82_FR_9471 82 FR 9448 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; National Securities Clearing Corporation; Order Granting Approval of Proposed Rule Change To Reflect Updates to the Consolidated Trade Summary, Eliminate Re-Pricing in the Foreign Security Accounting Operation and Make Other Changes

82 FR 9448 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; National Securities Clearing Corporation; Order Granting Approval of Proposed Rule Change To Reflect Updates to the Consolidated Trade Summary, Eliminate Re-Pricing in the Foreign Security Accounting Operation and Make Other Changes

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 23 (February 6, 2017)

Page Range9448-9450
FR Document2017-02372

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 23 (Monday, February 6, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 23 (Monday, February 6, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9448-9450]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-02372]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-79904; File No. SR-NSCC-2016-008]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; National Securities Clearing 
Corporation; Order Granting Approval of Proposed Rule Change To Reflect 
Updates to the Consolidated Trade Summary, Eliminate Re-Pricing in the 
Foreign Security Accounting Operation and Make Other Changes

January 31, 2017.
    On December 15, 2016, National Securities Clearing Corporation 
(``NSCC'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(``Commission'') proposed rule change SR-NSCC-2016-008, pursuant to 
Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Act'') \1\ 
and Rule 19b-4 thereunder.\2\ The proposed rule change was published 
for comment in the Federal Register on December 29, 2016.\3\ The 
Commission did not receive any comment letters on the proposed rule 
change. For the reasons discussed below, the Commission is granting 
approval of the proposed rule change.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 79655 (December 22, 
2016), 81 FR 96146 (December 29, 2016) (SR-NSCC-2016-008) 
(``Notice'').
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I. Description of the Proposed Rule Change

    The proposed rule change consists of amendments to NSCC's Rules & 
Procedures (``Rules'') \4\ in order to (1) consolidate the file layouts 
into one common file layout, (2) provide more details in the revised 
Consolidated Trade Summary (``CTSs''), (3) discontinue a current output 
format (print image) and introduce a more user-friendly format 
(referred to as comma separated value or ``CSV'') and an online query 
tool, (4) simplify the terminology in the Rules by referring to each 
iteration of the CTS as the ``Consolidated Trade Summary'' (instead of 
the way in which the Rules are currently drafted to refer to a 
``Consolidated Trade Summary'' and a ``Supplemental Consolidated Trade 
Summary''), and (5) discontinue the Foreign Securities transaction file 
because information contained in that additional file would be 
reflected in the revised CTSs, each of which is described below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ Capitalized terms not defined herein are defined in the 
Rules, available at http://dtcc.com/~/media/Files/Downloads/legal/
rules/nscc_rules.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

A. Changes to the CTS and Technical Changes to the CTS-Related Rules

    First, the proposed rule change would consolidate the file layouts 
of the current CTSs into one common file layout that would be used for 
each of the three CTSs that are issued each day. Currently, each of the 
main CTS file, the supplemental CTS file, and the Foreign Securities 
file has its own individual file layout. NSCC would consolidate these 
multiple file layouts into one common file layout in the revised CTS 
file. Having one common layout in the revised CTS would eliminate the 
need for Members to maintain coding for multiple file layouts.
    Second, the proposal would update the CTS output file layout to 
provide Members with additional transparency and clarity regarding 
their trade summary, balance orders and receive and deliver 
instructions, which would help with reconciliation. For example, the 
current CTS output file layout specifies if a security is a CNS 
security or a non-CNS security but does not further clarify the non-CNS 
obligations as guaranteed or not guaranteed. Under the proposal, the 
CTS output file layout would be expanded to include a field for the 
guarantee/not guarantee designation to clearly indicate to users 
whether a trade obligation is guaranteed or not guaranteed. Other 
examples of new fields that would be added include: (1) Netting type to 
describe whether netted (e.g., multilaterally netted or bilaterally 
netted) or trade-for-trade instructions resulted, and (2) a net reason 
code to add clarity as to the netting type.
    Third, Members have also expressed interest in having NSCC change 
the current file format of the CTSs, which are currently available in 
print image format and machine-readable (``MRO'') format. As a result, 
NSCC would discontinue the current print image format while maintaining 
the current MRO format and would also introduce an online query tool. 
The print image format would be replaced by CSV which can be downloaded 
into spreadsheet programs. In addition to the three iterations of the 
CTS that would continue to be distributed to Members, Members would 
also be able to use a new online query tool to search information and 
create their own custom data view and custom reports. The new online 
query tool would enable users to research information that has been 
previously distributed in a CTS. Members have expressed interest in 
this change in file formats and the online query tool which allows 
results to be downloaded to spreadsheet programs.
    Fourth, from a Rules perspective, the terminology in Procedure II, 
Section H, Procedure V, Section E and Procedure VII, Section B would be 
revised, so that each CTS would be referred to as the ``Consolidated 
Trade Summary'' and more than one CTS would be referred to as the 
``Consolidated Trade Summaries.'' The proposed rule change would 
eliminate references to alternate terminology such as ``Supplemental 
Consolidated Trade Summary,'' ``Supplemental Consolidated Trade 
Summaries,'' and ``CTS.'' In addition, conforming changes would be made 
to Procedure V, Section C and Procedure VII, Section B to add phrases 
and terms such as ``next available,'' ``applicable'' and ``prior'' 
before references to ``Consolidated Trade Summary.'' Additional 
technical changes would be made to clarify that the CTS would continue 
to be issued to Members three times a day and would continue to be non-
cumulative; these changes would apply to Procedure II, Section H, 
Procedure V, Section E and Procedure VII, Section B. Procedure VII, 
Section B would also be amended to reflect the change in output format 
of the Consolidated Trade Summaries (specifically, because the print 
image format is being discontinued and the CSV format is being 
introduced, the Rules and terminology must be changed to use 
terminology consistent with the different format).
    Fifth, the Foreign Securities transaction file would be 
discontinued. Information that is currently in this additional file 
would be reflected in the revised CTSs.
    NSCC would continue to issue the CTSs to Members three times a day, 
at approximately the same intervals as it does today.\5\ The revised 
CTSs would continue to be iterative (i.e., any information that 
appeared on prior CTSs would not appear again on any successive CTSs), 
and also continue to be available in MRO format.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ The header of the CTS output file would indicate whether the 
CTS is for Cycle 1 (i.e., the one issued at approximately 21:00 ET), 
Cycle 2 (i.e., the one issued at approximately 24:00 ET) or Cycle 3 
(i.e., the one issued at approximately 12:00 ET on the next business 
day).

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[[Page 9449]]

B. Discontinuation of the Re-Pricing of Foreign Securities and 
Technical Clarifications/Corrections to Procedure VI (Foreign Security 
Accounting Operation)

    Based on Member feedback, NSCC is also proposing to update the code 
associated with NSCC's Foreign Security Accounting Operation, which 
receives and processes Foreign Securities traded over-the-counter and 
settled in U.S. Dollars.\6\ The current foreign netting process 
aggregates Foreign Securities obligations, bilaterally nets these 
obligations and then re-prices these obligations using a uniform 
Settlement Price. As further explained below, NSCC is proposing to no 
longer re-price these Foreign Securities obligations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ See Procedure VI (Foreign Security Accounting Operation).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Foreign Securities would continue to be bilaterally netted, but 
would no longer be re-priced at uniform Settlement Prices. Instead, 
they would be bilaterally netted at their contract prices to eliminate 
the risk of a cash adjustment (which is not guaranteed by NSCC) due to 
re-pricing.
    To effectuate this proposed change, NSCC proposes to remove 
language in Procedure VI, Section C that permits NSCC to establish a 
uniform Settlement Price and calculate any related Foreign Security 
Clearance Cash Adjustment associated with the re-pricing. Unlike the 
underlying Foreign Securities transactions (which are settled in the 
local markets and not at NSCC), the payments of any Foreign Security 
Clearance Cash Adjustment (whether due to netting or re-pricing) 
related to those underlying Foreign Securities transactions are made 
through NSCC today and under the proposed rule change, this would 
continue to be the case with respect to Foreign Security Clearance Cash 
Adjustments that arise due to netting. The proposed rule change would 
revise the language in Procedure VI to clearly state that the failure 
of a Member to make payment of the Foreign Security Clearance Cash 
Adjustment with NSCC will cause NSCC to reverse all such cash 
adjustment debits and credits (rather than generally stating this would 
be caused by the failure to ``make settlement with the Corporation''). 
The proposed rule change would further clarify that neither the 
settlement of the underlying transaction nor the payment of the related 
Foreign Security Clearance Cash Adjustment would be guaranteed by NSCC 
(which is also the case today).\7\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ Under the proposed rule change, only a Foreign Security 
Clearance Cash Adjustment due to re-pricing would be eliminated. A 
Foreign Security Clearance Cash Adjustment due to netting is still 
possible, so this Procedure is still applicable to such Foreign 
Security Clearance Cash Adjustments.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Additional clarifying changes to Procedure VI include revising the 
reference from ``T+2'' in Section B to ``SD-1'' because Foreign 
Securities transactions are not always settled on T+3 (according to 
local market practices) and thus, are not always compared on T+2, as 
Section B of Procedure VI states. Therefore, using Settlement Date 
(i.e., ``SD'') as the reference point is more appropriate. Furthermore, 
Foreign Securities transactions are reported on the CTSs, which are 
Settlement Date-based. In addition, in Section C, ``produced'' would be 
revised to ``reported,'' because ``reported'' more accurately describes 
what occurs today--that is, NSCC reports the netted Member-to-Member 
receive and deliver instructions. In addition, the proposed rule change 
would make the following corrections: (i) The reference in Section C to 
``Foreign Security Clearing Cash Adjustment'' would be revised to the 
correct term, ``Foreign Security Clearance Cash Adjustment'' and (ii) 
the cross-references to ``Section II'' and ``Section IV'' in Section A 
would be replaced with references to ``Procedure II'' and ``Procedure 
IV,'' respectively.

C. Implementation Timeframe

    These proposed rule changes would become effective by July 14, 
2017. After Commission approval of these proposed rule changes, a 
legend would be added to each of Procedures II, V, VI and VII stating 
that there are approved but not yet operative changes to the respective 
Procedure and specifying the applicable section or sections that would 
be amended by the proposed rule change. The legend would state that 
such changes would be operative by July 14, 2017, but if such changes 
become operative before July 14, 2017, NSCC would notify Members by 
Important Notice 30 days before the actual implementation date. The 
legend would also state that underlined and boldface text indicates new 
text and strikethrough and boldface text indicates deleted text. 
Additionally, the legend would include a reference to the file number 
of the proposed rule change and would state that once operative, the 
legend would automatically be removed from the Rules, and the 
formatting of the text of the changes in the applicable section or 
sections would automatically be revised to reflect that these changes 
have become operative.

II. Discussion and Commission Findings

    Section 19(b)(2)(C) of the Act \8\ directs the Commission to 
approve a proposed rule change of a self-regulatory organization if it 
finds that such proposed rule change is consistent with the 
requirements of the Act and rules and regulations thereunder applicable 
to such organization. The Commission believes the proposal is 
consistent with Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(C).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act requires, in part, that NSCC's 
Rules be designed to promote the prompt and accurate clearance and 
settlement of securities transactions and to protect investors and the 
public interest.\9\ The Commission believes that the proposed rule 
changes are consistent with the requirements of the Act and the rules 
and regulations thereunder applicable to NSCC, in particular Section 
17(A)(b)(3)(F), because the proposed rule changes promote the prompt 
and accurate clearance and settlement of securities transactions.\10\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(3)(F).
    \10\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Specifically, by updating the CTS to provide more details and 
information in one common file layout, the proposal would provide 
Members with more transparency and clarity regarding their trade 
obligations, which could help Members better understand their 
reconciliation of trades for settlement. Furthermore, Members would 
receive the CTS in a more user-friendly format (i.e., CSV). With the 
new online query tool, Members would also be able to access trade 
obligation information that has been distributed in prior CTSs and 
customize searches of trade obligation information according to their 
needs. Therefore, the Commission believes that these changes to the CTS 
would make it a more effective tool for Members to help manage their 
settlement obligations, thus promoting the prompt and accurate 
clearance of securities transactions.
    Additionally, the Commission believes that the proposed rule 
changes associated with the Foreign Security Accounting Operation are 
designed to protect investors and the public interest.\11\ 
Specifically, the proposed rule change would address the timing 
mismatch between the receipt of the CTS by Members and the settlement 
of Foreign Securities trades in the local markets by Members by 
discontinuing

[[Page 9450]]

the practice of re-pricing Foreign Securities at the uniform Settlement 
Prices. This change also would eliminate Member exposure from a cash 
adjustment due to re-pricing and the associated risk that a solvent 
Member could be liable for the cash adjustment if its counterparty 
defaults because the cash adjustment is not guaranteed by NSCC. 
Therefore, the Commission believes that the proposed rule change 
promotes investor protection and the public interest.\12\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ Id.
    \12\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As the proposed rule change pertains to technical changes to the 
Rules, the Commission finds the technical changes also consistent with 
Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act \13\ because the technical updates are 
designed to make the Rules more clear, consistent, and current for 
Members that rely on them. Therefore, the proposed technical changes 
help support NSCC's prompt and accurate clearance and settlement of 
securities transactions made by Members.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

III. Conclusion

    On the basis of the foregoing, the Commission finds that the 
proposals are consistent with the requirements of the Act and in 
particular with the requirements of Section 17A of the Act \14\ and the 
rules and regulations thereunder.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act, 
that proposed rule change SR-NSCC-2016-008 be, and hereby is, 
approved.\15\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ In approving the proposed rule change, the Commission 
considered the proposals' impact on efficiency, competition, and 
capital formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------


---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\16\
Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-02372 Filed 2-3-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                                9448                         Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 23 / Monday, February 6, 2017 / Notices

                                                  For the Commission, by the Division of                ‘‘Consolidated Trade Summary’’ and a                  custom data view and custom reports.
                                                Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated              ‘‘Supplemental Consolidated Trade                     The new online query tool would enable
                                                authority.36                                            Summary’’), and (5) discontinue the                   users to research information that has
                                                Eduardo A. Aleman,                                      Foreign Securities transaction file                   been previously distributed in a CTS.
                                                Assistant Secretary.                                    because information contained in that                 Members have expressed interest in this
                                                [FR Doc. 2017–02379 Filed 2–3–17; 8:45 am]              additional file would be reflected in the             change in file formats and the online
                                                BILLING CODE 8011–01–P                                  revised CTSs, each of which is                        query tool which allows results to be
                                                                                                        described below.                                      downloaded to spreadsheet programs.
                                                                                                        A. Changes to the CTS and Technical                      Fourth, from a Rules perspective, the
                                                SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                                                                                                        Changes to the CTS-Related Rules                      terminology in Procedure II, Section H,
                                                COMMISSION
                                                                                                           First, the proposed rule change would              Procedure V, Section E and Procedure
                                                [Release No. 34–79904; File No. SR–NSCC–                consolidate the file layouts of the                   VII, Section B would be revised, so that
                                                2016–008]
                                                                                                        current CTSs into one common file                     each CTS would be referred to as the
                                                Self-Regulatory Organizations;                          layout that would be used for each of                 ‘‘Consolidated Trade Summary’’ and
                                                National Securities Clearing                            the three CTSs that are issued each day.              more than one CTS would be referred to
                                                Corporation; Order Granting Approval                    Currently, each of the main CTS file, the             as the ‘‘Consolidated Trade
                                                of Proposed Rule Change To Reflect                      supplemental CTS file, and the Foreign                Summaries.’’ The proposed rule change
                                                Updates to the Consolidated Trade                       Securities file has its own individual                would eliminate references to alternate
                                                Summary, Eliminate Re-Pricing in the                    file layout. NSCC would consolidate                   terminology such as ‘‘Supplemental
                                                Foreign Security Accounting Operation                   these multiple file layouts into one                  Consolidated Trade Summary,’’
                                                and Make Other Changes                                  common file layout in the revised CTS
                                                                                                                                                              ‘‘Supplemental Consolidated Trade
                                                                                                        file. Having one common layout in the
                                                                                                                                                              Summaries,’’ and ‘‘CTS.’’ In addition,
                                                January 31, 2017.                                       revised CTS would eliminate the need
                                                                                                        for Members to maintain coding for                    conforming changes would be made to
                                                   On December 15, 2016, National
                                                Securities Clearing Corporation                         multiple file layouts.                                Procedure V, Section C and Procedure
                                                (‘‘NSCC’’) filed with the Securities and                   Second, the proposal would update                  VII, Section B to add phrases and terms
                                                Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’)                    the CTS output file layout to provide                 such as ‘‘next available,’’ ‘‘applicable’’
                                                proposed rule change SR–NSCC–2016–                      Members with additional transparency                  and ‘‘prior’’ before references to
                                                008, pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the                and clarity regarding their trade                     ‘‘Consolidated Trade Summary.’’
                                                Securities Exchange Act of 1934                         summary, balance orders and receive                   Additional technical changes would be
                                                (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder.2                 and deliver instructions, which would                 made to clarify that the CTS would
                                                The proposed rule change was                            help with reconciliation. For example,                continue to be issued to Members three
                                                published for comment in the Federal                    the current CTS output file layout                    times a day and would continue to be
                                                Register on December 29, 2016.3 The                     specifies if a security is a CNS security             non-cumulative; these changes would
                                                Commission did not receive any                          or a non-CNS security but does not                    apply to Procedure II, Section H,
                                                comment letters on the proposed rule                    further clarify the non-CNS obligations               Procedure V, Section E and Procedure
                                                change. For the reasons discussed                       as guaranteed or not guaranteed. Under                VII, Section B. Procedure VII, Section B
                                                below, the Commission is granting                       the proposal, the CTS output file layout              would also be amended to reflect the
                                                approval of the proposed rule change.                   would be expanded to include a field                  change in output format of the
                                                                                                        for the guarantee/not guarantee
                                                I. Description of the Proposed Rule                                                                           Consolidated Trade Summaries
                                                                                                        designation to clearly indicate to users
                                                Change                                                                                                        (specifically, because the print image
                                                                                                        whether a trade obligation is guaranteed
                                                                                                        or not guaranteed. Other examples of                  format is being discontinued and the
                                                   The proposed rule change consists of
                                                                                                        new fields that would be added include:               CSV format is being introduced, the
                                                amendments to NSCC’s Rules &
                                                                                                        (1) Netting type to describe whether                  Rules and terminology must be changed
                                                Procedures (‘‘Rules’’) 4 in order to (1)
                                                consolidate the file layouts into one                   netted (e.g., multilaterally netted or                to use terminology consistent with the
                                                common file layout, (2) provide more                    bilaterally netted) or trade-for-trade                different format).
                                                details in the revised Consolidated                     instructions resulted, and (2) a net                     Fifth, the Foreign Securities
                                                Trade Summary (‘‘CTSs’’), (3)                           reason code to add clarity as to the                  transaction file would be discontinued.
                                                discontinue a current output format                     netting type.                                         Information that is currently in this
                                                (print image) and introduce a more user-                   Third, Members have also expressed                 additional file would be reflected in the
                                                friendly format (referred to as comma                   interest in having NSCC change the                    revised CTSs.
                                                separated value or ‘‘CSV’’) and an                      current file format of the CTSs, which
                                                                                                        are currently available in print image                   NSCC would continue to issue the
                                                online query tool, (4) simplify the                                                                           CTSs to Members three times a day, at
                                                terminology in the Rules by referring to                format and machine-readable (‘‘MRO’’)
                                                                                                        format. As a result, NSCC would                       approximately the same intervals as it
                                                each iteration of the CTS as the
                                                                                                        discontinue the current print image                   does today.5 The revised CTSs would
                                                ‘‘Consolidated Trade Summary’’
                                                                                                        format while maintaining the current                  continue to be iterative (i.e., any
                                                (instead of the way in which the Rules
                                                are currently drafted to refer to a                     MRO format and would also introduce                   information that appeared on prior CTSs
                                                                                                        an online query tool. The print image                 would not appear again on any
                                                                                                        format would be replaced by CSV which                 successive CTSs), and also continue to
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                  36 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
                                                  1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).                                can be downloaded into spreadsheet                    be available in MRO format.
                                                  2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.                                   programs. In addition to the three
                                                  3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 79655
                                                                                                        iterations of the CTS that would                         5 The header of the CTS output file would
                                                (December 22, 2016), 81 FR 96146 (December 29,          continue to be distributed to Members,                indicate whether the CTS is for Cycle 1 (i.e., the one
                                                2016) (SR–NSCC–2016–008) (‘‘Notice’’).                                                                        issued at approximately 21:00 ET), Cycle 2 (i.e., the
                                                  4 Capitalized terms not defined herein are defined    Members would also be able to use a                   one issued at approximately 24:00 ET) or Cycle 3
                                                in the Rules, available at http://dtcc.com/∼/media/     new online query tool to search                       (i.e., the one issued at approximately 12:00 ET on
                                                Files/Downloads/legal/rules/nscc_rules.pdf.             information and create their own                      the next business day).



                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   16:03 Feb 03, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00079   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\06FEN1.SGM   06FEN1


                                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 23 / Monday, February 6, 2017 / Notices                                              9449

                                                B. Discontinuation of the Re-Pricing of                 guaranteed by NSCC (which is also the                 be revised to reflect that these changes
                                                Foreign Securities and Technical                        case today).7                                         have become operative.
                                                Clarifications/Corrections to Procedure                    Additional clarifying changes to
                                                                                                        Procedure VI include revising the                     II. Discussion and Commission
                                                VI (Foreign Security Accounting                                                                               Findings
                                                Operation)                                              reference from ‘‘T+2’’ in Section B to
                                                                                                        ‘‘SD–1’’ because Foreign Securities                      Section 19(b)(2)(C) of the Act 8 directs
                                                   Based on Member feedback, NSCC is                    transactions are not always settled on                the Commission to approve a proposed
                                                also proposing to update the code                       T+3 (according to local market                        rule change of a self-regulatory
                                                associated with NSCC’s Foreign                          practices) and thus, are not always                   organization if it finds that such
                                                Security Accounting Operation, which                    compared on T+2, as Section B of                      proposed rule change is consistent with
                                                receives and processes Foreign                          Procedure VI states. Therefore, using                 the requirements of the Act and rules
                                                Securities traded over-the-counter and                  Settlement Date (i.e., ‘‘SD’’) as the                 and regulations thereunder applicable to
                                                settled in U.S. Dollars.6 The current                   reference point is more appropriate.                  such organization. The Commission
                                                foreign netting process aggregates                      Furthermore, Foreign Securities                       believes the proposal is consistent with
                                                Foreign Securities obligations,                         transactions are reported on the CTSs,                Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act.
                                                bilaterally nets these obligations and                  which are Settlement Date-based. In                      Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act
                                                then re-prices these obligations using a                addition, in Section C, ‘‘produced’’                  requires, in part, that NSCC’s Rules be
                                                uniform Settlement Price. As further                    would be revised to ‘‘reported,’’ because             designed to promote the prompt and
                                                explained below, NSCC is proposing to                   ‘‘reported’’ more accurately describes                accurate clearance and settlement of
                                                no longer re-price these Foreign                        what occurs today—that is, NSCC                       securities transactions and to protect
                                                Securities obligations.                                 reports the netted Member-to-Member                   investors and the public interest.9 The
                                                                                                        receive and deliver instructions. In                  Commission believes that the proposed
                                                   Foreign Securities would continue to                 addition, the proposed rule change                    rule changes are consistent with the
                                                be bilaterally netted, but would no                     would make the following corrections:                 requirements of the Act and the rules
                                                longer be re-priced at uniform                          (i) The reference in Section C to                     and regulations thereunder applicable to
                                                Settlement Prices. Instead, they would                  ‘‘Foreign Security Clearing Cash                      NSCC, in particular Section
                                                be bilaterally netted at their contract                 Adjustment’’ would be revised to the                  17(A)(b)(3)(F), because the proposed
                                                prices to eliminate the risk of a cash                  correct term, ‘‘Foreign Security                      rule changes promote the prompt and
                                                adjustment (which is not guaranteed by                  Clearance Cash Adjustment’’ and (ii) the              accurate clearance and settlement of
                                                NSCC) due to re-pricing.                                cross-references to ‘‘Section II’’ and                securities transactions.10
                                                   To effectuate this proposed change,                  ‘‘Section IV’’ in Section A would be                     Specifically, by updating the CTS to
                                                NSCC proposes to remove language in                     replaced with references to ‘‘Procedure               provide more details and information in
                                                Procedure VI, Section C that permits                    II’’ and ‘‘Procedure IV,’’ respectively.              one common file layout, the proposal
                                                NSCC to establish a uniform Settlement                                                                        would provide Members with more
                                                                                                        C. Implementation Timeframe
                                                Price and calculate any related Foreign                                                                       transparency and clarity regarding their
                                                                                                           These proposed rule changes would                  trade obligations, which could help
                                                Security Clearance Cash Adjustment                      become effective by July 14, 2017. After
                                                associated with the re-pricing. Unlike                                                                        Members better understand their
                                                                                                        Commission approval of these proposed                 reconciliation of trades for settlement.
                                                the underlying Foreign Securities                       rule changes, a legend would be added
                                                transactions (which are settled in the                                                                        Furthermore, Members would receive
                                                                                                        to each of Procedures II, V, VI and VII               the CTS in a more user-friendly format
                                                local markets and not at NSCC), the                     stating that there are approved but not
                                                payments of any Foreign Security                                                                              (i.e., CSV). With the new online query
                                                                                                        yet operative changes to the respective               tool, Members would also be able to
                                                Clearance Cash Adjustment (whether                      Procedure and specifying the applicable
                                                due to netting or re-pricing) related to                                                                      access trade obligation information that
                                                                                                        section or sections that would be                     has been distributed in prior CTSs and
                                                those underlying Foreign Securities                     amended by the proposed rule change.                  customize searches of trade obligation
                                                transactions are made through NSCC                      The legend would state that such                      information according to their needs.
                                                today and under the proposed rule                       changes would be operative by July 14,                Therefore, the Commission believes that
                                                change, this would continue to be the                   2017, but if such changes become                      these changes to the CTS would make
                                                case with respect to Foreign Security                   operative before July 14, 2017, NSCC                  it a more effective tool for Members to
                                                Clearance Cash Adjustments that arise                   would notify Members by Important                     help manage their settlement
                                                due to netting. The proposed rule                       Notice 30 days before the actual                      obligations, thus promoting the prompt
                                                change would revise the language in                     implementation date. The legend would                 and accurate clearance of securities
                                                Procedure VI to clearly state that the                  also state that underlined and boldface               transactions.
                                                failure of a Member to make payment of                  text indicates new text and                              Additionally, the Commission
                                                the Foreign Security Clearance Cash                     strikethrough and boldface text                       believes that the proposed rule changes
                                                Adjustment with NSCC will cause                         indicates deleted text. Additionally, the             associated with the Foreign Security
                                                NSCC to reverse all such cash                           legend would include a reference to the               Accounting Operation are designed to
                                                adjustment debits and credits (rather                   file number of the proposed rule change               protect investors and the public
                                                than generally stating this would be                    and would state that once operative, the              interest.11 Specifically, the proposed
                                                caused by the failure to ‘‘make                         legend would automatically be removed                 rule change would address the timing
                                                settlement with the Corporation’’). The                 from the Rules, and the formatting of the             mismatch between the receipt of the
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                                                proposed rule change would further                      text of the changes in the applicable                 CTS by Members and the settlement of
                                                clarify that neither the settlement of the              section or sections would automatically               Foreign Securities trades in the local
                                                underlying transaction nor the payment                                                                        markets by Members by discontinuing
                                                of the related Foreign Security                           7 Under the proposed rule change, only a Foreign

                                                Clearance Cash Adjustment would be                      Security Clearance Cash Adjustment due to re-           8 15
                                                                                                        pricing would be eliminated. A Foreign Security              U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(C).
                                                                                                                                                                9 15 U.S.C. 78q–1(b)(3)(F).
                                                                                                        Clearance Cash Adjustment due to netting is still
                                                 6 See Procedure VI (Foreign Security Accounting                                                                10 Id.
                                                                                                        possible, so this Procedure is still applicable to
                                                Operation).                                             such Foreign Security Clearance Cash Adjustments.       11 Id.




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                                                9450                          Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 23 / Monday, February 6, 2017 / Notices

                                                the practice of re-pricing Foreign                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                               the places specified in Item IV below.
                                                Securities at the uniform Settlement                    COMMISSION                                            The Exchange has prepared summaries,
                                                Prices. This change also would                                                                                set forth in sections A, B, and C below,
                                                                                                        [Release No. 34–79908; File No. SR–
                                                eliminate Member exposure from a cash                   NYSEARCA–2017–04]
                                                                                                                                                              of the most significant parts of such
                                                adjustment due to re-pricing and the                                                                          statements.
                                                associated risk that a solvent Member                   Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE                   A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                could be liable for the cash adjustment                 Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing of Proposed              Statement of the Purpose of, and the
                                                if its counterparty defaults because the                Rule Change, as Modified by                           Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                                cash adjustment is not guaranteed by                    Amendment No. 1, To Adopt the Rule                    Change
                                                NSCC. Therefore, the Commission                         6.6800 Series To Implement the
                                                                                                        Compliance Rule Regarding the                         1. Purpose
                                                believes that the proposed rule change
                                                promotes investor protection and the                    National Market System Plan                              This Amendment No. 1 amends and
                                                public interest.12                                      Governing the Consolidated Audit Trail                replaces in its entirety the original
                                                                                                                                                              proposal filed by the Exchange on
                                                   As the proposed rule change pertains                 January 31, 2017.
                                                                                                                                                              January 17, 2017. The Exchange submits
                                                to technical changes to the Rules, the                     Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) 1 of the
                                                                                                                                                              this Amendment No. 1 in order to
                                                Commission finds the technical changes                  Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
                                                                                                                                                              clarify certain points and add additional
                                                also consistent with Section                            ‘‘Act’’) 2 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,3
                                                                                                                                                              details to the Compliance Rule as
                                                17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act 13 because the                  notice is hereby given that, on January
                                                                                                                                                              proposed herein.
                                                technical updates are designed to make                  17, 2017, NYSE Arca, Inc. (the                           Bats BYX Exchange, Inc., Bats BZX
                                                the Rules more clear, consistent, and                   ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘NYSE Arca’’) filed with
                                                                                                                                                              Exchange, Inc., Bats EDGA Exchange,
                                                current for Members that rely on them.                  the Securities and Exchange
                                                                                                                                                              Inc., Bats EDGX Exchange, Inc., BOX
                                                                                                        Commission (the ‘‘Commission’’) the
                                                Therefore, the proposed technical                                                                             Options Exchange LLC, C2 Options
                                                                                                        proposed rule change as described in
                                                changes help support NSCC’s prompt                                                                            Exchange, Incorporated, Chicago Board
                                                                                                        Items I, II, and III below, which Items
                                                and accurate clearance and settlement of                                                                      Options Exchange, Incorporated,
                                                                                                        have been prepared by the self-
                                                securities transactions made by                                                                               Chicago Stock Exchange, Inc., Financial
                                                                                                        regulatory organization. On January 30,
                                                Members.                                                                                                      Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.,
                                                                                                        2017, the Exchange filed Amendment
                                                                                                                                                              International Securities Exchange, LLC,
                                                III. Conclusion                                         No. 1 to the proposed rule change,
                                                                                                                                                              Investors’ Exchange LLC, ISE Gemini,
                                                                                                        which amended and replaced the
                                                                                                        proposed rule change in its entirety. The             LLC, ISE Mercury, LLC, Miami
                                                  On the basis of the foregoing, the
                                                                                                        Commission is publishing this notice to               International Securities Exchange LLC,
                                                Commission finds that the proposals are
                                                                                                        solicit comments on the proposed rule                 MIAX PEARL, LLC, NASDAQ BX, Inc.,
                                                consistent with the requirements of the
                                                                                                        change, as amended, from interested                   NASDAQ PHLX LLC, The NASDAQ
                                                Act and in particular with the                                                                                Stock Market LLC, National Stock
                                                requirements of Section 17A of the                      persons.
                                                                                                                                                              Exchange, Inc., New York Stock
                                                Act 14 and the rules and regulations                    I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                     Exchange LLC, NYSE MKT LLC, and
                                                thereunder.                                             Statement of the Terms of Substance of                NYSE Arca, Inc. (collectively, the
                                                  It is therefore ordered, pursuant to                  the Proposed Rule Change                              ‘‘Participants’’) filed with the
                                                Section 19(b)(2) of the Act, that                          The Exchange proposed rule change                  Commission, pursuant to Section 11A of
                                                proposed rule change SR–NSCC–2016–                      to adopt the Rule 6.6800 Series to                    the Exchange Act 5 and Rule 608 of
                                                008 be, and hereby is, approved.15                      implement the compliance rule                         Regulation NMS thereunder,6 the CAT
                                                                                                        (‘‘Compliance Rule’’) regarding the                   NMS Plan.7 The Participants filed the
                                                                                                        National Market System Plan Governing                 Plan to comply with Rule 613 of
                                                  For the Commission, by the Division of                the Consolidated Audit Trail (the ‘‘CAT               Regulation NMS under the Exchange
                                                Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated              NMS Plan’’ or ‘‘Plan’’).4 The proposed                Act. The Plan was published for
                                                authority.16                                            rule change is available on the                       comment in the Federal Register on
                                                Eduardo A. Aleman,                                      Exchange’s Web site at www.nyse.com,                  May 17, 2016,8 and approved by the
                                                Assistant Secretary.                                    at the principal office of the Exchange,              Commission, as modified, on November
                                                [FR Doc. 2017–02372 Filed 2–3–17; 8:45 am]              and at the Commission’s Public                        15, 2016.9
                                                                                                        Reference Room.                                          The Plan is designed to create,
                                                BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                                                                                                                                              implement and maintain a consolidated
                                                                                                        II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                    audit trail (‘‘CAT’’) that would capture
                                                                                                        Statement of the Purpose of, and                      customer and order event information
                                                                                                        Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                                                                                        Change                                                  5 15  U.S.C. 78k–1.
                                                                                                           In its filing with the Commission, the               6 17  CFR 242.608.
                                                                                                                                                                 7 See Letter from the Participants to Brent J.
                                                                                                        self-regulatory organization included
                                                                                                                                                              Fields, Secretary, Commission, dated September 30,
                                                                                                        statements concerning the purpose of,                 2014; and Letter from Participants to Brent J. Fields,
                                                                                                        and basis for, the proposed rule change               Secretary, Commission, dated February 27, 2015.
                                                                                                        and discussed any comments it received                On December 24, 2015, the Participants submitted
                                                                                                        on the proposed rule change. The text                 an amendment to the CAT NMS Plan. See Letter
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                                                  12 Id.                                                                                                      from Participants to Brent J. Fields, Secretary,
                                                                                                        of those statements may be examined at                Commission, dated December 23, 2015.
                                                  13 Id.
                                                                                                                                                                 8 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 77724
                                                  14 15  U.S.C. 78q–1.                                    1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
                                                  15 In
                                                                                                                                                              (April 27, 2016), 81 FR 30614 (May 17, 2016).
                                                        approving the proposed rule change, the           2 15 U.S.C. 78a.                                       9 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 79318
                                                Commission considered the proposals’ impact on            3 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
                                                                                                                                                              (November 15, 2016), 81 FR 84696 (November 23,
                                                efficiency, competition, and capital formation. 15        4 Unless otherwise specified, capitalized terms     2016) (‘‘Order Approving the National Market
                                                U.S.C. 78c(f).                                          used in this rule filing are defined as set forth     System Plan Governing the Consolidated Audit
                                                   16 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).                           herein or in the CAT NMS Plan.                        Trail) (‘‘Approval Order’’).



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Document Created: 2017-02-04 00:25:01
Document Modified: 2017-02-04 00:25:01
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
FR Citation82 FR 9448 

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