Last updated on January 23rd, 2025 at 12:42 pm
Title 17—Commodity and Securities Exchanges–Volume 4
CHAPTER II—SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (CONTINUED)
PART 240—GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS, SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Section 240.3a12-8 also issued under 15 U.S.C. 78a et seq., particularly secs. 3(a)(12), 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(12), and 23(a), 15 U.S.C. 78w(a); Section 240.3a12-10 also issued under 15 U.S.C. 78b and c; Section 240.3a12-9 also issued under secs. 3(a)(12), 7(c), 11(d)(1), 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(12), 78g(c), 78k(d)(1)); Sections 240.3a43-1 and 240.3a44-1 also issued under sec. 3; 15 U.S.C. 78c; Sections 3a67-1 through 3a67-9 and 3a71-1 and 3a71-2 are also issued under Pub. L. 111-203, §§ 712, 761(b), 124 Stat. 1841 (2010). Sections 240.3a67-10, 240.3a71-3, 240.3a71-4, and 240.3a71-5 are also issued under Pub. L. 111-203, section 761(b), 124 Stat. 1754 (2010), and 15 U.S.C. 78dd(c). Sections 240.3a71-3 and 240.3a71-5 are also issued under Pub. L. 111-203, sec. 761(b), 124 Stat. 1754 (2010), and 15 U.S.C. 78dd(c). Section 240.3b-6 is also issued under 15 U.S.C. 77f, 77g, 77h, 77j, 77s(a). Section 240.3b-9 also issued under secs. 2, 3 and 15, 89 Stat. 97, as amended, 89 Stat. 121, as amended (15 U.S.C. 78b, 78c, 78o); Section 240.9b-1 is also issued under sec. 2, 7, 10, 19(a), 48 Stat. 74, 78, 81, 85; secs. 201, 205, 209, 120, 48 Stat. 905, 906, 908; secs. 1-4, 8, 68 Stat. 683, 685; sec. 12(a), 73 Stat. 143; sec. 7(a), 74 Stat. 412; sec. 27(a), 84 Stat. 1433; sec. 308(a)(2), 90 Stat. 57; sec. 505, 94 Stat. 2292; secs. 9, 15, 23(a), 48 Stat. 889, 895, 901; sec. 230(a), 49 Stat. 704; secs. 3, 8, 49 Stat. 1377, 1379; sec. 2, 52 Stat. 1075; secs. 6, 10, 78 Stat. 570-574, 580; sec. 11(d), 84 Stat. 121; sec. 18, 89 Stat. 155; sec. 204, 91 Stat. 1500; 15 U.S.C. 77b, 77g, 77j, 77s(a), 78i, 78o, 78w(a); Section 240.10b-10 is also issued under secs. 2, 3, 9, 10, 11, 11A, 15, 17, 23, 48 Stat. 891, 89 Stat. 97, 121, 137, 156, (15 U.S.C. 78b, 78c, 78i, 78j, 78k, 78k-1, 78o, 78q). Section 240.12a-7 also issued under 15 U.S.C. 78a et seq., particularly secs. 3(a)(12), 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(12), 6, 15 U.S.C. 78(f), 11A, 15 U.S.C. 78k, 12, 15 U.S.C. 78(l), and 23(a)(1), 15 U.S.C. 78(w)(a)(1). Sections 240.12b-1 to 240.12b-36 also issued under secs. 3, 12, 13, 15, 48 Stat. 892, as amended, 894, 895, as amended; 15 U.S.C. 78c, 78l, 78m, 78o; Section 240.12b-15 is also issued under secs. 3(a) and 302, Pub. L. No. 107-204, 116 Stat. 745. Section 240.12b-25 is also issued under 15 U.S.C. 80a-8, 80a-24(a), 80a-29, and 80a-37. Section 240.12g-3 is also issued under 15 U.S.C. 77f, 77g, 77h, 77j, 77s(a). Section 240.12g3-2 is also issued under 15 U.S.C. 77f, 77g, 77h, 77j, 77s(a). Section 240.13a-10 is also issued under secs. 3(a) and 302, Pub. L. No. 107-204, 116 Stat. 745. Section 240.13a-11 is also issued under secs. 3(a) and 306(a), Pub. L. 107-204, 116 Stat. 745. Section 240.13a-14 is also issued under secs. 3(a) and 302, Pub. L. No. 107-204, 116 Stat. 745. Section 240.13a-15 is also issued under secs. 3(a) and 302, Pub. L. No. 107-204, 116 Stat. 745. Section 240.13d-3 is also issued under Public Law 111-203 § 766, 124 Stat. 1799 (2010). Sections 240.13e-4, 240.14d-7, 240.14d-10 and 240.14e-1 also issued under secs. 3(b), 9(a)(6), 10(b), 13(e), 14(d) and 14(e), 15 U.S.C. 78c(b), 78i(a)(6), 78j(b), 78m(e), 78n(d) and 78n(e) and sec. 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, 15 U.S.C 80a-23(c); Sections 240.13e-4 to 240.13e-101 also issued under secs. 3(b), 9(a)(6), 10(b), 13(e), 14(e), 15(c)(1), 48 Stat. 882, 889, 891, 894, 895, 901, sec. 8, 49 Stat. 1379, sec. 5, 78 Stat. 569, 570, secs. 2, 3, 82 Stat. 454, 455, secs. 1, 2, 3-5, 84 Stat. 1497, secs. 3, 18, 89 Stat. 97, 155; 15 U.S.C. 78c(b), 78i(a)(6), 78j(b), 78m(e), 78n(e), 78o(c); sec. 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940; 54 Stat. 825; 15 U.S.C. 80a-23(c); Section 240.13p-1 is also issued under sec. 1502, Pub. L. 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376. Section 240.13q-1 is also issued under sec. 1504, Pub. L. 111-203, 124 Stat. 2220. Sections 240.14a-1, 240.14a-3, 240.14a-13, 240.14b-1, 240.14b-2, 240.14c-1, and 240.14c-7 also issued under secs. 12, 15 U.S.C. 781, and 14, Pub. L. 99-222, 99 Stat. 1737, 15 U.S.C. 78n; Sections 240.14a-3, 240.14a-13, 240.14b-1 and 240.14c-7 also issued under secs. 12, 14 and 17, 15 U.S.C. 781, 78n and 78g; Sections 240.14c-1 to 240.14c-101 also issued under sec. 14, 48 Stat. 895; 15 U.S.C. 78n; Section 240.14d-1 is also issued under 15 U.S.C. 77g, 77j, 77s(a), 77ttt(a), 80a-37. Section 240.14e-2 is also issued under 15 U.S.C. 77g, 77h, 77s(a), 77sss, 80a-37(a). Section 240.14e-4 also issued under the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78a et seq., and particularly sections 3(b), 10(a), 10(b), 14(e), 15(c), and 23(a) of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(b), 78j(a), 78j(b), 78n(e), 78o(c), and 78w(a)). Section 240.15a-6, also issued under secs. 3, 10, 15, and 17, 15 U.S.C. 78c, 78j, 78o, and 78q; Section 240.15b1-3 also issued under sec. 15, 17; 15 U.S.C. 78o 78q; Sections 240.15b1-3 and 240.15b2-1 also issued under 15 U.S.C. 78o, 78q; Section 240.15b2-2 also issued under secs. 3, 15; 15 U.S.C. 78c, 78o; Sections 240.15b10-1 to 240.15b10-9 also issued under secs. 15, 17, 48 Stat. 895, 897, sec. 203, 49 Stat. 704, secs. 4, 8, 49 Stat. 1379, sec. 5, 52 Stat. 1076, sec. 6, 78 Stat. 570; 15 U.S.C. 78o, 78q, 12 U.S.C. 241 nt.; Section 240.15c2-6, also issued under secs. 3, 10, and 15, 15 U.S.C. 78c, 78j, and 78o. Section 240.15c2-11 also issued under 15 U.S.C. 78j(b), 78o(c), 78q(a), and 78w(a). Section 240.15c2-12 also issued under 15 U.S.C. 78b, 78c, 78j, 78o, 78o-4 and 78q. Section 240.15c3-1 is also issued under 15 U.S.C. 78o(c)(3), 78o-10(d), and 78o-10(e). Sections 240.15c3-1a, 240.15c3-1e, 240.15c3-1f, 240.15c3-1g are also issued under Pub. L. 111-203, secs. 939, 939A, 124. Stat. 1376 (2010) (15 U.S.C. 78c, 15 U.S.C. 78o-7 note). Section 240.15c3-3 is also issued under 15 U.S.C. 78c-5, 78o(c)(2), 78(c)(3), 78q(a), 78w(a); sec. 6(c), 84 Stat. 1652; 15 U.S.C. 78fff. Section 240.15c3-3(o) is also issued under Pub. L. 106-554, 114 Stat. 2763, section 203. Section 240.15c3-3a is also issued under Pub. L. 111-203, § 939, 939A, 124. Stat. 1376 (2010) (15 U.S.C. 78c, 15 U.S.C. 78o-7 note). Section 240.15d-5 is also issued under 15 U.S.C. 77f, 77g, 77h, 77j, 77s(a). Section 240.15d-10 is also issued under 15 U.S.C. 80a-20(a) and 80a-37(a), and secs. 3(a) and 302, Pub. L. No. 107-204, 116 Stat. 745. Section 240.15d-11 is also issued under secs. 3(a) and 306(a), Pub. L. 107-204, 116 Stat. 745. Section 240.15d-14 is also issued under secs. 3(a) and 302, Pub. L. No. 107-204, 116 Stat. 745. Section 240.15d-15 is also issued under secs. 3(a) and 302, Pub. L. No. 107-204, 116 Stat. 745. Section 240.15l-1 is also issued under Pub. L. 111-203, sec. 913, 124 Stat. 1376, 1827 (2010). Sections 240.15Ba1-1 through 240.15Ba1-8 are also issued under sec. 975, Public Law 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376 (2010). Section 240.15Bc4-1 is also issued under sec. 975, Public Law 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376 (2010). Sections 240.15Ca1-1, 240.15Ca2-1, 240.15Ca2-2, 240.15Ca2-3, 240.15Ca2-4, 240.15Ca2-5, 240.15Cc1-1 also issued under secs. 3, 15C; 15 U.S.C. 78c, 78o-5; Sections 240.15Fh-1 through 240.15Fh-6 and 240.15Fk-1 are also issued under sec. 943, Pub. L. 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376. Section 240.15Ga-1 is also issued under sec. 943, Pub. L. 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376. Section 240.15Ga-2 is also issued under sec. 943, Pub. L. 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376. Section 240.16a-1(a) is also issued under Public Law 111-203 § 766, 124 Stat. 1799 (2010). Sections 240.15fh-1 through 240.15Fh-6 and 240.15Fk-1 are also issued under sec. 943, Pub. L. 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376. Section 240.17a-3 also issued under secs. 2, 17, 23a, 48 Stat. 897, as amended; 15 U.S.C. 78d-1, 78d-2, 78q; secs. 12, 14, 17, 23(a), 48 Stat. 892, 895, 897, 901; secs. 1, 4, 8, 49 Stat. 1375, 1379; sec. 203(a), 49 Stat. 704; sec. 5, 52 Stat. 1076; sec. 202, 68 Stat. 686; secs. 3, 5, 10, 78 Stat. 565-568, 569, 570, 580; secs. 1, 3, 82 Stat. 454, 455; secs. 28(c), 3-5, 84 Stat. 1435, 1497; sec. 105(b), 88 Stat. 1503; secs. 8, 9, 14, 18, 89 Stat. 117, 118, 137, 155; 15 U.S.C. 78l, 78n, 78q, 78w(a); Section 240.17a-4 also issued under secs. 2, 17, 23(a), 48 Stat. 897, as amended; 15 U.S.C. 78a, 78d-1, 78d-2; sec. 14, Pub. L. 94-29, 89 Stat. 137 (15 U.S.C. 78a); sec. 18, Pub. L. 94-29, 89 Stat. 155 (15 U.S.C. 78w); Section 240.17a-14 is also issued under Public Law 111-203, sec. 913, 124 Stat. 1376 (2010). Section 240.17a-23 also issued under 15 U.S.C. 78b, 78c, 78o, 78q, and 78w(a). Section 240.17f-1 is also authorized under sections 2, 17 and 17A, 48 Stat. 891, 89 Stat. 137, 141 (15 U.S.C. 78b, 78q, 78q-1); Section 240.17g-7 is also issued under sec. 943, Pub. L. 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376. Section 240.17g-8 is also issued under sec. 938, Pub. L. 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376. Section 240.17g-9 is also issued under sec. 936, Pub. L. 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376. Section 240.17h-1T also issued under 15 U.S.C. 78q. Sections 240.17Ac2-1(c) and 240.17Ac2-2 also issued under secs. 17, 17A and 23(a); 48 Stat. 897, as amended, 89 Stat. 137, 141 and 48 Stat. 901 (15 U.S.C. 78q, 78q-1, 78w(a)); Section 240.17Ad-1 is also issued under secs. 2, 17, 17A and 23(a); 48 Stat. 841 as amended, 48 Stat. 897, as amended, 89 Stat. 137, 141, and 48 Stat. 901 (15 U.S.C. 78b, 78q, 78q-1, 78w); Sections 240.17Ad-5 and 240.17Ad-10 are also issued under secs. 3 and 17A; 48 Stat. 882, as amended, and 89 Stat. (15 U.S.C. 78c and 78q-1); Section 240.17ad-7 is also issued under 15 U.S.C. 78b, 78q, and 78q-1. Section 240.17Ad-17 is also issued under Pub. L. 111-203, section 929W, 124 Stat. 1869 (2010). Section 240.17ad-22 is also issued under 12 U.S.C. 5461 et seq. Sections 240.18a-1, 240.18a-1a, 240.18a-1b, 240.18a-1c, 240.18a-1d, 240.18a-2, 240.18a-3, and 240.18a-10 are also issued under 15 U.S.C. 78o-10(d) and 78o-10(e). Section 240.18a-4 is also issued under 15 U.S.C. 78c-5(f). Section 240.19b-4 is also issued under 12 U.S.C. 5465(e). Sections 240.19c-4 also issued under secs. 6, 11A, 14, 15A, 19 and 23 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78o-3, and 78s); Section 240.19c-5 also issued under Sections 6, 11A, and 19 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 48 Stat. 885, as amended, 89 Stat. 111, as amended, and 48 Stat. 898, as amended, 15 U.S.C. 78f, 78k-1, and 78s. Section 240.21F is also issued under Pub. L. 111-203, § 922(a), 124 Stat. 1841 (2010). Section 240.31-1 is also issued under sec. 31, 48 Stat. 904, as amended (15 U.S.C. 78ee). In §§ 240.0-1 to 240.24b-3, the numbers to the right of the decimal point correspond with the respective rule numbers of the rules and regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
ATTENTION ELECTRONIC FILERS
THIS REGULATION SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH REGULATION S-T (PART 232 OF THIS CHAPTER), WHICH GOVERNS THE PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION OF DOCUMENTS IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT. MANY PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION OF DOCUMENTS IN PAPER FORMAT CONTAINED IN THIS REGULATION ARE SUPERSEDED BY THE PROVISIONS OF REGULATION S-T FOR DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO BE FILED IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT.
Subpart A—Rules and Regulations Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Rules of General Application
§ 240.0-1 Definitions.
(a) As used in the rules and regulations in this part, prescribed by the Commission pursuant to Title I of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (48 Stat. 881-905; 15 U.S.C. chapter 2B), unless the context otherwise specifically requires:
(1) The term Commission means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(2) The term act means Title I of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
(3) The term section refers to a section of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
(4) The term rules and regulations refers to all rules and regulations adopted by the Commission pursuant to the act, including the forms for registration and reports and the accompanying instructions thereto.
(5) The term electronic filer means a person or an entity that submits filings electronically pursuant to Rules 100 and 101 of Regulation S-T (§§ 232.100 and 232.101 of this chapter, respectively).
(6) The term electronic filing means a document under the federal securities laws that is transmitted or delivered to the Commission in electronic format.
(b) Unless otherwise specifically stated, the terms used in this part shall have the meaning defined in the act.
(c) A rule or regulation which defines a term without express reference to the act or to the rules and regulations, or to a portion thereof, defines such term for all purposes as used both in the act and in the rules and regulations, unless the context otherwise specifically requires.
(d) Unless otherwise specified or the context otherwise requires, the term prospectus means a prospectus meeting the requirements of section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 as amended.
For definition of “listed”, see § 240.3b-1; “officer”, § 240.3b-2; “short sale”, § 240.3b-3. For additional definitions, see § 240.15c1-1.
§ 240.0-2 Business hours of the Commission.
(a) The principal office of the Commission, at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549, is open each day, except Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Eastern Standard Time or Eastern Daylight Saving Time, whichever currently is in effect in Washington, DC, provided that hours for the filing of documents pursuant to the Act or the rules and regulations thereunder are as set forth in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section.
(b) Submissions made in paper. Paper documents filed with or otherwise furnished to the Commission may be submitted to the Commission each day, except Saturdays, Sundays and federal holidays, from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Eastern Standard Time or Eastern Daylight Saving Time, whichever is currently in effect.
(c) Electronic filings. Filings made by direct transmission may be submitted to the Commission each day, except Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Eastern Standard Time or Eastern Daylight Saving Time, whichever is currently in effect.
For registration and exemption of exchanges, see §§ 240.6a-1 to 240.6a-3. For forms for permanent registration of securities, see § 240.12b-1. For regulations relating to registration of securities, see §§ 240.12b-1 to 240.12b-36. For forms for applications for registration of brokers and dealers, see §§ 240.15b1-1 to 240.15b9-1.
§ 240.0-3 Filing of material with the Commission.
(a) All papers required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to the Act or the rules and regulations thereunder shall be filed at the principal office in Washington, DC. Material may be filed by delivery to the Commission, through the mails or otherwise. The date on which papers are actually received by the Commission shall be the date of filing thereof if all of the requirements with respect to the filing have been complied with, except that if the last day on which papers can be accepted as timely filed falls on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday, such papers may be filed on the first business day following.
(b) The manually signed original (or in the case of duplicate originals, one duplicate original) of all registrations, applications, statements, reports, or other documents filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, shall be numbered sequentially (in addition to any internal numbering which otherwise may be present) by handwritten, typed, printed, or other legible form of notation from the facing page of the document through the last page of that document and any exhibits or attachments thereto. Further, the total number of pages contained in a numbered original shall be set forth on the first page of the document.
(c) Each document filed shall contain an exhibit index, which should immediately precede the exhibits filed with such document. The index shall list each exhibit filed and identify by handwritten, typed, printed, or other legible form of notation in the manually signed original, the page number in the sequential numbering system described in paragraph (b) of this section where such exhibit can be found or where it is stated that the exhibit is incorporated by reference. Further, the first page of the manually signed document shall list the page in the filing where the exhibit index is located.
§ 240.0-4 Nondisclosure of information obtained in examinations and investigations.
Information or documents obtained by officers or employees of the Commission in the course of any examination or investigation pursuant to section 17(a) (48 Stat. 897, section 4, 49 Stat. 1379; 15 U.S.C. 78q(a)) or 21(a) (48 Stat. 899; 15 U.S.C. 78u(a)) shall, unless made a matter of public record, be deemed confidential. Except as provided by 17 CFR 203.2, officers and employees are hereby prohibited from making such confidential information or documents or any other non-public records of the Commission available to anyone other than a member, officer or employee of the Commission, unless the Commission or the General Counsel, pursuant to delegated authority, authorizes the disclosure of such information or the production of such documents as not being contrary to the public interest. Any officer or employee who is served with a subpoena requiring the disclosure of such information or the production of such documents shall appear in court and, unless the authorization described in the preceding sentence shall have been given, shall respectfully decline to disclose the information or produce the documents called for, basing his or her refusal upon this section. Any officer or employee who is served with such a subpoena shall promptly advise the General Counsel of the service of such subpoena, the nature of the information or documents sought, and any circumstances which may bear upon the desirability of making available such information or documents.
§ 240.0-5 Reference to rule by obsolete designation.
Wherever in any rule, form, or instruction book specific reference is made to a rule by number or other designation which is now obsolete, such reference shall be deemed to be made to the corresponding rule or rules in the existing general rules and regulations.
§ 240.0-6 Disclosure detrimental to the national defense or foreign policy.
(a) Any requirement to the contrary notwithstanding, no registration statement, report, proxy statement or other document filed with the Commission or any securities exchange shall contain any document or information which, pursuant to Executive order, has been classified by an appropriate department or agency of the United States for protection in the interests of national defense or foreign policy.
(b) Where a document or information is omitted pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section, there shall be filed, in lieu of such document or information, a statement from an appropriate department or agency of the United States to the effect that such document or information has been classified or that the status thereof is awaiting determination. Where a document is omitted pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section, but information relating to the subject matter of such document is nevertheless included in material filed with the Commission pursuant to a determination of an appropriate department or agency of the United States that disclosure of such information would not be contrary to the interests of national defense or foreign policy, a statement from such department or agency to that effect shall be submitted for the information of the Commission. A registrant may rely upon any such statement in filing or omitting any document or information to which the statement relates.
(c) The Commission may protect any information in its possession which may require classification in the interests of national defense or foreign policy pending determination by an appropriate department or agency as to whether such information should be classified.
(d) It shall be the duty of the registrant to submit the documents or information referred to in paragraph (a) of this section to the appropriate department or agency of the United States prior to filing them with the Commission and to obtain and submit to the Commission, at the time of filing such documents or information, or in lieu thereof, as the case may be, the statements from such department or agency required by paragraph (b) of this section. All such statements shall be in writing.
§ 240.0-8 Application of rules to registered broker-dealers.
Any provision of any rule or regulation under the Act which prohibits any act, practice, or course of business by any person if the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce are used in connection therewith, shall also prohibit any such act, practice, or course of business by any broker or dealer registered pursuant to section 15(b) of the Act, or any person acting on behalf of such a broker or dealer, irrespective of any use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce.
§ 240.0-9 Payment of filing fees.
All payment of filing fees shall be made by wire transfer, debit card, or credit card or via the Automated Clearing House Network. Payment of filing fees required by this section shall be made in accordance with the directions set forth in § 202.3a of this chapter.
§ 240.0-10 Small entities under the Securities Exchange Act for purposes of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
For purposes of Commission rulemaking in accordance with the provisions of Chapter Six of the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), and unless otherwise defined for purposes of a particular rulemaking proceeding, the term small business or small organization shall:
(a) When used with reference to an “issuer” or a “person,” other than an investment company, mean an “issuer” or “person” that, on the last day of its most recent fiscal year, had total assets of $5 million or less;
(b) When used with reference to an “issuer” or “person” that is an investment company, have the meaning ascribed to those terms by § 270.0-10 of this chapter;
(c) When used with reference to a broker or dealer, mean a broker or dealer that:
(1) Had total capital (net worth plus subordinated liabilities) of less than $500,000 on the date in the prior fiscal year as of which its audited financial statements were prepared pursuant to § 240.17a-5(d) or, if not required to file such statements, a broker or dealer that had total capital (net worth plus subordinated liabilities) of less than $500,000 on the last business day of the preceding fiscal year (or in the time that it has been in business, if shorter); and
(2) Is not affiliated with any person (other than a natural person) that is not a small business or small organization as defined in this section;
(d) When used with reference to a clearing agency, mean a clearing agency that:
(1) Compared, cleared and settled less than $500 million in securities transactions during the preceding fiscal year (or in the time that it has been in business, if shorter);
(2) Had less than $200 million of funds and securities in its custody or control at all times during the preceding fiscal year (or in the time that it has been in business, if shorter); and
(3) Is not affiliated with any person (other than a natural person) that is not a small business or small organization as defined in this section;
(e) When used with reference to an exchange, mean any exchange that:
(1) Has been exempted from the reporting requirements of § 242.601 of this chapter; and
(2) Is not affiliated with any person (other than a natural person) that is not a small business or small organization as defined in this section;
(f) When used with reference to a municipal securities dealer that is a bank (including any separately identifiable department or division of a bank), mean any such municipal securities dealer that:
(1) Had, or is a department of a bank that had, total assets of less than $10 million at all times during the preceding fiscal year (or in the time that it has been in business, if shorter);
(2) Had an average monthly volume of municipal securities transactions in the preceding fiscal year (or in the time it has been registered, if shorter) of less than $100,000; and
(3) Is not affiliated with any person (other than a natural person) that is not a small business or small organization as defined in this section;
(g) When used with reference to a securities information processor, mean a securities information processor that:
(1) Had gross revenues of less than $10 million during the preceding fiscal year (or in the time it has been in business, if shorter);
(2) Provided service to fewer than 100 interrogation devices or moving tickers at all times during the preceding fiscal year (or in the time that it has been in business, if shorter); and
(3) Is not affiliated with any person (other than a natural person) that is not a small business or small organization under this section; and
(h) When used with reference to a transfer agent, mean a transfer agent that:
(1) Received less than 500 items for transfer and less than 500 items for processing during the preceding six months (or in the time that it has been in business, if shorter);
(2) Transferred items only of issuers that would be deemed “small businesses” or “small organizations” as defined in this section; and
(3) Maintained master shareholder files that in the aggregate contained less than 1,000 shareholder accounts or was the named transfer agent for less than 1,000 shareholder accounts at all times during the preceding fiscal year (or in the time that it has been in business, if shorter); and
(4) Is not affiliated with any person (other than a natural person) that is not a small business or small organization under this section.
(i) For purposes of paragraph (c) of this section, a broker or dealer is affiliated with another person if:
(1) Such broker or dealer controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such other person; a person shall be deemed to control another person if that person has the right to vote 25 percent or more of the voting securities of such other person or is entitled to receive 25 percent or more of the net profits of such other person or is otherwise able to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such other person; or
(2) Such broker or dealer introduces transactions in securities, other than registered investment company securities or interests or participations in insurance company separate accounts, to such other person, or introduces accounts of customers or other brokers or dealers, other than accounts that hold only registered investment company securities or interests or participations in insurance company separate accounts, to such other person that carries such accounts on a fully disclosed basis.
(j) For purposes of paragraphs (d) through (h) of this section, a person is affiliated with another person if that person controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such other person; a person shall be deemed to control another person if that person has the right to vote 25 percent or more of the voting securities of such other person or is entitled to receive 25 percent or more of the net profits of such other person or is otherwise able to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such other person.
(k) For purposes of paragraph (g) of this section, “interrogation device” shall refer to any device that may be used to read or receive securities information, including quotations, indications of interest, last sale data and transaction reports, and shall include proprietary terminals or personal computers that receive securities information via computer-to-computer interfaces or gateway access.
§ 240.0-11 Filing fees for certain acquisitions, dispositions and similar transactions.
(a) General. (1) At the time of filing a disclosure document described in paragraphs (b) through (d) of this section relating to certain acquisitions, dispositions, business combinations, consolidations or similar transactions, the person filing the specified document shall pay a fee payable to the Commission to be calculated as set forth in paragraphs (b) through (d) of this section.
(2) A required fee shall be reduced in an amount equal to any fee paid with respect to such transaction pursuant to either section 6(b) of the Securities Act of 1933 or any applicable provision of this section; the fee requirements under section 6(b) shall be reduced in an amount equal to the fee paid the Commission with respect to a transaction under this section. No part of a filing fee is refundable.
(3) If at any time after the initial payment the aggregate consideration offered is increased, an additional filing fee based upon such increase shall be paid with the required amended filing.
(4) When the fee is based upon the market value of securities, such market value shall be established by either the average of the high and low prices reported in the consolidated reporting system (for exchange traded securities and last sale reported over-the-counter securities) or the average of the bid and asked price (for other over-the-counter securities) as of a specified date within 5 business days prior to the date of the filing. If there is no market for the securities, the value shall be based upon the book value of the securities computed as of the latest practicable date prior to the date of the filing, unless the issuer of the securities is in bankruptcy or receivership or has an accumulated capital deficit, in which case one-third of the principal amount, par value or stated value of the securities shall be used.
(5) An exhibit to the filing shall set forth the calculation of the fee in tabular format, as well as the amount offset by a previous filing and the identification of such filing, if applicable.
(b) Section 13(e)(1) filings. At the time of filing such statement as the Commission may require pursuant to section 13(e)(1) of the Exchange Act, a fee equal to the product of the rate applicable under section 13(e) of the Exchange Act multiplied by the value of the securities proposed to be acquired by the acquiring person. The value of the securities proposed to be acquired shall be determined as follows:
(1) The value of the securities to be acquired solely for cash shall be the amount of cash to be paid for them:
(2) The value of the securities to be acquired with securities or other non-cash consideration, whether or not in combination with a cash payment for the same securities, shall be based upon the market value of the securities to be received by the acquiring person as established in accordance with paragraph (a)(4) of this section.
(c) Proxy and information statement filings. At the time of filing a preliminary proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-6(a) or preliminary information statement pursuant to Rule 14c-5(a) that concerns a merger, consolidation, acquisition of a company, or proposed sale or other disposition of substantially all the assets of the registrant (including a liquidation), the following fee:
(1) For preliminary material involving a vote upon a merger, consolidation or acquisition of a company, a fee equal to the product of the rate applicable under section 14(g) of the Exchange Act multiplied by the proposed cash payment or, if the consideration does not consistent entirely of cash, the value of the securities and other property to be transferred to security holders in the transaction. The fee is payable whether the registrant is acquiring another company or being acquired.
(i) The value of securities or other property to be transferred to security holders, whether or not in combination with a cash payment for the same securities, shall be based upon the market value of the securities to be received by the acquiring person as established in accordance with paragraph (a)(4) of this section.
(ii) Notwithstanding the above, where the acquisition, merger or consolidation is for the sole purpose of changing the registrant’s domicile, no filing fee is required to be paid.
(2) For preliminary material involving a vote upon a proposed sale or other disposition of substantially all the assets of the registrant, a fee equal to the product of the rate applicable under section 14(g) of the Exchange Act multiplied by the aggregate of, as applicable, the cash and the value of the securities (other than its own) and other property to be received by the registrant. In the case of a disposition in which the registrant will not receive any property, such as at liquidation or spin-off, the fee shall be equal to the product of the rate applicable under section 14(g) of the Exchange Act multiplied by the aggregate of, as applicable, the cash and the value of the securities and other property to be distributed to security holders.
(i) The value of the securities to be received (or distributed in the case of a spin-off or liquidation) shall be based upon the market value of such securities as established in accordance with paragraph (a)(4) of this section.
(ii) The value of other property shall be a bona fide estimate of the fair market value of such property.
(3) Where two or more companies are involved in the transaction, each shall pay a proportionate share of such fee, determined by the persons involved.
(4) Notwithstanding the above, the fee required by this paragraph (c) shall not be payable for a proxy statement filed by a company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
(d) Section 14(d)(1) filings. At the time of filing such statement as the Commission may require pursuant to section 14(d)(1) of the Act, a fee equal to the product of the rate applicable under section 14(g) of the Exchange Act multiplied by the cash or, if the consideration does not consist entirely of cash, the value of the securities and other property offered by the bidder. Where the bidder is offering securities or other non-cash consideration for some or all of the securities to be acquired, whether or not in combination with a cash payment for the same securities, the value of the consideration to be offered for such securities shall be based upon the market value of the securities to be received by the bidder as established in accordance with paragraph (a)(4) of this section.
§ 240.0-12 Commission procedures for filing applications for orders for exemptive relief under Section 36 of the Exchange Act.
(a) The application shall be in writing in the form of a letter, must include any supporting documents necessary to make the application complete, and otherwise must comply with § 240.0-3. All applications must be submitted to the Office of the Secretary of the Commission. Requestors may seek confidential treatment of their applications to the extent provided under § 200.81 of this chapter. If an application is incomplete, the Commission, through the Division handling the application, may request that the application be withdrawn unless the applicant can justify, based on all the facts and circumstances, why supporting materials have not been submitted and undertakes to submit the omitted materials promptly.
(b) An applicant may submit a request electronically. The electronic mailbox to use for these applications is described on the Commission’s Web site at http://www.sec.gov in the “Exchange Act Exemptive Applications” section. In the event the electronic mailbox is revised in the future, applicants can find the appropriate mailbox by accessing the “Electronic Mailboxes at the Commission” section.
(c) An applicant also may submit a request in paper format. Five copies of every paper application and every amendment to such an application must be submitted to the Office of the Secretary at 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090. Applications must be on white paper no larger than 8
(d) Every application (electronic or paper) must contain the name, address and telephone number of each applicant and the name, address, and telephone number of a person to whom any questions regarding the application should be directed. The Commission will not consider hypothetical or anonymous requests for exemptive relief. Each applicant shall state the basis for the relief sought, and identify the anticipated benefits for investors and any conditions or limitations the applicant believes would be appropriate for the protection of investors. Applicants should also cite to and discuss applicable precedent.
(e) Amendments to the application should be prepared and submitted as set forth in these procedures and should be marked to show what changes have been made.
(f) After the filing is complete, the applicable Division will review the application. Once all questions and issues have been answered to the satisfaction of the Division, the staff will make an appropriate recommendation to the Commission. After consideration of the recommendation by the Commission, the Commission’s Office of the Secretary will issue an appropriate response and will notify the applicant. If the application pertains to a section of the Exchange Act pursuant to which the Commission has delegated its authority to the appropriate Division, the Division Director or his or her designee will issue an appropriate response and notify the applicant.
(g) The Commission, in its sole discretion, may choose to publish in the
(h) The Commission may, in its sole discretion, schedule a hearing on the matter addressed by the application.
§ 240.0-13 Commission procedures for filing applications to request a substituted compliance or listed jurisdiction order under the Exchange Act.
(a) The application shall be in writing in the form of a letter, must include any supporting documents necessary to make the application complete, and otherwise must comply with § 240.0-3. All applications must be submitted to the Office of the Secretary of the Commission, by a party that potentially would comply with requirements under the Exchange Act pursuant to a substituted compliance or listed jurisdiction order, or by the relevant foreign financial regulatory authority or authorities. If an application is incomplete, the Commission may request that the application be withdrawn unless the applicant can justify, based on all the facts and circumstances, why supporting materials have not been submitted and undertakes to submit the omitted materials promptly.
(b) An applicant may submit a request electronically. The electronic mailbox to use for these applications is described on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov in the “Exchange Act Substituted Compliance and Listed Jurisdiction Applications” section. In the event electronic mailboxes are revised in the future, applicants can find the appropriate mailbox by accessing the “Electronic Mailboxes at the Commission” section.
(c) All filings and submissions filed pursuant to this rule must be in the English language. If a filing or submission filed pursuant to this rule requires the inclusion of a document that is in a foreign language, a party must submit instead a fair and accurate English translation of the entire foreign language document. A party may submit a copy of the unabridged foreign language document when including an English translation of a foreign language document in a filing or submission filed pursuant to this rule. A party must provide a copy of any foreign language document upon the request of Commission staff.
(d) An applicant also may submit a request in paper format. Five copies of every paper application and every amendment to such an application must be submitted to the Office of the Secretary at 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090. Applications must be on white paper no larger than 8
(e) Every application (electronic or paper) must contain the name, address, telephone number, and email address of each applicant and the name, address, telephone number, and email address of a person to whom any questions regarding the application should be directed. The Commission will not consider hypothetical or anonymous requests for a substituted compliance or listed jurisdiction order. Each applicant shall provide the Commission with any supporting documentation it believes necessary for the Commission to make such determination, including information regarding applicable requirements established by the foreign financial regulatory authority or authorities, as well as the methods used by the foreign financial regulatory authority or authorities to monitor and enforce compliance with such rules. Applicants should also cite to and discuss applicable precedent.
(f) Amendments to the application should be prepared and submitted as set forth in these procedures and should be marked to show what changes have been made.
(g) After the filing is complete, the staff will review the application. Once all questions and issues have been answered to the satisfaction of the staff, the staff will make an appropriate recommendation to the Commission. After consideration of the recommendation and a vote by the Commission, the Commission’s Office of the Secretary will issue an appropriate response and will notify the applicant.
(h) The Commission shall publish in the
(i) The Commission may, in its sole discretion, schedule a hearing on the matter addressed by the application.
§ 240.3a1-1 Exemption from the definition of “Exchange” under Section 3(a)(1) of the Act.
(a) An organization, association, or group of persons shall be exempt from the definition of the term “exchange” under section 3(a)(1) of the Act, (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(1)), if such organization, association, or group of persons:
(1) Is operated by a national securities association;
(2) Is in compliance with Regulation ATS, 17 CFR 242.300 through 242.304;
(3) Pursuant to paragraph (a) of § 242.301 of Regulation ATS, 17 CFR 242.301(a), is not required to comply with Regulation ATS, 17 CFR 242.300 through 242.304;
(4) Has registered with the Commission as a security-based swap execution facility pursuant § 242.803 of this chapter and provides a market place or facilities for no securities other than security-based swaps; or
(5) Has registered with the Commission as a clearing agency pursuant to section 17A of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78q-1) and limits its exchange functions to operation of a trading session that is designed to further the accuracy of end-of-day valuations of security-based swaps.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a)(1) through (3) of this section, an organization, association, or group of persons shall not be exempt under this section from the definition of “exchange,” if:
(1) During three of the preceding four calendar quarters such organization, association, or group of persons had:
(i) Fifty percent or more of the average daily dollar trading volume in any security and five percent or more of the average daily dollar trading volume in any class of securities; or
(ii) Forty percent or more of the average daily dollar trading volume in any class of securities; and
(2) The Commission determines, after notice to the organization, association, or group of persons, and an opportunity for such organization, association, or group of persons to respond, that such an exemption would not be necessary or appropriate in the public interest or consistent with the protection of investors taking into account the requirements for exchange registration under section 6 of the Act, (15 U.S.C. 78f), and the objectives of the national market system under section 11A of the Act, (15 U.S.C 78k-1).
(3) For purposes of paragraph (b) of this section, each of the following shall be considered a “class of securities”:
(i) Equity securities, which shall have the same meaning as in § 240.3a11-1;
(ii) Listed options, which shall mean any options traded on a national securities exchange or automated facility of a national securities exchange;
(iii) Unlisted options, which shall mean any options other than those traded on a national securities exchange or automated facility of a national securities association;
(iv) Municipal securities, which shall have the same meaning as in section 3(a)(29) of the Act, (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(29));
(v) Corporate debt securities, which shall mean any securities that:
(A) Evidence a liability of the issuer of such securities;
(B) Have a fixed maturity date that is at least one year following the date of issuance; and
(C) Are not exempted securities, as defined in section 3(a)(12) of the Act, (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(12));
(vi) Foreign corporate debt securities, which shall mean any securities that:
(A) Evidence a liability of the issuer of such debt securities;
(B) Are issued by a corporation or other organization incorporated or organized under the laws of any foreign country; and
(C) Have a fixed maturity date that is at least one year following the date of issuance; and
(vii) Foreign sovereign debt securities, which shall mean any securities that:
(A) Evidence a liability of the issuer of such debt securities;
(B) Are issued or guaranteed by the government of a foreign country, any political subdivision of a foreign country or any supranational entity; and
(C) Do not have a maturity date of a year or less following the date of issuance.
§ 240.3a4-1 Associated persons of an issuer deemed not to be brokers.
(a) An associated person of an issuer of securities shall not be deemed to be a broker solely by reason of his participation in the sale of the securities of such issuer if the associated person:
(1) Is not subject to a statutory disqualification, as that term is defined in section 3(a)(39) of the Act, at the time of his participation; and
(2) Is not compensated in connection with his participation by the payment of commissions or other remuneration based either directly or indirectly on transactions in securities; and
(3) Is not at the time of his participation an associated person of a broker or dealer; and
(4) Meets the conditions of any one of paragraph (a)(4) (i), (ii), or (iii) of this section.
(i) The associated person restricts his participation to transactions involving offers and sales of securities:
(A) To a registered broker or dealer; a registered investment company (or registered separate account); an insurance company; a bank; a savings and loan association; a trust company or similar institution supervised by a state or federal banking authority; or a trust for which a bank, a savings and loan association, a trust company, or a registered investment adviser either is the trustee or is authorized in writing to make investment decisions; or
(B) That are exempted by reason of section 3(a)(7), 3(a)(9) or 3(a)(10) of the Securities Act of 1933 from the registration provisions of that Act; or
(C) That are made pursuant to a plan or agreement submitted for the vote or consent of the security holders who will receive securities of the issuer in connection with a reclassification of securities of the issuer, a merger or consolidation or a similar plan of acquisition involving an exchange of securities, or a transfer of assets of any other person to the issuer in exchange for securities of the issuer; or
(D) That are made pursuant to a bonus, profit-sharing, pension, retirement, thrift, savings, incentive, stock purchase, stock ownership, stock appreciation, stock option, dividend reinvestment or similar plan for employees of an issuer or a subsidiary of the issuer;
(ii) The associated person meets all of the following conditions:
(A) The associated person primarily performs, or is intended primarily to perform at the end of the offering, substantial duties for or on behalf of the issuer otherwise than in connection with transactions in securities; and
(B) The associated person was not a broker or dealer, or an associated person of a broker or dealer, within the preceding 12 months; and
(C) The associated person does not participate in selling an offering of securities for any issuer more than once every 12 months other than in reliance on paragraph (a)(4)(i) or (iii) of this section, except that for securities issued pursuant to rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, the 12 months shall begin with the last sale of any security included within one rule 415 registration.
(iii) The associated person restricts his participation to any one or more of the following activities:
(A) Preparing any written communication or delivering such communication through the mails or other means that does not involve oral solicitation by the associated person of a potential purchaser; Provided, however, that the content of such communication is approved by a partner, officer or director of the issuer;
(B) Responding to inquiries of a potential purchaser in a communication initiated by the potential purchaser; Provided, however, That the content of such responses are limited to information contained in a registration statement filed under the Securities Act of 1933 or other offering document; or
(C) Performing ministerial and clerical work involved in effecting any transaction.
(b) No presumption shall arise that an associated person of an issuer has violated section 15(a) of the Act solely by reason of his participation in the sale of securities of the issuer if he does not meet the conditions specified in paragraph (a) of this section.
(c) Definitions. When used in this section:
(1) The term associated person of an issuer means any natural person who is a partner, officer, director, or employee of:
(i) The issuer;
(ii) A corporate general partner of a limited partnership that is the issuer;
(iii) A company or partnership that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the issuer; or
(iv) An investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 which is the issuer.
(2) The term associated person of a broker or dealer means any partner, officer, director, or branch manager of such broker or dealer (or any person occupying a similar status or performing similar functions), any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such broker or dealer, or any employee of such broker or dealer, except that any person associated with a broker or dealer whose functions are solely clerical or ministerial and any person who is required under the laws of any State to register as a broker or dealer in that State solely because such person is an issuer of securities or associated person of an issuer of securities shall not be included in the meaning of such term for purposes of this section.
§§ 240.3a4-2–240.3a4-6 [Reserved]
§ 240.3a5-1 Exemption from the definition of “dealer” for a bank engaged in riskless principal transactions.
(a) A bank is exempt from the definition of the term “dealer” to the extent that it engages in or effects riskless principal transactions if the number of such riskless principal transactions during a calendar year combined with transactions in which the bank is acting as an agent for a customer pursuant to section 3(a)(4)(B)(xi) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(4)(B)(xi)) during that same year does not exceed 500.
(b) For purposes of this section, the term riskless principal transaction means a transaction in which, after having received an order to buy from a customer, the bank purchased the security from another person to offset a contemporaneous sale to such customer or, after having received an order to sell from a customer, the bank sold the security to another person to offset a contemporaneous purchase from such customer.
§ 240.3a5-2 Exemption from the definition of “dealer” for banks effecting transactions in securities issued pursuant to Regulation S.
(a) A bank is exempt from the definition of the term “dealer” under section 3(a)(5) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(5)), to the extent that, in a riskless principal transaction, the bank:
(1) Purchases an eligible security from an issuer or a broker-dealer and sells that security in compliance with the requirements of 17 CFR 230.903 to a purchaser who is not in the United States;
(2) Purchases from a person who is not a U.S. person under 17 CFR 230.902(k) an eligible security after its initial sale with a reasonable belief that the eligible security was initially sold outside of the United States within the meaning of and in compliance with the requirements of 17 CFR 230.903, and resells that security to a purchaser who is not in the United States or to a registered broker or dealer, provided that if the resale is made prior to the expiration of any applicable distribution compliance period specified in 17 CFR 230.903(b)(2) or (b)(3), the resale is made in compliance with the requirements of 17 CFR 230.904; or
(3) Purchases from a registered broker or dealer an eligible security after its initial sale with a reasonable belief that the eligible security was initially sold outside of the United States within the meaning of and in compliance with the requirements of 17 CFR 230.903, and resells that security to a purchaser who is not in the United States, provided that if the resale is made prior to the expiration of any applicable distribution compliance period specified in 17 CFR 230.903(b)(2) or (b)(3), the resale is made in compliance with the requirements of 17 CFR 230.904.
(b) Definitions. For purposes of this section:
(1) Distributor has the same meaning as in 17 CFR 230.902(d).
(2) Eligible security means a security that:
(i) Is not being sold from the inventory of the bank or an affiliate of the bank; and
(ii) Is not being underwritten by the bank or an affiliate of the bank on a firm-commitment basis, unless the bank acquired the security from an unaffiliated distributor that did not purchase the security from the bank or an affiliate of the bank.
(3) Purchaser means a person who purchases an eligible security and who is not a U.S. person under 17 CFR 230.902(k).
(4) Riskless principal transaction means a transaction in which, after having received an order to buy from a customer, the bank purchased the security from another person to offset a contemporaneous sale to such customer or, after having received an order to sell from a customer, the bank sold the security to another person to offset a contemporaneous purchase from such customer.
§ 240.3a5-3 Exemption from the definition of “dealer” for banks engaging in securities lending transactions.
(a) A bank is exempt from the definition of the term “dealer” under section 3(a)(5) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(5)), to the extent that, as a conduit lender, it engages in or effects securities lending transactions, and any securities lending services in connection with such transactions, with or on behalf of a person the bank reasonably believes to be:
(1) A qualified investor as defined in section 3(a)(54)(A) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(54)(A)); or
(2) Any employee benefit plan that owns and invests, on a discretionary basis, not less than $25,000,000 in investments.
(b) Securities lending transaction means a transaction in which the owner of a security lends the security temporarily to another party pursuant to a written securities lending agreement under which the lender retains the economic interests of an owner of such securities, and has the right to terminate the transaction and to recall the loaned securities on terms agreed by the parties.
(c) Securities lending services means:
(1) Selecting and negotiating with a borrower and executing, or directing the execution of the loan with the borrower;
(2) Receiving, delivering, or directing the receipt or delivery of loaned securities;
(3) Receiving, delivering, or directing the receipt or delivery of collateral;
(4) Providing mark-to-market, corporate action, recordkeeping or other services incidental to the administration of the securities lending transaction;
(5) Investing, or directing the investment of, cash collateral; or
(6) Indemnifying the lender of securities with respect to various matters.
(d) For the purposes of this section, the term conduit lender means a bank that borrows or loans securities, as principal, for its own account, and contemporaneously loans or borrows the same securities, as principal, for its own account. A bank that qualifies under this definition as a conduit lender at the commencement of a transaction will continue to qualify, notwithstanding whether:
(1) The lending or borrowing transaction terminates and so long as the transaction is replaced within one business day by another lending or borrowing transaction involving the same securities; and
(2) Any substitutions of collateral occur.
§ 240.3a5-4 Further definition of “as a part of a regular business” in connection with certain liquidity providers.
(a) A person that is engaged in buying and selling securities for its own account is engaged in such activity “as a part of a regular business” as the phrase is used in section 3(a)(5)(B) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(5)(B)) if that person:
(1) Engages in a regular pattern of buying and selling securities that has the effect of providing liquidity to other market participants by:
(i) Regularly expressing trading interest that is at or near the best available prices on both sides of the market for the same security and that is communicated and represented in a way that makes it accessible to other market participants; or
(ii) Earning revenue primarily from capturing bid-ask spreads, by buying at the bid and selling at the offer, or from capturing any incentives offered by trading venues to liquidity-supplying trading interest; and
(2) Is not:
(i) A person that has or controls total assets of less than $50 million;
(ii) An investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940; or
(iii) A central bank, sovereign entity, or international financial institution.
(b) For purposes of this section:
(1) The term person has the same meaning as prescribed in section 3(a)(9) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(9)).
(2) A person’s own account means any account:
(i) Held in the name of that person; or
(ii) Held for the benefit of that person.
(3) The term central bank means a reserve bank or monetary authority of a central government (including the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any of the Federal Reserve Banks) and the Bank for International Settlements.
(4) The term international financial institution means the African Development Bank; African Development Fund; Asian Development Bank; Banco Centroamericano de Integración Económica; Bank for Economic Cooperation and Development in the Middle East and North Africa; Caribbean Development Bank; Corporación Andina de Fomento; Council of Europe Development Bank; European Bank for Reconstruction and Development; European Investment Bank; European Investment Fund; European Stability Mechanism; Inter-American Development Bank; Inter-American Investment Corporation; International Bank for Reconstruction and Development; International Development Association; International Finance Corporation; International Monetary Fund; Islamic Development Bank; Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency; Nordic Investment Bank; North American Development Bank; and any other entity that provides financing for national or regional development in which the U.S. Government is a shareholder or contributing member.
(5) The term sovereign entity means a central government (including the U.S. Government), or an agency, department, or ministry of a central government.
(c) No person shall evade the registration requirements of this section by:
(1) Engaging in activities indirectly that would satisfy paragraph (a) of this section; or
(2) Disaggregating accounts.
(d) No presumption shall arise that a person is not a dealer within the meaning of section 3(a)(5) of the Act solely because that person does not satisfy paragraph (a) of this section.
Definition of “Equity Security” as Used in Sections 12(g ) and 16
§ 240.3a11-1 Definition of the term “equity security.”
The term equity security is hereby defined to include any stock or similar security, certificate of interest or participation in any profit sharing agreement, preorganization certificate or subscription, transferable share, voting trust certificate or certificate of deposit for an equity security, limited partnership interest, interest in a joint venture, or certificate of interest in a business trust; any security future on any such security; or any security convertible, with or without consideration into such a security, or carrying any warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase such a security; or any such warrant or right; or any put, call, straddle, or other option or privilege of buying such a security from or selling such a security to another without being bound to do so.
Miscellaneous Exemptions
§ 240.3a12-1 Exemption of certain mortgages and interests in mortgages.
Mortgages, as defined in section 302(d) of the Emergency Home Finance Act of 1970, which are or have been sold by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation are hereby exempted from the operation of such provisions of the Act as by their terms do not apply to an “exempted security” or to “exempted securities”.
§ 240.3a12-2 [Reserved]
§ 240.3a12-3 Exemption from sections 14(a), 14(b), 14(c), 14(f) and 16 for securities of certain foreign issuers.
(a) Securities for which the filing of registration statements on Form 18 [17 CFR 249.218] are authorized shall be exempt from the operation of sections 14 and 16 of the Act.
(b) Securities registered by a foreign private issuer, as defined in Rule 3b-4 (§ 240.3b-4 of this chapter), shall be exempt from sections 14(a), 14(b), 14(c), 14(f) and 16 of the Act.
§ 240.3a12-4 Exemptions from sections 15(a) and 15(c)(3) for certain mortgage securities.
(a) When used in this Rule the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
(1) The term whole loan mortgage means an evidence of indebtedness secured by mortgage, deed of trust, or other lien upon real estate or upon leasehold interests therein where the entire mortgage, deed or other lien is transferred with the entire evidence of indebtedness.
(2) The term aggregated whole loan mortgage means two or more whole loan mortgages that are grouped together and sold to one person in one transaction.
(3) The term participation interest means an undivided interest representing one of only two such interests in a whole loan mortgage or in an aggregated whole loan mortgage, provided that the other interest is retained by the originator of such participation interest.
(4) The term commitment means a contract to purchase a whole loan mortgage, an aggregated whole loan mortgage or a participation interest which by its terms requires that the contract be fully executed within 2 years.
(5) The term mortgage security means a whole loan mortgage, an aggregated whole loan mortgage, a participation interest, or a commitment.
(b) A mortgage security shall be deemed an “exempted security” for purposes of subsections (a) and (c)(3) of section 15 of the Act provided that, in the case of and at the time of any sale of the mortgage security by a broker or dealer, such mortgage security is not in default and has an unpaid principal amount of at least $50,000.
§ 240.3a12-5 Exemption of certain investment contract securities from sections 7(c) and 11(d)(1).
(a) An investment contract security involving the direct ownership of specified residential real property shall be exempted from the provisions of sections 7(c) and 11(d)(1) of the Act with respect to any transaction by a broker or dealer who, directly or indirectly, arranges for the extension or maintenance of credit on the security to or from a customer, if the credit:
(1) Is secured by a lien, mortgage, deed of trust, or any other similar security interest related only to real property: Provided, however, That this provision shall not prevent a lender from requiring (i) a security interest in the common areas and recreational facilities or furniture and fixtures incidental to the investment contract if the purchase of such furniture and fixtures is required by, or subject to the approval of, the issuer, as a condition of purchase; or (ii) an assignment of future rentals in the event of default by the purchaser or a co-signer or guarantor on the debt obligation other than the issuer, its affiliates, or any broker or dealer offering such securities;
(2) Is to be repaid by periodic payments of principal and interest pursuant to an amortization schedule established by the governing instruments: Provided, however, That this provision shall not prevent the extension of credit on terms which require the payment of interest only, if extended in compliance with the other provisions of this rule; and
(3) Is extended by a lender which is not, directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the broker or dealer or the issuer of the securities or affiliates thereof.
(b) For purposes of this rule:
(1) Residential real property shall mean real property containing living accommodations, whether used on a permanent or transient basis, and may include furniture or fixtures if required as a condition of purchase of the investment contract or if subject to the approval of the issuer.
(2) Direct ownership shall mean ownership of a fee or leasehold estate or a beneficial interest in a trust the purchase of which, under applicable local law, is financed and secured by a security interest therein similar to a mortgage or deed of trust, but it shall not include an interest in a real estate investment trust, an interest in a general or limited partnership, or similar indirect interest in the ownership of real property.
§ 240.3a12-6 Definition of “common trust fund” as used in section 3(a)(12) of the Act.
The term common trust fund as used in section 3(a)(12) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(12)) shall include a common trust fund which is maintained by a bank which is a member of an affiliated group, as defined in section 1504(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (26 U.S.C. 1504(a)), and which is maintained exclusively for the collective investment and reinvestment of monies contributed thereto by one or more bank members of such affiliated group in the capacity of trustee, executor, administrator, or guardian; Provided, That:
(a) The common trust fund is operated in compliance with the same state and federal regulatory requirements as would apply if the bank maintaining such fund and any other contributing banks were the same entity; and
(b) The rights of persons for whose benefit a contributing bank acts as trustee, executor, administrator, or guardian would not be diminished by reason of the maintenance of such common trust fund by another bank member of the affiliated group.
§ 240.3a12-7 Exemption for certain derivative securities traded otherwise than on a national securities exchange.
Any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege traded exclusively otherwise than on a national securities exchange and for which quotations are not disseminated through an automated quotation system of a registered securities association, which relates to any securities which are direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed as to principal or interest by, the United States, or securities issued or guaranteed by a corporation in which the United States has a direct or indirect interest as shall be designated for exemption by the Secretary of the Treasury pursuant to section 3(a)(12) of the Act, shall be exempt from all provisions of the Act which by their terms do not apply to any “exempted security” or “exempted securities,” provided that the securities underlying such put, call, straddle, option or privilege represent an obligation equal to or exceeding $250,000 principal amount.
§ 240.3a12-8 Exemption for designated foreign government securities for purposes of futures trading.
(a) When used in this Rule, the following terms shall have the meaning indicated:
(1) The term designated foreign government security shall mean a security not registered under the Securities Act of 1933 nor the subject of any American depositary receipt so registered, and representing a debt obligation of the government of
(i) The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland;
(ii) Canada;
(iii) Japan;
(iv) The Commonwealth of Australia;
(v) The Republic of France;
(vi) New Zealand;
(vii) The Republic of Austria;
(viii) The Kingdom of Denmark;
(ix) The Republic of Finland;
(x) The Kingdom of the Netherlands;
(xi) Switzerland;
(xii) The Federal Republic of Germany;
(xiii) The Republic of Ireland;
(xiv) The Republic of Italy;
(xv) The Kingdom of Spain;
(xvi) The United Mexican States;
(xvii) The Federative Republic of Brazil;
(xviii) The Republic of Argentina;
(xix) The Republic of Venezuela;
(xx) The Kingdom of Belgium; or
(xxi) The Kingdom of Sweden.
(2) The term qualifying foreign futures contracts shall mean any contracts for the purchase or sale of a designated foreign government security for future delivery, as “future delivery” is defined in 7 U.S.C. 2, provided such contracts require delivery outside the United States, any of its possessions or territories, and are traded on or through a board of trade, as defined at 7 U.S.C. 2.
(b) Any designated foreign government security shall, for purposes only of the offer, sale or confirmation of sale of qualifying foreign futures contracts, be exempted from all provisions of the Act which by their terms do not apply to an “exempted security” or “exempted securities.”
§ 240.3a12-9 Exemption of certain direct participation program securities from the arranging provisions of sections 7(c) and 11(d)(1).
(a) Direct participation program securities sold on a basis whereby the purchase price is paid to the issuer in one or more mandatory deferred payments shall be deemed to be exempted securities for purposes of the arranging provisions of sections 7(c) and 11(d)(1) of the Act, provided that:
(1) The securities are registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or are sold or offered exclusively on an intrastate basis in reliance upon section 3(a)(11) of that Act;
(2) The mandatory deferred payments bear a reasonable relationship to the capital needs and program objectives described in a business development plan disclosed to investors in a registration statement filed with the Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 or, where no registration statement is required to be filed with the Commission, as part of a statement filed with the relevant state securities administrator;
(3) Not less than 50 percent of the purchase price of the direct participation program security is paid by the investor at the time of sale;
(4) The total purchase price of the direct participation program security is due within three years in specified property programs or two years in non-specified property programs. Such pay-in periods are to be measured from the earlier of the completion of the offering or one year following the effective date of the offering.
(b) For purposes of this rule:
(1) Direct participation program shall mean a program financed through the sale of securities, other than securities that are listed on an exchange, quoted on NASDAQ, or will otherwise be actively traded during the pay-in period as a result of efforts by the issuer, underwriter, or other participants in the initial distribution of such securities, that provides for flow-through tax consequences to its investors; Provided, however, That the term “direct participation program” does not include real estate investment trusts, Subchapter S corporate offerings, tax qualified pension and profit sharing plans under sections 401 and 403(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (“Code”), tax shelter annuities under section 403(b) of the Code, individual retirement plans under section 408 of the Code, and any issuer, including a separate account, that is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
(2) Business development plan shall mean a specific plan describing the program’s anticipated economic development and the amounts of future capital contributions, in the form of mandatory deferred payments, to be required at specified times or upon the occurrence of certain events.
(3) Specified property program shall mean a direct participation program in which, at the date of effectiveness, more than 75 percent of the net proceeds from the sale of program securities are committed to specific purchases or expenditures. Non-specified property program shall mean any other direct participation program.
§ 240.3a12-10 Exemption of certain securities issued by the Resolution Funding Corporation.
Securities that are issued by the Resolution Funding Corporation pursuant to section 21B(f) of the Federal Home Loan Bank Act (12 U.S.C. 1421 et seq.) are exempt from the operation of all provisions of the Act that by their terms do not apply to any “exempted security” or to “exempted securities.”
§ 240.3a12-11 Exemption from sections 8(a), 14(a), 14(b), and 14(c) for debt securities listed on a national securities exchange.
(a) Debt securities that are listed for trading on a national securities exchange shall be exempt from the restrictions on borrowing of section 8(a) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78h(a)).
(b) Debt securities registered pursuant to the provisions of section 12(b) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78l(b)) shall be exempt from sections 14(a), 14(b), and 14(c) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78n(a), (b), and (c)), except that §§ 240.14a-1, 240.14a-2(a), 240.14a-9, 240.14a-13, 240.14b-1, 240.14b-2, 240.14c-1, 240.14c-6 and 240.14c-7 shall continue to apply.
(c) For purposes of this section, debt securities is defined to mean any securities that are not “equity securities” as defined in section 3(a)(11) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(11)) and § 240.3a11-1 thereunder.
§ 240.3a12-12 Exemption from certain provisions of section 16 of the Act for asset-backed securities.
Asset-backed securities, as defined in § 229.1101 of this chapter, are exempt from section 16 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78p).
§ 240.3a40-1 Designation of financial responsibility rules.
The term financial responsibility rules for purposes of the Securities Investor Protection Act of 1970 shall include:
(a) Any rule adopted by the Commission pursuant to sections 8, 15(c)(3), 17(a) or 17(e)(1)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934;
(b) Any rule adopted by the Commission relating to hypothecation or lending of customer securities;
(c) Any rule adopted by any self-regulatory organization relating to capital, margin, recordkeeping, hypothecation or lending requirements; and
(d) Any other rule adopted by the Commission or any self-regulatory organization relating to the protection of funds or securities.
(a) A futures commission merchant registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) is not a government securities broker or government securities dealer solely because such futures commission merchant effects transactions in government securities that are defined in paragraph (b) of this section as incidental to such person’s futures-related business.
(b) Provided that the futures commission merchant maintains in a regulated account all funds and securities associated with such government securities transactions (except funds and securities associated with transactions under paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section and does not advertise that it is in the business of effecting transactions in government securities otherwise than in connection with futures or options on futures trading or the investment of margin or excess funds related to such trading or the trading of any other instrument subject to CFTC jurisdiction, the following transactions in government securities are incidental to the futures-related business of such a futures commission merchant:
(1) Transactions as agent for a customer—
(i) To effect delivery pursuant to a futures contract; or
(ii) For risk reduction or arbitrage of existing or contemporaneously created postions in futures or options on futures;
(2) Transactions as agent for a customer for investment of margin and excess funds related to futures or options on futures trading or the trading of other instruments subject to CFTC jurisdiction, provided further that,
(i) Such transactions involve Treasury securities with a maturity of less than 93 days at the time of the transation.
(ii) Such transactions generate no monetary profit for the futures commission merchant in excess of the costs of executing such transactions, or
(iii) Such transactions are unsolicited, and commissions and other income generated on transactions pursuant to this paragraph (b)(2)(iii) (including transactional fees paid by the futures commission merchant and charged to its customer) do not exceed 2% of such futures commission merchant’s total commission revenues;
(3) Exchange of futures for physicals transactions as agent for or as principal with a customer; and
(4) Any transaction or transactions that the Commission exempts, either unconditionally or on specified terms and conditions, as incidental to the futures-related business of a specified futures commission merchant, a specified category of futures commission merchants, or futures commission merchants generally.
(c) Definitions. (1) Customer means any person for whom the futures commission merchant effects or intends to effect transactions in futures, options on futures, or any other instruments subject to CFTC jurisdiction.
(2) Regulated account means a customer segregation account subject to the regulations of the CFTC; provided, however, that, where such regulations do not permit to be maintained in such an account or require to be maintained in a separate regulated account funds or securities in proprietary accounts or funds or securities used as margin for or excess funds related to futures contracts, options on futures or any other instruments subject to CFTC jurisdiction that trade outside the United States, its territories, or possessions, the term regulated account means such separate regulated account or any other account subject to record-keeping regulations of the CFTC.
(3) Unsolicited transaction means a transaction that is not effected in a discretionary account or recommended to a customer by the futures commission merchant, an associated person of a futures commission merchant, a business affiliate that is controlled by, controlling, or under common control with the futures commission merchant, or an introducing broker that is guaranteed by the futures commission merchant.
(4) Futures and futures contracts mean contracts of sale of a commodity for future delivery traded on or subject to the rules of a contract market designated by the CFTC or traded on or subject to the rules of any board of trade located outside the United States, its territories, or possessions.
(5) Options on futures means puts or calls on a futures contract traded on or subject to the rules of a contract market designated by the CFTC or traded or subject to the rules of any board of trade located outside the United States, its territories, or possessions.
(a) A person registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”), a contract market designated by the CFTC, such a contract market’s affiliated clearing organization, or any floor trader or such a contract market (hereinafter referred to collectively as a “CFTC-regulated person”) is not a government securities dealer solely because such person effects transactions for its own account in government securities that are defined in paragraph (b) of this section as incidental to such person’s futures-related business.
(b) Provided that a CFTC-regulated person does not advertise or otherwise hold itself out as a government securities dealer except as permitted under rule 3a43-1 (§ 240.3a43-1) the following transactions in government securities for its own account are incidental to the futures-related business of such a CFTC-regulated person:
(1) Transactions to effect delivery of a government security pursuant to a futures contract;
(2) Exchange of futures for physicals transactions with (i) a government securities broker or government securities dealer that has registered with the Commission or filed notice pursuant to section 15C(a) of the Act or (ii) a CFTC-regulated person;
(3) Transactions (including repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements) involving segregated customer funds and securities or funds and securities held by a clearing organization with (i) a government securities broker or government securities dealer that has registered with the Commission of filed notice pursuant to section 15C(a) of the Act or (ii) a bank;
(4) Transactions for risk reduction or arbitrage of existing or contemporaneously created positions in futures or options on futures with (i) a government securities broker or government securities dealer that has registered with the Commission or filed notice pursuant to section 15C(a) of the Act or (ii) a CFTC-regulated person;
(5) Repurchase and reverse repurchase agreement transactions between a futures commission merchant acting in a proprietary capacity and another CFTC-regulated person acting in a proprietary capacity and contemporaneous offsetting transactions between such a futures commission merchant and (i) a government securities broker or government securities dealer that has registered with the Commission or filed notice pursuant to section 15C(a) of the Act, (ii) a bank, or (iii) a CFTC-regulated person acting in a proprietary capacity; and
(6) Any transaction or transactions that the Commission exempts, either unconditionally or on specified terms and conditions, as incidental to the futures related business of a specified CFTC-regulated person, a specified category of CFTC-regulated persons, or CFTC-regulated persons generally.
(c) Definitions—(1) Segregated customer funds means funds subject to CFTC segregation requirements.
(2) Futures and futures contracts means contracts of sale of a commodity for future delivery traded on or subject to the rules of a contract market designated by the CFTC or traded on or subject to the rules of any board of trade located outside the United States, its territories, or possessions.
(3) Options on futures means puts or calls on a futures contract traded on or subject to the rules of a contract market designated by the CFTC or traded on or subject to the rules of any board of trade located outside the United States, its territories, or possessions.
§ 240.3a44-2 Further definition of “as a part of a regular business” in connection with certain liquidity providers.
(a) A person that is engaged in buying and selling government securities for its own account is engaged in such activity “as a part of a regular business” as the phrase is used in section 3(a)(44)(A) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(44)(A)) if that person:
(1) Engages in a regular pattern of buying and selling government securities that has the effect of providing liquidity to other market participants by:
(i) Regularly expressing trading interest that is at or near the best available prices on both sides of the market for the same security and that is communicated and represented in a way that makes it accessible to other market participants; or
(ii) Earning revenue primarily from capturing bid-ask spreads, by buying at the bid and selling at the offer, or from capturing any incentives offered by trading venues to liquidity-supplying trading interest; and
(2) Is not:
(i) A person that has or controls total assets of less than $50 million; or
(ii) An investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940; or
(iii) A central bank, sovereign entity, or international financial institution.
(b) For purposes of this section:
(1) The term person has the same meaning as prescribed in section 3(a)(9) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(9)).
(2) A person’s own account means any account:
(i) Held in the name of that person; or
(ii) Held for the benefit of that person.
(3) The term central bank means a reserve bank or monetary authority of a central government (including the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any of the Federal Reserve Banks) and the Bank for International Settlements.
(4) The term international financial institution means the African Development Bank; African Development Fund; Asian Development Bank; Banco Centroamericano de Integración Económica; Bank for Economic Cooperation and Development in the Middle East and North Africa; Caribbean Development Bank; Corporación Andina de Fomento; Council of Europe Development Bank; European Bank for Reconstruction and Development; European Investment Bank; European Investment Fund; European Stability Mechanism; Inter-American Development Bank; Inter-American Investment Corporation; International Bank for Reconstruction and Development; International Development Association; International Finance Corporation; International Monetary Fund; Islamic Development Bank; Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency; Nordic Investment Bank; North American Development Bank; and any other entity that provides financing for national or regional development in which the U.S. Government is a shareholder or contributing member.
(5) The term sovereign entity means a central government (including the U.S. Government), or an agency, department, or ministry of a central government.
(c) No person shall evade the registration requirements of this section by:
(1) Engaging in activities indirectly that would satisfy paragraph (a) of this section; or
(2) Disaggregating accounts.
(d) No presumption shall arise that a person is not a government securities dealer within the meaning of section 3(a)(44) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(44)) solely because that person does not satisfy paragraph (a) of this section.
§ 240.3a51-1 Definition of “penny stock”.
For purposes of section 3(a)(51) of the Act, the term “penny stock” shall mean any equity security other than a security:
(a) That is an NMS stock, as defined in § 242.600(b)(65) of this chapter, provided that:
(1) The security is registered, or approved for registration upon notice of issuance, on a national securities exchange that has been continuously registered as a national securities exchange since April 20, 1992 (the date of the adoption of Rule 3a51-1 (§ 240.3a51-1) by the Commission); and the national securities exchange has maintained quantitative listing standards that are substantially similar to or stricter than those listing standards that were in place on that exchange on January 8, 2004; or
(2) The security is registered, or approved for registration upon notice of issuance, on a national securities exchange, or is listed, or approved for listing upon notice of issuance on, an automated quotation system sponsored by a registered national securities association, that:
(i) Has established initial listing standards that meet or exceed the following criteria:
(A) The issuer shall have:
(1) Stockholders’ equity of $5,000,000;
(2) Market value of listed securities of $50 million for 90 consecutive days prior to applying for the listing (market value means the closing bid price multiplied by the number of securities listed); or
(3) Net income of $750,000 (excluding non-recurring items) in the most recently completed fiscal year or in two of the last three most recently completed fiscal years;
(B) The issuer shall have an operating history of at least one year or a market value of listed securities of $50 million (market value means the closing bid price multiplied by the number of securities listed);
(C) The issuer’s stock, common or preferred, shall have a minimum bid price of $4 per share;
(D) In the case of common stock, there shall be at least 300 round lot holders of the security (a round lot holder means a holder of a normal unit of trading);
(E) In the case of common stock, there shall be at least 1,000,000 publicly held shares and such shares shall have a market value of at least $5 million (market value means the closing bid price multiplied by number of publicly held shares, and shares held directly or indirectly by an officer or director of the issuer and by any person who is the beneficial owner of more than 10 percent of the total shares outstanding are not considered to be publicly held);
(F) In the case of a convertible debt security, there shall be a principal amount outstanding of at least $10 million;
(G) In the case of rights and warrants, there shall be at least 100,000 issued and the underlying security shall be registered on a national securities exchange or listed on an automated quotation system sponsored by a registered national securities association and shall satisfy the requirements of paragraph (a) or (e) of this section;
(H) In the case of put warrants (that is, instruments that grant the holder the right to sell to the issuing company a specified number of shares of the company’s common stock, at a specified price until a specified period of time), there shall be at least 100,000 issued and the underlying security shall be registered on a national securities exchange or listed on an automated quotation system sponsored by a registered national securities association and shall satisfy the requirements of paragraph (a) or (e) of this section;
(I) In the case of units (that is, two or more securities traded together), all component parts shall be registered on a national securities exchange or listed on an automated quotation system sponsored by a registered national securities association and shall satisfy the requirements of paragraph (a) or (e) of this section; and
(J) In the case of equity securities (other than common and preferred stock, convertible debt securities, rights and warrants, put warrants, or units), including hybrid products and derivative securities products, the national securities exchange or registered national securities association shall establish quantitative listing standards that are substantially similar to those found in paragraphs (a)(2)(i)(A) through (a)(2)(i)(I) of this section; and
(ii) Has established quantitative continued listing standards that are reasonably related to the initial listing standards set forth in paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section, and that are consistent with the maintenance of fair and orderly markets;
(b) That is issued by an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940;
(c) That is a put or call option issued by the Options Clearing Corporation;
(d) Except for purposes of section 7(b) of the Securities Act and Rule 419 (17 CFR 230.419), that has a price of five dollars or more;
(1) For purposes of paragraph (d) of this section:
(i) A security has a price of five dollars or more for a particular transaction if the security is purchased or sold in that transaction at a price of five dollars or more, excluding any broker or dealer commission, commission equivalent, mark-up, or mark-down; and
(ii) Other than in connection with a particular transaction, a security has a price of five dollars or more at a given time if the inside bid quotation is five dollars or more; provided, however, that if there is no such inside bid quotation, a security has a price of five dollars or more at a given time if the average of three or more interdealer bid quotations at specified prices displayed at that time in an interdealer quotation system, as defined in 17 CFR 240.15c2-7(c)(1), by three or more market makers in the security, is five dollars or more.
(iii) The term “inside bid quotation” shall mean the highest bid quotation for the security displayed by a market maker in the security on an automated interdealer quotation system that has the characteristics set forth in section 17B(b)(2) of the Act, or such other automated interdealer quotation system designated by the Commission for purposes of this section, at any time in which at least two market makers are contemporaneously displaying on such system bid and offer quotations for the security at specified prices.
(2) If a security is a unit composed of one or more securities, the unit price divided by the number of shares of the unit that are not warrants, options, rights, or similar securities must be five dollars or more, as determined in accordance with paragraph (d)(1) of this section, and any share of the unit that is a warrant, option, right, or similar security, or a convertible security, must have an exercise price or conversion price of five dollars or more;
(e)(1) That is registered, or approved for registration upon notice of issuance, on a national securities exchange that makes transaction reports available pursuant to § 242.601, provided that:
(i) Price and volume information with respect to transactions in that security is required to be reported on a current and continuing basis and is made available to vendors of market information pursuant to the rules of the national securities exchange;
(ii) The security is purchased or sold in a transaction that is effected on or through the facilities of the national securities exchange, or that is part of the distribution of the security; and
(iii) The security satisfies the requirements of paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this section;
(2) A security that satisfies the requirements of this paragraph (e), but does not otherwise satisfy the requirements of paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d), (f), or (g) of this section, shall be a penny stock for purposes of section 15(b)(6) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o(b)(6));
(f) That is a security futures product listed on a national securities exchange or an automated quotation system sponsored by a registered national securities association; or
(g) Whose issuer has:
(1) Net tangible assets (i.e., total assets less intangible assets and liabilities) in excess of $2,000,000, if the issuer has been in continuous operation for at least three years, or $5,000,000, if the issuer has been in continuous operation for less than three years; or
(2) Average revenue of at least $6,000,000 for the last three years.
(3) For purposes of paragraph (g) of this section, net tangible assets or average revenues must be demonstrated by financial statements dated less than fifteen months prior to the date of the transaction that the broker or dealer has reviewed and has a reasonable basis for believing are accurate in relation to the date of the transaction, and:
(i) If the issuer is other than a foreign private issuer, are the most recent financial statements for the issuer that have been audited and reported on by an independent public accountant in accordance with the provisions of 17 CFR 210.2-02; or
(ii) If the issuer is a foreign private issuer, are the most recent financial statements for the issuer that have been filed with the Commission or furnished to the Commission pursuant to 17 CFR 240.12g3-2(b); provided, however, that if financial statements for the issuer dated less than fifteen months prior to the date of the transaction have not been filed with or furnished to the Commission, financial statements dated within fifteen months prior to the transaction shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the country of incorporation, audited in compliance with the requirements of that jurisdiction, and reported on by an accountant duly registered and in good standing in accordance with the regulations of that jurisdiction.
(4) The broker or dealer shall preserve, as part of its records, copies of the financial statements required by paragraph (g)(3) of this section for the period specified in 17 CFR 240.17a-4(b).
§ 240.3a55-1 Method for determining market capitalization and dollar value of average daily trading volume; application of the definition of narrow-based security index.
(a) Market capitalization. For purposes of Section 3(a)(55)(C)(i)(III)(bb) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(55)(C)(i)(III)(bb)):
(1) On a particular day, a security shall be 1 of 750 securities with the largest market capitalization as of the preceding 6 full calendar months when it is included on a list of such securities designated by the Commission and the CFTC as applicable for that day.
(2) In the event that the Commission and the CFTC have not designated a list under paragraph (a)(1) of this section:
(i) The method to be used to determine market capitalization of a security as of the preceding 6 full calendar months is to sum the values of the market capitalization of such security for each U.S. trading day of the preceding 6 full calendar months, and to divide this sum by the total number of such trading days.
(ii) The 750 securities with the largest market capitalization shall be identified from the universe of all NMS securities as defined in § 242.600 of this chapter that are common stock or depositary shares.
(b) Dollar value of ADTV. (1) For purposes of Section 3(a)(55)(B) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(55)(B)):
(i)(A) The method to be used to determine the dollar value of ADTV of a security is to sum the dollar value of ADTV of all reported transactions in such security in each jurisdiction as calculated pursuant to paragraphs (b)(1)(ii) and (iii).
(B) The dollar value of ADTV of a security shall include the value of all reported transactions for such security and for any depositary share that represents such security.
(C) The dollar value of ADTV of a depositary share shall include the value of all reported transactions for such depositary share and for the security that is represented by such depositary share.
(ii) For trading in a security in the United States, the method to be used to determine the dollar value of ADTV as of the preceding 6 full calendar months is to sum the value of all reported transactions in such security for each U.S. trading day during the preceding 6 full calendar months, and to divide this sum by the total number of such trading days.
(iii)(A) For trading in a security in a jurisdiction other than the United States, the method to be used to determine the dollar value of ADTV as of the preceding 6 full calendar months is to sum the value in U.S. dollars of all reported transactions in such security in such jurisdiction for each trading day during the preceding 6 full calendar months, and to divide this sum by the total number of trading days in such jurisdiction during the preceding 6 full calendar months.
(B) If the value of reported transactions used in calculating the ADTV of securities under paragraph (b)(1)(iii)(A) is reported in a currency other than U.S. dollars, the total value of each day’s transactions in such currency shall be converted into U.S. dollars on the basis of a spot rate of exchange for that day obtained from at least one independent entity that provides or disseminates foreign exchange quotations in the ordinary course of its business.
(iv) The dollar value of ADTV of the lowest weighted 25% of an index is the sum of the dollar value of ADTV of each of the component securities comprising the lowest weighted 25% of such index.
(2) For purposes of Section 3(a)(55)(C)(i)(III)(cc) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(55)(C)(i)(III)(cc)):
(i) On a particular day, a security shall be 1 of 675 securities with the largest dollar value of ADTV as of the preceding 6 full calendar months when it is included on a list of such securities designated by the Commission and the CFTC as applicable for that day.
(ii) In the event that the Commission and the CFTC have not designated a list under paragraph (b)(2) of this section:
(A) The method to be used to determine the dollar value of ADTV of a security as of the preceding 6 full calendar months is to sum the value of all reported transactions in such security in the United States for each U.S. trading day during the preceding 6 full calendar months, and to divide this sum by the total number of such trading days.
(B) The 675 securities with the largest dollar value of ADTV shall be identified from the universe of all NMS securities as defined in § 242.600 of this chapter that are common stock or depositary shares.
(c) Depositary Shares and Section 12 Registration. For purposes of Section 3(a)(55)(C) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(55)(C)), the requirement that each component security of an index be registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78l) shall be satisfied with respect to any security that is a depositary share if the deposited securities underlying the depositary share are registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Act and the depositary share is registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77a et seq.) on Form F-6 (17 CFR 239.36).
(d) Definitions. For purposes of this section:
(1) CFTC means Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
(2) Closing price of a security means:
(i) If reported transactions in the security have taken place in the United States, the price at which the last transaction in such security took place in the regular trading session of the principal market for the security in the United States.
(ii) If no reported transactions in a security have taken place in the United States, the closing price of such security shall be the closing price of any depositary share representing such security divided by the number of shares represented by such depositary share.
(iii) If no reported transactions in a security or in a depositary share representing such security have taken place in the United States, the closing price of such security shall be the price at which the last transaction in such security took place in the regular trading session of the principal market for the security. If such price is reported in a currency other than U.S. dollars, such price shall be converted into U.S. dollars on the basis of a spot rate of exchange relevant for the time of the transaction obtained from at least one independent entity that provides or disseminates foreign exchange quotations in the ordinary course of its business.
(3) Depositary share has the same meaning as in § 240.12b-2.
(4) Foreign financial regulatory authority has the same meaning as in Section 3(a)(52) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(52)).
(5) Lowest weighted 25% of an index. With respect to any particular day, the lowest weighted component securities comprising, in the aggregate, 25% of an index’s weighting for purposes of Section 3(a)(55)(B)(iv) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(55)(B)(iv)) (“lowest weighted 25% of an index”) means those securities:
(i) That are the lowest weighted securities when all the securities in such index are ranked from lowest to highest based on the index’s weighting methodology; and
(ii) For which the sum of the weight of such securities is equal to, or less than, 25% of the index’s total weighting.
(6) Market capitalization of a security on a particular day:
(i) If the security is not a depositary share, is the product of:
(A) The closing price of such security on that same day; and
(B) The number of outstanding shares of such security on that same day.
(ii) If the security is a depositary share, is the product of:
(A) The closing price of the depositary share on that same day divided by the number of deposited securities represented by such depositary share; and
(B) The number of outstanding shares of the security represented by the depositary share on that same day.
(7) Outstanding shares of a security means the number of outstanding shares of such security as reported on the most recent Form 10-K, Form 10-Q, Form 10-KSB, Form 10-QSB, or Form 20-F (17 CFR 249.310, 249.308a, 249.310b, 249.308b, or 249.220f) filed with the Commission by the issuer of such security, including any change to such number of outstanding shares subsequently reported by the issuer on a Form 8-K (17 CFR 249.308).
(8) Preceding 6 full calendar months means, with respect to a particular day, the period of time beginning on the same day of the month 6 months before and ending on the day prior to such day.
(9) Principal market for a security means the single securities market with the largest reported trading volume for the security during the preceding 6 full calendar months.
(10) Reported transaction means:
(i) With respect to securities transactions in the United States, any transaction for which a transaction report is collected, processed, and made available pursuant to an effective transaction reporting plan, or for which a transaction report, last sale data, or quotation information is disseminated through an automated quotation system as described in Section 3(a)(51)(A)(ii) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(51)(A)(ii); and
(ii) With respect to securities transactions outside the United States, any transaction that has been reported to a foreign financial regulatory authority in the jurisdiction where such transaction has taken place.
(11) U.S. trading day means any day on which a national securities exchange is open for trading.
(12) Weighting of a component security of an index means the percentage of such index’s value represented, or accounted for, by such component security.
§ 240.3a55-2 Indexes underlying futures contracts trading for fewer than 30 days.
(a) An index on which a contract of sale for future delivery is trading on a designated contract market, registered derivatives transaction execution facility, or foreign board of trade is not a narrow-based security index under Section 3(a)(55) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(55)) for the first 30 days of trading, if:
(1) Such index would not have been a narrow-based security index on each trading day of the preceding 6 full calendar months with respect to a date no earlier than 30 days prior to the commencement of trading of such contract;
(2) On each trading day of the preceding 6 full calendar months with respect to a date no earlier than 30 days prior to the commencement of trading such contract:
(i) Such index had more than 9 component securities;
(ii) No component security in such index comprised more than 30 percent of the index’s weighting;
(iii) The 5 highest weighted component securities in such index did not comprise, in the aggregate, more than 60 percent of the index’s weighting; and
(iv) The dollar value of the trading volume of the lowest weighted 25% of such index was not less than $50 million (or in the case of an index with 15 or more component securities, $30 million); or
(3) On each trading day of the preceding 6 full calendar months, with respect to a date no earlier than 30 days prior to the commencement of trading such contract:
(i) Such index had at least 9 component securities;
(ii) No component security in such index comprised more than 30 percent of the index’s weighting; and
(iii) Each component security in such index was:
(A) Registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78) or was a depositary share representing a security registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Act;
(B) 1 of 750 securities with the largest market capitalization that day; and
(C) 1 of 675 securities with the largest dollar value of trading volume that day.
(b) An index that is not a narrow-based security index for the first 30 days of trading pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section, shall become a narrow-based security index if such index has been a narrow-based security index for more than 45 business days over 3 consecutive calendar months.
(c) An index that becomes a narrow-based security index solely because it was a narrow-based security index for more than 45 business days over 3 consecutive calendar months pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section shall not be a narrow-based security index for the following 3 calendar months.
(d) Definitions. For purposes of this section:
(1) Market capitalization has the same meaning as in § 240.3a55-1(d)(6).
(2) Dollar value of trading volume of a security on a particular day is the value in U.S. dollars of all reported transactions in such security on that day. If the value of reported transactions used in calculating dollar value of trading volume is reported in a currency other than U.S. dollars, the total value of each day’s transactions shall be converted into U.S. dollars on the basis of a spot rate of exchange for that day obtained from at least one independent entity that provides or disseminates foreign exchange quotations in the ordinary course of its business.
(3) Lowest weighted 25% of an index has the same meaning as in § 240.3a55-1(d)(5).
(4) Preceding 6 full calendar months has the same meaning as in § 240.3a55-1(d)(8).
(5) Reported transaction has the same meaning as in § 240.3a55-1(d)(10).
§ 240.3a55-3 Futures contracts on security indexes trading on or subject to the rules of a foreign board of trade.
When a contract of sale for future delivery on a security index is traded on or subject to the rules of a foreign board of trade, such index shall not be a narrow-based security index if it would not be a narrow-based security index if a futures contract on such index were traded on a designated contract market or registered derivatives transaction execution facility.
§ 240.3a55-4 Exclusion from definition of narrow-based security index for indexes composed of debt securities.
(a) An index is not a narrow-based security index if:
(1)(i) Each of the securities of an issuer included in the index is a security, as defined in section 2(a)(1) of the Securities Act of 1933(15 U.S.C. 77b(a)(1)) and section 3(a)(10) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(10)) and the respective rules promulgated thereunder, that is a note, bond, debenture, or evidence of indebtedness;
(ii) None of the securities of an issuer included in the index is an equity security, as defined in section 3(a)(11) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(11)) and the rules promulgated thereunder;
(iii) The index is comprised of more than nine securities that are issued by more than nine non-affiliated issuers;
(iv) The securities of any issuer included in the index do not comprise more than 30 percent of the index’s weighting;
(v) The securities of any five non-affiliated issuers included in the index do not comprise more than 60 percent of the index’s weighting;
(vi) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(1)(viii) of this section, for each security of an issuer included in the index one of the following criteria is satisfied:
(A) The issuer of the security is required to file reports pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78m and 78o(d));
(B) The issuer of the security has a [Worldwide market value of its outstanding common equity held by non-affiliates of $71 million or more;
(C) The issuer of the security has outstanding securities that are notes, bonds, debentures, or evidences of indebtedness having a total remaining principal amount of at least $1 billion;
(D) The security is an exempted security as defined in section 3(a)(12) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(12)) and the rules promulgated thereunder; or
(E) The issuer of the security is a government of a foreign country or a political subdivision of a foreign country;
(vii) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(1)(viii) of this section, for each security of an issuer included in the index one of the following criteria is satisfied
(A) The security has a total remaining principal amount of at least $250,000,000; or
(B) The security is a municipal security, as defined in section 3(a)(29) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(29)) and the rules promulgated thereunder that has a total remaining principal amount of at least $200,000,000 and the issuer of such municipal security has outstanding securities that are notes, bonds, debentures, or evidences of indebtedness having a total remaining principal amount of at least $1 billion; and
(viii) Paragraphs (a)(1)(vi) and (a)(1)(vii) of this section will not apply to securities of an issuer included in the index if:
(A) All securities of such issuer included in the index represent less than 5 percent of the index’s weighting; and
(B) Securities comprising at least 80 percent of the index’s weighting satisfy the provisions of paragraphs (a)(1)(vi) and (a)(1)(vii) of this section; or
(2)(i) The index includes exempted securities, other than municipal securities, as defined in section 3(a)(29) of the Act and the rules promulgated thereunder, that are:
(A) Notes, bonds, debentures, or evidences of indebtedness; and
(B) Not equity securities, as defined in section 3(a)(11) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(11)) and the rules promulgated thereunder; and
(ii) Without taking into account any portion of the index composed of such exempted securities, other than municipal securities, the remaining portion of the index would not be a narrow-based security index: meeting all the conditions under paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
(b) For purposes of this section:
(1) An issuer is affiliated with another issuer if it controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, that issuer.
(2) For purposes of this section, control means ownership of 20 percent or more of an issuer’s equity, or the ability to direct the voting of 20 percent or more of the issuer’s voting equity.
(3) The term issuer includes a single issuer or group of affiliated issuers.
Security-Based Swap Dealer and Participant Definitions
§ 240.3a67-1 Definition of “major security-based swap participant.”
(a) General. Major security-based swap participant means any person:
(1) That is not a security-based swap dealer; and
(2)(i) That maintains a substantial position in security-based swaps for any of the major security-based swap categories, excluding both positions held for hedging or mitigating commercial risk, and positions maintained by any employee benefit plan (or any contract held by such a plan) as defined in paragraphs (3) and (32) of section 3 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1002) for the primary purpose of hedging or mitigating any risk directly associated with the operation of the plan;
(ii) Whose outstanding security-based swaps create substantial counterparty exposure that could have serious adverse effects on the financial stability of the United States banking system or financial markets; or
(iii) That is a financial entity that:
(A) Is highly leveraged relative to the amount of capital such entity holds and that is not subject to capital requirements established by an appropriate Federal banking agency (as defined in 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(72)); and
(B) Maintains a substantial position in outstanding security-based swaps in any major security-based swap category.
(b) Scope of designation. A person that is a major security-based swap participant in general shall be deemed to be a major security-based swap participant with respect to each security-based swap it enters into, regardless of the category of the security-based swap or the person’s activities in connection with the security-based swap, unless the Commission limits the person’s designation as a major security-based swap participant to specified categories of security-based swaps.
§ 240.3a67-2 Categories of security-based swaps.
For purposes of section 3(a)(67) of the Act, 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(67), and the rules thereunder, the terms major security-based swap category, category of security-based swaps and any similar terms mean either of the following categories of security-based swaps:
(a) Debt security-based swaps. Any security-based swap that is based, in whole or in part, on one or more instruments of indebtedness (including loans), or on a credit event relating to one or more issuers or securities, including but not limited to any security-based swap that is a credit default swap, total return swap on one or more debt instruments, debt swap, debt index swap, or credit spread.
(b) Other security-based swaps. Any security-based swap not described in paragraph (a) of this section.
§ 240.3a67-3 Definition of “substantial position.”
(a) General. For purposes of section 3(a)(67) of the Act, 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(67), and § 240.3a67-1, the term substantial position means security-based swap positions that equal or exceed either of the following thresholds in any major category of security-based swaps:
(1) $1 billion in daily average aggregate uncollateralized outward exposure; or
(2) $2 billion in:
(i) Daily average aggregate uncollateralized outward exposure; plus
(ii) Daily average aggregate potential outward exposure.
(b) Aggregate uncollateralized outward exposure—(1) General. Aggregate uncollateralized outward exposure in general means the sum of the current exposure, obtained by marking-to-market using industry standard practices, of each of the person’s security-based swap positions with negative value in a major security-based swap category, less the value of the collateral the person has posted in connection with those positions.
(2) Calculation of aggregate uncollateralized outward exposure. In calculating this amount the person shall, with respect to each of its security-based swap counterparties in a given major security-based swap category:
(i) Determine the dollar value of the aggregate current exposure arising from each of its security-based swap positions with negative value (subject to the netting provisions described below) in that major category by marking-to-market using industry standard practices; and
(ii) Deduct from that dollar amount the aggregate value of the collateral the person has posted with respect to the security-based swap positions.
(iii) The aggregate uncollateralized outward exposure shall be the sum of those uncollateralized amounts across all of the person’s security-based swap counterparties in the applicable major category.
(3) Relevance of netting agreements. (i) If a person has one or more master netting agreements with a counterparty, the person may measure the current exposure arising from its security-based swaps in any major category on a net basis, applying the terms of those agreements. Calculation of current exposure may take into account offsetting positions entered into with that particular counterparty involving security-based swaps (in any security-based swap category) as well as swaps and securities financing transactions (consisting of securities lending and borrowing, securities margin lending and repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements), and other financial instruments that are subject to netting offsets for purposes of applicable bankruptcy law, to the extent these are consistent with the offsets permitted by the master netting agreements.
(ii) Such adjustments may not take into account any offset associated with positions that the person has with separate counterparties.
(4) Allocation of uncollateralized outward exposure. If a person calculates current exposure with a particular counterparty on a net basis, as provided by paragraph (b)(3) of this section, the amount of current uncollateralized exposure attributable to each “major” category of security-based swaps should be calculated according to the following formula:

Where: E
(c) Aggregate potential outward exposure—(1) General. Aggregate potential outward exposure means the sum of:
(i) The aggregate potential outward exposure for each of the person’s security-based swap positions in a major security-based swap category that are neither cleared by a registered or exempt clearing agency nor subject to daily mark-to-market margining, as calculated in accordance with paragraph (c)(2) of this section; and
(ii) The aggregate potential outward exposure for each of the person’s security-based swap positions in a major security-based swap category that are either cleared by a registered or exempt clearing agency or subject to daily mark-to-market margining, as calculated in accordance with paragraph (c)(3) of this section.
(2) Calculation of potential outward exposure for security-based swaps that are not cleared by a registered or exempt clearing agency or subject to daily mark-to-market margining—(i) General—(A)(1) For positions in security-based swaps that are not cleared by a registered or exempt clearing agency or subject to daily mark-to-market margining, potential outward exposure equals the total notional principal amount of those positions, multiplied by the following factors on a position-by-position basis reflecting the type of security-based swap. For any security-based swap that is not of the “debt” type, the “equity and other” conversion factors are to be used:
Residual maturity | Debt | Equity and other |
---|---|---|
One year or less | 0.10 | 0.06 |
Over one to five years | 0.10 | 0.08 |
Over five years | 0.10 | 0.10 |
(2) If a security-based swap is structured such that on specified dates any outstanding exposure is settled and the terms are reset so that the market value of the security-based swap is zero, the remaining maturity equals the time until the next reset date.
(B) Use of effective notional amounts. If the stated notional amount on a position is leveraged or enhanced by the structure of the position, the calculation in paragraph (c)(2)(i)(A) of this section shall be based on the effective notional amount of the position rather than on the stated notional amount.
(C) Exclusion of certain positions. The calculation in paragraph (c)(2)(i)(A) of this section shall exclude:
(1) Positions that constitute the purchase of an option, such that the person has no additional payment obligations under the position;
(2) Other positions for which the person has prepaid or otherwise satisfied all of its payment obligations; and
(3) Positions for which, pursuant to regulatory requirement, the person has assigned an amount of cash or U.S. Treasury securities that is sufficient to pay the person’s maximum possible liability under the position, and the person may not use that cash or those Treasury securities for other purposes.
(D) Adjustment for certain positions. Notwithstanding paragraph (c)(2)(i)(A) of this section, the potential outward exposure associated with a position by which a person buys credit protection using a credit default swap, or associated with a position by which a person purchases an option for which the person retains additional payment obligations under the position, is capped at the net present value of the unpaid premiums.
(ii) Adjustment for netting agreements. Notwithstanding paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this section, for positions subject to master netting agreements the potential outward exposure associated with the person’s security-based swaps with each counterparty equals a weighted average of the potential outward exposure for the person’s security-based swaps with that counterparty as calculated under paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this section, and that amount reduced by the ratio of net current exposure to gross current exposure, consistent with the following equation as calculated on a counterparty-by-counterparty basis:
Where: P
1. The current exposure arising from its security-based swaps in the major category as calculated on a net basis according to paragraphs (b)(3) and (4) of this section, divided by
2. The current exposure arising from its security-based swaps in the major category as calculated in the absence of those netting procedures.
(3) Calculation of potential outward exposure for security-based swaps that are either cleared by a registered or exempt clearing agency or subject to daily mark-to-market margining. For positions in security-based swaps that are cleared by a registered or exempt clearing agency or subject to daily mark-to-market margining:
(i) Potential outward exposure equals the potential outward exposure that would be attributed to such positions using the procedures in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, multiplied by:
(A) 0.1, in the case of positions cleared by a registered or exempt clearing agency; or
(B) 0.2, in the case of positions that are subject to daily mark-to-market margining but that are not cleared by a registered or exempt clearing agency.
(ii) Solely for purposes of calculating potential outward exposure:
(A) A security-based swap shall be considered to be subject to daily mark-to-market margining if, and for as long as, the counterparties follow the daily practice of exchanging collateral to reflect changes in the current exposure arising from the security-based swap (after taking into account any other financial positions addressed by a netting agreement between the counterparties).
(B) If the person is permitted by agreement to maintain a threshold for which it is not required to post collateral, the position still will be considered to be subject to daily mark-to-market margining for purposes of calculating potential outward exposure, but the total amount of that threshold (regardless of the actual exposure at any time) less any initial margin posted up to the amount of that threshold, shall be added to the person’s aggregate uncollateralized outward exposure for purposes of paragraph (a)(2) of this section.
(C) If the minimum transfer amount under the agreement is in excess of $1 million, the position still will be considered to be subject to daily mark-to-market margining for purposes of calculating potential outward exposure, but the entirety of the minimum transfer amount shall be added to the person’s aggregate uncollateralized outward exposure for purposes of paragraph (a)(2) of this section.
(D) A person may, at its discretion, calculate the potential outward exposure of positions in security-based swaps that are subject to daily mark-to-market margining in accordance with paragraph (c)(2) of this section in lieu of calculating the potential outward exposure of such positions in accordance with this paragraph (c)(3).
(d) Calculation of daily average. Measures of daily average aggregate uncollateralized outward exposure and daily average aggregate potential outward exposure shall equal the arithmetic mean of the applicable measure of exposure at the close of each business day, beginning the first business day of each calendar quarter and continuing through the last business day of that quarter.
(e) Inter-affiliate activities. In calculating its aggregate uncollateralized outward exposure and its aggregate potential outward exposure, a person shall not consider its security-based swap positions with counterparties that are majority-owned affiliates. For these purposes the parties are majority-owned affiliates if one party directly or indirectly owns a majority interest in the other, or if a third party directly or indirectly owns a majority interest in both counterparties to the security-based swap, where “majority interest” is the right to vote or direct the vote of a majority of a class of voting securities of an entity, the power to sell or direct the sale of a majority of a class of voting securities of an entity, or the right to receive upon dissolution or the contribution of a majority of the capital of a partnership.
§ 240.3a67-4 Definition of “hedging or mitigating commercial risk.”
For purposes of section 3(a)(67) of the Act, 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(67), and § 240.3a67-1, a security-based swap position shall be deemed to be held for the purpose of hedging or mitigating commercial risk when:
(a)(1) Such position is economically appropriate to the reduction of risks that are associated with the present conduct and management of a commercial enterprise (or of a majority owned affiliate of the enterprise), or are reasonably expected to arise in the future conduct and management of the commercial enterprise, where such risks arise from:
(i) The potential change in the value of assets that a person owns, produces, manufactures, processes, or merchandises or reasonably anticipates owning, producing, manufacturing, processing, or merchandising in the ordinary course of business of the enterprise (or of an affiliate under common control with the enterprise);
(ii) The potential change in the value of liabilities that a person has incurred or reasonably anticipates incurring in the ordinary course of business of the enterprise (or of an affiliate under common control with the enterprise); or
(iii) The potential change in the value of services that a person provides, purchases, or reasonably anticipates providing or purchasing in the ordinary course of business of the enterprise (or of an affiliate under common control with the enterprise);
(2) Depending on the applicable facts and circumstances, the security-based swap positions described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section may be expected to encompass, among other positions:
(i) Positions established to manage the risk posed by a customer’s, supplier’s or counterparty’s potential default in connection with: Financing provided to a customer in connection with the sale of real property or a good, product or service; a customer’s lease of real property or a good, product or service; a customer’s agreement to purchase real property or a good, product or service in the future; or a supplier’s commitment to provide or sell a good, product or service in the future;
(ii) Positions established to manage the default risk posed by a financial counterparty (different from the counterparty to the hedging position at issue) in connection with a separate transaction (including a position involving a credit derivative, equity swap, other security-based swap, interest rate swap, commodity swap, foreign exchange swap or other swap, option, or future that itself is for the purpose of hedging or mitigating commercial risk pursuant to this section or 17 CFR 1.3(kkk));
(iii) Positions established to manage equity or market risk associated with certain employee compensation plans, including the risk associated with market price variations in connection with stock-based compensation plans, such as deferred compensation plans and stock appreciation rights;
(iv) Positions established to manage equity market price risks connected with certain business combinations, such as a corporate merger or consolidation or similar plan or acquisition in which securities of a person are exchanged for securities of any other person (unless the sole purpose of the transaction is to change an issuer’s domicile solely within the United States), or a transfer of assets of a person to another person in consideration of the issuance of securities of such other person or any of its affiliates;
(v) Positions established by a bank to manage counterparty risks in connection with loans the bank has made; and
(vi) Positions to close out or reduce any of the positions described in paragraphs (a)(2)(i) through (a)(2)(v) of this section; and
(b) Such position is:
(1) Not held for a purpose that is in the nature of speculation or trading; and
(2) Not held to hedge or mitigate the risk of another security-based swap position or swap position, unless that other position itself is held for the purpose of hedging or mitigating commercial risk as defined by this section or 17 CFR 1.3(kkk).
§ 240.3a67-5 Definition of “substantial counterparty exposure.”
(a) General. For purposes of section 3(a)(67) of the Act, 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(67), and § 240.3a67-1, the term substantial counterparty exposure that could have serious adverse effects on the financial stability of the United States banking system or financial markets means a security-based swap position that satisfies either of the following thresholds:
(1) $2 billion in daily average aggregate uncollateralized outward exposure; or
(2) $4 billion in:
(i) Daily average aggregate uncollateralized outward exposure; plus
(ii) Daily average aggregate potential outward exposure.
(b) Calculation. For these purposes, daily average aggregate uncollateralized outward exposure and daily average aggregate potential outward exposure shall be calculated the same way as is prescribed in § 240.3a67-3, except that these amounts shall be calculated by reference to all of the person’s security-based swap positions, rather than by reference to a specific major security-based swap category.
§ 240.3a67-6 Definition of “financial entity.”
(a) General. For purposes of section 3(a)(67) of the Act, 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(67), and § 240.3a67-1, the term financial entity means:
(1) A swap dealer;
(2) A major swap participant;
(3) A commodity pool as defined in section 1a(10) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1a(10));
(4) A private fund as defined in section 202(a) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80b-2(a));
(5) An employee benefit plan as defined in paragraphs (3) and (32) of section 3 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1002); and
(6) A person predominantly engaged in activities that are in the business of banking or financial in nature, as defined in section 4(k) of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (12 U.S.C. 1843k).
(b) Exclusion for centralized hedging facilities—(1) General. Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this section, for purposes of this section the term financial entity shall not encompass a person that would be a financial entity solely as a result of the person’s activities that facilitate hedging and/or treasury functions on behalf of one or more majority-owned affiliates that themselves do not constitute a financial entity.
(2) Meaning of majority-owned. For these purposes the counterparties to a security-based swap are majority-owned affiliates if one counterparty directly or indirectly owns a majority interest in the other, or if a third party directly or indirectly owns a majority interest in both counterparties to the security-based swap, where “majority interest” includes, but is not limited to, the right to vote or direct the vote of a majority of a class of voting securities of an entity, the power to sell or direct the sale of a majority of a class of voting securities of an entity, or the right to receive upon dissolution or the contribution of a majority of the capital of a partnership.
§ 240.3a67-7 Definition of “highly leveraged.”
(a) General. For purposes of section 3(a)(67) of the Act, 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(67), and § 240.3a67-1, the term highly leveraged means the existence of a ratio of an entity’s total liabilities to equity in excess of 12 to 1 as measured at the close of business on the last business day of the applicable fiscal quarter.
(b) Measurement of liabilities and equity. For purposes of this section, liabilities and equity generally should each be determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles; provided, however, that a person that is an employee benefit plan, as defined in paragraphs (3) and (32) of section 3 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1002), may, for purposes of this paragraph (b):
(1) Exclude obligations to pay benefits to plan participants from the calculation of liabilities; and
(2) Substitute the total value of plan assets for equity.
§ 240.3a67-8 Timing requirements, reevaluation period, and termination of status.
(a) Timing requirements. A person that is not registered as a major security-based swap participant, but that meets the criteria in § 240.3a67-1 to be a major security-based swap participant as a result of its security-based swap activities in a fiscal quarter, will not be deemed to be a major security-based swap participant until the earlier of the date on which it submits a complete application for registration pursuant to section 15F of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o-10) or two months after the end of that quarter.
(b) Reevaluation period. Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this section, if a person that is not registered as a major security-based swap participant meets the criteria in § 240.3a67-1 to be a major security-based swap participant in a fiscal quarter, but does not exceed any applicable threshold by more than twenty percent in that quarter:
(1) That person will not immediately be deemed a major security-based swap participant pursuant to the timing requirements specified in paragraph (a) of this section; but
(2) That person will be deemed a major security-based swap participant pursuant to the timing requirements specified in paragraph (a) of this section at the end of the next fiscal quarter if the person exceeds any of the applicable daily average thresholds in that next fiscal quarter.
(c) Termination of status. A person that is deemed to be a major security-based swap participant shall continue to be deemed a major security-based swap participant until such time that its security-based swap activities do not exceed any of the daily average thresholds set forth within § 240.3a67-1 for four consecutive fiscal quarters after the date on which the person becomes registered as a major security-based swap participant.
§ 240.3a67-9 Calculation of major participant status by certain persons.
A person shall not be deemed to be a major security-based swap participant, regardless of whether the criteria in § 240.3a67-1 otherwise would cause the person to be a major security-based swap participant, provided the person meets the conditions set forth in paragraph (a) of this section.
(a) Conditions—(1) Caps on uncollateralized exposure and notional positions—(i) Maximum potential uncollateralized exposure. The express terms of the person’s agreements or arrangements relating to security-based swaps with its counterparties at no time would permit the person to maintain a total uncollateralized exposure of more than $100 million to all such counterparties, including any exposure that may result from thresholds or minimum transfer amounts established by credit support annexes or similar arrangements; and
(ii) Maximum notional amount of security-based swap positions. The person does not maintain security-based swap positions in an effective notional amount of more than $2 billion in any major category of security-based swaps, or more than $4 billion in aggregate; or
(2) Caps on uncollateralized exposure plus monthly calculation—(i) Maximum potential uncollateralized exposure. The express terms of the person’s agreements or arrangements relating to security-based swaps with its counterparties at no time would permit the person to maintain a total uncollateralized exposure of more than $200 million to all such counterparties (with regard to security-based swaps and any other instruments by which the person may have exposure to those counterparties), including any exposure that may result from thresholds or minimum transfer amounts established by credit support annexes or similar arrangements; and
(ii) Calculation of positions. (A) At the end of each month, the person performs the calculations prescribed by §§ 240.3a67-3 and 240.3a67-5 with regard to whether the aggregate uncollateralized outward exposure plus aggregate potential outward exposure as of that day constitute a substantial position in a major category of security-based swaps, or pose substantial counterparty exposure that could have serious adverse effects on the financial stability of the United States banking system or financial markets; these calculations shall disregard provisions of those rules that provide for the analyses to be determined based on a daily average over a calendar quarter; and
(B) Each such analysis produces thresholds of no more than:
(1) $1 billion in aggregate uncollateralized outward exposure plus aggregate potential outward exposure in any major category of security-based swaps; if the person is subject to § 240.3a67-3(a)(2)(iii), by virtue of being a highly leveraged financial entity that is not subject to capital requirements established by an appropriate Federal banking agency, this analysis shall account for all of the person’s security-based swap positions in that major category (without excluding hedging positions), otherwise this analysis shall exclude the same hedging and related positions that are excluded from consideration pursuant to § 240.3a67-3(a)(2)(i); or
(2) $2 billion in aggregate uncollateralized outward exposure plus aggregate potential outward exposure (without any positions excluded from the analysis) with regard to all of the person’s security-based swap positions.
(3) Calculations based on certain information. (i) At the end of each month:
(A)(1) The person’s aggregate uncollateralized outward exposure with respect to its security-based swap positions is less than $500 million with respect to each of the major security-based swap categories; and
(2) The sum of the amount calculated under paragraph (a)(3)(i)(A)(1) of this section with respect to each major security-based swap category and the total notional principal amount of the person’s security-based swap positions in each such major security-based swap category, adjusted by the multipliers set forth in § 240.3a67-3(c)(2)(i)(A) on a position-by-position basis reflecting the type of security-based swap, is less than $1 billion with respect to each of the major security-based swap categories; or
(B)(1) The person’s aggregate uncollateralized outward exposure with respect to its security-based swap positions across all major security-based swap categories is less than $500 million; and
(2) The sum of the amount calculated under paragraph (a)(3)(i)(B)(1) of this section and the product of the total effective notional principal amount of the person’s security-based swap positions in all major security-based swap categories multiplied by 0.10 is less than $1 billion.
(ii) For purposes of the calculations set forth in paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this section:
(A) The person’s aggregate uncollateralized outward exposure for positions held with security-based swap dealers shall be equal to such exposure reported on the most recent reports of such exposure received from such security-based swap dealers; and
(B) The person’s aggregate uncollateralized outward exposure for positions that are not reflected in any report of exposure from a security-based swap dealer (including all security-based swap positions it holds with persons other than security-based swap dealers) shall be calculated in accordance with § 240.3a67-3(b)(2).
(b) For purposes of the calculations set forth by this section, the person shall use the effective notional amount of a position rather than the stated notional amount of the position if the stated notional amount is leveraged or enhanced by the structure of the position.
(c) No presumption shall arise that a person is required to perform the calculations needed to determine if it is a major security-based swap participant, solely by reason that the person does not meet the conditions specified in paragraph (a) of this section.
§ 240.3a67-10 Foreign major security-based swap participants.
(a) Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
(1) Conduit affiliate has the meaning set forth in § 240.3a71-3(a)(1).
(2) Foreign branch has the meaning set forth in § 240.3a71-3(a)(2).
(3) Transaction conducted through a foreign branch has the meaning set forth in § 240.3a71-3(a)(3).
(4) U.S. person has the meaning set forth in § 240.3a71-3(a)(4).
(5) U.S. major security-based swap participant means a major security-based swap participant, as defined in section 3(a)(67) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(67)), and the rules and regulations thereunder, that is a U.S. person.
(6) Foreign major security-based swap participant means a major security-based swap participant, as defined in section 3(a)(67) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(67)), and the rules and regulations thereunder, that is not a U.S. person.
(b) Application of major security-based swap participant tests in the cross-border context. For purposes of calculating a person’s status as a major security-based swap participant as defined in section 3(a)(67) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(67)), and the rules and regulations thereunder, a person shall include the following security-based swap positions:
(1) If such person is a U.S. person, all security-based swap positions that are entered into by the person, including positions entered into through a foreign branch;
(2) If such person is a conduit affiliate, all security-based swap positions that are entered into by the person; and
(3) If such person is a non-U.S. person other than a conduit affiliate, all of the following types of security-based swap positions that are entered into by the person:
(i) Security-based swap positions that are entered into with a U.S. person; provided, however, that this paragraph (b)(3)(i) shall not apply to:
(A) Positions with a U.S. person counterparty that arise from transactions conducted through a foreign branch of the counterparty, when the counterparty is a registered security-based swap dealer; and
(B) Positions with a U.S. person counterparty that arise from transactions conducted through a foreign branch of the counterparty, when the transaction is entered into prior to 60 days following the earliest date on which the registration of security-based swap dealers is first required pursuant to the applicable final rules and regulations; and
(ii) Security-based swap positions for which the non-U.S. person’s counterparty to the security-based swap has rights of recourse against a U.S. person; for these purposes a counterparty has rights of recourse against the U.S. person if the counterparty has a conditional or unconditional legally enforceable right, in whole or in part, to receive payments from, or otherwise collect from, the U.S. person in connection with the security-based swap.
(c) Attributed positions—(1) In general. For purposes of calculating a person’s status as a major security-based swap participant as defined in section 3(a)(67) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(67)), and the rules and regulations thereunder, a person also shall include the following security-based swap positions:
(i) If such person is a U.S. person, any security-based swap position of a non-U.S. person for which the non-U.S. person’s counterparty to the security-based swap has rights of recourse against that U.S. person.
This paragraph describes attribution requirements for a U.S. person solely with respect to the guarantee of the obligations of a non-U.S. person under a security-based swap. The Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission previously provided an interpretation about attribution to a U.S. parent, other affiliate, or guarantor to the extent that the counterparties to those positions have recourse against that parent, other affiliate, or guarantor in connection with the position. See Intermediary Definitions Adopting Release, http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-08-13/pdf/2012-18003.pdf. The Commission explained that it intended to issue separate releases addressing the application of the major participant definition, and Title VII generally, to non-U.S. persons. See id. at note 1041.
(ii) If such person is a non-U.S. person:
(A) Any security-based swap position of a U.S. person for which that person’s counterparty has rights of recourse against the non-U.S. person; and
(B) Any security-based swap position of another non-U.S. person entered into with a U.S. person counterparty who has rights of recourse against the first non-U.S. person, provided, however, that this paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(B) shall not apply to positions described in § 240.3a67-10(b)(3)(i)(A) and (B).
(2) Exceptions. Notwithstanding paragraph (c)(1) of this section, a person shall not include such security-based swap positions if the person whose performance is guaranteed in connection with the security-based swap is:
(i) Subject to capital regulation by the Commission or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (including, but not limited to regulation as a swap dealer, major swap participant, security-based swap dealer, major security-based swap participant, futures commission merchant, broker, or dealer);
(ii) Regulated as a bank in the United States;
(iii) Subject to capital standards, adopted by the person’s home country supervisor, that are consistent in all respects with the Capital Accord of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision; or
(iv) Deemed not to be a major security-based swap participant pursuant to § 240.3a67-8(a).
(d) Application of customer protection requirements. (1) A registered foreign major security-based swap participant shall not be subject to the requirements relating to business conduct standards described in section 15F(h) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o-10(h)), and the rules and regulations thereunder, other than rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission pursuant to section 15F(h)(1)(B) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o- 10(h)(1)(B)), with respect to a security-based swap transaction with a counterparty that is not a U.S. person or with a counterparty that is a U.S. person in a transaction conducted through a foreign branch of the U.S. person.
(2) A registered U.S. major security-based swap participant shall not be subject to the requirements relating to business conduct standards described in section 15F(h) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o-10(h)), and the rules and regulations thereunder, other than rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission pursuant to section 15F(h)(1)(B) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o-10(h)(1)(B)), with respect to a security-based swap transaction that constitutes a transaction conducted through a foreign branch of the registered U.S. major security-based swap participant with a non-U.S. person or with a U.S.-person counterparty that constitutes a transaction conducted through a foreign branch of that U.S.-person counterparty.
Further Definition of Swap, Security-Based Swap, and Security-Based Swap Agreement; Mixed Swaps; Security-Based Swap Agreement Recordkeeping
§ 240.3a68-1a Meaning of “issuers of securities in a narrow-based security index” as used in section 3(a)(68)(A)(ii)(III) of the Act.
(a) Notwithstanding § 240.3a68-3(a), and solely for purposes of determining whether a credit default swap is a security-based swap under section 3(a)(68)(A)(ii)(III) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(68)(A)(ii)(III)), the term issuers of securities in a narrow-based security index as used in section 3(a)(68)(A)(ii)(III) of the Act means issuers of securities included in an index (including an index referencing loan borrowers or loans of such borrowers) in which:
(1)(i) There are nine or fewer non-affiliated issuers of securities that are reference entities included in the index, provided that an issuer of securities shall not be deemed a reference entity included in the index for purposes of this section unless:
(A) A credit event with respect to such reference entity would result in a payment by the credit protection seller to the credit protection buyer under the credit default swap based on the related notional amount allocated to such reference entity; or
(B) The fact of such credit event or the calculation in accordance with paragraph (a)(1)(i)(A) of this section of the amount owed with respect to such credit event is taken into account in determining whether to make any future payments under the credit default swap with respect to any future credit events;
(ii) The effective notional amount allocated to any reference entity included in the index comprises more than 30 percent of the index’s weighting;
(iii) The effective notional amount allocated to any five non-affiliated reference entities included in the index comprises more than 60 percent of the index’s weighting; or
(iv) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, for each reference entity included in the index, none of the criteria in paragraphs (a)(1)(iv)(A) through (a)(1)(iv)(H) of this section is satisfied:
(A) The reference entity included in the index is required to file reports pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d));
(B) The reference entity included in the index is eligible to rely on the exemption provided in § 240.12g3-2(b);
(C) The reference entity included in the index has a worldwide market value of its outstanding common equity held by non-affiliates of $700 million or more;
(D) The reference entity included in the index (other than a reference entity included in the index that is an issuing entity of an asset-backed security as defined in section 3(a)(79) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(79))) has outstanding notes, bonds, debentures, loans, or evidences of indebtedness (other than revolving credit facilities) having a total remaining principal amount of at least $1 billion;
(E) The reference entity included in the index is the issuer of an exempted security as defined in section 3(a)(12) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(12)) (other than any municipal security as defined in section 3(a)(29) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(29)));
(F) The reference entity included in the index is a government of a foreign country or a political subdivision of a foreign country;
(G) If the reference entity included in the index is an issuing entity of an asset-backed security as defined in section 3(a)(79) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(79)), such asset-backed security was issued in a transaction registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77a et seq.) and has publicly available distribution reports; and
(H) For a credit default swap entered into solely between eligible contract participants as defined in section 3(a)(65) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(65)):
(1) The reference entity included in the index (other than a reference entity included in the index that is an issuing entity of an asset-backed security as defined in section 3(a)(79) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(79))) makes available to the public or otherwise makes available to such eligible contract participant information about the reference entity included in the index pursuant to § 230.144A(d)(4)) of this chapter;
(2) Financial information about the reference entity included in the index (other than a reference entity included in the index that is an issuing entity of an asset-backed security as defined in section 3(a)(79) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(79))) is otherwise publicly available; or
(3) In the case of a reference entity included in the index that is an issuing entity of an asset-backed security as defined in section 3(a)(79) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(79)), information of the type and level included in publicly available distribution reports for similar asset-backed securities is publicly available about both the reference entity included in the index and such asset-backed security; and
(2)(i) The index is not composed solely of reference entities that are issuers of exempted securities as defined in section 3(a)(12) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(12)), as in effect on the date of enactment of the Futures Trading Act of 1982 (other than any municipal security as defined in section 3(a)(29) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(29))), as in effect on the date of enactment of the Futures Trading Act of 1982); and
(ii) Without taking into account any portion of the index composed of reference entities that are issuers of exempted securities as defined in section 3(a)(12) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(12)), as in effect on the date of enactment of the Futures Trading Act of 1982 (other than any municipal security as defined in section 3(a)(29) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(29))), the remaining portion of the index would be within the term “issuer of securities in a narrow-based security index” under paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
(b) Paragraph (a)(1)(iv) of this section will not apply with respect to a reference entity included in the index if:
(1) The effective notional amounts allocated to such reference entity comprise less than five percent of the index’s weighting; and
(2) The effective notional amounts allocated to reference entities included in the index that satisfy paragraph (a)(1)(iv) of this section comprise at least 80 percent of the index’s weighting.
(c) For purposes of this section:
(1) A reference entity included in the index is affiliated with another reference entity included in the index (for purposes of paragraph (c)(4) of this section) or another entity (for purposes of paragraph (c)(5) of this section) if it controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, that other reference entity included in the index or other entity, as applicable; provided that each reference entity included in the index that is an issuing entity of an asset-backed security as defined in section 3(a)(79) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(79)) will not be considered affiliated with any other reference entity included in the index or any other entity that is an issuing entity of an asset-backed security.
(2) Control for purposes of this section means ownership of more than 50 percent of the equity of a reference entity included in the index (for purposes of paragraph (c)(4) of this section) or another entity (for purposes of paragraph (c)(5) of this section), or the ability to direct the voting of more than 50 percent of the voting equity of a reference entity included in the index (for purposes of paragraph (c)(4) of this section) or another entity (for purposes of paragraph (c)(5) of this section).
(3) In identifying a reference entity included in the index for purposes of this section, the term reference entity includes:
(i) An issuer of securities;
(ii) An issuer of securities that is an issuing entity of an asset-backed security as defined in section 3(a)(79) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(79)); and
(iii) An issuer of securities that is a borrower with respect to any loan identified in an index of borrowers or loans.
(4) For purposes of calculating the thresholds in paragraphs (a)(1)(i) through (a)(1)(iii) of this section, the term reference entity included in the index includes a single reference entity included in the index or a group of affiliated reference entities included in the index as determined in accordance with paragraph (c)(1) of this section (with each reference entity included in the index that is an issuing entity of an asset-backed security as defined in section 3(a)(79) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(79)) being considered a separate reference entity included in the index).
(5) For purposes of determining whether one of the criterion in either paragraphs (a)(1)(iv)(A) through (a)(1)(iv)(D) of this section or paragraphs (a)(1)(iv)(H)(1) and (a)(1)(iv)(H)(2) of this section is met, the term reference entity included in the index includes a single reference entity included in the index or a group of affiliated entities as determined in accordance with paragraph (c)(1) of this section (with each issuing entity of an asset-backed security as defined in section 3(a)(79) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(79)) being considered a separate entity).
§ 240.3a68-1b Meaning of “narrow-based security index” as used in section 3(a)(68)(A)(ii)(I) of the Act.
(a) Notwithstanding § 240.3a68-3(a), and solely for purposes of determining whether a credit default swap is a security-based swap under section 3(a)(68)(A)(ii)(I) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(68)(A)(ii)(I)), the term narrow-based security index as used in section 3(a)(68)(A)(ii)(I) of the Act means an index in which:
(1)(i) The index is composed of nine or fewer securities or securities that are issued by nine or fewer non-affiliated issuers, provided that a security shall not be deemed a component of the index for purposes of this section unless:
(A) A credit event with respect to the issuer of such security or a credit event with respect to such security would result in a payment by the credit protection seller to the credit protection buyer under the credit default swap based on the related notional amount allocated to such security; or
(B) The fact of such credit event or the calculation in accordance with paragraph (a)(1)(i)(A) of this section of the amount owed with respect to such credit event is taken into account in determining whether to make any future payments under the credit default swap with respect to any future credit events;
(ii) The effective notional amount allocated to the securities of any issuer included in the index comprises more than 30 percent of the index’s weighting;
(iii) The effective notional amount allocated to the securities of any five non-affiliated issuers included in the index comprises more than 60 percent of the index’s weighting; or
(iv) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, for each security included in the index none of the criteria in paragraphs (a)(1)(iv)(A) through (a)(1)(iv)(H) of this section is satisfied:
(A) The issuer of the security included in the index is required to file reports pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d));
(B) The issuer of the security included in the index is eligible to rely on the exemption provided in § 240.12g3-2(b);
(C) The issuer of the security included in the index has a worldwide market value of its outstanding common equity held by non-affiliates of $700 million or more;
(D) The issuer of the security included in the index (other than an issuer of the security that is an issuing entity of an asset-backed security as defined in section 3(a)(79) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(79))) has outstanding notes, bonds, debentures, loans, or evidences of indebtedness (other than revolving credit facilities) having a total remaining principal amount of at least $1 billion;
(E) The security included in the index is an exempted security as defined in section 3(a)(12) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(12)) (other than any municipal security as defined in section 3(a)(29) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(29)));
(F) The issuer of the security included in the index is a government of a foreign country or a political subdivision of a foreign country;
(G) If the security included in the index is an asset-backed security as defined in section 3(a)(79) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(79)), the security was issued in a transaction registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77a et seq.) and has publicly available distribution reports; and
(H) For a credit default swap entered into solely between eligible contract participants as defined in section 3(a)(65) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(65)):
(1) The issuer of the security included in the index (other than an issuer of the security that is an issuing entity of an asset-backed security as defined in section 3(a)(79) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(79))) makes available to the public or otherwise makes available to such eligible contract participant information about such issuer pursuant to § 230.144A(d)(4)) of this chapter;
(2) Financial information about the issuer of the security included in the index (other than an issuer of the security that is an issuing entity of an asset-backed security as defined in section 3(a)(79) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(79))) is otherwise publicly available; or
(3) In the case of an asset-backed security as defined in section 3(a)(79) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(79)), information of the type and level included in public distribution reports for similar asset-backed securities is publicly available about both the issuing entity and such asset-backed security; and
(2)(i) The index is not composed solely of exempted securities as defined in section 3(a)(12) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(12)), as in effect on the date of enactment of the Futures Trading Act of 1982 (other than any municipal security as defined in section 3(a)(29) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(29))), as in effect on the date of enactment of the Futures Trading Act of 1982); and
(ii) Without taking into account any portion of the index composed of exempted securities as defined in section 3(a)(12) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(12)), as in effect on the date of enactment of the Futures Trading Act of 1982 (other than any municipal security as defined in section 3(a)(29) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(29))), the remaining portion of the index would be within the term “narrow-based security index” under paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
(b) Paragraph (a)(1)(iv) of this section will not apply with respect to securities of an issuer included in the index if:
(1) The effective notional amounts allocated to all securities of such issuer included in the index comprise less than five percent of the index’s weighting; and
(2) The securities that satisfy paragraph (a)(1)(iv) of this section comprise at least 80 percent of the index’s weighting.
(c) For purposes of this section:
(1) An issuer of securities included in the index is affiliated with another issuer of securities included in the index (for purposes of paragraph (c)(4) of this section) or another entity (for purposes of paragraph (c)(5) of this section) if it controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, that other issuer or other entity, as applicable; provided that each issuer of securities included in the index that is an issuing entity of an asset-backed security as defined in section 3(a)(79) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(79)) will not be considered affiliated with any other issuer of securities included in the index or any other entity that is an issuing entity of an asset-backed security.
(2) Control for purposes of this section means ownership of more than 50 percent of the equity of an issuer of securities included in the index (for purposes of paragraph (c)(4) of this section) or another entity (for purposes of paragraph (c)(5) of this section), or the ability to direct the voting of more than 50 percent of the voting equity an issuer of securities included in the index (for purposes of paragraph (c)(4) of this section) or another entity (for purposes of paragraph (c)(5) of this section).
(3) In identifying an issuer of securities included in the index for purposes of this section, the term issuer includes:
(i) An issuer of securities; and
(ii) An issuer of securities that is an issuing entity of an asset-backed security as defined in section 3(a)(79) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(79)).
(4) For purposes of calculating the thresholds in paragraphs (a)(1)(i) through (a)(1)(iii) of this section, the term issuer of the security included in the index includes a single issuer of securities included in the index or a group of affiliated issuers of securities included in the index as determined in accordance with paragraph (c)(1) of this section (with each issuer of securities included in the index that is an issuing entity of an asset-backed security as defined in section 3(a)(79) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(79)) being considered a separate issuer of securities included in the index).
(5) For purposes of determining whether one of the criterion in either paragraphs (a)(1)(iv)(A) through (a)(1))(iv)(D) of this section or paragraphs (a)(1)(iv)(H)(1) and (a)(1)(iv)(H)(2) of this section is met, the term issuer of the security included in the index includes a single issuer of securities included in the index or a group affiliated entities as determined in accordance with paragraph (c)(1) of this section (with each issuing entity of an asset-backed security as defined in section 3(a)(79) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(79)) being considered a separate entity).
§ 240.3a68-2 Requests for interpretation of swaps, security-based swaps, and mixed swaps.
(a) In general. Any person may submit a request to the Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to provide a joint interpretation of whether a particular agreement, contract, or transaction (or class thereof) is:
(1) A swap, as that term is defined in section 3(a)(69) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(69)) and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder;
(2) A security-based swap, as that term is defined in section 3(a)(68) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(68)) and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; or
(3) A mixed swap, as that term is defined in section 3(a)(68)(D) of the Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(b) Request process. In making a request pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section, the requesting person must provide the Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission with the following:
(1) All material information regarding the terms of the agreement, contract, or transaction (or class thereof);
(2) A statement of the economic characteristics and purpose of the agreement, contract, or transaction (or class thereof);
(3) The requesting person’s determination as to whether the agreement, contract, or transaction (or class thereof) should be characterized as a swap, a security-based swap, or both (i.e., a mixed swap), including the basis for such determination; and
(4) Such other information as may be requested by the Commission or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
(c) Request withdrawal. A person may withdraw a request made pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section at any time prior to the issuance of a joint interpretation or joint proposed rule by the Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission in response to the request; provided, however, that notwithstanding such withdrawal, the Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission may provide a joint interpretation of whether the agreement, contract, or transaction (or class thereof) is a swap, a security-based swap, or both (i.e., a mixed swap).
(d) Request by the Commission or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. In the absence of a request for a joint interpretation under paragraph (a) of this section:
(1) If the Commission or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission receives a proposal to list, trade, or clear an agreement, contract, or transaction (or class thereof) that raises questions as to the appropriate characterization of such agreement, contract, or transaction (or class thereof) as a swap, a security-based swap, or both (i.e., a mixed swap), the Commission or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, as applicable, promptly shall notify the other of the agreement, contract, or transaction (or class thereof); and
(2) The Commission or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or their Chairmen jointly, may submit a request for a joint interpretation as described in paragraph (a) of this section; such submission shall be made pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section, and may be withdrawn pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section.
(e) Timeframe for joint interpretation. (1) If the Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission determine to issue a joint interpretation as described in paragraph (a) of this section, such joint interpretation shall be issued within 120 days after receipt of a complete submission requesting a joint interpretation under paragraph (a) or (d) of this section.
(2) The Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission shall consult with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System prior to issuing any joint interpretation as described in paragraph (a) of this section.
(3) If the Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission seek public comment with respect to a joint interpretation regarding an agreement, contract, or transaction (or class thereof), the 120-day period described in paragraph (e)(1) of this section shall be stayed during the pendency of the comment period, but shall recommence with the business day after the public comment period ends.
(4) Nothing in this section shall require the Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to issue any joint interpretation.
(5) If the Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission do not issue a joint interpretation within the time period described in paragraph (e)(1) or (e)(3) of this section, each of the Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission shall publicly provide the reasons for not issuing such a joint interpretation within the applicable timeframes.
(f) Joint proposed rule. (1) Rather than issue a joint interpretation pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section, the Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission may issue a joint proposed rule, in consultation with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, to further define one or more of the terms swap, security-based swap, or mixed swap.
(2) A joint proposed rule described in paragraph (f)(1) of this section shall be issued within the timeframe for issuing a joint interpretation set forth in paragraph (e) of this section.
§ 240.3a68-3 Meaning of “narrow-based security index” as used in the definition of “security-based swap.”
(a) In general. Except as otherwise provided in § 240.3a68-1a and § 240.3a68-1b, for purposes of section 3(a)(68) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(68)), the term narrow-based security index has the meaning set forth in section 3(a)(55) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(55)), and the rules, regulations, and orders of the Commission thereunder.
(b) Tolerance period for swaps traded on designated contract markets, swap execution facilities and foreign boards of trade. Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this section, solely for purposes of swaps traded on or subject to the rules of a designated contract market, swap execution facility, or foreign board of trade pursuant to the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.), a security index underlying such swaps shall not be considered a narrow-based security index if:
(1)(i) A swap on the index is traded on or subject to the rules of a designated contract market, swap execution facility, or foreign board of trade pursuant to the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.) for at least 30 days as a swap on an index that was not a narrow-based security index; or
(ii) Such index was not a narrow-based security index during every trading day of the six full calendar months preceding a date no earlier than 30 days prior to the commencement of trading of a swap on such index on a market described in paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section; and
(2) The index has been a narrow-based security index for no more than 45 business days over three consecutive calendar months.
(c) Tolerance period for security-based swaps traded on national securities exchanges or security-based swap execution facilities. Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this section, solely for purposes of security-based swaps traded on a national securities exchange or security-based swap execution facility, a security index underlying such security-based swaps shall be considered a narrow-based security index if:
(1)(i) A security-based swap on the index is traded on a national securities exchange or security-based swap execution facility for at least 30 days as a security-based swap on a narrow-based security index; or
(ii) Such index was a narrow-based security index during every trading day of the six full calendar months preceding a date no earlier than 30 days prior to the commencement of trading of a security-based swap on such index on a market described in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section; and
(2) The index has been a security index that is not a narrow-based security index for no more than 45 business days over three consecutive calendar months.
(d) Grace period. (1) Solely with respect to a swap that is traded on or subject to the rules of a designated contract market, swap execution facility or foreign board of trade pursuant to the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.), an index that becomes a narrow-based security index under paragraph (b) of this section solely because it was a narrow-based security index for more than 45 business days over three consecutive calendar months shall not be a narrow-based security index for the following three calendar months.
(2) Solely with respect to a security-based swap that is traded on a national securities exchange or security-based swap execution facility, an index that becomes a security index that is not a narrow-based security index under paragraph (c) of this section solely because it was not a narrow-based security index for more than 45 business days over three consecutive calendar months shall be a narrow-based security index for the following three calendar months.
§ 240.3a68-4 Regulation of mixed swaps.
(a) In general. The term mixed swap has the meaning set forth in section 3(a)(68)(D) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(68)(D)).
(b) Regulation of bilateral uncleared mixed swaps entered into by dually-registered dealers or major participants. A mixed swap:
(1) That is neither executed on nor subject to the rules of a designated contract market, national securities exchange, swap execution facility, security-based swap execution facility, or foreign board of trade;
(2) That will not be submitted to a derivatives clearing organization or registered or exempt clearing agency to be cleared; and
(3) Where at least one party is registered with the Commission as a security-based swap dealer or major security-based swap participant and also with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission as a swap dealer or major swap participant, shall be subject to:
(i) The following provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, set forth in the rules and regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission:
(A) Examinations and information sharing: 7 U.S.C. 6s(f) and 12;
(B) Enforcement: 7 U.S.C. 2(a)(1)(B), 6(b), 6b, 6c, 6s(h)(1)(A), 6s(h)(4)(A), 9, 13b, 13a-1, 13a-2, 13, 13c(a), 13c(b), 15 and 26;
(C) Reporting to a swap data repository: 7 U.S.C. 6r;
(D) Real-time reporting: 7 U.S.C. 2(a)(13);
(E) Capital: 7 U.S.C. 6s(e); and
(F) Position Limits: 7 U.S.C. 6a; and
(ii) The provisions of the Federal securities laws, as defined in section 3(a)(47) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(47)), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(c) Process for determining regulatory treatment for other mixed swaps—(1) In general. Any person who desires or intends to list, trade, or clear a mixed swap (or class thereof) that is not subject to paragraph (b) of this section may request the Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to issue a joint order permitting the requesting person (and any other person or persons that subsequently lists, trades, or clears that mixed swap) to comply, as to parallel provisions only, with specified parallel provisions of either the Act (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.) or the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.), and the rules and regulations thereunder (collectively, specified parallel provisions), instead of being required to comply with parallel provisions of both the Act and the Commodity Exchange Act. For purposes of this paragraph (c), parallel provisions means comparable provisions of the Act and the Commodity Exchange Act that were added or amended by the Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act of 2010 with respect to security-based swaps and swaps, and the rules and regulations thereunder.
(2) Request process. A person submitting a request pursuant to paragraph (c)(1) of this section must provide the Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission with the following:
(i) All material information regarding the terms of the specified, or specified class of, mixed swap;
(ii) The economic characteristics and purpose of the specified, or specified class of, mixed swap;
(iii) The specified parallel provisions, and the reasons the person believes such specified parallel provisions would be appropriate for the mixed swap (or class thereof); and
(iv) An analysis of:
(A) The nature and purposes of the parallel provisions that are the subject of the request;
(B) The comparability of such parallel provisions;
(C) The extent of any conflicts or differences between such parallel provisions; and
(D) Such other information as may be requested by the Commission or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
(3) Request withdrawal. A person may withdraw a request made pursuant to paragraph (c)(1) of this section at any time prior to the issuance of a joint order under paragraph (c)(4) of this section by the Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission in response to the request.
(4) Issuance of orders. In response to a request under paragraph (c)(1) of this section, the Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, as necessary to carry out the purposes of the Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act of 2010, may issue a joint order, after notice and opportunity for comment, permitting the requesting person (and any other person or persons that subsequently lists, trades, or clears that mixed swap) to comply, as to parallel provisions only, with the specified parallel provisions (or another subset of the parallel provisions that are the subject of the request, as the Commissions determine is appropriate), instead of being required to comply with parallel provisions of both the Act (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.) and the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.). In determining the contents of such joint order, the Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission may consider, among other things:
(i) The nature and purposes of the parallel provisions that are the subject of the request;
(ii) The comparability of such parallel provisions; and
(iii) The extent of any conflicts or differences between such parallel provisions.
(5) Timeframe. (i) If the Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission determine to issue a joint order as described in paragraph (c)(4) of this section, such joint order shall be issued within 120 days after receipt of a complete request for a joint order under paragraph (c)(1) of this section, which time period shall be stayed during the pendency of the public comment period provided for in paragraph (c)(4) of this section and shall recommence with the business day after the public comment period ends.
(ii) Nothing in this section shall require the Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to issue any joint order.
(iii) If the Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission do not issue a joint order within the time period described in paragraph (c)(5)(i) of this section, each of the Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission shall publicly provide the reasons for not issuing such a joint order within that timeframe.
§ 240.3a68-5 Regulation of certain futures contracts on foreign sovereign debt.
The term security-based swap as used in section 3(a)(68) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(68)) does not include an agreement, contract, or transaction that is based on or references a qualifying foreign futures contract (as defined in § 240.3a12-8 on the debt securities of any one or more of the foreign governments enumerated in § 240.3a12-8, provided that such agreement, contract, or transaction satisfies the following conditions:
(a) The futures contract that the agreement, contract, or transaction references or upon which the agreement, contract, or transaction is based is a qualifying foreign futures contract that satisfies the conditions of § 240.3a12-8 applicable to qualifying foreign futures contracts;
(b) The agreement, contract, or transaction is traded on or through a board of trade (as defined in 7 U.S.C. 2);
(c) The debt securities upon which the qualifying foreign futures contract is based or referenced and any security used to determine the cash settlement amount pursuant to paragraph (d) of this section were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77 et seq.) or the subject of any American depositary receipt registered under the Securities Act of 1933;
(d) The agreement, contract, or transaction may only be cash settled; and
(e) The agreement, contract or transaction is not entered into by the issuer of the debt securities upon which the qualifying foreign futures contract is based or referenced (including any security used to determine the cash payment due on settlement of such agreement, contract or transaction), an affiliate (as defined in the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77 et seq.) and the rules and regulations thereunder) of the issuer, or an underwriter of such issuer’s debt securities.
§ 240.3a69-1 Safe Harbor Definition of “security-based swap” and “swap” as used in sections 3(a)(68) and 3(a)(69) of the Act—insurance.
(a) This paragraph is a non-exclusive safe harbor. The terms security-based swap as used in section 3(a)(68) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(68)) and swap as used in section 3(a)(69) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(69)) do not include an agreement, contract, or transaction that:
(1) By its terms or by law, as a condition of performance on the agreement, contract, or transaction:
(i) Requires the beneficiary of the agreement, contract, or transaction to have an insurable interest that is the subject of the agreement, contract, or transaction and thereby carry the risk of loss with respect to that interest continuously throughout the duration of the agreement, contract, or transaction;
(ii) Requires that loss to occur and to be proved, and that any payment or indemnification therefor be limited to the value of the insurable interest;
(iii) Is not traded, separately from the insured interest, on an organized market or over the counter; and
(iv) With respect to financial guaranty insurance only, in the event of payment default or insolvency of the obligor, any acceleration of payments under the policy is at the sole discretion of the insurer; and
(2) Is provided:
(i)(A) By a person that is subject to supervision by the insurance commissioner (or similar official or agency) of any State, as defined in section 3(a)(16) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(16)), or by the United States or an agency or instrumentality thereof; and
(B) Such agreement, contract, or transaction is regulated as insurance under applicable State law or the laws of the United States;
(ii)(A) Directly or indirectly by the United States, any State or any of their respective agencies or instrumentalities; or
(B) Pursuant to a statutorily authorized program thereof; or
(iii) In the case of reinsurance only by a person to another person that satisfies the conditions set forth in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, provided that:
(A) Such person is not prohibited by applicable State law or the laws of the United States from offering such agreement, contract, or transaction to such person that satisfies the conditions set forth in paragraph (a)(2) of this section;
(B) The agreement, contract, or transaction to be reinsured satisfies the conditions set forth in paragraph (a)(1) or (3) of this section; and
(C) Except as otherwise permitted under applicable State law, the total amount reimbursable by all reinsurers for such agreement, contract, or transaction may not exceed the claims or losses paid by the person writing the risk being ceded or transferred by such person; or
(iv) In the case of non-admitted insurance by a person who:
(A) Is located outside of the United States and listed on the Quarterly Listing of Alien Insurers as maintained by the International Insurers Department of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners; or
(B) Meets the eligibility criteria for non-admitted insurers under applicable State law; or
(3) Is provided in accordance with the conditions set forth in paragraph (a)(2) of this section and is one of the following types of products:
(i) Surety bond;
(ii) Fidelity bond;
(iii) Life insurance;
(iv) Health insurance;
(v) Long term care insurance;
(vi) Title insurance;
(vii) Property and casualty insurance;
(viii) Annuity;
(ix) Disability insurance;
(x) Insurance against default on individual residential mortgages; and
(xi) Reinsurance of any of the foregoing products identified in paragraphs (i) through (x) of this section.
(b) The terms security-based swap as used in section 3(a)(68) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(68)) and swap as used in section 3(a)(69) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(69)) do not include an agreement, contract, or transaction that was entered into on or before the effective date of this section and that, at such time that it was entered into, was provided in accordance with the conditions set forth in paragraph (a)(2) of this section.
§ 240.3a69-2 Definition of “swap” as used in section 3(a)(69) of the Act—additional products.
(a) In general. The term swap has the meaning set forth in section 3(a)(69) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(69)).
(b) Inclusion of particular products. (1) The term swap includes, without limiting the meaning set forth in section 3(a)(69) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(69)), the following agreements, contracts, and transactions:
(i) A cross-currency swap;
(ii) A currency option, foreign currency option, foreign exchange option and foreign exchange rate option;
(iii) A foreign exchange forward;
(iv) A foreign exchange swap;
(v) A forward rate agreement; and
(vi) A non-deliverable forward involving foreign exchange.
(2) The term swap does not include an agreement, contract, or transaction described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section that is otherwise excluded by section 1a(47)(B) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1a(47)(B)).
(c) Foreign exchange forwards and foreign exchange swaps. Notwithstanding paragraph (b)(2) of this section:
(1) A foreign exchange forward or a foreign exchange swap shall not be considered a swap if the Secretary of the Treasury makes a determination described in section 1a(47)(E)(i) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1a(47)(E)(i)).
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (c)(1) of this section:
(i) The reporting requirements set forth in section 4r of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 6r) and regulations promulgated thereunder shall apply to a foreign exchange forward or foreign exchange swap; and
(ii) The business conduct standards set forth in section 4s(h) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 6s) and regulations promulgated thereunder shall apply to a swap dealer or major swap participant that is a party to a foreign exchange forward or foreign exchange swap.
(3) For purposes of section 1a(47)(E) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1a(47)(E)) and this section, the term foreign exchange forward has the meaning set forth in section 1a(24) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1a(24)).
(4) For purposes of section 1a(47)(E) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1a(47)(E)) and this section, the term foreign exchange swap has the meaning set forth in section 1a(25) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1a(25)).
(5) For purposes of sections 1a(24) and 1a(25) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1a(24) and (25)) and this section, the following transactions are not foreign exchange forwards or foreign exchange swaps:
(i) A currency swap or a cross-currency swap;
(ii) A currency option, foreign currency option, foreign exchange option, or foreign exchange rate option; and
(iii) A non-deliverable forward involving foreign exchange.
§ 240.3a69-3 Books and records requirements for security-based swap agreements.
(a) A person registered as a swap data repository under section 21 of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 24a) and the rules and regulations thereunder:
(1) Shall not be required to keep and maintain additional books and records regarding security-based swap agreements other than the books and records regarding swaps required to be kept and maintained pursuant to section 21 of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 24a) and the rules and regulations thereunder; and
(2) Shall not be required to collect and maintain additional data regarding security-based swap agreements other than the data regarding swaps required to be collected and maintained by such persons pursuant to section 21 of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 24a) and the rules and regulations thereunder.
(b) A person shall not be required to keep and maintain additional books and records, including daily trading records, regarding security-based swap agreements other than the books and records regarding swaps required to be kept and maintained by such persons pursuant to section 4s of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 6s) and the rules and regulations thereunder if such person is registered as:
(1) A swap dealer under section 4s(a)(1) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 6s(a)(1)) and the rules and regulations thereunder;
(2) A major swap participant under section 4s(a)(2) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 6s(a)(2)) and the rules and regulations thereunder;
(3) A security-based swap dealer under section 15F(a)(1) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o-10(a)(1)) and the rules and regulations thereunder; or
(4) A major security-based swap participant under section 15F(a)(2) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o-10(a)(2)) and the rules and regulations thereunder.
(c) The term security-based swap agreement has the meaning set forth in section 3(a)(78) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(78)).
§ 240.3a71-1 Definition of “security-based swap dealer.”
(a) General. The term security-based swap dealer in general means any person who:
(1) Holds itself out as a dealer in security-based swaps;
(2) Makes a market in security-based swaps;
(3) Regularly enters into security-based swaps with counterparties as an ordinary course of business for its own account; or
(4) Engages in any activity causing it to be commonly known in the trade as a dealer or market maker in security-based swaps.
(b) Exception. The term security-based swap dealer does not include a person that enters into security-based swaps for such person’s own account, either individually or in a fiduciary capacity, but not as a part of regular business.
(c) Scope of designation. A person that is a security-based swap dealer in general shall be deemed to be a security-based swap dealer with respect to each security-based swap it enters into, regardless of the type, class, or category of the security-based swap or the person’s activities in connection with the security-based swap, unless the Commission limits the person’s designation as a security-based swap dealer to specified types, classes, or categories of security-based swaps or specified activities of the person in connection with security-based swaps.
(d) Inter-affiliate activities—(1) General. In determining whether a person is a security-based swap dealer, that person’s security-based swaps with majority-owned affiliates shall not be considered.
(2) Meaning of majority-owned. For these purposes the counterparties to a security-based swap are majority-owned affiliates if one counterparty directly or indirectly owns a majority interest in the other, or if a third party directly or indirectly owns a majority interest in both counterparties to the security-based swap, where “majority interest” is the right to vote or direct the vote of a majority of a class of voting securities of an entity, the power to sell or direct the sale of a majority of a class of voting securities of an entity, or the right to receive upon dissolution or the contribution of a majority of the capital of a partnership.
§ 240.3a71-2 De minimis exception.
(a) Requirements. For purposes of section 3(a)(71) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(71)) and § 240.3a71-1, a person that is not currently registered as a security-based swap dealer shall be deemed not to be a security-based swap dealer, and, therefore, shall not be subject to section 15F of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o-10) and the rules, regulations and interpretations issued thereunder, as a result of security-based swap dealing activity that meets the following conditions:
(1) Notional thresholds. The security-based swap positions connected with the dealing activity in which the person—or any other entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the person—engages over the course of the immediately preceding 12 months (or following the effective date of final rules implementing section 3(a)(68) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(68)) if that period is less than 12 months) have:
(i) An aggregate gross notional amount of no more than $3 billion, subject to a phase-in level of an aggregate gross notional amount of no more than $8 billion applied in accordance with paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section, with regard to credit default swaps that constitute security-based swaps;
(ii) An aggregate gross notional amount of no more than $150 million, subject to a phase-in level of an aggregate gross notional amount of no more than $400 million applied in accordance with paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section, with regard to security-based swaps not described in paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section; and
(iii) An aggregate gross notional amount of no more than $25 million with regard to all security-based swaps in which the counterparty is a special entity (as that term is defined in section 15F(h)(2)(C) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o-10(h)(2)(C)).
(2) Phase-in procedure—(i) Phase-in period. For purposes of paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (ii) of this section, a person that engages in security-based swap dealing activity that does not exceed either of the phase-in levels set forth in paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (ii) of this section, as applicable, shall be deemed not to be a security-based swap dealer, and, therefore, shall not be subject to Section 15F of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o-10) and the rules, regulations and interpretations issued thereunder, as a result of its security-based swap dealing activity, until the “phase-in termination date” established as provided in paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section; provided, however, that this phase-in period shall not be available to the extent that a person engages in security-based swap dealing activity with counterparties that are natural persons, other than natural persons who qualify as eligible contract participants by virtue of section 1a(18)(A)(xi)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act, (7 U.S.C. 1a(18)(A)(xi)(II)). The Commission shall announce the phase-in termination date on the Commission Web site and publish such date in the
(ii) Establishment of phase-in termination date. (A) Nine months after the publication of the staff report described in Appendix A of this section, and after giving due consideration to that report and any associated public comment, the Commission may either:
(1) Terminate the phase-in period set forth in paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section, in which case the phase-in termination date shall be established by the Commission by order published in the
(2) Determine that it is necessary or appropriate in the public interest to propose through rulemaking an alternative to the $3 billion and $150 million amounts set forth in paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (ii) of this section, as applicable, that would constitute a de minimis quantity of security-based swap dealing in connection with transactions with or on behalf of customers within the meaning of section 3(a)(71)(D) of the Act, (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(71)(D)), in which case the Commission shall by order published in the
(B) If the phase-in termination date has not been previously established pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)(ii)(A) of this section, then in any event the phase-in termination date shall occur five years after the data collection initiation date defined in paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this section.
(iii) Data collection initiation date. The term “data collection initiation date” shall mean the date that is the later of: the last compliance date for the registration and regulatory requirements for security-based swap dealers and major security-based swap participants under Section 15F of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o-10); or the first date on which compliance with the trade-by-trade reporting rules for credit-related and equity-related security-based swaps to a registered security-based swap data repository is required. The Commission shall announce the data collection initiation date on the Commission Web site and publish such date in the
(3) Use of effective notional amounts. For purposes of paragraph (a)(1) of this section, if the stated notional amount of a security-based swap is leveraged or enhanced by the structure of the security-based swap, the calculation shall be based on the effective notional amount of the security-based swap rather than on the stated notional amount.
(b) Registration period for persons that no longer can take advantage of the exception. A person that has not registered as a security-based swap dealer by virtue of satisfying the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section, but that no longer can take advantage of the de minimis exception provided for in paragraph (a) of this section, will be deemed not to be a security-based swap dealer under section 3(a)(71) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(71)) and subject to the requirements of section 15F of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o-10) and the rules, regulations and interpretations issued thereunder until the earlier of the date on which it submits a complete application for registration pursuant to section 15F(b) (15 U.S.C. 78o-10(b)) or two months after the end of the month in which that person becomes no longer able to take advantage of the exception.
(c) Applicability to registered security-based swap dealers. A person who currently is registered as a security-based swap dealer may apply to withdraw that registration, while continuing to engage in security-based swap dealing activity in reliance on this section, so long as that person has been registered as a security-based swap dealer for at least 12 months and satisfies the conditions of paragraph (a) of this section.
(d) Future adjustments to scope of the de minimis exception. The Commission may by rule or regulation change the requirements of the de minimis exception described in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section.
(e) Voluntary registration. Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this section, a person that chooses to register with the Commission as a security-based swap dealer shall be deemed to be a security-based swap dealer, and, therefore, shall be subject to Section 15F of the Act (15 U.S.C 78o-10) and the rules, regulations and interpretations issued thereunder.
§ 240.3a71-2A Report regarding the “security-based swap dealer” and “major security-based swap participant” definitions (Appendix A to 17 CFR 240.3a71-2).
Appendix A to § 240.3a71-2 sets forth guidelines applicable to a report that the Commission has directed its staff to make in connection with the rules and interpretations further defining the Act’s definitions of the terms “security-based swap dealer” (including the de minimis exception to that definition) and “major security-based swap participant.” The Commission intends to consider this report in reviewing the effect and application of these rules based on the evolution of the security-based swap market following the implementation of the registration and regulatory requirements of Section 15F of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o-10). The report may also be informative as to potential changes to the rules further defining those terms. In producing this report, the staff shall consider security-based swap data collected by the Commission pursuant to other Title VII rules, as well as any other applicable information as the staff may determine to be appropriate for its analysis.
(a) Report topics. As appropriate, based on the availability of data and information, the report should address the following topics:
(1) De minimis exception. In connection with the de minimis exception to the definition of “security-based swap dealer,” the report generally should assess whether any of the de minimis thresholds set forth in paragraph (a)(1) of § 240.3a71-2 should be increased or decreased;
(2) General security-based swap dealer analysis. In connection with the definition of “security-based swap dealer,” the report generally should consider the factors that are useful for identifying security-based swap dealing activity, including the application of the dealer-trader distinction for that purpose, and the potential use of more objective tests or safe harbors as part of the analysis;
(3) General major security-based swap participant analysis. In connection with the definition of “major security-based swap participant,” the report generally should consider the tests used to identify the presence of a “substantial position” in a major category of security-based swaps, and the tests used to identify persons whose security-based swap positions create “substantial counterparty exposure,” including the potential use of alternative tests or thresholds;
(4) Commercial risk hedging exclusion. In connection with the definition of “major security-based swap participant,” the report generally should consider the definition of “hedging or mitigating commercial risk,” including whether that latter definition inappropriately permits certain positions to be excluded from the “substantial position” analysis, and whether the continued availability of the exclusion for such hedging positions should be conditioned on a person assessing and documenting the hedging effectiveness of those positions;
(5) Highly leveraged financial entities. In connection with the definition of “major security-based swap participant,” the report generally should consider the definition of “highly leveraged,” including whether alternative approaches should be used to identify highly leveraged financial entities;
(6) Inter-affiliate exclusions. In connection with the definitions of “security-based swap dealer” and “major security-based swap participant,” the report generally should consider the impact of rule provisions excluding inter-affiliate transactions from the relevant analyses, and should assess potential alternative approaches for such exclusions; and
(7) Other topics. Any other analysis of security-based swap data and information the Commission or the staff deem relevant to this rule.
(b) Timing of report. The report shall be completed no later than three years following the data collection initiation date, established pursuant to § 240.3a71-2(a)(2)(iii).
(c) Public comment on the report. Following completion of the report, the report shall be published in the
§ 240.3a71-3 Cross-border security-based swap dealing activity.
(a) Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
(1) Conduit affiliate—(i) Definition. Conduit affiliate means a person, other than a U.S. person, that:
(A) Is directly or indirectly majority-owned by one or more U.S. persons; and
(B) In the regular course of business enters into security-based swaps with one or more other non-U.S. persons, or with foreign branches of U.S. banks that are registered as security-based swap dealers, for the purpose of hedging or mitigating risks faced by, or otherwise taking positions on behalf of, one or more U.S. persons (other than U.S. persons that are registered as security-based swap dealers or major security-based swap participants) who are controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the person, and enters into offsetting security-based swaps or other arrangements with such U.S. persons to transfer risks and benefits of those security-based swaps.
(ii) Majority-ownership standard. The majority-ownership standard in paragraph (a)(1)(i)(A) of this section is satisfied if one or more persons described in § 240.3a71-3(a)(4)(i)(B) directly or indirectly own a majority interest in the non-U.S. person, where “majority interest” is the right to vote or direct the vote of a majority of a class of voting securities of an entity, the power to sell or direct the sale of a majority of a class of voting securities of an entity, or the right to receive upon dissolution, or the contribution of, a majority of the capital of a partnership.
(2) Foreign branch means any branch of a U.S. bank if:
(i) The branch is located outside the United States;
(ii) The branch operates for valid business reasons; and
(iii) The branch is engaged in the business of banking and is subject to substantive banking regulation in the jurisdiction where located.
(3) Transaction conducted through a foreign branch—(i) Definition. Transaction conducted through a foreign branch means a security-based swap transaction that is arranged, negotiated, and executed by a U.S. person through a foreign branch of such U.S. person if:
(A) The foreign branch is the counterparty to such security-based swap transaction; and
(B) The security-based swap transaction is arranged, negotiated, and executed on behalf of the foreign branch solely by persons located outside the United States.
(ii) Representations. A person shall not be required to consider its counterparty’s activity in connection with paragraph (a)(3)(i)(B) of this section in determining whether a security-based swap transaction is a transaction conducted through a foreign branch if such person receives a representation from its counterparty that the security-based swap transaction is arranged, negotiated, and executed on behalf of the foreign branch solely by persons located outside the United States, unless such person knows or has reason to know that the representation is not accurate; for the purposes of this final rule a person would have reason to know the representation is not accurate if a reasonable person should know, under all of the facts of which the person is aware, that it is not accurate.
(4) U.S. person. (i) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(4)(iii) of this section, U.S. person means any person that is:
(A) A natural person resident in the United States;
(B) A partnership, corporation, trust, investment vehicle, or other legal person organized, incorporated, or established under the laws of the United States or having its principal place of business in the United States;
(C) An account (whether discretionary or non-discretionary) of a U.S. person; or
(D) An estate of a decedent who was a resident of the United States at the time of death.
(ii) For purposes of this section, principal place of business means the location from which the officers, partners, or managers of the legal person primarily direct, control, and coordinate the activities of the legal person. With respect to an externally managed investment vehicle, this location is the office from which the manager of the vehicle primarily directs, controls, and coordinates the investment activities of the vehicle.
(iii) The term U.S. person does not include the International Monetary Fund, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the African Development Bank, the United Nations, and their agencies and pension plans, and any other similar international organizations, their agencies and pension plans.
(iv) A person shall not be required to consider its counterparty to a security-based swap to be a U.S. person if such person receives a representation from the counterparty that the counterparty does not satisfy the criteria set forth in paragraph (a)(4)(i) of this section, unless such person knows or has reason to know that the representation is not accurate; for the purposes of this final rule a person would have reason to know the representation is not accurate if a reasonable person should know, under all of the facts of which the person is aware, that it is not accurate.
(5) United States means the United States of America, its territories and possessions, any State of the United States, and the District of Columbia.
(6) U.S. security-based swap dealer means a security-based swap dealer, as defined in section 3(a)(71) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(71)), and the rules and regulations thereunder, that is a U.S. person.
(7) Foreign security-based swap dealer means a security-based swap dealer, as defined in section 3(a)(71) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(71)), and the rules and regulations thereunder, that is not a U.S. person.
(8) U.S. business means:
(i) With respect to a foreign security-based swap dealer:
(A) Any security-based swap transaction entered into, or offered to be entered into, by or on behalf of such foreign security-based swap dealer, with a U.S. person (other than a transaction conducted through a foreign branch of that person); or
(B) Any security-based swap transaction arranged, negotiated, or executed by personnel of the foreign security-based swap dealer located in a U.S. branch or office, or by personnel of an agent of the foreign security-based swap dealer located in a U.S. branch or office; and
(ii) With respect to a U.S. security-based swap dealer, any transaction entered into or offered to be entered into by or on behalf of such U.S. security-based swap dealer, other than a transaction conducted through a foreign branch with a non-U.S. person or with a U.S.-person counterparty that constitutes a transaction conducted through a foreign branch of the counterparty.
(9) Foreign business means security-based swap transactions entered into, or offered to be entered into, by or on behalf of a security-based swap dealer, other than the U.S. business of such person.
(10) An entity is a majority-owned affiliate of another entity if the entity directly or indirectly owns a majority interest in the other, or if a third party directly or indirectly owns a majority interest in both entities, where “majority interest” is the right to vote or direct the vote of a majority of a class of voting securities of an entity, the power to sell or direct the sale of a majority of a class of voting securities of an entity, or the right to receive upon dissolution, or the contribution of, a majority of the capital of a partnership.
(11) Foreign associated person means a natural person domiciled outside the United States who—with respect to a non-U.S. person relying on the exception set forth in paragraph (d) of this section—is a partner, officer, director, or branch manager of such non-U.S. person (or any person occupying a similar status or performing similar functions), any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such non-U.S. person, or any employee of such non-U.S. person.
(12) Listed jurisdiction means any jurisdiction that the Commission by order has designated as a listed jurisdiction for purposes of the exception specified in paragraph (d) of this section.
(13) Covered inter-dealer security-based swap means any security-based swap between:
(i) A non-U.S. person relying on the exception in paragraph (d) of this section; and
(ii) A non-U.S. person that is, or is an affiliate of, a registered security-based swap dealer or registered broker that has filed with the Commission a notice pursuant to paragraph (d)(1)(vi) of this section; provided, however, that a covered inter-dealer security-based swap does not include a security-based swap with a non-U.S. person that the non-U.S. person relying on the exception in paragraph (d) of this section reasonably determines at the time of execution of the security-based swap is neither a registered security-based swap dealer or registered broker that has filed with the Commission a notice pursuant to paragraph (d)(1)(vi) of this section nor an affiliate of such a registered security-based swap dealer or registered broker.
(b) Application of de minimis exception to cross-border dealing activity. For purposes of calculating the amount of security-based swap positions connected with dealing activity under § 240.3a71-2(a)(1), except as provided in § 240.3a71-5, a person shall include the following security-based swap transactions:
(1)(i) If such person is a U.S. person, all security-based swap transactions connected with the dealing activity in which such person engages, including transactions conducted through a foreign branch;
(ii) If such person is a conduit affiliate, all security-based swap transactions connected with the dealing activity in which such person engages; and
(iii) If such person is a non-U.S. person other than a conduit affiliate, all of the following types of transactions:
(A) Security-based swap transactions connected with the dealing activity in which such person engages that are entered into with a U.S. person; provided, however, that this paragraph (b)(1)(iii)(A) shall not apply to:
(1) Transactions with a U.S. person counterparty that constitute transactions conducted through a foreign branch of the counterparty, when the counterparty is a registered security-based swap dealer; and
(2) Transactions with a U.S. person counterparty that constitute transactions conducted through a foreign branch of the counterparty, when the transaction is entered into prior to 60 days following the earliest date on which the registration of security-based swap dealers is first required pursuant to the applicable final rules and regulations; and
(B) Security-based swap transactions connected with the dealing activity in which such person engages for which the counterparty to the security-based swap has rights of recourse against a U.S. person that is controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the non-U.S. person; for these purposes a counterparty has rights of recourse against the U.S. person if the counterparty has a conditional or unconditional legally enforceable right, in whole or in part, to receive payments from, or otherwise collect from, the U.S. person in connection with the security-based swap; and
(C) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, or unless such person is a person described in paragraph (a)(4)(iii) of this section, security-based swap transactions connected with such person’s security-based swap dealing activity that are arranged, negotiated, or executed by personnel of such non-U.S. person located in a U.S. branch or office, or by personnel of an agent of such non-U.S. person located in a U.S. branch or office; and
(2) If such person engages in transactions described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, except as provided in § 240.3a71-4, all of the following types of security-based swap transactions:
(i) Security-based swap transactions connected with the dealing activity in which any U.S. person controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such person engages, including transactions conducted through a foreign branch;
(ii) Security-based swap transactions connected with the dealing activity in which any conduit affiliate controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such person engages; and
(iii) Security-based swap transactions connected with the dealing activity of any non-U.S. person, other than a conduit affiliate, that is controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such person, that are described in paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this section.
(c) Application of customer protection requirements. A registered security-based swap dealer, with respect to its foreign business, shall not be subject to the requirements relating to business conduct standards described in section 15F(h) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o-10(h)), and the rules and regulations thereunder, other than the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission pursuant to section 15F(h)(1)(B) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o-10(h)(1)(B)).
(d) Exception from counting certain transactions. The counting requirement described by paragraph (b)(1)(iii)(C) of this section will not apply to the security-based swap dealing transactions of a non-U.S. person if the conditions of paragraph (d)(1) of this section have been satisfied.
(1) Conditions—(i) Entity conducting U.S. activity. All activity that otherwise would cause a security-based swap transaction to be described by paragraph (b)(1)(iii)(C) of this section—namely, all arranging, negotiating or executing activity that is conducted by personnel of the entity (or its agent) located in a branch or office in the United States—is conducted by such U.S. personnel in their capacity as persons associated with an entity that:
(A) Is registered with the Commission as:
(1) A broker registered under section 15 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o) that is subject to and complies with § 240.15c3-1(a)(7);
(2) A broker registered under section 15 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o), other than a broker that is subject to § 240.15c3-1(a)(7), that complies with § 240.15c3-1(a)(10), as if that entity were registered with the Commission as a security-based swap dealer, if it is not so registered; or
(3) A security-based swap dealer; and
(B) Is a majority-owned affiliate of the non-U.S. person relying on this exception.
(ii) Compliance with specified security-based swap dealer requirements—(A) Compliance required. In connection with such transactions, the registered entity described in paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section complies with the requirements described in paragraph (d)(1)(ii)(B) of this section
(1) As if the counterparties to the non-U.S. person relying on this exception also were counterparties to that entity; and
(2) As if that entity were registered with the Commission as a security-based swap dealer, if it is not so registered.
(B) Applicable requirements. The compliance obligation described in paragraph (d)(1)(ii)(A) of this section applies to the following provisions of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder:
(1) Section 15F(h)(3)(B)(i), (ii) and § 240.15Fh-3(b), including in connection with material incentives and conflicts of interest associated with the non-U.S. person relying on the exception;
(2) Section 240.15Fh-3(f)(1); provided, however, that if the registered entity described in paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section reasonably determines that the counterparty to whom it recommends a security-based swap or trading strategy involving a security-based swap is an “institutional counterparty” as defined in § 240.15Fh-3(f)(4), the registered entity instead may fulfill its obligations under § 240.15Fh-3(f)(1)(ii) if it discloses to the counterparty that it is not undertaking to assess the suitability of the security-based swap or trading strategy involving a security-based swap for the counterparty;
(3) Section 15F(h)(3)(C) of the Act and § 240.15Fh-3(g); and
(4) Sections 240.15Fi-1 and 240.15Fi-2.
(iii) Commission access to books, records and testimony. (A) The non-U.S. person relying on this exception promptly provides representatives of the Commission (upon request of the Commission or its representatives or pursuant to a supervisory or enforcement memorandum of understanding or other arrangement or agreement reached between any foreign securities authority, including any foreign government, as specified in section 3(a)(50) of the Act, and the Commission or the U.S. Government) with any information or documents within the non-U.S. person’s possession, custody, or control, promptly makes its foreign associated persons available for testimony, and provides any assistance in taking the evidence of other persons, wherever located, that the Commission or its representatives requests and that relates to transactions subject to this exception; provided, however, that if, after exercising its best efforts, the non-U.S. person is prohibited by applicable foreign law or regulations from providing such information, documents, testimony, or assistance, the non-U.S. person may continue to rely on this exception until the Commission issues an order modifying or withdrawing an associated “listed jurisdiction” determination pursuant to paragraph (d)(2)(iii) of this section.
(B) The registered entity described in paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section:
(1) Creates and maintains books and records relating to the transactions subject to this exception that are required, as applicable, by §§ 240.17a-3 and 240.17a-4, or by §§ 240.18a-5 and 240.18a-6, including any books and records requirements relating to the provisions specified in paragraph (d)(1)(ii)(B) of this section;
(2) Obtains from the non-U.S. person relying on the exception, and maintains for not less than three years following the activity described in paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section, the first two years in an easily accessible place, documentation regarding such non-U.S. person’s compliance with the condition in paragraph (d)(1)(vii) of this section;
(3) Obtains from the non-U.S. person relying on the exception, and maintains for not less than three years following the activity described in paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section, the first two years in an easily accessible place, documentation encompassing all terms governing the trading relationship between the non-U.S. person and its counterparty relating to the transactions subject to this exception, including, without limitation, terms addressing payment obligations, netting of payments, events of default or other termination events, calculation and netting of obligations upon termination, transfer of rights and obligations, allocation of any applicable regulatory reporting obligations, governing law, valuation, and dispute resolution; and
(4) Obtains from the non-U.S. person relying on this exception, and maintains for not less than three years following the activity described in paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section, the first two years in an easily accessible place, written consent to service of process for any civil action brought by or proceeding before the Commission, providing that process may be served on the non-U.S. person by service on the registered entity in the manner set forth in the registered entity’s current Form BD, SBSE, SBSE-A or SBSE-BD, as applicable.
(iv) Counterparty notification In connection with the transaction, the registered entity described in paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section notifies the counterparties of the non-U.S. person relying on this exception that the non-U.S. person is not registered with the Commission as a security-based swap dealer, and that certain Exchange Act provisions or rules addressing the regulation of security-based swaps would not be applicable in connection with the transaction, including provisions affording clearing rights to counterparties. Such notice shall be provided contemporaneously with, and in the same manner as, the arranging, negotiating, or executing activity at issue; provided, however, that during a period in which a counterparty is neither a customer (as such term is defined in § 240.15c3-3) of the registered entity described in paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section (if such registered entity is a registered broker or dealer) nor a counterparty to a security-based swap with the registered entity described in paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section, such notice need only be provided contemporaneously with, and in the same manner as, the first such arranging, negotiating, or executing activity during such period. This disclosure will not be required if the identity of that counterparty is not known to that registered entity at a reasonably sufficient time prior to the execution of the transaction to permit such disclosure.
(v) Subject to regulation of a listed jurisdiction. The non-U.S. person relying on this exception is subject to the margin and capital requirements of a listed jurisdiction when engaging in the transactions subject to this exception.
(vi) Notice by registered entity. Before an associated person of the registered entity described in paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section commences the activity described in paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section, such registered entity shall file with the Commission a notice that its associated persons may conduct such activity. Such registered entity shall file this notice by submitting it to the electronic mailbox described on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov at the “ANE Exception Notices” section. The Commission shall publicly post such notice on the same section of its website.
(vii) Limitation for covered inter-dealer security-based swaps. The aggregate gross notional amount of covered inter-dealer security-based swap positions connected with dealing activity subject to the exception in this paragraph (d) engaged in by persons described in paragraph (d)(6)(i) of this section over the course of the immediately preceding 12 months does not exceed $50 billion.
(2) Order for listed jurisdiction designation. The Commission by order, may conditionally or unconditionally determine that a foreign jurisdiction is a listed jurisdiction for purposes of this section. The Commission may make listed jurisdiction determinations in response to applications, or upon the Commission’s own initiative.
(i) Applications. Applications for an order requesting listed jurisdiction status may be made by a party or group of parties that potentially would seek to rely on the exception provided by paragraph (d) of this section, or by any foreign financial regulatory authority or authorities supervising such a party or its security-based swap activities. Applications must be filed pursuant to the procedures set forth in § 240.0-13.
(ii) Criteria considered. In considering a foreign jurisdiction’s potential status as a listed jurisdiction, the Commission may consider factors relevant for purposes of assessing whether such an order would be in the public interest, including:
(A) Applicable margin and capital requirements of the foreign financial regulatory system; and
(B) The effectiveness of the supervisory compliance program administered by, and the enforcement authority exercised by, the foreign financial regulatory authority in connection with such requirements, including the application of those requirements in connection with an entity’s cross-border business.
(iii) Withdrawal or modification of listed jurisdiction status. The Commission may, on its own initiative, by order after notice and opportunity for comment, modify or withdraw a jurisdiction’s status as a listed jurisdiction, if the Commission determines that continued listed jurisdiction status no longer would be in the public interest, based on:
(A) The criteria set forth in paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of this section;
(B) Any laws or regulations that have had the effect of preventing the Commission or its representatives, on request, to promptly access information or documents regarding the activities of persons relying on the exception provided by this paragraph (d), to obtain the testimony of their foreign associated persons, and to obtain the assistance of persons relying on this exception in taking the evidence of other persons, wherever located, as described in paragraph (d)(1)(iii)(A) of this section; and
(C) Any other factor the Commission determines to be relevant to whether continued status as a listed jurisdiction would be in the public interest.
(3) Exception for person that engages in arranging, negotiating, or executing activity as agent. The registered entity described in paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section need not count, against the de minimis thresholds described in § 240.3a71-2(a)(1), the transactions described by paragraph (d) of this section.
(4) Limited exemption from registration as a broker. A registered security-based swap dealer and its associated persons who conduct the activities described in paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section shall not be subject to registration as a broker pursuant to section 15(a)(1) of the Act solely because the registered entity or the associated person conducts any activity described in paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section with or for a person that is an eligible contract participant, provided that:
(i) The conditions of paragraph (d)(1) of this section are satisfied in connection with such activities; and
(ii) If § 240.10b-10 would apply to an activity subject to the exception in paragraph (d)(1)(i), such registered security-based swap dealer provides to the customer the disclosures required by § 240.10b-10(a)(2) (excluding § 240.10b-10(a)(2)(i) and (ii)) and § 240.10b-10(a)(8) in accordance with the time and form requirements set forth in § 240.15Fi-2(b) and (c) or, alternatively, promptly after discovery of any defect in the registered security-based swap dealer’s good faith effort to comply with such requirements.
(5) Exemption from § 240.10b-10. A broker or dealer that is also a registered security-based swap dealer or registered broker described in paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section shall be exempt from the requirements of § 240.10b-10 with respect to activity described in paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section, provided that such broker or dealer:
(i) Complies with paragraph (d)(1)(ii)(B)(4) of this section in connection with such activity; and
(ii) Provides to the customer the disclosures required by § 240.10b-10(a)(2) (excluding § 240.10b-10(a)(2)(i) and (ii)) and § 240.10b-10(a)(8) in accordance with the time and form requirements set forth in § 240.15Fi-2(b) and (c) or, alternatively, promptly after discovery of any defect in the broker or dealer’s good faith effort to comply with such requirements.
(6) Limitation for covered inter-dealer security-based swaps—(i) Scope of limitation for covered inter-dealer security-based swaps. The threshold described in paragraph (d)(1)(vii) of this section applies to covered inter-dealer security-based swap positions connected with dealing activity subject to the exception in this paragraph (d) engaged in by any of the following persons:
(A) The non-U.S. person relying on the exception in this paragraph (d); and
(B) Any affiliate of such person, except for an affiliate that is deemed not to be a security-based swap dealer pursuant to Rule 3a71-2(b).
(ii) Impact of exceeding exception threshold. If the threshold described in paragraph (d)(1)(vii) of this section is exceeded, then
(A) As of the date the condition in paragraph (d)(1)(vii) of this section is no longer satisfied, the non-U.S. person that is no longer able to satisfy that condition may not rely on the exception in this paragraph (d) for future security-based swap transactions.
(B) For purposes of calculating the amount of security-based swap positions connected with dealing activity under § 240.3a71-2(a)(1), the non-U.S. person that is no longer able to satisfy the condition in paragraph (d)(1)(vii) of this section shall include all covered inter-dealer security-based swap positions connected with dealing activity subject to the exception in this paragraph (d) engaged in by persons described in paragraph (d)(6)(i) of this section over the course of the immediately preceding 12 months, such positions to be included in such calculation as of the date that the condition in paragraph (d)(1)(vii) of this section is no longer satisfied.
§ 240.3a71-4 Exception from aggregation for affiliated groups with registered security-based swap dealers.
Notwithstanding §§ 240.3a71-2(a)(1) and 240.3a71-3(b)(2), a person shall not include the security-based swap transactions of another person (an “affiliate”) controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such person where such affiliate either is:
(a) Registered with the Commission as a security-based swap dealer; or
(b) Deemed not to be a security-based swap dealer pursuant to § 240.3a71-2(b).
§ 240.3a71-5 Exception for cleared transactions executed on a swap execution facility.
(a) For purposes of § 240.3a71-3(b)(1), a non-U.S. person, other than a conduit affiliate, shall not include its security-based swap transactions that are entered into anonymously on an execution facility or national securities exchange and are cleared through a clearing agency; and
(b) For purposes of § 240.3a71-3(b)(2), a person shall not include security-based swap transactions of an affiliated non-U.S. person, other than a conduit affiliate, when such transactions are entered into anonymously on an execution facility or national securities exchange and are cleared through a clearing agency.
(c) The exceptions in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section shall not apply to any security-based swap transactions of a non-U.S. person or of an affiliated non-U.S. person connected with the person’s security-based swap dealing activity that are arranged, negotiated, or executed by personnel of such non-U.S. person located in a U.S. branch or office, or by personnel of an agent of such non-U.S. person located in a U.S. branch or office.
§ 240.3a71-6 Substituted compliance for security-based swap dealers and major security-based swap participants.
(a) Determinations—(1) In general. Subject to paragraph (a)(2) of this section, the Commission may, conditionally or unconditionally, by order, make a determination with respect to a foreign financial regulatory system that compliance with specified requirements under such foreign financial regulatory system by a registered security-based swap dealer and/or by a registered major security-based swap participant (each a “security-based swap entity”), or class thereof, may satisfy the corresponding requirements identified in paragraph (d) of this section that would otherwise apply to such security-based swap entity (or class thereof).
(2) Standard. The Commission shall not make a substituted compliance determination under paragraph (a)(1) of this section unless the Commission:
(i) Determines that the requirements of such foreign financial regulatory system applicable to such security-based swap entity (or class thereof) or to the activities of such security-based swap entity (or class thereof) are comparable to otherwise applicable requirements, after taking into account such factors as the Commission determines are appropriate, such as the scope and objectives of the relevant foreign regulatory requirements (taking into account the applicable criteria set forth in paragraph (d) of this section), as well as the effectiveness of the supervisory compliance program administered, and the enforcement authority exercised, by a foreign financial regulatory authority or authorities in such system to support its oversight of such security-based swap entity (or class thereof) or of the activities of such security-based swap entity (or class thereof); and
(ii) Has entered into a supervisory and enforcement memorandum of understanding and/or other arrangement with the relevant foreign financial regulatory authority or authorities under such foreign financial regulatory system addressing supervisory and enforcement cooperation and other matters arising under the substituted compliance determination.
(3) Withdrawal or modification. The Commission may, on its own initiative, by order, modify or withdraw a substituted compliance determination under paragraph (a)(1) of this section, after appropriate notice and opportunity for comment.
(b) Reliance by security-based swap entities. A registered security-based swap entity may satisfy the requirements described in paragraph (d) of this section by complying with corresponding law, rules and regulations under a foreign financial regulatory system, provided:
(1) The Commission has made a substituted compliance determination pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of this section regarding such foreign financial regulatory system providing that compliance with specified requirements under such foreign financial regulatory system by such registered security-based swap entity (or class thereof) may satisfy the corresponding requirements described in paragraph (d) of this section; and
(2) Such registered security-based swap entity satisfies any conditions set forth in a substituted compliance determination made by the Commission pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
(c) Requests for determinations. (1) A party or group of parties that potentially would comply with specified requirements pursuant to paragraph (a)(1), or any foreign financial regulatory authority or authorities supervising such a party or its security-based swap activities, may file an application, pursuant to the procedures set forth in § 240.0-13, requesting that the Commission make a substituted compliance determination pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of this section, with respect to one or more requirements described in paragraph (d) of this section.
(2) Such a party or group of parties may make a request under paragraph (c)(1) of this section only if:
(i) Each such party, or the party’s activities, is directly supervised by the foreign financial regulatory authority or authorities with respect to the foreign regulatory requirements relating to the applicable requirements described in paragraph (d) of this section; and
(ii) Each such party provides the certification and opinion of counsel as described in § 240.15Fb2-4(c), as if the party were subject to that requirement at the time of the request.
(3) Such foreign financial authority or authorities may make a request under paragraph (c)(1) of this section only if each such authority provides adequate assurances that no law or policy of any relevant foreign jurisdiction would impede the ability of any entity that is directly supervised by the foreign financial regulatory authority and that may register with the Commission as a security-based swap dealer or major security-based swap participant to provide prompt access to the Commission to such entity’s books and records or to submit to onsite inspection or examination by the Commission.
(d) Eligible requirements. The Commission may make a substituted compliance determination under paragraph (a)(1) of this section to permit security-based swap entities that are not U.S. persons (as defined in § 240.3a71-3(a)(4)), but not security-based swap entities that are U.S. persons, to satisfy the following requirements by complying with comparable foreign requirements:
(1) Business conduct and supervision. The business conduct and supervision requirements of sections 15F(h) and (j) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o-10(h) and (j)) and §§ 240.15Fh-3 through 15Fh-6, other than the antifraud provisions of section 15F(h)(4)(A) of the Act and § 240.15Fh-4(a), and other than the provisions of sections 15F(j)(3) and 15F(j)(4)(B) of the Act; provided, however, that prior to making such a substituted compliance determination the Commission intends to consider whether the information that is required to be provided to counterparties pursuant to the requirements of the foreign financial regulatory system, the counterparty protections under the requirements of the foreign financial regulatory system, the mandates for supervisory systems under the requirements of the foreign financial regulatory system, and the duties imposed by the foreign financial regulatory system, are comparable to those associated with the applicable provisions arising under the Act and its rules and regulations.
(2) Chief compliance officer. The chief compliance officer requirements of section 15F(k) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o-10(k)) and § 240.15Fk-1; provided, however, that prior to making such a substituted compliance determination the Commission intends to consider whether the requirements of the foreign financial regulatory system regarding chief compliance officer obligations are comparable to those required pursuant to the applicable provisions arising under the Act and its rules and regulations.
(3) Trade acknowledgment and verification. The trade acknowledgment and verification requirements of section 15F(i) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o-10(i)) and § 240.15Fi-2; provided, however, that prior to making such a substituted compliance determination the Commission intends to consider whether the information that is required to be provided pursuant to the requirements of the foreign financial regulatory system, and the manner and timeframe by which that information must be provided, are comparable to those required pursuant to the applicable provisions arising under the Act and its rules and regulations.
(4) Capital—(i) Security-based swap dealers. The capital requirements of section 15F(e) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o-10(e)) and § 240.18a-1; provided, however, that prior to making such substituted compliance determination, the Commission intends to consider (in addition to any conditions imposed) whether the capital requirements of the foreign financial regulatory system are designed to help ensure the safety and soundness of registrants in a manner that is comparable to the applicable provisions arising under the Act and its rules and regulations.
(ii) Major security-based swap participants. The capital requirements of section 15F(e) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o-10(e)) and § 240.18a-2; provided, however, that prior to making such substituted compliance determination, the Commission intends to consider (in addition to any conditions imposed) whether the capital requirements of the foreign financial regulatory system are comparable to the applicable provisions arising under the Act and its rules and regulations.
(5) Margin—(i) Security-based swap dealers. The margin requirements of section 15F(e) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o-10(e)) and § 240.18a-3; provided, however, that prior to making such substituted compliance determination, the Commission intends to consider (in addition to any conditions imposed) whether the foreign financial regulatory system requires registrants to adequately cover their current and potential future exposure to over-the-counter derivatives counterparties, and ensures registrants’ safety and soundness, in a manner comparable to the applicable provisions arising under the Act and its rules and regulations.
(ii) Major security-based swap participants. The margin requirements of section 15F(e) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o-10(e)) and § 240.18a-3; provided, however, that prior to making such substituted compliance determination, the Commission intends to consider (in addition to any conditions imposed) whether the foreign financial regulatory system requires registrants to adequately cover their current exposure to over-the-counter derivatives counterparties, and ensures registrants’ safety and soundness, in a manner comparable to the applicable provisions arising under the Act and its rules and regulations.
(6) Recordkeeping and reporting. The recordkeeping and reporting requirements of Section 15F of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o-10) and §§ 240.18a-5 through 240.18a-9; provided, however, that prior to making such a substituted compliance determination the Commission intends to consider (in addition to any conditions imposed), whether the foreign financial regulatory system’s required records and reports, the timeframes for recording or reporting information, the accounting standards governing the records and reports, and the required format of the records and reports are comparable to applicable provisions arising under the Act and its rules and regulations and would permit the Commission to examine and inspect regulated firms’ compliance with the applicable securities laws.
(7) Portfolio reconciliation, portfolio compression, and trading relationship documentation requirements. The portfolio reconciliation, portfolio compression, and trading relationship documentation requirements of section 15F(i) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o-10(i)) and §§ 240.15Fi-3 through 240.15Fi-5; provided, however, that prior to making such a substituted compliance determination the Commission intends to consider whether the requirements of the foreign financial regulatory system for engaging in portfolio reconciliation and portfolio compression and for executing trading relationship documentation with counterparties, the duties imposed by the foreign financial regulatory system, and the information that is required to be provided to counterparties pursuant to the requirements of the foreign financial regulatory system, are comparable to those required pursuant to the applicable provisions arising under the Act and its rules and regulations.
Definitions
§ 240.3b-1 Definition of “listed”.
The term listed means admitted to full trading privileges upon application by the issuer or its fiscal agent or, in the case of the securities of a foreign corporation, upon application by a banker engaged in distributing them; and includes securities for which authority to add to the list on official notice of issuance has been granted.
§ 240.3b-2 Definition of “officer”.
The term officer means a president, vice president, secretary, treasury or principal financial officer, comptroller or principal accounting officer, and any person routinely performing corresponding functions with respect to any organization whether incorporated or unincorporated.
§ 240.3b-3 [Reserved]
§ 240.3b-4 Definition of “foreign government,” “foreign issuer” and “foreign private issuer”.
(a) The term foreign government means the government of any foreign country or of any political subdivision of a foreign country.
(b) The term foreign issuer means any issuer which is a foreign government, a national of any foreign country or a corporation or other organization incorporated or organized under the laws of any foreign country.
(c) The term foreign private issuer means any foreign issuer other than a foreign government except for an issuer meeting the following conditions as of the last business day of its most recently completed second fiscal quarter:
(1) More than 50 percent of the issuer’s outstanding voting securities are directly or indirectly held of record by residents of the United States; and
(2) Any of the following:
(i) The majority of the executive officers or directors are United States citizens or residents;
(ii) More than 50 percent of the assets of the issuer are located in the United States; or
(iii) The business of the issuer is administered principally in the United States.
To determine the percentage of outstanding voting securities held by U.S. residents:
A. Use the method of calculating record ownership in § 240.12g3-2(a), except that:
(1) Your inquiry as to the amount of shares represented by accounts of customers resident in the United States may be limited to brokers, dealers, banks and other nominees located in:
(i) The United States,
(ii) Your jurisdiction of incorporation, and
(iii) The jurisdiction that is the primary trading market for your voting securities, if different than your jurisdiction of incorporation; and
(2) Notwithstanding § 240.12g5-1(a)(8) of this chapter, you shall not exclude securities held by persons who received the securities pursuant to an employee compensation plan.
B. If, after reasonable inquiry, you are unable to obtain information about the amount of shares represented by accounts of customers resident in the United States, you may assume, for purposes of this definition, that the customers are residents of the jurisdiction in which the nominee has its principal place of business.
C. Count shares of voting securities beneficially owned by residents of the United States as reported on reports of beneficial ownership provided to you or filed publicly and based on information otherwise provided to you.
(d) Notwithstanding paragraph (c) of this section, in the case of a new registrant with the Commission, the determination of whether an issuer is a foreign private issuer will be made as of a date within 30 days prior to the issuer’s filing of an initial registration statement under either the Act or the Securities Act of 1933.
(e) Once an issuer qualifies as a foreign private issuer, it will immediately be able to use the forms and rules designated for foreign private issuers until it fails to qualify for this status at the end of its most recently completed second fiscal quarter. An issuer’s determination that it fails to qualify as a foreign private issuer governs its eligibility to use the forms and rules designated for foreign private issuers beginning on the first day of the fiscal year following the determination date. Once an issuer fails to qualify for foreign private issuer status, it will remain unqualified unless it meets the requirements for foreign private issuer status as of the last business day of its second fiscal quarter.
§ 240.3b-5 Non-exempt securities issued under governmental obligations.
(a) Any part of an obligation evidenced by any bond, note, debenture, or other evidence of indebtedness issued by any governmental unit specified in section 3(a)(12) of the Act which is payable from payments to be made in respect of property or money which is or will be used, under a lease, sale, or loan arrangement, by or for industrial or commercial enterprise, shall be deemed to be a separate “security” within the meaning of section 3(a)(10) of the Act, issued by the lessee or obligor under the lease, sale or loan arrangement.
(b) An obligation shall not be deemed a separate “security” as defined in paragraph (a) of this section if, (1) the obligation is payable from the general revenues of a governmental unit, specified in section 3(a)(12) of the Act, having other resources which may be used for the payment of the obligation, or (2) the obligation relates to a public project or facility owned and operated by or on behalf of and under the control of a governmental unit specified in such section, or (3) the obligation relates to a facility which is leased to and under the control of an industrial or commercial enterprise but is a part of a public project which, as a whole, is owned by and under the general control of a governmental unit specified in such section, or an instrumentality thereof.
(c) This rule shall apply to transactions of the character described in paragraph (a) of this section only with respect to bonds, notes, debentures or other evidences of indebtedness sold after December 31, 1968.
§ 240.3b-6 Liability for certain statements by issuers.
(a) A statement within the coverage of paragraph (b) of this section which is made by or on behalf of an issuer or by an outside reviewer retained by the issuer shall be deemed not to be a fraudulent statement (as defined in paragraph (d) of this section), unless it is shown that such statement was made or reaffirmed without a reasonable basis or was disclosed other than in good faith.
(b) This rule applies to the following statements:
(1) A forward-looking statement (as defined in paragraph (c) of this section) made in a document filed with the Commission, in Part I of a quarterly report on Form 10-Q, § 249.308a of this chapter, or in an annual report to security holders meeting the requirements of Rules 14a-3(b) and (c) or 14c-3(a) and (b) (§ 240.14a-3(b) and (c) or § 240.14c-3(a) and (b)), a statement reaffirming such forward-looking statement after the date the document was filed or the annual report was made publicly available, or a forward-looking statement made before the date the document was filed or the date the annual report was made publicly available if such statement is reaffirmed in a filed document, in Part I of a quarterly report on Form 10-Q, or in an annual report made publicly available within a reasonable time after the making of such forward-looking statement; Provided, that:
(i) At the time such statements are made or reaffirmed, either the issuer is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Act and has complied with the requirements of Rule 13a-1 or 15d-1 thereunder, if applicable, to file its most recent annual report on Form 10-K, Form 20-F or Form 40-F; or if the issuer is not subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Act, the statements are made in a registration statement filed under the Securities Act of 1933 offering statement or solicitation of interest, written document or broadcast script under Regulation A or pursuant to Section 12(b) or (g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(ii) The statements are not made by or on behalf of an issuer that is an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940; and
(2) Information that is disclosed in a document filed with the Commission in Part I of a quarterly report on Form 10-Q (§ 249.308a of this chapter) or in an annual report to security holders meeting the requirements of Rules 14a-3(b) and (c) or 14c-3(a) and (b) under the Act (§ 240.14a-3(b) and (c) or § 240.14c-3(a) and (b) of this chapter) and that relates to:
(i) The effects of changing prices on the business enterprise, presented voluntarily or pursuant to Item 303 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.303 of this chapter), “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” Item 5 of Form 20-F (§ 240.220(f) of this chapter), “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects,” Item 302 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.302 of this chapter) “Supplementary Financial Information,” or Rule 3-20(c) of Regulation S-X (§ 210.3-20(c) of this chapter); or
(ii) The value of proved oil and gas reserves (such as a standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to proved oil and gas reserves as set forth in FASB ASC paragraphs 932-235-50-29 through 932-235-50-36 (Extractive Activities—Oil and Gas Topic)), presented voluntarily or pursuant to Item 302 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.302 of this chapter).
(c) For the purpose of this rule, the term forward-looking statement shall mean and shall be limited to:
(1) A statement containing a projection of revenues, income (loss), earnings (loss) per share, capital expenditures, dividends, capital structure or other financial items;
(2) A statement of management’s plans and objectives for future operations;
(3) A statement of future economic performance contained in management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations included pursuant to Item 303 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.303 of this chapter) or Item 5 of Form 20-F or
(4) Disclosed statements of the assumptions underlying or relating to any of the statements described in paragraphs (c) (1), (2), or (3) of this section.
(d) For the purpose of this rule the term fraudulent statement shall mean a statement which is an untrue statement of a material fact, a statement false or misleading with respect to any material fact, an omission to state a material fact necessary to make a statement not misleading, or which constitutes the employment of a manipulative, deceptive, or fraudulent device, contrivance, scheme, transaction, act, practice, course of business, or an artifice to defraud, as those terms are used in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or the rules or regulations promulgated thereunder.
§ 240.3b-7 Definition of “executive officer”.
The term executive officer, when used with reference to a registrant, means its president, any vice president of the registrant in charge of a principal business unit, division or function (such as sales, administration or finance), any other officer who performs a policy making function or any other person who performs similar policy making functions for the registrant. Executive officers of subsidiaries may be deemed executive officers of the registrant if they perform such policy making functions for the registrant.
§ 240.3b-8 Definitions of “Qualified OTC Market Maker, Qualified Third Market Maker” and “Qualified Block Positioner”.
For the purposes of Regulation U under the Act (12 CFR part 221):
(a) The term Qualified OTC Market Maker in an over-the-counter (“OTC”) margin security means a dealer in any “OTC Margin Security” (as that term is defined in section 2(j) of Regulation U (12 CFR 221.2(j)) who (1) is a broker or dealer registered pursuant to section 15 of the Act, (2) is subject to and is in compliance with Rule 15c3-1 (17 CFR 240.15c3-1), (3) has and maintains minimum net capital, as defined in Rule 15c3-1, of the lesser of (i) $250,000 or (ii) $25,000 plus $5,000 for each security in excess of five with regard to which the broker or dealer is, or is seeking to become a Qualified OTC Market Maker, and (4) except when such activity is unlawful, meets all of the following conditions with respect to such security: (i) He regularly publishes bona fide, competitive bid and offer quotations in a recognized inter-dealer quotation system, (ii) he furnishes bona fide, competitive bid and offer quotations to other brokers and dealers on request, (iii) he is ready, willing and able to effect transactions in reasonable amounts, and at his quoted prices, with other brokers and dealers, and (iv) he has a reasonable average rate of inventory turnover in such security.
(b) The term Qualified Third Market Maker means a dealer in any stock registered on a national securities exchange (“exchange”) who (1) is a broker or dealer registered pursuant to section 15 of the Act, (2) is subject to and is in compliance with Rule 15c3-1 (17 CFR 240.15c3-1), (3) has and maintains minimum net capital, as defined in Rule 15c3-1, of the lesser of (i) $500,000 or (ii) $100,000 plus $20,000 for each security in excess of five with regard to which the broker or dealer is, or is seeking to become, a Qualified Third Market Maker, and (4) except when such activity is unlawful, meets all of the following conditions with respect to such security: (i) He furnishes bona fide, competitive bid and offer quotations at all times to other brokers and dealers on request, (ii) he is ready, willing and able to effect transactions for his own account in reasonable amounts, and at his quoted prices with other brokers and dealers, and (iii) he has a reasonable average rate of inventory turnover in such security.
(c) The term Qualified Block Positioner means a dealer who (1) is a broker or dealer registered pursuant to section 15 of the Act, (2) is subject to and in compliance with Rule 15c3-1 (17 CFR 240.15c3-1), (3) has and maintains minimum net capital, as defined in Rule 15c3-1 of $1,000,000 and (4) except when such activity is unlawful, meets all of the following conditions: (i) He engages in the activity of purchasing long or selling short, from time to time, from or to a customer (other than a partner or a joint venture or other entity in which a partner, the dealer, or a person associated with such dealer, as defined in section 3(a) (18) of the Act, participates) a block of stock with a current market value of $200,000 or more in a single transaction, or in several transactions at approximately the same time, from a single source to facilitate a sale or purchase by such customer, (ii) he has determined in the exercise of reasonable diligence that the block could not be sold to or purchased from others on equivalent or better terms, and (iii) he sells the shares comprising the block as rapidly as possible commensurate with the circumstances.
§§ 240.3b-9–240.3b-10 [Reserved]
§ 240.3b-11 Definitions relating to limited partnership roll-up transactions for purposes of sections 6(b)(9), 14(h) and 15A(b)(12)-(13).
For purposes of sections 6(b)(9), 14(h) and 15A(b)(12)-(13) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(9), 78n(h) and 78o-3(b)(12)-(13)):
(a) The term limited partnership roll-up transaction does not include a transaction involving only entities that are not “finite-life” as defined in Item 901(b)(2) of Regulation S-K (§ 229.901(b)(2) of this chapter).
(b) The term limited partnership roll-up transaction does not include a transaction involving only entities registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-1 et seq.) or any Business Development Company as defined in section 2(a)(48) of that Act (15 U.S.C. 80a-2(a)(48)).
(c) The term regularly traded shall be defined as in Item 901(c)(2)(v)(C) of Regulation S-K (§ 229.901(c)(2)(v)(C) of this chapter).
§ 240.3b-12 Definition of OTC derivatives dealer.
The term OTC derivatives dealer means any dealer that is affiliated with a registered broker or dealer (other than an OTC derivatives dealer), and whose securities activities:
(a) Are limited to:
(1) Engaging in dealer activities in eligible OTC derivative instruments that are securities;
(2) Issuing and reacquiring securities that are issued by the dealer, including warrants on securities, hybrid securities, and structured notes;
(3) Engaging in cash management securities activities;
(4) Engaging in ancillary portfolio management securities activities; and
(5) Engaging in such other securities activities that the Commission designates by order pursuant to § 240.15a-1(b)(1); and
(b) Consist primarily of the activities described in paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3) of this section; and
(c) Do not consist of any other securities activities, including engaging in any transaction in any security that is not an eligible OTC derivative instrument, except as permitted under paragraphs (a)(3), (a)(4), and (a)(5) of this section.
(d) For purposes of this section, the term hybrid security means a security that incorporates payment features economically similar to options, forwards, futures, swap agreements, or collars involving currencies, interest or other rates, commodities, securities, indices, quantitative measures, or other financial or economic interests or property of any kind, or any payment or delivery that is dependent on the occurrence or nonoccurrence of any event associated with a potential financial, economic, or commercial consequence (or any combination, permutation, or derivative of such contract or underlying interest).
§ 240.3b-13 Definition of eligible OTC derivative instrument.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of this section, the term eligible OTC derivative instrument means any contract, agreement, or transaction that:
(1) Provides, in whole or in part, on a firm or contingent basis, for the purchase or sale of, or is based on the value of, or any interest in, one or more commodities, securities, currencies, interest or other rates, indices, quantitative measures, or other financial or economic interests or property of any kind; or
(2) Involves any payment or delivery that is dependent on the occurrence or nonoccurrence of any event associated with a potential financial, economic, or commercial consequence; or
(3) Involves any combination or permutation of any contract, agreement, or transaction or underlying interest, property, or event described in paragraphs (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this section.
(b) The term eligible OTC derivative instrument does not include any contract, agreement, or transaction that:
(1) Provides for the purchase or sale of a security, on a firm basis, unless:
(i) The settlement date for such purchase or sale occurs at least one year following the trade date or, in the case of an eligible forward contract, at least four months following the trade date; or
(ii) The material economic features of the contract, agreement, or transaction consist primarily of features of a type described in paragraph (a) of this section other than the provision for the purchase or sale of a security on a firm basis; or
(2) Provides, in whole or in part, on a firm or contingent basis, for the purchase or sale of, or is based on the value of, or any interest in, any security (or group or index of securities), and is:
(i) Listed on, or traded on or through, a national securities exchange or registered national securities association, or facility or market thereof; or
(ii) Except as otherwise determined by the Commission by order pursuant to § 240.15a-1(b)(2), one of a class of fungible instruments that are standardized as to their material economic terms.
(c) The Commission may issue an order pursuant to § 240.15a-1(b)(3) clarifying whether certain contracts, agreements, or transactions are within the scope of eligible OTC derivative instrument.
(d) For purposes of this section, the term eligible forward contract means a forward contract that provides for the purchase or sale of a security other than a government security, provided that, if such contract provides for the purchase or sale of margin stock (as defined in Regulation U of the Regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 12 CFR Part 221), such contract either:
(1) Provides for the purchase or sale of such stock by the issuer thereof (or an affiliate that is not a bank or a broker or dealer); or
(2) Provides for the transfer of transaction collateral in an amount that would satisfy the requirements, if any, that would be applicable assuming the OTC derivatives dealer party to such transaction were not eligible for the exemption from Regulation T of the Regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 12 CFR part 220, set forth in § 240.36a1-1.
§ 240.3b-14 Definition of cash management securities activities.
The term cash management securities activities means securities activities that are limited to transactions involving:
(a) Any taking possession of, and any subsequent sale or disposition of, collateral provided by a counterparty, or any acquisition of, and any subsequent sale or disposition of, collateral to be provided to a counterparty, in connection with any securities activities of the dealer permitted under § 240.15a-1 or any non-securities activities of the dealer that involve eligible OTC derivative instruments or other financial instruments;
(b) Cash management, in connection with any securities activities of the dealer permitted under § 240.15a-1 or any non-securities activities of the dealer that involve eligible OTC derivative instruments or other financial instruments; or
(c) Financing of positions of the dealer acquired in connection with any securities activities of the dealer permitted under § 240.15a-1 or any non-securities activities that involve eligible OTC derivative instruments or other financial instruments.
§ 240.3b-15 Definition of ancillary portfolio management securities activities.
(a) The term ancillary portfolio management securities activities means securities activities that:
(1) Are limited to transactions in connection with:
(i) Dealer activities in eligible OTC derivative instruments;
(ii) The issuance of securities by the dealer; or
(iii) Such other securities activities that the Commission designates by order pursuant to § 240.15a-1(b)(1); and
(2) Are conducted for the purpose of reducing the market or credit risk of the dealer or consist of incidental trading activities for portfolio management purposes; and
(3) Are limited to risk exposures within the market, credit, leverage, and liquidity risk parameters set forth in:
(i) The trading authorizations granted to the associated person (or to the supervisor of such associated person) who executes a particular transaction for, or on behalf of, the dealer; and
(ii) The written guidelines approved by the governing body of the dealer and included in the internal risk management control system for the dealer pursuant to § 240.15c3-4; and
(4) Are conducted solely by one or more associated persons of the dealer who perform substantial duties for, or on behalf of, the dealer in connection with its dealer activities in eligible OTC derivative instruments.
(b) The Commission may issue an order pursuant to § 240.15a-1(b)(4) clarifying whether certain securities activities are within the scope of ancillary portfolio management securities activities.
§ 240.3b-16 Definitions of terms used in Section 3(a)(1) of the Act.
(a) An organization, association, or group of persons shall be considered to constitute, maintain, or provide “a market place or facilities for bringing together purchasers and sellers of securities or for otherwise performing with respect to securities the functions commonly performed by a stock exchange,” as those terms are used in section 3(a)(1) of the Act, (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(1)), if such organization, association, or group of persons:
(1) Brings together the orders for securities of multiple buyers and sellers; and
(2) Uses established, non-discretionary methods (whether by providing a trading facility or by setting rules) under which such orders interact with each other, and the buyers and sellers entering such orders agree to the terms of a trade.
(b) An organization, association, or group of persons shall not be considered to constitute, maintain, or provide “a market place or facilities for bringing together purchasers and sellers of securities or for otherwise performing with respect to securities the functions commonly performed by a stock exchange,” solely because such organization, association, or group of persons engages in one or more of the following activities:
(1) Routes orders to a national securities exchange, a market operated by a national securities association, or a broker-dealer for execution; or
(2) Allows persons to enter orders for execution against the bids and offers of a single dealer; and
(i) As an incidental part of these activities, matches orders that are not displayed to any person other than the dealer and its employees; or
(ii) In the course of acting as a market maker registered with a self-regulatory organization, displays the limit orders of such market maker’s, or other broker-dealer’s, customers; and
(A) Matches customer orders with such displayed limit orders; and
(B) As an incidental part of its market making activities, crosses or matches orders that are not displayed to any person other than the market maker and its employees.
(c) For purposes of this section the term order means any firm indication of a willingness to buy or sell a security, as either principal or agent, including any bid or offer quotation, market order, limit order, or other priced order.
(d) For the purposes of this section, the terms bid and offer shall have the same meaning as under § 242.600 of this chapter.
(e) The Commission may conditionally or unconditionally exempt any organization, association, or group of persons from the definition in paragraph (a) of this section.
§ 240.3b-17 [Reserved]
§ 240.3b-18 Definitions of terms used in Section 3(a)(5) of the Act.
For the purposes of section 3(a)(5)(C) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(5)(C):
(a) The term affiliate means any company that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with another company.
(b) The term consumer-related receivable means any obligation incurred by any natural person to pay money arising out of a transaction in which the money, property, insurance, or services (being purchased) are primarily for personal, family, or household purposes.
(c) The term member as it relates to the term “syndicate of banks” means a bank that is a participant in a syndicate of banks and together with its affiliates, other than its broker or dealer affiliates, originates no less than 10% of the value of the obligations in a pool of obligations used to back the securities issued through a grantor trust or other separate entity.
(d) The term obligation means any note, draft, acceptance, loan, lease, receivable, or other evidence of indebtedness that is not a security issued by a person other than the bank.
(e) The term originated means:
(1) Funding an obligation at the time that the obligation is created; or
(2) Initially approving and underwriting the obligation, or initially agreeing to purchase the obligation, provided that:
(i) The obligation conforms to the underwriting standards or is evidenced by the loan documents of the bank or its affiliates, other than its broker or dealer affiliates; and
(ii) The bank or its affiliates, other than its broker or dealer affiliates, fund the obligation in a timely manner, not to exceed six months after the obligation is created.
(f) The term pool means more than one obligation or type of obligation grouped together to provide collateral for a securities offering.
(g) The term predominantly originated means that no less than 85% of the value of the obligations in any pool were originated by:
(1) The bank or its affiliates, other than its broker or dealer affiliates; or
(2) Banks that are members of a syndicate of banks and affiliates of such banks, other than their broker or dealer affiliates, if the obligations or pool of obligations consist of mortgage obligations or consumer-related receivables.
(3) For this purpose, the bank and its affiliates include any financial institution with which the bank or its affiliates have merged but does not include the purchase of a pool of obligations or the purchase of a line of business.
(h) The term syndicate of banks means a group of banks that acts jointly, on a temporary basis, to issue through a grantor trust or other separate entity, securities backed by obligations originated by each of the individual banks or their affiliates, other than their broker or dealer affiliates.
§ 240.3b-19 Definition of “issuer” in section 3(a)(8) of the Act in relation to asset-backed securities.
The following applies with respect to asset-backed securities under the Act. Terms used in this section have the same meaning as in Item 1101 of Regulation AB (§ 229.1101 of this chapter).
(a) The depositor for the asset-backed securities acting solely in its capacity as depositor to the issuing entity is the “issuer” for purposes of the asset-backed securities of that issuing entity.
(b) The person acting in the capacity as the depositor specified in paragraph (a) of this section is a different “issuer” from that same person acting as a depositor for another issuing entity or for purposes of that person’s own securities.
Clearing of Security-Based Swaps
§ 240.3Ca-1 Stay of clearing requirement and review by the Commission.
(a) After making a determination pursuant to a clearing agency’s security-based swap submission that a security-based swap, or any group, category, type or class of security-based swaps, is required to be cleared, the Commission, on application of a counterparty to a security-based swap or on the Commission’s own initiative, may stay the clearing requirement until the Commission completes a review of the terms of the security-based swap (or group, category, type, or class of security-based swaps) and the clearing of the security-based swap (or group, category, type, or class of security-based swaps) by the clearing agency that has accepted it for clearing.
(b) A counterparty to a security-based swap applying for a stay of the clearing requirement for a security-based swap (or group, category, type, or class of security-based swaps) shall submit a written statement to the Commission that includes:
(1) A request for a stay of the clearing requirement;
(2) The identity of the counterparties to the security-based swap and a contact at the counterparty requesting the stay;
(3) The identity of the clearing agency clearing the security-based swap;
(4) The terms of the security-based swap subject to the clearing requirement and a description of the clearing arrangement; and
(5) Reasons why such stay should be granted and why the security-based swap should not be subject to a clearing requirement, specifically addressing the same factors a clearing agency must address in its security-based-swap submission pursuant to § 240.19b-4(o)(3).
(c) A stay of the clearing requirement may be granted with respect to a security-based swap, or the group, category, type, or class of security-based swaps, as determined by the Commission.
(d) The Commission’s review shall include a quantitative and qualitative assessment of the factors specified in § 240.19b-4(o)(3). Any clearing agency that has accepted for clearing a security-based swap, or any group, category, type or class of security-based swaps, that is subject to the stay of the clearing requirement shall provide information requested by the Commission as necessary to assess any of the factors it determines to be appropriate in the course of its review.
(e) Upon completion of its review, the Commission may:
(1) Determine, subject to any terms and conditions that the Commission determines to be appropriate in the public interest, that the security-based swap, or group, category, type, or class of security-based swaps must be cleared; or
(2) Determine that the clearing requirement will not apply to the security-based swap, or group, category, type, or class of security-based swaps, but clearing may continue on a non-mandatory basis.
§ 240.3Ca-2 Submission of security-based swaps for clearing.
Pursuant to section 3C(a)(1) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c-3(a)(1)), it shall be unlawful for any person to engage in a security-based swap unless that person submits such security-based swap for clearing to a clearing agency that is registered under this Act or a clearing agency that is exempt from registration under the Act if the security-based swap is required to be cleared. The phrase submits such security-based swap for clearing to a clearing agency in the clearing requirement of Section 3C(a)(1) of the Act shall mean that the security-based swap will be submitted for central clearing to a clearing agency that functions as a central counterparty.
Registration and Exemption of Exchanges
§ 240.6a-1 Application for registration as a national securities exchange or exemption from registration based on limited volume.
(a) An application for registration as a national securities exchange, or for exemption from such registration based on limited volume, shall be filed on Form 1 (§ 249.1 of this chapter), in accordance with the instructions contained therein.
(b) Promptly after the discovery that any information filed on Form 1 was inaccurate when filed, the exchange shall file with the Commission an amendment correcting such inaccuracy.
(c) Promptly after the discovery that any information in the statement, any exhibit, or any amendment was inaccurate when filed, the exchange shall file with the Commission an amendment correcting such inaccuracy.
(d) Whenever the number of changes to be reported in an amendment, or the number of amendments filed, are so great that the purpose of clarity will be promoted by the filing of a new complete statement and exhibits, an exchange may, at its election, or shall, upon request of the Commission, file as an amendment a complete new statement together with all exhibits which are prescribed to be filed in connection with Form 1.
§ 240.6a-2 Amendments to application.
(a) A national securities exchange, or an exchange exempted from such registration based on limited volume, shall file an amendment to Form 1, (§ 249.1 of this chapter), which shall set forth the nature and effective date of the action taken and shall provide any new information and correct any information rendered inaccurate, on Form 1, (§ 249.1 of this chapter), within 10 days after any action is taken that renders inaccurate, or that causes to be incomplete, any of the following:
(1) Information filed on the Execution Page of Form 1, or amendment thereto; or
(2) Information filed as part of Exhibits C, F, G, H, J, K or M, or any amendments thereto.
(b) On or before June 30 of each year, a national securities exchange, or an exchange exempted from such registration based on limited volume, shall file, as an amendment to Form 1, the following:
(1) Exhibits D and I as of the end of the latest fiscal year of the exchange; and
(2) Exhibits K, M, and N, which shall be up to date as of the latest date practicable within 3 months of the date the amendment is filed.
(c) On or before June 30, 2001 and every 3 years thereafter, a national securities exchange, or an exchange exempted from such registration based on limited volume, shall file, as an amendment to Form 1, complete Exhibits A, B, C and J. The information filed under this paragraph (c) shall be current as of the latest practicable date, but shall, at a minimum, be up to date within 3 months as of the date the amendment is filed.
(d)(1) If an exchange, on an annual or more frequent basis, publishes, or cooperates in the publication of, any of the information required to be filed by paragraphs (b)(2) and (c) of this section, in lieu of filing such information, an exchange may:
(i) Identify the publication in which such information is available, the name, address, and telephone number of the person from whom such publication may be obtained, and the price of such publication; and
(ii) Certify to the accuracy of such information as of its publication date.
(2) If an exchange keeps the information required under paragraphs (b)(2) and (c) of this section up to date and makes it available to the Commission and the public upon request, in lieu of filing such information, an exchange may certify that the information is kept up to date and is available to the Commission and the public upon request.
(3) If the information required to be filed under paragraphs (b)(2) and (c) of this section is available continuously on an Internet web site controlled by an exchange, in lieu of filing such information with the Commission, such exchange may:
(i) Indicate the location of the Internet web site where such information may be found; and
(ii) Certify that the information available at such location is accurate as of its date.
(e) The Commission may exempt a national securities exchange, or an exchange exempted from such registration based on limited volume, from filing the amendment required by this section for any affiliate or subsidiary listed in Exhibit C of the exchange’s application for registration, as amended, that either:
(1) Is listed in Exhibit C of the application for registration or notice of registration, as amended, of one or more other national securities exchanges; or
(2) Was an inactive subsidiary throughout the subsidiary’s latest fiscal year. Any such exemption may be granted upon terms and conditions the Commission deems necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of investors, provided however, that at least one national securities exchange shall be required to file the amendments required by this section for an affiliate or subsidiary described in paragraph (e)(1) of this section.
(f) A national securities exchange registered pursuant to Section 6(g)(1) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78f(g)(1)) shall be exempt from the requirements of this section.
§ 240.6a-3 Supplemental material to be filed by exchanges.
(a)(1) A national securities exchange, or an exchange exempted from such registration based on limited volume, shall file with the Commission any material (including notices, circulars, bulletins, lists, and periodicals) issued or made generally available to members of, or participants or subscribers to, the exchange. Such material shall be filed with the Commission within 10 days after issuing or making such material available to members, participants or subscribers.
(2) If the information required to be filed under paragraph (a)(1) of this section is available continuously on an Internet web site controlled by an exchange, in lieu of filing such information with the Commission, such exchange may:
(i) Indicate the location of the Internet web site where such information may be found; and
(ii) Certify that the information available at such location is accurate as of its date.
(b) Within 15 days after the end of each calendar month, a national securities exchange or an exchange exempted from such registration based on limited volume, shall file a report concerning the securities sold on such exchange during the calendar month. Such report shall set forth:
(1) The number of shares of stock sold and the aggregate dollar amount of such stock sold;
(2) The principal amount of bonds sold and the aggregate dollar amount of such bonds sold; and
(3) The number of rights and warrants sold and the aggregate dollar amount of such rights and warrants sold.
(c) A national securities exchange registered pursuant to Section 6(g)(1) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78f(g)(1)) shall be exempt from the requirements of this section.
§ 240.6a-4 Notice of registration under Section 6(g) of the Act, amendment to such notice, and supplemental materials to be filed by exchanges registered under Section 6(g) of the Act.
(a) Notice of registration. (1) An exchange may register as a national securities exchange solely for the purposes of trading security futures products by filing Form 1-N (§ 249.10 of this chapter) (“notice of registration”), in accordance with the instructions contained therein, if:
(i) The exchange is a board of trade, as that term in defined in the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1a(2)), that:
(A) Has been designated a contract market by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and such designation is not suspended by order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission; or
(B) Is registered as a derivative transaction execution facility under Section 5a of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 7a) and such registration is not suspended by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission; and
(ii) Such exchange does not serve as a market place for transactions in securities other than:
(A) Security futures products; or
(B) Futures on exempted securities or on groups or indexes of securities or options thereon that have been authorized under Section 2(a)(1)(C) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 2a).
(2) Promptly after the discovery that any information filed on Form 1-N (§ 249.10 of this chapter) was inaccurate when filed, the exchange shall file with the Commission an amendment correcting such inaccuracy.
(b) Amendment to notice of registration. (1) A national securities exchange registered pursuant to Section 6(g)(1) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78f(g)(1)) (“Security Futures Product Exchange”) shall file an amendment to Form 1-N (§ 249.10 of this chapter), which shall set forth the nature and effective date of the action taken and shall provide any new information and correct any information rendered inaccurate, on Form 1-N (§ 249.10 of this chapter), within:
(i) Ten days after any action is taken that renders inaccurate, or that causes to be incomplete, any information filed on the Execution Page of Form 1-N (§ 249.10 of this chapter), or amendment thereto; or
(ii) 30 days after any action is taken that renders inaccurate, or that causes to be incomplete, any information filed as part of Exhibit F to Form 1-N (§ 249.10 of this chapter), or any amendments thereto.
(2) A Security Futures Product Exchange shall maintain records relating to changes in information required in Exhibits C and E to Form 1-N (§ 249.10 of this chapter) which shall be current of as of the latest practicable date, but shall, at a minimum, be up-to-date within 30 days. A Security Futures Product Exchange shall make such records available to the Commission and the public upon request.
(3) On or before June 30, 2002, and by June 30 every year thereafter, a Security Futures Product Exchange shall file, as an amendment to Form 1-N (§ 249.10 of this chapter), Exhibits F, H, and I, which shall be current of as of the latest practicable date, but shall, at a minimum, be up-to-date within three months as of the date the amendment is filed.
(4) On or before June 30, 2004, and by June 30 every three years thereafter, a Security Futures Product Exchange shall file, as an amendment to Form 1-N (§ 249.10 of this chapter), complete Exhibits A, B, C, and E, which shall be current of as of the latest practicable date, but shall, at a minimum, be up-to-date within three months as of the date the amendment is filed.
(5)(i) If a Security Futures Product Exchange, on an annual or more frequent basis, publishes, or cooperates in the publication of, any of the information required to be filed by paragraphs (b)(3) and (b)(4) of this section, in lieu of filing such information, a Security Futures Product Exchange may satisfy this filing requirement by:
(A) Identifying the publication in which such information is available, the name, address, and telephone number of the person from whom such publication may be obtained, and the price of such publication; and
(B) Certifying to the accuracy of such information as of its publication date.
(ii) If a Security Futures Product Exchange keeps the information required under paragraphs (b)(3) and (b)(4) of this section up-to-date and makes it available to the Commission and the public upon request, in lieu of filing such information, a Security Futures Product Exchange may satisfy this filing requirement by certifying that the information is kept up-to-date and is available to the Commission and the public upon request.
(iii) If the information required to be filed under paragraphs (b)(3) and (b)(4) of this section is available continuously on an Internet web site controlled by a Security Futures Product Exchange, in lieu of filing such information with the Commission, such Security Futures Product Exchange may satisfy this filing requirement by:
(A) Indicating the location of the Internet web site where such information may be found; and
(B) Certifying that the information available at such location is accurate as of its date.
(6)(i) The Commission may exempt a Security Futures Product Exchange from filing the amendment required by this section for any affiliate or subsidiary listed in Exhibit C to Form 1-N (§ 249.10 of this chapter), as amended, that either:
(A) Is listed in Exhibit C to Form 1 (§ 249.1 of this chapter) or to Form 1-N (§ 249.10 of this chapter), as amended, of one or more other national securities exchanges; or
(B) Was an inactive affiliate or subsidiary throughout the affiliate’s or subsidiary’s latest fiscal year.
(ii) Any such exemption may be granted upon terms and conditions the Commission deems necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of investors, provided however, that at least one national securities exchange shall be required to file the amendments required by this section for an affiliate or subsidiary described in paragraph (b)(6)(i) of this section.
(7) If a Security Futures Product Exchange has filed documents with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, to the extent that such documents contain information satisfying the Commission’s informational requirements, copies of such documents may be filed with the Commission in lieu of the required written notice.
(c) Supplemental material to be filed by Security Futures Product Exchanges. (1)(i) A Security Futures Product Exchange shall file with the Commission any material related to the trading of security futures products (including notices, circulars, bulletins, lists, and periodicals) issued or made generally available to members of, participants in, or subscribers to, the exchange. Such material shall be filed with the Commission within ten days after issuing or making such material available to members, participants, or subscribers.
(ii) If the information required to be filed under paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section is available continuously on an Internet web site controlled by an exchange, in lieu of filing such information with the Commission, such exchange may:
(A) Indicate the location of the Internet web site where such information may be found; and
(B) Certify that the information available at such location is accurate as of its date.
(2) Within 15 days after the end of each calendar month, a Security Futures Product Exchange shall file a report concerning the security futures products traded on such exchange during the previous calendar month. Such a report shall:
(i) For each contract of sale for future delivery of a single security, the number of contracts traded on such exchange during the relevant calendar month and the total number of shares underlying such contracts traded; and
(ii)For each contract of sale for future delivery of a narrow-based security index, the number of contracts traded on such exchange during the relevant calendar month and the total number of shares represented by the index underlying such contracts traded.
§ 240.6h-1 Settlement and regulatory halt requirements for security futures products.
(a) For the purposes of this section:
(1) Opening price means the price at which a security opened for trading, or a price that fairly reflects the price at which a security opened for trading, during the regular trading session of the national securities exchange or national securities association that lists the security. If the security is not listed on a national securities exchange or a national securities association, then opening price shall mean the price at which a security opened for trading, or a price that fairly reflects the price at which a security opened for trading, on the primary market for the security.
(2) Regular trading session of a security means the normal hours for business of a national securities exchange or national securities association that lists the security.
(3) Regulatory halt means a delay, halt, or suspension in the trading of a security, that is instituted by the national securities exchange or national securities association that lists the security, as a result of:
(i) A determination that there are matters relating to the security or issuer that have not been adequately disclosed to the public, or that there are regulatory problems relating to the security which should be clarified before trading is permitted to continue; or
(ii) The operation of circuit breaker procedures to halt or suspend trading in all equity securities trading on that national securities exchange or national securities association.
(b) Final settlement prices for security futures products. (1) The final settlement price of a cash-settled security futures product must fairly reflect the opening price of the underlying security or securities.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (b)(1) of this section, if an opening price for one or more securities underlying a security futures product is not readily available, the final settlement price of the security futures product shall fairly reflect:
(i) The price of the underlying security or securities during the most recent regular trading session for such security or securities; or
(ii) The next available opening price of the underlying security or securities.
(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this section, if a clearing agency registered under Section 17A of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78q-1), or exempt from registration pursuant to Section 17A(b)(7) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(7)), to which the final settlement price of a security futures product is or would be reported determines, pursuant to its rules, that such final settlement price is not consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest, taking into account such factors as fairness to buyers and sellers of the affected security futures product, the maintenance of a fair and orderly market in such security futures product, and consistency of interpretation and practice, the clearing agency shall have the authority to determine, under its rules, a final settlement price for such security futures product.
(c) Regulatory trading halts. The rules of a national securities exchange or national securities association registered pursuant to Section 15A(a) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o-3(a)) that lists or trades one or more security futures products must include the following provisions:
(1) Trading of a security futures product based on a single security shall be halted at all times that a regulatory halt has been instituted for the underlying security; and
(2) Trading of a security futures product based on a narrow-based security index shall be halted at all times that a regulatory halt has been instituted for one or more underlying securities that constitute 50 percent or more of the market capitalization of the narrow-based security index.
(d) The Commission may exempt from the requirements of this section, either unconditionally or on specified terms and conditions, any national securities exchange or national securities association, if the Commission determines that such exemption is necessary or appropriate in the public interest and consistent with the protection of investors. An exemption granted pursuant to this paragraph shall not operate as an exemption from any Commodity Futures Trading Commission rules. Any exemption that may be required from such rules must be obtained separately from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
§ 240.6h-2 Security future based on note, bond, debenture, or evidence of indebtedness.
A security future may be based upon a security that is a note, bond, debenture, or evidence of indebtedness or a narrow-based security index composed of such securities.
§ 240.7c2-1 [Reserved]
Hypothecation of Customers’ Securities
§ 240.8c-1 Hypothecation of customers’ securities.
(a) General provisions. No member of a national securities exchange, and no broker or dealer who transacts a business in securities through the medium of any such member shall, directly or indirectly, hypothecate or arrange for or permit the continued hypothecation of any securities carried for the account of any customer under circumstances:
(1) That will permit the commingling of securities carried for the account of any such customer with securities carried for the account of any other customer, without first obtaining the written consent of each such customer to such hypothecation;
(2) That will permit such securities to be commingled with securities carried for the account of any person other than a bona fide customer of such member, broker or dealer under a lien for a loan made to such member, broker or dealer; or
(3) That will permit securities carried for the account of customers to be hypothecated or subjected to any lien or liens or claim or claims of the pledges or pledgees, for a sum which exceeds the aggregate indebtedness of all customers in respect of securities carried for their accounts; except that this clause shall not be deemed to be violated by reason of an excess arising on any day through the reduction of the aggregate indebtedness of customers on such day, provided that funds or securities in an amount sufficient to eliminate such excess are paid or placed in transfer to pledgees for the purpose of reducing the sum of the liens or claims to which securities carried for the account of customers are subjected as promptly as practicable after such reduction occurs, but before the lapse of one-half hour after the commencement of banking hours on the next banking day at the place where the largest principal amount of loans of such member, broker or dealer are payable and, in any event, before such member, broker or dealer on such day has obtained or increased any bank loan collateralized by securities carried for the account of customers.
(b) Definitions. For the purposes of this section:
(1) The term customer shall not include any general or special partner or any director or officer of such member, broker or dealer, or any participant, as such, in any joint, group or syndicate account with such member, broker or dealer or with any partner, officer or director thereof. The term also shall not include any counterparty who has delivered collateral to an OTC derivatives dealer pursuant to a transaction in an eligible OTC derivative instrument, or pursuant to the OTC derivatives dealer’s cash management securities activities or ancillary portfolio management securities activities, and who has received a prominent written notice from the OTC derivatives dealer that:
(i) Except as otherwise agreed in writing by the OTC derivatives dealer and the counterparty, the dealer may repledge or otherwise use the collateral in its business;
(ii) In the event of the OTC derivatives dealer’s failure, the counterparty will likely be considered an unsecured creditor of the dealer as to that collateral;
(iii) The Securities Investor Protection Act of 1970 (15 U.S.C. 78aaa through 78lll) does not protect the counterparty; and
(iv) The collateral will not be subject to the requirements of § 240.8c-1, § 240.15c2-1, § 240.15c3-2, or § 240.15c3-3;
(2) The term securities carried for the account of any customer shall be deemed to mean:
(i) Securities received by or on behalf of such member, broker or dealer for the account of any customer;
(ii) Securities sold and appropriated by such member, broker or dealer to a customer, except that if such securities were subject to a lien when appropriated to a customer they shall not be deemed to be “securities carried for the account of any customer” pending their release from such lien as promptly as practicable:
(iii) Securities sold, but not appropriated, by such member, broker or dealer to a customer who has made any payment therefor, to the extent that such member, broker or dealer owns and has received delivery of securities of like kind, except that if such securities were subject to a lien when such payment was made they shall not be deemed to be “securities carried for the account of any customer” pending their release from such lien as promptly as practicable:
(3) “Aggregate indebtedness” shall not be deemed to be reduced by reason of uncollected items. In computing aggregate indebtedness, related guaranteed and guarantor accounts shall be treated as a single account and considered on a consolidated basis, and balances in accounts carrying both long and short positions shall be adjusted by treating the market value of the securities required to cover such short positions as though such market value were a debit; and
(4) In computing the sum of the liens or claims to which securities carried for the account of customers of a member, broker or dealer are subject, any rehypothecation of such securities by another member, broker or dealer who is subject to this section or to § 240.15c2-1 shall be disregarded.
(c) Exemption for cash accounts. The provisions of paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall not apply to any hypothecation of securities carried for the account of a customer in a special cash account within the meaning of 12 CFR 220.4(c): Provided, That at or before the completion of the transaction of purchase of such securities for, or of sale of such securities to, such customer, written notice is given or sent to such customer disclosing that such securities are or may be hypothecated under circumstances which will permit the commingling thereof with securities carried for the account of other customers. The term the completion of the transaction shall have the meaning given to such term by § 240.15c1-1(b).
(d) Exemption for clearinghouse liens. The provisions of paragraphs (a)(2), (a)(3), and (f) of this section shall not apply to any lien or claim of the clearing corporation, or similar department or association, of a national securities exchange or a registered national securities association for a loan made and to be repaid on the same calendar day, which is incidental to the clearing of transactions in securities or loans through such corporation, department, or association: Provided, however, That for the purpose of paragraph (a)(3) of this section, “aggregate indebtedness of all customers in respect of securities carried for their accounts” shall not include indebtedness in respect of any securities subject to any lien or claim exempted by this paragraph.
(e) Exemption for certain liens on securities of noncustomers. The provisions of paragraph (a)(2) of this section shall not be deemed to prevent such member, broker or dealer from permitting securities not carried for the account of a customer to be subjected (1) to a lien for a loan made against securities carried for the account of customers, or (2) to a lien for a loan made and to be repaid on the same calendar day. For the purpose of this exemption, a loan shall be deemed to be “made against securities carried for the account of customers” if only securities carried for the account of customers are used to obtain or to increase such loan or as substitutes for other securities carried for the account of customers.
(f) Notice and certification requirements. No person subject to this section shall hypothecate any security carried for the account of a customer unless at or prior to the time of each such hypothecation, he gives written notice to the pledgee that the security pledged is carried for the account of a customer and that such hypothecation does not contravene any provision of this section, except that in the case of an omnibus account the members, broker or dealer for whom such account is carried may furnish a signed statement to the person carrying such account that all securities carried therein by such member, broker or dealer will be securities carried for the account of his customers and that the hypothecation thereof by such member, broker or dealer will not contravene any provision of this section. The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to any hypothecation of securities under any lien or claim of a pledgee securing a loan made and to be repaid on the same calendar day.
(g) The fact that securities carried for the accounts of customers and securities carried for the accounts of others are represented by one or more certificates in the custody of a clearing corporation or other subsidiary organization of either a national securities exchange or of a registered national securities association, or of a custodian bank, in accordance with a system for the central handling of securities established by a national securities exchange or a registered national securities association, pursuant to which system the hypothecation of such securities is effected by bookkeeping entries without physical delivery of such securities, shall not, in and of itself, result in a commingling of securities prohibited by paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this section, whenever a participating member, broker or dealer hypothecates securities in accordance with such system: Provided, however, That (1) any such custodian of any securities held by or for such system shall agree that it will not for any reason, including the assertion of any claim, right or lien of any kind, refuse to refrain from promptly delivering any such securities (other than securities then hypothecated in accordance with such system) to such clearing corporation or other subsidiary organization or as directed by it, except that nothing in such agreement shall be deemed to require the custodian to deliver any securities in contravention of any notice of levy, seizure or similar notice, or order or judgment, issued or directed by a governmental agency or court, or officer thereof, having jurisdiction over such custodian, which on its face affects such securities; (2) such systems shall have safeguards in the handling, transfer and delivery of securities and provisions for fidelity bond coverage of the employees and agents of the clearing corporation or other subsidiary organization and for periodic examinations by independent public accountants; and (3) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be effective with respect to any particular system unless the agreement required by paragraph (g)(1) of this section and the safeguards and provisions required by paragraph (g)(2) of this section shall have been deemed adequate by the Commission for the protection of investors, and unless any subsequent amendments to such agreement, safeguards or provisions shall have been deemed adequate by the Commission for the protection of investors.
For interpretative releases applicable to § 240.8c-1, see Nos. 2690 and 2822 in tabulation, part 241 of this chapter.
§ 240.9b-1 Options disclosure document.
(a) Definitions. The following definitions shall apply for the purpose of this rule.
(1) Options market means a national securities exchange, an automated quotation system of a registered securities association or a foreign securities exchange on which standardized options are traded.
(2) Options class means all options contracts covering the same underlying instrument.
(3) Options disclosure document means a document, including all amendments and supplements thereto, prepared by one or more options markets which has been filed with the Commission or distributed in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section. Definitive options disclosure document or document means an options disclosure document furnished to customers in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section.
(4) Standardized options are options contracts trading on a national securities exchange, an automated quotation system of a registered securities association, or a foreign securities exchange which relate to options classes the terms of which are limited to specific expiration dates and exercise prices, or such other securities as the Commission may, by order, designate.
(b)(1) Five preliminary copies of an options disclosure document containing the information specified in paragraph (c) of this section shall be filed with the Commission by an options market at least 60 days prior to the date definitive copies are furnished to customers, unless the commission determines otherwise having due regard to the adequacy of the information disclosed and the public interest and protection of investors. Five copies of the definitive options disclosure document shall be filed with the Commission not later than the date the options disclosure document is furnished to customers. Notwithstanding the above, the use of an options disclosure document shall not be permitted unless the options class to which such document relates is the subject of an effective registration statement on Form S-20 under the Securities Act of 1933, or is exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77a et seq.).
(2)(i) If the information contained in the options disclosure document becomes or will become materially inaccurate or incomplete or there is or will be an omission of material information necessary to make the options disclosure document not misleading, the options market shall amend or supplement its options disclosure document by filing five copies of an amendment or supplement to such options disclosure document with the Commission at least 30 days prior to the date definitive copies are furnished to customers, unless the Commission determines otherwise having due regard to the adequacy of the information disclosed and the public interest and protection of investors. Five copies of the definitive options disclosure document, as amended or supplemented, shall be filed with the Commission not later than the date the amendment or supplement, or the amended options disclosure document, is furnished to customers.
(ii) Notwithstanding paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section, an options market may distribute an amendment or supplement to an options disclosure document prior to such 30 day period if it determines, in good faith, that such delivery is necessary to ensure timely and accurate disclosure with respect to one or more of the options classes covered by the document. Five copies of any amendment or supplement distributed pursuant to this paragraph shall be filed with the Commission at the time of distribution. In that instance, if the Commission determines, having given due regard to the adequacy of the information disclosed and the public interest and the protection of investors, it may require refiling of the amendment pursuant to paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section.
(c) Information required in an options disclosure document. An options disclosure document shall contain the following information, unless otherwise provided by the Commission, with respect to the options classes covered by the document:
(1) A glossary of terms;
(2) A discussion of the mechanics of exercising the options;
(3) A discussion of the risks of being a holder or writer of the options;
(4) The identification of the market or markets in which the options are traded;
(5) A brief reference to the transaction costs, margin requirements and tax consequences of options trading;
(6) The identification of the issuer of the options;
(7) A general identification of the type of instrument or instruments underlying the options class or classes covered by the document;
(8) If the options are not exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77a et seq.), the registration of the options on form S-20 (17 CFR 239.20) and the availability of the prospectus and the information in part II of the registration statement; and
(9) Such other information as the Commission may specify.
(d) Broker-dealer obligations. (1) No broker or dealer shall accept an order from a customer to purchase or sell an option contract relating to an options class that is the subject of a definitive options disclosure document, or approve the customer’s account for the trading of such option, unless the broker or dealer furnishes or has furnished to the customer a copy of the definitive options disclosure document.
(2) If a definitive options disclosure document relating to an options class is amended or supplemented, each broker and dealer shall promptly send a copy of the definitive amendment or supplement or a copy of the definitive options disclosure document as amended to each customer whose account is approved for trading the options class or classes to which the amendment or supplement relates.
Manipulative and Deceptive Devices and Contrivances
§ 240.9j-1 Prohibition against fraud, manipulation, or deception in connection with security-based swaps.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person, directly or indirectly, to effect any transaction in, or attempt to effect any transaction in, any security-based swap, or to purchase or sell, or induce or attempt to induce the purchase or sale of, any security-based swap (including but not limited to, in whole or in part, the execution, termination (prior to its scheduled maturity date), assignment, exchange, or similar transfer or conveyance of, or extinguishing of any rights or obligations under, a security based-swap, as the context may require), in connection with which such person:
(1) Employs or attempts to employ any device, scheme, or artifice to defraud or manipulate;
(2) Makes or attempts to make any untrue statement of a material fact, or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
(3) Obtains money or property by means of any untrue statement of a material fact or any omission to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
(4) Engages in any act, practice, or course of business which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any person;
(5) Attempts to obtain money or property by means of any untrue statement of a material fact or any omission to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or attempts to engage in any act, practice, or course of business which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any person; or
(6) Manipulates or attempts to manipulate the price or valuation of any security-based swap, or any payment or delivery related thereto.
(b) Wherever communicating, or purchasing or selling a security (other than a security-based swap) while in possession of material nonpublic information would violate, or result in liability to any purchaser or seller of the security under, either the Act or the Securities Act of 1933, or any rule or regulation thereunder, such conduct in connection with a purchase or sale of a security-based swap with respect to such security or with respect to a group or index of securities including such security shall also violate, and result in comparable liability to any purchaser or seller of that security under, such provision, rule, or regulation.
(c) Wherever taking any of the actions set forth in paragraph (a) of this section involving a security-based swap would violate, or result in liability under, Section 9(j) of the Act or this section, such conduct, when taken by a counterparty to such security-based swap (or any affiliate of, or a person acting in concert with, such security-based swap counterparty in furtherance of such prohibited activity), in connection with a purchase or sale of a security, loan, or group or index of securities on which such security-based swap is based, shall also violate, and shall be deemed a violation of, section 9(j) of the Act or paragraph (a) of this section.
(d) For purposes of this section, the terms “purchase” and “sale” shall have the same meanings as set forth in Sections 3(a)(13) (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(13)) and 3(a)(14) (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(14)) of the Act.
(e) A person shall not be liable under paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(5) of this section solely for being aware of material nonpublic information while taking the following actions:
(1) Actions taken by a person in accordance with binding contractual rights and obligations under a security-based swap (as reflected in the written documentation governing such security-based swap or any amendment thereto) so long as the person demonstrates that:
(i) The security-based swap was entered into, or the amendment was made, before the person became aware of such material nonpublic information, and
(ii) The security-based swap was entered into in good faith and not as part of a plan or scheme to evade the prohibitions of this section.
(2) Actions taken by a person other than a natural person if the person demonstrates that:
(i) The individual making the investment decision on behalf of the person taking the action was not aware of the material nonpublic information, and
(ii) The person had implemented reasonable policies and procedures, taking into consideration the nature of the person’s business, to ensure that individuals making investment decisions would not be in violation of paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(5) of this section. These policies and procedures may include those that restrict effecting a transaction in, or purchasing or selling, any security, including any security-based swap, as to which the person has material nonpublic information, or those that prevent such individuals from becoming aware of such information.
§§ 240.10a-1–240.10a-2 [Reserved]
§ 240.10b-1 Prohibition of use of manipulative or deceptive devices or contrivances with respect to certain securities exempted from registration.
The term manipulative or deceptive device or contrivance, as used in section 10(b) (48 Stat. 891; 15 U.S.C. 78j(b)), is hereby defined to include any act or omission to act with respect to any security exempted from the operation of section 12(a) (48 Stat. 892; 15 U.S.C. 78l(a)) pursuant to any section in this part which specifically provides that this section shall be applicable to such security if such act or omission to act would have been unlawful under section 9(a) (48 Stat. 889; 15 U.S.C. 78i(a)), or any rule or regulation heretofore or hereafter prescribed thereunder, if done or omitted to be done with respect to a security registered on a national securities exchange, and the use of any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce or of the mails or of any facility of any national securities exchange to use or employ any such device or contrivance in connection with the purchase or sale of any such security is hereby prohibited.
For applicability of this section, see §§ 240.12a-4 and 240.12a-5. For regulations relating to employment of manipulative and deceptive devices, see §§ 240.10b-3 and 240.10b-5.
§ 240.10b-2 [Reserved]
§ 240.10b-3 Employment of manipulative and deceptive devices by brokers or dealers.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any broker or dealer, directly or indirectly, by the use of any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce, or of the mails, or of any facility of any national securities exchange, to use or employ, in connection with the purchase or sale of any security otherwise than on a national securities exchange, any act, practice, or course of business defined by the Commission to be included within the term “manipulative, deceptive, or other fraudulent device or contrivance”, as such term is used in section 15(c)(1) of the act.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any municipal securities dealer directly or indirectly, by the use of any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce, or of the mails, or of any facility of any national securities exchange, to use or employ, in connection with the purchase or sale of any municipal security, any act, practice, or course of business defined by the Commission to be included within the term “manipulative, deceptive, or other fraudulent device or contrivance,” as such term is used in section 15(c)(1) of the act.
See also § 240.10b-5. For regulation relating to prohibition of manipulative or deceptive devices, see § 240.10b-1. For the term “manipulative, deceptive, or other fraudulent device or contrivance”, as used in section 15(c)(1) of the act, see §§ 240.15c1-2 to 240.15c1-9.
§ 240.10b-4 [Reserved]
§ 240.10b-5 Employment of manipulative and deceptive devices.
It shall be unlawful for any person, directly or indirectly, by the use of any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce, or of the mails or of any facility of any national securities exchange,
(a) To employ any device, scheme, or artifice to defraud,
(b) To make any untrue statement of a material fact or to omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or
(c) To engage in any act, practice, or course of business which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any person,
§ 240.10b5-1 Trading “on the basis of” material nonpublic information in insider trading cases.
(a) Manipulative or deceptive devices. The “manipulative or deceptive device[s] or contrivance[s]” prohibited by Section 10(b) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78j) and § 240.10b-5 (Rule 10b-5) thereunder include, among other things, the purchase or sale of a security of any issuer, on the basis of material nonpublic information about that security or issuer, in breach of a duty of trust or confidence that is owed directly, indirectly, or derivatively, to the issuer of that security or the shareholders of that issuer, or to any other person who is the source of the material nonpublic information.
(b) Awareness of material nonpublic information. Subject to the affirmative defenses in paragraph (c) of this section, a purchase or sale of a security of an issuer is on the basis of material nonpublic information for purposes of Section 10(b) and Rule 10b-5 if the person making the purchase or sale was aware of the material nonpublic information when the person made the purchase or sale. The law of insider trading is otherwise defined by judicial opinions construing Rule 10b-5, and Rule 10b5-1 does not modify the scope of insider trading law in any other respect.
(c) Affirmative defenses. (1)(i) Subject to paragraph (1)(ii) of this section, a person’s purchase or sale is not on the basis of material nonpublic information if the person making the purchase or sale demonstrates that:
(A) Before becoming aware of the information, the person had:
(1) Entered into a binding contract to purchase or sell the security,
(2) Instructed another person to purchase or sell the security for the instructing person’s account, or
(3) Adopted a written plan for trading securities;
(B) The contract, instruction, or plan described in paragraph (c)(1)(i)(A) of this section:
(1) Specified the amount of securities to be purchased or sold and the price at which and the date on which the securities were to be purchased or sold;
(2) Included a written formula or algorithm, or computer program, for determining the amount of securities to be purchased or sold and the price at which and the date on which the securities were to be purchased or sold; or
(3) Did not permit the person to exercise any subsequent influence over how, when, or whether to effect purchases or sales; provided, in addition, that any other person who, pursuant to the contract, instruction, or plan, did exercise such influence must not have been aware of the material nonpublic information when doing so; and
(C) The purchase or sale that occurred was pursuant to the contract, instruction, or plan. A purchase or sale is not “pursuant to a contract, instruction, or plan” if, among other things, the person who entered into the contract, instruction, or plan altered or deviated from the contract, instruction, or plan to purchase or sell securities (whether by changing the amount, price, or timing of the purchase or sale), or entered into or altered a corresponding or hedging transaction or position with respect to those securities.
(ii) Paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section is applicable only when:
(A) The contract, instruction, or plan to purchase or sell securities was given or entered into in good faith and not as part of a plan or scheme to evade the prohibitions of this section, and the person who entered into the contract, instruction, or plan has acted in good faith with respect to the contract, instruction or plan;
(B) If the person who entered into the contract, instruction, or plan is:
(1) A director or officer (as defined in § 240.16a-1(f) (Rule 16a-1(f)) of the issuer, no purchases or sales occur until expiration of a cooling-off period consisting of the later of:
(i) Ninety days after the adoption of the contract, instruction, or plan or
(ii) Two business days following the disclosure of the issuer’s financial results in a Form 10-Q (§ 249.308a of this chapter) or Form 10-K (§ 249.310 of this chapter) for the completed fiscal quarter in which the plan was adopted or, for foreign private issuers, in a Form 20-F (§ 249.220f of this chapter) or Form 6-K (§ 249.306 of this chapter) that discloses the issuer’s financial results (but, in any event, this required cooling-off period is subject to a maximum of 120 days after adoption of the contract, instruction, or plan); or
(2) Not the issuer and not a director or officer (as defined in § 240.16a-1(f) (Rule 16a-1(f)) of the issuer, no purchases or sales occur until the expiration of a cooling-off period that is 30 days after the adoption of the contract, instruction or plan;
(C) If the person who entered into a plan as described in paragraph (c)(1)(i)(A)(3) of this section is a director or officer (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) (§ 240.16a-1(f)) of the issuer of the securities, such director or officer included a representation in the plan certifying that, on the date of adoption of the plan:
(1) The individual director or officer is not aware of any material nonpublic information about the security or issuer; and
(2) The individual director or officer is adopting the plan in good faith and not as part of a plan or scheme to evade the prohibitions of this section;
(D) The person (other than the issuer) who entered into the contract, instruction, or plan has no outstanding (and does not subsequently enter into any additional) contract, instruction, or plan that would qualify for the affirmative defense under paragraph (c)(1) of this section for purchases or sales of the issuer’s securities on the open market; except that:
(1) For purposes of this paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(D), a series of separate contracts with different broker-dealers or other agents acting on behalf of the person (other than the issuer) to execute trades thereunder may be treated as a single “plan,” provided that the individual constituent contracts with each broker-dealer or other agent, when taken together as a whole, meet all of the applicable conditions of and remain collectively subject to the provisions of this rule, including that a modification of any individual contract acts as modification of the whole contract, instruction of plan, as defined in paragraph (c)(1)(iv) of this section. The substitution of a broker-dealer or other agent acting on behalf of the person (other than the issuer) for another broker-dealer that is executing trades pursuant to a contract, instruction or plan shall not be a modification of the contract, instruction, or plan (as defined in paragraph (c)(1)(iv) of this section) as long as the purchase or sales instructions applicable to the substitute and substituted broker are identical with respect to the prices of securities to be purchased or sold, dates of the purchases or sales to be executed, and amount of securities to be purchased or sold; and
(2) The person (other than the issuer) may have one later-commencing contract, instruction, or plan for purchases or sales of any securities of the issuer on the open market under which trading is not authorized to begin until after all trades under the earlier-commencing contract, instruction, or plan are completed or expired without execution; provided, however, that if the first trade under the later-commencing contract, instruction, or plan is scheduled during the Effective Cooling-Off Period, the later-commencing contract, instruction, or plan may not rely on this paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(D)(2). For purposes of this paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(D)(2), “Effective Cooling-Off Period” means the cooling-off period that would be applicable under paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(B) of this section with respect to the later-commencing contract, instruction, or plan if the date of adoption of the later-commencing contract, instruction, or plan were deemed to be the date of termination of the earlier-commencing contract, instruction, or plan; and
(3) A contract, instruction, or plan providing for an eligible sell-to-cover transaction shall not be considered an outstanding or additional contract, instruction, or plan under paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(D) of this section, and such eligible sell-to-cover transaction shall not be subject to the limitation under paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(D) of this section. A contract, instruction, or plan provides for an eligible sell-to-cover transaction where the contract, instruction, or plan authorizes an agent to sell only such securities as are necessary to satisfy tax withholding obligations arising exclusively from the vesting of a compensatory award, such as restricted stock or stock appreciation rights, and the insider does not otherwise exercise control over the timing of such sales; and
(E) With respect to persons (other than the issuer), if the contract, instruction, or plan does not provide for an eligible sell-to-cover transaction as described in paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(D)(3) of this section and is designed to effect the open-market purchase or sale of the total amount of securities as a single transaction, the person who entered into the contract, instruction, or plan has not during the prior 12-month period adopted a contract, instruction, or plan that:
(1) was designed to effect the open-market purchase or sale of all of the securities covered by such prior contract, instruction or plan, in a single transaction; and
(2) Would otherwise qualify for the affirmative defense under paragraph (c)(1) of this section.
(iii) This paragraph (c)(1)(iii) defines certain terms as used in paragraph (c) of this Section.
(A) Amount. “Amount” means either a specified number of shares or other securities or a specified dollar value of securities.
(B) Price. “Price” means the market price on a particular date or a limit price, or a particular dollar price.
(C) Date. “Date” means, in the case of a market order, the specific day of the year on which the order is to be executed (or as soon thereafter as is practicable under ordinary principles of best execution). “Date” means, in the case of a limit order, a day of the year on which the limit order is in force.
(iv) Any modification or change to the amount, price, or timing of the purchase or sale of the securities underlying a contract, instruction, or written plan as described in paragraph (c)(1)(i)(A) of this section is a termination of such contract, instruction, or written plan, and the adoption of a new contract, instruction, or written plan. A plan modification, such as the substitution or removal of a broker that is executing trades pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 arrangement on behalf of the person, that changes the price or date on which purchases or sales are to be executed, is a termination of such plan and the adoption of a new plan.
(2) A person other than a natural person also may demonstrate that a purchase or sale of securities is not “on the basis of” material nonpublic information if the person demonstrates that:
(i) The individual making the investment decision on behalf of the person to purchase or sell the securities was not aware of the information; and
(ii) The person had implemented reasonable policies and procedures, taking into consideration the nature of the person’s business, to ensure that individuals making investment decisions would not violate the laws prohibiting trading on the basis of material nonpublic information. These policies and procedures may include those that restrict any purchase, sale, and causing any purchase or sale of any security as to which the person has material nonpublic information, or those that prevent such individuals from becoming aware of such information.
§ 240.10b5-2 Duties of trust or confidence in misappropriation insider trading cases.
This section provides a non-exclusive definition of circumstances in which a person has a duty of trust or confidence for purposes of the “misappropriation” theory of insider trading under Section 10(b) of the Act and Rule 10b-5. The law of insider trading is otherwise defined by judicial opinions construing Rule 10b-5, and Rule 10b5-2 does not modify the scope of insider trading law in any other respect.
(a) Scope of Rule. This section shall apply to any violation of Section 10(b) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78j(b)) and § 240.10b-5 thereunder that is based on the purchase or sale of securities on the basis of, or the communication of, material nonpublic information misappropriated in breach of a duty of trust or confidence.
(b) Enumerated “duties of trust or confidence.” For purposes of this section, a “duty of trust or confidence” exists in the following circumstances, among others:
(1) Whenever a person agrees to maintain information in confidence;
(2) Whenever the person communicating the material nonpublic information and the person to whom it is communicated have a history, pattern, or practice of sharing confidences, such that the recipient of the information knows or reasonably should know that the person communicating the material nonpublic information expects that the recipient will maintain its confidentiality; or
(3) Whenever a person receives or obtains material nonpublic information from his or her spouse, parent, child, or sibling; provided, however, that the person receiving or obtaining the information may demonstrate that no duty of trust or confidence existed with respect to the information, by establishing that he or she neither knew nor reasonably should have known that the person who was the source of the information expected that the person would keep the information confidential, because of the parties’ history, pattern, or practice of sharing and maintaining confidences, and because there was no agreement or understanding to maintain the confidentiality of the information.
§§ 240.10b-6–240.10b-8 [Reserved]
§ 240.10b-9 Prohibited representations in connection with certain offerings.
(a) It shall constitute a manipulative or deception device or contrivance, as used in section 10(b) of the Act, for any person, directly or indirectly, in connection with the offer or sale of any security, to make any representation:
(1) To the effect that the security is being offered or sold on an “all-or-none” basis, unless the security is part of an offering or distribution being made on the condition that all or a specified amount of the consideration paid for such security will be promptly refunded to the purchaser unless (i) all of the securities being offered are sold at a specified price within a specified time, and (ii) the total amount due to the seller is received by him by a specified date; or
(2) To the effect that the security is being offered or sold on any other basis whereby all or part of the consideration paid for any such security will be refunded to the purchaser if all or some of the securities are not sold, unless the security is part of an offering or distribution being made on the condition that all or a specified part of the consideration paid for such security will be promptly refunded to the purchaser unless (i) a specified number of units of the security are sold at a specified price within a specified time, and (ii) the total amount due to the seller is received by him by a specified date.
(b) This rule shall not apply to any offer or sale of securities as to which the seller has a firm commitment from underwriters or others (subject only to customary conditions precedent, including “market outs”) for the purchase of all the securities being offered.
§ 240.10b-10 Confirmation of transactions.
This section requires broker-dealers to disclose specified information in writing to customers at or before completion of a transaction. The requirements under this section that particular information be disclosed is not determinative of a broker-dealer’s obligation under the general antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws to disclose additional information to a customer at the time of the customer’s investment decision.
(a) Disclosure requirement. It shall be unlawful for any broker or dealer to effect for or with an account of a customer any transaction in, or to induce the purchase or sale by such customer of, any security (other than U.S. Savings Bonds or municipal securities) unless such broker or dealer, at or before completion of such transaction, gives or sends to such customer written notification disclosing:
(1) The date and time of the transaction (or the fact that the time of the transaction will be furnished upon written request to such customer) and the identity, price, and number of shares or units (or principal amount) of such security purchased or sold by such customer; and
(2) Whether the broker or dealer is acting as agent for such customer, as agent for some other person, as agent for both such customer and some other person, or as principal for its own account; and if the broker or dealer is acting as principal, whether it is a market maker in the security (other than by reason of acting as a block positioner); and
(i) If the broker or dealer is acting as agent for such customer, for some other person, or for both such customer and some other person:
(A) The name of the person from whom the security was purchased, or to whom it was sold, for such customer or the fact that the information will be furnished upon written request of such customer; and
(B) The amount of any remuneration received or to be received by the broker from such customer in connection with the transaction unless remuneration paid by such customer is determined pursuant to written agreement with such customer, otherwise than on a transaction basis; and
(C) For a transaction in any NMS stock as defined in § 242.600 of this chapter or a security authorized for quotation on an automated interdealer quotation system that has the characteristics set forth in section 17B of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78q-2), a statement whether payment for order flow is received by the broker or dealer for transactions in such securities and the fact that the source and nature of the compensation received in connection with the particular transaction will be furnished upon written request of the customer; provided, however, that brokers or dealers that do not receive payment for order flow in connection with any transaction have no disclosure obligations under this paragraph; and
(D) The source and amount of any other remuneration received or to be received by the broker in connection with the transaction: Provided, however, that if, in the case of a purchase, the broker was not participating in a distribution, or in the case of a sale, was not participating in a tender offer, the written notification may state whether any other remuneration has been or will be received and the fact that the source and amount of such other remuneration will be furnished upon written request of such customer; or
(ii) If the broker or dealer is acting as principal for its own account:
(A) In the case where such broker or dealer is not a market maker in an equity security and, if, after having received an order to buy from a customer, the broker or dealer purchased the equity security from another person to offset a contemporaneous sale to such customer or, after having received an order to sell from a customer, the broker or dealer sold the security to another person to offset a contemporaneous purchase from such customer, the difference between the price to the customer and the dealer’s contemporaneous purchase (for customer purchases) or sale price (for customer sales); or
(B) In the case of any other transaction in an NMS stock as defined by § 242.600 of this chapter, or an equity security that is traded on a national securities exchange and that is subject to last sale reporting, the reported trade price, the price to the customer in the transaction, and the difference, if any, between the reported trade price and the price to the customer.
(3) Whether any odd-lot differential or equivalent fee has been paid by such customer in connection with the execution of an order for an odd-lot number of shares or units (or principal amount) of a security and the fact that the amount of any such differential or fee will be furnished upon oral or written request: Provided, however, that such disclosure need not be made if the differential or fee is included in the remuneration disclosure, or exempted from disclosure, pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)(i)(B) of this section; and
(4) In the case of any transaction in a debt security subject to redemption before maturity, a statement to the effect that such debt security may be redeemed in whole or in part before maturity, that such a redemption could affect the yield represented and the fact that additional information is available upon request; and
(5) In the case of a transaction in a debt security effected exclusively on the basis of a dollar price:
(i) The dollar price at which the transaction was effected, and
(ii) The yield to maturity calculated from the dollar price: Provided, however, that this paragraph (a)(5)(ii) shall not apply to a transaction in a debt security that either:
(A) Has a maturity date that may be extended by the issuer thereof, with a variable interest payable thereon; or
(B) Is an asset-backed security, that represents an interest in or is secured by a pool of receivables or other financial assets that are subject continuously to prepayment; and
(6) In the case of a transaction in a debt security effected on the basis of yield:
(i) The yield at which the transaction was effected, including the percentage amount and its characterization (e.g., current yield, yield to maturity, or yield to call) and if effected at yield to call, the type of call, the call date and call price; and
(ii) The dollar price calculated from the yield at which the transaction was effected; and
(iii) If effected on a basis other than yield to maturity and the yield to maturity is lower than the represented yield, the yield to maturity as well as the represented yield; Provided, however, that this paragraph (a)(6)(iii) shall not apply to a transaction in a debt security that either:
(A) Has a maturity date that may be extended by the issuer thereof, with a variable interest rate payable thereon; or
(B) Is an asset-backed security, that represents an interest in or is secured by a pool of receivables or other financial assets that are subject continuously to prepayment; and
(7) In the case of a transaction in a debt security that is an asset-backed security, which represents an interest in or is secured by a pool of receivables or other financial assets that are subject continuously to prepayment, a statement indicating that the actual yield of such asset-backed security may vary according to the rate at which the underlying receivables or other financial assets are prepaid and a statement of the fact that information concerning the factors that affect yield (including at a minimum estimated yield, weighted average life, and the prepayment assumptions underlying yield) will be furnished upon written request of such customer; and
(8) That the broker or dealer is not a member of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), or that the broker or dealer clearing or carrying the customer account is not a member of SIPC, if such is the case: Provided, however, that this paragraph (a)(9) shall not apply in the case of a transaction in shares of a registered open-end investment company or unit investment trust if:
(i) The customer sends funds or securities directly to, or receives funds or securities directly from, the registered open-end investment company or unit investment trust, its transfer agent, its custodian, or other designated agent, and such person is not an associated person of the broker or dealer required by paragraph (a) of this section to send written notification to the customer; and
(ii) The written notification required by paragraph (a) of this section is sent on behalf of the broker or dealer to the customer by a person described in paragraph (a)(9)(i) of this section.
(b) Alternative periodic reporting. A broker or dealer may effect transactions for or with the account of a customer without giving or sending to such customer the written notification described in paragraph (a) of this section if:
(1) Such transactions are effected pursuant to a periodic plan or an investment company plan, or effected in shares of any open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 that holds itself out as a money market fund and attempts to maintain a stable net asset value per share: Provided, however, that no sales load is deducted upon the purchase or redemption of shares in the money market fund; and
(2) Such broker or dealer gives or sends to such customer within five business days after the end of each quarterly period, for transactions involving investment company and periodic plans, and after the end of each monthly period, for other transactions described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, a written statement disclosing each purchase or redemption, effected for or with, and each dividend or distribution credited to or reinvested for, the account of such customer during the month; the date of such transaction; the identity, number, and price of any securities purchased or redeemed by such customer in each such transaction; the total number of shares of such securities in such customer’s account; any remuneration received or to be received by the broker or dealer in connection therewith; and that any other information required by paragraph (a) of this section will be furnished upon written request: Provided, however, that the written statement may be delivered to some other person designated by the customer for distribution to the customer; and
(3) Such customer is provided with prior notification in writing disclosing the intention to send the written information referred to in paragraph (b)(1) of this section in lieu of an immediate confirmation.
(c) A broker or dealer shall give or send to a customer information requested pursuant to this rule within 5 business days of receipt of the request: Provided, however, That in the case of information pertaining to a transaction effected more than 30 days prior to receipt of the request, the information shall be given or sent to the customer within 15 business days.
(d) Definitions. For the purposes of this section:
(1) Customer shall not include a broker or dealer;
(2) Completion of the transaction shall have the meaning provided in rule 15c1-1 under the Act;
(3) Time of the transaction means the time of execution, to the extent feasible, of the customer’s order;
(4) Debt security as used in paragraphs (a)(3), (4), and (5) only, means any security, such as a bond, debenture, note, or any other similar instrument which evidences a liability of the issuer (including any such security that is convertible into stock or a similar security) and fractional or participation interests in one or more of any of the foregoing: Provided, however, That securities issued by an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 shall not be included in this definition;
(5) Periodic plan means any written authorization for a broker acting as agent to purchase or sell for a customer a specific security or securities (other than securities issued by an open end investment company or unit investment trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940), in specific amounts (calculated in security units or dollars), at specific time intervals and setting forth the commissions or charges to be paid by the customer in connection therewith (or the manner of calculating them); and
(6) Investment company plan means any plan under which securities issued by an open-end investment company or unit investment trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 are purchased by a customer (the payments being made directly to, or made payable to, the registered investment company, or the principal underwriter, custodian, trustee, or other designated agent of the registered investment company), or sold by a customer pursuant to:
(i) An individual retirement or individual pension plan qualified under the Internal Revenue Code;
(ii) A contractual or systematic agreement under which the customer purchases at the applicable public offering price, or redeems at the applicable redemption price, such securities in specified amounts (calculated in security units or dollars) at specified time intervals and setting forth the commissions or charges to be paid by such customer in connection therewith (or the manner of calculating them; or
(iii) Any other arrangement involving a group of two or more customers and contemplating periodic purchases of such securities by each customer through a person designated by the group: Provided, That such arrangement requires the registered investment company or its agent—
(A) To give or send to the designated person, at or before the completion of the transaction for the purchase of such securities, a written notification of the receipt of the total amount paid by the group;
(B) To send to anyone in the group who was a customer in the prior quarter and on whose behalf payment has not been received in the current quarter a quarterly written statement reflecting that a payment was not received on his behalf; and
(C) To advise each customer in the group if a payment is not received from the designated person on behalf of the group within 10 days of a date certain specified in the arrangement for delivery of that payment by the designated person and thereafter to send to each such customer the written notification described in paragraph (a) of this section for the next three succeeding payments.
(7) NMS stock shall have the meaning provided in § 242.600 of this chapter.
(8) Payment for order flow shall mean any monetary payment, service, property, or other benefit that results in remuneration, compensation, or consideration to a broker or dealer from any broker or dealer, national securities exchange, registered securities association, or exchange member in return for the routing of customer orders by such broker or dealer to any broker or dealer, national securities exchange, registered securities association, or exchange member for execution, including but not limited to: research, clearance, custody, products or services; reciprocal agreements for the provision of order flow; adjustment of a broker or dealer’s unfavorable trading errors; offers to participate as underwriter in public offerings; stock loans or shared interest accrued thereon; discounts, rebates, or any other reductions of or credits against any fee to, or expense or other financial obligation of, the broker or dealer routing a customer order that exceeds that fee, expense or financial obligation.
(9) Asset-backed security means a security that is primarily serviced by the cashflows of a discrete pool of receivables or other financial assets, either fixed or revolving, that by their terms convert into cash within a finite time period plus any rights or other assets designed to assure the servicing or timely distribution of proceeds to the security holders.
(e) Security futures products. The provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section shall not apply to a broker or dealer registered pursuant to section 15(b)(11)(A) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o(b)(11)(A)) to the extent that it effects transactions for customers in security futures products in a futures account (as that term is defined in § 240.15c3-3(a)(15)) and a broker or dealer registered pursuant to section 15(b)(1) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o(b)(1)) that is also a futures commission merchant registered pursuant to section 4f(a)(1) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 6f(a)(1)), to the extent that it effects transactions for customers in security futures products in a futures account (as that term is defined in § 240.15c3-3(a)(15)), Provided that:
(1) The broker or dealer that effects any transaction for a customer in security futures products in a futures account gives or sends to the customer no later than the next business day after execution of any futures securities product transaction, written notification disclosing:
(i) The date the transaction was executed, the identity of the single security or narrow-based security index underlying the contract for the security futures product, the number of contracts of such security futures product purchased or sold, the price, and the delivery month;
(ii) The source and amount of any remuneration received or to be received by the broker or dealer in connection with the transaction, including, but not limited to, markups, commissions, costs, fees, and other charges incurred in connection with the transaction, provided, however, that if no remuneration is to be paid for an initiating transaction until the occurrence of the corresponding liquidating transaction, that the broker or dealer may disclose the amount of remuneration only on the confirmation for the liquidating transaction;
(iii) The fact that information about the time of the execution of the transaction, the identity of the other party to the contract, and whether the broker or dealer is acting as agent for such customer, as agent for some other person, as agent for both such customer and some other person, or as principal for its own account, and if the broker or dealer is acting as principal, whether it is engaging in a block transaction or an exchange of security futures products for physical securities, will be available upon written request of the customer; and
(iv) Whether payment for order flow is received by the broker or dealer for such transactions, the amount of this payment and the fact that the source and nature of the compensation received in connection with the particular transaction will be furnished upon written request of the customer; provided, however, that brokers or dealers that do not receive payment for order flow have no disclosure obligation under this paragraph.
(2) Transitional provision. (i) Broker-dealers are not required to comply with paragraph (e)(1)(iii) of this section until June 1, 2003, Provided that, if, not withstanding the absence of the disclosure required in that paragraph, the broker-dealer receives a written request from a customer for the information described in paragraph (e)(1)(iii) of this section, the broker-dealer must make the information available to the customer; and
(ii) Broker-dealers are not required to comply with paragraph (e)(1)(iv) of this section until June 1, 2003.
(f) The Commission may exempt any broker or dealer from the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section with regard to specific transactions of specific classes of transactions for which the broker or dealer will provide alternative procedures to effect the purposes of this section; any such exemption may be granted subject to compliance with such alternative procedures and upon such other stated terms and conditions as the Commission may impose.
§ 240.10b-13 [Reserved]
§ 240.10b-16 Disclosure of credit terms in margin transactions.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any broker or dealer to extend credit, directly or indirectly, to any customer in connection with any securities transaction unless such broker or dealer has established procedures to assure that each customer:
(1) Is given or sent at the time of opening the account, a written statement or statements disclosing (i) the conditions under which an interest charge will be imposed; (ii) the annual rate or rates of interest that can be imposed; (iii) the method of computing interest; (iv) if rates of interest are subject to change without prior notice, the specific conditions under which they can be changed; (v) the method of determining the debit balance or balances on which interest is to be charged and whether credit is to be given for credit balances in cash accounts; (vi) what other charges resulting from the extension of credit, if any, will be made and under what conditions; and (vii) the nature of any interest or lien retained by the broker or dealer in the security or other property held as collateral and the conditions under which additional collateral can be required: Provided, however, That the requirements of this subparagraph will be met in any case where the account is opened by telephone if the information required to be disclosed is orally communicated to the customer at that time and the required written statement or statements are sent to the customer immediately thereafter: And provided, further, That in the case of customers to whom credit is already being extended on the effective date of this section, the written statement or statements required hereunder must be given or sent to said customers within 90 days after the effective date of this section; and
(2) Is given or sent a written statement or statements, at least quarterly, for each account in which credit was extended, disclosing (i) the balance at the beginning of the period; the date, amount and a brief description of each debit and credit entered during such period; the closing balance; and, if interest is charged for a period different from the period covered by the statement, the balance as of the last day of the interest period; (ii) the total interest charge for the period during which interest is charged (or, if interest is charged separately for separate accounts, the total interest charge for each such account), itemized to show the dates on which the interest period began and ended; the annual rate or rates of interest charged and the interest charge for each such different annual rate of interest; and either each different debit balance on which an interest calculation was based or the average debit balance for the interest period, except that if an average debit balance is used, a separate average debit balance must be disclosed for each interest rate applied; and (iii) all other charges resulting from the extension of credit in that account: Provided, however, That if the interest charge disclosed on a statement is for a period different from the period covered by the statement, there must be printed on the statement appropriate language to the effect that it should be retained for use in conjunction with the next statement containing the remainder of the required information: And provided further, That in the case of “equity funding programs” registered under the Securities Act of 1933, the requirements of this paragraph will be met if the broker or dealer furnishes to the customer, within 1 month after each extension of credit, a written statement or statements containing the information required to be disclosed under this paragraph.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any broker or dealer to make any changes in the terms and conditions under which credit charges will be made (as described in the initial statement made under paragraph (a) of this section), unless the customer shall have been given not less than thirty (30) days written notice of such changes, except that no such prior notice shall be necessary where such changes are required by law: Provided, however, That if any change for which prior notice would otherwise be required under this paragraph results in a lower interest charge to the customer than would have been imposed before the change, notice of such change may be given within a reasonable time after the effective date of the change.
§ 240.10b-17 Untimely announcements of record dates.
(a) It shall constitute a “manipulative or deceptive device or contrivance” as used in section 10(b) of the Act for any issuer of a class of securities publicly traded by the use of any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce or of the mails or of any facility of any national securities exchange to fail to give notice in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section of the following actions relating to such class of securities:
(1) A dividend or other distribution in cash or in kind, except an ordinary interest payment on a debt security, but including a dividend or distribution of any security of the same or another issuer;
(2) A stock split or reverse split; or
(3) A rights or other subscription offering.
(b) Notice shall be deemed to have been given in accordance with this section only if:
(1) Given to the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., no later than 10 days prior to the record date involved or, in case of a rights subscription or other offering if such 10 days advance notice is not practical, on or before the record date and in no event later than the effective date of the registration statement to which the offering relates, and such notice includes:
(i) Title of the security to which the declaration relates;
(ii) Date of declaration;
(iii) Date of record for determining holders entitled to receive the dividend or other distribution or to participate in the stock or reverse split;
(iv) Date of payment or distribution or, in the case of a stock or reverse split or rights or other subscription offering, the date of delivery;
(v) For a dividend or other distribution including a stock or reverse split or rights or other subscription offering:
(a) In cash, the amount of cash to be paid or distributed per share, except if exact per share cash distributions cannot be given because of existing conversion rights which may be exercised during the notice period and which may affect the per share cash distribution, then a reasonable approximation of the per share distribution may be provided so long as the actual per share distribution is subsequently provided on the record date,
(b) In the same security, the amount of the security outstanding immediately prior to and immediately following the dividend or distribution and the rate of the dividend or distribution,
(c) In any other security of the same issuer, the amount to be paid or distributed and the rate of the dividend or distribution,
(d) In any security of another issuer, the name of the issuer and title of that security, the amount to be paid or distributed, and the rate of the dividend or distribution and if that security is a right or a warrant, the subscription price,
(e) In any other property (including securities not covered under paragraphs (b)(1)(v) (b) through (d) of this section) the identity of the property and its value and basis for assigning that value;
(vi) Method of settlement of fractional interests;
(vii) Details of any condition which must be satisfied or Government approval which must be secured to enable payment of distribution; and in
(viii) The case of stock or reverse split in addition to the aforementioned information;
(a) The name and address of the transfer or exchange agent; or
(2) The Commission, upon written request or upon its own motion, exempts the issuer from compliance with paragraph (b)(1) of this section either unconditionally or on specified terms or conditions, as not constituting a manipulative or deceptive device or contrivance comprehended within the purpose of this section; or
(3) Given in accordance with procedures of the national securities exchange or exchanges upon which a security of such issuer is registered pursuant to section 12 of the Act which contain requirements substantially comparable to those set forth in paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
(c) The provisions of this rule shall not apply, however, to redeemable securities issued by open-end investment companies and unit investment trusts registered with the Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
§ 240.10b-18 Purchases of certain equity securities by the issuer and others.
1. Section 240.10b-18 provides an issuer (and its affiliated purchasers) with a “safe harbor” from liability for manipulation under sections 9(a)(2) of the Act and § 240.10b-5 under the Act solely by reason of the manner, timing, price, and volume of their repurchases when they repurchase the issuer’s common stock in the market in accordance with the section’s manner, timing, price, and volume conditions. As a safe harbor, compliance with § 240.10b-18 is voluntary. To come within the safe harbor, however, an issuer’s repurchases must satisfy (on a daily basis) each of the section’s four conditions. Failure to meet any one of the four conditions will remove all of the issuer’s repurchases from the safe harbor for that day. The safe harbor, moreover, is not available for repurchases that, although made in technical compliance with the section, are part of a plan or scheme to evade the federal securities laws. 2. Regardless of whether the repurchases are effected in accordance with § 240.10b-18, reporting issuers must report their repurchasing activity as required by Item 703 of Regulations S-K and S-B (17 CFR 229.703 and 228.703) and Item 15(e) of Form 20-F (17 CFR 249.220f) (regarding foreign private issuers), and closed-end management investment companies that are registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 must report their repurchasing activity as required by Item 8 of Form N-CSR (17 CFR 249.331; 17 CFR 274.128).
(a) Definitions. Unless otherwise provided, all terms used in this section shall have the same meaning as in the Act. In addition, the following definitions shall apply:
(1) ADTV means the average daily trading volume reported for the security during the four calendar weeks preceding the week in which the Rule 10b-18 purchase is to be effected.
(2) Affiliate means any person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the issuer.
(3) Affiliated purchaser means:
(i) A person acting, directly or indirectly, in concert with the issuer for the purpose of acquiring the issuer’s securities; or
(ii) An affiliate who, directly or indirectly, controls the issuer’s purchases of such securities, whose purchases are controlled by the issuer, or whose purchases are under common control with those of the issuer; Provided, however, that “affiliated purchaser” shall not include a broker, dealer, or other person solely by reason of such broker, dealer, or other person effecting Rule 10b-18 purchases on behalf of the issuer or for its account, and shall not include an officer or director of the issuer solely by reason of that officer or director’s participation in the decision to authorize Rule 10b-18 purchases by or on behalf of the issuer.
(4) Agent independent of the issuer has the meaning contained in § 242.100 of this chapter.
(5) Block means a quantity of stock that either:
(i) Has a purchase price of $200,000 or more; or
(ii) Is at least 5,000 shares and has a purchase price of at least $50,000; or
(iii) Is at least 20 round lots of the security and totals 150 percent or more of the trading volume for that security or, in the event that trading volume data are unavailable, is at least 20 round lots of the security and totals at least one-tenth of one percent (.001) of the outstanding shares of the security, exclusive of any shares owned by any affiliate; Provided, however, That a block under paragraph (a)(5)(i), (ii), and (iii) shall not include any amount a broker or dealer, acting as principal, has accumulated for the purpose of sale or resale to the issuer or to any affiliated purchaser of the issuer if the issuer or such affiliated purchaser knows or has reason to know that such amount was accumulated for such purpose, nor shall it include any amount that a broker or dealer has sold short to the issuer or to any affiliated purchaser of the issuer if the issuer or such affiliated purchaser knows or has reason to know that the sale was a short sale.
(6) Consolidated system means a consolidated transaction or quotation reporting system that collects and publicly disseminates on a current and continuous basis transaction or quotation information in common equity securities pursuant to an effective transaction reporting plan or an effective national market system plan (as those terms are defined in § 242.600 of this chapter).
(7) Market-wide trading suspension means a market-wide trading halt of 30 minutes or more that is:
(i) Imposed pursuant to the rules of a national securities exchange or a national securities association in response to a market-wide decline during a single trading session; or
(ii) Declared by the Commission pursuant to its authority under section 12(k) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78l (k)).
(8) Plan has the meaning contained in § 242.100 of this chapter.
(9) Principal market for a security means the single securities market with the largest reported trading volume for the security during the six full calendar months preceding the week in which the Rule 10b-18 purchase is to be effected.
(10) Public float value has the meaning contained in § 242.100 of this chapter.
(11) Purchase price means the price paid per share as reported, exclusive of any commission paid to a broker acting as agent, or commission equivalent, mark-up, or differential paid to a dealer.
(12) Riskless principal transaction means a transaction in which a broker or dealer after having received an order from an issuer to buy its security, buys the security as principal in the market at the same price to satisfy the issuer’s buy order. The issuer’s buy order must be effected at the same price per-share at which the broker or dealer bought the shares to satisfy the issuer’s buy order, exclusive of any explicitly disclosed markup or markdown, commission equivalent, or other fee. In addition, only the first leg of the transaction, when the broker or dealer buys the security in the market as principal, is reported under the rules of a self-regulatory organization or under the Act. For purposes of this section, the broker or dealer must have written policies and procedures in place to assure that, at a minimum, the issuer’s buy order was received prior to the offsetting transaction; the offsetting transaction is allocated to a riskless principal account or the issuer’s account within 60 seconds of the execution; and the broker or dealer has supervisory systems in place to produce records that enable the broker or dealer to accurately and readily reconstruct, in a time-sequenced manner, all orders effected on a riskless principal basis.
(13) Rule 10b-18 purchase means a purchase (or any bid or limit order that would effect such purchase) of an issuer’s common stock (or an equivalent interest, including a unit of beneficial interest in a trust or limited partnership or a depository share) by or for the issuer or any affiliated purchaser (including riskless principal transactions). However, it does not include any purchase of such security:
(i) Effected during the applicable restricted period of a distribution that is subject to § 242.102 of this chapter;
(ii) Effected by or for an issuer plan by an agent independent of the issuer;
(iii) Effected as a fractional share purchase (a fractional interest in a security) evidenced by a script certificate, order form, or similar document;
(iv) Effected during the period from the time of public announcement (as defined in § 230.165(f)) of a merger, acquisition, or similar transaction involving a recapitalization, until the earlier of the completion of such transaction or the completion of the vote by target shareholders. This exclusion does not apply to Rule 10b-18 purchases:
(A) Effected during such transaction in which the consideration is solely cash and there is no valuation period; or
(B) Where:
(1) The total volume of Rule 10b-18 purchases effected on any single day does not exceed the lesser of 25% of the security’s four-week ADTV or the issuer’s average daily Rule 10b-18 purchases during the three full calendar months preceding the date of the announcement of such transaction;
(2) The issuer’s block purchases effected pursuant to paragraph (b)(4) of this section do not exceed the average size and frequency of the issuer’s block purchases effected pursuant to paragraph (b)(4) of this section during the three full calendar months preceding the date of the announcement of such transaction; and
(3) Such purchases are not otherwise restricted or prohibited;
(v) Effected pursuant to § 240.13e-1;
(vi) Effected pursuant to a tender offer that is subject to § 240.13e-4 or specifically excepted from § 240.13e-4; or
(vii) Effected pursuant to a tender offer that is subject to section 14(d) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78n(d)) and the rules and regulations thereunder.
(b) Conditions to be met. Rule 10b-18 purchases shall not be deemed to have violated the anti-manipulation provisions of sections 9(a)(2) or 10(b) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78i(a)(2) or 78j(b)), or § 240.10b-5 under the Act, solely by reason of the time, price, or amount of the Rule 10b-18 purchases, or the number of brokers or dealers used in connection with such purchases, if the issuer or affiliated purchaser of the issuer effects the Rule 10b-18 purchases according to each of the following conditions:
(1) One broker or dealer. Rule 10b-18 purchases must be effected from or through only one broker or dealer on any single day; Provided, however, that:
(i) The “one broker or dealer” condition shall not apply to Rule 10b-18 purchases that are not solicited by or on behalf of the issuer or its affiliated purchaser(s);
(ii) Where Rule 10b-18 purchases are effected by or on behalf of more than one affiliated purchaser of the issuer (or the issuer and one or more of its affiliated purchasers) on a single day, the issuer and all affiliated purchasers must use the same broker or dealer; and
(iii) Where Rule 10b-18 purchases are effected on behalf of the issuer by a broker-dealer that is not an electronic communication network (ECN) or other alternative trading system (ATS), that broker-dealer can access ECN or other ATS liquidity in order to execute repurchases on behalf of the issuer (or any affiliated purchaser of the issuer) on that day.
(2) Time of purchases. Rule 10b-18 purchases must not be:
(i) The opening (regular way) purchase reported in the consolidated system;
(ii) Effected during the 10 minutes before the scheduled close of the primary trading session in the principal market for the security, and the 10 minutes before the scheduled close of the primary trading session in the market where the purchase is effected, for a security that has an ADTV value of $1 million or more and a public float value of $150 million or more; and
(iii) Effected during the 30 minutes before the scheduled close of the primary trading session in the principal market for the security, and the 30 minutes before the scheduled close of the primary trading session in the market where the purchase is effected, for all other securities;
(iv) However, for purposes of this section, Rule 10b-18 purchases may be effected following the close of the primary trading session until the termination of the period in which last sale prices are reported in the consolidated system so long as such purchases are effected at prices that do not exceed the lower of the closing price of the primary trading session in the principal market for the security and any lower bids or sale prices subsequently reported in the consolidated system, and all of this section’s conditions are met. However, for purposes of this section, the issuer may use one broker or dealer to effect Rule 10b-18 purchases during this period that may be different from the broker or dealer that it used during the primary trading session. However, the issuer’s Rule 10b-18 purchase may not be the opening transaction of the session following the close of the primary trading session.
(3) Price of purchases. Rule 10b-18 purchases must be effected at a purchase price that:
(i) Does not exceed the highest independent bid or the last independent transaction price, whichever is higher, quoted or reported in the consolidated system at the time the Rule 10b-18 purchase is effected;
(ii) For securities for which bids and transaction prices are not quoted or reported in the consolidated system, Rule 10b-18 purchases must be effected at a purchase price that does not exceed the highest independent bid or the last independent transaction price, whichever is higher, displayed and disseminated on any national securities exchange or on any inter-dealer quotation system (as defined in § 240.15c2-11) that displays at least two priced quotations for the security, at the time the Rule 10b-18 purchase is effected; and
(iii) For all other securities, Rule 10b-18 purchases must be effected at a price no higher than the highest independent bid obtained from three independent dealers.
(4) Volume of purchases. The total volume of Rule 10b-18 purchases effected by or for the issuer and any affiliated purchasers effected on any single day must not exceed 25 percent of the ADTV for that security; However, once each week, in lieu of purchasing under the 25 percent of ADTV limit for that day, the issuer or an affiliated purchaser of the issuer may effect one block purchase if:
(i) No other Rule 10b-18 purchases are effected that day, and
(ii) The block purchase is not included when calculating a security’s four week ADTV under this section.
(c) Alternative conditions. The conditions of paragraph (b) of this section shall apply in connection with Rule 10b-18 purchases effected during a trading session following the imposition of a market-wide trading suspension, except:
(1) That the time of purchases condition in paragraph (b)(2) of this section shall not apply, either:
(i) From the reopening of trading until the scheduled close of trading on the day that the market-wide trading suspension is imposed; or
(ii) At the opening of trading on the next trading day until the scheduled close of trading that day, if a market-wide trading suspension was in effect at the close of trading on the preceding day; and
(2) The volume of purchases condition in paragraph (b)(4) of this section is modified so that the amount of Rule 10b-18 purchases must not exceed 100 percent of the ADTV for that security.
(d) Other purchases. No presumption shall arise that an issuer or an affiliated purchaser has violated the anti-manipulation provisions of sections 9(a)(2) or 10(b) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78i(a)(2) or 78j(b)), or § 240.10b-5 under the Act, if the Rule 10b-18 purchases of such issuer or affiliated purchaser do not meet the conditions specified in paragraph (b) or (c) of this section.
§ 240.10b-21 Deception in connection with a seller’s ability or intent to deliver securities on the date delivery is due.
This rule is not intended to limit, or restrict, the applicability of the general antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws, such as section 10(b) of the Act and rule 10b-5 thereunder.
(a) It shall also constitute a “manipulative or deceptive device or contrivance” as used in section 10(b) of this Act for any person to submit an order to sell an equity security if such person deceives a broker or dealer, a participant of a registered clearing agency, or a purchaser about its intention or ability to deliver the security on or before the settlement date, and such person fails to deliver the security on or before the settlement date.
(b) For purposes of this rule, the term settlement date shall mean the business day on which delivery of a security and payment of money is to be made through the facilities of a registered clearing agency in connection with the sale of a security.
§ 240.10c-1a Securities lending transparency.
(a) Reporting requirements for covered persons. Any covered person who agrees to a covered securities loan on behalf of itself or another person shall:
(1) Provide to a registered national securities association (“RNSA”) the information in paragraphs (c) through (e) of this section (“Rule 10c-1a information”), in the format and manner required by the applicable rule(s) of such RNSA, and within the time periods specified in paragraphs (c) through (e) of this section.
(2) Provided, however, a covered person may rely on a reporting agent to fulfill its reporting obligations under paragraph (a)(1) of this section if such covered person:
(i) Enters into a written agreement with a reporting agent that agrees to provide the Rule 10c-1a information to an RNSA on behalf of such covered person in accordance with the requirements in paragraph (b) of this section; and,
(ii) Provides such reporting agent with timely access to the Rule 10c-1a information.
(b) Reporting agent requirements. Any reporting agent that assumes the reporting obligation on behalf of a covered person pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of this section shall:
(1) Provide such Rule 10c-1a information to an RNSA, in the format and manner required by the applicable rule(s) of such RNSA, and within the time periods specified in paragraphs (c) through (e) of this section;
(2) Establish, maintain, and enforce written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to provide Rule 10c-1a information to an RNSA on behalf of a covered person in the format and manner required by the applicable rule(s) of an RNSA, and within the time periods specified in paragraphs (c) through (e) of this section;
(3) Enter into a written agreement with an RNSA that permits the reporting agent to provide Rule 10c-1a information to an RNSA on behalf of a covered person;
(4) Provide an RNSA with a list naming each covered person on whose behalf the reporting agent is providing Rule 10c-1a information to an RNSA and provide an RNSA with any updates to the list of such persons by the end of the day such list changes; and
(5) Preserve for a period of not less than three years, the first two years in an easily accessible place:
(i) The Rule 10c-1a information obtained by the reporting agent from the covered person pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of this section, including the time of receipt, and the corresponding Rule 10c-1a information provided by the reporting agent to an RNSA, including the time of transmission to an RNSA; and
(ii) The written agreements under paragraphs (a)(2) and (b)(3) of this section.
(c) Data elements. A covered person shall provide the following information, if applicable, to an RNSA, by the end of the day on which a covered securities loan is effected:
(1) The legal name of the security issuer, and the Legal Entity Identifier (“LEI”) of the issuer, if the issuer has a non-lapsed LEI;
(2) The ticker symbol, International Securities Identification Number (“ISIN”), Committee on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures (“CUSIP”), or Financial Instrument Global Identifier (“FIGI”) of the security, or other security identifier;
(3) The date the covered securities loan was effected;
(4) The time the covered securities loan was effected;
(5) The name of the platform or venue where the covered securities loan was effected;
(6) The amount, such as size, volume, or both, of the reportable securities loaned;
(7) The type of collateral used to secure the covered securities loan;
(8) For a covered securities loan collateralized by cash, the rebate rate or any other fee or charges;
(9) For a covered securities loan not collateralized by cash, the securities lending fee or rate, or any other fee or charges;
(10) The percentage of collateral to value of reportable securities loaned required to secure such covered securities loan;
(11) The termination date of the covered securities loan; and
(12) Whether the borrower is a broker or dealer, a customer (if the person lending securities is a broker or dealer), a clearing agency, a bank, a custodian, or other person.
(d) Loan modification data elements. A covered person shall provide the following information to an RNSA by the end of the day on which a covered securities loan is modified:
(1) If the modification occurs after the data elements under paragraph (c) of this section for such covered securities loan are provided to an RNSA, and results in a change to information previously required to be provided to an RNSA under paragraph (c) of this section:
(i) The date and time of the modification;
(ii) The specific modification and the specific data element in paragraph (c) of this section being modified; and
(iii) The unique identifier assigned to the original covered securities loan under paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(3) of this section;
(2) If the modification is to a covered securities loan for which reporting under paragraph (a) was not required on the date the loan was agreed to or last modified and results in a change to any of the data elements in paragraphs (c)(1) through (12) of this section:
(i) The data elements in paragraphs (c)(1) through (12) of this section as of the date of modification and the date and time of the modification.
(ii) [Reserved]
(e) Confidential data elements. A covered person shall provide the following information to an RNSA, if applicable, by the end of the day on which a covered securities loan is effected:
(1) If known, the legal name of each party to the covered securities loan, other than the customer from whom a broker or dealer borrows fully paid or excess margin securities pursuant to § 240.15c3-3(b)(3) (“Rule 15c3-3(b)(3)”) of the Exchange Act, Central Registration Depository (“CRD”) or Investment Adviser Registration Depository (“IARD”) Number, market participant identification (“MPID”), and the LEI of each party to the covered securities loan, and whether such person is the lender, the borrower, or an intermediary between the lender and the borrower;
(2) If the person lending securities is a broker or dealer and the borrower is its customer, whether the security is loaned from a broker’s or dealer’s securities inventory to a customer of such broker or dealer; and
(3) If known, whether the covered securities loan is being used to close out a fail to deliver pursuant to § 242.204 of this chapter (“Rule 204 of Regulation SHO”) or to close out a fail to deliver outside of §§ 242.200 through 242.204 of this chapter (“Regulation SHO”).
(f) RNSA rules. An RNSA shall implement rules regarding the format and manner of its collection of information described in paragraphs (c) through (e) of this section and make publicly available such information in accordance with rules promulgated pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 78s(b) (“section 19(b)”) and § 240.19b-4 (“Rule 19b-4”) of the Exchange Act.
(g) RNSA publication of data. An RNSA shall:
(1) Following receipt of information pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section, as soon as practicable, and not later than the morning of the business day after the covered securities loan is effected, assign a unique identifier to the covered securities loan and make publicly available the following information:
(i) For each covered securities loan effected on the previous business day:
(A) The unique identifier assigned by an RNSA;
(B) The information it receives under paragraphs (c)(1) through (5) and (7) through (12) of this section; and
(C) The security identifier(s) under paragraphs (c)(1) or (2) of this section that an RNSA determines is appropriate to identify the relevant reportable security.
(2) Following receipt of information pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section, on the twentieth business day after the covered securities loan is effected, make publicly available the information specified in paragraph (c)(6) of this section along with the loan and security identifying information specified in paragraphs (g)(1)(i)(A) and (C) of this section.
(3) Following receipt of information pursuant to paragraph (d) of this section, assign a unique identifier to the covered securities loan if one was not assigned pursuant to paragraph (g)(1)(i)(A) of this section; and:
(i) As soon as practicable, and not later than the morning of the business day after the covered securities loan is modified, make publicly available information pertaining to any modification to the data specified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (5) and (7) through (12) of this section; provided however, for a covered securities loan for which paragraph (c) information is reported to an RNSA pursuant to paragraph (d)(2) of this section, make publicly available the data specified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (5) and (7) through (12); and
(ii) On the twentieth business day after the covered securities loan is modified, make publicly available the data specified in paragraph (c)(6) of this section along with the loan and security identifying information specified in paragraphs (g)(1)(i)(A) or (g)(3), as applicable, and (g)(1)(i)(C) of this section.
(4) Following receipt of information pursuant to paragraph (e) of this section, keep such information confidential, in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (h) of this section and applicable law.
(5) Following the receipt of information specified in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section, as soon as practicable, and not later than the morning of the business day after covered securities loans are effected or modified, make publicly available, on a daily basis, information pertaining to the aggregate transaction activity and distribution of loan rates for each reportable security and the security identifier(s) under paragraphs (c)(1) or (2) of this section for which an RNSA determines is appropriate to identify.
(h) Data retention and availability. An RNSA shall:
(1) Retain the information collected pursuant to paragraphs (c) through (e) of this section in a convenient and usable standard electronic data format that is machine readable and text searchable without any manual intervention for a period of five years;
(2) Make the information collected pursuant to paragraphs (b)(4) and (c) through (e) of this section available to the Commission; or other persons as the Commission may designate by order upon a demonstrated regulatory need;
(3) Make the information collected under paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section available to the public in the same manner such information is maintained pursuant to paragraph (h)(1) of this section on an RNSA’s website or similar means of electronic distribution, without use restrictions, for a period of at least five years; and
(4) Establish, maintain, and enforce reasonably designed written policies and procedures to maintain the security and confidentiality of confidential information required by paragraph (e) of this section.
(i) RNSA fees. An RNSA may establish and collect reasonable fees, pursuant to rules that are promulgated pursuant to section 19(b) and Rule 19b-4 of the Exchange Act.
(j) Definitions. For purposes of this section:
(1) The term covered person means:
(i) Any person that agrees to a covered securities loan on behalf of a lender (“intermediary”) other than a clearing agency when providing only the functions of a central counterparty pursuant to § 240.17Ad-22(a)(2) (“Rule 17Ad-22(a)(2)”) of the Exchange Act or a central securities depository pursuant to § 240.17Ad-22(a)(3) (“Rule 17Ad-22(a)(3)”) of the Exchange Act; or
(ii) Any person that agrees to a covered securities loan as a lender when an intermediary is not used unless paragraph (j)(1)(iii) of this section applies; or
(iii) A broker or dealer when borrowing fully paid or excess margin securities pursuant to Rule 15c3-3(b)(3) of the Exchange Act.
(2) The term covered securities loan means:
(i) A transaction in which any person on behalf of itself or one or more other persons, lends a reportable security to another person.
(ii) Notwithstanding paragraph (j)(2)(i) of this section, a position at a clearing agency that results from central counterparty services pursuant to Rule 17Ad-22(a)(2) of the Exchange Act or central securities depository services pursuant to Rule 17Ad-22(a)(3) of the Exchange Act will not be a covered securities loan for purposes of this rule.
(iii) Notwithstanding paragraph (j)(2)(i) of this section, the use of margin securities, as defined in § 240.15c3-3(a)(4) (“Rule 15c3-3(a)(4)”) of the Exchange Act, by a broker or dealer will not be a covered securities loan for purposes of this rule.
(A) Provided, however, if a broker or dealer lends such margin securities to another person, the loan to the other person is a covered securities loan for purposes of this rule.
(B) [Reserved]
(3) The term reportable security means any security or class of an issuer’s securities for which information is reported or required to be reported to the consolidated audit trail as required by § 242.613 (“Rule 613”) of the Exchange Act and the CAT NMS Plan (“CAT”), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s Trade Reporting and Compliance Engine (“TRACE”), or the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s Real-Time Transaction Reporting System (“RTRS”), or any reporting system that replaces one of these systems.
(4) The term reporting agent means a broker, dealer, or registered clearing agency that enters into a written agreement with a covered person under paragraph (a)(2) of this section.
(5) The term RNSA means an association of brokers and dealers that is registered as a national securities association pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 78o-3 (“section 15A”) of the Exchange Act.
Reports Under Section 10A
§ 240.10A-1 Notice to the Commission Pursuant to Section 10A of the Act.
(a)(1) If any issuer with a reporting obligation under the Act receives a report requiring a notice to the Commission in accordance with section 10A(b)(3) of the Act, 15 U.S.C. 78j-1(b)(3), the issuer shall submit such notice to the Commission’s Office of the Chief Accountant within the time period prescribed in that section. The notice may be provided by facsimile, telegraph, personal delivery, or any other means, provided it is received by the Office of the Chief Accountant within the required time period.
(2) The notice specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall be in writing and:
(i) Shall identify the issuer (including the issuer’s name, address, phone number, and file number assigned to the issuer’s filings by the Commission) and the independent accountant (including the independent accountant’s name and phone number, and the address of the independent accountant’s principal office);
(ii) Shall state the date that the issuer received from the independent accountant the report specified in section 10A(b)(2) of the Act, 15 U.S.C. 78j-1(b)(2);
(iii) Shall provide, at the election of the issuer, either:
(A) A summary of the independent accountant’s report, including a description of the act that the independent accountant has identified as a likely illegal act and the possible effect of that act on all affected financial statements of the issuer or those related to the most current three-year period, whichever is shorter; or
(B) A copy of the independent accountant’s report; and
(iv) May provide additional information regarding the issuer’s views of and response to the independent accountant’s report.
(3) Reports of the independent accountant submitted by the issuer to the Commission’s Office of the Chief Accountant in accordance with paragraph (a)(2)(iii)(B) of this section shall be deemed to have been made pursuant to section 10A(b)(3) or section 10A(b)(4) of the Act, 15 U.S.C. 78j-1(b)(3) or 78j-1(b)(4), for purposes of the safe harbor provided by section 10A(c) of the Act, 15 U.S.C. 78j-1(c).
(4) Submission of the notice in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section shall not relieve the issuer from its obligations to comply fully with all other reporting requirements, including, without limitation:
(i) The filing requirements of Form 8-K, § 249.308 of this chapter, and Form N-CSR, § 274.128 of this chapter, regarding a change in the issuer’s certifying accountant and
(ii) The disclosure requirements of Item 304 of Regulation S-K, § 229.304 of this chapter.
(b)(1) Any independent accountant furnishing to the Commission a copy of a report (or the documentation of any oral report) in accordance with section 10A(b)(3) or section 10A(b)(4) of the Act, 15 U.S.C. 78j-1(b)(3) or 78j-1(b)(4), shall submit that report (or documentation) to the Commission’s Office of the Chief Accountant within the time period prescribed by the appropriate section of the Act. The report (or documentation) may be submitted to the Commission’s Office of the Chief Accountant by facsimile, telegraph, personal delivery, or any other means, provided it is received by the Office of the Chief Accountant within the time period set forth in section 10A(b)(3) or 10A(b)(4) of the Act, 15 U.S.C. 78j-1(b)(3) or 78j-(b)(4), whichever is applicable in the circumstances.
(2) If the report (or documentation) submitted to the Office of the Chief Accountant in accordance with paragraph (b)(1) of this section does not clearly identify both the issuer (including the issuer’s name, address, phone number, and file number assigned to the issuer’s filings with the Commission) and the independent accountant (including the independent accountant’s name and phone number, and the address of the independent accountant’s principal office), then the independent accountant shall place that information in a prominent attachment to the report (or documentation) and shall submit that attachment to the Office of the Chief Accountant at the same time and in the same manner as the report (or documentation) is submitted to that Office.
(3) Submission of the report (or documentation) by the independent accountant as described in paragraphs (b)(1) and (2) of this section shall not replace, or otherwise satisfy the need for, the newly engaged and former accountants’ letters under §§ 229.304(a)(2)(D) and 229.304(a)(3) of this chapter (Items 304(a)(2)(D) and 304(a)(3) of Regulation S-K, respectively) and shall not limit, reduce, or affect in any way the independent accountant’s obligations to comply fully with all other legal and professional responsibilities, including, without limitation, those under the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and the rules or interpretations of the Commission that modify or supplement those auditing standards.
(c) A notice or report submitted to the Office of the Chief Accountant in accordance with paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section shall be deemed to be an investigative record and shall be nonpublic and exempt from disclosure pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act to the same extent and for the same periods of time that the Commission’s investigative records are nonpublic and exempt from disclosure under, among other applicable provisions, 5 U.S.C. 552(b)(7). Nothing in this paragraph, however, shall relieve, limit, delay, or affect in any way, the obligation of any issuer or any independent accountant to make all public disclosures required by law, by any Commission disclosure item, rule, report, or form, or by any applicable accounting, auditing, or professional standard.
Issuers and independent accountants may apply for additional bases for confidential treatment for a notice, report, or part thereof, in accordance with § 200.83 of this chapter. That section indicates, in part, that any person who, pursuant to any requirement of law, submits any information or causes or permits any information to be submitted to the Commission, may request that the Commission afford it confidential treatment by reason of personal privacy or business confidentiality, or for any other reason permitted by Federal law.
§ 240.10A-2 Auditor independence.
It shall be unlawful for an auditor not to be independent under § 210.2-01(c)(2)(iii)(B), (c)(4), (c)(6), (c)(7), and § 210.2-07.
§ 240.10A-3 Listing standards relating to audit committees.
(a) Pursuant to section 10A(m) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78j-1(m)) and section 3 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (15 U.S.C. 7202):
(1) National securities exchanges. The rules of each national securities exchange registered pursuant to section 6 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78f) must, in accordance with the provisions of this section, prohibit the initial or continued listing of any security of an issuer that is not in compliance with the requirements of any portion of paragraph (b) or (c) of this section.
(2) National securities associations. The rules of each national securities association registered pursuant to section 15A of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o-3) must, in accordance with the provisions of this section, prohibit the initial or continued listing in an automated inter-dealer quotation system of any security of an issuer that is not in compliance with the requirements of any portion of paragraph (b) or (c) of this section.
(3) Opportunity to cure defects. The rules required by paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section must provide for appropriate procedures for a listed issuer to have an opportunity to cure any defects that would be the basis for a prohibition under paragraph (a) of this section, before the imposition of such prohibition. Such rules also may provide that if a member of an audit committee ceases to be independent in accordance with the requirements of this section for reasons outside the member’s reasonable control, that person, with notice by the issuer to the applicable national securities exchange or national securities association, may remain an audit committee member of the listed issuer until the earlier of the next annual shareholders meeting of the listed issuer or one year from the occurrence of the event that caused the member to be no longer independent.
(4) Notification of noncompliance. The rules required by paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section must include a requirement that a listed issuer must notify the applicable national securities exchange or national securities association promptly after an executive officer of the listed issuer becomes aware of any material noncompliance by the listed issuer with the requirements of this section.
(5) Implementation. (i) The rules of each national securities exchange or national securities association meeting the requirements of this section must be operative, and listed issuers must be in compliance with those rules, by the following dates:
(A) July 31, 2005 for foreign private issuers and smaller reporting companies (as defined in § 240.12b-2); and
(B) For all other listed issuers, the earlier of the listed issuer’s first annual shareholders meeting after January 15, 2004, or October 31, 2004.
(ii) Each national securities exchange and national securities association must provide to the Commission, no later than July 15, 2003, proposed rules or rule amendments that comply with this section.
(iii) Each national securities exchange and national securities association must have final rules or rule amendments that comply with this section approved by the Commission no later than December 1, 2003.
(b) Required standards—(1) Independence. (i) Each member of the audit committee must be a member of the board of directors of the listed issuer, and must otherwise be independent; provided that, where a listed issuer is one of two dual holding companies, those companies may designate one audit committee for both companies so long as each member of the audit committee is a member of the board of directors of at least one of such dual holding companies.
(ii) Independence requirements for non-investment company issuers. In order to be considered to be independent for purposes of this paragraph (b)(1), a member of an audit committee of a listed issuer that is not an investment company may not, other than in his or her capacity as a member of the audit committee, the board of directors, or any other board committee:
(A) Accept directly or indirectly any consulting, advisory, or other compensatory fee from the issuer or any subsidiary thereof, provided that, unless the rules of the national securities exchange or national securities association provide otherwise, compensatory fees do not include the receipt of fixed amounts of compensation under a retirement plan (including deferred compensation) for prior service with the listed issuer (provided that such compensation is not contingent in any way on continued service); or
(B) Be an affiliated person of the issuer or any subsidiary thereof.
(iii) Independence requirements for investment company issuers. In order to be considered to be independent for purposes of this paragraph (b)(1), a member of an audit committee of a listed issuer that is an investment company may not, other than in his or her capacity as a member of the audit committee, the board of directors, or any other board committee:
(A) Accept directly or indirectly any consulting, advisory, or other compensatory fee from the issuer or any subsidiary thereof, provided that, unless the rules of the national securities exchange or national securities association provide otherwise, compensatory fees do not include the receipt of fixed amounts of compensation under a retirement plan (including deferred compensation) for prior service with the listed issuer (provided that such compensation is not contingent in any way on continued service); or
(B) Be an “interested person” of the issuer as defined in section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-2(a)(19)).
(iv) Exemptions from the independence requirements. (A) For an issuer listing securities pursuant to a registration statement under section 12 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78l), or for an issuer that has a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77a et seq.) covering an initial public offering of securities to be listed by the issuer, where in each case the listed issuer was not, immediately prior to the effective date of such registration statement, required to file reports with the Commission pursuant to section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78m(a) or 78o(d)):
(1) All but one of the members of the listed issuer’s audit committee may be exempt from the independence requirements of paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section for 90 days from the date of effectiveness of such registration statement; and
(2) A minority of the members of the listed issuer’s audit committee may be exempt from the independence requirements of paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section for one year from the date of effectiveness of such registration statement.
(B) An audit committee member that sits on the board of directors of a listed issuer and an affiliate of the listed issuer is exempt from the requirements of paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(B) of this section if the member, except for being a director on each such board of directors, otherwise meets the independence requirements of paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section for each such entity, including the receipt of only ordinary-course compensation for serving as a member of the board of directors, audit committee or any other board committee of each such entity.
(C) An employee of a foreign private issuer who is not an executive officer of the foreign private issuer is exempt from the requirements of paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section if the employee is elected or named to the board of directors or audit committee of the foreign private issuer pursuant to the issuer’s governing law or documents, an employee collective bargaining or similar agreement or other home country legal or listing requirements.
(D) An audit committee member of a foreign private issuer may be exempt from the requirements of paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(B) of this section if that member meets the following requirements:
(1) The member is an affiliate of the foreign private issuer or a representative of such an affiliate;
(2) The member has only observer status on, and is not a voting member or the chair of, the audit committee; and
(3) Neither the member nor the affiliate is an executive officer of the foreign private issuer.
(E) An audit committee member of a foreign private issuer may be exempt from the requirements of paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(B) of this section if that member meets the following requirements:
(1) The member is a representative or designee of a foreign government or foreign governmental entity that is an affiliate of the foreign private issuer; and
(2) The member is not an executive officer of the foreign private issuer.
(F) In addition to paragraphs (b)(1)(iv)(A) through (E) of this section, the Commission may exempt from the requirements of paragraphs (b)(1)(ii) or (b)(1)(iii) of this section a particular relationship with respect to audit committee members, as the Commission determines appropriate in light of the circumstances.
(2) Responsibilities relating to registered public accounting firms. The audit committee of each listed issuer, in its capacity as a committee of the board of directors, must be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of any registered public accounting firm engaged (including resolution of disagreements between management and the auditor regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the listed issuer, and each such registered public accounting firm must report directly to the audit committee.
(3) Complaints. Each audit committee must establish procedures for:
(i) The receipt, retention, and treatment of complaints received by the listed issuer regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters; and
(ii) The confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the listed issuer of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.
(4) Authority to engage advisers. Each audit committee must have the authority to engage independent counsel and other advisers, as it determines necessary to carry out its duties.
(5) Funding. Each listed issuer must provide for appropriate funding, as determined by the audit committee, in its capacity as a committee of the board of directors, for payment of:
(i) Compensation to any registered public accounting firm engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the listed issuer;
(ii) Compensation to any advisers employed by the audit committee under paragraph (b)(4) of this section; and
(iii) Ordinary administrative expenses of the audit committee that are necessary or appropriate in carrying out its duties.
(c) General exemptions. (1) At any time when an issuer has a class of securities that is listed on a national securities exchange or national securities association subject to the requirements of this section, the listing of other classes of securities of the listed issuer on a national securities exchange or national securities association is not subject to the requirements of this section.
(2) At any time when an issuer has a class of common equity securities (or similar securities) that is listed on a national securities exchange or national securities association subject to the requirements of this section, the listing of classes of securities of a direct or indirect consolidated subsidiary or an at least 50% beneficially owned subsidiary of the issuer (except classes of equity securities, other than non-convertible, non-participating preferred securities, of such subsidiary) is not subject to the requirements of this section.
(3) The listing of securities of a foreign private issuer is not subject to the requirements of paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(5) of this section if the foreign private issuer meets the following requirements:
(i) The foreign private issuer has a board of auditors (or similar body), or has statutory auditors, established and selected pursuant to home country legal or listing provisions expressly requiring or permitting such a board or similar body;
(ii) The board or body, or statutory auditors is required under home country legal or listing requirements to be either:
(A) Separate from the board of directors; or
(B) Composed of one or more members of the board of directors and one or more members that are not also members of the board of directors;
(iii) The board or body, or statutory auditors, are not elected by management of such issuer and no executive officer of the foreign private issuer is a member of such board or body, or statutory auditors;
(iv) Home country legal or listing provisions set forth or provide for standards for the independence of such board or body, or statutory auditors, from the foreign private issuer or the management of such issuer;
(v) Such board or body, or statutory auditors, in accordance with any applicable home country legal or listing requirements or the issuer’s governing documents, are responsible, to the extent permitted by law, for the appointment, retention and oversight of the work of any registered public accounting firm engaged (including, to the extent permitted by law, the resolution of disagreements between management and the auditor regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the issuer; and
(vi) The audit committee requirements of paragraphs (b)(3), (b)(4) and (b)(5) of this section apply to such board or body, or statutory auditors, to the extent permitted by law.
(4) The listing of a security futures product cleared by a clearing agency that is registered pursuant to section 17A of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78q-1) or that is exempt from the registration requirements of section 17A pursuant to paragraph (b)(7)(A) of such section is not subject to the requirements of this section.
(5) The listing of a standardized option, as defined in § 240.9b-1(a)(4), issued by a clearing agency that is registered pursuant to section 17A of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78q-1) is not subject to the requirements of this section.
(6) The listing of securities of the following listed issuers are not subject to the requirements of this section:
(i) Asset-Backed Issuers (as defined in § 229.1101 of this chapter);
(ii) Unit investment trusts (as defined in 15 U.S.C. 80a-4(2)); and
(iii)Foreign governments (as defined in § 240.3b-4(a)).
(7) The listing of securities of a listed issuer is not subject to the requirements of this section if:
(i) The listed issuer, as reflected in the applicable listing application, is organized as a trust or other unincorporated association that does not have a board of directors or persons acting in a similar capacity; and
(ii) The activities of the listed issuer that is described in paragraph (c)(7)(i) of this section are limited to passively owning or holding (as well as administering and distributing amounts in respect of) securities, rights, collateral or other assets on behalf of or for the benefit of the holders of the listed securities.
(d) Disclosure. Any listed issuer availing itself of an exemption from the independence standards contained in paragraph (b)(1)(iv) of this section (except paragraph (b)(1)(iv)(B) of this section), the general exemption contained in paragraph (c)(3) of this section or the last sentence of paragraph (a)(3) of this section, must:
(1) Disclose its reliance on the exemption and its assessment of whether, and if so, how, such reliance would materially adversely affect the ability of the audit committee to act independently and to satisfy the other requirements of this section in any proxy or information statement for a meeting of shareholders at which directors are elected that is filed with the Commission pursuant to the requirements of section 14 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78n); and
(2) Disclose the information specified in paragraph (d)(1) of this section in, or incorporate such information by reference from such proxy or information statement filed with the Commission into, its annual report filed with the Commission pursuant to the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78m(a) or 78o(d)).
(e) Definitions. Unless the context otherwise requires, all terms used in this section have the same meaning as in the Act. In addition, unless the context otherwise requires, the following definitions apply for purposes of this section:
(1)(i) The term affiliate of, or a person affiliated with, a specified person, means a person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the person specified.
(ii)(A) A person will be deemed not to be in control of a specified person for purposes of this section if the person:
(1) Is not the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 10% of any class of voting equity securities of the specified person; and
(2) Is not an executive officer of the specified person.
(B) Paragraph (e)(1)(ii)(A) of this section only creates a safe harbor position that a person does not control a specified person. The existence of the safe harbor does not create a presumption in any way that a person exceeding the ownership requirement in paragraph (e)(1)(ii)(A)(1) of this section controls or is otherwise an affiliate of a specified person.
(iii) The following will be deemed to be affiliates:
(A) An executive officer of an affiliate;
(B) A director who also is an employee of an affiliate;
(C) A general partner of an affiliate; and
(D) A managing member of an affiliate.
(iv) For purposes of paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this section, dual holding companies will not be deemed to be affiliates of or persons affiliated with each other by virtue of their dual holding company arrangements with each other, including where directors of one dual holding company are also directors of the other dual holding company, or where directors of one or both dual holding companies are also directors of the businesses jointly controlled, directly or indirectly, by the dual holding companies (and, in each case, receive only ordinary-course compensation for serving as a member of the board of directors, audit committee or any other board committee of the dual holding companies or any entity that is jointly controlled, directly or indirectly, by the dual holding companies).
(2) In the case of foreign private issuers with a two-tier board system, the term board of directors means the supervisory or non-management board.
(3) In the case of a listed issuer that is a limited partnership or limited liability company where such entity does not have a board of directors or equivalent body, the term board of directors means the board of directors of the managing general partner, managing member or equivalent body.
(4) The term control (including the terms controlling, controlled by and under common control with) means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise.
(5) The term dual holding companies means two foreign private issuers that:
(i) Are organized in different national jurisdictions;
(ii) Collectively own and supervise the management of one or more businesses which are conducted as a single economic enterprise; and
(iii) Do not conduct any business other than collectively owning and supervising such businesses and activities reasonably incidental thereto.
(6) The term executive officer has the meaning set forth in § 240.3b-7.
(7) The term foreign private issuer has the meaning set forth in § 240.3b-4(c).
(8) The term indirect acceptance by a member of an audit committee of any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee includes acceptance of such a fee by a spouse, a minor child or stepchild or a child or stepchild sharing a home with the member or by an entity in which such member is a partner, member, an officer such as a managing director occupying a comparable position or executive officer, or occupies a similar position (except limited partners, non-managing members and those occupying similar positions who, in each case, have no active role in providing services to the entity) and which provides accounting, consulting, legal, investment banking or financial advisory services to the issuer or any subsidiary of the issuer.
(9) The terms listed and listing refer to securities listed on a national securities exchange or listed in an automated inter-dealer quotation system of a national securities association or to issuers of such securities.
1. The requirements in paragraphs (b)(2) through (b)(5), (c)(3)(v) and (c)(3)(vi) of this section do not conflict with, and do not affect the application of, any requirement or ability under a listed issuer’s governing law or documents or other home country legal or listing provisions that requires or permits shareholders to ultimately vote on, approve or ratify such requirements. The requirements instead relate to the assignment of responsibility as between the audit committee and management. In such an instance, however, if the listed issuer provides a recommendation or nomination regarding such responsibilities to shareholders, the audit committee of the listed issuer, or body performing similar functions, must be responsible for making the recommendation or nomination.
2. The requirements in paragraphs (b)(2) through (b)(5), (c)(3)(v), (c)(3)(vi) and Instruction 1 of this section do not conflict with any legal or listing requirement in a listed issuer’s home jurisdiction that prohibits the full board of directors from delegating such responsibilities to the listed issuer’s audit committee or limits the degree of such delegation. In that case, the audit committee, or body performing similar functions, must be granted such responsibilities, which can include advisory powers, with respect to such matters to the extent permitted by law, including submitting nominations or recommendations to the full board.
3. The requirements in paragraphs (b)(2) through (b)(5), (c)(3)(v) and (c)(3)(vi) of this section do not conflict with any legal or listing requirement in a listed issuer’s home jurisdiction that vests such responsibilities with a government entity or tribunal. In that case, the audit committee, or body performing similar functions, must be granted such responsibilities, which can include advisory powers, with respect to such matters to the extent permitted by law.
4. For purposes of this section, the determination of a person’s beneficial ownership must be made in accordance with § 240.13d-3.
Requirements Under Section 10C
§ 240.10C-1 Listing standards relating to compensation committees.
(a) Pursuant to section 10C(a) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78j-3(a)) and section 952 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (Pub. L. 111-203, 124 Stat. 1900):
(1) National securities exchanges. The rules of each national securities exchange registered pursuant to section 6 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78f), to the extent such national securities exchange lists equity securities, must, in accordance with the provisions of this section, prohibit the initial or continued listing of any equity security of an issuer that is not in compliance with the requirements of any portion of paragraph (b) or (c) of this section.
(2) National securities associations. The rules of each national securities association registered pursuant to section 15A of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o-3), to the extent such national securities association lists equity securities in an automated inter-dealer quotation system, must, in accordance with the provisions of this section, prohibit the initial or continued listing in an automated inter-dealer quotation system of any equity security of an issuer that is not in compliance with the requirements of any portion of paragraph (b) or (c) of this section.
(3) Opportunity to cure defects. The rules required by paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section must provide for appropriate procedures for a listed issuer to have a reasonable opportunity to cure any defects that would be the basis for a prohibition under paragraph (a) of this section, before the imposition of such prohibition. Such rules may provide that if a member of a compensation committee ceases to be independent in accordance with the requirements of this section for reasons outside the member’s reasonable control, that person, with notice by the issuer to the applicable national securities exchange or national securities association, may remain a compensation committee member of the listed issuer until the earlier of the next annual shareholders meeting of the listed issuer or one year from the occurrence of the event that caused the member to be no longer independent.
(4) Implementation. (i) Each national securities exchange and national securities association that lists equity securities must provide to the Commission, no later than 90 days after publication of this section in the
(ii) Each national securities exchange and national securities association that lists equity securities must have rules or rule amendments that comply with this section approved by the Commission no later than one year after publication of this section in the
(b) Required standards. The requirements of this section apply to the compensation committees of listed issuers.
(1) Independence. (i) Each member of the compensation committee must be a member of the board of directors of the listed issuer, and must otherwise be independent.
(ii) Independence requirements. In determining independence requirements for members of compensation committees, the national securities exchanges and national securities associations shall consider relevant factors, including, but not limited to:
(A) The source of compensation of a member of the board of directors of an issuer, including any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee paid by the issuer to such member of the board of directors; and
(B) Whether a member of the board of directors of an issuer is affiliated with the issuer, a subsidiary of the issuer or an affiliate of a subsidiary of the issuer.
(iii) Exemptions from the independence requirements. (A) The listing of equity securities of the following categories of listed issuers is not subject to the requirements of paragraph (b)(1) of this section:
(1) Limited partnerships;
(2) Companies in bankruptcy proceedings;
(3) Open-end management investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940; and
(4) Any foreign private issuer that discloses in its annual report the reasons that the foreign private issuer does not have an independent compensation committee.
(B) In addition to the issuer exemptions set forth in paragraph (b)(1)(iii)(A) of this section, a national securities exchange or a national securities association, pursuant to section 19(b) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78s(b)) and the rules thereunder, may exempt from the requirements of paragraph (b)(1) of this section a particular relationship with respect to members of the compensation committee, as each national securities exchange or national securities association determines is appropriate, taking into consideration the size of an issuer and any other relevant factors.
(2) Authority to retain compensation consultants, independent legal counsel and other compensation advisers. (i) The compensation committee of a listed issuer, in its capacity as a committee of the board of directors, may, in its sole discretion, retain or obtain the advice of a compensation consultant, independent legal counsel or other adviser.
(ii) The compensation committee shall be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of any compensation consultant, independent legal counsel and other adviser retained by the compensation committee.
(iii) Nothing in this paragraph (b)(2) shall be construed:
(A) To require the compensation committee to implement or act consistently with the advice or recommendations of the compensation consultant, independent legal counsel or other adviser to the compensation committee; or
(B) To affect the ability or obligation of a compensation committee to exercise its own judgment in fulfillment of the duties of the compensation committee.
(3) Funding. Each listed issuer must provide for appropriate funding, as determined by the compensation committee, in its capacity as a committee of the board of directors, for payment of reasonable compensation to a compensation consultant, independent legal counsel or any other adviser retained by the compensation committee.
(4) Independence of compensation consultants and other advisers. The compensation committee of a listed issuer may select a compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser to the compensation committee only after taking into consideration the following factors, as well as any other factors identified by the relevant national securities exchange or national securities association in its listing standards:
(i) The provision of other services to the issuer by the person that employs the compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser;
(ii) The amount of fees received from the issuer by the person that employs the compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser, as a percentage of the total revenue of the person that employs the compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser;
(iii) The policies and procedures of the person that employs the compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser that are designed to prevent conflicts of interest;
(iv) Any business or personal relationship of the compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser with a member of the compensation committee;
(v) Any stock of the issuer owned by the compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser; and
(vi) Any business or personal relationship of the compensation consultant, legal counsel, other adviser or the person employing the adviser with an executive officer of the issuer.
A listed issuer’s compensation committee is required to conduct the independence assessment outlined in paragraph (b)(4) of this section with respect to any compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser that provides advice to the compensation committee, other than in-house legal counsel.
(5) General exemptions. (i) The national securities exchanges and national securities associations, pursuant to section 19(b) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78s(b)) and the rules thereunder, may exempt from the requirements of this section certain categories of issuers, as the national securities exchange or national securities association determines is appropriate, taking into consideration, among other relevant factors, the potential impact of such requirements on smaller reporting issuers.
(ii) The requirements of this section shall not apply to any controlled company or to any smaller reporting company.
(iii) The listing of a security futures product cleared by a clearing agency that is registered pursuant to section 17A of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78q-1) or that is exempt from the registration requirements of section 17A(b)(7)(A) (15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(7)(A)) is not subject to the requirements of this section.
(iv) The listing of a standardized option, as defined in § 240.9b-1(a)(4), issued by a clearing agency that is registered pursuant to section 17A of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78q-1) is not subject to the requirements of this section.
(c) Definitions. Unless the context otherwise requires, all terms used in this section have the same meaning as in the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. In addition, unless the context otherwise requires, the following definitions apply for purposes of this section:
(1) In the case of foreign private issuers with a two-tier board system, the term board of directors means the supervisory or non-management board.
(2) The term compensation committee means:
(i) A committee of the board of directors that is designated as the compensation committee; or
(ii) In the absence of a committee of the board of directors that is designated as the compensation committee, a committee of the board of directors performing functions typically performed by a compensation committee, including oversight of executive compensation, even if it is not designated as the compensation committee or also performs other functions; or
(iii) For purposes of this section other than paragraphs (b)(2)(i) and (b)(3), in the absence of a committee as described in paragraphs (c)(2)(i) or (ii) of this section, the members of the board of directors who oversee executive compensation matters on behalf of the board of directors.
(3) The term controlled company means an issuer:
(i) That is listed on a national securities exchange or by a national securities association; and
(ii) Of which more than 50 percent of the voting power for the election of directors is held by an individual, a group or another company.
(4) The terms listed and listing refer to equity securities listed on a national securities exchange or listed in an automated inter-dealer quotation system of a national securities association or to issuers of such securities.
(5) The term open-end management investment company means an open-end company, as defined by Section 5(a)(1) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-5(a)(1)), that is registered under that Act.
Requirements Under Section 10D
§ 240.10D-1 Listing standards relating to recovery of erroneously awarded compensation.
(a) Each national securities exchange registered pursuant to section 6 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78f) and each national securities association registered pursuant to section 15A of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o-3), to the extent such national securities exchange or association lists securities, must:
(1) In accordance with the provisions of this section, prohibit the initial or continued listing of any security of an issuer that is not in compliance with the requirements of any portion of this section;
(2) No later than February 27, 2023, propose rules or rule amendments that comply with this section. Such rules or rule amendments that comply with this section must be effective no later than one year after November 28, 2022;
(3) Require that each listed issuer:
(i) Adopt the recovery policy required by this section no later than 60 days following the effective date of the listing standard referenced in paragraph (a)(2) of this section to which the issuer is subject;
(ii) Comply with that recovery policy for all incentive-based compensation received (as defined in paragraph (d) of this section) by executive officers on or after the effective date of the applicable listing standard;
(iii) Provide the disclosures required by this section and in the applicable Commission filings required on or after the effective date of the listing standard referenced in paragraph (a)(2) of this section to which the issuer is subject.
(b) Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation. The issuer must:
(1) Adopt and comply with a written policy providing that the issuer will recover reasonably promptly the amount of erroneously awarded incentive-based compensation in the event that the issuer is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to the material noncompliance of the issuer with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws, including any required accounting restatement to correct an error in previously issued financial statements that is material to the previously issued financial statements, or that would result in a material misstatement if the error were corrected in the current period or left uncorrected in the current period.
(i) The issuer’s recovery policy must apply to all incentive-based compensation received by a person:
(A) After beginning service as an executive officer;
(B) Who served as an executive officer at any time during the performance period for that incentive-based compensation;
(C) While the issuer has a class of securities listed on a national securities exchange or a national securities association; and
(D) During the three completed fiscal years immediately preceding the date that the issuer is required to prepare an accounting restatement as described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section. In addition to these last three completed fiscal years, the recovery policy must apply to any transition period (that results from a change in the issuer’s fiscal year) within or immediately following those three completed fiscal years. However, a transition period between the last day of the issuer’s previous fiscal year end and the first day of its new fiscal year that comprises a period of nine to 12 months would be deemed a completed fiscal year. An issuer’s obligation to recover erroneously awarded compensation is not dependent on if or when the restated financial statements are filed.
(ii) For purposes of determining the relevant recovery period, the date that an issuer is required to prepare an accounting restatement as described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section is the earlier to occur of:
(A) The date the issuer’s board of directors, a committee of the board of directors, or the officer or officers of the issuer authorized to take such action if board action is not required, concludes, or reasonably should have concluded, that the issuer is required to prepare an accounting restatement as described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section; or
(B) The date a court, regulator, or other legally authorized body directs the issuer to prepare an accounting restatement as described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
(iii) The amount of incentive-based compensation that must be subject to the issuer’s recovery policy (“erroneously awarded compensation”) is the amount of incentive-based compensation received that exceeds the amount of incentive-based compensation that otherwise would have been received had it been determined based on the restated amounts, and must be computed without regard to any taxes paid. For incentive-based compensation based on stock price or total shareholder return, where the amount of erroneously awarded compensation is not subject to mathematical recalculation directly from the information in an accounting restatement:
(A) The amount must be based on a reasonable estimate of the effect of the accounting restatement on the stock price or total shareholder return upon which the incentive-based compensation was received; and
(B) The issuer must maintain documentation of the determination of that reasonable estimate and provide such documentation to the exchange or association.
(iv) The issuer must recover erroneously awarded compensation in compliance with its recovery policy except to the extent that the conditions of paragraphs (b)(1)(iv)(A), (B), or (C) of this section are met, and the issuer’s committee of independent directors responsible for executive compensation decisions, or in the absence of such a committee, a majority of the independent directors serving on the board, has made a determination that recovery would be impracticable.
(A) The direct expense paid to a third party to assist in enforcing the policy would exceed the amount to be recovered. Before concluding that it would be impracticable to recover any amount of erroneously awarded compensation based on expense of enforcement, the issuer must make a reasonable attempt to recover such erroneously awarded compensation, document such reasonable attempt(s) to recover, and provide that documentation to the exchange or association.
(B) Recovery would violate home country law where that law was adopted prior to November 28, 2022. Before concluding that it would be impracticable to recover any amount of erroneously awarded compensation based on violation of home country law, the issuer must obtain an opinion of home country counsel, acceptable to the applicable national securities exchange or association, that recovery would result in such a violation, and must provide such opinion to the exchange or association.
(C) Recovery would likely cause an otherwise tax-qualified retirement plan, under which benefits are broadly available to employees of the registrant, to fail to meet the requirements of26 U.S.C. 401(a)(13) or 26 U.S.C. 411(a) and regulations thereunder.
(v) The issuer is prohibited from indemnifying any executive officer or former executive officer against the loss of erroneously awarded compensation.
(2) File all disclosures with respect to such recovery policy in accordance with the requirements of the Federal securities laws, including the disclosure required by the applicable Commission filings.
(c) General Exemptions. The requirements of this section do not apply to the listing of:
(1) A security futures product cleared by a clearing agency that is registered pursuant to section 17A of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78q-1) or that is exempt from the registration requirements of section 17A(b)(7)(A) (15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(7)(A));
(2) A standardized option, as defined in 17 CFR 240.9b-1(a)(4), issued by a clearing agency that is registered pursuant to section 17A of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78q-1);
(3) Any security issued by a unit investment trust, as defined in 15 U.S.C. 80a-4(2);
(4) Any security issued by a management company, as defined in 15 U.S.C. 80a-4(3), that is registered under section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-8), if such management company has not awarded incentive-based compensation to any executive officer of the company in any of the last three fiscal years, or in the case of a company that has been listed for less than three fiscal years, since the listing of the company.
(d) Definitions. Unless the context otherwise requires, the following definitions apply for purposes of this section:
Executive Officer. An executive officer is the issuer’s president, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer (or if there is no such accounting officer, the controller), any vice-president of the issuer in charge of a principal business unit, division, or function (such as sales, administration, or finance), any other officer who performs a policy-making function, or any other person who performs similar policy-making functions for the issuer. Executive officers of the issuer’s parent(s) or subsidiaries are deemed executive officers of the issuer if they perform such policy making functions for the issuer. In addition, when the issuer is a limited partnership, officers or employees of the general partner(s) who perform policy-making functions for the limited partnership are deemed officers of the limited partnership. When the issuer is a trust, officers, or employees of the trustee(s) who perform policy-making functions for the trust are deemed officers of the trust. Policy-making function is not intended to include policy-making functions that are not significant. Identification of an executive officer for purposes of this section would include at a minimum executive officers identified pursuant to 17 CFR 229.401(b).
Financial reporting measures. Financial reporting measures are measures that are determined and presented in accordance with the accounting principles used in preparing the issuer’s financial statements, and any measures that are derived wholly or in part from such measures. Stock price and total shareholder return are also financial reporting measures. A financial reporting measure need not be presented within the financial statements or included in a filing with the Commission.
Incentive-based compensation. Incentive-based compensation is any compensation that is granted, earned, or vested based wholly or in part upon the attainment of a financial reporting measure.
Received. Incentive-based compensation is deemed received in the issuer’s fiscal period during which the financial reporting measure specified in the incentive-based compensation award is attained, even if the payment or grant of the incentive-based compensation occurs after the end of that period.
Adoption of Floor Trading Regulation (Rule 11a-1)
§ 240.11a-1 Regulation of floor trading.
(a) No member of a national securities exchange, while on the floor of such exchange, shall initiate, directly or indirectly, any transaction in any security admitted to trading on such exchange, for any account in which such member has an interest, or for any such account with respect to which such member has discretion as to the time of execution, the choice of security to be bought or sold, the total amount of any security to be bought or sold, or whether any such transaction shall be one of purchase or sale.
(b) The provisions of paragraph (a) of this section shall not apply to:
(1) Any transaction by a registered specialist in a security in which he is so registered on such exchange;
(2) Any transaction for the account of an odd-lot dealer in a security in which he is so registered on such exchange;
(3) Any stabilizing transaction effected in compliance with § 242.104 of this chapter to facilitate a distribution of such security in which such member is participating;
(4) Any bona fide arbitrage transaction;
(5) Any transaction made with the prior approval of a floor official of such exchange to permit such member to contribute to the maintenance of a fair and orderly market in such security, or any purchase or sale to reverse any such transaction;
(6) Any transaction to offset a transaction made in error; or
(7) Any transaction effected in conformity with a plan designed to eliminate floor trading activities which are not beneficial to the market and which plan has been adopted by an exchange and declared effective by the Commission. For the purpose of this rule, a plan filed with the Commission by a national securities exchange shall not become effective unless the Commission, having due regard for the maintenance of fair and orderly markets, for the public interest, and for the protection of investors, declares the plan to be effective.
(c) For the purpose of this rule the term “on the floor of such exchange” shall include the trading floor; the rooms, lobbies, and other premises immediately adjacent thereto for use of members generally; other rooms, lobbies and premises made available primarily for use by members generally; and the telephone and other facilities in any such place.
(d) Any national securities exchange may apply for an exemption from the provisions of this rule in compliance with the provisions of section 11(c) of the Act.
The Commission finding that the floor trading plan of the New York Stock Exchange filed on May 25, 1964 is designed to eliminate floor trading activities not beneficial to the market hereby declares such plan effective August 3, 1964 subject to suspension or termination on sixty days written notice from the Commission, 29 FR 7381, June 6, 1964.
The text of the Commission’s action declaring effective the amendments to the Floor Trading Plan of the American Stock Exchange (33 FR 1073, Jan. 27, 1968) is as follows:
The Securities and Exchange Commission acting pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, particularly sections 11(a) and 23(a) thereof, and Rule 11a-1 (17 CFR 240.11a-1) under the Act, deeming it necessary for the exercise of the functions vested in it, and having due regard for the maintenance of fair and orderly markets, for the public interest, and for the protection of investors, hereby declares the Floor Trading Plan of the American Stock Exchange, as amended by amendments filed on May 11, 1967, effective January 31, 1968. If at any time it appears to the Commission to be necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or for the maintenance of fair and orderly markets, or that floor trading activities which are not beneficial to the market have not been eliminated by the Floor Trading Plan of the American Stock Exchange, the Commission may suspend or terminate the effectiveness of the plan by sending at least 60 days written notice to the American Stock Exchange. The American Stock Exchange shall have the opportunity to submit any written data, facts, arguments, or modifications in its plan within such 60-day period in such form as the Commission deems appropriate under the circumstances. The Commission has been informed that all persons subject to the Floor Trading Plan of the American Stock Exchange, as amended, have had actual notice thereof, and the Commission finds that notice and procedure pursuant to section 4 of the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. section 553) are impracticable and unnecessary and that such Plan, as amended, may be, and is hereby, declared effective on January 31, 1968.
§ 240.11a1-1(T) Transactions yielding priority, parity, and precedence.
(a) A transaction effected on a national securities exchange for the account of a member which meets the requirements of section 11(a)(1)(G)(i) of the Act shall be deemed, in accordance with the requirements of section 11(a)(1)(G)(ii), to be not inconsistent with the maintenance of fair and orderly markets and to yield priority, parity, and precedence in execution to orders for the account of persons who are not members or associated with members of the exchange if such transaction is effected in compliance with each of the following requirements:
(1) A member shall disclose that a bid or offer for its account is for its account to any member with whom such bid or offer is placed or to whom it is communicated, and any such member through whom that bid or offer is communicated shall disclose to others participating in effecting the order that it is for the account of a member.
(2) Immediately before executing the order, a member (other than the specialist in such security) presenting any order for the account of a member on the exchange shall clearly announce or otherwise indicate to the specialist and to other members then present for the trading in such security on the exchange that he is presenting an order for the account of a member.
(3) Notwithstanding rules of priority, parity, and precedence otherwise applicable, any member presenting for execution a bid or offer for its own account or for the account of another member shall grant priority to any bid or offer at the same price for the account of a person who is not, or is not associated with, a member, irrespective of the size of any such bid or offer or the time when entered.
(b) A member shall be deemed to meet the requirements of section 11(a)(1)(G)(i) of the Act if during its preceding fiscal year more than 50 percent of its gross revenues was derived from one or more of the sources specified in that section. In addition to any revenue which independently meets the requirements of section 11(a)(1)(G)(i), revenue derived from any transaction specified in paragraph (A), (B), or (D) of section 11(a)(1) of the Act or specified in 17 CFR 240.11a1-4(T) shall be deemed to be revenue derived from one or more of the sources specified in section 11(a)(1)(G)(i). A member may rely on a list of members which are stated to meet the requirements of section 11(a)(1)(G)(i) if such list is prepared, and updated at least annually, by the exchange. In preparing any such list, an exchange may rely on a report which sets forth a statement of gross revenues of a member if covered by a report of independent accountants for such member to the effect that such report has been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
§ 240.11a1-2 Transactions for certain accounts of associated persons of members.
A transaction effected by a member of a national securities exchange for the account of an associated person thereof shall be deemed to be of a kind which is consistent with the purposes of section 11(a)(1) of the Act, the protection of investors, and the maintenance of fair and orderly markets if the transaction is effected:
(a) For the account of and for the benefit of an associated person, if, assuming such transaction were for the account of a member, or
(b) For the account of an associated person but for the benefit of an account carried by such associated person, if, assuming such account were carried on the same basis by a member.
§ 240.11a1-3(T) Bona fide hedge transactions in certain securities.
A bona fide hedge transaction effected on a national securities exchange by a member for its own account or an account of an associated person thereof and involving a long or short position in a security entitling the holder to acquire or sell an equity security, and a long or short position in one or more other securities entitling the holder to acquire or sell such equity security, shall be deemed to be of a kind which is consistent with the purposes of section 11(a)(1) of the Act, the protection of investors, and the maintenance of fair and orderly markets.
§ 240.11a1-4(T) Bond transactions on national securities exchanges.
A transaction in a bond, note, debenture, or other form of indebtedness effected on a national securities exchange by a member for its own account or the account of an associated person thereof shall be deemed to be of a kind which is consistent with the purposes of section 11(a)(1) of the Act, the protection of investors, and the maintenance of fair and orderly markets.
§ 240.11a1-5 Transactions by registered competitive market makers and registered equity market makers.
Any transaction by a New York Stock Exchange registered competitive market maker or an American Stock Exchange registered equity market maker effected in compliance with their respective governing rules shall be deemed to be of a kind which is consistent with the purposes of section 11(a)(1) of the Act, the protection of investors, and the maintenance of fair and orderly markets.
§ 240.11a1-6 Transactions for certain accounts of OTC derivatives dealers.
A transaction effected by a member of a national securities exchange for the account of an OTC derivatives dealer that is an associated person of that member shall be deemed to be of a kind that is consistent with the purposes of section 11(a)(1) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78k(a)(1)), the protection of investors, and the maintenance of fair and orderly markets if, assuming such transaction were for the account of a member, the member would have been permitted, under section 11(a) of the Act and the other rules thereunder (with the exception of § 240.11a1-2), to effect the transaction.
§ 240.11a2-2(T) Transactions effected by exchange members through other members.
(a) A member of a national securities exchange (the “initiating member”) may not effect a transaction on that exchange for its own account, the account of an associated person, or an account with respect to which it or an associated person thereof exercises investment discretion unless:
(1) The transaction is of a kind described in paragraphs A through H of section 11(a)(1) of the Act and is effected in accordance with applicable rules and regulations thereunder; or
(2) The transaction is effected in compliance with each of the following conditions:
(i) The transaction is executed on the floor, or through use of the facilities, of the exchange by a member (the “executing member”) which is not an associated person of the initiating member;
(ii) The order for the transaction is transmitted from off the exchange floor;
(iii) Neither the initiating member nor an associated person of the initiating member participates in the execution of the transaction at any time after the order for the transaction has been so transmitted; and
(iv) In the case of a transaction effected for an account with respect to which the initiating member or an associated person thereof exercises investment discretion, neither the initiating member nor any associated person thereof retains any compensation in connection with effecting the transaction: Provided, however, That this condition shall not apply to the extent that the person or persons authorized to transact business for the account have expressly provided otherwise by written contract referring to section 11(a) of the Act and this section executed on or after March 15, 1978, by each of them and by such exchange member or associated person exercising investment discretion.
(b) For purposes of this section, a member “effects” a securities transaction when it performs any function in connection with the processing of that transaction, including, but not limited to, (1) transmission of an order for execution, (2) execution of the order, (3) clearance and settlement of the transaction, and (4) arranging for the performance of any such function.
(c) For purposes of this section, the term “compensation in connection with effecting the transaction” refers to compensation directly or indirectly received or calculated on a transaction-related basis for the performance of any function involved in effecting a securities transaction.
(d) A member, or an associated person of a member, authorized by written contract to retain compensation in connection with effecting transactions pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)(iv) of this section shall furnish at least annually to the person or persons authorized to transact business for the account a statement setting forth the total amount of all compensation retained by the member or any associated person thereof in connection with effecting transactions for that account during the period covered by the statement, which amount shall be exclusive of all amounts paid to others during that period for services rendered in effecting such transactions.
(e) A transaction effected in compliance with the requirements of this section shall be deemed to be of a kind which is consistent with the purposes of section 11(a)(1) of the Act, the protection of investors, and the maintenance of fair and orderly markets.
(f) The provisions of this section shall not apply to transactions by exchange members to which, by operation of section 11(a)(3) of the Act, section 11(a)(1) of the Act is not effective.
Adoption of Regulation on Conduct of Specialists
§ 240.11b-1 Regulation of specialists.
(a)(1) The rules of a national securities exchange may permit a member of such exchange to register as a specialist and to act as a dealer.
(2) The rules of a national securities exchange permitting a member of such exchange to register as a specialist and to act as a dealer shall include:
(i) Adequate minimum capital requirements in view of the markets for securities on such exchange;
(ii) Requirements, as a condition of a specialist’s registration, that a specialist engage in a course of dealings for his own account to assist in the maintenance, so far as practicable, of a fair and orderly market, and that a finding by the exchange of any substantial or continued failure by a specialist to engage in such a course of dealings will result in the suspension or cancellation of such specialist’s registration in one or more of the securities in which such specialist is registered;
(iii) Provisions restricting his dealings so far as practicable to those reasonably necessary to permit him to maintain a fair and orderly market or necessary to permit him to act as an odd-lot dealer;
(iv) Provisions stating the responsibilities of a specialist acting as a broker in securities in which he is registered; and
(v) Procedures to provide for the effective and systematic surveillance of the activities of specialists.
(b) If after appropriate notice and opportunity for hearing the Commission finds that a member of a national securities exchange registered with such exchange as a specialist in specified securities has, for any account in which he, his member organization, or any participant therein has any beneficial interest, direct or indirect, effected transactions in such securities which were not part of a course of dealings reasonably necessary to permit such specialist to maintain a fair and orderly market, or to act as an odd-lot dealer, in the securities in which he is registered and were not effected in a manner consistent with the rules adopted by such exchange pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this section, the Commission may by order direct such exchange to cancel, or to suspend for such period as the Commission may determine, such specialist’s registration in one or more of the securities in which such specialist is registered: Provided, however, If such exchange has itself suspended or cancelled such specialist’s registration in one or more of the securities in which such specialist is registered, no further sanction shall be imposed pursuant to this paragraph (b) except in a case where the Commission finds substantial or continued misconduct by a specialist: And provided, further, That the provisions of this paragraph (b) shall not apply to a member of a national securities exchange exempted pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (d) of this section.
(c) For the purposes of this section, the term rules of an exchange shall mean its constitution, articles of incorporation, by-laws, or rules or instruments corresponding thereto, whatever the name, and its stated policies.
(d) Any national securities exchange may apply for an exemption from the provisions of this section in compliance with the provisions of section 11(c) of the Act.
Exemption of Certain Securities From Section 11(d )(1)
§ 240.11d1-1 Exemption of certain securities from section 11(d)(1).
A security shall be exempt from the provisions of section 11(d)(1) with respect to any transaction by a broker and dealer who, directly or indirectly extends or maintains or arranges for the extension or maintenance of credit on the security to or for a customer if:
(a) The broker and dealer has not sold the security to the customer or bought the security for the customer’s account; or
(b) The security is acquired by the customer in exchange with the issuer thereof for an outstanding security of the same issuer on which credit was lawfully maintained for the customer at the time of the exchange; or
(c) The customer is a broker or dealer or bank; or
(d) The security is acquired by the customer through the exercise of a right evidenced by a warrant or certificate expiring within 90 days after issuance, provided such right was originally issued to the customer as a stockholder of the corporation issuing the security upon which credit is to be extended. The right shall be deemed to be issued to the customer as a stockholder if he actually owned the stock giving rise to the right when such right accrued, even though such stock was not registered in his name; and in determining such fact the broker and dealer may rely upon a signed statement of the customer which the broker and dealer accepts in good faith; or
(e) Such broker and dealer would otherwise be subject to the prohibition of section 11(d)(1) with respect to 50 percent or less of all the securities of the same class which are outstanding or currently being distributed, and such broker and dealer sold the security to the customer or bought the security for the customer’s account on a day when he was not participating in the distribution of any new issue of such security. A brokerdealer shall be deemed to be participating in a distribution of a new issue if (1) he owns, directly or indirectly, any undistributed security of such issue, or (2) he is engaged in any stabilizing activities to facilitate a distribution of such issue, or (3) he is a party to any syndicate agreement under which such stabilizing activities are being or may be undertaken, or (4) he is a party to an executory agreement to purchase or distribute such issue.
§ 240.11d1-2 Exemption from section 11(d)(1) for certain investment company securities held by broker-dealers as collateral in margin accounts.
Any securities issued by a registered open-end investment company or unit investment trust as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 shall be exempted from the provisions of section 11(d)(1) with respect to any transaction by a person who is a broker and a dealer who, directly or indirectly, extends or maintains or arranges for the extension or maintenance of credit on such security, provided such security has been owned by the person to whom credit would be provided for more than 30 days, or purchased by such person pursuant to a plan for the automatic reinvestment of the dividends of such company or trust.
§ 240.11d2-1 Exemption from Section 11(d)(2) for certain broker-dealers effecting transactions for customers security futures products in futures accounts.
A broker or dealer registered pursuant to section 15(b)(1) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o(b)(1)) that is also a futures commission merchant registered pursuant to section 4f(a)(1) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 6f(a)(1)), to the extent that it effects transactions for customers in security futures products in a futures account (as that term is defined in § 240.15c3-3(a)(15)), is exempt from section 11(d)(2) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78k(d)(2)).
Securities Exempted From Registration
§ 240.12a-4 Exemption of certain warrants from section 12(a).
(a) When used in this section, the following terms shall have the meaning indicated unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) The term warrant means any warrant or certificate evidencing a right to subscribe to or otherwise acquire another security, issued or unissued.
(2) The term beneficiary security means a security to the holders of which a warrant or right to subscribe to or otherwise acquire another security is granted.
(3) The term subject security means a security which is the subject of a warrant or right to subscribe to or otherwise acquire such security.
(4) The term in the process of admission to dealing, in respect of a specified security means that (i) an application has been filed pursuant to section 12 (b) and (c) of the Act for the registration of such security on a national securities exchange; or (ii) the Commission has granted an application made pursuant to section 12(f) of the Act to continue or extend unlisted trading privileges to such security on a national securities exchange; or (iii) written notice has been filed with the Commission by a national securities exchange to the effect that such security has been approved for admission to dealing as a security exempted from the operation of section 12(a) of the Act.
(b) Any issued or unissued warrant granted to the holders of a security admitted to dealing on a national securities exchange, shall be exempt from the operation of section 12(a) of the Act to the extent necessary to render lawful the effecting of transactions therein on any national securities exchange (i) on which the beneficiary security is admitted to dealing or (ii) on which the subject security is admitted to dealing or is in the process of admission to dealing, subject to the following terms and conditions:
(1) Such warrant by its terms expires within 90 days after the issuance thereof;
(2) A registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 is in effect as to such warrant and as to each subject security, or the applicable terms of any exemption from such registration have been met in respect to such warrant and each subject security; and
(3) Within five days after the exchange has taken official action to admit such warrant to dealing, it shall notify the Commission of such action.
(c) Notwithstanding paragraph (b) of this section, no exemption pursuant to this section shall be available for transactions in any such warrant on any exchange on which the beneficiary security is admitted to dealing unless:
(1) Each subject security is admitted to dealing or is in process of admission to dealing on a national securities exchange; or
(2) There is available from a registration statement and periodic reports or other data filed by the issuer of the subject security, pursuant to any act administered by the Commission, information substantially equivalent to that available with respect to a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange.
(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, an unissued warrant shall not be exempt pursuant to this section unless:
(1) Formal or official announcement has been made by the issuer specifying (i) the terms upon which such warrant and each subject security is to be issued, (ii) the date, if any, as of which the security holders entitled to receive such warrant will be determined, (iii) the approximate date of the issuance of such warrant, and (iv) the approximate date of the issuance of each subject security; and,
(2) The members of the exchange are subject to rules which provide that the performance of the contract to purchase and sell an unissued warrant shall be conditioned upon the issuance of such warrant.
(e) The Commission may by order deny or revoke the exemption of a warrant under this section, if, after appropriate notice and opportunity for hearing to the issuer of such warrant and to the exchange or exchanges on which such warrant is admitted to dealing as an exempted security, it finds that:
(1) Any of the terms or conditions of this section have not been met with respect to such exemption, or
(2) At any time during the period of such exemption transactions have been effected on any such exchanges in such warrant which (i) create or induce a false, misleading or artificial appearance of activity, (ii) unduly or improperly influence the market price, or (iii) make a price which does not reflect the true state of the market; or
(3) Any other facts exist which make such denial or revocation necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of investors.
(f) If it appears necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of investors, the Commission may summarily suspend the exemption of such warrant pending the determination by the Commission whether such exemption shall be denied or revoked.
(g) Section 240.10b-1 shall be applicable to any warrant exempted by this section.
§ 240.12a-5 Temporary exemption of substituted or additional securities.
(a)(1) Subject to the conditions of paragraph (a)(2) of this section, whenever the holders of a security admitted to trading on a national securities exchange (hereinafter called the original security) obtain the right, by operation of law or otherwise, to acquire all or any part of a class of another or substitute security of the same or another issuer, or an additional amount of the original security, then:
(i) All or any part of the class of such other or substituted security shall be temporarily exempted from the operation of section 12(a) to the extent necessary to render lawful transactions therein on an issued or “when-issued” basis on any national securities exchange on which the original, the other or the substituted security is lawfully admitted to trading; and
(ii) The additional amount of the original security shall be temporarily exempted from the operation of section 12(a) to the extent necessary to render lawful transactions therein on a “when-issued” basis on any national securities exchange on which the original security is lawfully admitted to trading.
(2) The exemptions provided by paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall be available only if the following conditions are met:
(i) A registration statement is in effect under the Securities Act of 1933 to the extent required as to the security which is the subject of such exemption, or the terms of any applicable exemption from registration under such act have been complied with, if required;
(ii) Any stockholder approval necessary to the issuance of the security which is the subject of the exemption, has been obtained; and
(iii) All other necessary official action, other than the filing or recording of charter amendments or other documents with the appropriate State authorities, has been taken to authorize and assure the issuance of the security which is the subject of such exemption.
(b) The exemption provided by this section shall terminate on the earliest of the following dates:
(1) When registration of the exempt security on the exchange become effective;
(2) When the exempt security is granted unlisted trading privileges on the exchange;
(3) The close of business on the tenth day after (i) withdrawal of an application for registration of the exempt security on the exchange; (ii) withdrawal by the exchange of its certification of approval of the exempt security for listing and registration; (iii) withdrawal of an application for admission of the exempt security to unlisted trading privileges on the exchange; or (iv) the sending to the exchange of notice of the entry of an order by the Commission denying any application for admission of the exempt security to unlisted trading privileges on the exchange;
(4) The close of business on the one hundred and twentieth day after the date on which the exempt security was admitted by action of the exchange to trading thereon as a security exempted from the operation of section 12 (a) by this section, unless prior thereto an application for registration of the exempt security or for admission of the exempt security to unlisted trading privileges on the exchange has been filed.
(c) Notwithstanding paragraph (b) of this section, the Commission, having due regard for the public interest and the protection of investors, may at any time extend the period of exemption of any security by this rule or may sooner terminate the exemption upon notice to the exchange and to the issuer of the extension or termination thereof.
(d) The Exchange shall file with the Commission a notification on Form 26
(e) Section 240.10b-1 shall be applicable to all securities exempted from the operation of section 12(a) of the act by this section.
§ 240.12a-6 Exemption of securities underlying certain options from section 12(a).
(a) When used in this rule, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) The term option shall include any put, call, spread, straddle, or other option or privilege of buying a security from or selling a security to another without being bound to do so, but such term shall not include any such option where the writer is: The issuer of the security which may be purchased or sold upon exercise of the option, or is a person that directly, or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with such issuer;
(2) The term underlying security means a security which relates to or is the subject of an option.
(b) Any underlying security shall be exempt from the operation of section 12(a) of the Act if all of the following terms and conditions are met:
(1) The related option is duly listed and registered on a national securities exchange;
(2) The only transactions on such exchange with respect to such underlying securities consist of the delivery of and payment for such underlying securities pursuant to the terms of such options relating to the exercise thereof; and
(3) Such underlying security is (i) duly listed and registered on another national securities exchange at the time the option is issued; or (ii) duly quoted on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System (“NASDAQ”) at the time the option is issued.
§ 240.12a-7 Exemption of stock contained in standardized market baskets from section 12(a) of the Act.
(a) Any component stock of a standardized market basket shall be exempt from the registration requirement of section 12(a) of the Act, solely for the purpose of inclusion in a standardized market basket, provided that all of the following terms and conditions are met:
(1) The standardized market basket has been duly approved by the Commission for listing on a national securities exchange pursuant to the requirements of section 19(b) of the Act; and
(2) The stock is an NMS stock as defined in § 242.600 of this chapter and is either:
(i) Listed and registered for trading on a national securities exchange by the issuer or
(ii) Quoted on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System;
(b) When used in this rule, the term standardized market basket means a group of at least 100 stocks purchased or sold in a single execution and at a single trading location with physical delivery and transfer of ownership of each component stock resulting from such execution.
Depositary shares (as that term is defined in § 240.12b-2) registered on Form F-6 (§ 239.36 of this chapter), but not the underlying deposited securities, shall be exempt from the operation of section 12(a) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78l(a)).
§ 240.12a-9 Exemption of standardized options from section 12(a) of the Act.
The provisions of section 12(a) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78l(a)) do not apply in respect of any standardized option, as defined by section 240.9b-1(a)(4), issued by a clearing agency registered under section 17A of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78q-1) and traded on a national securities exchange registered pursuant to section 6(a) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78f(a)).
§ 240.12a-10 Exemption of security-based swaps from section 12(a) of the Act.
The provisions of Section 12(a) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78l(a)) do not apply to any security-based swap that:
(a) Is issued or will be issued by a clearing agency registered as a clearing agency under Section 17A of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78q-1) or exempt from registration under Section 17A of the Act pursuant to a rule, regulation, or order of the Commission, in its function as a central counterparty with respect to the security-based swap;
(b) The Commission has determined is required to be cleared or that is permitted to be cleared pursuant to the clearing agency’s rules;
(c) Is sold to an eligible contract participant (as defined in Section 1a(18) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1a(18))) in reliance on Rule 239 under the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR 230.239); and
(d) Is traded on a national securities exchange registered pursuant to Section 6(a) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78f(a)).
§ 240.12a-11 Exemption of security-based swaps sold in reliance on Securities Act of 1933 Rule 240 (§ 230.240) from section 12(a) of the Act.
(a) The provisions of Section 12(a) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78l(a)) do not apply to any security-based swap offered and sold in reliance on § 230.240 of this chapter.
(b) This section will expire on February 11, 2018.
Regulation 12B: Registration and Reporting
General
§ 240.12b-1 Scope of regulation.
The rules contained in this regulation shall govern all registration statements pursuant to sections 12(b) and 12(g) of the Act and all reports filed pursuant to sections 13 and 15(d) of the Act, including all amendments to such statements and reports, except that any provision in a form covering the same subject matter as any such rule shall be controlling.
§ 240.12b-2 Definitions.
Unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms, when used in the rules contained in this regulation or in Regulation 13A or 15D or in the forms for statements and reports filed pursuant to sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the act, shall have the respective meanings indicated in this rule:
Accelerated filer and large accelerated filer—(1) Accelerated filer. The term accelerated filer means an issuer after it first meets the following conditions as of the end of its fiscal year:
(i) The issuer had an aggregate worldwide market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by its non-affiliates of $75 million or more, but less than $700 million, as of the last business day of the issuer’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter;
(ii) The issuer has been subject to the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)) for a period of at least twelve calendar months; and
(iii) The issuer has filed at least one annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Act; and
(iv) The issuer is not eligible to use the requirements for smaller reporting companies under the revenue test in paragraph (2) or (3)(iii)(B) of the “smaller reporting company” definition in this section, as applicable.
(2) Large accelerated filer. The term large accelerated filer means an issuer after it first meets the following conditions as of the end of its fiscal year:
(i) The issuer had an aggregate worldwide market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by its non-affiliates of $700 million or more, as of the last business day of the issuer’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter;
(ii) The issuer has been subject to the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Act for a period of at least twelve calendar months; and
(iii) The issuer has filed at least one annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Act; and
(iv) The issuer is not eligible to use the requirements for smaller reporting companies under the revenue test in paragraph (2) or (3)(iii)(B) of the “smaller reporting company” definition in this section, as applicable.
(3) Entering and exiting accelerated filer and large accelerated filer status.
(i) The determination at the end of the issuer’s fiscal year for whether a non-accelerated filer becomes an accelerated filer, or whether a non-accelerated filer or accelerated filer becomes a large accelerated filer, governs the deadlines for the annual report to be filed for that fiscal year, the quarterly and annual reports to be filed for the subsequent fiscal year and all annual and quarterly reports to be filed thereafter while the issuer remains an accelerated filer or large accelerated filer.
(ii) Once an issuer becomes an accelerated filer, it will remain an accelerated filer unless: The issuer determines, at the end of a fiscal year, that the aggregate worldwide market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by its non-affiliates was less than $60 million, as of the last business day of the issuer’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter; or it determines that it is eligible to use the requirements for smaller reporting companies under the revenue test in paragraph (2) or (3)(iii)(B) of the “smaller reporting company” definition in this section, as applicable. An issuer that makes either of these determinations becomes a non-accelerated filer. The issuer will not become an accelerated filer again unless it subsequently meets the conditions in paragraph (1) of this definition.
(iii) Once an issuer becomes a large accelerated filer, it will remain a large accelerated filer unless: It determines, at the end of a fiscal year, that the aggregate worldwide market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by its non-affiliates (“aggregate worldwide market value”) was less than $560 million, as of the last business day of the issuer’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter or it determines that it is eligible to use the requirements for smaller reporting companies under the revenue test in paragraph (2) or (3)(iii)(B) of the “smaller reporting company” definition in this section, as applicable. If the issuer’s aggregate worldwide market value was $60 million or more, but less than $560 million, as of the last business day of the issuer’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, and it is not eligible to use the requirements for smaller reporting companies under the revenue test in paragraph (2) or (3)(iii)(B) of the “smaller reporting company” definition in this section, as applicable, it becomes an accelerated filer. If the issuer’s aggregate worldwide market value was less than $60 million, as of the last business day of the issuer’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, or it is eligible to use the requirements for smaller reporting companies under the revenue test in paragraph (2) or (3)(iii)(B) of the “smaller reporting company” definition in this section, it becomes a non-accelerated filer. An issuer will not become a large accelerated filer again unless it subsequently meets the conditions in paragraph (2) of this definition.
(iv) The determination at the end of the issuer’s fiscal year for whether an accelerated filer becomes a non-accelerated filer, or a large accelerated filer becomes an accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer, governs the deadlines for the annual report to be filed for that fiscal year, the quarterly and annual reports to be filed for the subsequent fiscal year and all annual and quarterly reports to be filed thereafter while the issuer remains an accelerated filer or non-accelerated filer.
The aggregate worldwide market value of the issuer’s outstanding voting and non-voting common equity shall be computed by use of the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average of the bid and asked prices of such common equity, in the principal market for such common equity.
(4) For purposes of paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of this definition only, a business development company is considered to be eligible to use the requirements for smaller reporting companies under the revenue test in paragraph (2) or (3)(iii)(B) of the “smaller reporting company” definition in this section, provided that the business development company meets the requirements of the test using annual investment income under Rule 6-07.1 of Regulation S-X (17 CFR 210.6-07.1) as the measure of its “annual revenues” for purposes of the test.
Affiliate. An “affiliate” of, or a person “affiliated” with, a specified person, is a person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the person specified.
Amount. The term “amount,” when used in regard to securities, means the principal amount if relating to evidences of indebtedness, the number of shares if relating to shares, and the number of units if relating to any other kind of security.
Associate. The term “associate” used to indicate a relationship with any person, means (1) any corporation or organization (other than the registrant or a majority-owned subsidiary of the registrant) of which such person is an officer or partner or is, directly or indirectly, the beneficial owner of 10 percent or more of any class of equity securities, (2) any trust or other estate in which such person has a substantial beneficial interest or as to which such person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity, and (3) any relative or spouse of such person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same home as such person or who is a director or officer of the registrant or any of its parents or subsidiaries.
Blank check company. For purposes of section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78u-5), the term blank check company means a company that has no specific business plan or purpose or has indicated that its business plan is to engage in a merger or acquisition with an unidentified company or companies, or other entity or person.
Business combination related shell company: The term business combination related shell company means a shell company (as defined in § 240.12b-2) that is:
(1) Formed by an entity that is not a shell company solely for the purpose of changing the corporate domicile of that entity solely within the United States; or
(2) Formed by an entity that is not a shell company solely for the purpose of completing a business combination transaction (as defined in § 230.165(f) of this chapter) among one or more entities other than the shell company, none of which is a shell company.
Certified. The term “certified,” when used in regard to financial statements, means examined and reported upon with an opinion expressed by an independent public or certified public accountant.
Charter. The term “charter” includes articles of incorporation, declarations of trust, articles of association or partnership, or any similar instrument, as amended, effecting (either with or without filing with any governmental agency) the organization or creation of an incorporated or unincorporated person.
Common equity. The term “common equity” means any class of common stock or an equivalent interest, including but not limited to a unit of beneficial interest in a trust or a limited partnership interest.
Control. The term “control” (including the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”) means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise.
Depositary share. The term “depositary share” means a security, evidenced by an American Depositary Receipt, that represents a foreign security or a multiple of or fraction thereof deposited with a depositary.
Emerging growth company. (1) The term emerging growth company means an issuer that had total annual gross revenues of less than $1,235,000,000 during its most recently completed fiscal year.
(2) An issuer that is an emerging growth company as of the first day of that fiscal year shall continue to be deemed an emerging growth company until the earliest of:
(i) The last day of the fiscal year of the issuer during which it had total annual gross revenues of $1,235,000,000 or more;
(ii) The last day of the fiscal year of the issuer following the fifth anniversary of the date of the first sale of common equity securities of the issuer pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933;
(iii) The date on which such issuer has, during the previous three year period, issued more than $1,000,000,000 in non-convertible debt; or
(iv) The date on which such issuer is deemed to be a large accelerated filer, as defined in Rule 12b-2 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Employee. The term “employee” does not include a director, trustee, or officer.
Fiscal year. The term “fiscal year” means the annual accounting period or, if no closing date has been adopted, the calendar year ending on December 31.
Majority-owned subsidiary. The term “majority-owned subsidiary” means a subsidiary more than 50 percent of whose outstanding securities representing the right, other than as affected by events of default, to vote for the election of directors, is owned by the subsidiary’s parent and/or one or more of the parent’s other majority-owned subsidiaries.
Managing underwriter. The term “managing underwriter” includes an underwriter (or underwriters) who, by contract or otherwise, deals with the registrant; organizes the selling effort; receives some benefit directly or indirectly in which all other underwriters similarly situated do not share in proportion to their respective interests in the underwriting; or represents any other underwriters in such matters as maintaining the records of the distribution, arranging the allotments of securities offered or arranging for appropriate stabilization activities, if any.
Material. The term “material,” when used to qualify a requirement for the furnishing of information as to any subject, limits the information required to those matters to which there is a substantial likelihood that a reasonable investor would attach importance in determining whether to buy or sell the securities registered.
Material weakness. The term material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the registrant’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
Parent. A “parent” of a specified person is an affiliate controlling such person directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.
Predecessor. The term “predecessor” means a person the major portion of the business and assets of which another person acquired in a single succession or in a series of related successions in each of which the acquiring person acquired the major portion of the business and assets of the acquired person.
Previously filed or reported. The terms “previously filed” and “previously reported” mean previously filed with, or reported in, a statement under section 12, a report under section 13 or 15(d), a definitive proxy statement or information statement under section 14 of the act, or a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933: Provided, That information contained in any such document shall be deemed to have been previously filed with, or reported to, an exchange only if such document is filed with such exchange.
Principal underwriter. The term “principal underwriter” means an underwriter in privity of contract with the issuer of the securities as to which he is underwriter.
Promoter. (1) The term “promoter” includes:
(i) Any person who, acting alone or in conjunction with one or more other persons, directly or indirectly takes initiative in founding and organizing the business or enterprise of an issuer; or
(ii) Any person who, in connection with the founding and organizing of the business or enterprise of an issuer, directly or indirectly receives in consideration of services or property, or both services and property, 10 percent or more of any class of securities of the issuer or 10 percent or more of the proceeds from the sale of any class of such securities. However, a person who receives such securities or proceeds either solely as underwriting commissions or solely in consideration of property shall not be deemed a promoter within the meaning of this paragraph if such person does not otherwise take part in founding and organizing the enterprise.
(2) All persons coming within the definition of “promoter” in paragraph (1) of this definition may be referred to as “founders” or “organizers” or by another term provided that such term is reasonably descriptive of those persons’ activities with respect to the issuer.
Prospectus. Unless otherwise specified or the context otherwise requires, the term “prospectus” means a prospectus meeting the requirements of section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 as amended.
Registrant. The term “registrant” means an issuer of securities with respect to which a registration statement or report is to be filed.
Registration statement. The term “registration statement” or “statement”, when used with reference to registration pursuant to section 12 of the act, includes both an application for registration of securities on a national securities exchange pursuant to section 12(b) of the act and a registration statement filed pursuant to section 12(g) of the act.
Share. The term “share” means a share of stock in a corporation or unit of interest in an unincorporated person.
Shell company: The term shell company means a registrant, other than an asset-backed issuer as defined in Item 1101(b) of Regulation AB (§ 229.1101(b) of this chapter), that has:
(1) No or nominal operations; and
(2) Either:
(i) No or nominal assets;
(ii) Assets consisting solely of cash and cash equivalents; or
(iii) Assets consisting of any amount of cash and cash equivalents and nominal other assets.
For purposes of this definition, the determination of a registrant’s assets (including cash and cash equivalents) is based solely on the amount of assets that would be reflected on the registrant’s balance sheet prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles on the date of that determination.
Significant deficiency. The term significant deficiency is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting that is less severe than a material weakness, yet important enough to merit attention by those responsible for oversight of the registrant’s financial reporting.
Significant subsidiary. The term significant subsidiary means a subsidiary, including its subsidiaries, which meets any of the conditions in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of this definition; however, if the registrant is a registered investment company or a business development company, the tested subsidiary meets any of the conditions in paragraph (4) of this definition instead of any of the conditions in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of this definition. A registrant that files its financial statements in accordance with or provides a reconciliation to U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP) must use amounts determined under U.S. GAAP. A foreign private issuer that files its financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IFRS-IASB) must use amounts determined under IFRS-IASB.
(1) Investment test. (i) For acquisitions, other than those described in paragraph (1)(ii) of this definition, and dispositions this test is met when the registrant’s and its other subsidiaries’ investments in and advances to the tested subsidiary exceed 10 percent of the aggregate worldwide market value of the registrant’s voting and non-voting common equity, or if the registrant has no such aggregate worldwide market value, the total assets of the registrant and its subsidiaries consolidated as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal year.
(A) For acquisitions, the “investments in” the tested subsidiary is the consideration transferred, adjusted to exclude the registrant’s and its subsidiaries’ proportionate interest in the carrying value of assets transferred by the registrant and its subsidiaries consolidated to the tested subsidiary that will remain with the combined entity after the acquisition. It must include the fair value of contingent consideration if required to be recognized at fair value by the registrant at the acquisition date under U.S. GAAP or IFRS-IASB, as applicable; however if recognition at fair value is not required, it must include all contingent consideration, except contingent consideration for which the likelihood of payment is remote.
(B) For dispositions, the “investments in” the tested subsidiary is the fair value of the consideration, including contingent consideration, for the disposed subsidiary when comparing to the aggregate worldwide market value of the registrant’s voting and non-voting common equity, or, when the registrant has no such aggregate worldwide market value, the carrying value of the disposed subsidiary when comparing to total assets of the registrant.
(C) When determining the aggregate worldwide market value of the registrant’s voting and non-voting common equity, use the average of such aggregate worldwide market value calculated daily for the last five trading days of the registrant’s most recently completed month ending prior to the earlier of the registrant’s announcement date or agreement date of the acquisition or disposition.
(ii) For a combination between entities or businesses under common control, this test is met when either the net book value of the tested subsidiary exceeds 10 percent of the registrant’s and its subsidiaries’ consolidated total assets or the number of common shares exchanged or to be exchanged by the registrant exceeds 10 percent of its total common shares outstanding at the date the combination is initiated.
(iii) In all other cases, this test is met when the registrant’s and its other subsidiaries’ investments in and advances to the tested subsidiary exceed 10 percent of the total assets of the registrant and its subsidiaries consolidated as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal year.
(2) Asset test. This test is met when the registrant’s and its other subsidiaries’ proportionate share of the tested subsidiary’s consolidated total assets (after intercompany eliminations) exceeds 10 percent of such total assets of the registrant and its subsidiaries consolidated as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal year.
(3) Income test. (i) This test is met when:
(A) The absolute value of the registrant’s and its other subsidiaries’ equity in the tested subsidiary’s consolidated income or loss from continuing operations before income taxes (after intercompany eliminations) attributable to the controlling interests exceeds 10 percent of the absolute value of such income or loss of the registrant and its subsidiaries consolidated for the most recently completed fiscal year; and
(B) The registrant’s and its other subsidiaries’ proportionate share of the tested subsidiary’s consolidated total revenue from continuing operations (after intercompany eliminations) exceeds 10 percent of such total revenue of the registrant and its subsidiaries consolidated for the most recently completed fiscal year. This paragraph (3)(i)(B) does not apply if either the registrant and its subsidiaries consolidated or the tested subsidiary did not have material revenue in each of the two most recently completed fiscal years.
(ii) When determining the income component in paragraph (3)(i)(A) of this definition:
(A) If a net loss from continuing operations before income taxes (after intercompany eliminations) attributable to the controlling interest has been incurred by either the registrant and its subsidiaries consolidated or the tested subsidiary, but not both, exclude the equity in the income or loss from continuing operations before income taxes (after intercompany eliminations) of the tested subsidiary attributable to the controlling interest from such income or loss of the registrant and its subsidiaries consolidated for purposes of the computation;
(B) Compute the test using the average described in this paragraph (3)(ii)(B) if the revenue component in paragraph (3)(i)(B) in this definition does not apply and the absolute value of the registrant’s and its subsidiaries’ consolidated income or loss from continuing operations before income taxes (after intercompany eliminations) attributable to the controlling interests for the most recent fiscal year is at least 10 percent lower than the average of the absolute value of such amounts for each of its last five fiscal years; and
(C) Entities reporting losses must not be aggregated with entities reporting income where the test involves combined entities, as in the case of determining whether summarized financial data must be presented or whether the aggregate impact specified in §§ 210.3-05(b)(2)(iv) and 210.3-14(b)(2)(i)(C) of this chapter is met, except when determining whether related businesses meet this test for purposes of §§ 210.3-05 and 210.8-04 of this chapter.
(4) Registered investment company or business development company. For a registrant that is a registered investment company or a business development company, the term significant subsidiary means a subsidiary, including its subsidiaries, which meets any of the following conditions using amounts determined under U.S. GAAP and, if applicable, section 2(a)(41) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-2(a)(41)):
(i) Investment test. The value of the registrant’s and its other subsidiaries’ investments in and advances to the tested subsidiary exceed 10 percent of the value of the total investments of the registrant and its subsidiaries consolidated as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal year; or
(ii) Income test. The absolute value of the sum of combined investment income from dividends, interest, and other income, the net realized gains and losses on investments, and the net change in unrealized gains and losses on investments from the tested subsidiary (except, for purposes of § 210.6-11 of this chapter, the absolute value of the change in net assets resulting from operations of the tested subsidiary), for the most recently completed fiscal year exceeds:
(A) 80 percent of the absolute value of the change in net assets resulting from operations of the registrant and its subsidiaries consolidated for the most recently completed fiscal year; or
(B) 10 percent of the absolute value of the change in net assets resulting from operations of the registrant and its subsidiaries consolidated for the most recently completed fiscal year and the investment test (paragraph (4)(i) of this definition) condition exceeds 5 percent. However, if the absolute value of the change in net assets resulting from operations of the registrant and its subsidiaries consolidated is at least 10 percent lower than the average of the absolute value of such amounts for each of its last five fiscal years, then the registrant may compute both conditions of the income test using the average of the absolute value of such amounts for the registrant and its subsidiaries consolidated for each of its last five fiscal years.
Smaller reporting company. As used in this part, the term smaller reporting company means an issuer that is not an investment company, an asset-backed issuer (as defined in § 229.1101 of this chapter), or a majority-owned subsidiary of a parent that is not a smaller reporting company and that:
(1) Had a public float of less than $250 million; or
(2) Had annual revenues of less than $100 million and either:
(i) No public float; or
(ii) A public float of less than $700 million.
(3) Whether an issuer is a smaller reporting company is determined on an annual basis.
(i) For issuers that are required to file reports under section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act:
(A) Public float is measured as of the last business day of the issuer’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter and computed by multiplying the aggregate worldwide number of shares of its voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates by the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average of the bid and asked prices of common equity, in the principal market for the common equity;
(B) Annual revenues are as of the most recently completed fiscal year for which audited financial statements are available; and
(C) An issuer must reflect the determination of whether it came within the definition of smaller reporting company in its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the first fiscal quarter of the next year, indicating on the cover page of that filing, and in subsequent filings for that fiscal year, whether it is a smaller reporting company, except that, if a determination based on public float indicates that the issuer is newly eligible to be a smaller reporting company, the issuer may choose to reflect this determination beginning with its first quarterly report on Form 10-Q following the determination, rather than waiting until the first fiscal quarter of the next year.
(ii) For determinations based on an initial registration statement under the Securities Act or Exchange Act for shares of its common equity:
(A) Public float is measured as of a date within 30 days of the date of the filing of the registration statement and computed by multiplying the aggregate worldwide number of shares of its voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates before the registration plus, in the case of a Securities Act registration statement, the number of shares of its voting and non-voting common equity included in the registration statement by the estimated public offering price of the shares;
(B) Annual revenues are as of the most recently completed fiscal year for which audited financial statements are available; and
(C) The issuer must reflect the determination of whether it came within the definition of smaller reporting company in the registration statement and must appropriately indicate on the cover page of the filing, and subsequent filings for the fiscal year in which the filing is made, whether it is a smaller reporting company. The issuer must re-determine its status at the end of its second fiscal quarter and then reflect any change in status as provided in paragraph (3)(i)(C) of this definition. In the case of a determination based on an initial Securities Act registration statement, an issuer that was not determined to be a smaller reporting company has the option to re-determine its status at the conclusion of the offering covered by the registration statement based on the actual offering price and number of shares sold.
(iii) Once an issuer determines that it does not qualify for smaller reporting company status because it exceeded one or more of the current thresholds, it will remain unqualified unless when making its annual determination either:
(A) It determines that its public float was less than $200 million; or
(B) It determines that its public float and its annual revenues meet the requirements for subsequent qualification included in the following chart:
Prior annual revenues | Prior public float | |
---|---|---|
None or less than $700 million | $700 million or more | |
Less than $100 million | Neither threshold exceeded | Public float—Less than $560 million; and |
Revenues—Less than $100 million. | ||
$100 million or more | Public float—None or less than $700 million; and | Public float—Less than $560 million; and |
Revenues—Less than $80 million | Revenues—Less than $80 million. |
Instruction 2 to definition of “smaller reporting company”: A foreign private issuer is not eligible to use the requirements for smaller reporting companies unless it uses the forms and rules designated for domestic issuers and provides financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
(iv) Upon the consummation of a de-SPAC transaction, as defined in § 229.1601(a) of this chapter (Item 1601(a) of Regulation S-K), an issuer must re-determine its status as a smaller reporting company pursuant to the thresholds set forth in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this definition prior to its first filing, other than pursuant to Items 2.01(f), 5.01(a)(8), and/or 9.01(c) of Form 8-K, following the de-SPAC transaction and reflect this re-determination in its filings, beginning 45 days after consummation of the de-SPAC transaction.
(A) Public float is measured as of a date within four business days after the consummation of the de-SPAC transaction and is computed by multiplying the aggregate worldwide number of shares of its voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates as of that date by the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average of the bid and asked prices of common equity, in the principal market for the common equity; and
(B) Annual revenues are the annual revenues of the target company, as defined in § 229.1601(d) of this chapter (Item 1601(d) of Regulation S-K), as of the most recently completed fiscal year reported in the Form 8-K filed pursuant to Items 2.01(f), 5.01(a)(8), and/or 9.01(c) of Form 8-K.
Succession: The term succession means the direct acquisition of the assets comprising a going business, whether by merger, consolidation, purchase, or other direct transfer; or the acquisition of control of a shell company in a transaction required to be reported on Form 8-K (§ 249.308 of this chapter) in compliance with Item 5.01 of that Form or on Form 20-F (§ 249.220f of this chapter) in compliance with Rule 13a-19 (§ 240.13a-19) or Rule 15d-19 (§ 240.15d-19). Except for an acquisition of control of a shell company, the term does not include the acquisition of control of a business unless followed by the direct acquisition of its assets. The terms succeed and successor have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
Totally held subsidiary. The term “totally held subsidiary” means a subsidiary (1) substantially all of whose outstanding securities are owned by its parent and/or the parent’s other totally held subsidiaries, and (2) which is not indebted to any person other than its parent and/or the parent’s other totally held subsidiaries in an amount which is material in relation to the particular subsidiary, excepting indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business which is not overdue and which matures within one year from the date of its creation, whether evidenced by securities or not.
Voting securities. The term “voting securities” means securities the holders of which are presently entitled to vote for the election of directors.
Wholly-owned subsidiary. The term “wholly-owned subsidiary” means a subsidiary substantially all of whose outstanding voting securities are owned by its parent and/or the parent’s other wholly-owned subsidiaries.
§ 240.12b-3 Title of securities.
Wherever the title of securities is required to be stated there shall be given such information as will indicate the type and general character of the securities, including the following:
(a) In the case of shares, the par or stated value, if any; the rate of dividends, if fixed, and whether cumulative or noncumulative; a brief indication of the preference, if any; and if convertible, a statement to that effect.
(b) In the case of funded debt, the rate of interest; the date of maturity, or if the issue matures serially, a brief indication of the serial maturities, such as “maturing serially from 1950 to 1960”; if the payment of principal or interest is contingent, an appropriate indication of such contingency; a brief indication of the priority of the issue; and if convertible, a statement to that effect.
(c) In the case of any other kind of security, appropriate information of comparable character.
§ 240.12b-4 Supplemental information.
The Commission or its staff may, where it is deemed appropriate, request supplemental information concerning the registrant, a registration statement or a periodic or other report under the Act. This information shall not be required to be filed with or deemed part of the registration statement or report. The information shall be returned to the registrant upon request, provided that:
(a) Such request is made at the time such information is furnished to the staff;
(b) The return of such information is consistent with the protection of investors; and
(c) The return of such information is consistent with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552).
§ 240.12b-5 Determination of affiliates of banks.
In determining whether a person is an “affiliate” or “parent” of a bank or whether a bank is a “subsidiary” or “majority-owner subsidiary” of a person within the meaning of those terms as defined in § 240.12b-2, voting securities of the bank held by a corporation all of the stock of which is directly owned by the United States Government shall not be taken into consideration.
§ 240.12b-6 When securities are deemed to be registered.
A class of securities with respect to which a registration statement has been filed pursuant to section 12 of the act shall be deemed to be registered for the purposes of sections 13, 14, 15(d) and 16 of the act and the rules and regulations thereunder only when such statement has become effective as provided in section 12, and securities of said class shall not be subject to sections 13, 14 and 16 of the act until such statement has become effective as provided in section 12.
§ 240.12b-7 [Reserved]
Formal Requirements
§ 240.12b-10 Requirements as to proper form.
Every statement or report shall be on the form prescribed therefor by the Commission, as in effect on the date of filing. Any statement or report shall be deemed to be filed on the proper form unless objection to the form is made by the Commission within thirty days after the date of filing.
§ 240.12b-11 Number of copies; signatures; binding.
(a) Except as provided in a particular form, three complete copies of each statement or report, including exhibits and all other papers and documents filed as a part thereof, shall be filed with the Commission. At least one complete copy of each statement shall be filed with each exchange on which the securities covered thereby are to be registered. At least one complete copy of each report under section 13 of the Act shall be filed with each exchange on which the registrant has securities registered.
(b) At least one copy of each statement or report filed with the Commission and one copy thereof filed with each exchange shall be signed in the manner prescribed by the appropriate form.
(c) Each copy of a statement or report filed with the Commission or with an exchange shall be bound in one or more parts. Copies filed with the Commission shall be bound without stiff covers. The statement or report shall be bound on the left side in such a manner as to leave the reading matter legible.
(d) Signatures. Where the Act or the rules, forms, reports or schedules thereunder, including paragraph (b) of this section, require a document filed with or furnished to the Commission to be signed, such document shall be manually signed, or signed using either typed signatures or duplicated or facsimile versions of manual signatures. Where typed, duplicated, or facsimile signatures are used, each signatory to the filing shall manually or electronically sign a signature page or other document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting his or her signature that appears in the filing (“authentication document”). Such authentication document shall be executed before or at the time the filing is made and shall be retained by the filer for a period of five years. The requirements set forth in § 232.302(b) must be met with regards to the use of an electronically signed authentication document pursuant to this paragraph (d). Upon request, the filer shall furnish to the Commission or its staff a copy of any or all documents retained pursuant to this section.
§ 240.12b-12 Requirements as to paper, printing and language.
(a) Statements and reports shall be filed on good quality, unglazed white paper, no larger than 8
(b) The statement or report and, insofar as practicable, all papers and documents filed as a part thereof, shall be printed, lithographed, mimeographed, or typewritten. However, the statement or report or any portion thereof may be prepared by any similar process which, in the opinion of the Commission, produces copies suitable for a permanent record and microfilming. Irrespective of the process used, all copies of any such material shall be clear, easily readable and suitable for repeated photocopying. Debits in credit categories and credits in debit categories shall be designated so as to be clearly distinguishable as such on photocopies.
(c) The body of all printed statements and reports and all notes to financial statements and other tabular data included therein shall be in roman type at least as large and as legible as 10-point modern type. However, to the extent necessary for convenient presentation, financial statements and other tabular data, including tabular data in notes, may be in roman type at least as large and as legible as 8-point modern type. All such type shall be leaded at least 2 points.
(d)(1) All Exchange Act filings and submissions must be in the English language, except as otherwise provided by this section. If a filing or submission requires the inclusion of a document that is in a foreign language, a party must submit instead a fair and accurate English translation of the entire foreign language document, except as provided by paragraph (d)(3) of this section.
(2) If a filing or submission subject to review by the Division of Corporation Finance requires the inclusion of a foreign language document as an exhibit or attachment, a party must submit a fair and accurate English translation of the foreign language document if consisting of any of the following, or an amendment of any of the following:
(i) Articles of incorporation, memoranda of association, bylaws, and other comparable documents, whether original or restated;
(ii) Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including indentures qualified or to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939;
(iii) Voting agreements, including voting trust agreements;
(iv) Contracts to which directors, officers, promoters, voting trustees or security holders named in a registration statement, report or other document are parties;
(v) Contracts upon which a filer’s business is substantially dependent;
(vi) Audited annual and interim consolidated financial information; and
(vii) Any document that is or will be the subject of a confidential treatment request under § 240.24b-2 or § 230.406 of this chapter.
(3)(i) A party may submit an English summary instead of an English translation of a foreign language document as an exhibit or attachment to a filing or submission subject to review by the Division of Corporation Finance, as long as:
(A) The foreign language document does not consist of any of the subject matter enumerated in paragraph (d)(2) of this section; or
(B) The applicable form permits the use of an English summary.
(ii) Any English summary submitted under paragraph (d)(3) of this section must:
(A) Fairly and accurately summarize the terms of each material provision of the foreign language document; and
(B) Fairly and accurately describe the terms that have been omitted or abridged.
(4) When submitting an English summary or English translation of a foreign language document under this section, a party must identify the submission as either an English summary or English translation. A party may submit a copy of the unabridged foreign language document when including an English summary or English translation of a foreign language document in a filing or submission. A party must provide a copy of any foreign language document upon the request of Commission staff.
(5) A foreign government or its political subdivision must provide a fair and accurate English translation of its latest annual budget submitted as Exhibit B to Form 18 (§ 249.218 of this chapter) or Exhibit (c) to Form 18-K (§ 249.318 of this chapter) only if one is available. If no English translation is available, a filer must provide a copy of the foreign language version of its latest annual budget as an exhibit.
(6) A Canadian issuer may file an exhibit, attachment or other part of a Form 40-F registration statement or annual report (§ 249.240f of this chapter), Schedule 13E-4F (§ 240.13e-102), Schedule 14D-1F (§ 240.14d-102), or Schedule 14D-9F (§ 240.14d-103), that contains text in both French and English if the issuer included the French text to comply with the requirements of the Canadian securities administrator or other Canadian authority and, for an electronic filing, if the filing is an HTML document, as defined in Regulation S-T Rule 11 (17 CFR 232.11).
(e) Where a statement or report is distributed to investors through an electronic medium, issuers may satisfy legibility requirements applicable to printed documents, such as paper size and type size and font, by presenting all required information in a format readily communicated to investors.
§ 240.12b-13 Preparation of statement or report.
The statement or report shall contain the numbers and captions of all items of the appropriate form, but the text of the items may be omitted provided the answers thereto are so prepared as to indicate to the reader the coverage of the items without the necessity of his referring to the text of the items or instructions thereto. However, where any item requires information to be given in tabular form, it shall be given in substantially the tabular form specified in the item. All instructions, whether appearing under the items of the form or elsewhere therein, are to be omitted. Unless expressly provided otherwise, if any item is inapplicable or the answer thereto is in the negative, an appropriate statement to that effect shall be made.
§ 240.12b-14 Riders; inserts.
Riders shall not be used. If the statement or report is typed on a printed form, and the space provided for the answer to any given item is insufficient, reference shall be made in such space to a full insert page or pages on which the item number and caption and the complete answer are given.
§ 240.12b-15 Amendments.
All amendments must be filed under cover of the form amended, marked with the letter “A” to designate the document as an amendment, e.g., “10-K/A,” and in compliance with pertinent requirements applicable to statements and reports. Amendments filed pursuant to this section must set forth the complete text of each item as amended. Amendments must be numbered sequentially and be filed separately for each statement or report amended. Amendments to a statement may be filed either before or after registration becomes effective. Amendments must be signed on behalf of the registrant by a duly authorized representative of the registrant. An amendment to any report required to include the certifications as specified in § 240.13a-14(a) or § 240.15d-14(a) must include new certifications by each principal executive and principal financial officer of the registrant, and an amendment to any report required to be accompanied by the certifications as specified in § 240.13a-14(b) or § 240.15d-14(b) must be accompanied by new certifications by each principal executive and principal financial officer of the registrant. An amendment to any report required to include the certifications as specified in § 240.13a-14(d) or § 240.15d-14(d) must include a new certification by an individual specified in § 240.13a-14(e) or § 240.15d-14(e), as applicable. The requirements of the form being amended will govern the number of copies to be filed in connection with a paper format amendment. Electronic filers satisfy the provisions dictating the number of copies by filing one copy of the amendment in electronic format. See § 232.309 of this chapter (Rule 309 of Regulation S-T).
General Requirements as to Contents
§ 240.12b-20 Additional information.
In addition to the information expressly required to be included in a statement or report, there shall be added such further material information, if any, as may be necessary to make the required statements, in the light of the circumstances under which they are made not misleading.
§ 240.12b-21 Information unknown or not available.
Information required need be given only insofar as it is known or reasonably available to the registrant. If any required information is unknown and not reasonably available to the registrant, either because the obtaining thereof would involve unreasonable effort or expense, or because it rests peculiarly within the knowledge of another person not affiliated with the registrant, the information may be omitted, subject to the following conditions.
(a) The registrant shall give such information on the subject as it possesses or can acquire without unreasonable effort or expense, together with the sources thereof.
(b) The registrant shall include a statement either showing that unreasonable effort or expense would be involved or indicating the absence of any affiliation with the person within whose knowledge the information rests and stating the result of a request made to such person for the information.
§ 240.12b-22 Disclaimer of control.
If the existence of control is open to reasonable doubt in any instance, the registrant may disclaim the existence of control and any admission thereof; in such case, however, the registrant shall state the material facts pertinent to the possible existence of control.
§ 240.12b-23 Incorporation by reference.
(a) Registration statement or report. Except as provided by this section or in the appropriate form, information may be incorporated by reference in answer, or partial answer, to any item of a registration statement or report.
(b) Financial information. Except as provided in the Commission’s rules, financial information required to be given in comparative form for two or more fiscal years or periods must not be incorporated by reference unless the information incorporated by reference includes the entire period for which the comparative data is given. In the financial statements, incorporating by reference, or cross-referencing to, information outside of the financial statements is not permitted unless otherwise specifically permitted or required by the Commission’s rules or by U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles or International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, whichever is applicable.
(c) Exhibits. Any document or part thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to any Act administered by the Commission may be incorporated by reference as an exhibit to any statement or report filed with the Commission by the same or any other person. Any document or part thereof filed with an exchange pursuant to the Act may be incorporated by reference as an exhibit to any statement or report filed with the exchange by the same or any other person. If any modification has occurred in the text of any document incorporated by reference since the filing thereof, the registrant must file with the reference a statement containing the text of any such modification and the date thereof.
(d) Hyperlinks. You must include an active hyperlink to information incorporated into a registration statement or report by reference if such information is publicly available on the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (“EDGAR”) at the time the registration statement or form is filed. For hyperlinking to exhibits, please refer to Item 601 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.601 of this chapter) or the appropriate form.
(e) General. Include an express statement clearly describing the specific location of the information you are incorporating by reference. The statement must identify the document where the information was originally filed or submitted and the location of the information within that document. The statement must be made at the particular place where the information is required, if applicable. Information must not be incorporated by reference in any case where such incorporation would render the disclosure incomplete, unclear, or confusing. For example, unless expressly permitted or required, disclosure must not be incorporated by reference from a second document if that second document incorporates information pertinent to such disclosure by reference to a third document.
§ 240.12b-24 [Reserved]
§ 240.12b-25 Notification of inability to timely file all or any required portion of a Form 10-K, 20-F, 11-K, N-CEN , N-CSR, 10-Q, or 10-D.
(a) If all or any required portion of an annual or transition report on Form 10-K, 20-F or 11-K (17 CFR 249.310, 249.220f or 249.311), a quarterly or transition report on Form 10-Q (17 CFR 249.308a), or a distribution report on Form 10-D (17 CFR 249.312) required to be filed pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)) and rules thereunder, or if all or any required portion of a semi-annual, annual or transition report on Form N-CSR (17 CFR 249.331; 17 CFR 274.128) or Form N-CEN (17 CFR 249.330; 17 CFR 274.101) required to be filed pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act or section 30 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-29) and the rules thereunder, is not filed within the time period prescribed for such report, the registrant, no later than one business day after the due date for such report, shall file a Form 12b-25 (17 CFR 249.322) with the Commission which shall contain disclosure of its inability to file the report timely and the reasons therefore in reasonable detail.
(b) With respect to any report or portion of any report described in paragraph (a) of this section which is not timely filed because the registrant is unable to do so without unreasonable effort or expense, such report shall be deemed to be filed on the prescribed due date for such report if:
(1) The registrant files the Form 12b-25 in compliance with paragraph (a) of this section and, when applicable, furnishes the exhibit required by paragraph (c) of this section;
(2) The registrant represents in the Form 12b-25 that:
(i) The reason(s) causing the inability to file timely could not be eliminated by the registrant without unreasonable effort or expense; and
(ii) The subject annual report, semi-annual report or transition report on Form 10-K, 20-F, 11-K, N-CEN , or N-CSR, or portion thereof, will be filed no later than the fifteenth calendar day following the prescribed due date; or the subject quarterly report or transition report on Form 10-Q or distribution report on Form 10-D, or portion thereof, will be filed no later than the fifth calendar day following the prescribed due date; and
(3) The report/portion thereof is actually filed within the period specified by paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section.
(c) If paragraph (b) of this section is applicable and the reason the subject report/portion thereof cannot be filed timely without unreasonable effort or expense relates to the inability of any person, other than the registrant, to furnish any required opinion, report or certification, the Form 12b-25 shall have attached as an exhibit a statement signed by such person stating the specific reasons why such person is unable to furnish the required opinion, report or certification on or before the date such report must be filed.
(d) Notwithstanding paragraph (b) of this section, a registrant will not be eligible to use any registration statement form under the Securities Act of 1933 the use of which is predicated on timely filed reports until the subject report is actually filed pursuant to paragraph (b)(3) of this section.
(e) If a Form 12b-25 filed pursuant to paragraph (a) of this sectin relates only to a portion of a subject report, the registrant shall:
(1) File the balance of such report and indicate on the cover page thereof which disclosure items are omitted; and
(2) Include, on the upper right corner of the amendment to the report which includes the previously omitted information, the following statement:
The following items were the subject of a Form 12b-25 and are included herein: (List Item Numbers)
(f) The provisions of this section shall not apply to financial statements to be filed by amendment to a form 10-K as provided for by paragraph (a) of § 210.3-09 or schedules to be filed by amendment in accordance with General Instruction A to form 10-K.
(g) Electronic filings. The provisions of this section shall not apply to reports required to be filed in electronic format if the sole reason the report is not filed within the time period prescribed is that the filer is unable to file the report in electronic format. Filers unable to submit a report in electronic format within the time period prescribed solely due to difficulties with electronic filing should comply with either Rule 201 or 202 of Regulation S-T (§§ 232.201 and 232.202 of this chapter), or apply for an adjustment of filing date pursuant to Rule 13(b) of Regulation S-T (§ 232.13(c) of this chapter).
(h) Interactive data submissions. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the submission or posting of an Interactive Data File (§ 232.11 of this chapter). Filers unable to submit or post an Interactive Data File within the time period prescribed should comply with either Rule 201 or 202 of Regulation S-T (§§ 232.201 and 232.202 of this chapter).
Exhibits
§ 240.12b-30 Additional exhibits.
The registrant may file such exhibits as it may desire, in addition to those required by the appropriate form. Such exhibits shall be so marked as to indicate clearly the subject matters to which they refer.
§ 240.12b-31 Omission of substantially identical documents.
In any case where two or more indentures, contracts, franchises, or other documents required to be filed as exhibits are substantially identical in all material respects except as to the parties thereto, the dates of execution, or other details, the registrant need file a copy of only one of such documents, with a schedule identifying the other documents omitted and setting forth the material details in which such documents differ from the document of which a copy is filed. The Commission may at any time in its discretion require the filing of copies of any documents so omitted.
§ 240.12b-32 [Reserved]
§ 240.12b-33 Annual reports to other Federal agencies.
Notwithstanding any rule or other requirement to the contrary, whenever copies of an annual report by a registrant to any other Federal agency are required or permitted to be filed as an exhibit to an application or report filed by such registrant with the Commission or with a securities exchange, only one copy of such annual report need be filed with the Commission and one copy thereof with each such exchange, provided appropriate reference to such copy is made in each copy of the application or report filed with the Commission or with such exchange.
Special Provisions
§ 240.12b-35 [Reserved]
§ 240.12b-36 Use of financial statements filed under other acts.
Where copies of certified financial statements filed under other acts administered by the Commission are filed with a statement or report, the accountant’s certificate shall be manually signed or manually signed copies of the certificate shall be filed with the financial statements. Where such financial statements are incorporated by reference in a statement or report, the written consent of the accountant to such incorporation by reference shall be filed with the statement or report. Such consent shall be dated and signed manually.
§ 240.12b-37 Satisfaction of filing requirements.
With regard to issuers eligible to rely on Release No. 34-45589 (March 18, 2002) or Release No. IC-25463 (March 18, 2002) (each of which may be viewed on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov), filings made in accordance with the provisions of those Releases shall satisfy the issuer’s requirement to make such a filing under Section 13(a), 14 or 15(d) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 77m(a), 78n or 78o(d)), as applicable, and the Commission’s rules and regulations thereunder.
Certification by Exchanges and Effectiveness of Registration
§ 240.12d1-1 Registration effective as to class or series.
(a) An application filed pursuant to section 12 (b) and (c) of the act for registration of a security on a national securities exchange shall be deemed to apply for registration of the entire class of such security. Registration shall become effective, as provided in section 12(d) of the act, (1) as to the shares or amounts of such class then issued, and (2), without further application for registration, upon issuance as to additional shares or amounts of such class then or thereafter authorized.
(b) This section shall apply to classes of securities of which a specified number of shares or amounts was registered or registered upon notice of issuance, and to applications for registration filed, prior to the close of business on January 28, 1954, as well as to classes registered, or applications filed, thereafter.
(c) This section shall not affect the right of a national securities exchange to require the issuer of a registered security to file documents with or pay fees to the exchange in connection with the modification of such security or the issuance of additional shares or amounts.
(d) If a class of security is issuable in two or more series with different terms, each such series shall be deemed a separate class for the purposes of this section.
§ 240.12d1-2 Effectiveness of registration.
(a) A request for acceleration of the effective date of registration pursuant to section 12(d) of the act and § 240.12d1-1 shall be made in writing by either the registrant, the exchange, or both and shall briefly describe the reasons therefor.
(b) A registration statement on Form 8-A (17 CFR 249.208a) for the registration of a class of securities under Section 12(b) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78l(b)) shall become effective:
(1) If a class of securities is not concurrently being registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (“Securities Act”), upon the later of receipt by the Commission of certification from the national securities exchange or the filing of the Form 8-A with the Commission; or
(2) If a class of securities is concurrently being registered under the Securities Act, upon the later of the filing of the Form 8-A with the Commission, receipt by the Commission of certification from the national securities exchange listed on the Form 8-A or effectiveness of the Securities Act registration statement relating to the class of securities.
(c) A registration statement on Form 8-A (17 CFR 249.208a) for the registration of a class of securities under Section 12(g) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78l(g)) shall become effective:
(1) If a class of securities is not concurrently being registered under the Securities Act, upon the filing of the Form 8-A with the Commission; or
(2) If class of securities is concurrently being registered under the Securities Act, upon the later of the filing of the Form 8-A with the Commission or the effectiveness of the Securities Act registration statement relating to the class of securities.
§ 240.12d1-3 Requirements as to certification.
(a) Certification that a security has been approved by an exchange for listing and registration pursuant to section 12(d) of the act and § 240.12d1-1 shall be made by the governing committee or other corresponding authority of the exchange.
(b) The certification shall specify (1) the approval of the exchange for listing and registration; (2) the title of the security so approved; (3) the date of filing with the exchange of the application for registration and of any amendments thereto; and (4) any conditions imposed on such certification. The exchange shall promptly notify the Commission of the partial or complete satisfaction of any such conditions.
(c) The certification must be filed in electronic format via the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval (EDGAR) system in accordance with the EDGAR rules set forth in § 232 of this chapter (Regulation S-T).
§ 240.12d1-4 Date of receipt of certification by Commission.
The date of receipt by the Commission of the certification approving a security for listing and registration shall be the date on which the certification is actually received by the Commission or the date on which the application for registration to which the certification relates is actually received by the Commission, whichever date is later.
§ 240.12d1-5 Operation of certification on subsequent amendments.
If an amendment to the application for registration of a security is filed with the exchange and with the Commission after the receipt by the Commission of the certification of the exchange approving the security for listing and registration, the certification, unless withdrawn, shall be deemed made with reference to the application as amended.
§ 240.12d1-6 Withdrawal of certification.
An exchange may, by notice to the Commission, withdraw its certification prior to the time that the registration to which it relates first becomes effective pursuant to § 240.12d1-1.
Suspension of Trading, Withdrawal, and Striking From Listing and Registration
§ 240.12d2-1 Suspension of trading.
(a) A national securities exchange may suspend from trading a security listed and registered thereon in accordance with its rules. Such exchange shall promptly notify the Commission of any such suspension, the effective date thereof, and the reasons therefor.
(b) Any such suspension may be continued until such time as it shall appear to the Commission that such suspension is designed to evade the provisions of section 12(d) and the rules and regulations thereunder relating to the withdrawal and striking of a security from listing and registration. During the continuance of such suspension the exchange shall notify the Commission promptly of any change in the reasons for the suspension. Upon the restoration to trading of any security suspended under this rule, the exchange shall notify the Commission promptly of the effective date thereof.
(c) Suspension of trading shall not terminate the registration of any security.
§ 240.12d2-2 Removal from listing and registration.
1. The filing of the Form 25 (Sec. 249.25 of this chapter) by an issuer relates solely to the withdrawal of a class of securities from listing on a national securities exchange and/or from registration under section 12(b) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78l(b)), and shall not affect its obligation to be registered under section 12(g) of the Act and/or reporting obligations under section 15(d) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o(d)). 2. Implementation. The rules of each national securities exchange must be designed to meet the requirements of this section and must be operative no later than April 24, 2006. Each national securities exchange must submit to the Commission a proposed rule change that complies with section 19(b) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78s) and Rule 19b-4 (17 CFR 240.19b-4) thereunder, and this section no later than October 24, 2005.
(a) A national securities exchange must file with the Commission an application on Form 25 (17 CFR 249.25) to strike a class of securities from listing on a national securities exchange and/or registration under section 12(b) of the Act within a reasonable time after the national securities exchange is reliably informed that any of the following conditions exist with respect to such a security:
(1) The entire class of the security has been called for redemption, maturity or retirement; appropriate notice thereof has been given; funds sufficient for the payment of all such securities have been deposited with an agency authorized to make such payments; and such funds have been made available to security holders.
(2) The entire class of the security has been redeemed or paid at maturity or retirement.
(3) The instruments representing the securities comprising the entire class have come to evidence, by operation of law or otherwise, other securities in substitution therefor and represent no other right, except, if such be the fact, the right to receive an immediate cash payment (the right of dissenters to receive the appraised or fair value of their holdings shall not prevent the application of this provision).
(4) All rights pertaining to the entire class of the security have been extinguished; provided, however, that where such an event occurs as a result of an order of a court or other governmental authority, the order shall be final, all applicable appeal periods shall have expired, and no appeals shall be pending.
Such an application shall be deemed to be granted and shall become effective at the opening of business on such date as the exchange shall specify in said application, but not less than 10 days following the date on which said application is filed with the Commission; Provided, however, That in the event removal is being effected under paragraph (a)(3) of this section and the exchange has admitted or intends to admit a successor security to trading under the temporary exemption provided for by § 240.12a-5, such date shall not be earlier than the date on which the successor security is removed from its exempt status.
(b)(1) In cases not provided for in paragraph (a) of this section, a national securities exchange may file an application on Form 25 to strike a class of securities from listing and/or withdraw the registration of such securities, in accordance with its rules, if the rules of such exchange, at a minimum, provide for:
(i) Notice to the issuer of the exchange’s decision to delist its securities;
(ii) An opportunity for appeal to the national securities exchange’s board of directors, or to a committee designated by the board; and
(iii) Public notice of the national securities exchange’s final determination to remove the security from listing and/or registration, by issuing a press release and posting notice on its Web site. Public notice under this paragraph shall be disseminated no fewer than 10 days before the delisting becomes effective pursuant to paragraph (d)(1) of this section, and must remain posted on its Web site until the delisting is effective.
(2) A national securities exchange must promptly deliver a copy of the application on Form 25 to the issuer.
(c)(1) The issuer of a class of securities listed on a national securities exchange and/or registered under section 12(b) of the Act may file an application on Form 25 to notify the Commission of its withdrawal of such securities from listing on such national securities exchange and its intention to withdraw the securities from registration under section 12(b) of the Act.
(2) An issuer filing Form 25 under this paragraph must satisfy the requirements in paragraph (c)(2) of this section and represent on the Form 25 that such requirements have been met:
(i) The issuer must comply with all applicable laws in effect in the state in which it is incorporated and with the national securities exchange’s rules governing an issuer’s voluntary withdrawal of a class of securities from listing and/or registration.
(ii) No fewer than 10 days before the issuer files an application on Form 25 with the Commission, the issuer must provide written notice to the national securities exchange of its determination to withdraw the class of securities from listing and/or registration on such exchange. Such written notice must set forth a description of the security involved, together with a statement of all material facts relating to the reasons for withdrawal from listing and/or registration.
(iii) Contemporaneous with providing written notice to the exchange of its intent to withdraw a class of securities from listing and/or registration, the issuer must publish notice of such intention, along with its reasons for such withdrawal, via a press release and, if it has a publicly accessible Web site, posting such notice on that Web site. Any notice provided on an issuer’s Web site under this paragraph shall remain available until the delisting on Form 25 has become effective pursuant to paragraph (d)(1) of this section. If the issuer has not arranged for listing and/or registration on another national securities exchange or for quotation of its security in a quotation medium (as defined in § 240.15c2-11), then the press release and posting on the Web site must contain this information.
(3) A national securities exchange, that receives, pursuant to paragraph (c)(2)(ii) of this section, written notice from an issuer that such issuer has determined to withdraw a class of securities from listing and/or registration on such exchange, must provide notice on its Web site of the issuer’s intent to delist and/or withdraw from registration its securities by the next business day. Such notice must remain posted on the exchange’s Web site until the delisting on Form 25 is effective pursuant to paragraph (d)(1) of this section.
(d)(1) An application on Form 25 to strike a class of securities from listing on a national securities exchange will be effective 10 days after Form 25 is filed with the Commission.
(2) An application on Form 25 to withdraw the registration of a class of securities under section 12(b) of the Act will be effective 90 days, or such shorter period as the Commission may determine, after filing with the Commission.
(3) Notwithstanding paragraphs (d)(1) and (d)(2) of this section, the Commission may, by written notice to the exchange and issuer, postpone the effectiveness of an application to delist and/or to deregister to determine whether the application on Form 25 to strike the security from registration under section 12(b) of the Act has been made in accordance with the rules of the exchange, or what terms should be imposed by the Commission for the protection of investors.
(4) Notwithstanding paragraph (d)(2) of this section, whenever the Commission commences a proceeding against an issuer under section 12 of the Act prior to the withdrawal of the registration of a class of securities, such security will remain registered under section 12(b) of the Act until the final decision of such proceeding or until the Commission otherwise determines to suspend the effective date of, or revoke, the registration of a class of securities.
(5) An issuer’s duty to file any reports under section 13(a) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78m(a)) and the rules and regulations thereunder solely because of such security’s registration under section 12(b) of the Act will be suspended upon the effective date for the delisting pursuant to paragraph (d)(1) of this section. If, following the effective date of delisting on Form 25, the Commission, an exchange, or an issuer delays the withdrawal of a security’s registration under section 12(b) of the Act, an issuer shall, within 60 days of such delay, file any reports that would have been required under section 13(a) of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, had the Form 25 not been filed. The issuer also shall timely file any subsequent reports required under section 13(a) of the Act for the duration of the delay.
(6) An issuer whose reporting responsibilities under section 13(a) of the Act are suspended for a class of securities under paragraph (d)(5) of this section is, nevertheless, required to file any reports that an issuer with such a class of securities registered under section 12 of the Act would be required to file under section 13(a) of the Act if such class of securities:
(i) Is registered under section 12(g) of the Act; or
(ii) Would be registered, or would be required to be registered, under section 12(g) of the Act but for the exemption from registration under section 12(g) of the Act provided by section 12(g)(2)(A) of the Act.
(7)(i) An issuer whose reporting responsibilities under section 13(a) of the Act are suspended under paragraph (d)(5) of this section is, nevertheless, required to file any reports that would be required under section 15(d) of the Act but for the fact that the reporting obligations are:
(A) Suspended for a class of securities under paragraph (d)(5) of this section; and
(B) Suspended, terminated, or otherwise absent under section 12(g) of the Act.
(ii) The reporting responsibilities of an issuer under section 15(d) of the Act shall continue until the issuer is required to file reports under section 13(a) of the Act or the issuer’s reporting responsibilities under section 15(d) of the Act are otherwise suspended.
(8) In the event removal is being effected under paragraph (a)(3) of this section and the national securities exchange has admitted or intends to admit a successor security to trading under the temporary exemption provided for by § 240.12a-5, the effective date of the Form 25, as set forth in paragraph (d)(1) of this section, shall not be earlier than the date the successor security is removed from its exempt status.
(e) The following are exempt from section 12(d) of the Act and the provisions of this section:
(1) Any standardized option, as defined in § 240.9b-1, that is:
(i) Issued by a clearing agency registered under section 17A of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78q-1); and
(ii) Traded on a national securities exchange registered pursuant to section 6(a) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78f(a)); and
(2) Any security futures product that is:
(i) Traded on a national securities exchange registered under section 6(a) of the Act or on a national securities association registered pursuant to section 15A(a) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o-3(a)); and
(ii) Cleared by a clearing agency registered as a clearing agency pursuant to section 17A of the Act or is exempt from registration under section 17A(b)(7) of the Act.
Unlisted Trading
§ 240.12f-1 Applications for permission to reinstate unlisted trading privileges.
(a) An application to reinstate unlisted trading privileges may be made to the Commission by any national securities exchange for the extension of unlisted trading privileges to any security for which such unlisted trading privileges have been suspended by the Commission, pursuant to section 12(f)(2)(A) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78l(2)(A)). One copy of such application, executed by a duly authorized officer of the exchange, shall be filed and shall set forth:
(1) Name of issuer;
(2) Title of security;
(3) The name of each national securities exchange, if any, on which such security is listed or admitted to unlisted trading privileges;
(4) Whether transaction information concerning such security is reported pursuant to an effective transaction reporting plan contemplated by § 242.601 of this chapter;
(5) The date of the Commission’s suspension of unlisted trading privileges in the security on the exchange;
(6) Any other information which is deemed pertinent to the question of whether the reinstatement of unlisted trading privileges in such security is consistent with the maintenance of fair and orderly markets and the protection of investors; and
(7) That a copy of the instant application has been mailed, or otherwise personally provided, to the issuer of the securities for which unlisted trading privileges are sought and to each exchange listed in item (3) of this section.
§ 240.12f-2 Extending unlisted trading privileges to a security that is the subject of an initial public offering.
(a) General provision. A national securities exchange may extend unlisted trading privileges to a subject security when at least one transaction in the subject security has been effected on the national securities exchange upon which the security is listed and the transaction has been reported pursuant to an effective transaction reporting plan, as defined in § 242.600 of this chapter.
(b) The extension of unlisted trading privileges pursuant to this section shall be subject to all the provisions set forth in Section 12(f) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78l(f)), as amended, and any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder, or which may be promulgated thereunder while the extension is in effect.
(c) Definitions. For the purposes of this section:
(1) The term subject security shall mean a security that is the subject of an initial public offering, as that term is defined in section 12(f)(1)(G)(i) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78l(f)(1)(G)(i)), and
(2) An initial public offering commences at such time as is described in section 12(f)(1)(G)(ii) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78l(f)(1)(G)(ii)).
§ 240.12f-3 Termination or suspension of unlisted trading privileges.
(a) The issuer of any security for which unlisted trading privileges on any exchange have been continued or extended, or any broker or dealer who makes or creates a market for such security, or any other person having a bona fide interest in the question of termination or suspension of such unlisted trading privileges, may make application to the Commission for the termination or suspension of such unlisted trading privileges. One duly executed copy of such application shall be filed, and it shall contain the following information:
(1) Name and address of applicant;
(2) A brief statement of the applicant’s interest in the question of termination or suspension of such unlisted trading privileges;
(3) Title of security;
(4) Names of issuer;
(5) Amount of such security issued and outstanding (number of shares of stock or principal amount of bonds), stating source of information;
(6) Annual volume of public trading in such security (number of shares of stock or principal amount of bonds) on such exchange for each of the three calendar years immediately preceding the date of such application, and monthly volume of trading in such security for each of the twelve calendar months immediately preceding the date of such application;
(7) Price range on such exchange for each of the twelve calendar months immediately preceding the date of such application; and
(8) A brief statement of the information in the applicant’s possession, and the source thereof, with respect to (i) the extent of public trading in such security on such exchange, and (ii) the character of trading in such security on such exchange; and
(9) A brief statement that a copy of the instant application has been mailed, or otherwise personally provided, to the exchange from which the suspension or termination of unlisted trading privileges is sought, and to any other exchange on which such security is listed or traded pursuant to unlisted trading privileges.
(b) Unlisted trading privileges in any security on any national securities exchange may be suspended or terminated by such exchange in accordance with its rules.
§ 240.12f-4 Exemption of securities admitted to unlisted trading privileges from sections 13, 14 and 16.
(a) Any security for which unlisted trading privileges on any national securities exchange have been continued or extended pursuant to section 12(f) of the Act shall be exempt from section 13 of the Act unless (1) such security or another security of the same issuer is listed and registered on a national securities exchange or registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act, or (2) such issuer would be required to file information, documents and reports pursuant to section 15(d) of the Act but for the fact that securities of the issuer are deemed to be “registered on a national securities exchange” within the meaning of section 12(f)(6) of the Act.
(b) Any security for which unlisted trading privileges on any national securities exchange have been continued or extended pursuant to section 12(f) of the Act shall be exempt from section 14 of the Act unless such security is also listed and registered on a national securities exchange or registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act.
(c)(1) Any equity security for which unlisted trading privileges on any national securities exchange have been continued or extended pursuant to section 12(f) of the Act shall be exempt from section 16 of the act unless such security or another equity security of the same issuer is listed and registered on a national securities exchange or registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act.
(2) Any equity security for which unlisted trading privileges on any national securities exchange have been continued or extended pursuant to section 12(f) of the Act and which is not listed and registered on any other such exchange or registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act shall be exempt from section 16 of the Act insofar as that section would otherwise apply to any person who is directly or indirectly the beneficial owner of more than 10 percent of such security, unless another equity security of the issuer of such unlisted security is so listed or registered and such beneficial owner is a director or officer of such issuer or directly or indirectly the beneficial owner of more than 10 percent of any such listed security.
(d) Any reference in this section to a security registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act shall include, and any reference to a security not so registered shall exclude, any security as to which a registration statement pursuant to such section is at the time required to be effective.
§ 240.12f-5 Exchange rules for securities to which unlisted trading privileges are extended.
A national securities exchange shall not extend unlisted trading privileges to any security unless the national securities exchange has in effect a rule or rules providing for transactions in the class or type of security to which the exchange extends unlisted trading privileges.
§ 240.12f-6 [Reserved]
Extensions and Temporary Exemptions; Definitions
§ 240.12g-1 Registration of securities; exemption from section 12(g).
An issuer is not required to register a class of equity securities pursuant to section 12(g)(1) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78l(g)(1)) if on the last day of its most recent fiscal year:
(a) The issuer had total assets not exceeding $10 million; or
(b)(1) The class of equity securities was held of record by fewer than 2,000 persons and fewer than 500 of those persons were not accredited investors (as such term is defined in § 230.501(a) of this chapter, determined as of such day rather than at the time of the sale of the securities); or
(2) The class of equity securities was held of record by fewer than 2,000 persons in the case of a bank; a savings and loan holding company, as such term is defined in section 10 of the Home Owners’ Loan Act (12 U.S.C. 1461); or a bank holding company, as such term is defined in section 2 of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (12 U.S.C. 1841).
§ 240.12g-2 Securities deemed to be registered pursuant to section 12(g)(1) upon termination of exemption pursuant to section 12(g)(2)(A) or (B).
Any class of securities that would have been required to be registered pursuant to section 12(g)(1) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78l(g)(1)) except for the fact that it was exempt from such registration by section 12(g)(2)(A) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78l(g)(2)(A)) because it was listed and registered on a national securities exchange, or by section 12(g)(2)(B) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78l(g)(2)(B)) because it was issued by an investment company registered pursuant to section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-8), shall upon the termination of the listing and registration of such class or the termination of the registration of such company and without the filing of an additional registration statement be deemed to be registered pursuant to section 12(g)(1) of the Act if at the time of such termination:
(a) The issuer of such class of securities has elected to be regulated as a business development company pursuant to sections 55 through 65 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-54 through 64) and such election has not been withdrawn; or
(b) Securities of the class are not exempt from such registration pursuant to section 12 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78l) or rules thereunder and all securities of such class are held of record by 300 or more persons, or 1,200 or more persons in the case of a bank; a savings and loan holding company, as such term is defined in section 10 of the Home Owners’ Loan Act (12 U.S.C. 1461); or a bank holding company, as such term is defined in section 2 of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (12 U.S.C. 1841).
§ 240.12g-3 Registration of securities of successor issuers under section 12(b) or 12(g).
(a) Where in connection with a succession by merger, consolidation, exchange of securities, acquisition of assets or otherwise, securities of an issuer that are not already registered pursuant to section 12 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78l) are issued to the holders of any class of securities of another issuer that is registered pursuant to either section 12 (b) or (g) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78l (b) or (g)), the class of securities so issued shall be deemed to be registered under the same paragraph of section 12 of the Act unless upon consummation of the succession:
(1) Such class is exempt from such registration other than by § 240.12g3-2;
(2) All securities of such class are held of record by fewer than 300 persons, or 1,200 persons in the case of a bank; a savings and loan holding company, as such term is defined in section 10 of the Home Owners’ Loan Act (12 U.S.C. 1461); or a bank holding company, as such term is defined in section 2 of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (12 U.S.C. 1841); or
(3) The securities issued in connection with the succession were registered on Form F-8 or Form F-80 (§ 239.38 or § 239.41 of this chapter) and following succession the successor would not be required to register such class of securities under section 12 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78l) but for this section.
(b) Where in connection with a succession by merger, consolidation, exchange of securities, acquisition of assets or otherwise, securities of an issuer that are not already registered pursuant to section 12 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78l) are issued to the holders of any class of securities of another issuer that is required to file a registration statement pursuant to either section 12(b) or (g) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78l(b) or (g)) but has not yet done so, the duty to file such statement shall be deemed to have been assumed by the issuer of the class of securities so issued. The successor issuer shall file a registration statement pursuant to the same paragraph of section 12 of the Act with respect to such class within the period of time the predecessor issuer would have been required to file such a statement unless upon consummation of the succession:
(1) Such class is exempt from such registration other than by § 240.12g3-2;
(2) All securities of such class are held of record by fewer than 300 persons, or 1,200 persons in the case of a bank; a savings and loan holding company, as such term is defined in section 10 of the Home Owners’ Loan Act (12 U.S.C. 1461); or a bank holding company, as such term is defined in section 2 of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (12 U.S.C. 1841); or
(3) The securities issued in connection with the succession were registered on Form F-8 or Form F-80 (§ 239.38 or § 239.41 of this chapter) and following the succession the successor would not be required to register such class of securities under section 12 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78l) but for this section.
(c) Where in connection with a succession by merger, consolidation, exchange of securities, acquisition of assets or otherwise, securities of an issuer that are not already registered pursuant to section 12 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78l) are issued to the holders of classes of securities of two or more other issuers that are each registered pursuant to section 12 of the Act, the class of securities so issued shall be deemed to be registered under section 12 of the Act unless upon consummation of the succession:
(1) Such class is exempt from such registration other than by § 240.12g3-2;
(2) All securities of such class are held of record by fewer than 300 persons, or 1,200 persons in the case of a bank; a savings and loan holding company, as such term is defined in section 10 of the Home Owners’ Loan Act (12 U.S.C. 1461); or a bank holding company, as such term is defined in section 2 of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (12 U.S.C. 1841); or
(3) The securities issued in connection with the succession were registered on Form F-8 or Form F-80 (§ 239.38 or § 239.41 of this chapter) and following succession the successor would not be required to register such class of securities under section 12 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78l) but for this section.
(d) If the classes of securities issued by two or more predecessor issuers (as described in paragraph (c) of this section) are registered under the same paragraph of section 12 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78l), the class of securities issued by the successor issuer shall be deemed registered under the same paragraph of section 12 of the Act. If the classes of securities issued by the predecessor issuers are not registered under the same paragraph of section 12 of the Act, the class of securities issued by the successor issuer shall be deemed registered under section 12(g) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78l(g)).
(e) An issuer that is deemed to have a class of securities registered pursuant to section 12 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78l) according to paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d) of this section shall file reports on the same forms and such class of securities shall be subject to the provisions of sections 14 and 16 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78n and 78p) to the same extent as the predecessor issuers, except as follows:
(1) An issuer that is not a foreign issuer shall not be eligible to file on Form 20-F (§ 249.220f of this chapter) or to use the exemption in § 240.3a12-3.
(2) A foreign private issuer shall be eligible to file on Form 20-F (§ 249.220f of this chapter) and to use the exemption in § 240.3a12-3.
(f) An issuer that is deemed to have a class of securities registered pursuant to section 12 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78l) according to paragraphs (a), (b), (c) or (d) of this section shall indicate in the Form 8-K (§ 249.308 of this chapter) report filed with the Commission in connection with the succession, pursuant to the requirements of Form 8-K, the paragraph of section 12 of the Act under which the class of securities issued by the successor issuer is deemed registered by operation of paragraphs (a), (b), (c) or (d) of this section. If a successor issuer that is deemed registered under section 12(g) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78l(g)) by paragraph (d) of this section intends to list a class of securities on a national securities exchange, it must file a registration statement pursuant to section 12(b) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78l(b)) with respect to that class of securities.
(g) An issuer that is deemed to have a class of securities registered pursuant to section 12 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78l) according to paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d) of this section shall file an annual report for each fiscal year beginning on or after the date as of which the succession occurred. Annual reports shall be filed within the period specified in the appropriate form. Each such issuer shall file an annual report for each of its predecessors that had securities registered pursuant to section 12 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78l) covering the last full fiscal year of the predecessor before the registrant’s succession, unless such report has been filed by the predecessor. Such annual report shall contain information that would be required if filed by the predecessor.
§ 240.12g-4 Certifications of termination of registration under section 12(g).
(a) Termination of registration of a class of securities under section 12(g) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78l(g)) shall take effect 90 days, or such shorter period as the Commission may determine, after the issuer certifies to the Commission on Form 15 (§ 249.323 of this chapter) that the class of securities is held of record by:
(1) Fewer than 300 persons, or in the case of a bank; a savings and loan holding company, as such term is defined in section 10 of the Home Owners’ Loan Act (12 U.S.C. 1461); or a bank holding company, as such term is defined in section 2 of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (12 U.S.C. 1841), 1,200 persons; or
(2) Fewer than 500 persons, where the total assets of the issuer have not exceeded $10 million on the last day of each of the issuer’s most recent three fiscal years.
(b) The issuer’s duty to file any reports required under section 13(a) shall be suspended immediately upon filing a certification on Form 15; Provided, however, That if the certification on Form 15 is subsequently withdrawn or denied, the issuer shall, within 60 days after the date of such withdrawal or denial, file with the Commission all reports which would have been required had the certification on Form 15 not been filed. If the suspension resulted from the issuer’s merger into, or consolidation with, another issuer or issuers, the certification shall be filed by the successor issuer.
§ 240.12g-6 Exemption for securities issued pursuant to section 4(a)(6) of the Securities Act of 1933 or Regulation Crowdfunding.
(a) For purposes of determining whether an issuer is required to register a security with the Commission pursuant to section 12(g)(1) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78l(g)(1)), the definition of held of record shall not include securities issued pursuant to the offering exemption under section 4(a)(6) of the Securities Act (15 U.S.C. 77d(a)(6)) or §§ 227.100 through 227.504 (Regulation Crowdfunding) by an issuer that:
(1) Is current in filing its ongoing annual reports required pursuant to § 227.202 of this chapter;
(2) Has total assets not in excess of $25 million as of the end of its most recently completed fiscal year; and
(3) Has engaged a transfer agent registered pursuant to Section 17A(c) of the Act to perform the function of a transfer agent with respect to such securities.
(b) An issuer that would be required to register a class of securities under Section 12(g) of the Act as a result of exceeding the asset threshold in paragraph (a)(2) of this section may continue to exclude the relevant securities from the definition of “held of record” for a transition period ending on the penultimate day of the fiscal year two years after the date it became ineligible. The transition period terminates immediately upon the failure of an issuer to timely file any periodic report due pursuant to § 227.202 at which time the issuer must file a registration statement that registers that class of securities under the Act within 120 days.
§ 240.12g3-2 Exemptions for American depositary receipts and certain foreign securities.
(a) Securities of any class issued by any foreign private issuer shall be exempt from section 12(g) (15 U.S.C. 78l(g)) of the Act if the class has fewer than 300 holders resident in the United States. This exemption shall continue until the next fiscal year end at which the issuer has a class of equity securities held by 300 or more persons resident in the United States. For the purpose of determining whether a security is exempt pursuant to this paragraph:
(1) Securities held of record by persons resident in the United States shall be determined as provided in § 240.12g5-1 except that securities held of record by a broker, dealer, bank or nominee for any of them for the accounts of customers resident in the United States shall be counted as held in the United States by the number of separate accounts for which the securities are held. The issuer may rely in good faith on information as to the number of such separate accounts supplied by all owners of the class of its securities which are brokers, dealers, or banks or a nominee for any of them.
(2) Persons in the United States who hold the security only through a Canadian Retirement Account (as that term is defined in rule 237(a)(2) under the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.237(a)(2) of this chapter)), shall not be counted as holders resident in the United States.
(b)(1) A foreign private issuer shall be exempt from the requirement to register a class of equity securities under section 12(g) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78l(g)) if:
(i) The issuer is not required to file or furnish reports under section 13(a) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78m(a)) or section 15(d) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o(d));
(ii) The issuer currently maintains a listing of the subject class of securities on one or more exchanges in a foreign jurisdiction that, either singly or together with the trading of the same class of the issuer’s securities in another foreign jurisdiction, constitutes the primary trading market for those securities; and
(iii) The issuer has published in English, on its Internet Web site or through an electronic information delivery system generally available to the public in its primary trading market, information that, since the first day of its most recently completed fiscal year, it:
(A) Has made public or been required to make public pursuant to the laws of the country of its incorporation, organization or domicile;
(B) Has filed or been required to file with the principal stock exchange in its primary trading market on which its securities are traded and which has been made public by that exchange; and
(C) Has distributed or been required to distribute to its security holders.
For the purpose of paragraph (b) of this section, primary trading market means that at least 55 percent of the trading in the subject class of securities on a worldwide basis took place in, on or through the facilities of a securities market or markets in a single foreign jurisdiction or in no more than two foreign jurisdictions during the issuer’s most recently completed fiscal year. If a foreign private issuer aggregates the trading of its subject class of securities in two foreign jurisdictions for the purpose of this paragraph, the trading for the issuer’s securities in at least one of the two foreign jurisdictions must be larger than the trading in the United States for the same class of the issuer’s securities. When determining an issuer’s primary trading market under this paragraph, calculate average daily trading volume in the United States and on a worldwide basis as under Rule 12h-6 under the Act (§ 240.12h-6).
Paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this section does not apply to an issuer when claiming the exemption under paragraph (b) of this section upon the effectiveness of the termination of its registration of a class of securities under section 12(g) of the Act, or the termination of its obligation to file or furnish reports under section 15(d) of the Act.
Compensatory stock options for which the underlying securities are in a class exempt under paragraph (b) of this section are also exempt under that paragraph.
(2)(i) In order to maintain the exemption under paragraph (b) of this section, a foreign private issuer shall publish, on an ongoing basis and for each subsequent fiscal year, in English, on its Internet Web site or through an electronic information delivery system generally available to the public in its primary trading market, the information specified in paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this section.
(ii) An issuer must electronically publish the information required by paragraph (b)(2) of this section promptly after the information has been made public.
(3)(i) The information required to be published electronically under paragraph (b) of this section is information that is material to an investment decision regarding the subject securities, such as information concerning:
(A) Results of operations or financial condition;
(B) Changes in business;
(C) Acquisitions or dispositions of assets;
(D) The issuance, redemption or acquisition of securities;
(E) Changes in management or control;
(F) The granting of options or the payment of other remuneration to directors or officers; and
(G) Transactions with directors, officers or principal security holders.
(ii) At a minimum, a foreign private issuer shall electronically publish English translations of the following documents required to be published under paragraph (b) of this section if in a foreign language:
(A) Its annual report, including or accompanied by annual financial statements;
(B) Interim reports that include financial statements;
(C) Press releases; and
(D) All other communications and documents distributed directly to security holders of each class of securities to which the exemption relates.
(c) The exemption under paragraph (b) of this section shall remain in effect until:
(1) The issuer no longer satisfies the electronic publication condition of paragraph (b)(2) of this section;
(2) The issuer no longer maintains a listing of the subject class of securities on one or more exchanges in a primary trading market, as defined under paragraph (b)(1) of this section; or
(3) The issuer registers a class of securities under section 12 of the Act or incurs reporting obligations under section 15(d) of the Act.
(d) Depositary shares registered on Form F-6 (§ 239.36 of this chapter), but not the underlying deposited securities, are exempt from section 12(g) of the Act under this paragraph.
§ 240.12g5-1 Definition of securities “held of record”.
(a) For the purpose of determining whether an issuer is subject to the provisions of sections 12(g) and 15(d) of the Act, securities shall be deemed to be “held of record” by each person who is identified as the owner of such securities on records of security holders maintained by or on behalf of the issuer, subject to the following:
(1) In any case where the records of security holders have not been maintained in accordance with accepted practice, any additional person who would be identified as such an owner on such records if they had been maintained in accordance with accepted practice shall be included as a holder of record.
(2) Except as specified in paragraph (a)(9) of this section, securities identified as held of record by a corporation, a partnership, a trust whether or not the trustees are named, or other organization shall be included as so held by one person.
(3) Securities identified as held of record by one or more persons as trustees, executors, guardians, custodians or in other fiduciary capacities with respect to a single trust, estate or account shall be included as held of record by one person.
(4) Securities held by two or more persons as coowners shall be included as held by one person.
(5) Each outstanding unregistered or bearer certificate shall be included as held of record by a separate person, except to the extent that the issuer can establish that, if such securities were registered, they would be held of record, under the provisions of this rule, by a lesser number of persons.
(6) Securities registered in substantially similar names where the issuer has reason to believe because of the address or other indications that such names represent the same person, may be included as held of record by one person.
(7) Other than when determining compliance with Rule 257(d)(2) of Regulation A (§ 230.257(d)(2) of this chapter), the definition of “held of record” shall not include securities issued in a Tier 2 offering pursuant to Regulation A by an issuer that:
(i) Is required to file reports pursuant to Rule 257(b) of Regulation A (§ 230.257(b) of this chapter);
(ii) Is current in filing annual, semiannual and special financial reports pursuant to such rule as of its most recently completed fiscal year end;
(iii) Has engaged a transfer agent registered pursuant to Section 17A(c) of the Act to perform the function of a transfer agent with respect to such securities; and
(iv) Had a public float of less than $75 million as of the last business day of its most recently completed semiannual period, computed by multiplying the aggregate worldwide number of shares of its common equity securities held by non-affiliates by the price at which such securities were last sold (or the average bid and asked prices of such securities) in the principal market for such securities or, in the event the result of such public float calculation was zero, had annual revenues of less than $50 million as of its most recently completed fiscal year. An issuer that would be required to register a class of securities under Section 12(g) of the Act as a result of exceeding the applicable threshold in this paragraph (a)(7)(iv), may continue to exclude the relevant securities from the definition of “held of record” for a transition period ending on the penultimate day of the fiscal year two years after the date it became ineligible. The transition period terminates immediately upon the failure of an issuer to timely file any periodic report due pursuant to Rule 257 (§ 230.257 of this chapter) at which time the issuer must file a registration statement that registers that class of securities under the Act within 120 days.
(8)(i) For purposes of determining whether an issuer is required to register a class of equity securities with the Commission pursuant to section 12(g)(1) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78l(g)(1)), an issuer may exclude securities:
(A) Held by persons who received the securities pursuant to an employee compensation plan in transactions exempt from, or not subject to, the registration requirements of section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77e); and
(B) Held by persons who received the securities in a transaction exempt from, or not subject to, the registration requirements of section 5 of the Securities Act (15 U.S.C. 77e) from the issuer, a predecessor of the issuer or an acquired company in substitution or exchange for excludable securities under paragraph (a)(8)(i)(A) of this section, as long as the persons were eligible to receive securities pursuant to § 230.701(c) of this chapter at the time the excludable securities were originally issued to them.
(ii) As a non-exclusive safe harbor under this paragraph (a)(8):
(A) An issuer may deem a person to have received the securities pursuant to an employee compensation plan if such plan and the person who received the securities pursuant to the plan met the plan and participant conditions of § 230.701(c) of this chapter; and
(B) An issuer may, solely for the purposes of Section 12(g) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78l(g)(1)), deem the securities to have been issued in a transaction exempt from, or not subject to, the registration requirements of Section 5 of the Securities Act (15 U.S.C. 77e) if the issuer had a reasonable belief at the time of the issuance that the securities were issued in such a transaction.
(9) For purposes of determining whether a crowdfunding issuer, as defined in § 270.3a-9(b)(1) of this chapter, or a crowdfunding vehicle, as defined in § 270.3a-9(b)(2) of this chapter, is required to register a class of equity securities with the Commission pursuant to section 12(g)(1) of the Act, both the crowdfunding issuer and the crowdfunding vehicle:
(i) May exclude securities issued by a crowdfunding vehicle, as defined in § 270.3a-9(b)(2) of this chapter, in an offering under §§ 227.100 through 227.504 (Regulation Crowdfunding) in which the crowdfunding vehicle and the crowdfunding issuer are deemed to be co-issuers under the Securities Act (15 U.S.C. 77a et seq.) and that are held by natural persons; and
(ii) Shall include securities issued by a crowdfunding vehicle, as defined in § 270.3a-9(b)(2) of this chapter, in an offering under Regulation Crowdfunding in which the crowdfunding vehicle and the crowdfunding issuer are deemed to be co-issuers under the Securities Act and that are held by investors that are not natural persons.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this section:
(1) Securities held, to the knowledge of the issuer, subject to a voting trust, deposit agreement or similar arrangement shall be included as held of record by the record holders of the voting trust certificates, certificates of deposit, receipts or similar evidences of interest in such securities: Provided, however, That the issuer may rely in good faith on such information as is received in response to its request from a non-affiliated issuer of the certificates or evidences of interest.
(2) Whole or fractional securities issued by a savings and loan association, building and loan association, cooperative bank, homestead association, or similar institution for the sole purpose of qualifying a borrower for membership in the issuer, and which are to be redeemed or repurchased by the issuer when the borrower’s loan is terminated, shall not be included as held of record by any person.
(3) If the issuer knows or has reason to know that the form of holding securities of record is used primarily to circumvent the provisions of section 12(g) or 15(d) of the Act, the beneficial owners of such securities shall be deemed to be the record owners thereof.
§ 240.12g5-2 Definition of “total assets”.
For the purpose of section 12(g)(1) of the Act, the term total assets shall mean the total assets as shown on the issuer’s balance sheet or the balance sheet of the issuer and its subsidiaries consolidated, whichever is larger, as required to be filed on the form prescribed for registration under this section and prepared in accordance with the pertinent provisions of Regulation S-X (17 CFR part 210). Where the security is a certificate of deposit, voting trust certificate, or certificate or other evidence of interest in a similar trust or agreement, the “total assets” of the issuer of the security held under the trust or agreement shall be deemed to be the “total assets” of the issuer of such certificate or evidence of interest.
§ 240.12h-1 Exemptions from registration under section 12(g) of the Act.
Issuers shall be exempt from the provisions of section 12(g) of the Act with respect to the following securities:
(a) Any interest or participation in an employee stock bonus, stock purchase, profit sharing, pension, retirement, incentive, thrift, savings or similar plan which is not transferable by the holder except in the event of death or mental incompetency, or any security issued solely to fund such plans;
(b) Any interest or participation in any common trust fund or similar fund maintained by a bank exclusively for the collective investment and reinvestment of monies contributed thereto by the bank in its capacity as a trustee, executor, administrator, or guardian. For purposes of this paragraph (b), the term “common trust fund” shall include a common trust fund which is maintained by a bank which is a member of an affiliated group, as defined in section 1504(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (26 U.S.C. 1504(a)), and which is maintained exclusively for the investment and reinvestment of monies contributed thereto by one or more bank members of such affilated group in the capacity of trustee, executor, administrator, or guardian; Provided, That:
(1) The common trust fund is operated in compliance with the same state and Federal regulatory requirements as would apply if the bank maintaining such fund as any other contributing banks were the same entity; and
(2) The rights of persons for whose benefit a contributiong bank acts as trustee, executor, administrator or guardian would not be diminished by reason of the maintenance of such common trust fund by another bank member of the affiliated group;
(c) Any class of equity security which would not be outstanding 60 days after a registration statement would be required to be filed with respect thereto;
(d) Any standardized option, as that term is defined in section 240.9b-1(a)(4), that is issued by a clearing agency registered under section 17A of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78q-1) and traded on a national securities exchange registered pursuant to section 6(a) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78f(a)) or on a national securities association registered pursuant to section 15A(a) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 780-3(a));
(e) Any security futures product that is traded on a national securities exchange registered pursuant to section 6 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78f) or on a national securities association registered pursuant to section 15A(a) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 780-3(a)) and cleared by a clearing agency that is registered pursuant to section 17A of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78q-1) or is exempt from registration under section 17A(b)(7) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(7)).
(f)(1) Stock options issued under written compensatory stock option plans under the following conditions:
(i) The issuer of the equity security underlying the stock options does not have a class of security registered under section 12 of the Act and is not required to file reports pursuant to section 15(d) of the Act;
(ii) The stock options have been issued pursuant to one or more written compensatory stock option plans established by the issuer, its parents, its majority-owned subsidiaries or majority-owned subsidiaries of the issuer’s parents;
All stock options issued under all written compensatory stock option plans on the same class of equity security of the issuer will be considered part of the same class of equity security for purposes of the provisions of paragraph (f) of this section.
(iii) The stock options are held only by those persons described in Rule 701(c) under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.701(c)) or their permitted transferees as provided in paragraph (f)(1)(iv) of this section;
(iv) The stock options and, prior to exercise, the shares to be issued on exercise of the stock options are restricted as to transfer by the optionholder other than to persons who are family members (as defined in Rule 701(c)(3) under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.701(c)(3)) through gifts or domestic relations orders, or to an executor or guardian of the optionholder upon the death or disability of the optionholder until the issuer becomes subject to the reporting requirements of section 13 or 15(d) of the Act or is no longer relying on the exemption pursuant to this section; provided that the optionholder may transfer the stock options to the issuer, or in connection with a change of control or other acquisition transaction involving the issuer, if after such transaction the stock options no longer will be outstanding and the issuer no longer will be relying on the exemption pursuant to this section;
For purposes of this section, optionholders may include any permitted transferee under paragraph (f)(1)(iv) of this section; provided that such permitted transferees may not further transfer the stock options.
(v) The stock options and the shares issuable upon exercise of such stock options are restricted as to any pledge, hypothecation, or other transfer, including any short position, any “put equivalent position” (as defined in § 240.16a-1(h) of this chapter), or any “call equivalent position” (as defined in § 240.16a-1(b) of this chapter) by the optionholder prior to exercise of an option, except in the circumstances permitted in paragraph (f)(1)(iv) of this section, until the issuer becomes subject to the reporting requirements of section 13 or 15(d) of the Act or is no longer relying on the exemption pursuant paragraph (f)(1) of this section; and
The transferability restrictions in paragraphs (f)(1)(iv) and (f)(1)(v) of this section must be contained in a written compensatory stock option plan, individual written compensatory stock option agreement, other stock purchase or stockholder agreement to which the issuer and the optionholder are a signatory or party, other enforceable agreement by or against the issuer and the optionholder, or in the issuer’s by-laws or certificate or articles of incorporation.
(vi) The issuer has agreed in the written compensatory stock option plan, the individual written compensatory stock option agreement, or another agreement enforceable against the issuer to provide the following information to optionholders once the issuer is relying on the exemption pursuant to paragraph (f)(1) of this section until the issuer becomes subject to the reporting requirements of section 13 or 15(d) of the Act or is no longer relying on the exemption pursuant paragraph (f)(1) of this section:
The information described in Rules 701(e)(3), (4), and (5) under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.701(e)(3), (4), and (5)), every six months with the financial statements being not more than 180 days old and with such information provided either by physical or electronic delivery to the optionholders or by written notice to the optionholders of the availability of the information on an Internet site that may be password-protected and of any password needed to access the information.
The issuer may request that the optionholder agree to keep the information to be provided pursuant to this section confidential. If an optionholder does not agree to keep the information to be provided pursuant to this section confidential, then the issuer is not required to provide the information.
(2) If the exemption provided by paragraph (f)(1) of this section ceases to be available, the issuer of the stock options that is relying on the exemption provided by this section must file a registration statement to register the class of stock options under section 12 of the Act within 120 calendar days after the exemption provided by paragraph (f)(1) of this section ceases to be available; and
(g)(1) Stock options issued under written compensatory stock option plans under the following conditions:
(i) The issuer of the equity security underlying the stock options has registered a class of security under section 12 of the Act or is required to file periodic reports pursuant to section 15(d) of the Act;
(ii) The stock options have been issued pursuant to one or more written compensatory stock option plans established by the issuer, its parents, its majority-owned subsidiaries or majority-owned subsidiaries of the issuer’s parents;
All stock options issued under all of the written compensatory stock option plans on the same class of equity security of the issuer will be considered part of the same class of equity security of the issuer for purposes of the provisions of paragraph (g) of this section.
(iii) The stock options are held only by those persons described in Rule 701(c) under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.701(c)) or those persons specified in General Instruction A.1(a) of Form S-8 (17 CFR 239.16b); provided that an issuer can still rely on this exemption if there is an insignificant deviation from satisfaction of the condition in this paragraph (g)(1)(iii) and after December 7, 2007 the issuer has made a good faith and reasonable attempt to comply with the conditions of this paragraph (g)(1)(iii). For purposes of this paragraph (g)(1)(iii), an insignificant deviation exists if the number of optionholders that do not meet the condition in this paragraph (g)(1)(iii) are insignificant both as to the aggregate number of optionholders and number of outstanding stock options.
(2) If the exemption provided by paragraph (g)(1) of this section ceases to be available, the issuer of the stock options that is relying on the exemption provided by this section must file a registration statement to register the class of stock options or a class of security under section 12 of the Act within 60 calendar days after the exemption provided in paragraph (g)(1) of this section ceases to be available.
(h) Any security-based swap that is issued by a clearing agency registered as a clearing agency under Section 17A of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78q-1) or exempt from registration under Section 17A of the Act pursuant to a rule, regulation, or order of the Commission in its function as a central counterparty that the Commission has determined must be cleared or that is permitted to be cleared pursuant to the clearing agency’s rules, and that was sold to an eligible contract participant (as defined in Section 1a(18) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1a(18))) in reliance on Rule 239 under the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR 230.239).
(i) Any security-based swap offered and sold in reliance on § 230.240 of this chapter. This section will expire on February 11, 2018.
§ 240.12h-2 [Reserved]
§ 240.12h-3 Suspension of duty to file reports under section 15(d).
(a) Subject to paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section, the duty under section 15(d) to file reports required by section 13(a) of the Act with respect to a class of securities specified in paragraph (b) of this section shall be suspended for such class of securities immediately upon filing with the Commission a certification on Form 15 (17 CFR 249.323) if the issuer of such class has filed all reports required by section 13(a), without regard to Rule 12b-25 (17 CFR 249.322), for the shorter of its most recent three fiscal years and the portion of the current year preceding the date of filing Form 15, or the period since the issuer became subject to such reporting obligation. If the certification on Form 15 is subsequently withdrawn or denied, the issuer shall, within 60 days, file with the Commission all reports which would have been required if such certification had not been filed.
(b) The classes of securities eligible for the suspension provided in paragraph (a) of this section are:
(1) Any class of securities, other than any class of asset-backed securities, held of record by:
(i) Fewer than 300 persons, or in the case of a bank; a savings and loan holding company, as such term is defined in section 10 of the Home Owners’ Loan Act (12 U.S.C. 1461); or a bank holding company, as such term is defined in section 2 of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (12 U.S.C. 1841), 1,200 persons; or
(ii) Fewer than 500 persons, where the total assets of the issuer have not exceeded $10 million on the last day of each of the issuer’s three most recent fiscal years; and
(2) Any class or securities deregistered pursuant to section 12(d) of the Act if such class would not thereupon be deemed registered under section 12(g) of the Act or the rules thereunder.
The suspension of classes of asset-backed securities is addressed in § 240.15d-22.
(c) This section shall not be available for any class of securities for a fiscal year in which a registration statement relating to that class becomes effective under the Securities Act of 1933, or is required to be updated pursuant to section 10(a)(3) of the Act, and, in the case of paragraph (b)(1)(ii), the two succeeding fiscal years; Provided, however, That this paragraph shall not apply to the duty to file reports which arises solely from a registration statement filed by an issuer with no significant assets, for the reorganization of a non-reporting issuer into a one subsidiary holding company in which equity security holders receive the same proportional interest in the holding company as they held in the non-reporting issuer, except for changes resulting from the exercise of dissenting shareholder rights under state law.
(d) The suspension provided by this rule relates only to the reporting obligation under section 15(d) with respect to a class of securities, does not affect any other duties imposed on that class of securities, and shall continue as long as either criteria (i) or (ii) of paragraph (b)(1) is met on the first day of any subsequent fiscal year; Provided, however, That such criteria need not be met if the duty to file reports arises solely from a registration statement filed by an issuer with no significant assets in a reorganization of a non-reporting company into a one subsidiary holding company in which equity security holders receive the same proportional interest in the holding company as they held in the non-reporting issuer except for changes resulting from the exercise of dissenting shareholder rights under state law.
(e) If the suspension provided by this section is discontinued because a class of securities does not meet the eligibility criteria of paragraph (b) of this section on the first day of an issuer’s fiscal year, then the issuer shall resume periodic reporting pursuant to section 15(d) of the Act by filing an annual report on Form 10-K for its preceding fiscal year, not later than 120 days after the end of such fiscal year.
§ 240.12h-4 Exemption from duty to file reports under section 15(d).
An issuer shall be exempt from the duty under section 15(d) of the Act to file reports required by section 13(a) of the Act with respect to securities registered under the Securities Act of 1933 on Form F-7, Form F-8 or Form F-80, provided that the issuer is exempt from the obligations of Section 12(g) of the Act pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b).
§ 240.12h-5 Exemption for subsidiary issuers of guaranteed securities and subsidiary guarantors.
Any issuer of a guaranteed security, or guarantor of a security, that is permitted to omit financial statements by § 210.3-10 (Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X) of this chapter is exempt from the requirements of 15 U.S.C. 78m(a) (Section 13(a) of the Act) or 78o(d) (Section 15(d) of the Act).
§ 240.12h-6 Certification by a foreign private issuer regarding the termination of registration of a class of securities under section 12(g) or the duty to file reports under section 13(a) or section 15(d).
(a) A foreign private issuer may terminate the registration of a class of securities under section 12(g) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78l(g)), or terminate the obligation under section 15(d) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o(d)) to file or furnish reports required by section 13(a) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78m(a)) with respect to a class of equity securities, or both, after certifying to the Commission on Form 15F (17 CFR 249.324) that:
(1) The foreign private issuer has had reporting obligations under section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Act for at least the 12 months preceding the filing of the Form 15F, has filed or furnished all reports required for this period, and has filed at least one annual report pursuant to section 13(a) of the Act;
(2) The foreign private issuer’s securities have not been sold in the United States in a registered offering under the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77a et seq.) during the 12 months preceding the filing of the Form 15F, other than securities issued:
(i) To the issuer’s employees;
(ii) By selling security holders in non-underwritten offerings;
(iii) Upon the exercise of outstanding rights granted by the issuer if the rights are granted pro rata to all existing security holders of the class of the issuer’s securities to which the rights attach;
(iv) Pursuant to a dividend or interest reinvestment plan; or
(v) Upon the conversion of outstanding convertible securities or upon the exercise of outstanding transferable warrants issued by the issuer;
The exceptions in paragraphs (a)(2)(iii) through (v) do not apply to securities issued pursuant to a standby underwritten offering or other similar arrangement in the United States.
(3) The foreign private issuer has maintained a listing of the subject class of securities for at least the 12 months preceding the filing of the Form 15F on one or more exchanges in a foreign jurisdiction that, either singly or together with the trading of the same class of the issuer’ s securities in another foreign jurisdiction, constitutes the primary trading market for those securities; and
(4)(i) The average daily trading volume of the subject class of securities in the United States for a recent 12-month period has been no greater than 5 percent of the average daily trading volume of that class of securities on a worldwide basis for the same period; or
(ii) On a date within 120 days before the filing date of the Form 15F, a foreign private issuer’s subject class of equity securities is either held of record by:
(A) Less than 300 persons on a worldwide basis; or
(B) Less than 300 persons resident in the United States.
If an issuer’s equity securities trade in the form of American Depositary Receipts in the United States, for purposes of paragraph (a)(4)(i), it must calculate the trading volume of its American Depositary Receipts in terms of the number of securities represented by those American Depositary Receipts.
(b) A foreign private issuer must wait at least 12 months before it may file a Form 15F to terminate its section 13(a) or 15(d) reporting obligations in reliance on paragraph (a)(4)(i) of this section if:
(1) The issuer has delisted a class of equity securities from a national securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system in the United States, and at the time of delisting, the average daily trading volume of that class of securities in the United States exceeded 5 percent of the average daily trading volume of that class of securities on a worldwide basis for the preceding 12 months; or
(2) The issuer has terminated a sponsored American Depositary Receipts facility, and at the time of termination the average daily trading volume in the United States of the American Depositary Receipts exceeded 5 percent of the average daily trading volume of the underlying class of securities on a worldwide basis for the preceding 12 months.
(c) A foreign private issuer may terminate its duty to file or furnish reports pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Act with respect to a class of debt securities after certifying to the Commission on Form 15F that:
(1) The foreign private issuer has filed or furnished all reports required by section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Act, including at least one annual report pursuant to section 13(a) of the Act; and
(2) On a date within 120 days before the filing date of the Form 15F, the class of debt securities is either held of record by:
(i) Less than 300 persons on a worldwide basis; or
(ii) Less than 300 persons resident in the United States.
(d)(1) Following a merger, consolidation, exchange of securities, acquisition of assets or otherwise, a foreign private issuer that has succeeded to the registration of a class of securities under section 12(g) of the Act of another issuer pursuant to § 240.12g-3, or to the reporting obligations of another issuer under section 15(d) of the Act pursuant to § 240.15d-5, may file a Form 15F to terminate that registration or those reporting obligations if:
(i) Regarding a class of equity securities, the successor issuer meets the conditions under paragraph (a) of this section; or
(ii) Regarding a class of debt securities, the successor issuer meets the conditions under paragraph (c) of this section.
(2) When determining whether it meets the prior reporting requirement under paragraph (a)(1) or paragraph (c)(1) of this section, a successor issuer may take into account the reporting history of the issuer whose reporting obligations it has assumed pursuant to § 240.12g-3 or § 240.15d-5.
(e) Counting method. When determining under this section the number of United States residents holding a foreign private issuer’s equity or debt securities:
(1)(i) Use the method for calculating record ownership § 240.12g3-2(a), except that you may limit your inquiry regarding the amount of securities represented by accounts of customers resident in the United States to brokers, dealers, banks and other nominees located in:
(A) The United States;
(B) The foreign private issuer’s jurisdiction of incorporation, legal organization or establishment; and
(C) The foreign private issuer’s primary trading market, if different from the issuer’s jurisdiction of incorporation, legal organization or establishment.
(ii) If you aggregate the trading volume of the issuer’s securities in two foreign jurisdictions for the purpose of complying with paragraph (a)(3) of this section, you must include both of those foreign jurisdictions when conducting your inquiry under paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this section.
(2) If, after reasonable inquiry, you are unable without unreasonable effort to obtain information about the amount of securities represented by accounts of customers resident in the United States, for purposes of this section, you may assume that the customers are the residents of the jurisdiction in which the nominee has its principal place of business.
(3) You must count securities as owned by United States holders when publicly filed reports of beneficial ownership or other reliable information that is provided to you indicates that the securities are held by United States residents.
(4) When calculating under this section the number of your United States resident security holders, you may rely in good faith on the assistance of an independent information services provider that in the regular course of its business assists issuers in determining the number of, and collecting other information concerning, their security holders.
(f) Definitions. For the purpose of this section:
(1) Debt security means any security other than an equity security as defined under § 240.3a11-1, including:
(i) Non-participatory preferred stock, which is defined as non-convertible capital stock, the holders of which are entitled to a preference in payment of dividends and in distribution of assets on liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the issuer, but are not entitled to participate in residual earnings or assets of the issuer; and
(ii) Notwithstanding § 240.3a11-1, any debt security described in paragraph (f)(3)(i) and (ii) of this section;
(2) Employee has the same meaning as the definition of employee provided in Form S-8 (§ 239.16b of this chapter).
(3) Equity security means the same as under § 240.3a11-1, but, for purposes of paragraphs (a)(3) and (a)(4)(i) of this section, does not include:
(i) Any debt security that is convertible into an equity security, with or without consideration;
(ii) Any debt security that includes a warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase an equity security;
(iii) Any such warrant or right; or
(iv) Any put, call, straddle, or other option or privilege that gives the holder the option of buying or selling a security but does not require the holder to do so.
(4) Foreign private issuer has the same meaning as under § 240.3b-4.
(5) Primary trading market means that:
(i) At least 55 percent of the trading in a foreign private issuer’s class of securities that is the subject of Form 15F took place in, on or through the facilities of a securities market or markets in a single foreign jurisdiction or in no more than two foreign jurisdictions during a recent 12-month period; and
(ii) If a foreign private issuer aggregates the trading of its subject class of securities in two foreign jurisdictions for the purpose of paragraph (a)(3) of this section, the trading for the issuer’s securities in at least one of the two foreign jurisdictions must be larger than the trading in the United States for the same class of the issuer’s securities.
(6) Recent 12-month period means a 12-calendar-month period that ended no more than 60 days before the filing date of the Form 15F.
(g)(1) Suspension of a foreign private issuer’s duty to file reports under section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Act shall occur immediately upon filing the Form 15F with the Commission if filing pursuant to paragraph (a), (c) or (d) of this section. If there are no objections from the Commission, 90 days, or such shorter period as the Commission may determine, after the issuer has filed its Form 15F, the effectiveness of any of the following shall occur:
(i) The termination of registration of a class of securities under section 12(g); and
(ii) The termination of a foreign private issuer’s duty to file reports under section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Act.
(2) If the Form 15F is subsequently withdrawn or denied, the issuer shall, within 60 days after the date of the withdrawal or denial, file with or submit to the Commission all reports that would have been required had the issuer not filed the Form 15F.
(h) As a condition to termination of registration or reporting under paragraph (a), (c) or (d) of this section, a foreign private issuer must, either before or on the date that it files its Form 15F, publish a notice in the United States that discloses its intent to terminate its registration of a class of securities under section 12(g) of the Act, or its reporting obligations under section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Act, or both. The issuer must publish the notice through a means reasonably designed to provide broad dissemination of the information to the public in the United States. The issuer must also submit a copy of the notice to the Commission, either under cover of a Form 6-K (17 CFR 249.306) before or at the time of filing of the Form 15F, or as an exhibit to the Form 15F.
(i)(1) A foreign private issuer that, before the effective date of this section, terminated the registration of a class of securities under section 12(g) of the Act or suspended its reporting obligations regarding a class of equity or debt securities under section 15(d) of the Act may file a Form 15F in order to:
(i) Terminate under this section the registration of a class of equity securities that was the subject of a Form 15 (§ 249.323 of this chapter) filed by the issuer pursuant to § 240.12g-4; or
(ii) Terminate its reporting obligations under section 15(d) of the Act, which had been suspended by the terms of that section or by the issuer’s filing of a Form 15 pursuant to § 240.12h-3, regarding a class of equity or debt securities.
(2) In order to be eligible to file a Form 15F under this paragraph:
(i) If a foreign private issuer terminated the registration of a class of securities pursuant to § 240.12g-4 or suspended its reporting obligations pursuant to § 240.12h-3 or section 15(d) of the Act regarding a class of equity securities, the issuer must meet the requirements under paragraph (a)(3) and paragraph (a)(4)(i) or (a)(4)(ii) of this section; or
(ii) If a foreign private issuer suspended its reporting obligations pursuant to § 240.12h-3 or section 15(d) of the Act regarding a class of debt securities, the issuer must meet the requirements under paragraph (c)(2) of this section.
(3)(i) If the Commission does not object, 90 days after the filing of a Form 15F under this paragraph, or such shorter period as the Commission may determine, the effectiveness of any of the following shall occur:
(A) The termination under this section of the registration of a class of equity securities, which was the subject of a Form 15 filed pursuant to § 240.12g-4, and the duty to file reports required by section 13(a) of the Act regarding that class of securities; or
(B) The termination of a foreign private issuer’s reporting obligations under section 15(d) of the Act, which had previously been suspended by the terms of that section or by the issuer’s filing of a Form 15 pursuant to § 240.12h-3, regarding a class of equity or debt securities.
(ii) If the Form 15F is subsequently withdrawn or denied, the foreign private issuer shall, within 60 days after the date of the withdrawal or denial, file with or submit to the Commission all reports that would have been required had the issuer not filed the Form 15F.
The suspension of classes of asset-backed securities is addressed in § 240.15d-22.
§ 240.12h-7 Exemption for issuers of securities that are subject to insurance regulation.
An issuer shall be exempt from the duty under section 15(d) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o(d)) to file reports required by section 13(a) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78m(a)) with respect to securities registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77a et seq.), provided that:
(a) The issuer is a corporation subject to the supervision of the insurance commissioner, bank commissioner, or any agency or officer performing like functions, of any State;
(b) The securities do not constitute an equity interest in the issuer and are either subject to regulation under the insurance laws of the domiciliary State of the issuer or are guarantees of securities that are subject to regulation under the insurance laws of that jurisdiction;
(c) The issuer files an annual statement of its financial condition with, and is supervised and its financial condition examined periodically by, the insurance commissioner, bank commissioner, or any agency or officer performing like functions, of the issuer’s domiciliary State;
(d) The securities are not listed, traded, or quoted on an exchange, alternative trading system (as defined in § 242.300(a) of this chapter), inter-dealer quotation system (as defined in § 240.15c2-11(e)(2)), electronic communications network, or any other similar system, network, or publication for trading or quoting;
(e) The issuer takes steps reasonably designed to ensure that a trading market for the securities does not develop, including, except to the extent prohibited by the law of any State or by action of the insurance commissioner, bank commissioner, or any agency or officer performing like functions of any State, requiring written notice to, and acceptance by, the issuer prior to any assignment or other transfer of the securities and reserving the right to refuse assignments or other transfers at any time on a non-discriminatory basis; and
(f) The prospectus for the securities contains a statement indicating that the issuer is relying on the exemption provided by this rule.
Regulation 13A: Reports of Issuers of Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12
Annual Reports
§ 240.13a-1 Requirements of annual reports.
Every issuer having securities registered pursuant to section 12 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78l) shall file an annual report on the appropriate form authorized or prescribed therefor for each fiscal year after the last full fiscal year for which financial statements were filed in its registration statement. Annual reports shall be filed within the period specified in the appropriate form.
§ 240.13a-2 [Reserved]
§ 240.13a-3 Reporting by Form 40-F registrant.
A registrant that is eligible to use Forms 40-F and 6-K and files reports in accordance therewith shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of Regulation 13A (§§ 240.13a-1 through 240.13a-17 of this chapter).
Other Reports
§ 240.13a-10 Transition reports.
(a) Every issuer that changes its fiscal closing date shall file a report covering the resulting transition period between the closing date of its most recent fiscal year and the opening date of its new fiscal year; Provided, however, that an issuer shall file an annual report for any fiscal year that ended before the date on which the issuer determined to change its fiscal year end. In no event shall the transition report cover a period of 12 or more months.
(b) The report pursuant to this section shall be filed for the transition period not more than the number of days specified in paragraph (j) of this section after either the close of the transition period or the date of the determination to change the fiscal closing date, whichever is later. The report shall be filed on the form appropriate for annual reports of the issuer, shall cover the period from the close of the last fiscal year end and shall indicate clearly the period covered. The financial statements for the transition period filed therewith shall be audited. Financial statements, which may be unaudited, shall be filed for the comparable period of the prior year, or a footnote, which may be unaudited, shall state for the comparable period of the prior year, revenues, gross profits, income taxes, income or loss from continuing operations and net income or loss. The effects of any discontinued operations as classified under the provisions of generally accepted accounting principles also shall be shown, if applicable. Per share data based upon such income or loss and net income or loss shall be presented in conformity with applicable accounting standards. Where called for by the time span to be covered, the comparable period financial statements or footnote shall be included in subsequent filings.
(c) If the transition period covers a period of less than six months, in lieu of the report required by paragraph (b) of this section, a report may be filed for the transition period on Form 10-Q (§ 249.308a of this chapter) not more than the number of days specified in paragraph (j) of this section after either the close of the transition period or the date of the determination to change the fiscal closing date, whichever is later. The report on Form 10-Q shall cover the period from the close of the last fiscal year end and shall indicate clearly the period covered. The financial statements filed therewith need not be audited but, if they are not audited, the issuer shall file with the first annual report for the newly adopted fiscal year separate audited statements of income and cash flows covering the transition period. The notes to financial statements for the transition period included in such first annual report may be integrated with the notes to financial statements for the full fiscal period. A separate audited balance sheet as of the end of the transition period shall be filed in the annual report only if the audited balance sheet as of the end of the fiscal year prior to the transition period is not filed. Schedules need not be filed in transition reports on Form 10-Q.
(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this section, if the transition period covers a period of one month or less, the issuer need not file a separate transition report if either:
(1) The first report required to be filed by the issuer for the newly adopted fiscal year after the date of the determination to change the fiscal year end is an annual report, and that report covers the transition period as well as the fiscal year; or
(2)(i) The issuer files with the first annual report for the newly adopted fiscal year separate audited statements of income and cash flows covering the transition period; and
(ii) The first report required to be filed by the issuer for the newly adopted fiscal year after the date of the determination to change the fiscal year end is a quarterly report on Form 10-Q; and
(iii) Information on the transition period is included in the issuer’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the first quarterly period (except the fourth quarter) of the newly adopted fiscal year that ends after the date of the determination to change the fiscal year. The information covering the transition period required by Part II and Item 2 of Part I may be combined with the information regarding the quarter. However, the financial statements required by Part I, which may be unaudited, shall be furnished separately for the transition period.
(e) Every issuer required to file quarterly reports on Form 10-Q pursuant to § 240.13a-13 of this chapter that changes its fiscal year end shall:
(1) File a quarterly report on Form 10-Q within the time period specified in General Instruction A.1. to that form for any quarterly period (except the fourth quarter) of the old fiscal year that ends before the date on which the issuer determined to change its fiscal year end, except that the issuer need not file such quarterly report if the date on which the quarterly period ends also is the date on which the transition period ends;
(2) File a quarterly report on Form 10-Q within the time specified in General Instruction A.1. to that form for each quarterly period of the old fiscal year within the transition period. In lieu of a quarterly report for any quarter of the old fiscal year within the transition period, the issuer may file a quarterly report on Form 10-Q for any period of three months within the transition period that coincides with a quarter of the newly adopted fiscal year if the quarterly report is filed within the number of days specified in paragraph (j) of this section after the end of such three month period, provided the issuer thereafter continues filing quarterly reports on the basis of the quarters of the newly adopted fiscal year;
(3) Commence filing quarterly reports for the quarters of the new fiscal year no later than the quarterly report for the first quarter of the new fiscal year that ends after the date on which the issuer determined to change the fiscal year end; and
(4) Unless such information is or will be included in the transition report, or the first annual report on Form 10-K for the newly adopted fiscal year, include in the initial quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the newly adopted fiscal year information on any period beginning on the first day subsequent to the period covered by the issuer’s final quarterly report on Form 10-Q or annual report on Form 10-K for the old fiscal year. The information covering such period required by Part II and Item 2 of Part I may be combined with the information regarding the quarter. However, the financial statements required by Part I, which may be unaudited, shall be furnished separately for such period.
If it is not practicable or cannot be cost-justified to furnish in a transition report on Form 10-Q or a quarterly report for the newly adopted fiscal year financial statements for corresponding periods of the prior year where required, financial statements may be furnished for the quarters of the preceding fiscal year that most nearly are comparable if the issuer furnishes an adequate discussion of seasonal and other factors that could affect the comparability of information or trends reflected, an assessment of the comparability of the data, and a representation as to the reason recasting has not been undertaken.
(f) Every successor issuer with securities registered under Section 12 of this Act that has a different fiscal year from that of its predecessor(s) shall file a transition report pursuant to this section, containing the required information about each predecessor, for the transition period, if any, between the close of the fiscal year covered by the last annual report of each predecessor and the date of succession. The report shall be filed for the transition period on the form appropriate for annual reports of the issuer not more than the number of days specified in paragraph (j) of this section after the date of the succession, with financial statements in conformity with the requirements set forth in paragraph (b) of this section. If the transition period covers a period of less than six months, in lieu of a transition report on the form appropriate for the issuer’s annual reports, the report may be filed for the transition period on Form 10-Q and Form 10-QSB not more than the number of days specified in paragraph (j) of this section after the date of the succession, with financial statements in conformity with the requirements set forth in paragraph (c) of this section. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the transition period covers a period of one month or less, the successor issuer need not file a separate transition report if the information is reported by the successor issuer in conformity with the requirements set forth in paragraph (d) of this section.
(g)(1) Paragraphs (a) through (f) of this section shall not apply to foreign private issuers.
(2) Every foreign private issuer that changes its fiscal closing date shall file a report covering the resulting transition period between the closing date of its most recent fiscal year and the opening date of its new fiscal year. In no event shall a transition report cover a period longer than 12 months.
(3) The report for the transition period shall be filed on Form 20-F (§ 249.220f of this chapter) responding to all items to which such issuer is required to respond when Form 20-F is used as an annual report. The financial statements for the transition period filed therewith shall be audited. The report shall be filed within four months after either the close of the transition period or the date on which the issuer made the determination to change the fiscal closing date, whichever is later.
(4) If the transition period covers a period of six or fewer months, in lieu of the report required by paragraph (g)(3) of this section, a report for the transition period may be filed on Form 20-F responding to Items 5, 8.A.7., 13, 14, and 17 or 18 within three months after either the close of the transition period or the date on which the issuer made the determination to change the fiscal closing date, whichever is later. The financial statements required by either Item 17 or Item 18 shall be furnished for the transition period. Such financial statements may be unaudited and condensed as permitted in Article 10 of Regulation S-X (§ 210.10-01 of this chapter), but if the financial statements are unaudited and condensed, the issuer shall file with the first annual report for the newly adopted fiscal year separate audited statements of income and cash flows covering the transition period.
(5) Notwithstanding the foregoing in paragraphs (g)(2), (g)(3), and (g)(4) of this section, if the transition period covers a period of one month or less, a foreign private issuer need not file a separate transition report if the first annual report for the newly adopted fiscal year covers the transition period as well as the fiscal year.
(h) The provisions of this rule shall not apply to investment companies required to file reports pursuant to Rule 30a-1 (§ 270.30a-1 of this chapter) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-1 et seq.).
(i) No filing fee shall be required for a transition report filed pursuant to this section.
(j)(1) For transition reports to be filed on the form appropriate for annual reports of the issuer, the number of days shall be:
(i) 60 days (75 days for fiscal years ending before December 15, 2006) for large accelerated filers (as defined in § 240.12b-2);
(ii) 75 days for accelerated filers (as defined in § 240.12b-2); and
(iii) 90 days for all other issuers; and
(2) For transition reports to be filed on Form 10-Q (§ 249.308a of this chapter) the number of days shall be:
(i) 40 days for large accelerated filers and accelerated filers (as defined in § 240.12b-2); and
(ii) 45 days for all other issuers.
(k)(1) Paragraphs (a) through (g) of this section shall not apply to asset-backed issuers.
(2) Every asset-backed issuer that changes its fiscal closing date shall file a report covering the resulting transition period between the closing date of its most recent fiscal year and the opening date of its new fiscal year. In no event shall a transition report cover a period longer than 12 months.
(3) The report for the transition period shall be filed on Form 10-K (§ 249.310 of this chapter) responding to all items to which such asset-backed issuer is required to respond pursuant to General Instruction J. of Form 10-K. Such report shall be filed within 90 days after the later of either the close of the transition period or the date on which the issuer made the determination to change the fiscal closing date.
(4) Notwithstanding the foregoing in paragraphs (k)(2) and (k)(3) of this section, if the transition period covers a period of one month or less, an asset-backed issuer need not file a separate transition report if the first annual report for the newly adopted fiscal year covers the transition period as well as the fiscal year.
(5) Any obligation of the asset-backed issuer to file distribution reports pursuant to § 240.13a-17 will continue to apply regardless of a change in the asset-backed issuer’s fiscal closing date.
In addition to the report or reports required to be filed pursuant to this section, every issuer, except a foreign private issuer or an investment company required to file reports pursuant to § 270.30a-1 of this chapter, that changes its fiscal closing date is required to file a Form 8-K (§ 249.308 of this chapter) report that includes the information required by Item 5.03 of Form 8-K within the period specified in General Instruction B.1. to that form.
The report or reports to be filed pursuant to this section must include the certification required by § 240.13a-14.
§ 240.13a-11 Current reports on Form 8-K (§ 249.308 of this chapter).
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, every registrant subject to § 240.13a-1 shall file a current report on Form 8-K within the period specified in that form unless substantially the same information as that required by Form 8-K has been previously reported by the registrant.
(b) This section shall not apply to foreign governments, foreign private issuers required to make reports on Form 6-K (17 CFR 249.306) pursuant to § 240.13a-16, issuers of American Depositary Receipts for securities of any foreign issuer, or investment companies required to file reports pursuant to § 270.30a-1 of this chapter under the Investment Company Act of 1940, except where such an investment company is required to file:
(1) Notice of a blackout period pursuant to § 245.104 of this chapter;
(2) Disclosure pursuant to Instruction 2 to § 240.14a-11(b)(1) of information concerning outstanding shares and voting; or
(3) Disclosure pursuant to Instruction 2 to § 240.14a-11(b)(10) of the date by which a nominating shareholder or nominating shareholder group must submit the notice required pursuant to § 240.14a-11(b)(10).
(c) No failure to file a report on Form 8-K that is required solely pursuant to Item 1.01, 1.02, 1.05, 2.03, 2.04, 2.05, 2.06, 4.02(a), 5.02(e), or 6.03 of Form 8-K shall be deemed to be a violation of 15 U.S.C. 78j(b) and § 240.10b-5.
§ 240.13a-13 Quarterly reports on Form 10-Q (§ 249.308a of this chapter).
(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, every issuer that has securities registered pursuant to section 12 of the Act and is required to file annual reports pursuant to section 13 of the Act, and has filed or intends to file such reports on Form 10-K (§ 249.310 of this chapter), shall file a quarterly report on Form 10-Q (§ 249.308a of this chapter) within the period specified in General Instruction A.1. to that form for each of the first three quarters of each fiscal year of the issuer, commencing with the first fiscal quarter following the most recent fiscal year for which full financial statements were included in the registration statement, or, if the registration statement included financial statements for an interim period subsequent to the most recent fiscal year end meeting the requirements of Article 10 of Regulation S-X and Rule 8-03 of Regulation S-X for smaller reporting companies, for the first fiscal quarter subsequent to the quarter reported upon in the registration statement. The first quarterly report of the issuer shall be filed either within 45 days after the effective date of the registration statement or on or before the date on which such report would have been required to be filed if the issuer has been required to file reports on Form 10-Q as of its last fiscal quarter, whichever is later.
(b) The provisions of this rule shall not apply to the following issuers:
(1) Investment companies required to file reports pursuant to § 270.30a-1;
(2) Foreign private issuers required to file reports pursuant to § 240.13a-16; and
(3) Asset-backed issuers required to file reports pursuant to § 240.13a-17.
(c) Part I of the quarterly reports on Form 10-Q need not be filed by:
(1) Mutual life insurance companies; or
(2) Mining companies not in the production stage but engaged primarily in the exploration for the development of mineral deposits other than oil, gas or coal, if all of the following conditions are met:
(i) The registrant has not been in production during the current fiscal year or the two years immediately prior thereto; except that being in production for an aggregate period of not more than eight months over the three-year period shall not be a violation of this condition.
(ii) Receipts from the sale of mineral products or from the operations of mineral producing properties by the registrant and its subsidiaries combined have not exceeded $500,000 in any of the most recent six years and have not aggregated more than $1,500,000 in the most recent six fiscal years.
(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, the financial information required by Part I of Form 10-Q shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Act or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act, but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act.
§ 240.13a-14 Certification of disclosure in annual and quarterly reports.
(a) Each report, including transition reports, filed on Form 10-Q, Form 10-K, Form 20-F or Form 40-F (§ 249.308a, § 249.310, § 249.220f or § 249.240f of this chapter) under Section 13(a) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78m(a)), other than a report filed by an Asset-Backed Issuer (as defined in § 229.1101 of this chapter) or a report on Form 20-F filed under § 240.13a-19, must include certifications in the form specified in the applicable exhibit filing requirements of such report and such certifications must be filed as an exhibit to such report. Each principal executive and principal financial officer of the issuer, or persons performing similar functions, at the time of filing of the report must sign a certification. The principal executive and principal financial officers of an issuer may omit the portion of the introductory language in paragraph 4 as well as language in paragraph 4(b) of the certification that refers to the certifying officers’ responsibility for designing, establishing and maintaining internal control over financial reporting for the issuer until the issuer becomes subject to the internal control over financial reporting requirements in § 240.13a-15 or § 240.15d-15.
(b) Each periodic report containing financial statements filed by an issuer pursuant to section 13(a) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78m(a)) must be accompanied by the certifications required by Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. 1350) and such certifications must be furnished as an exhibit to such report as specified in the applicable exhibit requirements for such report. Each principal executive and principal financial officer of the issuer (or equivalent thereof) must sign a certification. This requirement may be satisfied by a single certification signed by an issuer’s principal executive and principal financial officers.
(c) A person required to provide a certification specified in paragraph (a), (b) or (d) of this section may not have the certification signed on his or her behalf pursuant to a power of attorney or other form of confirming authority.
(d) Each annual report and transition report filed on Form 10-K (§ 249.310 of this chapter) by an asset-backed issuer under section 13(a) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78m(a)) must include a certification in the form specified in the applicable exhibit filing requirements of such report and such certification must be filed as an exhibit to such report. Terms used in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section have the same meaning as in Item 1101 of Regulation AB (§ 229.1101 of this chapter).
(e) With respect to asset-backed issuers, the certification required by paragraph (d) of this section must be signed by either:
(1) The senior officer in charge of securitization of the depositor if the depositor is signing the report; or
(2) The senior officer in charge of the servicing function of the servicer if the servicer is signing the report on behalf of the issuing entity. If multiple servicers are involved in servicing the pool assets, the senior officer in charge of the servicing function of the master servicer (or entity performing the equivalent function) must sign if a representative of the servicer is to sign the report on behalf of the issuing entity.
(f) The certification requirements of this section do not apply to an Interactive Data File, as defined in § 232.11 of this chapter (Rule 11 of Regulation S-T).
§ 240.13a-15 Controls and procedures.
(a) Every issuer that has a class of securities registered pursuant to section 12 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 781), other than an Asset-Backed Issuer (as defined in § 229.1101 of this chapter), a small business investment company registered on Form N-5 (§§ 239.24 and 274.5 of this chapter), or a unit investment trust as defined in section 4(2) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-4(2)), must maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in paragraph (e) of this section) and, if the issuer either had been required to file an annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78m(a) or 78o(d)) for the prior fiscal year or had filed an annual report with the Commission for the prior fiscal year, internal control over financial reporting (as defined in paragraph (f) of this section).
(b) Each such issuer’s management must evaluate, with the participation of the issuer’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, the effectiveness of the issuer’s disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of each fiscal quarter, except that management must perform this evaluation:
(1) In the case of a foreign private issuer (as defined in § 240.3b-4) as of the end of each fiscal year; and
(2) In the case of an investment company registered under section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-8), within the 90-day period prior to the filing date of each report requiring certification under § 270.30a-2 of this chapter.
(c) The management of each such issuer, that either had been required to file an annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78m(a) or 78o(d)) for the prior fiscal year or previously had filed an annual report with the Commission for the prior fiscal year, other than an investment company registered under section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, must evaluate, with the participation of the issuer’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, the effectiveness, as of the end of each fiscal year, of the issuer’s internal control over financial reporting. The framework on which management’s evaluation of the issuer’s internal control over financial reporting is based must be a suitable, recognized control framework that is established by a body or group that has followed due-process procedures, including the broad distribution of the framework for public comment. Although there are many different ways to conduct an evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting to meet the requirements of this paragraph, an evaluation that is conducted in accordance with the interpretive guidance issued by the Commission in Release No. 34-55929 will satisfy the evaluation required by this paragraph.
(d) The management of each such issuer that either had been required to file an annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78m(a) or 78o(d) for the prior fiscal year or had filed an annual report with the Commission for the prior fiscal year, other than an investment company registered under section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-8), must evaluate, with the participation of the issuer’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, any change in the issuer’s internal control over financial reporting, that occurred during each of the issuer’s fiscal quarters, or fiscal year in the case of a foreign private issuer, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the issuer’s internal control over financial reporting.
(e) For purposes of this section, the term disclosure controls and procedures means controls and other procedures of an issuer that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Act (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
(f) The term internal control over financial reporting is defined as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the issuer’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the issuer’s board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that:
(1) Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the issuer;
(2) Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the issuer are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the issuer; and
(3) Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the issuer’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
§ 240.13a-16 Reports of foreign private issuers on Form 6-K (17 CFR 249.306).
(a) Every foreign private issuer which is subject to Rule 13a-1 (17 CFR 240.13a-1) shall make reports on Form 6-K, except that this rule shall not apply to:
(1) Investment companies required to file reports pursuant to § 270.30a-1 of this chapter ;
(2) Issuers of American depositary receipts for securities of any foreign issuer;
(3) Issuers filing periodic reports on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q, and Form 8-K; or
(4) Asset-backed issuers, as defined in § 229.1101 of this chapter.
(b) Such reports shall be transmitted promptly after the information required by Form 6-K is made public by the issuer, by the country of its domicile or under the laws of which it was incorporated or organized, or by a foreign securities exchange with which the issuer has filed the information.
(c) Reports furnished pursuant to this rule shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of section 18 of the Act or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section.
§ 240.13a-17 Reports of asset-backed issuers on Form 10-D (§ 249.312 of this chapter).
Every asset-backed issuer subject to § 240.13a-1 shall make reports on Form 10-D (§ 249.312 of this chapter). Such reports shall be filed within the period specified in Form 10-D.
§ 240.13a-18 Compliance with servicing criteria for asset-backed securities.
(a) This section applies to every class of asset-backed securities subject to the reporting requirements of section 13(a) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78m(a)). Terms used in this section have the same meaning as in Item 1101 of Regulation AB (§ 229.1101 of this chapter).
(b) Reports on assessments of compliance with servicing criteria for asset-backed securities required. With regard to a class of asset-backed securities subject to the reporting requirements of section 13(a) of the Act, the annual report on Form 10-K (§ 249.308 of this chapter) for such class must include from each party participating in the servicing function a report regarding its assessment of compliance with the servicing criteria specified in paragraph (d) of Item 1122 of Regulation AB (§ 229.1122(d) of this chapter), as of and for the period ending the end of each fiscal year, with respect to asset-backed securities transactions taken as a whole involving the party participating in the servicing function and that are backed by the same asset type backing the class of asset-backed securities (including the asset-backed securities transaction that is to be the subject of the report on Form 10-K for that fiscal year).
(c) Attestation reports on assessments of compliance with servicing criteria for asset-backed securities required. With respect to each report included pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section, the annual report on Form 10-K must also include a report by a registered public accounting firm that attests to, and reports on, the assessment made by the asserting party. The attestation report on assessment of compliance with servicing criteria for asset-backed securities must be made in accordance with standards for attestation engagements issued or adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.
If multiple parties are participating in the servicing function, a separate assessment report and attestation report must be included for each party participating in the servicing function. A party participating in the servicing function means any entity (e.g., master servicer, primary servicers, trustees) that is performing activities that address the criteria in paragraph (d) of Item 1122 of Regulation AB (§ 229.1122(d) of this chapter), unless such entity’s activities relate only to 5% or less of the pool assets.
§ 240.13a-19 Reports by shell companies on Form 20-F.
Every foreign private issuer that was a shell company, other than a business combination related shell company, immediately before a transaction that causes it to cease to be a shell company shall, within four business days of completion of that transaction, file a report on Form 20-F (§ 249.220f of this chapter) containing the information that would be required if the issuer were filing a form for registration of securities on Form 20-F to register under the Act all classes of the issuer’s securities subject to the reporting requirements of section 13 (15 U.S.C. 78m) or section 15(d) (15 U.S.C. 78o(d)) of the Act upon consummation of the transaction, with such information reflecting the registrant and its securities upon consummation of the transaction.
§ 240.13a-20 Plain English presentation of specified information.
(a) Any information included or incorporated by reference in a report filed under section 13(a) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78m(a)) that is required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 402, 403, 404 or 407 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.402, § 229.403, § 229.404 or § 229.407 of this chapter) must be presented in a clear, concise and understandable manner. You must prepare the disclosure using the following standards:
(1) Present information in clear, concise sections, paragraphs and sentences;
(2) Use short sentences;
(3) Use definite, concrete, everyday words;
(4) Use the active voice;
(5) Avoid multiple negatives;
(6) Use descriptive headings and subheadings;
(7) Use a tabular presentation or bullet lists for complex material, wherever possible;
(8) Avoid legal jargon and highly technical business and other terminology;
(9) Avoid frequent reliance on glossaries or defined terms as the primary means of explaining information. Define terms in a glossary or other section of the document only if the meaning is unclear from the context. Use a glossary only if it facilitates understanding of the disclosure; and
(10) In designing the presentation of the information you may include pictures, logos, charts, graphs and other design elements so long as the design is not misleading and the required information is clear. You are encouraged to use tables, schedules, charts and graphic illustrations that present relevant data in an understandable manner, so long as such presentations are consistent with applicable disclosure requirements and consistent with other information in the document. You must draw graphs and charts to scale. Any information you provide must not be misleading.
(b) [Reserved]
In drafting the disclosure to comply with this section, you should avoid the following:
1. Legalistic or overly complex presentations that make the substance of the disclosure difficult to understand;
2. Vague “boilerplate” explanations that are imprecise and readily subject to different interpretations;
3. Complex information copied directly from legal documents without any clear and concise explanation of the provision(s); and
4. Disclosure repeated in different sections of the document that increases the size of the document but does not enhance the quality of the information.
§ 240.13a-21 [Reserved]
Regulation 13b-2: Maintenance of Records and Preparation of Required Reports
§ 240.13b2-1 Falsification of accounting records.
No person shall directly or indirectly, falsify or cause to be falsified, any book, record or account subject to section 13(b)(2)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act.
§ 240.13b2-2 Representations and conduct in connection with the preparation of required reports and documents.
(a) No director or officer of an issuer shall, directly or indirectly:
(1) Make or cause to be made a materially false or misleading statement to an accountant in connection with; or
(2) Omit to state, or cause another person to omit to state, any material fact necessary in order to make statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading, to an accountant in connection with:
(i) Any audit, review or examination of the financial statements of the issuer required to be made pursuant to this subpart; or
(ii) The preparation or filing of any document or report required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to this subpart or otherwise.
(b)(1) No officer or director of an issuer, or any other person acting under the direction thereof, shall directly or indirectly take any action to coerce, manipulate, mislead, or fraudulently influence any independent public or certified public accountant engaged in the performance of an audit or review of the financial statements of that issuer that are required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to this subpart or otherwise if that person knew or should have known that such action, if successful, could result in rendering the issuer’s financial statements materially misleading.
(2) For purposes of paragraphs (b)(1) and (c)(2) of this section, actions that, “if successful, could result in rendering the issuer’s financial statements materially misleading” include, but are not limited to, actions taken at any time with respect to the professional engagement period to coerce, manipulate, mislead, or fraudulently influence an auditor:
(i) To issue or reissue a report on an issuer’s financial statements that is not warranted in the circumstances (due to material violations of generally accepted accounting principles, the standards of the PCAOB, or other professional or regulatory standards);
(ii) Not to perform audit, review or other procedures required by the standards of the PCAOB or other professional standards;
(iii) Not to withdraw an issued report; or
(iv) Not to communicate matters to an issuer’s audit committee.
(c) In addition, in the case of an investment company registered under section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-8), or a business development company as defined in section 2(a)(48) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-2(a)(48)), no officer or director of the company’s investment adviser, sponsor, depositor, trustee, or administrator (or, in the case of paragraph (c)(2) of this section, any other person acting under the direction thereof) shall, directly or indirectly:
(1)(i) Make or cause to be made a materially false or misleading statement to an accountant in connection with; or
(ii) Omit to state, or cause another person to omit to state, any material fact necessary in order to make statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading to an accountant in connection with:
(A) Any audit, review, or examination of the financial statements of the investment company required to be made pursuant to this subpart; or
(B) The preparation or filing of any document or report required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to this subpart or otherwise; or
(2) Take any action to coerce, manipulate, mislead, or fraudulently influence any independent public or certified public accountant engaged in the performance of an audit or review of the financial statements of that investment company that are required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to this subpart or otherwise if that person knew or should have known that such action, if successful, could result in rendering the investment company’s financial statements materially misleading.
Regulation 13D-G
§ 240.13d-1 Filing of Schedules 13D and 13G.
(a) Any person who, after acquiring directly or indirectly the beneficial ownership of any equity security of a class which is specified in paragraph (i)(1) of this section, is directly or indirectly the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the class shall, within five business days after the date of the acquisition, file with the Commission, a statement containing the information required by Schedule 13D (§ 240.13d-101)
.
(b)(1) A person who would otherwise be obligated under paragraph (a) of this section to file a statement on Schedule 13D (§ 240.13d-101) may, in lieu thereof, file with the Commission, a short-form statement on Schedule 13G (§ 240.13d-102), Provided, That:
(i) Such person has acquired such securities in the ordinary course of the person’s business and not with the purpose nor with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer, nor in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having such purpose or effect, including any transaction subject to § 240.13d-3(b), other than activities solely in connection with a nomination under § 240.14a-11; and
(ii) Such person is:
(A) A broker or dealer registered under section 15 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o);
(B) A bank as defined in section 3(a)(6) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c);
(C) An insurance company as defined in section 3(a)(19) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c);
(D) An investment company registered under section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-8);
(E) Any person registered as an investment adviser under Section 203 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80b-3) or under the laws of any state;
(F) An employee benefit plan as defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, 29 U.S.C. 1001 et seq. (“ERISA”) that is subject to the provisions of ERISA, or any such plan that is not subject to ERISA that is maintained primarily for the benefit of the employees of a state or local government or instrumentality, or an endowment fund;
(G) A parent holding company or control person, provided the aggregate amount held directly by the parent or control person, and directly and indirectly by their subsidiaries or affiliates that are not persons specified in § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(A) through (J), does not exceed one percent of the securities of the subject class;
(H) A savings association as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813);
(I) A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-3);
(J) A non-U.S. institution that is the functional equivalent of any of the institutions listed in § 240.13d-1 (b)(1)(ii)(A) through (I), so long as the non-U.S. institution is subject to a regulatory scheme that is substantially comparable to the regulatory scheme applicable to the equivalent U.S. institution; and
(K) A group, provided that all the members are persons specified in § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(A) through (J).
(iii) Such person has promptly notified any other person (or group within the meaning of section 13(d)(3) of the Act) on whose behalf it holds, on a discretionary basis, securities exceeding five percent of the class, of any acquisition or transaction on behalf of such other person which might be reportable by that person under section 13(d) of the Act. This paragraph (b)(1)(iii) only requires notice to the account owner of information which the filing person reasonably should be expected to know and which would advise the account owner of an obligation such account owner may have to file a statement, or an amendment thereto, pursuant to section 13(d) of the Act.
For purposes of paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section, the exception for activities solely in connection with a nomination under § 240.14a-11 will not be available after the election of directors.
(2) The Schedule 13G filed pursuant to paragraph (b)(1) of this section shall be filed within 45 days after the end of the calendar quarter in which the person became obligated under paragraph (b)(1) of this section to report the person’s beneficial ownership as of the last day of the calendar quarter, provided, that it shall not be necessary to file a Schedule 13G unless the percentage of the class of equity security specified in paragraph (i)(1) of this section beneficially owned as of the end of the calendar quarter is more than five percent; however, if the person’s direct or indirect beneficial ownership exceeds 10 percent of the class of equity securities prior to the end of the calendar quarter, the initial Schedule 13G shall be filed within five business days after the end of the first month in which the person’s direct or indirect beneficial ownership exceeds 10 percent of the class of equity securities, computed as of the last day of the month.
(c) A person who would otherwise be obligated under paragraph (a) of this section to file a statement on Schedule 13D (§ 240.13d-101) may, in lieu thereof, file with the Commission, within five business days after the date of an acquisition described in paragraph (a) of this section, a short-form statement on Schedule 13G (§ 240.13d-102). Provided, that the person:
(1) Has not acquired the securities with any purpose, or with the effect, of changing or influencing the control of the issuer, or in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect, including any transaction subject to § 240.13d-3(b), other than activities solely in connection with a nomination under § 240.14a-11;
For purposes of paragraph (c)(1) of this section, the exception for activities solely in connection with a nomination under § 240.14a-11 will not be available after the election of directors.
(2) Is not a person reporting pursuant to paragraph (b)(1) of this section; and
(3) Is not directly or indirectly the beneficial owner of 20 percent or more of the class.
(d) Any person who, as of the end of any calendar quarter, is or becomes directly or indirectly the beneficial owner of more than five percent of any equity security of a class specified in paragraph (i)(1) of this section and who is not required to file a statement under paragraph (a) of this section by virtue of the exemption provided by section 13(d)(6)(A) or (B) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78m(d)(6)(A) or 78m(d)(6)(B)), or because the beneficial ownership was acquired prior to December 22, 1970, or because the person otherwise (except for the exemption provided by section 13(d)(6)(C) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78m(d)(6)(C))) is not required to file a statement, shall file with the Commission, within 45 days after the end of the calendar quarter in which the person became obligated to report under this paragraph (d), a statement containing the information required by Schedule 13G (§ 240.13d-102).
(e)(1) Notwithstanding paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section and § 240.13d-2(b), a person that has reported that it is the beneficial owner of more than five percent of a class of equity securities in a statement on Schedule 13G (§ 240.13d-102) pursuant to paragraph (b) or (c) of this section, or is required to report the acquisition but has not yet filed the schedule, shall immediately become subject to paragraph (a) of this section and § 240.13d-2(a) and shall file a statement on Schedule 13D (§ 240.13d-101) within five business days if, and shall remain subject to those requirements for so long as, the person:
(i) Has acquired or holds the securities with a purpose or effect of changing or influencing control of the issuer, or in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect, including any transaction subject to § 240.13d-3(b); and
(ii) Is at that time the beneficial owner of more than five percent of a class of equity securities described in paragraph (i)(1) of this section.
(2) From the time the person has acquired or holds the securities with a purpose or effect of changing or influencing control of the issuer, or in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect until the expiration of the tenth day from the date of the filing of the Schedule 13D (§ 240.13d-101) pursuant to this section, that person shall not:
(i) Vote or direct the voting of the securities described therein; or
(ii) Acquire an additional beneficial ownership interest in any equity securities of the issuer of the securities, nor of any person controlling the issuer.
(f)(1) Notwithstanding paragraph (c) of this section and § 240.13d-2(b), persons reporting on Schedule 13G (§ 240.13d-102) pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section shall immediately become subject to paragraph (a) of this section and § 240.13d-2(a) and shall remain subject to those requirements for so long as, and shall file a statement on Schedule 13D (§ 240.13d-101) within five business days after the date on which the person’s beneficial ownership equals or exceeds 20 percent of the class of equity securities.
(2) From the time of the acquisition of 20 percent or more of the class of equity securities until the expiration of the tenth day from the date of the filing of the Schedule 13D (§ 240.13d-101) pursuant to this section, the person shall not:
(i) Vote or direct the voting of the securities described therein, or
(ii) Acquire an additional beneficial ownership interest in any equity securities of the issuer of the securities, nor of any person controlling the issuer.
(g) Any person who has reported an acquisition of securities in a statement on Schedule 13G (§ 240.13d-102) pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section, or has become obligated to report on Schedule 13G (§ 240.13d-102) but has not yet filed the Schedule, and thereafter ceases to be a person specified in paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section or determines that it no longer has acquired or holds the securities in the ordinary course of business shall immediately become subject to paragraph (a) or (c) of this section (if the person satisfies the requirements specified in paragraph (c)) and § 240.13d-2(a), (b), or (d), and shall file, within five business days thereafter, a statement on Schedule 13D (§ 240.13d-101) or amendment to Schedule 13G, as applicable, if the person is a beneficial owner at that time of more than five percent of the class of equity securities.
(h) Any person who has filed a Schedule 13D (§ 240.13d-101) pursuant to paragraph (e), (f) or (g) of this section may again report its beneficial ownership on Schedule 13G (§ 240.13d-102) pursuant to paragraphs (b) or (c) of this section provided the person qualifies thereunder, as applicable, by filing a Schedule 13G (§ 240.13d-102) once the person determines that the provisions of paragraph (e), (f) or (g) of this section no longer apply.
(i)(1) For the purpose of this section, the term equity security means any equity security of a class which is registered pursuant to section 12 of the Act, or any equity security of any insurance company which would have been required to be so registered except for the exemption contained in section 12(g)(2)(G) of the Act, or any equity security issued by a closed-end investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940; provided, such term shall not include securities of a class of non-voting securities.
(2) For the purpose of this section, the term business day means any day, other than Saturday, Sunday, or a Federal holiday, from 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time.
(j) For the purpose of sections 13(d) and 13(g) of the Act, any person, in determining the amount of outstanding securities of a class of equity securities, may rely upon information set forth in the issuer’s most recent quarterly or annual report, and any current report subsequent thereto, filed with the Commission pursuant to the Act, unless such person knows or has reason to believe that the information contained therein is inaccurate.
(k)(1) Whenever two or more persons are required to file a statement containing the information required by Schedule 13D or Schedule 13G with respect to the same securities, only one statement need be filed: Provided, That:
(i) Each person on whose behalf the statement is filed is individually eligible to use the Schedule on which the information is filed;
(ii) Each person on whose behalf the statement is filed is responsible for the timely filing of such statement and any amendments thereto, and for the completeness and accuracy of the information concerning such person contained therein; such person is not responsible for the completeness or accuracy of the information concerning the other persons making the filing, unless such person knows or has reason to believe that such information is inaccurate; and
(iii) Such statement identifies all such persons, contains the required information with regard to each such person, indicates that such statement is filed on behalf of all such persons, and includes, as an exhibit, their agreement in writing that such a statement is filed on behalf of each of them.
(2) A group’s filing obligation may be satisfied either by a single joint filing or by each of the group’s members making an individual filing. If the group’s members elect to make their own filings, each such filing should identify all members of the group but the information provided concerning the other persons making the filing need only reflect information which the filing person knows or has reason to know.
§ 240.13d-2 Filing of amendments to Schedules 13D or 13G.
(a) If any material change occurs in the facts set forth in the Schedule 13D (§ 240.13d-101) required by § 240.13d-1(a), including, but not limited to, any material increase or decrease in the percentage of the class beneficially owned, the person or persons who were required to file the statement shall file or cause to be filed with the Commission an amendment disclosing that change within two business days after the date of such change. An acquisition or disposition of beneficial ownership of securities in an amount equal to one percent or more of the class of securities shall be deemed “material” for purposes of this section; acquisitions or dispositions of less than those amounts may be material, depending upon the facts and circumstances.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this section, and provided that the person filing a Schedule 13G (§ 240.13d-102) pursuant to § 240.13d-1(b) or (c) continues to meet the requirements set forth therein, any person who has filed a Schedule 13G (§ 240.13d-102) pursuant to § 240.13d-1(b), (c), or (d) shall amend the statement within 45 days after the end of each calendar quarter if, as of the end of the calendar quarter, there are any material changes in the information reported in the previous filing on that Schedule; provided, however, that an amendment need not be filed with respect to a change in the percent of the class outstanding previously reported if the change results solely from a change in the aggregate number of securities outstanding. Once an amendment has been filed reflecting beneficial ownership of five percent or less of the class of securities, no additional filings are required unless the person thereafter becomes the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the class and is required to file pursuant to § 240.13d-1.
(c) Any person relying on § 240.13d-1(b) that has filed its initial Schedule 13G (§ 240.13d-102) pursuant to § 240.13d-1(b) shall, in addition to filing any amendments pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section, file an amendment on Schedule 13G (§ 240.13d-102) within five business days after the end of the first month in which the person’s direct or indirect beneficial ownership, computed as of the last day of the month, exceeds 10 percent of the class of equity securities. Thereafter, that person shall, in addition to filing any amendments pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section, file an amendment on Schedule 13G (§ 240.13d-102) within five business days after the end of the first month in which the person’s direct or indirect beneficial ownership, computed as of the last day of the month, increases or decreases by more than five percent of the class of equity securities. Once an amendment has been filed reflecting beneficial ownership of five percent or less of the class of securities, no additional filings are required by this paragraph (c).
(d) Any person relying on § 240.13d-1(c) that has filed its initial Schedule 13G (§ 240.13d-102) pursuant to § 240.13d-1(c) shall, in addition to filing any amendments pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section, file an amendment on Schedule 13G (§ 240.13d-102) within two business days after acquiring, directly or indirectly, greater than 10 percent of a class of equity securities specified in § 240.13d-1(d), and thereafter within two business days after increasing or decreasing its beneficial ownership by more than five percent of the class of equity securities. Once an amendment has been filed reflecting beneficial ownership of five percent or less of the class of securities, no additional filings are required by this paragraph (d).
(e) The first electronic amendment to a paper format Schedule 13D (§ 240.13d-101 of this chapter) or Schedule 13G (§ 240.13d-102 of this chapter) shall restate the entire text of the Schedule 13D or 13G, but previously filed paper exhibits to such Schedules are not required to be restated electronically. See Rule 102 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.102 of this chapter) regarding amendments to exhibits previously filed in paper format. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the sole purpose of filing the first electronic Schedule 13D or 13G amendment is to report a change in beneficial ownership that would terminate the filer’s obligation to report, the amendment need not include a restatement of the entire text of the Schedule being amended.
For persons filing a short-form statement pursuant to Rule 13d-1(b) or (c), see also Rules 13d-1(e), (f), and (g).
§ 240.13d-3 Determination of beneficial owner.
(a) For the purposes of sections 13(d) and 13(g) of the Act a beneficial owner of a security includes any person who, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship, or otherwise has or shares:
(1) Voting power which includes the power to vote, or to direct the voting of, such security; and/or,
(2) Investment power which includes the power to dispose, or to direct the disposition of, such security.
(b) Any person who, directly or indirectly, creates or uses a trust, proxy, power of attorney, pooling arrangement or any other contract, arrangement, or device with the purpose of effect of divesting such person of beneficial ownership of a security or preventing the vesting of such beneficial ownership as part of a plan or scheme to evade the reporting requirements of section 13(d) or (g) of the Act shall be deemed for purposes of such sections to be the beneficial owner of such security.
(c) All securities of the same class beneficially owned by a person, regardless of the form which such beneficial ownership takes, shall be aggregated in calculating the number of shares beneficially owned by such person.
(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (c) of this rule:
(1)(i) A person shall be deemed to be the beneficial owner of a security, subject to the provisions of paragraph (b) of this rule, if that person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership of such security, as defined in Rule 13d-3(a) (§ 240.13d-3(a)) within sixty days, including but not limited to any right to acquire: (A) Through the exercise of any option, warrant or right; (B) through the conversion of a security; (C) pursuant to the power to revoke a trust, discretionary account, or similar arrangement; or (D) pursuant to the automatic termination of a trust, discretionary account or similar arrangement; provided, however, any person who acquires a security or power specified in paragraphs (d)(1)(i)(A), (B) or (C), of this section, with the purpose or effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer, or in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having such purpose or effect, immediately upon such acquisition shall be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the securities which may be acquired through the exercise or conversion of such security or power. Any securities not outstanding which are subject to such options, warrants, rights or conversion privileges shall be deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of outstanding securities of the class owned by such person but shall not be deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of the class by any other person.
(ii) Paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section remains applicable for the purpose of determining the obligation to file with respect to the underlying security even though the option, warrant, right or convertible security is of a class of equity security, as defined in § 240.13d-1(i), and may therefore give rise to a separate obligation to file.
(2) A member of a national securities exchange shall not be deemed to be a beneficial owner of securities held directly or indirectly by it on behalf of another person solely because such member is the record holder of such securities and, pursuant to the rules of such exchange, may direct the vote of such securities, without instruction, on other than contested matters or matters that may affect substantially the rights or privileges of the holders of the securities to be voted, but is otherwise precluded by the rules of such exchange from voting without instruction.
(3) A person who in the ordinary course of such person’s business is a pledgee of securities under a written pledge agreement shall not be deemed to be the beneficial owner of such pledged securities until the pledgee has taken all formal steps necessary which are required to declare a default and determines that the power to vote or to direct the vote or to dispose or to direct the disposition of such pledged securities will be exercised, provided, that:
(i) The pledgee agreement is bona fide and was not entered into with the purpose nor with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer, nor in connection with any transaction having such purpose or effect, including any transaction subject to Rule 13d-3(b);
(ii) The pledgee is a person specified in Rule 13d-1(b)(ii), including persons meeting the conditions set forth in paragraph (G) thereof; and
(iii) The pledgee agreement, prior to default, does not grant to the pledgee;
(A) The power to vote or to direct the vote of the pledged securities; or
(B) The power to dispose or direct the disposition of the pledged securities, other than the grant of such power(s) pursuant to a pledge agreement under which credit is extended subject to regulation T (12 CFR 220.1 to 220.8) and in which the pledgee is a broker or dealer registered under section 15 of the act.
(4) A person engaged in business as an underwriter of securities who acquires securities through such person’s participation in good faith in a firm commitment underwriting registered under the Securities Act of 1933 shall not be deemed to be the beneficial owner of such securities until the expiration of 40 days after the date of such acquisition.
§ 240.13d-4 Disclaimer of beneficial ownership.
Any person may expressly declare in any statement filed that the filing of such statement shall not be construed as an admission that such person is, for the purposes of sections 13(d) or 13(g) of the Act, the beneficial owner of any securities covered by the statement.
§ 240.13d-5 Acquisition of beneficial ownership.
(a) A person who becomes a beneficial owner of securities shall be deemed to have acquired such beneficial ownership for purposes of section 13(d)(1) of the Act, whether such acquisition was through purchase or otherwise. However, executors or administrators of a decedent’s estate generally will be presumed not to have acquired the beneficial ownership held by the decedent’s estate until such time as such executors or administrators are qualified under local law to perform their duties.
(b)(1)(i) When two or more persons agree to act together for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of equity securities of an issuer, the group formed thereby shall be deemed to have acquired beneficial ownership, for purposes of sections 13(d) and (g) of the Act, as of the date of such agreement, of all equity securities of that issuer beneficially owned by any such persons.
(ii) A group regulated as a person pursuant to section 13(d)(3) of the Act shall be deemed to have acquired beneficial ownership, as determined under paragraph (a) of this section and for purposes of sections 13(d)(1) and (2) of the Act, if any member of the group becomes the beneficial owner of additional equity securities in the same class beneficially owned by the group after the group’s formation. The beneficial ownership so acquired shall be reported as being held by the group through the earlier of {x} the date of the group’s dissolution or {y} the date of that member’s withdrawal from the group.
(iii) Notwithstanding paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section, a group regulated under section 13(d)(3) of the Act shall not be deemed to have acquired beneficial ownership, as determined under paragraph (a) of this section, if, after the group’s formation, a member of the group becomes the beneficial owner of additional equity securities in the same class beneficially owned by the group through a sale by or transfer from another member of the group.
(2)(i) A group regulated as a person pursuant to section 13(g)(3) of the Act shall be deemed to have become the beneficial owner, for purposes of sections 13(g)(1) and (2) of the Act, if any member of the group becomes a beneficial owner of additional equity securities in the same class held by the group after the group’s formation and through the earlier of {x} the date of the group’s dissolution or {y} the date of that member’s withdrawal from the group.
(ii) Notwithstanding paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section, a group regulated under section 13(g)(3) of the Act shall not be deemed to have become the beneficial owner of additional equity securities in the same class beneficially owned by the group if, after the group’s formation, a member of the group becomes the beneficial owner of additional equity securities in the same class beneficially owned by the group through a sale by or transfer from another member of the group.
§ 240.13d-6 Exemption of certain acquisitions.
(a) The acquisition of securities of an issuer by a person who, prior to such acquisition, was a beneficial owner of more than five percent of the outstanding securities of the same class as those acquired shall be exempt from section 13(d) of the Act; provided, that:
(1) The acquisition is made pursuant to preemptive subscription rights in an offering made to all holders of securities of the class to which the preemptive subscription rights pertain;
(2) Such person does not acquire additional securities except through the exercise of such person’s pro rata share of the preemptive subscription rights; and
(3) The acquisition is duly reported, if required, pursuant to section 16(a) of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder in this part.
(b) A group shall be deemed not to have acquired any equity securities beneficially owned by the other members of the group solely by virtue of their concerted actions relating to the purchase of equity securities directly from an issuer in a transaction not involving a public offering; provided, that:
(1) All the members of the group are persons specified in § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii);
(2) The purchase is in the ordinary course of each member’s business and not with the purpose nor with the effect of changing or influencing control of the issuer, nor in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having such purpose or effect, including any transaction subject to § 240.13d-3(b);
(3) There is no agreement among or between any members of the group to act together with respect to the issuer or its securities except for the purpose of facilitating the specific purchase involved; and
(4) The only actions among or between any members of the group with respect to the issuer or its securities subsequent to the closing date of the non-public offering are those which are necessary to conclude ministerial matters directly related to the completion of the offer or sale of the securities.
§ 240.13d-7 [Reserved]
§ 240.13d-101 Schedule 13D—Information to be included in statements filed pursuant to § 240.13d-1(a) and amendments thereto filed pursuant to § 240.13d-2(a).
If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§ 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box. □ * The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page. The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
CUSIP No.______ | |
(1) Names of reporting persons | |
(2) Check the appropriate box if a member of a group | (a) |
(see instructions) | (b) |
(3) SEC use only | |
(4) Source of funds (see instructions) | |
(5) Check if disclosure of legal proceedings is required pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e) | |
(6) Citizenship or place of organization | |
Number of shares beneficially owned by each reporting person with: | |
(7) Sole voting power | |
(8) Shared voting power | |
(9) Sole dispositive power | |
(10) Shared dispositive power | |
(11) Aggregate amount beneficially owned by each reporting person | |
(12) Check if the aggregate amount in Row (11) excludes certain shares (see instructions) | |
(13) Percent of class represented by amount in Row (11) | |
(14) Type of reporting person (see instructions) |
(1) Names of Reporting Persons—Furnish the full legal name of each person for whom the report is filed—i.e., each person required to sign the schedule itself—including each member of a group. Do not include the name of a person required to be identified in the report but who is not a reporting person.
(2) If any of the shares beneficially owned by a reporting person are held as a member of the group and the membership is expressly affirmed, please check row 2(a). If the reporting person disclaims membership in a group or describes a relationship with other person but does not affirm the existence of a group, please check row 2(b) (unless it is a joint filing pursuant to Rule 13d-1(k)(1) in which case it may not be necessary to check row 2(b)).
(3) The 3rd row is for SEC internal use; please leave blank.
(4) Classify the source of funds or other consideration used or to be used in making the purchases as required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 3 of Schedule 13D and insert the appropriate symbol (or symbols if more than one is necessary) in row (4):
Category of Source | Symbol |
---|---|
Subject Company (Company whose securities are being acquired) | SC |
Bank | BK |
Affiliate (of reporting person) | AF |
Working Capital (of reporting person) | WC |
Personal Funds (of reporting person) | PF |
Other | OO |
(5) If disclosure of legal proceedings or actions is required pursuant to either Items 2(d) or 2(e) of Schedule 13D, row 5 should be checked.
(6) Citizenship or Place of Organization—Furnish citizenship if the named reporting person is a natural person. Otherwise, Furnish place of organization. (See Item 2 of Schedule 13D).
(7)-(11) [Reserved]
(12) Check if the aggregate amount reported as beneficially owned in row (11) does not include shares which the reporting person discloses in the report but as to which beneficial ownership is disclaimed pursuant to Rule 13d-4 [17 CFR 240.13d-4] under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
(13) Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person, Etc.—Rows (7) through (11), inclusive, and (13) are to be completed in accordance with the provisions of Item 5 of Schedule 13D. All percentages are to be rounded off to nearest tenth (one place after decimal point).
(14) Type of Reporting Person—Please classify each “reporting person” according to the following breakdown and place the appropriate symbol (or symbols, i.e., if more than one is applicable, insert all applicable symbols) on the form:
Category | Symbol |
---|---|
Broker Dealer | BD |
Bank | BK |
Insurance Company | IC |
Investment Company | IV |
Investment Adviser | IA |
Employee Benefit Plan or Endowment Fund | EP |
Parent Holding Company/Control Person | HC |
Savings Association | SA |
Church Plan | CP |
Corporation | CO |
Partnership | PN |
Individual | IN |
Other | OO |
Attach as many copies of the second part of the cover page as are needed, one reporting person per page.
Filing persons may, in order to avoid unnecessary duplication, answer items on the schedules (Schedule 13D, 13G or TO) by appropriate cross references to an item or items on the cover page(s). This approach may only be used where the cover page item or items provide all the disclosure required by the schedule item. Moreover, such a use of a cover page item will result in the item becoming a part of the schedule and accordingly being considered as “filed” for purposes of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act.
Reporting persons may comply with their cover page filing requirements by filing either completed copies of the blank forms available from the Commission, printed or typed facsimiles, or computer printed facsimiles, provided the documents filed have identical formats to the forms prescribed in the Commission’s regulations and meet existing Securities Exchange Act rules as to such matters as clarity and size (Securities Exchange Act Rule 12b-12).
Under sections 13(d) and 23 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations thereunder, the Commission is authorized to solicit the information required to be supplied by this schedule by certain security holders of certain issuers.
Disclosure of the information specified in this schedule is mandatory. The information will be used for the primary purpose of determining and disclosing the holdings of certain beneficial owners of certain equity securities. This statement will be made a matter of public record. Therefore, any information given will be available for inspection by any member of the public.
Because of the public nature of the information, the Commission can use it for a variety of purposes, including referral to other governmental authorities or securities self-regulatory organizations for investigatory purposes or in connection with litigation involving the federal securities laws or other civil, criminal or regulatory statutes or provisions.
Failure to disclose the information requested by this schedule may result in civil or criminal action against the persons involved for violation of the federal securities laws and rules promulgated thereunder.
Instructions. A. The item numbers and captions of the items shall be included but the text of the items is to be omitted. The answers to the items shall be so prepared as to indicate clearly the coverage of the items without referring to the text of the items. Answer every item. If an item is inapplicable or the answer is in the negative, so state.
B. Information contained in exhibits to the statement may be incorporated by reference in answer or partial answer to any item or sub-item of the statement unless it would render such answer misleading, incomplete, unclear or confusing. Material incorporated by reference shall be clearly identified in the reference by page, paragraph, caption or otherwise. An express statement that the specified matter is incorporated by reference shall be made at the particular place in the statement where the information is required. A copy of any information or a copy of the pertinent pages of a document containing such information which is incorporated by reference shall be submitted with this statement as an exhibit and shall be deemed to be filed with the Commission for all purposes of the Act.
C. If the statement is filed by a general or limited partnership, syndicate, or other group, the information called for by Items 2-6, inclusive, shall be given with respect to (i) each partner of such general partnership; (ii) each partner who is denominated as a general partner or who functions as a general partner of such limited partnership; (iii) each member of such syndicate or group; and (iv) each person controlling such partner or member. If the statement is filed by a corporation or if a person referred to in (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) of this Instruction is a corporation, the information called for by the above mentioned items shall be given with respect to (a) each executive officer and director of such corporation; (b) each person controlling such corporation; and (c) each executive officer and director of any corporation or other person ultimately in control of such corporation.
Item 1. Security and Issuer. State the title of the class of equity securities to which this statement relates and the name and address of the principal executive offices of the issuer of such securities.
Item 2. Identity and Background. If the person filing this statement or any person enumerated in Instruction C of this statement is a corporation, general partnership, limited partnership, syndicate or other group of persons, state its name, the state or other place of its organization, its principal business, the address of its principal office and the information required by (d) and (e) of this Item. If the person filing this statement or any person enumerated in Instruction C is a natural person, provide the information specified in (a) through (f) of this Item with respect to such person(s).
(a) Name;
(b) Residence or business address;
(c) Present principal occupation or employment and the name, principal business and address of any corporation or other organization in which such employment is conducted;
(d) Whether or not, during the last five years, such person has been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors) and, if so, give the dates, nature of conviction, name and location of court, any penalty imposed, or other disposition of the case;
(e) Whether or not, during the last five years, such person was a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws; and, if so, identify and describe such proceedings and summarize the terms of such judgment, decree or final order; and
(f) Citizenship.
Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration. State the source and the amount of funds or other consideration used or to be used in making the purchases, and if any part of the purchase price is or will be represented by funds or other consideration borrowed or otherwise obtained for the purpose of acquiring, holding, trading or voting the securities, a description of the transaction and the names of the parties thereto. Where material, such information should also be provided with respect to prior acquisitions not previously reported pursuant to this regulation. If the source of all or any part of the funds is a loan made in the ordinary course of business by a bank, as defined in section 3(a)(6) of the Act, the name of the bank shall not be made available to the public if the person at the time of filing the statement so requests in writing and files such request, naming such bank, with the Secretary of the Commission. If the securities were acquired other than by purchase, describe the method of acquisition.
Item 4. Purpose of Transaction. State the purpose or purposes of the acquisition of securities of the issuer. Describe any plans or proposals which the reporting persons may have which relate to or would result in:
(a) The acquisition by any person of additional securities of the issuer, or the disposition of securities of the issuer;
(b) An extraordinary corporate transaction, such as a merger, reorganization or liquidation, involving the issuer or any of its subsidiaries;
(c) A sale or transfer of a material amount of assets of the issuer or any of its subsidiaries;
(d) Any change in the present board of directors or management of the issuer, including any plans or proposals to change the number or term of directors or to fill any existing vacancies on the board;
(e) Any material change in the present capitalization or dividend policy of the issuer;
(f) Any other material change in the issuer’s business or corporate structure, including but not limited to, if the issuer is a registered closed-end investment company, any plans or proposals to make any changes in its investment policy for which a vote is required by section 13 of the Investment Company Act of 1940;
(g) Changes in the issuer’s charter, bylaws or instruments corresponding thereto or other actions which may impede the acquisition of control of the issuer by any person;
(h) Causing a class of securities of the issuer to be delisted from a national securities exchange or to cease to be authorized to be quoted in an inter-dealer quotation system of a registered national securities association;
(i) A class of equity securities of the issuer becoming eligible for termination of registration pursuant to section 12(g)(4) of the Act; or
(j) Any action similar to any of those enumerated above.
Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer. (a) State the aggregate number and percentage of the class of securities identified pursuant to Item 1 (which may be based on the number of securities outstanding as contained in the most recently available filing with the Commission by the issuer unless the filing person has reason to believe such information is not current) beneficially owned (identifying those shares which there is a right to acquire) by each person named in Item 2. The above mentioned information should also be furnished with respect to persons who, together with any of the persons named in Item 2, comprise a group within the meaning of section 13(d)(3) of the Act;
(b) For each person named in response to paragraph (a), indicate the number of shares as to which there is sole power to vote or to direct the vote, sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition, or shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition. Provide the applicable information required by Item 2 with respect to each person with whom the power to vote or to direct the vote or to dispose or direct the disposition is shared;
(c) Describe any transactions in the class of securities reported on that were effected during the past sixty days or since the most recent filing of Schedule 13D (§ 240.13d-101), whichever is less, by the persons named in response to paragraph (a).
Instruction. The description of a transaction required by Item 5(c) shall include, but not necessarily be limited to: (1) The identity of the person covered by Item 5(c) who effected the transaction; (2) the date of transaction; (3) the amount of securities involved; (4) the price per share or unit; and (5) where and how the transaction was effected.
(d) If any other person is known to have the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, such securities, a statement to that effect should be included in response to this item and, if such interest relates to more than five percent of the class, such person should be identified. A listing of the shareholders of an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or the beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan, pension fund or endowment fund is not required.
(e) If applicable, state the date on which the reporting person ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the class of securities.
Instruction. For computations regarding securities which represent a right to acquire an underlying security, see Rule 13d-3(d)(1) and the note thereto.
Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships With Respect to Securities of the Issuer. Describe any contracts, arrangements, understandings, or relationships (legal or otherwise) among the persons named in Item 2 and between such persons and any person with respect to any securities of the issuer, including any class of such issuer’s securities used as a reference security, in connection with any of the following: call options, put options, security-based swaps or any other derivative securities, transfer or voting of any of the securities, finder’s fees, joint ventures, loan or option arrangements, guarantees of profits, division of profits or loss, or the giving or withholding of proxies, naming the persons with whom such contracts, arrangements, understandings, or relationships have been entered into. Include such information for any of the securities that are pledged or otherwise subject to a contingency the occurrence of which would give another person voting power or investment power over such securities except that disclosure of standard default and similar provisions contained in loan agreements need not be included.
Item 7. Material to be Filed as Exhibits. The following shall be filed as exhibits: Copies of written agreements relating to the filing of joint acquisition statements as required by Rule 13d-1(k) and copies of all written agreements, contracts, arrangements, understanding, plans or proposals relating to: (1) The borrowing of funds to finance the acquisition as disclosed in Item 3; (2) the acquisition of issuer control, liquidation, sale of assets, merger, or change in business or corporate structure, or any other matter as disclosed in Item 4; and (3) the transfer or voting of the securities, finder’s fees, joint ventures, options, puts, calls, guarantees of loans, guarantees against loss or of profit, or the giving or withholding of any proxy as disclosed in Item 6.
Signature. After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
The original statement shall be signed by each person on whose behalf the statement is filed or such person’s authorized representative. If the statement is signed on behalf of a person by such person’s authorized representative (other than an executive officer or general partner of the filing person), evidence of the representative’s authority to sign on behalf of such person shall be filed with the statement; provided, however, that a power of attorney for this purpose which is already on file with the Commission may be incorporated by reference. The name and any title of each person who signs the statement shall be typed or printed beneath such person’s signature.
§ 240.13d-102 Schedule 13G—Information to be included in statements filed pursuant to § 240.13d-1(b), (c), and (d) and amendments thereto filed pursuant to § 240.13d-2.
Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed: * The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page. The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
CUSIP No.______ | |
(1) Names of reporting persons | |
(2) Check the appropriate box if a member of a group | (a) |
(see instructions) | (b) |
(3) SEC use only | |
(4) Citizenship or place of organization | |
Number of shares beneficially owned by each reporting person with: | |
(5) Sole voting power | |
(6) Shared voting power | |
(7) Sole dispositive power | |
(8) Shared dispositive power | |
(9) Aggregate amount beneficially owned by each reporting person | |
(10) Check if the aggregate amount in Row (9) excludes certain shares (see instructions) | |
(11) Percent of class represented by amount in Row (9) |