
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 113 (Wednesday, June 14, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27307-27315]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-12266]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-80890; File No. SR-MSRB-2017-03]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Municipal Securities Rulemaking 
Board; Notice of Filing of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend MSRB Rule G-
26, on Customer Account Transfers, To Modernize the Rule and Promote a 
Uniform Customer Account Transfer Standard

June 7, 2017.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(the ``Exchange Act'' or ``Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ 
notice is hereby given that on May 26, 2017 the Municipal Securities 
Rulemaking Board (the ``MSRB'' or ``Board'') filed with the Securities 
and Exchange Commission (the ``SEC'' or ``Commission'') the proposed 
rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items 
have been prepared by the MSRB. The Commission is publishing this 
notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested 
persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The MSRB filed with the Commission a proposed rule change to amend 
MSRB Rule G-26, on customer account transfers, to modernize the rule 
and promote a uniform customer account transfer standard for all 
brokers, dealers, municipal securities brokers and municipal securities 
dealers (collectively, ``dealers'') (``proposed rule change'').\3\ The 
MSRB requests that the proposed rule change be effective three months 
from the date of Commission approval.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ For clarity and ease of reference, current provisions of 
Rule G-26 will be cited herein as ``Rule G-26,'' and proposed 
amendments to Rule G-26 will be cited herein as ``proposed Rule G-
26''.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The text of the proposed rule change is available on the MSRB's Web 
site at www.msrb.org/Rules-and-Interpretations/SEC-Filings/2017-Filings.aspx, at the MSRB's principal office, and at the Commission's 
Public Reference Room.

II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

    In its filing with the Commission, the MSRB included statements 
concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and 
discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The 
text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in 
Item IV below. The MSRB has prepared summaries, set forth in Sections 
A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements.

A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose
    The purpose of the proposed rule change is to modernize Rule G-26 
and promote a uniform customer account transfer standard for all 
dealers. The MSRB believes that, by including certain provisions 
parallel to the customer account transfer rules of other SROs, 
particularly FINRA Rule 11870, in current Rule G-26, as outlined below, 
the transfer of customer securities account assets will be more 
flexible, less burdensome, and more efficient, while reducing confusion 
and risk to investors and allowing them to better move their municipal 
securities to their dealer of choice.
Current Rule G-26
    Rule G-26 requires dealers to cooperate in the transfer of customer 
accounts and specifies procedures for carrying out the transfer 
process. Such transfers occur when a customer decides to transfer an 
account from one dealer, the carrying party (i.e., the dealer from 
which the customer is requesting the account be transferred) to 
another, the receiving party (i.e., the dealer to which the customer is 
requesting the account be transferred). The rule establishes specific 
time frames within which the carrying party is required to transfer a 
customer account; limits the reasons for which a receiving party may 
take exception to an account transfer instruction; provides for the 
establishment of fail-to-receive and fail-to-deliver contracts; \4\ and 
requires that fail contracts be resolved in accordance with MSRB close-
out procedures, established by MSRB Rule G-12(h). In addition, the 
current rule requires the use of the automated customer account 
transfer service in place at a registered clearing agency registered 
with the Commission when both dealers are direct participants in the 
same clearing agency.\5\ Finally, the rule contains a provision for 
enhancing compliance by requiring submission of transfer instructions 
to the enforcement authority with jurisdiction over the dealer carrying 
the account, if the enforcement authority requests such submission.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ Fail-to-receive and fail-to-deliver contracts are records 
maintained by the receiving party and the carrying party, 
respectively, when a customer account transfer fails.
    \5\ See Rule G-26(h).
    \6\ See Rule G-26(i).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The MSRB adopted Rule G-26 in 1986 as part of an industry-wide 
initiative to create a uniform customer account transfer standard by 
applying a customer account transfer procedure to all dealers that are 
engaged in municipal securities activities.\7\ The uniform standard for 
all customer account transfers (i.e., automated and manual processes) 
is largely driven by the National Securities Clearing Corporation's 
(``NSCC'') Automated Customer Account Transfer Service (``ACATS''). The 
MSRB adopted Rule G-26 in conjunction with the adoption of similar 
rules by other self-regulatory organizations (``SROs'')--New York Stock 
Exchange (``NYSE'') Rule 412 and Financial Industry Regulatory 
Authority (``FINRA'') Rule 11870.\8\ Those rules are not applicable to 
certain accounts at dealers, particularly municipal security-only 
accounts and accounts at bank dealers.\9\ Current Rule G-26 governs the 
municipal security-only customer account transfers performed by those

[[Page 27308]]

dealers to ensure that all customer account transfers are subject to 
regulation that is consistent with the uniform industry standard. Thus, 
in order to maintain consistency and the uniform standard, the MSRB 
has, from time to time, modified the requirements of Rule G-26 to 
conform to certain provisions of the parallel FINRA and NYSE customer 
account transfer rules, as well as to enhancements made to the ACATS 
process by NSCC, that had relevance to municipal securities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ See Exchange Act Release No. 22810 (Jan. 17, 1986), 51 FR 
3287 (Jan. 24, 1986) (SR-MSRB-86-2) (proposing Rule G-26). See also 
Exchange Act Release Nos. 22663 (Nov. 27 1985) (SR-NYSE-85-17) 
(approving NYSE Rule 412); 22941 (Feb. 24, 1986) (SR-NASD-29) 
(approving NASD/FINRA Rule 11870).
    \8\ In 2007, FINRA was created through the consolidation of the 
National Association of Securities Dealers (``NASD'') and the member 
regulation, enforcement and arbitration operations of the NYSE. 
Current NYSE Rule 412 cross-references NASD/FINRA Rule 11870 for the 
purpose of incorporating it into the NYSE rulebook.
    \9\ See Exchange Act Release No. 22810 (Jan. 17, 1986), 51 FR 
3287 (Jan. 24, 1986) (SR-MSRB-86-2) (``Currently certain municipal 
securities brokers or municipal securities dealers, particularly 
those with municipal security-only accounts and bank dealers, will 
not be covered by the standards governing the rest of the securities 
industry.'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On January 6, 2017, the MSRB published a request for comment, 
proposing a number of draft amendments to Rule G-26 to maintain 
consistency with the rules of the NSCC, the NYSE and FINRA by 
conforming to significant updates to those other SRO rules that have 
relevance to municipal securities and municipal security-only customer 
account transfers.\10\ In response to the Request for Comment, the MSRB 
received three comment letters, supporting the general purpose of the 
amendments to Rule G-26, but suggesting alternative approaches and 
raising a few other issues.\11\ After carefully considering all of the 
comments received, the MSRB determined to file this proposed rule 
change.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ MSRB Notice 2017-01 (Jan. 6, 2017) (``Request for 
Comment'').
    \11\ See infra note 81.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Residual Credit Positions
    In 1989, the NSCC expanded ACATS to include the transfer of 
customer account residual credit positions. These are assets in the 
form of cash or securities that can result from dividends, interest 
payments or other types of assets received by the carrying party after 
the transfer process is completed, or which were restricted from being 
included in the original transfer.\12\ The NYSE and FINRA made 
corresponding changes to their rules that require dealers that 
participate in a registered clearing agency with automated residual 
credit processing capabilities to utilize those facilities to transfer 
residual credit positions that accrue to an account after a 
transfer.\13\ Prior to allowing for these transfers, a check frequently 
would have to be produced, or a delivery bill or report, which then 
required a check to be issued or securities to be transferred.\14\ This 
process could result in lost or improperly routed checks and 
securities, as well as the expenses of postage and processing.\15\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ See Exchange Act Release No. 26659 (Mar. 22, 1989), 54 FR 
12984 (Mar. 29, 1989) (SR-NSCC-89-3).
    \13\ See Exchange Act Release Nos. 34633 (Sept. 2, 1994), 59 FR 
46872 (Sept. 12, 1994) (SR-NYSE-94-21); 35031 (Nov. 30, 1994), 59 FR 
62761 (Dec. 6, 1994) (SR-NASD-94-56). See also former NYSE Rule 
412(e)(3); FINRA Rule 11870(m)(3).
    \14\ See Exchange Act Release No. 26659 (Mar. 29, 1989) (SR-
NSCC-89-3).
    \15\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The MSRB is proposing to update Rule G-26 to include the transfer 
of customer account residual credit positions, which would benefit both 
customers and dealers by substantially decreasing the paperwork, risks, 
inefficiencies and costs associated with the practice of check issuance 
and initiation of securities deliveries to resolve residual credit 
positions.\16\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ See proposed Rule G-26(k)(ii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Partial Account Transfers
    In 1994, the NYSE and FINRA amended their rules to permit partial 
or non-standard customer account transfers (i.e., the transfer of 
specifically designated assets from an account held at one dealer to an 
account held at another dealer).\17\ Subsequently, in 2004, the NYSE 
and FINRA further amended their rules generally to apply the same 
procedural standards and time frames that are applicable to the 
transfer of entire accounts to partial transfers as well.\18\ Because 
customer and dealer obligations resulting from the transfer of an 
entire account differ from the obligations arising from the transfer of 
specified assets within an account that will remain active at the 
carrying party, the NYSE and FINRA rules distinguish between the 
transfer of security account assets in whole or in specifically 
designated part. For example, it would not be necessary for a customer 
to instruct the carrying party as to the disposition of his or her 
assets that are nontransferable if the customer is not transferring the 
entire account.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ See Exchange Act Release Nos. 34633 (Sept. 2, 1994), 59 FR 
46872 (Sept. 12, 1994) (SR-NYSE-94-21); 35031 (Nov. 30, 1994), 59 FR 
62761 (Dec. 6, 1994) (SR-NASD-94-56). See also former NYSE Rule 412, 
Interpretation (a)/01; FINRA Rule 11870(a)(2).
    \18\ See Exchange Act Release Nos. 49415 (Mar. 12, 2004), 69 FR 
13608 (Mar. 23, 2004) (SR-NYSE-2003-29); 50018 (July 14, 2004), 69 
FR 43873 (July 22, 2004) (SR-NASD-2004-058).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The MSRB is proposing to update Rule G-26 to permit partial account 
transfers under the same time frames applicable to transfers of entire 
accounts, which the MSRB believes would provide dealers with the 
ability to facilitate more efficient and expeditious transfers, as well 
as increase accountability for dealers and reduce difficulties 
encountered by customers related to transfers.\19\ The MSRB also 
believes this change will further competition among dealers by more 
easily allowing investors to transfer their municipal securities to the 
dealer of their choice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \19\ See proposed Rule G-26(b), (c)(ii), (d)(i), (e)(ii), 
(k)(i). The proposed rule change would require that dealers expedite 
all authorized municipal securities account asset transfers, whether 
through ACATS or via other means permissible, and coordinate their 
activities with respect thereto.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Transfer of Third-Party and/or Proprietary Products
    In 1998, the NSCC modified ACATS to better facilitate and expedite 
the transfer of a customer account containing third-party and/or 
proprietary products that the receiving party is unable to receive or 
carry.\20\ The NYSE and FINRA made conforming changes in 2001.\21\ 
Prior to the NSCC's modernization of ACATS in 1998, a receiving party 
was not permitted to reject an individual account asset and only could 
reject an account in its entirety. Today, however, under these other 
SROs' rules, the receiving party has the capability to either accept 
all assets in the account being transferred or, to the extent permitted 
by the receiving party's designated examining authority, accept only 
some of the assets in the account.\22\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \20\ See Exchange Act Release No. 40657 (Nov. 10, 1998), 63 FR 
63952 (Nov. 17, 1998) (SR-NSCC-98-06).
    \21\ See Exchange Act Release Nos. 44596 (July 26, 2001), 66 FR 
40306 (Aug. 2, 2001) (SR-NYSE-00-61); 44787 (Sept. 12, 2001), 66 FR 
48301 (Sept. 19, 2001) (SR-NASD-2001-53). See also former NYSE Rule 
412, Interpretation (b)(1),/01,/04,/06; FINRA Rule 11870(c)(2).
    \22\ See FINRA Rule 11870(c)(3)-(4).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Although most securities can be transferred, dealers vary in their 
ability to accept and support certain third-party investment products. 
Under the NSCC's prior customer account transfer procedures, and the 
current procedures outlined in Rule G-26, a customer that wishes to 
transfer its entire account to another dealer would submit a signed 
transfer instruction to the receiving party.\23\ The receiving party 
would immediately submit the transfer instruction to the carrying 
party, and the carrying party would have three days to either validate 
and return the transfer instruction or take exception to the 
instruction.\24\ Prior to or at the time of validation of the transfer 
instruction, the carrying party would be required to notify the 
customer with respect to the disposition of any assets it identified as 
nontransferable \25\ and request

[[Page 27309]]

instructions from the customer with respect to their disposition.\26\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \23\ See Rule G-26(d)(i).
    \24\ Id.
    \25\ Currently, the term ``nontransferable asset'' means an 
asset that is incapable of being transferred from the carrying party 
to the receiving party because (A) it is an issue in default for 
which the carrying party does not possess the proper denominations 
to effect delivery and no transfer agent is available to re-register 
the securities, or (B) it is a municipal fund security which the 
issuer requires to be held in an account carried by one or more 
specified dealers that does not include the receiving party. See 
Rule G-26(a)(iii).
    \26\ See Rule G-26(c)(ii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A customer account could also contain assets that are 
nontransferable but have not yet been identified as nontransferable 
(e.g., a municipal fund security that the receiving party is unable to 
carry--unbeknownst to the carrying party). Under current Rule G-26, the 
carrying party would have to include such nontransferable assets in the 
transfer of the account, and, if the receiving party were unable to 
receive/carry the nontransferable asset, the receiving party would have 
to send the asset back to the carrying party.\27\ While the instances 
in which dealers would need to rely upon Rule G-26 and the special 
procedures for transfer of nontransferable assets may be rare, these 
fails require substantial processing time for both the carrying and 
receiving parties, and require carrying parties to credit the receiving 
party's funds equivalent to the value of the assets they are unable to 
deliver. These fails can also cause customers confusion in that 
customers receive multiple account statements from the carrying and 
receiving parties as the dealers initiate and then reverse transfers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \27\ See Rule G-26(d)(i)-(ii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The NSCC's modifications regarding third-party and proprietary 
products allow the receiving party to review the asset validation 
report, designate those nontransferable assets it is unable to receive/
carry, provide the customer with a list of those assets, and require 
instructions from the customer regarding their disposition.\28\ The 
proposed rule change would make Rule G-26 consistent with this change 
by requiring the receiving party to designate any third-party products 
it is unable to receive.\29\ Accordingly, the MSRB believes the 
proposed rule change will eliminate the present need for reversing the 
transfer of nontransferable assets, reduce the overall time frame for 
transferring third-party products, and generally reduce delay in and 
the cost of customer account transfers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \28\ See NSCC Rule 50 Section 8.
    \29\ See proposed Rule G-26(e)(vii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Electronic Signature for Customer Authorization of Account Transfer
    Under current Rule G-26, a customer can initiate a transfer of a 
municipal securities account from one dealer to another by giving 
written notice to the receiving party.\30\ NYSE Rule 412 and FINRA Rule 
11870 previously had the same requirement; however, in 2004, the NYSE 
and FINRA established that a customer also can initiate an account 
transfer, in whole or in part, using either the customer's actual 
signature or an electronic signature in a format recognized as valid 
under federal law to conduct interstate commerce.\31\ The MSRB believes 
that updating the written notice requirement in Rule G-26 to include 
electronic signatures will expedite the transfer of customer assets 
between dealers and more easily allow investors to transfer their 
assets to the dealer of their choice. Accordingly, the MSRB is 
proposing to replace the written notice requirement with an authorized 
instruction requirement, which can be a customer's actual written or 
electronic signature.\32\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \30\ Under Rule G-26(c)(i), customers and dealers may use Form 
G-26 (the transfer instruction prescribed by the MSRB), the transfer 
instructions required by a clearing agency registered with the SEC 
in connection with its automated customer account transfer system or 
transfer instructions that are substantially similar to those 
required by such clearing agency to accomplish a customer account 
transfer.
    \31\ See Exchange Act Release Nos. 49415 (Mar. 12, 2004), 69 FR 
13608 (Mar. 23, 2004) (SR-NYSE-2003-29); 50018 (July 14, 2004), 69 
FR 43873 (July 22, 2004) (SR-NASD-2004-058).
    \32\ See Supplementary Material .01 to proposed Rule G-26.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shortened ACATS Cycle
    ACATS has been modified over time to provide a more seamless and 
timely customer account transfer process. Specifically, in 1994, the 
NSCC accelerated the time (from two days to one day) in which accounts 
are transferred by reducing the time a receiving party has after 
receipt of the transfer instruction to determine whether to accept, 
reject or request adjustments to the account.\33\ In 1998 and 2000, the 
NYSE and FINRA, respectively, shortened the time frame for the asset 
review portion of the transfer period from two days to one day, and the 
time frame the carrying party has to complete the transfer of customer 
securities account assets to the receiving party from four days to 
three days following the validation of a transfer instruction.\34\ 
Further, in 2007, FINRA more generally provided that the time frame(s) 
in FINRA Rule 11870 will change, as determined from time to time in any 
publication, relating to the ACATS facility, by the NSCC.\35\ Rule G-26 
currently specifies three days as the time to validate or take 
exception to the transfer instructions and four days as the time frame 
for completion of a customer account transfer.\36\ The MSRB believes 
that reducing those time frames to one and three day(s), respectively, 
will ensure consistency with the industry standard set by the NSCC and 
harmonization with other SROs, while providing greater efficiency and 
improving the customer experience in the customer account transfer 
process.\37\ Therefore, the proposed rule change would shorten the time 
for validation from three days to one, and shorten the time for 
completing the customer account transfer from four days to three.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \33\ See Exchange Act Release No. 34879 (Oct. 21, 1994), 59 FR 
54229 (Oct. 28, 1994) (SR-NSCC-94-13).
    \34\ See Exchange Act Release Nos. 40712 (Nov. 25, 1998), 63 FR 
67163 (Dec. 4, 1998) (SR-NYSE-98-30); 43635 (Nov. 29, 2000), 65 FR 
75990 (Dec. 5, 2000) (SR-NASD-00-68). See also former NYSE Rule 
412(b)(3); FINRA Rule 11870(e).
    \35\ See Exchange Act Release No. 56677 (Oct. 19, 2007), 72 FR 
60699 (Oct. 25, 2007) (SR-FINRA-2007-005).
    \36\ See Rule G-26(d)(i), (v).
    \37\ See proposed Rule G-26(d)(i), (f)(i).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Because Rule G-26 applies to manual customer account transfers, in 
addition to automated processes, the MSRB is, at this time, not 
incorporating by reference changes in the time frame of the transfer 
cycle as determined by future changes in the ACATS time frames made by 
the NSCC. The MSRB believes that the current time frames are 
sufficiently long to accommodate manual processes, but it would be 
important for the MSRB to evaluate the ability of bank dealers and 
other dealers with municipal securities-only accounts, which are 
subject to Rule G-26, to perform such processes under shorter time 
frames before adopting any such proposal in the future.
Definition of ``Nontransferable Asset''
    In response to a specific question in the Request for Comment,\38\ 
the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (``SIFMA'') 
indicated that dealers may sell proprietary products that are municipal 
securities to customers, the transferability of which FINRA Rule 11870 
addresses.\39\ Given this affirmative response, and because a receiving 
party cannot hold a proprietary product of a carrying party, the MSRB 
believes it is important to include proprietary products of the 
carrying party in the definition of ``nontransferable asset'' to better 
harmonize with FINRA's corresponding definition and to ensure that bank 
dealers, and other dealers subject to Rule G-26, have clarity when 
handling

[[Page 27310]]

such proprietary products in customer account transfers.\40\ 
Accordingly, the proposed rule change would also provide the following 
options for the disposition of such proprietary products that would be 
nontransferable assets: Liquidation; retention by the carrying party 
for the customer's benefit; or transfer, physically and directly, in 
the customer's name to the customer.\41\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \38\ See Request for Comment, Question 8 (``Do municipal 
securities brokers or municipal securities dealers sell proprietary 
products that are municipal securities to customers?'').
    \39\ See letter from SIFMA at note 81 infra.
    \40\ See proposed Rule G-26(a)(iii)(C); FINRA Rule 
11870(c)(1)(D)(i).
    \41\ See proposed Rule G-26(c)(ii)(A)-(C).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Transfer Instructions
Disposition of Nontransferable Assets
    Under current Rule G-26, if there are nontransferable assets 
included in a transfer instruction, there are multiple options 
available to the customer for their disposition, and the carrying party 
must request further instructions from the customer with respect to 
which option the customer would like to exercise.\42\ Depending on the 
type of nontransferable asset at issue, FINRA Rule 11870(c) requires 
either the carrying party or the receiving party to provide the 
customer with a list of the specific nontransferable assets and request 
the customer's desired disposition of such assets. For example, FINRA 
Rule 11870(c)(4) places the burden on the receiving party for third-
party products that are nontransferable. In response to the Request for 
Comment, SIFMA noted that current industry practice and standard 
requires that, depending on the type of nontransferable asset, either 
the carrying party or the receiving party provide the customer with a 
list of the nontransferable assets and request the customer's desired 
disposition of such assets, as opposed to limiting that requirement to 
the carrying party, which was proposed in the Request for Comment.\43\ 
Because there are third-party products that are municipal securities 
that a receiving party may not be able to carry, and such a receiving 
party may be the only party to a customer account transfer with that 
knowledge, the MSRB believes allowing the receiving party to notify the 
customer of any nontransferable assets in a transfer and request their 
disposition in such circumstances will help ensure that nontransferable 
assets are properly identified and that both parties to a transfer are 
coordinating closely to complete the transfer efficiently and 
expeditiously. To allow for this, to improve harmonization with FINRA 
Rule 11870 and to promote a uniform standard for all dealers, the 
proposed rule change would explicitly require that the carrying party 
and/or the receiving party provide the list of nontransferable 
assets.\44\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \42\ See Rule G-26(c)(ii).
    \43\ See letter from SIFMA at note 81 infra.
    \44\ See proposed Rule G-26(c)(ii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Liquidation of Nontransferable Assets
    Under current Rule G-26, one of the disposition options for 
nontransferable assets available to customers is liquidation.\45\ When 
providing customers with this option, dealers are required to 
specifically indicate any redemption or other liquidation-related fees 
that may result from such liquidation and that those fees may be 
deducted from the money balance due the customer.\46\ FINRA Rule 11870 
provides the same requirements, but also requires dealers to refer 
customers to the disclosure information for third-party products or to 
the registered representative at the carrying party for specific 
details regarding any such fees, as well as to distribute any remaining 
balance to the customer and an indication of the method of how it will 
do so.\47\ The MSRB believes the inclusion of these additional 
requirements in Rule G-26 will help ensure that customers receive as 
much relevant information as possible regarding potential redemption 
fees, including for municipal fund securities.\48\ Specifically, the 
proposed rule change would require a referral to the program disclosure 
for a municipal fund security or to the registered representative for 
specific details regarding any such fees for the same.\49\ Further, for 
clarity, the MSRB believes it is important to require explicitly the 
distribution of the remaining balance to the customer and an indication 
of how it will be accomplished.\50\ Therefore, the proposed rule change 
would require dealers to specifically indicate any redemption or other 
liquidation-related fees that may result from liquidation and that 
those fees may be deducted from the money balance due the customer.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \45\ See Rule G-26(c)(ii).
    \46\ See Rule G-26(c)(ii)(A).
    \47\ See FINRA Rule 11870(c)(3)(A), (c)(4)(A).
    \48\ See proposed Rule G-26(c)(ii)(A).
    \49\ Id.
    \50\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Transfer of Nontransferable Assets to Customers
    FINRA Rule 11870(c)(3)(C) provides an option for nontransferable 
assets that are proprietary products to be transferred, physically and 
directly, in the customer's name to the customer. The MSRB believes 
that some municipal securities that are nontransferable assets could 
similarly be transferred, physically and directly, to the customer, so 
the proposed rule change would add this option to the alternative 
dispositions available to customers.\51\ The MSRB notes that not all 
municipal securities may be appropriate for this option and that the 
carrying party would not be required to physically deliver any 
nontransferable assets of which it does not have physical possession.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \51\ See proposed Rule G-26(c)(ii)(C).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Timing of Disposition of Nontransferable Assets
    Rule G-26 currently does not provide a time frame for the carrying 
party to effect the disposition of nontransferable assets as instructed 
by the customer. FINRA Rule 11870(c)(5) requires that the money balance 
resulting from liquidation must be distributed, and any transfer 
instructed by the customer must be initiated, within five business days 
following receipt of the customer's disposition instruction. The MSRB 
believes it is important to provide clarity as to the timing of these 
dispositions to ensure that customer transfers are handled 
expeditiously.
Accordingly, the proposed rule change would harmonize with FINRA Rule 
11870(c)(5) and establish the same five-day requirement.\52\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \52\ See proposed Rule G-26(c)(iii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Transfer Procedures
    Current Rule G-26(d) establishes, as part of the transfer 
procedures, the requirements for validation of the transfer 
instructions and completion of the transfer. To detail the specific 
validation/exception and completion processes more clearly and to 
better harmonize with FINRA Rule 11870, the proposed rule change would 
provide the provisions describing those processes in new, separate 
sections of the rule.\53\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \53\ See proposed Rule G-26(e), (f). As a result of this 
restructuring, the subsequent, existing sections of the rule would 
be renumbered in proposed Rule G-26.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Validation of Transfer Instructions
    Under current Rule G-26(d)(iv)(A), upon validation of a transfer 
instruction, the carrying party must ``freeze'' the account to be 
transferred and return the transfer instruction to the receiving party 
with an attachment indicating all securities positions and money 
balance in the account as shown on the books of the carrying party. 
Because the proposed rule change would allow for partial account 
transfers of specifically designated municipal securities assets, the 
proposed rule change would require the account freeze only for 
validation of the transfer of an entire account, as the

[[Page 27311]]

customer's account at the carrying party should not be frozen if 
certain municipal securities would remain in the account and the 
customer may want to continue transacting in that account.\54\ For 
whole and partial account transfers, the carrying party would continue 
to have the responsibility to return the instructions and indicate the 
securities positions and money balance to be transferred.\55\ However, 
to identify the assets held in the customer account at the carrying 
party more comprehensively and to harmonize with FINRA Rule 
11870(d)(5)(A), the proposed rule change would also require the 
carrying party to indicate safekeeping positions,\56\ which are defined 
to be any security held by a carrying party in the name of the 
customer, including securities that are unendorsed or have a stock/bond 
power attached thereto.\57\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \54\ See proposed Rule G-26(e)(i).
    \55\ See proposed Rule G-26(e)(ii).
    \56\ See proposed Rule G-26(e)(ii).
    \57\ See proposed Rule G-26(a)(vi).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Additionally, current Rule G-26(d)(iv)(B) requires the carrying 
party to include a then-current market value for all assets to be 
transferred. FINRA Rule 11870(d)(5) provides that the original cost 
should be used as the value if a then-current value cannot be 
determined for an asset. The proposed rule change would include a 
provision substantially similar to the FINRA provision to provide 
clarity on how any such municipal securities should be valued and to 
improve harmonization between the MSRB and FINRA rules.\58\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \58\ See proposed Rule G-26(e)(ii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Exceptions To Transfer Instructions
    As part of the validation process, current Rule G-26 provides that 
the carrying party may take certain exceptions to the transfer 
instructions authorized by the customer and provided by the receiving 
party. Specifically, Rule G-26(d)(ii) allows a carrying party to take 
exception to a transfer instruction only if it has no record of the 
account on its books or the transfer instruction is incomplete.\59\ 
FINRA Rule 11870(d)(3) provides numerous other bases to take exception 
to a transfer instruction that the MSRB believes would more 
comprehensively address potential issues with a transfer instruction 
with which a carrying party could reasonably take issue and better 
harmonize with FINRA Rule 11870. Accordingly, in addition to the 
existing bases for exceptions, the proposed rule change would allow a 
carrying party to take exception to a transfer instruction if: (1) The 
transfer instruction contains an improper signature; (2) additional 
documentation is required (e.g., legal documents such as death or 
marriage certificate); (3) the account is ``flat'' and reflects no 
transferable assets; \60\ (4) the account number is invalid (i.e., the 
account number is not on the carrying party's books); \61\ (5) it is a 
duplicate request; (6) it violates the receiving party's credit policy; 
(7) it contains unrecognized residual credit assets (i.e., the 
receiving party cannot identify the customer); (8) the customer 
rescinds the instruction (e.g., the customer has submitted a written 
request to cancel the transfer); (9) there is a mismatch of the Social 
Security Number/Tax ID (e.g., the number on the transfer instruction 
does not correspond to that on the carrying party's records); (10) the 
account title on the transfer instruction does not match that on the 
carrying party's records; (11) the account type on the transfer 
instruction does not correspond to that on the carrying party's 
records; (12) the transfer instruction is missing or contains an 
improper authorization (e.g., the transfer instruction requires an 
additional customer authorization or successor custodian's acceptance 
authorization or custodial approval; or (13) the customer has taken 
possession of the assets in the account (e.g., the municipal securities 
account assets in question have been transferred directly to the 
customer).\62\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \59\ See Rule G-26(d)(ii).
    \60\ For such an exception, the receiving party would have to 
resubmit the transfer instruction only if the most recent customer 
statement is attached. See proposed Rule G-26(e)(v).
    \61\ If the carrying party has changed the account number for 
purposes of internally reassigning the account, it would be the 
responsibility of the carrying party to track the changed account 
number, and such reassigned account number would not be considered 
invalid for purposes of fulfilling a transfer instruction. See 
proposed Rule G-26(e)(iv)(F).
    \62\ In order to include the exceptions to transfer instructions 
with the provisions related to validation, the proposed rule change 
would move the existing exceptions to, and add the new exceptions 
in, the new, separate section on validation of transfer 
instructions. See proposed Rule G-26(e)(iv).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Additionally, FINRA Rule 11870(d)(2) precludes a carrying party 
from taking an exception and denying validation of the transfer 
instruction because of a dispute over security positions or the money 
balance in the account to be transferred, and it requires the carrying 
party to transfer the positions and/or money balance reflected on its 
books for the account. The MSRB believes this provision will be equally 
valuable to transfers covered under Rule G-26 to ensure that customers 
are able to hold their municipal securities at their dealers of 
choice.\63\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \63\ See proposed Rule G-26(e)(iii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Recordkeeping and Customer Notification
    During the validation process for a customer account transfer, 
there is a risk that the parties to the transfer fail to identify 
certain nontransferable assets, resulting in the improper transfer of 
those assets. FINRA Rule 11870(c)(1)(E) explicitly requires that the 
parties promptly resolve and reverse any such misidentified 
nontransferable assets, update their records and bookkeeping systems 
and notify the customer of the action taken. The MSRB believes it is 
important to add this explicit requirement to Rule G-26 to ensure that 
dealers address any errors in the transfer process promptly.\64\ 
Therefore, the proposed rule change would require that the parties 
promptly resolve and reverse any such misidentified nontransferable 
assets, update their records and bookkeeping systems and notify the 
customer of the action taken.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \64\ See proposed Rule G-26(e)(vi).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Transfer Rejection
    FINRA Rule 11870(d)(8) allows the receiving party to reject a full 
account transfer if the account would not be in compliance with its 
credit policies or minimum asset requirements. A receiving party may 
not reject only a portion of the account assets (i.e., the particular 
assets not in compliance with the dealer's credit policies or minimum 
asset requirement). Rule G-26 currently does not include any comparable 
provisions, but the MSRB believes it is reasonable for a receiving 
party to deny a customer's transfer request due to noncompliance with 
its credit policies or minimum asset requirements. Accordingly, the 
proposed rule change would provide this ability to the receiving party 
in Rule G-26.\65\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \65\ See proposed Rule G-26(e)(viii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Resolution of Discrepancies
    Rule G-26(f) currently provides that any discrepancies relating to 
positions or money balances that exist or occur after transfer of a 
customer account must be resolved promptly.\66\ FINRA Rule 11870(g) 
includes the same standard but also requires that the carrying party 
must promptly distribute to the receiving party any transferable assets 
that accrue to the customer's transferred account after the transfer 
has been effected. Further, FINRA Rule 11870(g) provides clarity to the 
promptness requirement by requiring

[[Page 27312]]

that any claims of discrepancies after a transfer must be resolved 
within five business days from notice of such claim or the non-claiming 
party must take exception to the claim and set forth specific reasons 
for doing so. To provide the same level of clarity and to improve 
harmonization with FINRA Rule 11870(g), the proposed rule change would 
include these same additional provisions.\67\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \66\ See Rule G-26(f).
    \67\ See proposed Rule G-26(i)(ii)-(iii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Participant in a Registered Clearing Agency
    When both the carrying party and the receiving party are direct 
participants in a clearing agency that is registered with the SEC and 
offers automated customer securities account transfer capabilities, 
Rule G-26(h) currently requires the account transfer procedure to be 
accomplished pursuant to the rules of and through such registered 
clearing agency.\68\ FINRA Rule 11870(m) has a similar requirement that 
provides an exception for specifically designated securities assets 
transferred pursuant to the submittal of a customer's authorized 
alternate instructions to the carrying party. As discussed above, FINRA 
Rule 11870(m)(3) also requires the transfer of residual credit 
positions through the registered clearing agency. Further, FINRA Rule 
11870(m)(4) prescribes several conditions for such transfers for 
participants in a registered clearing agency.\69\ The MSRB believes 
customers and the parties to a customer account transfer should have 
the option of performing the transfer outside of the facilities of a 
registered clearing agency when an appropriate authorized alternate 
instruction is given. Additionally, the MSRB believes the additional 
prescription related to the process provided by FINRA will give greater 
clarity to customers and dealers. Accordingly, the proposed rule change 
would include these provisions.\70\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \68\ See Rule G-26(h).
    \69\ FINRA also defines a ``participant in a registered clearing 
agency'' as ``a member of a registered clearing agency that is 
eligible to make use of the agency's automated customer securities 
account transfer capabilities,'' and ``registered clearing agency'' 
as ``a clearing agency as defined in, and registered in accordance 
with, the Exchange Act.'' The proposed rule change would include 
these same definitions. See proposed Rule G-26(a)(iv)-(v).
    \70\ See proposed Rule G-26(k).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Transfer of Residual Positions
    When both the carrying party and the receiving party are direct 
participants in a clearing agency registered with the SEC offering 
automated customer securities account transfer capabilities, FINRA Rule 
11870(n) requires each party to transfer credit balances that occur in 
any transferred account assets (both cash and securities) through the 
automated service within 10 business days after the credit balances 
accrue to the account for a minimum period of six months. Given that 
the majority of customer account transfers subject to Rule G-26 occur 
manually, the MSRB believes it is important to provide clarity on the 
obligation and timing required to transfer such credit balances for any 
customer account transfer, so the proposed rule change would include a 
provision with the same 10-business-day requirement as FINRA Rule 
11870(n) that is not limited to when both parties are direct 
participants in a clearing agency registered with the SEC offering 
automated customer securities account transfer capabilities.\71\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \71\ See proposed Rule G-26(g).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Written Procedures
    Current Rule G-26 does not itself include any requirement for 
policies and procedures, but Supplementary Material .01 to FINRA Rule 
11870 requires the establishment, maintenance and enforcement of 
written procedures to affect and supervise customer account transfers. 
The MSRB believes it is important for dealers to document the 
procedures they follow to effect customer account transfers and to 
require explicitly written procedures for supervision of the same, 
which is consistent with MSRB Rule G-27, on supervision. Accordingly, 
the proposed rule change would include such a requirement.\72\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \72\ See Supplementary Material .02 to proposed Rule G-26.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

FINRA Rule 11650--Transfer Fees
    Neither current Rule G-26 nor any other MSRB rule specifically 
addresses transfer fees. However, FINRA Rule 11650, on transfer fees, 
specifies that the party at the instance of which a transfer of 
securities is made shall pay all service charges of the transfer agent. 
The MSRB believes it is important to clarify which party is responsible 
for the fees incurred for a customer account transfer. Accordingly, the 
proposed rule change would include a provision identical to FINRA Rule 
11650.\73\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \73\ See Supplementary Material .03 to proposed Rule G-26.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Statutory Basis
    Section 15B(b)(2) of the Act \74\ provides that:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \74\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-4(b)(2).

[t]he Board shall propose and adopt rules to effect the purposes of 
this title with respect to transactions in municipal securities 
effected by brokers, dealers, and municipal securities dealers and 
advice provided to or on behalf of municipal entities or obligated 
persons by brokers, dealers, municipal securities dealers, and 
municipal advisors with respect to municipal financial products, the 
issuance of municipal securities, and solicitations of municipal 
entities or obligated persons undertaken by brokers, dealers, 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
municipal securities dealers, and municipal advisors.

    Section 15B(b)(2)(C) of the Act \75\ provides that the MSRB's rules 
shall:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \75\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-4(b)(2)(C).


be designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and 
practices, to promote just and equitable principals of trade, to 
foster cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in 
regulating, clearing, settling, processing information with respect 
to, and facilitating transactions in municipal securities and 
municipal financial products, to remove impediments to and perfect 
the mechanism of a free and open market in municipal securities and 
municipal financial products, and, in general, to protect investors, 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
municipal entities, obligated persons, and the public interest.

    The MSRB believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with 
the provisions of Sections 15B(b)(2) \76\ and 15B(b)(2)(C) \77\ of the 
Act because it would re-establish consistency with the customer account 
transfer rules of other SROs by conforming to significant updates by 
the NSCC, the NYSE and FINRA that have relevance to municipal 
securities. Further, the MSRB believes that including certain 
provisions from the other rules in the proposed rule change will make 
the transfer of customer securities account assets more flexible, less 
burdensome, and more efficient, while reducing confusion and risk to 
investors and allowing them to better move their securities to their 
dealer of choice. The MSRB believes the proposed rule change will 
promote fairness and provide greater efficiency in the transfer of 
customer accounts, which should prevent fraudulent and manipulative 
acts and practices, promote just and equitable principals of trade, 
foster cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in regulating, 
clearing, settling, processing information with respect to, and 
facilitating transactions in municipal securities and municipal 
financial products, remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of 
a free and open market in municipal securities and municipal financial 
products, and, in general, protect investors and the public interest.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \76\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-4(b)(2).
    \77\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-4(b)(2)(C).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The MSRB also believes that the proposed rule change is consistent 
with

[[Page 27313]]

Section 15B(b)(2)(G) of the Act,\78\ which provides that the MSRB's 
rules shall:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \78\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-4(b)(2)(G).

prescribe records to be made and kept by municipal securities 
brokers, municipal securities dealers, and municipal advisors and 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
the periods for which such records shall be preserved.

    The MSRB believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with 
Section 15B(b)(2)(G) of the Act \79\ because it would require dealers 
to document the procedures they follow to effect customer account 
transfers and to require explicitly written procedures for supervision 
of the same.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \79\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    Section 15B(b)(2)(C) of the Act \80\ requires that MSRB rules not 
be designed to impose any burden on competition not necessary or 
appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. In determining 
whether these standards have been met, the MSRB was guided by the 
Board's Policy on the Use of Economic Analysis in MSRB Rulemaking. In 
accordance with this policy, the Board has evaluated the potential 
impacts on competition of the proposed rule change, including in 
comparison to reasonable alternative regulatory approaches, relative to 
the baseline. The MSRB does not believe the proposed rule change 
imposes any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in 
furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \80\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-4(b)(2)(C).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The MSRB does not believe the proposed rule change will create a 
burden on competition, as all municipal securities brokers and 
municipal securities dealers would be subject to the same modified 
requirements for customer account transfers. The MSRB believes that the 
proposed rule change may reduce inefficiencies that stem from 
uncertainty and confusion associated with existing Rule G-26. The MSRB 
also believes that dealers may benefit from clarifications and 
revisions that more closely reflect the securities industry standard, 
which may, in turn, reduce operational risk to dealers and investors. 
Finally, the MSRB believes that the proposed rule change will make the 
transfer of customer municipal securities account assets more flexible, 
less burdensome, and more efficient, while reducing confusion and risk 
to investors and allowing them to more conveniently move their 
municipal securities to their dealer of choice.

C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed 
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others

    The MSRB received three comment letters in response to the Request 
for Comment.\81\ The comment letters are summarized below by topic, and 
the MSRB's responses are provided.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \81\ See Letters from: Mike Nicholas, Chief Executive Officer, 
Bond Dealers of America (``BDA''), dated February 17, 2017; Michael 
Paganini (``Paganini''), dated January 6, 2017; and Leslie M. 
Norwood, Managing Director and Associate General Counsel, SIFMA, 
dated February 17, 2017.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Need for Rule G-26
    SIFMA supported the stated purpose of the draft amendments to 
modernize Rule G-26 and promote a uniform customer account transfer 
standard, but it suggests some alternative approaches to achieve that 
end. Specifically, SIFMA recognized that Rule G-26 is only applicable 
to municipal securities brokers and municipal securities dealers, 
particularly those with municipal security-only accounts and bank 
dealers, but believes the rule is unnecessary. Further, SIFMA noted 
that the firms subject to Rule G-26 are a small fraction of the total 
number of firms and, for the most part, are not direct clearing 
participants of the NSCC and, therefore, not eligible to participate in 
the ACATS process.\82\ SIFMA stated that, because these firms are not 
members of the NYSE or FINRA and, therefore, not subject to NYSE Rule 
412 and FINRA Rule 11870, they are exempt from participating in ACATS 
under Rule G-26. Finally, SIFMA believes that there are few customer 
account transfers that occur ex-clearing (i.e., a manual process 
outside of ACATS), making Rule G-26 redundant, and suggests that the 
MSRB eliminate it.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \82\ As of May 16, 2017, there were 27 bank dealers registered 
with the MSRB.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Although SIFMA is correct that most of the firms subject to Rule G-
26 do not participate in ACATS, SIFMA did not recognize that, from the 
rule's inception, it has been intended to cover these firms, which are 
not subject to NSCC, FINRA or NYSE rules, regardless of how few of them 
there may be and regardless of how few customer account transfers they 
may perform.\83\ As such, the MSRB believes that there remains a need 
for Rule G-26 to address the manual processes used by these firms in 
transferring customer accounts.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \83\ See Exchange Act Release No. 22810 (Jan. 17, 1986), 51 FR 
3287 (Jan. 24, 1986) (SR-MSRB-86-2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    SIFMA alternatively suggested that, if the MSRB does not eliminate 
Rule G-26, it should amend the rule to incorporate FINRA Rule 11870 by 
reference, similar to what the NYSE has done in its Rule 412 and what 
the Board has done in MSRB Rule G-41, on anti-money laundering 
compliance programs.\84\ SIFMA specifically proposed that the rule 
state that dealers ``shall comply with FINRA Rule 11870, concerning the 
transfer of customer accounts between members, and any amendments 
thereto, as if such Rule is part of MSRB's Rules.'' SIFMA believed this 
``methodology is the most efficient way to reduce confusion and risk to 
investors, and reduce regulatory risk to dealers,'' which SIFMA stated 
have largely not been complying with the rule. SIFMA further believes 
this would ensure that all dealers are covered by a rule and that there 
is harmonization between the various SROs' rules.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \84\ Rule G-41 provides that dealers will be deemed to be in 
compliance with anti-money laundering program requirements if they 
establish and implement a program that is in compliance with the 
rules, regulations or requirements governing the establishment and 
maintenance of anti-money laundering programs of the registered 
securities association of which the dealer is a member or the 
appropriate regulatory agency as defined in the Exchange Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Although amending Rule G-26 to incorporate FINRA Rule 11870 by 
reference could be a simple and efficient solution to provide a uniform 
industry standard, the MSRB does not typically incorporate other 
regulators' rules by reference. The MSRB believes that, while the 
incorporation by reference approach suggested by SIFMA may enhance 
harmonization with FINRA's rules, that approach would raise significant 
concerns for the MSRB, given its statutory mandate and mission. For 
example, if FINRA or its staff were to provide an interpretation of 
FINRA Rule 11870, the MSRB automatically would be adopting that 
interpretation without deliberately considering the issues that may be 
unique to, or the interpretation's ramifications for, the municipal 
securities market. Further, there are municipal securities dealers that 
are not members of FINRA. Those dealers may not have notice of FINRA's 
rule interpretations unless the MSRB were to monitor FINRA's rulemaking 
and independently notify dealers. Therefore, if the MSRB were to 
regulate customer account transfers over which it has jurisdiction by 
simply incorporating a FINRA rule by reference, the MSRB potentially 
could be seen as delegating its core mission to protect investors, 
issuers, and the public interest and to promote a fair and efficient 
municipal market.

[[Page 27314]]

Consistency With FINRA Rule 11870 and the Definition of 
``Nontransferable Asset''
    As discussed in the Request for Comment, FINRA Rule 11870(f)(1) 
requires that any fail contracts resulting from an account transfer, 
which includes municipal securities, be included in a dealer's fail 
file and that, not later than 30 business days following the date 
delivery was due, the dealer shall take steps to obtain physical 
possession or control of the municipal securities so failed to receive 
by initiating a buy-in procedure or otherwise.\85\ This 30-day time 
frame, however, is inconsistent with Rule G-26, which, through 
reference to MSRB Rule G-12(h), provides 10 calendar days with the 
option for a one-time extension of 10 calendar days, totaling up to 20 
calendar days, for dealers to close out failed inter-dealer municipal 
securities transactions.\86\ The Request for Comment also noted that an 
additional layer of inconsistency and complexity arises due to the 
system used to process most failed securities resulting from customer 
account transfers and inter-dealer transactions. Specifically, an 
inter-dealer transaction of municipal securities is processed in the 
NSCC's Continuous Net Settlement (``CNS'') system to be paired up with 
potentially another counterparty and settled.\87\ Any CNS-eligible 
municipal security in a customer account transfer that fails to be 
delivered also enters CNS. Once in CNS, it is difficult to determine 
which fails resulted from inter-dealer transactions or customer account 
transfers, and the counterparties that are paired up may not be the 
same counterparties to the original transaction/transfer. As a result, 
it may be unclear with which rule and corresponding time frame firms 
should comply--Rule G-12(h) or FINRA Rule 11870.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \85\ A buy-in occurs when the seller in a transaction, who 
failed to deliver the securities sold to the buyer, purchases all or 
any part of the securities necessary to complete the transaction at 
the current market, with the seller bearing any burden from any 
change in the market price, and any benefit from any change in the 
market price remaining with the buyer.
    \86\ The MSRB notes that market participants were very 
supportive of, and, in fact, suggested the time frames recently 
adopted in Rule G-12(h) for closing out failed inter-dealer 
transactions. The MSRB further notes that the inconsistency between 
the timing of FINRA's buy-in procedures under FINRA Rule 11870(f)(1) 
(30 business days) and the timing of the MSRB's previous close-out 
procedures for inter-dealer transactions (up to 90 business days) 
existed prior to the amendments to Rule G-12(h).
    \87\ As a key part of the CNS system, NSCC acts as the central 
counterparty for clearance and settlement for virtually all broker-
to-broker equity, corporate and municipal bond and unit investment 
trust trading in the United States. CNS processes include an 
automated book-entry accounting system that centralizes settlement 
and maintains an orderly flow of security and money balances.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    To avoid these inconsistencies and uncertainties, the draft 
amendments in the Request for Comment proposed to amend the definition 
of ``nontransferable asset'' to include any customer long position in a 
municipal security that allocates to a short position, which resulted 
from either the carrying party's trading activity or failure to receive 
the securities it purchased to fill a customer's municipal securities 
order (i.e., an inter-dealer transaction fail). In the Request for 
Comment, the MSRB noted that, if FINRA were to similarly amend Rule 
11870 to make these short positions nontransferable, then customer 
account transfers of municipal securities would be significantly less 
likely to fail and there might no longer be a need to establish fail 
contracts and provide a process by which those fails could be closed 
out, eliminating the timing inconsistencies and ambiguity. The MSRB 
further noted that dealers may not be subject to the costs associated 
with these transfer fails, as well as the complication and confusion 
that may arise on coupon payment dates from the need to provide 
substitute interest for tax-exempt municipal securities. The MSRB 
stated its belief that this draft amendment would have the additional 
benefits of reducing counterparty risk and increasing investor 
confidence.
    SIFMA recognized the inconsistency between Rule G-26 and FINRA Rule 
11870, as well as the complexity in CNS created by the inconsistency; 
however, it disagreed with the MSRB's analysis that the draft amendment 
to the definition of ``nontransferable asset'' would reduce 
counterparty risk and increase customer confidence, and it believed 
that it would be disruptive to industry practice and outside of 
standard ACATS procedures. SIFMA stated that ``[a]utomated systems fail 
to be efficient if they require manual processes, such as validating if 
a long municipal security position is allocated to a short firm 
position.'' BDA also had concerns and believes that the proposed 
amendment to the definition is unworkable. BDA stated that significant 
operational changes would have to occur in order to make the change 
feasible because current dealer systems are not designed to code or 
segregate inter-dealer transaction fails and account transfer fails, 
and because most firms track fails at the firm level, not at the 
account level for compliance with regulatory issues, such as properly 
tracking substitute interest. BDA urged the MSRB to engage in dealer 
outreach to find a different solution that better aligns with existing 
dealer systems and processes.
    As an alternative to amending the definition of ``nontransferable 
asset,'' SIFMA believed that FINRA Rule 11870 must be amended as soon 
as practicable to reflect the recent amendments to Rule G-12 relating 
to close-outs to eliminate the inconsistency in the time frames. 
Accordingly, SIFMA suggested that FINRA simply cross-reference Rule G-
12(h), and any amendments thereto, for any fail contracts in municipal 
securities resulting from customer account transfers.\88\ BDA commented 
that it did not see a policy reason to amend Rule G-26, but BDA's 
letter did not confront the inconsistency between Rule G-26 and FINRA 
Rule 11870, and the related complexity created in CNS. BDA further 
questioned the need for any changes by FINRA to FINRA Rule 11870, and 
believed FINRA Rule 11870(f) is an adequate standard with which Rule G-
26 should harmonize instead.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \88\ SIFMA also suggested that FINRA consolidate its rules 
relating to customer account transfers, including related fees, into 
FINRA Rule 11870.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Given both SIFMA's and BDA's concerns about the operational changes 
needed and the corresponding costs that would result from such a 
change, the MSRB, at this time, does not believe amending the 
definition of ``nontransferable asset'' to include any customer long 
position in a municipal security that allocates to a short position is 
appropriate, particularly without certainty that FINRA would similarly 
amend FINRA Rule 11870 to ensure that all short municipal securities 
positions in customer account transfers receive identical treatment.
Miscellaneous Comments
    As discussed above, in response to comments from SIFMA, the 
proposed rule change would amend the definition of ``nontransferable 
asset'' to include proprietary products of the carrying party and would 
allow for either the carrying party or the receiving party (or both) to 
provide the list of nontransferable assets to a customer and request 
their disposition.\89\ Additionally, Paganini believed that firms are 
``very inefficient when it comes to account transfers of specific types 
of assets i.e., some municipal bonds,'' and that ``it is exasperating, 
frustrating, and time consuming for the private investor'' when there 
is a problem with an account transfer. He recommended that there be 
some type of enforcement mechanism or financial penalty for transfers 
that cannot be

[[Page 27315]]

accomplished within a reasonable time period. The MSRB notes that 
dealers are expected to comply with the appropriate customer account 
transfer rule, including Rule G-26 (and the time frames included 
therein) where applicable, and that, if they do not, they could be 
subject to an enforcement action for violating the rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \89\ See Definition of ``Nontransferable Asset'' and Transfer 
Instructions supra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for 
Commission Action

    Within 45 days of the date of publication of this notice in the 
Federal Register or within such longer period of up to 90 days (i) as 
the Commission may designate if it finds such longer period to be 
appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or (ii) as to 
which the self-regulatory organization consents, the Commission will:
    (A) By order approve or disapprove such proposed rule change, or
    (B) institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule 
change should be disapproved.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and 
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule 
change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of 
the following methods:

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's Internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an email to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include 
File Number SR-MSRB-2017-03 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

     Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities 
and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549.

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-MSRB-2017-03. This file 
number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help 
the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, 
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on 
the Commission's Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all 
written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are 
filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to 
the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other 
than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the 
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and 
printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20549 on official business days between the hours of 
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the filing also will be available 
for inspection and copying at the principal office of the MSRB. All 
comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does 
not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should 
submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All 
submissions should refer to File Number SR-MSRB-2017-03 and should be 
submitted on or before July 5, 2017.

    For the Commission, pursuant to delegated authority.\90\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \90\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Robert W. Errett,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-12266 Filed 6-13-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P


