Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Options Clearing Corporation; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Relating to Instructions to Pledge and Release Pledges

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”), notice is hereby given that on, September 8, 2000, The Options Clearing Corporation (“OCC”) 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 OCC. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested parties.

I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change

The proposed rule change would allow OCC to give effect on an intraday basis to instructions to pledge long options positions and instructions to release pledges.

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 these statements.

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

The purpose of the proposed rule change is to accelerate the time when OCC gives effect to instructions to pledge or release long options for purposes of determining margin requirements. Currently, such instructions are acted on during the nightly processing cycle for effect the next business day. As a result, positions that have been released from pledge and could be used to reduce a clearing member's margin requirement are “idled” during a business day. OCC proposes to act on pledge and release instructions on an intraday basis thereby affording clearing members more efficient use of their assets and potentially greater flexibility in their financing decisions. No effect would be given to a requested pledge to the extent that the pledge would cause the account not to be adequately margined.

The proposed rule change is consistent with the requirements of Section 17A of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to OCC because it increases the ability of clearing members to manage their financing arrangements while maintaining OCC's overall protection against default.

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

OCC does not believe that the proposed rule change would impose any burden 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) of the Exchange Act and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) promulgated thereunder because the proposal does not significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest and does not impose any significant burden on competition. In accordance with Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii), prior to the filing date, OCC submitted written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change along with a brief description and text of the proposed rule change. In that notice of its intent, OCC requested that the Commission waive the requirement that the rule change, by its terms, not become operative for 30 days after the date of the filing, as consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. The Commission has decided to waive that requirement. Accordingly, the proposed rule change will become effective upon filing pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder. At any time within sixty 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, 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 Section, 450 Fifth Street, NW., Washington, DC 20549. Copies of such filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of OCC. All submissions should refer to File No. SR-OCC-00-08 and should be submitted by December 26, 2000.