(a) Market Maker Rights may be owned by (i) registered broker-dealers approved as Members of the Exchange
according to the requirements contained in this Options 2A or (ii) individuals and organizations that are
not Members of the Exchange or that are otherwise Members, but do not seek to exercise trading privileges
associated with such Rights (collectively "non-Member owners").
(b) Non-Member owners shall not be permitted to exercise trading privileges on the Exchange with respect to
such Rights, and are not considered Members of the Exchange with respect to such Rights for any purposes of
these Rules. Non-Member owners of Market Maker Rights shall lease the trading privileges associated with the
Rights (i.e., the "Membership") to registered broker-dealers approved by the Exchange as Members.
(c) Every non-Member owner of Market Maker Rights shall submit a non-Member owner application in the form and
manner prescribed by the Exchange. Non-Member owner applications must be accompanied by a non-refundable
application fee. Approved non-Member owner applicants must complete the transfer of Market Maker Rights to
the applicant within ninety (90) days of the date of approval by the Exchange. Should an approved applicant
fail to complete the transfer of a Market Maker Right within ninety (90) days, its approval shall expire
unless an extension is granted by the Exchange based on a showing that a transfer is pending or near
completion.
(d) Any increase in the number of authorized PMM Rights or CMM Rights must be approved by the affirmative
vote of the holders of at least a majority of the then outstanding PMM Rights, voting as a class, and the
affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the then outstanding CMM Rights, voting as a class
(such voting rights, the "Core Rights").
(e) Any amendments to the LLC Agreement or the By-Laws that would alter or change the powers, preferences or
special rights of one or more series of PMM Rights or CMM Rights must also be approved by the holders of a
majority of such PMM Rights or CMM Rights, as applicable.
(f) Approved applicants for membership with the Exchange must become effective market makers within ninety (90) days of the date of approval by the Exchange by owning or leasing a Membership. Should an approved applicant fail to own or lease a Membership within ninety (90) days, its approval shall expire unless an extension is granted by the Exchange based on a showing that a transfer is pending or near completion.
Adopted June 6, 2019 (SR-ISE-2019-17); amended December 29, 2020 (SR-ISE-2020-43), operative January 29, 2021.
(a) An applicant to become a Member or an approved Member may seek approval to exercise trading privileges
associated with more than one Membership in the form and manner prescribed by the Exchange.
(b) An applicant or approved Member will be denied approval with respect to a particular Membership if
(together with any of its affiliates) approval would result in the applicant or approved Member being
approved to exercise the trading privileges associated with more than one (1) Primary Market Maker
Membership or more than ten (10) Competitive Market Maker Memberships. This requirement may be waived by the
Exchange for good cause shown, but in no event shall the Exchange waive this requirement if such waiver
would result in the applicant or approved Member (together with any of its affiliates) being approved to
exercise trading privileges associated with more than 20% of the outstanding Competitive Market Maker
Memberships.
Supplementary Material to Options 2A, Section 2
.01 When making its determination whether good cause has been shown to waive the limitations contained in
Options 2A, Section 2(b), the Exchange will consider whether an operational, business or regulatory need to
exceed the limits has been demonstrated. In those cases where such a need is demonstrated, the Exchange also
will consider any operational, business or regulatory concerns that might be raised if such a waiver were
granted. The Exchange only will waive such limitations when, in its judgment, such action is in the best
interest of the Exchange.
.02 In addition to the trading concentration limits contained in this Rule, no holder or lessee of Market
Maker Rights, together with any affiliate, may gain ownership or voting rights in excess of 20% of the
outstanding PMM Rights or CMM Rights, as applicable.
Adopted June 6, 2019 (SR-ISE-2019-17).
Section 3. Sale and
Transfer of Market Maker Rights
(a) The owner of Market Maker Rights may sell or otherwise transfer ownership of its Market Maker Rights upon
the approval of the Exchange. A sale or other transfer of Market Maker Rights shall not be effective until
an executed purchase or transfer agreement between the owner and an approved transferee has been filed with,
and approved by, the Exchange in writing. The Exchange will provide a bulletin board on which interests to
sell or purchase such Market Maker Rights may be posted; however, owners are not required to post interest
to sell nor to give preference to posted interests to purchase Market Maker Rights.
(b) Whenever one or more of the following conditions exist with respect to Market Maker Rights, the Exchange
may offer the Rights for sale by posting a notice of such sale on a bulletin board for at least thirty (30)
days:
(1) An individual owner of Market Maker Rights has
died or has been declared legally incompetent, and the legal representative of such owner has failed to
consummate a transfer of the Rights within six (6) months of the owner's death or incompetence or within
such extended time as may have been granted by the Exchange;
(2) An owner's good standing has been terminated or
has been suspended and has failed to be reinstated at the expiration of the period of suspension including
any extension of such period that may have been granted by the Exchange; and
(3) An owner that is an organization has been
dissolved, formally or informally, and no transfer of its Market Maker Rights has been accomplished within
six (6) months of the dissolution or within such extended time as may have been granted by the Exchange.
(4) An owner exceeds the concentration limitations
contained in Options 2A, Section 2.
(c) Pursuant to paragraph (a) above, the Exchange's Membership Department shall either approve or disapprove
an executed transfer agreement between an owner and an approved applicant within thirty (30) days of receipt
of the agreement. A transfer agreement may be disapproved under the following circumstances: (i) the
contract attempts to transfer only part of the rights associated with a Market Maker Right; or (ii) the
transfer would result in the transferee exceeding the ownership concentration limits contained in the Rules,
or would otherwise violate the Exchange's Rules.
(d) The owner or an approved applicant that is a party to an executed transfer agreement that is denied
approval (the "Applicant") may appeal the Membership Department's decision to the Exchange Review Council,
as set forth below.
(1) Initiation of Review by Applicant. Within 25
days after service of a decision under paragraph (c), an Applicant that is denied approval may file a
written request for review with the Exchange Review Council. A request for review shall state with
specificity why the Applicant believes that the Membership Department's decision is inconsistent with the
bases for denial set forth in Options 2A, Section 3(c), or otherwise should be set aside, and state whether
a hearing is requested. The Applicant simultaneously shall file by first-class mail a copy of the request
with the Exchange.
(2) Transmission of Documents. Within ten days after
the filing of a request for review, the Exchange shall:
(A) transmit to the Exchange Review Council copies
of all documents that were considered in connection with the Exchange's decision and an index to the
documents; and
(B) serve on the Applicant a copy of such documents
(other than those documents originally submitted by the Applicant) and a copy of the index.
(3) Appointment of Subcommittee. The Exchange Review
Council or the Review Subcommittee defined in Rule 9120 shall appoint a Subcommittee to
participate in the review. The Subcommittee shall be composed of two or more persons who shall be current or
past members of the Exchange Review Council or former Directors.
(4) Powers of Subcommittee. If a hearing is
requested, the Subcommittee shall conduct the hearing. If a hearing is not requested, the Subcommittee may
serve a notice directing that a hearing be held. If a hearing is not requested or directed, the Subcommittee
shall conduct its review on the basis of the record developed before the Membership Department and any
written submissions made by the Applicant or the Membership Department in connection with the request for
review.
(5) Hearing
(A) Notice. If a hearing is requested or directed,
the hearing shall be held within 45 days after the filing of the request with the Exchange Review Council or
service of the notice by the Subcommittee. The Exchange Review Council shall serve written notice of the
date and time of the hearing to the Applicant by facsimile or overnight courier not later than 14 days
before the hearing.
(B) Counsel. The Applicant and the Membership
Department may be represented by counsel at a hearing conducted pursuant to this Rule.
(C) Evidence. Formal rules of evidence shall not
apply to a hearing under this Rule. Not later than five days before the hearing, the Applicant and the
Membership Department shall exchange copies of their proposed hearing exhibits and witness lists and provide
copies of the same to the Exchange Review Council. If the Applicant or the Membership Department fails to
provide copies of its proposed hearing exhibits or witness list within such time, the Subcommittee shall
exclude the evidence or witnesses from the proceeding, unless the Subcommittee determines that good cause is
shown for failure to comply with the production date set forth in this subparagraph.
(D) Transcript. The hearing shall be recorded and a
transcript prepared by a court reporter. A transcript of the hearing shall be available for purchase from
the court reporter at prescribed rates. The Applicant, the Membership Department, or a witness may seek to
correct the transcript. A proposed correction of the transcript shall be submitted to the Subcommittee
within a reasonable period of time prescribed by the Subcommittee. Upon notice to the Applicant and the
Membership Department, the Subcommittee may direct the correction to the transcript as requested or sua
sponte.
(6) Additional Information, Briefs. At any
time during its consideration, the Subcommittee or the Exchange Review Council may direct the Applicant or
the Membership Department to file additional information or briefs. Any additional information or brief
filed shall be provided to all parties before the Exchange Review Council renders its decision.
(7) Abandonment of Request for Review. If an
Applicant fails to specify the grounds for its request for review under Options 2A, Section 3(d)(1), appear
at a hearing for which it has notice, or file information or briefs as directed, the Exchange Review Council
or the Review Subcommittee may dismiss the request for review as abandoned, and the decision of the
Membership Department shall become a final Exchange action. Upon a showing of good cause, the Exchange
Review Council or the Review Subcommittee may withdraw a dismissal entered pursuant to this paragraph.
(8) Subcommittee Recommendation. The
Subcommittee shall present a recommended decision in writing to the Exchange Review Council within 60 days
after the date of the hearing held pursuant to subparagraph (d)(5), and not later than seven days before the
meeting of the Exchange Review Council at which the membership proceeding shall be considered.
(9) Decision
(A) Proposed Written Decision. After considering all
matters presented in the review and the Subcommittee's recommended written decision, the Exchange Review
Council may affirm, modify, or reverse the Membership Department's decision or remand the proceeding with
instructions. The Exchange Review Council shall prepare a proposed written decision pursuant to subparagraph
(d)(9)(B).
(B) Contents. The decision shall include:
(i) a description of the Exchange Review Council's
decision, including its rationale;
(ii) a description of the principal issues raised in
the review;
(iii) a summary of the evidence on each issue; and
(iv) a statement whether the Membership Department's
decision is affirmed, modified, or reversed, and a rationale therefor that references the bases for denial
in Options 2A, Section 3(c).
(C) Issuance of Decision. After Expiration of Call
for Review Periods. The Exchange Review Council shall provide its proposed written decision to the Exchange
Board. The Exchange Board may call the proceeding for review pursuant to Options 2A, Section 3(d)(10). If
the Exchange Board does not call the proceeding for review, the proposed written decision of the Exchange
Review Council shall become final. The Exchange Review Council shall serve the Applicant with a written
notice specifying the date on which the call for review period expired and stating that the final written
decision will be served within 15 days after such date. The Exchange Review Council shall serve its final
written decision within 15 days after the date on which the call for review period expired. The decision
shall constitute the final action of the Exchange for purposes of SEC Rule 19d-3, unless the Exchange Review
Council remands the membership proceeding.
(D) Failure to Issue Decision. If the Exchange
Review Council fails to serve its final written decision within the time prescribed in subparagraph
(d)(9)(C), the Applicant may file a written request with the Exchange Board requesting that the Exchange
Board direct the Exchange Review Council to serve its decision immediately or to show good cause for an
extension of time. Within seven days after the filing of such a request, the Board shall direct the Exchange
Review Council to serve its written decision immediately or to show good cause for an extension of time. If
the Exchange Review Council shows good cause for an extension of time, the Exchange Board may extend the
15-day time limit by not more than 15 days.
(10) Discretionary Review by the Exchange
Board
(A) Call for Review by Director. A Director may call
a proceeding for review by the Exchange Board if the call for review is made within the period prescribed in
subparagraph (d)(10)(B).
(B) 15 Day Period; Waiver. A Director shall make his
or her call for review at the next meeting of the Exchange Board that is at least 15 days after the date on
which the Exchange Board receives the proposed written decision of the Exchange Review Council. By unanimous
vote of the Exchange Board, the Exchange Board may shorten the period to less than 15 days. By an
affirmative vote of the majority of the Exchange Board then in office, the Exchange Board may, during the 15
day period, vote to extend the period to more than 15 days.
(C) Review At Next Meeting. If a Director calls a
proceeding for review within the time prescribed in subparagraph (d)(10)(B), the Exchange Board shall review
the proceeding not later than the next meeting of the Exchange Board. The Exchange Board may order the
Applicant and the Membership Department to file briefs in connection with review proceedings pursuant to
this paragraph.
(D) Decision of the Exchange Board, Including
Remand. After review, the Exchange Board may affirm, modify, or reverse the proposed written decision of the
Exchange Review Council. Alternatively, the Exchange Board may remand the proceeding with instructions. The
Exchange Board shall prepare a written decision that includes all of the elements described in subparagraph
(d)(9)(B).
(11) Issuance of Decision. The Exchange Board
shall serve its written decision on the Applicant within 15 days after the meeting at which it conducted its
review. The decision shall constitute the final action of the Exchange for purposes of SEC Rule 19d-3,
unless the Exchange Board remands the proceeding.
Adopted June 6, 2019 (SR-ISE-2019-17); amended June 10, 2020 (SR-ISE-2020-22), operative July 10, 2020.
The owner of Market Maker Rights in good standing may lease a Market Maker Membership to a Member, and a
lessee of a Market Maker Membership in good standing may sublease such Membership to a Member with the
permission of the owner. The owner must retain the Core Rights associated with such Market Maker Rights and
may not transfer such voting rights to the lessee.
(a) A Membership may only be leased to a Member of the Exchange that has been approved to conduct the
appropriate market making activities.
(b) Lease agreements, which may not become effective until approved by the Exchange in writing, shall include
provisions covering:
(1) the duration of the lease arrangement;
(2) the consideration to be paid by the lessee;
(3) the assignability of the respective interests of
the lessee and lessor in such lease agreement; and
(4) as between the parties, which party shall
exercise the voting rights of the Membership and which party shall provide the funds necessary to satisfy
all applicable Exchange dues, fees and other charges.
(c) Any division of rights and responsibilities between the owner and lessee shall not affect the obligation
of the owner to pay all amounts due the Exchange upon default of the lessee.
Adopted June 6, 2019 (SR-ISE-2019-17).
(a) An individual owner of Market Maker Rights that is an executive officer, director, principal shareholder
or general partner of a registered broker-dealer that is or proposes to become a Member of the Exchange, may
register his Membership for such broker-dealer by filing an application in the form prescribed by the
Exchange.
(b) The registration of a Membership for a Member by an individual may be withdrawn by the Exchange for any
reason that would justify withdrawal of the approval of the individual as an owner of a Membership.
(c) Upon the death, retirement, withdrawal or resignation from a Member of an individual whose Membership is
registered for the organization which leaves the organization without a Membership, the Exchange may permit
the organization to continue to act as a Member in good standing for such period as the Exchange deems
reasonably necessary to enable the organization to acquire a Membership.
Adopted June 6, 2019 (SR-ISE-2019-17).
(a) Every Member that transfers a Membership pursuant to the provisions of this Options 3 must be current in all
filings and payments of dues, fees and charges relating to that Membership, including filing fees and charges
required by the SEC and Securities Investor Protection Corporation. If a Member fails to make all such filings,
or to pay all such dues, fees and charges, the Exchange may, notwithstanding the other applicable provisions of
this Options 3, delay the effectiveness of the Membership for the transferee, until such failures have been
remedied.
(b) Every owner that transfers its Market Maker Rights or Memberships pursuant to the provisions of this Options
3 must be current in all payments of dues, fees and charges relating to those Rights or Memberships. If an owner
fails to pay all such dues, fees and charges, the Exchange may, notwithstanding the other applicable provisions
of this Options 3, delay the effectiveness of the transfer of the Rights or of the Memberships until such
failures have been remedied.
Adopted June 6, 2019 (SR-ISE-2019-17).