Proposed Rule Change to Merge FINRA Dispute Resolution, Inc. into and with FINRA Regulation, Inc.

Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) is filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC” or “Commission”) a proposed rule change to merge its dispute resolution subsidiary, FINRA Dispute Resolution, Inc. (“FINRA Dispute Resolution”) into and with its regulatory subsidiary, FINRA Regulation, Inc. (“FINRA Regulation”). To implement the merger, FINRA would make conforming amendments to the Plan of Allocation and Delegation of Functions by NASD to Subsidiaries (“Delegation Plan”); amend the By-Laws of FINRA Regulation (“FINRA Regulation By-Laws”) to make relevant conforming amendments and to incorporate substantive provisions from the By-Laws of FINRA Dispute Resolution (“FINRA Dispute Resolution By-Laws”) that apply to the dispute resolution forum only; delete the FINRA Dispute Resolution By-Laws in their entirety; and make conforming amendments to FINRA rules. The proposed rule change would also amend the FINRA Regulation By-Laws to increase the total number of directors who could serve on the FINRA Regulation board. FINRA’s existing dispute resolution program would continue to operate as a separate department within FINRA Regulation, and would be referred to as the Office of Dispute Resolution.