§240.0-10. Small entities under the Securities Exchange Act for purposes of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
17 C.F.R. § 240.0-10
For purposes of Commission rulemaking in accordance with the provisions of Chapter Six of the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), and unless otherwise defined for purposes of a particular rulemaking proceeding, the term small business or small organization shall:
When used with reference to an “issuer” or a “person,” other than an investment company, mean an “issuer” or “person” that, on the last day of its most recent fiscal year, had total assets of $5 million or less;
When used with reference to an “issuer” or “person” that is an investment company, have the meaning ascribed to those terms by § 270.0-10 of this chapter;
When used with reference to a broker or dealer, mean a broker or dealer that—
Had total capital (net worth plus subordinated liabilities) of less than $500,000 on the date in the prior fiscal year as of which its audited financial statements were prepared pursuant to § 240.17a-5(d) or, if not required to file such statements, a broker or dealer that had total capital (net worth plus subordinated liabilities) of less than $500,000 on the last business day of the preceding fiscal year (or in the time that it has been in business, if shorter); and
Is not affiliated with any person (other than a natural person) that is not a small business or small organization as defined in this section;
When used with reference to a clearing agency, mean a clearing agency that—
Compared, cleared and settled less than $500 million in securities transactions during the preceding fiscal year (or in the time that it has been in business, if shorter);
Had less than $200 million of funds and securities in its custody or control at all times during the preceding fiscal year (or in the time that it has been in business, if shorter); and
Is not affiliated with any person (other than a natural person) that is not a small business or small organization as defined in this section;
When used with reference to an exchange, mean any exchange that—
Has been exempted from the reporting requirements of § 242.601 of this chapter; and
Is not affiliated with any person (other than a natural person) that is not a small business or small organization as defined in this section;
When used with reference to a municipal securities dealer that is a bank (including any separately identifiable department or division of a bank), mean any such municipal securities dealer that:
Had, or is a department of a bank that had, total assets of less than $10 million at all times during the preceding fiscal year (or in the time that it has been in business, if shorter);
Had an average monthly volume of municipal securities transactions in the preceding fiscal year (or in the time it has been registered, if shorter) of less than $100,000; and
Is not affiliated with any person (other than a natural person) that is not a small business or small organization as defined in this section;
When used with reference to a securities information processor, mean a securities information processor that:
Had gross revenues of less than $10 million during the preceding fiscal year (or in the time it has been in business, if shorter);
Provided service to fewer than 100 interrogation devices or moving tickers at all times during the preceding fiscal year (or in the time that it has been in business, if shorter); and
Is not affiliated with any person (other than a natural person) that is not a small business or small organization under this section; and
When used with reference to a transfer agent, mean a transfer agent that—
Received less than 500 items for transfer and less than 500 items for processing during the preceding six months (or in the time that it has been in business, if shorter);
Transferred items only of issuers that would be deemed “small businesses” or “small organizations” as defined in this section; and
Maintained master shareholder files that in the aggregate contained less than 1,000 shareholder accounts or was the named transfer agent for less than 1,000 shareholder accounts at all times during the preceding fiscal year (or in the time that it has been in business, if shorter); and
Is not affiliated with any person (other than a natural person) that is not a small business or small organization under this section.
For purposes of paragraph (c) of this section, a broker or dealer is affiliated with another person if:
Such broker or dealer controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such other person; a person shall be deemed to control another person if that person has the right to vote 25 percent or more of the voting securities of such other person or is entitled to receive 25 percent or more of the net profits of such other person or is otherwise able to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such other person; or
Such broker or dealer introduces transactions in securities, other than registered investment company securities or interests or participations in insurance company separate accounts, to such other person, or introduces accounts of customers or other brokers or dealers, other than accounts that hold only registered investment company securities or interests or participations in insurance company separate accounts, to such other person that carries such accounts on a fully disclosed basis.
For purposes of paragraphs (d) through (h) of this section, a person is affiliated with another person if that person controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such other person; a person shall be deemed to control another person if that person has the right to vote 25 percent or more of the voting securities of such other person or is entitled to receive 25 percent or more of the net profits of such other person or is otherwise able to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such other person.
For purposes of paragraph (g) of this section, “interrogation device” shall refer to any device that may be used to read or receive securities information, including quotations, indications of interest, last sale data and transaction reports, and shall include proprietary terminals or personal computers that receive securities information via computer-to-computer interfaces or gateway access.
Notes, amendments, and revision history
Amendments
[47 FR 5222, Feb. 4, 1982, as amended at 51 FR 25362, July 14, 1986; 63 FR 35514, June 30, 1998; 70 FR 37617, June 29, 2005]
Authority
Authority: 15 U.S.C. 77c, 77d, 77g, 77j, 77s, 77z-2, 77z-3, 77eee, 77ggg, 77nnn, 77sss, 77ttt, 78c, 78c-3, 78c-5, 78d, 78e, 78f, 78g, 78i, 78j, 78j-1, 78j-4, 78k, 78k-1, 78 l, 78m, 78n, 78n-1, 78 o, 78 o -4, 78 o -10, 78p, 78q, 78q-1, 78s, 78u-5, 78w, 78x, 78dd, 78 ll, 78mm, 80a-20, 80a-23, 80a-29, 80a-37, 80b-3, 80b-4, 80b-11, 1681w(a)(1), 6801-6809, 6825, 7201 et seq., and 8302; 7 U.S.C. 2(c)(2)(E); 12 U.S.C. 5221(e)(3); 18 U.S.C. 1350; Pub. L. 111-203, 939A, 124 Stat. 1376 (2010); and Pub. L. 112-106, sec. 503 and 602, 126 Stat. 326 (2012), unless otherwise noted. Section 240.3a4-1 also issued under secs. 3 and 15, 89 Stat. 97, as amended, 89 Stat. 121 as amended; Section 240.3a12-8 also issued under 15 U.S.C. 78a et seq., particularly secs. 3(a)(12), 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(12), and 23(a), 15 U.S.C. 78w(a); Section 240.3a12-10 also issued under 15 U.S.C. 78b and c; Section 240.3a12-9 also issued under secs. 3(a)(12), 7(c), 11(d)(1), 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(12), 78g(c), 78k(d)(1)); Sections 240.3a43-1 and 240.3a44-1 also issued under sec. 3; 15 U.S.C. 78c; Sections 3a67-1 through 3a67-9 and 3a71-1 and 3a71-2 are also issued under Pub. L. 111-203, §§ 712, 761(b), 124 Stat. 1841 (2010). Sections 240.3a67-10, 240.3a71-3, 240.3a71-4, and 240.3a71-5 are also issued under Pub. L. 111-203, section 761(b), 124 Stat. 1754 (2010), and 15 U.S.C. 78dd(c). Sections 240.3a71-3 and 240.3a71-5 are also issued under Pub. L. 111-203, sec. 761(b), 124 Stat. 1754 (2010), and 15 U.S.C. 78dd(c). Section 240.3b-6 is also issued under 15 U.S.C. 77f, 77g, 77h, 77j, 77s(a). Section 240.3b-9 also issued under secs. 2, 3 and 15, 89 Stat. 97, as amended, 89 Stat. 121, as amended (15 U.S.C. 78b, 78c, 78o); Section 240.9b-1 is also issued under sec. 2, 7, 10, 19(a), 48 Stat. 74, 78, 81, 85; secs. 201, 205, 209, 120, 48 Stat. 905, 906, 908; secs. 1-4, 8, 68 Stat. 683, 685; sec. 12(a), 73 Stat. 143; sec. 7(a), 74 Stat. 412; sec. 27(a), 84 Stat. 1433; sec. 308(a)(2), 90 Stat. 57; sec. 505, 94 Stat. 2292; secs. 9, 15, 23(a), 48 Stat. 889, 895, 901; sec. 230(a), 49 Stat. 704; secs. 3, 8, 49 Stat. 1377, 1379; sec. 2, 52 Stat. 1075; secs. 6, 10, 78 Stat. 570-574, 580; sec. 11(d), 84 Stat. 121; sec. 18, 89 Stat. 155; sec. 204, 91 Stat. 1500; 15 U.S.C. 77b, 77g, 77j, 77s(a), 78i, 78o, 78w(a); Section 240.10b-10 is also issued under secs. 2, 3, 9, 10, 11, 11A, 15, 17, 23, 48 Stat. 891, 89 Stat. 97, 121, 137, 156, (15 U.S.C. 78b, 78c, 78i, 78j, 78k, 78k-1, 78o, 78q). Section 240.12a-7 also issued under 15 U.S.C. 78a et seq., particularly secs. 3(a)(12), 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(12), 6, 15 U.S.C. 78(f), 11A, 15 U.S.C. 78k, 12, 15 U.S.C. 78(l), and 23(a)(1), 15 U.S.C. 78(w)(a)(1). Sections 240.12b-1 to 240.12b-36 also issued under secs. 3, 12, 13, 15, 48 Stat. 892, as amended, 894, 895, as amended; 15 U.S.C. 78c, 78l, 78m, 78o; Section 240.12b-15 is also issued under secs. 3(a) and 302, Pub. L. No. 107-204, 116 Stat. 745. Section 240.12b-25 is also issued under 15 U.S.C. 80a-8, 80a-24(a), 80a-29, and 80a-37. Section 240.12g-3 is also issued under 15 U.S.C. 77f, 77g, 77h, 77j, 77s(a). Section 240.12g3-2 is also issued under 15 U.S.C. 77f, 77g, 77h, 77j, 77s(a). Section 240.13a-10 is also issued under secs. 3(a) and 302, Pub. L. No. 107-204, 116 Stat. 745. Section 240.13a-11 is also issued under secs. 3(a) and 306(a), Pub. L. 107-204, 116 Stat. 745. Section 240.13a-14 is also issued under secs. 3(a) and 302, Pub. L. No. 107-204, 116 Stat. 745. Section 240.13a-15 is also issued under secs. 3(a) and 302, Pub. L. No. 107-204, 116 Stat. 745. Section 240.13d-3 is also issued under Public Law 111-203 § 766, 124 Stat. 1799 (2010). Sections 240.13e-4, 240.14d-7, 240.14d-10 and 240.14e-1 also issued under secs. 3(b), 9(a)(6), 10(b), 13(e), 14(d) and 14(e), 15 U.S.C. 78c(b), 78i(a)(6), 78j(b), 78m(e), 78n(d) and 78n(e) and sec. 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, 15 U.S.C 80a-23(c); Sections 240.13e-4 to 240.13e-101 also issued under secs. 3(b), 9(a)(6), 10(b), 13(e), 14(e), 15(c)(1), 48 Stat. 882, 889, 891, 894, 895, 901, sec. 8, 49 Stat. 1379, sec. 5, 78 Stat. 569, 570, secs. 2, 3, 82 Stat. 454, 455, secs. 1, 2, 3-5, 84 Stat. 1497, secs. 3, 18, 89 Stat. 97, 155; 15 U.S.C. 78c(b), 78i(a)(6), 78j(b), 78m(e), 78n(e), 78o(c); sec. 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940; 54 Stat. 825; 15 U.S.C. 80a-23(c); Section 240.13p-1 is also issued under sec. 1502, Pub. L. 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376. Section 240.13q-1 is also issued under sec. 1504, Pub. L. 111-203, 124 Stat. 2220. Sections 240.14a-1, 240.14a-3, 240.14a-13, 240.14b-1, 240.14b-2, 240.14c-1, and 240.14c-7 also issued under secs. 12, 15 U.S.C. 781, and 14, Pub. L. 99-222, 99 Stat. 1737, 15 U.S.C. 78n; Sections 240.14a-3, 240.14a-13, 240.14b-1 and 240.14c-7 also issued under secs. 12, 14 and 17, 15 U.S.C. 781, 78n and 78g; Sections 240.14c-1 to 240.14c-101 also issued under sec. 14, 48 Stat. 895; 15 U.S.C. 78n; Section 240.14d-1 is also issued under 15 U.S.C. 77g, 77j, 77s(a), 77ttt(a), 80a-37. Section 240.14e-2 is also issued under 15 U.S.C. 77g, 77h, 77s(a), 77sss, 80a-37(a). Section 240.14e-4 also issued under the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78a et seq., and particularly sections 3(b), 10(a), 10(b), 14(e), 15(c), and 23(a) of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(b), 78j(a), 78j(b), 78n(e), 78 o (c), and 78w(a)). Section 240.15a-6, also issued under secs. 3, 10, 15, and 17, 15 U.S.C. 78c, 78j, 78 o, and 78q; Section 240.15b1-3 also issued under sec. 15, 17; 15 U.S.C. 78 o 78q; Sections 240.15b1-3 and 240.15b2-1 also issued under 15 U.S.C. 78 o, 78 q ; Section 240.15b2-2 also issued under secs. 3, 15; 15 U.S.C. 78c, 78 o ; Sections 240.15b10-1 to 240.15b10-9 also issued under secs. 15, 17, 48 Stat. 895, 897, sec. 203, 49 Stat. 704, secs. 4, 8, 49 Stat. 1379, sec. 5, 52 Stat. 1076, sec. 6, 78 Stat. 570; 15 U.S.C. 78o, 78q, 12 U.S.C. 241 nt.; Section 240.15c2-6, also issued under secs. 3, 10, and 15, 15 U.S.C. 78c, 78j, and 78o. Section 240.15c2-11 also issued under 15 U.S.C. 78j(b), 78 o (c), 78q(a), and 78w(a). Section 240.15c2-12 also issued under 15 U.S.C. 78b, 78c, 78j, 78 o, 78 o -4 and 78q. Section 240.15c3-1 is also issued under 15 U.S.C. 78o(c)(3), 78o-10(d), and 78o-10(e). Sections 240.15c3-1a, 240.15c3-1e, 240.15c3-1f, 240.15c3-1g are also issued under Pub. L. 111-203, secs. 939, 939A, 124. Stat. 1376 (2010) (15 U.S.C. 78c, 15 U.S.C. 78 o -7 note). Section 240.15c3-3 is also issued under 15 U.S.C. 78c-5, 78o(c)(2), 78(c)(3), 78q(a), 78w(a); sec. 6(c), 84 Stat. 1652; 15 U.S.C. 78fff. Section 240.15c3-3(o) is also issued under Pub. L. 106-554, 114 Stat. 2763, section 203. Section 240.15c3-3a is also issued under Pub. L. 111-203, § 939, 939A, 124. Stat. 1376 (2010) (15 U.S.C. 78c, 15 U.S.C. 78 o -7 note). Section 240.15d-5 is also issued under 15 U.S.C. 77f, 77g, 77h, 77j, 77s(a). Section 240.15d-10 is also issued under 15 U.S.C. 80a-20(a) and 80a-37(a), and secs. 3(a) and 302, Pub. L. No. 107-204, 116 Stat. 745. Section 240.15d-11 is also issued under secs. 3(a) and 306(a), Pub. L. 107-204, 116 Stat. 745. Section 240.15d-14 is also issued under secs. 3(a) and 302, Pub. L. No. 107-204, 116 Stat. 745. Section 240.15d-15 is also issued under secs. 3(a) and 302, Pub. L. No. 107-204, 116 Stat. 745. Section 240.15 l -1 is also issued under Pub. L. 111-203, sec. 913, 124 Stat. 1376, 1827 (2010). Sections 240.15Ba1-1 through 240.15Ba1-8 are also issued under sec. 975, Public Law 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376 (2010). Section 240.15Bc4-1 is also issued under sec. 975, Public Law 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376 (2010). Sections 240.15Ca1-1, 240.15Ca2-1, 240.15Ca2-2, 240.15Ca2-3, 240.15Ca2-4, 240.15Ca2-5, 240.15Cc1-1 also issued under secs. 3, 15C; 15 U.S.C. 78c, 78 o -5; Sections 240.15Fh-1 through 240.15Fh-6 and 240.15fk-1 are also issued under sec. 943, Pub. L. 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376. Section 240.15Ga-1 is also issued under sec. 943, Pub. L. 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376. Section 240.15Ga-2 is also issued under sec. 943, Pub. L. 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376. Section 240.16a-1(a) is also issued under Public Law 111-203 § 766, 124 Stat. 1799 (2010). Sections 240.15fh-1 through 240.15Fh-6 and 240.15Fk-1 are also issued under sec. 943, Pub. L. 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376. Section 240.17a-3 also issued under secs. 2, 17, 23a, 48 Stat. 897, as amended; 15 U.S.C. 78d-1, 78d-2, 78q; secs. 12, 14, 17, 23(a), 48 Stat. 892, 895, 897, 901; secs. 1, 4, 8, 49 Stat. 1375, 1379; sec. 203(a), 49 Stat. 704; sec. 5, 52 Stat. 1076; sec. 202, 68 Stat. 686; secs. 3, 5, 10, 78 Stat. 565-568, 569, 570, 580; secs. 1, 3, 82 Stat. 454, 455; secs. 28(c), 3-5, 84 Stat. 1435, 1497; sec. 105(b), 88 Stat. 1503; secs. 8, 9, 14, 18, 89 Stat. 117, 118, 137, 155; 15 U.S.C. 78l, 78n, 78q, 78w(a); Section 240.17a-4 also issued under secs. 2, 17, 23(a), 48 Stat. 897, as amended; 15 U.S.C. 78a, 78d-1, 78d-2; sec. 14, Pub. L. 94-29, 89 Stat. 137 (15 U.S.C. 78a); sec. 18, Pub. L. 94-29, 89 Stat. 155 (15 U.S.C. 78w); Section 240.17a-14 is also issued under Public Law 111-203, sec. 913, 124 Stat. 1376 (2010). Section 240.17a-23 also issued under 15 U.S.C. 78b, 78c, 78o, 78q, and 78w(a). Section 240.17f-1 is also authorized under sections 2, 17 and 17A, 48 Stat. 891, 89 Stat. 137, 141 (15 U.S.C. 78b, 78q, 78q-1); Section 240.17g-7 is also issued under sec. 943, Pub. L. 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376. Section 240.17g-8 is also issued under sec. 938, Pub. L. 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376. Section 240.17g-9 is also issued under sec. 936, Pub. L. 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376. Section 240.17h-1T also issued under 15 U.S.C. 78q. Sections 240.17Ac2-1(c) and 240.17Ac2-2 also issued under secs. 17, 17A and 23(a); 48 Stat. 897, as amended, 89 Stat. 137, 141 and 48 Stat. 901 (15 U.S.C. 78q, 78q-1, 78w(a)); Section 240.17Ad-1 is also issued under secs. 2, 17, 17A and 23(a); 48 Stat. 841 as amended, 48 Stat. 897, as amended, 89 Stat. 137, 141, and 48 Stat. 901 (15 U.S.C. 78b, 78q, 78q-1, 78w); Sections 240.17Ad-5 and 240.17Ad-10 are also issued under secs. 3 and 17A; 48 Stat. 882, as amended, and 89 Stat. (15 U.S.C. 78c and 78q-1); Section 240.17ad-7 is also issued under 15 U.S.C. 78b, 78q, and 78q-1. Section 240.17Ad-17 is also issued under Pub. L. 111-203, section 929W, 124 Stat. 1869 (2010). Section 240.17ad-22 is also issued under 12 U.S.C. 5461 et seq. Sections 240.18a-1, 240.18a-1a, 240.18a-1b, 240.18a-1c, 240.18a-1d, 240.18a-2, 240.18a-3, and 240.18a-10 are also issued under 15 U.S.C. 78o-10(d) and 78o-10(e). Section 240.18a-4 is also issued under 15 U.S.C. 78c-5(f). Section 240.19b-4 is also issued under 12 U.S.C. 5465(e). Sections 240.19c-4 also issued under secs. 6, 11A, 14, 15A, 19 and 23 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78o-3, and 78s); Section 240.19c-5 also issued under Sections 6, 11A, and 19 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 48 Stat. 885, as amended, 89 Stat. 111, as amended, and 48 Stat. 898, as amended, 15 U.S.C. 78f, 78k-1, and 78s. Section 240.21F is also issued under Pub. L. 111-203, § 922(a), 124 Stat. 1841 (2010). Section 240.31-1 is also issued under sec. 31, 48 Stat. 904, as amended (15 U.S.C. 78ee).
Amendments
[47 FR 5222, Feb. 4, 1982, as amended at 51 FR 25362, July 14, 1986; 63 FR 35514, June 30, 1998; 70 FR 37617, June 29, 2005]