03-8444. Self-Regulatory Organizations; National Securities Clearing Corporation; Notice of Filing and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of a Proposed Rule Change Relating to Creating New Cost Basis Reporting Service

March 31, 2003.

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,^[1] notice is hereby given that on January 24, 2003, the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared primarily by NSCC. The Commission is publishing this notice and order to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons and to grand accelerated approval.

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

The proposed rule change creates a new Cost Basis Reporting Service (“CBRS”) that will facilitate the automated exchange of cost basis information regarding a customer account transfer.

II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

In its filing with the Commission, NSCC 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. NSCC has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements.^[2]

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 add a new Rule 30 to NSCC's Rules and Procedures (“Rules”) in order to create a new CBRS that will facilitate the automated exchange of cost basis information related to a customer account transfer.

NSCC has developed a cost basis reporting service to augment its current Automated Customer Account Transfer Service (“ACATS”) processing. Cost basis reporting is useful to customers for tax reporting purposes. Cost basis information is currently captured and entered into many firm's portfolio systems manually. NSCC was requested to centralize and standardize the transmission of cost basis information.

CBRS will be available to NSCC members and qualified securities depositories acting on behalf of their participants and will permit them to transmit between themselves on an automated basis cost basis information with respect to accounts that have previously been transferred via ACATS. Participants may send cost basis data to NSCC multiple times during the day up to a predetermined cutoff.

NSCC believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the requirements of Section 17A of the Act ^[3] and the rules and regulations thereunder because it will facilitate the prompt and accurate clearance and settlement of securities transactions.

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

NSCC does not believe that the proposed rule change will have an impact on or impose a burden on competition.

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

No written comments relating to the proposed rule change have been solicited or received. NSCC has notified its member of the terms of the proposed service by an Important Notice on November 4, 2002. NSCC will notify the Commission of any written comments it receives.

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

The Commission finds that NSCC's proposed rule change is consistent with the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and particularly with the requirements of Section 17A(b)(3)(F)^[4] of the Act. Section 17A(b)(3)(F) requires that the rules of a clearing agency be designed to promote the prompt and accurate clearance and settlement of securities transactions. Providing an automated and standardized method of transmitting cost basis information related to securities accounts that are transferred from one broker-dealer to another through ACATS should reduce NSCC's members' administrative burdens and as such should promote the prompt and accurate clearance and settlement of securities transactions.

NSCC has requested that the Commission find good cause for approving the proposed rule change prior to the thirtieth day after the date of publication of notice of filing. The Commission finds good cause for approving the proposed rule change prior to the thirtieth day after the date of publication of notice of filing because such approval will allow NSCC to implement this new service in time for it to provide benefits for brokers, dealers, and investors for the current tax filing period and will also enable NSCC to implement CBRS in accordance with its systems implementation schedule.

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 5th Street NW., Washington, DC 20549-0069. Comments may also be submitted electronically at the following e-mail address: [e-mail]. All comment letters should refer to File No. SR-NSCC-2003-02. This file number should be included on the subject line if e-mail is used. To help us process and review comments more efficiently, comments should be sent in hardcopy or by e-mail but not by both methods. Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the rule filing that are filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to the rule filing between the Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for inspection and copying in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Copies of such filing will also be available for inspection and copying at NSCC's principal office. All submissions should refer to File No. SR-NSCC-2003-02 and should be submitted by April 29, 2003.

It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act, that the proposed rule change (File No. SR-NSCC-2003-02) be, and hereby is, approved on an accelerated basis.

For the Commission by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority.^[5]

Margaret H. McFarland,

Deputy Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).

2.  The Commission has modified the text of the summaries prepared by NSCC.

3.  15 U.S.C. 78q-1.

4.  15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(3)(F).

5.  17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).