Self-Regulatory Organization's; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by New York Stock Exchange, Inc., Relating to Approval Procedures for Exchange Employee Securities Accounts

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) and Rule 19b-4 thereunder notice is hereby given that on October 6, 2000, the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (“NYSE” or “Exchange”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC” or “Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. 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 amend NYSE Rule 407.10 to make the Exchange's Ethics Officer the party to whom employees of the Exchange or any of its affiliates must apply for permission to open a securities or commodities account. The Exchange also proposes to clarify that the Rule's provisions are not applicable to any affiliated company (as that term is defined by the Rule) which administers a corporate employee securities account disclosure program.

The text of the proposed rule change is available at the NYSE and at the Commission.

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 Exchange 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. The Exchange 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

1. Purpose

NYSE Rule 407.10 directs Exchange employees, and employees of Exchange affiliates, who wish to open a securities or commodities account to apply to the Secretary of the Exchange for permission. The purpose of the proposed rule change is to require those employees to submit those applications for approval to the Exchange's Ethics Officer rather than the Exchange's Secretary.

The Exchange's ethics functions are performed by the office of the Exchange's senior Human Resources officer, who is also the Exchange's Ethics Officer. The Human Resources Division, as part of its traditional function and as part of its ethics function, maintains a database on Exchange employees. The Exchange Secretary also maintains a database on Exchange employees for the purpose of authorizing securities and commodities accounts.

The Exchange believes that shifting the account-approval function to the Ethics Officer will eliminate duplicative record-keeping and will place the function with the officer most appropriate for making account-approval decisions.

The Exchange also proposes to amend NYSE Rule 407.10 to clarify that the Rule's provisions are not applicable to any affiliated company (as that term is defined by the Rule) which administers a corporate employee securities account disclosure program. This will avoid duplicative approval processes.

2. Basis

The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act, in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) in particular, in that it is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest.

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

The proposed rule change does not impose any burden on competition that 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

Written comments were neither solicited nor received.

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

The foregoing rule change is concerned solely with the administration of the Exchange. Therefore, the proposed rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act and Rule 19b-4(f)(3) thereunder. At any time within 60 days of the filing of such 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. Persons making written submissions should file six copies thereof with the Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549-0609. 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. Copies of such filing will also be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the NYSE. All submissions should refer to the File No. SR-NYSE-00-41 and should be submitted by November 29, 2000.