Self-Regulatory Organizations; National Securities Clearing Corporation; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change Regarding IntraDay Contract Reports

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”), notice is hereby given that on June 14, 2001, 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 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 proposed rule change modifies NSCC's Procedures to provide that contract lists may be made available to members on an intraday basis. The proposed rule change also amends NSCC's Rules to provide that the earlier production of trade reports will not change the timing of NSCC's trade guaranty.

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.

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

Delivering trade data output to NSCC's participants throughout the day has been identified as one of many components necessary to meet the challenge of shortening the clearance and settlement process as the securities industry moves towards settlement on a T+1 basis. Accordingly and in preparation for the move towards shortened settlement cycles, NSCC is modifying its Procedures to provide that contract lists may be issued to participants on a multibatch intraday basis to report trade activity that has been submitted by or on behalf of participants through such intraday processing time. NSCC states that such reporting will provide its participants with trade information on an earlier and more frequent basis as well as increase NSCC's processing capacity.

The provisions of intraday reports is not at this time intended to impact or change the timing of NSCC's trade guaranty obligations, which under the current rules become effective at midnight of the day on which trades are reported to participants as compared or recorded. NSCC generally reports trades on T+1. The timing of the guaranty was based on the fact that NSCC has historically provided its participants with end of day contract reporting early in the morning of T+1. NSCC wants to make contract sheets available intraday throughout the day on trade date but does not want at this time to be required to provide an earlier trade guaranty. NSCC is currently analyzing what risk procedures it needs to cover an early guaranty.

To ensure that the earlier trade reporting does not impact the trade guaranty, NSCC is modifying Addenda K and M. As both addenda currently set forth NSCC's trade guaranty policies, these provisions are being consolidated in Addendum K, and Addendum M will be deleted. The revised Addendum K will now provide that NSCC will guaranty the completion of CNS and balance order trades as of the later of: (i) Midnight of T + 1 or (ii) midnight of the day the trades are reported to participants as compared or recorded on contracts. In addition, certain changes are being made to Addendum K to delete provisions relating to services (relating to New York Windows and the International Securities Clearing Corporation) NSCC no longer provides.

NSCC states that this rule change permits trade information to be made available to NSCC's participants on an earlier and more frequent basis and therefore will facilitate the prompt and accurate clearance and settlement of securities transactions without jeopardizing the safety and soundness of the clearing process. NSCC believes that the proposed rule change is therefore consistent with the requirements with Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.

(B) Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

NSCC does not believe that the proposed rule change will have an impact on or impose a burden on competition.

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

No written comments relating to the proposed rule change have been solicited or received. NSCC will notify the Commission of any written comments it receives.

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

Because the foregoing rule change constitutes an interpretation with respect to the meaning, administration, or enforcement of an existing rule of NSCC, it has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(i) of the Act and Rule 19b-4(f). 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.

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 NW., Washington, DC 20549-0609. Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the proposal 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 the NSCC. All submissions should refer to the File No. SR-NSCC-2001-11 and should be submitted by August 31, 2001.