95-31508. Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange, Inc.; Order Granting Approval to Proposed Rule Change and Notice of Filing and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of Amendments No. 1 and 2 Relating to the Specifications and Content ...  

  • [Federal Register Volume 60, Number 250 (Friday, December 29, 1995)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 67385-67386]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 95-31508]
    
    
    
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    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
    [Release No. 34-36629; International Series Release No. 909; File No. 
    SR-NYSE-95-29]
    
    
    Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange, Inc.; 
    Order Granting Approval to Proposed Rule Change and Notice of Filing 
    and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of Amendments No. 1 and 2 
    Relating to the Specifications and Content Outline for the Canadian 
    Module of the General Securities Registered Representative Examination 
    (Series 37 and Series 38)
    
    December 21, 1995.
    
    I. Introduction
    
        On September 18, 1995, the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (``NYSE'' 
    or ``Exchange'') submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission 
    (``SEC'' or ``Commission''), pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the 
    Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4 
    thereunder,\2\ a proposed rule change to adopt a Canadian module of the 
    General Securities Registered Representative Examination.
    
        \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
        \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
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        The proposed rule change was published for comment in the Federal 
    Register on October 23, 1995.\3\ No comments were received on the 
    proposal. Amendment No. 1 \4\ was filed on November 2, 1995. Amendment 
    No. 2 \5\ was filed on December 19, 1995. This order approves the 
    proposal, including Amendments No. 1 and 2 on an accelerated basis.
    
        \3\ Securities Exchange Act Release No. 36378 (Oct. 16, 1995), 
    60 FR 54401.
        \4\ Amendment No. 1 confirmed that the Exchange has procedures 
    in place that ensure the module remains current in view of industry 
    changes in the United States as well as Canada, and it assigned 
    separate series numbers to the two examinations contained in the 
    module. See Letter dated November 1, 1995, from James E. Buck, 
    Senior Vice President and Secretary, NYSE, to Glen Barrentine, Team 
    Leader, SEC.
        \5\ Amendment No. 2 broadened the scope of the module slightly 
    by adding some subtopics to it. See letter dated December 15, 1995, 
    from James E. Buck, Senior Vice President and Secretary, NYSE, to 
    Glen Barrentine, Team Leader, SEC.
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    II. Description of the Proposal
    
        Presently, registered representatives who are already qualified to 
    conduct business in Canada and who wish to sell securities in the 
    United States must qualify as registered representatives in the U.S. by 
    successfully completing the General Securities Registered 
    Representative Examination (Series 7). In an effort to reduce redundant 
    qualification requirements, the Exchange has developed a Canadian 
    module of the Series 7 which consists of two examinations, the Series 
    37 and the Series 38. As a subset of the Series 7, these examinations 
    cover subject matter that is not covered, or is not covered in 
    sufficient detail, on the Canadian qualification examinations. The 
    Series 37 is for Canadian registered representatives who hold the 
    additional Canadian license to sell options. This examination contains 
    only 45 questions because it excludes questions pertaining to options. 
    All other Canadian registered representatives must pass the Series 38. 
    This is a 90 question examination that includes questions concerning 
    options.
        To become registered with the Exchange, qualified Canadian 
    registered representatives in good standing with the Canadian 
    securities authorities would be required to obtain a passing score on 
    one of the two examinations contained in the Canadian module. Canadian 
    representatives seeking to sell municipal securities, however, would be 
    required to pass either the standard Series 7 or a combination of the 
    applicable Canadian module examination and the Series 52 (Municipal 
    Securities Representative Examination).
    
    III. Discussion
    
        After careful review, the Commission finds that the proposed rule 
    change is consistent with the requirements of the Act and the rules and 
    regulations thereunder applicable to a national securities exchange, 
    and, in particular, with the requirements of Section 6(b)(5) and 
    Section 6(c)(3)(B).\6\
    
        \6\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5) and 78f(c)(3)(B).
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        The Commission believes the proposal is consistent with Section 
    6(b)(5)\7\ because it is designed to perfect the mechanism of a free 
    and open market. The Canadian module of the series 7 reduces 
    duplicative qualification requirements and, at the same time, allows 
    the Exchange to ensure that the Canadian representatives wishing to 
    become registered with the Exchange are fully qualified. In addition, 
    U.S. representatives currently receive substantially reciprocal 
    
    [[Page 67386]]
    treatment from the Canadian securities authorities, thus easing their 
    access to the Canadian market.\8\
    
        \7\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
        \8\ The Canadian Securities Institute, in conjunction with the 
    Investment Dealers Association of Canada, developed the New Entrants 
    Exam. The New Entrants Exam is a shortened examination module for 
    U.S. qualified registered representatives seeking to conduct 
    business with Canadian citizens.
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        The Commission also believes the proposal is consistent with 
    Section 6(c)(3)(B)\9\ because it establishes standards of training, 
    experience, and competence for persons associated with Exchange members 
    and member organizations. The Canadian module should provide 
    comprehensive coverage of the topics contained in the Series 7 that are 
    not covered, or are not covered in sufficient detail, in the Canadian 
    qualification examinations. Accordingly, the Canadian module, along 
    with the Canadian qualification examinations, should adequately measure 
    the Canadian representatives' knowledge of U.S. securities laws, 
    markets, investment products, and sales practices.
    
        \9\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(c)(3)(B).
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        The Commission finds good cause for approving proposed Amendments 
    No. 1 and 2 prior to the thirtieth day after the date of publication of 
    notice of filing thereof in the Federal Register. Amendment No. 1 
    confirmed that the Exchange has procedures in place that ensure the 
    module remains current in view of industry changes in the United States 
    as well as Canada, and it assigned separate series numbers to the two 
    examinations contained in the module. Amendment No. 2 broadened the 
    scope of the Canadian module slightly to ensure that it is sufficient 
    to measure Canadian registered representatives' knowledge of U.S. 
    securities laws, markets, investment products, and sales practices. 
    Although Amendment No. 2 added a few subtopics, the general scope of 
    the module did not change. For these reasons, the Commission finds good 
    cause for accelerating approval of Amendments No. 1 and 2.
        Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and 
    arguments concerning Amendments No. 1 and 2 to the proposed rule 
    change. Persons making written submissions should file six copies 
    thereof with the Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 
    Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. 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 Amendments No. 1 and 2 between the 
    Commission and any persons, 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, 450 Fifth street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. 
    Copies of such filing also will be available at the principal office of 
    the NYSE. All submissions should refer to File No. SR-NYSE-95-29 and 
    should be submitted by January 19, 1996.
    
    IV. Conclusion
    
        It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the 
    Act,\10\ that the proposed rule change (SR-NYSE-95-29), including 
    Amendments No. 1 and 2 on an accelerated basis, is approved.
    
        \10\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
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        For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, 
    pursuant to delegated authority.\11\
    
        \11\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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    Margaret H. McFarland,
    Deputy Secretary.
    [FR Doc. 95-31508 Filed 12-28-95; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 8010-01-M
    
    

Document Information

Published:
12/29/1995
Department:
Securities and Exchange Commission
Entry Type:
Notice
Document Number:
95-31508
Pages:
67385-67386 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Release No. 34-36629, International Series Release No. 909, File No. SR-NYSE-95-29
PDF File:
95-31508.pdf