Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”) and Rule 19b-4 thereunder, notice is hereby given that on October 8, 2015, Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated (the “Exchange” or “CBOE”) 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 self-regulatory organization. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
15 U.S.C. 78a.
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange proposes to amend its Fees Schedule. The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's Web site ( http://www.cboe.com/AboutCBOE/CBOELegalRegulatoryHome.aspx ), at the Exchange's Office of the Secretary, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.
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 self-regulatory organization included statements concerning the purpose of, and basis for, the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of those 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 parts of such statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and the Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
1. Purpose
The Exchange proposes to amend its Fees Schedule . On May 11, 2015, the Exchange launched an updated version of the Floor Broker Workstation (“FBW”), (i.e., “FBW2”). Currently, the Fees Schedule provides that for every FBW login a TPH has, the FBW2 monthly fee is waived for the months of July 2015 through September 2015 on a one-to-one basis. The Exchange waived the FBW2 fee on a one-to-one basis because it had anticipated new features being launched on FBW2 in August 2015 and the Exchange wanted to encourage FBW users to begin (or continue) transitioning to FBW2 logins while waiting for the new features. Additionally, the Exchange wanted to provide additional time to become acclimated to FBW2 while at the same time being able to use FBW login IDs. The Exchange notes that certain new features on FBW2 have still not be launched and the Exchange anticipates launching such features by the end of the year. As such, the Exchange wishes to extend the FBW2 monthly fee waiver on a one-to-one basis through December 31, 2015. The Exchange therefore proposes to delete now outdated language and provide that for every FBW login a TPH has, the FBW2 fee will be waived for the months of October 2015 through December 2015 on a one-to-one basis.
The Exchange initially filed the proposed fee change on September 30, 2015 (SR-CBOE-2015-082). On October 8, 2015, the Exchange withdrew that filing and submitted this filing.
The monthly fee for FBW2 is the same as the FBW fee (i.e., $400 per month (per login ID)).
For example, if a TPH has two FBW logins and two FBW2 logins, the total monthly fee would be $800 ($400 for each FBW login). Another example is if a TPH has two FBW logins and three FBW2 logins, the total monthly fee would be $1200 ($400 for each FBW login and $400 for the additional FBW2 login).
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”) and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to the Exchange and, in particular, the requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act. Specifically, the Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the Section 6(b)(5) requirements that the rules of an exchange be designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in regulating, clearing, settling, processing information with respect to, and facilitation transactions in securities, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest. Additionally, the Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b)(4) of the Act, which requires that Exchange rules provide for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other charges among its Trading Permit Holders and other persons using its facilities.
15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
In particular, the Exchange believes it is reasonable to provide a waiver of FBW2 fees for each FBW login a TPH has through December 2015 because it encourages users to use and become familiar with the updated FBW2 login IDs while waiting for certain features to be implemented on FBW2. Additionally, the Exchange notes the proposed rule change provides users additional time to become familiar with and fully acclimated to the new FBW functionality. The Exchange believes the proposed changes are equitable and not unfairly discriminatory because it applies to all users of FBW2.
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, because it applies to all users of FBW2 and because the Exchange wants to encourage the use of FBW2 login IDs while users wait for new features to be added. The Exchange believes this proposal will not cause an unnecessary burden on intermarket competition because the proposal only affects trading on CBOE. To the extent that the proposed changes make CBOE a more attractive marketplace for market participants at other exchanges, such market participants are welcome to become CBOE market participants.
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 comments on the proposed rule change.
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) of the Act and paragraph (f) of Rule 19b-4 thereunder. At any time within 60 days of the filing of such rule change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend 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 purposes of the Act. If the Commission takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule should be approved or disapproved.
17 CFR 240.19b-4(f).
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 email to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include File Number SR-CBOE-2015-090 on the subject line.
Paper Comments
- Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090.
All submissions should refer to File Number SR-CBOE-2015-090. 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 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 20549-1090, on official business days between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of the filing will also be available for inspection and copying at the principal offices 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 available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-CBOE-2015-090 and should be submitted on or before November 17, 2015.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.
Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-27217 Filed 10-26-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P