81_FR_3220 81 FR 3208 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Options Clearing Corporation; Notice of No Objection to Advance Notice Filing, as Modified by Amendment Nos. 1, 2 and 3, Concerning The Options Clearing Corporation's Non-Bank Liquidity Facility

81 FR 3208 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Options Clearing Corporation; Notice of No Objection to Advance Notice Filing, as Modified by Amendment Nos. 1, 2 and 3, Concerning The Options Clearing Corporation's Non-Bank Liquidity Facility

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 12 (January 20, 2016)

Page Range3208-3210
FR Document2016-00976

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 12 (Wednesday, January 20, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 12 (Wednesday, January 20, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3208-3210]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-00976]



[[Page 3208]]

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-76821; File No. SR-OCC-2015-805]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Options Clearing Corporation; 
Notice of No Objection to Advance Notice Filing, as Modified by 
Amendment Nos. 1, 2 and 3, Concerning The Options Clearing 
Corporation's Non-Bank Liquidity Facility

January 4, 2016.
    On November 5, 2015, The Options Clearing Corporation (``OCC'') 
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') the 
advance notice SR-OCC-2015-805 pursuant to Section 806(e)(1) of the 
Payment, Clearing, and Settlement Supervision Act of 2010 (``Payment, 
Clearing and Settlement Supervision Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4(n)(1)(i) 
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Exchange Act'').\2\ On 
November 11, 2015, OCC filed Amendment No.1 to the advance notice, 
which amended and replaced in its entirety the advance notice as 
originally submitted on November 5, 2015. On November 17, 2005, OCC 
filed Amendment No. 2 to the advance notice, which partially amended 
the advance notice as submitted on November 11, 2015. On November 24, 
2015, OCC filed Amendment No. 3 to the advance notice, which amends and 
replaces in its entirety the advance notice as submitted on November 
11, 2015, and amended on November 17, 2015. The advance notice was 
published for comment in the Federal Register on December 18, 2015.\3\ 
The Commission did not receive any comments on the advance notice 
publication. This publication serves as a notice that the Commission 
does not object to the changes set forth in the advance notice.
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    \1\ 12 U.S.C. 5465(e)(1). The Financial Stability Oversight 
Council designated OCC a systemically important financial market 
utility (``FMU'') on July 18, 2012. See Financial Stability 
Oversight Council 2012 Annual Report, Appendix A, http://www.treasury.gov/initiatives/fsoc/Documents/2012%20Annual%20Report.pdf. Therefore, OCC is required to comply 
with the Payment, Clearing, and Settlement Supervision Act and file 
advance notices with the Commission. See 12 U.S.C. 5465(e).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(n)(1)(i).
    \3\ Securities Exchange Act Release No. 76641 (December 14, 
2015), 80 FR 79114 (December 18, 2015) (SR-OCC-2015-805).
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I. Description of the Advance Notice

    OCC filed this advance notice to renew its non-bank liquidity 
facility (``Non-Bank Liquidity Facility'') with certain proposed 
changes. Specifically, OCC is proposing to: (i) Extend the existing 
confirmation (``Existing Confirmation'') \4\ for one year under the 
Master Repurchase Agreement (``MRA'') with the same terms and 
conditions; (ii) enter into a second confirmation (``Second 
Confirmation,'' and collectively with the Existing Confirmation, 
``Confirmations'') under the MRA, also on the same terms and conditions 
except with a June 2016 expiration date; and (iii) maintain, between 
the Confirmations, an aggregate commitment amount of no less than $1 
billion and no greater than $1.5 billion under the Non-Bank Liquidity 
Facility with the existing institutional investor (``Counterparty'') 
and its agent.\5\ According to OCC, the Second Confirmation has the 
same terms, conditions, operations, and mechanics as the Existing 
Confirmation, except for the expiration date and commitment amount.
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    \4\ The Existing Confirmation is the original $1 billion Master 
Confirmation executed under the Master Repurchase Agreement, as 
described in Securities Exchange Act Release No. 73979 (January 2, 
2015), 80 FR 1062 (January 8, 2015) (SR-OCC-2014-809).
    \5\ OCC represents that it intends for the commitment amount of 
the extended Existing Confirmation to be $500 million and the 
commitment amount of the Second Confirmation to be $500 million. OCC 
states that it will have the flexibility to change the commitment 
amount of each Confirmation at each renewal provided that at all 
times OCC would maintain the aggregate commitment level between the 
two Confirmations under the Non-Bank Liquidity Facility at no less 
than $1 billion and no greater than $1.5 billion. According to OCC, 
the MRA and any effective Confirmation(s) constitute the Non-Bank 
Liquidity Facility.
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    OCC also has requested that the Commission not object to its 
proposal to renew the Existing Confirmation and the Second Confirmation 
annually on the same terms and conditions \6\ with the same 
Counterparty without filing an advance notice, provided that there has 
been no negative change to the Counterparty's credit profile or the 
Counterparty has not experienced a material adverse change (as defined 
below) since entering into the Confirmations or the latest renewal of 
the either Confirmation, whichever is later.
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    \6\ For the purposes of clarity, OCC states that it will not 
consider changes to the costs of entering into a Confirmation, or 
the rate of a transaction permitted under a Confirmation, to be a 
change to a term or condition that will require the filing of a 
subsequent advance notice filing provide that such costs or rate is 
at the then prevailing market rate.
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Background

    OCC's overall liquidity plan includes access to a diverse set of 
liquidity funding sources, which include bank borrowing arrangements 
(i.e., OCC's syndicated credit facility \7\) and the Non-Bank Liquidity 
Facility. OCC states that the Non-Bank Liquidity Facility is designed 
to reduce the concentration of OCC's counterparty exposure in its 
overall liquidity plan by diversifying its lender base among banks and 
non-bank, non-clearing member institutional investors, such as pension 
funds or insurance companies.
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    \7\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 76062 (October 1, 
2015), 80 FR 64028 (October 22, 2015) (SR-OCC-2015-803).
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    The currently-approved Non-Bank Liquidity Facility is comprised of 
two parts: The MRA and the Existing Confirmation, which contains 
certain individualized terms and conditions of transactions executed 
between OCC, an institutional investor and its agent. The MRA is 
structured like a typical repurchase arrangement in which the buyer 
(i.e., the Counterparty) purchases from OCC, from time to time, United 
States government securities (``Eligible Securities'').\8\
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    \8\ OCC states that it will use United States government 
securities that are included in clearing fund contributions by 
clearing members and margin deposits of any clearing member that has 
been suspended by OCC for the repurchase arrangements. Article VIII, 
Section 5(e) of OCC's By-Laws and OCC Rule 1104(b) authorize OCC to 
obtain funds from third parties through securities repurchases using 
these sources. The officers who may exercise this authority include 
the Executive Chairman and the President.
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    Under the arrangement, OCC, as the seller, transfers Eligible 
Securities to the buyer in exchange for a payment by the buyer to OCC 
in immediately available funds (``Purchase Price''). The buyer will 
simultaneously agree to transfer the purchased securities back to OCC 
at a specified later date (``Repurchase Date'') or on OCC's demand 
against the transfer of funds by OCC to the buyer in an amount equal to 
the outstanding Purchase Price plus the accrued and unpaid price 
differential (together, ``Repurchase Price''), which is the interest 
component of the Repurchase Price.
    The Confirmations establish tailored provisions of the actual 
repurchase transactions permitted under the MRA. OCC provides that, by 
entering into the Confirmation, the Counterparty is obligated to enter 
repurchase transactions even if OCC experiences a material adverse 
change,\9\ to make funds available to OCC within 60 minutes of OCC's 
delivery of eligible securities, and to not rehypothecate purchased 
securities.\10\ The Confirmations also set

[[Page 3209]]

forth the terms and maximum dollar amounts of the transaction permitted 
under the MRA.
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    \9\ OCC represents that, in this context, a ``material adverse 
change'' is defined as a change that would have a materially adverse 
effect on the business or financial condition of a company.
    \10\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 73979 (January 2, 
2015), 80 FR 1062 (January 8, 2015) (SR-OCC-2014-809).
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Extension of the Existing Confirmation

    To provide continued access to liquidity resources, OCC proposes to 
extend the Existing Confirmation under the Non-Bank Liquidity Facility. 
OCC represents that the extended Existing Confirmation will have the 
same terms, conditions, operations, and mechanics as the Existing 
Confirmation entered into under the Non-Bank Liquidity Facility, but 
for the expiration date, which will be January 2017, and the commitment 
amount, which will be $500 million.
    According to OCC, the extended Existing Confirmation will continue 
to state that OCC is entitled to receive funds from the Non-Bank 
Liquidity Facility within 60 minutes of requesting such monies and 
delivering eligible securities. OCC also states that the buyer will not 
be able to rehypothocate eligible securities sold to it in a Non-Bank 
Liquidity Facility transaction, and OCC will be able to substitute 
eligible securities held by the buyer. Additionally, OCC represents 
that it will have early termination rights for any transaction entered 
into under the Non-Bank Liquidity Facility as well as have additional 
protections in the case of ``material adverse changes'' to OCC. For 
example, OCC states that it will require that material adverse changes 
to OCC, such as the failure of a clearing member, will not be deemed a 
default event. OCC believes this provision is important because it 
provides OCC with certainty of funding, even in adverse or difficult 
market conditions. According to OCC, this commitment to provide funding 
will be a key distinction from ordinary repurchase arrangements and a 
key requirement for OCC.

Second Confirmation

    OCC proposes to enter into the Second Confirmation that will permit 
transactions of up to $500 million and will expire in June 2016. 
According to OCC, the Second Confirmation will have the same terms, 
conditions, operations, and mechanics as the Existing Confirmation of 
the Non-Bank Liquidity Facility, but for the commitment amount and the 
term.
    OCC believes that the Second Confirmation, with a June 2016 
expiration date, will help ensure continued access to a minimum amount 
of liquidity to OCC by staggering the expiration of the committed 
liquidity funding sources. OCC's current committed liquidity funding 
sources, which are its syndicated credit facility \11\ and the Existing 
Confirmation, currently expire each year in October and January, 
respectively. OCC believes that staggering the expiration dates of 
Confirmations under the Non-Bank Liquidity Facility in relationship to 
each other and in relationship to the other liquidity funding source in 
OCC's overall liquidity plan will mitigate the risk of a precipitous 
decrease in OCC's access to liquidity as a result of a an unsuccessful 
renewal of any one funding source.
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    \11\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 76062 (October 1, 
2015), 80 FR 64028 (October 22, 2015) (SR-OCC-2015-803).
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Aggregate Commitment Amount Under the Non-Bank Liquidity Facility

    OCC's current aggregate committed funding available under its Non-
Bank Liquidity Facility ($1.0 billion) and its bank syndicated credit 
facility ($2.0 billion) is $3.0 billion. OCC proposes to maintain the 
aggregate commitment amount under the Non-Bank Liquidity Facility at no 
lower than $1.0 billion and no higher than $1.5 billion, so that the 
aggregate total funding available is between $3.0 billion and $3.5 
billion. OCC believes that this will provide it with the flexibility 
to: (i) React to shifting liquidity needs in a swift manner within 
funding parameters approved by the Commission, and (ii) reallocate the 
amount of funding available under the Confirmations at the time either 
of the Confirmations is to be renewed to manage liquidity needs and 
enhance its ability to ensure continual liquidity resources.
    OCC states that it will continue to evaluate the aggregate 
commitment amount of the Non-Bank Liquidity Facility so that OCC's 
available liquidity resources remain properly calibrated to its 
activities and settlement obligations, and to the extent: (i) OCC 
determines its liquidity needs merit funding levels below the $1.0 
billion or above the $1.5 billion thresholds for the Non-Bank Liquidity 
Facility, (ii) OCC should seek to change the terms and conditions of 
the Non-Bank Liquidity Facility, or (iii) the Counterparty has 
experienced a negative change to its credit profile or a material 
adverse change since entering into the Confirmations or the latest 
renewal of the either Confirmation, OCC will submit a proposal with the 
Commission for approval first.

II. Discussion and Commission Findings

    Although the Payment, Clearing and Settlement Supervision Act does 
not specify a standard of review for an advance notice, its stated 
purpose is instructive.\12\ The stated purpose is to mitigate systemic 
risk in the financial system and promote financial stability by, among 
other things, promoting uniform risk management standards for 
systemically important FMUs and strengthening the liquidity of 
systemically important FMUs.\13\ Section 805(a)(2) of the Payment, 
Clearing and Settlement Supervision Act \14\ authorizes the Commission 
to prescribe risk management standards for the payment, clearing, and 
settlement activities of designated clearing entities and financial 
institutions engaged in designated activities for which it is the 
Supervisory Agency or the appropriate financial regulator. Section 
805(b) of the Payment, Clearing and Settlement Supervision Act \15\ 
states that the objectives and principles for the risk management 
standards prescribed under Section 805(a) shall be to:
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    \12\ See 12 U.S.C. 5461(b).
    \13\ Id.
    \14\ 12 U.S.C. 5464(a)(2).
    \15\ 12 U.S.C. 5464(b).
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     Promote robust risk management;
     promote safety and soundness;
     reduce systemic risks; and
     support the stability of the broader financial system.
    The Commission has adopted risk management standards under Section 
805(a)(2) of the Payment, Clearing and Settlement Supervision Act \16\ 
and the Exchange Act (``Clearing Agency Standards'').\17\ The Clearing 
Agency Standards require registered clearing agencies to establish, 
implement, maintain, and enforce written policies and procedures that 
are reasonably designed to meet certain minimum requirements for their 
operations and risk management practices on an ongoing basis.\18\ 
Therefore, it is appropriate for the Commission to review advance 
notices against these Clearing Agency Standards and the objectives and 
principles of these risk management standards as described in Section 
805(b) of the Payment, Clearing and Settlement Supervision Act.\19\
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    \16\ 12 U.S.C. 5464(a)(2).
    \17\ See Exchange Act Rule 17Ad-22. 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22. 
Securities Exchange Act Release No. 68080 (October 22, 2012), 77 FR 
66220 (November 2, 2012) (S7-08-11).
    \18\ Id.
    \19\ 12 U.S.C. 5464(b).
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    The Commission believes that the proposal in the advance notice is 
consistent with the Clearing Agency Standards, in particular, Exchange 
Act Rule 17Ad-22(d)(11).\20\ Exchange Act Rule 17Ad-22(d)(11) \21\ 
requires that

[[Page 3210]]

registered clearing agencies ``establish, implement, maintain and 
enforce written policies and procedures reasonably designed to, as 
applicable . . . establish default procedures that ensure that the 
clearing agency can take timely action to contain losses and liquidity 
pressures and to continue meeting its obligations in the event of a 
participant default.'' The proposal will allow OCC to obtain short-term 
funds to address liquidity demands arising out of the default or 
suspension of a clearing member, in anticipation of a potential default 
or suspension of clearing members or the insolvency of a bank or 
another securities or commodities clearing organization. The changes 
should help OCC minimize losses in the event of such a default, 
suspension, or insolvency, by allowing it to obtain funds on extremely 
short notice to ensure clearance and settlement of transactions in 
options and other contracts without interruption. Therefore, the 
Commission believes that the proposal is consistent with Exchange Act 
Rule 17Ad-22(d)(11).\22\
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    \20\ 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22(d)(11).
    \21\ Id.
    \22\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    By ensuring that OCC has continued access to its Non-Bank Liquidity 
Facility, the Commission believes the proposal contained in the Advance 
Notice is consistent with the objectives and principles described in 
Section 805(b) of the Act,\23\ including that it is consistent with 
promoting robust risk management, and promoting safety and soundness. 
The Commission believes that the proposal is consistent with promoting 
robust risk management because it allows OCC to maintain access to a 
committed liquidity resource to help meet its settlement obligations in 
a manner that is timely and does not increase OCC's counterparty 
exposure to clearing members or clearing member affiliated commercial 
banking institutions. In addition, the proposal will provide OCC the 
ability to adjust the aggregate commitment level of its Non-Bank 
Liquidity Facility--to no lower than $1 billion and no greater than 
$1.5 billion--to meet changing liquidity demands. The Commission also 
believes that the proposal is consistent with promoting safety and 
soundness of OCC. As stated above, the Non-Bank Liquidity Facility now 
will include two Confirmations with staggered expiration dates, which 
should mitigate the risk of a precipitous decrease in liquidity 
resources in the event OCC is unable to renew any one of its committed 
liquidity sources.
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    \23\ 12 U.S.C. 5464(b).
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    For these reasons, stated above, the Commission does not object to 
the advance notice.

VI. Conclusion

    It is therefore noticed, pursuant to Section 806(e)(1)(I) of the 
Payment, Clearing and Settlement Supervision Act,\24\ that the 
Commission DOES NOT OBJECT to the proposed change, and authorizes OCC 
to implement the change in the advance notice (SR-OCC-2015-805) as of 
the date of this notice.
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    \24\ 12 U.S.C. 5465(e)(1)(I).

    By the Commission.
Robert W. Errett,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-00976 Filed 1-19-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                              3208                       Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 12 / Wednesday, January 20, 2016 / Notices

                                              SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                                 OCC is proposing to: (i) Extend the                    syndicated credit facility 7) and the Non-
                                              COMMISSION                                              existing confirmation (‘‘Existing                      Bank Liquidity Facility. OCC states that
                                                                                                      Confirmation’’) 4 for one year under the               the Non-Bank Liquidity Facility is
                                              [Release No. 34–76821; File No. SR–OCC–
                                                                                                      Master Repurchase Agreement (‘‘MRA’’)                  designed to reduce the concentration of
                                              2015–805]
                                                                                                      with the same terms and conditions; (ii)               OCC’s counterparty exposure in its
                                              Self-Regulatory Organizations; The                      enter into a second confirmation                       overall liquidity plan by diversifying its
                                              Options Clearing Corporation; Notice                    (‘‘Second Confirmation,’’ and                          lender base among banks and non-bank,
                                              of No Objection to Advance Notice                       collectively with the Existing                         non-clearing member institutional
                                              Filing, as Modified by Amendment Nos.                   Confirmation, ‘‘Confirmations’’) under                 investors, such as pension funds or
                                              1, 2 and 3, Concerning The Options                      the MRA, also on the same terms and                    insurance companies.
                                              Clearing Corporation’s Non-Bank                         conditions except with a June 2016                        The currently-approved Non-Bank
                                              Liquidity Facility                                      expiration date; and (iii) maintain,                   Liquidity Facility is comprised of two
                                                                                                      between the Confirmations, an aggregate                parts: The MRA and the Existing
                                              January 4, 2016.                                        commitment amount of no less than $1                   Confirmation, which contains certain
                                                 On November 5, 2015, The Options                     billion and no greater than $1.5 billion               individualized terms and conditions of
                                              Clearing Corporation (‘‘OCC’’) filed with               under the Non-Bank Liquidity Facility                  transactions executed between OCC, an
                                              the Securities and Exchange                             with the existing institutional investor               institutional investor and its agent. The
                                              Commission (‘‘Commission’’) the                         (‘‘Counterparty’’) and its agent.5                     MRA is structured like a typical
                                              advance notice SR–OCC–2015–805                          According to OCC, the Second                           repurchase arrangement in which the
                                              pursuant to Section 806(e)(1) of the                    Confirmation has the same terms,                       buyer (i.e., the Counterparty) purchases
                                              Payment, Clearing, and Settlement                       conditions, operations, and mechanics                  from OCC, from time to time, United
                                              Supervision Act of 2010 (‘‘Payment,                     as the Existing Confirmation, except for               States government securities (‘‘Eligible
                                              Clearing and Settlement Supervision                     the expiration date and commitment                     Securities’’).8
                                              Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4(n)(1)(i) under                  amount.                                                   Under the arrangement, OCC, as the
                                              the Securities Exchange Act of 1934                        OCC also has requested that the                     seller, transfers Eligible Securities to the
                                              (‘‘Exchange Act’’).2 On November 11,                    Commission not object to its proposal to               buyer in exchange for a payment by the
                                              2015, OCC filed Amendment No.1 to the                   renew the Existing Confirmation and the                buyer to OCC in immediately available
                                              advance notice, which amended and                       Second Confirmation annually on the                    funds (‘‘Purchase Price’’). The buyer
                                              replaced in its entirety the advance                    same terms and conditions 6 with the                   will simultaneously agree to transfer the
                                              notice as originally submitted on                       same Counterparty without filing an                    purchased securities back to OCC at a
                                              November 5, 2015. On November 17,                       advance notice, provided that there has                specified later date (‘‘Repurchase Date’’)
                                              2005, OCC filed Amendment No. 2 to                      been no negative change to the                         or on OCC’s demand against the transfer
                                              the advance notice, which partially                     Counterparty’s credit profile or the                   of funds by OCC to the buyer in an
                                              amended the advance notice as                           Counterparty has not experienced a                     amount equal to the outstanding
                                              submitted on November 11, 2015. On                      material adverse change (as defined                    Purchase Price plus the accrued and
                                              November 24, 2015, OCC filed                            below) since entering into the                         unpaid price differential (together,
                                              Amendment No. 3 to the advance                          Confirmations or the latest renewal of                 ‘‘Repurchase Price’’), which is the
                                                                                                      the either Confirmation, whichever is                  interest component of the Repurchase
                                              notice, which amends and replaces in
                                                                                                      later.                                                 Price.
                                              its entirety the advance notice as
                                                                                                                                                                The Confirmations establish tailored
                                              submitted on November 11, 2015, and                     Background                                             provisions of the actual repurchase
                                              amended on November 17, 2015. The                                                                              transactions permitted under the MRA.
                                                                                                        OCC’s overall liquidity plan includes
                                              advance notice was published for                                                                               OCC provides that, by entering into the
                                                                                                      access to a diverse set of liquidity
                                              comment in the Federal Register on                                                                             Confirmation, the Counterparty is
                                                                                                      funding sources, which include bank
                                              December 18, 2015.3 The Commission                                                                             obligated to enter repurchase
                                                                                                      borrowing arrangements (i.e., OCC’s
                                              did not receive any comments on the                                                                            transactions even if OCC experiences a
                                              advance notice publication. This                           4 The Existing Confirmation is the original $1      material adverse change,9 to make funds
                                              publication serves as a notice that the                 billion Master Confirmation executed under the         available to OCC within 60 minutes of
                                              Commission does not object to the                       Master Repurchase Agreement, as described in           OCC’s delivery of eligible securities, and
                                              changes set forth in the advance notice.                Securities Exchange Act Release No. 73979 (January
                                                                                                      2, 2015), 80 FR 1062 (January 8, 2015) (SR–OCC–        to not rehypothecate purchased
                                              I. Description of the Advance Notice                    2014–809).                                             securities.10 The Confirmations also set
                                                                                                         5 OCC represents that it intends for the
                                                 OCC filed this advance notice to                     commitment amount of the extended Existing                7 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 76062
                                              renew its non-bank liquidity facility                   Confirmation to be $500 million and the                (October 1, 2015), 80 FR 64028 (October 22, 2015)
                                              (‘‘Non-Bank Liquidity Facility’’) with                  commitment amount of the Second Confirmation to        (SR–OCC–2015–803).
                                                                                                      be $500 million. OCC states that it will have the         8 OCC states that it will use United States
                                              certain proposed changes. Specifically,                 flexibility to change the commitment amount of         government securities that are included in clearing
                                                                                                      each Confirmation at each renewal provided that at     fund contributions by clearing members and margin
                                                1 12 U.S.C. 5465(e)(1). The Financial Stability
                                                                                                      all times OCC would maintain the aggregate             deposits of any clearing member that has been
                                              Oversight Council designated OCC a systemically         commitment level between the two Confirmations         suspended by OCC for the repurchase
                                              important financial market utility (‘‘FMU’’) on July    under the Non-Bank Liquidity Facility at no less       arrangements. Article VIII, Section 5(e) of OCC’s By-
                                              18, 2012. See Financial Stability Oversight Council     than $1 billion and no greater than $1.5 billion.      Laws and OCC Rule 1104(b) authorize OCC to
                                              2012 Annual Report, Appendix A, http://                 According to OCC, the MRA and any effective            obtain funds from third parties through securities
                                              www.treasury.gov/initiatives/fsoc/Documents/            Confirmation(s) constitute the Non-Bank Liquidity      repurchases using these sources. The officers who
                                              2012%20Annual%20Report.pdf. Therefore, OCC is           Facility.                                              may exercise this authority include the Executive
tkelley on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                              required to comply with the Payment, Clearing, and         6 For the purposes of clarity, OCC states that it   Chairman and the President.
                                              Settlement Supervision Act and file advance             will not consider changes to the costs of entering        9 OCC represents that, in this context, a ‘‘material
                                              notices with the Commission. See 12 U.S.C.              into a Confirmation, or the rate of a transaction      adverse change’’ is defined as a change that would
                                              5465(e).                                                permitted under a Confirmation, to be a change to      have a materially adverse effect on the business or
                                                2 17 CFR 240.19b–4(n)(1)(i).                                                                                 financial condition of a company.
                                                                                                      a term or condition that will require the filing of
                                                3 Securities Exchange Act Release No. 76641           a subsequent advance notice filing provide that           10 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 73979

                                              (December 14, 2015), 80 FR 79114 (December 18,          such costs or rate is at the then prevailing market    (January 2, 2015), 80 FR 1062 (January 8, 2015) (SR–
                                              2015) (SR–OCC–2015–805).                                rate.                                                  OCC–2014–809).



                                         VerDate Sep<11>2014   18:12 Jan 19, 2016   Jkt 238001   PO 00000   Frm 00115   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\20JAN1.SGM   20JAN1


                                                                         Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 12 / Wednesday, January 20, 2016 / Notices                                                    3209

                                              forth the terms and maximum dollar                      which are its syndicated credit facility 11            advance notice, its stated purpose is
                                              amounts of the transaction permitted                    and the Existing Confirmation, currently               instructive.12 The stated purpose is to
                                              under the MRA.                                          expire each year in October and January,               mitigate systemic risk in the financial
                                                                                                      respectively. OCC believes that                        system and promote financial stability
                                              Extension of the Existing Confirmation
                                                                                                      staggering the expiration dates of                     by, among other things, promoting
                                                 To provide continued access to                       Confirmations under the Non-Bank                       uniform risk management standards for
                                              liquidity resources, OCC proposes to                    Liquidity Facility in relationship to each             systemically important FMUs and
                                              extend the Existing Confirmation under                  other and in relationship to the other                 strengthening the liquidity of
                                              the Non-Bank Liquidity Facility. OCC                    liquidity funding source in OCC’s                      systemically important FMUs.13 Section
                                              represents that the extended Existing                   overall liquidity plan will mitigate the               805(a)(2) of the Payment, Clearing and
                                              Confirmation will have the same terms,                  risk of a precipitous decrease in OCC’s                Settlement Supervision Act 14
                                              conditions, operations, and mechanics                   access to liquidity as a result of a an                authorizes the Commission to prescribe
                                              as the Existing Confirmation entered                    unsuccessful renewal of any one                        risk management standards for the
                                              into under the Non-Bank Liquidity                       funding source.                                        payment, clearing, and settlement
                                              Facility, but for the expiration date,                                                                         activities of designated clearing entities
                                                                                                      Aggregate Commitment Amount Under
                                              which will be January 2017, and the                                                                            and financial institutions engaged in
                                                                                                      the Non-Bank Liquidity Facility
                                              commitment amount, which will be                                                                               designated activities for which it is the
                                              $500 million.                                              OCC’s current aggregate committed                   Supervisory Agency or the appropriate
                                                 According to OCC, the extended                       funding available under its Non-Bank                   financial regulator. Section 805(b) of the
                                              Existing Confirmation will continue to                  Liquidity Facility ($1.0 billion) and its              Payment, Clearing and Settlement
                                              state that OCC is entitled to receive                   bank syndicated credit facility ($2.0                  Supervision Act 15 states that the
                                              funds from the Non-Bank Liquidity                       billion) is $3.0 billion. OCC proposes to              objectives and principles for the risk
                                              Facility within 60 minutes of requesting                maintain the aggregate commitment                      management standards prescribed under
                                              such monies and delivering eligible                     amount under the Non-Bank Liquidity                    Section 805(a) shall be to:
                                              securities. OCC also states that the buyer              Facility at no lower than $1.0 billion                    • Promote robust risk management;
                                              will not be able to rehypothocate                       and no higher than $1.5 billion, so that                  • promote safety and soundness;
                                              eligible securities sold to it in a Non-                the aggregate total funding available is                  • reduce systemic risks; and
                                              Bank Liquidity Facility transaction, and                between $3.0 billion and $3.5 billion.                    • support the stability of the broader
                                              OCC will be able to substitute eligible                 OCC believes that this will provide it                 financial system.
                                              securities held by the buyer.                           with the flexibility to: (i) React to                     The Commission has adopted risk
                                              Additionally, OCC represents that it will               shifting liquidity needs in a swift                    management standards under Section
                                              have early termination rights for any                   manner within funding parameters                       805(a)(2) of the Payment, Clearing and
                                              transaction entered into under the Non-                 approved by the Commission, and (ii)                   Settlement Supervision Act 16 and the
                                              Bank Liquidity Facility as well as have                 reallocate the amount of funding                       Exchange Act (‘‘Clearing Agency
                                              additional protections in the case of                   available under the Confirmations at the               Standards’’).17 The Clearing Agency
                                              ‘‘material adverse changes’’ to OCC. For                time either of the Confirmations is to be              Standards require registered clearing
                                              example, OCC states that it will require                renewed to manage liquidity needs and                  agencies to establish, implement,
                                              that material adverse changes to OCC,                   enhance its ability to ensure continual                maintain, and enforce written policies
                                              such as the failure of a clearing member,               liquidity resources.                                   and procedures that are reasonably
                                              will not be deemed a default event. OCC                    OCC states that it will continue to                 designed to meet certain minimum
                                              believes this provision is important                    evaluate the aggregate commitment                      requirements for their operations and
                                              because it provides OCC with certainty                  amount of the Non-Bank Liquidity                       risk management practices on an
                                              of funding, even in adverse or difficult                Facility so that OCC’s available liquidity             ongoing basis.18 Therefore, it is
                                              market conditions. According to OCC,                    resources remain properly calibrated to                appropriate for the Commission to
                                              this commitment to provide funding                      its activities and settlement obligations,             review advance notices against these
                                              will be a key distinction from ordinary                 and to the extent: (i) OCC determines its              Clearing Agency Standards and the
                                              repurchase arrangements and a key                       liquidity needs merit funding levels                   objectives and principles of these risk
                                              requirement for OCC.                                    below the $1.0 billion or above the $1.5               management standards as described in
                                                                                                      billion thresholds for the Non-Bank                    Section 805(b) of the Payment, Clearing
                                              Second Confirmation                                     Liquidity Facility, (ii) OCC should seek               and Settlement Supervision Act.19
                                                 OCC proposes to enter into the                       to change the terms and conditions of                     The Commission believes that the
                                              Second Confirmation that will permit                    the Non-Bank Liquidity Facility, or (iii)              proposal in the advance notice is
                                              transactions of up to $500 million and                  the Counterparty has experienced a                     consistent with the Clearing Agency
                                              will expire in June 2016. According to                  negative change to its credit profile or               Standards, in particular, Exchange Act
                                              OCC, the Second Confirmation will                       a material adverse change since entering               Rule 17Ad–22(d)(11).20 Exchange Act
                                              have the same terms, conditions,                        into the Confirmations or the latest                   Rule 17Ad–22(d)(11) 21 requires that
                                              operations, and mechanics as the                        renewal of the either Confirmation, OCC
                                              Existing Confirmation of the Non-Bank                   will submit a proposal with the                          12 See   12 U.S.C. 5461(b).
                                                                                                                                                               13 Id.
                                              Liquidity Facility, but for the                         Commission for approval first.
                                                                                                                                                               14 12   U.S.C. 5464(a)(2).
                                              commitment amount and the term.                         II. Discussion and Commission                            15 12   U.S.C. 5464(b).
                                                 OCC believes that the Second                         Findings                                                  16 12 U.S.C. 5464(a)(2).
                                              Confirmation, with a June 2016
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                                                                                                                                                                17 See Exchange Act Rule 17Ad–22. 17 CFR

                                              expiration date, will help ensure                          Although the Payment, Clearing and                  240.17Ad–22. Securities Exchange Act Release No.
                                              continued access to a minimum amount                    Settlement Supervision Act does not                    68080 (October 22, 2012), 77 FR 66220 (November
                                              of liquidity to OCC by staggering the                   specify a standard of review for an                    2, 2012) (S7–08–11).
                                                                                                                                                                18 Id.
                                              expiration of the committed liquidity                     11 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 76062        19 12 U.S.C. 5464(b).
                                              funding sources. OCC’s current                          (October 1, 2015), 80 FR 64028 (October 22, 2015)         20 17 CFR 240.17Ad–22(d)(11).
                                              committed liquidity funding sources,                    (SR–OCC–2015–803).                                        21 Id.




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                                              3210                          Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 12 / Wednesday, January 20, 2016 / Notices

                                              registered clearing agencies ‘‘establish,                    For these reasons, stated above, the                  II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                              implement, maintain and enforce                            Commission does not object to the                       Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                              written policies and procedures                            advance notice.                                         Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                              reasonably designed to, as applicable                                                                              Change
                                                                                                         VI. Conclusion
                                              . . . establish default procedures that
                                              ensure that the clearing agency can take                                                                             In its filing with the Commission, the
                                                                                                           It is therefore noticed, pursuant to
                                              timely action to contain losses and                                                                                Exchange included statements
                                                                                                         Section 806(e)(1)(I) of the Payment,
                                              liquidity pressures and to continue                                                                                concerning the purpose of and basis for
                                                                                                         Clearing and Settlement Supervision
                                              meeting its obligations in the event of a                                                                          the proposed rule change and discussed
                                                                                                         Act,24 that the Commission DOES NOT
                                              participant default.’’ The proposal will                                                                           any comments it received on the
                                                                                                         OBJECT to the proposed change, and
                                              allow OCC to obtain short-term funds to                                                                            proposed rule change. The text of these
                                                                                                         authorizes OCC to implement the
                                              address liquidity demands arising out of                                                                           statements may be examined at the
                                                                                                         change in the advance notice (SR–OCC–
                                              the default or suspension of a clearing                                                                            places specified in Item IV below. The
                                                                                                         2015–805) as of the date of this notice.
                                              member, in anticipation of a potential                                                                             Exchange has prepared summaries, set
                                                                                                           By the Commission.                                    forth in sections A, B, and C below, of
                                              default or suspension of clearing
                                              members or the insolvency of a bank or
                                                                                                         Robert W. Errett,                                       the most significant aspects of such
                                                                                                         Deputy Secretary.                                       statements.
                                              another securities or commodities
                                              clearing organization. The changes                         [FR Doc. 2016–00976 Filed 1–19–16; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                                                                                 A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                              should help OCC minimize losses in the                     BILLING CODE 8011–01–P                                  Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                              event of such a default, suspension, or                                                                            Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                              insolvency, by allowing it to obtain                                                                               Change
                                              funds on extremely short notice to                         SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                                              ensure clearance and settlement of                         COMMISSION                                              1. Purpose
                                              transactions in options and other                                                                                    The purpose of the proposed rule
                                              contracts without interruption.                            [Release No. 34–76888; File No. SR–CBOE–
                                                                                                                                                                 change is to extend the contributor
                                              Therefore, the Commission believes that                    2015–122]
                                                                                                                                                                 compensation structure of the
                                              the proposal is consistent with                                                                                    Exchange’s COPS,5 specifically, the
                                              Exchange Act Rule 17Ad–22(d)(11).22                        Self-Regulatory Organizations;
                                                                                                         Chicago Board Options Exchange,                         COPS data revenue-sharing plan. The
                                                 By ensuring that OCC has continued                      Incorporated; Notice of Filing and                      Exchange is not proposing to change the
                                              access to its Non-Bank Liquidity                           Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed                   fees for COPS data.
                                              Facility, the Commission believes the                      Rule Change Relating to COPS                            Background
                                              proposal contained in the Advance
                                              Notice is consistent with the objectives                   January 13, 2016.                                          COPS provides market participants
                                              and principles described in Section                           Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the                  with an ‘‘end-of-day’’ 6 file and
                                              805(b) of the Act,23 including that it is                  Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the                    ‘‘historical’’ 7 files of valuations for
                                              consistent with promoting robust risk                      ‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2                  Flexible Exchange (‘‘FLEX’’) 8 options
                                              management, and promoting safety and                       notice is hereby given that on December                 and certain over-the-counter (‘‘OTC’’)
                                              soundness. The Commission believes                         31, 2015, Chicago Board Options                         options (collectively, ‘‘COPS Data’’).
                                              that the proposal is consistent with                       Exchange, Incorporated (the ‘‘Exchange’’                Market Data Express, LLC (‘‘MDX’’), an
                                              promoting robust risk management                           or ‘‘CBOE’’) filed with the Securities                  affiliate of CBOE, offers COPS Data for
                                              because it allows OCC to maintain                          and Exchange Commission (the                            sale to all market participants. COPS
                                              access to a committed liquidity resource                   ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule                       Data is available to ‘‘Subscribers’’ for
                                              to help meet its settlement obligations                    change as described in Items I and II                   internal use and internal distribution
                                              in a manner that is timely and does not                    below, which Items have been prepared                   only, and to ‘‘Customers’’ who, pursuant
                                              increase OCC’s counterparty exposure to                    by the Exchange. The Exchange filed the                 to a written vendor agreement between
                                              clearing members or clearing member                        proposal as a ‘‘non-controversial’’                     MDX and a Customer, may distribute
                                              affiliated commercial banking                              proposed rule change pursuant to                        the COPS Data externally (i.e., act as a
                                              institutions. In addition, the proposal                    Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 3 and
                                              will provide OCC the ability to adjust                     Rule 19b–4(f)(6) thereunder.4 The                          5 See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 34–

                                              the aggregate commitment level of its                      Commission is publishing this notice to                 67813 (September 10, 2012), 77 FR 56903
                                              Non-Bank Liquidity Facility—to no                          solicit comments on the proposed rule                   (September 14, 2012) (SR–CBOE–2012–083); 34–
                                                                                                                                                                 67928 (September 26, 2012), 77 FR 60161 (October
                                              lower than $1 billion and no greater                       change from interested persons.                         2, 2012) (SR–CBOE–2012–090); 34–70705 (October
                                              than $1.5 billion—to meet changing                                                                                 17, 2013), 78 FR 63265 (October 23, 2013) (SR–
                                              liquidity demands. The Commission                          I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                       CBOE–2013–097); 34–70845 (November 12, 2013),
                                              also believes that the proposal is                         Statement of the Terms of Substance of                  78 FR 69168 (November 18, 2013) (SR–CBOE–
                                              consistent with promoting safety and                       the Proposed Rule Change                                2013–104); 34–72621 (July 16, 2014), 79 FR 42616
                                                                                                                                                                 (July 22, 2014) (SR–CBOE–2014–057); 34–74159
                                              soundness of OCC. As stated above, the                        The Exchange proposes to extend the                  (January 28, 2015), 80 FR 5863 (February 23, 2015)
                                              Non-Bank Liquidity Facility now will                       contributor compensation structure of                   (SR–CBOE–2015–007); and 34–74937 (May 12,
                                              include two Confirmations with                                                                                     2015), 80 FR 28319 (May 18, 2015) (SR–CBOE–
                                                                                                         the Customized Option Pricing Service                   2015–046).
                                              staggered expiration dates, which                          (‘‘COPS’’). There is no new proposed                       6 ‘‘End of day’’ refers to data that is distributed
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                                              should mitigate the risk of a precipitous                  rule text.                                              prior to the opening of the next trading day.
                                              decrease in liquidity resources in the                                                                                7 ‘‘Historical’’ COPS data consists of COPS data

                                              event OCC is unable to renew any one                         24 12 U.S.C. 5465(e)(1)(I).
                                                                                                                                                                 that is over one month old (i.e., copies of the ‘‘end-
                                              of its committed liquidity sources.                                                                                of-day’’ COPS file that are over one month old).
                                                                                                           1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).                                   8 FLEX options are exchange traded options that
                                                                                                           2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
                                                                                                                                                                 provide investors with the ability to customize
                                                22 Id.                                                     3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
                                                                                                                                                                 basic option features including size, expiration
                                                23 12    U.S.C. 5464(b).                                   4 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).                             date, exercise style, and certain exercise prices.



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Document Created: 2016-01-19 23:43:44
Document Modified: 2016-01-19 23:43:44
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
FR Citation81 FR 3208 

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