00-32893. Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by International Securities Exchange LLC, Relating to Minimum Activity Fees  

  • Start Preamble December 18, 2000.

    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) [1] , and Rule 19b-4, thereunder,[2] notice is hereby given that on December 7, 2000, the International Securities Exchange LLC (“Exchange” or the “ISE”) 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 Exchange is proposing changes to its fees regarding inactive memberships. The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Office of the Secretary, the Exchange, 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 ISE 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

    Currently not all of the Exchange's Primary Market Maker (“PMM”) memberships have begun trading in their assigned group of options (“bins”). The Exchange is proposing that PMMs will be subject to a $100,000 monthly fee if the PMM has not yet opened the bin for trading. Once a bin is opened for trading, there will be a $50,000 per month minimum fee per bin. That is, if transaction charges with respect to trading in the bid do not total $50,000 per month, the PMM will be charged a fee equal to $50,000 minus the actual transaction charges.

    These fees are structured to provide the Exchange with revenue that will, in part, help recover revenue lost due to the lack of trading. In particular, these fees will help recoup lost transaction and access charges. The Exchange will periodically reevaluate these fees to maintain the relationship between the amount of the fees and the lost revenue being recouped. These fees will become effective on January 1, 2001.

    2. Statutory Basis

    The basis under the Act for this proposed rule change is the requirements under Sections 6(b)(4) and 6(b)(5) of the Act [3] that an exchange have rules that are 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 for a free and open market and a national market system, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest, as well as provide for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees and other charges among its members and other persons using its facilities.

    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

    The Exchange has not solicited, and does not intend to solicit, comments on this proposed rule change. The Exchange has not received any unsolicited written comments from members or other interested parties.

    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)(A) of the Act [4] and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) [5] thereunder because the rule change: (1) Does not significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (2) does not impose any significant burden on competition; and (3) does not become operative for 30 days from the date of filing or such shorter time as the Commission may designate if consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. In addition, the Exchange provided the Commission with written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change, along with a brief description and text of the proposed rule change, at least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule change.

    A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) [6] normally does not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of filing. However, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) [7] permits the Commission to designate such shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. The ISE has requested that the Commission accelerate the implementation of the proposed rule change so that it may take effect on January 1, 2001. The ISE represented that all of the broker-dealers that currently anticipate being subject to the proposed fee are represented on ISE's board of directors, voted to adopt the proposed fee, and approved its submission to the Commission.

    On this basis, the Commission believes that it is consistent with the Start Printed Page 81945protection of investors and the public interest and does not impose any significant burden on competition to allow the proposed rule change to become operative as of the date of this Order and be implemented on January 1, 2001. 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.[8]

    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 Exchange. All submissions should refer to File No. SR-ISE-00-26 and should be submitted by January 17, 2001.

    Start Signature

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

    Margaret H. McFarland,

    Deputy Secretary.

    End Signature End Preamble

    Footnotes

    8.  For purposes only of accelerating the operative date of this proposal, the Commission has considered the proopsed rule's impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).

    Back to Citation

    [FR Doc. 00-32893 Filed 12-26-00; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 8010-01-M

Document Information

Published:
12/27/2000
Department:
Securities and Exchange Commission
Entry Type:
Notice
Document Number:
00-32893
Pages:
81944-81945 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Release No. 34-43738, File No. SR-ISE-00-26
EOCitation:
of 2000-12-18
PDF File:
00-32893.Pdf