81_FR_48624 81 FR 48482 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Depository Trust Company; Order Approving Proposed Rule Change To Establish a Link With Euroclear

81 FR 48482 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Depository Trust Company; Order Approving Proposed Rule Change To Establish a Link With Euroclear

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 142 (July 25, 2016)

Page Range48482-48485
FR Document2016-17445

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 142 (Monday, July 25, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 142 (Monday, July 25, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48482-48485]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-17445]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-78358; File No. SR-DTC-2016-004]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Depository Trust Company; 
Order Approving Proposed Rule Change To Establish a Link With Euroclear

July 19, 2016.
    On June 3, 2016, The Depository Trust Company (``DTC'') filed with 
the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') proposed rule 
change SR-DTC-2016-004 pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934 (``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ to 
establish a link (``EB Link'') between DTC and Euroclear Bank SA/NV 
(``EB''). The proposed rule change was published for comment in the 
Federal Register on June 16, 2016.\3\ The Commission did not receive 
any comment letters on the proposed rule change. For the reasons 
discussed below, the Commission is granting approval of the proposed 
rule change.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 78031 (June 10, 
2016), 81 FR 39303 (June 16, 2016) (SR-DTC-2016-004).
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I. Description of the Proposed Rule Change

    The following is a description of the proposed rule change, as 
provided primarily by DTC:
    The proposed rule change consists of amendments to the Rules, By-
Laws and Organization Certificate of The Depository Trust Company (the 
``Rules'') \4\ in order to add new Rule 34 (EB Link) to establish EB 
Link between DTC and EB for DTC Participants that are also EB 
participants (``CP Participants'') to use Securities held at DTC for EB 
Collateral Transactions (as defined below). The proposed Rule 34 
specifies the Accounts, Free Deliveries, and the terms and conditions 
that together comprise collateral positioning (``Collateral 
Positioning'' or ``CP'') for CP Participants. The proposed rule change 
will: (i) Allow CP Participants to designate a sub-account for 
Collateral Positioning (a ``CP Sub-Account'') of Securities selected by 
the CP Participant (the ``CP Securities'') to Deliver to EB; and (ii) 
establish the Securities Account of EB (the ``EB Account'') on the 
books of DTC to receive and hold such CP Securities. DTC understands 
that EB will then credit such CP Securities to an account it maintains 
on its books for such CP Participant for use in transfers on the books 
of EB (``EB Collateral Transactions'') in connection with EB's 
collateral management services (``EB CMS''), as described below.\5\
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    \4\ Each capitalized term not otherwise defined herein has its 
respective meaning as set forth in the Rules, available at http://www.dtcc.com/legal/rules-and-procedures.aspx.
    \5\ On May 9, 2016, EB filed an application with the Commission 
on Form CA-1, seeking to amend its existing exemption from clearing 
agency registration by expanding its existing exemption to authorize 
EB to offer EB CMS to its U.S. participants for U.S. equities (the 
``EB CA-1 Amendment''). DTC understands that the EB CA-1 Amendment 
is necessary for EB to offer EB CMS, and consequently, the DTCC 
Euroclear Global Collateral Ltd. (``DEGCL'') Inventory Management 
Service (``DEGCL IMS''), to U.S. participants for U.S. equities. 
Commission approval of this proposed rule change to add new Rule 34 
(EB Link) will have no effect on the authority of EB pursuant to the 
EB CA-1 Amendment. In addition, this proposed rule change provides 
that it will not be implemented until the EB CA-1 Amendment is 
approved by the Commission.
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(i) Background

(a) New Regulations Require Better Access to and Management of 
Securities Collateral
    New and enhanced regulatory requirements are leading derivative and 
financing counterparties to seek increased efficiency in the 
availability and deployment of collateral and streamlined margin 
processing. More specifically, the phase-in period of the Basel III 
liquidity rules,\6\ as well as recent regulatory changes by the 
Commodity Futures Trading Commission,\7\ the U.S. prudential 
regulators,\8\ European Market Infrastructure Regulation,\9\ and the 
Basel

[[Page 48483]]

Committee on Banking Supervision (``BCBS'') and the International 
Organization of Securities Commissions (``IOSCO''),\10\ have resulted 
in increased capital requirements, mandatory central clearing of more 
derivatives transactions, and new margining rules for bilateral trades, 
driving a significant increased demand for high quality collateral.
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    \6\ Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, Basel III: A global 
framework for more resilient banks and the banking system, December 
2010 and revised June 2011; Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, 
Basel III: The Liquidity Coverage Ratio and liquidity risk 
monitoring tools, January 2013; Basel Committee on Banking 
Supervision, Basel III: The net stable funding ratio, October 2014, 
available at www.bis.org/bcbs/basel3.htm.
    \7\ Margin Requirements for Uncleared Swaps for Swap Dealers and 
Major Swap Participants, 81 FR 635 (January 6, 2016); 17 CFR parts 
23 and 140.
    \8\ Margin and Capital Requirements for Covered Swap Entities, 
80 FR 74840 (November 30, 2015); 12 CFR parts 45, 237, 349, 624 and 
1221. The U.S. prudential regulators include: Office of the 
Comptroller of the Currency--Treasury, Board of Governors of the 
Federal Reserve System, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Farm 
Credit Administration, and the Federal Housing Finance Agency.
    \9\ European Supervisory Authorities' (ESAs) Final Draft 
Regulatory Technical Standards on risk-mitigation techniques for 
OTC-derivative contracts not cleared by a CCP under Article 11(15) 
of Regulation (EU) No 648/2012 (EMIR), available at https://www.eba.europa.eu/documents/10180/1398349/RTS+on+Risk+Mitigation+Techniques+for+OTC+contracts+%28JC-2016-+18%29.pdf/fb0b3387-3366-4c56-9e25-74b2a4997e1d.
    \10\ BCBS-IOSCO, Margin requirements for non-centrally cleared 
derivatives (March 2015), available at http://www.bis.org/bcbs/publ/d317.htm.
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    These regulatory changes further include requirements for initial 
margin for counterparties as well as a reduction or removal of 
thresholds for variation margin.\11\ It is expected that the inclusion 
of initial margin will significantly increase the amount of collateral 
required and will create additional margin calls by affected 
counterparties. In addition, it is expected that the removal or 
reduction of thresholds for variation margin will mean any changes in 
underlying valuations may trigger increased margin calls requiring 
market participants to hold additional collateral available for 
posting. Also, these regulatory changes include new restrictions on 
eligible collateral, requiring the use of highly liquid assets, 
prescribed haircuts, segregation requirements, as well as a prohibition 
on rehypothecation for initial margin. Given these forthcoming 
requirements, counterparties will need to access and deploy collateral 
more effectively.
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    \11\ Initial margin means money, securities, or property posted 
by a party to a swap as performance bond to cover potential future 
exposures arising from changes in the market value of the position. 
Variation margin means a payment made by or collateral posted by a 
party to a swap to cover the current exposure arising from changes 
in the market value of the position since the trade was executed or 
the previous time the position was marked to market. See 17 CFR 
23.700.
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(b) Proposed Rule Change Will Support DEGCL IMS
    DEGCL is a United Kingdom (``UK'') joint venture of DTCC and 
Euroclear S.A./N.V. (``Euroclear''), authorized by the Financial 
Conduct Authority (``FCA'') in the UK as a ``service company'' \12\ in 
accordance with applicable law of the UK. DEGCL was formed for the 
purpose of offering global information, record keeping, and processing 
services for derivatives collateral transactions and other types of 
financing transactions. DEGCL seeks to provide services to its users, 
including buy-side and sell-side financial institutions, in meeting 
their risk management and regulatory requirements for the holding and 
exchange of collateral, as required by these new regulatory 
requirements.
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    \12\ DEGCL was authorized as a ``service company'' by the FCA on 
March 29, 2016. A ``service company,'' as defined in the FCA 
Handbook, Glossary, is: ``[A] firm whose only permitted activities 
are making arrangements with a view to transactions in investments, 
and agreeing to carry on that regulated activity, and whose Part 4A 
permission: (a) Incorporates a limitation substantially to the 
effect that the firm carry on regulated activities only with market 
counterparties or intermediate customers; and (b) includes 
requirements substantially to the effect that the firm must not: (i) 
Guarantee, or otherwise accept responsibility for, the performance, 
by a participant in arrangements made by the firm in carrying on 
regulated activities, of obligations undertaken by that participant 
in connection with those arrangements; or (ii) approve any financial 
promotion on behalf of any other person or any specified class of 
persons; or (iii) in carrying on its regulated activities, provide 
services otherwise than in accordance with documents (of a kind 
specified in the requirement) provided by the firm to the FCA.'' FCA 
Handbook, Glossary, available at https://www.handbook.fca.org.uk/handbook/glossary.
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    In particular, DEGCL IMS will address the increased demand for 
cross-border availability of securities collateral, some of which may 
be held at DTC. The purpose of DEGCL IMS is to offer to its users a 
more global view of their collateral assets and support cross-border 
mobility and to integrate information and record keeping for collateral 
use of Securities held at DTC and EB.
    DEGCL IMS will be operated by EB and other entities in the 
Euroclear group, as the service provider to DEGCL, in accordance with 
appropriate agreements among these parties and in compliance with 
applicable regulatory requirements. There is no direct relationship 
between DTC and DEGCL IMS. DEGCL IMS will be offered to any financial 
institution that is both a DTC Participant and a participant of EB that 
has elected to use EB CMS (``EB Collateral Participant'').

(ii) EB Link and Collateral Positioning Will Offer Global Collateral 
Mobility for Securities Held at DTC by CP Participants

    The proposed rule change will establish the EB Link between DTC and 
EB through which a CP Participant could Deliver Securities from its 
Account to its CP Sub-Account and, from there, to the EB Account at 
DTC. The object is for EB to then credit the Securities to an account 
of the CP Participant on the books of EB for use in EB CMS.
    For purposes of the EB Link, EB has become a Participant of 
DTC,\13\ in order to establish the EB Account to which CP Securities 
will be credited. Accordingly, EB will act in two capacities: (i) On 
its own behalf as a Participant of DTC, to maintain the EB Account in 
which CP Securities may be held, so that EB may effect book entry 
transfers of those Securities on its own books and records; and (ii) on 
behalf of each CP Participant as the representative (the ``CP 
Representative'') of such CP Participant, to provide instructions to 
DTC on the CP Participant's behalf for the Delivery of CP Securities 
from the CP Sub-Account, and to receive certain information (x) once 
each Business Day, identifying the CP Securities that are credited to 
the CP Sub-Account at the time of the report (the ``CP Securities 
Report''), and (y) that specified CP Securities have been Delivered 
into or out of the CP Sub-Account, and/or that an instruction has been 
given to DTC to Deliver specified CP Securities out of the CP Sub-
Account, as applicable (the ``Delivery Information'').
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    \13\ EB was accepted as a Participant on February 18, 2016. Upon 
approval of EB as a Participant, EB, like any other Participant, 
signed a Participant's Agreement pursuant to which it agreed, inter 
alia, that the DTC Rules shall be a part of the terms and conditions 
of every contract or transaction that EB may make or have with DTC, 
including the Regulation Systems Compliance and Integrity testing 
requirements set forth in DTC Rule 2 (Participants and Pledgees).
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    The CP Participant will authorize EB as its CP Representative, to 
provide instructions on its behalf, and to receive the CP Securities 
Report and Delivery Information. Both the CP Securities Report and 
Delivery Information will include, with respect to the CP Securities 
specified therein, the following information: (i) The CUSIP, ISIN, or 
other identification number of the CP Securities; and (ii) the number 
of shares or other units or principal amount of the CP Securities.
    The CP Participant will instruct DTC to Deliver the CP Securities 
from the CP Participant's Account to its CP Sub-Account. After the CP 
Securities have been credited to the CP Sub-Account, EB, as CP 
Representative, may instruct DTC to make a Free Delivery of the 
appropriate CP Securities from the CP Sub-Account to the EB 
Account.\14\ All Deliveries from the CP Participant's Account to its CP 
Sub-Account and from the CP Sub-Account to the EB

[[Page 48484]]

Account will be Free Deliveries, subject to DTC risk management 
controls.\15\
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    \14\ EB will determine the eligibility of CP Securities for 
DEGCL IMS on the basis of the eligibility profile provided to DEGCL 
by its user counterparties, and subject to EB's securities 
eligibility rules.
    \15\ DTC risk management controls, including Collateral Monitor 
and Net Debit Cap (as defined in Rule 1, Section 1 of the DTC Rules, 
supra note 4), are designed so that DTC may complete system-wide 
settlement notwithstanding the failure to settle of its largest 
Participant or affiliated family of Participants. The Collateral 
Monitor tests whether a Receiver has adequate collateral to secure 
the amount of its net debit balance. The Net Debit Cap limits the 
Net Debit Balance of a Participant so that it cannot exceed DTC 
liquidity resources for settlement. Pursuant to these controls under 
applicable DTC Rules and Procedures, any Delivery instruction order 
to a CP Sub-Account that will cause the CP Participant to exceed its 
Net Debit Cap (which a Free Delivery should not) or to have 
insufficient DTC collateral to secure its obligations to DTC (which 
is possible), will not be processed by DTC. CP Deliveries will be 
processed in the same order and with the same priority as otherwise 
provided in the DTC Rules and Procedures (i.e., such Deliveries will 
not take precedence over any other type of Delivery in the DTC 
system).
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    After CP Securities have been credited to the EB Account, it will 
then be EB's responsibility to credit them to an account at EB 
maintained for the CP Participant, as an EB Collateral Participant. The 
originating CP Participant, as an EB Collateral Participant, may then 
choose to hold the CP Securities in an account at EB, pending use in 
any EB Collateral Transaction, or transfer the CP Securities on the 
books of EB to one or more other EB Collateral Participants in 
connection with EB Collateral Transactions.
    EB may instruct DTC to Deliver CP Securities from the EB Account to 
the CP Sub-Account from which such CP Securities originated. This may 
occur if: (i) The CP Participant as a DEGCL IMS user changes its DEGCL 
IMS inventory profile in a way that renders the CP Securities credited 
to the EB Account no longer eligible for DEGCL IMS; (ii) the CP 
Participant submits a Delivery instruction for such CP Securities; \16\ 
or (iii) the CP Securities are subject to a corporate action or tax 
event.\17\
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    \16\ If at any time a CP Participant has a pending instruction 
for Delivery of Securities that had been Delivered from its CP Sub-
Account to the EB Account, DTC understands that EB will instruct DTC 
to Deliver those Securities from the EB Account back to the CP Sub-
Account from which they originated.
    \17\ If EB does not Deliver the CP Securities back to the CP 
Sub-Account of the CP Participant prior to the applicable record 
date for a corporate action, the corporate action will be processed 
by DTC in the ordinary course to EB as the Participant holding the 
Securities on the Record Date.
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    EB may also instruct DTC to Deliver CP Securities from the EB 
Account to the Securities Account of a Participant that EB has 
designated as its global custodian (``EB Global Custodian'').\18\ The 
CP Securities held in the EB Account are held there exclusively for EB 
Collateral Transactions, so this proposed rule change will require EB 
to Deliver CP Securities from the EB Account to the Securities Account 
of the EB Global Custodian in connection with any liquidation of those 
CP Securities.
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    \18\ EB has not been a direct DTC Participant or had a 
Securities Account at DTC prior to this proposed EB Link; EB has 
held Eligible Securities only as an indirect participant through a 
bank that it characterizes as its ``global custodian'' and that is a 
DTC Participant. The EB Link is proposed to be established for, and 
expressly limited to, Collateral Positioning in connection with EB 
Collateral Transactions. EB may continue to use the EB Global 
Custodian for other EB transactions and to hold non-CP Securities 
indirectly at DTC.
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(iii) Proposed Rule Change

    The proposed rule change will add Rule 34 to the DTC Rules, to 
provide for:
    1. The establishment and maintenance of a CP Sub-Account for each 
CP Participant;
    2. The establishment and maintenance of the EB Account for the 
purpose of Collateral Positioning Deliveries;
    3. Free Deliveries of CP Securities by a CP Participant from an 
Account of the CP Participant to its CP Sub-Account, and back to (A) 
the originating Account of the CP Participant; (B) another Non-CP 
Account of the CP Participant; or (C) the Account of another 
Participant;
    4. Free Deliveries of CP Securities as instructed by EB, as CP 
Representative of the CP Participant, from the CP Sub-Account of the CP 
Participant to the EB Account;
    5. Free Deliveries of CP Securities as instructed by EB from the EB 
Account to (A) the CP Sub-Account from which such CP Securities 
originated, or (B) the Account of the EB Global Custodian;
    6. Information to be provided by DTC to EB, as CP Representative of 
the CP Participant, specifically, the CP Securities Report and the 
Delivery Information;
    7. The requirement that Deliveries provided in the proposed rule 
change must be Free Deliveries, and shall be subject to the terms and 
provisions of the DTC Rules and the Procedures applicable to the 
Deliveries of Securities, including DTC risk management controls; and
    8. DTC's disclaimer of liability to: (A) Any CP Participant as a 
result of acting on instructions from EB or providing EB the Delivery 
Information or the CP Securities Report pursuant to Rule 34; (B) EB as 
a result of acting on instructions from a CP Participant pursuant to 
Rule 34; (C) EB or any CP Participant as a result of any loss relating 
to Rule 34, unless caused directly by DTC's gross negligence, willful 
misconduct, or violation of Federal securities laws for which there is 
a private rights of action; and (D) to any third party for any reason, 
including without limitation, DEGCL.

(iv) Implementation Timeframe

    This proposed rule change will be implemented on the later of: (i) 
The date of Commission approval of this filing; and (ii) the date of a 
Commission order approving the EB CA-1 Amendment, authorizing EB to 
offer EB CMS to U.S. EB Collateral Participants for U.S. equities. 
Participants will be advised of the implementation date through the 
issuance of a DTC Important Notice.

II. Discussion and Commission Findings

    Section 19(b)(2)(C) of the Act \19\ directs the Commission to 
approve a proposed rule change of a self-regulatory organization if it 
finds that such proposed rule change is consistent with the 
requirements of the Act and rules and regulations thereunder applicable 
to such organization. The Commission believes that the proposal is 
consistent with Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act \20\ and Rule 17Ad-
22(d)(7) thereunder,\21\ as described in detail below.
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    \19\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(C).
    \20\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(3)(F).
    \21\ 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22(d)(7).
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(i) Consistency With Section 17A(b)(3)(F)

    Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act \22\ requires, among other things, 
that the rules of the clearing agency be designed to promote the prompt 
and accurate clearance and settlement of securities transactions, and 
to assure the safeguarding of securities and funds which are in the 
custody or control of the clearing agency or for which it is 
responsible. The Commission understands that EB is currently an 
indirect Participant holding DTC Eligible Securities through one or 
more other financial institutions that are direct Participants. With 
this proposal, a direct link will be established between DTC and EB 
(i.e., the EB Link), through which Participants can more directly 
deploy their securities collateral for EB Collateral Transactions. As 
such, transactions will be processed with EB more efficiently by 
eliminating a step in processing such transactions, thus promoting 
prompt and accurate transactions and the safeguarding of securities and 
funds in the custody or control of DTC, consistent with the 
requirements of the Act, in particular Section 17A(b)(3)(F), cited 
above.
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    \22\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(3)(F).

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[[Page 48485]]

(ii) Consistency With Rule 17Ad-22(d)(7)

    Rule 17Ad-22(d)(7) under the Act \23\ requires a clearing agency, 
such as DTC, to establish, implement, maintain and enforce written 
policies and procedures reasonably designed to evaluate the potential 
sources of risks that can arise when the clearing agency establishes 
links either cross-border or domestically to clear or settle trades, 
and ensure that the risks are managed prudently on an ongoing 
basis.\24\ In developing the proposed EB Link, DTC stated that it 
evaluated the risks that could arise by establishing a link with EB, a 
foreign central securities depository. DTC stated that it determined 
that all Deliveries between CP Sub-Accounts and the EB Account will be 
subject to DTC risk management controls and will be limited to Free 
Deliveries. Therefore, there should be minimum risk, in particular, no 
funds settlement risk, associated with EB Link.
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    \23\ 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22(d)(7).
    \24\ 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22(d)(7).
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III. Conclusion

    On the basis of the foregoing, the Commission finds that the 
proposal is consistent with the requirements of the Act and in 
particular with the requirements of Section 17A of the Act \25\ and the 
rules and regulations thereunder.
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    \25\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1.
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    It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act, 
that proposed rule change SR-DTC-2016-004 be, and hereby is, 
approved.\26\
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    \26\ In approving the proposed rule change, the Commission 
considered the proposal's impact on efficiency, competition, and 
capital formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\27\
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    \27\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Robert W. Errett,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-17445 Filed 7-22-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                                  48482                           Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 142 / Monday, July 25, 2016 / Notices

                                                  the purposes of the Act. If the                            For the Commission, by the Division of                change will: (i) Allow CP Participants to
                                                  Commission takes such action, the                        Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated              designate a sub-account for Collateral
                                                  Commission shall institute proceedings                   authority.15                                            Positioning (a ‘‘CP Sub-Account’’) of
                                                  to determine whether the proposed rule                   Robert W. Errett,                                       Securities selected by the CP Participant
                                                  should be approved or disapproved.                       Deputy Secretary.                                       (the ‘‘CP Securities’’) to Deliver to EB;
                                                                                                           [FR Doc. 2016–17444 Filed 7–22–16; 8:45 am]             and (ii) establish the Securities Account
                                                  IV. Solicitation of Comments                                                                                     of EB (the ‘‘EB Account’’) on the books
                                                                                                           BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                                    Interested persons are invited to                                                                              of DTC to receive and hold such CP
                                                  submit written data, views, and                                                                                  Securities. DTC understands that EB
                                                  arguments concerning the foregoing,                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                                 will then credit such CP Securities to an
                                                  including whether the proposed rule                      COMMISSION                                              account it maintains on its books for
                                                  change is consistent with the Act.                                                                               such CP Participant for use in transfers
                                                                                                           [Release No. 34–78358; File No. SR–DTC–
                                                  Comments may be submitted by any of                      2016–004]                                               on the books of EB (‘‘EB Collateral
                                                  the following methods:                                                                                           Transactions’’) in connection with EB’s
                                                                                                           Self-Regulatory Organizations; The                      collateral management services (‘‘EB
                                                  Electronic Comments                                                                                              CMS’’), as described below.5
                                                                                                           Depository Trust Company; Order
                                                    • Use the Commission’s Internet                        Approving Proposed Rule Change To                       (i) Background
                                                  comment form (http://www.sec.gov/                        Establish a Link With Euroclear
                                                  rules/sro.shtml); or                                                                                             (a) New Regulations Require Better
                                                                                                           July 19, 2016.                                          Access to and Management of Securities
                                                    • Send an email to rule-comments@                         On June 3, 2016, The Depository Trust                Collateral
                                                  sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–                  Company (‘‘DTC’’) filed with the
                                                  NYSEArca–2016–94 on the subject line.                                                                               New and enhanced regulatory
                                                                                                           Securities and Exchange Commission                      requirements are leading derivative and
                                                  Paper Comments                                           (‘‘Commission’’) proposed rule change                   financing counterparties to seek
                                                                                                           SR–DTC–2016–004 pursuant to Section                     increased efficiency in the availability
                                                    • Send paper comments in triplicate                    19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act                 and deployment of collateral and
                                                  to Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Securities                of 1934 (‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4                      streamlined margin processing. More
                                                  and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street                    thereunder,2 to establish a link (‘‘EB                  specifically, the phase-in period of the
                                                  NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090.                          Link’’) between DTC and Euroclear                       Basel III liquidity rules,6 as well as
                                                  All submissions should refer to File                     Bank SA/NV (‘‘EB’’). The proposed rule                  recent regulatory changes by the
                                                  Number SR–NYSEArca–2016–94. This                         change was published for comment in                     Commodity Futures Trading
                                                  file number should be included on the                    the Federal Register on June 16, 2016.3                 Commission,7 the U.S. prudential
                                                  subject line if email is used. To help the               The Commission did not receive any                      regulators,8 European Market
                                                  Commission process and review your                       comment letters on the proposed rule                    Infrastructure Regulation,9 and the Basel
                                                  comments more efficiently, please use                    change. For the reasons discussed
                                                  only one method. The Commission will                     below, the Commission is granting                          5 On May 9, 2016, EB filed an application with

                                                  post all comments on the Commission’s                    approval of the proposed rule change.                   the Commission on Form CA–1, seeking to amend
                                                                                                                                                                   its existing exemption from clearing agency
                                                  Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/                   I. Description of the Proposed Rule                     registration by expanding its existing exemption to
                                                  rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the                          Change                                                  authorize EB to offer EB CMS to its U.S.
                                                  submission, all subsequent                                                                                       participants for U.S. equities (the ‘‘EB CA–1
                                                  amendments, all written statements                          The following is a description of the                Amendment’’). DTC understands that the EB CA–
                                                                                                           proposed rule change, as provided                       1 Amendment is necessary for EB to offer EB CMS,
                                                  with respect to the proposed rule                                                                                and consequently, the DTCC Euroclear Global
                                                  change that are filed with the                           primarily by DTC:                                       Collateral Ltd. (‘‘DEGCL’’) Inventory Management
                                                  Commission, and all written                                 The proposed rule change consists of                 Service (‘‘DEGCL IMS’’), to U.S. participants for
                                                  communications relating to the                           amendments to the Rules, By-Laws and                    U.S. equities. Commission approval of this
                                                                                                           Organization Certificate of The                         proposed rule change to add new Rule 34 (EB Link)
                                                  proposed rule change between the                                                                                 will have no effect on the authority of EB pursuant
                                                  Commission and any person, other than                    Depository Trust Company (the                           to the EB CA–1 Amendment. In addition, this
                                                  those that may be withheld from the                      ‘‘Rules’’) 4 in order to add new Rule 34                proposed rule change provides that it will not be
                                                  public in accordance with the                            (EB Link) to establish EB Link between                  implemented until the EB CA–1 Amendment is
                                                                                                           DTC and EB for DTC Participants that                    approved by the Commission.
                                                  provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be                                                                                 6 Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, Basel
                                                  available for Web site viewing and                       are also EB participants (‘‘CP                          III: A global framework for more resilient banks and
                                                  printing in the Commission’s Public                      Participants’’) to use Securities held at               the banking system, December 2010 and revised
                                                  Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,                        DTC for EB Collateral Transactions (as                  June 2011; Basel Committee on Banking
                                                                                                           defined below). The proposed Rule 34                    Supervision, Basel III: The Liquidity Coverage Ratio
                                                  Washington, DC 20549 on official                                                                                 and liquidity risk monitoring tools, January 2013;
                                                  business days between the hours of                       specifies the Accounts, Free Deliveries,                Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, Basel III:
                                                  10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such                  and the terms and conditions that                       The net stable funding ratio, October 2014,
                                                  filing also will be available for                        together comprise collateral positioning                available at www.bis.org/bcbs/basel3.htm.
                                                  inspection and copying at the principal                  (‘‘Collateral Positioning’’ or ‘‘CP’’) for                 7 Margin Requirements for Uncleared Swaps for

                                                                                                           CP Participants. The proposed rule                      Swap Dealers and Major Swap Participants, 81 FR
                                                  office of the Exchange. All comments                                                                             635 (January 6, 2016); 17 CFR parts 23 and 140.
                                                  received will be posted without change;                       15 17
                                                                                                                                                                      8 Margin and Capital Requirements for Covered
                                                                                                                    CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
                                                  the Commission does not edit personal                                                                            Swap Entities, 80 FR 74840 (November 30, 2015);
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                                                                                                                1 15
                                                                                                                   U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
                                                  identifying information from                                                                                     12 CFR parts 45, 237, 349, 624 and 1221. The U.S.
                                                                                                              2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
                                                                                                                                                                   prudential regulators include: Office of the
                                                  submissions. You should submit only                         3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 78031      Comptroller of the Currency—Treasury, Board of
                                                  information that you wish to make                        (June 10, 2016), 81 FR 39303 (June 16, 2016) (SR–       Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Federal
                                                  available publicly. All submissions                      DTC–2016–004).                                          Deposit Insurance Corporation, Farm Credit
                                                  should refer to File Number SR–                             4 Each capitalized term not otherwise defined        Administration, and the Federal Housing Finance
                                                                                                           herein has its respective meaning as set forth in the   Agency.
                                                  NYSEArca–2016–94, and should be                          Rules, available at http://www.dtcc.com/legal/rules        9 European Supervisory Authorities’ (ESAs) Final
                                                  submitted on or before August 15, 2016.                  -and-procedures.aspx.                                   Draft Regulatory Technical Standards on risk-



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                                                                                  Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 142 / Monday, July 25, 2016 / Notices                                                        48483

                                                  Committee on Banking Supervision                         applicable law of the UK. DEGCL was                          For purposes of the EB Link, EB has
                                                  (‘‘BCBS’’) and the International                         formed for the purpose of offering global                 become a Participant of DTC,13 in order
                                                  Organization of Securities Commissions                   information, record keeping, and                          to establish the EB Account to which CP
                                                  (‘‘IOSCO’’),10 have resulted in increased                processing services for derivatives                       Securities will be credited. Accordingly,
                                                  capital requirements, mandatory central                  collateral transactions and other types of                EB will act in two capacities: (i) On its
                                                  clearing of more derivatives                             financing transactions. DEGCL seeks to                    own behalf as a Participant of DTC, to
                                                  transactions, and new margining rules                    provide services to its users, including                  maintain the EB Account in which CP
                                                  for bilateral trades, driving a significant              buy-side and sell-side financial                          Securities may be held, so that EB may
                                                  increased demand for high quality                        institutions, in meeting their risk                       effect book entry transfers of those
                                                  collateral.                                              management and regulatory                                 Securities on its own books and records;
                                                     These regulatory changes further                      requirements for the holding and                          and (ii) on behalf of each CP Participant
                                                  include requirements for initial margin                  exchange of collateral, as required by                    as the representative (the ‘‘CP
                                                  for counterparties as well as a reduction                these new regulatory requirements.
                                                  or removal of thresholds for variation                                                                             Representative’’) of such CP Participant,
                                                                                                              In particular, DEGCL IMS will address                  to provide instructions to DTC on the
                                                  margin.11 It is expected that the                        the increased demand for cross-border
                                                  inclusion of initial margin will                                                                                   CP Participant’s behalf for the Delivery
                                                                                                           availability of securities collateral, some               of CP Securities from the CP Sub-
                                                  significantly increase the amount of                     of which may be held at DTC. The
                                                  collateral required and will create                                                                                Account, and to receive certain
                                                                                                           purpose of DEGCL IMS is to offer to its
                                                  additional margin calls by affected                                                                                information (x) once each Business Day,
                                                                                                           users a more global view of their
                                                  counterparties. In addition, it is                                                                                 identifying the CP Securities that are
                                                                                                           collateral assets and support cross-
                                                  expected that the removal or reduction                                                                             credited to the CP Sub-Account at the
                                                                                                           border mobility and to integrate
                                                  of thresholds for variation margin will                  information and record keeping for                        time of the report (the ‘‘CP Securities
                                                  mean any changes in underlying                           collateral use of Securities held at DTC                  Report’’), and (y) that specified CP
                                                  valuations may trigger increased margin                  and EB.                                                   Securities have been Delivered into or
                                                  calls requiring market participants to                      DEGCL IMS will be operated by EB                       out of the CP Sub-Account, and/or that
                                                  hold additional collateral available for                 and other entities in the Euroclear                       an instruction has been given to DTC to
                                                  posting. Also, these regulatory changes                  group, as the service provider to DEGCL,                  Deliver specified CP Securities out of
                                                  include new restrictions on eligible                     in accordance with appropriate                            the CP Sub-Account, as applicable (the
                                                  collateral, requiring the use of highly                  agreements among these parties and in                     ‘‘Delivery Information’’).
                                                  liquid assets, prescribed haircuts,                      compliance with applicable regulatory                        The CP Participant will authorize EB
                                                  segregation requirements, as well as a                   requirements. There is no direct                          as its CP Representative, to provide
                                                  prohibition on rehypothecation for                       relationship between DTC and DEGCL                        instructions on its behalf, and to receive
                                                  initial margin. Given these forthcoming                  IMS. DEGCL IMS will be offered to any                     the CP Securities Report and Delivery
                                                  requirements, counterparties will need                   financial institution that is both a DTC                  Information. Both the CP Securities
                                                  to access and deploy collateral more                     Participant and a participant of EB that                  Report and Delivery Information will
                                                  effectively.                                             has elected to use EB CMS (‘‘EB                           include, with respect to the CP
                                                  (b) Proposed Rule Change Will Support                    Collateral Participant’’).                                Securities specified therein, the
                                                  DEGCL IMS                                                (ii) EB Link and Collateral Positioning                   following information: (i) The CUSIP,
                                                     DEGCL is a United Kingdom (‘‘UK’’)                    Will Offer Global Collateral Mobility for                 ISIN, or other identification number of
                                                  joint venture of DTCC and Euroclear                      Securities Held at DTC by CP                              the CP Securities; and (ii) the number of
                                                  S.A./N.V. (‘‘Euroclear’’), authorized by                 Participants                                              shares or other units or principal
                                                  the Financial Conduct Authority                                                                                    amount of the CP Securities.
                                                                                                              The proposed rule change will
                                                  (‘‘FCA’’) in the UK as a ‘‘service                                                                                    The CP Participant will instruct DTC
                                                                                                           establish the EB Link between DTC and
                                                  company’’ 12 in accordance with                                                                                    to Deliver the CP Securities from the CP
                                                                                                           EB through which a CP Participant
                                                                                                           could Deliver Securities from its                         Participant’s Account to its CP Sub-
                                                  mitigation techniques for OTC-derivative contracts                                                                 Account. After the CP Securities have
                                                  not cleared by a CCP under Article 11(15) of             Account to its CP Sub-Account and,
                                                  Regulation (EU) No 648/2012 (EMIR), available at         from there, to the EB Account at DTC.                     been credited to the CP Sub-Account,
                                                  https://www.eba.europa.eu/documents/10180/               The object is for EB to then credit the                   EB, as CP Representative, may instruct
                                                  1398349/RTS+on+Risk+Mitigation+Techniques+for                                                                      DTC to make a Free Delivery of the
                                                  +OTC+contracts+%28JC-2016-+18%29.pdf/
                                                                                                           Securities to an account of the CP
                                                  fb0b3387-3366-4c56-9e25-74b2a4997e1d.                    Participant on the books of EB for use                    appropriate CP Securities from the CP
                                                     10 BCBS–IOSCO, Margin requirements for non-           in EB CMS.                                                Sub-Account to the EB Account.14 All
                                                  centrally cleared derivatives (March 2015),                                                                        Deliveries from the CP Participant’s
                                                  available at http://www.bis.org/bcbs/publ/               permission: (a) Incorporates a limitation                 Account to its CP Sub-Account and
                                                  d317.htm.                                                substantially to the effect that the firm carry on
                                                     11 Initial margin means money, securities, or
                                                                                                                                                                     from the CP Sub-Account to the EB
                                                                                                           regulated activities only with market counterparties
                                                  property posted by a party to a swap as performance      or intermediate customers; and (b) includes
                                                  bond to cover potential future exposures arising         requirements substantially to the effect that the firm       13 EB was accepted as a Participant on February

                                                  from changes in the market value of the position.        must not: (i) Guarantee, or otherwise accept              18, 2016. Upon approval of EB as a Participant, EB,
                                                  Variation margin means a payment made by or              responsibility for, the performance, by a participant     like any other Participant, signed a Participant’s
                                                  collateral posted by a party to a swap to cover the      in arrangements made by the firm in carrying on           Agreement pursuant to which it agreed, inter alia,
                                                  current exposure arising from changes in the market      regulated activities, of obligations undertaken by        that the DTC Rules shall be a part of the terms and
                                                  value of the position since the trade was executed       that participant in connection with those                 conditions of every contract or transaction that EB
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                                                  or the previous time the position was marked to          arrangements; or (ii) approve any financial               may make or have with DTC, including the
                                                  market. See 17 CFR 23.700.                               promotion on behalf of any other person or any            Regulation Systems Compliance and Integrity
                                                     12 DEGCL was authorized as a ‘‘service company’’      specified class of persons; or (iii) in carrying on its   testing requirements set forth in DTC Rule 2
                                                  by the FCA on March 29, 2016. A ‘‘service                regulated activities, provide services otherwise than     (Participants and Pledgees).
                                                  company,’’ as defined in the FCA Handbook,               in accordance with documents (of a kind specified            14 EB will determine the eligibility of CP

                                                  Glossary, is: ‘‘[A] firm whose only permitted            in the requirement) provided by the firm to the           Securities for DEGCL IMS on the basis of the
                                                  activities are making arrangements with a view to        FCA.’’ FCA Handbook, Glossary, available at               eligibility profile provided to DEGCL by its user
                                                  transactions in investments, and agreeing to carry       https://www.handbook.fca.org.uk/handbook/                 counterparties, and subject to EB’s securities
                                                  on that regulated activity, and whose Part 4A            glossary.                                                 eligibility rules.



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                                                  48484                             Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 142 / Monday, July 25, 2016 / Notices

                                                  Account will be Free Deliveries, subject                    The CP Securities held in the EB                        is a private rights of action; and (D) to
                                                  to DTC risk management controls.15                          Account are held there exclusively for                  any third party for any reason, including
                                                     After CP Securities have been credited                   EB Collateral Transactions, so this                     without limitation, DEGCL.
                                                  to the EB Account, it will then be EB’s                     proposed rule change will require EB to
                                                  responsibility to credit them to an                                                                                 (iv) Implementation Timeframe
                                                                                                              Deliver CP Securities from the EB
                                                  account at EB maintained for the CP                         Account to the Securities Account of the                   This proposed rule change will be
                                                  Participant, as an EB Collateral                            EB Global Custodian in connection with                  implemented on the later of: (i) The date
                                                  Participant. The originating CP                             any liquidation of those CP Securities.                 of Commission approval of this filing;
                                                  Participant, as an EB Collateral                                                                                    and (ii) the date of a Commission order
                                                  Participant, may then choose to hold the                    (iii) Proposed Rule Change
                                                                                                                                                                      approving the EB CA–1 Amendment,
                                                  CP Securities in an account at EB,                             The proposed rule change will add                    authorizing EB to offer EB CMS to U.S.
                                                  pending use in any EB Collateral                            Rule 34 to the DTC Rules, to provide for:               EB Collateral Participants for U.S.
                                                  Transaction, or transfer the CP                                1. The establishment and                             equities. Participants will be advised of
                                                  Securities on the books of EB to one or                     maintenance of a CP Sub-Account for                     the implementation date through the
                                                  more other EB Collateral Participants in                    each CP Participant;                                    issuance of a DTC Important Notice.
                                                  connection with EB Collateral                                  2. The establishment and
                                                  Transactions.                                               maintenance of the EB Account for the                   II. Discussion and Commission
                                                     EB may instruct DTC to Deliver CP                        purpose of Collateral Positioning                       Findings
                                                  Securities from the EB Account to the                       Deliveries;
                                                                                                                 3. Free Deliveries of CP Securities by                  Section 19(b)(2)(C) of the Act 19
                                                  CP Sub-Account from which such CP                                                                                   directs the Commission to approve a
                                                  Securities originated. This may occur if:                   a CP Participant from an Account of the
                                                                                                              CP Participant to its CP Sub-Account,                   proposed rule change of a self-
                                                  (i) The CP Participant as a DEGCL IMS                                                                               regulatory organization if it finds that
                                                  user changes its DEGCL IMS inventory                        and back to (A) the originating Account
                                                                                                              of the CP Participant; (B) another Non-                 such proposed rule change is consistent
                                                  profile in a way that renders the CP                                                                                with the requirements of the Act and
                                                  Securities credited to the EB Account no                    CP Account of the CP Participant; or (C)
                                                                                                              the Account of another Participant;                     rules and regulations thereunder
                                                  longer eligible for DEGCL IMS; (ii) the                                                                             applicable to such organization. The
                                                  CP Participant submits a Delivery                              4. Free Deliveries of CP Securities as
                                                                                                              instructed by EB, as CP Representative                  Commission believes that the proposal
                                                  instruction for such CP Securities; 16 or                                                                           is consistent with Section 17A(b)(3)(F)
                                                  (iii) the CP Securities are subject to a                    of the CP Participant, from the CP Sub-
                                                                                                              Account of the CP Participant to the EB                 of the Act 20 and Rule 17Ad–22(d)(7)
                                                  corporate action or tax event.17                                                                                    thereunder,21 as described in detail
                                                     EB may also instruct DTC to Deliver                      Account;
                                                                                                                 5. Free Deliveries of CP Securities as               below.
                                                  CP Securities from the EB Account to
                                                  the Securities Account of a Participant                     instructed by EB from the EB Account                    (i) Consistency With Section
                                                  that EB has designated as its global                        to (A) the CP Sub-Account from which                    17A(b)(3)(F)
                                                  custodian (‘‘EB Global Custodian’’).18                      such CP Securities originated, or (B) the
                                                                                                              Account of the EB Global Custodian;                        Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act 22
                                                    15 DTC     risk management controls, including               6. Information to be provided by DTC                 requires, among other things, that the
                                                  Collateral Monitor and Net Debit Cap (as defined in         to EB, as CP Representative of the CP                   rules of the clearing agency be designed
                                                  Rule 1, Section 1 of the DTC Rules, supra note 4),          Participant, specifically, the CP                       to promote the prompt and accurate
                                                  are designed so that DTC may complete system-                                                                       clearance and settlement of securities
                                                  wide settlement notwithstanding the failure to              Securities Report and the Delivery
                                                  settle of its largest Participant or affiliated family of   Information;                                            transactions, and to assure the
                                                  Participants. The Collateral Monitor tests whether             7. The requirement that Deliveries                   safeguarding of securities and funds
                                                  a Receiver has adequate collateral to secure the            provided in the proposed rule change                    which are in the custody or control of
                                                  amount of its net debit balance. The Net Debit Cap                                                                  the clearing agency or for which it is
                                                  limits the Net Debit Balance of a Participant so that
                                                                                                              must be Free Deliveries, and shall be
                                                  it cannot exceed DTC liquidity resources for                subject to the terms and provisions of                  responsible. The Commission
                                                  settlement. Pursuant to these controls under                the DTC Rules and the Procedures                        understands that EB is currently an
                                                  applicable DTC Rules and Procedures, any Delivery           applicable to the Deliveries of                         indirect Participant holding DTC
                                                  instruction order to a CP Sub-Account that will                                                                     Eligible Securities through one or more
                                                  cause the CP Participant to exceed its Net Debit Cap
                                                                                                              Securities, including DTC risk
                                                  (which a Free Delivery should not) or to have               management controls; and                                other financial institutions that are
                                                  insufficient DTC collateral to secure its obligations          8. DTC’s disclaimer of liability to: (A)             direct Participants. With this proposal,
                                                  to DTC (which is possible), will not be processed           Any CP Participant as a result of acting                a direct link will be established between
                                                  by DTC. CP Deliveries will be processed in the same                                                                 DTC and EB (i.e., the EB Link), through
                                                  order and with the same priority as otherwise
                                                                                                              on instructions from EB or providing EB
                                                  provided in the DTC Rules and Procedures (i.e.,             the Delivery Information or the CP                      which Participants can more directly
                                                  such Deliveries will not take precedence over any           Securities Report pursuant to Rule 34;                  deploy their securities collateral for EB
                                                  other type of Delivery in the DTC system).                  (B) EB as a result of acting on                         Collateral Transactions. As such,
                                                     16 If at any time a CP Participant has a pending
                                                                                                              instructions from a CP Participant                      transactions will be processed with EB
                                                  instruction for Delivery of Securities that had been
                                                  Delivered from its CP Sub-Account to the EB                 pursuant to Rule 34; (C) EB or any CP                   more efficiently by eliminating a step in
                                                  Account, DTC understands that EB will instruct              Participant as a result of any loss                     processing such transactions, thus
                                                  DTC to Deliver those Securities from the EB                 relating to Rule 34, unless caused                      promoting prompt and accurate
                                                  Account back to the CP Sub-Account from which               directly by DTC’s gross negligence,                     transactions and the safeguarding of
                                                  they originated.
                                                     17 If EB does not Deliver the CP Securities back
                                                                                                              willful misconduct, or violation of                     securities and funds in the custody or
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                                                  to the CP Sub-Account of the CP Participant prior           Federal securities laws for which there                 control of DTC, consistent with the
                                                  to the applicable record date for a corporate action,                                                               requirements of the Act, in particular
                                                  the corporate action will be processed by DTC in            characterizes as its ‘‘global custodian’’ and that is   Section 17A(b)(3)(F), cited above.
                                                  the ordinary course to EB as the Participant holding        a DTC Participant. The EB Link is proposed to be
                                                  the Securities on the Record Date.                          established for, and expressly limited to, Collateral    19 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(C).
                                                     18 EB has not been a direct DTC Participant or had       Positioning in connection with EB Collateral
                                                                                                                                                                       20 15 U.S.C. 78q–1(b)(3)(F).
                                                  a Securities Account at DTC prior to this proposed          Transactions. EB may continue to use the EB Global
                                                                                                                                                                       21 17 CFR 240.17Ad–22(d)(7).
                                                  EB Link; EB has held Eligible Securities only as an         Custodian for other EB transactions and to hold
                                                  indirect participant through a bank that it                 non-CP Securities indirectly at DTC.                     22 15 U.S.C. 78q–1(b)(3)(F).




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                                                                                  Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 142 / Monday, July 25, 2016 / Notices                                                          48485

                                                  (ii) Consistency With Rule 17Ad–                         SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                                    A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                  22(d)(7)                                                 COMMISSION                                                 Statement of the Purpose of, and the
                                                                                                                                                                      Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                                     Rule 17Ad–22(d)(7) under the Act 23                                                                              Change
                                                                                                           [Release No. 34–78361; File No. SR–BX–
                                                  requires a clearing agency, such as DTC,
                                                                                                           2016–043]                                                  1. Purpose
                                                  to establish, implement, maintain and
                                                  enforce written policies and procedures                  Self-Regulatory Organizations;                                The Exchange proposes to increase
                                                  reasonably designed to evaluate the                      NASDAQ BX, Inc.; Notice of Filing and                      the ORF from $0.0003 to $0.0004 as of
                                                  potential sources of risks that can arise                Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed                        August 1, 2016 to account for a
                                                  when the clearing agency establishes                     Rule Change To Make Adjustments to                         reduction in market volume the
                                                  links either cross-border or domestically                Its Options Regulatory Fee                                 Exchange has experienced. The
                                                  to clear or settle trades, and ensure that                                                                          Exchange’s change to the ORF should
                                                  the risks are managed prudently on an                    July 19, 2016.                                             balance the Exchange’s regulatory
                                                  ongoing basis.24 In developing the                          Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the                     revenue against the anticipated revenue
                                                  proposed EB Link, DTC stated that it                     Securities Exchange Act of 1934                            [sic].
                                                  evaluated the risks that could arise by                  (‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2                    Background
                                                  establishing a link with EB, a foreign                   notice is hereby given that on July 6,
                                                  central securities depository. DTC stated                                                                              The ORF is assessed to each member
                                                                                                           2016, NASDAQ BX, Inc. (‘‘BX’’ or
                                                  that it determined that all Deliveries                                                                              for all options transactions executed or
                                                                                                           ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities
                                                  between CP Sub-Accounts and the EB                                                                                  cleared by the member that are cleared
                                                                                                           and Exchange Commission (‘‘SEC’’ or
                                                  Account will be subject to DTC risk                                                                                 at The Options Clearing Corporation
                                                                                                           ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule                          (‘‘OCC’’) in the Customer range (i.e., that
                                                  management controls and will be                          change as described in Items I, II, and
                                                  limited to Free Deliveries. Therefore,                                                                              clear in the Customer account of the
                                                                                                           III, below, which Items have been                          member’s clearing firm at OCC). The
                                                  there should be minimum risk, in                         prepared by the Exchange. The
                                                  particular, no funds settlement risk,                                                                               Exchange monitors the amount of
                                                                                                           Commission is publishing this notice to                    revenue collected from the ORF to
                                                  associated with EB Link.                                 solicit comments on the proposed rule                      ensure that it, in combination with other
                                                  III. Conclusion                                          change from interested persons.                            regulatory fees and fines, does not
                                                                                                           I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                          exceed regulatory costs. The ORF is
                                                    On the basis of the foregoing, the                                                                                imposed upon all transactions executed
                                                  Commission finds that the proposal is                    Statement of the Terms of Substance of
                                                                                                                                                                      by a member, even if such transactions
                                                  consistent with the requirements of the                  the Proposed Rule Change
                                                                                                                                                                      do not take place on the Exchange.3 The
                                                  Act and in particular with the                              The Exchange proposes to make                           ORF also includes options transactions
                                                  requirements of Section 17A of the                       adjustments to its Options Regulatory                      that are not executed by an Exchange
                                                  Act 25 and the rules and regulations                     Fee (‘‘ORF’’) by amending BX Rules at                      member but are ultimately cleared by an
                                                  thereunder.                                              Chapter XV, Section 5.                                     Exchange member.4 The ORF is not
                                                    It is therefore ordered, pursuant to                                                                              charged for member proprietary options
                                                                                                              While the changes proposed herein                       transactions because members incur the
                                                  Section 19(b)(2) of the Act, that                        are effective upon filing, the Exchange
                                                  proposed rule change SR–DTC–2016–                                                                                   costs of owning memberships and
                                                                                                           has designated the amendments become                       through their memberships are charged
                                                  004 be, and hereby is, approved.26                       operative on August 1, 2016.                               transaction fees, dues and other fees that
                                                    For the Commission, by the Division of                    The text of the proposed rule change                    are not applicable to non-members. The
                                                  Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated               is available on the Exchange’s Web site                    dues and fees paid by members go into
                                                  authority.27                                                                                                        the general funds of the Exchange, a
                                                                                                           at http://nasdaqbx.cchwallstreet.com/,
                                                  Robert W. Errett,                                        at the principal office of the Exchange,                   portion of which is used to help pay the
                                                  Deputy Secretary.                                        and at the Commission’s Public                             costs of regulation. The ORF is collected
                                                  [FR Doc. 2016–17445 Filed 7–22–16; 8:45 am]              Reference Room.                                            indirectly from members through their
                                                  BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                                                                                                                                                      clearing firms by OCC on behalf of the
                                                                                                           II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                         Exchange.
                                                                                                           Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                                                                           Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                        3 The ORF applies to all ‘‘C’’ account origin code

                                                                                                           Change                                                     orders executed by a members on the Exchange.
                                                                                                                                                                      Exchange Rules require each member to record the
                                                                                                             In its filing with the Commission, the                   appropriate account origin code on all orders at the
                                                                                                                                                                      time of entry in order to allow the Exchange to
                                                                                                           Exchange included statements                               properly prioritize and route orders and assess
                                                                                                           concerning the purpose of and basis for                    transaction fees pursuant to the Rules of the
                                                                                                           the proposed rule change and discussed                     Exchange and report resulting transactions to OCC.
                                                                                                           any comments it received on the                            The Exchange represents that it has surveillances in
                                                                                                                                                                      place to verify that members mark orders with the
                                                                                                           proposed rule change. The text of these                    correct account origin code.
                                                                                                           statements may be examined at the                             4 In the case where one member both executes a

                                                                                                           places specified in Item IV below. The                     transaction and clears the transaction, the ORF is
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                                                    23 17  CFR 240.17Ad–22(d)(7).
                                                                                                           Exchange has prepared summaries, set                       assessed to the member only once on the execution.
                                                    24 17  CFR 240.17Ad–22(d)(7).                                                                                     In the case where one member executes a
                                                     25 15 U.S.C. 78q–1.
                                                                                                           forth in sections A, B, and C below, of                    transaction and a different member clears the
                                                     26 In approving the proposed rule change, the         the most significant aspects of such                       transaction, the ORF is assessed only to the member
                                                                                                           statements.                                                who executes the transaction and is not assessed to
                                                  Commission considered the proposal’s impact on                                                                      the member who clears the transaction. In the case
                                                  efficiency, competition, and capital formation. 15                                                                  where a non-member executes a transaction and a
                                                  U.S.C. 78c(f).                                                1 15   U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).                              member clears the transaction, the ORF is assessed
                                                     27 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).                                 2 17   CFR 240.19b–4.                                 to the member who clears the transaction.



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Document Created: 2016-07-23 02:00:46
Document Modified: 2016-07-23 02:00:46
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 48482 

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