Proposed Rule Change to Exempt Certain Business Development Companies from FINRA Rules 5130 and 5131

Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) is filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC” or “Commission”) a proposed rule change to exempt certain business development companies (“BDCs”) from FINRA Rule 5130 (Restrictions on the Purchase and Sale of Initial Equity Public Offerings) and from paragraph (b) (Spinning) of FINRA Rule 5131 (New Issue Allocations and Distributions).