E9-19731. Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by NYSE Amex LLC Deleting Rule 409A-NYSE Amex Equities and Adopting New Rule 2266-NYSE Amex Equities To Conform to Proposed Rule Changes ...

August 7, 2009.

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) ^[1] of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”) ^[2] and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,^[3] notice is hereby given that on July 28, 2009, NYSE Amex LLC (the “Exchange” or “NYSE Amex”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II 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.

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

The Exchange, formerly the American Stock Exchange LLC and NYSE Alternext US LLC,^[4] proposes to delete Rule 409A—NYSE Amex Equities and to adopt new Rule 2266—NYSE Amex Equities to conform to proposed rule changes submitted in a companion filing by the New York Stock Exchange LLC (“NYSE”).^[5] The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Exchange, the Commission's Public Reference Room, and http://www.nyse.com.

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 Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose

The purpose of the proposed rule changes is to delete Rule 409A—NYSE Amex Equities and to adopt new Rule 2266—NYSE Amex Equities to conform to proposed rule changes submitted in a companion filing by the NYSE.

Background

As described more fully in a related rule filing,^[6] NYSE Euronext acquired The Amex Membership Corporation (“AMC”) pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated January 17, 2008 (the “Merger”). In connection with the Merger, the Exchange's predecessor, the American Stock Exchange LLC, a subsidiary of AMC, became a subsidiary of NYSE Euronext called NYSE Alternext US LLC, and continues to operate as a national securities exchange registered under Section 6 of the Act.^[7] The effective date of the Merger was October 1, 2008.

In connection with the Merger, on December 1, 2008, the Exchange relocated all equities trading conducted on the Exchange legacy trading systems and facilities located at 86 Trinity Place, New York, New York, to trading systems and facilities located at 11 Wall Street, New York, New York (the “Equities Relocation”). The Exchange's equity trading systems and facilities at 11 Wall Street (the “NYSE Amex Trading Systems”) are operated by the NYSE on behalf of the Exchange.^[8]

As part of the Equities Relocation, NYSE Amex adopted NYSE Rules 1-1004, subject to such changes as necessary to apply the Rules to the Exchange, as the NYSE Amex Equities Rules to govern trading on the NYSE Amex Trading Systems.^[9] The NYSE Amex Equities Rules, which became operative on December 1, 2008, are substantially identical to the current NYSE Rules 1-1004 and the Exchange continues to update the NYSE Amex Equities Rules as necessary to conform with rule changes to corresponding NYSE Rules filed by the NYSE.

Proposed Conforming Amendments to NYSE Amex Equities Rules

As noted above, the Exchange proposes to delete Rule 409A—NYSE Amex Equities and to adopt new Rule 2266—NYSE Amex Equities to conform to proposed rule changes submitted in a companion filing by the NYSE. As discussed in more detail below, the NYSE is filing the proposed rule changes to harmonize these NYSE Rules with changes to corresponding Incorporated NYSE Rules filed by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) and approved by the Commission.^[10] Unless specifically noted, the Exchange is proposing to adopt the NYSE's proposed rule changes in the form that they have been approved for filing by the Commission, subject to such technical changes as are necessary to apply the changes to the Exchange. The Exchange further proposes that the operative date of these rule changes be the same as the operative date of the NYSE's proposed rule changes on which this filing is based.

In relevant part, FINRA adopted NASD Rule 2342 (SIPC Information) as consolidated FINRA Rule 2266 and, because it is substantively similar to this new rule, deleted FINRA Incorporated NYSE Rule 409A (SIPC Disclosures).^[11] FINRA Rule 2266 requires all FINRA members, except for those members that are not Securities Investor Protection Corporation (“SIPC”) members or whose business consists exclusively of the sale of investments that are not subject to SIPC protection, to advise all new customers in writing at the time they open an account that they may obtain information about SIPC by contacting SIPC and to provide such customers with SIPC's contact information.^[12] Such information must also be provided annually to all existing customers. Where both an introducing firm and a clearing firm service the same account, the firms may assign these requirements to one or the other firm.^[13]

NYSE correspondingly proposes to delete NYSE Rule 409A and to adopt new Rule 2266 to conform to FINRA's approved amendments to its Rules. As proposed, NYSE Rule 2266 adopts the same language as FINRA Rule 2266, except for substituting for or adding to, as needed, the term “member organization” for the term “member”, and making corresponding technical changes. As with the consolidated FINRA Rule, under proposed NYSE Rule 2266 Exchange members and member organizations will be required to provide SIPC disclosures to all new customers upon opening an account and to existing customers on an annual basis.

The Exchange proposes to correspondingly delete Rule 409A—NYSE Amex Equities and to adopt new Rule 2266—NYSE Amex Equities in the form proposed by the NYSE, subject to adding “-NYSE Amex Equities” to the title of the Rule.

2. Statutory Basis

The Exchange believes that the proposed rule changes are consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act,^[14] in general, and further the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,^[15] in particular, in that they are designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, 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 rule changes also support the principles of Section 11A(a)(1) ^[16] of the Act in that they seek to ensure the economically efficient execution of securities transactions and fair competition among brokers and dealers and among exchange markets.

The Exchange believes that the proposed rule changes support the objectives of the Act by providing greater harmonization among NYSE Rules, NYSE Amex Equities Rules and FINRA Rules of similar purpose, resulting in less burdensome and more efficient regulatory compliance for their common members and member organizations. To the extent the Exchange has proposed changes that differ from the NYSE version of these Rules, such changes are technical in nature and do not change the substance of the proposed NYSE Amex Equities Rules.

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 on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants or Others

No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the proposed rule change.

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

The Exchange has filed the proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act ^[17] and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.^[18] Because the 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 prior to 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate, if consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest, the proposed rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act and Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder.^[19]

A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) ^[20] normally does not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of the filing. However, pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii),^[21] the Commission may designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange has asked the Commission to waive the 30-day operative delay so that the proposal may become operative immediately upon filing. The Commission believes waiving the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. Acceleration of the operative date will allow the immediate change of the NYSE Amex's rule to make it consistent with the FINRA rule, thereby making compliance for dual members less burdensome. For these reasons, the Commission designates the proposal to be effective and operative upon filing.^[22]

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 Number SR-NYSEAMEX-2009-52 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-NYSEAMEX-2009-52. 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 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 the filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of 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 submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSEAMEX-2009-52 and should be submitted on or before September 8, 2009.

For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.^[23]

Florence E. Harmon,

Deputy Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).

2.  15 U.S.C. 78a.

3.  17 CFR 240.19b-4.

4.  The Exchange changed its name to NYSE Amex in March 2009. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 59575 (March 13, 2009), 74 FR 11803 (March 19, 2009) (SR-NYSEALTR-2009-24).

5.  See SR-NYSE-2009-76, formally submitted on July 28, 2009.

6.  See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 58673 (September 29, 2008), 73 FR 57707 (October 3, 2008) (SR-NYSE-2008-60 and SR-Amex 2008-62) (approving the Merger).

7.  15 U.S.C. 78f.

8.  See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 58705 (October 1, 2008), 73 FR 58995 (October 8, 2008) (SR-Amex 2008-63) (approving the Equities Relocation).

9.  See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 58705 (October 1, 2008), 73 FR 58995 (October 8, 2008) (SR-Amex 2008-63); 58833 (October 22, 2008), 73 FR 64642 (October 30, 2008) (SR-NYSE-2008-106); 58839 (October 23, 2008), 73 FR 64645 (October 30, 2008) (SR-NYSEALTR-2008-03); 59022 (November 26, 2008), 73 FR 73683 (December 3, 2008) (SR-NYSEALTR-2008-10); and 59027 (November 28, 2008), 73 FR 73681 (December 3, 2008) (SR-NYSEALTR-2008-11).

10.  See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 59987 (May 27, 2009), 74 FR 26902 (June 4, 2009) (order approving FINRA 2009-016).

11.  In its filing, FINRA also adopted NASD Rules 2130 (Obtaining an Order of Expungement of Customer Dispute Information from the Central Registration Depository (CRD System)), 2810 (Direct Participation Programs) and 3115 (Requirements for Alternative Trading Systems to Record and Transmit Order and Execution Information for Security Futures) as consolidated FINRA Rules 2080, 2310 and 4551, respectively. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 59987 (May 27, 2009), 74 FR 26902 (June 4, 2009). Neither the Exchange nor NYSE is adopting these FINRA Rules.

12.  FINRA Incorporated NYSE Rule 409A did not contain these exclusions. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 59987 (May 27, 2009), 74 FR 26902 (June 4, 2009).

13.  See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 59987 (May 27, 2009), 74 FR 26902 (June 4, 2009).

14.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b).

15.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).

16.  15 U.S.C. 78k-1(a)(1).

17.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).

18.  17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).

19.  17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6) requires a self-regulatory organization to give the Commission written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change at least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission. The Exchange has satisfied the requirement.

20.  17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).

21.  17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).

22.  For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay of the proposal, the Commission has considered the proposed rule's impact on efficiency, competition and capital formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).

23.  17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).