Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Chicago Stock Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Reduce the Amount of Its Trading Permit Cancellation Fee

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Federal RegisterJun 9, 2010
75 Fed. Reg. 32832 (Jun. 9, 2010)
June 3, 2010.

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) and Rule 19b-4 thereunder, notice is hereby given that on June 1, 2010, the Chicago Stock Exchange, Inc. (“CHX” or “Exchange”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II and III below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The CHX has filed the proposal pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act and Rule 19b-4(f)(2) thereunder, which renders the proposal effective upon filing with the Commission. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.

17 CFR 240.19b-4.

17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).

I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of the Substance of the Proposed Rule Change

The CHX proposes to amend its Schedule of Participant Fees and Assessments (the “Fee Schedule”), effective June 1, 2010, to reduce the amount of its Trading Permit cancellation fee. The text of this proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's Web site at http://www.chx.com/rules/proposed_rules.htm and in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549.

II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

In its filing with the Commission, the CHX included statements concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule changes and discussed any comments it received regarding the proposal. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The CHX 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 the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose

Through this filing, the Exchange would amend its Fee Schedule to reduce the amount of its Trading Permit cancellation fee.

Each Exchange participant must maintain a valid CHX Trading Permit. In essence, the Trading Permit is the license permitting a Participant to transmit orders to the Exchange and otherwise avail itself of the benefits of Exchange membership. Trading Permits are issued for a term of one year. When a Participant wishes to terminate its status as such, the Exchange currently imposes a termination fee of $2,400 or, if less, $600 per month for the remainder of the one-year term. By this proposal, the Exchange seeks to reduce the maximum charge for terminating a permit from $2,400 to $1,200 since the expenses of processing termination applications do not appear to justify the larger figure. Moreover, the Exchange notes that the number of trading permits which can be issued is limited only by the number of eligible United States broker-dealers and that, therefore, it is at least possible to replace any lost permit-related revenue by the subsequent addition of another Participant firm. The Exchange also believes that some smaller firms might be more likely to apply for a Trading Permit if they did not have a larger termination fee to consider if they subsequently reversed their decision. We are also proposing to remove unnecessary language in the Fee Schedule relating to Trading Permit charges applicable to the time period prior to October 2006.

2. Statutory Basis

The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(4) of the Act in particular, in that it provides for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees and other charges among its members. The Exchange believes that some smaller firms might be more likely to apply for a Trading Permit if they did not have a larger termination fee to consider if they subsequently reversed their decision.

15 U.S.C. 78f.

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

The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.

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

No written comments were either solicited or received.

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

The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(B)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act and subparagraph (f)(2) of Rule 19b-4 thereunder because it establishes or changes a due, fee, or other charge applicable only to a member imposed by the self-regulatory organization. Accordingly, the proposal is effective upon Commission receipt of the filing. At any time within 60 days of the filing of such rule change, the Commission may summarily abrogate such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purpose of the Act.

17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).

IV. Solicitation of Comments

Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:

Electronic Comments

  • Use the Commission's Internet comment form ( http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml ); or
  • Send an e-mail to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include File Number SR-CHX-2010-12 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 SR-CHX-2010-12. 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 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 such filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. 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 publicly available. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-CHX-2010-12 and should be submitted on or before June 30, 2010.

For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.9

Elizabeth M. Murphy,

Secretary.

[FR Doc. 2010-13825 Filed 6-8-10; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 8010-01-P