Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by the Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated To Establish Fees for Excessive RFQs on Its New Screen-Based Trading System

Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) and Rule 19b-4 thereunder, notice hereby is given that on October 30, 2001, the Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated (“CBOE” or “Exchange”) 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 by the Exchange. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.

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

CBOE is proposing to establish fees for excessive requests for quotes (“RFQs”) on the Exchange's screen-based trading system. The text of the proposed rule change is available at the principal office of the Exchange 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, CBOE included statements concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received regarding the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. CBOE 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

CBOE is proposing to establish an excessive request for quote fee applicable to the Exchange's new screen-based trading system, CBOE direct. CBOE direct is CBOE's new options trading engine. A component of trading on CBOE direct is the RFQ process (although CBOE market-makers may be required to provide continuous two-sided markets in products traded on the system). RFQs generally provide a mechanism for gauging the CBOE market in a particular option series in connection with effecting a trade in such series. Accordingly, the RFQ process is not meant to serve exclusively as an unlimited price discovery mechanism. Thus, CBOE is proposing to adopt an excessive RFQ fee based on what CBOE believes to be a more than reasonable RFQ-to-total-trade ratio.

This monthly fee will equal $1 for any RFQ submitted by a member during a given calendar month if that member's RFQ-to-trade ratio for that month is greater than 5:1 and less than or equal to 10:1. Alternatively, this monthly fee will equal $5 for any RFQ submitted by a member during a given calendar month if that member's RFQ-to-trade ratio for that month is greater than 10:1. In this way, CBOE believes that the fee will help reduce excessive RFQs without prohibiting members from submitting excessive RFQs.

2. Statutory Basis

CBOE believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with section 6(b) of the Act in general and section 6(b)(4) in particular, in that it is designed to provide for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other charges among CBOE members.

B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

CBOE does not believe that the proposed rule change would impose any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of purposes of the Act.

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

No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the proposed rule change.

III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action

CBOE represents that the proposed rule change establishes or changes a due, fee, or other charge imposed by the Exchange and, therefore, has become effective pursuant to Section 19(B)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act and subparagraph (f)(2) of Rule 19b-4 thereunder. 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.

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 at the Commission's Public Reference Room. Copies of such filing will also be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All submissions should refer to File No. SR-CBOE-2001-57 and should be submitted by December 17, 2001.