Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by the Chicago Board Options Exchange, Inc., Relating to Membership Fees

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 November 8, 2000, the Chicago Board Options Exchange, Inc. (“CBOE” or “Exchange”) 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 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 CBOE proposes to amend the New Member Orientation fee imposed by the Exchange, which is currently set forth in the Exchange's Membership Fee Circular. The Exchange further proposes to add certain clarifying language to the Membership Fee Circular with respect to the application of the Corporation/Partnership/LLC fee. The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Office of the Secretary of the CBOE 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 CBOE 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

The Exchange proposes to increase from $200 to $500 the fee that it charges applicants seeking membership as a Market-Maker or Floor Broker for the three-day Orientation Program provided to applicants by the Exchange. The Exchange states that the purpose of this proposed fee increase is to cover the costs of the Orientation Program, which are no longer adequately covered by the current $200 fee. The change to the New Member Orientation Fee is proposed to take effect on January 1, 2001.

The Exchange further proposes to amend its Membership Fee Circular to clarify the application of the Corporation/Partnership/LLC fee. This fee is imposed by the Exchange on each new firm applicant for membership on the Exchange. It is also applicable to a member organization that changes its legal structure (e.g., from partnership to corporation or the reverse, from partnership to LLC or the reverse, or from corporation to LLC or the reverse).

The clarification concerns the applicability, when a member organization changes its legal structure, of certain other membership and membership application fees generally imposed by the Exchange. These include a General Partner fee, and Executive Officer fee, an LLC Manager fee, a Principal Shareholder fee, a Limited Partner fee, and an LLC Member fee.

The Exchange proposes to amend the Membership Fee Circular to clarify that if a member organization changes its legal structure or in the event of a merger between current CBOE member organizations, General Partners, Executive Officers, LLC Managers, Principal Shareholders, Limited Partners and LLC Members listed on the Uniform Application for Broker-Dealer Registration Form (“Form BD”) of the member organization(s) prior to the change will not be assessed any fees in connection with the change. This proposed revision to the Membership Fee Circular codifies the current practice of the Exchange in addressing this situation.

2. Statutory 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)(4) of the Act in particular, in that it is designed to provide for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other changes among CBOE members.

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

The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purpose of the Act.

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

No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the proposed rule change.

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

The foregoing rule change, which establishes or changes a due, fee, or other charge applicable to members of the Exchange, has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act and subparagraph (f)(2) of Rule 19b-4 thereunder. At any time within 60 days of the filing of the 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 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. Copies of such filing will also be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the CBOE. All submissions should refer to File No. SR-CBOE-00-54, and should be submitted by December 28, 2000.