2012-5470. Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend the CBOE Stock Exchange Fees Schedule

March 1, 2012.

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”) ^[1] and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,^[2] notice is hereby given that on February 22, 2012, the Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated (the “Exchange” or “CBOE”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II 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 the CBOE Stock Exchange (“CBSX”) Fees Schedule. The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's Web site (http://www.cboe.com/​AboutCBOE/​CBOELegalRegulatoryHome.aspx), at the Exchange's Office of the Secretary, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

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

The Exchange proposes to amend CBSX Maker and Taker fees for competitive and business purposes. First, CBSX proposes to increase the Maker fee for transactions in securities priced $1 or greater by $0.0001 per share, to $0.0018. CBSX also proposes to increase the Maker fee for transactions in securities priced $1 or greater executed by a market participant that adds two million or more shares of liquidity that day by $0.0001 per share, to $0.0016.

The Exchange also proposes to amend Maker and Taker fees for transactions in securities priced less than $1. The Exchange proposes to assess no Maker fee for such transactions in order to attract liquidity. The Exchange also proposes to increase the Taker fee for transactions in securities priced less than $1 to 0.30% of the dollar value of the transaction in order to normalize the Taker fee to equivalent offerings by other exchanges.^[3]

The proposed changes are to take effect March 1, 2012.

2. Statutory Basis

The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to the Exchange and, in particular, the requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act.^[4] Specifically, the Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b)(4) of the Act,^[5] which provides that Exchange rules may provide for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other charges among its Trading Permit Holders and other persons using its facilities. The slight increases to the Maker fees for transactions in securities priced $1 or greater are reasonable because the amount of the increase is minimal, and the amounts of the fees are within the range of Maker fees that have been assessed previously. The slight increases to the Maker fees for transactions in securities priced $1 or greater are equitable and not unfairly discriminatory because the fees will be assessed to all market participants equally.

The change to eliminate the Maker for transactions in securities priced less than $1 fee is reasonable because it will allow market participants to no longer have to pay a Maker fee for such transactions. This change is equitable and not unfairly discriminatory because it will allow all market participants to avoid paying such a fee. The change to increase the Taker fee for transactions in securities priced less than $1 is reasonable because the new amount of the fee is within the range of fees for similar transactions at other exchanges,^[6] and is equitable and not unfairly discriminatory because it will be assessed to all market participants equally.

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

CBOE does not believe that the proposed rule change will 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 neither solicited nor received comments on the proposed rule change.

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

The proposed rule change is designated by the Exchange as establishing or changing a due, fee, or other charge, thereby qualifying for effectiveness on filing pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act ^[7] and subparagraph (f)(2) of Rule 19b-4 ^[8] thereunder. At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend 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. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:

Electronic Comments

• Use the Commission's Internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/​rules/​sro.shtml); or
• Send an email to [e-mail]. Please include File Number SR-CBOE-2012-020 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

• Send paper comments in triplicate to Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090.

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-CBOE-2012-020. This file number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commission's Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/​rules/​sro/​shtml). 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 Web site viewing and printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of such filing will also be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File No. SR-CBOE-2012-020 and should be submitted on or before March 28, 2012.

For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.^[9]

Kevin M. O'Neill,

Deputy Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).

2.  17 CFR 240.19b-4.

3.  See Chicago Stock Exchange, Inc. Fee Schedule, Section E(1).

4.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b).

5.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).

6.  See footnote 1.

7.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).

8.  17 C.F.R. 240.19b-4(f)(2).

9.  17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).