03-12733. Self-Regulatory Organizations; National Securities Clearing Corporation; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Relating to Modifying NSCC Rule 15

May 15, 2003.

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”),^[1] notice is hereby given that on December 20, 2002, National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) and on December 24, 2002, amended the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which items have been prepared primarily by NSCC. 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 purpose of the proposed rule change is to modify NSCC Rule 15 to specify what additional information participants and applicants must file with NSCC regarding their financial responsibility and operational capability.

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 these 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 filing is to modify Section 2 of NSCC Rule 15, “Financial Responsibility and Operational Capability.” The proposed rule filing specifically: (1) Codifies the current practice that applicable members provide copies to NSCC of consolidated reports of condition and income (i.e., “call reports”), (2) require broker-dealer members to provide copies to NSCC of their most recent audited financial statements within sixty days after their fiscal year end and non-broker-dealer members to provide copies to NSCC of their most recent audited financial statements within ninety days after their fiscal year end, (3) require members to file copies with NSCC of all Rule 17a-11 letters filed with the Commission, and (4) require members to file with NSCC copies of such filings as determined by NSCC from time to time which members are required to file pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and any amendments thereunder.^[3]

Rule 15, Section 2 currently permits NSCC to examine the financial responsibility and operational capability of members and applicants and to require them to provide certain information to NSCC. The proposed rule change modifies Rule 15 to more specifically delineate other information that participants must file with NSCC.

The proposed rule change is consistent with Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act ^[4] and the rules and regulations thereunder because it will assure the safeguarding of securities and funds in NSCC's custody or control.

(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 will notify the Commission of any written comments received by NSCC.

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)(i) of the Act ^[5] and Rule 19b-4(f)(1) ^[6] thereunder because the proposed rule change constitutes an interpretation with respect to the administration and enforcement of an existing NSCC rule. At any time within sixty days of the filing of such 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. Comments may also be submitted electronically at the following e-mail address: [e-mail]. All comment letters should refer to File No. SR-NSCC-2002-15. 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 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 20549-0609. Copies of such filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of NSCC. All submissions should refer to File No. SR-NSCC-2002-15 and should be submitted by June 11, 2003.

For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority.^[7]

J. Lynn Taylor,

Assistant Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).

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

3.  Pub. L. 107-204, 116 Stat. 745 (2002).

4.  15 U.S.C. 78q(b)(3)(F).

5.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(i).

6.  17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(1).

7.  17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).