rulebook-banner
Nasdaq Rulebook Search Banner
rulebook-rules-menurulebook-rules-menu
BSECC  | BX  | GEMX  | ISE  | MRX  | Nasdaq  | PHLX  | SCCP   
Print   Copy Link
Search in
Search
Print | Copy Link |
Home > > nasdaq-general-3
General 3 Membership and Access
1001. Nasdaq Regulatory Contract with FINRA

The Exchange and FINRA are parties to the Regulatory Contract, pursuant to which FINRA has agreed to perform certain functions described in the Rule 1000 Series and the General 4, Rule 1200 Series on behalf of the Exchange. Exchange Rules that refer to the Exchange's Regulation Department, Nasdaq Regulation Department staff, Exchange staff, and Exchange departments should be understood as also referring to FINRA staff and FINRA departments acting on behalf of the Exchange pursuant to the Regulatory Contract.

Notwithstanding the fact that the Exchange has entered into the Regulatory Contract with FINRA to perform some of the Exchange's functions, the Exchange shall retain ultimate legal responsibility for, and control of, such functions. In addition, the Exchange has incorporated by reference certain FINRA rules. Members shall comply with these rules and interpretations as if such rules and interpretations were part of the Exchange's Rules.

Adopted by SEC Release 34-53128 (Jan. 13, 2006); amended by SR-NASDAQ-2008-054 eff. June 13, 2008; amended Sept. 27, 2018 (SR-NASDAQ-2018-078), operative Oct. 1, 2018; amended Nov. 14, 2018 (SR-NASDAQ-2018-093); amended Mar. 27, 2019 (SR-NASDAQ-2019-022), operative May 6, 2019; amended Nov. 23, 2020 (SR-NASDAQ-2020-079).

1002. Qualifications of Exchange Members and Associated Persons; Registration of Branch Offices and Designation of Office of Supervisory Jurisdiction

(a) Persons Eligible to Become Members and Associated Persons.

(1) Any registered broker or dealer shall be eligible for membership in the Exchange, except such registered brokers or dealers as are excluded under paragraph (b).

(2) Any person shall be eligible to become an Associated Person of a Member, except such persons as are excluded under paragraph (b).

(b) Ineligibility of Certain Persons for Membership or Association

(1) Subject to such exceptions as may be explicitly provided elsewhere in the Rules, no registered broker or dealer shall be admitted to membership, and no Member shall be continued in membership, if such broker, dealer, or Member fails or ceases to satisfy the qualification requirements established by the Rules, or if such broker, dealer, or Member is or becomes subject to a statutory disqualification, or if such broker, dealer, or Member fails to file such forms as may be required in accordance with such process as the Exchange may prescribe.

(2) Subject to such exceptions as may be explicitly provided elsewhere in the Rules, no person shall become associated with a Member, continue to be associated with a Member, or transfer association to another Member, if such person fails or ceases to satisfy the qualification requirements established by the Rules, or if such person is or becomes subject to a statutory disqualification; and no broker or dealer shall be admitted to membership, and no Member shall be continued in membership, if any person associated with it is ineligible to be an Associated Person under this subsection.

For purposes of “statutory disqualification” as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(39) of the Exchange Act the terms “person associated with a member” and “associated person” shall mean (1) a natural person who is registered or has applied for registration under the Rules of the Exchange; (2) a sole proprietor, partner, officer, director, or branch manager of a member, or other natural person occupying a similar status or performing similar functions, or a natural person engaged in the investment banking or securities business who is directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by a member, whether or not any such person is registered or exempt from registration with the Exchange under its Rules; and (3) for purposes of Nasdaq General 5, Rule 8210, any other person listed in Schedule A of Form BD of a member.

(c) Membership in a Registered Securities Association or Another Registered Exchange. As a condition to maintaining membership in the Exchange, Members shall at all times maintain membership in a registered securities association that is not registered solely under Section 15A(k) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or another registered exchange that is not registered solely under Section 6(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Members that transact business with customers shall at all times be members of FINRA.

(d) Registration of Branch Offices and Designation of Office of Supervisory Jurisdiction

(1) Each branch office of a Member shall be registered with the Exchange.

(2) Each Member must designate to the Exchange those offices of supervisory jurisdiction, including the main office in accordance with the standards set forth in General 9, Section 20.

(3) Each Member shall promptly advise the Exchange, via electronic means or such other means as the Exchange may prescribe, of the opening, closing, relocation, change in designated supervisor, or change in designated activities of any branch office of such Member not later than 30 days after the effective date of such change.

(A) Members that are also FINRA members shall be deemed to have complied with this provision if they are in compliance with FINRA rules by keeping current Form BR.

(B) Members that are not FINRA members shall promptly advise the Exchange by submitting to the Exchange a Branch Office Disclosure Form.

Adopted Jan. 13, 2006 ( SEC Release 34-53128); amended June 13, 2008 (SR-NASDAQ-2008-054); amended Dec. 8, 2010 (SR-NASDAQ-2010-163); amended Jan. 6, 2012 (SR-NASDAQ-2012-006); amended Oct. 18, 2017 (SR-NASDAQ-2017-111); amended Nov. 19, 2018 (SR-NASDAQ-2018-098); amended Mar. 27, 2019 (SR-NASDAQ-2019-022), operative May 6, 2019; amended Nov. 23, 2020 (SR-NASDAQ-2020-079); amended Mar. 8, 2022 (SR-NASDAQ-2022-022), operative Apr. 7, 2022.

1010. Membership Proceedings
1011. Definitions

Unless otherwise provided, terms used in the Rule 1000 Series and the General 4, Rule 1200 Series shall have the meaning as defined in General 1 and Equity 1.

(a) "Applicant"

The term "Applicant" means a person that applies for membership in the Exchange under Rule 1013 or a Member that files an application for approval of a change in ownership, control, or business operations under Rule 1017.

(b) "Associated Person"

The term "Associated Person" means any partner, officer, director, or branch manager of a Member or Applicant (or person occupying a similar status or performing similar functions), any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such Member or Applicant, or any employee of such Member or Applicant, except that any person associated with a Member or Applicant whose functions are solely clerical or ministerial shall not be included in the meaning of such term for purposes of the Rules.

(c) "Department"

The term "Department" means the Exchange's Membership Department located within the Exchange's Regulation Department.

(d) "Director"

The term "Director" means a member of the Exchange Board.

(e) "Interested Staff"

The term "Interested Staff" means an employee who directly participates in a decision under Rule 1014 or 1017, an employee who directly supervises an employee with respect to such decision, an employee who conducted an investigation or examination of a member that files an application under Rule 1017, and the head of the Department.

(f) "Securities business"

The term "securities business" means the business of purchasing securities and offering the same for sale as a dealer, or of purchasing and selling securities upon the order and for the account of others.

(g) Reserved.

(h) "Exchange Board"

The term "Exchange Board" means the Board of Directors of the Exchange.

(i) "principal place of business"

The term "principal place of business" means the executive office from which the sole proprietor or the officers, partners, or managers of the Applicant direct, control, and coordinate the activities of the Applicant, unless the Department determines that the principal place of business is where: (1) the largest number of Associated Persons of the Applicant are located; or (2) the books and records necessary to provide information and data to operate the business and comply with applicable rules are located.

(j) "registered broker or dealer"

The term "registered broker or dealer" means any broker or dealer, as defined in Section 3(a)(48) of the Act, that is registered with the Commission under the Act.

(k) "Representative"

The term "Representative" shall have the meaning assigned to it in General 4, Rule 1220(b)(1). All Representatives of the Exchange Members are required to be registered with the Exchange, and Representatives that are so registered are referred to herein as "Registered Representatives."

(l) "sales practice event"

The term "sales practice event" means any customer complaint, arbitration, or civil litigation that has been reported to the Central Registration Depository, currently is required to be reported to the Central Registration Depository, or otherwise has been reported to the Exchange.

(m) "Subcommittee"

The term "Subcommittee" means a subcommittee of the Exchange Review Council that is constituted pursuant to Rule 1015 to conduct a review of a Department decision issued under the Rule 1010 Series.

(n) "statutory disqualification"

The term "statutory disqualification" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a)(39) of the Act.

(o) "Proprietary Trading Firm"

The term "proprietary trading firm" means an Applicant or Member with the following characteristics:

(1) the Applicant or Member is not required by Section 15(b)(8) of the Act to become a FINRA member but is a member of another registered securities exchange not registered solely under Section 6(g) of the Act;

(2) all funds used by the Applicant or Member or proposed to be used by the Applicant or Member for trading are the Applicant's or Member's own capital, traded through the Applicant's or Member's own accounts;

(3) the Applicant or Member does not, and will not have "customers," as that term is defined in Equity 1, Section 1; and

(4) all Principals and Representatives of the Applicant or Member acting or to be acting in the capacity of a trader must be owners of, employees of, or contractors to the Applicant.

Adopted Jan. 13, 2006 SEC Release 34-53128; amended July 24, 2006 (SR-NASDAQ-2006-017); amended Dec. 6, 2007 (SR-NASDAQ-2007-085); amended Nov. 23, 2009 (SR-NASDAQ-2009-102); amended Oct. 18, 2017 (SR-NASDAQ-2017-111); amended Sept. 27, 2018 (SR-NASDAQ-2018-078), operative Oct. 1, 2018; amended Nov. 14, 2018 (SR-NASDAQ-2018-093); amended Mar. 27, 2019 (SR-NASDAQ-2019-022), operative May 6, 2019; amended Nov. 23, 2020 (SR-NASDAQ-2020-079).

1012. General Application Provisions

(a) Instructions for Filing Application Materials with the Exchange and Requirements for Service of Documents by the Exchange;

(1) An Applicant or Member may file an application or any document or information requested under the Rule 1010 Series by first-class mail, overnight courier, hand delivery, or by electronic means. If the Department and the Applicant or Member agree, the Applicant or Member also may file a requested document or information by facsimile.

(2) The Exchange shall serve a notice or decision issued under the Rule 1010 Series by first-class mail or electronic means on the Applicant or Member or its counsel, unless a Rule specifies a different method of service.

(3) Service by the Exchange or filing by an Applicant or Member shall be deemed complete as follows:

(A) Service or filing by first-class mail shall be deemed complete on the date of postmark;

(B) Service or filing by overnight courier shall be deemed complete on the date of delivery to the overnight courier as specified in the airbill;

(C) Service or filing by hand delivery shall be deemed complete on the date of receipt as evidenced by a date stamp;

(D) Service or filing by facsimile shall be deemed complete on the date specified in the document and on the written confirmation of transmission; and

(E) Service or filing by electronic means shall be deemed complete on the date of transmission, except that service or filing shall not be deemed to have occurred if, subsequent to transmission, the serving or filing party receives notice that its attempted transmission was unsuccessful.

(b) Computation of Time

(1) Calendar Day

In the Rule 1010 Series, "day" means calendar day, unless otherwise specified.

(2) Formula

In computing a period of time under the Rule 1010 Series, the day of the act, event, default, or lapse from which the period of time designated begins to run shall not be included. The last day of the period so computed shall be included unless it is a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday, in which event the period runs until the end of the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday. Intermediate Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays shall be excluded from the computation when the period prescribed is ten days or less or when the term "business day" is used.

(c) Duty to Ensure the Accuracy, Completeness, and Current Nature of Membership Information Filed with the Exchange

(1) Each Applicant, Member, and Associated Person shall ensure that all membership information they file with the Exchange, including but not limited to their application forms and all information they file in support of their applications under Rules 1013 and 1017, is accurate, complete, and current at the time of filing.

(2) Each Applicant, Member, and Associated Person shall ensure that their membership applications and supporting materials filed with the Exchange remain accurate, complete, and current at all times by filing supplementary amendments with the Department, as necessary. Such amendments to the application shall be filed with the Department not later than 15 business days after the Applicant, Member, or Associated Person learns of the facts or circumstances giving rise to the need for the amendment. The Applicant, Member, and Associated Person shall promptly notify the Department in writing of any material adverse change in its financial condition.

Adopted by SEC Release 34-53128 (Jan. 13, 2006); amended by SR-NASDAQ-2006-017 eff. July 24, 2006; amended by SR-NASDAQ-2007-085 eff. Dec. 6, 2007; amended by SR-NASDAQ-2008-054 eff. June 13, 2008; amended Sept. 24, 2018 (SR-NASDAQ-2018-066); amended Mar. 27, 2019 (SR-NASDAQ-2019-022), operative May 6, 2019; amended Nov. 23, 2020 (SR-NASDAQ-2020-079).

1013. New Member Application

(a)Filing of Application

(1) Where to File; Contents

An Applicant for membership shall file its application with the Department in accordance with this Rule. An Applicant shall submit an application that includes:

(A) a copy of the Applicant's current Form BD, if not otherwise available to the Exchange electronically through the Central Registration Depository;

(B) an original Exchange-approved fingerprint card for each Associated Person who will be subject to SEC Rule 17f-2 and for whom a fingerprint card has not been filed with another self-regulatory organization, if such fingerprints are not otherwise available electronically to the Exchange through the Central Registration Depository;

(C) payment for such fee as may be required under the Rules;

(D) a description of the Applicant's proposed trading activities on the Exchange, such as the types of securities it will trade, whether it will be a market maker, or an order entry firm, and/or engage in block trading activities, and the extent to which the Applicant is conducting such activities as a member of other SRO(s);

(E) a copy of the Applicant's most recent audited financial statements and a description of any material changes in the Applicant's financial condition since the date of the financial statements;

(F) an organizational chart;

(G) the intended location of the Applicant's principal place of business and all other branch offices, if any, and the names of the persons who will be in charge of each office;

(H) a description of the communications and operational systems the Applicant will employ to conduct business and the plans and procedures the Applicant will employ to ensure business continuity, including: system capacity to handle the anticipated level of usage; contingency plans in the event of systems or other technological or communications problems or failures; system redundancies; disaster recovery plans; and system security;

(I) a copy of any decision or order by a federal or state authority or self-regulatory organization taking permanent or temporary adverse action with respect to a registration or licensing determination regarding the Applicant or an Associated Person;

(J) a statement indicating whether the Applicant or any person listed on Schedule A of the Applicant's Form BD is currently, or has been in the last ten years, the subject of any investigation or disciplinary proceeding conducted by any self-regulatory organization, the foreign equivalent of a self-regulatory organization, a foreign or international securities exchange, a contract market designated pursuant to the Commodity Exchange Act or any substantially equivalent foreign statute or regulation, a futures association registered under the Commodity Exchange Act or any substantially similar foreign statute or regulation, the Commission or any other "appropriate regulatory agency" (as defined in the Act), the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or any state financial regulatory agency regarding the Applicant's activities that has not been reported to the Central Registration Depository, together with all relevant details, including any sanctions imposed;

(K) a statement indicating whether any person listed on Schedule A of the Applicant's Form BD is currently, or has been in the last ten years, the subject of any investigation or disciplinary proceeding conducted by any self-regulatory organization, the foreign equivalent of a self-regulatory organization, a foreign or international securities exchange, a contract market designated pursuant to the Commodity Exchange Act or any substantially equivalent foreign statute or regulation, a futures association registered under the Commodity Exchange Act or any substantially similar foreign statute or regulation, the Commission or any other "appropriate regulatory agency", the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or any state financial regulatory agency regarding the Applicant's activities that has not been reported to the Central Registration Depository, together with all relevant details, including any sanctions imposed;

(L) a copy of any contract or agreement with another brokerdealer, a bank, a clearing entity, a service bureau or a similar entity to provide the Applicant with services regarding the execution or clearance and settlement of transactions effected on the Exchange;

(M) if the Applicant proposes to make markets on the Exchange, a description of the source and amount of Applicant's capital to support its market making activities on the Exchange, and the source of any additional capital that may become necessary;

(N) a description of the financial controls to be employed by the Applicant with respect to anti-money laundering compliance rules as set forth in General 9, Section 37;

(O) a copy of the Applicant's written supervisory procedures with respect to the activities identified in paragraph (a)(1)(D);

(P) a list of the persons conducting the Applicant's market making and other trading activities, and a list of the persons responsible for such persons' supervision, together with the CRD numbers;

(Q) Reserved.

(R) a copy of the Applicant's most recent "FOCUS Report" (Form X-17A-5) filed with the SEC pursuant to SEC Rule 17a-5 (the most current Parts I, II, and III, as applicable);

(S) all examination reports and corresponding responses regarding the Applicant for the previous two years from the self-regulatory organizations of which it is a member;

(T) a copy of the Exchange's Membership Agreement, duly executed by the Applicant, which includes, among other things:

(1) an agreement to comply with the federal securities laws, the rules and regulations thereunder, the Rules, and all rulings, orders, directions, and decisions issued and sanctions imposed under the Rules;

(2) an agreement to pay such dues, assessments, and other charges in the manner and amount as from time to time shall be fixed pursuant to the Rules; and

(U) such other reasonable information with respect to the Applicant as the Exchange may require.

(2) When an Application is Deemed to be Filed

The Department will deem an application to be filed on the date when it is substantially complete, meaning the date on which the Department receives from the Applicant all material documentation and information required under this Rule. The Exchange will notify the Applicant in writing when the Exchange deems the Applicant's application to be substantially complete.

(3)Incomplete Applications

(A) Lapse of Applications that are not Substantially Complete

If an application that was initiated under this Rule is not deemed to be substantially complete by the Department within 90 calendar days after an Applicant initiates it, then absent a showing of good cause by the Applicant, the Department may, at its discretion, deem the application to have lapsed without filing, and the Department will take no action in furtherance of the application. If the Department deems an application to have lapsed, then the Department shall serve a written notice of that determination on the Applicant. If an Applicant still wishes to apply for membership on the Exchange after receiving notice of a lapse in its application, then the Applicant will be required to submit a new application pursuant to these Rules and pay a new application fee for doing so, if applicable. The Department will refund fees that an Applicant has paid to the Exchange in connection with a lapsed application, in accordance with its Rules regarding fees, provided that the Exchange has not proceeded to process the application at the time it lapses. For purposes of this paragraph, the Department will deem an application to be not "substantially complete" if the Applicant fails to submit to the Department materially important information or documentation that is required or requested under these Rules.

(B) Rejection of Filed Applications that Remain or Become Incomplete After Filing

If an application that was initiated under this Rule is substantially complete and thus is deemed to be filed with the Exchange under paragraph (a)(2) of this Rule, but the application nevertheless remains or becomes incomplete with respect to any required or requested information or documentation, then the Department shall serve written notice to the Applicant of such incompleteness and describe the missing information or documentation. If the Applicant fails to submit to the Exchange the missing information or documentation within a reasonable period after it receives a notice of incompleteness, then absent a showing of good cause by the Applicant, the Department may, at its discretion, reject the application. If the Department rejects an application on the basis of incompleteness, then the Department shall serve a written notice on the Applicant of the Department's determination and the reasons therefor. The Exchange shall not refund the application fees that an Applicant has paid to the Exchange in connection with an application that the Exchange rejects. If the Applicant determines to continue to seek membership on the Exchange, then the Applicant shall submit a new application and pay a new application fee in accordance with the Rules.

(4) Requests by the Department for Additional Documents or Information from the Applicant or from Third Parties

(A) At any time before the Department serves its decision as to an application for new membership in the Exchange, the Department may serve a written request for additional information or documentation, from the Applicant or from a third party, if the Department deems such information or documentation to be necessary to clarify, verify, or supplement the application materials. The Department may, at its discretion, request that the Applicant or the third party provide the requested information or documentation in writing or through an in person or telephonic interview. In the written request, the Department shall afford the Applicant or the third party a reasonable period of time within which to respond to the request.

(B) In the event that the Department obtains information or documentation about an Applicant from a third party that the Department reasonably believes could adversely impact its decision on an application, then the Department shall promptly inform the Applicant in writing and provide the Applicant with a description of the information or a copy of the documentation that the Department obtained, where appropriate under the circumstances. Prior to rendering an application decision on the basis of information or documentation obtained from a third party source, the Department shall afford the Applicant with a reasonable opportunity to discuss or to otherwise address the information or documentation that the Department obtained from the third party.

(b) Special Application Procedures

(1) Special Application Procedures for Applicants that are FINRA Members

(A) An Applicant that is a FINRA member shall have the option to waive-in to become a Member and to register with the Exchange all persons associated with the Applicant whose registrations with the Applicant are approved with FINRA in categories recognized by the Exchange's Rules. For purposes of this provision, the term "waive-in" means that the Department will rely substantially upon FINRA's determination to approve the Applicant for FINRA membership when the Department evaluates the Applicant for Exchange membership.

(B) Waive-in membership that is granted pursuant to this provision shall terminate in the event that the Applicant ceases to be a FINRA member and otherwise fails to comply with Rule 1002(c).

(C) In lieu of submitting an application as set forth in paragraph (a), an Applicant may waive-in to Exchange membership as provided in subparagraph (b)(1) by filing with the Exchange a waive-in application form and an executed Exchange Membership Agreement.

(D) The Department will act upon a duly submitted application to waive-into Exchange membership under paragraph (b)(1) by serving upon the Applicant a written notification of its decision within a reasonable time frame not to exceed 20 days of submission of the application, unless the Department and the Applicant agree that the Department may issue its decision at a later date. A failure of the Department to issue a decision within this time frame shall be subject to Rule 1014(c)(3). The Department will normally grant a duly submitted application to waive-into Exchange membership, provided that the Applicant submits the required materials, the Department verifies that the Applicant is a FINRA member, and that the Department is not otherwise aware of any basis to deny or condition approval of the application, as set forth in Rule 1014. A decision issued under this provision shall have the same effectiveness as set forth in Rule 1014 and shall be subject to review as set forth in Rules 1015 and 1016.

(2) Special Application Procedures Applicable to Applicants that are Already Members of an Affiliated Exchange

(A) An Applicant that is a member of an exchange that is affiliated with the Exchange shall have the option to waive-in to become a Member of the Exchange and to register with the Exchange all persons associated with the Applicant whose registrations with the Applicant are approved with the other affiliated exchange in categories recognized by the Rules. For purposes of this provision, the term "waive-in" means that the Department will rely substantially upon an affiliated exchange's determination to approve the Applicant for exchange membership when the Department evaluates the Applicant for membership.

(B) In lieu of submitting an application as set forth in paragraph (a), an Applicant may waive-into Exchange membership as provided in subparagraph (b)(2) by filing with the Department a waive-in application form. As part of this form, the Applicant must attest to the fact that it has made no unapproved material changes to its brokerdealer business subsequent to its approval as a member of an affiliated exchange.

(C) The Department will act upon a duly submitted application to waive-into Exchange membership under paragraph (b)(2) by serving upon the Applicant a written notification of its decision within a reasonable time frame not to exceed 20 days of submission of the application, unless the Department and the Applicant agree that the Department may issue its decision at a later date. A failure of the Department to issue a decision within this time frame shall be subject to Rule 1014(c)(3). The Department will normally grant a duly submitted application to waive-into Exchange membership, provided that the Applicant submits the required materials, the Department verifies that the Applicant is a member of an exchange affiliated with the Exchange, and that the Department is not otherwise aware of any basis to deny or condition approval of the application, as set forth in Rule 1014. A decision issued under this provision shall have the same effectiveness as set forth in Rule 1014 and shall be subject to review as set forth in Rules 1015 and 1016.

Adopted Jan. 13, 2006 ( SEC Release 34-53128); amended July 24, 2006 (SR-NASDAQ-2006-017); amended Dec. 6, 2007 (SR-NASDAQ-2007-085); amended Aug. 21, 2012 (SR-NASDAQ-2012-097); amended Jan. 5, 2015 (SR-NASDAQ-2015-004), operative Feb. 4, 2015; amended Oct. 18, 2017 (SR-NASDAQ-2017-111); amended Mar. 27, 2019 (SR-NASDAQ-2019-022), operative May 6, 2019; amended Nov. 23, 2020 (SR-NASDAQ-2020-079).

1014. Department Decision

(a) Authority of Department to Approve, Approve with Restrictions, or Deny an Application

After evaluating an application for membership on the basis of the criteria set forth in paragraph (b) below, the Department shall issue one of the following decisions:

(1) approve the application;

(2) approve the application, subject to one or more restrictions:

(A) that are reasonably designed to address a specific financial, operational, supervisory, disciplinary, investor protection, or other regulatory concern; or

(B) that have been imposed by FINRA or by an affiliated exchange in their applicable membership determinations concerning the Applicant, in instances where the Applicant has applied for Exchange membership pursuant to Rule 1013(b); or

(3) deny the application.

(b) Bases for Approval, Conditional Approval, or Denial

After considering the completed application, other information and documents provided by the Applicant, other information and documents obtained by the Department, and the public interest and the protection of investors, the Department shall approve an application under Rules 1013 or 1017 by an Applicant that is not, and is not required to become, a FINRA member unless the Department determines that such information or documents provide a basis for denial of membership:

(1) The Department may deny (or condition) approval of an Applicant for the same reasons that the Commission may deny or revoke a broker or dealer registration and for those reasons required or allowed under the Act;

(2) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Department may deny (or condition) approval of an Applicant when the Applicant directly or indirectly:

(A) is unable to satisfactorily demonstrate its present capacity to adhere to all applicable Exchange and Commission policies, rules, and regulations, including, without limitation, those concerning recordkeeping, reporting, finance, and trading procedures;

(B) has previously violated, and there is a reasonable likelihood such Applicant will again engage in acts or practices violative of, any applicable Exchange or Commission policies, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, those concerning record-keeping, reporting, finance and trading procedures or those rules of other self-regulatory organizations of which such Applicant is or was a member;

(C) has engaged, and there is a reasonable likelihood such Applicant will again engage, in acts or practices inconsistent with just and equitable principles of trade;

(D) is not in compliance with the Commission's net capital rule (17 C.F.R. 240.15c3-1), or has financial difficulties involving an amount that is more than 5% of the Applicant's net worth;

(E) has been itself, or is the successor to an entity which has been subject to any bankruptcy proceeding, receivership or arrangement for the benefit of creditors within the past three years;

(F) has engaged in an established pattern of failure to pay just debts;

(G) does not have such licenses and registrations as are required by governmental authorities and self-regulatory organizations; or

(H) is unable satisfactorily to demonstrate reasonably adequate systems capacity and capability.

(3) The Department will not approve an Applicant unless the Applicant is a member of another registered securities exchange or association that is not registered solely under Section 6(g) or Section 15A(k) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. An Applicant that will transact business with the public must be a member of FINRA.

(c) Decision

(1) Time

The Department shall serve a written decision on the membership application within a reasonable time period, not to exceed 45 days after the Applicant files and provides to the Exchange all required and requested information or documents in connection with the Applicant's application, unless the Department and the Applicant agree that the Department may issue its decision at a later date.

(2) Content

If the Department denies the application or grants the application subject to restrictions, the decision shall explain in detail the reason for denial or restriction, referencing the applicable bases in paragraph (a).

(3) Failure to Serve Decision

If the Department fails to serve a decision within the time frame set forth in subparagraph (c)(1) of this Rule, the Applicant may file a written request with the Exchange Board requesting that the Exchange Board direct the Department to serve a decision. Within seven days after the filing of such a request, the Exchange Board shall direct the Department to serve its written decision immediately or to show good cause for an extension of time. If the Department shows good cause for an extension of time, the Exchange Board may grant an extension of not more than 45 days thereafter.

(d) Reserved

(e) Service and Effectiveness of Decision

The Department shall serve its decision on the Applicant in accordance with Rule 1012. The decision shall become effective upon service and shall remain in effect during the pendency of any review until a decision constituting final action of the Exchange is issued under Rule 1015 or 1016, unless otherwise directed by the Exchange Review Council, the Exchange Board, or the Commission.

(f) Effectiveness of Restriction

A restriction imposed under this Rule shall remain in effect and bind the Applicant and all successors to the ownership or control of the Applicant unless:

(1) removed or modified by a decision constituting final action of the Exchange issued under Rule 1015, 1016, or 1017; or

(2) stayed by the Exchange Review Council, the Exchange Board, or the Commission.

(g) Final Action

Unless the Applicant files a written request for a review under Rule 1015, the Department's decision shall constitute final action by the Exchange.

Adopted by SEC Release 34-53128 (Jan. 13, 2006); amended by SR-NASDAQ-2007-085 eff. Dec. 6, 2007; amended by SR-NASDAQ-2008-054 eff. June 13, 2008; amended Mar. 27, 2019 (SR-NASDAQ-2019-022), operative May 6, 2019; amended Nov. 23, 2020 (SR-NASDAQ-2020-079).

1015. Review by Exchange Review Council

(a) Initiation of Review by Applicant

Within 25 days after service of a decision under Rule 1014 or 1017, an Applicant 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 Department's decision is inconsistent with the bases for denial set forth in Rule 1014, or otherwise should be set aside, and state whether a hearing is requested. The Applicant simultaneously shall file a copy of the request with the Department.

(b) Transmission of Documents

Within ten days after the filing of a request for review, the Department shall:

(1) transmit to the Exchange Review Council copies of all documents that were considered in connection with the Department's decision and an index to the documents; and

(2) serve on the Applicant a copy of such documents (other than those documents originally submitted by Applicant) and a copy of the index.

(c) Membership Application Docket

The Department shall promptly record in the Exchange's membership application docket each request for review filed with the Exchange Review Council under this Rule and each material subsequent event, filing, and change in the status of a membership proceeding.

(d) 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.

(e) 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 Department and any written submissions made by the Applicant or the Department in connection with the request for review.

(f) Hearing

(1) 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.

(2) Counsel

The Applicant and the Department may be represented by counsel at a hearing conducted pursuant to this Rule.

(3) 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 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 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.

(4) 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 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 Department, the Subcommittee may direct the correction to the transcript as requested or sua sponte.

(5)Video Conference Hearing

Upon consideration of the current public health risks presented by an in-person hearing, the Exchange Review Council or Subcommittee may, on a temporary basis, determine that the hearing shall be conducted, in whole or in part, by video conference.

(g) Additional Information, Briefs

At any time during its consideration, the Subcommittee or the Exchange Review Council may direct the Applicant or the 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.

(h) Abandonment of Request for Review

If an Applicant fails to specify the grounds for its request for review under Rule 1015(a)(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 Department shall become the final action of the Exchange. Upon a showing of good cause, the Exchange Review Council or the Review Subcommittee may withdraw a dismissal entered pursuant to this paragraph.

(i) 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 paragraph (f), and not later than seven days before the meeting of the Exchange Review Council at which the membership proceeding shall be considered.

(j) Decision

(1) 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 Department's decision or remand the membership proceeding with instructions. The Exchange Review Council shall prepare a proposed written decision pursuant to subparagraph (2).

(2) Contents

The decision shall include:

(A) a description of the Department's decision, including its rationale;

(B) a description of the principal issues raised in the review;

(C) a summary of the evidence on each issue; and

(D) a statement whether the Department's decision is affirmed, modified, or reversed, and a rationale therefor that references the bases for denial in Rule 1014.

(3) 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 membership proceeding for review pursuant to Rule 1016. If the Exchange Board does not call the membership 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 Nasdaq for purposes of SEC Rule 19d-3, unless the Exchange Review Council remands the membership proceeding.

(4) Failure to Issue Decision

If the Exchange Review Council fails to serve its final written decision within the time prescribed in subparagraph (3), 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.

(k) Ex Parte Communications

(1) The prohibitions against ex parte communications shall become effective when Exchange staff has knowledge that an Applicant intends to file a written request for review by the Exchange Review Council under Rule 1015.

(2) Unless on notice and opportunity for an Applicant and Interested Staff to participate, or to the extent required for the disposition of ex parte matters as authorized by the Exchange's Rules:

(A) an Applicant, a counsel or representative of an Applicant, or an Interested Staff shall not make or knowingly cause to be made an ex parte communication relevant to the merits of a membership proceeding under the Rule 1010 Series to a Director, a member of the Exchange Review Council or a Subcommittee thereof, or an Exchange employee who is participating or advising in a decision of such a person with respect to that proceeding; and

(B) a Director, a member of the Exchange Review Council or a Subcommittee thereof, or an Exchange employee who is participating or advising in the decision of such a person with respect to a membership proceeding shall not make or knowingly cause to be made to an Applicant, a counsel or representative of the Applicant, or an Interested Staff an ex parte communication relevant to the merits of that proceeding.

(3) A Director, a member of the Exchange Review Council or a Subcommittee thereof, or an Exchange employee participating or advising in the decision of such a person, who receives, makes, or knowingly causes to be made a communication prohibited by this paragraph shall place in the record of the membership proceeding:

(A) all such written communications;

(B) memoranda stating the substance of all such oral communications; and

(C) all written responses and memoranda stating the substance of all oral responses to all such communications.

(l) Recusal or Disqualification

A Director or a member of the Exchange Review Council or a Subcommittee thereof shall not participate in a matter governed by the Rule 1010 Series as to which that person has a conflict of interest or bias, or if circumstances otherwise exist where his or her fairness might reasonably be questioned. In such a case, the person shall recuse himself or shall be disqualified as follows:

(1) The Chair of the Exchange Board of Directors shall have authority to direct the disqualification of a Director, and a majority of the Directors of the Exchange Board excluding the Chair shall have authority to direct the disqualification of the Chair of the Exchange Board.

(2) The Chair of the Exchange Review Council shall have authority to direct the disqualification of a member of the Exchange Review Council or a member of a Subcommittee appointed pursuant to Rule 1015, and the Vice Chair of the Exchange Review Council shall have authority to direct the disqualification of the Chair of the Exchange Review Council.

Adopted by SEC Release 34-53128 (Jan. 13, 2006); amended by SR-NASDAQ-2007-085 eff. Dec. 6, 2007; amended Mar. 27, 2019 (SR-NASDAQ-2019-022), operative May 6, 2019; amended November 5, 2020 (SR-NASDAQ-2020-076); amended Nov. 23, 2020 (SR-NASDAQ-2020-079); amended April 28, 2021 (SR-NASDAQ-2021-033); amended August 30, 2021 (SR-NASDAQ-2021-067); amended December 17, 2021 (SR-NASDAQ-2021-104); amended Mar. 23, 2022 (SR-NASDAQ-2022-028); amended Jul. 25, 2022 (SR-NASDAQ-2022-044); amended Oct. 28, 2022 (SR-NASDAQ-2022-059).

1016. Discretionary Review by the Exchange Board

(a) Call for Review by Director

A Director may call a membership proceeding for review by the Exchange Board if the call for review is made within the period prescribed in paragraph (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 Nasdaq 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 membership proceeding for review within the time prescribed in paragraph (b), the Exchange Board shall review the membership proceeding not later than the next meeting of the Exchange Board. The Exchange Board may order the Applicant and the 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 membership proceeding with instructions. The Exchange Board shall prepare a written decision that includes all of the elements described in Rule 1015(j)(2).

(e) 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 Exchange for purposes of SEC Rule 19d-3, unless the Exchange Board remands the membership proceeding.

Adopted by SEC Release 34-53128 (Jan. 13, 2006); amended Mar. 27, 2019 (SR-NASDAQ-2019-022), operative May 6, 2019; amended Nov. 23, 2020 (SR-NASDAQ-2020-079).

1017. Application for Approval of Change in Ownership, Control, or Material Business Operations

(a) Events Requiring Application

A Member shall file an application for approval of any of the following changes to its ownership, control, or business operations, except that the Department will not consider a change listed below to require its approval if an exchange affiliated with the Exchange or a Member's Designated Examining Authority has already approved the change in accordance with its respective rules, the Member provides written evidence to the Department of such prior approval, and the nature, terms, or conditions of the proposed change have not altered materially since such approvals occurred:

(1) a merger of the Member with another Member;

(2) a direct or indirect acquisition by the Member of another Member;

(3) direct or indirect acquisitions or transfers of 25% or more in the aggregate of the Member's assets or any asset, business or line of operation that generates revenues comprising 25% or more in the aggregate of the Member's earnings measured on a rolling 36-month basis;

(4) a change in the equity ownership or partnership capital of the Member that results in one person or entity directly or indirectly owning or controlling 25 percent or more of the equity or partnership capital; or

(5) a material change in business operations, which includes, but is not limited to, the following changes

(A) removing or modifying a membership restriction;

(B) acting as a dealer or a market maker for the first time;

(C) adding business activities that require a higher minimum net capital under SEC Rule 15c3-1; or

(D) adding business activities that would cause a proprietary trading firm no longer to meet the definition of that term contained in the Rule 1000 Series.

(b) Filing and Content of Application

(1) The Member shall file the application with the Department.

(2) If the application seeks approval of a change in ownership or control or a material change in the business operations of the Member, then the application shall:

(A) describe in detail the proposed change in ownership, control, or material business operations;

(B) attach a business plan, pro forma financials, an organizational chart, and written supervisory procedures reflecting the proposed change; and

(C) if the application requests approval of a change in ownership or control, the application also shall include the names of the new owners, their percentage of ownership, and the sources of their funding for the purchase and recapitalization of the member.

(3) If the application requests the removal or modification of a membership restriction, the application also shall:

(A) present facts showing that the circumstances that gave rise to the restriction have changed; and

(B) state with specificity why the restriction should be modified or removed in light of the applicable bases for denial or standards for approval set forth in Rule 1014 or 1017 and the articulated rationale for the imposition of the restriction.

(4) If the application requests approval of an increase in Associated Persons involved in sales, offices, or markets made, the application shall set forth the increases in such areas during the preceding 12 months.

(c) When Applications Shall or May Be Filed

(1) A Member shall file an application for approval of a change in ownership or control at least 30 days prior to such change.

(2) A Member may file an application to remove or modify a membership restriction at any time. An existing restriction shall remain in effect during the pendency of the proceeding.

(3) A Member may file an application for approval of a material change in business operations, other than the modification or removal of a restriction, at any time, but the Member may not effect such change until the conclusion of the proceeding, unless the Department and the Member otherwise agree.

(d) When an Application is Deemed to Be Filed

The Department will deem an application to be filed on the date when it is substantially complete, meaning the date on which the Department receives from the Applicant all material documentation and information required under this Rule. The Department will notify the Applicant in writing when the Department deems the Applicant's application to be substantially complete.

(e) Incomplete Applications

As set forth in Rule 1013(a)(3), the Department may treat an application filed under this Rule as having lapsed or it may reject such an application, except that the Department may treat an application as having lapsed if it is not substantially complete for 30 days or more after the Applicant initiates it.

(f) Requests by the Department for Additional Documents or Information from the Applicant or from Third Parties

At any time before the Department serves its decision on an application filed under this Rule, the Department may request additional information or documentation from the Applicant or from a third party in accordance with Rule 1013(a)(4).

(g) Department Decision

The Department shall render a decision on an application filed under this Rule in accordance with Rule 1014, except as follows:

(1) In rendering a decision on an application submitted under this Rule that requests the modification or removal of a membership restriction, the Department shall consider whether maintenance of the restriction is appropriate in light of:

(A) the applicable bases for denial or standards for approval set forth in Rule 1014;

(B) the circumstances that gave rise to the imposition of the restriction;

(C) the Applicant's operations since the restriction was imposed;

(D) any change in ownership or control or supervisors and principals; and

(E) any new evidence submitted in connection with the application.

(2) The Department shall serve a written decision on an application filed under this Rule in accordance with Rule 1013(c).

(3) Notwithstanding anything in this Rule 1017 to the contrary, in the event that a proposed change in ownership, control, or business operations by a Member requires such Member to become a member of FINRA, the Department shall not be required to serve a written decision under this Rule until 10 business days after the Member becomes a FINRA member.

(h) Service and Effectiveness of Decision

The Department shall serve its decision on the Applicant in accordance with Rule 1012. The decision shall become effective upon service and shall remain in effect during the pendency of any review until a decision constituting final action of the Exchange is issued under Rule 1015 or 1016, unless otherwise directed by the Exchange Review Council, the Exchange Board, or the Commission.

(i) Request for Review; Final Action

An Applicant may file a written request for review of the Department's decision with the Exchange Review Council pursuant to Rule 1015. The procedures set forth in Rule 1015 shall apply to such review, and the Exchange Review Council's decision shall be subject to discretionary review by the Exchange Board pursuant to Rule 1016. If the Applicant does not file a request for a review, the Department's decision shall constitute final action by the Exchange.

(j) Removal or Modification of Restriction on Department's Initiative

The Department shall modify or remove a restriction on its own initiative if the Department determines such action is appropriate in light of the considerations set forth in paragraph (g)(1). The Department shall notify the member in writing of the Department's determination and inform the member that it may apply for further modification or removal of a restriction by filing an application under paragraph (a).

(k) Reserved

 

Adopted by SEC Release 34-53128 (Jan. 13, 2006); amended by SR-NASDAQ-2007-085 eff. Dec. 6, 2007; amended by SR-NASDAQ-2008-054 eff. June 13, 2008; amended Mar. 27, 2019 (SR-NASDAQ-2019-022), operative May 6, 2019; amended Nov. 23, 2020 (SR-NASDAQ-2020-079).

1018. Resignation, Reinstatement, Termination, and Transfer of Membership

(a) Resignation of Exchange Members

Membership in the Exchange may be voluntarily terminated only by formal resignation. Resignations of Members must be filed via electronic process or such other process as the Exchange may prescribe. Any Member may resign from the Exchange at any time. Such resignation shall not take effect until all indebtedness due the Exchange from such Member shall have been paid in full and so long as any complaint or action is pending against the Member under the Rules. The Exchange, however, may in its discretion declare a resignation effective at any time.

(b) Transfer and Termination of Membership

(1) Except as provided hereinafter, no Member may transfer its membership or any right arising therefrom; the membership of a corporation, partnership, or any other business organization that is a Member shall terminate upon its liquidation, dissolution, or winding up; and the membership of a sole proprietorship that is a Member shall terminate at death, provided that all obligations of membership under the Rules have been fulfilled.

(2) The consolidation, reorganization, merger, change of name, or similar change in any corporate Member shall not terminate the membership of such corporate Member, provided that the Exchange Member or surviving corporation, if any, shall be deemed a successor to the business of the corporate Member, and the Member or the surviving organization shall continue in the securities business, and shall possess the qualifications for membership in the Exchange. The death, change of name, withdrawal of any partner, the addition of any new partner, reorganization, consolidation, or any change in the legal structure of a partnership Member shall not terminate the membership of such partnership Member, provided that the Member or surviving organization, if any, shall be deemed a successor to the business of the partnership Member, and the Member or surviving organization shall possess the qualifications for membership in the Exchange. If the business of any predecessor Member is to be carried on by an organization deemed to be a successor organization by the Exchange, the membership of such predecessor Member shall be extended to the successor organization subject to the notice and application requirements of the Rules and the right of the Exchange to place restrictions on the successor organization pursuant to the Rules; otherwise, any surviving organization shall be required to satisfy all of the membership application requirements of the Exchange's Rules.

(c) Reinstatement of Membership

Any membership or registration suspended or canceled under the Rules may be reinstated by the Exchange upon such terms and conditions as are permitted under the Act and the Rules; provided, however, that any applicant for reinstatement of membership or registration shall possess the qualifications required for membership or registration in the Exchange.

Reserved by SEC Release 34-53128 (Jan. 13, 2006); amended Mar. 27, 2019 (SR-NASDAQ-2019-022), operative May 6, 2019; amended Nov. 23, 2020 (SR-NASDAQ-2020-079).

1019. Application to Commission for Review

A person aggrieved by final action of the Exchange under the Rule 1010 Series may apply for review by the Commission pursuant to Section 19(d)(2) of the Act. The filing of an application for review shall not stay the effectiveness of a decision constituting final action of the Exchange, unless the Commission otherwise orders.

Adopted by SEC Release 34-53128 (Jan. 13, 2006); amended Mar. 27, 2019 (SR-NASDAQ-2019-022), operative May 6, 2019; amended Nov. 23, 2020 (SR-NASDAQ-2020-079).

1030. Member Access to the Exchange

(a) The Exchange will be open for the transaction of business on business days. The Exchange will not be open for business on New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. When a holiday observed by the Exchange falls on a Saturday, the Exchange will not be open for business on the preceding Friday and when any holiday observed by the Exchange falls on a Sunday, the Exchange will not be open for business on the succeeding Monday, unless unusual business conditions exist at the time.

(b) The Chief Executive Officer of the Exchange shall have the power to halt, suspend trading in any and all securities traded on the Exchange, to close some or all Exchange facilities, and to determine the duration of any such halt, suspension, or closing, when he or she deems such action necessary for the maintenance of fair and orderly markets, the protection of investors, or otherwise in the public interest including special circumstances such as (1) actual or threatened physical danger, severe climatic conditions, civil unrest, terrorism, acts of war, or loss or interruption of facilities utilized by the Exchange, (2) a request by a governmental agency or official, or (3) a period of mourning or recognition for a person or event. No such action shall continue longer than a period of two days, or as soon thereafter as a quorum of the Board of Directors can be assembled, unless the Board approves the continuation of such suspension. The powers granted to the Chief Executive Officer within paragraph (b) do not apply to paragraph (a) or any other rule within the Exchange’s Rulebook.

Adopted November 17, 2021 (SR-NASDAQ-2021-093).

1031. Limited Underwriting Membership

(a) Persons Eligible to Become Limited Underwriting Members and Associated Persons

(1) Any registered broker or dealer shall be eligible for limited underwriting membership in the Exchange, except such registered brokers or dealers as are excluded under General 3, Rule 1002(b).

(2) Any person shall be eligible to become an Associated Person of a Limited Underwriting Member, except such persons as are excluded under General 3, Rule 1002(b).

(b) Limited Underwriting Member Access to the Exchange

A limited underwriting membership provides no rights to transact on the Exchange. A limited underwriting membership is solely to allow a firm that is not otherwise a Member to serve as a principal underwriter, pursuant to the requirement in Rule 5210(m), for a Company applying to list on the Exchange.

(c) Rules Applicable to Limited Underwriting Members

(1) Limited Underwriting Members and their associated persons shall only be subject to the following rules:

• General 1

• General 2, with the exception of Sections 6(a) and 22

• General 3, with the exception of Section 1032

• General 4

• General 5, with the exception of Rules 8211, 9400, and 9557

• General 9, Sections 1, 20, and 21

• Equity 7, Section 10

For purposes of interpreting and applying the above rules to Limited Underwriting Members, references to "Member," "Members," or "membership" shall be functionally equivalent to "Limited Underwriting Member," "Limited Underwriting Members," or "limited underwriting membership" respectively.

(2) Limited Underwriting Members shall at all times be members of FINRA and associated persons of Limited Underwriting Members shall at all times be properly qualified and registered under FINRA rules.

Adopted by SEC Release 34-53128 (Jan. 13, 2006); amended Sept. 24, 2018 (SR-NASDAQ-2018-066); amended Sept. 27, 2018 (SR-NASDAQ-2018-078), operative Oct. 1, 2018; amended Mar. 22, 2024 (SR-NASDAQ-2023-022).

1032. Nasdaq Market Center Participant Registration

(a) Participation in the Nasdaq Market Center as a Nasdaq Market Maker, Nasdaq ECN or Order Entry Firm requires current registration as such with Nasdaq. Such registration shall be conditioned upon the participant's initial and continuing compliance with the following requirements:

(1) execution of applicable agreements with Nasdaq;

(2) membership in, or access arrangement with a participant of, a clearing agency registered with the Commission which maintains facilities through which Nasdaq Market Center compared trades may be settled;

(3) compliance with all applicable rules and operating procedures of Nasdaq and the Commission in their use of the System;

(4) maintenance of the physical security of the equipment located on the premises of the Nasdaq Market Maker, Nasdaq ECN or Order Entry Firm to prevent the improper use or access to Nasdaq systems, including unauthorized entry of information into the Nasdaq Market Center;

(5) acceptance and settlement of each Nasdaq Market Center trade that the Nasdaq Market Center identifies as having been effected by such participant, or if settlement is to be made through another clearing member, guarantee of the acceptance and settlement of such identified Nasdaq Market Center trade by the clearing member on the regularly scheduled settlement date; and

(6) input of accurate information into the System, including, but not limited to, whether the member acted in a principal, agent, or riskless principal capacity.

A member’s registration shall become effective upon receipt by the member of notice of an approval of registration by Nasdaq. The registration required hereunder will apply solely to the qualification of a Participant to participate in the System. Such registration shall not be conditioned upon registration in any particular Nasdaq Market Center securities.

(b) Each Nasdaq Market Maker, Nasdaq ECN or Order Entry Firm shall be under a continuing obligation to inform Nasdaq of noncompliance with any of the registration requirements set forth above.

(c) Nasdaq may impose upon any Nasdaq Market Maker, Nasdaq ECN or Order Entry Firm such temporary restrictions upon the automated entry or updating of orders or Quotes/Orders as Nasdaq may determine to be necessary to protect the integrity of Nasdaq’s systems. For example, such temporary restrictions may be necessary to address a system problem at a particular Nasdaq Market Maker, Nasdaq ECN or Order Entry Firm or at Nasdaq, or an unexpected period of extremely high message traffic. The scope of any such restrictions shall be communicated to the affected Nasdaq Market Maker, Nasdaq ECN or Order Entry Firm in writing.

Amended Oct. 19, 2022 (SR-NASDAQ-2022-058), operative Nov. 18, 2022.

 
home_footer_links
Copyright_statement
App Store       Google Play       Listing Center Content RSS Feed
The Nasdaq Stock Market, Nasdaq, The Nasdaq Global Select Market, The Nasdaq Global Market, The Nasdaq Capital Market, ExACT and Exchange Analysis and Compliance Tracking system are trademarks of Nasdaq, Inc.
FINRA® and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.® are registered trademarks of Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.