Proposed Rule Change Relating to FINRA Rule 4210 (Margin Requirements)

Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) is filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC” or “Commission”) a proposed rule change to amend FINRA Rule 4210 (Margin Requirements) to: (1) revise the definitions and margin treatment of option spread strategies; (2) clarify the maintenance margin requirement for non-margin eligible equity securities; (3) clarify the maintenance margin requirements for non-equity securities; (4) eliminate the current exemption from the free-riding prohibition for designated accounts; (5) conform the definition of “exempt account”; and (6) eliminate the requirement to stress test portfolio margin accounts in the aggregate.  In addition, the proposed rule change would amend FINRA Rule 4210 to make non-substantive technical and stylistic changes.