This rule is no longer applicable. NASD IM-2260 has been superseded by FINRA Rule 2251. Please consult the appropriate FINRA Rule.
(a) The following approved rates of reimbursement for expenses incurred in forwarding proxy material, annual reports, information statements and other material shall be considered reasonable rates of reimbursement. In addition to the charges specified in this schedule, members also are entitled to receive reimbursement for: (1) actual postage costs (including return postage at the lowest available rate); (2) the actual cost of envelopes (provided they are not furnished by the issuer, the trustee, or a person soliciting proxies); and (3) any actual communication expenses (excluding overhead) incurred in receiving voting returns either telephonically or electronically.
(1) Charges for Initial Proxy and/or Annual Report Mailings
(A) 40 cents for each set of proxy material, i.e., proxy statement, form of proxy and annual report when mailed as a unit, unless an opposition proxy statement has been furnished to securities holders, with a minimum of $5.00 for all sets mailed;
(B) 15 cents for each copy, plus postage, for annual reports that are mailed separately from the proxy material pursuant to the instruction of the person soliciting proxies with a minimum of $3.00 for all sets mailed;
(C) $1.00 for each set of proxy material, i.e., proxy statement, form of proxy and annual report when mailed as a unit, for a meeting for which an opposition proxy statement has been furnished to security holders, with a minimum of $5.00 for all sets mailed;
(D) NASD has approved, as fair and reasonable, the following supplemental proxy fees for intermediaries that coordinate multiple nominees: $20.00 per nominee plus (i) 10 cents for each set of proxy material, with respect to issuers whose shares are held in fewer than 200,000 nominee accounts, or (ii) 5 cents for each set of proxy material, with respect to issuers whose shares are held in at least 200,000 nominee accounts.
(2) Charges for Proxy Follow-Up Mailings
40 cents for each set of follow-up material, plus postage.
(3) Charge for Providing Beneficial Ownership Information
Six and one-half cents per name of non-objecting beneficial owner provided to the issuer pursuant to the issuer's request. Where the non-objecting beneficial ownership information is not furnished directly to the issuer by the member, but is furnished through an agent designated by the member, the issuer will be expected to pay the reasonable expenses of the agent in providing such information, in addition to the rate described above. (See SEC Rules 14a-13(b) and 14c-7(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and notes thereto.)
Any member that designates an agent for the purpose of furnishing requesting issuers with beneficial ownership information pursuant to SEC Rule 14b-1(c) and thereafter cancels that designation or appoints a new agent for such purpose should promptly inform interested issuers.
(4) Charges for Interim Report, Post Meeting Report and Other Material Mailings
15 cents for each copy, plus postage, for interim reports, post meeting reports, or other material with a minimum of $2.00 for all sets mailed.
(5) Incentive Fees
An "incentive fee" (as defined below) for proxy material mailings, including the annual report, and 10 cents for interim report mailings, with respect to each account where the member has eliminated the need to send materials in paper format through the mails (such as by including multiple proxy ballots or forms in one envelope with one set of material mailed to the same household, by distributing multiple proxy ballots or forms electronically thereby reducing the sets of material mailed, or by distributing some or all material electronically) shall be: (i) 25 cents with respect to issuers whose shares are held in at least 200,000 nominee accounts; and (ii) 50 cents with respect to issuers whose shares are held in fewer than 200,000 nominee accounts.
(b) Members are reminded that [Rule 2430] requires that any such charges must be reasonable. Members may request reimbursement of expenses at less than the approved rates; however, no member may seek reimbursement at rates higher than the approved rates or for items or services not specifically listed above without the prior notification to and consent of the person soliciting proxies or the company.
(c)
Rule 2260 requires members to forward promptly issuer-supplied annual reports, interim reports, proxy statements and other material to beneficial owners. Members are not required to transmit more than one annual report, interim report, proxy statement or other material to beneficial owners with more than one account (including trust accounts). In addition, member organizations may eliminate multiple transmissions of reports, statements or other materials to beneficial owners having the same address, provided they comply with applicable SEC rules with respect thereto (see SEC Rule 14b-1 under the Act).
