Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Options Clearing Corporation; Notice of Filing of a Proposed Rule Change Relating to the Stock Loan/Hedge Program, 67918-67920 [E8-27140]

Download as PDF 67918 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 222 / Monday, November 17, 2008 / Notices 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 Room, on official business days between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of the filing also will 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 Number SR–Phlx– 2008–68 and should be submitted on or before December 8, 2008. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.16 Florence E. Harmon, Acting Secretary. [FR Doc. E8–27139 Filed 11–14–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–58901; File No. SR–OCC– 2008–06] Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Options Clearing Corporation; Notice of Filing of a Proposed Rule Change Relating to the Stock Loan/Hedge Program November 5, 2008. Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’),1 notice is hereby given that on February 25, 2008, The Options Clearing Corporation (‘‘OCC’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) and on October 7, 2008, amended the proposed rule change 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 from interested persons. jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The proposed rule change would mitigate inconsistencies that may result under the Stock Loan/Hedge Program. 16 17 1 15 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:18 Nov 14, 2008 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 has decided to take certain steps to provide for the continued growth and development of its Stock Loan/Hedge Program (‘‘Program’’). These include (1) elimination of the ability of clearing members to carry stock loan and borrow positions without depositing risk margin and (2) adjusting the amount of required risk margin where stock loan collateral provided by the borrower to the lender exceeds the value of the borrowed stock. Background and General Description of the Proposed Rule Change. The Program is provided for in Article XXI of OCC’s By-Laws and Chapter XXII of the Rules. It provides a means for OCC clearing members to submit certain stock loan/borrow transactions (‘‘stock loan transactions’’) to OCC for clearance. The stock and the stock loan collateral move through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company from the lending clearing member (‘‘lender’’) to the borrowing clearing member (‘‘borrower’’), and vice-versa when the stock is returned, in the same way that such transactions are ordinarily effected. Where the stock loan transaction is submitted to OCC for clearance, however, OCC is substituted as the lender to the borrower and the borrower to the lender. Thereafter, OCC guarantees performance of the stock loan transaction with respect to delivery and return of stock and collateral and the making of daily mark-to-market payments between the lender and borrower, which are effected through OCC’s cash settlement system. One advantage of submitting stock loan transactions to OCC is that the stock loan and borrow positions then reside in the clearing member’s options accounts at OCC and to the extent that 2 The Commission has modified the text of the summaries prepared by OCC. Jkt 217001 PO 00000 Frm 00084 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 they offset the risk of options positions carried in the same account, may reduce the clearing member’s margin requirement in the account. OCC’s risk is, in turn, reduced by having the benefit of the hedge. Nevertheless, OCC currently permits qualified clearing members to elect to submit stock loan and borrow transactions to OCC on a ‘‘margin ineligible basis,’’ meaning that the positions are excluded from OCC’s margin calculations for the account containing those positions. Marginineligible stock loan and borrow positions do not reduce the margin requirement for the account to reflect any offsetting value they might have, nor does OCC collect additional margin to reflect the risk of those positions. The election is made by each clearing member on an account-by-account basis so that all stock loan and borrow positions in a particular account are carried on a margin ineligible basis or none are. In order to carry stock loan and borrow positions on a margin ineligible basis, a clearing member must meet heightened standards of creditworthiness as set forth in Interpretation and Policy .06 under Section 1 of Article V of OCC’s By-Laws. While OCC believes that the current credit-based risk management approach has been adequate to date given historical Program activity levels, OCC also believes that a more conservative approach is warranted to provide for further growth of the Program and greater market volatility. OCC therefore seeks to better manage the market risk resulting from open stock loan and borrow positions by applying its standard margining approach to all such positions. Another potential exposure that OCC seeks to address arises from the stock loan market practice of requiring the borrower to overcollateralize a position by giving the lender cash collateral equal to 102% of the position’s current market value. OCC’s rules provide that OCC’s guarantee of Program transactions extends to the full value of the collateral exchanged as part of a stock loan transaction. Therefore, if a lender were to fail, even if the stock could be sold out at 100% of the marking price, the borrower would be left with a 2% deficiency, for which OCC would be liable. Managing this potential exposure will be accomplished by (a) an additional margin charge applied to lenders executing stock loans at 102% in an amount equal to the 2% excess collateral and (b) borrowers receiving a margin credit in an equal amount. These new margin charges/credits are independent of, and in addition to, the risk margin determined by the E:\FR\FM\17NON1.SGM 17NON1 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 222 / Monday, November 17, 2008 / Notices ‘‘STANS’’ margining system that will be collected and maintained from both lenders and borrowers. In connection with the submission of this filing, OCC has confirmed with the Commission staff that the proposed rule change would not have adverse consequences to clearing members under Rule 15c3–1, the Commission’s net capital rule.3 Specifically, where stock loan/borrow transactions are submitted to OCC for clearance through the Program, any additional amount of margin required to be deposited with OCC as a result of such transactions shall be treated the same as any other portion of the OCC margin deposit and shall therefore not constitute an unsecured receivable and shall not be required to be deducted from net capital. In order to minimize any potential disruptive impact associated with these changes in the margin treatment of stock loan and borrow positions, OCC would utilize two initial phase-in periods. There would be a one-month grace period (beginning from the date of Commission approval of this rule filing) before the changes are applied to any positions. For the next two months, all new positions must be submitted on a margin-eligible basis and will be subject to the overcollateralization provisions, but positions that were carried on a margin-ineligible basis as of the date of the approval order will not be required to be margined or subject to the overcollateralization provisions. After the end of that initial three-month period, all stock loan and borrow positions in all accounts would be carried on a margin-eligible basis and would be subject to the overcollateralization provisions, regardless of when the positions were established. jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES Rule Amendments Applicable to Changes in the Program. OCC proposes the following amendments to its Rules to achieve the above-referenced initiative and accommodate and facilitate the continued growth and development of the Program. 1. Margin Requirements—Rule 601 OCC will amend Rule 601(e) to eliminate its current category of ‘‘margin-ineligible’’ accounts, and instead apply its standard margining approach to all Program positions using its ‘‘STANS’’ system. This change will become effective three months following the date of the Commission’s order approving this rule filing. In addition, a 3 17 CFR 240.15c–3–1. VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:18 Nov 14, 2008 Jkt 217001 new interpretation .06 would be added to Rule 601 setting forth the additional margin charges and credits, and the implementation schedule, applicable to stock loan and borrow positions that have collateral set at 102%. 2. Instructions to the Corporation—Rule 2201 Rule 2201(a) is proposed to be amended to provide that, with respect to standing instructions that clearing members provide to OCC, the requirement to notify OCC of the fact that the clearing member is approved to maintain stock loan positions and stock borrow positions in its accounts on a non-margined basis, and the account or accounts that are to be marginineligible, shall become inapplicable three months from the SEC’s approval order. After that time, OCC will have eliminated the ability to carry any stock loan or borrow positions on a ‘‘marginineligible’’ basis. 3. Initiation of Stock Loans—Rule 2202 Rule 2202(f) is proposed to be amended to specify that, one month after the Commission’s approval order, a member shall not be able to submit new stock loan transactions to OCC for clearance in a margin-ineligible account. OCC believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the purposes and requirements of the Act because it is designed to promote the prompt and accurate clearance and settlement of stock loan transactions, to foster cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in the clearance and settlement of such transactions, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a national system for the prompt and accurate clearance and settlement of such transactions, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest. It accomplishes this purpose by applying margin requirements designed to enhance OCC’s protection against the risk of carrying stock loan and borrow positions. The proposed rule change is not inconsistent with the existing rules of OCC, including any rules proposed to be amended. (B) Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Burden on Competition OCC does not believe that the proposed rule change would impose any material 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 PO 00000 Frm 00085 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 67919 to the proposed rule change, and none have been received. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action Within thirty-five days of the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register or within such longer period: (i) As the Commission may designate up to ninety days of such date if it finds such longer period to be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or (ii) as to which the self-regulatory organization consents, the Commission will: (A) By order approve such proposed rule change or (B) Institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule change should be disapproved. 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 (https://www.sec.gov/ rules/sro.shtml) or • Send an e-mail to rulecomments@sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–OCC–2008–06 on the subject line. Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–OCC–2008–06. 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 (https://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 Room, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, E:\FR\FM\17NON1.SGM 17NON1 67920 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 222 / Monday, November 17, 2008 / Notices DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of such filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of OCC and on OCC’s Web site at https:// www.theocc.com/publications/rules/ proposed_changes/sr_occ_08_06.pdf. 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–OCC–2008–06 and should be submitted on or before December 8, 2008. For the Commission by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.4 Florence E. Harmon, Acting Secretary. [FR Doc. E8–27140 Filed 11–14–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice 6426] Establishment of an Online English Language Program jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES ACTION: Request for information. SUMMARY: The United States Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) seeks to tap private sector ingenuity and capacity by partnering with the private sector to create an online English language learning and literacy series for economically disadvantaged youth outside the United States that will be made available without charge. Through English learning programs, traditionally underserved populations will gain access to diverse sources of information, the ability to participate in the global marketplace, and a better understanding of the values that shape responsible citizens of the world. DATES: The Department will accept comments from the public up to December 17, 2008. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by any of the following methods: • Persons with access to the Internet may view this notice and provide comments by going to the regulations.gov Web site at: https:// www.regulations.gov/index.cfm. • Mail (paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions): U.S. Department of State, Attn: Ms. Suzanne Matula, Office of 4 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:18 Nov 14, 2008 Jkt 217001 English Language Programs, SA–44, 301 4th Street, SW., Room 304 Washington, DC 20547. • E-mail: ExchangesDirect@state.gov. You must include the Title in the subject line of your message. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Suzanne Matula, Office of English Language Programs, (202) 453–8856; SA–44, 301 4th Street, SW., Room 304 Washington, DC 20547. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This Request for Information (RFI) is a general solicitation of public comments that seeks to gather input as to the best technical platforms and delivery mechanisms for this learning series (whose content will be provided by ECA) and to determine which private sector institutions are active in the development and integration of these platforms and mechanisms and which are able to provide these platforms free of charge This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP). In accordance with FAR 15.209(c), responses to this RFI are not offers and will not be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. The Government will not award a contract based on this RFI, nor will it pay for the information provided pursuant to this RFI. Responses to this RFI will be treated as general information only. Responses to this RFI will not be returned. Background: The global demand for English language instruction is at an all time high. English is the ‘‘entry point’’ that allows people to participate in the increasingly globalized world economy, access diverse sources of information, broadens their understanding of democratic traditions and contributes more robustly to the socio-economic prosperity of their own families, communities and societies. In much of the world, demand for English language instruction far outpaces supply, and available instruction is often far beyond the financial means of the average language learner. The United States Government (USG), academia and business leaders have a rare opportunity to work together to help the world’s estimated 2 billion individuals desiring to learn English to master this universally-valued skill. Developing and providing a new means of gaining English language skills will be a powerful way for the USG and private sector to respond to what is both an unprecedented challenge and opportunity. ECA wishes to collaborate with the best of U.S. business, NGO and PO 00000 Frm 00086 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 academic communities to create an online English language literacy and communication series: English Access Online. This program will be sponsored by ECA’s Office of English Language Programs, which creates and implements high quality, targeted English language programs overseas. More information on these programs can be found at https://exchanges.state.gov/ englishteaching/. Detail Goals and Parameters ECA seeks to develop a compelling, technologically innovative, multi-media online English language learning and literacy series that will be available free of charge to economically disadvantaged youth around the world. The typical user has been defined as a foreign secondary school student with little or no English language ability. We seek proposals that have several or all of the following characteristics: • Free and oriented to self-study so that all learners, from all economic backgrounds and geographic areas, have access and opportunity. • Designed to encourage creative and critical thinking. • Immersive, to allow interactive language learning, interpersonal connections and collaboration among language learners. We would like to consider virtual reality and 3–D environments. • Multi-level, to allow progression from a novice-low level to an intermediate-high level of proficiency. • Designed to use a variety of instructional technologies to support diverse learning styles. • Designed to monitor and record user performance and select appropriate learning tasks based on the learner/ user’s demonstrated level of language proficiency. • Designed to provide automated assessment and user performance tracking. • Oriented around stories or themes that highlight American culture and values to provide a context for language learning, encourage critical thinking, and promote mutual understanding. • Technologically scalable, so that individuals with varying levels of telecommunications infrastructure and capacity, and available hardware can access instruction. To support learner autonomy and linkages across different national educational programs, the language learning framework for English Access Online will be based on the norms and guidelines of the National Council of State Supervisors for Languages E:\FR\FM\17NON1.SGM 17NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 222 (Monday, November 17, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67918-67920]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-27140]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-58901; File No. SR-OCC-2008-06]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Options Clearing Corporation; 
Notice of Filing of a Proposed Rule Change Relating to the Stock Loan/
Hedge Program

November 5, 2008.
    Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Act''),\1\ notice is hereby given that on February 25, 2008, The 
Options Clearing Corporation (``OCC'') filed with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission (``Commission'') and on October 7, 2008, amended 
the proposed rule change 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 from interested persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    The proposed rule change would mitigate inconsistencies that may 
result under the Stock Loan/Hedge Program.

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\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ The Commission has modified the text of the summaries 
prepared by OCC.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

(A) Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

    OCC has decided to take certain steps to provide for the continued 
growth and development of its Stock Loan/Hedge Program (``Program''). 
These include (1) elimination of the ability of clearing members to 
carry stock loan and borrow positions without depositing risk margin 
and (2) adjusting the amount of required risk margin where stock loan 
collateral provided by the borrower to the lender exceeds the value of 
the borrowed stock.

Background and General Description of the Proposed Rule Change.

    The Program is provided for in Article XXI of OCC's By-Laws and 
Chapter XXII of the Rules. It provides a means for OCC clearing members 
to submit certain stock loan/borrow transactions (``stock loan 
transactions'') to OCC for clearance. The stock and the stock loan 
collateral move through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company 
from the lending clearing member (``lender'') to the borrowing clearing 
member (``borrower''), and vice-versa when the stock is returned, in 
the same way that such transactions are ordinarily effected. Where the 
stock loan transaction is submitted to OCC for clearance, however, OCC 
is substituted as the lender to the borrower and the borrower to the 
lender. Thereafter, OCC guarantees performance of the stock loan 
transaction with respect to delivery and return of stock and collateral 
and the making of daily mark-to-market payments between the lender and 
borrower, which are effected through OCC's cash settlement system.
    One advantage of submitting stock loan transactions to OCC is that 
the stock loan and borrow positions then reside in the clearing 
member's options accounts at OCC and to the extent that they offset the 
risk of options positions carried in the same account, may reduce the 
clearing member's margin requirement in the account. OCC's risk is, in 
turn, reduced by having the benefit of the hedge. Nevertheless, OCC 
currently permits qualified clearing members to elect to submit stock 
loan and borrow transactions to OCC on a ``margin ineligible basis,'' 
meaning that the positions are excluded from OCC's margin calculations 
for the account containing those positions. Margin-ineligible stock 
loan and borrow positions do not reduce the margin requirement for the 
account to reflect any offsetting value they might have, nor does OCC 
collect additional margin to reflect the risk of those positions. The 
election is made by each clearing member on an account-by-account basis 
so that all stock loan and borrow positions in a particular account are 
carried on a margin ineligible basis or none are. In order to carry 
stock loan and borrow positions on a margin ineligible basis, a 
clearing member must meet heightened standards of creditworthiness as 
set forth in Interpretation and Policy .06 under Section 1 of Article V 
of OCC's By-Laws.
    While OCC believes that the current credit-based risk management 
approach has been adequate to date given historical Program activity 
levels, OCC also believes that a more conservative approach is 
warranted to provide for further growth of the Program and greater 
market volatility. OCC therefore seeks to better manage the market risk 
resulting from open stock loan and borrow positions by applying its 
standard margining approach to all such positions.
    Another potential exposure that OCC seeks to address arises from 
the stock loan market practice of requiring the borrower to 
overcollateralize a position by giving the lender cash collateral equal 
to 102% of the position's current market value. OCC's rules provide 
that OCC's guarantee of Program transactions extends to the full value 
of the collateral exchanged as part of a stock loan transaction. 
Therefore, if a lender were to fail, even if the stock could be sold 
out at 100% of the marking price, the borrower would be left with a 2% 
deficiency, for which OCC would be liable. Managing this potential 
exposure will be accomplished by (a) an additional margin charge 
applied to lenders executing stock loans at 102% in an amount equal to 
the 2% excess collateral and (b) borrowers receiving a margin credit in 
an equal amount. These new margin charges/credits are independent of, 
and in addition to, the risk margin determined by the

[[Page 67919]]

``STANS'' margining system that will be collected and maintained from 
both lenders and borrowers.
    In connection with the submission of this filing, OCC has confirmed 
with the Commission staff that the proposed rule change would not have 
adverse consequences to clearing members under Rule 15c3-1, the 
Commission's net capital rule.\3\ Specifically, where stock loan/borrow 
transactions are submitted to OCC for clearance through the Program, 
any additional amount of margin required to be deposited with OCC as a 
result of such transactions shall be treated the same as any other 
portion of the OCC margin deposit and shall therefore not constitute an 
unsecured receivable and shall not be required to be deducted from net 
capital.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ 17 CFR 240.15c-3-1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In order to minimize any potential disruptive impact associated 
with these changes in the margin treatment of stock loan and borrow 
positions, OCC would utilize two initial phase-in periods. There would 
be a one-month grace period (beginning from the date of Commission 
approval of this rule filing) before the changes are applied to any 
positions. For the next two months, all new positions must be submitted 
on a margin-eligible basis and will be subject to the 
overcollateralization provisions, but positions that were carried on a 
margin-ineligible basis as of the date of the approval order will not 
be required to be margined or subject to the overcollateralization 
provisions. After the end of that initial three-month period, all stock 
loan and borrow positions in all accounts would be carried on a margin-
eligible basis and would be subject to the overcollateralization 
provisions, regardless of when the positions were established.

Rule Amendments Applicable to Changes in the Program.

    OCC proposes the following amendments to its Rules to achieve the 
above-referenced initiative and accommodate and facilitate the 
continued growth and development of the Program.
1. Margin Requirements--Rule 601
    OCC will amend Rule 601(e) to eliminate its current category of 
``margin-ineligible'' accounts, and instead apply its standard 
margining approach to all Program positions using its ``STANS'' system. 
This change will become effective three months following the date of 
the Commission's order approving this rule filing. In addition, a new 
interpretation .06 would be added to Rule 601 setting forth the 
additional margin charges and credits, and the implementation schedule, 
applicable to stock loan and borrow positions that have collateral set 
at 102%.
2. Instructions to the Corporation--Rule 2201
    Rule 2201(a) is proposed to be amended to provide that, with 
respect to standing instructions that clearing members provide to OCC, 
the requirement to notify OCC of the fact that the clearing member is 
approved to maintain stock loan positions and stock borrow positions in 
its accounts on a non-margined basis, and the account or accounts that 
are to be margin-ineligible, shall become inapplicable three months 
from the SEC's approval order. After that time, OCC will have 
eliminated the ability to carry any stock loan or borrow positions on a 
``margin-ineligible'' basis.
3. Initiation of Stock Loans--Rule 2202
    Rule 2202(f) is proposed to be amended to specify that, one month 
after the Commission's approval order, a member shall not be able to 
submit new stock loan transactions to OCC for clearance in a margin-
ineligible account.
    OCC believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the 
purposes and requirements of the Act because it is designed to promote 
the prompt and accurate clearance and settlement of stock loan 
transactions, to foster cooperation and coordination with persons 
engaged in the clearance and settlement of such transactions, to remove 
impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a national system for the 
prompt and accurate clearance and settlement of such transactions, and, 
in general, to protect investors and the public interest. It 
accomplishes this purpose by applying margin requirements designed to 
enhance OCC's protection against the risk of carrying stock loan and 
borrow positions. The proposed rule change is not inconsistent with the 
existing rules of OCC, including any rules proposed to be amended.

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

    OCC does not believe that the proposed rule change would impose any 
material 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

    Within thirty-five days of the date of publication of this notice 
in the Federal Register or within such longer period: (i) As the 
Commission may designate up to ninety days of such date if it finds 
such longer period to be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so 
finding or (ii) as to which the self-regulatory organization consents, 
the Commission will:
    (A) By order approve such proposed rule change or
    (B) Institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule 
change should be disapproved.

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 (https://
www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml) or
     Send an e-mail to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include 
File Number SR-OCC-2008-06 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

     Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities 
and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090.
All submissions should refer to File Number SR-OCC-2008-06. 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 (https://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 Room, 100 F Street, NE., 
Washington,

[[Page 67920]]

DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 
p.m. Copies of such filing also will be available for inspection and 
copying at the principal office of OCC and on OCC's Web site at https://
www.theocc.com/publications/rules/proposed_changes/sr_occ_08_
06.pdf. 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-OCC-
2008-06 and should be submitted on or before December 8, 2008.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).

    For the Commission by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\4\
Florence E. Harmon,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8-27140 Filed 11-14-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
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