Notices. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
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/register/2002/03/21/02-6826A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34-45557; File No. SR-OCC-2001-17] Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Options Clearing Corporation; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change Establishing Financial Reporting Standards for Clearing Futures Commission Merchants That Are Not Fully Registered With the Commission as Broker-Dealers March 14, 2002. Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”), 1 notice is hereby given that on November 9, 2001, The Options Clearing Corporation (“OCC”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which items have been prepared primarily by OCC.
The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons. 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The proposed rule change amends OCC Rule 306 to facilitate financial reporting by clearing members that are FCMs not fully registered with the Commission as broker-dealers. II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change In its filing with the Commission, OCC 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 these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. OCC has prepared summaries, set forth in sections (A), (B), and
(C)below, of the most significant aspects of such statements. 2 2 The Commissiion has modified parts of these statements.
(A)Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change As a result of the Commodity Futures Modernization Act, entities registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) as futures commission merchants (“FCMs”) are allowed to trade in security futures upon notice registration with the Commission. 3 These entities are not subject to the full panoply of Commission regulation, and in particular, they are not required to file reports of financial condition under Rule 17a-5. As a result of amendments to OCC's Rules that were approved by the Commission in File No. SR-OCC-2001-07 (adopting rules for the clearance and settlement of security futures), such entities are now allowed to become clearing members of OCC. 4 OCC has also filed an application with the Commission and the CFTC seeking authority to clear futures on broad-based indexes and options thereon. 5 These products are regulated exclusively by the CFTC, and OCC's proposed rules would permit it to admit clearing members that are regulated exclusively by the CFTC and not registered as broker-dealers at all. 3 Section 15(b)(11)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. 4 Securities Exchange Act Release No. 44727, (August 20, 2001), 66 FR 45351. 5 The CFTC granted OCC's application for registration as a derivatives clearing organization on December 12, 2001. The Commission has published notice of OCC's filing. Securities Exchange Act Release No. 45152, (December 12, 2001), 66 FR 65770. The purpose of this rule change is to facilitate financial reporting by clearing members that are FCMs not fully registered with the Commission as broker-dealers while providing OCC with the same level of financial oversight that OCC has with respect to other clearing members. Such FCMs will be permitted to file their monthly financial reports with OCC using the CFTC's Form 1-FR-FCM. However, notwithstanding the provisions of CFTC Regulation 1.10(b) generally requiring such reports to be filed with the CFTC on a quarterly basis, OCC will require such reports to be filed with OCC monthly. OCC believes that monthly reporting is conducive to the protection of OCC, its clearing members, and the public. OCC believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the requirements of Section 17A of the Act and the regulations thereunder because it protects investors and the public interest by ensuring the availability of adequate financial information to OCC regarding clearing members.
(B)Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition OCC does not believe that the proposed rule change would impose any burden on competition.
(C)Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others Written comments were not and are not intended to be solicited with respect to the proposed rule change, and none have been received. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to section 19(b)(3)(A)(i) of the Act 6 and Rule 19b-4(f)(1) 7 thereunder because it constitutes a stated policy, practice or interpretation with respect to the meaning, enforcement or administration of an existing rule. At any time within sixty days of the filing of the proposed rule change, the Commission may summarily abrogate 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. 6 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(i). 7 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(1). VI. 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. Persons making written submissions should file six copies thereof with the Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street NW., Washington, DC 20549-0609. Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for inspection and copying in the Commission's Public Reference Section, 450 Fifth Street NW., Washington, DC 20549. Copies of such filing will also be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of OCC. All submissions should refer to the File No. SR-OCC-2001-17 and should be submitted by April 11, 2002. For the Commission by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority. 8 8 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12). Margaret H. McFarland, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 02-6826 Filed 3-20-02; 8:45 am]
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