00-23437. Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Options Clearing Corporation; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Relating to Clearing Fees Charged for Established Products Effective September 1, 2000

September 5, 2000.

Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”),^[1] notice is hereby given that on August 10, 2000, The Options Clearing Corporation (“OCC”) 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 primarily by OCC. 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

OCC is proposing to reduce its levels of clearing fees which are charged for established products effective September 1, 2000.

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

In its filing with the Commission, OCC 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. OCC 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

OCC is proposing to reduce the clearing fees charged for established products. During the first half of 2000, OCC experienced a record volume of options cleared. As a result, OCC proposes to reduce its clearing fees, effective September 1, 2000, as follows:

Contract trade level	Current clearing fee	Proposed clearing fee
1-500	$0.09/contract	$.0575/contract.
501-1000	0.07/contract	.045/contract.
1001-2000	0.06/contract	.04/contract.
>2000	110.00 flat fee	65.00 flat fee.

The proposed discounted fee schedule will enable clearing members to benefit from reduced fees without adversely affecting OCC's ability to maintain an acceptable level of retained earnings. Commencing the first trading day of 2001, the discounted clearing fees will revert to their current levels.

OCC 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 benefits clearing members by reducing fees and allocates fees among clearing members in an equitable manner.

(B) Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

OCC does not believe that the proposed rule change would impose any burden on competition.

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

Written comments were not and are not intended to be solicited with respect to the proposed rule change, and none have been received.

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)(ii) ^[4] of the Act and Rule 19b-4(f)(2) ^[5] promulgated thereunder because the proposal establishes or changes a due, fee, or other charge imposed by OCC. At any time within sixty 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.

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 Section, 450 Fifth Street, NW., Washington, DC 20549. Copies of such filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of OCC. All submissions should refer to File No. SR-OCC-00-06 and should be submitted by October 4, 2000.

For the Commission by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority.^[6]

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 OCC.

3.  15 U.S.C. 78q-1.

4.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).

5.  17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).

6.  17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).