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Routine Notice Amended Draft

NYSE American Options Fee Schedule Amendments - Floor Broker Credits and Incentive Program Changes

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Published March 18th, 2026
Detected April 3rd, 2026
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Summary

NYSE American LLC filed a proposed rule change with the SEC to modify its Options Fee Schedule effective March 18, 2026. The Exchange proposes to increase the Floor Broker credit cap from $4,000,000 to $5,500,000 per month per firm and eliminate two incentive programs: the FB AON CUBE Rebate and the ATP Electronic Rebate. The SEC is soliciting public comments on the proposal.

What changed

The proposed rule change would raise the FB Cap—the maximum combined Floor Broker credits for QCC trades and Manual Billable Rebate Program rebates—from $4,000,000 to $5,500,000 per month per Floor Broker firm. The Exchange cites persistently elevated open outcry volumes as justification, noting the cap was previously raised from $3,000,000 to $4,000,000 and temporarily waived from April 2025 through February 2026. Additionally, the FB AON CUBE Rebate (designed to encourage Floor Broker participation in AON Single and AON Complex CUBE Auction options) and the ATP Credit Simple/Complex Customer Electronic rebate would be eliminated.

Floor Broker firms should monitor this proposal and consider submitting comments. The fee changes would directly affect monthly credit calculations and rebate eligibility for QCC trades and the Manual Billable Rebate Program. Broker-dealers utilizing AON CUBE Auctions or qualifying for the ATP Electronic Rebate should evaluate the impact of these eliminations on their trading economics and order flow routing decisions.

What to do next

  1. Review updated FB Cap calculations for QCC trades and Manual Billable Rebates
  2. Evaluate impact of eliminated FB AON CUBE Rebate on AON CUBE Auction participation
  3. Assess cost implications of eliminated ATP Electronic Rebate

Source document (simplified)

Content

March 31, 2026. Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) (1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) (2) and Rule 19b-4 thereunder, (3) notice is hereby given that, on March 18, 2026, NYSE American LLC (“NYSE American” or the “Exchange”) filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have
been prepared by the self-regulatory organization. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed
rule change from interested persons.

I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change

The Exchange proposes to modify the NYSE American Options Fee Schedule (“Fee Schedule”) regarding: (i) the limit on the maximum
combined Floor Broker credits paid for QCC trades and rebates paid through the Manual Billable Rebate Program (the “FB Cap”);
(ii) a pricing incentive designed to encourage Floor Broker participation in trading AON Single and AON Complex CUBE Auction
options on NYSE American (the “FB AON CUBE Rebate”); and (iii) an ATP Credit Simple/Complex Customer Electronic rebate (“ATP
Electronic Rebate”). The Exchange proposes to implement the fee changes effective March 18, 2026. The proposed rule change
is available on the Exchange's website at www.nyse.com and at the principal office of the Exchange.

II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

In its filing with the Commission, the self-regulatory organization included statements concerning the purpose of, and basis
for, the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of those statements
may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B,
and C below, of the most significant parts of such statements.

A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and the Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose

The Exchange proposes to modify the Fee Schedule to: (i) increase the FB Cap; (ii) eliminate the FB AON CUBE Rebate; and (iii)
eliminate the ATP Electronic Rebate. The Exchange proposes to implement the fee changes effective March 18, 2026. (4)

FB Cap

The FB Cap is a limit on the maximum combined Floor Broker credits paid for QCC trades and rebates paid through the Manual
Billable Rebate Program of $4,000,000 per month per Floor Broker firm. (5) In 2025, in response to extreme market volatility and a concomitant surge in open outcry volume that led to Floor Broker firms
earning higher than average monthly credits and rebates, the Exchange waived the FB Cap for April 2025 through December 2025
to allow Floor Broker firms to continue to send credit/rebate-generating order flow to the Exchange without concern for reaching
the FB Cap. (6) Because open outcry volumes on the Exchange remained elevated, the Exchange extended the waiver to January and February 2026
and raised the FB Cap from $3,000,000 to $4,000,000. (7)

For the same reason, the Exchange now proposes increasing the FB Cap to $5,500,000 per month per Floor Broker

  firm. The proposed change is intended to incentivize Floor Brokers to continue to direct their order flow to the Exchange,
  thereby increasing liquidity to the benefit of all market participants, by increasing the monthly cap on combined Floor Broker
  credits paid for QCC trades and rebates paid through the Manual Billable Rebate Program. [(8)]()
FB AON CUBE Rebate

The Exchange proposes to amend the Fee Schedule to eliminate a pricing incentive designed to encourage Floor Broker participation
in trading AON Single and FB AON CUBE Rebate. Currently, the FB AON CUBE Rebate provides for a credit of $0.12 applied to
each of the first 5,000 contracts of an AON CUBE order executed in an AON Single-Leg CUBE auction, or the first 1,000 contracts
per leg of an AON CUBE order executed in an AON Complex CUBE auction.

Only Floor Brokers that execute a minimum of 2,500 contracts ADV in AON CUBE Orders in either AON Single-Leg or AON Complex
CUBE auction are eligible to receive the FB AON CUBE Rebate. AON CUBE Orders executed by a Floor Broker on behalf of an ATP
Holder may only be counted towards the Floor Broker's eligibility for the FB AON CUBE Rebate.

The Exchange adopted the FB AON CUBE Rebate in an effort to attract greater liquidity to the Exchange generally and would
therefore benefit all market participants (including those that do not participate in auction mechanisms) through increased
opportunities to trade at potentially improved prices as well as enhancing price discovery. To the extent that the proposed
fees and credits are successful in incentivizing utilization of AON CUBE Auctions, it was hoped that this increased order
flow would improve price discovery and make the Exchange a more competitive venue for order execution, which, in turn, would
improve market quality for all market participants (including those that do not participate in AON CUBE Auctions). Because
the FB AON CUBE Rebate has been underutilized and thus has not achieved its intended effect, the Exchange now proposes to
eliminate it from the Fee Schedule.

ATP Electronic Rebate

As set forth in Section I.H. of the Fee Schedule, ATP Holders are currently eligible to receive the Customer Credit of $0.10
per contract on Customer Electronic Simple and Complex executions, excluding CUBE Auctions, QCC Transactions, and volume from
orders routed to another exchange, by meeting each of the following monthly qualification levels: (a) 5,000 contracts ADV
from Initiating CUBE Orders in Complex CUBE Auctions; (b) Customer Electronic executions of 0.03% of TCADV, excluding CUBE
Auctions, QCC Transactions, and volume from orders routed to another exchange; and (c) Professional Electronic executions
of 0.02% of TCADV, excluding CUBE Auctions, QCC Transactions, and volume from orders routed to another exchange. (9)

The rebate was designed to incentivize ATP Holders to direct order flow to the Exchange and to encourage ATP Holders to engage
in a variety of transactions on the Exchange. It was hoped that the increased liquidity on the Exchange would result in enhanced
market quality for all participants. However, similar to the FB AON CUBE Rebate, the ATP Electronic Rebate is not currently
actioned by any participants. Because it has been underutilized and thus has not achieved its intended effect, the Exchange
now proposes to eliminate it from the Fee Schedule. In doing so, the Exchange notes that potential participants will still
be able to achieve Customer Electronic rebates via its American Customer Engagement (ACE) program.

2. Statutory Basis

The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act, (10) in general, and furthers the objectives of Sections 6(b)(4) and (5) of the Act. (11) In particular, because it provides for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other charges among its members,
issuers and other persons using its facilities and does not unfairly discriminate between customers, issuers, brokers or dealers.

FB Cap

The proposed increase to the FB Cap is reasonable, equitable, and not unfairly discriminatory. As a threshold matter, the
Exchange is subject to significant competitive forces in the market for options securities transaction services that constrain
its pricing determinations in that market. The Commission has repeatedly expressed its preference for competition over regulatory
intervention in determining prices, products, and services in the securities markets. In Regulation NMS, the Commission highlighted
the importance of market forces in determining prices and SRO revenues and, also, recognized that current regulation of the
market system “has been remarkably successful in promoting market competition in its broader forms that are most important
to investors and listed companies.” (12)

There are currently 18 registered options exchanges competing for order flow. Based on publicly available information, and
excluding index-based options, no single exchange has more than 16% of the market share of executed volume of multiply-listed
equity and ETF options trades. (13) Therefore, currently no exchange possesses significant pricing power in the execution of multiply-listed equity and ETF options
order flow. More specifically, in January 2026, the Exchange had 9.03% market share of executed volume of multiply-listed
equity and ETF options order flow. (14) In such a low concentrated and highly competitive market, no single options exchange possesses significant pricing power in
the execution of option order flow. The Exchange believes that the ever-shifting market share among the exchanges from month
to month demonstrates that market participants can shift order flow or discontinue or reduce use of certain categories of
products, in response to fee changes. Accordingly, competitive forces constrain options exchange transaction fees. In response
to this competitive marketplace, the Exchange has established incentives, such as the FB Cap, to encourage market participants
to direct order flow to the Exchange.

The Exchange believes the proposed change to the FB Cap is reasonable because it is designed to encourage the unique function
of Floor Brokers in facilitating the execution of open outcry orders, to the benefit of all market

  participants. To the extent the proposed increase to the amount of the FB Cap encourages Floor Brokers to continue facilitating
  transactions on the Exchange (instead of on a competing market), all market participants should benefit from increased liquidity,
  and increased order flow on the Exchange, which would continue to make the Exchange a more competitive venue for order execution,
  thus supporting market quality for all market participants. Finally, the FB Cap, as proposed, would apply equally to all Floor
  Brokers that execute manual transactions and/or QCC transactions and that earn rebates and credits applied toward such cap.
FB AON CUBE Rebate and ATP Electronic Rebate

The Exchange also believes that the elimination of the FB AON CUBE Rebate and the ATP Electronic Rebate is reasonable, equitable,
and not unfairly discriminatory. Their elimination provides for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other
charges among its members, issuers and other persons using its facilities and does not unfairly discriminate between customers,
issuers, brokers, or dealers. In addition, the programs have not encouraged Floor Brokers to increase participation in AON
Single and AON Complex CUBE Auction options or incentivize ATP Holders to direct order flow to the Exchange and eliminating
underutilized incentive programs would simplify the Fee Schedule.

Finally, the AON CUBE Rebate would be eliminated in its entirety and would no longer be available to any Floor Broker. Similarly,
the removal of the ATP Electronic Rebate would apply equally to all potential participants who would still be able to achieve
rebates via the Exchange's ACE program.

B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

In accordance with Section 6(b)(8) of the Act, the Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change would impose any
burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.

Intramarket Competition. The proposed change to the FB Cap is designed to continue to attract order flow to the Exchange by offering Floor Brokers
competitive rates to continue to direct their order flow to the Exchange, thereby increasing liquidity to the benefit of all
market participants. The proposed change to the FB Cap would apply equally to all similarly situated Floor Brokers. To the
extent that the increased FB Cap imposes an additional competitive burden on non-Floor Brokers, the Exchange believes that
any such burden is outweighed by the fact that Floor Brokers serve an important function in facilitating the execution of
orders and price discovery for all market participants.

In addition, the Exchange believes that the proposed elimination of the FB AON CUBE Rebate or the ATP Electronic Rebate would
not affect intramarket competition because, as noted above, the programs have not effectively encouraged increased Floor Broker
participation, and its elimination would impact all Floor Brokers equally.

Intermarket Competition. The Exchange operates in a highly competitive market in which market participants can readily favor one of the other 17 competing
option exchanges if they deem fee levels at a particular venue to be excessive. In such an environment, the Exchange must
continually adjust its fees to remain competitive with other exchanges and to attract order flow to the Exchange. Based on
publicly available information, and excluding index-based options, no single exchange has more than 16% of the market share
of executed volume of multiply listed equity and ETF options trades. Therefore, currently no exchange possesses significant
pricing power in the execution of multiply listed equity and ETF options order flow. More specifically, in January 2026, the
Exchange had 9.03% market share of executed volume of multiply listed equity and ETF options order flow.

The proposed change to the FB Cap is designed to continue to incentivize Floor Brokers to direct manual and QCC transactions
to the Exchange, to provide liquidity and to attract order flow to the Exchange. To the extent that Floor Brokers are encouraged
to utilize the Exchange as a primary trading venue for all transactions, all of the Exchange's market participants should
benefit from improved market quality and increased opportunities for price improvement.

Similarly, the Exchange believes that the elimination of the FB AON CUBE Rebate or the ATP Electronic Rebate would not affect
intermarket competition. As noted above, the Exchange operates in a highly competitive market in which the Exchange must continually
adjust its fees and rebates to remain competitive with other exchanges and to attract order flow to the Exchange. The Exchange
believes that the proposed rule change reflects this competitive environment because it removes an underutilized program that
did not achieve its intended purpose.

C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or

Others

No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the proposed rule change.

III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action

The foregoing rule change is effective upon filing pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) (15) of the Act and subparagraph (f)(2) of Rule 19b-4 (16) thereunder, because it establishes a due, fee, or other charge imposed by the Exchange.

At any time within 60 days of the filing of such proposed rule change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such
rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection
of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission takes such action, the Commission
shall institute proceedings under Section 19(b)(2)(B) (17) of the Act to determine whether the proposed rule change should be approved or disapproved.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the
proposed rule change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:

Electronic Comments

• Use the Commission's internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or

• Send an email to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include file number SR-NYSEAMER-2026-25 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

  • Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549-1090.
    All submissions should refer to file number SR-NYSEAMER-2026-25. This file number should be included on the subject line if
    email is used. To help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission
    will post all comments on the Commission's

    internet website (https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the filing will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. Do not include
    personal identifiable information in submissions; you should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly.
    We may redact in part or withhold entirely from publication submitted material that is obscene or subject to copyright protection.
    All submissions should refer to file number SR-NYSEAMER-2026-25 and should be submitted on or before April 24, 2026.

For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority. (18)

Sherry R. Haywood, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. 2026-06464 Filed 4-2-26; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011-01-P

Footnotes

(1) 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).

(2) 15 U.S.C. 78a.

(3) 17 CFR 240.19b-4.

(4) The Exchange originally filed to amend the Fee Schedule on February 27, 2026 (SR-NYSEAMER-2026-13). SR-NYSEArca-2026-13 was
withdrawn on March 12, 2026, and replaced by this filing.

(5) See Fee Schedule, Sections I.F. and III.E.1. (providing, in relevant part, that Floor Broker credits paid for QCC trades and rebates
paid through the Manual Billable Rebate Program shall not combine to exceed $4,000,000 per month per Floor Broker firm).

(6) See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 102890 (April 18, 2025), 90 FR 17273 (April 24, 2025) (SRNYSEAMER-2025-26); 102985 (May
2, 2025), 90 FR 19584 (May 8, 2025) (SR-NYSEAMER-2025-27); 103623 (August 1, 2025), 90 FR 37905 (August 6, 2025) (SR-NYSEAMER-2025-46);
104258 (November 25, 2025), 90 FR 55186 (December 1, 2025) (SR-NYSEAMER-2025-65).

(7) See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 104676 (January 23, 2026), 91 FR 3748 (January 28, 2026) (SR-NYSEAMER-2026-03).

(8) The Exchange also proposes a non-substantive, clean up change to delete language from the Fee Schedule in Sections I.F. and
III.E.1 referencing the waiver of the FB Cap for the months of January and February 2026, which will have expired.

(9) See Fee Schedule, Section I.H. In calculating an Order Flow Provider's (OFP) Electronic volume, the Exchange will include the
activity of either (i) Affiliates of the OFP, such as when an OFP has an Affiliated NYSE American Options Market Making firm,
or (ii) an Appointed MM of such OFP.

(10) 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).

(11) 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4) & (5).

(12) See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 51808 (June 9, 2005), 70 FR 37496, 37499 (June 29, 2005) (S7-10-04) (“Reg NMS Adopting
Release”).

(13) The OCC publishes options and futures volume in a variety of formats, including daily and monthly volume by exchange, available
at: https://www.theocc.com/Market-Data/Market-Data-Reports/Volume-and-Open-Interest/Monthly-Weekly-Volume-Statistics.

(14) Based on a compilation of OCC data for monthly volume of equity-based options and monthly volume of equity-based ETF options,
see id., the Exchange's market share in equity-based options increased from 6.09% for the month of November 2024 to 9.03%
for the month of January 2026.

(15) 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).

(16) 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).

(17) 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).

(18) 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).

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Named provisions

FB Cap FB AON CUBE Rebate ATP Electronic Rebate

Classification

Agency
SEC
Published
March 18th, 2026
Comment period closes
April 15th, 2026 (12 days)
Instrument
Notice
Legal weight
Non-binding
Stage
Draft
Change scope
Minor
Document ID
Release No. 34-12345
Docket
SEC-2026-2049

Who this affects

Applies to
Broker-dealers Investors
Industry sector
5231 Securities & Investments
Activity scope
Options Trading Floor Broker Operations Fee Schedule Administration
Threshold
Floor Broker firms with QCC trades and Manual Billable Rebate Program participation
Geographic scope
United States US

Taxonomy

Primary area
Securities
Operational domain
Compliance
Topics
Options Trading Market Structure

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