

[Federal Register: June 22, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 120)]
[Notices]               
[Page 34495]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22jn07-92]                         


[[Page 34495]]

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

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-55921; File No. SR-ODD-2007-03]

 
Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Options Clearing Corporation; 
Order Granting Approval of Accelerated Delivery of Supplement to the 
Options Disclosure Document Reflecting Certain Changes to Disclosure 
Regarding Credit Default Options

June 18, 2007.
    On April 25, 2007, The Options Clearing Corporation (``OCC'') 
submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission''), 
pursuant to Rule 9b-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Act''),\1\ five preliminary copies of a supplement to its options 
disclosure document (``ODD'') reflecting certain changes to disclosure 
regarding credit default options (``CDOs'').\2\ On June 18, 2007, the 
OCC submitted to the Commission five definitive copies of the 
supplement.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 17 CFR 240.9b-1.
    \2\ See letter from Jean M. Cawley, Senior Vice President and 
Deputy General Counsel, OCC, to Sharon Lawson, Senior Special 
Counsel, Division of Market Regulation (``Division''), Commission, 
dated April 24, 2007.
    \3\ See letter from Jean M. Cawley, Senior Vice President and 
Deputy General Counsel, OCC, to Sharon Lawson, Senior Special 
Counsel, Division, Commission, dated June 18, 2007. This letter 
provides that the definitive supplement supersedes and replaces the 
previous supplement submitted on June 15, 2007.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The ODD currently contains general disclosures on the 
characteristics and risks of trading standardized options. Recently, an 
options exchange amended its rules to permit the listing and trading of 
certain CDOs.\4\ The proposed supplement amends the ODD to accommodate 
this change by providing disclosure regarding CDOs, including credit 
default basket options.\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 55871 (June 6, 
2007), 72 FR 32372 (June 12, 2007) (SR-CBOE-2006-84).
    \5\ See SR-CBOE-2007-26.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Specifically, the proposed supplement to the ODD adds new 
disclosure regarding the characteristics of CDOs, including disclosure 
regarding adjustments. Furthermore, the proposed supplement to the ODD 
adds new disclosure regarding risks associated with the purchase and 
sale of CDOs.\6\ The proposed supplement is intended to be read in 
conjunction with the more general ODD, which, as described above, 
discusses the characteristics and risks of options generally.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ The Commission notes that the options markets must continue 
to ensure that the ODD is in compliance with the requirements of 
Rule 9b-1(b)(2)(i) under the Act, 17 CFR 240.9b-1(b)(2)(i), 
including when future changes regarding CDOs are made. Any future 
changes to the rules of the options markets concerning CDOs would 
need to be submitted to the Commission under Section 19(b) of the 
Act. 15 U.S.C. 78s(b).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Rule 9b-1(b)(2)(i) under the Act \7\ provides that an options 
market must file five copies of an amendment or supplement to the ODD 
with the Commission at least 30 days prior to the date definitive 
copies are furnished to customers, unless the Commission determines 
otherwise, having due regard to the adequacy of information disclosed 
and the public interest and protection of investors.\8\ In addition, 
five copies of the definitive ODD, as amended or supplemented, must be 
filed with the Commission not later than the date the amendment or 
supplement, or the amended options disclosure document, is furnished to 
customers. The Commission has reviewed the proposed supplement and 
finds, having due regard to the adequacy of information disclosed and 
the public interest and protection of investors, that the proposed 
supplement may be furnished to customers as of the date of this order.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ 17 CFR 240.9b-1(b)(2)(i).
    \8\ This provision permits the Commission to shorten or lengthen 
the period of time which must elapse before definitive copies may be 
furnished to customers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Rule 9b-1 under the Act,\9\ 
that definitive copies of the proposed supplement to the ODD (SR-ODD-
2007-03), reflecting changes to disclosure regarding CDOs, may be 
furnished to customers as of the date of this order.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ 17 CFR 240.9b-1.
    \10\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(39).

    For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\10\
Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
 [FR Doc. E7-12078 Filed 6-21-07; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 8010-01-P
