72 FR 54 pgs. 13324-13325 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Extend a Pilot Program Relating to Multiple Aggregation Units
Type: NOTICEVolume: 72Number: 54Pages: 13324 - 13325
Docket number: [Release No. 34-55474; File No. SRCBOE-2007-20]
FR document: [FR Doc. E7-5116 Filed 3-20-07; 8:45 am]
Agency: Securities and Exchange Commission
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-55474; File No. SRCBOE-2007-20]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Extend a Pilot Program Relating to Multiple Aggregation Units
March 15, 2007.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act"),1and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,2notice is hereby given that on February 26, 2007, the Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated ("Exchange" or "CBOE") filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission") the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been substantially prepared by the Exchange. The Exchange filed the proposal as a "non-controversial" proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act3and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder,4which renders the proposal effective upon filing. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
Footnotes:
1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
4 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change
CBOE proposes to extend for an additional year, until March 14, 2008, an existing Pilot Program that allows a CBOE member or member firm to have multiple aggregation units operating as separate Market-Makers or Remote Market-Makers ("RMMs") within the same class. The text of the proposed rule change is available on CBOE's Web site ( http://www.cboe.org/Legal ), at the CBOE'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 purpose of the proposed rule change is to extend for an additional year, until March 14, 2008, an existing Pilot Program that allows a CBOE member or member firm to have multiple aggregation units operating as separate Market-Makers or RMMs within the same class, provided they satisfy certain criteria set forth in Rule 8.4(c)(ii)(A)-(C).5
Footnotes:
5 See Rule 8.3(c)(viii) and Rule 8.4(c)(ii).
In March 2005, CBOE amended its rules to establish a new membership status called RMM, who have the ability to submit quotes to the CBOE from a location outside of the physical trading station of the RMM's appointed class.6In connection with the adoption of these rules, CBOE also adopted provisions in its rules relating to RMM affiliation limitations. Specifically, CBOE Rule 8.4(c) provides that except as otherwise provided, an RMM may not have an appointment as an RMM in any class in which it or its member organization serves as DPM, e-DPM, RMM, or Market-Maker on CBOE.
Footnotes:
6 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 51366 (March 14, 2005), 70 FR 13217 (March 18, 2005) (approving SR-CBOE-2004-75).
One exception that was approved on a pilot basis was the ability of a CBOE member or member firm to have multiple aggregation units operating as separate RMMs within the same class, provided certain specific criteria were complied with.7
Footnotes:
7 A second exception, also adopted on a pilot basis and contained in Rule 8.4(c)(i), permits a member or member firm operating as an RMM in a class to have one Market-Maker affiliated with the RMM organization trading in open outcry in any specific class allocated to the RMM, provided such Market-Maker trades on a separate membership.
In March 2006, the Pilot Program was extended for an additional year,8and is also applicable to Market-Makers.9CBOE believes that the Pilot Program has been successful, in that it allows a CBOE member or member firm to have multiple aggregation units operating as separate Market-Makers or RMMs within the same class, provided they comply with certain specific criteria. CBOE has not experienced any negative effects with respect to the Pilot Program. Thus, CBOE believes it would be appropriate and beneficial to extend this Pilot Program for an additional year, until March 14, 2008.
Footnotes:
8 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 53414 (March 3, 2006), 71 FR 12753 (March 13, 2006) (approving SR-CBOE-2006-25).
9 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 54182 (July 20, 2006), 71FR 42692 (July 20, 2006) (approving SR-CBOE-2006-51).
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act and the rules and regulations under the Act applicable to a national securities exchange and, in particular, the requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act.10Specifically, the Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,11which requires that the rules of an exchange be designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest.
Footnotes:
10 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
11 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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 Exchange Act.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others
The Exchange neither received nor solicited written comments on the proposal.
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)(iii) of the Act12and subparagraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b-413thereunder because it does not: (i) Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; (iii) become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate; and the Exchange has given the Commission written notice of its intention to file the proposed rule change at least five business days prior to filing. 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.
Footnotes:
12 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
13 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
Under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) of the Act,14the proposal does not become operative for 30 days after the date of its filing, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate if consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange has requested that the Commission waive the 30-day operative date, so that proposal may take effect upon filing. The Commission believes that the proposed rule change does not raise any new regulatory issues and, consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest, has determined to waive the 30-day operative date, so that the pilot may continue without interruption.15
Footnotes:
14 Id.
15 For purposes only of waiving the operative date of this proposal, the Commission has considered the proposed rule's impact on efficiency, competition and capital formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
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 e-mail to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include File Number SR-CBOE-2007-20 on the subject line.
Paper Comments
• Send paper comments in triplicate to Nancy M. Morris, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549-1090.
All submissions should refer to File Number SR-CBOE-2007-20. This file number should be included on the subject line if e-mail 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 inspection and copying in the Commission's Public Reference Section, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. Copies of such filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the CBOE. 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 Number SR-CBOE-2007-20 and should be submitted on or before April 11, 2007.
Footnotes:
16 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority.16
Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E7-5116 Filed 3-20-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P