[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 34 (Friday, February 20, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8730-8731]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-4343]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-39663; File No. SR-NSCC-97-16]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; National Securities Clearing 
Corporation; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed 
Rule Change Relating to NSCC's Annuity Processing Service Fees and 
Charges

February 13, 1998.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Act''),\1\ notice is hereby given that on December 22, 1997, the 
National Securities Clearing Corporation (``NSCC'') 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 NSCC. The Commission is publishing this 
notice to solicit comments from interested persons on the proposed rule 
change.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The proposed rule change revises NSCC's annuity processing service 
(``APS'') membership fee schedule for users establishing multiple 
membership accounts.

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

    In its filing with the Commission, NSCC 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. NSCC has prepared summaries, set forth in sections (A), 
(B), and (C) below, of the most significant aspects of such 
statements.\2\
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    \2\ The Commission has modified the text of the summaries 
prepared by NSCC.
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(A) Self-Regulatory Organzation's Statement of the Purpose of, and 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

    Some users of NSCC's APS establish multiple APS memberships for 
themselves in order to comply with insurance regulations. Under NSCC's 
current fee schedule, APS users are charged $335 per month for each 
membership account that the user establishes. NSCC believes that the 
per account charge for additional accounts is greater than the 
incremental cost to NSCC associated with establishing them.
    The purpose of the rule change is to adopt a graduated fee schedule 
for multiple APS membership accounts for users with common ownership 
schemes or with operational support services agreements. Pursuant to 
this fee schedule, two to five related memberships are $550 per month, 
and six or more related memberships are $750 per month. The revised fee 
schedule became effective January 1, 1998.
    NSCC believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the 
requirements of Section 17A of the Act \3\ and the rules and 
regulations thereunder because it provides for the equitable allocation 
of dues, fees, and other charges among NSCC's participants that use 
NSCC's APS service.
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    \3\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1.
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(B) Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    NSCC does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any 
burden on competition this is not necessary or appropriate in 
furtherance of the purposes of the Act.

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

    No comments on the proposed rule change were solicited or 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)(ii) \4\ of the Act and pursuant to Rule 19b-4(e)(2) \5\ 
promulgated thereunder because the proposal establishes or changes a 
due, fee, or other charge imposed by NSCC. At any time within sixty 
days of the filing of such 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

[[Page 8731]]

investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
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    \4\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
    \5\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(e)(2).
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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. Persons making written submissions 
should file six copies thereof with the Secretary, Securities and 
Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. 
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 communication 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. Sec. 552, will be available for inspection and copying in 
the Commission's Public Reference Section, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., 
Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies of such filing also will be available 
for inspection and copying at the principal office of NSCC. All 
submissions should refer to File No SR-NSCC-97-16 and should be 
submitted by March 13, 1998.

    For the Commission by the Division of Market Regulation, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\6\
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    \6\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Margaret H. McFarland,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-4343 Filed 2-19-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-M