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act")1and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,2notice is hereby given that on January 14, 2005, the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (n/k/a New York Stock Exchange LLC) ("Exchange" or "NYSE") filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission" or "SEC") the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. On December 13, 2005, the Exchange filed Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule change.3On September 19, 2006, the Exchange filed Amendment No. 2 to the proposed rule change.4The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
Footnotes:
1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
3 In Amendment No. 1, NYSE withdrew its proposal to amend NYSE Rule 409(a), which would have permitted institutional customers conducting a Delivery versus Payment and Receive versus Payment ("DVP/RVP") business to opt out of receiving customer account statements. NYSE refiled this proposal in File No. SR-NYSE-2005-90.
4 In Amendment No. 2, NYSE proposed additional changes to NYSE Rule 409(a) and proposed new NYSE Rule 409A, which are discussed below.
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange is proposing to amend NYSE Rule 409(e) to require that each statement of account sent to a customer include a legend advising the customer to promptly report any inaccuracy or discrepancy in that person's account to his or her brokerage firm. If the account is subject to a clearing agreement pursuant to NYSE Rule 382, amended NYSE Rule 409(e) would require the legend to advise that the customer's notification be sent to both the introducing firm and the clearing firm. The legend also would need to advise the customer that he or she should re-confirm any oral communications with either the clearing or introducing firm in writing to further protect the customer's rights, including rights under the Securities Investor Protection Act (SIPA). The Exchange is also proposing to adopt a new rule, NYSE Rule 409A, which would require member organizations to advise each customer in writing, upon the opening of an account and at least annually thereafter, that he or she may obtain information from the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). Proposed Rule 409A would require the written advisories to include SIPC's Web site address and telephone number, and, if the account is subject to a clearing agreement pursuant to NYSE Rule 382, the rule would permit its requirements to be delegated to either the introducing firm or the clearing firm.
The text of the proposed rule change is set forth below. Additions are italicized. Deletions are [bracketed].
Rule 409
Statements of Accounts to Customers
(a) through (d)-No change.
(e) Each statement of account sent to a customer pursuant to this rule shall include the following:
(1) [bear a] A legend [as follows] that reads: "A financial statement of this organization is available for your personal inspection at its offices, or a copy of it will be mailed upon your written request."
(2) A legend that advises customers to report promptly any inaccuracy or discrepancy in that person's account to his or her brokerage firm. If a customer's account is subject to a clearing agreement pursuant to Rule 382, the legend must advise that such notification be sent to both the introducing firm and the clearing firm. The legend must also advise the customer that any oral communications with either the introducing firm or the clearing firm should be re-confirmed in writing in order to further protect the customer's rights, including its rights under the Securities Investor Protection Act (SIPA).
(f) through (g)-No change.
Supplementary Material-No change.
Rule 409A
SIPC Disclosures
Member organizations must advise each customer in writing, upon the opening of an account and at least annually thereafter, that they may obtain information about the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), including the SIPC Brochure, by contacting SIPC, and shall provide the Web site address and telephone number of SIPC. If a clearing agreement pursuant to Rule 382 exists, the requirements of this rule may be delegated to either the introducing firm or the clearing firm.
II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
In filing the proposed rule change, the Exchange included statements concerning the purpose of, and basis for, the proposed rule change, as amended. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in Sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
(1) Purpose
Amendments to Rule 409(e)
In response to recommendations by the U.S. General Accounting Office (the "GAO"), the Exchange proposes amendments to Rule 409(e) that would require customer account statements to bear a legend that advises customers to promptly notify their brokerage firm of any inaccuracy or discrepancy in the account statement.5The legend must also advise the customer that any oral communications with either the introducing firm or the clearing firm should be re-confirmed in writing in order to further protect the customer's rights, including its rights under the Securities Investor Protection Act (SIPA). This requirement is included to create a written record for the purpose of protecting customer interests.6In addition to heightening customer awareness regarding information reflected on their statements, the advisory will encourage customers to submit a written record of any possible unauthorized trading activity, unrecorded dividend payments, and unaccounted cash positions. The GAO deems this to be important because, in the event a firm goes into a liquidation administered by SIPC, SIPC and the trustee generally will assume that the firm's records are accurate unless the customer is able to prove otherwise. The Commission has approved a substantially similar rule change proposed by NASD.7
Footnotes:
5 See GAO, Securities Investor Protection: Steps Needed to Better Disclose SIPC Policies to Investors , GAO-01-653 (May 25, 2001). See also GAO-03-811 (July 11, 2003); GAO-04-848R Follow-Up on SIPC (July 9, 2004). GAO has since been renamed the Government Accountability Office.
6 NYSE Information Memo No. 98-16, dated April 4, 1998,states that oral complaints are reportable under Rule 351(d) (Reporting Requirements). The Exchange expects that oral customer complaints will be investigated and treated in the same manner as written complaints.
7 See Order Approving Proposed Rule Change Relating to Rule 2340 Concerning Customer Account Statements, Securities Exchange Act Release No. 54411 (Sept. 7, 2006).
Proposed New Rule 409A
Also, in response to the GAO's recommendations, and to further promote investor awareness, the Exchange proposes new Rule 409A, which would require member organizations to advise customers in writing, upon the opening of an account and at least annually thereafter, that they may obtain information from SIPC, including the SIPC Brochure, by contacting SIPC via its Web site or by telephone. The proposed rule would also require the written advisories to include the SIPC Web site address and telephone number. If a clearing agreement pursuant to Rule 382 exists, the requirements of this rule could be delegated to either the introducing firm or the clearing firm.
(2) Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to a national securities exchange, and in particular, with the requirements of Sections 6(b)(5) of the Exchange Act.8Section 6(b)(5) requires, among other things, that the rules of an exchange be designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and national market system, and in general, to protect investors and the public interest. The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, perfect the mechanism of a free and open market, and protect investors because it will help investors understand procedures for preserving their rights in the event of erroneous or unauthorized transactions in their accounts.
Footnotes:
8 See 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange believes that the proposal does not impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Exchange Act.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants or Others
The Exchange neither solicited nor received written comments on the proposed rule change.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action
The Exchange is proposing an effective date of 180 days after SEC approval of the proposed amendments to Rule 409(e) and proposed new Rule 409A. This will give member organizations time to make necessary changes to their customer documentation and systems.
Within 35 days of the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register or within such longer period (i) as the Commission may designate up to 90 days of such date if it finds such longer period to be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or (ii) as to which the Exchange consents, the Commission will:
(a) By order approve such proposed rule change, or
(b) Institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule change should be disapproved.
IV. Solicitation of Comments
Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change, as amended, is consistent with the Exchange Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:
Electronic Comments
• Use the Commission's Internet comment form ( http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml ); or
• Send an e-mail to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include File Number SR-NYSE-2005-09 on the subject line.
Paper Comments
• Send paper comments in triplicate to Nancy M. Morris, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090.
All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSE-2005-09. This file number should be included on the subject line if e-mail is used. To help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commission's Internet Web site ( http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro/shtml ). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for inspection and copying in the Commission's Public Reference Section, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549. Copies of such filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the NYSE. 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 submission should refer to File Number SR-NYSE-2005-09 and should be submitted on or before October 23, 2006.
For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority.9
Footnotes:
9 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
Nancy M. Morris,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E6-16112 Filed 9-29-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P