E9-30599. Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ OMX BX; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend IM-1002-1 To Reflect Changes to a Corresponding FINRA Rule

December 18, 2009.

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”),^[1] and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,^[2] notice is hereby given that on December 3, 2009, NASDAQ OMX BX, Inc. (the “Exchange” or “BX”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The Exchange has designated the proposed rule change as constituting a non-controversial rule change under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) under the Act,^[3] 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.

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

The Exchange is filing this proposed rule change to amend BX IM-1002-1 to reflect recent changes to a corresponding rule of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”). The Exchange will implement the proposed rule change thirty days after the date of the filing. The text of the proposed rule change is available at http://nasdaqomxbx.cchwallstreet.com, at the Exchange's principal office, 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 Exchange 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 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 the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose

BX based much of its rules on those of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”). Similarly, many of NASDAQ's rules are based on rules of FINRA (formerly the National Association of Securities Dealers (“NASD”)). As a consequence, many of BX's rules closely mirror those of FINRA. During 2008, FINRA embarked on an extended process of moving rules formerly designated as “NASD Rules” into a consolidated FINRA rulebook. In most cases, FINRA has renumbered these rules, and in some cases has substantively amended them. Accordingly, BX also has initiated a process of modifying its rulebook to ensure that BX rules corresponding to FINRA/NASD rules continue to mirror them as closely as practicable. In some cases, it is not possible for the rule numbers of BX rules to mirror corresponding FINRA rules, because existing or planned BX rules make use of those numbers. However, wherever possible, BX plans to update its rules to reflect changes to corresponding FINRA rules.

This filing addresses BX IM-1002-1, which prohibits members and associated persons from filing with BX misleading information relating to membership or registration, and which formerly corresponded to NASD IM-1000-1. In SR-FINRA-2009-009,^[4] FINRA redesignated that rule as FINRA Rule 1122 and made amendments to clarify and simplify the rule. NASD IM-1000-1 provided that the filing of membership or registration information as a Registered Representative with FINRA which is incomplete or inaccurate so as to be misleading, or which could in any way tend to mislead, or the failure to correct such filing after notice thereof, may be deemed conduct inconsistent with just and equitable principles of trade and may be subject to disciplinary action.

FINRA's rule change clarified the rule's applicability to members and persons associated with members by specifying that “no member or person associated with a member” shall file incomplete or misleading membership or registration information. FINRA also eliminated the reference to the filing of registration information “as a Registered Representative” to clarify that the rule applies to the filing of registration information regarding any category of registration. In addition, FINRA deleted the reference that the prohibited conduct may be deemed inconsistent with just and equitable principles of trade and subject to disciplinary action as unnecessary and to better reflect the adoption of the NASD IM as a stand-alone FINRA rule. Likewise, BX is proposing to make changes to the text of IM-1002-1 that virtually mirror the changes made by FINRA to NASD IM-1000-1 so that the rules remain consistent for regulatory purposes.

2. Statutory Basis

The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the provisions of Section 6 of the Act,^[5] in general, and with Sections [sic] 6(b)(5) of the Act,^[6] in particular, in that the proposal is 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 facilitating 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. The proposed changes will conform BX IM-1002-1 to recent changes made to a corresponding FINRA rule, to promote application of consistent regulatory standards.

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

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

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

Written comments were neither solicited nor received.

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

Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not: (i) Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii) become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act ^[7] and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.^[8]

At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed 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 purposes of the Act.

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 [e-mail]. Please include File No. SR-BX-2009-079 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 No. SR-BX-2009-079. 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,^[9] 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, 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 BX. 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 No. SR-BX-2009-079 and should be submitted on or before January 19, 2010.

For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.^[10]

Florence E. Harmon,

Deputy Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).

2.  17 CFR 240.19b-4.

3.  17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).

4.  Securities Exchange Act Release No. 59789 (April 20, 2009), 74 FR 18767 (April 24, 2009) (SR-FINRA-2009-009).

5.  15 U.S.C. 78f.

6.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).

7.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).

8.  17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).

9.  The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Commission's Web site at http://www.sec.gov.

10.  17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).