Question

Difficulty: MediumRegulatory Entities and Self-Regulatory Organizations (SROs)

Which of the following statements regarding the regulatory scope and structural authority of Self-Regulatory Organizations (SROs) in the U.S. securities industry are correct? Select all that apply.

  1. Proposed rules and rule amendments created by SROs are subject to review and final approval by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).Answer
  2. B
    SROs possess independent statutory jurisdiction to institute criminal proceedings against individuals who commit securities fraud.
  3. Operations of an SRO are funded primarily through membership dues, fees, and assessments charged to registered member firms and associated persons.Answer
  4. D
    The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) conducts routine compliance examinations and enforces its own rules directly against municipal broker-dealers.

Answer

The correct statements are that SRO rule proposals require SEC approval, and SRO operational funding is derived from member dues and assessments.
SROs are membership-funded industry bodies operating under federal oversight. Their proposed rule modifications must be approved by the SEC, and their operational revenues come from member assessments.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze SEC oversight over SRO governance.
Confirm that SROs function under the ultimate supervision of the SEC, requiring SEC review and approval for rule proposals.
The SEC holds primary statutory regulatory authority over the U.S. securities markets.
2
Distinguish between administrative industry discipline and criminal prosecution authority.
Recognize that SRO powers are limited to civil/administrative remedies (fines, censures, expulsions) within their membership base, whereas criminal prosecution requires government agencies.
SROs lack governmental status and cannot bring criminal indictments.
3
Examine the funding mechanism and enforcement scope of specialized SROs like the MSRB.
Verify that SROs are self-funded via member fees, and note that the MSRB formulates municipal rules but delegates examination and enforcement duties to FINRA and banking regulators.
The MSRB lacks an independent inspection or enforcement branch.

Key Concept

SRO Structural Scope, Funding, and Statutory Enforcement Limits
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