[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 138 (Wednesday, July 20, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43335-43338]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-15446]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-95281; File No. SR-FINRA-2022-018]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Financial Industry Regulatory 
Authority, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a 
Proposed Rule Change To Extend the Expiration Date of the Temporary 
Amendments Set Forth in SR-FINRA-2020-015 and SR-FINRA-2020-027

July 14, 2022.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given that 
on July 8, 2022, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. 
(``FINRA'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``SEC'' 
or ``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I and 
II below, which Items have been prepared by FINRA. FINRA has designated 
the proposed rule change as constituting a ``non-controversial'' rule 
change under paragraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b-4 under the Act,\3\ which 
renders the proposal effective upon receipt of this filing by the 
Commission. 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.
    \3\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    FINRA is proposing to extend the expiration date of the temporary 
amendments set forth in SR-FINRA-2020-015 and SR-FINRA-2020-027 from 
July 31, 2022 to October 31, 2022.\4\ The proposed rule change would 
not make any changes to the text of FINRA rules.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ If FINRA seeks to provide additional temporary relief from 
the rule requirements identified in this proposed rule change beyond 
October 31, 2022, FINRA will submit a separate rule filing to 
further extend the temporary extension of time. The amended FINRA 
rules will revert to their original form at the conclusion of the 
temporary relief period and any extension thereof.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The text of the proposed rule change is available on FINRA's 
website at http://www.finra.org, at the principal office of FINRA 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, FINRA 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. FINRA 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
    In response to the COVID-19 global health crisis and the 
corresponding need to restrict in-person activities, FINRA filed 
proposed rule changes, SR-FINRA-2020-015 and SR-FINRA-2020-027, which 
respectively provide temporary relief from some timing, method of 
service and other procedural requirements in FINRA rules and allow 
FINRA's Office of Hearing Officers (``OHO'') and the National 
Adjudicatory Council (``NAC'') to conduct hearings, on a temporary 
basis, by video conference, if warranted by the current COVID-19-
related public health risks posed by an in-person hearing. In March 
2022, FINRA filed a proposed rule change, SR-FINRA-2022-004, to extend 
the expiration date of the temporary amendments in both SR-FINRA-2020-
015 and SR-FINRA-2020-027 from March 31, 2022, to July 31, 2022.\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 94430 (March 16, 
2022), 87 FR 16262 (March 22, 2022) (Notice of Filing and Immediate 
Effectiveness of File No. SR-FINRA-2022-004).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Even though it has been more than two years since the World Health 
Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic, uncertainty still remains 
around this disease. The continued presence of COVID-19 variants 
including the quickly emerging Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants, 
dissimilar vaccination rates throughout the United States, and the 
current medium to high COVID-19 community levels in many states 
indicate that COVID-19 remains an active and real public health 
concern.\6\ Due to the uncertainty and the lack of a clear timeframe 
for a sustained and widespread abatement of COVID-19-related health 
concerns and corresponding restrictions,\7\ FINRA believes there is a 
continued need for temporary relief beyond July 31, 2022. Accordingly, 
FINRA proposes to extend the expiration date of the temporary 
amendments in SR-FINRA-2020-015

[[Page 43336]]

and SR-FINRA-2020-027 from July 31, 2022, to October 31, 2022.\8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ For example, there has been a notable upward trend in the 
number of daily COVID-19 cases in the United States since April 1, 
2022. See https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#trends_dailycases. In addition, on June 9, 2022, the Biden 
Administration announced its operational plan for COVID-19 
vaccinations for children under the age of five. See https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/06/09/fact-sheetbiden-administration-announces-operational-plan-for-covid-19-vaccinations-for-children-under-5/.
    \7\ For instance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
(``CDC'') recommends that people wear a mask in public indoor 
settings in areas with a high COVID-19 community level regardless of 
vaccination status or individual risk. See https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/about-face-coverings.html. The CDC also recommends that people wear a mask in 
indoor areas of public transportation and transportation hubs to 
protect themselves and those around them and help keep travel and 
public transportation safer for everyone. See https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/masks-public-transportation.html. 
Furthermore, numerous states currently have mask mandates in certain 
settings, such as healthcare and correctional facilities.
    \8\ As a further basis for extending the expiration date to 
October 31, 2022, FINRA notes that the Commission recently approved 
FINRA's rule proposal to make permanent the temporary amendments to 
the electronic service and filing rules originally set forth in SR-
FINRA-2020-015, with some modifications, as described in the order 
approving the rule proposal. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 
95147 (June 23, 2022), 87 FR 38803 (June 29, 2022) (Order Approving 
File No. SR-FINRA-2022-009). Because the effective date of the 
permanent rule amendments, which will be announced in a Regulatory 
Notice, will be after July 31, 2022, FINRA is seeking an extension 
of the temporary amendments to provide continuity and avoid any 
lapse in the temporary amendments to the electronic service and 
filing rules during the period before the effective date of the 
permanent rule amendments. The temporary amendments to the 
electronic service and filing rules--FINRA Rules 1012, 1015(f)(1), 
6490, 9132, 9133, 9146, 9321, 9341(c), 9349, 9351, 9522, 9524(a)(3), 
9525, 9559, and 9630--will expire on the effective date of the 
permanent rule amendments. FINRA notes that the temporary amendments 
pertaining to video conference hearings originally set forth in SR-
FINRA-2020-027 were not included in the rule proposal that was 
approved by the Commission.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

i. SR-FINRA-2020-015
    As stated in its previous filings, FINRA proposed, and subsequently 
extended, the changes set forth in SR-FINRA-2020-015 to temporarily 
amend some timing, method of service and other procedural requirements 
in FINRA rules during the period in which FINRA's operations are 
impacted by the outbreak of COVID-19.\9\ Among other things, the need 
for FINRA staff, with limited exceptions, to work remotely and restrict 
in-person activities-consistent with the recommendations of public 
health officials-have made it challenging to meet some procedural 
requirements and perform some functions required under FINRA rules. 
FINRA is proposing to extend the expiration date of the temporary 
amendments originally set forth in SR-FINRA-2020-015 from July 31, 
2022, to October 31, 2022,\10\ because, in addition to providing 
continuity to the electronic service and filing rules,\11\ extension of 
the rule amendments regarding certain timing requirements and the 
format for oral argument for FINRA proceedings \12\ is needed as FINRA 
does not anticipate that the COVID-19-related health concerns 
necessitating this relief will meaningfully subside by July 31, 2022.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 88917 (May 20, 
2020), 85 FR 31832 (May 27, 2020) (Notice of Filing and Immediate 
Effectiveness of File No. SR-FINRA-2020-015); Securities Exchange 
Act Release No. 89055 (June 12, 2020), 85 FR 36928 (June 18, 2020) 
(Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of File No. SR-FINRA-
2020-017); Securities Exchange Act Release No. 89423 (July 29, 
2020), 85 FR 47278 (August 4, 2020) (Notice of Filing and Immediate 
Effectiveness of File No. SR-FINRA-2020-022); Securities Exchange 
Act Release No. 90619 (December 9, 2020), 85 FR 81250 (December 15, 
2020) (Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of File No. SR-
FINRA-2020-042); Securities Exchange Act Release No. 91495 (April 7, 
2021), 86 FR 19306 (April 13, 2021) (Notice of Filing and Immediate 
Effectiveness of File No. SR-FINRA-2021-006); Securities Exchange 
Act Release No. 92685 (August 17, 2021), 86 FR 47169 (August 23, 
2021) (Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of File No. SR-
FINRA-2021-019); Securities Exchange Act Release No. 93758 (December 
13, 2021), 86 FR 71695 (December 17, 2021) (Notice of Filing and 
Immediate Effectiveness of File No. SR-FINRA-2021-031); supra note 
5.
    \10\ See id. (outlining the filing history of SR-FINRA-2020-015 
and its prior extensions).
    \11\ See supra note 8.
    \12\ These temporary amendments pertain to FINRA Rules 
1015(f)(1), 1015(i), 6490, 9341(d), and 9559(q)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

ii. SR-FINRA-2020-027
    The same public health concerns and restrictions, along with a 
corresponding backlog of disciplinary cases,\13\ led FINRA to file, and 
subsequently extend to July 31, 2022, SR-FINRA-2020-027 to temporarily 
amend FINRA Rules 1015, 9261, 9524, and 9830 to grant OHO and the NAC 
authority \14\ to conduct hearings in connection with appeals of 
Membership Application Program decisions, disciplinary actions, 
eligibility proceedings and temporary and permanent cease and desist 
orders by video conference, if warranted by the COVID-19-related public 
health risks posed by an in-person hearing.\15\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ For example, FINRA began temporarily postponing in-person 
hearings as a result of the COVID-19 impacts on March 16, 2020.
    \14\ For OHO hearings under FINRA Rules 9261 and 9830, the 
proposed rule change temporarily grants authority to the Chief or 
Deputy Chief Hearing Officer to order that a hearing be conducted by 
video conference. For NAC hearings under FINRA Rules 1015 and 9524, 
this temporary authority is granted to the NAC or the relevant 
Subcommittee.
    \15\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 89739 (September 2, 
2020), 85 FR 55712 (September 9, 2020) (Notice of Filing and 
Immediate Effectiveness of File No. SR-FINRA-2020-027); Securities 
Exchange Act Release No. 90619 (December 9, 2020), 85 FR 81250 
(December 15, 2020) (Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of 
File No. SR-FINRA-2020-042); Securities Exchange Act Release No. 
91495 (April 7, 2021), 86 FR 19306 (April 13, 2021) (Notice of 
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of File No. SR-FINRA-2021-006); 
Securities Exchange Act Release No. 92685 (August 17, 2021), 86 FR 
47169 (August 23, 2021) (Notice of Filing and Immediate 
Effectiveness of File No. SR-FINRA-2021-019); Securities Exchange 
Act Release No. 93758 (December 13, 2021), 86 FR 71695 (December 17, 
2021) (Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of File No. SR-
FINRA-2021-031); supra note 5.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As set forth in the previous filings, FINRA also relies on the 
guidance of its health and safety consultant, in conjunction with 
COVID-19 data and guidance issued by public health authorities, to 
determine whether the current public health risks presented by an in-
person hearing may warrant a hearing by video conference.\16\ Based on 
that guidance and data, FINRA does not believe the COVID-19-related 
health concerns necessitating this relief will meaningfully subside by 
July 31, 2022, and believes there will be a continued need for this 
temporary relief beyond that date.\17\ Accordingly, FINRA proposes to 
extend the expiration date of the temporary amendments originally set 
forth in SR-FINRA-2020-027 from July 31, 2022, to October 31, 2022.\18\ 
The extension of these temporary amendments allowing for specified OHO 
and NAC hearings to proceed by video conference will allow FINRA's 
critical adjudicatory functions to continue to operate effectively in 
these extraordinary circumstances--enabling FINRA to fulfill its 
statutory obligations to protect investors and maintain fair and 
orderly markets--while also protecting the health and safety of hearing 
participants.\19\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ As noted in SR-FINRA-2020-027, the temporary proposed rule 
change grants discretion to OHO and the NAC to order a video 
conference hearing. In deciding whether to schedule a hearing by 
video conference, OHO and the NAC may consider a variety of other 
factors in addition to COVID-19 trends. In SR-FINRA-2020-027, FINRA 
provided a non-exhaustive list of other factors OHO and the NAC may 
take into consideration, including a hearing participant's 
individual health concerns and access to the connectivity and 
technology necessary to participate in a video conference hearing.
    \17\ FINRA notes that the proposed extension of the temporary 
amendments does not mean a video conference hearing will be ordered 
in every case. FINRA strives to hold in-person hearings when it is 
safe to do so and began to hold such hearings at a single location 
last year. Specifically, FINRA held its first in-person hearing 
since the temporary amendments were implemented in July 2021. A 
subsequent surge in case numbers for the Delta variant of the COVID-
19 virus caused FINRA's outside health and safety consultant to 
recommend in early August against in-person hearings. Accordingly, 
the Chief Hearing Officer converted hearings scheduled after mid-
September from in-person to video conference on a case-by-case 
basis. In addition to creating a safe environment in which an in-
person hearing may be held, as mentioned above, a number of other 
considerations inform whether any given case will be held in-person 
or by video conference.
    \18\ See supra note 5.
    \19\ Since the temporary amendments were implemented, OHO and 
the NAC have conducted several hearings by video conference. As of 
June 28, 2022, OHO has conducted 17 disciplinary hearings by video 
conference (decisions have been issued in 15 of these cases). In six 
of these disciplinary hearings, all of the parties agreed to proceed 
by video conference; the other 11 were ordered to proceed by video 
conference by the Chief Hearing Officer. OHO currently has hearings 
scheduled in six additional disciplinary matters. OHO intended to 
proceed with an in-person hearing for one of these matters in July 
2022, but in late June the parties requested that the hearing occur 
by video conference because of health concerns. No determination has 
yet been made regarding whether the other five hearings will be in-
person or by video conference. Also, as of June 28, 2022, the NAC, 
through the relevant Subcommittee, has conducted 16 oral arguments 
by video conference in connection with appeals of FINRA disciplinary 
proceedings pursuant to FINRA Rule 9341(d), as temporarily amended. 
Furthermore, the NAC has conducted via video conference a one-day 
evidentiary hearing in a membership application proceeding pursuant 
to FINRA Rule 1015, as temporarily amended.

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

[[Page 43337]]

    FINRA has filed the proposed rule change for immediate 
effectiveness and has requested that the SEC waive the requirement that 
the proposed rule change not become operative for 30 days after the 
date of the filing, so FINRA can implement the proposed rule change 
immediately.
2. Statutory Basis
    FINRA believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the 
provisions of Section 15A(b)(6) of the Act,\20\ which requires, among 
other things, that FINRA rules must be designed to prevent fraudulent 
and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable 
principles of trade, and, in general, to protect investors and the 
public interest. FINRA believes that the proposed rule change is also 
consistent with Section 15A(b)(8) of the Act,\21\ which requires, among 
other things, that FINRA rules provide a fair procedure for the 
disciplining of members and persons associated with members.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \20\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-3(b)(6).
    \21\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-3(b)(8).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposed rule change, which extends the expiration date of the 
temporary amendments to FINRA rules set forth in SR-FINRA-2020-015, 
will continue to provide FINRA, and in some cases another party to a 
proceeding, temporary modifications to its procedural requirements in 
order to allow FINRA to maintain fair processes and protect investors 
while operating in a remote work environment and with corresponding 
restrictions on its activities. It is in the public interest, and 
consistent with the Act's purpose, for FINRA to operate pursuant to 
this temporary relief. The temporary amendments allow FINRA to specify 
service and filing methods, extend certain time periods, and modify the 
format of oral argument for FINRA disciplinary and eligibility 
proceedings and other review processes to cope with the current 
pandemic conditions. In addition to ensuring continuity to the 
electronic service and filing rules, extending this temporary relief 
will further support FINRA's disciplinary and eligibility proceedings 
and other review processes that serve a critical role in providing 
investor protection and maintaining fair and orderly markets.
    The proposed rule change, which also extends the expiration date of 
the temporary amendments to FINRA rules set forth in SR-FINRA-2020-027, 
will continue to aid FINRA's efforts to timely conduct hearings in 
connection with its core adjudicatory functions. Given the current and 
frequently changing COVID-19 conditions and the uncertainty around when 
those conditions will see meaningful, widespread and sustained 
improvement, without this relief allowing OHO and NAC hearings to 
proceed by video conference, FINRA might be required to postpone some 
or almost all hearings indefinitely. FINRA must be able to perform its 
critical adjudicatory functions to fulfill its statutory obligations to 
protect investors and maintain fair and orderly markets. As such, this 
relief is essential to FINRA's ability to fulfill its statutory 
obligations and allows hearing participants to avoid the serious COVID-
19-related health and safety risks associated with in-person hearings.
    Among other things, this relief will allow OHO to conduct temporary 
cease and desist proceedings by video conference so that FINRA can take 
immediate action to stop ongoing customer harm and will allow the NAC 
to timely provide members, disqualified individuals and other 
applicants an approval or denial of their applications. As set forth in 
detail in the original filing, this temporary relief allowing OHO and 
NAC hearings to proceed by video conference accounts for fair process 
considerations and will continue to provide fair process while avoiding 
the COVID-19-related public health risks for hearing participants. 
Accordingly, the proposed rule change extending this temporary relief 
is in the public interest and consistent with the Act's purpose.

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

    FINRA does not believe that the temporary proposed rule change will 
result in any burden on competition that is not necessary or 
appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. As set forth in 
SR-FINRA-2020-015 and SR-FINRA-2020-027, the proposed rule change is 
intended solely to extend temporary relief necessitated by the 
continued impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak and the related health and 
safety risks of conducting in-person activities. FINRA believes that 
the proposed rule change will prevent unnecessary impediments to 
FINRA's operations, including its critical adjudicatory processes, and 
its ability to fulfill its statutory obligations to protect investors 
and maintain fair and orderly markets that would otherwise result if 
the temporary amendments were to expire on July 31, 2022.

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

    Written comments were neither solicited nor received.

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

    Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not: (i) 
significantly affect the protection of investors or the public 
interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii) 
become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or 
such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become 
effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \22\ and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6) thereunder.\23\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \22\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \23\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) normally does 
not become operative for 30 days after the date of filing. However, 
pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii), the Commission may designate a 
shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of 
investors and the public interest. As FINRA requested in connection 
with SR-FINRA-2020-015 and related extensions,\24\ FINRA has also asked 
the Commission to waive the 30-day operative delay so that this 
proposed rule change may become operative immediately upon filing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \24\ See SR-FINRA-2020-015, 85 FR at 31836. Although FINRA did 
not request that the Commission waive the 30-day operative delay for 
SR-FINRA-2020-027, FINRA did request that the Commission waive the 
30-day operative delay for SR-FINRA-2020-042, FINRA-2021-006, FINRA-
2021-019, FINRA-2021-031, and FINRA-2022-004, which extended the 
expiration date of the temporary amendments originally set forth in 
SR-FINRA-2020-027.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    FINRA has stated that there is a continued need for extending the 
relief originally provided in SR-FINRA-2020-015 and SR-FINRA-2020-027 
because FINRA does not believe the COVID-19 related health concerns 
necessitating this relief will meaningfully subside by July 31, 2022. 
Importantly, extending the relief provided in these prior rule changes 
immediately upon filing and without a 30-day operative delay will allow 
FINRA to continue critical adjudicatory and review processes so that 
FINRA may continue to operate effectively and meet its critical 
investor protection goals, while also protecting the health

[[Page 43338]]

and safety of hearing participants.\25\ In addition, FINRA stated that 
extending the temporary relief provided originally in SR-FINRA-2020-
015, the temporary amendments to the electronic service and filing 
rules, will provide continuity and help to prevent any lapse in the 
temporary amendments during the period before the effective date of the 
permanent rule amendments.\26\ The Commission also notes that this 
proposal, like SR-FINRA-2020-015 and SR-FINRA-2020-027, provides only 
temporary relief during the period in which FINRA's operations are 
impacted by COVID-19. As proposed, the temporary amendments pertaining 
to video conference hearings, originally set forth in SR-FINRA-2020-
027, would be in place through October 31, 2022; \27\ while the 
temporary amendments to the electronic service and filing rules, 
originally set forth in SR-FINRA-2020-015, would expire on the 
effective date of the permanent rule amendments.\28\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \25\ See supra Item II.A.1; see also SR-FINRA-2020-027, 85 FR at 
55712.
    \26\ As noted above, the Commission recently approved FINRA's 
proposed rule change to make permanent the temporary amendments to 
the electronic service and filing rules originally set forth in SR-
FINRA-2020-015, with some modifications. See supra note 8; see also 
Order Approving File No. SR-FINRA-2022-009, 87 FR 38803. FINRA 
stated that the effective date of the permanent rule amendments will 
be announced in a Regulatory Notice after July 31, 2022. See supra 
note 8.
    \27\ As noted above, see supra note 4, FINRA stated that if it 
requires temporary relief from the rule requirements identified in 
this proposal beyond October 31, 2022, it may submit a separate rule 
filing to extend the effectiveness of the temporary relief under 
these rules.
    \28\ See supra note 8; see also Order Approving File No. SR-
FINRA-2022-009 at 87 FR 38806.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule 
change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule 
change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or 
appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or 
otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission 
takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings to 
determine whether the proposed rule change should be approved or 
disapproved.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

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

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an email to [email protected]. Please include 
File Number SR-FINRA-2022-018 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

     Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities 
and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549-1090.

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-FINRA-2022-018. This 
file number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To 
help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, 
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on 
the Commission's internet website (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 website viewing and printing in 
the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 
20549, on official business days between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 
3:00 p.m. Copies of such filing also will be available for inspection 
and copying at the principal office of FINRA. All comments received 
will be posted without change. Persons submitting comments are 
cautioned that we do not redact or edit personal identifying 
information from comment submissions. You should submit only 
information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions 
should refer to File Number SR-FINRA-2022-018 and should be submitted 
on or before August 10, 2022.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \29\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\29\
J. Matthew DeLesDernier,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022-15446 Filed 7-19-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P


