82_FR_42793 82 FR 42619 - Securities Transaction Settlement Cycle

82 FR 42619 - Securities Transaction Settlement Cycle

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 174 (September 11, 2017)

Page Range42619-42623
FR Document2017-19008

The OCC and the FDIC (``Agencies'') are proposing to shorten the standard settlement cycle for securities purchased or sold by national banks, federal savings associations, and FDIC-supervised institutions. The Agencies' proposal is consistent with an industry- wide transition to a two-business-day settlement cycle, which is designed to reduce settlement exposure and align settlement practices across all market participants.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 174 (Monday, September 11, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 174 (Monday, September 11, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 42619-42623]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-19008]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

12 CFR Parts 12 and 151

[Docket ID OCC-2017-0013]
RIN 1557-AE24

FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION

12 CFR Part 344

RIN 3064-AE64


Securities Transaction Settlement Cycle

AGENCY: Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Treasury (OCC); and 
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The OCC and the FDIC (``Agencies'') are proposing to shorten 
the standard settlement cycle for securities purchased or sold by 
national banks, federal savings associations, and FDIC-supervised 
institutions. The Agencies' proposal is consistent with an industry-
wide transition to a two-business-day settlement cycle, which is 
designed to reduce settlement exposure and align settlement practices 
across all market participants.

DATES: You must submit comments by October 11, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Interested parties are encouraged to submit written comments 
jointly to both of the Agencies. Commenters are encouraged to use the 
title ``Securities Transaction Settlement Cycle'' to facilitate the 
organization and distribution of comments among the Agencies.

OCC

    You may submit comments to the OCC by any of the methods set forth 
below. Because paper mail in the Washington, DC area and at the OCC is 
subject to delay, commenters are encouraged to submit comments through 
the Federal eRulemaking Portal or email, if possible. You may submit 
comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal--``Regulations.gov'': Go to 
www.regulations.gov. Enter ``Docket ID OCC-2017-0013'' in the Search 
Box and click ``Search.'' Click on ``Comment Now'' to submit public 
comments.
     Click on the ``Help'' tab on the Regulations.gov home page 
to get information on using Regulations.gov, including instructions for 
submitting public comments.

[[Page 42620]]

     Email: [email protected].
     Mail: Legislative and Regulatory Activities Division, 
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, 400 7th Street SW., Suite 
3E-218, Mail Stop 9W-11, Washington, DC 20219.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: 400 7th Street SW., Suite 3E-218, 
Washington, DC 20219.
     Fax: (571) 465-4326.
    Instructions: You must include ``OCC'' as the agency name and 
``Docket ID OCC-2017-0013'' in your comment. In general, the OCC will 
enter all comments received into the docket and publish them on the 
Regulations.gov Web site without change, including any business or 
personal information that you provide, such as name and address 
information, email addresses, or phone numbers. Comments received, 
including attachments and other supporting materials, are part of the 
public record and subject to public disclosure. Do not include any 
information in your comment or supporting materials that you consider 
confidential or inappropriate for public disclosure.
    You may review comments and other related materials that pertain to 
this rulemaking action by any of the following methods:
     Viewing Comments Electronically: Go to 
www.regulations.gov. Enter ``Docket ID OCC-2017-0013'' in the Search 
box and click ``Search.'' Click on ``Open Docket Folder'' on the right 
side of the screen. Comments and supporting materials can be filtered 
by clicking on ``View all documents and comments in this docket'' and 
then using the filtering tools on the left side of the screen.
     Click on the ``Help'' tab on the Regulations.gov home page 
to get information on using Regulations.gov. The docket may be viewed 
after the close of the comment period in the same manner as during the 
comment period.
     Viewing Comments Personally: You may personally inspect 
and photocopy comments at the OCC, 400 7th Street SW., Washington, DC. 
For security reasons, the OCC requires that visitors make an 
appointment to inspect comments. You may do so by calling (202) 649-
6700 or, for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, TTY, (202) 649-
5597. Upon arrival, visitors will be required to present valid 
government-issued photo identification and submit to security screening 
in order to inspect and photocopy comments.

FDIC

    You may submit comments, identified by RIN number, by any of the 
following methods:
     Agency Web site: https://www.fdic.gov/regulations/laws/publiccomments/. Follow instructions for submitting comments on the 
Agency Web site.
     Email: [email protected]. Include the RIN number 3064-AE64 
on the subject line of the message.
     Mail: Robert E. Feldman, Executive Secretary, Attention: 
Comments, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, 550 17th Street NW., 
Washington, DC 20429.
     Hand Delivery: Comments may be hand delivered to the guard 
station at the rear of the 550 17th Street Building (located on F 
Street) on business days between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
     Public Inspection: All comments received must include the 
agency name and RIN 3064-AE64 for this rulemaking. All comments 
received will be posted without change to https://www.fdic.gov/regulations/laws/publiccomments/, including any personal information 
provided. Paper copies of public comments may be ordered from the FDIC 
Public Information Center, 3501 North Fairfax Drive, Room E-I002, 
Arlington, VA 22226 by telephone at 1 (877) 275-3342 or 1 (703) 562-
2200.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
    OCC: David Stankiewicz, Special Counsel, Securities and Corporate 
Practices Division, (202) 649-5510; Daniel Perez, Attorney, Legislative 
and Regulatory Activities Division, (202) 649-5490 or, for persons who 
are deaf or hard of hearing, TTY, (202) 649-5597; or Patricia Dalton, 
Technical Expert, Asset Management Group, Market Risk, at (202) 649-
6360.
    FDIC: Thomas F. Lyons, Chief, Policy & Program Development, (202) 
898-6850; Michael W. Orange, Senior Trust Examination Specialist, 
Policy & Program Development, (678) 916-2289, Risk Management Policy 
Branch, Division of Risk Management Supervision; Annmarie H. Boyd, 
Counsel, Bank Activities Unit, (202) 898-3714; Benjamin J. Klein, 
Counsel, Bank Activities Unit, (202) 898-7027, Supervision and 
Legislation Branch, Legal Division.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Pursuant to 12 CFR 12.9 and 151.130, a national bank or federal 
savings association (``FSA'') (collectively, ``OCC-supervised 
institutions'') generally may not effect or enter into a contract for 
the purchase or sale of a security that provides for payment of funds 
and delivery of securities later than the third business day after the 
date of the contract, unless otherwise expressly agreed to by the 
parties at the time of the transaction. Similarly, pursuant to 12 CFR 
344.7, an FDIC-supervised institution \1\ (together with OCC-supervised 
institutions, ``banks'') generally may not effect or enter into a 
contract for the purchase or sale of a security that provides for 
payment of funds and delivery of securities later than the third 
business day after the date of the contract, unless otherwise expressly 
agreed to by the parties at the time of the transaction.\2\ The three-
day settlement cycle, which is the current standard for the securities 
industry in the United States, is known as ``T+3''--shorthand for 
``trade date plus three days.'' The Agencies are proposing to amend 12 
CFR 12.9, 151.130, and 344.7 by shortening the settlement cycle from 
three days to two (i.e., a ``T+2'' settlement cycle). By shortening the 
settlement cycle, the proposed change will directly reduce banks' 
exposure to their trade counterparties during the settlement period and 
thus mitigate banks' operational and systemic risk.
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    \1\ ``FDIC-supervised institution'' means any insured depository 
institution for which the FDIC is the appropriate Federal banking 
agency pursuant to section 3(q) of the Federal Deposit Insurance 
Act, 12 U.S.C. 1813(q). 12 CFR 344.3(h). Pursuant to section 3(q), 
the FDIC is the appropriate Federal banking agency with respect to: 
(1) Any State nonmember insured bank; (2) any foreign bank having an 
insured branch; and (3) any State savings association. 12 U.S.C. 
1813(q)(2).
    \2\ Sections 12.9, 151.130, and 344.7 also include special 
provisions for settlement in connection with a firm commitment 
underwriting and exceptions for certain securities and contracts.
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    The Agencies' proposal is part of a larger, industry-wide shift to 
a T+2 settlement cycle that includes a multi-year securities industry 
initiative and rule changes being implemented by other financial 
regulators and securities self-regulatory organizations. The industry's 
compliance date for this initiative is September 5, 2017, consistent 
with the compliance date for the Securities and Exchange Commission's 
(``SEC'') T+2 rule.\3\ The self-regulatory organizations overseeing 
transactions in securities for their respective registrants that would 
be covered by the T+2 standard, including the Financial Industry 
Regulatory Authority (``FINRA'') and the Municipal Securities 
Rulemaking Board (``MSRB''), have finalized or will finalize rule 
changes necessary to implement the

[[Page 42621]]

new settlement cycle and related processes.\4\ On June 9, 2017, the OCC 
issued Bulletin 2017-22, which notified OCC-supervised institutions 
that they should comply with the T+2 settlement standard as of the 
SEC's compliance date. The FDIC issued similar guidance applicable to 
FDIC-supervised institutions through Financial Institution Letter 32-
2017 on July 26, 2017. The Agencies expect that as of the compliance 
date, September 5, 2017, OCC- and FDIC-supervised institutions will 
adhere to industry standards and applicable securities and self-
regulatory organizations' rules for T+2 securities clearance and 
settlement.
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    \3\ On March 29, 2017, the SEC published an amendment to its 
securities transaction settlement cycle rule. The amendment shortens 
the standard settlement cycle from T+3 to T+2 for many U.S. 
securities, including equities, corporate bonds, and unit investment 
trusts, and financial instruments composed of these products, when 
these securities are traded on the secondary market. Refer to SEC 
Rule 15c6-1(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. 17 CFR 
240.15c6-1. Also refer to 82 FR 15564, ``Securities Transaction 
Settlement Cycle,'' March 29, 2017.
    \4\ For example, refer to MSRB Regulatory Notice 2017-07, ``MSRB 
Announces Date of Transition to a Two-Day Settlement Cycle for 
Municipal Securities Transactions''; FINRA Regulatory Notice 17-19, 
``Shortening the Securities Settlement Cycle for Securities to T+2'' 
(May 2017); and SEC, Self-Regulatory Organization, Release No. 34-
80020 (February 10, 2017) (granting approval to a rule change for 
the New York Stock Exchange).
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    The Agencies expect that most banks have already made substantial 
progress toward compliance with the T+2 settlement cycle. By aligning 
their settlement practices with those of their securities 
counterparties, banks' transition to the T+2 settlement cycle will help 
mitigate operational risk and promote safety and soundness. Altogether, 
the Agencies expect that the proposed rule change, in conjunction with 
the industry-wide movement to the T+2 settlement cycle, will produce 
safety and soundness benefits by reducing banks' counterparty 
settlement risks, reducing the procyclical margin and liquidity demands 
associated with securities clearing and settlement, and by improving 
banks' overall financial condition during periods of heightened market 
volatility or activity.

II. Description of the Proposed Rule

    Regulations governing recordkeeping and confirmation requirements 
for the securities transactions of national banks and FSAs, both for 
the bank's own account and for customers, are set out in parts 12 and 
151 of the OCC's regulations, respectively. Regulations governing the 
same for FDIC-supervised institutions are set out in part 344 of the 
FDIC's regulations. As noted above, Sec. Sec.  12.9, 151.130, and 344.7 
require that banks generally not effect or enter into a contract for 
the purchase or sale of a security that provides for payment of funds 
and delivery of securities later than the third business day after the 
date of the contract, unless otherwise expressly agreed to by the 
parties at the time of the transaction. Section 12.9 applies to 
national banks, Sec.  151.130 applies to FSAs, and Sec.  344.7 applies 
to FDIC-supervised institutions.\5\
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    \5\ FDIC-supervised institutions include State nonmember insured 
banks, foreign banks having insured branches, and State savings 
associations. See supra note 1. In addition to stating the general 
settlement period requirement, Sec. Sec.  12.9, 151.130, and 344.7 
include special provisions for settlement in connection with a firm 
commitment underwriting and exceptions to the general requirement 
for certain securities and contracts.
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    The Agencies propose to amend the general requirement that banks 
must settle their securities transactions no later than the third 
business day after the date of the contract by shortening the 
permissible settlement period from three business days to two. The 
proposal does not otherwise affect the regulatory requirements, 
exceptions, and conditions provided in Sec. Sec.  12.9, 151.130, or 
344.7.
    The Agencies may consider, as an alternative to the approach 
described above, implementing the two-business-day settlement 
requirement by cross-reference to the standard settlement cycle 
provided under SEC Rule 15c6-1(a) (17 CFR 240.15c6-1(a)). Under this 
alternative approach, securities transactions would generally be 
required to settle ``within the number of business days in the standard 
settlement cycle for the security followed by registered broker dealers 
in the United States,'' unless otherwise agreed to by the parties at 
the time of the transaction. ``Standard settlement cycle'' would be 
defined by reference to SEC Rule 15c6-1(a). The Agencies invite comment 
on this alternative approach. The Agencies also invite comment on the 
use and definition of the term ``standard settlement cycle.''

III. Request for Comment

    The Agencies invite comment on all aspects of this proposal, 
including the alternative approach described in part II of this 
Supplementary Information.

IV. Regulatory Analysis

Paperwork Reduction Act

    Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (``PRA''), 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520, 
the Agencies may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
to respond to, an information collection unless the information 
collection displays a valid Office of Management and Budget (``OMB'') 
control number. This proposal does not introduce or change any 
collections of information; therefore, it does not require a submission 
to OMB. Nonetheless, the Agencies invite comment on their PRA 
determination.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq. (``RFA''), 
requires an agency, in connection with a proposed rule, to prepare an 
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis describing the impact of the 
proposed rule on small entities (defined by the Small Business 
Administration (``SBA'') for purposes of the RFA to include banking 
entities with total assets of $550 million or less) or to certify that 
the proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities.
    FDIC: The RFA generally requires that, in connection with a notice 
of proposed rulemaking, an agency prepare and make available for public 
comment an initial regulatory flexibility analysis describing the 
impact of the proposed rule on small entities.\6\ A regulatory 
flexibility analysis is not required, however, if the agency certifies 
that the rule will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. The SBA has defined ``small 
entities'' to include banking organizations with total assets less than 
or equal to $550 million.\7\ For the reasons described below and 
pursuant to section 605(b) of the RFA, the FDIC certifies that the 
final rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities.
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    \6\ 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.
    \7\ 13 CFR 121.201 (as amended, effective December 2, 2014).
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    The FDIC supervises 3,171 depository institutions,\8\ of which 
2,990 are defined as small banking entities by the terms of the RFA.\9\ 
The proposed rule will reduce by one day the settlement time of 
transactions for equities, corporate bonds, municipal bonds, unit 
investment trusts, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, exchange-traded 
products, American depository receipts, options, rights, and warrants. 
According to recent Call Report data, 2,742 FDIC-supervised small 
entities reported holding some volume of equities that are likely to be 
affected by the new securities settlement cycle, provide custodial 
banking services, or possess a subsidiary classified as a securities 
dealer.\10\ The effects on small entities will vary according to the 
degree of participation in securities transactions. According to recent 
Call Report data one small entity identified itself as providing 
custodial banking services, while seven small entities have a

[[Page 42622]]

subsidiary classified as a securities dealer according to data from the 
Federal Reserve's National Information Center (NIC).
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    \8\ FDIC-supervised institutions are set forth in 12 U.S.C. 
1813(q)(2).
    \9\ FDIC Call Report, June 30, 2017.
    \10\ Id.
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Costs

    The proposed rule is likely to pose some small costs for custodian 
banks whose role is administering assets for a corporation or an 
individual. Banks engaged in custodial activities will likely incur 
costs to increase infrastructure capabilities and efficiencies, as well 
as standardizing data formats and communication protocols. These 
changes are in addition to any documentation and process changes. The 
2012 DTCC study estimated that a large custodian bank will have to 
invest $4 million in order to conform to the two-day settlement 
cycle.\11\ Therefore, the one FDIC-supervised small institution that is 
engaged in custodial activities is conservatively estimated to incur a 
total of $4 million in costs associated with the industry-led effort to 
adopt a shorter settlement cycle. However, given that the industry's 
planned commencement date for the shorter settlement cycle will take 
place before the effective date of the proposed rule, the FDIC assumes 
that little or none of these costs will result from actions taken by 
covered institutions to comply with the proposed rule.
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    \11\ ``Cost benefit analysis of shortening the settlement 
cycle,'' Prepared by the Boston Consulting Group--Commissioned by 
the Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation (DTCC), October 2012.
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    The proposed rule is likely to pose some small costs for covered 
institutions that possess a subsidiary that is a securities broker-
dealer. Banks that possess a securities broker subsidiary will likely 
have to incur analysis and testing costs for any associated changes to 
their transaction platform necessary to comply with the shorter 
settlement cycle, as well as improvements in the management of 
securities inventories. These changes are in addition to any 
documentation and process changes. The 2012 DTCC study estimated that 
broker-dealers will likely have to invest $4 million in order to 
conform to the 2-day settlement cycle.\12\ Therefore, the seven FDIC-
supervised small institutions that operate a subsidiary classified as a 
securities broker are estimated to incur a total of $28 million in 
costs associated in the industry-led effort to adopt a shorter 
settlement cycle. However, given that the industry's planned 
commencement date for the shorter settlement cycle will take place 
before the effective date of the proposed rule, the FDIC assumes that 
little or none of these costs will result from actions taken by covered 
institutions to comply with the proposed rule.
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    \12\ Id.
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    The proposed rule is likely to pose little or no costs for covered 
institutions that do not provide custodial banking services or possess 
a broker-dealer subsidiary. Covered institutions that transact 
securities but do not manage securities transactions could incur some 
costs related to documentation changes. However, the FDIC assumes that 
most of these institutions rely on third-party security transaction 
platforms or broker-dealers to complete their transactions, and 
therefore will incur little to no cost in adopting the shorter 
settlement cycle.

Benefits

    Banks offering custodial services for securities and banks with 
broker-dealer subsidiaries are likely to incur some small benefits 
associated with the proposed rule. The infrastructure investments and 
process improvements necessary to complete the adoption of the 
industry's goal of a two-day settlement cycle should result in a 
reduction in operational costs. Additionally, the shorter settlement 
cycle should reduce the duration of unsecured, uninsured settlement 
cycle funding provided by broker-dealers. This, in turn, should reduce 
counterparty risk associated with the settlement process. The shorter 
settlement cycle should also improve the efficiency of capital 
utilization for broker-dealers and custodian banks by reducing pro-
cyclical margin demands, especially during episodes of heightened 
market volatility. The 2012 DTCC study estimated that broker-dealers 
and custodian banks will realize $55 million and $40 million, 
respectively, in costs savings over three years resulting from risk 
reduction, capital optimization, and improvements in operational 
efficiency.\13\ However, given that the industry-planned commencement 
date for the shorter settlement cycle will take place before the 
effective date of the proposed rule, the FDIC assumes that little or 
none of these benefits will result from actions taken by covered 
institutions to comply with the proposed rule.
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    \13\ Id.
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    Improved operational efficiency of transaction settlement, 
particularly the reduction in the exchange of physical securities, may 
benefit some covered institutions that do not provide custodial banking 
services or possess a broker-dealer subsidiary. The 2012 DTCC study 
estimated that covered institutions who transact securities but do not 
manage securities transactions could realize $30 million in costs 
savings over three years.\14\ However, the cost savings for smaller 
market participants is likely to be much lower, and given that the 
industry-planned commencement date for the shorter settlement cycle 
will take place before the effective date of the proposed rule, the 
FDIC assumes that little or none of these benefits will result from 
actions taken by covered institutions to comply with the proposed rule.
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    \14\ Id.
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    Although the new settlement cycle does affect a significant number 
of small FDIC-supervised institutions, the economic effects that 
directly result from the proposed rule are likely to be very small. 
This rule is being proposed in concert with an industry-led effort to 
reduce the securities settlement cycle. The planning and adoption of 
infrastructure and procedural improvements necessary to meet the 
commencement date of September 5, 2017, established by the industry 
pre-dates this proposed rulemaking. Therefore, very little or none of 
the compliance costs or operational benefits that result from adopting 
a shorter securities settlement cycle are a direct result of the 
proposed rule.
    OCC: As of December 31, 2016, the OCC supervised approximately 956 
small entities.\15\ Because the proposed rule does not contain any new 
recordkeeping, reporting, or compliance requirements, the OCC 
anticipates that it will not impose costs on any OCC-supervised 
institutions. Thus, the proposed rule will not have a substantial 
impact on any OCC-supervised small entities. Therefore, the OCC 
certifies that the proposed rule would not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of OCC-supervised small entities.
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    \15\ The OCC calculated the number of small entities using the 
SBA's size thresholds for commercial banks and savings institutions, 
and trust companies, which are $550 million and $38.5 million, 
respectively. Consistent with the General Principles of Affiliation, 
13 CFR 121.103(a), the OCC counted the assets of affiliated 
financial institutions when determining whether to classify a 
national bank or federal savings association as a small entity. The 
OCC used December 31, 2016, to determine size because a ``financial 
institution's assets are determined by averaging the assets reported 
on its four quarterly financial statements for the preceding year.'' 
See footnote 8 of the SBA's Table of Size Standards.
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Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 Determination

    The OCC analyzed the proposed rule under the factors set forth in 
the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1532). Under this 
analysis, the

[[Page 42623]]

OCC considered whether the proposed rule includes a federal mandate 
that may result in the expenditure by state, local, and Tribal 
governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 
million or more in any one year (adjusted annually for inflation).
    The proposed rule does not impose new mandates. Therefore, the OCC 
concludes that implementation of the proposed rule will not result in 
an expenditure of $100 million or more annually by state, local, and 
tribal governments, or by the private sector.

Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act

    The Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act 
(``RCDRIA'') requires that the Agencies, in determining the effective 
date and administrative compliance requirements of new regulations that 
impose additional reporting, disclosure, or other requirements on 
insured depository institutions (``IDIs''), consider, consistent with 
principles of safety and soundness and the public interest, any 
administrative burdens that such regulations would place on depository 
institutions, including small depository institutions, and customers of 
depository institutions, as well as the benefits of such regulations. 
12 U.S.C. 4802. In addition, in order to provide an adequate transition 
period, new regulations that impose additional reporting, disclosures, 
or other new requirements on IDIs generally must take effect on the 
first day of a calendar quarter that begins on or after the date on 
which the regulations are published in final form.
    The proposed rule includes no additional reporting or disclosure 
requirements on IDIs, including small depository institutions, nor on 
the customers of depository institutions. Nonetheless, in connection 
with determining an effective date for the proposed rule, the Agencies 
invite comment on any administrative burdens that the proposed rule 
would place on depository institutions, including small depository 
institutions, and customers of depository institutions.

Plain Language

    Section 722 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act requires the Agencies to 
use plain language in all proposed and final rules published after 
January 1, 2000. The Agencies invite comment on how to make this 
proposed rule easier to understand.
    For example:
     Have the Agencies organized the material to inform your 
needs? If not, how could the Agencies present the proposed rule more 
clearly?
     Are the requirements in the proposed rule clearly stated? 
If not, how could the proposal be more clearly stated?
     Does the proposed regulation contain technical language or 
jargon that is not clear? If so, which language requires clarification?
     Would a different format (grouping and order of sections, 
use of headings, paragraphing) make the proposed regulation easier to 
understand? If so, what changes would achieve that?
     Is this section format adequate? If not, which of the 
sections should be changed and how?
     What other changes can the agencies incorporate to make 
the proposed regulation easier to understand?

List of Subjects

12 CFR Parts 12 and 151

    Banks, Banking, Federal savings associations, National banks, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Securities.

12 CFR Part 344

    Banks, Banking, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Savings 
associations.

    OCC proposes to amend 12 CFR parts 12 and 151 and FDIC proposes to 
amend 12 CFR part 344 as follows:

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

PART 12--RECORDKEEPING AND CONFIRMATION REQUIREMENTS FOR SECURITIES 
TRANSACTIONS

0
 1. The authority citation for part 12 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  12 U.S.C. 24, 92a, and 93a.

0
2. Section 12.9 is amended by revising paragraph (a) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  12.9  Settlement of securities transactions.

    (a) A national bank shall not effect or enter into a contract for 
the purchase or sale of a security (other than an exempted security as 
defined in 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(12), government security, municipal 
security, commercial paper, bankers' acceptances, or commercial bills) 
that provides for payment of funds and delivery of securities later 
than the second business day after the date of the contract, unless 
otherwise expressly agreed to by the parties at the time of the 
transaction.
* * * * *

PART 151--RECORDKEEPING AND CONFIRMATION REQUIREMENTS FOR 
SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS

0
3. The authority citation for part 151 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 1464, 5412(b)(2)(B).

0
4. Section 151.130 is amended by republishing paragraph (a) 
introductory text and revising the first sentence of paragraph (a)(1) 
to read as follows:


Sec.  151.130  When must I settle a securities transaction?

    (a) You may not effect or enter into a contract for the purchase or 
sale of a security that provides for payment of funds and delivery of 
securities later than the latest of:
    (1) The second business day after the date of the contract. * * *
* * * * *

FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION

PART 344--RECORDKEEPING AND CONFIRMATION REQUIREMENTS FOR 
SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS

0
5. The authority citation for part 344 continues to read as follows:

     Authority:  12 U.S.C. 1817, 1818, 1819, and 5412.

0
 6. Section 344.7 is amended by revising paragraph (a) to read as 
follows:
    (a) An FDIC-supervised institution shall not effect or enter into a 
contract for the purchase or sale of a security (other than an exempted 
security as defined in 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(12), government security, 
municipal security, commercial paper, bankers' acceptances, or 
commercial bills) that provides for payment of funds and delivery of 
securities later than the second business day after the date of the 
contract, unless otherwise expressly agreed to by the parties at the 
time of the transaction.
* * * * *

    Dated: August 29, 2017.
Keith A. Noreika,
Acting Comptroller of the Currency.
    Dated at Washington, DC this 31st of August 2017.

    By order of the Board of Directors.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Robert E. Feldman,
Executive Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-19008 Filed 9-8-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4810-33-P 6714-01-P



                                                                          Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 174 / Monday, September 11, 2017 / Proposed Rules                                            42619

                                                      on file for the participant during the                    BRS participant means a TSP                         DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
                                                      period of military service.                             participant covered by BRS.
                                                                                                              *     *     *     *     *                             Office of the Comptroller of the
                                                      PART 1650—METHODS OF                                                                                          Currency
                                                      WITHDRAWING FUNDS FROM THE                                Civilian employee or civilian
                                                      THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN                                     participant means a TSP participant                   12 CFR Parts 12 and 151
                                                                                                              covered by the Federal Employees’
                                                      ■ 20. The authority citation for part                   Retirement System, the Civil Service                  [Docket ID OCC–2017–0013]
                                                      1650 continues to read as follows:                      Retirement System, or equivalent                      RIN 1557–AE24
                                                        Authority: 5 U.S.C. 8351, 8432d, 8433,                retirement plan.
                                                      8434, 8435, 8474(b)(5) and 8474(c)(1).                                                                        FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE
                                                                                                              *     *     *     *     *
                                                                                                                                                                    CORPORATION
                                                      ■ 21. Amend § 1650.33 to revise the                       Employer contributions means
                                                      second sentence of paragraph (b) to read                Agency Automatic (1%) Contributions                   12 CFR Part 344
                                                      as follows:
                                                                                                              under 5 U.S.C. 8432(c)(1), 8432(c)(3), or
                                                                                                                                                                    RIN 3064–AE64
                                                      § 1650.33 Contributing to the TSP after an              5 U.S.C. 8440e(e)(3)(A) and Agency
                                                      in-service withdrawal.                                  Matching Contributions under 5 U.S.C.                 Securities Transaction Settlement
                                                      *     *    *     *     *                                8432(c)(2) or 5 U.S.C. 8440e(e)(3)(B).                Cycle
                                                        (b) * * * Therefore, the participant’s                  Employing agency means the
                                                      employing agency will discontinue his                                                                         AGENCY:  Office of the Comptroller of the
                                                                                                              organization (or the payroll office that              Currency, Treasury (OCC); and Federal
                                                      or her contributions (and any applicable                services the organization) that employs
                                                      Agency Matching Contributions) for six                                                                        Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).
                                                                                                              an individual eligible to contribute to               ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
                                                      months after the agency is notified by                  the TSP and that has authority to make
                                                      the TSP; in the case of a FERS or BRS                   personnel compensation decisions for                  SUMMARY:    The OCC and the FDIC
                                                      participant, Agency Automatic (1%)                      the individual. It includes the                       (‘‘Agencies’’) are proposing to shorten
                                                      Contributions will continue. * * *                                                                            the standard settlement cycle for
                                                                                                              employing service for members of the
                                                      PART 1690—THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN                           uniformed services.                                   securities purchased or sold by national
                                                                                                              *     *     *     *     *                             banks, federal savings associations, and
                                                      ■ 22. The authority citation for part                                                                         FDIC-supervised institutions. The
                                                      1690 continues to read as follows:                        PEBD means the pay entry base date                  Agencies’ proposal is consistent with an
                                                                                                              (or pay entry basic date for some                     industry-wide transition to a two-
                                                          Authority: 5 U.S.C. 8474.
                                                                                                              services), which is determined by each                business-day settlement cycle, which is
                                                      ■ 23. Amend § 1690.1 as follows:                        uniformed service and is used to                      designed to reduce settlement exposure
                                                      ■ a. Revise the definitions of Agency                   calculate how much time in service a                  and align settlement practices across all
                                                      Automatic (1%) Contributions, Agency                    member has for the purpose of                         market participants.
                                                      Matching Contributions, Bonus                           determining longevity pay rates.                      DATES: You must submit comments by
                                                      contribution, Civilian employee,                                                                              October 11, 2017.
                                                                                                              *     *     *     *     *
                                                      Employer contributions, Employing
                                                                                                                Uniformed service member or                         ADDRESSES: Interested parties are
                                                      agency, Uniformed service member, and
                                                                                                              uniformed services participant means a                encouraged to submit written comments
                                                      Uniformed services.
                                                                                                              TSP participant who is a member of the                jointly to both of the Agencies.
                                                      ■ b. Add definitions for BRS, BRS
                                                                                                              uniformed services on active duty or a                Commenters are encouraged to use the
                                                      participant, Employee and PEBD in
                                                                                                              member of the Ready Reserve in any pay                title ‘‘Securities Transaction Settlement
                                                      alphabetical order.
                                                                                                                                                                    Cycle’’ to facilitate the organization and
                                                                                                              status.
                                                      § 1690.1    Definitions.                                                                                      distribution of comments among the
                                                                                                              *     *     *     *     *                             Agencies.
                                                      *     *    *      *     *
                                                         Agency Automatic (1%) Contributions                    Uniformed services means the Army,                  OCC
                                                      means any contributions made under 5                    Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast
                                                                                                              Guard, Public Health Service                             You may submit comments to the
                                                      U.S.C. 8432(c)(1) and (c)(3). It also
                                                                                                              Commissioned Corps, and the National                  OCC by any of the methods set forth
                                                      includes service automatic (1%)
                                                                                                              Oceanic and Atmospheric                               below. Because paper mail in the
                                                      contributions made under 5 U.S.C.
                                                                                                              Administration Commissioned Officer                   Washington, DC area and at the OCC is
                                                      8440e(e)(3)(A).
                                                                                                                                                                    subject to delay, commenters are
                                                         Agency Matching Contributions                        Corps.
                                                                                                                                                                    encouraged to submit comments
                                                      means any contributions made under 5                    [FR Doc. 2017–18838 Filed 9–8–17; 8:45 am]            through the Federal eRulemaking Portal
                                                      U.S.C. 8432(c)(2). It also includes                     BILLING CODE 6760–01–P                                or email, if possible. You may submit
                                                      service matching contributions under 5
                                                                                                                                                                    comments by any of the following
                                                      U.S.C. 8440e(e)(3)(B).
                                                                                                                                                                    methods:
                                                      *     *    *      *     *                                                                                        • Federal eRulemaking Portal—
                                                         Bonus contributions means                                                                                  ‘‘Regulations.gov’’: Go to
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                      contributions made by a participant                                                                           www.regulations.gov. Enter ‘‘Docket ID
                                                      from any part of any special or incentive                                                                     OCC–2017–0013’’ in the Search Box and
                                                      pay that the participant receives under                                                                       click ‘‘Search.’’ Click on ‘‘Comment
                                                      chapter 5 of title 37.                                                                                        Now’’ to submit public comments.
                                                      *     *    *      *     *                                                                                        • Click on the ‘‘Help’’ tab on the
                                                         BRS means the blended retirement                                                                           Regulations.gov home page to get
                                                      system as established by the National                                                                         information on using Regulations.gov,
                                                      Defense Authorization Act for FY 2016,                                                                        including instructions for submitting
                                                      Public Law 114–92, §§ 631–635 (2015).                                                                         public comments.


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                                                      42620               Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 174 / Monday, September 11, 2017 / Proposed Rules

                                                         • Email: regs.comments@                                 • Agency Web site: https://                        the transaction. Similarly, pursuant to
                                                      occ.treas.gov.                                          www.fdic.gov/regulations/laws/                        12 CFR 344.7, an FDIC-supervised
                                                         • Mail: Legislative and Regulatory                   publiccomments/. Follow instructions                  institution 1 (together with OCC-
                                                      Activities Division, Office of the                      for submitting comments on the Agency                 supervised institutions, ‘‘banks’’)
                                                      Comptroller of the Currency, 400 7th                    Web site.                                             generally may not effect or enter into a
                                                      Street SW., Suite 3E–218, Mail Stop                        • Email: Comments@fdic.gov. Include                contract for the purchase or sale of a
                                                      9W–11, Washington, DC 20219.                            the RIN number 3064–AE64 on the                       security that provides for payment of
                                                         • Hand Delivery/Courier: 400 7th                     subject line of the message.                          funds and delivery of securities later
                                                      Street SW., Suite 3E–218, Washington,                      • Mail: Robert E. Feldman, Executive               than the third business day after the
                                                      DC 20219.                                               Secretary, Attention: Comments, Federal               date of the contract, unless otherwise
                                                         • Fax: (571) 465–4326.                               Deposit Insurance Corporation, 550 17th               expressly agreed to by the parties at the
                                                         Instructions: You must include                       Street NW., Washington, DC 20429.                     time of the transaction.2 The three-day
                                                      ‘‘OCC’’ as the agency name and ‘‘Docket                    • Hand Delivery: Comments may be                   settlement cycle, which is the current
                                                      ID OCC–2017–0013’’ in your comment.                     hand delivered to the guard station at                standard for the securities industry in
                                                      In general, the OCC will enter all                      the rear of the 550 17th Street Building              the United States, is known as ‘‘T+3’’—
                                                      comments received into the docket and                   (located on F Street) on business days                shorthand for ‘‘trade date plus three
                                                      publish them on the Regulations.gov                     between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.                       days.’’ The Agencies are proposing to
                                                      Web site without change, including any                     • Public Inspection: All comments                  amend 12 CFR 12.9, 151.130, and 344.7
                                                      business or personal information that                   received must include the agency name                 by shortening the settlement cycle from
                                                      you provide, such as name and address                   and RIN 3064–AE64 for this rulemaking.                three days to two (i.e., a ‘‘T+2’’
                                                      information, email addresses, or phone                  All comments received will be posted                  settlement cycle). By shortening the
                                                      numbers. Comments received, including                   without change to https://www.fdic.gov/               settlement cycle, the proposed change
                                                      attachments and other supporting                        regulations/laws/publiccomments/,                     will directly reduce banks’ exposure to
                                                      materials, are part of the public record                including any personal information                    their trade counterparties during the
                                                      and subject to public disclosure. Do not                provided. Paper copies of public                      settlement period and thus mitigate
                                                      include any information in your                         comments may be ordered from the                      banks’ operational and systemic risk.
                                                                                                              FDIC Public Information Center, 3501                     The Agencies’ proposal is part of a
                                                      comment or supporting materials that
                                                                                                              North Fairfax Drive, Room E–I002,                     larger, industry-wide shift to a T+2
                                                      you consider confidential or
                                                                                                              Arlington, VA 22226 by telephone at 1                 settlement cycle that includes a multi-
                                                      inappropriate for public disclosure.
                                                                                                              (877) 275–3342 or 1 (703) 562–2200.                   year securities industry initiative and
                                                         You may review comments and other
                                                                                                                                                                    rule changes being implemented by
                                                      related materials that pertain to this                  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                                                                                                                                    other financial regulators and securities
                                                      rulemaking action by any of the                            OCC: David Stankiewicz, Special
                                                                                                                                                                    self-regulatory organizations. The
                                                      following methods:                                      Counsel, Securities and Corporate
                                                                                                                                                                    industry’s compliance date for this
                                                         • Viewing Comments Electronically:                   Practices Division, (202) 649–5510;
                                                                                                                                                                    initiative is September 5, 2017,
                                                      Go to www.regulations.gov. Enter                        Daniel Perez, Attorney, Legislative and
                                                                                                                                                                    consistent with the compliance date for
                                                      ‘‘Docket ID OCC–2017–0013’’ in the                      Regulatory Activities Division, (202)                 the Securities and Exchange
                                                      Search box and click ‘‘Search.’’ Click on               649–5490 or, for persons who are deaf                 Commission’s (‘‘SEC’’) T+2 rule.3 The
                                                      ‘‘Open Docket Folder’’ on the right side                or hard of hearing, TTY, (202) 649–                   self-regulatory organizations overseeing
                                                      of the screen. Comments and supporting                  5597; or Patricia Dalton, Technical                   transactions in securities for their
                                                      materials can be filtered by clicking on                Expert, Asset Management Group,                       respective registrants that would be
                                                      ‘‘View all documents and comments in                    Market Risk, at (202) 649–6360.                       covered by the T+2 standard, including
                                                      this docket’’ and then using the filtering                 FDIC: Thomas F. Lyons, Chief, Policy               the Financial Industry Regulatory
                                                      tools on the left side of the screen.                   & Program Development, (202) 898–                     Authority (‘‘FINRA’’) and the Municipal
                                                         • Click on the ‘‘Help’’ tab on the                   6850; Michael W. Orange, Senior Trust                 Securities Rulemaking Board (‘‘MSRB’’),
                                                      Regulations.gov home page to get                        Examination Specialist, Policy &                      have finalized or will finalize rule
                                                      information on using Regulations.gov.                   Program Development, (678) 916–2289,                  changes necessary to implement the
                                                      The docket may be viewed after the                      Risk Management Policy Branch,
                                                      close of the comment period in the same                 Division of Risk Management                              1 ‘‘FDIC-supervised institution’’ means any

                                                      manner as during the comment period.                    Supervision; Annmarie H. Boyd,                        insured depository institution for which the FDIC
                                                         • Viewing Comments Personally: You                   Counsel, Bank Activities Unit, (202)                  is the appropriate Federal banking agency pursuant
                                                                                                                                                                    to section 3(q) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act,
                                                      may personally inspect and photocopy                    898–3714; Benjamin J. Klein, Counsel,                 12 U.S.C. 1813(q). 12 CFR 344.3(h). Pursuant to
                                                      comments at the OCC, 400 7th Street                     Bank Activities Unit, (202) 898–7027,                 section 3(q), the FDIC is the appropriate Federal
                                                      SW., Washington, DC. For security                       Supervision and Legislation Branch,                   banking agency with respect to: (1) Any State
                                                                                                              Legal Division.                                       nonmember insured bank; (2) any foreign bank
                                                      reasons, the OCC requires that visitors                                                                       having an insured branch; and (3) any State savings
                                                      make an appointment to inspect                          SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                            association. 12 U.S.C. 1813(q)(2).
                                                      comments. You may do so by calling                                                                               2 Sections 12.9, 151.130, and 344.7 also include
                                                                                                              I. Background                                         special provisions for settlement in connection with
                                                      (202) 649–6700 or, for persons who are
                                                                                                                Pursuant to 12 CFR 12.9 and 151.130,                a firm commitment underwriting and exceptions for
                                                      deaf or hard of hearing, TTY, (202) 649–                                                                      certain securities and contracts.
                                                      5597. Upon arrival, visitors will be                    a national bank or federal savings
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                                                                                                                                       3 On March 29, 2017, the SEC published an

                                                      required to present valid government-                   association (‘‘FSA’’) (collectively, ‘‘OCC-           amendment to its securities transaction settlement
                                                      issued photo identification and submit                  supervised institutions’’) generally may              cycle rule. The amendment shortens the standard
                                                                                                              not effect or enter into a contract for the           settlement cycle from T+3 to T+2 for many U.S.
                                                      to security screening in order to inspect                                                                     securities, including equities, corporate bonds, and
                                                      and photocopy comments.                                 purchase or sale of a security that                   unit investment trusts, and financial instruments
                                                                                                              provides for payment of funds and                     composed of these products, when these securities
                                                      FDIC                                                    delivery of securities later than the third           are traded on the secondary market. Refer to SEC
                                                                                                                                                                    Rule 15c6–1(a) under the Securities Exchange Act
                                                        You may submit comments, identified                   business day after the date of the                    of 1934. 17 CFR 240.15c6–1. Also refer to 82 FR
                                                      by RIN number, by any of the following                  contract, unless otherwise expressly                  15564, ‘‘Securities Transaction Settlement Cycle,’’
                                                      methods:                                                agreed to by the parties at the time of               March 29, 2017.



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                                                                          Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 174 / Monday, September 11, 2017 / Proposed Rules                                                      42621

                                                      new settlement cycle and related                        applies to FSAs, and § 344.7 applies to                Regulatory Flexibility Act
                                                      processes.4 On June 9, 2017, the OCC                    FDIC-supervised institutions.5                            The Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5
                                                      issued Bulletin 2017–22, which notified                    The Agencies propose to amend the                   U.S.C. 601 et seq. (‘‘RFA’’), requires an
                                                      OCC-supervised institutions that they                   general requirement that banks must                    agency, in connection with a proposed
                                                      should comply with the T+2 settlement                   settle their securities transactions no                rule, to prepare an Initial Regulatory
                                                      standard as of the SEC’s compliance                     later than the third business day after                Flexibility Analysis describing the
                                                      date. The FDIC issued similar guidance                  the date of the contract by shortening                 impact of the proposed rule on small
                                                      applicable to FDIC-supervised                           the permissible settlement period from                 entities (defined by the Small Business
                                                      institutions through Financial                                                                                 Administration (‘‘SBA’’) for purposes of
                                                                                                              three business days to two. The
                                                      Institution Letter 32–2017 on July 26,                                                                         the RFA to include banking entities
                                                                                                              proposal does not otherwise affect the
                                                      2017. The Agencies expect that as of the                                                                       with total assets of $550 million or less)
                                                                                                              regulatory requirements, exceptions,
                                                      compliance date, September 5, 2017,                                                                            or to certify that the proposed rule
                                                                                                              and conditions provided in §§ 12.9,
                                                      OCC- and FDIC-supervised institutions                                                                          would not have a significant economic
                                                                                                              151.130, or 344.7.
                                                      will adhere to industry standards and                                                                          impact on a substantial number of small
                                                      applicable securities and self-regulatory                  The Agencies may consider, as an                    entities.
                                                      organizations’ rules for T+2 securities                 alternative to the approach described                     FDIC: The RFA generally requires
                                                      clearance and settlement.                               above, implementing the two-business-                  that, in connection with a notice of
                                                         The Agencies expect that most banks                  day settlement requirement by cross-                   proposed rulemaking, an agency prepare
                                                      have already made substantial progress                  reference to the standard settlement                   and make available for public comment
                                                      toward compliance with the T+2                          cycle provided under SEC Rule 15c6–                    an initial regulatory flexibility analysis
                                                      settlement cycle. By aligning their                     1(a) (17 CFR 240.15c6–1(a)). Under this                describing the impact of the proposed
                                                      settlement practices with those of their                alternative approach, securities                       rule on small entities.6 A regulatory
                                                      securities counterparties, banks’                       transactions would generally be                        flexibility analysis is not required,
                                                      transition to the T+2 settlement cycle                  required to settle ‘‘within the number of              however, if the agency certifies that the
                                                      will help mitigate operational risk and                 business days in the standard settlement               rule will not have a significant
                                                      promote safety and soundness.                           cycle for the security followed by                     economic impact on a substantial
                                                      Altogether, the Agencies expect that the                registered broker dealers in the United                number of small entities. The SBA has
                                                      proposed rule change, in conjunction                    States,’’ unless otherwise agreed to by                defined ‘‘small entities’’ to include
                                                      with the industry-wide movement to the                  the parties at the time of the transaction.            banking organizations with total assets
                                                      T+2 settlement cycle, will produce                      ‘‘Standard settlement cycle’’ would be                 less than or equal to $550 million.7 For
                                                      safety and soundness benefits by                        defined by reference to SEC Rule 15c6–                 the reasons described below and
                                                      reducing banks’ counterparty settlement                 1(a). The Agencies invite comment on                   pursuant to section 605(b) of the RFA,
                                                      risks, reducing the procyclical margin                  this alternative approach. The Agencies                the FDIC certifies that the final rule will
                                                      and liquidity demands associated with                   also invite comment on the use and                     not have a significant economic impact
                                                      securities clearing and settlement, and                 definition of the term ‘‘standard                      on a substantial number of small
                                                      by improving banks’ overall financial                   settlement cycle.’’                                    entities.
                                                      condition during periods of heightened                                                                            The FDIC supervises 3,171 depository
                                                      market volatility or activity.                          III. Request for Comment                               institutions,8 of which 2,990 are defined
                                                      II. Description of the Proposed Rule                                                                           as small banking entities by the terms of
                                                                                                                 The Agencies invite comment on all
                                                                                                                                                                     the RFA.9 The proposed rule will
                                                        Regulations governing recordkeeping                   aspects of this proposal, including the
                                                                                                                                                                     reduce by one day the settlement time
                                                      and confirmation requirements for the                   alternative approach described in part II              of transactions for equities, corporate
                                                      securities transactions of national banks               of this SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.                     bonds, municipal bonds, unit
                                                      and FSAs, both for the bank’s own                       IV. Regulatory Analysis                                investment trusts, mutual funds,
                                                      account and for customers, are set out                                                                         exchange-traded funds, exchange-traded
                                                      in parts 12 and 151 of the OCC’s                        Paperwork Reduction Act                                products, American depository receipts,
                                                      regulations, respectively. Regulations                                                                         options, rights, and warrants. According
                                                      governing the same for FDIC-supervised                     Under the Paperwork Reduction Act
                                                                                                                                                                     to recent Call Report data, 2,742 FDIC-
                                                      institutions are set out in part 344 of the             (‘‘PRA’’), 44 U.S.C. 3501–3520, the
                                                                                                                                                                     supervised small entities reported
                                                      FDIC’s regulations. As noted above,                     Agencies may not conduct or sponsor,
                                                                                                                                                                     holding some volume of equities that
                                                      §§ 12.9, 151.130, and 344.7 require that                and a person is not required to respond
                                                                                                                                                                     are likely to be affected by the new
                                                      banks generally not effect or enter into                to, an information collection unless the               securities settlement cycle, provide
                                                      a contract for the purchase or sale of a                information collection displays a valid                custodial banking services, or possess a
                                                      security that provides for payment of                   Office of Management and Budget                        subsidiary classified as a securities
                                                      funds and delivery of securities later                  (‘‘OMB’’) control number. This proposal                dealer.10 The effects on small entities
                                                      than the third business day after the                   does not introduce or change any                       will vary according to the degree of
                                                      date of the contract, unless otherwise                  collections of information; therefore, it              participation in securities transactions.
                                                      expressly agreed to by the parties at the               does not require a submission to OMB.                  According to recent Call Report data one
                                                      time of the transaction. Section 12.9                   Nonetheless, the Agencies invite                       small entity identified itself as
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                      applies to national banks, § 151.130                    comment on their PRA determination.                    providing custodial banking services,
                                                                                                                                                                     while seven small entities have a
                                                        4 For example, refer to MSRB Regulatory Notice          5 FDIC-supervised institutions include State

                                                      2017–07, ‘‘MSRB Announces Date of Transition to         nonmember insured banks, foreign banks having            65  U.S.C. 601 et seq.
                                                      a Two-Day Settlement Cycle for Municipal                insured branches, and State savings associations.        7 13
                                                      Securities Transactions’’; FINRA Regulatory Notice      See supra note 1. In addition to stating the general          CFR 121.201 (as amended, effective
                                                      17–19, ‘‘Shortening the Securities Settlement Cycle     settlement period requirement, §§ 12.9, 151.130,       December 2, 2014).
                                                                                                                                                                       8 FDIC-supervised institutions are set forth in 12
                                                      for Securities to T+2’’ (May 2017); and SEC, Self-      and 344.7 include special provisions for settlement
                                                      Regulatory Organization, Release No. 34–80020           in connection with a firm commitment                   U.S.C. 1813(q)(2).
                                                                                                                                                                       9 FDIC Call Report, June 30, 2017.
                                                      (February 10, 2017) (granting approval to a rule        underwriting and exceptions to the general
                                                      change for the New York Stock Exchange).                requirement for certain securities and contracts.        10 Id.




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                                                      42622               Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 174 / Monday, September 11, 2017 / Proposed Rules

                                                      subsidiary classified as a securities                   the effective date of the proposed rule,              institutions who transact securities but
                                                      dealer according to data from the                       the FDIC assumes that little or none of               do not manage securities transactions
                                                      Federal Reserve’s National Information                  these costs will result from actions                  could realize $30 million in costs
                                                      Center (NIC).                                           taken by covered institutions to comply               savings over three years.14 However, the
                                                                                                              with the proposed rule.                               cost savings for smaller market
                                                      Costs                                                      The proposed rule is likely to pose                participants is likely to be much lower,
                                                         The proposed rule is likely to pose                  little or no costs for covered institutions           and given that the industry-planned
                                                      some small costs for custodian banks                    that do not provide custodial banking                 commencement date for the shorter
                                                      whose role is administering assets for a                services or possess a broker-dealer                   settlement cycle will take place before
                                                      corporation or an individual. Banks                     subsidiary. Covered institutions that                 the effective date of the proposed rule,
                                                      engaged in custodial activities will                    transact securities but do not manage                 the FDIC assumes that little or none of
                                                      likely incur costs to increase                          securities transactions could incur some              these benefits will result from actions
                                                      infrastructure capabilities and                         costs related to documentation changes.               taken by covered institutions to comply
                                                      efficiencies, as well as standardizing                  However, the FDIC assumes that most of                with the proposed rule.
                                                      data formats and communication                          these institutions rely on third-party                   Although the new settlement cycle
                                                      protocols. These changes are in addition                security transaction platforms or broker-             does affect a significant number of small
                                                      to any documentation and process                        dealers to complete their transactions,               FDIC-supervised institutions, the
                                                      changes. The 2012 DTCC study                            and therefore will incur little to no cost            economic effects that directly result
                                                      estimated that a large custodian bank                   in adopting the shorter settlement cycle.             from the proposed rule are likely to be
                                                      will have to invest $4 million in order                                                                       very small. This rule is being proposed
                                                      to conform to the two-day settlement                    Benefits
                                                                                                                                                                    in concert with an industry-led effort to
                                                      cycle.11 Therefore, the one FDIC-                          Banks offering custodial services for              reduce the securities settlement cycle.
                                                      supervised small institution that is                    securities and banks with broker-dealer               The planning and adoption of
                                                      engaged in custodial activities is                      subsidiaries are likely to incur some                 infrastructure and procedural
                                                      conservatively estimated to incur a total               small benefits associated with the                    improvements necessary to meet the
                                                      of $4 million in costs associated with                  proposed rule. The infrastructure                     commencement date of September 5,
                                                      the industry-led effort to adopt a shorter              investments and process improvements                  2017, established by the industry pre-
                                                      settlement cycle. However, given that                   necessary to complete the adoption of                 dates this proposed rulemaking.
                                                      the industry’s planned commencement                     the industry’s goal of a two-day                      Therefore, very little or none of the
                                                      date for the shorter settlement cycle will              settlement cycle should result in a                   compliance costs or operational benefits
                                                      take place before the effective date of                 reduction in operational costs.                       that result from adopting a shorter
                                                      the proposed rule, the FDIC assumes                     Additionally, the shorter settlement                  securities settlement cycle are a direct
                                                      that little or none of these costs will                 cycle should reduce the duration of                   result of the proposed rule.
                                                      result from actions taken by covered                    unsecured, uninsured settlement cycle                    OCC: As of December 31, 2016, the
                                                      institutions to comply with the                         funding provided by broker-dealers.                   OCC supervised approximately 956
                                                      proposed rule.                                          This, in turn, should reduce                          small entities.15 Because the proposed
                                                         The proposed rule is likely to pose                  counterparty risk associated with the                 rule does not contain any new
                                                      some small costs for covered                            settlement process. The shorter                       recordkeeping, reporting, or compliance
                                                      institutions that possess a subsidiary                  settlement cycle should also improve                  requirements, the OCC anticipates that
                                                      that is a securities broker-dealer. Banks               the efficiency of capital utilization for             it will not impose costs on any OCC-
                                                      that possess a securities broker                        broker-dealers and custodian banks by                 supervised institutions. Thus, the
                                                      subsidiary will likely have to incur                    reducing pro-cyclical margin demands,                 proposed rule will not have a
                                                      analysis and testing costs for any                      especially during episodes of                         substantial impact on any OCC-
                                                      associated changes to their transaction                 heightened market volatility. The 2012                supervised small entities. Therefore, the
                                                      platform necessary to comply with the                   DTCC study estimated that broker-                     OCC certifies that the proposed rule
                                                      shorter settlement cycle, as well as                    dealers and custodian banks will realize              would not have a significant economic
                                                      improvements in the management of                       $55 million and $40 million,                          impact on a substantial number of OCC-
                                                      securities inventories. These changes                   respectively, in costs savings over three             supervised small entities.
                                                      are in addition to any documentation                    years resulting from risk reduction,
                                                      and process changes. The 2012 DTCC                                                                            Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
                                                                                                              capital optimization, and improvements
                                                      study estimated that broker-dealers will                                                                      Determination
                                                                                                              in operational efficiency.13 However,
                                                      likely have to invest $4 million in order               given that the industry-planned                         The OCC analyzed the proposed rule
                                                      to conform to the 2-day settlement                      commencement date for the shorter                     under the factors set forth in the
                                                      cycle.12 Therefore, the seven FDIC-                     settlement cycle will take place before               Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
                                                      supervised small institutions that                      the effective date of the proposed rule,              (2 U.S.C. 1532). Under this analysis, the
                                                      operate a subsidiary classified as a                    the FDIC assumes that little or none of
                                                      securities broker are estimated to incur                these benefits will result from actions                 14 Id.
                                                                                                                                                                      15 The OCC calculated the number of small
                                                      a total of $28 million in costs associated              taken by covered institutions to comply
                                                                                                                                                                    entities using the SBA’s size thresholds for
                                                      in the industry-led effort to adopt a                   with the proposed rule.                               commercial banks and savings institutions, and
                                                      shorter settlement cycle. However, given                   Improved operational efficiency of
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                                                                                                                                    trust companies, which are $550 million and $38.5
                                                      that the industry’s planned                             transaction settlement, particularly the              million, respectively. Consistent with the General
                                                      commencement date for the shorter                       reduction in the exchange of physical                 Principles of Affiliation, 13 CFR 121.103(a), the
                                                                                                                                                                    OCC counted the assets of affiliated financial
                                                      settlement cycle will take place before                 securities, may benefit some covered                  institutions when determining whether to classify
                                                                                                              institutions that do not provide                      a national bank or federal savings association as a
                                                        11 ‘‘Cost benefit analysis of shortening the
                                                                                                              custodial banking services or possess a               small entity. The OCC used December 31, 2016, to
                                                      settlement cycle,’’ Prepared by the Boston                                                                    determine size because a ‘‘financial institution’s
                                                      Consulting Group—Commissioned by the
                                                                                                              broker-dealer subsidiary. The 2012
                                                                                                                                                                    assets are determined by averaging the assets
                                                      Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation (DTCC),       DTCC study estimated that covered                     reported on its four quarterly financial statements
                                                      October 2012.                                                                                                 for the preceding year.’’ See footnote 8 of the SBA’s
                                                        12 Id.                                                  13 Id.                                              Table of Size Standards.



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                                                                          Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 174 / Monday, September 11, 2017 / Proposed Rules                                                 42623

                                                      OCC considered whether the proposed                     how could the Agencies present the                    PART 151—RECORDKEEPING AND
                                                      rule includes a federal mandate that                    proposed rule more clearly?                           CONFIRMATION REQUIREMENTS FOR
                                                      may result in the expenditure by state,                    • Are the requirements in the                      SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS
                                                      local, and Tribal governments, in the                   proposed rule clearly stated? If not, how
                                                      aggregate, or by the private sector, of                 could the proposal be more clearly                    ■ 3. The authority citation for part 151
                                                      $100 million or more in any one year                    stated?                                               continues to read as follows:
                                                      (adjusted annually for inflation).                         • Does the proposed regulation
                                                                                                                                                                      Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 1464,
                                                        The proposed rule does not impose                     contain technical language or jargon that
                                                                                                                                                                    5412(b)(2)(B).
                                                      new mandates. Therefore, the OCC                        is not clear? If so, which language
                                                      concludes that implementation of the                    requires clarification?                               ■ 4. Section 151.130 is amended by
                                                      proposed rule will not result in an                        • Would a different format (grouping               republishing paragraph (a) introductory
                                                      expenditure of $100 million or more                     and order of sections, use of headings,               text and revising the first sentence of
                                                      annually by state, local, and tribal                    paragraphing) make the proposed                       paragraph (a)(1) to read as follows:
                                                      governments, or by the private sector.                  regulation easier to understand? If so,
                                                                                                              what changes would achieve that?                      § 151.130 When must I settle a securities
                                                      Riegle Community Development and                           • Is this section format adequate? If              transaction?
                                                      Regulatory Improvement Act                              not, which of the sections should be
                                                                                                                                                                      (a) You may not effect or enter into a
                                                         The Riegle Community Development                     changed and how?
                                                                                                                 • What other changes can the                       contract for the purchase or sale of a
                                                      and Regulatory Improvement Act                                                                                security that provides for payment of
                                                      (‘‘RCDRIA’’) requires that the Agencies,                agencies incorporate to make the
                                                                                                              proposed regulation easier to                         funds and delivery of securities later
                                                      in determining the effective date and                                                                         than the latest of:
                                                      administrative compliance requirements                  understand?
                                                      of new regulations that impose                                                                                  (1) The second business day after the
                                                                                                              List of Subjects
                                                      additional reporting, disclosure, or other                                                                    date of the contract. * * *
                                                      requirements on insured depository                      12 CFR Parts 12 and 151                               *     *     *     *    *
                                                      institutions (‘‘IDIs’’), consider,                        Banks, Banking, Federal savings
                                                      consistent with principles of safety and                                                                      FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE
                                                                                                              associations, National banks, Reporting
                                                      soundness and the public interest, any                                                                        CORPORATION
                                                                                                              and recordkeeping requirements,
                                                      administrative burdens that such                        Securities.                                           PART 344—RECORDKEEPING AND
                                                      regulations would place on depository
                                                                                                              12 CFR Part 344                                       CONFIRMATION REQUIREMENTS FOR
                                                      institutions, including small depository
                                                                                                                                                                    SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS
                                                      institutions, and customers of                            Banks, Banking, Reporting and
                                                      depository institutions, as well as the                 recordkeeping requirements, Savings
                                                                                                                                                                    ■ 5. The authority citation for part 344
                                                      benefits of such regulations. 12 U.S.C.                 associations.
                                                                                                                                                                    continues to read as follows:
                                                      4802. In addition, in order to provide an                 OCC proposes to amend 12 CFR parts
                                                      adequate transition period, new                         12 and 151 and FDIC proposes to amend                   Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1817, 1818, 1819, and
                                                      regulations that impose additional                      12 CFR part 344 as follows:                           5412.
                                                      reporting, disclosures, or other new
                                                                                                              DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY                            ■ 6. Section 344.7 is amended by
                                                      requirements on IDIs generally must
                                                                                                                                                                    revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:
                                                      take effect on the first day of a calendar              Office of the Comptroller of the
                                                      quarter that begins on or after the date                Currency                                                (a) An FDIC-supervised institution
                                                      on which the regulations are published                                                                        shall not effect or enter into a contract
                                                      in final form.                                          PART 12—RECORDKEEPING AND                             for the purchase or sale of a security
                                                         The proposed rule includes no                        CONFIRMATION REQUIREMENTS FOR                         (other than an exempted security as
                                                      additional reporting or disclosure                      SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS                               defined in 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(12),
                                                      requirements on IDIs, including small                                                                         government security, municipal
                                                      depository institutions, nor on the                     ■ 1. The authority citation for part 12               security, commercial paper, bankers’
                                                      customers of depository institutions.                   continues to read as follows:                         acceptances, or commercial bills) that
                                                      Nonetheless, in connection with                             Authority: 12 U.S.C. 24, 92a, and 93a.            provides for payment of funds and
                                                      determining an effective date for the                   ■ 2. Section 12.9 is amended by revising              delivery of securities later than the
                                                      proposed rule, the Agencies invite                      paragraph (a) to read as follows:                     second business day after the date of the
                                                      comment on any administrative burdens                                                                         contract, unless otherwise expressly
                                                      that the proposed rule would place on                   § 12.9 Settlement of securities                       agreed to by the parties at the time of
                                                      depository institutions, including small                transactions.                                         the transaction.
                                                      depository institutions, and customers                    (a) A national bank shall not effect or             *     *     *     *     *
                                                      of depository institutions.                             enter into a contract for the purchase or
                                                                                                              sale of a security (other than an                       Dated: August 29, 2017.
                                                      Plain Language                                          exempted security as defined in 15                    Keith A. Noreika,
                                                        Section 722 of the Gramm-Leach-                       U.S.C. 78c(a)(12), government security,               Acting Comptroller of the Currency.
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                      Bliley Act requires the Agencies to use                 municipal security, commercial paper,                   Dated at Washington, DC this 31st of
                                                      plain language in all proposed and final                bankers’ acceptances, or commercial                   August 2017.
                                                      rules published after January 1, 2000.                  bills) that provides for payment of funds               By order of the Board of Directors.
                                                      The Agencies invite comment on how to                   and delivery of securities later than the
                                                                                                                                                                    Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
                                                      make this proposed rule easier to                       second business day after the date of the
                                                      understand.                                             contract, unless otherwise expressly                  Robert E. Feldman,
                                                        For example:                                          agreed to by the parties at the time of               Executive Secretary.
                                                        • Have the Agencies organized the                     the transaction.                                      [FR Doc. 2017–19008 Filed 9–8–17; 8:45 am]
                                                      material to inform your needs? If not,                  *      *     *    *     *                             BILLING CODE 4810–33–P   6714–01–P




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Document Created: 2017-09-09 00:03:45
Document Modified: 2017-09-09 00:03:45
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionNotice of proposed rulemaking.
DatesYou must submit comments by October 11, 2017.
ContactOCC: David Stankiewicz, Special Counsel, Securities and Corporate Practices Division, (202) 649-5510; Daniel Perez, Attorney, Legislative and Regulatory Activities Division, (202) 649-5490 or, for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, TTY, (202) 649-5597; or Patricia Dalton, Technical Expert, Asset Management Group, Market Risk, at (202) 649- 6360.
FR Citation82 FR 42619 
RIN Number1557-AE24 and 3064-AE64
CFR Citation12 CFR 12
12 CFR 151
12 CFR 344
CFR AssociatedBanks; Banking; Federal Savings Associations; National Banks; Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements; Securities and Savings Associations

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