Notice2021-26713
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Extend the Temporary Remote Inspection Relief for Trading Permit Holder's Office Inspections for Calendar Years 2020 and 2021 To Include Calendar Year 2022 Through June 30, 2022
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Published
December 10, 2021
Issuing agencies
Securities and Exchange Commission
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 235 (Friday, December 10, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 235 (Friday, December 10, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70560-70562]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-26713]
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-93721; File No. SR-CBOE-2021-070]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe Exchange, Inc.; Notice of
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Extend
the Temporary Remote Inspection Relief for Trading Permit Holder's
Office Inspections for Calendar Years 2020 and 2021 To Include Calendar
Year 2022 Through June 30, 2022
December 6, 2021.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(the ``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given
that on November 24, 2021, Cboe Exchange, Inc. (the ``Exchange'' or
``Cboe Options'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the ``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I,
II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The
Exchange filed the proposal as a ``non-controversial'' proposed rule
change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act \3\ and Rule
19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\4\ The Commission is publishing this notice to
solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
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\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
\2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
\3\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
\4\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange proposes a rule change to extend the temporary remote
inspection relief for Trading Permit Holder's office inspections for
calendar years 2020 and 2021 to include calendar year 2022 through June
30, 2022.
The text of the proposed rule change is also available on the
Exchange's website (<a href="http://www.cboe.com/AboutCBOE/CBOELegalRegulatoryHome.aspx">http://www.cboe.com/AboutCBOE/CBOELegalRegulatoryHome.aspx</a>), at the Exchange's Office of the
Secretary, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.
II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements
concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and
discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The
text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in
Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in
sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such
statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
1. Purpose
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a host of operational disruptions
to the securities industry and impacted Trading Permit Holders
(``TPHs''), regulators, investors and other stakeholders. In response
to the pandemic, the Exchange began providing temporary relief to TPHs
from specified Exchange Rules and requirements, including Rule 9.2(d)
(Annual Branch Inspections). In November 2020, the Exchange adopted a
provision in Rule 8.16(f) (Office Inspections), which has expired by
its terms, that extended the time by which TPHs must complete their
calendar year 2020 inspection obligations under Rule 8.16(f) to March
31, 2021, but with the expectation that firms would conduct their
inspections on-site.\5\ The Exchange also adopted Rule 9.2(d)(5), which
automatically sunsets on December 31, 2021, to provide firms the option
of satisfying their inspection obligations under Rule 8.16(f) and
9.2(d) remotely for calendar years 2020 and 2021, subject to specified
conditions,\6\ due to the logistical challenges of going on-site while
public health and safety concerns related to COVID-19 persisted. The
Exchange notes that these temporary rules are substantively identical
to the temporary inspection extension and remote relief rules filed by
the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (``FINRA'') in 2020.\7\
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\5\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 90583 (December 7,
2020), 85 FR 80207 (December 12, 2020) (SR-CBOE-2020-112).
\6\ See id.
\7\ See Securities and Exchange Act Release Nos. 89188 (June 30,
2020), 85 FR 40713 (July 7, 2020) (SR-FINRA-2020-019); and 90454
(November 18, 2020), 85 FR 75097 (November 24, 2020) (Notice of
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of File No. SR-FINRA-2020-040).
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While there are signs of improvement, much uncertainty remains. The
emergence of the Delta variant,\8\ dissimilar vaccination rates
throughout the United States, and the uptick in transmissions in many
locations indicate that COVID-19 remains an active and real public
health concern.\9\
[[Page 70561]]
The Exchange understands that firms have delayed their return to office
plans due to the continued pandemic and are considering implementing or
have implemented hybrid work arrangements dependent on functions and
regulatory requirements.\10\ To that end, in order to address ongoing
industry-wide concerns regarding having to conduct in-person office
inspections while safety concerns related to the pandemic persist and
to align with pandemic-related regulatory relief provided by FINRA,
which recently extended their substantively identical temporary remote
inspection rules,\11\ the Exchange proposes to extend Rule 9.2(d)(5)
through June 30, 2022. The proposed extension would provide clarity to
firms on regulatory requirements and account for the time needed for
many firms to carefully assess when and how to have their employees
safely return to their offices in light of vaccination coverage in the
U.S. and transmission levels of the virus, including any emergent
variants throughout the country.
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\8\ See The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(``CDC''), What You Need to Know about Variants (stating, in part,
that ``the Delta variant causes more infections and spreads faster
than earlier forms of the virus that causes COVID19.''), <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/variant.html">https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/variant.html</a> (updated
September 3, 2021). See also CDC, The Possibility of COVID-19
Illness after Vaccination: Breakthrough Infections (stating, in
part, that ``COVID-19 vaccines are effective at preventing
infection, serious illness, and death. Most people who get COVID-19
are unvaccinated. However, since vaccines are not 100% effective at
preventing infection, some people who are fully vaccinated will
still get COVID-19 . . . People who get vaccine breakthrough
infections can be contagious.''), <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/effectiveness/why-measure-effectiveness/breakthrough-cases.html">https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/effectiveness/why-measure-effectiveness/breakthrough-cases.html</a> (updated August 23, 2021).
\9\ For example, President Joe Biden on July 29, 2021, announced
several measures to increase the number of people vaccinated against
COVID-19 and to slow the spread of the Delta variant, including
strengthening safety protocols for federal government employees and
contractors. See <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/07/29/factsheet-president-biden-to-announce-new-actions-to-get-more-americansvaccinated-and-slow-the-spread-of-the-delta-variant/">https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/07/29/factsheet-president-biden-to-announce-new-actions-to-get-more-americansvaccinated-and-slow-the-spread-of-the-delta-variant/</a>. More recently, President Joe Biden on
August 31, 2021, briefed the press on, among other things, the
government's response to the COVID-19 surge, noting the government's
continuing efforts to help states with Delta variant outbreaks. See
<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/press-briefings/2021/08/31/pressbriefing-by-white-house-covid-19-response-team-and-public-health-officials-53/">https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/press-briefings/2021/08/31/pressbriefing-by-white-house-covid-19-response-team-and-public-health-officials-53/</a>.
\10\ The Exchange notes that a majority of its TPHs are FINRA
member firms as well, and that through FINRA's ongoing monitoring
the Exchange has learned that many of its TPHs have delayed plans to
require a full return to the office and that most continue to
operate in a remote or hybrid environment.
\11\ See Release No. 34-93002 (September 15, 2021), 86 FR 52508
(September 21, 2021) (File No. SR-FINRA-2021-023).
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By extending Rule 9.2(d)(5) to cover part of calendar year 2022
inspection obligations through June 30, 2022 only, the Exchange does
not propose to amend the other conditions of the temporary rule. The
proposed amendments to Rule 9.2(d)(5) simply provide that for calendar
year 2022, a TPH has the option to conduct those inspections remotely
through June 30, 2022. The current conditions of Rule 9.2(d)(5) for
firms that elect to conduct remote inspections would remain unchanged:
Such firms must amend or supplement their written supervisory
procedures for remote inspections, use remote inspections as part of an
effective supervisory system, and maintain the required documentation.
The additional period of time would also enable the Exchange to further
monitor the effectiveness of remote inspections and their impacts--
positive or negative--on firms' overall supervisory systems in the
evolving workplace.
The Exchange continues to believe this temporary remote inspection
option is a reasonable alternative to provide to firms to fulfill their
Rule 8.16(f) and 9.2(d) obligations during the pandemic and is designed
to achieve the investor protection objectives of the inspection
requirements under these unique circumstances. Firms should consider
whether, under their particular operating conditions, reliance on
remote inspections would be reasonable under the circumstances. For
example, firms with offices that are open to the public or that are
otherwise doing business as usual should consider whether some form of
in-person inspections would be feasible and appropriately contribute to
a supervisory system that is reasonably designed to achieve compliance
with applicable securities laws and regulations, and with applicable
Exchange Rules.
The Exchange again notes that FINRA recently filed for the same
extension period of their remote relief rule,\12\ which is
substantively identical to Rule 9.2(d)(5).\13\ Like FINRA, the Exchange
proposes to make the proposed rule change operative on January 1, 2022.
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\12\ See supra note 11.
\13\ See supra notes 5 and 7.
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1. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ``Act'') and the rules and
regulations thereunder applicable to the Exchange and, in particular,
the requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act.\14\ Specifically, the
Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the
Section 6(b)(5) \15\ requirements that the rules of an exchange be
designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to
promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation
and coordination with persons engaged in regulating, clearing,
settling, processing information with respect to, and facilitating
transactions in securities, to remove impediments to and perfect the
mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system, and,
in general, to protect investors and the public interest. Additionally,
the Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the
Section 6(b)(5) \16\ requirement that the rules of an exchange not be
designed to permit unfair discrimination between customers, issuers,
brokers, or dealers.
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\14\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
\15\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
\16\ Id.
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In particular, the Exchange believes that, in recognition of the
ongoing impact of COVID 19 on performing the on-site inspection
component of Rules 8.16(f) and 9.2(d), the proposed rule change is
intended to provide firms a temporary regulatory option to conduct
inspections of offices and locations remotely during the first half of
calendar year 2022. This temporary remote relief rule and the proposed
extension thereof does not relieve firms from meeting the core
regulatory obligation to establish and maintain a system to supervise
the activities of each associated person that is reasonably designed to
achieve compliance with applicable securities laws and regulations, and
with applicable Exchange Rules that directly serve investor protection.
In a time when faced with ongoing challenges resulting from the COVID-
19 pandemic, the Exchange believes that the proposed rule change
provides sensibly tailored relief that will afford firms the ability to
assess when and how to implement their work re-entry plans as measured
against the health and safety of their personnel, while continuing to
serve and promote the protection of investors and the public interest.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will
impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate
in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The Exchange does not
believe the proposed temporary rule changes will impose any burden on
intramarket competition that is not necessary or appropriate in
furtherance of the Act, because the proposed extension of the temporary
remote inspection relief rule will apply equally to all TPHs required
to conduct office and location inspections in calendar year 2022
through June 30, 2022. The Exchange further does not believe that the
proposed extension to the temporary rule will impose any burden on
intermarket competition because it relates only to the extension of the
remote manner in which inspections for 2022 may be conducted.
Additionally, and as stated above, FINRA has recently submitted a
filing to extend its substantively identical temporary remote relief
rule for its members in the same manner.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others
The Exchange neither solicited nor received comments on the
proposed rule change.
[[Page 70562]]
III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not:
A. Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public
interest;
B. impose any significant burden on competition; and
C. become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was
filed, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate,
it has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \17\
and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) \18\ thereunder.
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\17\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
\18\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
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At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule
change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule
change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or
appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or
otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission
takes such action, the Commission will institute proceedings to
determine whether the proposed rule change should be approved or
disapproved.
IV. Solicitation of Comments
Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule
change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of
the following methods:
Electronic Comments
<bullet> Use the Commission's internet comment form (<a href="http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml">http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml</a>); or
<bullet> Send an email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c2b0b7aea7efa1adafafa7acb6b182b1a7a1eca5adb4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8bf9fee7eea6e8e4e6e6eee5fff8cbf8eee8a5ece4fd">[email protected]</span></a>. Please include
File Number SR-CBOE-2021-070 on the subject line.
Paper Comments
<bullet> Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities
and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549-1090.
All submissions should refer to File Number SR-CBOE-2021-070. This file
number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help
the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently,
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on
the Commission's internet website (<a href="http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml">http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml</a>).
Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written
statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with
the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed
rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those
that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions
of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for website viewing and printing in
the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC
20549 on official business days between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and
3:00 p.m. Copies of the filing also will be available for inspection
and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All comments
received will be posted without change. Persons submitting comments are
cautioned that we do not redact or edit personal identifying
information from comment submissions. You should submit only
information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions
should refer to File Number SR-CBOE-2021-070 and should be submitted on
or before January 3, 2022.
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\19\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\19\
J. Matthew DeLesDernier,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021-26713 Filed 12-9-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
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