SEC Division of Trading and Markets no-action letter: Canadian Stock Transfer Company Inc.

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
DIVISION OF

TRADING AND MARKETS

March 4, 2015
Laura S. Pruitt
Alston & Bird LLP
950 F Street, NW
Washington, DC 20004-1404
Dear Ms. Pruitt:
In your letter dated March 3, 2015, you request that the staff ofthe Division of Trading and Markets ("Staff") grant no-action relieffrom Section 15(a)(l) ofthe Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act") to Canadian Stock Transfer Company Inc. ("CST") and its affiliate, CST Trust Company ("CST Trust"). 1 You request that the no-action reliefbe subject to the same representations and on the same terms and conditions as set forth in the an exemptive order granted to CIBC Mellon Trust Company (the "CIBC Mellon Order").2 Your requested relief is intended to allow CST to continue to operate CIBC Mellon Trust Company's former transfer agency business, and you represent that no-action reliefwould help CST, Stock Plan investors and issuers to avert the negative consequences described in your letter. Specifically, you seek an extension ofthe Staff's assurance that it would not recommend enforcement action to the Commission against CST or CST Trust: (1) under
Section 15(a)(l) ofthe Exchange Act ifCST Trust acts as a broker as defined in Section
3(a)( 4) ofthe Exchange Act in connection with its administration of certain dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plans, employee stock purchase plans, employee stock option plans, and odd-lot programs (collectively, "Stock Plans") with U.S. resident investors, and (2) with respect to the repotiing and other requirements specifically imposed by the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder, on a broker or dealer that is not registered with the Commission to the extent pennitted in the CIBC Mellon Order. 3 Your letter notes that the Commission is still considering CST's request You note that CST Trust was formerly known as Canadian Stock Transfer & Trust Company. 2 See Order Exempting CIBC Mellon Trust Company from Broker-Dealer Registration, Exchange Act Release No. 60136 (June 18, 2009). See Letter to Laura S. Pruitt, Alston & Bird LLP from David W. Blass, Chief Counsel, Division of Trading and Markets, dated March 4, 2013.

Ms. Laura Pruitt
March 4, 2015 for an exemption under Section 15(a)(1) pertaining to these activities. 4 The Staff's earlier no-action position was limited to the earliest of: (1) March 4, 2014; (2) the date of any denial by the Commission ofthe CST Exemption Request; (3) the effective date of any grant ofthe CST Exemption Request or a modification thereof; or ( 4) the date of any modification or revocation ofthe Staff's no-action position. In 2014, the staff extended this no-action position for one additional year. 5 Response:
To provide the Commission with additional time to consider the application for permanent relief, your request for staff no action relief is granted. On the basis ofthe facts and representations contained in your letter, the Staffwill not recmmnend enforcement action to the Commission under Section 15(a)(1) and the reporting and other requirements specifically imposed by the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder, on CST Trust ifit engages in a limited business as a securities broker on the same conditions, and subject to the same representations made by CIBC Mellon Trust Company, as those contained in the CIBC Mellon Order. Any different facts or representations may require a different conclusion. 6 CST and CST Trust may engage in no activities that would require registration as a broker except those permitted in the CIBC Mellon Order. This no-action position will expire at the earliest of: (1) the date of any denial by the Commission ofthe CST Exemption Request; (2) the effective date of any grant ofthe CST Exemption Request or a modification thereof; or (3) the date of any modification or revocation ofthis no-action position by the Staff Sincerely, Heather Seidel

Chief Counsel

4 Letter from David H. Brill, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, Canadian Stock Transfer Company Inc. to Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, dated January 24, 2012 ("CST Exemption Request"). 5 Letter from David W.Blass, Chief Counsel, Trading and Markets to Laura S. Pruitt, Alston & Bird LLP dated March 4, 2014. 6 In light ofthe very fact-specific nature ofCST's request, the position expressed in this letter applies only to CST and CST Trust. No other entity may rely on this position.

&BIRDLLP

The Atlantic Building
950 F Street, NW
Washington, OC 20004-1404
202-239-3300
Fax: 202-654-4908
,lVJ;;iJ;;i~l'it!ll.1.Q.llD laura S. Pruitt Direct Dial; 202-239-3618 Email: Jaura.pruitt@alston.com March 2015 Via Email and First Class Mail Trading Markets .S. Securities Exchange Commission lOO F Street, DC 20549

Dear Ms. Seidel:
On behalf of Canadian Stock Transfer Company Inc. and its affiliate CST Trust Company ("CST Trust"), 1 we are writing to request that the Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission'' or staff (the "Staff') confirm that it would not recommend enforcement action against CST Trust for violation of Section 15(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of l934, as amended (the in connection with its administration of certain dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plans, employee stock purchase plans, employee stock option plans and odd-lot programs with U.S. resident investors in reliance on the exemption issued by the Commission on June 18, 2009 (the "Broker-Dealer Order") to CIBC Mellon Trust Company ''CIBC Mellon Trust"). 2 In the Broker-Dealer Order, the Commission granted Mellon Trust a limited conditional exemption from:
(i) the broker-dcal.er registration requirement of Section I 5(a)(l) of the Exchange Act to the extent that CIBC Mellon Trust acted as a broker as defined in Section 3(a)(4) of the Exchange Act in connection with its administration of dividend reinvestment and On May 2, 2013, with the approval of the Canadian Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions, Canadian Stock Transfer & Trust Company {"CST&T") changed its name to CST Trust Company. The Staffs previous no-action relief was granted to CST and CST&T. See Exchange Act Release No. 60136, "Order Exempting CIBC Mellon Trust Company from Broker-Dealer Registration," issued June 18, 2009, and attached as Exhibit A.

Heather A. Seidel
March 3, 2015 stock purchase plans, employee stock purchase plans, employee stock option plans, and odd-lot programs (collectively, "Stock Plans") with U.S. resident investors (pursuant to the Commission's authority under Section 15(a)(2)); and (ii) the repmiing and other requirements specifically imposed by the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder, on a broker or dealer that is not registered with the Commission to the extent CIBC Mellon Trust acted as a broker under Section 3(a)(4) of the Exchange Act in connection with its administration of Stock Plans with U.S. resident investors (pursuant to the Commission's authority under Section 36(a)(l explained fhrther CST an extension the no-action reHef granted to it the same registration, reporting and other requirements imposed on broker￾dealers under the Exchange subject to the same representations made by CIBC Mellon Trust on the same terms and conditions as set forth in the Broker-Dealer Order to enable it to continue to conduct of the Stock Plan administration activities Broker-Dealer CST was formed on July 22, 2010 and registered as a transfer agent with the Commission on October 7, 2010. On November l, 2010, CIBC Mellon Trust transferred the assets of its transfer agency and employee stock plan administration business (the "Business") to CST pursuant to the terms of an asset purchase agreement. As provided in that agreement, CIBC Mellon Trust was to operate the Business pursuant to the terms of an administered mandates agreement between CIBC Mellon Trust and CST (the until such time as CST obtained a trust license in order to fully conduct the Business itself under applicable Canadian laws and regulations. CST's subsidiary, CST Trust, was incorporated on December 18, 2012 a<; a trust company under the Canadian Trust and Loan Companies Act with the approval of the Canadian Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions ("OSFI"). CST Trust received final approval from OSFI of its trust license on August 30, 201 and registered as a transfer agent with the Commission on September 24, 2013. Consequently, the AMA has ceased to operate and CST Trust has been operating the Business (i.e., the transfer agency business of Mellon Trust, including the administration of Stock Plans) pursuant to the terms of the Staff's grants ofno-action to CST Trust dated March 4, 2013 and March 4, 2014.3 That relief is set to expire on March 4, 2015. 4 See Letter re: Request for No-Action Re!ieffor Canadian Stock Transfer Company Inc. (March 4, 20!3), and Letter re: Request for No-Action Relief for Canadian Stock Transfer Company Inc. (March 4, 20 14) (hereafter, the ''March 4, 2014 No-Action Letter"). ~ By letter dated January 24, 2012, CST, on behalf of CST Trust, requested that the exemptive relief previously granted to CIBC Mellon Trust under the Broker-Dealer Order be transferred to CST Trust on the same terms and

Heather A. Seidel
March 3, 2015
Reguest for Relief and Discussion
In the Broker-Dealer Order, the Commission concluded that conducting the Business involved the conduct of limited broker-dealer activities as well as transfer agent activities, but nevetiheless granted a conditional exemption from registration as a broker-dealer regarding those activities. We respectfully request that the Staff extend the prior grant of no-action relief to Trust so that it can continue to rely on the Broker-Dealer Order in conducting that same Business as set forth in March 4, 2014 No-Action Letter. In connection with its request, Trust represents that it will comply with ail of the terms and conditions imposed on CIBC l'vfellon Trust in the Broker-Dealer Order (attached as ="-!!"'"'-,'-'~hereto), and vviH adhere to the same representations made IV1ellon Trust and described in that order. Among conditions are that Trust will be retained directly the or affiliate to provide Stock Plan services to that issuer's employees or shareholders and that it will only administer dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plans and odd-lot programs with U resident investors issuers for which it acts as transfer agent. 5 addition, !ike CIBC Mellon Trust is and will be registered with Commission as a transfer agent, and broker services will be provided only directly on behalJ of Stock Plans e., Tmst will be in direct privity ofcontract with each issuer or affiliate). Granting the requested no-action relief is warranted for several reasons. First, CST Trust is providing the same services previously provided by CIBC Mellon Trust to its Stock Plan clients and the pa1ticipants in those Stock Plans to those same entities and persons. Second, as the Commission previously found in granting the exemptive relief: the Broker-Dealer Order imposes appropriate protections designed to safeguard investors' funds and securities. Third, as the Commission previously concluded in the Broker-Dealer Order, the limited nature of the broker-dealer activities to be performed by CST Trust in connection with administering Stock Plans with U.S. resident investors under the tenns of the Broker-Dealer Order will limit any risk that U.S. investors will be su~ject to abusive sales practices. Finally, in the absence of no-action relief, CST Trust will be required to restructure the methods already employed in the administration of Stock which not only would require a significant expenditure of resources but also would be likely to cause unnecessary confusion on the part of both issuers and Stock Plan participants. Granting the requested no-action relief will allow investors that have established relationships with issuers through Stock Plans currently administered by CST Trust to continue those relationships without interruption. conditions as applied to CIBC tv1ellon Tmst. The Commission has not yet acted on that exemptive request, thereby necessitating this request fur additional no-action relief In fact, the relief provided to the Firm in the March 4, 2014 No-Action Letter
is set to expire at the earliest of(l) March 4, 2015; (2) the date of any denial by the Commission of the CST Exemption Request; (3) the effective date of any grant of the CST Exemption Request or a modification thereof; or (4) the date of any modification or revocation ofthe Staff's no-action position. 5 As was the case with ClBC Mellon Trust under the Broker-Dealer Order, the tenns of any no-action relief granted to CST Trust pursuant to this request would not apply to Stock Plans with no U.S. resident investors.

Heather A. Seidel
March 3, 2015
Conclusion
Based on the foregoing, CST Trust respectfully requests that the Staff grant it an extension of its current no-action relief from the registration and related reporting and other requirements applicable to broker-dealers under the Exchange Act with respect to its administration of Stock Plans, provided that it complies with the terms, conditions and representations in the Broker-Dealer Order. If you have any questions or require fmther information regarding this request, please do not hesi£ate to contact me. truly yours, cc: Pierre Tellis,

Vice President, Senior Canadian Counsel & CCO, CST

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Release No. 60136 I June 18,2009
ORDER CIBC MELLON TRUST COMPANY FROM BROKER-DEALER REGISTRATION I.
Pursuant to Section l5(a)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of I ("Exchange Act"), the and Exchange Commission ("Commission") is granting CIBC Mellon Trust Company Mellon a conditional exemption from the broker-dealer requirement of Section 15(a)(l) ofthe Exchange Act to the extent CIBC Mellon Trust acts, subsequent to the entry of this order, as a broker as defined in Section 3(a)(4) ofthe in connection with its administration of dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plans (collectively, "DRSPPs"), employee stock purchase plans, employee stock option plans, and odd-lot programs with U.S. resident investors. For purposes of this order, DRSPPs, employee purchase plans, employee stock option plans, odd-lot programs shall referred to collectively as Plans." Pursuant to Section 36 of the Act, the Commission also is granting Mellon Trust a conditional exemption from the reporting and other requirements specifically imposed by the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder, on a broker or dealer that is not registered with the Commission to the extent CIBC Mellon Trust acts, subsequent to the entry of this order, as a broker under Section 3(a)(4) of the Exchange Act in connection with its administration of Stock Plans vvith resident investors. CIBC Mellon Trust has agreed to consent to the entry of an order, without admitting or denying the findings, in which the Commission finds that it violated Sections l5(a)(l) and 17A(c)(l) ofthe Exchange Act. With respect to Section t5(a)(l), the Commission finds that, from 1998 to the present, CIBC Mellon Trust acted as a broker and dealer as defined in Sections 3(a)( 4) and 3(a)(5) of the Exchange Act in connection with it<> administration of Stock Plans by engaging in the business of effecting securities transactions in these Stock Plans with resident investors.' With respect to Section l7A(c)(I), the Commission finds that, from 1998 to 2004, CIBC Mellon Trust acted as a transfer agent, as defined by Section 3(a)(25) of the Exchange Act, for 113 companies that have securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act. At the time of this activity, CIBC Mellon Trust was not registered as a broker￾dealer or as a transfer agent as required by Sections 15(a)( I) and 17A( c)( l) of the Exchange Act, 1 For purposes of this order, a U.S. resident investor is any participant in a Stock Plan who permanently resides in the United States. CIBC Mellon Trust shall treat all Stock Plan participants with U.S. mailing addresses as U.S. resident investors unless CIBC Mellon has been informed that a participant with a U.S. address is not a permanent U.S. resident.

I more the Commission rec:og:m:;~ea connection ~'ith dividend reinvestment l the respectively. Effective February 6, 2004, CIBC Mellon Trust registered with the Commission as a transfer agent. rn addition, CIBC Mellon Trust agt·eed to consent to the entry of a permanent injunction in a civil action in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, permanently enjoining CIBC Mellon Trust from, among other things, future violations Sections l5(a) and ofthe Act. HI. Discussion generally requires any broker or dealer that makes interstate commerce to transactions in, or to to wi.th the Commission. Section a broker as ofthe Exchange authorizes the Commission to exempt, either conditionally or unconditionally, the broker-dealer registration requirements of Section Act any broker or dealer or class of broker or dealer, by rule or order, as with the public interest and the protection of investors. Similarly, but 36 ofthe Exchange Act authorizes the Commission to exempt, either conditionally or unconditionally, person, or transaction, or or classes of or from any provision or provisions of or rule or regulation thereunder, by rule, regulation, or to the extent that such exemption is ect~ss:arv or appropriate the public with the pn:ne<:t!Cm registration are conditionally ex<:eptea of the Act for their "CIBC Mellon Trust of an injunction enjoining it from violating
Section I the allegations in the Commissi.on's complaint.
Direct Registration some actiVItieS in purchase plans may require broker-dealer ,."'"'"'"•""f''n" under Act Exchange No. 35038 59 63652 (Dec. 8, 1994). 'Absent an exception or exemption, CIBC Mellon Trust also would be in violation of the injunction pertaining to Section 15(a) the Exchange Act by engaging in these activities without being registered as a broker-dealer pursuant to Section l5(b) of the Exchange Act

Stock Plans. CIBC Mellon Trust, however, is not a bank as defined in Section 3(a)(6) ofthe Exchange Act Absent an exemption, CIBC Mellon Trust would be required to register with the Commission as a broker-dealer to continue to administer Stock Plans with U.S. resident The Commission has determined to grant CIBC Mellon Trust a limited conditional exemption from broker-dealer registration. The Comn1ission finds that a limited exemption from broker-dealer registration, subject to the conditions set forth below, is consistent with the public interest and the protection of CIBC Mellon Trust's Stock Plan administration in limited broker-dealer as well as rPr.rP<:PI':1"<: that in each case it is retained by to employees or DRSPPs and odd~iot ,..,.,.,.,,....,.,,,,.." through Mellon Trust to continue relationships without interruption. circumstances, the Commission believes that it is not necessary to require CIBC Mellon Trust to both as a transfer agent and a broker-dealer. Commission finds that it is consistent with the public interest and the protection '""''"'"''""" to exempt, subject to the conditions set forth below, Mel!on Trust the ,.,.,.,-,,..,,._" requirement i 5(a)(l) of the Exchange Act to the acts as a broker connection with Stock Plans were limited to administration of Plans with no was not the subject ofCommission action. Neither this order nor the '''~'""'·n apply to with no resident investors. Mellon in direct privity of contract the issuer or its affiliate. CJBC Mellon Trust ;.viii be prohibited from engaging in certain activities that it engaged in prior to the issuance of this order, such as netting customer orders to buy and seli issuer plan securities.

Plan features, contractual terms, and and processing arrangements, but not of The \Vii! not individuals to in any particular transactions, whether purchases or and no or recommendations will included in
1970. Each
with U.S. resident investors for issuers.' This order is granted sul~_ject to the following conditions:
l. CIBC Mellon Trust will maintain its registration as a transfer agent under
Section l7A of the Exchange Act as long as it continues to administer
Stock Plans with U.S. resident investors.
In connection with administering Stock Plans with U.S. resident investors, CIBC Mellon Trust will not solicit transactions or provide investment to U.S. resident investors with respect to the purchase or sale of securities in connection with the Plan, other than by delivering Plan materials to shareholders the the so long as such materials are as ' The notes, that issues with regard to Mellon Trust as a Stock Plan administrator, and that nothing in this order affects prior positions with respect to plans or prograrns. Exchange Release 38067 (Dec. 20, 1996), FR 520, at n. 98 (Jan. 3, 1997)(adopting Regulation M governing the activities of underwriters, issuers, selling security holders and connection with offerings securities). Commission also that the administrative costs plans may be borne by either the issuers or the plan participants themselves. The No-Action (Dec. I, 1994) (acknowledging that in which plan participants administrative fees).
Section 3(a)(4)(B)(iv) of the example, each brochure
with resident and administered by CIBC Mellon Trust will include a Securities Association, Inc., prominent statement on the cover that: "The Program is sponsored and administered Mellon Trust, not [the appointing issuer]." brochure indicate that securities held program accounts are not subject to protection the Securities Investor Protection of I be plain and factual in tone and approach, and will be descriptive of all the brochure (or otherwise administration of Stock Plans). Administration of Plans involving required to be registered pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 continues to be subject to the provisions set forth in the exemption issued to The Securities Transfer Association, lnc. See Exchange Act Release No. 35041 {Dec. I, 1994).

resident investors results in a trade in the United States, CIBC Mellon Trust \viii direct such trade to a U.S.-registered broker or dealer for execution. In connection with administer.ing Stock Plans with U.S. resident "'"'"'"'rr.rc Mellon Trust will maintain with a bank (or banks) at all times a account accounts) for the exclusive benefit customers that shaH be sepamte from any CIBC Mellon Trust bank account Solely this condition, a bank shall have the same meaning as in Rule 15c3-3(a)(7)." The account (or shalt be the of Melfon 5. a written transaction notification containing, at a minirnum, the following information:
name of
(b) name of' is transaction for account of the identity, price, and number ofshares or units purchased or sold for the custorner in each such t1·ansaction; and, in a periodic statemenL total number ofshares or units of such held the customer at end of account amount that customer has paid or will pay in connection with the transaction; ' 17 CFR 240.15c3-3(a)(7). Under this rule, with respect to a broker or dealer that maintains its principal place business in the Dominion of Canada, the term ''bank" also means a Canadian bank subject to supervision by an authority ofthe Dominion of Canada.

The source and arnount of remuneration CIBC Mellon Trust has or willt·eceive from a party other than the customer, unless the written statement or notification discloses whether CIBC Mellon Trust has received or will receive remuneration from a party other than the customer, and that Mellon Trust will furnish within a reasonable time the source and arnount ofthis remuneration upon written request ofthe resident customer. This election is not available however, if, with respect to a purchase, ClBC Mellon was participating in a distribution of that security or, with respect to a sale, Mellon was participating in a tender that utilized; or where there is whom the customer. center '""'"''ut,;;.rl to responding to resident customer about a Stock Plan, but may not: (a) identify to a U.S. resident a particular security except as requested by the investor and then only as necessary to be responsive to the specific inquiry; (b) respond to inquiries from U.S. resident investors concerning the investing in the particular security or participating in the a registered broker-dealer; or (c) take verbal to buy or sell securities resident Plan rather than using the center personnel may provide resident customers general information about Plan as described in the Stock Plan brochure and the status of the customer's as well as accommodate telephone requests for brochures, account certificated shares and replacement dividend checks. CIBC Mellon Trust will be responsible lbr ensuring that call center personnel are strictly instructed not to provide recommendations or advice to U.S. resident customers and that they will be in 7. 10 CrBC Mellon Trust would not be to any payments it receives from issuers for acting in a transfer agent capacity. This condition would not affect, for example, CIBC Mellon Trust's ability to operate a call center outside of the U.S. that takes orders trom non-U.S. residents.

unless orders received produce such a low share volume as to dictate less frequent transaction intervals. In all cases, purchases and sales will occur at least once a week (assurning an order is received during the week), except in the case ofOdd~Lot Plans, where purchases and sates will occur when sufficient shares have been tendered to constitute a standard unit of trading on the marketplace.
8. In connection with administering Stock Plans w·ith U.S. resident investors,
CIBC Mellon Trust will not receive payment for order flow, as defined in Exchange Act Rule 1 Ob-I 0."
9. ln connection with administering Stock Plans with U resident investors,
CIBC Mellon Trust will rnake and keep current all material books and records relating to customers' funds, and orders to purchase or sell the following:
Records reflecting customer ownership in the Stock Plan; Any statement, checkbook, or cancelled check regarding any bank account established pursuant to condition 4 above; and records reflecting funds submitted by Stock Plan customers, funds held on behalf of customers pursuant to condition 4 above, and reconciliation of the funds submitted and the funds held; An original of any communication received by CIBC Mellon Trust from a Stock Plan customer or a copy of any materials sent to Stock Plan customers by CIBC Mellon Trust; (d) A record of any order by a Stock Plan customer to purchase or sell securities; A copy of any transaction notification or statement sent pursuant to condition 5 above; A copy of any supervisory procedures relating to condition 6 above; (g) A copy of any transaction notification received pursuant to condition 7 above; and (h) A copy of any agreement relating to Stock Plans entered into with an affiliated or unaffiliated third party, including agreements with banks, broker-dealers, and entities providing services related to processing and call centers. "17CFR240.10b-IO.

1 0. Any record maintained pursuant to condition 9 will be retained for a period of not Jess than six years, the first year in a readily accessible place for purposes of examination and inspection by the Commission. In sum, in finding that this exemption i.s appropriate in the public interest, we stress that {I) CIBC Mellon Trust will provide Stock Plan services to issuers' employees or shareholders only when it is retained directly by the or its affiliate; (2) Mellon Trust will only administer DRSPPs and odd~lot programs \vith U.S. resident investors for which it acts as transfer agent; and {3) its activities as a transfer agent are subject to Commission regulation and inspection." This exemption is subject to modification or revocation time the determines that modification or ts with public imposed and the rules and regulations or dealer that is not registered with the to the extent as a broker under Section 3(a)(4) ofthe Exchange Act.,. IT FURTHER ORDERED, that the exemptions granted herein to GBC Mellon Trust pursuant to 15(a)(2) and the Exchange Act shaH become effective upon the date the United States District for the District Columbia enters a final order permanently enjoining Cl Mellon Trust from, other future violations of l and l the Exchange Act the Elizabeth M. ln that are the ofthe order were conducted more broadly and outside any Commission oversight CIBC Mellon Trust remains subject to all other applicable provisions of the federal securities including, without limitation, Section I O(b) ofthe Exchange Act and Rule lOb-5 thereunder. 17 CFR 240. I Ob-5.