This rule is no longer applicable. NASD
Rule 4619A has been superseded by FINRA Rule 6275. Please consult the appropriate FINRA Rule.
(a) An ADF Trading Center that wishes to withdraw quotations in a security, other than instances when an ADF Trading Center is unable to submit automated quotations to the ADF, shall contact ADF Operations to obtain excused withdrawal status prior to withdrawing its quotations. If an ADF Trading Center cannot submit automated quotations or is unable to immediately and automatically respond to orders, as required by Rule 4300A(e), the ADF Trading Center must immediately withdraw its quotations and promptly contact ADF Operations. An excused withdrawal of quotations may be granted by ADF Operations upon satisfying one of the conditions specified in this Rule.
(b) Excused withdrawal status based on circumstances beyond the ADF Trading Center's control may be granted for up to five (5) business days, unless extended by ADF Operations. Excused withdrawal status based on demonstrated legal or regulatory requirements, supported by appropriate documentation and accompanied by a representation that the condition necessitating the withdrawal of quotations is not permanent in nature, may, upon notification, be granted for not more than sixty (60) days (unless such request is required to be made pursuant to paragraph (d) below). Excused withdrawal status based on religious holidays may be granted only if notice is received by NASD one business day in advance and is approved by NASD. Excused withdrawal status based on vacation may be granted only if:
(1) the request for withdrawal is received by NASD one business day in advance, and is approved by NASD; and
(2) the request includes a list of the securities for which withdrawal is requested.
(c) Excused withdrawal status may be granted to a Registered Reporting ADF Market Maker that has withdrawn from an issue prior to the public announcement of a merger or acquisition and wishes to re-register in the issue pursuant to the same-day registration procedures contained in Rule 4611A, above, provided the Registered Reporting ADF Market Maker has remained registered in one of the affected issues. The withdrawal of quotations because of pending news, a sudden influx of orders or price changes, or to effect transactions with competitors shall not constitute acceptable reasons for granting excused withdrawal status.
(d) Excused withdrawal status may be granted by ADF Operations to an ADF Trading Center that experiences a documented problem or failure impacting the operation or utilization of any automated system operated by or on behalf of the ADF Trading Center (chronic system failures within the control of the member will not constitute a problem or failure impacting a firm's automated system).
(e) Excused withdrawal status may be granted by ADF Operations to an ADF Trading Center that fails to maintain a clearing arrangement with a registered clearing agency or with a member of such an agency, thereby terminating its registration as an ADF Trading Center; provided however, that if NASD finds that the ADF Trading Center's failure to maintain a clearing arrangement is voluntary, the withdrawal of quotations will be considered voluntary and unexcused pursuant to Rule 4620A.
(f) Excused withdrawal status may be granted by ADF Operations to a Registered Reporting ADF Market Maker that is a distribution participant or an affiliated purchaser in order to comply with SEC Rule 101 under the Act on the following conditions:
(1) A member acting as a manager (or in a similar capacity) of a distribution of a security that is a subject security or reference security under Rule 101 and any member that is a distribution participant or an affiliated purchaser in such a distribution that does not have a manager shall provide written notice to ADF Operations and the Market Regulation Department of NASD no later than the business day prior to the first entire trading session of the one-day or five-day restricted period under SEC Rule 101, unless later notification is necessary under the specific circumstances.
(A) The notice required by subparagraph (f)(1) of this Rule shall be provided by submitting a written request on behalf of each market maker that is a distribution participant or an affiliated purchaser to withdraw the market maker's quotations.
(B) The managing underwriter shall advise each Registered Reporting ADF Market Maker that it has been identified as a distribution participant or an affiliated purchaser to ADF Operations and that its quotations will be automatically withdrawn, unless a market maker that is a distribution participant (or an affiliated purchaser of a distribution participant) notifies ADF Operations as required by subparagraph (f)(2), below.
(2) A Registered Reporting ADF Market Maker that has been identified to ADF Operations as a distribution participant (or an affiliated purchaser of a distribution participant) shall promptly notify ADF Operations and the manager of its intention not to participate in the prospective distribution in order to avoid having its quotations withdrawn.
(3) A member acting as a manager (or in a similar capacity) of a distribution subject to subparagraph (f)(1) of this Rule shall submit a request to ADF Operations and the Market Regulation Department of NASD to rescind the excused withdrawal status of distribution participants and affiliated purchasers, which request shall include the date and time of the pricing of the offering, the offering price, and the time the offering terminated, and, if not in writing, shall be confirmed in writing no later than the close of business the day the offering terminates. The request referenced in this subparagraph may be submitted on the Underwriting Activity Report or by other written means.
(g) A three-member subcommittee comprised of current or former industry members of NASD's Market Regulation Committee shall have jurisdiction over proceedings brought by market makers seeking review of a denial of an excused withdrawal pursuant to this Rule, or the conditions imposed on their reentry.
