Legislación
US (United States) Code. Title 15. Chapter 2B: Securities exchanges
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15 USC CHAPTER 2B - SECURITIES EXCHANGES 01/06/03
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TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 2B - SECURITIES EXCHANGES
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CHAPTER 2B - SECURITIES EXCHANGES
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Sec.
78a. Short title.
78b. Necessity for regulation.
78c. Definitions and application.
(a) Definitions.
(b) Power to define technical, trade, accounting, and
other terms.
(c) Application to governmental departments or
agencies.
(d) Issuers of municipal securities.
(e) Charitable organizations.
(f) Consideration of promotion of efficiency,
competition, and capital formation.
(g) Church plans.
78c-1. Swap agreements.
(a) Non-security-based swap agreements.
(b) Security-based swap agreements.
78d. Securities and Exchange Commission.
(a) Establishment; composition; limitations on
commissioners; terms of office.
(b) Appointment and compensation of staff and leasing
authority.
(c) Acceptance of travel support for Commission
activities from non-Federal sources;
regulations.
(d) Acceptance of relocation expenses from former
employers by professional fellows program
participants.
(e) Fee payments.
(f) Reimbursement of expenses for assisting foreign
securities authorities.
78d-1. Delegation of functions by Commission.
(a) Authorization; functions delegable; eligible
persons; application of other laws.
(b) Right of review; procedure.
(c) Finality of delegated action.
78d-2. Transfer of functions with respect to assignment of
personnel to chairman.
78d-3. Appearance and practice before the Commission.
(a) Authority to censure.
(b) Definition.
78e. Transactions on unregistered exchanges.
78f. National securities exchanges.
(a) Registration; application.
(b) Determinations by Commission requisite to
registration of applicant as a national
securities exchange.
(c) Denial of membership in national exchanges;
denial of association with member; conditions;
limitation of membership.
(d) Discipline of national securities exchange
members and persons associated with members;
summary proceedings.
(e) Commissions, allowances, discounts, and other
fees.
(f) Compliance of non-members with exchange rules.
(g) Notice registration of security futures product
exchanges.
(h) Trading in security futures products.
(i) Rules to avoid duplicative regulation of dual
registrants.
(j) Procedures and rules for security future
products.
(k) Rules relating to security futures products
traded on foreign boards of trade.
78g. Margin requirements.
(a) Rules and regulations for extension of credit;
standard for initial extension; undermargined
accounts.
(b) Lower and higher margin requirements.
(c) Unlawful credit extension to customers.
(d) Unlawful credit extension in violation of rules
and regulations; exceptions to application of
rules, etc.
(e) Effective date of this section and rules and
regulations.
(f) Unlawful receipt of credit; exemptions.
(g) Effect of bona fide agreement for delayed
delivery of mortgage related security.
78h. Restrictions on borrowing and lending by members, brokers, and
dealers.
78i. Manipulation of security prices.
(a) Transactions relating to purchase or sale of
security.
(b) Transactions relating to puts, calls, straddles,
or options.
(c) Endorsement or guarantee of puts, calls,
straddles, or options.
(d) Registered warrant, right, or convertible
security not included in ''put'', ''call'',
''straddle'', or ''option''.
(e) Persons liable; suits at law or in equity.
(f) Subsection (a) not applicable to exempted
securities.
(g) Foreign currencies and security futures products.
(h) Limitations on practices that affect market
volatility.
(i) Limitation on Commission authority.
78j. Manipulative and deceptive devices.
78j-1. Audit requirements.
(a) In general.
(b) Required response to audit discoveries.
(c) Auditor liability limitation.
(d) Civil penalties in cease-and-desist proceedings.
(e) Preservation of existing authority.
(f) Definitions.
(g) Prohibited activities.
(h) Preapproval required for non-audit services.
(i) Preapproval requirements.
(j) Audit partner rotation.
(k) Reports to audit committees.
(l) Conflicts of interest.
(m) Standards relating to audit committees.
78k. Trading by members of exchanges, brokers, and dealers.
(a) Trading for own account or account of associated
person; exceptions.
(b) Registration of members as odd-lot dealers and
specialists.
(c) Exemptions from provisions of section and rules
and regulations.
(d) Prohibition on extension of credit by
broker-dealer.
78k-1. National market system for securities; securities
information processors.
(a) Congressional findings; facilitating
establishment of national market system for
securities; designation of qualified
securities.
(b) Securities information processors; registration;
withdrawal of registration; access to services;
censure; suspension or revocation of
registration.
(c) Rules and regulations covering use of mails or
other means or instrumentalities of interstate
commerce; reports of purchase or sale of
qualified securities; limiting registered
securities transactions to national securities
exchanges.
(d) National Market Advisory Board.
(e) National markets system for security futures
products.
78l. Registration requirements for securities.
(a) General requirement of registration.
(b) Procedure for registration; information.
(c) Additional or alternative information.
(d) Effective date of registration; withdrawal of
registration.
(e) Exemption from provisions of section for period
ending not later than July 1, 1935.
(f) Unlisted trading privileges for security
originally listed on another national exchange.
(g) Registration of securities by issuer; exemptions.
(h) Exemption by rules and regulations from certain
provisions of section.
(i) Securities issued by banks.
(j) Denial, suspension, or revocation of
registration; notice and hearing.
(k) Trading suspensions; emergency authority.
(l) Issuance of any security in contravention of
rules and regulations; application to annuity
contracts and variable life policies.
78l-1. Applications for unlisted trading privileges deemed filed
under section 78l of this title.
78m. Periodical and other reports.
(a) Reports by issuer of security; contents.
(b) Form of report; books, records, and internal
accounting; directives.
(c) Alternative reports.
(d) Reports by persons acquiring more than five per
centum of certain classes of securities.
(e) Purchase of securities by issuer.
(f) Reports by institutional investment managers.
(g) Statement of equity security ownership.
(h) Large trader reporting.
(i) Accuracy of financial reports.
(j) Off-balance sheet transactions.
(k) Prohibition on personal loans to executives.
(l) Real time issuer disclosures.
78n. Proxies.
(a) Solicitation of proxies in violation of rules and
regulations.
(b) Giving or refraining from giving proxy in respect
of any security carried for account of
customer.
(c) Information to holders of record prior to annual
or other meeting.
(d) Tender offer by owner of more than five per
centum of class of securities; exceptions.
(e) Untrue statement of material fact or omission of
fact with respect to tender offer.
(f) Election or designation of majority of directors
of issuer by owner of more than five per centum
of class of securities at other than meeting of
security holders.
(g) Filing fees.
(h) Proxy solicitations and tender offers in
connection with limited partnership rollup
transactions.
78o. Registration and regulation of brokers and dealers.
(a) Registration of all persons utilizing exchange
facilities to effect transactions; exemptions.
(b) Manner of registration of brokers and dealers.
(c) Use of manipulative or deceptive devices;
contravention of rules and regulations.
(d) Filing of supplementary and periodic information.
(e) Compliance with this chapter by members not
required to be registered.
(f) Prevention of misuse of material, nonpublic
information.
(g) Requirements for transactions in penny stocks.
(h) Limitations on State law.
(i) Rulemaking to extend requirements to new hybrid
products.
(i) Limitation on Commission authority.
78o-1. Brokers deemed to be registered.
78o-2. Liabilities arising prior to amendment unaffected.
78o-3. Registered securities associations.
(a) Registration; application.
(b) Determinations by Commission requisite to
registration of applicant as national
securities association.
(c) National association rules; provision for
registration of affiliated securities
association.
(d) Registration as affiliated association;
prerequisites; association rules.
(e) Dealings with nonmember professionals.
(f) Transactions in municipal securities.
(g) Denial of membership.
(h) Discipline of registered securities association
members and persons associated with members;
summary proceedings.
(i) Broker-dealer disciplinary history.
(j) Registration for sales of private securities
offerings.
(k) Limited purpose national securities association.
(l) Rules to avoid duplicative regulation of dual
registrants.
(m) Procedures and rules for security future
products.
78o-4. Municipal securities.
(a) Registration of municipal securities dealers.
(b) Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board; rules and
regulations.
(c) Discipline of municipal securities dealers;
censure; suspension or revocation of
registration; other sanctions; investigations.
(d) Issuance of municipal securities.
78o-5. Government securities brokers and dealers.
(a) Registration requirements; notice to regulatory
agencies; manner of registration; exemption
from registration requirements.
(b) Rules with respect to transactions in government
securities.
(c) Sanctions for violations.
(d) Records of brokers and dealers subject to
examination.
(e) Membership in national securities exchange;
exemptions.
(f) Large position reporting.
(g) Effect on other laws; authority of Commission.
78o-6. Securities analysts and research reports.
(a) Analyst protections.
(b) Disclosure.
(c) Definitions.
78p. Directors, officers, and principal stockholders.
(a) Disclosures required.
(b) Profits from purchase and sale of security within
six months.
(c) Conditions for sale of security by beneficial
owner, director, or officer.
(d) Securities held in investment account,
transactions in ordinary course of business,
and establishment of primary or secondary
market.
(e) Application of section to foreign or domestic
arbitrage transactions.
(f) Treatment of transactions in security futures
products.
(g) Limitation on Commission authority.
78q. Records and reports.
(a) Rules and regulations.
(b) Records subject to examination.
(c) Copies of reports filed with other regulatory
agencies.
(d) Self-regulatory organizations.
(e) Balance sheet and income statement; other
financial statements and information.
(f) Missing, lost, counterfeit, and stolen
securities.
(g) Persons extending credit.
(h) Risk assessment for holding company systems.
(i) Investment bank holding companies.
(j) Authority to limit disclosure of information.
(k) Coordination of examining authorities.
78q-1. National system for clearance and settlement of securities
transactions.
(a) Congressional findings; facilitating
establishment of system.
(b) Registration of clearing agencies; application;
determinations by Commission requisite to
registration of applicant as clearing agency;
denial of participation; discipline; summary
proceedings; exemption; facilities for handling
derivatives.
(c) Registration of transfer agents.
(d) Activities of clearing agencies and transfer
agents; enforcement by appropriate regulatory
agencies.
(e) Physical movement of securities certificates.
(f) Rules concerning transfer of securities and
rights and obligations of involved or affected
parties.
78q-2. Automated quotation systems for penny stocks.
(a) Findings.
(b) Mandate to facilitate establishment of automated
quotation systems.
(c) Exemptive authority.
(d) Commission reporting requirements.
78r. Liability for misleading statements.
(a) Persons liable; persons entitled to recover;
defense of good faith; suit at law or in
equity; costs, etc.
(b) Contribution.
(c) Period of limitations.
78s. Registration, responsibilities, and oversight of
self-regulatory organizations.
(a) Registration procedures; notice of filing; other
regulatory agencies.
(b) Proposed rule changes; notice; proceedings.
(c) Amendment by Commission of rules of
self-regulatory organizations.
(d) Notice of disciplinary action taken by
self-regulatory organization against a member
or participant; review of action by appropriate
regulatory agency; procedure.
(e) Disposition of review; cancellation, reduction,
or remission of sanction.
(f) Dismissal of review proceeding.
(g) Compliance with rules and regulations.
(h) Suspension or revocation of self-regulatory
organization's registration; censure; other
sanctions.
(i) Appointment of trustee.
78t. Liability of controlling persons and persons who aid and abet
violations.
(a) Joint and several liability; good faith defense.
(b) Unlawful activity through or by means of any
other person.
(c) Hindering, delaying, or obstructing the making or
filing of any document, report, or information.
(d) Liability for trading in securities while in
possession of material nonpublic information.
(e) Prosecution of persons who aid and abet
violations.
(f) Limitation on Commission authority.
78t-1. Liability to contemporaneous traders for insider trading.
(a) Private rights of action based on contemporaneous
trading.
(b) Limitations on liability.
(c) Joint and several liability for communicating.
(d) Authority not to restrict other express or
implied rights of action.
(e) Provisions not to affect public prosecutions.
78u. Investigations and actions.
(a) Authority and discretion of Commission to
investigate violations.
(b) Attendance of witnesses; production of records.
(c) Judicial enforcement of investigative power of
Commission; refusal to obey subpoena; criminal
sanctions.
(d) Injunction proceedings; authority of court to
prohibit persons from serving as officers and
directors; money penalties in civil actions.
(e) Mandamus.
(f) Rules of self-regulatory organizations or Board.
(g) Consolidation of actions; consent of Commission.
(h) Access to records.
(i) Information to CFTC.
78u-1. Civil penalties for insider trading.
(a) Authority to impose civil penalties.
(b) Limitations on liability.
(c) Authority of Commission.
(d) Procedures for collection.
(e) Authority to award bounties to informants.
(f) Definition.
(g) Limitation on Commission authority.
78u-2. Civil remedies in administrative proceedings.
(a) Commission authority to assess money penalties.
(b) Maximum amount of penalty.
(c) Determination of public interest.
(d) Evidence concerning ability to pay.
(e) Authority to enter order requiring accounting and
disgorgement.
78u-3. Cease-and-desist proceedings.
(a) Authority of Commission.
(b) Hearing.
(c) Temporary order.
(d) Review of temporary orders.
(e) Authority to enter order requiring accounting and
disgorgement.
(f) Authority of the Commission to prohibit persons
from serving as officers or directors.
78u-4. Private securities litigation.
(a) Private class actions.
(b) Requirements for securities fraud actions.
(c) Sanctions for abusive litigation.
(d) Defendant's right to written interrogatories.
(e) Limitation on damages.
(f) Proportionate liability.
78u-5. Application of safe harbor for forward-looking statements.
(a) Applicability.
(b) Exclusions.
(c) Safe harbor.
(d) Duty to update.
(e) Dispositive motion.
(f) Stay pending decision on motion.
(g) Exemption authority.
(h) Effect on other authority of Commission.
(i) Definitions.
78v. Hearings by Commission.
78w. Rules, regulations, and orders; annual reports.
(a) Power to make rules and regulations;
considerations; public disclosure.
(b) Omitted.
(c) Procedure for adjudication.
(d) Cease-and-desist procedures.
78x. Public availability of information.
(a) ''Records'' defined.
(b) Disclosure or personal use.
(c) Confidential disclosures.
(d) Records obtained from foreign securities
authorities.
(e) Savings provision.
78y. Court review of orders and rules.
(a) Final Commission orders; persons aggrieved;
petition; record; findings; affirmance,
modification, enforcement, or setting aside of
orders; remand to adduce additional evidence.
(b) Commission rules; persons adversely affected;
petition; record; affirmance, enforcement, or
setting aside of rules; findings; transfer of
proceedings.
(c) Objections not urged before Commission; stay of
orders and rules; transfer of enforcement or
review proceedings.
(d) Other appropriate regulatory agencies.
78z. Unlawful representations.
78aa. Jurisdiction of offenses and suits.
78aa-1. Special provision relating to statute of limitations on
private causes of action.
(a) Effect on pending causes of action.
(b) Effect on dismissed causes of action.
78bb. Effect on existing law.
(a) Addition of rights and remedies; recovery of
actual damages; State securities commissions.
(b) Modification of disciplinary procedures.
(c) Continuing validity of disciplinary sanctions.
(d) Physical location of facilities of registered
clearing agencies or registered transfer agents
not to subject changes in beneficial or record
ownership of securities to State or local
taxes.
(e) Exchange, broker, and dealer commissions;
brokerage and research services.
(f) Limitations on remedies.
78cc. Validity of contracts.
(a) Waiver provisions.
(b) Contract provisions in violation of chapter.
(c) Validity of loans, extensions of credit, and
creation of liens; actual knowledge of
violation.
78dd. Foreign securities exchanges.
78dd-1. Prohibited foreign trade practices by issuers.
(a) Prohibition.
(b) Exception for routine governmental action.
(c) Affirmative defenses.
(d) Guidelines by Attorney General.
(e) Opinions of Attorney General.
(f) Definitions.
(g) Alternative jurisdiction.
78dd-2. Prohibited foreign trade practices by domestic concerns.
(a) Prohibition.
(b) Exception for routine governmental action.
(c) Affirmative defenses.
(d) Injunctive relief.
(e) Guidelines by Attorney General.
(f) Opinions of Attorney General.
(g) Penalties.
(h) Definitions.
(i) Alternative jurisdiction.
78dd-3. Prohibited foreign trade practices by persons other than
issuers or domestic concerns.
(a) Prohibition.
(b) Exception for routine governmental action.
(c) Affirmative defenses.
(d) Injunctive relief.
(e) Penalties.
(f) Definitions.
78ee. Transaction fees.
(a) Recovery of cost of services.
(b) Exchange-traded securities.
(c) Off-exchange trades of exchange registered and
last-sale-reported securities.
(d) Assessments on security futures transactions.
(e) Dates for payments.
(f) Exemptions.
(g) Publication.
(h) Pro rata application.
(i) Deposit of fees.
(j) Recapture of projection windfalls for further
rate reductions.
(k) Lapse of appropriation.
(l) Definitions.
78ff. Penalties.
(a) Willful violations; false and misleading
statements.
(b) Failure to file information, documents, or
reports.
(c) Violations by issuers, officers, directors,
stockholders, employees, or agents of issuers.
78gg. Separability.
78hh. Effective date.
78hh-1. Effective date of certain sections.
78ii, 78jj. Omitted or Repealed.
78kk. Authorization of appropriations.
78ll. Requirements for the EDGAR system.
78mm. General exemptive authority.
(a) Authority.
(b) Limitation.
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CHAPTER REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This chapter is referred to in sections 77ccc, 77hhh, 77www,
77zzz, 78bbb, 78eee, 79p, 79t, 79u, 80a-2, 80a-8, 80a-9, 80a-12,
80a-17, 80a-29, 80a-34, 80a-37, 80a-49, 80a-56, 80b-2, 80b-3,
80b-4a, 80b-8, 631b, 1691c, 1693o, 6805, 7202 of this title; title
2 section 1602; title 7 sections 1a, 2, 6, 6m, 7a, 7a-1, 12a; title
11 section 741; title 12 sections 1831o, 1844, 2279aa-12, 3422,
4402, 4422; title 25 section 646; title 26 sections 162, 277; title
29 sections 432, 1343; title 31 section 5312; title 42 sections
2297h-2, 2297h-7; title 43 sections 1625, 1629b; title 45 section
1342; title 47 section 274.
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15 USC Sec. 78a 01/06/03
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TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 2B - SECURITIES EXCHANGES
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Sec. 78a. Short title
-STATUTE-
This chapter may be cited as the ''Securities Exchange Act of
1934.''
-SOURCE-
(June 6, 1934, ch. 404, title I, Sec. 1, 48 Stat. 881.)
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REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original ''This
Act''. The act was divided into two titles as follows: ''Title I -
Regulation of Securities Exchanges'' and ''Title II - Amendments to
Securities Act of 1933.'' This section was section 1 of title I,
which title is set out as sections 78a to 78l, 78m to 78o, 78o-3 to
78dd-1, and 78ee to 78hh, and 78kk to 78mm of this title. Title II
of the act amended or repealed sections 77b to 77e, 77j, 77k, 77m,
77o, and 77s, and added former sections 78ii and 78jj of this
title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
Tables.
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SHORT TITLE OF 2002 AMENDMENTS
Pub. L. 107-204, title XI, Sec. 1101, July 30, 2002, 116 Stat.
807, provided that: ''This title (amending sections 77h-1, 78u-3,
and 78ff of this title and sections 1512 and 1513 of Title 18,
Crimes and Criminal Procedure, and enacting provisions set out as a
note under section 994 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial
Procedure) may be cited as the 'Corporate Fraud Accountability Act
of 2002'.''
Pub. L. 107-123, Sec. 1, Jan. 16, 2002, 115 Stat. 2390, provided
that: ''This Act (enacting chapter 48 of Title 5, Government
Organization and Employees, amending sections 77f, 77ggg, 78d, 78m,
78n, and 78ee of this title, sections 3132 and 5373 of Title 5, and
section 1833b of Title 12, Banks and Banking, and enacting
provisions set out as notes under section 78ee of this title and
section 4802 of Title 5) may be cited as the 'Investor and Capital
Markets Fee Relief Act'.''
SHORT TITLE OF 1998 AMENDMENTS
Pub. L. 105-366, Sec. 1, Nov. 10, 1998, 112 Stat. 3302, provided
that: ''This Act (enacting section 78dd-3 of this title, amending
sections 78dd-1, 78dd-2, and 78ff of this title, and enacting
provisions set out as notes under section 78dd-1 of this title) may
be cited as the 'International Anti-Bribery and Fair Competition
Act of 1998'.''
Pub. L. 105-353, Sec. 1, Nov. 3, 1998, 112 Stat. 3227, provided
that: ''This Act (amending sections 77b, 77k, 77m, 77p, 77r, 77v,
77z-1 to 77z-3, 77aa, 77ccc, 77ddd, 77mmm, 77sss, 78c, 78d, 78g,
78n, 78o, 78o-4, 78o-5, 78q, 78s, 78t, 78u-4, 78z, 78bb, 78ee,
78kk, 78ll, 80a-2, 80a-3, 80a-12, 80a-18, 80a-29, 80a-30, 80b-3,
and 80b-18a of this title and enacting provisions set out as notes
under this section and sections 77p and 78u of this title) may be
cited as the 'Securities Litigation Uniform Standards Act of
1998'.''
SHORT TITLE OF 1996 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 104-290, Sec. 1(a), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3416,
provided that: ''This Act (enacting sections 77z-3, 78mm, and
80b-3a of this title, amending sections 77b, 77c, 77f, 77r, 77ddd,
78c, 78d, 78g, 78h, 78o, 78q, 78bb, 78ee, 78kk, 80a-2, 80a-3,
80a-6, 80a-12, 80a-24, 80a-26, 80a-27, 80a-29, 80a-30, 80a-34,
80a-54, 80a-60, 80a-63, 80b-2, 80b-3, 80b-5, and 80b-18a of this
title and section 1002 of Title 29, Labor, and enacting provisions
set out as notes under this section, sections 77e, 77r, 78b, 78n,
78o, 78ee, 80a-2, 80a-3, 80a-24, 80a-51, 80b-2, 80b-3a, 80b-10, and
80b-20 of this title, and section 1002 of Title 29) may be cited as
the 'National Securities Markets Improvement Act of 1996'.''
Pub. L. 104-290, title I, Sec. 101, Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat.
3417, provided that: ''This title (enacting sections 77z-3 and 78mm
of this title, amending sections 77b, 77r, 78c, 78g, 78h, 78o, 78q,
78bb, and 80a-2 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as
notes under sections 77e and 77r of this title) may be cited as the
'Capital Markets Efficiency Act of 1996'.''
Pub. L. 104-290, title IV, Sec. 401, Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat.
3441, provided that: ''This title (amending sections 77f, 78d,
78ee, and 78kk of this title and enacting provisions set out as
notes under this section and section 78ee of this title) may be
cited as the 'Securities and Exchange Commission Authorization Act
of 1996'.''
SHORT TITLE OF 1995 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 104-67, Sec. 1(a), Dec. 22, 1995, 109 Stat. 737, provided
that: ''This Act (enacting sections 77z-1, 77z-2, 78j-1, 78u-4, and
78u-5 of this title, amending sections 77k, 77l, 77t, 78o, 78t,
78u, and 78u-4 of this title and section 1964 of Title 18, Crimes
and Criminal Procedure, and enacting provisions set out as notes
under sections 77k, 77l, and 78j-1 of this title) may be cited as
the 'Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995'.''
SHORT TITLE OF 1994 AMENDMENTS
Pub. L. 103-389, Sec. 1, Oct. 22, 1994, 108 Stat. 4081, provided
that: ''This Act (amending section 78l of this title) may be cited
as the 'Unlisted Trading Privileges Act of 1994'.''
Pub. L. 103-325, title II, Sec. 201, Sept. 23, 1994, 108 Stat.
2198, provided that: ''This subtitle (subtitle A (Sec. 201-210) of
title II of Pub. L. 103-325 enacting section 1835 of Title 12,
Banks and Banking, amending sections 77r-1, 78c, 78g, 78h, and 78k
of this title and sections 24, 1464, and 1757 of Title 12, and
enacting provisions set out as notes under section 78b of this
title and section 3305 of Title 12) may be cited as the 'Small
Business Loan Securitization and Secondary Market Enhancement Act
of 1994'.''
SHORT TITLE OF 1993 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 103-202, Sec. 1(a), Dec. 17, 1993, 107 Stat. 2344,
provided that: ''This Act (enacting section 3130 of Title 31, Money
and Finance, amending sections 78c, 78f, 78n, 78o, 78o-3, 78o-5,
78s, and 78w of this title, and enacting provisions set out as
notes under this section, sections 78f, 78n, and 78o-5 of this
title, and section 3121 of Title 31) may be cited as the
'Government Securities Act Amendments of 1993'.''
Pub. L. 103-202, title III, Sec. 301, Dec. 17, 1993, 107 Stat.
2359, provided that: ''This title (amending sections 78f, 78n, and
78o-3 of this title and enacting provisions set out as notes under
sections 78f and 78n of this title) may be cited as the 'Limited
Partnership Rollup Reform Act of 1993'.''
SHORT TITLE OF 1990 AMENDMENTS
Pub. L. 101-550, Sec. 1, Nov. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 2713, provided
that: ''This Act (amending sections 77ccc to 77eee, 77iii to 77rrr,
77uuu, 77vvv, 78c, 78d, 78n, 78o, 78o-4, 78o-5, 78q-1, 78x, 78kk,
79z-5, 80a-2, 80a-9, 80a-44, 80a-45, 80b-2, 80b-3, 80b-10, and
80b-18 of this title and enacting provisions set out as notes under
this section and sections 77aaa and 78n of this title) may be cited
as the 'Securities Acts Amendments of 1990'.''
Pub. L. 101-550, title I, Sec. 101, Nov. 15, 1990, 104 Stat.
2713, provided that: ''This title (amending sections 77uuu, 78d,
78kk, 79z-5, 80a-45, and 80b-18 of this title) may be cited as the
'Securities and Exchange Commission Authorization Act of 1990'.''
Pub. L. 101-550, title II, Sec. 201, Nov. 15, 1990, 104 Stat.
2714, provided that: ''This title (amending sections 78c, 78d, 78o,
78o-4, 78o-5, 78q-1, 78x, 80a-2, 80a-9, 80a-44, 80b-2, 80b-3, and
80b-10 of this title) may be cited as the 'International Securities
Enforcement Cooperation Act of 1990'.''
Pub. L. 101-550, title III, Sec. 301, Nov. 15, 1990, 104 Stat.
2721, provided that: ''This title (amending section 78n of this
title and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 78n
of this title) may be cited as the 'Shareholder Communications
Improvement Act of 1990'.''
Pub. L. 101-432, Sec. 1, Oct. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 963, provided
that: ''This Act (enacting section 1831l of Title 12, Banks and
Banking, amending sections 78i, 78l, 78m, 78o-5, 78q, 78q-1, and
78y of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under
sections 78b and 78q-1 of this title) may be cited as the 'Market
Reform Act of 1990'.''
Pub. L. 101-429, Sec. 1(a), Oct. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 931,
provided that: ''This Act (enacting sections 77h-1, 78q-2, 78u-2,
and 78u-3 of this title, amending sections 77g, 77t, 78c, 78o,
78o-3, 78o-4, 78q-1, 78u, 78u-1, 78w, 78cc, 80a-9, 80a-41, 80b-3,
80b-9, and 80b-14 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as
notes under this section and sections 77g, 78o, and 78s of this
title) may be cited as the 'Securities Enforcement Remedies and
Penny Stock Reform Act of 1990'.''
Pub. L. 101-429, title V, Sec. 501, Oct. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 951,
provided that: ''This title (enacting section 78q-2 of this title,
amending sections 77g, 78c, 78o, 78o-3, and 78cc of this title, and
enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 78o and 78s of
this title) may be cited as the 'Penny Stock Reform Act of 1990'.''
SHORT TITLE OF 1988 AMENDMENTS
Pub. L. 100-704, Sec. 1, Nov. 19, 1988, 102 Stat. 4677, provided
that: ''This Act (enacting sections 78t-1, 78u-1, and 80b-4a of
this title, amending sections 78c, 78o, 78u, 78ff, and 78kk of this
title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 78b,
78o, and 78u-1 of this title) may be cited as the 'Insider Trading
and Securities Fraud Enforcement Act of 1988'.''
Pub. L. 100-418, title V, Sec. 5001, Aug. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
1415, provided that: ''This part (part I (Sec. 5001-5003) of
subtitle A of title I of Pub. L. 100-418, amending sections 78m,
78dd-1, 78dd-2, and 78ff of this title and enacting provisions set
out as a note under section 78dd-1 of this title) may be cited as
the 'Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Amendments of 1988'.''
SHORT TITLE OF 1987 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 100-181, Sec. 1, Dec. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 1249, provided
that: ''This Act (enacting sections 78d-1, 78d-2, and 78ll of this
title, amending sections 77b, 77c, 77f, 77i, 77s, 77t, 77v, 77ccc,
78c, 78d, 78f, 78k-1, 78l, 78m, 78o, 78o-4, 78o-5, 78q, 78q-1, 78u,
78w, 78aa, 78bb, 78kk, 78lll, 79h, 79r, 79x, 79y, 79z-4, 80a-2,
80a-3, 80a-5, 80a-6, 80a-9, 80a-12, 80a-15, 80a-17, 80a-18, 80a-20,
80a-21, 80a-22, 80a-24, 80a-26, 80a-28, 80a-35, 80a-41, 80a-52,
80a-53, 80a-54, 80a-56, 80b-2, 80b-3, 80b-5, 80b-9, 80b-11, 80b-13,
and 80b-14 of this title, and repealing sections 78d-1, 78d-2, and
78jj of this title) may be cited as the 'Securities and Exchange
Commission Authorization Act of 1987'.''
SHORT TITLE OF 1986 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 99-571, Sec. 1(a), Oct. 28, 1986, 100 Stat. 3208,
provided that: ''This Act (enacting section 78o-5 of this title and
section 9110 of Title 31, Money and Finance, amending sections 78c,
78o, 78o-3, 78q, 78w, 78y, 80a-9, and 80b-3 of this title and
section 3121 of Title 31, and enacting provisions set out as notes
under section 78o-5 of this title) may be cited as the 'Government
Securities Act of 1986'.''
SHORT TITLE OF 1985 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 99-222, Sec. 1, Dec. 28, 1985, 99 Stat. 1737, provided
that: ''This Act (amending section 78n of this title and enacting a
provision set out as a note under section 78n of this title) may be
cited as the 'Shareholder Communications Act of 1985'.''
SHORT TITLE OF 1984 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 98-376, Sec. 1, Aug. 10, 1984, 98 Stat. 1264, provided
that: ''This Act (amending sections 78c, 78o, 78t, 78u, and 78ff of
this title and enacting provisions set out as a note under section
78c of this title) may be cited as the 'Insider Trading Sanctions
Act of 1984'.''
SHORT TITLE OF 1977 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 95-213, title I, Sec. 101, Dec. 19, 1977, 91 Stat. 1494,
provided that: ''This title (enacting sections 78dd-1 and 78dd-2 of
this title and amending sections 78m and 78ff of this title) may be
cited as the 'Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977'.''
Pub. L. 95-213, title II, Sec. 201, Dec. 19, 1977, 91 Stat. 1498,
provided that: ''This title (amending sections 78m and 78o of this
title) may be cited as the 'Domestic and Foreign Investment
Improved Disclosure Act of 1977'.''
SHORT TITLE OF 1975 AMENDMENT
Section 1 of Pub. L. 94-29, June 4, 1975, 89 Stat. 97, provided:
''That this Act (enacting sections 78k-1, 78o-4, 78q-1, and 78kk of
this title, amending sections 77d, 77x, 77yyy, 78b, 78c, 78d-1,
78f, 78h, 78k, 78l, 78m, 78o, 78o-3, 78q, 78s, 78u, 78w, 78x, 78y,
78bb, 78ee, 78ff, 78iii, 79z-3, 80a-9, 80a-10, 80a-13, 80a-15,
80a-16, 80a-18, 80a-31, 80a-35, 80a-48, 80b-3, 80b-4, and 80b-17 of
this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections
78b and 78f of this title) may be cited as the 'Securities Acts
Amendments of 1975'.''
SHORT TITLE OF 1964 AMENDMENT
Section 1 of Pub. L. 88-467, Aug. 20, 1964, 78 Stat. 565,
provided: ''That this Act (amending sections 77d, 78c, 78l to 78o,
78o-3, 78p, 78t, 78w, and 78ff of this title and enacting
provisions set out as a note under section 78c of this title) may
be cited as the 'Securities Acts Amendments of 1964'.''
SHORT TITLE OF 1936 AMENDMENT
Act May 27, 1936, ch. 462, 49 Stat. 1375, enacting sections
78l-1, 78o-1, 78o-2, and 78hh-1 of this title, and amending
sections 78l, 78o, 78q, 78r, 78t, 78u, 78w, and 78ff of this title,
is popularly known as the Unlisted Securities Trading Act.
SEVERABILITY
Pub. L. 104-290, Sec. 3, Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3417, provided:
''If any provision of this Act (see Short Title of 1996 Amendment
note above), an amendment made by this Act, or the application of
such provision or amendment to any person or circumstance is held
to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act, the amendments
made by this Act, and the application of the provisions of such to
any person or circumstance shall not be affected thereby.''
CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS OF 1998 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 105-353, Sec. 2, Nov. 3, 1998, 112 Stat. 3227, provided
that: ''The Congress finds that -
''(1) the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (see
Short Title of 1995 Amendment note above) sought to prevent
abuses in private securities fraud lawsuits;
''(2) since enactment of that legislation, considerable
evidence has been presented to Congress that a number of
securities class action lawsuits have shifted from Federal to
State courts;
''(3) this shift has prevented that Act from fully achieving
its objectives;
''(4) State securities regulation is of continuing importance,
together with Federal regulation of securities, to protect
investors and promote strong financial markets; and
''(5) in order to prevent certain State private securities
class action lawsuits alleging fraud from being used to frustrate
the objectives of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995, it is appropriate to enact national standards for
securities class action lawsuits involving nationally traded
securities, while preserving the appropriate enforcement powers
of State securities regulators and not changing the current
treatment of individual lawsuits.''
PURPOSES OF 1996 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 104-290, title IV, Sec. 402, Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat.
3441, provided: ''The purposes of this title (see Short Title of
1996 Amendment note above) are -
''(1) to authorize appropriations for the Commission for fiscal
year 1997; and
''(2) to reduce over time the rates of fees charged under the
Federal securities laws.''
-CROSS-
DEFINITIONS
Pub. L. 104-290, Sec. 2, Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3417, provided:
''For purposes of this Act (see Short Title of 1996 Amendment note
above) -
''(1) the term 'Commission' means the Securities and Exchange
Commission; and
''(2) the term 'State' has the same meaning as in section 3 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78c).''
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 78b 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 2B - SECURITIES EXCHANGES
-HEAD-
Sec. 78b. Necessity for regulation
-STATUTE-
For the reasons hereinafter enumerated, transactions in
securities as commonly conducted upon securities exchanges and
over-the-counter markets are affected with a national public
interest which makes it necessary to provide for regulation and
control of such transactions and of practices and matters related
thereto, including transactions by officers, directors, and
principal security holders, to require appropriate reports to
remove impediments to and perfect the mechanisms of a national
market system for securities and a national system for the
clearance and settlement of securities transactions and the
safeguarding of securities and funds related thereto, and to impose
requirements necessary to make such regulation and control
reasonably complete and effective, in order to protect interstate
commerce, the national credit, the Federal taxing power, to protect
and make more effective the national banking system and Federal
Reserve System, and to insure the maintenance of fair and honest
markets in such transactions:
(1) Such transactions (a) are carried on in large volume by the
public generally and in large part originate outside the States
in which the exchanges and over-the-counter markets are located
and/or are effected by means of the mails and instrumentalities
of interstate commerce; (b) constitute an important part of the
current of interstate commerce; (c) involve in large part the
securities of issuers engaged in interstate commerce; (d) involve
the use of credit, directly affect the financing of trade,
industry, and transportation in interstate commerce, and directly
affect and influence the volume of interstate commerce; and
affect the national credit.
(2) The prices established and offered in such transactions are
generally disseminated and quoted throughout the United States
and foreign countries and constitute a basis for determining and
establishing the prices at which securities are bought and sold,
the amount of certain taxes owing to the United States and to the
several States by owners, buyers, and sellers of securities, and
the value of collateral for bank loans.
(3) Frequently the prices of securities on such exchanges and
markets are susceptible to manipulation and control, and the
dissemination of such prices gives rise to excessive speculation,
resulting in sudden and unreasonable fluctuations in the prices
of securities which (a) cause alternately unreasonable expansion
and unreasonable contraction of the volume of credit available
for trade, transportation, and industry in interstate commerce,
(b) hinder the proper appraisal of the value of securities and
thus prevent a fair calculation of taxes owing to the United
States and to the several States by owners, buyers, and sellers
of securities, and (c) prevent the fair valuation of collateral
for bank loans and/or obstruct the effective operation of the
national banking system and Federal Reserve System.
(4) National emergencies, which produce widespread unemployment
and the dislocation of trade, transportation, and industry, and
which burden interstate commerce and adversely affect the general
welfare, are precipitated, intensified, and prolonged by
manipulation and sudden and unreasonable fluctuations of security
prices and by excessive speculation on such exchanges and
markets, and to meet such emergencies the Federal Government is
put to such great expense as to burden the national credit.
-SOURCE-
(June 6, 1934, ch. 404, title I, Sec. 2, 48 Stat. 881; Pub. L.
94-29, Sec. 2, June 4, 1975, 89 Stat. 97.)
-MISC1-
AMENDMENTS
1975 - Pub. L. 94-29 inserted ''to remove impediments to and
perfect the mechanisms of a national market system for securities
and a national system for the clearance and settlement of
securities transactions and the safeguarding of securities and
funds related thereto,'' after ''require appropriate reports,'' in
introductory provisions preceding par. (1).
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1975 AMENDMENT
Section 31(a) of Pub. L. 94-29 provided that: ''This Act
(enacting sections 78k-1, 78o-4, 78q-1, and 78kk of this title,
amending this section and sections 77d, 77x, 77yyy, 78c, 78d-1,
78f, 78h, 78k, 78l, 78m, 78o, 78o-3, 78q, 78s, 78u, 78w, 78x, 78y,
78bb, 78ee, 78ff, 78iii, 79z-3, 80a-9, 80a-10, 80a-13, 80a-15,
80a-16, 80a-18, 80a-31, 80a-35, 80a-48, 80b-3, 80b-4, and 80b-17 of
this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections
78a and 78f of this title) shall become effective on the date of
its enactment (June 4, 1975) except as hereinafter provided. The
amendments made by this Act to sections 3(a)(12), 6(a) through (d),
11A(b), 15(a), 15A, 15B(a), 17A(b), and (c), and 19(g) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (sections 78c(a)(12), 78f(a)
through (d), 78k-1(b), 78o(a), 78o-3, 78o-4(a), 78q-1(b) and (c),
and 78s(g) of this title) shall become effective one hundred eighty
days after the date of enactment of this Act (June 4, 1975), and
the amendments made by this Act to section 31 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (section 78ee of this title) shall become
effective on January 1, 1976. Neither the provisions of section
3(a)(3), 6(b)(2), or 6(c)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(as amended by this Act) (section 78c(a)(3), 78f(b)(2), or
78f(c)(1) of this title) nor any rule or regulation thereunder
shall apply so as to deprive any person of membership in any
national securities exchange (or its successor) of which such
person was, on the date of enactment of this Act (June 4, 1975), a
member or a member firm as defined in the constitution of such
exchange or so as to deny membership in any such exchange (or its
successor) to any natural person who is or becomes associated with
such member or member firm.''
STUDY AND REPORT ON IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES ON SECURITIES
MARKETS
Pub. L. 104-290, title V, Sec. 510(a), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat.
3450, provided that:
''(1) Study. -
''(A) In general. - The Commission shall conduct a study of -
''(i) the impact of technological advances and the use of
on-line information systems on the securities markets,
including steps that the Commission has taken to facilitate the
electronic delivery of prospectuses to institutional and other
investors;
''(ii) how such technologies have changed the way in which
the securities markets operate; and
''(iii) any steps taken by the Commission to address such
changes.
''(B) Considerations. - In conducting the study under
subparagraph (A), the Commission shall consider how the
Commission has adapted its enforcement policies and practices in
response to technological developments with regard to -
''(i) disclosure, prospectus delivery, and other customer
protection regulations;
''(ii) intermediaries and exchanges in the domestic and
international financial services industry;
''(iii) reporting by issuers, including communications with
holders of securities;
''(iv) the relationship of the Commission with other national
regulatory authorities and organizations to improve
coordination and cooperation; and
''(v) the relationship of the Commission with State
regulatory authorities and organizations to improve
coordination and cooperation.
''(2) Report. - Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment
of this Act (Oct. 11, 1996), the Commission shall submit a report
to the Congress on the results of the study conducted under
paragraph (1).''
JOINT STUDY ON IMPACT OF ADDITIONAL SECURITIES BASED ON POOLED
OBLIGATIONS
Pub. L. 103-325, title II, Sec. 209, Sept. 23, 1994, 108 Stat.
2202, provided that:
''(a) Joint Study Required. - The Board and the Commission shall
conduct a joint study of the impact of the provisions of this
subtitle (subtitle A (Sec. 201-210 of title II of Pub. L. 103-325),
see Short Title of 1994 Amendment note set out under section 78a of
this title) (including the amendments made by this subtitle) on the
credit and securities markets. Such study shall evaluate -
''(1) the impact of the provisions of this subtitle on the
availability of credit for business and commercial enterprises in
general, and the availability of credit in particular for -
''(A) businesses in low- and moderate-income areas;
''(B) businesses owned by women and minorities;
''(C) community development efforts;
''(D) community development financial institutions;
''(E) businesses in different geographical regions; and
''(F) a diversity of types of businesses;
''(2) the structure and operation of the markets that develop
for small business related securities and commercial mortgage
related securities, including the types of entities (such as
pension funds and insurance companies) that are significant
purchasers of such securities, the extent to which such entities
are sophisticated investors, the use of credit enhancements in
obtaining investment-grade ratings, any conflicts of interest
that arise in such markets, and any adverse effects of such
markets on commercial real estate ventures, pension funds, or
pension fund beneficiaries;
''(3) the extent to which the provisions of this subtitle with
regard to margin requirements, the number of eligible investment
rating categories, preemption of State law, and the treatment of
such securities as government securities for the purpose of State
investment limitations, affect the structure and operation of
such markets; and
''(4) in view of the findings made pursuant to paragraphs (2)
and (3), any additional suitability or disclosure requirements or
other investor protections that should be required.
''(b) Reports. -
''(1) In general. - The Board and the Commission shall submit
to the Congress a report on the results of the study required by
subsection (a) before the end of -
''(A) the 2-year period beginning on the date of enactment of
this Act (Sept. 23, 1994);
''(B) the 4-year period beginning on such date of enactment;
and
''(C) the 6-year period beginning on such date of enactment.
''(2) Contents of report. - Each report required under
paragraph (1) shall contain or be accompanied by such
recommendations for administrative or legislative action as the
Board and the Commission consider appropriate and may include
recommendations regarding the need to develop a system for
reporting additional information concerning investments by the
entities described in subsection (a)(2).
''(c) Definitions. - As used in this section -
''(1) the term 'Board' means the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System; and
''(2) the term 'Commission' means the Securities and Exchange
Commission.''
INTERMARKET COORDINATION; REPORTS TO CONGRESS
Pub. L. 101-432, Sec. 8(a), Oct. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 976,
provided that: ''The Secretary of the Treasury, the Chairman of the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Chairman of
the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Chairman of the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission, shall report to the Congress
not later than May 31, 1991, and annually thereafter until May 31,
1995, on the following:
''(1) the efforts their respective agencies have made relating
to the coordination of regulatory activities to ensure the
integrity and competitiveness of United States financial markets;
''(2) the efforts their respective agencies have made to
formulate coordinated mechanisms across marketplaces to protect
the payments and market systems during market emergencies;
''(3) the views of their respective agencies with respect to
the adequacy of margin levels and use of leverage by market
participants; and
''(4) such other issues and concerns relating to the soundness,
stability, and integrity of domestic and international capital
markets as may be appropriate.
The agencies shall cooperate in the development of their reports,
and prior to submitting its report to Congress, each agency shall
provide copies to the other agencies.''
SECURITIES LAWS STUDY
Pub. L. 100-704, Sec. 7, Nov. 19, 1988, 102 Stat. 4682, directed
Securities and Exchange Commission to study and investigate
adequacy of Federal securities laws and regulations for protection
of the public interest and interests of investors, specified
subjects for the study and investigation and authority of
Commission in conducting the study and investigation, directed
Commission to supply interim information to Congress on the
progress of, and any impediments to completing, the study and
investigation, directed Commission to report to Congress on results
of the study and investigation within 18 months after the date
funds are appropriated for the study and investigation, including
in such report the Commission's recommendations.
FOREIGN INVESTMENT STUDY
Pub. L. 93-479, Oct. 26, 1974, 88 Stat. 1450, directed Secretary
of the Treasury and Secretary of Commerce to conduct a
comprehensive, overall study of foreign direct and portfolio
investments in the United States and submit to Congress an interim
report twelve months after Oct. 26, 1974, and not later than one
and one-half years after Oct. 26, 1974, a full and complete report
of the findings made under the study authorized, together with such
recommendations as they considered appropriate.
-EXEC-
EX. ORD. NO. 11858. FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES
Ex. Ord. No. 11858, May 7, 1975, 40 F.R. 20263, as amended by Ex.
Ord. No. 12188, Jan. 2, 1980, 45 F.R. 989; Ex. Ord. No. 12661, Dec.
27, 1988, 54 F.R. 779; Ex. Ord. No. 12860, Sept. 3, 1993, 58 F.R.
47201; Ex. Ord. No. 13286, Sec. 57, Feb. 28, 2003, 68 F.R. 10629,
provided:
By virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
statutes of the United States of America, including the Act of
February 14, 1903, as amended (15 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.), section 10
of the Gold Reserve Act of 1934, as amended (31 U.S.C. 822a), and
section 301 of title 3 of the United States Code, and as President
of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:
Section 1. (a) There is hereby established the Committee on
Foreign Investment in the United States (hereinafter referred to as
the Committee). The Committee shall be composed of the following:
(1) The Secretary of State.
(2) The Secretary of the Treasury.
(3) The Secretary of Defense.
(4) The Secretary of Commerce.
(5) The United States Trade Representative.
(6) The Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers.
(7) The Attorney General.
(8) The Secretary of Homeland Security.
(9) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
(9)(sic) the Director of the Office of Science and Technology
Policy.
(10) the Assistant to the President for National Security
Affairs.
(11) the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy.
The Secretary of the Treasury shall be the chairman of the
Committee. The chairman, as he deems appropriate, may invite
representatives of other departments and agencies to participate
from time to time in activities of the Committee.
(b) The Committee shall have primary continuing responsibility
within the Executive Branch for monitoring the impact of foreign
investment in the United States, both direct and portfolio, and for
coordinating the implementation of United States policy on such
investment. In fulfillment of this responsibility, the Committee
shall:
(1) arrange for the preparation of analyses of trends and
significant developments in foreign investments in the United
States;
(2) provide guidance on arrangements with foreign governments for
advance consultations on prospective major foreign governmental
investments in the United States;
(3) review investments in the United States which, in the
judgment of the Committee, might have major implications for United
States national interests;
(4) consider proposals for new legislation or regulations
relating to foreign investment as may appear necessary; and
(5) coordinate the views of the Executive Branch and discharge
the responsibilities with respect to Section 721(a) and (e) of the
Defense Production Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. App. 2170(a), (e)), as
amended (50 U.S.C. App. 2061 et seq.) (''Defense Production Act'').
(c) As the need arises, the Committee shall submit
recommendations and analyses to the National Security Council and
to the Economic Policy Board. It shall also arrange for the
preparation and publication of periodic reports.
Sec. 2. The Secretary of Commerce, with respect to the collection
and use of data on foreign investment in the United States, shall
provide, in particular, for the performance of the following
activities:
(a) The obtainment, consolidation, and analysis of information on
foreign investment in the United States;
(b) the improvement of procedures for the collection and
dissemination of information on such foreign investment;
(c) the close observation of foreign investment in the United
States;
(d) the preparation of reports and analyses of trends and of
significant developments in appropriate categories of such
investment;
(e) the compilation of data and preparation of evaluations of
significant investment transactions; and
(f) the submission to the Committee of appropriate reports,
analyses, data and recommendations relating to foreign investment
in the United States, including recommendations as to how
information on foreign investment can be kept current.
Sec. 3. The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized, without
further approval of the President, to make reasonable use of the
resources of the Exchange Stabilization Fund, in accordance with
section 10 of the Gold Reserve Act of 1934, as amended (31 U.S.C.
822a) (31 U.S.C. 5302), to pay any of the expenses directly
incurred by the Secretary of Commerce in the performance of the
functions and activities provided by this order. This authority
shall be in effect for one year, unless revoked prior thereto.
Sec. 4. All departments and agencies are directed to provide, to
the extent permitted by law, such information and assistance as may
be requested by the Committee or the Secretary of Commerce in
carrying out their functions and activities under this order.
Sec. 5. Information which has been submitted or received in
confidence shall not be publicly disclosed, except to the extent
required by law; and such information shall be used by the
Committee only for the purpose of carrying out the functions and
activities prescribed by this order. Information or documentary
material filed pursuant to Section 1(b)(5) or Section 7 of this
Order shall be treated in accordance with paragraph (b) of Section
721 of the Defense Production Act (50 U.S.C. App. 2170(b)).
Sec. 6. Nothing in this order shall affect the data-gathering,
regulatory, or enforcement authority of any existing department or
agency over foreign investment, and the review of individual
investments provided by this order shall not in any way supersede
or prejudice any other process provided by law.
Sec. 7. (1) Investigations. (a) The Committee is designated to
receive notices and other information, to determine whether
investigations should be undertaken, and to make investigations,
pursuant to Section 721(a) of the Defense Production Act (50 U.S.C.
App. 2170(a)). (b) If the Committee determines that an
investigation should be undertaken, such investigation shall
commence no later than 30 days after receipt by the Committee of
written notification of the proposed or pending merger,
acquisition, or takeover. Such investigation shall be completed no
later than 45 days after such determination. (c) If one or more
Committee members differ with a Committee decision not to undertake
an investigation, the Chairman shall submit a report of the
Committee to the President setting forth the differing views and
presenting the issues for his decision within 25 days after receipt
by the Committee of written notification of the proposed or pending
merger, acquisition, or takeover. (d) A unanimous decision by the
Committee not to undertake an investigation with regard to a notice
shall conclude action under this section on such notice. The
Chairman shall advise the President of said decision.
(2) Report to the President. Upon completion or termination of
any investigation, the Committee shall report to the President and
present a recommendation. Any such report shall include
information relevant to subparagraphs (1) and (2) of Section 721(d)
of the Defense Production Act. If the Committee is unable to reach
a unanimous recommendation, the Chairman shall submit a report of
the Committee to the President setting forth the differing views
and presenting the issues for his decision.
Sec. 8. The Chairman of the Committee, in consultation with other
members of the Committee, is hereby delegated the authority to
issue regulations to implement Section 721 of the Defense
Production Act (50 U.S.C. App. 2170).
EX. ORD. NO. 12631. WORKING GROUP ON FINANCIAL MARKETS
Ex. Ord. No. 12631, Mar. 18, 1988, 53 F.R. 9421, provided:
By virtue of the authority vested in me as President by the
Constitution and laws of the United States of America, and in order
to establish a Working Group on Financial Markets, it is hereby
ordered as follows:
Section 1. Establishment. (a) There is hereby established a
Working Group on Financial Markets (Working Group). The Working
Group shall be composed of:
(1) the Secretary of the Treasury, or his designee;
(2) the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System, or his designee;
(3) the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or
his designee; and
(4) the Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or
her designee.
(b) The Secretary of the Treasury, or his designee, shall be the
Chairman of the Working Group.
Sec. 2. Purposes and Functions. (a) Recognizing the goals of
enhancing the integrity, efficiency, orderliness, and
competitiveness of our Nation's financial markets and maintaining
investor confidence, the Working Group shall identify and consider:
(1) the major issues raised by the numerous studies on the events
in the financial markets surrounding October 19, 1987, and any of
those recommendations that have the potential to achieve the goals
noted above; and
(2) the actions, including governmental actions under existing
laws and regulations (such as policy coordination and contingency
planning), that are appropriate to carry out these recommendations.
(b) The Working Group shall consult, as appropriate, with
representatives of the various exchanges, clearinghouses,
self-regulatory bodies, and with major market participants to
determine private sector solutions wherever possible.
(c) The Working Group shall report to the President initially
within 60 days (and periodically thereafter) on its progress and,
if appropriate, its views on any recommended legislative changes.
Sec. 3. Administration. (a) The heads of Executive departments,
agencies, and independent instrumentalities shall, to the extent
permitted by law, provide the Working Group such information as it
may require for the purpose of carrying out this Order.
(b) Members of the Working Group shall serve without additional
compensation for their work on the Working Group.
(c) To the extent permitted by law and subject to the
availability of funds therefor, the Department of the Treasury
shall provide the Working Group with such administrative and
support services as may be necessary for the performance of its
functions. Ronald Reagan.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 78c 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 2B - SECURITIES EXCHANGES
-HEAD-
Sec. 78c. Definitions and application
-STATUTE-
(a) Definitions
When used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires
-
(1) The term ''exchange'' means any organization, association,
or group of persons, whether incorporated or unincorporated,
which constitutes, maintains, or provides a market place or
facilities for bringing together purchasers and sellers of
securities or for otherwise performing with respect to securities
the functions commonly performed by a stock exchange as that term
is generally understood, and includes the market place and the
market facilities maintained by such exchange.
(2) The term ''facility'' when used with respect to an exchange
includes its premises, tangible or intangible property whether on
the premises or not, any right to the use of such premises or
property or any service thereof for the purpose of effecting or
reporting a transaction on an exchange (including, among other
things, any system of communication to or from the exchange, by
ticker or otherwise, maintained by or with the consent of the
exchange), and any right of the exchange to the use of any
property or service.
(3)(A) The term ''member'' when used with respect to a national
securities exchange means (i) any natural person permitted to
effect transactions on the floor of the exchange without the
services of another person acting as broker, (ii) any registered
broker or dealer with which such a natural person is associated,
(iii) any registered broker or dealer permitted to designate as a
representative such a natural person, and (iv) any other
registered broker or dealer which agrees to be regulated by such
exchange and with respect to which the exchange undertakes to
enforce compliance with the provisions of this chapter, the rules
and regulations thereunder, and its own rules. For purposes of
sections 78f(b)(1), 78f(b)(4), 78f(b)(6), 78f(b)(7), 78f(d),
78q(d), 78s(d), 78s(e), 78s(g), 78s(h), and 78u of this title,
the term ''member'' when used with respect to a national
securities exchange also means, to the extent of the rules of the
exchange specified by the Commission, any person required by the
Commission to comply with such rules pursuant to section 78f(f)
of this title.
(B) The term ''member'' when used with respect to a registered
securities association means any broker or dealer who agrees to
be regulated by such association and with respect to whom the
association undertakes to enforce compliance with the provisions
of this chapter, the rules and regulations thereunder, and its
own rules.
(4) Broker. -
(A) In general. - The term ''broker'' means any person
engaged in the business of effecting transactions in securities
for the account of others.
(B) Exception for certain bank activities. - A bank shall not
be considered to be a broker because the bank engages in any
one or more of the following activities under the conditions
described:
(i) Third party brokerage arrangements. - The bank enters
into a contractual or other written arrangement with a broker
or dealer registered under this chapter under which the
broker or dealer offers brokerage services on or off the
premises of the bank if -
(I) such broker or dealer is clearly identified as the
person performing the brokerage services;
(II) the broker or dealer performs brokerage services in
an area that is clearly marked and, to the extent
practicable, physically separate from the routine
deposit-taking activities of the bank;
(III) any materials used by the bank to advertise or
promote generally the availability of brokerage services
under the arrangement clearly indicate that the brokerage
services are being provided by the broker or dealer and not
by the bank;
(IV) any materials used by the bank to advertise or
promote generally the availability of brokerage services
under the arrangement are in compliance with the Federal
securities laws before distribution;
(V) bank employees (other than associated persons of a
broker or dealer who are qualified pursuant to the rules of
a self-regulatory organization) perform only clerical or
ministerial functions in connection with brokerage
transactions including scheduling appointments with the
associated persons of a broker or dealer, except that bank
employees may forward customer funds or securities and may
describe in general terms the types of investment vehicles
available from the bank and the broker or dealer under the
arrangement;
(VI) bank employees do not receive incentive compensation
for any brokerage transaction unless such employees are
associated persons of a broker or dealer and are qualified
pursuant to the rules of a self-regulatory organization,
except that the bank employees may receive compensation for
the referral of any customer if the compensation is a
nominal one-time cash fee of a fixed dollar amount and the
payment of the fee is not contingent on whether the
referral results in a transaction;
(VII) such services are provided by the broker or dealer
on a basis in which all customers that receive any services
are fully disclosed to the broker or dealer;
(VIII) the bank does not carry a securities account of
the customer except as permitted under clause (ii) or
(viii) of this subparagraph; and
(IX) the bank, broker, or dealer informs each customer
that the brokerage services are provided by the broker or
dealer and not by the bank and that the securities are not
deposits or other obligations of the bank, are not
guaranteed by the bank, and are not insured by the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation.
(ii) Trust activities. - The bank effects transactions in a
trustee capacity, or effects transactions in a fiduciary
capacity in its trust department or other department that is
regularly examined by bank examiners for compliance with
fiduciary principles and standards, and -
(I) is chiefly compensated for such transactions,
consistent with fiduciary principles and standards, on the
basis of an administration or annual fee (payable on a
monthly, quarterly, or other basis), a percentage of assets
under management, or a flat or capped per order processing
fee equal to not more than the cost incurred by the bank in
connection with executing securities transactions for
trustee and fiduciary customers, or any combination of such
fees; and
(II) does not publicly solicit brokerage business, other
than by advertising that it effects transactions in
securities in conjunction with advertising its other trust
activities.
(iii) Permissible securities transactions. - The bank
effects transactions in -
(I) commercial paper, bankers acceptances, or commercial
bills;
(II) exempted securities;
(III) qualified Canadian government obligations as
defined in section 24 of title 12, in conformity with
section 78o-5 of this title and the rules and regulations
thereunder, or obligations of the North American
Development Bank; or
(IV) any standardized, credit enhanced debt security
issued by a foreign government pursuant to the March 1989
plan of then Secretary of the Treasury Brady, used by such
foreign government to retire outstanding commercial bank
loans.
(iv) Certain stock purchase plans. -
(I) Employee benefit plans. - The bank effects
transactions, as part of its transfer agency activities, in
the securities of an issuer as part of any pension,
retirement, profit-sharing, bonus, thrift, savings,
incentive, or other similar benefit plan for the employees
of that issuer or its affiliates (as defined in section
1841 of title 12), if the bank does not solicit
transactions or provide investment advice with respect to
the purchase or sale of securities in connection with the
plan.
(II) Dividend reinvestment plans. - The bank effects
transactions, as part of its transfer agency activities, in
the securities of an issuer as part of that issuer's
dividend reinvestment plan, if -
(aa) the bank does not solicit transactions or provide
investment advice with respect to the purchase or sale of
securities in connection with the plan; and
(bb) the bank does not net shareholders' buy and sell
orders, other than for programs for odd-lot holders or
plans registered with the Commission.
(III) Issuer plans. - The bank effects transactions, as
part of its transfer agency activities, in the securities
of an issuer as part of a plan or program for the purchase
or sale of that issuer's shares, if -
(aa) the bank does not solicit transactions or provide
investment advice with respect to the purchase or sale of
securities in connection with the plan or program; and
(bb) the bank does not net shareholders' buy and sell
orders, other than for programs for odd-lot holders or
plans registered with the Commission.
(IV) Permissible delivery of materials. - The exception
to being considered a broker for a bank engaged in
activities described in subclauses (I), (II), and (III)
will not be affected by delivery of written or electronic
plan materials by a bank to employees of the issuer,
shareholders of the issuer, or members of affinity groups
of the issuer, so long as such materials are -
(aa) comparable in scope or nature to that permitted by
the Commission as of November 12, 1999; or
(bb) otherwise permitted by the Commission.
(v) Sweep accounts. - The bank effects transactions as part
of a program for the investment or reinvestment of deposit
funds into any no-load, open-end management investment
company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940
(15 U.S.C. 80a-1 et seq.) that holds itself out as a money
market fund.
(vi) Affiliate transactions. - The bank effects
transactions for the account of any affiliate of the bank (as
defined in section 1841 of title 12) other than -
(I) a registered broker or dealer; or
(II) an affiliate that is engaged in merchant banking, as
described in section 1843(k)(4)(H) of title 12.
(vii) Private securities offerings. - The bank -
(I) effects sales as part of a primary offering of
securities not involving a public offering, pursuant to
section 3(b), 4(2), or 4(6) of the Securities Act of 1933
(15 U.S.C. 77c(b), 77d(2), 77d(6)) or the rules and
regulations issued thereunder;
(II) at any time after the date that is 1 year after
November 12, 1999, is not affiliated with a broker or
dealer that has been registered for more than 1 year in
accordance with this chapter, and engages in dealing,
market making, or underwriting activities, other than with
respect to exempted securities; and
(III) if the bank is not affiliated with a broker or
dealer, does not effect any primary offering described in
subclause (I) the aggregate amount of which exceeds 25
percent of the capital of the bank, except that the
limitation of this subclause shall not apply with respect
to any sale of government securities or municipal
securities.
(viii) Safekeeping and custody activities. -
(I) In general. - The bank, as part of customary banking
activities -
(aa) provides safekeeping or custody services with
respect to securities, including the exercise of warrants
and other rights on behalf of customers;
(bb) facilitates the transfer of funds or securities,
as a custodian or a clearing agency, in connection with
the clearance and settlement of its customers'
transactions in securities;
(cc) effects securities lending or borrowing
transactions with or on behalf of customers as part of
services provided to customers pursuant to division (aa)
or (bb) or invests cash collateral pledged in connection
with such transactions;
(dd) holds securities pledged by a customer to another
person or securities subject to purchase or resale
agreements involving a customer, or facilitates the
pledging or transfer of such securities by book entry or
as otherwise provided under applicable law, if the bank
maintains records separately identifying the securities
and the customer; or
(ee) serves as a custodian or provider of other related
administrative services to any individual retirement
account, pension, retirement, profit sharing, bonus,
thrift savings, incentive, or other similar benefit plan.
(II) Exception for carrying broker activities. - The
exception to being considered a broker for a bank engaged
in activities described in subclause (I) shall not apply if
the bank, in connection with such activities, acts in the
United States as a carrying broker (as such term, and
different formulations thereof, are used in section
78o(c)(3) of this title and the rules and regulations
thereunder) for any broker or dealer, unless such carrying
broker activities are engaged in with respect to government
securities (as defined in paragraph (42) of this
subsection).
(ix) Identified banking products. - The bank effects
transactions in identified banking products as defined in
section 206 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act.
(x) Municipal securities. - The bank effects transactions
in municipal securities.
(xi) De minimis exception. - The bank effects, other than
in transactions referred to in clauses (i) through (x), not
more than 500 transactions in securities in any calendar
year, and such transactions are not effected by an employee
of the bank who is also an employee of a broker or dealer.
(C) Execution by broker or dealer. - The exception to being
considered a broker for a bank engaged in activities described
in clauses (ii), (iv), and (viii) of subparagraph (B) shall not
apply if the activities described in such provisions result in
the trade in the United States of any security that is a
publicly traded security in the United States, unless -
(i) the bank directs such trade to a registered broker or
dealer for execution;
(ii) the trade is a cross trade or other substantially
similar trade of a security that -
(I) is made by the bank or between the bank and an
affiliated fiduciary; and
(II) is not in contravention of fiduciary principles
established under applicable Federal or State law; or
(iii) the trade is conducted in some other manner permitted
under rules, regulations, or orders as the Commission may
prescribe or issue.
(D) Fiduciary capacity. - For purposes of subparagraph
(B)(ii), the term ''fiduciary capacity'' means -
(i) in the capacity as trustee, executor, administrator,
registrar of stocks and bonds, transfer agent, guardian,
assignee, receiver, or custodian under a uniform gift to
minor act, or as an investment adviser if the bank receives a
fee for its investment advice;
(ii) in any capacity in which the bank possesses investment
discretion on behalf of another; or
(iii) in any other similar capacity.
(E) Exception for entities subject to section 78o(e). - The
term ''broker'' does not include a bank that -
(i) was, on the day before November 12, 1999, subject to
section 78o(e) of this title; and
(ii) is subject to such restrictions and requirements as
the Commission considers appropriate.
(5) Dealer. -
(A) In general. - The term ''dealer'' means any person
engaged in the business of buying and selling securities for
such person's own account through a broker or otherwise.
(B) Exception for person not engaged in the business of
dealing. - The term ''dealer'' does not include a person that
buys or sells securities for such person's own account, either
individually or in a fiduciary capacity, but not as a part of a
regular business.
(C) Exception for certain bank activities. - A bank shall not
be considered to be a dealer because the bank engages in any of
the following activities under the conditions described:
(i) Permissible securities transactions. - The bank buys or
sells -
(I) commercial paper, bankers acceptances, or commercial
bills;
(II) exempted securities;
(III) qualified Canadian government obligations as
defined in section 24 of title 12, in conformity with
section 78o-5 of this title and the rules and regulations
thereunder, or obligations of the North American
Development Bank; or
(IV) any standardized, credit enhanced debt security
issued by a foreign government pursuant to the March 1989
plan of then Secretary of the Treasury Brady, used by such
foreign government to retire outstanding commercial bank
loans.
(ii) Investment, trustee, and fiduciary transactions. - The
bank buys or sells securities for investment purposes -
(I) for the bank; or
(II) for accounts for which the bank acts as a trustee or
fiduciary.
(iii) Asset-backed transactions. - The bank engages in the
issuance or sale to qualified investors, through a grantor
trust or other separate entity, of securities backed by or
representing an interest in notes, drafts, acceptances,
loans, leases, receivables, other obligations (other than
securities of which the bank is not the issuer), or pools of
any such obligations predominantly originated by -
(I) the bank;
(II) an affiliate of any such bank other than a broker or
dealer; or
(III) a syndicate of banks of which the bank is a member,
if the obligations or pool of obligations consists of
mortgage obligations or consumer-related receivables.
(iv) Identified banking products. - The bank buys or sells
identified banking products, as defined in section 206 of the
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act.
(6) The term ''bank'' means (A) a banking institution organized
under the laws of the United States, (B) a member bank of the
Federal Reserve System, (C) any other banking institution,
whether incorporated or not, doing business under the laws of any
State or of the United States, a substantial portion of the
business of which consists of receiving deposits or exercising
fiduciary powers similar to those permitted to national banks
under the authority of the Comptroller of the Currency pursuant
to section 92a of title 12, and which is supervised and examined
by State or Federal authority having supervision over banks, and
which is not operated for the purpose of evading the provisions
of this chapter, and (D) a receiver, conservator, or other
liquidating agent of any institution or firm included in clauses
(A), (B), or (C) of this paragraph.
(7) The term ''director'' means any director of a corporation
or any person performing similar functions with respect to any
organization, whether incorporated or unincorporated.
(8) The term ''issuer'' means any person who issues or proposes
to issue any security; except that with respect to certificates
of deposit for securities, voting-trust certificates, or
collateral-trust certificates, or with respect to certificates of
interest or shares in an unincorporated investment trust not
having a board of directors or of the fixed, restricted
management, or unit type, the term ''issuer'' means the person or
persons performing the acts and assuming the duties of depositor
or manager pursuant to the provisions of the trust or other
agreement or instrument under which such securities are issued;
and except that with respect to equipment-trust certificates or
like securities, the term ''issuer'' means the person by whom the
equipment or property is, or is to be, used.
(9) The term ''person'' means a natural person, company,
government, or political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality
of a government.
(10) The term ''security'' means any note, stock, treasury
stock, security future, bond, debenture, certificate of interest
or participation in any profit-sharing agreement or in any oil,
gas, or other mineral royalty or lease, any collateral-trust
certificate, preorganization certificate or subscription,
transferable share, investment contract, voting-trust
certificate, certificate of deposit for a security, any put,
call, straddle, option, or privilege on any security, certificate
of deposit, or group or index of securities (including any
interest therein or based on the value thereof), or any put,
call, straddle, option, or privilege entered into on a national
securities exchange relating to foreign currency, or in general,
any instrument commonly known as a ''security''; or any
certificate of interest or participation in, temporary or interim
certificate for, receipt for, or warrant or right to subscribe to
or purchase, any of the foregoing; but shall not include currency
or any note, draft, bill of exchange, or banker's acceptance
which has a maturity at the time of issuance of not exceeding
nine months, exclusive of days of grace, or any renewal thereof
the maturity of which is likewise limited.
(11) The term ''equity security'' means any stock or similar
security; or any security future on any such security; or any
security convertible, with or without consideration, into such a
security, or carrying any warrant or right to subscribe to or
purchase such a security; or any such warrant or right; or any
other security which the Commission shall deem to be of similar
nature and consider necessary or appropriate, by such rules and
regulations as it may prescribe in the public interest or for the
protection of investors, to treat as an equity security.
(12)(A) The term ''exempted security'' or ''exempted
securities'' includes -
(i) government securities, as defined in paragraph (42) of
this subsection;
(ii) municipal securities, as defined in paragraph (29) of
this subsection;
(iii) any interest or participation in any common trust fund
or similar fund that is excluded from the definition of the
term ''investment company'' under section 3(c)(3) of the
Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-3(c)(3));
(iv) any interest or participation in a single trust fund, or
a collective trust fund maintained by a bank, or any security
arising out of a contract issued by an insurance company, which
interest, participation, or security is issued in connection
with a qualified plan as defined in subparagraph (C) of this
paragraph;
(v) any security issued by or any interest or participation
in any pooled income fund, collective trust fund, collective
investment fund, or similar fund that is excluded from the
definition of an investment company under section 3(c)(10)(B)
of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C.
80a-3(c)(10)(B));
(vi) solely for purposes of sections 78l, 78m, 78n, and 78p
of this title, any security issued by or any interest or
participation in any church plan, company, or account that is
excluded from the definition of an investment company under
section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15
U.S.C. 80a-3(c)(14)); and
(vii) such other securities (which may include, among others,
unregistered securities, the market in which is predominantly
intrastate) as the Commission may, by such rules and
regulations as it deems consistent with the public interest and
the protection of investors, either unconditionally or upon
specified terms and conditions or for stated periods, exempt
from the operation of any one or more provisions of this
chapter which by their terms do not apply to an ''exempted
security'' or to ''exempted securities''.
(B)(i) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A)(i) of this paragraph,
government securities shall not be deemed to be ''exempted
securities'' for the purposes of section 78q-1 of this title.
(ii) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A)(ii) of this paragraph,
municipal securities shall not be deemed to be ''exempted
securities'' for the purposes of sections 78o and 78q-1 of this
title.
(C) For purposes of subparagraph (A)(iv) of this paragraph, the
term ''qualified plan'' means (i) a stock bonus, pension, or
profit-sharing plan which meets the requirements for
qualification under section 401 of title 26, (ii) an annuity plan
which meets the requirements for the deduction of the employer's
contribution under section 404(a)(2) of title 26, or (iii) a
governmental plan as defined in section 414(d) of title 26 which
has been established by an employer for the exclusive benefit of
its employees or their beneficiaries for the purpose of
distributing to such employees or their beneficiaries the corpus
and income of the funds accumulated under such plan, if under
such plan it is impossible, prior to the satisfaction of all
liabilities with respect to such employees and their
beneficiaries, for any part of the corpus or income to be used
for, or diverted to, purposes other than the exclusive benefit of
such employees or their beneficiaries, other than any plan
described in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) of this subparagraph
which (I) covers employees some or all of whom are employees
within the meaning of section 401(c) of title 26, or (II) is a
plan funded by an annuity contract described in section 403(b) of
title 26.
(13) The terms ''buy'' and ''purchase'' each include any
contract to buy, purchase, or otherwise acquire. For security
futures products, such term includes any contract, agreement, or
transaction for future delivery.
(14) The terms ''sale'' and ''sell'' each include any contract
to sell or otherwise dispose of. For security futures products,
such term includes any contract, agreement, or transaction for
future delivery.
(15) The term ''Commission'' means the Securities and Exchange
Commission established by section 78d of this title.
(16) The term ''State'' means any State of the United States,
the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, or any
other possession of the United States.
(17) The term ''interstate commerce'' means trade, commerce,
transportation, or communication among the several States, or
between any foreign country and any State, or between any State
and any place or ship outside thereof. The term also includes
intrastate use of (A) any facility of a national securities
exchange or of a telephone or other interstate means of
communication, or (B) any other interstate instrumentality.
(18) The term ''person associated with a broker or dealer'' or
''associated person of a broker or dealer'' means any partner,
officer, director, or branch manager of such broker or dealer (or
any person occupying a similar status or performing similar
functions), any person directly or indirectly controlling,
controlled by, or under common control with such broker or
dealer, or any employee of such broker or dealer, except that any
person associated with a broker or dealer whose functions are
solely clerical or ministerial shall not be included in the
meaning of such term for purposes of section 78o(b) of this title
(other than paragraph (6) thereof).
(19) The terms ''investment company'', ''affiliated person'',
''insurance company'', ''separate account'', and ''company'' have
the same meanings as in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15
U.S.C. 80a-1 et seq.).
(20) The terms ''investment adviser'' and ''underwriter'' have
the same meanings as in the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (15
U.S.C. 80b-1 et seq.).
(21) The term ''person associated with a member'' or
''associated person of a member'' when used with respect to a
member of a national securities exchange or registered securities
association means any partner, officer, director, or branch
manager of such member (or any person occupying a similar status
or performing similar functions), any person directly or
indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control
with such member, or any employee of such member.
(22)(A) The term ''securities information processor'' means any
person engaged in the business of (i) collecting, processing, or
preparing for distribution or publication, or assisting,
participating in, or coordinating the distribution or publication
of, information with respect to transactions in or quotations for
any security (other than an exempted security) or (ii)
distributing or publishing (whether by means of a ticker tape, a
communications network, a terminal display device, or otherwise)
on a current and continuing basis, information with respect to
such transactions or quotations. The term ''securities
information processor'' does not include any bona fide newspaper,
news magazine, or business or financial publication of general
and regular circulation, any self-regulatory organizations, any
bank, broker, dealer, building and loan, savings and loan, or
homestead association, or cooperative bank, if such bank, broker,
dealer, association, or cooperative bank would be deemed to be a
securities information processor solely by reason of functions
performed by such institutions as part of customary banking,
brokerage, dealing, association, or cooperative bank activities,
or any common carrier, as defined in section 153 of title 47,
subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Communications
Commission or a State commission, as defined in section 153 of
title 47, unless the Commission determines that such carrier is
engaged in the business of collecting, processing, or preparing
for distribution or publication, information with respect to
transactions in or quotations for any security.
(B) The term ''exclusive processor'' means any securities
information processor or self-regulatory organization which,
directly or indirectly, engages on an exclusive basis on behalf
of any national securities exchange or registered securities
association, or any national securities exchange or registered
securities association which engages on an exclusive basis on its
own behalf, in collecting, processing, or preparing for
distribution or publication any information with respect to (i)
transactions or quotations on or effected or made by means of any
facility of such exchange or (ii) quotations distributed or
published by means of any electronic system operated or
controlled by such association.
(23)(A) The term ''clearing agency'' means any person who acts
as an intermediary in making payments or deliveries or both in
connection with transactions in securities or who provides
facilities for comparison of data respecting the terms of
settlement of securities transactions, to reduce the number of
settlements of securities transactions, or for the allocation of
securities settlement responsibilities. Such term also means any
person, such as a securities depository, who (i) acts as a
custodian of securities in connection with a system for the
central handling of securities whereby all securities of a
particular class or series of any issuer deposited within the
system are treated as fungible and may be transferred, loaned, or
pledged by bookkeeping entry without physical delivery of
securities certificates, or (ii) otherwise permits or facilitates
the settlement of securities transactions or the hypothecation or
lending of securities without physical delivery of securities
certificates.
(B) The term ''clearing agency'' does not include (i) any
Federal Reserve bank, Federal home loan bank, or Federal land
bank; (ii) any national securities exchange or registered
securities association solely by reason of its providing
facilities for comparison of data respecting the terms of
settlement of securities transactions effected on such exchange
or by means of any electronic system operated or controlled by
such association; (iii) any bank, broker, dealer, building and
loan, savings and loan, or homestead association, or cooperative
bank if such bank, broker, dealer, association, or cooperative
bank would be deemed to be a clearing agency solely by reason of
functions performed by such institution as part of customary
banking, brokerage, dealing, association, or cooperative banking
activities, or solely by reason of acting on behalf of a clearing
agency or a participant therein in connection with the furnishing
by the clearing agency of services to its participants or the use
of services of the clearing agency by its participants, unless
the Commission, by rule, otherwise provides as necessary or
appropriate to assure the prompt and accurate clearance and
settlement of securities transactions or to prevent evasion of
this chapter; (iv) any life insurance company, its registered
separate accounts, or a subsidiary of such insurance company
solely by reason of functions commonly performed by such entities
in connection with variable annuity contracts or variable life
policies issued by such insurance company or its separate
accounts; (v) any registered open-end investment company or unit
investment trust solely by reason of functions commonly performed
by it in connection with shares in such registered open-end
investment company or unit investment trust, or (vi) any person
solely by reason of its performing functions described in
paragraph (25)(E) of this subsection.
(24) The term ''participant'' when used with respect to a
clearing agency means any person who uses a clearing agency to
clear or settle securities transactions or to transfer, pledge,
lend, or hypothecate securities. Such term does not include a
person whose only use of a clearing agency is (A) through another
person who is a participant or (B) as a pledgee of securities.
(25) The term ''transfer agent'' means any person who engages
on behalf of an issuer of securities or on behalf of itself as an
issuer of securities in (A) countersigning such securities upon
issuance; (B) monitoring the issuance of such securities with a
view to preventing unauthorized issuance, a function commonly
performed by a person called a registrar; (C) registering the
transfer of such securities; (D) exchanging or converting such
securities; or (E) transferring record ownership of securities by
bookkeeping entry without physical issuance of securities
certificates. The term ''transfer agent'' does not include any
insurance company or separate account which performs such
functions solely with respect to variable annuity contracts or
variable life policies which it issues or any registered clearing
agency which performs such functions solely with respect to
options contracts which it issues.
(26) The term ''self-regulatory organization'' means any
national securities exchange, registered securities association,
or registered clearing agency, or (solely for purposes of
sections 78s(b), 78s(c), and 78w(b) (FOOTNOTE 1) of this title)
the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board established by section
78o-4 of this title.
(FOOTNOTE 1) See References in Text note below.
(27) The term ''rules of an exchange'', ''rules of an
association'', or ''rules of a clearing agency'' means the
constitution, articles of incorporation, bylaws, and rules, or
instruments corresponding to the foregoing, of an exchange,
association of brokers and dealers, or clearing agency,
respectively, and such of the stated policies, practices, and
interpretations of such exchange, association, or clearing agency
as the Commission, by rule, may determine to be necessary or
appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of
investors to be deemed to be rules of such exchange, association,
or clearing agency.
(28) The term ''rules of a self-regulatory organization'' means
the rules of an exchange which is a national securities exchange,
the rules of an association of brokers and dealers which is a
registered securities association, the rules of a clearing agency
which is a registered clearing agency, or the rules of the
Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board.
(29) The term ''municipal securities'' means securities which
are direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed as to
principal or interest by, a State or any political subdivision
thereof, or any agency or instrumentality of a State or any
political subdivision thereof, or any municipal corporate
instrumentality of one or more States, or any security which is
an industrial development bond (as defined in section 103(c)(2)
(FOOTNOTE 1) of title 26) the interest on which is excludable
from gross income under section 103(a)(1) (FOOTNOTE 1) of title
26 if, by reason of the application of paragraph (4) or (6) of
section 103(c) (FOOTNOTE 1) of title 26 (determined as if
paragraphs (4)(A), (5), and (7) were not included in such section
103(c)), (FOOTNOTE 1) paragraph (1) of such section 103(c)
(FOOTNOTE 1) does not apply to such security.
(30) The term ''municipal securities dealer'' means any person
(including a separately identifiable department or division of a
bank) engaged in the business of buying and selling municipal
securities for his own account, through a broker or otherwise,
but does not include -
(A) any person insofar as he buys or sells such securities
for his own account, either individually or in some fiduciary
capacity, but not as a part of a regular business; or
(B) a bank, unless the bank is engaged in the business of
buying and selling municipal securities for its own account
other than in a fiduciary capacity, through a broker or
otherwise: Provided, however, That if the bank is engaged in
such business through a separately identifiable department or
division (as defined by the Municipal Securities Rulemaking
Board in accordance with section 78o-4(b)(2)(H) of this title),
the department or division and not the bank itself shall be
deemed to be the municipal securities dealer.
(31) The term ''municipal securities broker'' means a broker
engaged in the business of effecting transactions in municipal
securities for the account of others.
(32) The term ''person associated with a municipal securities
dealer'' when used with respect to a municipal securities dealer
which is a bank or a division or department of a bank means any
person directly engaged in the management, direction,
supervision, or performance of any of the municipal securities
dealer's activities with respect to municipal securities, and any
person directly or indirectly controlling such activities or
controlled by the municipal securities dealer in connection with
such activities.
(33) The term ''municipal securities investment portfolio''
means all municipal securities held for investment and not for
sale as part of a regular business by a municipal securities
dealer or by a person, directly or indirectly, controlling,
controlled by, or under common control with a municipal
securities dealer.
(34) The term ''appropriate regulatory agency'' means -
(A) When used with respect to a municipal securities dealer:
(i) the Comptroller of the Currency, in the case of a
national bank or a bank operating under the Code of Law for
the District of Columbia, or a subsidiary or a department or
division of any such bank;
(ii) the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System,
in the case of a State member bank of the Federal Reserve
System, a subsidiary or a department or division thereof, a
bank holding company, a subsidiary of a bank holding company
which is a bank other than a bank specified in clause (i) or
(iii) of this subparagraph, or a subsidiary or a department
or division of such subsidiary;
(iii) the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, in the
case of a bank insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation (other than a member of the Federal Reserve
System), or a subsidiary or department or division thereof;
and
(iv) the Commission in the case of all other municipal
securities dealers.
(B) When used with respect to a clearing agency or transfer
agent:
(i) the Comptroller of the Currency, in the case of a
national bank or a bank operating under the Code of Law for
the District of Columbia, or a subsidiary of any such bank;
(ii) the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System,
in the case of a State member bank of the Federal Reserve
System, a subsidiary thereof, a bank holding company, or a
subsidiary of a bank holding company which is a bank other
than a bank specified in clause (i) or (iii) of this
subparagraph;
(iii) the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, in the
case of a bank insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation (other than a member of the Federal Reserve
System), or a subsidiary thereof; and
(iv) the Commission in the case of all other clearing
agencies and transfer agents.
(C) When used with respect to a participant or applicant to
become a participant in a clearing agency or a person
requesting or having access to services offered by a clearing
agency:
(i) The Comptroller of the Currency, in the case of a
national bank or a bank operating under the Code of Law for
the District of Columbia when the appropriate regulatory
agency for such clearing agency is not the Commission;
(ii) the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
in the case of a State member bank of the Federal Reserve
System, a bank holding company, or a subsidiary of a bank
holding company, or a subsidiary of a bank holding company
which is a bank other than a bank specified in clause (i) or
(iii) of this subparagraph when the appropriate regulatory
agency for such clearing agency is not the Commission;
(iii) the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, in the
case of a bank insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation (other than a member of the Federal Reserve
System) when the appropriate regulatory agency for such
clearing agency is not the Commission; and
(iv) the Commission in all other cases.
(D) When used with respect to an institutional investment
manager which is a bank the deposits of which are insured in
accordance with the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C.
1811 et seq.):
(i) the Comptroller of the Currency, in the case of a
national bank or a bank operating under the Code of Law for
the District of Columbia;
(ii) the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System,
in the case of any other member bank of the Federal Reserve
System; and
(iii) the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, in the
case of any other insured bank.
(E) When used with respect to a national securities exchange
or registered securities association, member thereof, person
associated with a member thereof, applicant to become a member
thereof or to become associated with a member thereof, or
person requesting or having access to services offered by such
exchange or association or member thereof, or the Municipal
Securities Rulemaking Board, the Commission.
(F) When used with respect to a person exercising investment
discretion with respect to an account;
(i) the Comptroller of the Currency, in the case of a
national bank or a bank operating under the Code of Law for
the District of Columbia;
(ii) the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
in the case of any other member bank of the Federal Reserve
System;
(iii) the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, in the
case of any other bank the deposits of which are insured in
accordance with the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C.
1811 et seq.); and
(iv) the Commission in the case of all other such persons.
(G) When used with respect to a government securities broker
or government securities dealer, or person associated with a
government securities broker or government securities dealer:
(i) the Comptroller of the Currency, in the case of a
national bank, a bank in the District of Columbia examined by
the Comptroller of the Currency, or a Federal branch or
Federal agency of a foreign bank (as such terms are used in
the International Banking Act of 1978 (12 U.S.C. 3101 et
seq.));
(ii) the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System,
in the case of a State member bank of the Federal Reserve
System, a foreign bank, an uninsured State branch or State
agency of a foreign bank, a commercial lending company owned
or controlled by a foreign bank (as such terms are used in
the International Banking Act of 1978), or a corporation
organized or having an agreement with the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System pursuant to section 25 or
section 25A of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 601 et
seq., 611 et seq.);
(iii) the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, in the
case of a bank insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation (other than a member of the Federal Reserve
System or a Federal savings bank) or an insured State branch
of a foreign bank (as such terms are used in the
International Banking Act of 1978);
(iv) the Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision, in
the case of a savings association (as defined in section 3(b)
of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813(b))) the
deposits of which are insured by the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation; (FOOTNOTE 2)
(FOOTNOTE 2) So in original. Probably should be followed by
''and''.
(v) the Commission, in the case of all other government
securities brokers and government securities dealers.
(H) When used with respect to an institution described in
subparagraph (D), (F), or (G) of section 1841(c)(2), or held
under section 1843(f) of title 12 -
(i) the Comptroller of the Currency, in the case of a
national bank or a bank in the District of Columbia examined
by the Comptroller of the Currency;
(ii) the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System,
in the case of a State member bank of the Federal Reserve
System or any corporation chartered under section 25A of the
Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 611 et seq.);
(iii) the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, in the
case of any other bank the deposits of which are insured in
accordance with the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C.
1811 et seq.); or
(iv) the Commission in the case of all other such
institutions.
As used in this paragraph, the terms ''bank holding company'' and
''subsidiary of a bank holding company'' have the meanings given
them in section 1841 of title 12, and the term ''District of
Columbia savings and loan association'' means any association
subject to examination and supervision by the Office of Thrift
Supervision under section 1466a of title 12.
(35) A person exercises ''investment discretion'' with respect
to an account if, directly or indirectly, such person (A) is
authorized to determine what securities or other property shall
be purchased or sold by or for the account, (B) makes decisions
as to what securities or other property shall be purchased or
sold by or for the account even though some other person may have
responsibility for such investment decisions, or (C) otherwise
exercises such influence with respect to the purchase and sale of
securities or other property by or for the account as the
Commission, by rule, determines, in the public interest or for
the protection of investors, should be subject to the operation
of the provisions of this chapter and the rules and regulations
thereunder.
(36) A class of persons or markets is subject to ''equal
regulation'' if no member of the class has a competitive
advantage over any other member thereof resulting from a
disparity in their regulation under this chapter which the
Commission determines is unfair and not necessary or appropriate
in furtherance of the purposes of this chapter.
(37) The term ''records'' means accounts, correspondence,
memorandums, tapes, discs, papers, books, and other documents or
transcribed information of any type, whether expressed in
ordinary or machine language.
(38) The term ''market maker'' means any specialist permitted
to act as a dealer, any dealer acting in the capacity of block
positioner, and any dealer who, with respect to a security, holds
himself out (by entering quotations in an inter-dealer
communications system or otherwise) as being willing to buy and
sell such security for his own account on a regular or continuous
basis.
(39) A person is subject to a ''statutory disqualification''
with respect to membership or participation in, or association
with a member of, a self-regulatory organization, if such person
-
(A) has been and is expelled or suspended from membership or
participation in, or barred or suspended from being associated
with a member of, any self-regulatory organization, foreign
equivalent of a self-regulatory organization, foreign or
international securities exchange, contract market designated
pursuant to section 5 of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C.
7), or any substantially equivalent foreign statute or
regulation, or futures association registered under section 17
of such Act (7 U.S.C. 21), or any substantially equivalent
foreign statute or regulation, or has been and is denied
trading privileges on any such contract market or foreign
equivalent;
(B) is subject to -
(i) an order of the Commission, other appropriate
regulatory agency, or foreign financial regulatory authority
-
(I) denying, suspending for a period not exceeding 12
months, or revoking his registration as a broker, dealer,
municipal securities dealer, government securities broker,
or government securities dealer or limiting his activities
as a foreign person performing a function substantially
equivalent to any of the above; or
(II) barring or suspending for a period not exceeding 12
months his being associated with a broker, dealer,
municipal securities dealer, government securities broker,
government securities dealer, or foreign person performing
a function substantially equivalent to any of the above;
(ii) an order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission
denying, suspending, or revoking his registration under the
Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.); or
(iii) an order by a foreign financial regulatory authority
denying, suspending, or revoking the person's authority to
engage in transactions in contracts of sale of a commodity
for future delivery or other instruments traded on or subject
to the rules of a contract market, board of trade, or foreign
equivalent thereof;
(C) by his conduct while associated with a broker, dealer,
municipal securities dealer, government securities broker, or
government securities dealer, or while associated with an
entity or person required to be registered under the Commodity
Exchange Act, has been found to be a cause of any effective
suspension, expulsion, or order of the character described in
subparagraph (A) or (B) of this paragraph, and in entering such
a suspension, expulsion, or order, the Commission, an
appropriate regulatory agency, or any such self-regulatory
organization shall have jurisdiction to find whether or not any
person was a cause thereof;
(D) by his conduct while associated with any broker, dealer,
municipal securities dealer, government securities broker,
government securities dealer, or any other entity engaged in
transactions in securities, or while associated with an entity
engaged in transactions in contracts of sale of a commodity for
future delivery or other instruments traded on or subject to
the rules of a contract market, board of trade, or foreign
equivalent thereof, has been found to be a cause of any
effective suspension, expulsion, or order by a foreign or
international securities exchange or foreign financial
regulatory authority empowered by a foreign government to
administer or enforce its laws relating to financial
transactions as described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of this
paragraph;
(E) has associated with him any person who is known, or in
the exercise of reasonable care should be known, to him to be a
person described by subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (D) of this
paragraph; or
(F) has committed or omitted any act, or is subject to an
order or finding, enumerated in subparagraph (D), (E), (H), or
(G) of paragraph (4) of section 78o(b) of this title, has been
convicted of any offense specified in subparagraph (B) of such
paragraph (4) or any other felony within ten years of the date
of the filing of an application for membership or participation
in, or to become associated with a member of, such
self-regulatory organization, is enjoined from any action,
conduct, or practice specified in subparagraph (C) of such
paragraph (4), has willfully made or caused to be made in any
application for membership or participation in, or to become
associated with a member of, a self-regulatory organization,
report required to be filed with a self-regulatory
organization, or proceeding before a self-regulatory
organization, any statement which was at the time, and in the
light of the circumstances under which it was made, false or
misleading with respect to any material fact, or has omitted to
state in any such application, report, or proceeding any
material fact which is required to be stated therein.
(40) The term ''financial responsibility rules'' means the
rules and regulations of the Commission or the rules and
regulations prescribed by any self-regulatory organization
relating to financial responsibility and related practices which
are designated by the Commission, by rule or regulation, to be
financial responsibility rules.
(41) The term ''mortgage related security'' means a security
that is rated in one of the two highest rating categories by at
least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization,
and either:
(A) represents ownership of one or more promissory notes or
certificates of interest or participation in such notes
(including any rights designed to assure servicing of, or the
receipt or timeliness of receipt by the holders of such notes,
certificates, or participations of amounts payable under, such
notes, certificates, or participations), which notes:
(i) are directly secured by a first lien on a single parcel
of real estate, including stock allocated to a dwelling unit
in a residential cooperative housing corporation, upon which
is located a dwelling or mixed residential and commercial
structure, on a residential manufactured home as defined in
section 5402(6) of title 42, whether such manufactured home
is considered real or personal property under the laws of the
State in which it is to be located, or on one or more parcels
of real estate upon which is located one or more commercial
structures; and
(ii) were originated by a savings and loan association,
savings bank, commercial bank, credit union, insurance
company, or similar institution which is supervised and
examined by a Federal or State authority, or by a mortgagee
approved by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
pursuant to sections 1709 and 1715b of title 12, or, where
such notes involve a lien on the manufactured home, by any
such institution or by any financial institution approved for
insurance by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
pursuant to section 1703 of title 12; or
(B) is secured by one or more promissory notes or
certificates of interest or participations in such notes (with
or without recourse to the issuer thereof) and, by its terms,
provides for payments of principal in relation to payments, or
reasonable projections of payments, on notes meeting the
requirements of subparagraphs (A)(i) and (ii) or certificates
of interest or participations in promissory notes meeting such
requirements.
For the purpose of this paragraph, the term ''promissory note'',
when used in connection with a manufactured home, shall also
include a loan, advance, or credit sale as evidence (FOOTNOTE 3)
by a retail installment sales contract or other instrument.
(FOOTNOTE 3) So in original. Probably should be ''evidenced''.
(42) The term ''government securities'' means -
(A) securities which are direct obligations of, or
obligations guaranteed as to principal or interest by, the
United States;
(B) securities which are issued or guaranteed by corporations
in which the United States has a direct or indirect interest
and which are designated by the Secretary of the Treasury for
exemption as necessary or appropriate in the public interest or
for the protection of investors;
(C) securities issued or guaranteed as to principal or
interest by any corporation the securities of which are
designated, by statute specifically naming such corporation, to
constitute exempt securities within the meaning of the laws
administered by the Commission;
(D) for purposes of sections 78o-5 and 78q-1 of this title,
any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege on a security
described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) other than a put,
call, straddle, option, or privilege -
(i) that is traded on one or more national securities
exchanges; or
(ii) for which quotations are disseminated through an
automated quotation system operated by a registered
securities association; or
(E) for purposes of sections 78o, 78o-5, and 78q-1 of this
title as applied to a bank, a qualified Canadian government
obligation as defined in section 24 of title 12.
(43) The term ''government securities broker'' means any person
regularly engaged in the business of effecting transactions in
government securities for the account of others, but does not
include -
(A) any corporation the securities of which are government
securities under subparagraph (B) or (C) of paragraph (42) of
this subsection; or
(B) any person registered with the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission, any contract market designated by the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission, such contract market's affiliated
clearing organization, or any floor trader on such contract
market, solely because such person effects transactions in
government securities that the Commission, after consultation
with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, has determined
by rule or order to be incidental to such person's
futures-related business.
(44) The term ''government securities dealer'' means any person
engaged in the business of buying and selling government
securities for his own account, through a broker or otherwise,
but does not include -
(A) any person insofar as he buys or sells such securities
for his own account, either individually or in some fiduciary
capacity, but not as a part of a regular business;
(B) any corporation the securities of which are government
securities under subparagraph (B) or (C) of paragraph (42) of
this subsection;
(C) any bank, unless the bank is engaged in the business of
buying and selling government securities for its own account
other than in a fiduciary capacity, through a broker or
otherwise; or
(D) any person registered with the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission, any contract market designated by the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission, such contract market's affiliated
clearing organization, or any floor trader on such contract
market, solely because such person effects transactions in
government securities that the Commission, after consultation
with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, has determined
by rule or order to be incidental to such person's
futures-related business.
(45) The term ''person associated with a government securities
broker or government securities dealer'' means any partner,
officer, director, or branch manager of such government
securities broker or government securities dealer (or any person
occupying a similar status or performing similar functions), and
any other employee of such government securities broker or
government securities dealer who is engaged in the management,
direction, supervision, or performance of any activities relating
to government securities, and any person directly or indirectly
controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such
government securities broker or government securities dealer.
(46) The term ''financial institution'' means -
(A) a bank (as defined in paragraph (6) of this subsection);
(B) a foreign bank (as such term is used in the International
Banking Act of 1978); and
(C) a savings association (as defined in section 3(b) of the
Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813(b))) the deposits
of which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation.
(47) The term ''securities laws'' means the Securities Act of
1933 (15 U.S.C. 77a et seq.), the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.), the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (15
U.S.C. 7201 et seq.), the Public Utility Holding Company Act of
1935 (15 U.S.C. 79a et seq.) (15 U.S.C. 79 et seq.), the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. 77aaa et seq.), the Investment
Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-1 et seq.), the Investment
Advisers Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80b et seq.) (15 U.S.C. 80b-1 et
seq.), and the Securities Investor Protection Act of 1970 (15
U.S.C. 78aaa et seq.).
(48) The term ''registered broker or dealer'' means a broker or
dealer registered or required to register pursuant to section 78o
or 78o-4 of this title, except that in paragraph (3) of this
subsection and sections 78f and 78o-3 of this title the term
means such a broker or dealer and a government securities broker
or government securities dealer registered or required to
register pursuant to section 78o-5(a)(1)(A) of this title.
(49) The term ''person associated with a transfer agent'' and
''associated person of a transfer agent'' mean any person (except
an employee whose functions are solely clerical or ministerial)
directly engaged in the management, direction, supervision, or
performance of any of the transfer agent's activities with
respect to transfer agent functions, and any person directly or
indirectly controlling such activities or controlled by the
transfer agent in connection with such activities.
(50) The term ''foreign securities authority'' means any
foreign government, or any governmental body or regulatory
organization empowered by a foreign government to administer or
enforce its laws as they relate to securities matters.
(51)(A) The term ''penny stock'' means any equity security
other than a security that is -
(i) registered or approved for registration and traded on a
national securities exchange that meets such criteria as the
Commission shall prescribe by rule or regulation for purposes
of this paragraph;
(ii) authorized for quotation on an automated quotation
system sponsored by a registered securities association, if
such system (I) was established and in operation before January
1, 1990, and (II) meets such criteria as the Commission shall
prescribe by rule or regulation for purposes of this paragraph;
(iii) issued by an investment company registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-1 et seq.);
(iv) excluded, on the basis of exceeding a minimum price, net
tangible assets of the issuer, or other relevant criteria, from
the definition of such term by rule or regulation which the
Commission shall prescribe for purposes of this paragraph; or
(v) exempted, in whole or in part, conditionally or
unconditionally, from the definition of such term by rule,
regulation, or order prescribed by the Commission.
(B) The Commission may, by rule, regulation, or order,
designate any equity security or class of equity securities
described in clause (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (A) as within the
meaning of the term ''penny stock'' if such security or class of
securities is traded other than on a national securities exchange
or through an automated quotation system described in clause (ii)
of subparagraph (A).
(C) In exercising its authority under this paragraph to
prescribe rules, regulations, and orders, the Commission shall
determine that such rule, regulation, or order is consistent with
the public interest and the protection of investors.
(52) The term ''foreign financial regulatory authority'' means
any (A) foreign securities authority, (B) other governmental body
or foreign equivalent of a self-regulatory organization empowered
by a foreign government to administer or enforce its laws
relating to the regulation of fiduciaries, trusts, commercial
lending, insurance, trading in contracts of sale of a commodity
for future delivery, or other instruments traded on or subject to
the rules of a contract market, board of trade, or foreign
equivalent, or other financial activities, or (C) membership
organization a function of which is to regulate participation of
its members in activities listed above.
(53)(A) The term ''small business related security'' means a
security that is rated in 1 of the 4 highest rating categories by
at least 1 nationally recognized statistical rating organization,
and either -
(i) represents an interest in 1 or more promissory notes or
leases of personal property evidencing the obligation of a
small business concern and originated by an insured depository
institution, insured credit union, insurance company, or
similar institution which is supervised and examined by a
Federal or State authority, or a finance company or leasing
company; or
(ii) is secured by an interest in 1 or more promissory notes
or leases of personal property (with or without recourse to the
issuer or lessee) and provides for payments of principal in
relation to payments, or reasonable projections of payments, on
notes or leases described in clause (i).
(B) For purposes of this paragraph -
(i) an ''interest in a promissory note or a lease of personal
property'' includes ownership rights, certificates of interest
or participation in such notes or leases, and rights designed
to assure servicing of such notes or leases, or the receipt or
timely receipt of amounts payable under such notes or leases;
(ii) the term ''small business concern'' means a business
that meets the criteria for a small business concern
established by the Small Business Administration under section
632(a) of this title;
(iii) the term ''insured depository institution'' has the
same meaning as in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance
Act (12 U.S.C. 1813); and
(iv) the term ''insured credit union'' has the same meaning
as in section 1752 of title 12.
(54) Qualified investor. -
(A) Definition. - Except as provided in subparagraph (B), for
purposes of this chapter, the term ''qualified investor'' means
-
(i) any investment company registered with the Commission
under section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15
U.S.C. 80a-8);
(ii) any issuer eligible for an exclusion from the
definition of investment company pursuant to section 3(c)(7)
of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C.
80a-3(c)(7));
(iii) any bank (as defined in paragraph (6) of this
subsection), savings association (as defined in section 3(b)
of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813(b))),
broker, dealer, insurance company (as defined in section
2(a)(13) of the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C.
77b(a)(13))), or business development company (as defined in
section 2(a)(48) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15
U.S.C. 80a-2(a)(48)));
(iv) any small business investment company licensed by the
United States Small Business Administration under section
301(c) (15 U.S.C. 681(c)) or (d) (FOOTNOTE 4) of the Small
Business Investment Act of 1958;
(FOOTNOTE 4) See References in Text note below.
(v) any State sponsored employee benefit plan, or any other
employee benefit plan, within the meaning of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1001 et
seq.), other than an individual retirement account, if the
investment decisions are made by a plan fiduciary, as defined
in section 3(21) of that Act (29 U.S.C. 1002(21)), which is
either a bank, savings and loan association, insurance
company, or registered investment adviser;
(vi) any trust whose purchases of securities are directed
by a person described in clauses (i) through (v) of this
subparagraph;
(vii) any market intermediary exempt under section 3(c)(2)
of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C.
80a-3(c)(2));
(viii) any associated person of a broker or dealer other
than a natural person;
(ix) any foreign bank (as defined in section 1(b)(7) of the
International Banking Act of 1978 (12 U.S.C. 3101(7)));
(x) the government of any foreign country;
(xi) any corporation, company, or partnership that owns and
invests on a discretionary basis, not less than $25,000,000
in investments;
(xii) any natural person who owns and invests on a
discretionary basis, not less than $25,000,000 in
investments;
(xiii) any government or political subdivision, agency, or
instrumentality of a government who owns and invests on a
discretionary basis not less than $50,000,000 in investments;
or
(xiv) any multinational or supranational entity or any
agency or instrumentality thereof.
(B) Altered thresholds for asset-backed securities and loan
participations. - For purposes of subsection (a)(5)(C)(iii) of
this section and section 206(a)(5) of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley
Act, the term ''qualified investor'' has the meaning given such
term by subparagraph (A) of this paragraph except that clauses
(xi) and (xii) shall be applied by substituting ''$10,000,000''
for ''$25,000,000''.
(C) Additional authority. - The Commission may, by rule or
order, define a ''qualified investor'' as any other person,
taking into consideration such factors as the financial
sophistication of the person, net worth, and knowledge and
experience in financial matters.
(55)(A) The term ''security future'' means a contract of sale
for future delivery of a single security or of a narrow-based
security index, including any interest therein or based on the
value thereof, except an exempted security under paragraph (12)
of this subsection as in effect on January 11, 1983 (other than
any municipal security as defined in paragraph (29) of this
subsection as in effect on January 11, 1983). The term ''security
future'' does not include any agreement, contract, or transaction
excluded from the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.)
under section 2(c), 2(d), 2(f), or 2(g) of the Commodity Exchange
Act (7 U.S.C. 2(c), (d), (f), (g)) (as in effect on December 21,
2000) or sections 27 to 27f of title 7.
(B) The term ''narrow-based security index'' means an index -
(i) that has 9 or fewer component securities;
(ii) in which a component security comprises more than 30
percent of the index's weighting;
(iii) in which the five highest weighted component securities
in the aggregate comprise more than 60 percent of the index's
weighting; or
(iv) in which the lowest weighted component securities
comprising, in the aggregate, 25 percent of the index's
weighting have an aggregate dollar value of average daily
trading volume of less than $50,000,000 (or in the case of an
index with 15 or more component securities, $30,000,000),
except that if there are two or more securities with equal
weighting that could be included in the calculation of the
lowest weighted component securities comprising, in the
aggregate, 25 percent of the index's weighting, such securities
shall be ranked from lowest to highest dollar value of average
daily trading volume and shall be included in the calculation
based on their ranking starting with the lowest ranked
security.
(C) Notwithstanding subparagraph (B), an index is not a
narrow-based security index if -
(i)(I) it has at least nine component securities;
(II) no component security comprises more than 30 percent of
the index's weighting; and
(III) each component security is -
(aa) registered pursuant to section 78l of this title;
(bb) one of 750 securities with the largest market
capitalization; and
(cc) one of 675 securities with the largest dollar value of
average daily trading volume;
(ii) a board of trade was designated as a contract market by
the Commodity Futures Trading Commission with respect to a
contract of sale for future delivery on the index, before
December 21, 2000;
(iii)(I) a contract of sale for future delivery on the index
traded on a designated contract market or registered
derivatives transaction execution facility for at least 30 days
as a contract of sale for future delivery on an index that was
not a narrow-based security index; and
(II) it has been a narrow-based security index for no more
than 45 business days over 3 consecutive calendar months;
(iv) a contract of sale for future delivery on the index is
traded on or subject to the rules of a foreign board of trade
and meets such requirements as are jointly established by rule
or regulation by the Commission and the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission;
(v) no more than 18 months have passed since December 21,
2000, and -
(I) it is traded on or subject to the rules of a foreign
board of trade;
(II) the offer and sale in the United States of a contract
of sale for future delivery on the index was authorized
before December 21, 2000; and
(III) the conditions of such authorization continue to be
met; or
(vi) a contract of sale for future delivery on the index is
traded on or subject to the rules of a board of trade and meets
such requirements as are jointly established by rule,
regulation, or order by the Commission and the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission.
(D) Within 1 year after December 21, 2000, the Commission and
the Commodity Futures Trading Commission jointly shall adopt
rules or regulations that set forth the requirements under clause
(iv) of subparagraph (C).
(E) An index that is a narrow-based security index solely
because it was a narrow-based security index for more than 45
business days over 3 consecutive calendar months pursuant to
clause (iii) of subparagraph (C) shall not be a narrow-based
security index for the 3 following calendar months.
(F) For purposes of subparagraphs (B) and (C) of this paragraph
-
(i) the dollar value of average daily trading volume and the
market capitalization shall be calculated as of the preceding 6
full calendar months; and
(ii) the Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission shall, by rule or regulation, jointly specify the
method to be used to determine market capitalization and dollar
value of average daily trading volume.
(56) The term ''security futures product'' means a security
future or any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege on any
security future.
(57)(A) The term ''margin'', when used with respect to a
security futures product, means the amount, type, and form of
collateral required to secure any extension or maintenance of
credit, or the amount, type, and form of collateral required as a
performance bond related to the purchase, sale, or carrying of a
security futures product.
(B) The terms ''margin level'' and ''level of margin'', when
used with respect to a security futures product, mean the amount
of margin required to secure any extension or maintenance of
credit, or the amount of margin required as a performance bond
related to the purchase, sale, or carrying of a security futures
product.
(C) The terms ''higher margin level'' and ''higher level of
margin'', when used with respect to a security futures product,
mean a margin level established by a national securities exchange
registered pursuant to section 78f(g) of this title that is
higher than the minimum amount established and in effect pursuant
to section 78g(c)(2)(B) of this title.
(58) Audit committee. - The term ''audit committee'' means -
(A) a committee (or equivalent body) established by and
amongst the board of directors of an issuer for the purpose of
overseeing the accounting and financial reporting processes of
the issuer and audits of the financial statements of the
issuer; and
(B) if no such committee exists with respect to an issuer,
the entire board of directors of the issuer.
(59) Registered public accounting firm. - The term ''registered
public accounting firm'' has the same meaning as in section 2 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (15 U.S.C. 7201).
(b) Power to define technical, trade, accounting, and other terms
The Commission and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System, as to matters within their respective jurisdictions, shall
have power by rules and regulations to define technical, trade,
accounting, and other terms used in this chapter, consistently with
the provisions and purposes of this chapter.
(c) Application to governmental departments or agencies
No provision of this chapter shall apply to, or be deemed to
include, any executive department or independent establishment of
the United States, or any lending agency which is wholly owned,
directly or indirectly, by the United States, or any officer,
agent, or employee of any such department, establishment, or
agency, acting in the course of his official duty as such, unless
such provision makes specific reference to such department,
establishment, or agency.
(d) Issuers of municipal securities
No issuer of municipal securities or officer or employee thereof
acting in the course of his official duties as such shall be deemed
to be a ''broker'', ''dealer'', or ''municipal securities dealer''
solely by reason of buying, selling, or effecting transactions in
the issuer's securities.
(e) Charitable organizations
(1) Exemption
Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, but
subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a charitable
organization, as defined in section 3(c)(10)(D) of the Investment
Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-3(c)(10)(D)), or any trustee,
director, officer, employee, or volunteer of such a charitable
organization acting within the scope of such person's employment
or duties with such organization, shall not be deemed to be a
''broker'', ''dealer'', ''municipal securities broker'',
''municipal securities dealer'', ''government securities
broker'', or ''government securities dealer'' for purposes of
this chapter solely because such organization or person buys,
holds, sells, or trades in securities for its own account in its
capacity as trustee or administrator of, or otherwise on behalf
of or for the account of -
(A) such a charitable organization;
(B) a fund that is excluded from the definition of an
investment company under section 3(c)(10)(B) of the Investment
Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-3(c)(10)(B)); or
(C) a trust or other donative instrument described in section
3(c)(10)(B) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C.
80a-3(c)(10)(B)), or the settlors (or potential settlors) or
beneficiaries of any such trust or other instrument.
(2) Limitation on compensation
The exemption provided under paragraph (1) shall not be
available to any charitable organization, or any trustee,
director, officer, employee, or volunteer of such a charitable
organization, unless each person who, on or after 90 days after
December 8, 1995, solicits donations on behalf of such charitable
organization from any donor to a fund that is excluded from the
definition of an investment company under section 3(c)(10)(B) of
the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-3(c)(10)(B)),
is either a volunteer or is engaged in the overall fund raising
activities of a charitable organization and receives no
commission or other special compensation based on the number or
the value of donations collected for the fund.
(f) Consideration of promotion of efficiency, competition, and
capital formation
Whenever pursuant to this chapter the Commission is engaged in
rulemaking, or in the review of a rule of a self-regulatory
organization, and is required to consider or determine whether an
action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, the
Commission shall also consider, in addition to the protection of
investors, whether the action will promote efficiency, competition,
and capital formation.
(g) Church plans
No church plan described in section 414(e) of title 26, no person
or entity eligible to establish and maintain such a plan under
title 26, no company or account that is excluded from the
definition of an investment company under section 3(c)(14) of the
Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-3(c)(14)), and no
trustee, director, officer or employee of or volunteer for such
plan, company, account person, or entity, acting within the scope
of that person's employment or activities with respect to such
plan, shall be deemed to be a ''broker'', ''dealer'', ''municipal
securities broker'', ''municipal securities dealer'', ''government
securities broker'', ''government securities dealer'', ''clearing
agency'', or ''transfer agent'' for purposes of this chapter -
(1) solely because such plan, company, person, or entity buys,
holds, sells, trades in, or transfers securities or acts as an
intermediary in making payments in connection with transactions
in securities for its own account in its capacity as trustee or
administrator of, or otherwise on behalf of, or for the account
of, any church plan, company, or account that is excluded from
the definition of an investment company under section 3(c)(14) of
the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-3(c)(14)); and
(2) if no such person or entity receives a commission or other
transaction-related sales compensation in connection with any
activities conducted in reliance on the exemption provided by
this subsection.
-SOURCE-
(June 6, 1934, ch. 404, title I, Sec. 3, 48 Stat. 882; Aug. 23,
1935, ch. 614, Sec. 203(a), 49 Stat. 704; Proc. No. 2695, eff.
July 4, 1946, 11 F.R. 7517, 60 Stat. 1352; Pub. L. 86-70, Sec.
12(b), June 25, 1959, 73 Stat. 143; Pub. L. 86-624, Sec. 7(b), July
12, 1960, 74 Stat. 412; Pub. L. 88-467, Sec. 2, Aug. 20, 1964, 78
Stat. 565; Pub. L. 91-373, title IV, Sec. 401(b), Aug. 10, 1970, 84
Stat. 718; Pub. L. 91-547, Sec. 28(a), (b), Dec. 14, 1970, 84 Stat.
1435; Pub. L. 91-567, Sec. 6(b), Dec. 22, 1970, 84 Stat. 1499; Pub.
L. 94-29, Sec. 3, June 4, 1975, 89 Stat. 97; Pub. L. 95-283, Sec.
16, May 21, 1978, 92 Stat. 274; Pub. L. 96-477, title VII, Sec.
702, Oct. 21, 1980, 94 Stat. 2295; Pub. L. 97-303, Sec. 2, Oct. 13,
1982, 96 Stat. 1409; Pub. L. 98-376, Sec. 6(a), Aug. 10, 1984, 98
Stat. 1265; Pub. L. 98-440, title I, Sec. 101, Oct. 3, 1984, 98
Stat. 1689; Pub. L. 99-514, Sec. 2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095;
Pub. L. 99-571, title I, Sec. 102(a)-(d), Oct. 28, 1986, 100 Stat.
3214-3216; Pub. L. 100-181, title III, Sec. 301-306, Dec. 4, 1987,
101 Stat. 1253, 1254; Pub. L. 100-704, Sec. 6(a), Nov. 19, 1988,
102 Stat. 4681; Pub. L. 101-73, title VII, Sec. 744(u)(1), Aug. 9,
1989, 103 Stat. 441; Pub. L. 101-429, title V, Sec. 503, Oct. 15,
1990, 104 Stat. 952; Pub. L. 101-550, title II, Sec. 203(b), 204,
Nov. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 2717, 2718; Pub. L. 103-202, title I, Sec.
106(b)(2)(A), 109(a), Dec. 17, 1993, 107 Stat. 2350, 2352; Pub. L.
103-325, title II, Sec. 202, title III, Sec. 347(a), Sept. 23,
1994, 108 Stat. 2198, 2241; Pub. L. 104-62, Sec. 4(a), (b), Dec. 8,
1995, 109 Stat. 684; Pub. L. 104-290, title I, Sec. 106(b), title
V, Sec. 508(c), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3424, 3447; Pub. L.
105-353, title III, Sec. 301(b)(1)-(4), Nov. 3, 1998, 112 Stat.
3235, 3236; Pub. L. 106-102, title II, Sec. 201, 202, 207, 208,
221(b), 231(b)(1), Nov. 12, 1999, 113 Stat. 1385, 1390, 1394, 1395,
1401, 1406; Pub. L. 106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5) (title II, Sec. 201),
Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A-413; Pub. L. 107-204, Sec.
2(b), title II, Sec. 205(a), title VI, Sec. 604(c)(1)(A), July 30,
2002, 116 Stat. 749, 773, 796.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in subsecs. (a), (b), (c), (e)(1), (f),
and (g), was in the original ''this title''. See References in
Text note set out under section 78a of this title.
The Investment Company Act of 1940, referred to in subsec.
(a)(4)(B)(v), (19), (47), (51)(A)(iii), is title I of act Aug. 20,
1940, ch. 686, 54 Stat. 789, as amended, which is classified
generally to subchapter I (Sec. 80a-1 et seq.) of chapter 2D of
this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code,
see section 80a-51 of this title and Tables.
This chapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(4)(B)(vii)(II), was in
the original ''this Act''. See References in Text note set out
under section 78a of this title.
Section 206 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, referred to in subsec.
(a)(4)(B)(ix), (5)(C)(iv), (54)(B), is section 206 of Pub. L.
106-102, which is set out as a note below.
The Investment Advisers Act of 1940, referred to in subsec.
(a)(20), (47), is title II of act Aug. 20, 1940, ch. 686, 54 Stat.
847, as amended, which is classified generally to subchapter II
(Sec. 80b-1 et seq.) of chapter 2D of this title. For complete
classification of this Act to the Code, see section 80b-20 of this
title and Tables.
Section 78w(b) of this title, referred to in subsec. (a)(26), was
omitted from the Code.
Section 103 of title 26, referred to in subsec. (a)(29), which
related to interest on certain governmental obligations, was
amended generally by Pub. L. 99-514, title XIII, Sec. 1301(a), Oct.
22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2602, and, as so amended, relates to interest
on State and local bonds. Section 103(b)(2) (formerly section
103(c)(2)), which prior to the general amendment defined industrial
development bond, relates to the applicability of the interest
exclusion to arbitrage bonds.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Act, referred to in subsec.
(a)(34)(D), (F)(iii), (H)(iii), is act Sept. 21, 1950, ch. 967,
Sec. 2, 64 Stat. 873, as amended, which is classified generally to
chapter 16 (Sec. 1811 et seq.) of Title 12, Banks and Banking. For
complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title
note set out under section 1811 of Title 12 and Tables.
The International Banking Act of 1978, referred to in subsec.
(a)(34)(G)(i) to (iii), (46)(B), is Pub. L. 95-369, Sept. 17, 1978,
92 Stat. 607, which enacted sections 347d, 611a, and 3101 to 3111
of Title 12, amended sections 72, 378, 614, 615, 618, 619, 1813,
1815, 1817, 1818, 1820, 1821, 1822, 1823, 1828, 1829b, 1831b, and
1841 of Title 12, and enacted provisions set out as notes under
sections 36, 247, 601, 611a, and 3101 of Title 12. For complete
classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set
out under section 3101 of Title 12 and Tables.
Section 25 of the Federal Reserve Act, referred to in subsec.
(a)(34)(G)(ii), is classified to subchapter I (Sec. 601 et seq.) of
chapter 6 of Title 12, Banks and Banking. Section 25A of the
Federal Reserve Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(34)(G)(ii),
(H)(ii), is classified to subchapter II (Sec. 611 et seq.) of
chapter 6 of Title 12.
The Commodity Exchange Act, referred to in subsec.
(a)(39)(B)(ii), (C), (55)(A), is act Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, 42
Stat. 998, as amended, which is classified generally to chapter 1
(Sec. 1 et seq.) of Title 7, Agriculture. For complete
classification of this Act to the Code, see section 1 of Title 7
and Tables.
The Securities Act of 1933, referred to in subsec. (a)(47), is
act May 27, 1933, ch. 38, title I, 48 Stat. 74, as amended, which
is classified generally to subchapter I (Sec. 77a et seq.) of
chapter 2A of this title. For complete classification of this Act
to the Code, see section 77a of this title and Tables.
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, referred to in subsec.
(a)(47), is act June 6, 1934, ch. 404, 48 Stat. 881, as amended,
which is classified generally to this chapter (Sec. 78a et seq.).
For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section
78a of this title and Tables.
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, referred to in subsec. (a)(47),
is Pub. L. 107-204, July 30, 2002, 1974, 116 Stat. 745, which is
classified principally to chapter 98 (Sec. 7201 et seq.) of this
title. Section 2 of the Act enacted section 7201 of this title and
amended this section. For complete classification of this Act to
the Code, see Tables.
The Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, referred to in
subsec. (a)(47), is act Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title I, 49 Stat.
838, as amended, which is classified generally to chapter 2C (Sec.
79 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act
to the Code, see section 79 of this title and Tables.
The Trust Indenture Act of 1939, referred to in subsec. (a)(47),
is title III of act May 27, 1933, ch. 38, as added Aug. 3, 1939,
ch. 411, 53 Stat. 1149, as amended, which is classified generally
to subchapter III (Sec. 77aaa et seq.) of chapter 2A of this
title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
section 77aaa of this title and Tables.
The Securities Investor Protection Act of 1970, referred to in
subsec. (a)(47), is Pub. L. 91-598, Dec. 30, 1970, 84 Stat. 1636,
as amended, which is classified generally to chapter 2B-1 (Sec.
78aaa et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this
Act to the Code, see section 78aaa of this title and Tables.
Section 301(d) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958,
referred to in subsec. (a)(54)(A)(iv), was classified to section
681(d) of this title and was repealed by Pub. L. 104-208, div. D,
title II, Sec. 208(b)(3)(A), Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009-742.
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, referred to
in subsec. (a)(54)(A)(v), is Pub. L. 93-406, Sept. 2, 1974, 88
Stat. 832, as amended, which is classified principally to chapter
18 (Sec. 1001 et seq.) of Title 29, Labor. For complete
classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set
out under section 1001 of Title 29 and Tables.
-COD-
CODIFICATION
Words ''Philippine Islands'' deleted from definition of term
''State'' in subsec. (a)(16) under authority of Proc. No. 2695,
which granted independence to the Philippine Islands. Proc. No.
2695 was issued pursuant to section 1394 of Title 22, Foreign
Relations and Intercourse, and is set out as a note under that
section.
-MISC3-
AMENDMENTS
2002 - Subsec. (a)(39)(F). Pub. L. 107-204, Sec. 604(c)(1)(A),
inserted '', or is subject to an order or finding,'' before
''enumerated'' and substituted ''(H), or (G)'' for ''or (G)''.
Subsec. (a)(47). Pub. L. 107-204, Sec. 2(b), inserted ''the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002,'' before ''the Public Utility Holding
Company Act of 1935''.
Subsec. (a)(58), (59). Pub. L. 107-204, Sec. 205(a), added pars.
(58) and (59).
2000 - Subsec. (a)(10). Pub. L. 106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5) (title II,
Sec. 201(1)), inserted ''security future,'' after ''treasury
stock,''.
Subsec. (a)(11). Pub. L. 106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5) (title II, Sec.
201(2)), added par. (11) and struck out former par. (11) which read
as follows: ''The term 'equity security' means any stock or similar
security; or any security convertible, with or without
consideration, into such a security, or carrying any warrant or
right to subscribe to or purchase such a security; or any such
warrant or right; or any other security which the Commission shall
deem to be of similar nature and consider necessary or appropriate,
by such rules and regulations as it may prescribe in the public
interest or for the protection of investors, to treat as an equity
security.''
Subsec. (a)(13), (14). Pub. L. 106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5) (title II,
Sec. 201(3), (4)), inserted at end ''For security futures products,
such term includes any contract, agreement, or transaction for
future delivery.''
Subsec. (a)(55) to (57). Pub. L. 106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5) (title II,
Sec. 201(5)), added pars. (55) to (57).
1999 - Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 106-102, Sec. 201, inserted
heading and amended text of par. (4) generally. Prior to
amendment, text read as follows: ''The term 'broker' means any
person engaged in the business of effecting transactions in
securities for the account of others, but does not include a
bank.''
Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 106-102, Sec. 202, inserted heading and
amended text of par. (5) generally. Prior to amendment, text read
as follows: ''The term 'dealer' means any person engaged in the
business of buying and selling securities for his own account,
through a broker or otherwise, but does not include a bank, or any
person insofar as he buys or sells securities for his own account,
either individually or in some fiduciary capacity, but not as a
part of a regular business.''
Subsec. (a)(12)(A)(iii). Pub. L. 106-102, Sec. 221(b), amended
cl. (iii) generally. Prior to amendment, cl. (iii) read as
follows: ''any interest or participation in any common trust fund
or similar fund maintained by a bank exclusively for the collective
investment and reinvestment of assets contributed thereto by such
bank in its capacity as trustee, executor, administrator, or
guardian;''.
Subsec. (a)(34)(H). Pub. L. 106-102, Sec. 231(b)(1), which
directed insertion of subpar. (H) at end of par. (34), was executed
by inserting subpar. (H) after subpar. (G) and before concluding
provisions to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
Subsec. (a)(42)(E). Pub. L. 106-102, Sec. 208, added subpar. (E).
Subsec. (a)(54). Pub. L. 106-102, Sec. 207, added par. (54).
1998 - Subsec. (a)(10). Pub. L. 105-353, Sec. 301(b)(1),
substituted ''deposit for'' for ''deposit, for''.
Subsec. (a)(12)(A)(vi). Pub. L. 105-353, Sec. 301(b)(2),
realigned margins.
Subsec. (a)(22)(A). Pub. L. 105-353, Sec. 301(b)(3), substituted
''section 153'' for ''section 153(h)'' and for ''section 153(t)''.
Subsec. (a)(39)(B)(i). Pub. L. 105-353, Sec. 301(b)(4),
substituted ''of the Commission'' for ''to the Commission'' in
introductory provisions.
1996 - Subsec. (a)(12)(A)(vi), (vii). Pub. L. 104-290, Sec.
508(c)(1), added cl. (vi) and redesignated former cl. (vi) as
(vii).
Subsecs. (f), (g). Pub. L. 104-290, Sec. 106(b), 508(c)(2), added
subsecs. (f) and (g), respectively.
1995 - Subsec. (a)(12)(A)(iv) to (vi). Pub. L. 104-62, Sec. 4(a),
struck out ''and'' at end of cl. (iv), added cl. (v), and
redesignated former cl. (v) as (vi).
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 104-62, Sec. 4(b), added subsec. (e).
1994 - Subsec. (a)(41)(A)(i). Pub. L. 103-325, Sec. 347(a),
substituted ''on a residential'' for ''or on a residential'' and
inserted before semicolon '', or on one or more parcels of real
estate upon which is located one or more commercial structures''.
Subsec. (a)(53). Pub. L. 103-325, Sec. 202, added par. (53).
1993 - Subsec. (a)(12)(B)(ii). Pub. L. 103-202, Sec.
106(b)(2)(A), substituted ''sections 78o and 78q-1'' for ''sections
78o, 78o-3 (other than subsection (g)(3)), and 78q-1''.
Subsec. (a)(34)(G)(ii) to (iv). Pub. L. 103-202, Sec. 109(a)(1),
amended cls. (ii) to (iv) generally. Prior to amendment, cls. (ii)
to (iv) read as follows:
''(ii) the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, in
the case of a State member bank of the Federal Reserve System, a
foreign bank, a State branch or a State agency of a foreign bank,
or a commercial lending company owned or controlled by a foreign
bank (as such terms are used in the International Banking Act of
1978);
''(iii) the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, in the case of
a bank insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (other
than a member of the Federal Reserve System or a Federal savings
bank);
''(iv) the Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision, in the
case of a savings association the deposits of which are insured by
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation;''.
Subsec. (a)(46). Pub. L. 103-202, Sec. 109(a)(2), amended par.
(46) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (46) read as follows:
''The term 'financial institution' means (A) a bank (as such term
is defined in paragraph (6) of this subsection), (B) a foreign
bank, and (C) an insured institution (as such term is defined in
section 1724 of title 12).''
Subsec. (a)(52). Pub. L. 103-202, Sec. 109(a)(3), redesignated
par. (51) defining ''foreign financial regulatory authority'' as
(52).
1990 - Subsec. (a)(39)(A). Pub. L. 101-550, Sec. 203(b)(1),
inserted ''foreign equivalent of a self-regulatory organization,
foreign or international securities exchange,'' after
''self-regulatory organization,'', ''or any substantially
equivalent foreign statute or regulation,'' after ''(7 U.S.C. 7),''
and ''(7 U.S.C. 21),'', and ''or foreign equivalent'' after
''contract market''.
Subsec. (a)(39)(B). Pub. L. 101-550, Sec. 203(b)(2), added
subpar. (B) and struck out former subpar. (B) which read as
follows: ''is subject to an order of the Commission or other
appropriate regulatory agency denying, suspending for a period not
exceeding twelve months, or revoking his registration as a broker,
dealer, municipal securities dealer, government securities broker,
or government securities dealer, or barring or suspending for a
period not exceeding 12 months his being associated with a broker,
dealer, municipal securities dealer, government securities broker,
or government securities dealer, or is subject to an order of the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission denying, suspending, or
revoking his registration under the Commodity Exchange Act (7
U.S.C. 1 et seq.);''.
Subsec. (a)(39)(D). Pub. L. 101-550, Sec. 203(b)(4), added
subpar. (D). Former subpar. (D) redesignated (E).
Subsec. (a)(39)(E). Pub. L. 101-550, Sec. 203(b)(3), (5),
redesignated subpar. (D) as (E) and substituted ''(A), (B), (C), or
(D)'' for ''(A), (B), or (C)''. Former subpar. (E) redesignated
(F).
Subsec. (a)(39)(F). Pub. L. 101-550, Sec. 203(b)(3), (6),
redesignated subpar. (E) as (F), substituted ''(D), (E), or (G)''
for ''(D) or (E)'', and inserted ''or any other felony'' before
''within ten years''.
Subsec. (a)(51). Pub. L. 101-550, Sec. 204, added par. (51)
defining ''foreign financial regulatory authority''.
Pub. L. 101-429 added par. (51) defining ''penny stock''.
1989 - Subsec. (a)(34). Pub. L. 101-73, Sec. 744(u)(1)(B),
substituted ''Office of Thrift Supervision'' for ''Federal Home
Loan Bank Board'' in concluding provisions.
Subsec. (a)(34)(G)(iv) to (vi). Pub. L. 101-73, Sec.
744(u)(1)(A), added cl. (iv), redesignated cl. (vi) as (v), and
struck out former cls. (iv) and (v) which read as follows:
''(iv) the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, in the case of a Federal
savings and loan association, Federal savings bank, or District of
Columbia savings and loan association;
''(v) the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation, in the
case of an institution insured by the Federal Savings and Loan
Insurance Corporation (other than a Federal savings and loan
association, Federal savings bank, or District of Columbia savings
and loan association);''.
1988 - Subsec. (a)(50). Pub. L. 100-704 added par. (50).
1987 - Subsec. (a)(6)(C). Pub. L. 100-181, Sec. 301, substituted
''under the authority of the Comptroller of the Currency pursuant
to section 92a of title 12'' for ''under section 11(k) of the
Federal Reserve Act, as amended''.
Subsec. (a)(16). Pub. L. 100-181, Sec. 302, struck out reference
to Canal Zone.
Subsec. (a)(22)(B). Pub. L. 100-181, Sec. 303, substituted
''association, or any'' and ''own behalf, in'' for ''association or
any'' and ''own behalf in'', respectively.
Subsec. (a)(34)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 100-181, Sec. 304, substituted
''State'' for ''state''.
Subsec. (a)(39)(B). Pub. L. 100-181, Sec. 305, substituted
''months, or revoking'' for ''months, revoking'' and ''barring or
suspending for a period not exceeding 12 months his'' for ''barring
his''.
Subsec. (a)(47). Pub. L. 100-181, Sec. 306(1), added par. (47).
Subsec. (a)(49). Pub. L. 100-181, Sec. 306(2), added par. (49).
1986 - Subsec. (a)(12). Pub. L. 99-571, Sec. 102(a), in amending
par. (12) generally, expanded definition of ''exempted security''
or ''exempted securities'' to include government securities as
defined in par. (42) of this subsection, provided that such
securities not be deemed exempt for purposes of section 78q-1 of
this title, substituted section 78o-3(g)(3) of this title for
section 78o-3(b)(6), (11), and (g)(2) of this title in provision
relating to municipal securities as not being ''exempted
securities'' and defined ''qualified plan'' to mean qualified stock
bonus, pension, or profit-sharing plan, qualified annuity plan, or
governmental plan.
Pub. L. 99-514 substituted ''Internal Revenue Code of 1986'' for
''Internal Revenue Code of 1954'', which for purposes of
codification was translated as ''title 26'' thus requiring no
change in text.
Subsec. (a)(29). Pub. L. 99-514 substituted ''Internal Revenue
Code of 1986'' for ''Internal Revenue Code of 1954'', which for
purposes of codification was translated as ''title 26'' thus
requiring no change in text.
Subsec. (a)(34). Pub. L. 99-571, Sec. 102(b)(2), inserted '', and
the term 'District of Columbia savings and loan association' means
any association subject to examination and supervision by the
Federal Home Loan Bank Board under section 1466a of title 12'' in
concluding provisions.
Subsec. (a)(34)(G). Pub. L. 99-571, Sec. 102(b)(1), added subpar.
(G).
Subsec. (a)(39)(B). Pub. L. 99-571, Sec. 102(c)(1)(A), which
directed insertion of ''or other appropriate regulatory agency''
after ''Commission'' was executed by making the insertion after
''Commission'' the first place appearing as the probable intent of
Congress.
Pub. L. 99-571, Sec. 102(c)(1)(B), substituted ''municipal
securities dealer, government securities broker, or government
securities dealer'' for ''or municipal securities dealer'' in two
places.
Subsec. (a)(39)(C). Pub. L. 99-571, Sec. 102(c)(2), substituted
''municipal securities dealer, government securities broker, or
government securities dealer'' for ''or municipal securities
dealer'' and inserted '', an appropriate regulatory agency,'' after
''the Commission''.
Subsec. (a)(42) to (46), (48). Pub. L. 99-571, Sec. 102(d), added
pars. (42) to (46) and (48).
1984 - Subsec. (a)(39)(A). Pub. L. 98-376, Sec. 6(a)(1), inserted
'', contract market designated pursuant to section 5 of the
Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 7), or futures association
registered under section 17 of such Act (7 U.S.C. 21), or has been
and is denied trading privileges on any such contract market''.
Subsec. (a)(39)(B). Pub. L. 98-376, Sec. 6(a)(2), inserted '', or
is subject to an order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission
denying, suspending, or revoking his registration under the
Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.)''.
Subsec. (a)(39)(C). Pub. L. 98-376, Sec. 6(a)(3), inserted ''or
while associated with an entity or person required to be registered
under the Commodity Exchange Act,''.
Subsec. (a)(41). Pub. L. 98-440 added par. (41).
1982 - Subsec. (a)(10). Pub. L. 97-303 inserted ''any put, call,
straddle, option, or privilege on any security, certificate of
deposit, or group or index of securities (including any interest
therein or based on the value thereof), or any put, call, straddle,
option, or privilege entered into on a national securities exchange
relating to foreign currency,'' after ''for a security,''.
1980 - Subsec. (a)(12). Pub. L. 96-477 included within definition
of ''exempted security'' interests or participation in single trust
funds, provided that qualifying interests, participation, or
securities could be issued in connection with certain governmental
plans as defined in section 414(d) of title 26, substituted
provisions relating to securities arising out of contracts issued
by insurance companies for provisions relating to separate accounts
maintained by insurance companies, and excluded from definition of
''exempted security'' any plans described in cls. (A), (B), or (C)
of par. (12) which were funded by annuity contracts described in
section 403(b) of title 26.
1978 - Subsec. (a)(40). Pub. L. 95-283 added par. (40).
1975 - Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 94-29, Sec. 3(1), redefined term
''member'' to recognize the elimination of fixed commission rates
in the case of exchanges, inserted definition of term when used in
the case of registered securities associations, expanded definition
of term when used with respect to an exchange to include any
natural person permitted to effect transactions on the floor of an
exchange without the services of another person acting as broker,
any registered broker or dealer with which such natural person is
associated, any registered broker or dealer permitted to designate
a natural person as its representative on the floor of an exchange,
and any other registered broker or dealer which agrees to be
regulated by an exchange and with respect to whom the exchange has
undertaken to enforce compliance with its rules, this chapter, and
the rules and regulations thereunder, introduced the concept of
including among members any person required to comply with the
rules of an exchange to the extent specified by the Commission in
accordance with section 78f(f) of this title, and expanded
definition of term when used with respect to a registered
securities association to include any broker or dealer who has
agreed to be regulated and with respect to whom the association
undertakes to enforce compliance with its own rules, this chapter,
and the rules and regulations thereunder.
Subsec. (a)(9). Pub. L. 94-29, Sec. 3(2), substituted ''a natural
person, company, government, or political subdivision, agency, or
instrumentality of a government'' for ''an individual, a
corporation, a partnership, an association, a joint-stock company,
a business trust, or an unincorporated organization''.
Subsec. (a)(12). Pub. L. 94-29, Sec. 3(3), brought brokers and
dealers engaged exclusively in municipal securities business within
the registration provisions of this chapter by transferring the
existing description of municipal securities to subsec. (a)(29) and
by inserting in its place provisions revoking the exempt status of
municipal securities for purposes of sections 78o, 78o-3 (except
subsections (b)(6), (b)(11), and (g)(2) thereof) and 78q-1 of this
title.
Subsec. (a)(17). Pub. L. 94-29, Sec. 3(4), expanded definition of
''interstate commerce'' to establish that the intrastate use of any
facility of an exchange, any telephones or other interstate means
of communication, or any other interstate instrumentality
constitutes a use of the jurisdictional means for purposes of this
chapter.
Subsec. (a)(18). Pub. L. 94-29, Sec. 3(4), expanded definition to
include persons under common control with the broker or dealer and
struck out references to the classification of the persons,
including employees, controlled by a broker or a dealer.
Subsec. (a)(19). Pub. L. 94-29, Sec. 3(4), substituted ''
'separate account', and 'company' '' for ''and 'separate
account'.''
Subsec. (a)(21). Pub. L. 94-29, Sec. 3(5), broadened definition
of term ''person associated with a member'' to encompass a person
associated with a broker or dealer which is a member of an exchange
by restating directly the definition of a ''person associated with
a broker or dealer'' in subsec. (a)(18).
Subsec. (a)(22) to (39). Pub. L. 94-29, Sec. 3(6), added pars.
(22) to (39).
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 94-29, Sec. 3(7), substituted ''accounting,
and other terms used in this chapter, consistently with the
provisions and purposes of this chapter'' for ''and accounting
terms used in this chapter insofar as such definitions are not
inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter''.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 94-29, Sec. 3(8), added subsec. (d).
1970 - Subsec. (a)(12). Pub. L. 91-567 inserted provisions which
brought within definition of ''exempted security'' any security
which is an industrial development bond the interest on which is
excludable from gross income under section 103(a)(1) of title 26
if, by reason of the application of section 103(c)(4) or (6) of
title 26, section 103(c)(1) does not apply to such security. Such
amendment was also made by Pub. L. 91-373.
Pub. L. 91-547, Sec. 28(a), struck out reference to industrial
development bonds the interest on which is excludable from gross
income under section 103(a)(1) of title 26; and included as
exempted securities interests or participations in common trust
funds maintained by a bank for collective investment of assets held
by it in a fiduciary capacity; interests or participations in bank
collective trust funds maintained for funding of employees'
stock-bonus, pension, or profit-sharing plans; interests or
participations in separate accounts maintained by insurance
companies for funding certain stock-bonus, pension, or
profit-sharing plans which meet the requirements for qualification
under section 401 of title 26; and such other securities as the
Commission by rules and regulations deems necessary in the public
interest.
Pub. L. 91-373 inserted provisions which brought within
definition of ''exempted security'' any security which is an
industrial development bond the interest on which is excludable
from gross income under section 103(a)(1) of title 26 if, by reason
of the application of section 103(c)(4) or (6) of title 26, section
103(c)(1) does not apply to such security. Such amendment was also
made by Pub. L. 91-567.
Subsec. (a)(19). Pub. L. 91-547, Sec. 28(b), provided for term
''separate account'' the same meaning as in the Investment Company
Act of 1940.
1964 - Subsec. (a)(18) to (21). Pub. L. 88-467 added pars. (18)
to (21).
1960 - Subsec. (a)(16). Pub. L. 86-624 struck out reference to
Hawaii.
1959 - Subsec. (a)(16). Pub. L. 86-70 struck out reference to
Alaska.
-CHANGE-
CHANGE OF NAME
Act Aug. 23, 1935, substituted ''Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System'' for ''Federal Reserve Board''.
-MISC4-
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1999 AMENDMENT
Amendment by sections 201, 202, 207, and 208 of Pub. L. 106-102
effective at the end of the 18-month period beginning on Nov. 12,
1999, see section 209 of Pub. L. 106-102, set out as a note under
section 1828 of Title 12, Banks and Banking.
Amendment by section 221(b) of Pub. L. 106-102 effective 18
months after Nov. 12, 1999, see section 225 of Pub. L. 106-102, set
out as a note under section 77c of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1995 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 104-62 applicable as defense to any claim in
administrative and judicial actions pending on or commenced after
Dec. 8, 1995, that any person, security, interest, or participation
of type described in Pub. L. 104-62 is subject to the Securities
Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Investment
Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, or any
State statute or regulation preempted as provided in section 80a-3a
of this title, except as specifically provided in such statutes,
see section 7 of Pub. L. 104-62, set out as a note under section
77c of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1994 AMENDMENT
Amendment by section 347(a) of Pub. L. 103-325 effective upon
date of promulgation of final regulations under section 347(c) of
Pub. L. 103-325, see section 347(d) of Pub. L. 103-325, set out as
an Effective Date of 1994 Amendment note under section 24 of Title
12, Banks and Banking.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1990 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 101-429 effective 12 months after Oct. 15,
1990, or upon issuance of final regulations initially implementing
such amendment, whichever is earlier, with provision to commence
rulemaking proceedings to implement such amendment note later than
180 days after Oct. 15, 1990, and with provisions relating to civil
penalties and accounting and disgorgement, see section 1(c)(2),
(3)(A), (C) of Pub. L. 101-429, set out in a note under section 77g
of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 100-704, except for amendment by section 6,
not applicable to actions occurring before Nov. 19, 1988, see
section 9 of Pub. L. 100-704, set out as a note under section 78o
of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1986 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 99-571 effective 270 days after Oct. 28,
1986, see section 401 of Pub. L. 99-571, set out as an Effective
Date note under section 78o-5 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1984 AMENDMENT
Section 7 of Pub. L. 98-376 provided that: ''The amendments made
by this Act (amending this section and sections 78o, 78t, 78u, and
78ff of this title) shall become effective immediately upon
enactment of this Act (Aug. 10, 1984).''
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1975 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 94-29 effective June 4, 1975, except for
amendment of subsec. (a)(12) by Pub. L. 94-29 to be effective 180
days after June 4, 1975, with provisions of subsec. (a)(3), as
amended by Pub. L. 94-29, or rules or regulations thereunder, not
to apply in a way so as to deprive any person of membership in any
national securities exchange (or its successor) of which such
person was, on June 4, 1975, a member or a member firm as defined
in the constitution of such exchange, or so as to deny membership
in any such exchange (or its successor) to any natural person who
is or becomes associated with such member or member firm, see
section 31(a) of Pub. L. 94-29, set out as a note under section 78b
of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1970 AMENDMENTS
For effective date of amendment by Pub. L. 91-567, see section
6(d) of Pub. L. 91-567, set out as a note under section 77c of this
title.
Amendment by Pub. L. 91-547 effective Dec. 14, 1970, see section
30 of Pub L. 91-547, set out as a note under section 80a-52 of this
title.
For effective date of amendment by Pub. L. 91-373, see section
401(c) of Pub. L. 91-373, set out as a note under section 77c of
this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1964 AMENDMENT
Section 13 of Pub. L. 88-467 provided that: ''The amendments made
by this Act shall take effect as follows:
''(1) The effective date of section 12(g)(1) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as added by section 3(c) of this Act (section
78l(g)(1) of this title), shall be July 1, 1964.
''(2) The effective date of the amendments to sections 12(b) and
15(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (sections 78l(b) and
78o(a) of this title), contained in sections 3(a) and 6(a),
respectively, of this Act shall be July 1, 1964.
''(3) All other amendments contained in this Act (amending this
section and sections 77d, 78l, 78m, 78n, 78o, 78o-3, 78p, 78t, 78w,
and 78ff of this title) shall take effect on the date of its
enactment (Aug. 20, 1964).''
CONSTRUCTION OF 1993 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 103-202 not to be construed to govern
initial issuance of any public debt obligation or to grant any
authority to (or extend any authority of) the Securities and
Exchange Commission, any appropriate regulatory agency, or a
self-regulatory organization to prescribe any procedure, term, or
condition of such initial issuance, to promulgate any rule or
regulation governing such initial issuance, or to otherwise
regulate in any manner such initial issuance, see section 111 of
Pub. L. 103-202, set out as a note under section 78o-5 of this
title.
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
For transfer of functions of Securities and Exchange Commission,
with certain exceptions, to Chairman of such Commission, see Reorg.
Plan No. 10 of 1950, Sec. 1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3175,
64 Stat. 1265, set out under section 78d of this title.
-MISC5-
STATE OPT OUT
Section 347(e) of Pub. L. 103-325 provided that:
''Notwithstanding the amendments made by this section (amending
this section and section 24 of Title 12, Banks and Banking), a note
that is directly secured by a first lien on one or more parcels of
real estate upon which is located one or more commercial structures
shall not be considered to be a mortgage related security under
section 3(a)(41) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C.
78c(a)(41)) in any State that, prior to the expiration of 7 years
after the date of enactment of this Act (Sept. 23, 1994), enacts a
statute that specifically refers to this section and either
prohibits or provides for a more limited authority to purchase,
hold, or invest in such securities by any person, trust,
corporation, partnership, association, business trust, or business
entity or class thereof than is provided by the amendments made by
this subsection. The enactment by any State of any statute of the
type described in the preceding sentence shall not affect the
validity of any contractual commitment to purchase, hold, or invest
that was made prior thereto, and shall not require the sale or
other disposition of any securities acquired prior thereto.''
-CROSS-
DEFINITIONS
Pub. L. 106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5) (title III, Sec. 301(b)), Dec. 21,
2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A-451, provided that: ''As used in the
amendment made by subsection (a) (enacting sections 206A to 206C of
Pub. L. 106 - 102, set out below), the term 'security' has the same
meaning as in section 2(a)(1) of the Securities Act of 1933 (15
U.S.C. 77b(a)(1)) or section 3(a)(10) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(10)).''
Pub. L. 106-102, title II, Sec. 206, Nov. 12, 1999, 113 Stat.
1393, provided that:
''(a) Definition of Identified Banking Product. - For purposes of
paragraphs (4) and (5) of section 3(a) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(4), (5)), the term 'identified
banking product' means -
''(1) a deposit account, savings account, certificate of
deposit, or other deposit instrument issued by a bank;
''(2) a banker's acceptance;
''(3) a letter of credit issued or loan made by a bank;
''(4) a debit account at a bank arising from a credit card or
similar arrangement;
''(5) a participation in a loan which the bank or an affiliate
of the bank (other than a broker or dealer) funds, participates
in, or owns that is sold -
''(A) to qualified investors; or
''(B) to other persons that -
''(i) have the opportunity to review and assess any
material information, including information regarding the
borrower's creditworthiness; and
''(ii) based on such factors as financial sophistication,
net worth, and knowledge and experience in financial matters,
have the capability to evaluate the information available, as
determined under generally applicable banking standards or
guidelines; or
''(6) any swap agreement, including credit and equity swaps,
except that an equity swap that is sold directly to any person
other than a qualified investor (as defined in section 3(a)(54)
of the Securities Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(54))) shall not
be treated as an identified banking product.
''(b) Definition of Swap Agreement. - For purposes of subsection
(a)(6), the term 'swap agreement' means any individually negotiated
contract, agreement, warrant, note, or option that is based, in
whole or in part, on the value of, any interest in, or any
quantitative measure or the occurrence of any event relating to,
one or more commodities, securities, currencies, interest or other
rates, indices, or other assets, but does not include any other
identified banking product, as defined in paragraphs (1) through
(5) of subsection (a).
''(c) Classification Limited. - Classification of a particular
product as an identified banking product pursuant to this section
shall not be construed as finding or implying that such product is
or is not a security for any purpose under the securities laws, or
is or is not an account, agreement, contract, or transaction for
any purpose under the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.).
''(d) Incorporated Definitions. - For purposes of this section,
the terms 'bank' and 'qualified investor' have the same meanings as
given in section 3(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15
U.S.C. 78c(a)), as amended by this Act.''
Pub. L. 106-102, title II, Sec. 206A - 206C, as added by Pub. L.
106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5) (title III, Sec. 301(a)), Dec. 21, 2000, 114
Stat. 2763, 2763A-449, provided that:
''SEC. 206A. SWAP AGREEMENT.
''(a) In General. - Except as provided in subsection (b), as used
in this section, the term 'swap agreement' means any agreement,
contract, or transaction between eligible contract participants (as
defined in section 1a(12) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C.
1a(12)) as in effect on the date of the enactment of this section
(Dec. 21, 2000)), other than a person that is an eligible contract
participant under section 1a(12)(C) of the Commodity Exchange Act,
the material terms of which (other than price and quantity) are
subject to individual negotiation, and that -
''(1) is a put, call, cap, floor, collar, or similar option of
any kind for the purchase or sale of, or based on the value of,
one or more interest or other rates, currencies, commodities,
indices, quantitative measures, or other financial or economic
interests or property of any kind;
''(2) provides for any purchase, sale, payment or delivery
(other than a dividend on an equity security) that is dependent
on the occurrence, non-occurrence, or the extent of the
occurrence of an event or contingency associated with a potential
financial, economic, or commercial consequence;
''(3) provides on an executory basis for the exchange, on a
fixed or contingent basis, of one or more payments based on the
value or level of one or more interest or other rates,
currencies, commodities, securities, instruments of indebtedness,
indices, quantitative measures, or other financial or economic
interests or property of any kind, or any interest therein or
based on the value thereof, and that transfers, as between the
parties to the transaction, in whole or in part, the financial
risk associated with a future change in any such value or level
without also conveying a current or future direct or indirect
ownership interest in an asset (including any enterprise or
investment pool) or liability that incorporates the financial
risk so transferred, including any such agreement, contract, or
transaction commonly known as an interest rate swap, including a
rate floor, rate cap, rate collar, cross-currency rate swap,
basis swap, currency swap, equity index swap, equity swap, debt
index swap, debt swap, credit spread, credit default swap, credit
swap, weather swap, or commodity swap;
''(4) provides for the purchase or sale, on a fixed or
contingent basis, of any commodity, currency, instrument,
interest, right, service, good, article, or property of any kind;
or
''(5) is any combination or permutation of, or option on, any
agreement, contract, or transaction described in any of
paragraphs (1) through (4).
''(b) Exclusions. - The term 'swap agreement' does not include -
''(1) any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege on any
security, certificate of deposit, or group or index of
securities, including any interest therein or based on the value
thereof;
''(2) any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege entered
into on a national securities exchange registered pursuant to
section 6(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C.
78f(a)) relating to foreign currency;
''(3) any agreement, contract, or transaction providing for the
purchase or sale of one or more securities on a fixed basis;
''(4) any agreement, contract, or transaction providing for the
purchase or sale of one or more securities on a contingent basis,
unless such agreement, contract, or transaction predicates such
purchase or sale on the occurrence of a bona fide contingency
that might reasonably be expected to affect or be affected by the
creditworthiness of a party other than a party to the agreement,
contract, or transaction;
''(5) any note, bond, or evidence of indebtedness that is a
security as defined in section 2(a)(1) of the Securities Act of
1933 (15 U.S.C. 77b(a)(1)) or section 3(a)(10) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(10)); or
''(6) any agreement, contract, or transaction that is -
''(A) based on a security; and
''(B) entered into directly or through an underwriter (as
defined in section 2(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 (15
U.S.C. 77b(a))) by the issuer of such security for the purposes
of raising capital, unless such agreement, contract, or
transaction is entered into to manage a risk associated with
capital raising.
''(c) Rule of Construction Regarding Master Agreements. - As used
in this section, the term 'swap agreement' shall be construed to
include a master agreement that provides for an agreement,
contract, or transaction that is a swap agreement pursuant to
subsections (a) and (b), together with all supplements to any such
master agreement, without regard to whether the master agreement
contains an agreement, contract, or transaction that is not a swap
agreement pursuant to subsections (a) and (b), except that the
master agreement shall be considered to be a swap agreement only
with respect to each agreement, contract, or transaction under the
master agreement that is a swap agreement pursuant to subsections
(a) and (b).
''SEC. 206B. SECURITY-BASED SWAP AGREEMENT.
''As used in this section, the term 'security-based swap
agreement' means a swap agreement (as defined in section 206A) of
which a material term is based on the price, yield, value, or
volatility of any security or any group or index of securities, or
any interest therein.
''SEC. 206C. NON-SECURITY-BASED SWAP AGREEMENT.
''As used in this section, the term 'non-security-based swap
agreement' means any swap agreement (as defined in section 206A)
that is not a security-based swap agreement (as defined in section
206B).''
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 77b, 77g, 77r, 77r-1,
77s, 77z-2, 78c-1, 78j-1, 78m, 78o-4, 78o-5, 78q, 78w, 78y, 78mm,
78ccc, 78fff-2, 78lll, 80a-2, 80a-3a, 80a-30, 80b-2, 80b-4, 6102,
6603, 6821, 6827, 7201, 7246 of this title; title 2 section 1602;
title 5 section 4802; title 6 section 131; title 7 sections 1a, 2,
6c, 6d, 7a, 12a, 27; title 10 sections 4357, 6975, 9356; title 11
sections 101, 523; title 12 sections 24, 371c-1, 1441b, 1464, 1757,
1787, 1821, 1828, 1831l, 2290; title 22 sections 282k, 283h, 283ii,
285h, 286k-1, 290i-9, 290l-7, 290m, 290o-7; title 26 sections 543,
1234B, 1256, 7603; title 28 section 1658; title 29 section 1021;
title 31 sections 3121, 9110.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 78c-1 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 2B - SECURITIES EXCHANGES
-HEAD-
Sec. 78c-1. Swap agreements
-STATUTE-
(a) Non-security-based swap agreements
The definition of ''security'' in section 78c(a)(10) of this
title does not include any non-security-based swap agreement (as
defined in section 206C of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act).
(b) Security-based swap agreements
(1) The definition of ''security'' in section 78c(a)(10) of this
title does not include any security-based swap agreement (as
defined in section 206B of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act).
(2) The Commission is prohibited from registering, or requiring,
recommending, or suggesting, the registration under this chapter of
any security-based swap agreement (as defined in section 206B of
the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act). If the Commission becomes aware that a
registrant has filed a registration application with respect to
such a swap agreement, the Commission shall promptly so notify the
registrant. Any such registration with respect to such a swap
agreement shall be void and of no force or effect.
(3) Except as provided in section 78p(a) of this title with
respect to reporting requirements, the Commission is prohibited
from -
(A) promulgating, interpreting, or enforcing rules; or
(B) issuing orders of general applicability;
under this chapter in a manner that imposes or specifies reporting
or recordkeeping requirements, procedures, or standards as
prophylactic measures against fraud, manipulation, or insider
trading with respect to any security-based swap agreement (as
defined in section 206B of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act).
(4) References in this chapter to the ''purchase'' or ''sale'' of
a security-based swap agreement (as defined in section 206B of the
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act) shall be deemed to mean the execution,
termination (prior to its scheduled maturity date), assignment,
exchange, or similar transfer or conveyance of, or extinguishing of
rights or obligations under, a security-based swap agreement, as
the context may require.
-SOURCE-
(June 6, 1934, ch. 404, title I, Sec. 3A, as added Pub. L. 106-554,
Sec. 1(a)(5) (title III, Sec. 303(a)), Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat.
2763, 2763A-452.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
Sections 206B and 206C of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, referred to
in text, are sections 206B and 206C of Pub. L. 106-102, which are
set out in a note under section 78c of this title.
This chapter, referred to in subsec. (b)(2) to (4), was in the
original ''this title''. See References in Text note set out under
section 78a of this title.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 78i, 78o, 78p, 78t, 78u-1
of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 78d 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 2B - SECURITIES EXCHANGES
-HEAD-
Sec. 78d. Securities and Exchange Commission
-STATUTE-
(a) Establishment; composition; limitations on commissioners; terms
of office
There is hereby established a Securities and Exchange Commission
(hereinafter referred to as the ''Commission'') to be composed of
five commissioners to be appointed by the President by and with the
advice and consent of the Senate. Not more than three of such
commissioners shall be members of the same political party, and in
making appointments members of different political parties shall be
appointed alternately as nearly as may be practicable. No
commissioner shall engage in any other business, vocation, or
employment than that of serving as commissioner, nor shall any
commissioner participate, directly or indirectly, in any
stock-market operations or transactions of a character subject to
regulation by the Commission pursuant to this chapter. Each
commissioner shall hold office for a term of five years and until
his successor is appointed and has qualified, except that he shall
not so continue to serve beyond the expiration of the next session
of Congress subsequent to the expiration of said fixed term of
office, and except (1) any commissioner appointed to fill a vacancy
occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which his
predecessor was appointed shall be appointed for the remainder of
such term, and (2) the terms of office of the commissioners first
taking office after June 6, 1934, shall expire as designated by the
President at the time of nomination, one at the end of one year,
one at the end of two years, one at the end of three years, one at
the end of four years, and one at the end of five years, after June
6, 1934.
(b) Appointment and compensation of staff and leasing authority
(1) Appointment and compensation
The Commission shall appoint and compensate officers,
attorneys, economists, examiners, and other employees in
accordance with section 4802 of title 5.
(2) Reporting of information
In establishing and adjusting schedules of compensation and
benefits for officers, attorneys, economists, examiners, and
other employees of the Commission under applicable provisions of
law, the Commission shall inform the heads of the agencies
referred to under section 1833b of title 12 and Congress of such
compensation and benefits and shall seek to maintain
comparability with such agencies regarding compensation and
benefits.
(3) Leasing authority
Nothwithstanding (FOOTNOTE 1) any other provision of law, the
Commission is authorized to enter directly into leases for real
property for office, meeting, storage, and such other space as is
necessary to carry out its functions, and shall be exempt from
any General Services Administration space management regulations
or directives.
(FOOTNOTE 1) So in original. Probably should be
''Notwithstanding''.
(c) Acceptance of travel support for Commission activities from
non-Federal sources; regulations
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in accordance with
regulations which the Commission shall prescribe to prevent
conflicts of interest, the Commission may accept payment and
reimbursement, in cash or in kind, from non-Federal agencies,
organizations, and individuals for travel, subsistence, and other
necessary expenses incurred by Commission members and employees in
attending meetings and conferences concerning the functions or
activities of the Commission. Any payment or reimbursement accepted
shall be credited to the appropriated funds of the Commission. The
amount of travel, subsistence, and other necessary expenses for
members and employees paid or reimbursed under this subsection may
exceed per diem amounts established in official travel regulations,
but the Commission may include in its regulations under this
subsection a limitation on such amounts.
(d) Acceptance of relocation expenses from former employers by
professional fellows program participants
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, former employers of
participants in the Commission's professional fellows programs may
pay such participants their actual expenses for relocation to
Washington, District of Columbia, to facilitate their participation
in such programs, and program participants may accept such
payments.
(e) Fee payments
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, whenever any fee is
required to be paid to the Commission pursuant to any provision of
the securities laws or any other law, the Commission may provide by
rule that such fee shall be paid in a manner other than in cash and
the Commission may also specify the time that such fee shall be
determined and paid relative to the filing of any statement or
document with the Commission.
(f) Reimbursement of expenses for assisting foreign securities
authorities
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Commission may
accept payment and reimbursement, in cash or in kind, from a
foreign securities authority, or made on behalf of such authority,
for necessary expenses incurred by the Commission, its members, and
employees in carrying out any investigation pursuant to section
78u(a)(2) of this title or in providing any other assistance to a
foreign securities authority. Any payment or reimbursement
accepted shall be considered a reimbursement to the appropriated
funds of the Commission.
-SOURCE-
(June 6, 1934, ch. 404, title I, Sec. 4, 48 Stat. 885; Oct. 28,
1949, ch. 782, title XI, Sec. 1106(a), 63 Stat. 972; Pub. L.
86-619, Sec. 3, July 12, 1960, 74 Stat. 408; Pub. L. 86-771, Sept.
13, 1960, 74 Stat. 913; Pub. L. 88-426, title III, Sec. 305(20),
Aug. 14, 1964, 78 Stat. 425; Pub. L. 98-38, Sec. 1, June 6, 1983,
97 Stat. 205; Pub. L. 100-181, title III, Sec. 307, Dec. 4, 1987,
101 Stat. 1254; Pub. L. 101-550, title I, Sec. 103, title II, Sec.
207, Nov. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 2713, 2721; Pub. L. 104-290, title
IV, Sec. 406, Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3444; Pub. L. 105-353, title
II, Sec. 203, Nov. 3, 1998, 112 Stat. 3234; Pub. L. 107-123, Sec.
8(d)(2), Jan. 16, 2002, 115 Stat. 2399.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in subsec. (a), was in the original
''this title'' and ''this Act'', respectively. See References in
Text note set out under section 78a of this title.
-MISC2-
AMENDMENTS
2002 - Subsec. (b)(1), (2). Pub. L. 107-123 added pars. (1) and
(2) and struck out former pars. (1) and (2), which authorized the
Commission to appoint and compensate officers, attorneys,
examiners, and other experts as needed, and to select, appoint, and
compensate professional economists.
1998 - Subsec. (b)(2), (3). Pub. L. 105-353 added par. (2) and
redesignated former par. (2) as (3).
1996 - Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 104-290 inserted before period at end
''and the Commission may also specify the time that such fee shall
be determined and paid relative to the filing of any statement or
document with the Commission''.
1990 - Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 101-550, Sec. 103, inserted heading,
designated existing provision as par. (1) and inserted heading, and
added par. (2).
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 101-550, Sec. 207, added subsec. (f).
1987 - Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 100-181 added subsec. (e).
1983 - Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 98-38 added subsecs. (c) and
(d).
1964 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 88-426 repealed provisions which
prescribed the compensation of the Chairman and the Commissioners.
1960 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 86-771 authorized the chairman to
receive an additional $500 a year.
Pub. L. 86-619 increased the salary of each commissioner from
$15,000 to $20,000 a year, and provided for continuation in office
of a commissioner upon termination of his term until a successor is
appointed and has qualified, not beyond expiration of next session
of Congress subsequent to the expiration of said fixed term of
office.
1949 - Subsec. (b). Act Oct. 28, 1949, substituted
''Classification Act of 1949'' for ''Classification Act of 1923''.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2002 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 107-123 effective Oct. 1, 2001, see section
11 of Pub. L. 107-123, set out as a note under section 78ee of this
title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1964 AMENDMENT
For effective date of amendment by Pub. L. 88-426, see section
501 of Pub. L. 88-426.
REPEALS
Act Oct. 28, 1949, ch. 782, set out in the credit of this
section, was repealed (subject to a savings clause) by Pub. L.
89-554, Sept. 6, 1966, Sec. 8, 80 Stat. 632, 655.
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
For transfer of functions of Securities and Exchange Commission,
with certain exceptions, to Chairman of such Commission, see Reorg.
Plan No. 10 of 1950, Sec. 1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3175,
64 Stat. 1265, set out below.
-MISC5-
COMPENSATION OF CHAIRMAN AND COMMISSIONERS
Compensation of Chairman and Commissioners, see sections 5314 and
5315 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.
1950 REORGANIZATION PLAN NO. 10
15 F.R. 3175, 64 STAT. 1265
Prepared by the President and transmitted to the Senate and the
House of Representatives in Congress assembled, March 13, 1950,
pursuant to the provisions of the Reorganization Act of 1949,
approved June 20, 1949 (see 5 U.S.C. 901 et seq.).
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
SECTION 1. TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS TO THE CHAIRMAN
(a) Subject to the provisions of subsection (b) of this section
there are hereby transferred from the Securities and Exchange
Commission, hereinafter referred to as the Commission, to the
Chairman of the Commission, hereinafter referred to as the
Chairman, the executive and administrative functions of the
Commission, including functions of the Commission with respect to
(1) the appointment and supervision of personnel employed under the
Commission, (2) the distribution of business among such personnel
and among administrative units of the Commission, and (3) the use
and expenditure of funds.
(b)(1) In carrying out any of his functions under the provisions
of this section the Chairman shall be governed by general policies
of the Commission and by such regulatory decisions, findings, and
determinations as the Commission may by law be authorized to make.
(2) The appointment by the Chairman of the heads of major
administrative units under the Commission shall be subject to the
approval of the Commission.
(3) Personnel employed regularly and full time in the immediate
offices of Commissioners other than the Chairman shall not be
affected by the provisions of this reorganization plan.
(4) There are hereby reserved to the Commission its functions
with respect to revising budget estimates and with respect to
determining upon the distribution of appropriated funds according
to major programs and purposes.
SEC. 2. PERFORMANCE OF TRANSFERRED FUNCTIONS
The Chairman may from time to time make such provisions as he
shall deem appropriate authorizing the performance by any officer,
employee, or administrative unit under his jurisdiction of any
function transferred to the Chairman by the provisions of section 1
of this reorganization plan.
SEC. 3. DESIGNATION OF CHAIRMAN
The functions of the Commission with respect to choosing a
Chairman from among the Commissioners composing the Commission are
hereby transferred to the President.
MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT
To the Congress of the United States:
I transmit herewith Reorganization Plan No. 10 of 1950, prepared
in accordance with the Reorganization Act of 1949 and providing for
reorganizations in the Securities and Exchange Commission. My
reasons for transmitting this plan are stated in an accompanying
general message.
After investigation I have found and hereby declare that each
reorganization included in Reorganization Plan No. 10 of 1950 is
necessary to accomplish one or more of the purposes set forth in
section 2(a) of the Reorganization Act of 1949.
The taking effect of the reorganizations included in this plan
may not in itself result in substantial immediate savings.
However, many benefits in improved operations are probable during
the next years which will result in a reduction in expenditures as
compared with those that would be otherwise necessary. An
itemization of these reductions in advance of actual experience
under this plan is not practicable. Harry S. Truman.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 77uuu, 78c, 79z-5,
80a-45, 80b-18 of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 78d-1 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 2B - SECURITIES EXCHANGES
-HEAD-
Sec. 78d-1. Delegation of functions by Commission
-STATUTE-
(a) Authorization; functions delegable; eligible persons;
application of other laws
In addition to its existing authority, the Securities and
Exchange Commission shall have the authority to delegate, by
published order or rule, any of its functions to a division of the
Commission, an individual Commissioner, an administrative law
judge, or an employee or employee board, including functions with
respect to hearing, determining, ordering, certifying, reporting,
or otherwise acting as to any work, business, or matter. Nothing
in this section shall be deemed to supersede the provisions of
section 556(b) of title 5, or to authorize the delegation of the
function of rulemaking as defined in subchapter II of chapter 5 of
title 5, with reference to general rules as distinguished from
rules of particular applicability, or of the making of any rule
pursuant to section 78s(c) of this title.
(b) Right of review; procedure
With respect to the delegation of any of its functions, as
provided in subsection (a) of this section, the Commission shall
retain a discretionary right to review the action of any such
division of the Commission, individual Commissioner, administrative
law judge, employee, or employee board, upon its own initiative or
upon petition of a party to or intervenor in such action, within
such time and in such manner as the Commission by rule shall
prescribe. The vote of one member of the Commission shall be
sufficient to bring any such action before the Commission for
review. A person or party shall be entitled to review by the
Commission if he or it is adversely affected by action at a
delegated level which (1) denies any request for action pursuant to
section 77h(a) or section 77h(c) of this title or the first
sentence of section 78l(d) of this title; (2) suspends trading in a
security pursuant to section 78l(k) of this title; or (3) is
pursuant to any provision of this chapter in a case of
adjudication, as defined in section 551 of title 5, not required by
this chapter to be determined on the record after notice and
opportunity for hearing (except to the extent there is involved a
matter described in section 554(a)(1) through (6) of such title 5).
(c) Finality of delegated action
If the right to exercise such review is declined, or if no such
review is sought within the time stated in the rules promulgated by
the Commission, then the action of any such division of the
Commission, individual Commissioner, administrative law judge,
employee, or employee board, shall, for all purposes, including
appeal or review thereof, be deemed the action of the Commission.
-SOURCE-
(June 6, 1934, ch. 404, title I, Sec. 4A, as added Pub. L. 100-181,
title III, Sec. 308(a), Dec. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 1254.)
-MISC1-
PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 78d-1, Pub. L. 87-592, Sec. 1, Aug. 20, 1962, 76
Stat. 394; Pub. L. 94-29, Sec. 25, June 4, 1975, 89 Stat. 163; Pub.
L. 95-251, Sec. 2(a)(4), Mar. 27, 1978, 92 Stat. 183, provided for
subject matter similar to the provisions comprising this section,
prior to repeal by section 308(b) of Pub. L. 100-181.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in section 78d-2 of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 78d-2 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 2B - SECURITIES EXCHANGES
-HEAD-
Sec. 78d-2. Transfer of functions with respect to assignment of
personnel to chairman
-STATUTE-
In addition to the functions transferred by the provisions of
Reorganization Plan Numbered 10 of 1950 (64 Stat. 1265), there are
hereby transferred from the Commission to the Chairman of the
Commission the functions of the Commission with respect to the
assignment of Commission personnel, including Commissioners, to
perform such functions as may have been delegated by the Commission
to the Commission personnel, including Commissioners, pursuant to
section 78d-1 of this title.
-SOURCE-
(June 6, 1934, ch. 404, title I, Sec. 4B, as added Pub. L. 100-181,
title III, Sec. 308(a), Dec. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 1255.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
Reorganization Plan Numbered 10 of 1950 (64 Stat. 1265), referred
to in text, is set out as a note under section 78d of this title.
-MISC2-
PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 78d-2, Pub. L. 87-592, Sec. 2, Aug. 20, 1962, 76
Stat. 395, provided for subject matter similar to the provisions
comprising this section, prior to repeal by section 308(b) of Pub.
L. 100-181.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 78d-3 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 2B - SECURITIES EXCHANGES
-HEAD-
Sec. 78d-3. Appearance and practice before the Commission
-STATUTE-
(a) Authority to censure
The Commission may censure any person, or deny, temporarily or
permanently, to any person the privilege of appearing or practicing
before the Commission in any way, if that person is found by the
Commission, after notice and opportunity for hearing in the matter
-
(1) not to possess the requisite qualifications to represent
others;
(2) to be lacking in character or integrity, or to have engaged
in unethical or improper professional conduct; or
(3) to have willfully violated, or willfully aided and abetted
the violation of, any provision of the securities laws or the
rules and regulations issued thereunder.
(b) Definition
With respect to any registered public accounting firm or
associated person, for purposes of this section, the term
''improper professional conduct'' means -
(1) intentional or knowing conduct, including reckless conduct,
that results in a violation of applicable professional standards;
and
(2) negligent conduct in the form of -
(A) a single instance of highly unreasonable conduct that
results in a violation of applicable professional standards in
circumstances in which the registered public accounting firm or
associated person knows, or should know, that heightened
scrutiny is warranted; or
(B) repeated instances of unreasonable conduct, each
resulting in a violation of applicable professional standards,
that indicate a lack of competence to practice before the
Commission.
-SOURCE-
(June 6, 1934, ch. 404, title I, Sec. 4C, as added Pub. L. 107-204,
title VI, Sec. 602, July 30, 2002, 116 Stat. 794.)
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 78e 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 2B - SECURITIES EXCHANGES
-HEAD-
Sec. 78e. Transactions on unregistered exchanges
-STATUTE-
It shall be unlawful for any broker, dealer, or exchange,
directly or indirectly, to make use of the mails or any means or
instrumentality of interstate commerce for the purpose of using any
facility of an exchange within or subject to the jurisdiction of
the United States to effect any transaction in a security, or to
report any such transaction, unless such exchange (1) is registered
as national securities exchange under section 78f of this title, or
(2) is exempted from such registration upon application by the
exchange because, in the opinion of the Commission, by reason of
the limited volume of transactions effected on such exchange, it is
not practicable and not necessary or appropriate in the public
interest or for the protection of investors to require such
registration.
-SOURCE-
(June 6, 1934, ch. 404, title I, Sec. 5, 48 Stat. 885.)
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
For transfer of functions of Securities and Exchange Commission,
with certain exceptions, to Chairman of such Commission, see Reorg.
Plan No. 10 of 1950, Sec. 1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3175,
64 Stat. 1265, set out under section 78d of this title.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 78o, 78o-4, 78o-5, 78p,
78hh of this title; title 25 section 646.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 78f 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 2B - SECURITIES EXCHANGES
-HEAD-
Sec. 78f. National securities exchanges
-STATUTE-
(a) Registration; application
An exchange may be registered as a national securities exchange
under the terms and conditions hereinafter provided in this section
and in accordance with the provisions of section 78s(a) of this
title, by filing with the Commission an application for
registration in such form as the Commission, by rule, may prescribe
containing the rules of the exchange and such other information and
documents as the Commission, by rule, may prescribe as necessary or
appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of
investors.
(b) Determination by Commission requisite to registration of
applicant as a national securities exchange
An exchange shall not be registered as a national securities
exchange unless the Commission determines that -
(1) Such exchange is so organized and has the capacity to be
able to carry out the purposes of this chapter and to comply, and
(subject to any rule or order of the Commission pursuant to
section 78q(d) or 78s(g)(2) of this title) to enforce compliance
by its members and persons associated with its members, with the
provisions of this chapter, the rules and regulations thereunder,
and the rules of the exchange.
(2) Subject to the provisions of subsection (c) of this
section, the rules of the exchange provide that any registered
broker or dealer or natural person associated with a registered
broker or dealer may become a member of such exchange and any
person may become associated with a member thereof.
(3) The rules of the exchange assure a fair representation of
its members in the selection of its directors and administration
of its affairs and provide that one or more directors shall be
representative of issuers and investors and not be associated
with a member of the exchange, broker, or dealer.
(4) The rules of the exchange provide for the equitable
allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other charges among its
members and issuers and other persons using its facilities.
(5) The rules of the exchange are 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; and are not designed to permit unfair
discrimination between customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers,
or to regulate by virtue of any authority conferred by this
chapter matters not related to the purposes of this chapter or
the administration of the exchange.
(6) The rules of the exchange provide that (subject to any rule
or order of the Commission pursuant to section 78q(d) or
78s(g)(2) of this title) its members and persons associated with
its members shall be appropriately disciplined for violation of
the provisions of this chapter, the rules or regulations
thereunder, or the rules of the exchange, by expulsion,
suspension, limitation of activities, functions, and operations,
fine, censure, being suspended or barred from being associated
with a member, or any other fitting sanction.
(7) The rules of the exchange are in accordance with the
provisions of subsection (d) of this section, and in general,
provide a fair procedure for the disciplining of members and
persons associated with members, the denial of membership to any
person seeking membership therein, the barring of any person from
becoming associated with a member thereof, and the prohibition or
limitation by the exchange of any person with respect to access
to services offered by the exchange or a member thereof.
(8) The rules of the exchange do not impose any burden on
competition not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the
purposes of this chapter.
(9) The rules of the exchange prohibit the listing of any
security issued in a limited partnership rollup transaction (as
such term is defined in paragraphs (4) and (5) of section 78n(h)
of this title), unless such transaction was conducted in
accordance with procedures designed to protect the rights of
limited partners, including -
(A) the right of dissenting limited partners to one of the
following:
(i) an appraisal and compensation;
(ii) retention of a security under substantially the same
terms and conditions as the original issue;
(iii) approval of the limited partnership rollup
transaction by not less than 75 percent of the outstanding
securities of each of the participating limited partnerships;
(iv) the use of a committee of limited partners that is
independent, as determined in accordance with rules
prescribed by the exchange, of the general partner or
sponsor, that has been approved by a majority of the
outstanding units of each of the participating limited
partnerships, and that has such authority as is necessary to
protect the interest of limited partners, including the
authority to hire independent advisors, to negotiate with the
general partner or sponsor on behalf of the limited partners,
and to make a recommendation to the limited partners with
respect to the proposed transaction; or
(v) other comparable rights that are prescribed by rule by
the exchange and that are designed to protect dissenting
limited partners;
(B) the right not to have their voting power unfairly reduced
or abridged;
(C) the right not to bear an unfair portion of the costs of a
proposed limited partnership rollup transaction that is
rejected; and
(D) restrictions on the conversion of contingent interests or
fees into non-contingent interests or fees and restrictions on
the receipt of a non-contingent equity interest in exchange for
fees for services which have not yet been provided.
As used in this paragraph, the term ''dissenting limited
partner'' means a person who, on the date on which soliciting
material is mailed to investors, is a holder of a beneficial
interest in a limited partnership that is the subject of a
limited partnership rollup transaction, and who casts a vote
against the transaction and complies with procedures established
by the exchange, except that for purposes of an exchange or
tender offer, such person shall file an objection in writing
under the rules of the exchange during the period during which
the offer is outstanding.
(c) Denial of membership in national exchanges; denial of
association with member; conditions; limitation of membership
(1) A national securities exchange shall deny membership to (A)
any person, other than a natural person, which is not a registered
broker or dealer or (B) any natural person who is not, or is not
associated with, a registered broker or dealer.
(2) A national securities exchange may, and in cases in which the
Commission, by order, directs as necessary or appropriate in the
public interest or for the protection of investors shall, deny
membership to any registered broker or dealer or natural person
associated with a registered broker or dealer, and bar from
becoming associated with a member any person, who is subject to a
statutory disqualification. A national securities exchange shall
file notice with the Commission not less than thirty days prior to
admitting any person to membership or permitting any person to
become associated with a member, if the exchange knew, or in the
exercise of reasonable care should have known, that such person was
subject to a statutory disqualification. The notice shall be in
such form and contain such information as the Commission, by rule,
may prescribe as necessary or appropriate in the public interest or
for the protection of investors.
(3)(A) A national securities exchange may deny membership to, or
condition the membership of, a registered broker or dealer if (i)
such broker or dealer does not meet such standards of financial
responsibility or operational capability or such broker or dealer
or any natural person associated with such broker or dealer does
not meet such standards of training, experience, and competence as
are prescribed by the rules of the exchange or (ii) such broker or
dealer or person associated with such broker or dealer has engaged
and there is a reasonable likelihood he may again engage in acts or
practices inconsistent with just and equitable principles of
trade. A national securities exchange may examine and verify the
qualifications of an applicant to become a member and the natural
persons associated with such an applicant in accordance with
procedures established by the rules of the exchange.
(B) A national securities exchange may bar a natural person from
becoming a member or associated with a member, or condition the
membership of a natural person or association of a natural person
with a member, if such natural person (i) does not meet such
standards of training, experience, and competence as are prescribed
by the rules of the exchange or (ii) has engaged and there is a
reasonable likelihood he may again engage in acts or practices
inconsistent with just and equitable principles of trade. A
national securities exchange may examine and verify the
qualifications of an applicant to become a person associated with a
member in accordance with procedures established by the rules of
the exchange and require any person associated with a member, or
any class of such persons, to be registered with the exchange in
accordance with procedures so established.
(C) A national securities exchange may bar any person from
becoming associated with a member if such person does not agree (i)
to supply the exchange with such information with respect to its
relationship and dealings with the member as may be specified in
the rules of the exchange and (ii) to permit the examination of its
books and records to verify the accuracy of any information so
supplied.
(4) A national securities exchange may limit (A) the number of
members of the exchange and (B) the number of members and
designated representatives of members permitted to effect
transactions on the floor of the exchange without the services of
another person acting as broker: Provided, however, That no
national securities exchange shall have the authority to decrease
the number of memberships in such exchange, or the number of
members and designated representatives of members permitted to
effect transactions on the floor of such exchange without the
services of another person acting as broker, below such number in
effect on May 1, 1975, or the date such exchange was registered
with the Commission, whichever is later: And provided further, That
the Commission, in accordance with the provisions of section 78s(c)
of this title, may amend the rules of any national securities
exchange to increase (but not to decrease) or to remove any
limitation on the number of memberships in such exchange or the
number of members or designated representatives of members
permitted to effect transactions on the floor of the exchange
without the services of another person acting as broker, if the
Commission finds that such limitation imposes a burden on
competition not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the
purposes of this chapter.
(d) Discipline of national securities exchange members and persons
associated with members; summary proceedings
(1) In any proceeding by a national securities exchange to
determine whether a member or person associated with a member
should be disciplined (other than a summary proceeding pursuant to
paragraph (3) of this subsection), the exchange shall bring
specific charges, notify such member or person of, and give him an
opportunity to defend against, such charges, and keep a record. A
determination by the exchange to impose a disciplinary sanction
shall be supported by a statement setting forth -
(A) any act or practice in which such member or person
associated with a member has been found to have engaged, or which
such member or person has been found to have omitted;
(B) the specific provision of this chapter, the rules or
regulations thereunder, or the rules of the exchange which any
such act or practice, or omission to act, is deemed to violate;
and
(C) the sanction imposed and the reasons therefor.
(2) In any proceeding by a national securities exchange to
determine whether a person shall be denied membership, barred from
becoming associated with a member, or prohibited or limited with
respect to access to services offered by the exchange or a member
thereof (other than a summary proceeding pursuant to paragraph (3)
of this subsection), the exchange shall notify such person of, and
give him an opportunity to be heard upon, the specific grounds for
denial, bar, or prohibition or limitation under consideration and
keep a record. A determination by the exchange to deny membership,
bar a person from becoming associated with a member, or prohibit or
limit a person with respect to access to services offered by the
exchange or a member thereof shall be supported by a statement
setting forth the specific grounds on which the denial, bar, or
prohibition or limitation is based.
(3) A national securities exchange may summarily (A) suspend a
member or person associated with a member who has been and is
expelled or suspended from any self-regulatory organization or
barred or suspended from being associated with a member of any
self-regulatory organization, (B) suspend a member who is in such
financial or operating difficulty that the exchange determines and
so notifies the Commission that the member cannot be permitted to
continue to do business as a member with safety to investors,
creditors, other members, or the exchange, or (C) limit or prohibit
any person with respect to access to services offered by the
exchange if subparagraph (A) or (B) of this paragraph is applicable
to such person or, in the case of a person who is not a member, if
the exchange determines that such person does not meet the
qualification requirements or other prerequisites for such access
and such person cannot be permitted to continue to have such access
with safety to investors, creditors, members, or the exchange. Any
person aggrieved by any such summary action shall be promptly
afforded an opportunity for a hearing by the exchange in accordance
with the provisions of paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection.
The Commission, by order, may stay any such summary action on its
own motion or upon application by any person aggrieved thereby, if
the Commission determines summarily or after notice and opportunity
for hearing (which hearing may consist solely of the submission of
affidavits or presentation of oral arguments) that such stay is
consistent with the public interest and the protection of
investors.
(e) Commissions, allowances, discounts, and other fees
(1) On and after June 4, 1975, no national securities exchange
may impose any schedule or fix rates of commissions, allowances,
discounts, or other fees to be charged by its members: Provided,
however, That until May 1, 1976, the preceding provisions of this
paragraph shall not prohibit any such exchange from imposing or
fixing any schedule of commissions, allowances, discounts, or other
fees to be charged by its members for acting as broker on the floor
of the exchange or as odd-lot dealer: And provided further, That
the Commission, in accordance with the provisions of section 78s(b)
of this title as modified by the provisions of paragraph (3) of
this subsection, may -
(A) permit a national securities exchange, by rule, to impose a
reasonable schedule or fix reasonable rates of commissions,
allowances, discounts, or other fees to be charged by its members
for effecting transactions on such exchange prior to November 1,
1976, if the Commission finds that such schedule or fixed rates
of commissions, allowances, discounts, or other fees are in the
public interest; and
(B) permit a national securities exchange, by rule, to impose a
schedule or fix rates of commissions, allowances, discounts, or
other fees to be charged by its members for effecting
transactions on such exchange after November 1, 1976, if the
Commission finds that such schedule or fixed rates of
commissions, allowances, discounts, or other fees (i) are
reasonable in relation to the costs of providing the service for
which such fees are charged (and the Commission publishes the
standards employed in adjudging reasonableness) and (ii) do not
impose any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in
furtherance of the purposes of this chapter, taking into
consideration the competitive effects of permitting such schedule
or fixed rates weighed against the competitive effects of other
lawful actions which the Commission is authorized to take under
this chapter.
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 78s(c) of this
title, the Commission, by rule, may abrogate any exchange rule
which imposes a schedule or fixes rates of commissions, allowances,
discounts, or other fees, if the Commission determines that such
schedule or fixed rates are no longer reasonable, in the public
interest, or necessary to accomplish the purposes of this chapter.
(3)(A) Before approving or disapproving any proposed rule change
submitted by a national securities exchange which would impose a
schedule or fix rates of commissions, allowances, discounts, or
other fees to be charged by its members for effecting transactions
on such exchange, the Commission shall afford interested persons
(i) an opportunity for oral presentation of data, views, and
arguments and (ii) with respect to any such rule concerning
transactions effected after November 1, 1976, if the Commission
determines there are disputed issues of material fact, to present
such rebuttal submissions and to conduct (or have conducted under
subparagraph (B) of this paragraph) such cross-examination as the
Commission determines to be appropriate and required for full
disclosure and proper resolution of such disputed issues of
material fact.
(B) The Commission shall prescribe rules and make rulings
concerning any proceeding in accordance with subparagraph (A) of
this paragraph designed to avoid unnecessary costs or delay. Such
rules or rulings may (i) impose reasonable time limits on each
interested person's oral presentations, and (ii) require any
cross-examination to which a person may be entitled under
subparagraph (A) of this paragraph to be conducted by the
Commission on behalf of that person in such manner as the
Commission determines to be appropriate and required for full
disclosure and proper resolution of disputed issues of material
fact.
(C)(i) If any class of persons, the members of which are entitled
to conduct (or have conducted) cross-examination under
subparagraphs (A) and (B) of this paragraph and which have, in the
view of the Commission, the same or similar interests in the
proceeding, cannot agree upon a single representative of such
interests for purposes of cross-examination, the Commission may
make rules and rulings specifying the manner in which such
interests shall be represented and such cross-examination
conducted.
(ii) No member of any class of persons with respect to which the
Commission has specified the manner in which its interests shall be
represented pursuant to clause (i) of this subparagraph shall be
denied, pursuant to such clause (i), the opportunity to conduct (or
have conducted) cross-examination as to issues affecting his
particular interests if he satisfies the Commission that he has
made a reasonable and good faith effort to reach agreement upon
group representation and there are substantial and relevant issues
which would not be presented adequately by group representation.
(D) A transcript shall be kept of any oral presentation and
cross-examination.
(E) In addition to the bases specified in section 78y(a) of this
title, a reviewing Court may set aside an order of the Commission
under section 78s(b) of this title approving an exchange rule
imposing a schedule or fixing rates of commissions, allowances,
discounts, or other fees, if the Court finds -
(1) a Commission determination under subparagraph (A) of this
paragraph that an interested person is not entitled to conduct
cross-examination or make rebuttal submissions, or
(2) a Commission rule or ruling under subparagraph (B) of this
paragraph limiting the petitioner's cross-examination or rebuttal
submissions,
has precluded full disclosure and proper resolution of disputed
issues of material fact which were necessary for fair determination
by the Commission.
(f) Compliance of non-members with exchange rules
The Commission, by rule or order, as it deems necessary or
appropriate in the public interest and for the protection of
investors, to maintain fair and orderly markets, or to assure equal
regulation, may require -
(1) any person not a member or a designated representative of a
member of a national securities exchange effecting transactions
on such exchange without the services of another person acting as
a broker, or
(2) any broker or dealer not a member of a national securities
exchange effecting transactions on such exchange on a regular
basis,
to comply with such rules of such exchange as the Commission may
specify.
(g) Notice registration of security futures product exchanges
(1) Registration required
An exchange that lists or trades security futures products may
register as a national securities exchange solely for the
purposes of trading security futures products if -
(A) the exchange is a board of trade, as that term is defined
by the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1a(2)) (7 U.S.C. 1 et
seq.), that -
(i) has been designated a contract market by the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission and such designation is not
suspended by order of the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission; or
(ii) is registered as a derivative transaction execution
facility under section 5a of the Commodity Exchange Act (7
U.S.C. 7a) and such registration is not suspended by the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission; and
(B) such exchange does not serve as a market place for
transactions in securities other than -
(i) security futures products; or
(ii) futures on exempted securities or groups or indexes of
securities or options thereon that have been authorized under
section 2(a)(1)(C) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C.
2(a)(1)(C)).
(2) Registration by notice filing
(A) Form and content
An exchange required to register only because such exchange
lists or trades security futures products may register for
purposes of this section by filing with the Commission a
written notice in such form as the Commission, by rule, may
prescribe containing the rules of the exchange and such other
information and documents concerning such exchange, comparable
to the information and documents required for national
securities exchanges under subsection (a) of this section, as
the Commission, by rule, may prescribe as necessary or
appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of
investors. If such exchange has filed documents with the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission, to the extent that such
documents contain information satisfying the Commission's
informational requirements, copies of such documents may be
filed with the Commission in lieu of the required written
notice.
(B) Immediate effectiveness
Such registration shall be effective contemporaneously with
the submission of notice, in written or electronic form, to the
Commission, except that such registration shall not be
effective if such registration would be subject to suspension
or revocation.
(C) Termination
Such registration shall be terminated immediately if any of
the conditions for registration set forth in this subsection
are no longer satisfied.
(3) Public availability
The Commission shall promptly publish in the Federal Register
an acknowledgment of receipt of all notices the Commission
receives under this subsection and shall make all such notices
available to the public.
(4) Exemption of exchanges from specified provisions
(A) Transaction exemptions
An exchange that is registered under paragraph (1) of this
subsection shall be exempt from, and shall not be required to
enforce compliance by its members with, and its members shall
not, solely with respect to those transactions effected on such
exchange in security futures products, be required to comply
with, the following provisions of this chapter and the rules
thereunder:
(i) Subsections (b)(2), (b)(3), (b)(4), (b)(7), (b)(9),
(c), (d), and (e) of this section.
(ii) Section 78h of this title.
(iii) Section 78k of this title.
(iv) Subsections (d), (f), and (k) of section 78q of this
title.
(v) Subsections (a), (f), and (h) of section 78s of this
title.
(B) Rule change exemptions
An exchange that registered under paragraph (1) of this
subsection shall also be exempt from submitting proposed rule
changes pursuant to section 78s(b) of this title, except that -
(i) such exchange shall file proposed rule changes related
to higher margin levels, fraud or manipulation,
recordkeeping, reporting, listing standards, or decimal
pricing for security futures products, sales practices for
security futures products for persons who effect transactions
in security futures products, or rules effectuating such
exchange's obligation to enforce the securities laws pursuant
to section 78s(b)(7) of this title;
(ii) such exchange shall file pursuant to sections
78s(b)(1) and 78s(b)(2) of this title proposed rule changes
related to margin, except for changes resulting in higher
margin levels; and
(iii) such exchange shall file pursuant to section
78s(b)(1) of this title proposed rule changes that have been
abrogated by the Commission pursuant to section 78s(b)(7)(C)
of this title.
(5) Trading in security futures products
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), it shall be unlawful for any
person to execute or trade a security futures product until the
later of -
(i) 1 year after December 21, 2000; or
(ii) such date that a futures association registered under
section 17 of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 21) has
met the requirements set forth in section 78o-3(k)(2) of this
title.
(B) Principal-to-principal transactions
Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), a person may execute or
trade a security futures product transaction if -
(i) the transaction is entered into -
(I) on a principal-to-principal basis between parties
trading for their own accounts or as described in section
1a(12)(B)(ii) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C.
1a(12)(B)(ii)); and
(II) only between eligible contract participants (as
defined in subparagraphs (A), (B)(ii), and (C) of such
section 1a(12) (7 U.S.C. 1a(12)(A), (B)(ii), (C))) at the
time at which the persons enter into the agreement,
contract, or transaction; and
(ii) the transaction is entered into on or after the later
of -
(I) 8 months after December 21, 2000; or
(II) such date that a futures association registered
under section 17 of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C.
21) has met the requirements set forth in section
78o-3(k)(2) of this title.
(h) Trading in security futures products
(1) Trading on exchange or association required
It shall be unlawful for any person to effect transactions in
security futures products that are not listed on a national
securities exchange or a national securities association
registered pursuant to section 78o-3(a) of this title.
(2) Listing standards required
Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (7), a national
securities exchange or a national securities association
registered pursuant to section 78o-3(a) of this title may trade
only security futures products that (A) conform with listing
standards that such exchange or association files with the
Commission under section 78s(b) of this title and (B) meet the
criteria specified in section 2(a)(1)(D)(i) of the Commodity
Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 2(a)(1)(D)(i)).
(3) Requirements for listing standards and conditions for trading
Such listing standards shall -
(A) except as otherwise provided in a rule, regulation, or
order issued pursuant to paragraph (4), require that any
security underlying the security future, including each
component security of a narrow-based security index, be
registered pursuant to section 78l of this title;
(B) require that if the security futures product is not cash
settled, the market on which the security futures product is
traded have arrangements in place with a registered clearing
agency for the payment and delivery of the securities
underlying the security futures product;
(C) be no less restrictive than comparable listing standards
for options traded on a national securities exchange or
national securities association registered pursuant to section
78o-3(a) of this title;
(D) except as otherwise provided in a rule, regulation, or
order issued pursuant to paragraph (4), require that the
security future be based upon common stock and such other
equity securities as the Commission and the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission jointly determine appropriate;
(E) require that the security futures product is cleared by a
clearing agency that has in place provisions for linked and
coordinated clearing with other clearing agencies that clear
security futures products, which permits the security futures
product to be purchased on one market and offset on another
market that trades such product;
(F) require that only a broker or dealer subject to
suitability rules comparable to those of a national securities
association registered pursuant to section 78o-3(a) of this
title effect transactions in the security futures product;
(G) require that the security futures product be subject to
the prohibition against dual trading in section 4j of the
Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 6j) and the rules and
regulations thereunder or the provisions of section 78k(a) of
this title and the rules and regulations thereunder, except to
the extent otherwise permitted under this chapter and the rules
and regulations thereunder;
(H) require that trading in the security futures product not
be readily susceptible to manipulation of the price of such
security futures product, nor to causing or being used in the
manipulation of the price of any underlying security, option on
such security, or option on a group or index including such
securities;
(I) require that procedures be in place for coordinated
surveillance among the market on which the security futures
product is traded, any market on which any security underlying
the security futures product is traded, and other markets on
which any related security is traded to detect manipulation and
insider trading;
(J) require that the market on which the security futures
product is traded has in place audit trails necessary or
appropriate to facilitate the coordinated surveillance required
in subparagraph (I);
(K) require that the market on which the security futures
product is traded has in place procedures to coordinate trading
halts between such market and any market on which any security
underlying the security futures product is traded and other
markets on which any related security is traded; and
(L) require that the margin requirements for a security
futures product comply with the regulations prescribed pursuant
to section 78g(c)(2)(B) of this title, except that nothing in
this subparagraph shall be construed to prevent a national
securities exchange or national securities association from
requiring higher margin levels for a security futures product
when it deems such action to be necessary or appropriate.
(4) Authority to modify certain listing standard requirements
(A) Authority to modify
The Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission,
by rule, regulation, or order, may jointly modify the listing
standard requirements specified in subparagraph (A) or (D) of
paragraph (3) to the extent such modification fosters the
development of fair and orderly markets in security futures
products, is necessary or appropriate in the public interest,
and is consistent with the protection of investors.
(B) Authority to grant exemptions
The Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission,
by order, may jointly exempt any person from compliance with
the listing standard requirement specified in subparagraph (E)
of paragraph (3) to the extent such exemption fosters the
development of fair and orderly markets in security futures
products, is necessary or appropriate in the public interest,
and is consistent with the protection of investors.
(5) Requirements for other persons trading security future
products
It shall be unlawful for any person (other than a national
securities exchange or a national securities association
registered pursuant to section 78o-3(a) of this title) to
constitute, maintain, or provide a marketplace or facilities for
bringing together purchasers and sellers of security future
products or to otherwise perform with respect to security future
products the functions commonly performed by a stock exchange as
that term is generally understood, unless a national securities
association registered pursuant to section 78o-3(a) of this title
or a national securities exchange of which such person is a
member -
(A) has in place procedures for coordinated surveillance
among such person, the market trading the securities underlying
the security future products, and other markets trading related
securities to detect manipulation and insider trading;
(B) has rules to require audit trails necessary or
appropriate to facilitate the coordinated surveillance required
in subparagraph (A); and
(C) has rules to require such person to coordinate trading
halts with markets trading the securities underlying the
security future products and other markets trading related
securities.
(6) Deferral of options on security futures trading
No person shall offer to enter into, enter into, or confirm the
execution of any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege on a
security future, except that, after 3 years after December 21,
2000, the Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission
may by order jointly determine to permit trading of puts, calls,
straddles, options, or privileges on any security future
authorized to be traded under the provisions of this chapter and
the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.).
(7) Deferral of linked and coordinated clearing
(A) Notwithstanding paragraph (2), until the compliance date, a
national securities exchange or national securities association
registered pursuant to section 78o-3(a) of this title may trade a
security futures product that does not -
(i) conform with any listing standard promulgated to meet the
requirement specified in subparagraph (E) of paragraph (3); or
(ii) meet the criterion specified in section
2(a)(1)(D)(i)(IV) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C.
2(a)(1)(D)(i)(IV)).
(B) The Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission
shall jointly publish in the Federal Register a notice of the
compliance date no later than 165 days before the compliance
date.
(C) For purposes of this paragraph, the term ''compliance
date'' means the later of -
(i) 180 days after the end of the first full calendar month
period in which the average aggregate comparable share volume
for all security futures products based on single equity
securities traded on all national securities exchanges, any
national securities associations registered pursuant to section
78o-3(a) of this title, and all other persons equals or exceeds
10 percent of the average aggregate comparable share volume of
options on single equity securities traded on all national
securities exchanges and any national securities associations
registered pursuant to section 78o-3(a) of this title; or
(ii) 2 years after the date on which trading in any security
futures product commences under this chapter.
(i) Rules to avoid duplicative regulation of dual registrants
Consistent with this chapter, each national securities exchange
registered pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall issue
such rules as are necessary to avoid duplicative or conflicting
rules applicable to any broker or dealer registered with the
Commission pursuant to section 78o(b) of this title (except
paragraph (11) thereof), that is also registered with the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission pursuant to section 4f(a) of the
Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 6f(a)) (except paragraph (2)
thereof), with respect to the application of -
(1) rules of such national securities exchange of the type
specified in section 78o(c)(3)(B) of this title involving
security futures products; and
(2) similar rules of national securities exchanges registered
pursuant to subsection (g) of this section and national
securities associations registered pursuant to section 78o-3(k)
of this title involving security futures products.
(j) Procedures and rules for security future products
A national securities exchange registered pursuant to subsection
(a) of this section shall implement the procedures specified in
subsection (h)(5)(A) of this section and adopt the rules specified
in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of subsection (h)(5) of this section
not later than 8 months after the date of receipt of a request from
an alternative trading system for such implementation and rules.
(k) Rules relating to security futures products traded on foreign
boards of trade
(1) To the extent necessary or appropriate in the public
interest, to promote fair competition, and consistent with the
promotion of market efficiency, innovation, and expansion of
investment opportunities, the protection of investors, and the
maintenance of fair and orderly markets, the Commission and the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission shall jointly issue such
rules, regulations, or orders as are necessary and appropriate to
permit the offer and sale of a security futures product traded on
or subject to the rules of a foreign board of trade to United
States persons.
(2) The rules, regulations, or orders adopted under paragraph (1)
shall take into account, as appropriate, the nature and size of the
markets that the securities underlying the security futures product
reflect.
-SOURCE-
(June 6, 1934, ch. 404, title I, Sec. 6, 48 Stat. 885; Pub. L.
94-29, Sec. 4, June 4, 1975, 89 Stat. 104; Pub. L. 100-181, title
III, Sec. 309-312, Dec. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 1255; Pub. L. 103-202,
title III, Sec. 303(b), Dec. 17, 1993, 107 Stat. 2365; Pub. L.
106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5) (title II, Sec. 202(a), 206(a), (i), (k)(2),
(l)), Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A-416, 2763A-426,
2763A-433, 2763A-434.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in subsecs. (b) to (e), (g)(4)(A),
(h)(3)(G), (7)(C)(ii), and (i), was in the original ''this
title''. This chapter, referred to in subsec. (h)(6), was in the
original ''this Act''. See References in Text note set out under
section 78a of this title.
The Commodity Exchange Act, referred to in subsecs. (g)(1)(A) and
(h)(6), is act Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, 42 Stat. 998, as amended,
which is classified generally to chapter 1 (Sec. 1 et seq.) of
Title 7, Agriculture. For complete classification of this Act to
the Code, see section 1 of Title 7 and Tables.
-MISC2-
AMENDMENTS
2000 - Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5) (title II, Sec.
202(a)), added subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5) (title II, Sec.
206(a)), added subsec. (h).
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5) (title II, Sec.
206(i)), added subsec. (i).
Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5) (title II, Sec.
206(k)(2)), added subsec. (j).
Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5) (title II, Sec.
206(l)), added subsec. (k).
1993 - Subsec. (b)(9). Pub. L. 103-202 added par. (9).
1987 - Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 100-181, Sec. 309, substituted
''protection of investors shall'' for ''protection shall''.
Subsec. (c)(3)(A). Pub. L. 100-181, Sec. 310, substituted
''associated'' for ''association''.
Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 100-181, Sec. 311, substituted ''may
limit (A)'' for ''may (A) limit''.
Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 100-181, Sec. 312(1), substituted
''paragraph (3) of this subsection'' for ''paragraph (4) of this
section''.
Subsec. (e)(3), (4). Pub. L. 100-181, Sec. 312(2), (3),
redesignated par. (4) as (3) and, in subpar. (E), substituted
''fixing'' for ''fixes'' in introductory provisions, ''subparagraph
(A) of this paragraph'' for ''paragraph (4)(A) of this subsection''
in cl. (1), and ''subparagraph (B) of this paragraph'' for
''paragraph (4)(B) of this subsection'' in cl. (2), and struck out
former par. (3) which read as follows: ''Until December 31, 1976,
the Commission, on a regular basis, shall file with the Speaker of
the House and the President of the Senate information concerning
the effect on the public interest, protection of investors, and
maintenance of fair and orderly markets of the absence of any
schedule or fixed rates of commissions, allowances, discounts, or
other fees to be charged by members of any national securities
exchange for effecting transactions on such exchange.''
1975 - Pub. L. 94-29 restructured the entire section and, in
addition, authorized the Commission to require an exchange to file
such documents and information as it deems necessary or appropriate
in the public interest or for the protection of investors and to
prescribe the form and substance of an exchange's application for
registration, expanded to eight the number of explicit statutory
requirements that must be satisfied before an exchange may be
registered as a national securities exchange, set forth the
authority of a national securities exchange to admit or deny
persons membership or association with members, prescribed exchange
procedures for instituting disciplinary actions, denying
membership, and summarily suspending members or persons associated
with members, specified the authority of national securities
exchanges to impose schedules or fix rates of commissions,
allowances, discounts, or other fees to be charged by its members
for transacting business on the exchange, and empowered the
Commission to regulate any broker or dealer who effects
transactions on an exchange on a regular basis but who is not a
member of that exchange and any person who effects transactions on
an exchange without the services of another person acting as
broker.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1993 AMENDMENT
Section 304 of title III of Pub. L. 103-202 provided that:
''(a) Effective Date. -
''(1) In general. - The amendments made by section 303
(amending this section and section 78o-3 of this title) shall
become effective 12 months after the date of enactment of this
Act (Dec. 17, 1993).
''(2) Rulemaking authority. - Notwithstanding paragraph (1),
the authority of the Securities and Exchange Commission, a
registered securities association, and a national securities
exchange to commence rulemaking proceedings for the purpose of
issuing rules pursuant to the amendments made by section 303 is
effective on the date of enactment of this Act.
''(3) Review of filings prior to effective date. - Prior to the
effective date of regulations promulgated pursuant to this title
(amending this section and sections 78n and 78o-3 of this title
and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 78a and
78n of this title), the Securities and Exchange Commission shall
continue to review and declare effective registration statements
and amendments thereto relating to limited partnership rollup
transactions in accordance with applicable regulations then in
effect.
''(b) Effect on Existing Authority. - The amendments made by this
title (amending this section and sections 78n and 78o-3 of this
title) shall not limit the authority of the Securities and Exchange
Commission, a registered securities association, or a national
securities exchange under any provision of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.), or preclude the Commission or
such association or exchange from imposing, under any other such
provision, a remedy or procedure required to be imposed under such
amendments.''
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1975 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 94-29 effective June 4, 1975, except for
amendment of subsecs. (a) through (d) by Pub. L. 94-29 to be
effective 180 days after June 4, 1975, with provisions of subsecs.
(b)(2) and (c)(6), as amended by Pub. L. 94-29, or rules or
regulations thereunder, not to apply in a way so as to deprive any
person of membership in any national securities exchange (or its
successor) of which such person was, on June 4, 1975, a member or a
member firm as defined in the constitution of such exchange, or so
as to deny membership in any such exchange (or its successor) to a
natural person who is or becomes associated with such member or
member firm, see section 31(a) of Pub. L. 94-29, set out as a note
under section 78b of this title.
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
For transfer of functions of Securities and Exchange Commission,
with certain exceptions, to Chairman of such Commission, see Reorg.
Plan No. 10 of 1950, Sec. 1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3175,
64 Stat. 1265, set out under section 78d of this title.
-MISC5-
CHANGES IN ORGANIZATION AND RULES OF NATIONAL SECURITIES EXCHANGES
AND REGISTERED SECURITIES ASSOCIATIONS
Section 31(b) of Pub. L. 94-29 provided that: ''If it appears to
the Commission at any time within one year of the effective date of
any amendment made by this Act (see Short Title of 1975 Amendment
note under section 78a of this title) to the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 that the organization or rules of any national
securities exchange or registered securities association registered
with the Commission on the date of enactment of this Act (June 4,
1975) do not comply with such Act as amended, the Commission shall
so notify such exchange or association in writing, specifying the
respects in which the exchange or association is not in compliance
with such Act. On and after the one hundred eightieth day following
the date of receipt of such notice by a national securities
exchange or registered securities association, the Commission,
without regard to the provisions of section 19(h) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (section 78s(h) of this title), as amended by
this Act, is authorized by order, to suspend the registration of
any such exchange or association or impose limitations on the
activities, functions, and operations of any such exchange or
association, if the Commission finds, after notice and opportunity
for hearing, that the organization or rules of such exchange or
association do not comply with such Act. Any such suspension or
limitation shall continue in effect until the Commission, by order,
declares that such exchange or association is in compliance with
such requirements.''
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 78c, 78e, 78g, 78k-1,
78o, 78o-3, 78o-5, 78q, 78q-1, 78s, 78u, 78y, 78hh, 80a-2, 80b-2 of
this title; title 5 section 8477; title 7 sections 2, 7a-2; title
29 section 1002.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 78g 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 2B - SECURITIES EXCHANGES
-HEAD-
Sec. 78g. Margin requirements
-STATUTE-
(a) Rules and regulations for extension of credit; standard for
initial extension; undermargined accounts
For the purpose of preventing the excessive use of credit for the
purchase or carrying of securities, the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System shall, prior to October 1, 1934, and from
time to time thereafter, prescribe rules and regulations with
respect to the amount of credit that may be initially extended and
subsequently maintained on any security (other than an exempted
security or a security futures product). For the initial extension
of credit, such rules and regulations shall be based upon the
following standard: An amount not greater than whichever is the
higher of -
(1) 55 per centum of the current market price of the security,
or
(2) 100 per centum of the lowest market price of the security
during the preceding thirty-six calendar months, but not more
than 75 per centum of the current market price.
Such rules and regulations may make appropriate provision with
respect to the carrying of undermargined accounts for limited
periods and under specified conditions; the withdrawal of funds or
securities; the substitution or additional purchases of securities;
the transfer of accounts from one lender to another; special or
different margin requirements for delayed deliveries, short sales,
arbitrage transactions, and securities to which paragraph (2) of
this subsection does not apply; the bases and the methods to be
used in calculating loans, and margins and market prices; and
similar administrative adjustments and details. For the purposes
of paragraph (2) of this subsection, until July 1, 1936, the lowest
price at which a security has sold on or after July 1, 1933, shall
be considered as the lowest price at which such security has sold
during the preceding thirty-six calendar months.
(b) Lower and higher margin requirements
Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section,
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, may, from
time to time, with respect to all or specified securities or
transactions, or classes of securities, or classes of transactions,
by such rules and regulations (1) prescribe such lower margin
requirements for the initial extension or maintenance of credit as
it deems necessary or appropriate for the accommodation of commerce
and industry, having due regard to the general credit situation of
the country, and (2) prescribe such higher margin requirements for
the initial extension or maintenance of credit as it may deem
necessary or appropriate to prevent the excessive use of credit to
finance transactions in securities.
(c) Unlawful credit extension to customers
(1) Prohibition
It shall be unlawful for any member of a national securities
exchange or any broker or dealer, directly or indirectly, to
extend or maintain credit or arrange for the extension or
maintenance of credit to or for any customer -
(A) on any security (other than an exempted security), except
as provided in paragraph (2), in contravention of the rules and
regulations which the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System (hereafter in this section referred to as the ''Board'')
shall prescribe under subsections (a) and (b) of this section;
and
(B) without collateral or on any collateral other than
securities, except in accordance with such rules and
regulations as the Board may prescribe -
(i) to permit under specified conditions and for a limited
period any such member, broker, or dealer to maintain a
credit initially extended in conformity with the rules and
regulations of the Board; and
(ii) to permit the extension or maintenance of credit in
cases where the extension or maintenance of credit is not for
the purpose of purchasing or carrying securities or of
evading or circumventing the provisions of subparagraph (A).
(2) Margin regulations
(A) Compliance with margin rules required
It shall be unlawful for any broker, dealer, or member of a
national securities exchange to, directly or indirectly, extend
or maintain credit to or for, or collect margin from any
customer on, any security futures product unless such
activities comply with the regulations -
(i) which the Board shall prescribe pursuant to
subparagraph (B); or
(ii) if the Board determines to delegate the authority to
prescribe such regulations, which the Commission and the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission shall jointly prescribe
pursuant to subparagraph (B).
If the Board delegates the authority to prescribe such
regulations under clause (ii) and the Commission and the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission have not jointly
prescribed such regulations within a reasonable period of time
after the date of such delegation, the Board shall prescribe
such regulations pursuant to subparagraph (B).
(B) Criteria for issuance of rules
The Board shall prescribe, or, if the authority is delegated
pursuant to subparagraph (A)(ii), the Commission and the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission shall jointly prescribe,
such regulations to establish margin requirements, including
the establishment of levels of margin (initial and maintenance)
for security futures products under such terms, and at such
levels, as the Board deems appropriate, or as the Commission
and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission jointly deem
appropriate -
(i) to preserve the financial integrity of markets trading
security futures products;
(ii) to prevent systemic risk;
(iii) to require that -
(I) the margin requirements for a security future product
be consistent with the margin requirements for comparable
option contracts traded on any exchange registered pursuant
to section 78f(a) of this title; and
(II) initial and maintenance margin levels for a security
future product not be lower than the lowest level of
margin, exclusive of premium, required for any comparable
option contract traded on any exchange registered pursuant
to section 78f(a) of this title, other than an option on a
security future;
except that nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed to
prevent a national securities exchange or national securities
association from requiring higher margin levels for a
security future product when it deems such action to be
necessary or appropriate; and
(iv) to ensure that the margin requirements (other than
levels of margin), including the type, form, and use of
collateral for security futures products, are and remain
consistent with the requirements established by the Board,
pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1).
(3) Exception
This subsection and the rules and regulations issued under this
subsection shall not apply to any credit extended, maintained, or
arranged by a member of a national securities exchange or a
broker or dealer to or for a member of a national securities
exchange or a registered broker or dealer -
(A) a substantial portion of whose business consists of
transactions with persons other than brokers or dealers; or
(B) to finance its activities as a market maker or an
underwriter;
except that the Board may impose such rules and regulations, in
whole or in part, on any credit otherwise exempted by this
paragraph if the Board determines that such action is necessary
or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of
investors.
(d) Unlawful credit extension in violation of rules and
regulations; exceptions to application of rules, etc.
(1) Prohibition
It shall be unlawful for any person not subject to subsection
(c) of this section to extend or maintain credit or to arrange
for the extension or maintenance of credit for the purpose of
purchasing or carrying any security, in contravention of such
rules and regulations as the Board shall prescribe to prevent the
excessive use of credit for the purchasing or carrying of or
trading in securities in circumvention of the other provisions of
this section. Such rules and regulations may impose upon all
loans made for the purpose of purchasing or carrying securities
limitations similar to those imposed upon members, brokers, or
dealers by subsection (c) of this section and the rules and
regulations thereunder.
(2) Exceptions
This subsection and the rules and regulations issued under this
subsection shall not apply to any credit extended, maintained, or
arranged -
(A) by a person not in the ordinary course of business;
(B) on an exempted security;
(C) to or for a member of a national securities exchange or a
registered broker or dealer -
(i) a substantial portion of whose business consists of
transactions with persons other than brokers or dealers; or
(ii) to finance its activities as a market maker or an
underwriter;
(D) by a bank on a security other than an equity security; or
(E) as the Board shall, by such rules, regulations, or orders
as it may deem necessary or appropriate in the public interest
or for the protection of investors, exempt, either
unconditionally or upon specified terms and conditions or for
stated periods, from the operation of this subsection and the
rules and regulations thereunder.
(3) Board authority
The Board may impose such rules and regulations, in whole or in
part, on any credit otherwise exempted by subparagraph (C) if it
determines that such action is necessary or appropriate in the
public interest or for the protection of investors.
(e) Effective date of this section and rules and regulations
The provisions of this section or the rules and regulations
thereunder shall not apply on or before July 1, 1937, to any loan
or extension of credit made prior to June 6, 1934, or to the
maintenance, renewal, or extension of any such loan or credit,
except to the extent that the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System may by rules and regulations prescribe as necessary
to prevent the circumvention of the provisions of this section or
the rules and regulations thereunder by means of withdrawals of
funds or securities, substitutions of securities, or additional
purchases or by any other device.
(f) Unlawful receipt of credit; exemptions
(1) It is unlawful for any United States person, or any foreign
person controlled by a United States person or acting on behalf of
or in conjunction with such person, to obtain, receive, or enjoy
the beneficial use of a loan or other extension of credit from any
lender (without regard to whether the lender's office or place of
business is in a State or the transaction occurred in whole or in
part within a State) for the purpose of (A) purchasing or carrying
United States securities, or (B) purchasing or carrying within the
United States of any other securities, if, under this section or
rules and regulations prescribed thereunder, the loan or other
credit transaction is prohibited or would be prohibited if it had
been made or the transaction had otherwise occurred in a lender's
office or other place of business in a State.
(2) For the purposes of this subsection -
(A) The term ''United States person'' includes a person which
is organized or exists under the laws of any State or, in the
case of a natural person, a citizen or resident of the United
States; a domestic estate; or a trust in which one or more of the
foregoing persons has a cumulative direct or indirect beneficial
interest in excess of 50 per centum of the value of the trust.
(B) The term ''United States security'' means a security (other
than an exempted security) issued by a person incorporated under
the laws of any State, or whose principal place of business is
within a State.
(C) The term ''foreign person controlled by a United States
person'' includes any noncorporate entity in which United States
persons directly or indirectly have more than a 50 per centum
beneficial interest, and any corporation in which one or more
United States persons, directly or indirectly, own stock
possessing more than 50 per centum of the total combined voting
power of all classes of stock entitled to vote, or more than 50
per centum of the total value of shares of all classes of stock.
(3) The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System may, in
its discretion and with due regard for the purposes of this
section, by rule or regulation exempt any class of United States
persons or foreign persons controlled by a United States person
from the application of this subsection.
(g) Effect of bona fide agreement for delayed delivery of mortgage
related security
Subject to such rules and regulations as the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System may adopt in the public interest and
for the protection of investors, no member of a national securities
exchange or broker or dealer shall be deemed to have extended or
maintained credit or arranged for the extension or maintenance of
credit for the purpose of purchasing a security, within the meaning
of this section, by reason of a bona fide agreement for delayed
delivery of a mortgage related security or a small business related
security against full payment of the purchase price thereof upon
such delivery within one hundred and eighty days after the
purchase, or within such shorter period as the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System may prescribe by rule or regulation.
-SOURCE-
(June 6, 1934, ch. 404, title I, Sec. 7, 48 Stat. 886; Aug. 23,
1935, ch. 614, Sec. 203(a), 49 Stat. 704; Pub. L. 90-437, July 29,
1968, 82 Stat. 452; Pub. L. 91-508, title III, Sec. 301(a), Oct.
26, 1970, 84 Stat. 1124; Pub. L. 98-440, title I, Sec. 102, Oct. 3,
1984, 98 Stat. 1690; Pub. L. 103-325, title II, Sec. 203, Sept. 23,
1994, 108 Stat. 2199; Pub. L. 104-290, title I, Sec. 104(a), Oct.
11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3422; Pub. L. 105-353, title III, Sec.
301(b)(5), (6), Nov. 3, 1998, 112 Stat. 3236; Pub. L. 106-554, Sec.
1(a)(5) (title II, Sec. 206(b)), Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763,
2763A-429.)
-MISC1-
AMENDMENTS
2000 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5) (title II, Sec.
206(b)(1)), inserted ''or a security futures product'' after
''exempted security'' in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (c)(1)(A). Pub. L. 106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5) (title II, Sec.
206(b)(2)), inserted ''except as provided in paragraph (2),'' after
''security),''.
Subsec. (c)(2), (3). Pub. L. 106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5) (title II,
Sec. 206(b)(3), (4)), added par. (2) and redesignated former par.
(2) as (3).
1998 - Subsecs. (a), (b). Pub. L. 105-353, Sec. 301(b)(5),
substituted ''Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System''
for ''Federal Reserve Board''.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 105-353, Sec. 301(b)(6), substituted
''exceptions'' for ''exception'' in heading.
1996 - Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 104-290, Sec. 104(a)(1), amended
heading and text of subsec. (c) generally. Prior to amendment,
text read as follows: ''It shall be unlawful for any member of a
national securities exchange or any broker or dealer, directly or
indirectly, to extend or maintain credit or arrange for the
extension or maintenance of credit to or for any customer -
''(1) on any security (other than an exempted security), in
contravention of the rules and regulations which the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System shall prescribe under
subsections (a) and (b) of this section;
''(2) without collateral or on any collateral other than
securities, except in accordance with such rules and regulations
as the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System may
prescribe (A) to permit under specified conditions and for a
limited period any such member, broker, or dealer to maintain a
credit initially extended in conformity with the rules and
regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System, and (B) to permit the extension or maintenance of credit
in cases where the extension or maintenance of credit is not for
the purpose of purchasing or carrying securities or of evading or
circumventing the provisions of paragraph (1) of this
subsection.''
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 104-290, Sec. 104(a)(2), amended heading and
text of subsec. (d) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as
follows: ''It shall be unlawful for any person not subject to
subsection (c) of this section to extend or maintain credit or to
arrange for the extension or maintenance of credit for the purpose
of purchasing or carrying any security, in contravention of such
rules and regulations as the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System shall prescribe to prevent the excessive use of
credit for the purchasing or carrying of or trading in securities
in circumvention of the other provisions of this section. Such
rules and regulations may impose upon all loans made for the
purpose of purchasing or carrying securities limitations similar to
those imposed upon members, brokers, or dealers by subsection (c)
of this section and the rules and regulations thereunder. This
subsection and the rules and regulations thereunder shall not apply
(A) to a loan made by a person not in the ordinary course of his
business, (B) to a loan on an exempted security, (C) to a loan to a
dealer to aid in the financing of the distribution of securities to
customers not through the medium of a national securities exchange,
(D) to a loan by a bank on a security other than an equity
security, or (E) to such other loans as the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System shall, by such rules and regulations as
it may deem necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for
the protection of investors, exempt, either unconditionally or upon
specified terms and conditions or for stated periods, from the
operation of this subsection and the rules and regulations
thereunder.''
1994 - Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 103-325 inserted ''or a small
business related security'' after ''mortgage related security''.
1984 - Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 98-440 added subsec. (g).
1970 - Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 91-508 added subsec. (f).
1968 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 90-437, Sec. 1(1), struck out
''registered on a national securities exchange'' after ''(other
than an exempted security)''.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 90-437, Sec. 1(2), struck out ''who
transacts a business in securities through the medium of any such
member'' after ''any broker or dealer'', in par. (1) struck out
''registered on a national securities exchange'' after ''(other
than an exempted security)'', and in par. (2) substituted ''other
than securities'' for ''other than exempted securities and/or
securities registered upon a national securities exchange''.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 90-437, Sec. 1(3), struck out ''registered
on a national securities exchange'' after ''the purpose of
purchasing or carrying any security'', and ''registered on national
securities exchanges'' after ''the purpose of purchasing or
carrying securities''.
-CHANGE-
CHANGE OF NAME
Act Aug. 23, 1935, in subsec. (e), substituted ''Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System'' for ''Federal Reserve
Board''.
-MISC4-
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1970 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 91-508 effective on first day of seventh
calendar month which begins after Oct. 26, 1970, except as
otherwise provided in section 401(c) of Pub. L. 91-508, see section
401(a) of Pub. L. 91-508, set out as a note under section 1951 of
Title 12, Banks and Banking.
Section 401(c) of Pub. L. 91-508 provided that: ''The Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System may by regulation provide
that the amendment made by title III (amending this section) shall
be effective on any date not earlier than the publication of the
regulation in the Federal Register and not later than the first day
of the thirteenth calendar month which begins after the date of
enactment (Oct. 26, 1970).''
VALIDITY OF RULES AND REGULATIONS
Section 301(b) of Pub. L. 91-508 provided that: ''The amendment
made by subsection (a) of this section (amending this section) does
not affect the continuing validity of any rule or regulation under
section 7 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (this section) in
effect prior to the effective date of the amendment.''
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 78c, 78f, 78m, 78o, 78hh,
80a-2, 80a-54 of this title; title 7 section 2; title 31 section
5315.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 78h 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 2B - SECURITIES EXCHANGES
-HEAD-
Sec. 78h. Restrictions on borrowing and lending by members,
brokers, and dealers
-STATUTE-
It shall be unlawful for any registered broker or dealer, member
of a national securities exchange, or broker or dealer who
transacts a business in securities through the medium of any member
of a national securities exchange, directly or indirectly -
(a) In contravention of such rules and regulations as the
Commission shall prescribe for the protection of investors to
hypothecate or arrange for the hypothecation of any securities
carried for the account of any customer under circumstances (1)
that will permit the commingling of his securities without his
written consent with the securities of any other customer, (2) that
will permit such securities to be commingled with the securities of
any person other than a bona fide customer, or (3) that will permit
such securities to be hypothecated, or subjected to any lien or
claim of the pledgee, for a sum in excess of the aggregate
indebtedness of such customers in respect of such securities.
(b) To lend or arrange for the lending of any securities carried
for the account of any customer without the written consent of such
customer or in contravention of such rules and regulations as the
Commission shall prescribe for the protection of investors.
-SOURCE-
(June 6, 1934, ch. 404, title I, Sec. 8, 48 Stat. 888; Aug. 23,
1935, ch. 614, Sec. 203(a), 49 Stat. 704; Pub. L. 94-29, Sec. 5,
June 4, 1975, 89 Stat. 109; Pub. L. 98-440, title I, Sec. 103, Oct.
3, 1984, 98 Stat. 1690; Pub. L. 103-325, title II, Sec. 204, Sept.
23, 1994, 108 Stat. 2199; Pub. L. 104-290, title I, Sec. 104(b),
Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3423.)
-MISC1-
AMENDMENTS
1996 - Pub. L. 104-290 redesignated subsecs. (b) and (c) as (a)
and (b), respectively, and struck out former subsec. (a) which
related to borrowing in ordinary course of business as broker or
dealer on any security, except exempted security, registered on
national securities exchange.
1994 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103-325 inserted ''or a small
business related security'' after ''mortgage related security'' in
last sentence.
1984 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 98-440 inserted provision that no
person shall be deemed to have borrowed within the ordinary course
of business, within the meaning of this subsection, by reason of a
bona fide agreement for delayed delivery of a mortgage related
security under certain conditions.
1975 - Pub. L. 94-29, Sec. 5(1), substituted ''any registered
broker or dealer, member of a national securities exchange, or
broker or dealer who transacts a business in securities through the
medium of any member of a national securities exchange'' for ''any
member of a national securities exchange, or any broker or dealer
who transacts a business in securities through the medium of any
such member'' in provisions preceding subsec. (a).
Subsecs. (b) to (d). Pub. L. 94-29, Sec. 5(2), redesignated
subsecs. (c) and (d) as (b) and (c), respectively, and in subsec.
(c) as so redesignated inserted ''or in contravention of such rules
and regulations as the Commissioner shall prescribe for the
protection of investors'' after ''written consent of such
customer''. Former subsec. (b), which covered the maximum
allowable aggregate indebtedness of brokers, was struck out.
-CHANGE-
CHANGE OF NAME
Act Aug. 23, 1935, substituted ''Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System'' for ''Federal Reserve Board''.
-MISC4-
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1975 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 94-29 effective June 4, 1975, see section
31(a) of Pub. L. 94-29, set out as a note under section 78b of this
title.
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
For transfer of functions of Securities and Exchange Commission,
with certain exceptions, to Chairman of such Commission, see Reorg.
Plan No. 10 of 1950, Sec. 1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3175,
64 Stat. 1265, set out under section 78d of this title.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 78f, 78o, 78o-3, 78hh of
this title; title 7 section 6d.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 78i 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 2B - SECURITIES EXCHANGES
-HEAD-
Sec. 78i. Manipulation of security prices
-STATUTE-
(a) Transactions relating to purchase or sale of security
It shall be unlawful for any person, directly or indirectly, by
the use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate
commerce, or of any facility of any national securities exchange,
or for any member of a national securities exchange -
(1) For the purpose of creating a false or misleading
appearance of active trading in any security registered on a
national securities exchange, or a false or misleading appearance
with respect to the market for any such security, (A) to effect
any transaction in such security which involves no change in the
beneficial ownership thereof, or (B) to enter an order or orders
for the purchase of such security with the knowledge that an
order or orders of substantially the same size, at substantially
the same time, and at substantially the same price, for the sale
of any such security, has been or will be entered by or for the
same or different parties, or (C) to enter any order or orders
for the sale of any such security with the knowledge that an
order or orders of substantially the same size, at substantially
the same time, and at substantially the same price, for the
purchase of such security, has been or will be entered by or for
the same or different parties.
(2) To effect, alone or with one or more other persons, a
series of transactions in any security registered on a national
securities exchange or in connection with any security-based swap
agreement (as defined in section 206B of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley
Act) with respect to such security creating actual or apparent
active trading in such security, or raising or depressing the
price of such security, for the purpose of inducing the purchase
or sale of such security by others.
(3) If a dealer or broker, or other person selling or offering
for sale or purchasing or offering to purchase the security or a
security-based swap agreement (as defined in section 206B of the
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act) with respect to such security, to induce
the purchase or sale of any security registered on a national
securities exchange or any security-based swap agreement (as
defined in section 206B of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act) with
respect to such security by the circulation or dissemination in
the ordinary course of business of information to the effect that
the price of any such security will or is likely to rise or fall
because of market operations of any one or more persons conducted
for the purpose of raising or depressing the price of such
security.
(4) If a dealer or broker, or the person selling or offering
for sale or purchasing or offering to purchase the security or a
security-based swap agreement (as defined in section 206B of the
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act) with respect to such security, to make,
regarding any security registered on a national securities
exchange or any security-based swap agreement (as defined in
section 206B of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act) with respect to such
security, for the purpose of inducing the purchase or sale of
such security or such security-based swap agreement, any
statement which was at the time and in the light of the
circumstances under which it was made, false or misleading with
respect to any material fact, and which he knew or had reasonable
ground to believe was so false or misleading.
(5) For a consideration, received directly or indirectly from a
dealer or broker, or other person selling or offering for sale or
purchasing or offering to purchase the security or a
security-based swap agreement (as defined in section 206B of the
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act) with respect to such security, to induce
the purchase of any security registered on a national securities
exchange or any security-based swap agreement (as defined in
section 206B of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act) with respect to such
security by the circulation or dissemination of information to
the effect that the price of any such security will or is likely
to rise or fall because of the market operations of any one or
more persons conducted for the purpose of raising or depressing
the price of such security.
(6) To effect either alone or with one or more other persons
any series of transactions for the purchase and/or sale of any
security registered on a national securities exchange for the
purpose of pegging, fixing, or stabilizing the price of such
security in contravention of such rules and regulations as the
Commission may prescribe as necessary or appropriate in the
public interest or for the protection of investors.
(b) Transactions relating to puts, calls, straddles, or options
It shall be unlawful for any person to effect, by use of any
facility of a national securities exchange, in contravention of
such rules and regulations as the Commission may prescribe as
necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the
protection of investors -
(1) any transaction in connection with any security whereby any
party to such transaction acquires (A) any put, call, straddle,
or other option or privilege of buying the security from or
selling the security to another without being bound to do so; or
(B) any security futures product on the security; or
(2) any transaction in connection with any security with
relation to which he has, directly or indirectly, any interest in
any (A) such put, call, straddle, option, or privilege; or (B)
such security futures product; or
(3) any transaction in any security for the account of any
person who he has reason to believe has, and who actually has,
directly or indirectly, any interest in any (A) such put, call,
straddle, option, or privilege; or (B) such security futures
product with relation to such security.
(c) Endorsement or guarantee of puts, calls, straddles, or options
It shall be unlawful for any member of a national securities
exchange directly or indirectly to endorse or guarantee the
performance of any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege in
relation to any security registered on a national securities
exchange, in contravention of such rules and regulations as the
Commission may prescribe as necessary or appropriate in the public
interest or for the protection of investors.
(d) Registered warrant, right, or convertible security not included
in ''put'', ''call'', ''straddle'', or ''option''
The terms ''put'', ''call'', ''straddle'', ''option'', or
''privilege'' as used in this section shall not include any
registered warrant, right, or convertible security.
(e) Persons liable; suits at law or in equity
Any person who willfully participates in any act or transaction
in violation of subsections (a), (b), or (c) of this section, shall
be liable to any person who shall purchase or sell any security at
a price which was affected by such act or transaction, and the
person so injured may sue in law or in equity in any court of
competent jurisdiction to recover the damages sustained as a result
of any such act or transaction. In any such suit the court may, in
its discretion, require an undertaking for the payment of the costs
of such suit, and assess reasonable costs, including reasonable
attorneys' fees, against either party litigant. Every person who
becomes liable to make any payment under this subsection may
recover contribution as in cases of contract from any person who,
if joined in the original suit, would have been liable to make the
same payment. No action shall be maintained to enforce any
liability created under this section, unless brought within one
year after the discovery of the facts constituting the violation
and within three years after such violation.
(f) Subsection (a) not applicable to exempted securities
The provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall not apply
to an exempted security.
(g) Foreign currencies and security futures products
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Commission
shall have the authority to regulate the trading of any put, call,
straddle, option, or privilege on any security, certificate of
deposit, or group or index of securities (including any interest
therein or based on the value thereof), or any put, call, straddle,
option, or privilege entered into on a national securities exchange
relating to foreign currency (but not, with respect to any of the
foregoing, an option on a contract for future delivery other than a
security futures product).
(2) Notwithstanding the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1 et
seq.), the Commission shall have the authority to regulate the
trading of any security futures product to the extent provided in
the securities laws.
(h) Limitations on practices that affect market volatility
It shall be unlawful for any person, by the use of the mails or
any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce or of any
facility of any national securities exchange, to use or employ any
act or practice in connection with the purchase or sale of any
equity security in contravention of such rules or regulations as
the Commission may adopt, consistent with the public interest, the
protection of investors, and the maintenance of fair and orderly
markets -
(1) to prescribe means reasonably designed to prevent
manipulation of price levels of the equity securities market or a
substantial segment thereof; and
(2) to prohibit or constrain, during periods of extraordinary
market volatility, any trading practice in connection with the
purchase or sale of equity securities that the Commission
determines (A) has previously contributed significantly to
extraordinary levels of volatility that have threatened the
maintenance of fair and orderly markets; and (B) is reasonably
certain to engender such levels of volatility if not prohibited
or constrained.
In adopting rules under paragraph (2), the Commission shall,
consistent with the purposes of this subsection, minimize the
impact on the normal operations of the market and a natural
person's freedom to buy or sell any equity security.
(i) Limitation on Commission authority
The authority of the Commission under this section with respect
to security-based swap agreements (as defined in section 206B of
the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act) shall be subject to the restrictions
and limitations of section 78c-1(b) of this title.
-SOURCE-
(June 6, 1934, ch. 404, title I, Sec. 9, 48 Stat. 889; Pub. L.
97-303, Sec. 3, Oct. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 1409; Pub. L. 101-432, Sec.
6(a), Oct. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 975; Pub. L. 106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5)
(title II, Sec. 205(a)(1), (2), title III, Sec. 303(b), (c)), Dec.
21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A-425, 2763A-426, 2763A-453,
2763A-454.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
Section 206B of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, referred to in
subsecs. (a)(2) to (5) and (i), is section 206B of Pub. L. 106-102,
which is set out in a note under section 78c of this title.
The Commodity Exchange Act, referred to in subsec. (g)(2), is act
Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, 42 Stat. 998, as amended, which is
classified generally to chapter 1 (Sec. 1 et seq.) of Title 7,
Agriculture. For complete classification of this Act to the Code,
see section 1 of Title 7 and Tables.
-MISC2-
AMENDMENTS
2000 - Subsec. (a)(2) to (5). Pub. L. 106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5)
(title III, Sec. 303(b)), amended pars. (2) to (5) generally.
Prior to amendment, pars. (2) to (5) read as follows:
''(2) To effect, alone or with one or more other persons, a
series of transactions in any security registered on a national
securities exchange creating actual or apparent active trading in
such security or raising or depressing the price of such security,
for the purpose of inducing the purchase or sale of such security
by others.
''(3) If a dealer or broker, or other person selling or offering
for sale or purchasing or offering to purchase the security, to
induce the purchase or sale of any security registered on a
national securities exchange by the circulation or dissemination in
the ordinary course of business of information to the effect that
the price of any such security will or is likely to rise or fall
because of market operations of any one or more persons conducted
for the purpose of raising or depressing the prices of such
security.
''(4) If a dealer or broker, or other person selling or offering
for sale or purchasing or offering to purchase the security, to
make, regarding any security registered on a national securities
exchange, for the purpose of inducing the purchase or sale of such
security, any statement which was at the time and in the light of
the circumstances under which it was made, false or misleading with
respect to any material fact, and which he knew or had reasonable
ground to believe was so false or misleading.
''(5) For a consideration, received directly or indirectly from a
dealer or broker, or other person selling or offering for sale or
purchasing or offering to purchase the security, to induce the
purchase or sale of any security registered on a national
securities exchange by the circulation or dissemination of
information to the effect that the price of any such security will
or is likely to rise or fall because of the market operations of
any one or more persons conducted for the purpose of raising or
depressing the price of such security.''
Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5) (title II, Sec.
205(a)(1)(A)), inserted ''(A)'' after ''acquires'' and substituted
''; or (B) any security futures product on the security; or'' for
''; or''.
Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5) (title II, Sec.
205(a)(1)(B)), inserted ''(A)'' after ''interest in any'' and
substituted ''; or (B) such security futures product; or'' for '';
or''.
Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5) (title II, Sec.
205(a)(1)(C)), inserted ''(A)'' after ''interest in any'' and '';
or (B) such security futures product'' after ''privilege''.
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5) (title II, Sec.
205(a)(2)), designated existing provisions as par. (1), inserted
''other than a security futures product'' after ''future
delivery'', and added par. (2).
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5) (title III, Sec.
303(c)), added subsec. (i).
1990 - Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 101-432 added subsec. (h).
1982 - Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 97-303, Sec. 3(1), substituted ''The
provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall not apply'' for
''The provisions of this section shall not apply''.
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 97-303, Sec. 3(2), added subsec. (g).
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
For transfer of functions of Securities and Exchange Commission,
with certain exceptions, to Chairman of such Commission, see Reorg.
Plan No. 10 of 1950, Sec. 1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3175,
64 Stat. 1265, set out under section 78d of this title.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 78j, 78y, 78hh of this
title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 78j 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 2B - SECURITIES EXCHANGES
-HEAD-
Sec. 78j. Manipulative and deceptive devices
-STATUTE-
It shall be unlawful for any person, directly or indirectly, by
the use of any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce or
of the mails, or of any facility of any national securities
exchange -
(a)(1) To effect a short sale, or to use or employ any
stop-loss order in connection with the purchase or sale, of any
security registered on a national securities exchange, in
contravention of such rules and regulations as the Commission may
prescribe as necessary or appropriate in the public interest or
for the protection of investors.
(2) Paragraph (1) of this subsection shall not apply to
security futures products.
(b) To use or employ, in connection with the purchase or sale
of any security registered on a national securities exchange or
any security not so registered, or any securities-based swap
agreement (as defined in section 206B of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley
Act), any manipulative or deceptive device or contrivance in
contravention of such rules and regulations as the Commission may
prescribe as necessary or appropriate in the public interest or
for the protection of investors.
Rules promulgated under subsection (b) of this section that
prohibit fraud, manipulation, or insider trading (but not rules
imposing or specifying reporting or recordkeeping requirements,
procedures, or standards as prophylactic measures against fraud,
manipulation, or insider trading), and judicial precedents decided
under subsection (b) of this section and rules promulgated
thereunder that prohibit fraud, manipulation, or insider trading,
shall apply to security-based swap agreements (as defined in
section 206B of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act) to the same extent as
they apply to securities. Judicial precedents decided under
section 77q(a) of this title and sections 78i, 78o, 78p, 78t, and
78u-1 of this title, and judicial precedents decided under
applicable rules promulgated under such sections, shall apply to
security-based swap agreements (as defined in section 206B of the
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act) to the same extent as they apply to
securities.
-SOURCE-
(June 6, 1934, ch. 404, title I, Sec. 10, 48 Stat. 891; Pub. L.
106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5) (title II, Sec. 206(g), title III, Sec.
303(d)), Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A-432, 2763A-454.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
Section 206B of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, referred to in text,
is section 206B of Pub. L. 106-102, which is set out in a note
under section 78c of this title.
-MISC2-
AMENDMENTS
2000 - Pub. L. 106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5) (title III, Sec. 303(d)(2)),
inserted concluding provisions at end.
Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5) (title II, Sec.
206(g)), designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added par.
(2).
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5) (title III, Sec.
303(d)(1)), inserted ''or any securities-based swap agreement (as
defined in section 206B of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act),'' before
''any manipulative or deceptive device''.
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
For transfer of functions of Securities and Exchange Commission,
with certain exceptions, to Chairman of such Commission, see Reorg.
Plan No. 10 of 1950, Sec. 1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3175,
64 Stat. 1265, set out under section 78d of this title.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 78k, 78u, 78u-3, 78aa-1,
78hh, 3904 of this title; title 42 section 9675.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 78j-1 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 2B - SECURITIES EXCHANGES
-HEAD-
Sec. 78j-1. Audit requirements
-STATUTE-
(a) In general
Each audit required pursuant to this chapter of the financial
statements of an issuer by a registered public accounting firm
shall include, in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards, as may be modified or supplemented from time to time by
the Commission -
(1) procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance of
detecting illegal acts that would have a direct and material
effect on the determination of financial statement amounts;
(2) procedures designed to identify related party transactions
that are material to the financial statements or otherwise
require disclosure therein; and
(3) an evaluation of whether there is substantial doubt about
the ability of the issuer to continue as a going concern during
the ensuing fiscal year.
(b) Required response to audit discoveries
(1) Investigation and report to management
If, in the course of conducting an audit pursuant to this
chapter to which subsection (a) of this section applies, the
registered public accounting firm detects or otherwise becomes
aware of information indicating that an illegal act (whether or
not perceived to have a material effect on the financial
statements of the issuer) has or may have occurred, the firm
shall, in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards,
as may be modified or supplemented from time to time by the
Commission -
(A)(i) determine whether it is likely that an illegal act has
occurred; and
(ii) if so, determine and consider the possible effect of the
illegal act on the financial statements of the issuer,
including any contingent monetary effects, such as fines,
penalties, and damages; and
(B) as soon as practicable, inform the appropriate level of
the management of the issuer and assure that the audit
committee of the issuer, or the board of directors of the
issuer in the absence of such a committee, is adequately
informed with respect to illegal acts that have been detected
or have otherwise come to the attention of such firm in the
course of the audit, unless the illegal act is clearly
inconsequential.
(2) Response to failure to take remedial action
If, after determining that the audit committee of the board of
directors of the issuer, or the board of directors of the issuer
in the absence of an audit committee, is adequately informed with
respect to illegal acts that have been detected or have otherwise
come to the attention of the firm in the course of the audit of
such firm, the registered public accounting firm concludes that -
(A) the illegal act has a material effect on the financial
statements of the issuer;
(B) the senior management has not taken, and the board of
directors has not caused senior management to take, timely and
appropriate remedial actions with respect to the illegal act;
and
(C) the failure to take remedial action is reasonably
expected to warrant departure from a standard report of the
auditor, when made, or warrant resignation from the audit
engagement;
the registered public accounting firm shall, as soon as
practicable, directly report its conclusions to the board of
directors.
(3) Notice to Commission; response to failure to notify
An issuer whose board of directors receives a report under
paragraph (2) shall inform the Commission by notice not later
than 1 business day after the receipt of such report and shall
furnish the registered public accounting firm making such report
with a copy of the notice furnished to the Commission. If the
registered public accounting firm fails to receive a copy of the
notice before the expiration of the required 1-business-day
period, the registered public accounting firm shall -
(A) resign from the engagement; or
(B) furnish to the Commission a copy of its report (or the
documentation of any oral report given) not later than 1
business day following such failure to receive notice.
(4) Report after resignation
If a registered public accounting firm resigns from an
engagement under paragraph (3)(A), the firm shall, not later than
1 business day following the failure by the issuer to notify the
Commission under paragraph (3), furnish to the Commission a copy
of the report of the firm (or the documentation of any oral
report given).
(c) Auditor liability limitation
No registered public accounting firm shall be liable in a private
action for any finding, conclusion, or statement expressed in a
report made pursuant to paragraph (3) or (4) of subsection (b) of
this section, including any rule promulgated pursuant thereto.
(d) Civil penalties in cease-and-desist proceedings
If the Commission finds, after notice and opportunity for hearing
in a proceeding instituted pursuant to section 78u-3 of this title,
that a registered public accounting firm has willfully violated
paragraph (3) or (4) of subsection (b) of this section, the
Commission may, in addition to entering an order under section
78u-3 of this title, impose a civil penalty against the registered
public accounting firm and any other person that the Commission
finds was a cause of such violation. The determination to impose a
civil penalty and the amount of the penalty shall be governed by
the standards set forth in section 78u-2 of this title.
(e) Preservation of existing authority
Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, nothing in
this section shall be held to limit or otherwise affect the
authority of the Commission under this chapter.
(f) Definitions
As used in this section, the term ''illegal act'' means an act or
omission that violates any law, or any rule or regulation having
the force of law. As used in this section, the term ''issuer''
means an issuer (as defined in section 78c of this title), the
securities of which are registered under section 78l of this title,
or that is required to file reports pursuant to section 78o(d) of
this title, or that files or has filed a registration statement
that has not yet become effective under the Securities Act of 1933
(15 U.S.C. 77a et seq.), and that it has not withdrawn.
(g) Prohibited activities
Except as provided in subsection (h) of this section, it shall be
unlawful for a registered public accounting firm (and any
associated person of that firm, to the extent determined
appropriate by the Commission) that performs for any issuer any
audit required by this chapter or the rules of the Commission under
this chapter or, beginning 180 days after the date of commencement
of the operations of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
established under section 7211 of this title (in this section
referred to as the ''Board''), the rules of the Board, to provide
to that issuer, contemporaneously with the audit, any non-audit
service, including -
(1) bookkeeping or other services related to the accounting
records or financial statements of the audit client;
(2) financial information systems design and implementation;
(3) appraisal or valuation services, fairness opinions, or
contribution-in-kind reports;
(4) actuarial services;
(5) internal audit outsourcing services;
(6) management functions or human resources;
(7) broker or dealer, investment adviser, or investment banking
services;
(8) legal services and expert services unrelated to the audit;
and
(9) any other service that the Board determines, by regulation,
is impermissible.
(h) Preapproval required for non-audit services
A registered public accounting firm may engage in any non-audit
service, including tax services, that is not described in any of
paragraphs (1) through (9) of subsection (g) of this section for an
audit client, only if the activity is approved in advance by the
audit committee of the issuer, in accordance with subsection (i) of
this section.
(i) Preapproval requirements
(1) In general
(A) Audit committee action
All auditing services (which may entail providing comfort
letters in connection with securities underwritings or
statutory audits required for insurance companies for purposes
of State law) and non-audit services, other than as provided in
subparagraph (B), provided to an issuer by the auditor of the
issuer shall be preapproved by the audit committee of the
issuer.
(B) De minimus exception
The preapproval requirement under subparagraph (A) is waived
with respect to the provision of non-audit services for an
issuer, if -
(i) the aggregate amount of all such non-audit services
provided to the issuer constitutes not more than 5 percent of
the total amount of revenues paid by the issuer to its
auditor during the fiscal year in which the nonaudit services
are provided;
(ii) such services were not recognized by the issuer at the
time of the engagement to be non-audit services; and
(iii) such services are promptly brought to the attention
of the audit committee of the issuer and approved prior to
the completion of the audit by the audit committee or by 1 or
more members of the audit committee who are members of the
board of directors to whom authority to grant such approvals
has been delegated by the audit committee.
(2) Disclosure to investors
Approval by an audit committee of an issuer under this
subsection of a non-audit service to be performed by the auditor
of the issuer shall be disclosed to investors in periodic reports
required by section 78m(a) of this title.
(3) Delegation authority
The audit committee of an issuer may delegate to 1 or more
designated members of the audit committee who are independent
directors of the board of directors, the authority to grant
preapprovals required by this subsection. The decisions of any
member to whom authority is delegated under this paragraph to
preapprove an activity under this subsection shall be presented
to the full audit committee at each of its scheduled meetings.
(4) Approval of audit services for other purposes
In carrying out its duties under subsection (m)(2) of this
section, if the audit committee of an issuer approves an audit
service within the scope of the engagement of the auditor, such
audit service shall be deemed to have been preapproved for
purposes of this subsection.
(j) Audit partner rotation
It shall be unlawful for a registered public accounting firm to
provide audit services to an issuer if the lead (or coordinating)
audit partner (having primary responsibility for the audit), or the
audit partner responsible for reviewing the audit, has performed
audit services for that issuer in each of the 5 previous fiscal
years of that issuer.
(k) Reports to audit committees
Each registered public accounting firm that performs for any
issuer any audit required by this chapter shall timely report to
the audit committee of the issuer -
(1) all critical accounting policies and practices to be used;
(2) all alternative treatments of financial information within
generally accepted accounting principles that have been discussed
with management officials of the issuer, ramifications of the use
of such alternative disclosures and treatments, and the treatment
preferred by the registered public accounting firm; and
(3) other material written communications between the
registered public accounting firm and the management of the
issuer, such as any management letter or schedule of unadjusted
differences.
(l) Conflicts of interest
It shall be unlawful for a registered public accounting firm to
perform for an issuer any audit service required by this chapter,
if a chief executive officer, controller, chief financial officer,
chief accounting officer, or any person serving in an equivalent
position for the issuer, was employed by that registered
independent public accounting firm and participated in any capacity
in the audit of that issuer during the 1-year period preceding the
date of the initiation of the audit.
(m) Standards relating to audit committees
(1) Commission rules
(A) In general
Effective not later than 270 days after July 30, 2002, the
Commission shall, by rule, direct the national securities
exchanges and national securities associations to prohibit the
listing of any security of an issuer that is not in compliance
with the requirements of any portion of paragraphs (2) through
(6).
(B) Opportunity to cure defects
The rules of the Commission under subparagraph (A) shall
provide for appropriate procedures for an issuer to have an
opportunity to cure any defects that would be the basis for a
prohibition under subparagraph (A), before the imposition of
such prohibition.
(2) Responsibilities relating to registered public accounting
firms
The audit committee of each issuer, in its capacity as a
committee of the board of directors, shall be directly
responsible for the appointment, compensation, and oversight of
the work of any registered public accounting firm employed by
that issuer (including resolution of disagreements between
management and the auditor regarding financial reporting) for the
purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or related work,
and each such registered public accounting firm shall report
directly to the audit committee.
(3) Independence
(A) In general
Each member of the audit committee of the issuer shall be a
member of the board of directors of the issuer, and shall
otherwise be independent.
(B) Criteria
In order to be considered to be independent for purposes of
this paragraph, a member of an audit committee of an issuer may
not, other than in his or her capacity as a member of the audit
committee, the board of directors, or any other board committee
-
(i) accept any consulting, advisory, or other compensatory
fee from the issuer; or
(ii) be an affiliated person of the issuer or any
subsidiary thereof.
(C) Exemption authority
The Commission may exempt from the requirements of
subparagraph (B) a particular relationship with respect to
audit committee members, as the Commission determines
appropriate in light of the circumstances.
(4) Complaints
Each audit committee shall establish procedures for -
(A) the receipt, retention, and treatment of complaints
received by the issuer regarding accounting, internal
accounting controls, or auditing matters; and
(B) the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of
the issuer of concerns regarding questionable accounting or
auditing matters.
(5) Authority to engage advisers
Each audit committee shall have the authority to engage
independent counsel and other advisers, as it determines
necessary to carry out its duties.
(6) Funding
Each issuer shall provide for appropriate funding, as
determined by the audit committee, in its capacity as a committee
of the board of directors, for payment of compensation -
(A) to the registered public accounting firm employed by the
issuer for the purpose of rendering or issuing an audit report;
and
(B) to any advisers employed by the audit committee under
paragraph (5).
-SOURCE-
(June 6, 1934, ch. 404, title I, Sec. 10A, as added Pub. L. 104-67,
title III, Sec. 301(a), Dec. 22, 1995, 109 Stat. 762; amended Pub.
L. 107-204, title II, Sec. 201(a), 202-204, 205(b), (d), 206, title
III, Sec. 301, July 30, 2002, 116 Stat. 771-775.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in subsecs. (a), (b)(1), (e), (g), (k),
and (l), was in the original ''this title''. See References in
Text note set out under section 78a of this title.
The Securities Act of 1933, referred to in subsec. (f), is title
I of act May 27, 1933, ch. 38, 48 Stat. 74, as amended, which is
classified generally to subchapter I (Sec. 77a et seq.) of chapter
2A of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the
Code, see section 77a of this title and Tables.
-MISC2-
AMENDMENTS
2002 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 107-204, Sec. 205(b)(1), substituted
''a registered public accounting firm'' for ''an independent public
accountant'' in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 107-204, Sec. 205(b)(2), (4)(A), in
introductory provisions, substituted ''the registered public
accounting firm'' for ''the independent public accountant'' and
''the firm'' for ''the accountant''.
Subsec. (b)(1)(B). Pub. L. 107-204, Sec. 205(b)(4)(B),
substituted ''such firm'' for ''such accountant''.
Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 107-204, Sec. 205(b)(2), (4)(A), (B), in
introductory provisions, substituted ''the firm'' for ''the
accountant'', ''such firm'' for ''such accountant'', and ''the
registered public accounting firm'' for ''the independent public
accountant'' and, in concluding provisions, substituted ''the
registered public accounting firm'' for ''the independent public
accountant''.
Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 107-204, Sec. 205(b)(2), substituted
''the registered public accounting firm'' for ''the independent
public accountant'' wherever appearing in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 107-204, Sec. 205(b)(1), (4)(A), (C),
substituted ''a registered public accounting firm'' for ''an
independent public accountant'', ''the firm'' for ''the
accountant'', and ''the report of the firm'' for ''the accountant's
report''.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 107-204, Sec. 205(b)(3), substituted ''No
registered public accounting firm'' for ''No independent public
accountant''.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 107-204, Sec. 205(b)(1), (2), substituted
''a registered public accounting firm'' for ''an independent public
accountant'' and ''the registered public accounting firm'' for
''the independent public accountant''.
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 107-204, Sec. 205(d), substituted
''Definitions'' for ''Definition'' in heading and inserted at end
''As used in this section, the term 'issuer' means an issuer (as
defined in section 78c of this title), the securities of which are
registered under section 78l of this title, or that is required to
file reports pursuant to section 78o(d) of this title, or that
files or has filed a registration statement that has not yet become
effective under the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77a et seq.),
and that it has not withdrawn.''
Subsecs. (g), (h). Pub. L. 107-204, Sec. 201(a), added subsecs.
(g) and (h).
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 107-204, Sec. 202, added subsec. (i).
Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 107-204, Sec. 203, added subsec. (j).
Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 107-204, Sec. 204, added subsec. (k).
Subsec. (l). Pub. L. 107-204, Sec. 206, added subsec. (l).
Subsec. (m). Pub. L. 107-204, Sec. 301, added subsec. (m).
EFFECTIVE DATE
Section 301(b) of Pub. L. 104-67 provided that: ''The amendment
made by subsection (a) (enacting this section) shall apply to each
annual report -
''(1) for any period beginning on or after January 1, 1996,
with respect to any registrant that is required to file selected
quarterly financial data pursuant to the rules or regulations of
the Securities and Exchange Commission; and
''(2) for any period beginning on or after January 1, 1997,
with respect to any other registrant.''
CONSTRUCTION
Section 203 of Pub. L. 104-67 provided that: ''Nothing in this
Act (see Short Title of 1995 Amendment note set out under section
78a of this title) or the amendments made by this Act shall be
deemed to create or ratify any implied private right of action, or
to prevent the Commission, by rule or regulation, from restricting
or otherwise regulating private actions under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.).''
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 78l, 7231, 7233 of this
title; title 18 section 1520.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 78k 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 2B - SECURITIES EXCHANGES
-HEAD-
Sec. 78k. Trading by members of exchanges, brokers, and dealers
-STATUTE-
(a) Trading for own account or account of associated person;
exceptions
(1) It shall be unlawful for any member of a national securities
exchange to effect any transaction on such exchange for its own
account, the account of an associated person, or an account with
respect to which it or an associated person thereof exercises
investment discretion: Provided, however, That this paragraph shall
not make unlawful -
(A) any transaction by a dealer acting in the capacity of
market maker;
(B) any transaction for the account of an odd-lot dealer in a
security in which he is so registered;
(C) any stabilizing transaction effected in compliance with
rules under section 78j(b) of this title to facilitate a
distribution of a security in which the member effecting such
transaction is participating;
(D) any bona fide arbitrage transaction, any bona fide hedge
transaction involving a long or short position in an equity
security and a long or short position in a security entitling the
holder to acquire or sell such equity security, or any risk
arbitrage transaction in connection with a merger, acquisition,
tender offer, or similar transaction involving a
recapitalization;
(E) any transaction for the account of a natural person, the
estate of a natural person, or a trust created by a natural
person for himself or another natural person;
(F) any transaction to offset a transaction made in error;
(G) any other transaction for a member's own account provided
that (i) such member is primarily engaged in the business of
underwriting and distributing securities issued by other persons,
selling securities to customers, and acting as broker, or any one
or more of such activities, and whose gross income normally is
derived principally from such business and related activities and
(ii) such transaction is effected in compliance with rules of the
Commission which, as a minimum, assure that the transaction is
not inconsistent with the maintenance of fair and orderly markets
and yields priority, parity, and precedence in execution to
orders for the account of persons who are not members or
associated with members of the exchange;
(H) any transaction for an account with respect to which such
member or an associated person thereof exercises investment
discretion if such member -
(i) has obtained, from the person or persons authorized to
transact business for the account, express authorization for
such member or associated person to effect such transactions
prior to engaging in the practice of effecting such
transactions;
(ii) furnishes the person or persons authorized to transact
business for the account with a statement at least annually
disclosing the aggregate compensation received by the exchange
member in effecting such transactions; and
(iii) complies with any rules the Commission has prescribed
with respect to the requirements of clauses (i) and (ii); and
(I) any other transaction of a kind which the Commission, by
rule, determines is consistent with the purposes of this
paragraph, the protection of investors, and the maintenance of
fair and orderly markets.
(2) The Commission, by rule, as it deems necessary or appropriate
in the public interest and for the protection of investors, to
maintain fair and orderly markets, or to assure equal regulation of
exchange markets and markets occurring otherwise than on an
exchange, may regulate or prohibit:
(A) transactions on a national securities exchange not unlawful
under paragraph (1) of this subsection effected by any member
thereof for its own account (unless such member is acting in the
capacity of market maker or odd-lot dealer), the account of an
associated person, or an account with respect to which such
member or an associated person thereof exercises investment
discretion;
(B) transactions otherwise than on a national securities
exchange effected by use of the mails or any means or
instrumentality of interstate commerce by any member of a
national securities exchange, broker, or dealer for the account
of such member, broker, or dealer (unless such member, broker, or
dealer is acting in the capacity of a market maker) (FOOTNOTE 1)
the account of an associated person, or an account with respect
to which such member, broker, or dealer or associated person
thereof exercises investment discretion; and
(FOOTNOTE 1) So in original. Probably should be followed by a
comma.
(C) transactions on a national securities exchange effected by
any broker or dealer not a member thereof for the account of such
broker or dealer (unless such broker or dealer is acting in the
capacity of market maker), the account of an associated person,
or an account with respect to which such broker or dealer or
associated person thereof exercises investment discretion.
(3) The provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection insofar as
they apply to transactions on a national securities exchange
effected by a member thereof who was a member on February 1, 1978
shall not become effective until February 1, 1979. Nothing in this
paragraph shall be construed to impair or limit the authority of
the Commission to regulate or prohibit such transactions prior to
February 1, 1979, pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection.
(b) Registration of members as odd-lot dealers and specialists
When not in contravention of such rules and regulations as the
Commission may prescribe as necessary or appropriate in the public
interest and for the protection of investors, to maintain fair and
orderly markets, or to remove impediments to and perfect the
mechanism of a national market system, the rules of a national
securities exchange may permit (1) a member to be registered as an
odd-lot dealer and as such to buy and sell for his own account so
far as may be reasonably necessary to carry on such odd-lot
transactions, and (2) a member to be registered as a specialist.
Under the rules and regulations of the Commission a specialist may
be permitted to act as a broker and dealer or limited to acting as
a broker or dealer. It shall be unlawful for a specialist or an
official of the exchange to disclose information in regard to
orders placed with such specialist which is not available to all
members of the exchange, to any person other than an official of
the exchange, a representative of the Commission, or a specialist
who may be acting for such specialist: Provided, however, That the
Commission, by rule, may require disclosure to all members of the
exchange of all orders placed with specialists, under such rules
and regulations as the Commission may prescribe as necessary or
appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of
investors. It shall also be unlawful for a specialist permitted to
act as a broker and dealer to effect on the exchange as broker any
transaction except upon a market or limited price order.
(c) Exemptions from provisions of section and rules and regulations
If because of the limited volume of transactions effected on an
exchange, it is in the opinion of the Commission impracticable and
not necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the
protection of investors to apply any of the foregoing provisions of
this section or the rules and regulations thereunder, the
Commission shall have power, upon application of the exchange and
on a showing that the rules of such exchange are otherwise adequate
for the protection of investors, to exempt such exchange and its
members from any such provision or rules and regulations.
(d) Prohibition on extension of credit by broker-dealer
It shall be unlawful for a member of a national securities
exchange who is both a dealer and a broker, or for any person who
both as a broker and a dealer transacts a business in securities
through the medium of a member or otherwise, to effect through the
use of any facility of a national securities exchange or of the
mails or of any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce, or
otherwise in the case of a member, (1) any transaction in
connection with which, directly or indirectly, he extends or
maintains or arranges for the extension or maintenance of credit to
or for a customer on any security (other than an exempted security)
which was a part of a new issue in the distribution of which he
participated as a member of a selling syndicate or group within
thirty days prior to such transaction: Provided, That credit shall
not be deemed extended by reason of a bona fide delayed delivery of
(i) any such security against full payment of the entire purchase
price thereof upon such delivery within thirty-five days after such
purchase or (ii) any mortgage related security or any small
business related security against full payment of the entire
purchase price thereof upon such delivery within one hundred and
eighty days after such purchase, or within such shorter period as
the Commission may prescribe by rule or regulation, or (2) any
transaction with respect to any security (other than an exempted
security) unless, if the transaction is with a customer, he
discloses to such customer in writing at or before the completion
of the transaction whether he is acting as a dealer for his own
account, as a broker for such customer, or as a broker for some
other person.
-SOURCE-
(June 6, 1934, ch. 404, title I, Sec. 11, 48 Stat. 891; Aug. 10,
1954, ch. 667, title II, Sec. 201, 68 Stat. 686; Pub. L. 94-29,
Sec. 6, June 4, 1975, 89 Stat. 110; Pub. L. 95-283, Sec. 18(a), May
21, 1978, 92 Stat. 275; Pub. L. 98-440, title I, Sec. 104, Oct. 3,
1984, 98 Stat. 1690; Pub. L. 103-68, Sec. 1, Aug. 11, 1993, 107
Stat. 691; Pub. L. 103-325, title II, Sec. 205, Sept. 23, 1994, 108
Stat. 2199.)
-MISC1-
AMENDMENTS
1994 - Subsec. (d)(1)(ii). Pub. L. 103-325 inserted ''or any
small business related security'' after ''mortgage related
security''.
1993 - Subsec. (a)(1)(E). Pub. L. 103-68, Sec. 1(1), struck out
''(other than an investment company)'' after ''trust''.
Subsec. (a)(1)(H), (I). Pub. L. 103-68, Sec. 1(2)-(4), added
subpar. (H) and redesignated former subpar. (H) as (I).
1984 - Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 98-440 designated existing
provisions of par. (1) as cl. (i) and added cl. (ii).
1978 - Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 95-283 substituted ''February 1,
1978'' for ''May 1, 1975'', and ''February 1, 1979'' for ''May 1,
1978'' in two places.
1975 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 94-29, Sec. 6(2), prohibited stock
exchange members from effecting any transaction on the exchange for
its own account, the account of an associated person, or an account
with respect to which the member or an associated person exercises
investment discretion, exempted from that prohibition 8 types of
transactions, and authorized the Commission, as it deems necessary
or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of
investors, to regulate or prohibit the specifically exempted
transactions, certain transactions otherwise that on a national
securities exchange, and transactions on a national securities
exchange effected by a broker or dealer not a member thereof for
the account of such broker or dealer, the account of an associated
person, or an account with respect to which such broker, dealer, or
associated person exercises investment discretion.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 94-29, Sec. 6(2), struck out requirement
that specialist's dealings be limited to those transactions
reasonably necessary to permit him to maintain a fair and orderly
market, expanded the Commission's rulemaking authority in the area
of specialist's dealings so that the Commission may define
responsibilities and restrict activities of specialists in response
to changing conditions in the market, expanded the standards to be
followed by the Commission in exercising its rulemaking power to
include the maintenance of fair and orderly markets and the removal
of impediments to and the perfection of the mechanism of a national
market system, and inserted specific reference to the Commission's
power to limit the activity of a specialist to that of a broker or
dealer.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 94-29, Sec. 6(3), struck out subsec. (e)
which directed the Commission to make a study, to be submitted on
or before Jan. 3, 1936, of the feasibility of segregating the
functions of dealer and broker.
1954 - Subsec. (d). Act Aug. 10, 1954, reduced from 6 months to
30 days the prohibition period against extending credit to
purchasers of a new issue by dealers.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1978 AMENDMENT
Section 18(b) of Pub. L. 95-283 provided that: ''The amendment
made by subsection (a) of this section (amending this section)
shall be effective as of May 1, 1978.''
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1975 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 94-29 effective June 4, 1975, see section
31(a) of Pub. L. 94-29, set out as a note under section 78b of this
title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1954 AMENDMENT
Amendment by act Aug. 10, 1954, effective 60 days after Aug. 10,
1954, see note under section 77b of this title.
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
For transfer of functions of Securities and Exchange Commission,
with certain exceptions, to Chairman of such Commission, see Reorg.
Plan No. 10 of 1950, Sec. 1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3175,
64 Stat. 1265, set out under section 78d of this title.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 78f, 78o, 78y, 78hh of
this title; title 7 section 2.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 78k-1 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 2B - SECURITIES EXCHANGES
-HEAD-
Sec. 78k-1. National market system for securities; securities
information processors
-STATUTE-
(a) Congressional findings; facilitating establishment of national
market system for securities; designation of qualified
securities
(1) The Congress finds that -
(A) The securities markets are an important national asset
which must be preserved and strengthened.
(B) New data processing and communications techniques create
the opportunity for more efficient and effective market
operations.
(C) It is in the public interest and appropriate for the
protection of investors and the maintenance of fair and orderly
markets to assure -
(i) economically efficient execution of securities
transactions;
(ii) fair competition among brokers and dealers, among
exchange markets, and between exchange markets and markets
other than exchange markets;
(iii) the availability to brokers, dealers, and investors of
information with respect to quotations for and transactions in
securities;
(iv) the practicability of brokers executing investors'
orders in the best market; and
(v) an opportunity, consistent with the provisions of clauses
(i) and (iv) of this subparagraph, for investors' orders to be
executed without the participation of a dealer.
(D) The linking of all markets for qualified securities through
communication and data processing facilities will foster
efficiency, enhance competition, increase the information
available to brokers, dealers, and investors, facilitate the
offsetting of investors' orders, and contribute to best execution
of such orders.
(2) The Commission is directed, therefore, having due regard for
the public interest, the protection of investors, and the
maintenance of fair and orderly markets, to use its authority under
this chapter to facilitate the establishment of a national market
system for securities (which may include subsystems for particular
types of securities with unique trading characteristics) in
accordance with the findings and to carry out the objectives set
forth in paragraph (1) of this subsection. The Commission, by
rule, shall designate the securities or classes of securities
qualified for trading in the national market system from among
securities other than exempted securities. (Securities or classes
of securities so designated hereinafter (FOOTNOTE 1) in this
section referred to as ''qualified securities''.)
(FOOTNOTE 1) So in original. Probably should be ''are
hereinafter''.
(3) The Commission is authorized in furtherance of the directive
in paragraph (2) of this subsection -
(A) to create one or more advisory committees pursuant to the
Federal Advisory Committee Act (which shall be in addition to the
National Market Advisory Board established pursuant to subsection
(d) of this section) and to employ one or more outside experts;
(B) by rule or order, to authorize or require self-regulatory
organizations to act jointly with respect to matters as to which
they share authority under this chapter in planning, developing,
operating, or regulating a national market system (or a subsystem
thereof) or one or more facilities thereof; and
(C) to conduct studies and make recommendations to the Congress
from time to time as to the possible need for modifications of
the scheme of self-regulation provided for in this chapter so as
to adapt it to a national market system.
(b) Securities information processors; registration; withdrawal of
registration; access to services; censure; suspension or
revocation of registration
(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, it shall be
unlawful for any securities information processor unless registered
in accordance with this subsection, directly or indirectly, to make
use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate
commerce to perform the functions of a securities information
processor. The Commission, by rule or order, upon its own motion
or upon application, may conditionally or unconditionally exempt
any securities information processor or class of securities
information processors or security or class of securities from any
provision of this section or the rules or regulations thereunder,
if the Commission finds that such exemption is consistent with the
public interest, the protection of investors, and the purposes of
this section, including the maintenance of fair and orderly markets
in securities and the removal of impediments to and perfection of
the mechanism of a national market system: Provided, however, That
a securities information processor not acting as the exclusive
processor of any information with respect to quotations for or
transactions in securities is exempt from the requirement to
register in accordance with this subsection unless the Commission,
by rule or order, finds that the registration of such securities
information processor is necessary or appropriate in the public
interest, for the protection of investors, or for the achievement
of the purposes of this section.
(2) A securities information processor may be registered by
filing with the Commission an application for registration in such
form as the Commission, by rule, may prescribe containing the
address of its principal office, or offices, the names of the
securities and markets for which it is then acting and for which it
proposes to act as a securities information processor, and such
other information and documents as the Commission, by rule, may
prescribe with regard to performance capability, standards and
procedures for the collection, processing, distribution, and
publication of information with respect to quotations for and
transactions in securities, personnel qualifications, financial
condition, and such other matters as the Commission determines to
be germane to the provisions of this chapter and the rules and
regulations thereunder, or necessary or appropriate in furtherance
of the purposes of this section.
(3) The Commission shall, upon the filing of an application for
registration pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection, publish
notice of the filing and afford interested persons an opportunity
to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning such
application. Within ninety days of the date of the publication of
such notice (or within such longer period as to which the applicant
consents) the Commission shall -
(A) by order grant such registration, or
(B) institute proceedings to determine whether registration
should be denied. Such proceedings shall include notice of the
grounds for denial under consideration and opportunity for
hearing and shall be concluded within one hundred eighty days of
the date of publication of notice of the filing of the
application for registration. At the conclusion of such
proceedings the Commission, by order, shall grant or deny such
registration. The Commission may extend the time for the
conclusion of such proceedings for up to sixty days if it finds
good cause for such extension and publishes its reasons for so
finding or for such longer periods as to which the applicant
consents.
The Commission shall grant the registration of a securities
information processor if the Commission finds that such securities
information processor is so organized, and has the capacity, to be
able to assure the prompt, accurate, and reliable performance of
its functions as a securities information processor, comply with
the provisions of this chapter and the rules and regulations
thereunder, carry out its functions in a manner consistent with the
purposes of this section, and, insofar as it is acting as an
exclusive processor, operate fairly and efficiently. The
Commission shall deny the registration of a securities information
processor if the Commission does not make any such finding.
(4) A registered securities information processor may, upon such
terms and conditions as the Commission deems necessary or
appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of
investors, withdraw from registration by filing a written notice of
withdrawal with the Commission. If the Commission finds that any
registered securities information processor is no longer in
existence or has ceased to do business in the capacity specified in
its application for registration, the Commission, by order, shall
cancel the registration.
(5)(A) If any registered securities information processor
prohibits or limits any person in respect of access to services
offered, directly or indirectly, by such securities information
processor, the registered securities information processor shall
promptly file notice thereof with the Commission. The notice shall
be in such form and contain such information as the Commission, by
rule, may prescribe as necessary or appropriate in the public
interest or for the protection of investors. Any prohibition or
limitation on access to services with respect to which a registered
securities information processor is required by this paragraph to
file notice shall be subject to review by the Commission on its own
motion, or upon application by any person aggrieved thereby filed
within thirty days after such notice has been filed with the
Commission and received by such aggrieved person, or within such
longer period as the Commission may determine. Application to the
Commission for review, or the institution of review by the
Commission on its own motion, shall not operate as a stay of such
prohibition or limitation, unless the Commission otherwise orders,
summarily or after notice and opportunity for hearing on the
question of a stay (which hearing may consist solely of the
submission of affidavits or presentation of oral arguments). The
Commission shall establish for appropriate cases an expedited
procedure for consideration and determination of the question of a
stay.
(B) In any proceeding to review the prohibition or limitation of
any person in respect of access to services offered by a registered
securities information processor, if the Commission finds, after
notice and opportunity for hearing, that such prohibition or
limitation is consistent with the provisions of this chapter and
the rules and regulations thereunder and that such person has not
been discriminated against unfairly, the Commission, by order,
shall dismiss the proceeding. If the Commission does not make any
such finding or if it finds that such prohibition or limitation
imposes any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in
furtherance of the purposes of this chapter, the Commission, by
order, shall set aside the prohibition or limitation and require
the registered securities information processor to permit such
person access to services offered by the registered securities
information processor.
(6) The Commission, by order, may censure or place limitations
upon the activities, functions, or operations of any registered
securities information processor or suspend for a period not
exceeding twelve months or revoke the registration of any such
processor, if the Commission finds, on the record after notice and
opportunity for hearing, that such censure, placing of limitations,
suspension, or revocation is in the public interest, necessary or
appropriate for the protection of investors or to assure the
prompt, accurate, or reliable performance of the functions of such
securities information processor, and that such securities
information processor has violated or is unable to comply with any
provision of this chapter or the rules or regulations thereunder.
(c) Rules and regulations covering use of mails or other means or
instrumentalities of interstate commerce; reports of purchase
or sale of qualified securities; limiting registered securities
transactions to national securities exchanges
(1) No self-regulatory organization, member thereof, securities
information processor, broker, or dealer shall make use of the
mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce to
collect, process, distribute, publish, or prepare for distribution
or publication any information with respect to quotations for or
transactions in any security other than an exempted security, to
assist, participate in, or coordinate the distribution or
publication of such information, or to effect any transaction in,
or to induce or attempt to induce the purchase or sale of, any such
security in contravention of such rules and regulations as the
Commission shall prescribe as necessary or appropriate in the
public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise in
furtherance of the purposes of this chapter to -
(A) prevent the use, distribution, or publication of
fraudulent, deceptive, or manipulative information with respect
to quotations for and transactions in such securities;
(B) assure the prompt, accurate, reliable, and fair collection,
processing, distribution, and publication of information with
respect to quotations for and transactions in such securities and
the fairness and usefulness of the form and content of such
information;
(C) assure that all securities information processors may, for
purposes of distribution and publication, obtain on fair and
reasonable terms such information with respect to quotations for
and transactions in such securities as is collected, processed,
or prepared for distribution or publication by any exclusive
processor of such information acting in such capacity;
(D) assure that all exchange members, brokers, dealers,
securities information processors, and, subject to such
limitations as the Commission, by rule, may impose as necessary
or appropriate for the protection of investors or maintenance of
fair and orderly markets, all other persons may obtain on terms
which are not unreasonably discriminatory such information with
respect to quotations for and transactions in such securities as
is published or distributed by any self-regulatory organization
or securities information processor;
(E) assure that all exchange members, brokers, and dealers
transmit and direct orders for the purchase or sale of qualified
securities in a manner consistent with the establishment and
operation of a national market system; and
(F) assure equal regulation of all markets for qualified
securities and all exchange members, brokers, and dealers
effecting transactions in such securities.
(2) The Commission, by rule, as it deems necessary or appropriate
in the public interest or for the protection of investors, may
require any person who has effected the purchase or sale of any
qualified security by use of the mails or any means or
instrumentality of interstate commerce to report such purchase or
sale to a registered securities information processor, national
securities exchange, or registered securities association and
require such processor, exchange, or association to make
appropriate distribution and publication of information with
respect to such purchase or sale.
(3)(A) The Commission, by rule, is authorized to prohibit brokers
and dealers from effecting transactions in securities registered
pursuant to section 78l(b) of this title otherwise than on a
national securities exchange, if the Commission finds, on the
record after notice and opportunity for hearing, that -
(i) as a result of transactions in such securities effected
otherwise than on a national securities exchange the fairness or
orderliness of the markets for such securities has been affected
in a manner contrary to the public interest or the protection of
investors;
(ii) no rule of any national securities exchange unreasonably
impairs the ability of any dealer to solicit or effect
transactions in such securities for his own account or
unreasonably restricts competition among dealers in such
securities or between dealers acting in the capacity of market
makers who are specialists in such securities and such dealers
who are not specialists in such securities, and
(iii) the maintenance or restoration of fair and orderly
markets in such securities may not be assured through other
lawful means under this chapter.
The Commission may conditionally or unconditionally exempt any
security or transaction or any class of securities or transactions
from any such prohibition if the Commission deems such exemption
consistent with the public interest, the protection of investors,
and the maintenance of fair and orderly markets.
(B) For the purposes of subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the
ability of a dealer to solicit or effect transactions in securities
for his own account shall not be deemed to be unreasonably impaired
by any rule of an exchange fairly and reasonably prescribing the
sequence in which orders brought to the exchange must be executed
or which has been adopted to effect compliance with a rule of the
Commission promulgated under this chapter.
(4) The Commission is directed to review any and all rules of
national securities exchanges which limit or condition the ability
of members to effect transactions in securities otherwise than on
such exchanges.
(5) No national securities exchange or registered securities
association may limit or condition the participation of any member
in any registered clearing agency.
(d) National Market Advisory Board
(1) Not later than one hundred eighty days after June 4, 1975,
the Commission shall establish a National Market Advisory Board
(hereinafter in this section referred to as the ''Advisory Board'')
to be composed of fifteen members, not all of whom shall be from
the same geographical area of the United States, appointed by the
Commission for a term specified by the Commission of not less than
two years or more than five years. The Advisory Board shall
consist of persons associated with brokers and dealers (who shall
be a majority) and persons not so associated who are representative
of the public and, to the extent feasible, have knowledge of the
securities markets of the United States.
(2) It shall be the responsibility of the Advisory Board to
formulate and furnish to the Commission its views on significant
regulatory proposals made by the Commission or any self-regulatory
organization concerning the establishment, operation, and
regulation of the markets for securities in the United States.
(3)(A) The Advisory Board shall study and make recommendations to
the Commission as to the steps it finds appropriate to facilitate
the establishment of a national market system. In so doing, the
Advisory Board shall assume the responsibilities of any advisory
committee appointed to advise the Commission with respect to the
national market system which is in existence at the time of the
establishment of the Advisory Board.
(B) The Advisory Board shall study the possible need for
modifications of the scheme of self-regulation provided for in this
chapter so as to adapt it to a national market system, including
the need for the establishment of a new self-regulatory
organization (hereinafter in this section referred to as a
''National Market Regulatory Board'' or ''Regulatory Board'') to
administer the national market system. In the event the Advisory
Board determines a National Market Regulatory Board should be
established, it shall make recommendations as to:
(i) the point in time at which a Regulatory Board should be
established;
(ii) the composition of a Regulatory Board;
(iii) the scope of the authority of a Regulatory Board;
(iv) the relationship of a Regulatory Board to the Commission
and to existing self-regulatory organizations; and
(v) the manner in which a Regulatory Board should be funded.
The Advisory Board shall report to the Congress, on or before
December 31, 1976, the results of such study and its
recommendations, including such recommendations for legislation as
it deems appropriate.
(C) In carrying out its responsibilities under this paragraph,
the Advisory Board shall consult with self-regulatory
organizations, brokers, dealers, securities information processors,
issuers, investors, representatives of Government agencies, and
other persons interested or likely to participate in the
establishment, operation, or regulation of the national market
system.
(e) National markets system for security futures products
(1) Consultation and cooperation required
With respect to security futures products, the Commission and
the Commodity Futures Trading Commission shall consult and
cooperate so that, to the maximum extent practicable, their
respective regulatory responsibilities may be fulfilled and the
rules and regulations applicable to security futures products may
foster a national market system for security futures products if
the Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission
jointly determine that such a system would be consistent with the
congressional findings in subsection (a)(1) of this section. In
accordance with this objective, the Commission shall, at least 15
days prior to the issuance for public comment of any proposed
rule or regulation under this section concerning security futures
products, consult and request the views of the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission.
(2) Application of rules by order of CFTC
No rule adopted pursuant to this section shall be applied to
any person with respect to the trading of security futures
products on an exchange that is registered under section 78f(g)
of this title unless the Commodity Futures Trading Commission has
issued an order directing that such rule is applicable to such
persons.
-SOURCE-
(June 6, 1934, ch. 404, title I, Sec. 11A, as added Pub. L. 94-29,
Sec. 7, June 4, 1975, 89 Stat. 111; amended Pub. L. 98-620, title
IV, Sec. 402(14), Nov. 8, 1984, 98 Stat. 3358; Pub. L. 100-181,
title III, Sec. 313, 314, Dec. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 1256; Pub. L.
106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5) (title II, Sec. 206(c)), Dec. 21, 2000, 114
Stat. 2763, 2763A-430.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
The Federal Advisory Committee Act, referred to in subsec.
(a)(3)(A), is Pub. L. 92-436, Oct. 6, 1972, 86 Stat. 770, as
amended, which is set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government
Organization and Employees.
-MISC2-
AMENDMENTS
2000 - Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 106-554 added subsec. (e).
1987 - Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 100-181, Sec. 313(1), substituted
''transactions'' for ''transaction''.
Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 100-181, Sec. 313(2), struck out ''On or
before the ninetieth day following June 4, 1975, the Commission
shall (i) report to the Congress the results of its review,
including the effects on competition of such rules, and (ii)
commence a proceeding in accordance with the provisions of section
78s(c) of this title to amend any such rule imposing a burden on
competition which does not appear to the Commission to be necessary
or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of this chapter. The
Commission shall conclude any such proceeding within ninety days of
the date of publication of notice of its commencement.''
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 100-181, Sec. 314, struck out subsec. (e)
which read as follows: ''The Commission is authorized and directed
to make a study of the extent to which persons excluded from the
definitions of 'broker' and 'dealer' maintain accounts on behalf of
public customers for buying and selling securities registered under
section 78l of this title and whether such exclusions are
consistent with the protection of investors and the other purposes
of this chapter. The Commission shall report to the Congress, on
or before December 31, 1976, the results of its study together with
such recommendations for legislation as it deems advisable.''
1984 - Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 98-620 struck out designation
''(A)'' after ''(4)'', and struck out subpar. (B) which provided
that review pursuant to section 78y(b) of this title of any rule
promulgated by the Commission in accordance with any proceeding
commenced pursuant to this paragraph would, except as to causes the
court considers of greater importance, take precedence on the
docket over all other causes and had to be assigned for
consideration at the earliest practicable date and expedited in
every way.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1984 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 98-620 not applicable to cases pending on
Nov. 8, 1984, see section 403 of Pub. L. 98-620, set out as an
Effective Date note under section 1657 of Title 28, Judiciary and
Judicial Procedure.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Section effective June 4, 1975, except for subsec. (b) which is
effective 180 days after June 4, 1975, see section 31(a) of Pub. L.
94-29, set out as a note under section 78b of this title.
TERMINATION OF ADVISORY COMMITTEES
Advisory committees established after Jan. 5, 1973, to terminate
not later than the expiration of the 2-year period beginning on the
date of their establishment, unless, in the case of a committee
established by the President or an officer of the Federal
Government, such committee is renewed by appropriate action prior
to the expiration of such 2-year period, or in the case of a
committee established by the Congress, its duration is otherwise
provided for by law. See section 14 of Pub. L. 92-463, Oct. 6,
1972, 86 Stat. 776, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government
Organization and Employees.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 78n, 78y of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 78l 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 2B - SECURITIES EXCHANGES
-HEAD-
Sec. 78l. Registration requirements for securities
-STATUTE-
(a) General requirement of registration
It shall be unlawful for any member, broker, or dealer to effect
any transaction in any security (other than an exempted security)
on a national securities exchange unless a registration is
effective as to such security for such exchange in accordance with
the provisions of this chapter and the rules and regulations
thereunder. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply in
respect of a security futures product traded on a national
securities exchange.
(b) Procedure for registration; information
A security may be registered on a national securities exchange by
the issuer filing an application with the exchange (and filing with
the Commission such duplicate originals thereof as the Commission
may require), which application shall contain -
(1) Such information, in such detail, as to the issuer and any
person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by, or
under direct or indirect common control with, the issuer, and any
guarantor of the security as to principal or interest or both, as
the Commission may by rules and regulations require, as necessary
or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of
investors, in respect of the following:
(A) the organization, financial structure, and nature of the
business;
(B) the terms, position, rights, and privileges of the
different classes of securities outstanding;
(C) the terms on which their securities are to be, and during
the preceding three years have been, offered to the public or
otherwise;
(D) the directors, officers, and underwriters, and each
security holder of record holding more than 10 per centum of
any class of any equity security of the issuer (other than an
exempted security), their remuneration and their interests in
the securities of, and their material contracts with, the
issuer and any person directly or indirectly controlling or
controlled by, or under direct or indirect common control with,
the issuer;
(E) remuneration to others than directors and officers
exceeding $20,000 per annum;
(F) bonus and profit-sharing arrangements;
(G) management and service contracts;
(H) options existing or to be created in respect of their
securities;
(I) material contracts, not made in the ordinary course of
business, which are to be executed in whole or in part at or
after the filing of the application or which were made not more
than two years before such filing, and every material patent or
contract for a material patent right shall be deemed a material
contract;
(J) balance sheets for not more than the three preceding
fiscal years, certified if required by the rules and
regulations of the Commission by a registered public accounting
firm;
(K) profit and loss statements for not more than the three
preceding fiscal years, certified if required by the rules and
regulations of the Commission by a registered public accounting
firm; and
(L) any further financial statements which the Commission may
deem necessary or appropriate for the protection of investors.
(2) Such copies of articles of incorporation, bylaws, trust
indentures, or corresponding documents by whatever name known,
underwriting arrangements, and other similar documents of, and
voting trust agreements with respect to, the issuer and any
person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by, or
under direct or indirect common control with, the issuer as the
Commission may require as necessary or appropriate for the proper
protection of investors and to insure fair dealing in the
security.
(3) Such copies of material contracts, referred to in paragraph
(1)(I) above, as the Commission may require as necessary or
appropriate for the proper protection of investors and to insure
fair dealing in the security.
(c) Additional or alternative information
If in the judgment of the Commission any information required
under subsection (b) of this section is inapplicable to any
specified class or classes of issuers, the Commission shall require
in lieu thereof the submission of such other information of
comparable character as it may deem applicable to such class of
issuers.
(d) Effective date of registration; withdrawal of registration
If the exchange authorities certify to the Commission that the
security has been approved by the exchange for listing and
registration, the registration shall become effective thirty days
after the receipt of such certification by the Commission or within
such shorter period of time as the Commission may determine. A
security registered with a national securities exchange may be
withdrawn or stricken from listing and registration in accordance
with the rules of the exchange and, upon such terms as the
Commission may deem necessary to impose for the protection of
investors, upon application by the issuer or the exchange to the
Commission; whereupon the issuer shall be relieved from further
compliance with the provisions of this section and section 78m of
this title and any rules or regulations under such sections as to
the securities so withdrawn or stricken. An unissued security may
be registered only in accordance with such rules and regulations as
the Commission may prescribe as necessary or appropriate in the
public interest or for the protection of investors.
(e) Exemption from provisions of section for period ending not
later than July 1, 1935
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, the
Commission may by such rules and regulations as it deems necessary
or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of
investors, permit securities listed on any exchange at the time the
registration of such exchange as a national securities exchange
becomes effective, to be registered for a period ending not later
than July 1, 1935, without complying with the provisions of this
section.
(f) Unlisted trading privileges for security originally listed on
another national exchange
(1)(A) Notwithstanding the preceding subsections of this section,
any national securities exchange, in accordance with the
requirements of this subsection and the rules hereunder, may extend
unlisted trading privileges to -
(i) any security that is listed and registered on a national
securities exchange, subject to subparagraph (B); and
(ii) any security that is otherwise registered pursuant to this
section, or that would be required to be so registered except for
the exemption from registration provided in subparagraph (B) or
(G) of subsection (g)(2) of this section, subject to subparagraph
(E) of this paragraph.
(B) A national securities exchange may not extend unlisted
trading privileges to a security described in subparagraph (A)(i)
during such interval, if any, after the commencement of an initial
public offering of such security, as is or may be required pursuant
to subparagraph (C).
(C) Not later than 180 days after October 22, 1994, the
Commission shall prescribe, by rule or regulation, the duration of
the interval referred to in subparagraph (B), if any, as the
Commission determines to be necessary or appropriate for the
maintenance of fair and orderly markets, the protection of
investors and the public interest, or otherwise in furtherance of
the purposes of this chapter. Until the earlier of the effective
date of such rule or regulation or 240 days after October 22, 1994,
such interval shall begin at the opening of trading on the day on
which such security commences trading on the national securities
exchange with which such security is registered and end at the
conclusion of the next day of trading.
(D) The Commission may prescribe, by rule or regulation such
additional procedures or requirements for extending unlisted
trading privileges to any security as the Commission deems
necessary or appropriate for the maintenance of fair and orderly
markets, the protection of investors and the public interest, or
otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of this chapter.
(E) No extension of unlisted trading privileges to securities
described in subparagraph (A)(ii) may occur except pursuant to a
rule, regulation, or order of the Commission approving such
extension or extensions. In promulgating such rule or regulation
or in issuing such order, the Commission -
(i) shall find that such extension or extensions of unlisted
trading privileges is consistent with the maintenance of fair and
orderly markets, the protection of investors and the public
interest, and otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of this
chapter;
(ii) shall take account of the public trading activity in such
securities, the character of such trading, the impact of such
extension on the existing markets for such securities, and the
desirability of removing impediments to and the progress that has
been made toward the development of a national market system; and
(iii) shall not permit a national securities exchange to extend
unlisted trading privileges to such securities if any rule of
such national securities exchange would unreasonably impair the
ability of a dealer to solicit or effect transactions in such
securities for its own account, or would unreasonably restrict
competition among dealers in such securities or between such
dealers acting in the capacity of market makers who are
specialists and such dealers who are not specialists.
(F) An exchange may continue to extend unlisted trading
privileges in accordance with this paragraph only if the exchange
and the subject security continue to satisfy the requirements for
eligibility under this paragraph, including any rules and
regulations issued by the Commission pursuant to this paragraph,
except that unlisted trading privileges may continue with regard to
securities which had been admitted on such exchange prior to July
1, 1964, notwithstanding the failure to satisfy such requirements.
If unlisted trading privileges in a security are discontinued
pursuant to this subparagraph, the exchange shall cease trading in
that security, unless the exchange and the subject security
thereafter satisfy the requirements of this paragraph and the rules
issued hereunder.
(G) For purposes of this paragraph -
(i) a security is the subject of an initial public offering if
-
(I) the offering of the subject security is registered under
the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77a et seq.); and
(II) the issuer of the security, immediately prior to filing
the registration statement with respect to the offering, was
not subject to the reporting requirements of section 78m or
78o(d) of this title; and
(ii) an initial public offering of such security commences at
the opening of trading on the day on which such security
commences trading on the national securities exchange with which
such security is registered.
(2)(A) At any time within 60 days of commencement of trading on
an exchange of a security pursuant to unlisted trading privileges,
the Commission may summarily suspend such unlisted trading
privileges on the exchange. Such suspension shall not be
reviewable under section 78y of this title and shall not be deemed
to be a final agency action for purposes of section 704 of title 5.
Upon such suspension -
(i) the exchange shall cease trading in the security by the
close of business on the date of such suspension, or at such time
as the Commission may prescribe by rule or order for the
maintenance of fair and orderly markets, the protection of
investors and the public interest, or otherwise in furtherance of
the purposes of this chapter; and
(ii) if the exchange seeks to extend unlisted trading
privileges to the security, the exchange shall file an
application to reinstate its ability to do so with the Commission
pursuant to such procedures as the Commission may prescribe by
rule or order for the maintenance of fair and orderly markets,
the protection of investors and the public interest, or otherwise
in furtherance of the purposes of this chapter.
(B) A suspension under subparagraph (A) shall remain in effect
until the Commission, by order, grants approval of an application
to reinstate, as described in subparagraph (A)(ii).
(C) A suspension under subparagraph (A) shall not affect the
validity or force of an extension of unlisted trading privileges in
effect prior to such suspension.
(D) The Commission shall not approve an application by a national
securities exchange to reinstate its ability to extend unlisted
trading privileges to a security unless the Commission finds, after
notice and opportunity for hearing, that the extension of unlisted
trading privileges pursuant to such application is consistent with
the maintenance of fair and orderly markets, the protection of
investors and the public interest, and otherwise in furtherance of
the purposes of this chapter. If the application is made to
reinstate unlisted trading privileges to a security described in
paragraph (1)(A)(ii), the Commission -
(i) shall take account of the public trading activity in such
security, the character of such trading, the impact of such
extension on the existing markets for such a security, and the
desirability of removing impediments to and the progress that has
been made toward the development of a national market system; and
(ii) shall not grant any such application if any rule of the
national securities exchange making application under this
subsection would unreasonably impair the ability of a dealer to
solicit or effect transactions in such security for its own
account, or would unreasonably restrict competition among dealers
in such security or between such dealers acting in the capacity
of marketmakers who are specialists and such dealers who are not
specialists.
(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (2), the Commission shall by rules
and regulations suspend unlisted trading privileges in whole or in
part for any or all classes of securities for a period not
exceeding twelve months, if it deems such suspension necessary or
appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of
investors or to prevent evasion of the purposes of this chapter.
(4) On the application of the issuer of any security for which
unlisted trading privileges on any exchange have been continued or
extended pursuant to this subsection, or of any broker or dealer
who makes or creates a market for such security, or of any other
person having a bona fide interest in the question of termination
or suspension of such unlisted trading privileges, or on its own
motion, the Commission shall by order terminate, or suspend for a
period not exceeding twelve months, such unlisted trading
privileges for such security if the Commission finds, after
appropriate notice and opportunity for hearing, that such
termination or suspension is necessary or appropriate in the public
interest or for the protection of investors.
(5) In any proceeding under this subsection in which appropriate
notice and opportunity for hearing are required, notice of not less
than ten days to the applicant in such proceeding, to the issuer of
the security involved, to the exchange which is seeking to continue
or extend or has continued or extended unlisted trading privileges
for such security, and to the exchange, if any, on which such
security is listed and registered, shall be deemed adequate notice,
and any broker or dealer who makes or creates a market for such
security, and any other person having a bona fide interest in such
proceeding, shall upon application be entitled to be heard.
(6) Any security for which unlisted trading privileges are
continued or extended pursuant to this subsection shall be deemed
to be registered on a national securities exchange within the
meaning of this chapter. The powers and duties of the Commission
under this chapter shall be applicable to the rules of an exchange
in respect of any such security. The Commission may, by such rules
and regulations as it deems necessary or appropriate in the public
interest or for the protection of investors, either unconditionally
or upon specified terms and conditions, or for stated periods,
exempt such securities from the operation of any provision of
section 78m, 78n, or 78p of this title.
(g) Registration of securities by issuer; exemptions
(1) Every issuer which is engaged in interstate commerce, or in a
business affecting interstate commerce, or whose securities are
traded by use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of
interstate commerce shall -
(A) within one hundred and twenty days after the last day of
its first fiscal year ended after July 1, 1964, on which the
issuer has total assets exceeding $1,000,000 and a class of
equity security (other than an exempted security) held of record
by seven hundred and fifty or more persons; and
(B) within one hundred and twenty days after the last day of
its first fiscal year ended after two years from July 1, 1964, on
which the issuer has total assets exceeding $1,000,000 and a
class of equity security (other than an exempted security) held
of record by five hundred or more but less than seven hundred and
fifty persons,
register such security by filing with the Commission a registration
statement (and such copies thereof as the Commission may require)
with respect to such security containing such information and
documents as the Commission may specify comparable to that which is
required in an application to register a security pursuant to
subsection (b) of this section. Each such registration statement
shall become effective sixty days after filing with the Commission
or within such shorter period as the Commission may direct. Until
such registration statement becomes effective it shall not be
deemed filed for the purposes of section 78r of this title. Any
issuer may register any class of equity security not required to be
registered by filing a registration statement pursuant to the
provisions of this paragraph. The Commission is authorized to
extend the date upon which any issuer or class of issuers is
required to register a security pursuant to the provisions of this
paragraph.
(2) The provisions of this subsection shall not apply in respect
of -
(A) any security listed and registered on a national securities
exchange.
(B) any security issued by an investment company registered
pursuant to section 80a-8 of this title.
(C) any security, other than permanent stock, guaranty stock,
permanent reserve stock, or any similar certificate evidencing
nonwithdrawable capital, issued by a savings and loan
association, building and loan association, cooperative bank,
homestead association, or similar institution, which is
supervised and examined by State or Federal authority having
supervision over any such institution.
(D) any security of an issuer organized and operated
exclusively for religious, educational, benevolent, fraternal,
charitable, or reformatory purposes and not for pecuniary profit,
and no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of
any private shareholder or individual; or any security of a fund
that is excluded from the definition of an investment company
under section 80a-3(c)(10)(B) of this title.
(E) any security of an issuer which is a ''cooperative
association'' as defined in the Agricultural Marketing Act,
approved June 15, 1929, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1141 et seq.), or a
federation of such cooperative associations, if such federation
possesses no greater powers or purposes than cooperative
associations so defined.
(F) any security issued by a mutual or cooperative organization
which supplies a commodity or service primarily for the benefit
of its members and operates not for pecuniary profit, but only if
the security is part of a class issuable only to persons who
purchase commodities or services from the issuer, the security is
transferable only to a successor in interest or occupancy of
premises serviced or to be served by the issuer, and no dividends
are payable to the holder of the security.
(G) any security issued by an insurance company if all of the
following conditions are met:
(i) Such insurance company is required to and does file an
annual statement with the Commissioner of Insurance (or other
officer or agency performing a similar function) of its
domiciliary State, and such annual statement conforms to that
prescribed by the National Association of Insurance
Commissioners or in the determination of such State
commissioner, officer or agency substantially conforms to that
so prescribed.
(ii) Such insurance company is subject to regulation by its
domiciliary State of proxies, consents, or authorizations in
respect of securities issued by such company and such
regulation conforms to that prescribed by the National
Association of Insurance Commissioners.
(iii) After July 1, 1966, the purchase and sales of
securities issued by such insurance company by beneficial
owners, directors, or officers of such company are subject to
regulation (including reporting) by its domiciliary State
substantially in the manner provided in section 78p of this
title.
(H) any interest or participation in any collective trust funds
maintained by a bank or in a separate account maintained by an
insurance company which interest or participation is issued in
connection with (i) a stock-bonus, pension, or profit-sharing
plan which meets the requirements for qualification under section
401 of title 26, or (ii) an annuity plan which meets the
requirements for deduction of the employer's contribution under
section 404(a)(2) of title 26.
(3) The Commission may by rules or regulations or, on its own
motion, after notice and opportunity for hearing, by order, exempt
from this subsection any security of a foreign issuer, including
any certificate of deposit for such a security, if the Commission
finds that such exemption is in the public interest and is
consistent with the protection of investors.
(4) Registration of any class of security pursuant to this
subsection shall be terminated ninety days, or such shorter period
as the Commission may determine, after the issuer files a
certification with the Commission that the number of holders of
record of such class of security is reduced to less than three
hundred persons. The Commission shall after notice and opportunity
for hearing deny termination of registration if it finds that the
certification is untrue. Termination of registration shall be
deferred pending final determination on the question of denial.
(5) For the purposes of this subsection the term ''class'' shall
include all securities of an issuer which are of substantially
similar character and the holders of which enjoy substantially
similar rights and privileges. The Commission may for the purpose
of this subsection define by rules and regulations the terms
''total assets'' and ''held of record'' as it deems necessary or
appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of
investors in order to prevent circumvention of the provisions of
this subsection. For purposes of this subsection, a security
futures product shall not be considered a class of equity security
of the issuer of the securities underlying the security futures
product.
(h) Exemption by rules and regulations from certain provisions of
section
The Commission may by rules and regulations, or upon application
of an interested person, by order, after notice and opportunity for
hearing, exempt in whole or in part any issuer or class of issuers
from the provisions of subsection (g) of this section or from
section 78m, 78n, or 78o(d) of this title or may exempt from
section 78p of this title any officer, director, or beneficial
owner of securities of any issuer, any security of which is
required to be registered pursuant to subsection (g) hereof, upon
such terms and conditions and for such period as it deems necessary
or appropriate, if the Commission finds, by reason of the number of
public investors, amount of trading interest in the securities, the
nature and extent of the activities of the issuer, income or assets
of the issuer, or otherwise, that such action is not inconsistent
with the public interest or the protection of investors. The
Commission may, for the purposes of any of the above-mentioned
sections or subsections of this chapter, classify issuers and
prescribe requirements appropriate for each such class.
(i) Securities issued by banks
In respect of any securities issued by banks and savings
associations the deposits of which are insured in accordance with
the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1811 et seq.), the
powers, functions, and duties vested in the Commission to
administer and enforce this section and sections 78j-1(m), 78m,
78n(a), 78n(c), 78n(d), 78n(f), and 78p of this title, and sections
7241, 7242, 7243, 7244, 7261(b), 7262, 7264, and 7265 of this
title, (1) with respect to national banks and banks operating under
the Code of Law for the District of Columbia are vested in the
Comptroller of the Currency, (2) with respect to all other member
banks of the Federal Reserve System are vested in the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System, (3) with respect to all
other insured banks are vested in the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation, and (4) with respect to savings associations the
accounts of which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation are vested in the Office of Thrift Supervision. The
Comptroller of the Currency, the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the
Office of Thrift Supervision shall have the power to make such
rules and regulations as may be necessary for the execution of the
functions vested in them as provided in this subsection. In
carrying out their responsibilities under this subsection, the
agencies named in the first sentence of this subsection shall issue
substantially similar regulations to regulations and rules issued
by the Commission under this section and sections 78j-1(m), 78m,
78n(a), 78n(c), 78n(d), 78n(f), and 78p of this title, and sections
7241, 7242, 7243, 7244, 7261(b), 7262, 7264, and 7265 of this
title, unless they find that implementation of substantially
similar regulations with respect to insured banks and insured
institutions are not necessary or appropriate in the public
interest or for protection of investors, and publish such findings,
and the detailed reasons therefor, in the Federal Register. Such
regulations of the above-named agencies, or the reasons for failure
to publish such substantially similar regulations to those of the
Commission, shall be published in the Federal Register within 120
days of October 28, 1974, and, thereafter, within 60 days of any
changes made by the Commission in its relevant regulations and
rules.
(j) Denial, suspension, or revocation of registration; notice and
hearing
The Commission is authorized, by order, as it deems necessary or
appropriate for the protection of investors to deny, to suspend the
effective date of, to suspend for a period not exceeding twelve
months, or to revoke the registration of a security, if the
Commission finds, on the record after notice and opportunity for
hearing, that the issuer, of such security has failed to comply
with any provision of this chapter or the rules and regulations
thereunder. No member of a national securities exchange, broker,
or dealer shall make use of the mails or any means or
instrumentality of interstate commerce to effect any transaction
in, or to induce the purchase or sale of, any security the
registration of which has been and is suspended or revoked pursuant
to the preceding sentence.
(k) Trading suspensions; emergency authority
(1) Trading suspensions
If in its opinion the public interest and the protection of
investors so require, the Commission is authorized by order -
(A) summarily to suspend trading in any security (other than
an exempted security) for a period not exceeding 10 business
days, and
(B) summarily to suspend all trading on any national
securities exchange or otherwise, in securities other than
exempted securities, for a period not exceeding 90 calendar
days.
The action described in subparagraph (B) shall not take effect
unless the Commission notifies the President of its decision and
the President notifies the Commission that the President does not
disapprove of such decision. If the actions described in
subparagraph (A) or (B) involve a security futures product, the
Commission shall consult with and consider the views of the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
(2) Emergency orders
(A) The Commission, in an emergency, may by order summarily
take such action to alter, supplement, suspend, or impose
requirements or restrictions with respect to any matter or action
subject to regulation by the Commission or a self-regulatory
organization under this chapter, as the Commission determines is
necessary in the public interest and for the protection of
investors -
(i) to maintain or restore fair and orderly securities
markets (other than markets in exempted securities); or
(ii) to ensure prompt, accurate, and safe clearance and
settlement of transactions in securities (other than exempted
securities).
(B) An order of the Commission under this paragraph (2) shall
continue in effect for the period specified by the Commission,
and may be extended, except that in no event shall the
Commission's action continue in effect for more than 10 business
days, including extensions. If the actions described in
subparagraph (A) involve a security futures product, the
Commission shall consult with and consider the views of the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission. In exercising its authority
under this paragraph, the Commission shall not be required to
comply with the provisions of section 553 of title 5 or with the
provisions of section 78s(c) of this title.
(3) Termination of emergency actions by President
The President may direct that action taken by the Commission
under paragraph (1)(B) or paragraph (2) of this subsection shall
not continue in effect.
(4) Compliance with orders
No member of a national securities exchange, broker, or dealer
shall make use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of
interstate commerce to effect any transaction in, or to induce
the purchase or sale of, any security in contravention of an
order of the Commission under this subsection unless such order
has been stayed, modified, or set aside as provided in paragraph
(5) of this subsection or has ceased to be effective upon
direction of the President as provided in paragraph (3).
(5) Limitations on review of orders
An order of the Commission pursuant to this subsection shall be
subject to review only as provided in section 78y(a) of this
title. Review shall be based on an examination of all the
information before the Commission at the time such order was
issued. The reviewing court shall not enter a stay, writ of
mandamus, or similar relief unless the court finds, after notice
and hearing before a panel of the court, that the Commission's
action is arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or
otherwise not in accordance with law.
(6) ''Emergency'' defined
For purposes of this subsection, the term ''emergency'' means a
major market disturbance characterized by or constituting -
(A) sudden and excessive fluctuations of securities prices
generally, or a substantial threat thereof, that threaten fair
and orderly markets, or
(B) a substantial disruption of the safe or efficient
operation of the national system for clearance and settlement
of securities, or a substantial threat thereof.
(l) Issuance of any security in contravention of rules and
regulations; application to annuity contracts and variable life
policies
It shall be unlawful for an issuer, any class of whose securities
is registered pursuant to this section or would be required to be
so registered except for the exemption from registration provided
by subsection (g)(2)(B) or (g)(2)(G) of this section, by the use of
any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce, or of the
mails, to issue, either originally or upon transfer, any of such
securities in a form or with a format which contravenes such rules
and regulations as the Commission may prescribe as necessary or
appropriate for the prompt and accurate clearance and settlement of
transactions in securities. The provisions of this subsection
shall not apply to variable annuity contracts or variable life
policies issued by an insurance company or its separate accounts.
-SOURCE-
(June 6, 1934, ch. 404, title I, Sec. 12, 48 Stat. 892; May 27,
1936, ch. 462, Sec. 1, 49 Stat. 1375; Aug. 10, 1954, ch. 667, title
II, Sec. 202, 68 Stat. 686; Pub. L. 88-467, Sec. 3, Aug. 20, 1964,
78 Stat. 565; Pub. L. 90-439, Sec. 1, July 29, 1968, 82 Stat. 454;
Pub. L. 91-547, Sec. 28(c), Dec. 14, 1970, 84 Stat. 1435; Pub. L.
93-495, title I, Sec. 105(b), Oct. 28, 1974, 88 Stat. 1503; Pub. L.
94-29, Sec. 8, 9, June 4, 1975, 89 Stat. 117, 118; Pub. L. 99-514,
Sec. 2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095; Pub. L. 100-181, title III,
Sec. 314, Dec. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 1256; Pub. L. 101-73, title VII,
Sec. 744(u)(2), Aug. 9, 1989, 103 Stat. 441; Pub. L. 101-432, Sec.
2, Oct. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 963; Pub. L. 103-389, Sec. 2, Oct. 22,
1994, 108 Stat. 4081; Pub. L. 104-62, Sec. 4(d), Dec. 8, 1995, 109
Stat. 685; Pub. L. 106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5) (title II, Sec. 206(e),
208(b)(1), (2)), Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A-431,
2763A-435; Pub. L. 107-204, Sec. 3(b)(4), title II, Sec. 205(c)(1),
July 30, 2002, 116 Stat. 749, 774.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in subsecs. (a), (f), (j), and
(k)(2)(A), was in the original ''this title''. See References in
Text note set out under section 78a of this title.
The Securities Act of 1933, referred to in subsec.
(f)(1)(G)(i)(I), is act May 27, 1933, ch. 38, title I, 48 Stat. 74,
as amended, which is classified generally to subchapter I (Sec. 77a
et seq.) of chapter 2A of this title. For complete classification
of this Act to the Code, see section 77a of this title and Tables.
The Agricultural Marketing Act, approved June 15, 1929, as
amended, referred to in subsec. (g)(2)(E), is act June 15, 1929,
ch. 24, 46 Stat. 11, as amended, which is classified generally to
chapter 7A (Sec. 1141 et seq.) of Title 12, Banks and Banking. For
complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section
1141j(f) of Title 12 and Tables.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Act, referred to in subsec. (i), is
act Sept. 21, 1950, ch. 967, Sec. 2, 64 Stat. 873, as amended,
which is classified generally to chapter 16 (Sec. 1811 et seq.) of
Title 12, Banks and Banking. For complete classification of this
Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1811 of
Title 12 and Tables.
-MISC2-
AMENDMENTS
2002 - Subsec. (b)(1)(J), (K). Pub. L. 107-204, Sec. 205(c)(1),
substituted ''a registered public accounting firm'' for
''independent public accountants''.
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 107-204, Sec. 3(b)(4)(B), substituted ''and
78p of this title, and sections 7241, 7242, 7243, 7244, 7261(b),
7262, 7264, and 7265 of this title,'' for ''and 78p of this
title,'' in two places.
Pub. L. 107-204, Sec. 3(b)(4)(A), substituted ''this section and
sections 78j-1(m), 78m'' for ''this section and sections 78m'' in
two places.
2000 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5) (title II, Sec.
208(b)(1)), inserted at end ''The provisions of this subsection
shall not apply in respect of a security futures product traded on
a national securities exchange.''
Subsec. (g)(5). Pub. L. 106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5) (title II, Sec.
208(b)(2)), inserted at end ''For purposes of this subsection, a
security futures product shall not be considered a class of equity
security of the issuer of the securities underlying the security
futures product.''
Subsec. (k)(1). Pub. L. 106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5) (title II, Sec.
206(e)(1)), inserted at end ''If the actions described in
subparagraph (A) or (B) involve a security futures product, the
Commission shall consult with and consider the views of the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission.''
Subsec. (k)(2)(B). Pub. L. 106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5) (title II, Sec.
206(e)(2)), inserted after first sentence ''If the actions
described in subparagraph (A) involve a security futures product,
the Commission shall consult with and consider the views of the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission.''
1995 - Subsec. (g)(2)(D). Pub. L. 104-62 inserted before period
at end ''; or any security of a fund that is excluded from the
definition of an investment company under section 80a-3(c)(10)(B)
of this title''.
1994 - Subsec. (f)(1), (2). Pub. L. 103-389, Sec. 2(a), added
pars. (1) and (2) and struck out former pars. (1) and (2) which
related to extension of unlisted trading privileges for securities
originally listed on another national exchange and approval process
for application for extension of such privileges, respectively.
Subsec. (f)(3). Pub. L. 103-389, Sec. 2(b), substituted
''Notwithstanding paragraph (2), the Commission'' for ''The
Commission''.
1990 - Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 101-432 amended subsec. (k)
generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (k) read as follows: ''If
in its opinion the public interest and the protection of investors
so require, the Commission is authorized summarily to suspend
trading in any security (other than an exempted security) for a
period not exceeding ten days, or with the approval of the
President, summarily to suspend all trading on any national
securities exchange or otherwise, in securities other than exempted
securities, for a period not exceeding ninety days. No member of a
national securities exchange, broker, or dealer shall make use of
the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce to
effect any transaction in, or to induce the purchase or sale of,
any security in which trading is so suspended.''
1989 - Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 101-73, in first sentence, inserted
''and savings associations'' after ''securities issued by banks'',
struck out ''or institutions the accounts of which are insured by
the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation'' before '', the
powers, functions, and duties'', inserted new cl. (4) and struck
out former cl. (4) which read ''with respect to institutions the
accounts of which are insured by the Federal Savings and Loan
Insurance Corporation are vested in the Federal Home Loan Bank
Board'', and, in second sentence, substituted ''Office of Thrift
Supervision'' for ''Federal Home Loan Bank Board''.
1987 - Subsec. (m). Pub. L. 100-181 struck out subsec. (m) which
read as follows: ''The Commission is authorized and directed to
make a study and investigation of the practice of recording the
ownership of securities in the records of the issuer in other than
the name of the beneficial owner of such securities to determine
(1) whether such practice is consistent with the purposes of this
chapter, with particular reference to subsection (g) of this
section and sections 78m, 78n, 78o(d), 78p, and 78q-1 of this
title, and (2) whether steps can be taken to facilitate
communications between issuers and the beneficial owners of their
securities while at the same time retaining the benefits of such
practice. The Commission shall report to the Congress its
preliminary findings within six months after June 4, 1975, and its
final conclusions and recommendations within one year of such
date.''
1986 - Subsec. (g)(2)(H). Pub. L. 99-514 substituted ''Internal
Revenue Code of 1986'' for ''Internal Revenue Code of 1954'', which
for purposes of codification was translated as ''title 26'' thus
requiring no change in text.
1975 - Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 94-29, Sec. 8(1), added subpar.
(C) and in provisions following subpar. (C), substituted ''is
based'' for ''was originally based'' and ''remains listed and
registered on a national securities exchange'' for ''shall remain
listed and registered on any other national securities exchange''.
Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 94-29, Sec. 8(1), substituted ''after
notice and opportunity for hearing'' for ''after appropriate notice
and opportunity for hearing'' and ''consistent with the maintenance
of fair and orderly markets and the protection of investors'' for
''necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the
protection of investors'' in existing provisions and added the
enumeration of matters to be taken into account by the Commission
in considering an application for the extension of unlisted trading
privileges to a security not listed and registered on a national
securities exchange.
Subsec. (f)(6). Pub. L. 94-29, Sec. 8(2), substituted ''this
chapter'' for ''section 78s(b) of this title''.
Subsecs. (j) to (m). Pub. L. 94-29, Sec. 9, added subsecs. (j) to
(m).
1974 - Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 93-495 added coverage of institutions
insured by the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation, cl.
(4), and provisions authorizing the Federal Home Loan Bank Board to
promulgate necessary rules and regulations, and substituted
provisions relating to issuance of regulations in order to
implement agency responsibility under this subsec. for provisions
relating to the binding effect of rules, regulations, forms or
orders issued or adopted by the Commission pursuant to this
chapter.
1970 - Subsec. (g)(2)(H). Pub. L. 91-547 added subpar. (H).
1968 - Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 90-439 inserted ''78n(d), 78n(f),''
after ''78n(c)''.
1964 - Subsec. (b)(1)(I) to (L). Pub. L. 88-467, Sec. 3(a)(1),
(2), added subpar. (I) and redesignated former subpars. (I) to (K)
as (J) to (L), respectively.
Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 88-467, Sec. 3(a)(3), added par. (3).
Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 88-467, Sec. 3(b), designated first par.
as (1), redesignated cl. (1) as cl. (A) and substituted therein
''July 1, 1964'' for ''March 1, 1934'', redesignated cl. (2) as cl.
(B) and struck out the provision for continuation of unlisted
trading privileges, which is now incorporated in concluding
sentence, and struck out cl. (3) which permitted a national
security exchange to extend unlisted trading privileges to any
security in respect to which there was available information
substantially equivalent to that available in respect to a security
duly listed and registered on a national securities exchange, so
long as the registration statement was effective and the reports
and data continued to be filed.
Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 88-467, Sec. 3(b), designated first
sentence of second par. as (2) and substituted therein ''finds,
after appropriate notice and opportunity for hearing, that the
extension'' for ''finds that the continuation or extension'', and
struck out second through sixth sentences of such second par. which
related as follows: the second sentence, to notice and opportunity
for hearing, now incorporated in par. (2); the third sentence, to
conditions (respecting sufficiently widespread public distribution
and sufficient public trading activity) for approval of application
to extend unlisted trading privileges to any security pursuant to
former clauses (2) and (3) of subsec. (f); the fourth sentence, to
terms and conditions (subjecting issuer, officers, and directors of
issuer, and beneficial owners of more than 10 per centum of the
securities to duties equivalent to duties if the securities were
registered on a national security exchange) for approval of
application to extend unlisted trading privileges to any security
pursuant to former clause (3) of subsec. (f); the fifth sentence,
to requirement for differentiation by national security exchanges
between quotations or transactions in listed securities and in
securities with unlisted trading privileges, now covered by section
78s(b) of this title; the sixth sentence, to grouping under
separate headings of quotations or transactions in listed
securities and in securities with unlisted trading privileges, in
the publication of quotations or transactions.
Subsec. (f)(3). Pub. L. 88-467, Sec. 3(b), designated third par.
as (3).
Subsec. (f)(4). Pub. L. 88-467, Sec. 3(b), designated second
sentence of fourth par. as (4), struck out ''by reason of
inadequate public distribution of such security in the vicinity of
said exchange, or by reason of inadequate public trading activity
or of the character of trading therein on said exchange,'' before
''such termination or suspension is necessary'', and struck out
first sentence of fourth par. which provided for the termination
under certain conditions of unlisted trading privileges continued
for any security pursuant to former cl. (1) of subsec. (f), now
incorporated in par. (1)(A) of subsec. (f).
Subsec. (f)(5), (6). Pub. L. 88-467, Sec. 3(b), designated fifth
and sixth pars. as (5) and (6).
Subsecs. (g) to (i). Pub. L. 88-467, Sec. 3(c)-(e), added
subsecs. (g) to (i).
1954 - Subsec. (d). Act Aug. 10, 1954, repealed last sentence
requiring that rules and regulations limit the registration of
unissued security to specified cases.
1936 - Subsec. (f). Act May 27, 1936, amended first par. and
added subsequent pars.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1995 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 104-62 applicable as defense to any claim in
administrative and judicial actions pending on or commenced after
Dec. 8, 1995, that any person, security, interest, or participation
of type described in Pub. L. 104-62 is subject to the Securities
Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Investment
Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, or any
State statute or regulation preempted as provided in section 80a-3a
of this title, except as specifically provided in such statutes,
see section 7 of Pub. L. 104-62, set out as a note under section
77c of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1975 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 94-29 effective June 4, 1975, see section
31(a) of Pub. L. 94-29, set out as a note under section 78b of this
title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1970 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 91-547 effective Dec. 14, 1970, see section
30 of Pub. L. 91-547, set out as a note under section 80a-52 of
this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1964 AMENDMENT
Amendment by section 3(a), (c) of Pub. L. 88-467 effective July
1, 1964, and amendment by section 3(b), (d), (e) of Pub. L. 88-467
effective Aug. 20, 1964, see section 13 of Pub. L. 88-467, set out
as a note under section 78c of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1954 AMENDMENT
Amendment by act Aug. 10, 1954, effective 60 days after Aug. 10,
1954, see note under section 77b of this title.
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
For transfer of functions of Securities and Exchange Commission,
with certain exceptions, to Chairman of such Commission, see Reorg.
Plan No. 10 of 1950, Sec. 1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3175,
64 Stat. 1265, set out under section 78d of this title.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 77h-1, 77t, 78c, 78d-1,
78f, 78j-1, 78k-1, 78l-1, 78m, 78n, 78o, 78p, 78q-1, 78u, 78u-3,
78dd-1, 78hh, 78hh-1, 80a-53, 3904 of this title; title 6 section
131; title 7 sections 1a, 2; title 12 section 3305; title 16
section 824c; title 18 sections 1348, 1514A; title 26 sections 162,
409; title 42 section 9675; title 43 section 1625.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 78l-1 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 2B - SECURITIES EXCHANGES
-HEAD-
Sec. 78l-1. Applications for unlisted trading privileges deemed
filed under section 78l of this title
-STATUTE-
Any application to continue unlisted trading privileges for any
security heretofore filed by any exchange and approved by the
Commission pursuant to clause (1) of subsection (f) of section 78l
of this title and rules and regulations thereunder shall be deemed
to have been filed and approved pursuant to clause (1) of said
subsection (f).
-SOURCE-
(May 27, 1936, ch. 462, Sec. 2, 49 Stat. 1377.)
-COD-
CODIFICATION
Section was not enacted as a part of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 which comprises this chapter.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 78m 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 2B - SECURITIES EXCHANGES
-HEAD-
Sec. 78m. Periodical and other reports
-STATUTE-
(a) Reports by issuer of security; contents
Every issuer of a security registered pursuant to section 78l of
this title shall file with the Commission, in accordance with such
rules and regulations as the Commission may prescribe as necessary
or appropriate for the proper protection of investors and to insure
fair dealing in the security -
(1) such information and documents (and such copies thereof) as
the Commission shall require to keep reasonably current the
information and documents required to be included in or filed
with an application or registration statement filed pursuant to
section 78l of this title, except that the Commission may not
require the filing of any material contract wholly executed
before July 1, 1962.
(2) such annual reports (and such copies thereof), certified if
required by the rules and regulations of the Commission by
independent public accountants, and such quarterly reports (and
such copies thereof), as the Commission may prescribe.
Every issuer of a security registered on a national securities
exchange shall also file a duplicate original of such information,
documents, and reports with the exchange.
(b) Form of report; books, records, and internal accounting;
directives
(1) The Commission may prescribe, in regard to reports made
pursuant to this chapter, the form or forms in which the required
information shall be set forth, the items or details to be shown in
the balance sheet and the earning statement, and the methods to be
followed in the preparation of reports, in the appraisal or
valuation of assets and liabilities, in the determination of
depreciation and depletion, in the differentiation of recurring and
nonrecurring income, in the differentiation of investment and
operating income, and in the preparation, where the Commission
deems it necessary or desirable, of separate and/or consolidated
balance sheets or income accounts of any person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by the issuer, or any person
under direct or indirect common control with the issuer; but in the
case of the reports of any person whose methods of accounting are
prescribed under the provisions of any law of the United States, or
any rule or regulation thereunder, the rules and regulations of the
Commission with respect to reports shall not be inconsistent with
the requirements imposed by such law or rule or regulation in
respect of the same subject matter (except that such rules and
regulations of the Commission may be inconsistent with such
requirements to the extent that the Commission determines that the
public interest or the protection of investors so requires).
(2) Every issuer which has a class of securities registered
pursuant to section 78l of this title and every issuer which is
required to file reports pursuant to section 78o(d) of this title
shall -
(A) make and keep books, records, and accounts, which, in
reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions
and dispositions of the assets of the issuer;
(B) devise and maintain a system of internal accounting
controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that -
(i) transactions are executed in accordance with management's
general or specific authorization;
(ii) transactions are recorded as necessary (I) to permit
preparation of financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles or any other criteria
applicable to such statements, and (II) to maintain
accountability for assets;
(iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with
management's general or specific authorization; and
(iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with
the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate
action is taken with respect to any differences; and
(C) notwithstanding any other provision of law, pay the
allocable share of such issuer of a reasonable annual accounting
support fee or fees, determined in accordance with section 7219
of this title.
(3)(A) With respect to matters concerning the national security
of the United States, no duty or liability under paragraph (2) of
this subsection shall be imposed upon any person acting in
cooperation with the head of any Federal department or agency
responsible for such matters if such act in cooperation with such
head of a department or agency was done upon the specific, written
directive of the head of such department or agency pursuant to
Presidential authority to issue such directives. Each directive
issued under this paragraph shall set forth the specific facts and
circumstances with respect to which the provisions of this
paragraph are to be invoked. Each such directive shall, unless
renewed in writing, expire one year after the date of issuance.
(B) Each head of a Federal department or agency of the United
States who issues a directive pursuant to this paragraph shall
maintain a complete file of all such directives and shall, on
October 1 of each year, transmit a summary of matters covered by
such directives in force at any time during the previous year to
the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of
Representatives and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the
Senate.
(4) No criminal liability shall be imposed for failing to comply
with the requirements of paragraph (2) of this subsection except as
provided in paragraph (5) of this subsection.
(5) No person shall knowingly circumvent or knowingly fail to
implement a system of internal accounting controls or knowingly
falsify any book, record, or account described in paragraph (2).
(6) Where an issuer which has a class of securities registered
pursuant to section 78l of this title or an issuer which is
required to file reports pursuant to section 78o(d) of this title
holds 50 per centum or less of the voting power with respect to a
domestic or foreign firm, the provisions of paragraph (2) require
only that the issuer proceed in good faith to use its influence, to
the extent reasonable under the issuer's circumstances, to cause
such domestic or foreign firm to devise and maintain a system of
internal accounting controls consistent with paragraph (2). Such
circumstances include the relative degree of the issuer's ownership
of the domestic or foreign firm and the laws and practices
governing the business operations of the country in which such firm
is located. An issuer which demonstrates good faith efforts to use
such influence shall be conclusively presumed to have complied with
the requirements of paragraph (2).
(7) For the purpose of paragraph (2) of this subsection, the
terms ''reasonable assurances'' and ''reasonable detail'' mean such
level of detail and degree of assurance as would satisfy prudent
officials in the conduct of their own affairs.
(c) Alternative reports
If in the judgment of the Commission any report required under
subsection (a) of this section is inapplicable to any specified
class or classes of issuers, the Commission shall require in lieu
thereof the submission of such reports of comparable character as
it may deem applicable to such class or classes of issuers.
(d) Reports by persons acquiring more than five per centum of
certain classes of securities
(1) Any person who, after acquiring directly or indirectly the
beneficial ownership of any equity security of a class which is
registered pursuant to section 78l of this title, or any equity
security of an insurance company which would have been required to
be so registered except for the exemption contained in section
78l(g)(2)(G) of this title, or any equity security issued by a
closed-end investment company registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-1 et seq.) or any equity
security issued by a Native Corporation pursuant to section
1629c(d)(6) of title 43, is directly or indirectly the beneficial
owner of more than 5 per centum of such class shall, within ten
days after such acquisition, send to the issuer of the security at
its principal executive office, by registered or certified mail,
send to each exchange where the security is traded, and file with
the Commission, a statement containing such of the following
information, and such additional information, as the Commission may
by rules and regulations, prescribe as necessary or appropriate in
the public interest or for the protection of investors -
(A) the background, and identity, residence, and citizenship
of, and the nature of such beneficial ownership by, such person
and all other persons by whom or on whose behalf the purchases
have been or are to be effected;
(B) the source and amount of the funds or other consideration
used or to be used in making the purchases, and if any part of
the purchase price is represented or is to be represented by
funds or other consideration borrowed or otherwise obtained for
the purpose of acquiring, holding, or trading such security, a
description of the transaction and the names of the parties
thereto, except that where a source of funds is a loan made in
the ordinary course of business by a bank, as defined in section
78c(a)(6) of this title, if the person filing such statement so
requests, the name of the bank shall not be made available to the
public;
(C) if the purpose of the purchases or prospective purchases is
to acquire control of the business of the issuer of the
securities, any plans or proposals which such persons may have to
liquidate such issuer, to sell its assets to or merge it with any
other persons, or to make any other major change in its business
or corporate structure;
(D) the number of shares of such security which are
beneficially owned, and the number of shares concerning which
there is a right to acquire, directly or indirectly, by (i) such
person, and (ii) by each associate of such person, giving the
background, identity, residence, and citizenship of each such
associate; and
(E) information as to any contracts, arrangements, or
understandings with any person with respect to any securities of
the issuer, including but not limited to transfer of any of the
securities, joint ventures, loan or option arrangements, puts or
calls, guaranties of loans, guaranties against loss or guaranties
of profits, division of losses or profits, or the giving or
withholding of proxies, naming the persons with whom such
contracts, arrangements, or understandings have been entered
into, and giving the details thereof.
(2) If any material change occurs in the facts set forth in the
statements to the issuer and the exchange, and in the statement
filed with the Commission, an amendment shall be transmitted to the
issuer and the exchange and shall be filed with the Commission, in
accordance with such rules and regulations as the Commission may
prescribe as necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for
the protection of investors.
(3) When two or more persons act as a partnership, limited
partnership, syndicate, or other group for the purpose of
acquiring, holding, or disposing of securities of an issuer, such
syndicate or group shall be deemed a ''person'' for the purposes of
this subsection.
(4) In determining, for purposes of this subsection, any
percentage of a class of any security, such class shall be deemed
to consist of the amount of the outstanding securities of such
class, exclusive of any securities of such class held by or for the
account of the issuer or a subsidiary of the issuer.
(5) The Commission, by rule or regulation or by order, may permit
any person to file in lieu of the statement required by paragraph
(1) of this subsection or the rules and regulations thereunder, a
notice stating the name of such person, the number of shares of any
equity securities subject to paragraph (1) which are owned by him,
the date of their acquisition and such other information as the
Commission may specify, if it appears to the Commission that such
securities were acquired by such person in the ordinary course of
his business and were not acquired for the purpose of and do not
have the effect of changing or influencing the control of the
issuer nor in connection with or as a participant in any
transaction having such purpose or effect.
(6) The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to -
(A) any acquisition or offer to acquire securities made or
proposed to be made by means of a registration statement under
the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77a et seq.);
(B) any acquisition of the beneficial ownership of a security
which, together with all other acquisitions by the same person of
securities of the same class during the preceding twelve months,
does not exceed 2 per centum of that class;
(C) any acquisition of an equity security by the issuer of such
security;
(D) any acquisition or proposed acquisition of a security which
the Commission, by rules or regulations or by order, shall exempt
from the provisions of this subsection as not entered into for
the purpose of, and not having the effect of, changing or
influencing the control of the issuer or otherwise as not
comprehended within the purposes of this subsection.
(e) Purchase of securities by issuer
(1) It shall be unlawful for an issuer which has a class of
equity securities registered pursuant to section 78l of this title,
or which is a closed-end investment company registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-1 et seq.), to
purchase any equity security issued by it if such purchase is in
contravention of such rules and regulations as the Commission, in
the public interest or for the protection of investors, may adopt
(A) to define acts and practices which are fraudulent, deceptive,
or manipulative, and (B) to prescribe means reasonably designed to
prevent such acts and practices. Such rules and regulations may
require such issuer to provide holders of equity securities of such
class with such information relating to the reasons for such
purchase, the source of funds, the number of shares to be
purchased, the price to be paid for such securities, the method of
purchase, and such additional information, as the Commission deems
necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the
protection of investors, or which the Commission deems to be
material to a determination whether such security should be sold.
(2) For the purpose of this subsection, a purchase by or for the
issuer or any person controlling, controlled by, or under common
control with the issuer, or a purchase subject to control of the
issuer or any such person, shall be deemed to be a purchase by the
issuer. The Commission shall have power to make rules and
regulations implementing this paragraph in the public interest and
for the protection of investors, including exemptive rules and
regulations covering situations in which the Commission deems it
unnecessary or inappropriate that a purchase of the type described
in this paragraph shall be deemed to be a purchase by the issuer
for purposes of some or all of the provisions of paragraph (1) of
this subsection.
(3) At the time of filing such statement as the Commission may
require by rule pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection, the
person making the filing shall pay to the Commission a fee at a
rate that, subject to paragraphs (5) and (6), is equal to $92 per
$1,000,000 of the value of securities proposed to be purchased.
The fee shall be reduced with respect to securities in an amount
equal to any fee paid with respect to any securities issued in
connection with the proposed transaction under section 6(b) of the
Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77f(b)), or the fee paid under
that section shall be reduced in an amount equal to the fee paid to
the Commission in connection with such transaction under this
paragraph.
(4) Offsetting collections. - Fees collected pursuant to this
subsection for any fiscal year shall be deposited and credited as
offsetting collections to the account providing appropriations to
the Commission, and, except as provided in paragraph (9), shall not
be collected for any fiscal year except to the extent provided in
advance in appropriation Acts. No fees collected pursuant to this
subsection for fiscal year 2002 or any succeeding fiscal year shall
be deposited and credited as general revenue of the Treasury.
(5) Annual adjustment. - For each of the fiscal years 2003
through 2011, the Commission shall by order adjust the rate
required by paragraph (3) for such fiscal year to a rate that is
equal to the rate (expressed in dollars per million) that is
applicable under section 6(b) of the Securities Act of 1933 (15
U.S.C. 77f(b)) for such fiscal year.
(6) Final rate adjustment. - For fiscal year 2012 and all of the
succeeding fiscal years, the Commission shall by order adjust the
rate required by paragraph (3) for all of such fiscal years to a
rate that is equal to the rate (expressed in dollars per million)
that is applicable under section 6(b) of the Securities Act of 1933
(15 U.S.C. 77f(b)) for all of such fiscal years.
(7) Pro rata application. - The rates per $1,000,000 required by
this subsection shall be applied pro rata to amounts and balances
of less than $1,000,000.
(8) Review and effective date. - In exercising its authority
under this subsection, the Commission shall not be required to
comply with the provisions of section 553 of title 5. An adjusted
rate prescribed under paragraph (5) or (6) and published under
paragraph (10) shall not be subject to judicial review. Subject to
paragraphs (4) and (9) -
(A) an adjusted rate prescribed under paragraph (5) shall take
effect on the later of -
(i) the first day of the fiscal year to which such rate
applies; or
(ii) five days after the date on which a regular
appropriation to the Commission for such fiscal year is
enacted; and
(B) an adjusted rate prescribed under paragraph (6) shall take
effect on the later of -
(i) the first day of fiscal year 2012; or
(ii) five days after the date on which a regular
appropriation to the Commission for fiscal year 2012 is
enacted.
(9) Lapse of appropriation. - If on the first day of a fiscal
year a regular appropriation to the Commission has not been
enacted, the Commission shall continue to collect fees (as
offsetting collections) under this subsection at the rate in effect
during the preceding fiscal year, until 5 days after the date such
a regular appropriation is enacted.
(10) Publication. - The rate applicable under this subsection for
each fiscal year is published pursuant to section 6(b)(10) of the
Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77f(b)(10)).
(f) Reports by institutional investment managers
(1) Every institutional investment manager which uses the mails,
or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce in the
course of its business as an institutional investment manager and
which exercises investment discretion with respect to accounts
holding equity securities of a class described in subsection (d)(1)
of this section having an aggregate fair market value on the last
trading day in any of the preceding twelve months of at least
$100,000,000 or such lesser amount (but in no case less than
$10,000,000) as the Commission, by rule, may determine, shall file
reports with the Commission in such form, for such periods, and at
such times after the end of such periods as the Commission, by
rule, may prescribe, but in no event shall such reports be filed
for periods longer than one year or shorter than one quarter. Such
reports shall include for each such equity security held on the
last day of the reporting period by accounts (in aggregate or by
type as the Commission, by rule, may prescribe) with respect to
which the institutional investment manager exercises investment
discretion (other than securities held in amounts which the
Commission, by rule, determines to be insignificant for purposes of
this subsection), the name of the issuer and the title, class,
CUSIP number, number of shares or principal amount, and aggregate
fair market value of each such security. Such reports may also
include for accounts (in aggregate or by type) with respect to
which the institutional investment manager exercises investment
discretion such of the following information as the Commission, by
rule, prescribes -
(A) the name of the issuer and the title, class, CUSIP number,
number of shares or principal amount, and aggregate fair market
value or cost or amortized cost of each other security (other
than an exempted security) held on the last day of the reporting
period by such accounts;
(B) the aggregate fair market value or cost or amortized cost
of exempted securities (in aggregate or by class) held on the
last day of the reporting period by such accounts;
(C) the number of shares of each equity security of a class
described in subsection (d)(1) of this section held on the last
day of the reporting period by such accounts with respect to
which the institutional investment manager possesses sole or
shared authority to exercise the voting rights evidenced by such
securities;
(D) the aggregate purchases and aggregate sales during the
reporting period of each security (other than an exempted
security) effected by or for such accounts; and
(E) with respect to any transaction or series of transactions
having a market value of at least $500,000 or such other amount
as the Commission, by rule, may determine, effected during the
reporting period by or for such accounts in any equity security
of a class described in subsection (d)(1) of this section -
(i) the name of the issuer and the title, class, and CUSIP
number of the security;
(ii) the number of shares or principal amount of the security
involved in the transaction;
(iii) whether the transaction was a purchase or sale;
(iv) the per share price or prices at which the transaction
was effected;
(v) the date or dates of the transaction;
(vi) the date or dates of the settlement of the transaction;
(vii) the broker or dealer through whom the transaction was
effected;
(viii) the market or markets in which the transaction was
effected; and
(ix) such other related information as the Commission, by
rule, may prescribe.
(2) The Commission, by rule, or order, may exempt, conditionally
or unconditionally, any institutional investment manager or
security or any class of institutional investment managers or
securities from any or all of the provisions of this subsection or
the rules thereunder.
(3) The Commission shall make available to the public for a
reasonable fee a list of all equity securities of a class described
in subsection (d)(1) of this section, updated no less frequently
than reports are required to be filed pursuant to paragraph (1) of
this subsection. The Commission shall tabulate the information
contained in any report filed pursuant to this subsection in a
manner which will, in the view of the Commission, maximize the
usefulness of the information to other Federal and State
authorities and the public. Promptly after the filing of any such
report, the Commission shall make the information contained therein
conveniently available to the public for a reasonable fee in such
form as the Commission, by rule, may prescribe, except that the
Commission, as it determines to be necessary or appropriate in the
public interest or for the protection of investors, may delay or
prevent public disclosure of any such information in accordance
with section 552 of title 5. Notwithstanding the preceding
sentence, any such information identifying the securities held by
the account of a natural person or an estate or trust (other than a
business trust or investment company) shall not be disclosed to the
public.
(4) In exercising its authority under this subsection, the
Commission shall determine (and so state) that its action is
necessary or appropriate in the public interest and for the
protection of investors or to maintain fair and orderly markets or,
in granting an exemption, that its action is consistent with the
protection of investors and the purposes of this subsection. In
exercising such authority the Commission shall take such steps as
are within its power, including consulting with the Comptroller
General of the United States, the Director of the Office of
Management and Budget, the appropriate regulatory agencies, Federal
and State authorities which, directly or indirectly, require
reports from institutional investment managers of information
substantially similar to that called for by this subsection,
national securities exchanges, and registered securities
associations, (A) to achieve uniform, centralized reporting of
information concerning the securities holdings of and transactions
by or for accounts with respect to which institutional investment
managers exercise investment discretion, and (B) consistently with
the objective set forth in the preceding subparagraph, to avoid
unnecessarily duplicative reporting by, and minimize the compliance
burden on, institutional investment managers. Federal authorities
which, directly or indirectly, require reports from institutional
investment managers of information substantially similar to that
called for by this subsection shall cooperate with the Commission
in the performance of its responsibilities under the preceding
sentence. An institutional investment manager which is a bank, the
deposits of which are insured in accordance with the Federal
Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1811 et seq.), shall file with the
appropriate regulatory agency a copy of every report filed with the
Commission pursuant to this subsection.
(5)(A) For purposes of this subsection the term ''institutional
investment manager'' includes any person, other than a natural
person, investing in or buying and selling securities for its own
account, and any person exercising investment discretion with
respect to the account of any other person.
(B) The Commission shall adopt such rules as it deems necessary
or appropriate to prevent duplicative reporting pursuant to this
subsection by two or more institutional investment managers
exercising investment discretion with respect to the same amount.
(FOOTNOTE 1)
(FOOTNOTE 1) So in original. Probably should be ''account.''
(g) Statement of equity security ownership
(1) Any person who is directly or indirectly the beneficial owner
of more than 5 per centum of any security of a class described in
subsection (d)(1) of this section shall send to the issuer of the
security and shall file with the Commission a statement setting
forth, in such form and at such time as the Commission may, by
rule, prescribe -
(A) such person's identity, residence, and citizenship; and
(B) the number and description of the shares in which such
person has an interest and the nature of such interest.
(2) If any material change occurs in the facts set forth in the
statement sent to the issuer and filed with the Commission, an
amendment shall be transmitted to the issuer and shall be filed
with the Commission, in accordance with such rules and regulations
as the Commission may prescribe as necessary or appropriate in the
public interest or for the protection of investors.
(3) When two or more persons act as a partnership, limited
partnership, syndicate, or other group for the purpose of
acquiring, holding, or disposing of securities of an issuer, such
syndicate or group shall be deemed a ''person'' for the purposes of
this subsection.
(4) In determining, for purposes of this subsection, any
percentage of a class of any security, such class shall be deemed
to consist of the amount of the outstanding securities of such
class, exclusive of any securities of such class held by or for the
account of the issuer or a subsidiary of the issuer.
(5) In exercising its authority under this subsection, the
Commission shall take such steps as it deems necessary or
appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of
investors (A) to achieve centralized reporting of information
regarding ownership, (B) to avoid unnecessarily duplicative
reporting by and minimize the compliance burden on persons required
to report, and (C) to tabulate and promptly make available the
information contained in any report filed pursuant to this
subsection in a manner which will, in the view of the Commission,
maximize the usefulness of the information to other Federal and
State agencies and the public.
(6) The Commission may, by rule or order, exempt, in whole or in
part, any person or class of persons from any or all of the
reporting requirements of this subsection as it deems necessary or
appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of
investors.
(h) Large trader reporting
(1) Identification requirements for large traders
For the purpose of monitoring the impact on the securities
markets of securities transactions involving a substantial volume
or a large fair market value or exercise value and for the
purpose of otherwise assisting the Commission in the enforcement
of this chapter, each large trader shall -
(A) provide such information to the Commission as the
Commission may by rule or regulation prescribe as necessary or
appropriate, identifying such large trader and all accounts in
or through which such large trader effects such transactions;
and
(B) identify, in accordance with such rules or regulations as
the Commission may prescribe as necessary or appropriate, to
any registered broker or dealer by or through whom such large
trader directly or indirectly effects securities transactions,
such large trader and all accounts directly or indirectly
maintained with such broker or dealer by such large trader in
or through which such transactions are effected.
(2) Recordkeeping and reporting requirements for brokers and
dealers
Every registered broker or dealer shall make and keep for
prescribed periods such records as the Commission by rule or
regulation prescribes as necessary or appropriate in the public
interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise in
furtherance of the purposes of this chapter, with respect to
securities transactions that equal or exceed the reporting
activity level effected directly or indirectly by or through such
registered broker or dealer of or for any person that such broker
or dealer knows is a large trader, or any person that such broker
or dealer has reason to know is a large trader on the basis of
transactions in securities effected by or through such broker or
dealer. Such records shall be available for reporting to the
Commission, or any self-regulatory organization that the
Commission shall designate to receive such reports, on the
morning of the day following the day the transactions were
effected, and shall be reported to the Commission or a
self-regulatory organization designated by the Commission
immediately upon request by the Commission or such a
self-regulatory organization. Such records and reports shall be
in a format and transmitted in a manner prescribed by the
Commission (including, but not limited to, machine readable
form).
(3) Aggregation rules
The Commission may prescribe rules or regulations governing the
manner in which transactions and accounts shall be aggregated for
the purpose of this subsection, including aggregation on the
basis of common ownership or control.
(4) Examination of broker and dealer records
All records required to be made and kept by registered brokers
and dealers pursuant to this subsection with respect to
transactions effected by large traders are subject at any time,
or from time to time, to such reasonable periodic, special, or
other examinations by representatives of the Commission as the
Commission deems necessary or appropriate in the public interest,
for the protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of
the purposes of this chapter.
(5) Factors to be considered in Commission actions
In exercising its authority under this subsection, the
Commission shall take into account -
(A) existing reporting systems;
(B) the costs associated with maintaining information with
respect to transactions effected by large traders and reporting
such information to the Commission or self-regulatory
organizations; and
(C) the relationship between the United States and
international securities markets.
(6) Exemptions
The Commission, by rule, regulation, or order, consistent with
the purposes of this chapter, may exempt any person or class of
persons or any transaction or class of transactions, either
conditionally or upon specified terms and conditions or for
stated periods, from the operation of this subsection, and the
rules and regulations thereunder.
(7) Authority of Commission to limit disclosure of information
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Commission
shall not be compelled to disclose any information required to be
kept or reported under this subsection. Nothing in this
subsection shall authorize the Commission to withhold information
from Congress, or prevent the Commission from complying with a
request for information from any other Federal department or
agency requesting information for purposes within the scope of
its jurisdiction, or complying with an order of a court of the
United States in an action brought by the United States or the
Commission. For purposes of section 552 of title 5, this
subsection shall be considered a statute described in subsection
(b)(3)(B) of such section 552.
(8) Definitions
For purposes of this subsection -
(A) the term ''large trader'' means every person who, for his
own account or an account for which he exercises investment
discretion, effects transactions for the purchase or sale of
any publicly traded security or securities by use of any means
or instrumentality of interstate commerce or of the mails, or
of any facility of a national securities exchange, directly or
indirectly by or through a registered broker or dealer in an
aggregate amount equal to or in excess of the identifying
activity level;
(B) the term ''publicly traded security'' means any equity
security (including an option on individual equity securities,
and an option on a group or index of such securities) listed,
or admitted to unlisted trading privileges, on a national
securities exchange, or quoted in an automated interdealer
quotation system;
(C) the term ''identifying activity level'' means
transactions in publicly traded securities at or above a level
of volume, fair market value, or exercise value as shall be
fixed from time to time by the Commission by rule or
regulation, specifying the time interval during which such
transactions shall be aggregated;
(D) the term ''reporting activity level'' means transactions
in publicly traded securities at or above a level of volume,
fair market value, or exercise value as shall be fixed from
time to time by the Commission by rule, regulation, or order,
specifying the time interval during which such transactions
shall be aggregated; and
(E) the term ''person'' has the meaning given in section
78c(a)(9) of this title and also includes two or more persons
acting as a partnership, limited partnership, syndicate, or
other group, but does not include a foreign central bank.
(i) Accuracy of financial reports
Each financial report that contains financial statements, and
that is required to be prepared in accordance with (or reconciled
to) generally accepted accounting principles under this chapter and
filed with the Commission shall reflect all material correcting
adjustments that have been identified by a registered public
accounting firm in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles and the rules and regulations of the Commission.
(j) Off-balance sheet transactions
Not later than 180 days after July 30, 2002, the Commission shall
issue final rules providing that each annual and quarterly
financial report required to be filed with the Commission shall
disclose all material off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements,
obligations (including contingent obligations), and other
relationships of the issuer with unconsolidated entities or other
persons, that may have a material current or future effect on
financial condition, changes in financial condition, results of
operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, capital resources, or
significant components of revenues or expenses.
(k) Prohibition on personal loans to executives
(1) In general
It shall be unlawful for any issuer (as defined in section 7201
of this title), directly or indirectly, including through any
subsidiary, to extend or maintain credit, to arrange for the
extension of credit, or to renew an extension of credit, in the
form of a personal loan to or for any director or executive
officer (or equivalent thereof) of that issuer. An extension of
credit maintained by the issuer on July 30, 2002, shall not be
subject to the provisions of this subsection, provided that there
is no material modification to any term of any such extension of
credit or any renewal of any such extension of credit on or after
July 30, 2002.
(2) Limitation
Paragraph (1) does not preclude any home improvement and
manufactured home loans (as that term is defined in section 1464
of title 12), consumer credit (as defined in section 1602 of this
title), or any extension of credit under an open end credit plan
(as defined in section 1602 of this title), or a charge card (as
defined in section 1637(c)(4)(e) of this title), or any extension
of credit by a broker or dealer registered under section 78o of
this title to an employee of that broker or dealer to buy, trade,
or carry securities, that is permitted under rules or regulations
of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System pursuant
to section 78g of this title (other than an extension of credit
that would be used to purchase the stock of that issuer), that is
-
(A) made or provided in the ordinary course of the consumer
credit business of such issuer;
(B) of a type that is generally made available by such issuer
to the public; and
(C) made by such issuer on market terms, or terms that are no
more favorable than those offered by the issuer to the general
public for such extensions of credit.
(3) Rule of construction for certain loans
Paragraph (1) does not apply to any loan made or maintained by
an insured depository institution (as defined in section 3 of the
Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813)), if the loan is
subject to the insider lending restrictions of section 375b of
title 12.
(l) Real time issuer disclosures
Each issuer reporting under subsec. (a) of this section or
section 78o(d) of this title shall disclose to the public on a
rapid and current basis such additional information concerning
material changes in the financial condition or operations of the
issuer, in plain English, which may include trend and qualitative
information and graphic presentations, as the Commission
determines, by rule, is necessary or useful for the protection of
investors and in the public interest.
-SOURCE-
(June 6, 1934, ch. 404, title I, Sec. 13, 48 Stat. 894; Pub. L.
88-467, Sec. 4, Aug. 20, 1964, 78 Stat. 569; Pub. L. 90-439, Sec.
2, July 29, 1968, 82 Stat. 454; Pub. L. 91-567, Sec. 1, 2, Dec. 22,
1970, 84 Stat. 1497; Pub. L. 94-29, Sec. 10, June 4, 1975, 89 Stat.
119; Pub. L. 94-210, title III, Sec. 308(b), Feb. 5, 1976, 90 Stat.
57; Pub. L. 95-213, title I, Sec. 102, title II, Sec. 202, 203,
Dec. 19, 1977, 91 Stat. 1494, 1498, 1499; Pub. L. 98-38, Sec. 2(a),
June 6, 1983, 97 Stat. 205; Pub. L. 100-181, title III, Sec. 315,
316, Dec. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 1256; Pub. L. 100-241, Sec. 12(d),
Feb. 3, 1988, 101 Stat. 1810; Pub. L. 100-418, title V, Sec. 5002,
Aug. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 1415; Pub. L. 101-432, Sec. 3, Oct. 16,
1990, 104 Stat. 964; Pub. L. 107-123, Sec. 5, Jan. 16, 2002, 115
Stat. 2395; Pub. L. 107-204, title I, Sec. 109(h), title IV, Sec.
401(a), 402(a), 409, July 30, 2002, 116 Stat. 771, 785, 787, 791.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in subsecs. (b)(1), (h)(1), (2), (4),
(6), and (i), was in the original ''this title''. See References
in Text note set out under section 78a of this title.
The Investment Company Act of 1940, referred to in subsecs.
(d)(1) and (e)(1), is title I of act Aug. 22, 1940, ch. 686, 54
Stat. 789, as amended, which is classified generally to subchapter
I (Sec. 80a-1 et seq.) of chapter 2D of this title. For complete
classification of this Act to the Code, see section 80a-51 of this
title and Tables.
The Securities Act of 1933, referred to in subsec. (d)(6)(A), is
act May 27, 1933, ch. 38, title I, 48 Stat. 74, as amended, which
is classified generally to subchapter I (Sec. 77a et seq.) of
chapter 2A of this title. For complete classification of this Act
to the Code, see section 77a of this title and Tables.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Act, referred to in subsec. (f)(4),
is act Sept. 21, 1950, ch. 967, Sec. 2, 64 Stat. 873, as amended,
which is classified generally to chapter 16 (Sec. 1811 et seq.) of
Title 12, Banks and Banking. For complete classification of this
Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1811 of
Title 12 and Tables.
Section 7201 of this title, referred to in subsec. (k)(1), was in
the original ''section 2 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002'', Pub.
L. 107-204, which enacted section 201 of this title and amended
section 78c of this title.
-MISC2-
AMENDMENTS
2002 - Subsec. (b)(2)(C). Pub. L. 107-204, Sec. 109(h), added
subpar. (C).
Subsec. (e)(3). Pub. L. 107-123, Sec. 5(1), substituted ''a fee
at a rate that, subject to paragraphs (5) and (6), is equal to $92
per $1,000,000 of the value of securities proposed to be
purchased'' for ''a fee of 1/50 of 1 per centum of the value of
securities proposed to be purchased''.
Subsec. (e)(4) to (10). Pub. L. 107-123, Sec. 5(2), added pars.
(4) to (10).
Subsecs. (i), (j). Pub. L. 107-204, Sec. 401(a), added subsecs.
(i) and (j).
Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 107-204, Sec. 402(a), added subsec. (k).
Subsec. (l). Pub. L. 107-204, Sec. 409, added subsec. (l).
1990 - Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 101-432 added subsec. (h).
1988 - Subsec. (b)(4) to (7). Pub. L. 100-418 added pars. (4) to
(7).
Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 100-241 inserted ''or any equity security
issued by a Native Corporation pursuant to section 1629c(d)(6) of
title 43''.
1987 - Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 100-181, Sec. 315, struck out ''of''
after ''thereof''.
Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 100-181, Sec. 316, struck out subsec. (h)
which required Commission to report to Congress within thirty
months of Dec. 19, 1977, with respect to effectiveness of ownership
reporting requirements contained in this chapter and desirability
and feasibility of reducing or otherwise modifying the 5 per centum
threshold used in subsecs. (d)(1) and (g)(1) of this section.
1983 - Subsec. (e)(3). Pub. L. 98-38 added par. (3).
1977 - Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 95-213, Sec. 102, designated existing
provisions as par. (1) and added pars. (2) and (3).
Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 95-213, Sec. 202, inserted references to
residence and citizenship of persons and to nature of beneficial
ownership of persons in subpar. (A), and inserted references to
background, identity, residence, and citizenship of associates of
persons in subpar. (D).
Subsecs. (g), (h). Pub. L. 95-213, Sec. 203, added subsecs. (g)
and (h).
1976 - Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 94-210 substituted provisions
relating to exceptions for inconsistent rules and regulations, for
provisions relating to reporting requirements for carriers subject
to the provisions of section 20 of title 49, or other carriers
required to make reports of the same general character as those
required under section 20 of title 49.
1975 - Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 94-29 added subsec. (f).
1970 - Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 91-567, Sec. 1(a), included equity
securities of insurance companies which would have been required to
be registered except for the exemption contained in section
78l(g)(2)(G) of this title, and substituted ''5 per centum'' for
''10 per centum''.
Subsec. (d)(5), (6). Pub. L. 91-567, Sec. 1(b), added par. (5)
and redesignated former par. (5) as (6).
Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 91-567, Sec. 2, inserted provisions
empowering the Commission to make rules and regulations
implementing the paragraph in the public interest and for the
protection of investors.
1968 - Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 90-439 added subsecs. (d) and
(e).
1964 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 88-467 substituted provisions which
require the issuer of a security registered pursuant to section 78l
of this title to file reports with the Commission rather than with
the exchange and to furnish the exchange with duplicate originals
and prohibit the Commission from requiring the filing of any
material contract wholly executed before July 1, 1962 for former
provisions which required the issuer of a security registered on a
national securities exchange to file certain reports with the
exchange and to file duplicates with the Commission.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2002 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 107-123 effective Oct. 1, 2001, except that
authorities provided by subsec. (e)(9) of this section to not apply
until Oct. 1, 2002, see section 11 of Pub. L. 107-123, set out as a
note under section 78ee of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1976 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 94-210 not applicable to any report by any
person with respect to a fiscal year of such person which began
before Feb. 5, 1976, see section 308(d)(2) of Pub. L. 94-210, set
out as a note under section 80a-3 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1975 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 94-29 effective June 4, 1975, see section
31(a) of Pub. L. 94-29, set out as a note under section 78b of this
title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1964 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 88-467 effective Aug. 20, 1964, see section
13 of Pub. L. 88-467, set out as a note under section 78c of this
title.
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
For transfer of functions of Securities and Exchange Commission,
with certain exceptions, to Chairman of such Commission, see Reorg.
Plan No. 10 of 1950, Sec. 1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3175,
64 Stat. 1265, set out under section 78d of this title.
-MISC5-
CONSULTATION
Pub. L. 106-102, title II, Sec. 241, Nov. 12, 1999, 113 Stat.
1407, provided that:
''(a) In General. - The Securities and Exchange Commission shall
consult and coordinate comments with the appropriate Federal
banking agency before taking any action or rendering any opinion
with respect to the manner in which any insured depository
institution or depository institution holding company reports loan
loss reserves in its financial statement, including the amount of
any such loan loss reserve.
''(b) Definitions. - For purposes of subsection (a), the terms
'insured depository institution', 'depository institution holding
company', and 'appropriate Federal banking agency' have the same
meaning as given in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act
(12 U.S.C. 1813).''
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 77f, 77r, 77s, 77z-2,
77nnn, 78c, 78j-1, 78l, 78n, 78o, 78u-5, 78w, 78hh, 80a-8, 80a-29,
80a-54, 80a-63, 773, 7201, 7241, 7261, 7262, 7264, 7265, 7266 of
this title; title 7 section 12a; title 11 section 1145; title 12
section 1817; title 16 section 824c; title 18 section 1350; title
22 section 2197; title 26 sections 162, 952, 964; title 29 section
1343; title 43 section 1629c.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 78n 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 2B - SECURITIES EXCHANGES
-HEAD-
Sec. 78n. Proxies
-STATUTE-
(a) Solicitation of proxies in violation of rules and regulations
It shall be unlawful for any person, by the use of the mails or
by any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce or of any
facility of a national securities exchange or otherwise, in
contravention of such rules and regulations as the Commission may
prescribe as necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for
the protection of investors, to solicit or to permit the use of his
name to solicit any proxy or consent or authorization in respect of
any security (other than an exempted security) registered pursuant
to section 78l of this title.
(b) Giving or refraining from giving proxy in respect of any
security carried for account of customer
(1) It shall be unlawful for any member of a national securities
exchange, or any broker or dealer registered under this chapter, or
any bank, association, or other entity that exercises fiduciary
powers, in contravention of such rules and regulations as the
Commission may prescribe as necessary or appropriate in the public
interest or for the protection of investors, to give, or to refrain
from giving a proxy, consent, authorization, or information
statement in respect of any security registered pursuant to section
78l of this title, or any security issued by an investment company
registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C.
80a-1 et seq.), and carried for the account of a customer.
(2) With respect to banks, the rules and regulations prescribed
by the Commission under paragraph (1) shall not require the
disclosure of the names of beneficial owners of securities in an
account held by the bank on December 28, 1985, unless the
beneficial owner consents to the disclosure. The provisions of
this paragraph shall not apply in the case of a bank which the
Commission finds has not made a good faith effort to obtain such
consent from such beneficial owners.
(c) Information to holders of record prior to annual or other
meeting
Unless proxies, consents, or authorizations in respect of a
security registered pursuant to section 78l of this title, or a
security issued by an investment company registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-1 et seq.), are
solicited by or on behalf of the management of the issuer from the
holders of record of such security in accordance with the rules and
regulations prescribed under subsection (a) of this section, prior
to any annual or other meeting of the holders of such security,
such issuer shall, in accordance with rules and regulations
prescribed by the Commission, file with the Commission and transmit
to all holders of record of such security information substantially
equivalent to the information which would be required to be
transmitted if a solicitation were made, but no information shall
be required to be filed or transmitted pursuant to this subsection
before July 1, 1964.
(d) Tender offer by owner of more than five per centum of class of
securities; exceptions
(1) It shall be unlawful for any person, directly or indirectly,
by use of the mails or by any means or instrumentality of
interstate commerce or of any facility of a national securities
exchange or otherwise, to make a tender offer for, or a request or
invitation for tenders of, any class of any equity security which
is registered pursuant to section 78l of this title, or any equity
security of an insurance company which would have been required to
be so registered except for the exemption contained in section
78l(g)(2)(G) of this title, or any equity security issued by a a
closed-end investment company registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-1 et seq.), if, after
consummation thereof, such person would, directly or indirectly, be
the beneficial owner of more than 5 per centum of such class,
unless at the time copies of the offer or request or invitation are
first published or sent or given to security holders such person
has filed with the Commission a statement containing such of the
information specified in section 78m(d) of this title, and such
additional information as the Commission may by rules and
regulations prescribe as necessary or appropriate in the public
interest or for the protection of investors. All requests or
invitations for tenders or advertisements making a tender offer or
requesting or inviting tenders of such a security shall be filed as
a part of such statement and shall contain such of the information
contained in such statement as the Commission may by rules and
regulations prescribe. Copies of any additional material
soliciting or requesting such tender offers subsequent to the
initial solicitation or request shall contain such information as
the Commission may by rules and regulations prescribe as necessary
or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of
investors, and shall be filed with the Commission not later than
the time copies of such material are first published or sent or
given to security holders. Copies of all statements, in the form
in which such material is furnished to security holders and the
Commission, shall be sent to the issuer not later than the date
such material is first published or sent or given to any security
holders.
(2) When two or more persons act as a partnership, limited
partnership, syndicate, or other group for the purpose of
acquiring, holding, or disposing of securities of an issuer, such
syndicate or group shall be deemed a ''person'' for purposes of
this subsection.
(3) In determining, for purposes of this subsection, any
percentage of a class of any security, such class shall be deemed
to consist of the amount of the outstanding securities of such
class, exclusive of any securities of such class held by or for the
account of the issuer or a subsidiary of the issuer.
(4) Any solicitation or recommendation to the holders of such a
security to accept or reject a tender offer or request or
invitation for tenders shall be made in accordance with such rules
and regulations as the Commission may prescribe as necessary or
appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of
investors.
(5) Securities deposited pursuant to a tender offer or request or
invitation for tenders may be withdrawn by or on behalf of the
depositor at any time until the expiration of seven days after the
time definitive copies of the offer or request or invitation are
first published or sent or given to security holders, and at any
time after sixty days from the date of the original tender offer or
request or invitation, except as the Commission may otherwise
prescribe by rules, regulations, or order as necessary or
appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of
investors.
(6) Where any person makes a tender offer, or request or
invitation for tenders, for less than all the outstanding equity
securities of a class, and where a greater number of securities is
deposited pursuant thereto within ten days after copies of the
offer or request or invitation are first published or sent or given
to security holders than such person is bound or willing to take up
and pay for, the securities taken up shall be taken up as nearly as
may be pro rata, disregarding fractions, according to the number of
securities deposited by each depositor. The provisions of this
subsection shall also apply to securities deposited within ten days
after notice of an increase in the consideration offered to
security holders, as described in paragraph (7), is first published
or sent or given to security holders.
(7) Where any person varies the terms of a tender offer or
request or invitation for tenders before the expiration thereof by
increasing the consideration offered to holders of such securities,
such person shall pay the increased consideration to each security
holder whose securities are taken up and paid for pursuant to the
tender offer or request or invitation for tenders whether or not
such securities have been taken up by such person before the
variation of the tender offer or request or invitation.
(8) The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to any
offer for, or request or invitation for tenders of, any security -
(A) if the acquisition of such security, together with all
other acquisitions by the same person of securities of the same
class during the preceding twelve months, would not exceed 2 per
centum of that class;
(B) by the issuer of such security; or
(C) which the Commission, by rules or regulations or by order,
shall exempt from the provisions of this subsection as not
entered into for the purpose of, and not having the effect of,
changing or influencing the control of the issuer or otherwise as
not comprehended within the purposes of this subsection.
(e) Untrue statement of material fact or omission of fact with
respect to tender offer
It shall be unlawful for any person to make any untrue statement
of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in
order to make the statements made, in the light of the
circumstances under which they are made, not misleading, or to
engage in any fraudulent, deceptive, or manipulative acts or
practices, in connection with any tender offer or request or
invitation for tenders, or any solicitation of security holders in
opposition to or in favor of any such offer, request, or
invitation. The Commission shall, for the purposes of this
subsection, by rules and regulations define, and prescribe means
reasonably designed to prevent, such acts and practices as are
fraudulent, deceptive, or manipulative.
(f) Election or designation of majority of directors of issuer by
owner of more than five per centum of class of securities at
other than meeting of security holders
If, pursuant to any arrangement or understanding with the person
or persons acquiring securities in a transaction subject to
subsection (d) of this section or subsection (d) of section 78m of
this title, any persons are to be elected or designated as
directors of the issuer, otherwise than at a meeting of security
holders, and the persons so elected or designated will constitute a
majority of the directors of the issuer, then, prior to the time
any such person takes office as a director, and in accordance with
rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission, the issuer
shall file with the Commission, and transmit to all holders of
record of securities of the issuer who would be entitled to vote at
a meeting for election of directors, information substantially
equivalent to the information which would be required by subsection
(a) or (c) of this section to be transmitted if such person or
persons were nominees for election as directors at a meeting of
such security holders.
(g) Filing fees
(1)(A) At the time of filing such preliminary proxy solicitation
material as the Commission may require by rule pursuant to
subsection (a) of this section that concerns an acquisition,
merger, consolidation, or proposed sale or other disposition of
substantially all the assets of a company, the person making such
filing, other than a company registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-1 et seq.), shall pay to the
Commission the following fees:
(i) for preliminary proxy solicitation material involving an
acquisition, merger, or consolidation, if there is a proposed
payment of cash or transfer of securities or property to
shareholders, a fee at a rate that, subject to paragraphs (5) and
(6), is equal to $92 per $1,000,000 of such proposed payment, or
of the value of such securities or other property proposed to be
transferred; and
(ii) for preliminary proxy solicitation material involving a
proposed sale or other disposition of substantially all of the
assets of a company, a fee at a rate that, subject to paragraphs
(5) and (6), is equal to $92 per $1,000,000 of the cash or of the
value of any securities or other property proposed to be received
upon such sale or disposition.
(B) The fee imposed under subparagraph (A) shall be reduced with
respect to securities in an amount equal to any fee paid to the
Commission with respect to such securities in connection with the
proposed transaction under section 77f(b) of this title, or the fee
paid under that section shall be reduced in an amount equal to the
fee paid to the Commission in connection with such transaction
under this subsection. Where two or more companies involved in an
acquisition, merger, consolidation, sale, or other disposition of
substantially all the assets of a company must file such proxy
material with the Commission, each shall pay a proportionate share
of such fee.
(2) At the time of filing such preliminary information statement
as the Commission may require by rule pursuant to subsection (c) of
this section, the issuer shall pay to the Commission the same fee
as required for preliminary proxy solicitation material under
paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(3) At the time of filing such statement as the Commission may
require by rule pursuant to subsection (d)(1) of this section, the
person making the filing shall pay to the Commission a fee at a
rate that, subject to paragraphs (5) and (6), is equal to $92 per
$1,000,000 of the aggregate amount of cash or of the value of
securities or other property proposed to be offered. The fee shall
be reduced with respect to securities in an amount equal to any fee
paid with respect to such securities in connection with the
proposed transaction under section 6(b) of the Securities Act of
1933 (15 U.S.C. 77f(b)), or the fee paid under that section shall
be reduced in an amount equal to the fee paid to the Commission in
connection with such transaction under this subsection.
(4) Offsetting collections. - Fees collected pursuant to this
subsection for any fiscal year shall be deposited and credited as
offsetting collections to the account providing appropriations to
the Commission, and, except as provided in paragraph (9), shall not
be collected for any fiscal year except to the extent provided in
advance in appropriation Acts. No fees collected pursuant to this
subsection for fiscal year 2002 or any succeeding fiscal year shall
be deposited and credited as general revenue of the Treasury.
(5) Annual adjustment. - For each of the fiscal years 2003
through 2011, the Commission shall by order adjust each of the
rates required by paragraphs (1) and (3) for such fiscal year to a
rate that is equal to the rate (expressed in dollars per million)
that is applicable under section 6(b) of the Securities Act of 1933
(15 U.S.C. 77f(b)) for such fiscal year.
(6) Final rate adjustment. - For fiscal year 2012 and all of the
succeeding fiscal years, the Commission shall by order adjust each
of the rates required by paragraphs (1) and (3) for all of such
fiscal years to a rate that is equal to the rate (expressed in
dollars per million) that is applicable under section 6(b) of the
Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77f(b)) for all of such fiscal
years.
(7) Pro rata application. - The rates per $1,000,000 required by
this subsection shall be applied pro rata to amounts and balances
of less than $1,000,000.
(8) Review and effective date. - In exercising its authority
under this subsection, the Commission shall not be required to
comply with the provisions of section 553 of title 5. An adjusted
rate prescribed under paragraph (5) or (6) and published under
paragraph (10) shall not be subject to judicial review. Subject to
paragraphs (4) and (9) -
(A) an adjusted rate prescribed under paragraph (5) shall take
effect on the later of -
(i) the first day of the fiscal year to which such rate
applies; or
(ii) five days after the date on which a regular
appropriation to the Commission for such fiscal year is
enacted; and
(B) an adjusted rate prescribed under paragraph (6) shall take
effect on the later of -
(i) the first day of fiscal year 2012; or
(ii) five days after the date on which a regular
appropriation to the Commission for fiscal year 2012 is
enacted.
(9) Lapse of appropriation. - If on the first day of a fiscal
year a regular appropriation to the Commission has not been
enacted, the Commission shall continue to collect fees (as
offsetting collections) under this subsection at the rate in effect
during the preceding fiscal year, until 5 days after the date such
a regular appropriation is enacted.
(10) Publication. - The rate applicable under this subsection for
each fiscal year is published pursuant to section 6(b)(10) of the
Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77f(b)(10)).
(11) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Commission
may impose fees, charges, or prices for matters not involving any
acquisition, merger, consolidation, sale, or other disposition of
assets described in this subsection, as authorized by section 9701
of title 31, or otherwise.
(h) Proxy solicitations and tender offers in connection with
limited partnership rollup transactions
(1) Proxy rules to contain special provisions
It shall be unlawful for any person to solicit any proxy,
consent, or authorization concerning a limited partnership rollup
transaction, or to make any tender offer in furtherance of a
limited partnership rollup transaction, unless such transaction
is conducted in accordance with rules prescribed by the
Commission under subsections (a) and (d) of this section as
required by this subsection. Such rules shall -
(A) permit any holder of a security that is the subject of
the proposed limited partnership rollup transaction to engage
in preliminary communications for the purpose of determining
whether to solicit proxies, consents, or authorizations in
opposition to the proposed limited partnership rollup
transaction, without regard to whether any such communication
would otherwise be considered a solicitation of proxies, and
without being required to file soliciting material with the
Commission prior to making that determination, except that -
(i) nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed to
limit the application of any provision of this chapter
prohibiting, or reasonably designed to prevent, fraudulent,
deceptive, or manipulative acts or practices under this
chapter; and
(ii) any holder of not less than 5 percent of the
outstanding securities that are the subject of the proposed
limited partnership rollup transaction who engages in the
business of buying and selling limited partnership interests
in the secondary market shall be required to disclose such
ownership interests and any potential conflicts of interests
in such preliminary communications;
(B) require the issuer to provide to holders of the
securities that are the subject of the limited partnership
rollup transaction such list of the holders of the issuer's
securities as the Commission may determine in such form and
subject to such terms and conditions as the Commission may
specify;
(C) prohibit compensating any person soliciting proxies,
consents, or authorizations directly from security holders
concerning such a limited partnership rollup transaction -
(i) on the basis of whether the solicited proxy, consent,
or authorization either approves or disapproves the proposed
limited partnership rollup transaction; or
(ii) contingent on the approval, disapproval, or completion
of the limited partnership rollup transaction;
(D) set forth disclosure requirements for soliciting material
distributed in connection with a limited partnership rollup
transaction, including requirements for clear, concise, and
comprehensible disclosure with respect to -
(i) any changes in the business plan, voting rights, form
of ownership interest, or the compensation of the general
partner in the proposed limited partnership rollup
transaction from each of the original limited partnerships;
(ii) the conflicts of interest, if any, of the general
partner;
(iii) whether it is expected that there will be a
significant difference between the exchange values of the
limited partnerships and the trading price of the securities
to be issued in the limited partnership rollup transaction;
(iv) the valuation of the limited partnerships and the
method used to determine the value of the interests of the
limited partners to be exchanged for the securities in the
limited partnership rollup transaction;
(v) the differing risks and effects of the limited
partnership rollup transaction for investors in different
limited partnerships proposed to be included, and the risks
and effects of completing the limited partnership rollup
transaction with less than all limited partnerships;
(vi) the statement by the general partner required under
subparagraph (E);
(vii) such other matters deemed necessary or appropriate by
the Commission;
(E) require a statement by the general partner as to whether
the proposed limited partnership rollup transaction is fair or
unfair to investors in each limited partnership, a discussion
of the basis for that conclusion, and an evaluation and a
description by the general partner of alternatives to the
limited partnership rollup transaction, such as liquidation;
(F) provide that, if the general partner or sponsor has
obtained any opinion (other than an opinion of counsel),
appraisal, or report that is prepared by an outside party and
that is materially related to the limited partnership rollup
transaction, such soliciting materials shall contain or be
accompanied by clear, concise, and comprehensible disclosure
with respect to -
(i) the analysis of the transaction, scope of review,
preparation of the opinion, and basis for and methods of
arriving at conclusions, and any representations and
undertakings with respect thereto;
(ii) the identity and qualifications of the person who
prepared the opinion, the method of selection of such person,
and any material past, existing, or contemplated
relationships between the person or any of its affiliates and
the general partner, sponsor, successor, or any other
affiliate;
(iii) any compensation of the preparer of such opinion,
appraisal, or report that is contingent on the transaction's
approval or completion; and
(iv) any limitations imposed by the issuer on the access
afforded to such preparer to the issuer's personnel,
premises, and relevant books and records;
(G) provide that, if the general partner or sponsor has
obtained any opinion, appraisal, or report as described in
subparagraph (F) from any person whose compensation is
contingent on the transaction's approval or completion or who
has not been given access by the issuer to its personnel and
premises and relevant books and records, the general partner or
sponsor shall state the reasons therefor;
(H) provide that, if the general partner or sponsor has not
obtained any opinion on the fairness of the proposed limited
partnership rollup transaction to investors in each of the
affected partnerships, such soliciting materials shall contain
or be accompanied by a statement of such partner's or sponsor's
reasons for concluding that such an opinion is not necessary in
order to permit the limited partners to make an informed
decision on the proposed transaction;
(I) require that the soliciting material include a clear,
concise, and comprehensible summary of the limited partnership
rollup transaction (including a summary of the matters referred
to in clauses (i) through (vii) of subparagraph (D) and a
summary of the matter referred to in subparagraphs (F), (G),
and (H)), with the risks of the limited partnership rollup
transaction set forth prominently in the fore part thereof;
(J) provide that any solicitation or offering period with
respect to any proxy solicitation, tender offer, or information
statement in a limited partnership rollup transaction shall be
for not less than the lesser of 60 calendar days or the maximum
number of days permitted under applicable State law; and
(K) contain such other provisions as the Commission
determines to be necessary or appropriate for the protection of
investors in limited partnership rollup transactions.
(2) Exemptions
The Commission may, consistent with the public interest, the
protection of investors, and the purposes of this chapter, exempt
by rule or order any security or class of securities, any
transaction or class of transactions, or any person or class of
persons, in whole or in part, conditionally or unconditionally,
from the requirements imposed pursuant to paragraph (1) or from
the definition contained in paragraph (4).
(3) Effect on Commission authority
Nothing in this subsection limits the authority of the
Commission under subsection (a) or (d) of this section or any
other provision of this chapter or precludes the Commission from
imposing, under subsection (a) or (d) of this section or any
other provision of this chapter, a remedy or procedure required
to be imposed under this subsection.
(4) ''Limited partnership rollup transaction'' defined
Except as provided in paragraph (5), as used in this
subsection, the term ''limited partnership rollup transaction''
means a transaction involving the combination or reorganization
of one or more limited partnerships, directly or indirectly, in
which -
(A) some or all of the investors in any of such limited
partnerships will receive new securities, or securities in
another entity, that will be reported under a transaction
reporting plan declared effective before December 17, 1993, by
the Commission under section 78k-1 of this title;
(B) any of the investors' limited partnership securities are
not, as of the date of filing, reported under a transaction
reporting plan declared effective before December 17, 1993, by
the Commission under section 78k-1 of this title;
(C) investors in any of the limited partnerships involved in
the transaction are subject to a significant adverse change
with respect to voting rights, the term of existence of the
entity, management compensation, or investment objectives; and
(D) any of such investors are not provided an option to
receive or retain a security under substantially the same terms
and conditions as the original issue.
(5) Exclusions from definition
Notwithstanding paragraph (4), the term ''limited partnership
rollup transaction'' does not include -
(A) a transaction that involves only a limited partnership or
partnerships having an operating policy or practice of
retaining cash available for distribution and reinvesting
proceeds from the sale, financing, or refinancing of assets in
accordance with such criteria as the Commission determines
appropriate;
(B) a transaction involving only limited partnerships wherein
the interests of the limited partners are repurchased,
recalled, or exchanged in accordance with the terms of the
preexisting limited partnership agreements for securities in an
operating company specifically identified at the time of the
formation of the original limited partnership;
(C) a transaction in which the securities to be issued or
exchanged are not required to be and are not registered under
the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77a et seq.);
(D) a transaction that involves only issuers that are not
required to register or report under section 78l of this title,
both before and after the transaction;
(E) a transaction, except as the Commission may otherwise
provide by rule for the protection of investors, involving the
combination or reorganization of one or more limited
partnerships in which a non-affiliated party succeeds to the
interests of a general partner or sponsor, if -
(i) such action is approved by not less than 66 2/3 percent
of the outstanding units of each of the participating limited
partnerships; and
(ii) as a result of the transaction, the existing general
partners will receive only compensation to which they are
entitled as expressly provided for in the preexisting limited
partnership agreements; or
(F) a transaction, except as the Commission may otherwise
provide by rule for the protection of investors, in which the
securities offered to investors are securities of another
entity that are reported under a transaction reporting plan
declared effective before December 17, 1993, by the Commission
under section 78k-1 of this title, if -
(i) such other entity was formed, and such class of
securities was reported and regularly traded, not less than
12 months before the date on which soliciting material is
mailed to investors; and
(ii) the securities of that entity issued to investors in
the transaction do not exceed 20 percent of the total
outstanding securities of the entity, exclusive of any
securities of such class held by or for the account of the
entity or a subsidiary of the entity.
-SOURCE-
(June 6, 1934, ch. 404, title I, Sec. 14, 48 Stat. 895; Pub. L.
88-467, Sec. 5, Aug. 20, 1964, 78 Stat. 569; Pub. L. 90-439, Sec.
3, July 29, 1968, 82 Stat. 455; Pub. L. 91-567, Sec. 3-5, Dec. 22,
1970, 84 Stat. 1497; Pub. L. 98-38, Sec. 2(b), June 6, 1983, 97
Stat. 205; Pub. L. 99-222, Sec. 2, Dec. 28, 1985, 99 Stat. 1737;
Pub. L. 101-550, title III, Sec. 302, Nov. 15, 1990, 104 Stat.
2721; Pub. L. 103-202, title III, Sec. 302(a), Dec. 17, 1993, 107
Stat. 2359; Pub. L. 105-353, title III, Sec. 301(b)(7), Nov. 3,
1998, 112 Stat. 3236; Pub. L. 107-123, Sec. 6, Jan. 16, 2002, 115
Stat. 2396.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in subsecs. (b) and (h)(1)(A), (2),
(3), was in the original ''this title''. See References in Text
note set out under section 78a of this title.
The Investment Company Act of 1940, referred to in subsecs.
(b)(1), (c), (d)(1), and (g)(1)(A), is title I of act Aug. 22,
1940, ch. 686, 54 Stat. 789, as amended, which is classified
generally to subchapter I (Sec. 80a-1 et seq.) of chapter 2D of
this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code,
see section 80a-51 of this title and Tables.
The Securities Act of 1933, referred to in subsec. (h)(5)(C), is
act May 27, 1933, ch. 38, title I, 48 Stat. 74, as amended, which
is classified generally to subchapter I (Sec. 77a et seq.) of
chapter 2A of this title. For complete classification of this Act
to the Code, see section 77a of this title and Tables.
-MISC2-
AMENDMENTS
2002 - Subsec. (g)(1)(A)(i), (ii), (3). Pub. L. 107-123, Sec.
6(1), substituted ''a fee at a rate that, subject to paragraphs (5)
and (6), is equal to $92 per $1,000,000 of'' for ''a fee of 1/50 of
1 per centum of''.
Subsec. (g)(4) to (11). Pub. L. 107-123, Sec. 6(2), (3), added
pars. (4) to (10) and redesignated former par. (4) as (11).
1998 - Subsec. (g)(4). Pub. L. 105-353 substituted
''consolidation, sale,'' for ''consolidation sale,''.
1993 - Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 103-202 added subsec. (h).
1990 - Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 101-550, Sec. 302(a), substituted
''section 78l of this title, or any security issued by an
investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of
1940,'' for ''section 78l of this title'' and ''authorization, or
information statement'' for ''or authorization''.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 101-550, Sec. 302(b), substituted ''title,
or a security issued by an investment company registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940,'' for ''title''.
1985 - Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 99-222 designated existing provision
as par. (1), inserted ''or any bank, association, or other entity
that exercises fiduciary powers,'' after ''under this chapter,'',
and added par. (2).
1983 - Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 98-38 added subsec. (g).
1970 - Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 91-567, Sec. 3, included equity
securities of an insurance company which would have been required
to be registered except for the exemption contained in section
78l(g)(2)(G) of this title, and substituted ''5 per centum'' for
''10 per centum''.
Subsec. (d)(8). Pub. L. 91-567, Sec. 4, struck out cl. (A) which
excluded offers for, or invitations for tenders of, securities
proposed to be made by means of a registration statement under the
Securities Act of 1933, and redesignated cls. (B) to (D) as (A) to
(C), respectively.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 91-567, Sec. 5, inserted provisions
requiring the Commission, for the purposes of the subsection, by
rules and regulations to define, and prescribe means reasonably
designed to prevent, such acts and practices as are fraudulent,
deceptive, or manipulative.
1968 - Subsecs. (d) to (f). Pub. L. 90-439 added subsecs. (d) to
(f).
1964 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 88-467, Sec. 5(a), substituted
provisions which make it unlawful for any person, in contravention
of the Commission's rules and regulations, to solicit, or to permit
the use of his name to solicit, proxies in respect of any security
registered pursuant to section 78l of this title for former
provisions which limited the Commission's rulemaking authority to
proxies relating to securities listed and registered on a national
securities exchange.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 88-467, Sec. 5(b), substituted provisions
which make it unlawful for members of a national securities
exchange and brokers and dealers registered under this chapter, in
contravention of such rules as may be prescribed by the Commission,
to give, or to refrain from giving proxies, consents, and other
authorizations in respect of any security registered under section
78l of this title carried for the account of customers for former
provisions which limited the Commission's rulemaking authority only
to the giving of proxies in respect to listed securities carried
for the account of customers by members of the national securities
exchanges and by brokers or dealers who conduct business through
the medium of an exchange member, and deleted the reference to
brokers and dealers who transacted business through the medium of
an exchange member as being now covered by brokers and dealers
registered under this chapter.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 88-467, Sec. 5(c), added subsec. (c).
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2002 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 107-123 effective Oct. 1, 2001, except that
authorities provided by subsec. (g)(9) of this section to not apply
until Oct. 1, 2002, see section 11 of Pub. L. 107-123, set out as a
note under section 78ee of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1990 AMENDMENT
Section 303 of Pub. L. 101-550 provided that: ''The amendments
made by section 302 of this title (amending this section) shall
take effect upon the expiration of 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act (Nov. 15, 1990).''
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1985 AMENDMENT
Section 3 of Pub. L. 99-222 provided that: ''The amendments made
by this Act (amending this section) shall become effective one year
after the date of enactment of this Act (Dec. 28, 1985).''
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1964 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 88-467 effective Aug. 20, 1964, see section
13 of Pub. L. 88-467, set out as a note under section 78c of this
title.
REGULATIONS
Section 302(b) of Pub. L. 103-202 provided that: ''The Securities
and Exchange Commission shall conduct rulemaking proceedings and
prescribe final regulations under the Securities Act of 1933 (15
U.S.C. 77a et seq.) and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15
U.S.C. 78a et seq.) to implement the requirements of section 14(h)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78n(h)), as
amended by subsection (a), and such regulations shall become
effective not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of
this Act (Dec. 17, 1993).''
CONSTRUCTION OF 1993 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 103-202 not to limit authority of Securities
and Exchange Commission, a registered securities association, or a
national securities exchange under any provision of this chapter or
preclude the Commission or such association or exchange from
imposing a remedy or procedure required to be imposed under such
amendment, see section 304(b) of Pub. L. 103-202, set out in an
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment note under section 78f of this
title.
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
For transfer of functions of Securities and Exchange Commission,
with certain exceptions, to Chairman of such Commission, see Reorg.
Plan No. 10 of 1950, Sec. 1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3175,
64 Stat. 1265, set out under section 78d of this title.
-MISC5-
STUDY AND REPORT ON SHAREHOLDER ACCESS TO PROXY STATEMENTS
Pub. L. 104-290, title V, Sec. 510(b), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat.
3450, provided that:
''(1) Study. - The Commission shall conduct a study of -
''(A) whether shareholder access to proxy statements pursuant
to section 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C.
78n) has been impaired by recent statutory, judicial, or
regulatory changes; and
''(B) the ability of shareholders to have proposals relating to
corporate practices and social issues included as part of proxy
statements.
''(2) Report. - Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment
of this Act (Oct. 11, 1996), the Commission shall submit a report
to the Congress on the results of the study conducted under
paragraph (1), together with any recommendations for regulatory or
legislative changes that it considers necessary to improve
shareholder access to proxy statements.''
EVALUATION OF FAIRNESS OPINION PREPARATION, DISCLOSURE, AND USE
Section 302(c) of Pub. L. 103-202 provided that:
''(1) Evaluation required. - The Comptroller General of the
United States shall, within 18 months after the date of enactment
of this Act (Dec. 17, 1993), conduct a study of -
''(A) the use of fairness opinions in limited partnership
rollup transactions;
''(B) the standards which preparers use in making
determinations of fairness;
''(C) the scope of review, quality of analysis, qualifications
and methods of selection of preparers, costs of preparation, and
any limitations imposed by issuers on such preparers;
''(D) the nature and quality of disclosures provided with
respect to such opinions;
''(E) any conflicts of interest with respect to the preparation
of such opinions; and
''(F) the usefulness of such opinions to limited partners.
''(2) Report required. - Not later than the end of the 18-month
period referred to in paragraph (1), the Comptroller General of the
United States shall submit to the Congress a report on the
evaluation required by paragraph (1).''
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 77f, 78c, 78f, 78l, 78o,
78o-3, 78hh of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 78o 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 2B - SECURITIES EXCHANGES
-HEAD-
Sec. 78o. Registration and regulation of brokers and dealers
-STATUTE-
(a) Registration of all persons utilizing exchange facilities to
effect transactions; exemptions
(1) It shall be unlawful for any broker or dealer which is either
a person other than a natural person or a natural person not
associated with a broker or dealer which is a person other than a
natural person (other than such a broker or dealer whose business
is exclusively intrastate and who does not make use of any facility
of a national securities exchange) to make use of the mails or any
means or instrumentality of interstate commerce to effect any
transactions in, or to induce or attempt to induce the purchase or
sale of, any security (other than an exempted security or
commercial paper, bankers' acceptances, or commercial bills) unless
such broker or dealer is registered in accordance with subsection
(b) of this section.
(2) The Commission, by rule or order, as it deems consistent with
the public interest and the protection of investors, may
conditionally or unconditionally exempt from paragraph (1) of this
subsection any broker or dealer or class of brokers or dealers
specified in such rule or order.
(b) Manner of registration of brokers and dealers
(1) A broker or dealer may be registered by filing with the
Commission an application for registration in such form and
containing such information and documents concerning such broker or
dealer and any persons associated with such broker or dealer as the
Commission, by rule, may prescribe as necessary or appropriate in
the public interest or for the protection of investors. Within
forty-five days of the date of the filing of such application (or
within such longer period as to which the applicant consents), the
Commission shall -
(A) by order grant registration, or
(B) institute proceedings to determine whether registration
should be denied. Such proceedings shall include notice of the
grounds for denial under consideration and opportunity for
hearing and shall be concluded within one hundred twenty days of
the date of the filing of the application for registration. At
the conclusion of such proceedings, the Commission, by order,
shall grant or deny such registration. The order granting
registration shall not be effective until such broker or dealer
has become a member of a registered securities association, or
until such broker or dealer has become a member of a national
securities exchange if such broker or dealer effects transactions
solely on that exchange, unless the Commission has exempted such
broker or dealer, by rule or order, from such membership. The
Commission may extend the time for conclusion of such proceedings
for up to ninety days if it finds good cause for such extension
and publishes its reasons for so finding or for such longer
period as to which the applicant consents.
The Commission shall grant such registration if the Commission
finds that the requirements of this section are satisfied. The
Commission shall deny such registration if it does not make such a
finding or if it finds that if the applicant were so registered,
its registration would be subject to suspension or revocation under
paragraph (4) of this subsection.
(2)(A) An application for registration of a broker or dealer to
be formed or organized may be made by a broker or dealer to which
the broker or dealer to be formed or organized is to be the
successor. Such application, in such form as the Commission, by
rule, may prescribe, shall contain such information and documents
concerning the applicant, the successor, and any persons associated
with the applicant or the successor, as the Commission, by rule,
may prescribe as necessary or appropriate in the public interest or
for the protection of investors. The grant or denial of
registration to such an applicant shall be in accordance with the
procedures set forth in paragraph (1) of this subsection. If the
Commission grants such registration, the registration shall
terminate on the forty-fifth day after the effective date thereof,
unless prior thereto the successor shall, in accordance with such
rules and regulations as the Commission may prescribe, adopt the
application for registration as its own.
(B) Any person who is a broker or dealer solely by reason of
acting as a municipal securities dealer or municipal securities
broker, who so acts through a separately identifiable department or
division, and who so acted in such a manner on June 4, 1975, may,
in accordance with such terms and conditions as the Commission, by
rule, prescribes as necessary and appropriate in the public
interest and for the protection of investors, register such
separately identifiable department or division in accordance with
this subsection. If any such department or division is so
registered, the department or division and not such person himself
shall be the broker or dealer for purposes of this chapter.
(C) Within six months of the date of the granting of registration
to a broker or dealer, the Commission, or upon the authorization
and direction of the Commission, a registered securities
association or national securities exchange of which such broker or
dealer is a member, shall conduct an inspection of the broker or
dealer to determine whether it is operating in conformity with the
provisions of this chapter and the rules and regulations
thereunder: Provided, however, That the Commission may delay such
inspection of any class of brokers or dealers for a period not to
exceed six months.
(3) Any provision of this chapter (other than section 78e of this
title and subsection (a) of this section) which prohibits any act,
practice, or course of business if the mails or any means or
instrumentality of interstate commerce is used in connection
therewith shall also prohibit any such act, practice, or course of
business by any registered broker or dealer or any person acting on
behalf of such a broker or dealer, irrespective of any use of the
mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce in
connection therewith.
(4) The Commission, by order, shall censure, place limitations on
the activities, functions, or operations of, suspend for a period
not exceeding twelve months, or revoke the registration of any
broker or dealer if it finds, on the record after notice and
opportunity for hearing, that such censure, placing of limitations,
suspension, or revocation is in the public interest and that such
broker or dealer, whether prior or subsequent to becoming such, or
any person associated with such broker or dealer, whether prior or
subsequent to becoming so associated -
(A) has willfully made or caused to be made in any application
for registration or report required to be filed with the
Commission or with any other appropriate regulatory agency under
this chapter, or in any proceeding before the Commission with
respect to registration, any statement which was at the time and
in the light of the circumstances under which it was made false
or misleading with respect to any material fact, or has omitted
to state in any such application or report any material fact
which is required to be stated therein.
(B) has been convicted within ten years preceding the filing of
any application for registration or at any time thereafter of any
felony or misdemeanor or of a substantially equivalent crime by a
foreign court of competent jurisdiction which the Commission
finds -
(i) involves the purchase or sale of any security, the taking
of a false oath, the making of a false report, bribery,
perjury, burglary, any substantially equivalent activity
however denominated by the laws of the relevant foreign
government, or conspiracy to commit any such offense;
(ii) arises out of the conduct of the business of a broker,
dealer, municipal securities dealer, government securities
broker, government securities dealer, investment adviser, bank,
insurance company, fiduciary, transfer agent, foreign person
performing a function substantially equivalent to any of the
above, or entity or person required to be registered under the
Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.) or any
substantially equivalent foreign statute or regulation;
(iii) involves the larceny, theft, robbery, extortion,
forgery, counterfeiting, fraudulent concealment, embezzlement,
fraudulent conversion, or misappropriation of funds, or
securities, or substantially equivalent activity however
denominated by the laws of the relevant foreign government; or
(iv) involves the violation of section 152, 1341, 1342, or
1343 or chapter 25 or 47 of title 18 or a violation of a
substantially equivalent foreign statute.
(C) is permanently or temporarily enjoined by order, judgment,
or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction from acting as
an investment adviser, underwriter, broker, dealer, municipal
securities dealer, government securities broker, government
securities dealer, transfer agent, foreign person performing a
function substantially equivalent to any of the above, or entity
or person required to be registered under the Commodity Exchange
Act or any substantially equivalent foreign statute or
regulation, or as an affiliated person or employee of any
investment company, bank, insurance company, foreign entity
substantially equivalent to any of the above, or entity or person
required to be registered under the Commodity Exchange Act or any
substantially equivalent foreign statute or regulation, or from
engaging in or continuing any conduct or practice in connection
with any such activity, or in connection with the purchase or
sale of any security.
(D) has willfully violated any provision of the Securities Act
of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77a et seq.), the Investment Advisers Act of
1940 (15 U.S.C. 80b-1 et seq.), the Investment Company Act of
1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-1 et seq.), the Commodity Exchange Act, this
chapter, the rules or regulations under any of such statutes, or
the rules of the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board, or is
unable to comply with any such provision.
(E) has willfully aided, abetted, counseled, commanded,
induced, or procured the violation by any other person of any
provision of the Securities Act of 1933, the Investment Advisers
Act of 1940, the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Commodity
Exchange Act, this chapter, the rules or regulations under any of
such statutes, or the rules of the Municipal Securities
Rulemaking Board, or has failed reasonably to supervise, with a
view to preventing violations of the provisions of such statutes,
rules, and regulations, another person who commits such a
violation, if such other person is subject to his supervision.
For the purposes of this subparagraph (E) no person shall be
deemed to have failed reasonably to supervise any other person,
if -
(i) there have been established procedures, and a system for
applying such procedures, which would reasonably be expected to
prevent and detect, insofar as practicable, any such violation
by such other person, and
(ii) such person has reasonably discharged the duties and
obligations incumbent upon him by reason of such procedures and
system without reasonable cause to believe that such procedures
and system were not being complied with.
(F) is subject to any order of the Commission barring or
suspending the right of the person to be associated with a broker
or dealer;
(G) has been found by a foreign financial regulatory authority
to have -
(i) made or caused to be made in any application for
registration or report required to be filed with a foreign
financial regulatory authority, or in any proceeding before a
foreign financial regulatory authority with respect to
registration, any statement that was at the time and in the
light of the circumstances under which it was made false or
misleading with respect to any material fact, or has omitted to
state in any application or report to the foreign financial
regulatory authority any material fact that is required to be
stated therein;
(ii) violated any foreign statute or regulation regarding
transactions in securities, or contracts of sale of a commodity
for future delivery, traded on or subject to the rules of a
contract market or any board of trade;
(iii) aided, abetted, counseled, commanded, induced, or
procured the violation by any person of any provision of any
statutory provisions enacted by a foreign government, or rules
or regulations thereunder, empowering a foreign financial
regulatory authority regarding transactions in securities, or
contracts of sale of a commodity for future delivery, traded on
or subject to the rules of a contract market or any board of
trade, or has been found, by a foreign financial regulatory
authority, to have failed reasonably to supervise, with a view
to preventing violations of such statutory provisions, rules,
and regulations, another person who commits such a violation,
if such other person is subject to his supervision; or
(H) is subject to any final order of a State securities
commission (or any agency or officer performing like functions),
State authority that supervises or examines banks, savings
associations, or credit unions, State insurance commission (or
any agency or office performing like functions), an appropriate
Federal banking agency (as defined in section 3 of the Federal
Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813(q))), or the National
Credit Union Administration, that -
(i) bars such person from association with an entity
regulated by such commission, authority, agency, or officer, or
from engaging in the business of securities, insurance,
banking, savings association activities, or credit union
activities; or
(ii) constitutes a final order based on violations of any
laws or regulations that prohibit fraudulent, manipulative, or
deceptive conduct.
(5) Pending final determination whether any registration under
this subsection shall be revoked, the Commission, by order, may
suspend such registration, if such suspension appears to the
Commission, after notice and opportunity for hearing, to be
necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the
protection of investors. Any registered broker or dealer may, upon
such terms and conditions as the Commission deems necessary or
appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of
investors, withdraw from registration by filing a written notice of
withdrawal with the Commission. If the Commission finds that any
registered broker or dealer is no longer in existence or has ceased
to do business as a broker or dealer, the Commission, by order,
shall cancel the registration of such broker or dealer.
(6)(A) With respect to any person who is associated, who is
seeking to become associated, or, at the time of the alleged
misconduct, who was associated or was seeking to become associated
with a broker or dealer, or any person participating, or, at the
time of the alleged misconduct, who was participating, in an
offering of any penny stock, the Commission, by order, shall
censure, place limitations on the activities or functions of such
person, or suspend for a period not exceeding 12 months, or bar
such person from being associated with a broker or dealer, or from
participating in an offering of penny stock, if the Commission
finds, on the record after notice and opportunity for a hearing,
that such censure, placing of limitations, suspension, or bar is in
the public interest and that such person -
(i) has committed or omitted any act, or is subject to an order
or finding, enumerated in subparagraph (A), (D), or (E) of
paragraph (4) of this subsection;
(ii) has been convicted of any offense specified in
subparagraph (B) of such paragraph (4) within 10 years of the
commencement of the proceedings under this paragraph; or
(iii) is enjoined from any action, conduct, or practice
specified in subparagraph (C) of such paragraph (4).
(B) It shall be unlawful -
(i) for any person as to whom an order under subparagraph (A)
is in effect, without the consent of the Commission, willfully to
become, or to be, associated with a broker or dealer in
contravention of such order, or to participate in an offering of
penny stock in contravention of such order;
(ii) for any broker or dealer to permit such a person, without
the consent of the Commission, to become or remain, a person
associated with the broker or dealer in contravention of such
order, if such broker or dealer knew, or in the exercise of
reasonable care should have known, of such order; or
(iii) for any broker or dealer to permit such a person, without
the consent of the Commission, to participate in an offering of
penny stock in contravention of such order, if such broker or
dealer knew, or in the exercise of reasonable care should have
known, of such order and of such participation.
(C) For purposes of this paragraph, the term ''person
participating in an offering of penny stock'' includes any person
acting as any promoter, finder, consultant, agent, or other person
who engages in activities with a broker, dealer, or issuer for
purposes of the issuance or trading in any penny stock, or inducing
or attempting to induce the purchase or sale of any penny stock.
The Commission may, by rule or regulation, define such term to
include other activities, and may, by rule, regulation, or order,
exempt any person or class of persons, in whole or in part,
conditionally or unconditionally, from such term.
(7) No registered broker or dealer or government securities
broker or government securities dealer registered (or required to
register) under section 78o-5(a)(1)(A) of this title shall effect
any transaction in, or induce the purchase or sale of, any security
unless such broker or dealer meets such standards of operational
capability and such broker or dealer and all natural persons
associated with such broker or dealer meet such standards of
training, experience, competence, and such other qualifications as
the Commission finds necessary or appropriate in the public
interest or for the protection of investors. The Commission shall
establish such standards by rules and regulations, which may -
(A) specify that all or any portion of such standards shall be
applicable to any class of brokers and dealers and persons
associated with brokers and dealers;
(B) require persons in any such class to pass tests prescribed
in accordance with such rules and regulations, which tests shall,
with respect to any class of partners, officers, or supervisory
employees (which latter term may be defined by the Commission's
rules and regulations and as so defined shall include branch
managers of brokers or dealers) engaged in the management of the
broker or dealer, include questions relating to bookkeeping,
accounting, internal control over cash and securities,
supervision of employees, maintenance of records, and other
appropriate matters; and
(C) provide that persons in any such class other than brokers
and dealers and partners, officers, and supervisory employees of
brokers or dealers, may be qualified solely on the basis of
compliance with such standards of training and such other
qualifications as the Commission finds appropriate.
The Commission, by rule, may prescribe reasonable fees and charges
to defray its costs in carrying out this paragraph, including, but
not limited to, fees for any test administered by it or under its
direction. The Commission may cooperate with registered securities
associations and national securities exchanges in devising and
administering tests and may require registered brokers and dealers
and persons associated with such brokers and dealers to pass tests
administered by or on behalf of any such association or exchange
and to pay such association or exchange reasonable fees or charges
to defray the costs incurred by such association or exchange in
administering such tests.
(8) It shall be unlawful for any registered broker or dealer to
effect any transaction in, or induce or attempt to induce the
purchase or sale of, any security (other than or (FOOTNOTE 1)
commercial paper, bankers' acceptances, or commercial bills),
unless such broker or dealer is a member of a securities
association registered pursuant to section 78o-3 of this title or
effects transactions in securities solely on a national securities
exchange of which it is a member.
(FOOTNOTE 1) So in original. The word ''or'' probably should
not appear.
(9) The Commission by rule or order, as it deems consistent with
the public interest and the protection of investors, may
conditionally or unconditionally exempt from paragraph (8) of this
subsection any broker or dealer or class of brokers or dealers
specified in such rule or order.
(10) For the purposes of determining whether a person is subject
to a statutory disqualification under section 78f(c)(2),
78o-3(g)(2), or 78q-1(b)(4)(A) of this title, the term
''Commission'' in paragraph (4)(B) of this subsection shall mean
''exchange'', ''association'', or ''clearing agency'',
respectively.
(11) Broker/dealer registration with respect to transactions in
security futures products. -
(A) Notice registration. -
(i) Contents of notice. - Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and
(2), a broker or dealer required to register only because it
effects transactions in security futures products on an
exchange registered pursuant to section 78f(g) of this title
may register for purposes of this section by filing with the
Commission a written notice in such form and containing such
information concerning such broker or dealer and any persons
associated with such broker or dealer as the Commission, by
rule, may prescribe as necessary or appropriate in the public
interest or for the protection of investors. A broker or
dealer may not register under this paragraph unless that broker
or dealer is a member of a national securities association
registered under section 78o-3(k) of this title.
(ii) Immediate effectiveness. - Such registration shall be
effective contemporaneously with the submission of notice, in
written or electronic form, to the Commission, except that such
registration shall not be effective if the registration would
be subject to suspension or revocation under paragraph (4).
(iii) Suspension. - Such registration shall be suspended
immediately if a national securities association registered
pursuant to section 78o-3(k) of this title suspends the
membership of that broker or dealer.
(iv) Termination. - Such registration shall be terminated
immediately if any of the above stated conditions for
registration set forth in this paragraph are no longer
satisfied.
(B) Exemptions for registered brokers and dealers. - A broker
or dealer registered pursuant to the requirements of subparagraph
(A) shall be exempt from the following provisions of this chapter
and the rules thereunder with respect to transactions in security
futures products:
(i) Section 78h of this title.
(ii) Section 78k of this title.
(iii) Subsections (c)(3) and (c)(5) of this section.
(iv) Section 78o-4 of this title.
(v) Section 78o-5 of this title.
(vi) Subsections (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), and (i) of section
78q of this title.
(12) Exemption for security futures product exchange members. -
(A) Registration exemption. - A natural person shall be exempt
from the registration requirements of this section if such person
-
(i) is a member of a designated contract market registered
with the Commission as an exchange pursuant to section 78f(g)
of this title;
(ii) effects transactions only in securities on the exchange
of which such person is a member; and
(iii) does not directly accept or solicit orders from public
customers or provide advice to public customers in connection
with the trading of security futures products.
(B) Other exemptions. - A natural person exempt from
registration pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall also be exempt
from the following provisions of this chapter and the rules
thereunder:
(i) Section 78h of this title.
(ii) Section 78k of this title.
(iii) Subsections (c)(3), (c)(5), and (e) of this section.
(iv) Section 78o-4 of this title.
(v) Section 78o-5 of this title.
(vi) Subsections (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), and (i) of section
78q of this title.
(c) Use of manipulative or deceptive devices; contravention of
rules and regulations
(1)(A) No broker or dealer shall make use of the mails or any
means or instrumentality of interstate commerce to effect any
transaction in, or to induce or attempt to induce the purchase or
sale of, any security (other than commercial paper, bankers'
acceptances, or commercial bills) otherwise than on a national
securities exchange of which it is a member, or any security-based
swap agreement (as defined in section 206B of the
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act), by means of any manipulative, deceptive,
or other fraudulent device or contrivance.
(B) No municipal securities dealer shall make use of the mails or
any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce to effect any
transaction in, or to induce or attempt to induce the purchase or
sale of, any municipal security or any security-based swap
agreement (as defined in section 206B of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley
Act) involving a municipal security by means of any manipulative,
deceptive, or other fraudulent device or contrivance.
(C) No government securities broker or government securities
dealer shall make use of the mails or any means or instrumentality
of interstate commerce to effect any transaction in, or to induce
or to attempt to induce the purchase or sale of, any government
security or any security-based swap agreement (as defined in
section 206B of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act) involving a government
security by means of any manipulative, deceptive, or other
fraudulent device or contrivance.
(2)(A) No broker or dealer shall make use of the mails or any
means or instrumentality of interstate commerce to effect any
transaction in, or to induce or attempt to induce the purchase or
sale of, any security (other than an exempted security or
commercial paper, bankers' acceptances, or commercial bills)
otherwise than on a national securities exchange of which it is a
member, in connection with which such broker or dealer engages in
any fraudulent, deceptive, or manipulative act or practice, or
makes any fictitious quotation.
(B) No municipal securities dealer shall make use of the mails or
any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce to effect any
transaction in, or to induce or attempt to induce the purchase or
sale of, any municipal security in connection with which such
municipal securities dealer engages in any fraudulent, deceptive,
or manipulative act or practice, or makes any fictitious quotation.
(C) No government securities broker or government securities
dealer shall make use of the mails or any means or instrumentality
of interstate commerce to effect any transaction in, or induce or
attempt to induce the purchase or sale of, any government security
in connection with which such government securities broker or
government securities dealer engages in any fraudulent, deceptive,
or manipulative act or practice, or makes any fictitious quotation.
(D) The Commission shall, for the purposes of this paragraph, by
rules and regulations define, and prescribe means reasonably
designed to prevent, such acts and practices as are fraudulent,
deceptive, or manipulative and such quotations as are fictitious.
(E) The Commission shall, prior to adopting any rule or
regulation under subparagraph (C), consult with and consider the
views of the Secretary of the Treasury and each appropriate
regulatory agency. If the Secretary of the Treasury or any
appropriate regulatory agency comments in writing on a proposed
rule or regulation of the Commission under such subparagraph (C)
that has been published for comment, the Commission shall respond
in writing to such written comment before adopting the proposed
rule. If the Secretary of the Treasury determines, and notifies
the Commission, that such rule or regulation, if implemented,
would, or as applied does (i) adversely affect the liquidity or
efficiency of the market for government securities; or (ii) impose
any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in
furtherance of the purposes of this section, the Commission shall,
prior to adopting the proposed rule or regulation, find that such
rule or regulation is necessary and appropriate in furtherance of
the purposes of this section notwithstanding the Secretary's
determination.
(3)(A) No broker or dealer (other than a government securities
broker or government securities dealer, except a registered broker
or dealer) shall make use of the mails or any means or
instrumentality of interstate commerce to effect any transaction
in, or to induce or attempt to induce the purchase or sale of, any
security (other than an exempted security (except a government
security) or commercial paper, bankers' acceptances, or commercial
bills) in contravention of such rules and regulations as the
Commission shall prescribe as necessary or appropriate in the
public interest or for the protection of investors to provide
safeguards with respect to the financial responsibility and related
practices of brokers and dealers including, but not limited to, the
acceptance of custody and use of customers' securities and the
carrying and use of customers' deposits or credit balances. Such
rules and regulations shall (A) require the maintenance of reserves
with respect to customers' deposits or credit balances, and (B) no
later than September 1, 1975, establish minimum financial
responsibility requirements for all brokers and dealers.
(B) Consistent with this chapter, the Commission, in consultation
with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, shall issue such
rules, regulations, or orders as are necessary to avoid duplicative
or conflicting regulations applicable to any broker or dealer
registered with the Commission pursuant to subsection (b) of this
section (except paragraph (11) thereof), that is also registered
with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission pursuant to section
4f(a) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 6f(a)) (except
paragraph (2) thereof), with respect to the application of: (i) the
provisions of section 78h of this title, subsection (c)(3) of this
section, and section 78q of this title and the rules and
regulations thereunder related to the treatment of customer funds,
securities, or property, maintenance of books and records,
financial reporting, or other financial responsibility rules,
involving security futures products; and (ii) similar provisions of
the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.) and rules and
regulations thereunder involving security futures products.
(4) If the Commission finds, after notice and opportunity for a
hearing, that any person subject to the provisions of section 78l,
78m, 78n of this title or subsection (d) of this section or any
rule or regulation thereunder has failed to comply with any such
provision, rule, or regulation in any material respect, the
Commission may publish its findings and issue an order requiring
such person, and any person who was a cause of the failure to
comply due to an act or omission the person knew or should have
known would contribute to the failure to comply, to comply, or to
take steps to effect compliance, with such provision or such rule
or regulation thereunder upon such terms and conditions and within
such time as the Commission may specify in such order.
(5) No dealer (other than a specialist registered on a national
securities exchange) acting in the capacity of market maker or
otherwise shall make use of the mails or any means or
instrumentality of interstate commerce to effect any transaction
in, or to induce or attempt to induce the purchase or sale of, any
security (other than an exempted security or a municipal security)
in contravention of such specified and appropriate standards with
respect to dealing as the Commission, by rule, shall prescribe as
necessary or appropriate in the public interest and for the
protection of investors, to maintain fair and orderly markets, or
to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a national
market system. Under the rules of the Commission a dealer in a
security may be prohibited from acting as a broker in that
security.
(6) No broker or dealer shall make use of the mails or any means
or instrumentality of interstate commerce to effect any transaction
in, or to induce or attempt to induce the purchase or sale of, any
security (other than an exempted security, municipal security,
commercial paper, bankers' acceptances, or commercial bills) in
contravention of such rules and regulations as the Commission shall
prescribe as necessary or appropriate in the public interest and
for the protection of investors or to perfect or remove impediments
to a national system for the prompt and accurate clearance and
settlement of securities transactions, with respect to the time and
method of, and the form and format of documents used in connection
with, making settlements of and payments for transactions in
securities, making transfers and deliveries of securities, and
closing accounts. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed (A)
to affect the authority of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System, pursuant to section 78g of this title, to prescribe
rules and regulations for the purpose of preventing the excessive
use of credit for the purchase or carrying of securities, or (B) to
authorize the Commission to prescribe rules or regulations for such
purpose.
(7) In connection with any bid for or purchase of a government
security related to an offering of government securities by or on
behalf of an issuer, no government securities broker, government
securities dealer, or bidder for or purchaser of securities in such
offering shall knowingly or willfully make any false or misleading
written statement or omit any fact necessary to make any written
statement made not misleading.
(8) Prohibition of referral fees. - No broker or dealer, or
person associated with a broker or dealer, may solicit or accept,
directly or indirectly, remuneration for assisting an attorney in
obtaining the representation of any person in any private action
arising under this chapter or under the Securities Act of 1933 (15
U.S.C. 77a et seq.).
(d) Filing of supplementary and periodic information
Each issuer which has filed a registration statement containing
an undertaking which is or becomes operative under this subsection
as in effect prior to August 20, 1964, and each issuer which shall
after such date file a registration statement which has become
effect
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Enviado por: | El remitente no desea revelar su nombre |
Idioma: | inglés |
País: | Estados Unidos |