Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change and Amendment No. 1 by the Pacific Exchange, Inc. Regarding Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Programs

Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”), and Rule 19b-4 thereunder, notice is hereby given that on July 29, 2002, the Pacific Exchange, Inc. (“PCX” 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. On August 29, 2002, the PCX amended the proposed rule change. The Exchange filed the proposal pursuant to section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act, and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder, which renders the proposal effective upon filing with the Commission. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change, as amended, from interested persons.

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

The PCX proposes to adopt PCX Rule 4.25, “Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Program,” in order to require each options Member or Member Organization to develop and implement an anti-money laundering compliance program consistent with applicable provisions of the Bank Secrecy Act (“BSA”) and the Regulations thereunder. In addition, the PCX, through its wholly owned subsidiary, PCX Equities, Inc. (“PCXE” or “Corporation”) proposes to adopt PCXE Rule 6.17, “Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Program,” in order to require each Equity Trading Permit (“ETP”) Holder to develop and implement an anti-money laundering compliance program consistent with applicable provisions of the BSA and the Regulations thereunder. The text of the proposed rule change is below. Proposed new language is in italics.

Pacific Exchange, Inc.

Rules of the Board of Governors

Rule 4.26 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Program. Each Member and Member Organization for which the Exchange is the Designated Examining Authority, must develop and implement a written anti-money laundering program reasonably designed to achieve and monitor the Member or Member Organization's compliance with the requirements of the Bank Secrecy Act (31 U.S.C. 5311, et seq.), and the implementing regulations promulgated thereunder by the Department of the Treasury. Each Member or Member Organization's anti-money laundering program must be approved in writing by a representative of its senior management staff. The anti-money laundering programs required by this Rule must include, at a minimum, a requirement to:

(a) Establish and implement policies, procedures and controls that can be reasonably expected to detect and cause the reporting of transactions required under 31 U.S.C. 5318(g) and implementing regulations thereunder;

(b) Establish and implement policies, procedures and internal controls reasonably designed to achieve compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act and the implementing regulations thereunder;

(c) Provide for independent testing for compliance to be conducted by Member or Member Organization personnel or a qualified outside party;

(d) Designate an individual or individuals responsible for implementing and monitoring the day-to-day operations and controls of the program; and

(e) Provide ongoing training for appropriate personnel.

PCX Equities, Inc.

Rules of the Board of Directors

Rule 6.17 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Program. Each ETP Holder's anti-money laundering program must be approved in writing by a representative of its senior management staff. The anti-money laundering programs required by this Rule must include, at minimum, a requirement to:

(a) Establish and implement policies, procedures and controls that can be reasonably expected to detect and cause the reporting of transactions required under 31 U.S.C. 5318(g) and implementing regulations thereunder;

(b) Establish and implement policies, procedures and internal controls reasonably designed to achieve compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act and the implementing regulations thereunder;

(c) Provide for independent testing for compliance to be conducted by the ETP Holder personnel or a qualified outside party;

(d) Designate an individual or individuals responsible for implementing and monitoring the day-to-day operations and controls of the program; and

(e) Provide ongoing training for appropriate personnel.

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 PCX included statements concerning the purpose of and basis for its proposal and discussed any comments it received regarding the proposal. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The PCX 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

In 2001, President Bush signed into law the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 (the “PATRIOT Act”) , which amends among other laws the Bank Secrecy Act as set forth in Title 31 of the United States Code (the “Code”). The PATRIOT Act expands the powers of the government to fight the war on terrorism and requires that financial institutions, including broker-dealers, implement policies and procedures to that end.

Title III of the PATRIOT Act, separately referred to as the International Money Laundering Abatement and Financial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2001 (the “Money Laundering Act”), focuses on the requirement that financial institutions establish anti-money laundering, monitoring, and supervisory systems. The Money Laundering Act imposes obligations on brokers and dealers through the new provisions and amendments to the BSA. Among other things, brokers and dealers must implement anti-money laundering compliance programs, prepare and file suspicious transaction reports, and follow due diligence procedures. Brokers and dealers are required to comply with these new obligations in addition to complying with existing BSA reporting and record-keeping requirements. The Money Laundering Act Section 352, which amends section 5318(h) of the Code, requires each financial institution to establish anti-money laundering programs by April 24, 2002, that include at a minimum: (1) The development of internal policies, procedures and controls; (2) the designation of a compliance officer; (3) an ongoing employee training program; and (4) an independent audit function to test programs.

The legislative history of the PATRIOT Act explains that the requirement to have an anti-money laundering compliance program is not a “one-size-fits-all” requirement. The general nature of the requirements reflect Congress' intent that each financial institution should have the flexibility to tailor the anti-money laundering programs to fit its business, taking into account factors such as size, location, activities of the firm's business and the risks or vulnerabilities to money laundering in the firm. This flexibility is designed to ensure that all entities covered by the statute, from very large financial institutions to the small firms, have in place policies and procedures to monitor for anti-money laundering compliance.

The Exchange anticipates providing guidance in the form of a memorandum to assist Members, Member Organizations and ETP Holders in developing an anti-money laundering program that fits their business models and needs.

2. Statutory Basis

The Exchange believes the proposal is consistent with the requirements of section 6(b) of the Act, in general, and furthers the objectives of section 6(b)(5), in particular, in that it is designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and national market system and to protect investors and the public interest by establishing minimum requirements for anti-money laundering compliance programs for Exchange Members. The programs are designed to help identify and prevent money laundering that can affect the integrity of the U.S. capital markets.

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

The Exchange 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 Act.

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

Written comments on the proposed rule change were neither solicited nor received.

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

Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not:

(i) Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest;

(ii) Impose any significant burden on competition; and

(iii) Become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become effective pursuant to section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder. At any time within 60 days of the filing of the 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.

The Exchange has requested that the Commission waive the 30-day operative delay. The Commission believes waiving the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. The Commission notes that the proposed rules are consistent with anti-money laundering compliance program rules adopted by other self-regulatory organizations. Acceleration of the operative date will require Exchange Members to establish, implement, and improve anti-money laundering compliance programs without delay. For these reasons, the Commission designates the proposal to be effective and operative upon filing with the Commission.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposal 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 Room. Copies of such filing will also be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the PCX. All submissions should refer to file number SR-PCX-2002-44 and should be submitted by October 4, 2002.