[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 65 (Tuesday, April 6, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16772-16773]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-8367]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-41222; File No. SR-OCC-99-03]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Options Clearing Corporation; 
Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule 
Amending Rules and By-Laws

March 29, 1999.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Act''),\1\ notice is hereby given that on March 3, 1999, The Options 
Clearing Corporation (``OCC'') files 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

[[Page 16773]]

Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the 
proposed rule change from interested persons.
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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 deletes the references to options on 
Government National Mortgage Association (``GNMA'') securities, options 
on certificates of deposit, Index Participants (``IPs''), and market 
baskets in OCC's rules and by-laws.

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\
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    \2\ The Commission has modified the text of the summaries 
prepared by OCC.
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(A) Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

    The proposed rule change deletes the references to options on GNMA 
securities, options on certificates of deposits, IPs, and market 
baskets in OCC's rules and by-laws. According to OCC, these products 
are no longer cleared, and it is unlikely that these products will be 
listed or cleared in the future.
    OCC believes the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 
17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act \3\ and the rules and regulations thereunder 
because the proposal conforms OCC's rules and by-laws to the products 
that OCC currently clears.
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    \3\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(3)(F).
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(B) Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    OCC does not believe that the proposed rule change would have any 
material adverse impact 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)(iii) of Act \4\ and pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(4) \5\ 
promulgated thereunder because the proposal is effecting a change in an 
existing OCC service that does not adversely affect the safeguarding of 
securities or funds in OCC's custody or control or for which OCC is 
responsible and does not significantly affect the respective rights or 
obligations of OCC or persons using OCC's services. 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 investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the 
purposes of the Act.
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    \4\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
    \5\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(4).
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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 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 Room, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, 
D.C. 20549. Copies of such filing will also be available for inspection 
and copying at the principal office of OCC. All submissions should 
refer to File No. SR-OCC-99-03 and should be submitted by April 27, 
1999.

    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. 99-8367 Filed 4-5-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-M