Proposed Rule Change to Amend Section 4 of Schedule A to the FINRA By-Laws to Increase the Branch Office Annual Registration and New Member Application Fees and Assess a New Continuing Membership Application Fee

Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. ("FINRA") (f/k/a National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") is filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC" or "Commission") a proposed rule change to amend Section 4 of Schedule A to the FINRA By-Laws to (1) increase the branch office annual registration fee; (2) increase the new member application fee; and (3) assess a new fee for continuing membership applications. The proposed rule change also makes corresponding amendments to NASD Rules 1012, 1013, and 1017 regarding the revised new member application fee and new continuing membership application fee, as well as increases from $350 to $500 the processing fee for new member applications that are deemed not to be substantially complete and imposes a $500 processing fee for continuing membership applications that are deemed not to be substantially complete.