01-24975. Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by the American Stock Exchange LLC Relating to Proposed Rule 324

September 27, 2001.

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act 1934 (“Act” or “Exchange Act”),^[1] and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,^[2] notice is hereby given that on August 7, 2001, the American Stock Exchange LLC (“Amex” 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 Amex. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.

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

The Amex proposes to adopt Exchange Rule 324 to require each member not associated with a member organization and each member organization primarily engaged as an agent in executing transactions on the Floor to maintain a detailed, written record of each type of compensation arrangement that it enters into with other members as well as customers.

The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Office of the Secretary, the Amex 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. Amex 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, Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose

The Exchange is implementing examination procedures similar to those previously adopted by the NYSE to review Floor broker activity to determine if a broker is sharing in the profits generated in customer accounts. In connection with these new examination procedures, the Amex is proposing to adopt a rule, similar to NYSE Rule 440I, that would require each member not associated with a member organization and each member organization primarily engaged as an agent in executing transactions on the Floor, to maintain a detailed, written record of each type of compensation arrangement that it enters into with other members as well as all other customers. The Exchange's financial examiners will use these records in conducting reviews to determine if there were possible violations of Section 11(a) of the Act ^[3] or Exchange rules.

The proposed rule would apply to members and member organizations primarily engaged as agents in executing transactions on the Floor of the Exchange. It would specify a type of record, i.e., a record of compensation arrangements, in addition to records to be maintained under Exchange Act Rules 17a-3 and 17a-4.^[4] The proposed rule would exclude the following compensation arrangements from the requirement to maintain a written record:

(1) Arrangements involving gross compensation of less than $5,000 per year, and

(2) Arrangements involving order transmitted solely through the Exchange's electronic order routing system.

The Exchange is proposing to exclude orders transmitted solely through the Exchange's electronic order routing system because the Exchange believes that the audit trail capabilities of this system prevent trading improprieties by independent Floor brokers. The Exchange also is proposing to exclude “upstairs” (i.e., off the Floor) members and member organizations from the requirement to keep records of compensation arrangements. Independent brokers do not generally have the independent supervisory structures and the formalized internal supervisory oversight that upstairs organizations have since many independent brokers act as sole proprietors with limited customer and product base.

2. Statutory Basis

The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the provisions of Section 6(b) of the Act,^[5] in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5),^[6] in particular, in that it is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest, and is not designed to permit unfair discrimination between customers, issuers, brokers and dealers.

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

The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will result in 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

The Exchange has neither solicited nor received written comments on the proposed rule change.

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

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act ^[7] and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder,^[8] the proposed rule change has become effective upon filing as its effects a change that: (1) Does not significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (2) does not impose any significant burden on competition; and (3) by its terms, does not become operative for 30 days from the date of filing, and the Exchange provided the Commission with written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change at least five business days before the filing date.

At any tine within 60 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 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 Amex. All submissions should refer to File No. SR-Amex-2001-59 and should be submitted by October 26, 2001.

For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority.^[9]

Margaret H. McFarland,

Deputy Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).

2.  17 CFR 240.19b-4.

3.  15 U.S.C. 78k(a).

4.  17 CFR 240.17a-3 and 17 CFR 240.17a-4.

5.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b).

6.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).

7.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).

8.  17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).

9.  17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).