83_FR_53334 83 FR 53131 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Fixed Income Clearing Corporation; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend the Clearing Agency Policy on Capital Requirements and the Clearing Agency Capital Replenishment Plan

83 FR 53131 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Fixed Income Clearing Corporation; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend the Clearing Agency Policy on Capital Requirements and the Clearing Agency Capital Replenishment Plan

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 203 (October 19, 2018)

Page Range53131-53134
FR Document2018-22778

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 203 (Friday, October 19, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 203 (Friday, October 19, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53131-53134]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-22778]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-84427; File No. SR-FICC-2018-009]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Fixed Income Clearing Corporation; 
Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To 
Amend the Clearing Agency Policy on Capital Requirements and the 
Clearing Agency Capital Replenishment Plan

October 15, 2018.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given that 
on October 4, 2018, Fixed Income Clearing Corporation (``FICC'') filed 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') the 
proposed rule change as described in Items I, II and III below, which 
Items have been prepared by the clearing agency. FICC filed the 
proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \3\ and 
Rule 19b-4(f)(4) thereunder.\4\ The Commission is publishing this 
notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested 
persons.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \3\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \4\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(4).
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I. Clearing Agency's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the 
Proposed Rule Change

    The proposed rule change consists of amendments to (i) the Clearing 
Agency Policy on Capital Requirements (``Capital Policy'' or 
``Policy'') of FICC and its affiliates, The Depository Trust Company 
(``DTC'') and National Securities Clearing Corporation (``NSCC,'' and 
together with DTC and FICC, the ``Clearing Agencies''); and (ii) the 
Clearing Agency Capital Replenishment Plan (``Capital Replenishment 
Plan'' or ``Plan'') of the Clearing Agencies. In particular, the 
proposed revisions to the Capital Policy and Capital Replenishment Plan 
would (1) correct typographical errors and make other technical 
revisions to correct and simplify statements in the Policy and Plan; 
(2) replace references in the Policy and Plan to the ``Credit Risk 
Capital Requirement'' with the ``Corporate Contribution;'' and (3) 
update references in the Policy to the Recovery & Wind-down Plans of 
each of the Clearing Agencies, which were recently adopted by the 
Clearing Agencies, as described in greater detail below.

II. Clearing Agency's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis 
for, the Proposed Rule Change

    In its filing with the Commission, the clearing agency included 
statements concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule 
change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule 
change. The text of these statements may be examined at the places 
specified in Item IV below. The clearing agency has prepared summaries, 
set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant 
aspects of such statements.

(A) Clearing Agency's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis 
for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose
    The Clearing Agencies are proposing to revise the Capital Policy 
and Capital Replenishment Plan, which were adopted by the Clearing 
Agencies in July 2017 \5\ and are maintained by the Clearing Agencies 
in compliance with Rule 17Ad-22(e)(15) under the Act.\6\
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    \5\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 81105 (July 7, 
2017), 82 FR 32399 (July 13, 2017) (SR-DTC-2017-003, SR-FICC-2017-
007, SR-NSCC-2017-004).
    \6\ 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22(e)(15).
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Overview of the Capital Policy and Capital Replenishment Plan
    The Capital Policy sets forth the manner in which each Clearing 
Agency identifies, monitors, and manages its general business risk with 
respect to the requirement to hold sufficient liquid net assets 
(``LNA'') funded by equity to cover potential general business losses 
so the Clearing Agency can continue operations and services as a going 
concern if such losses materialize.\7\ The amount of LNA funded by 
equity to be held by each of the Clearing Agencies for this purpose is 
defined in the Policy as the General Business Risk Capital Requirement. 
The Policy provides that the General Business Risk Requirement is 
calculated for each Clearing Agency as the greatest of three separate 
calculations--(1) an amount based on that Clearing Agency's general 
business risk profile (``Risk-Based Capital Requirement''), (2) an 
amount based on

[[Page 53132]]

the time estimated to execute a recovery or orderly wind-down of the 
critical operations of that Clearing Agency (``Recovery/Wind-down 
Capital Requirement''), and (3) an amount based on an analysis of that 
Clearing Agency's estimated operating expenses for a six month period 
(``Operating Expense Capital Requirement''). On an annual basis, each 
of these three capital requirements are measured, and the General 
Business Risk Capital Requirement for each Clearing Agency are 
determined as the greatest of these calculations.
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    \7\ Id.
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    Currently, the Capital Policy also addresses how each Clearing 
Agency maintains a portion of retained earnings as LNA funded by equity 
as its Credit Risk Capital Requirement, as a part of its management of 
credit risk \8\ and pursuant to their respective rules.\9\ These 
resources are maintained to address losses due to a participant 
default, and are held in addition to the LNA funded by equity held by 
each of the Clearing Agencies as its General Business Risk Capital 
Requirement. The Capital Policy describes how each Clearing Agency's 
General Business Risk Capital Requirement and Credit Risk Capital 
Requirement fit within the Clearing Agencies' Capital Framework, where 
the Total Capital Requirement of each Clearing Agency is calculated as 
the sum of its General Business Risk Capital Requirement and Credit 
Risk Capital Requirement.
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    \8\ LNA funded by equity held as the Clearing Agencies' Credit 
Risk Capital Requirement is held in addition to resources held by 
the Clearing Agencies for credit risk in compliance with Rule 17Ad-
22(e)(4) under the Act and in addition to resources held by the 
Clearing Agencies for liquidity risk in compliance with Rule 17Ad-
22(e)(7). 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22(e)(4), (7).
    \9\ The Rules, By-laws and Organizational Certificate of DTC 
(``DTC Rules''), the Rulebook of the Government Securities Division 
of FICC (``GSD Rules''), the Clearing Rules of the Mortgage-Backed 
Securities Division of FICC (``MBSD Rules''), or the Rules & 
Procedures of NSCC (``NSCC Rules,'' together with the DTC Rules, GSD 
Rules and MBSD Rules, the ``Clearing Agencies' Rules'' or 
``Rules''), available at http://dtcc.com/legal/rules-and-procedures.
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    The Policy also provides a plan for the replenishment of capital 
through the Capital Replenishment Plan. The Capital Replenishment Plan 
was adopted by the Clearing Agencies as a plan for the replenishment of 
capital by each Clearing Agency should its equity fall close to or 
below the amount being held as its Total Capital Requirement pursuant 
to the Capital Policy. The Capital Replenishment Plan identifies the 
circumstances that would trigger implementation of the Plan; the roles, 
responsibilities, and guiding principles for implementation of the 
Plan; and an overview and description of each of the tools that may be 
used to replenish capital.
Proposed Revisions to the Capital Policy and Capital Replenishment Plan
    As described in greater detail below, the Clearing Agencies are 
proposing to make certain revisions to the Capital Policy and Capital 
Replenishment Plan.
    First, the proposed revisions would correct typographical errors 
and make other technical revisions to correct and simplify statements 
in the Capital Policy and Capital Replenishment Plan. Second, the 
proposed revisions would replace references to the ``Credit Risk 
Capital Requirement'' with ``Corporate Contribution.'' This proposed 
change would reflect the implementation of recent revisions to the 
Clearing Agencies' Rules regarding allocation of losses.\10\ Finally, 
the proposed revisions would update the description of the calculation 
of the Recovery/Wind-down Capital Requirement in the Capital Policy to 
clarify that the Recovery & Wind-down Plans of each of the Clearing 
Agencies have been adopted by the Clearing Agencies.\11\
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    \10\ See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 83970 (August 28, 
2018), 83 FR 44929 (September 4, 2018) (SR-FICC-2017-022); 83951 
(August 27, 2018), 83 FR 44331 (August 30, 2018) (SR-FICC-2017-806).
    \11\ See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 83973 (August 28, 
2018), 83 FR 44942 (September 4, 2018) (SR-FICC-2017-021); 83954 
(August 27, 2018), 83 FR 44361 (August 30, 2018) (SR-FICC-2017-805).
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    These proposed revisions are designed to enhance the clarity of the 
Policy and Plan and help ensure that they continue to operate as 
intended.
1. Technical Revisions
    FICC is proposing technical revisions to the descriptions within 
the Capital Policy and Capital Replenishment Plan that would correct 
typographical errors, including, for example, removing a phrase that 
was incorrectly repeated in the same sentence. These revisions would 
also correct an error in Section 3 of the Policy, where the document 
was incorrectly referred to as the Plan.
    Such revisions would also update the documents. For example, the 
proposed changes would replace references in the Capital Policy and 
Capital Replenishment Plan to the Finance/Capital Committee of the 
Boards, which was disbanded September 2017, with the Boards, which has 
taken on the responsibilities of this Committee set forth in the Policy 
and Plan. These revisions would also include updating the Capital 
Replenishment Plan to revise the name of the ``Capital Contributions to 
DTCC Subsidiaries and Joint Ventures Policy'' to the new name of this 
document, the ``Capital Contributions Policy.'' \12\
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    \12\ This document is an internal policy that governs how The 
Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation may invest capital in its 
subsidiaries, including the Clearing Agencies, as well as affiliated 
joint ventures and non-affiliated companies.
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    Finally, the proposed revisions would also simplify the 
descriptions in these documents. For example, these revisions would add 
a defined term for the Clearing Agencies' Rules to the Policy in order 
to simplify references to such rules and procedures in this document.
2. Addition of Corporate Contribution
    The proposed revisions would also replace references in the Capital 
Policy and Capital Replenishment Plan to the ``Credit Risk Capital 
Requirement'' with the ``Corporate Contribution.'' Currently, the 
Capital Policy describes how each Clearing Agency maintains a portion 
of retained earnings as LNA funded by equity as its Credit Risk Capital 
Requirement, in accordance with their respective Rules. Recently, the 
Clearing Agencies implemented revisions to their respective Rules to 
enhance the process by which they may allocate losses to their 
participants if the size of the losses exceed their prefunded 
resources.\13\ Such revisions included an amendment to the calculation 
and application of the amount of LNA funded by equity that are 
currently referred to in the Capital Policy and Capital Replenishment 
Plan as the Credit Risk Capital Requirement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ Supra note 10.
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    Specifically, the GSD Rules and MBSD Rules previously provided that 
FICC would contribute up to 25 percent of its retained earnings (or 
such higher amount as the FICC Board of Directors shall determine) to a 
loss or liability as the result of the failure of a defaulting member 
that is not satisfied by the defaulting member's Clearing Fund deposit. 
Pursuant to these recent changes, the GSD Rules and MBSD Rules provide 
that an amount equal to 50 percent of FICC's General Business Risk 
Capital Requirement (as such amount is defined in the Capital Policy), 
or such greater amount as the FICC Board of Directors may determine, 
(``Corporate Contribution'') may be used to address unsatisfied losses 
or liabilities arising either from a member default or a non-default 
event. The Corporate Contribution applied to any losses arising from 
events that may occur during the next 250 business days would be 
reduced to the remaining

[[Page 53133]]

unused portion of Corporate Contribution, if any.\14\
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    \14\ See supra notes 9 and 10.
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    The amendments to the calculation and application of the resources 
that are now referred to as the Corporate Contribution did not change 
how these resources are described within the Policy or the Plan. The 
Corporate Contribution continues to represent resources maintained by 
the Clearing Agencies to address losses due to a participant default, 
as a part of their management of credit risk.\15\ These resources also 
are still held in addition to the LNA funded by equity held by each of 
the Clearing Agencies as its General Business Risk Capital Requirement.
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    \15\ As noted above, unlike the resources referred to in the 
Policy and Plan as the Credit Risk Capital Requirement, the 
Corporate Contribution would also be available to the Clearing 
Agencies to address losses due to events other than a participant 
default.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Therefore, the Capital Policy and Capital Replenishment Plan would 
be revised to replace references to the Credit Risk Capital Requirement 
with references to the Corporate Contribution, and no other changes are 
needed to the description of this amount.
3. Update References to the Recovery & Wind-Down Plans of the Clearing 
Agencies
    The proposed revisions would also update the Capital Policy to make 
clear that the Recovery & Wind-down Plans of the Clearing Agencies have 
been adopted by the Clearing Agencies.\16\ Such references are 
currently made in connection with the description of the calculation of 
the Recovery/Wind-down Capital Requirement.
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    \16\ Supra note 11.
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    The Recovery/Wind-down Capital Requirement is an amount based on 
the time estimated to execute a recovery or orderly wind-down of the 
critical operations of that Clearing Agency and is used by the Clearing 
Agencies to determine their General Business Risk Capital Requirement. 
Each of the Clearing Agencies recently adopted a Recovery & Wind-down 
Plan, which provide plans for the recovery and orderly wind-down of 
each of the Clearing Agencies necessitated by credit losses, liquidity 
shortfalls, losses from general business risk, or any other losses.\17\ 
The Recovery & Wind-down Plans each include an analysis of the 
calculation of the Recovery/Wind-down Capital Requirement, based on the 
formula that is set forth in the Capital Policy.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ Id.
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    The Clearing Agencies are proposing to revise the Capital Policy to 
make clear that the Recovery & Wind-down Plans have now been adopted by 
the Clearing Agencies.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Clearing Agencies believe that the proposed rule change is 
consistent with the requirements of the Act and the rules and 
regulations thereunder applicable to a registered clearing agency. In 
particular, the Clearing Agencies believe that the Capital Policy and 
the Capital Replenishment Plan are both consistent with Section 
17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act \18\ and Rule 17Ad-22(e)(15) under the Act,\19\ 
for the reasons described below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \18\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(3)(F).
    \19\ 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22(e)(15).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act requires, in part, that the rules 
of the Clearing Agencies be designed to promote the prompt and accurate 
clearance and settlement of securities transactions, and to assure the 
safeguarding of securities and funds which are in the custody or 
control of the Clearing Agency or for which it is responsible.\20\ 
Together, the Capital Policy and the Capital Replenishment Plan are 
designed to ensure that each of the Clearing Agencies hold sufficient 
LNA funded by equity to cover potential general business losses so that 
it can continue the prompt and accurate clearance and settlement of 
securities transactions and can continue to assure the safeguarding of 
securities and funds which are in its custody or control or for which 
it is responsible if those losses materialize. By correcting errors and 
updating the Capital Policy and Capital Replenishment Plan to be 
consistent with recent changes implemented by the Clearing Agencies, 
the proposed revisions would allow the Clearing Agencies to maintain 
these documents to operate in the way they were intended. Therefore, 
such proposed revisions would be consistent with the requirements of 
Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act.\21\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \20\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(3)(F).
    \21\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Rule 17Ad-22(e)(15) requires the Clearing Agencies to establish, 
implement, maintain and enforce written policies and procedures 
reasonably designed to identify, monitor, and manage their respective 
general business risk and hold sufficient liquid net assets funded by 
equity to cover potential general business losses so that the Clearing 
Agencies can continue operations and services as a going concern if 
those losses materialize.\22\ As originally implemented, the Capital 
Policy and the Capital Replenishment Plan were designed to meet the 
requirements of Rule 17Ad-22(e)(15) under the Act.\23\ As stated above, 
the proposed revisions would update the Capital Policy and Capital 
Replenishment Plan to be consistent with recent changes implemented by 
the Clearing Agencies. In this way, the proposed changes would allow 
the Clearing Agencies to maintain these documents in a way that to meet 
these requirements. Therefore, such proposed revisions would be 
consistent with the requirements of Rule 17Ad-22(e)(15) under the 
Act.\24\
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    \22\ 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22(e)(15).
    \23\ See supra note 5.
    \24\ 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22(e)(15).
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(B) Clearing Agency's Statement on Burden on Competition

    Each of the Clearing Agencies believes that none of the proposed 
revisions to the Capital Policy and the Capital Replenishment Plan 
would have any impact, or impose any burden, on competition. The Policy 
and the Plan are maintained by the Clearing Agencies in order to 
satisfy their regulatory requirements and generally reflect internal 
tools and procedures. Tools and procedures that have a direct impact on 
the rights, responsibilities or obligations of members or participants 
of the Clearing Agencies are reflected in the Clearing Agencies' Rules. 
Accordingly, the Capital Policy and Capital Replenishment Plan 
themselves are documents that enhance the Clearing Agencies' regulatory 
compliance and internal management and do not have any impact, or 
impose any burden, on competition.
    The proposed revisions to correct and update the Capital Policy and 
Capital Replenishment Plan would not affect any changes on the 
fundamental purpose or operation of these documents and, as such, would 
also not have any impact, or impose any burden, on competition.

(C) Clearing Agency's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change 
Received From Members, Participants, or Others

    The Clearing Agencies have not solicited or received any written 
comments relating to this proposal. The Clearing Agencies will notify 
the Commission of any written comments received by the Clearing 
Agencies.

[[Page 53134]]

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

    The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 
19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \25\ and paragraph (f) of Rule 19b-4 
thereunder.\26\ At any time within 60 days of the filing of the 
proposed rule change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend 
such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is 
necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of 
investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
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    \25\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \26\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f).
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IV. Solicitation of Comments

    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views and 
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule 
change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of 
the following methods:

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an email to [email protected]. Please include 
File Number SR-FICC-2018-009 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

     Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities 
and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549.

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-FICC-2018-009. This file 
number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help 
the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, 
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on 
the Commission's internet website (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). 
Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written 
statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with 
the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed 
rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those 
that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions 
of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for website viewing and printing in 
the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 
20549 on official business days between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 
3:00 p.m. Copies of the filing also will be available for inspection 
and copying at the principal office of FICC and on DTCC's website 
(http://dtcc.com/legal/sec-rule-filings.aspx). All comments received 
will be posted without change. Persons submitting comments are 
cautioned that we do not redact or edit personal identifying 
information from comment submissions. You should submit only 
information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions 
should refer to File Number SR-FICC-2018-009 and should be submitted on 
or before November 9, 2018.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\27\
Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
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    \27\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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[FR Doc. 2018-22778 Filed 10-18-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 203 / Friday, October 19, 2018 / Notices                                                  53131

                                              investors, or otherwise in furtherance of                 For the Commission, by the Division of              Policy and Plan to the ‘‘Credit Risk
                                              the purposes of the Act.                                Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated            Capital Requirement’’ with the
                                                                                                      authority.27                                          ‘‘Corporate Contribution;’’ and (3)
                                              IV. Solicitation of Comments                            Eduardo A. Aleman,                                    update references in the Policy to the
                                                Interested persons are invited to                     Assistant Secretary.                                  Recovery & Wind-down Plans of each of
                                              submit written data, views and                          [FR Doc. 2018–22780 Filed 10–18–18; 8:45 am]          the Clearing Agencies, which were
                                              arguments concerning the foregoing,                     BILLING CODE 8011–01–P                                recently adopted by the Clearing
                                              including whether the proposed rule                                                                           Agencies, as described in greater detail
                                              change is consistent with the Act.                                                                            below.
                                              Comments may be submitted by any of                     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                                                                                                      COMMISSION                                            II. Clearing Agency’s Statement of the
                                              the following methods:                                                                                        Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the
                                              Electronic Comments                                     [Release No. 34–84427; File No. SR–FICC–              Proposed Rule Change
                                                                                                      2018–009]
                                                • Use the Commission’s internet                                                                                In its filing with the Commission, the
                                              comment form (http://www.sec.gov/                       Self-Regulatory Organizations; Fixed                  clearing agency included statements
                                              rules/sro.shtml); or                                    Income Clearing Corporation; Notice of                concerning the purpose of and basis for
                                                                                                      Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of                 the proposed rule change and discussed
                                                • Send an email to rule-comments@                                                                           any comments it received on the
                                              sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–                 Proposed Rule Change To Amend the
                                                                                                      Clearing Agency Policy on Capital                     proposed rule change. The text of these
                                              NSCC–2018–008 on the subject line.                                                                            statements may be examined at the
                                                                                                      Requirements and the Clearing Agency
                                              Paper Comments                                          Capital Replenishment Plan                            places specified in Item IV below. The
                                                                                                                                                            clearing agency has prepared
                                                • Send paper comments in triplicate                   October 15, 2018.                                     summaries, set forth in sections A, B,
                                              to Secretary, Securities and Exchange                      Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the                and C below, of the most significant
                                              Commission, 100 F Street NE,                            Securities Exchange Act of 1934                       aspects of such statements.
                                              Washington, DC 20549.                                   (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
                                                                                                      notice is hereby given that on October                (A) Clearing Agency’s Statement of the
                                              All submissions should refer to File                                                                          Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the
                                              Number SR–NSCC–2018–008. This file                      4, 2018, Fixed Income Clearing
                                                                                                      Corporation (‘‘FICC’’) filed with the                 Proposed Rule Change
                                              number should be included on the
                                              subject line if email is used. To help the              Securities and Exchange Commission                    1. Purpose
                                              Commission process and review your                      (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule                       The Clearing Agencies are proposing
                                              comments more efficiently, please use                   change as described in Items I, II and III            to revise the Capital Policy and Capital
                                              only one method. The Commission will                    below, which Items have been prepared                 Replenishment Plan, which were
                                              post all comments on the Commission’s                   by the clearing agency. FICC filed the                adopted by the Clearing Agencies in
                                              internet website (http://www.sec.gov/                   proposed rule change pursuant to                      July 2017 5 and are maintained by the
                                              rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the                         Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 3 and Rule             Clearing Agencies in compliance with
                                              submission, all subsequent                              19b–4(f)(4) thereunder.4 The                          Rule 17Ad–22(e)(15) under the Act.6
                                              amendments, all written statements                      Commission is publishing this notice to
                                              with respect to the proposed rule                       solicit comments on the proposed rule                 Overview of the Capital Policy and
                                              change that are filed with the                          change from interested persons.                       Capital Replenishment Plan
                                              Commission, and all written                             I. Clearing Agency’s Statement of the                    The Capital Policy sets forth the
                                              communications relating to the                          Terms of Substance of the Proposed                    manner in which each Clearing Agency
                                              proposed rule change between the                        Rule Change                                           identifies, monitors, and manages its
                                              Commission and any person, other than                                                                         general business risk with respect to the
                                              those that may be withheld from the                        The proposed rule change consists of               requirement to hold sufficient liquid net
                                              public in accordance with the                           amendments to (i) the Clearing Agency                 assets (‘‘LNA’’) funded by equity to
                                              provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be                     Policy on Capital Requirements                        cover potential general business losses
                                              available for website viewing and                       (‘‘Capital Policy’’ or ‘‘Policy’’) of FICC            so the Clearing Agency can continue
                                              printing in the Commission’s Public                     and its affiliates, The Depository Trust              operations and services as a going
                                              Reference Room, 100 F Street NE,                        Company (‘‘DTC’’) and National                        concern if such losses materialize.7 The
                                              Washington, DC 20549 on official                        Securities Clearing Corporation                       amount of LNA funded by equity to be
                                              business days between the hours of                      (‘‘NSCC,’’ and together with DTC and                  held by each of the Clearing Agencies
                                              10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the                  FICC, the ‘‘Clearing Agencies’’); and (ii)            for this purpose is defined in the Policy
                                              filing also will be available for                       the Clearing Agency Capital                           as the General Business Risk Capital
                                              inspection and copying at the principal                 Replenishment Plan (‘‘Capital                         Requirement. The Policy provides that
                                              office of NSCC and on DTCC’s website                    Replenishment Plan’’ or ‘‘Plan’’) of the              the General Business Risk Requirement
                                              (http://dtcc.com/legal/sec-rule-                        Clearing Agencies. In particular, the                 is calculated for each Clearing Agency
                                              filings.aspx). All comments received                    proposed revisions to the Capital Policy              as the greatest of three separate
                                              will be posted without change. Persons                  and Capital Replenishment Plan would                  calculations—(1) an amount based on
                                              submitting comments are cautioned that                  (1) correct typographical errors and                  that Clearing Agency’s general business
                                              we do not redact or edit personal                       make other technical revisions to correct             risk profile (‘‘Risk-Based Capital
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1




                                              identifying information from comment                    and simplify statements in the Policy                 Requirement’’), (2) an amount based on
                                              submissions. You should submit only                     and Plan; (2) replace references in the
                                              information that you wish to make                         27 17
                                                                                                                                                               5 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 81105
                                                                                                              CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).                          (July 7, 2017), 82 FR 32399 (July 13, 2017) (SR–
                                              available publicly. All submissions                       1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
                                                                                                                                                            DTC–2017–003, SR–FICC–2017–007, SR–NSCC–
                                              should refer to File Number SR–NSCC–                      2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.                                 2017–004).
                                              2018–008 and should be submitted on                       3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).                              6 17 CFR 240.17Ad–22(e)(15).
                                              or before November 9, 2018.                               4 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(4).                              7 Id.




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                                              53132                          Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 203 / Friday, October 19, 2018 / Notices

                                              the time estimated to execute a recovery                 overview and description of each of the               Joint Ventures Policy’’ to the new name
                                              or orderly wind-down of the critical                     tools that may be used to replenish                   of this document, the ‘‘Capital
                                              operations of that Clearing Agency                       capital.                                              Contributions Policy.’’ 12
                                              (‘‘Recovery/Wind-down Capital                                                                                    Finally, the proposed revisions would
                                                                                                       Proposed Revisions to the Capital Policy
                                              Requirement’’), and (3) an amount based                                                                        also simplify the descriptions in these
                                                                                                       and Capital Replenishment Plan
                                              on an analysis of that Clearing Agency’s                                                                       documents. For example, these
                                              estimated operating expenses for a six                     As described in greater detail below,               revisions would add a defined term for
                                              month period (‘‘Operating Expense                        the Clearing Agencies are proposing to                the Clearing Agencies’ Rules to the
                                              Capital Requirement’’). On an annual                     make certain revisions to the Capital                 Policy in order to simplify references to
                                              basis, each of these three capital                       Policy and Capital Replenishment Plan.                such rules and procedures in this
                                              requirements are measured, and the                         First, the proposed revisions would                 document.
                                              General Business Risk Capital                            correct typographical errors and make
                                              Requirement for each Clearing Agency                     other technical revisions to correct and              2. Addition of Corporate Contribution
                                              are determined as the greatest of these                  simplify statements in the Capital Policy
                                                                                                                                                                The proposed revisions would also
                                              calculations.                                            and Capital Replenishment Plan.
                                                                                                                                                             replace references in the Capital Policy
                                                 Currently, the Capital Policy also                    Second, the proposed revisions would
                                                                                                                                                             and Capital Replenishment Plan to the
                                              addresses how each Clearing Agency                       replace references to the ‘‘Credit Risk
                                                                                                                                                             ‘‘Credit Risk Capital Requirement’’ with
                                              maintains a portion of retained earnings                 Capital Requirement’’ with ‘‘Corporate
                                                                                                                                                             the ‘‘Corporate Contribution.’’
                                              as LNA funded by equity as its Credit                    Contribution.’’ This proposed change
                                                                                                                                                             Currently, the Capital Policy describes
                                              Risk Capital Requirement, as a part of its               would reflect the implementation of
                                                                                                                                                             how each Clearing Agency maintains a
                                              management of credit risk 8 and                          recent revisions to the Clearing
                                                                                                       Agencies’ Rules regarding allocation of               portion of retained earnings as LNA
                                              pursuant to their respective rules.9                                                                           funded by equity as its Credit Risk
                                              These resources are maintained to                        losses.10 Finally, the proposed revisions
                                                                                                       would update the description of the                   Capital Requirement, in accordance
                                              address losses due to a participant                                                                            with their respective Rules. Recently,
                                              default, and are held in addition to the                 calculation of the Recovery/Wind-down
                                                                                                       Capital Requirement in the Capital                    the Clearing Agencies implemented
                                              LNA funded by equity held by each of                                                                           revisions to their respective Rules to
                                              the Clearing Agencies as its General                     Policy to clarify that the Recovery &
                                                                                                       Wind-down Plans of each of the                        enhance the process by which they may
                                              Business Risk Capital Requirement. The                                                                         allocate losses to their participants if the
                                              Capital Policy describes how each                        Clearing Agencies have been adopted by
                                                                                                       the Clearing Agencies.11                              size of the losses exceed their prefunded
                                              Clearing Agency’s General Business
                                                                                                         These proposed revisions are                        resources.13 Such revisions included an
                                              Risk Capital Requirement and Credit
                                                                                                       designed to enhance the clarity of the                amendment to the calculation and
                                              Risk Capital Requirement fit within the
                                                                                                       Policy and Plan and help ensure that                  application of the amount of LNA
                                              Clearing Agencies’ Capital Framework,
                                                                                                       they continue to operate as intended.                 funded by equity that are currently
                                              where the Total Capital Requirement of
                                                                                                                                                             referred to in the Capital Policy and
                                              each Clearing Agency is calculated as                    1. Technical Revisions                                Capital Replenishment Plan as the
                                              the sum of its General Business Risk
                                                                                                          FICC is proposing technical revisions              Credit Risk Capital Requirement.
                                              Capital Requirement and Credit Risk
                                                                                                       to the descriptions within the Capital                   Specifically, the GSD Rules and
                                              Capital Requirement.
                                                 The Policy also provides a plan for                   Policy and Capital Replenishment Plan                 MBSD Rules previously provided that
                                              the replenishment of capital through the                 that would correct typographical errors,              FICC would contribute up to 25 percent
                                              Capital Replenishment Plan. The                          including, for example, removing a                    of its retained earnings (or such higher
                                              Capital Replenishment Plan was                           phrase that was incorrectly repeated in               amount as the FICC Board of Directors
                                              adopted by the Clearing Agencies as a                    the same sentence. These revisions                    shall determine) to a loss or liability as
                                                                                                       would also correct an error in Section 3              the result of the failure of a defaulting
                                              plan for the replenishment of capital by
                                                                                                       of the Policy, where the document was                 member that is not satisfied by the
                                              each Clearing Agency should its equity
                                                                                                       incorrectly referred to as the Plan.                  defaulting member’s Clearing Fund
                                              fall close to or below the amount being                     Such revisions would also update the
                                              held as its Total Capital Requirement                                                                          deposit. Pursuant to these recent
                                                                                                       documents. For example, the proposed                  changes, the GSD Rules and MBSD
                                              pursuant to the Capital Policy. The                      changes would replace references in the
                                              Capital Replenishment Plan identifies                                                                          Rules provide that an amount equal to
                                                                                                       Capital Policy and Capital                            50 percent of FICC’s General Business
                                              the circumstances that would trigger                     Replenishment Plan to the Finance/
                                              implementation of the Plan; the roles,                                                                         Risk Capital Requirement (as such
                                                                                                       Capital Committee of the Boards, which                amount is defined in the Capital Policy),
                                              responsibilities, and guiding principles                 was disbanded September 2017, with
                                              for implementation of the Plan; and an                                                                         or such greater amount as the FICC
                                                                                                       the Boards, which has taken on the                    Board of Directors may determine,
                                                 8 LNA funded by equity held as the Clearing
                                                                                                       responsibilities of this Committee set                (‘‘Corporate Contribution’’) may be used
                                              Agencies’ Credit Risk Capital Requirement is held        forth in the Policy and Plan. These                   to address unsatisfied losses or
                                              in addition to resources held by the Clearing            revisions would also include updating                 liabilities arising either from a member
                                              Agencies for credit risk in compliance with Rule         the Capital Replenishment Plan to                     default or a non-default event. The
                                              17Ad–22(e)(4) under the Act and in addition to           revise the name of the ‘‘Capital
                                              resources held by the Clearing Agencies for                                                                    Corporate Contribution applied to any
                                              liquidity risk in compliance with Rule 17Ad–             Contributions to DTCC Subsidiaries and                losses arising from events that may
                                              22(e)(7). 17 CFR 240.17Ad–22(e)(4), (7).                                                                       occur during the next 250 business days
                                                 9 The Rules, By-laws and Organizational                  10 See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos.
                                                                                                                                                             would be reduced to the remaining
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                                              Certificate of DTC (‘‘DTC Rules’’), the Rulebook of      83970 (August 28, 2018), 83 FR 44929 (September
                                              the Government Securities Division of FICC (‘‘GSD        4, 2018) (SR–FICC–2017–022); 83951 (August 27,
                                              Rules’’), the Clearing Rules of the Mortgage-Backed      2018), 83 FR 44331 (August 30, 2018) (SR–FICC–           12 This document is an internal policy that

                                              Securities Division of FICC (‘‘MBSD Rules’’), or the     2017–806).                                            governs how The Depository Trust & Clearing
                                              Rules & Procedures of NSCC (‘‘NSCC Rules,’’                 11 See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos.        Corporation may invest capital in its subsidiaries,
                                              together with the DTC Rules, GSD Rules and MBSD          83973 (August 28, 2018), 83 FR 44942 (September       including the Clearing Agencies, as well as
                                              Rules, the ‘‘Clearing Agencies’ Rules’’ or ‘‘Rules’’),   4, 2018) (SR–FICC–2017–021); 83954 (August 27,        affiliated joint ventures and non-affiliated
                                              available at http://dtcc.com/legal/rules-and-            2018), 83 FR 44361 (August 30, 2018) (SR–FICC–        companies.
                                              procedures.                                              2017–805).                                               13 Supra note 10.




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                                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 203 / Friday, October 19, 2018 / Notices                                          53133

                                              unused portion of Corporate                                The Clearing Agencies are proposing                materialize.22 As originally
                                              Contribution, if any.14                                  to revise the Capital Policy to make                 implemented, the Capital Policy and the
                                                The amendments to the calculation                      clear that the Recovery & Wind-down                  Capital Replenishment Plan were
                                              and application of the resources that are                Plans have now been adopted by the                   designed to meet the requirements of
                                              now referred to as the Corporate                         Clearing Agencies.                                   Rule 17Ad–22(e)(15) under the Act.23
                                              Contribution did not change how these                    2. Statutory Basis                                   As stated above, the proposed revisions
                                              resources are described within the                                                                            would update the Capital Policy and
                                              Policy or the Plan. The Corporate                           The Clearing Agencies believe that the
                                                                                                                                                            Capital Replenishment Plan to be
                                              Contribution continues to represent                      proposed rule change is consistent with
                                                                                                       the requirements of the Act and the                  consistent with recent changes
                                              resources maintained by the Clearing                                                                          implemented by the Clearing Agencies.
                                              Agencies to address losses due to a                      rules and regulations thereunder
                                                                                                       applicable to a registered clearing                  In this way, the proposed changes
                                              participant default, as a part of their                                                                       would allow the Clearing Agencies to
                                              management of credit risk.15 These                       agency. In particular, the Clearing
                                                                                                       Agencies believe that the Capital Policy             maintain these documents in a way that
                                              resources also are still held in addition                                                                     to meet these requirements. Therefore,
                                              to the LNA funded by equity held by                      and the Capital Replenishment Plan are
                                                                                                       both consistent with Section                         such proposed revisions would be
                                              each of the Clearing Agencies as its
                                                                                                       17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act 18 and Rule                  consistent with the requirements of Rule
                                              General Business Risk Capital
                                              Requirement.                                             17Ad–22(e)(15) under the Act,19 for the              17Ad–22(e)(15) under the Act.24
                                                Therefore, the Capital Policy and                      reasons described below.
                                                                                                          Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act                   (B) Clearing Agency’s Statement on
                                              Capital Replenishment Plan would be                                                                           Burden on Competition
                                                                                                       requires, in part, that the rules of the
                                              revised to replace references to the
                                                                                                       Clearing Agencies be designed to                       Each of the Clearing Agencies believes
                                              Credit Risk Capital Requirement with
                                                                                                       promote the prompt and accurate                      that none of the proposed revisions to
                                              references to the Corporate
                                                                                                       clearance and settlement of securities               the Capital Policy and the Capital
                                              Contribution, and no other changes are
                                                                                                       transactions, and to assure the
                                              needed to the description of this                                                                             Replenishment Plan would have any
                                                                                                       safeguarding of securities and funds
                                              amount.                                                                                                       impact, or impose any burden, on
                                                                                                       which are in the custody or control of
                                                                                                       the Clearing Agency or for which it is               competition. The Policy and the Plan
                                              3. Update References to the Recovery &
                                              Wind-Down Plans of the Clearing                          responsible.20 Together, the Capital                 are maintained by the Clearing Agencies
                                              Agencies                                                 Policy and the Capital Replenishment                 in order to satisfy their regulatory
                                                                                                       Plan are designed to ensure that each of             requirements and generally reflect
                                                 The proposed revisions would also                                                                          internal tools and procedures. Tools and
                                                                                                       the Clearing Agencies hold sufficient
                                              update the Capital Policy to make clear                                                                       procedures that have a direct impact on
                                                                                                       LNA funded by equity to cover potential
                                              that the Recovery & Wind-down Plans of                                                                        the rights, responsibilities or obligations
                                                                                                       general business losses so that it can
                                              the Clearing Agencies have been                                                                               of members or participants of the
                                                                                                       continue the prompt and accurate
                                              adopted by the Clearing Agencies.16                                                                           Clearing Agencies are reflected in the
                                                                                                       clearance and settlement of securities
                                              Such references are currently made in                                                                         Clearing Agencies’ Rules. Accordingly,
                                                                                                       transactions and can continue to assure
                                              connection with the description of the
                                                                                                       the safeguarding of securities and funds             the Capital Policy and Capital
                                              calculation of the Recovery/Wind-down
                                                                                                       which are in its custody or control or for           Replenishment Plan themselves are
                                              Capital Requirement.
                                                                                                       which it is responsible if those losses              documents that enhance the Clearing
                                                 The Recovery/Wind-down Capital                        materialize. By correcting errors and                Agencies’ regulatory compliance and
                                              Requirement is an amount based on the                    updating the Capital Policy and Capital              internal management and do not have
                                              time estimated to execute a recovery or                  Replenishment Plan to be consistent
                                              orderly wind-down of the critical                                                                             any impact, or impose any burden, on
                                                                                                       with recent changes implemented by the               competition.
                                              operations of that Clearing Agency and                   Clearing Agencies, the proposed
                                              is used by the Clearing Agencies to                                                                             The proposed revisions to correct and
                                                                                                       revisions would allow the Clearing
                                              determine their General Business Risk                    Agencies to maintain these documents                 update the Capital Policy and Capital
                                              Capital Requirement. Each of the                         to operate in the way they were                      Replenishment Plan would not affect
                                              Clearing Agencies recently adopted a                     intended. Therefore, such proposed                   any changes on the fundamental
                                              Recovery & Wind-down Plan, which                         revisions would be consistent with the               purpose or operation of these
                                              provide plans for the recovery and                       requirements of Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of              documents and, as such, would also not
                                              orderly wind-down of each of the                         the Act.21                                           have any impact, or impose any burden,
                                              Clearing Agencies necessitated by credit                    Rule 17Ad–22(e)(15) requires the                  on competition.
                                              losses, liquidity shortfalls, losses from                Clearing Agencies to establish,
                                              general business risk, or any other                                                                           (C) Clearing Agency’s Statement on
                                                                                                       implement, maintain and enforce
                                              losses.17 The Recovery & Wind-down                                                                            Comments on the Proposed Rule
                                                                                                       written policies and procedures
                                              Plans each include an analysis of the                                                                         Change Received From Members,
                                                                                                       reasonably designed to identify,
                                              calculation of the Recovery/Wind-down                    monitor, and manage their respective                 Participants, or Others
                                              Capital Requirement, based on the                        general business risk and hold sufficient
                                              formula that is set forth in the Capital                                                                        The Clearing Agencies have not
                                                                                                       liquid net assets funded by equity to                solicited or received any written
                                              Policy.                                                  cover potential general business losses              comments relating to this proposal. The
                                                                                                       so that the Clearing Agencies can
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                                                14 See  supra notes 9 and 10.                                                                               Clearing Agencies will notify the
                                                                                                       continue operations and services as a
                                                15 As  noted above, unlike the resources referred                                                           Commission of any written comments
                                                                                                       going concern if those losses
                                              to in the Policy and Plan as the Credit Risk Capital                                                          received by the Clearing Agencies.
                                              Requirement, the Corporate Contribution would
                                                                                                        18 15  U.S.C. 78q–1(b)(3)(F).
                                              also be available to the Clearing Agencies to address
                                                                                                                                                              22 17 CFR 240.17Ad–22(e)(15).
                                              losses due to events other than a participant default.    19 17  CFR 240.17Ad–22(e)(15).
                                                16 Supra note 11.                                       20 15 U.S.C. 78q–1(b)(3)(F).                          23 See supra note 5.
                                                17 Id.                                                  21 Id.                                                24 17 CFR 240.17Ad–22(e)(15).




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                                              53134                            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 203 / Friday, October 19, 2018 / Notices

                                              III. Date of Effectiveness of the                          inspection and copying at the principal                  The text of the proposed rule change
                                              Proposed Rule Change, and Timing for                       office of FICC and on DTCC’s website                  is available on the Exchange’s website at
                                              Commission Action                                          (http://dtcc.com/legal/sec-rule-                      http://nasdaqgemx.cchwallstreet.com/,
                                                 The foregoing rule change has become                    filings.aspx). All comments received                  at the principal office of the Exchange,
                                              effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)                  will be posted without change. Persons                and at the Commission’s Public
                                              of the Act 25 and paragraph (f) of Rule                    submitting comments are cautioned that                Reference Room.
                                              19b–4 thereunder.26 At any time within                     we do not redact or edit personal
                                                                                                                                                               II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                              60 days of the filing of the proposed rule                 identifying information from comment
                                                                                                                                                               Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                              change, the Commission summarily may                       submissions. You should submit only
                                                                                                                                                               Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                              temporarily suspend such rule change if                    information that you wish to make
                                                                                                                                                               Change
                                              it appears to the Commission that such                     available publicly. All submissions
                                              action is necessary or appropriate in the                  should refer to File Number SR–FICC–                    In its filing with the Commission, the
                                              public interest, for the protection of                     2018–009 and should be submitted on                   Exchange included statements
                                              investors, or otherwise in furtherance of                  or before November 9, 2018.                           concerning the purpose of and basis for
                                              the purposes of the Act.                                     For the Commission, by the Division of              the proposed rule change and discussed
                                                                                                         Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated            any comments it received on the
                                              IV. Solicitation of Comments                               authority.27                                          proposed rule change. The text of these
                                                Interested persons are invited to                        Eduardo A. Aleman,                                    statements may be examined at the
                                              submit written data, views and                             Assistant Secretary.                                  places specified in Item IV below. The
                                              arguments concerning the foregoing,                        [FR Doc. 2018–22778 Filed 10–18–18; 8:45 am]          Exchange has prepared summaries, set
                                              including whether the proposed rule                                                                              forth in sections A, B, and C below, of
                                                                                                         BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                              change is consistent with the Act.                                                                               the most significant aspects of such
                                              Comments may be submitted by any of                                                                              statements.
                                              the following methods:                                     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                               A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                              Electronic Comments                                        COMMISSION                                            Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                • Use the Commission’s internet                          [Release No. 34–84423; File No. SR–GEMX–              Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                              comment form (http://www.sec.gov/                          2018–35]                                              Change
                                              rules/sro.shtml); or                                                                                             1. Purpose
                                                • Send an email to rule-comments@                        Self-Regulatory Organizations; Nasdaq
                                              sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–                    GEMX, LLC; Notice of Filing and                          The Exchange proposes to delete the
                                              FICC–2018–009 on the subject line.                         Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed                   rules on arbitration, currently under
                                                                                                         Rule Change To Delete Current Rules                   Chapter 18, and incorporate by
                                              Paper Comments                                             on Arbitration, Under Chapter 18                      reference the Nasdaq rules on
                                                 • Send paper comments in triplicate                                                                           arbitration at General 6 of Nasdaq’s
                                              to Secretary, Securities and Exchange                      October 15, 2018.
                                                                                                                                                               rulebook into General 6 of the
                                              Commission, 100 F Street NE,                                  Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
                                                                                                                                                               Exchange’s Rulebook.
                                              Washington, DC 20549.                                      Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                                                                                                         (‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2                  The Exchange adopted the Current
                                              All submissions should refer to File                                                                             Arbitration Rules to ensure a fair and
                                              Number SR–FICC–2018–009. This file                         notice is hereby given that on October
                                                                                                         9, 2018, Nasdaq GEMX, LLC (‘‘GEMX’’                   efficient manner in which to handle any
                                              number should be included on the                                                                                 dispute, claim or controversy arising out
                                              subject line if email is used. To help the                 or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities
                                                                                                         and Exchange Commission (‘‘SEC’’ or                   of, or in connection with, the business
                                              Commission process and review your                                                                               of any Member of the Exchange. To help
                                              comments more efficiently, please use                      ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule
                                                                                                         change as described in Items I, II, and               administer the process of dispute
                                              only one method. The Commission will                                                                             resolution, the Exchange and FINRA are
                                              post all comments on the Commission’s                      III, below, which Items have been
                                                                                                         prepared by the Exchange. The                         parties to a Regulatory Contract,
                                              internet website (http://www.sec.gov/                                                                            pursuant to which FINRA has agreed to
                                              rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the                            Commission is publishing this notice to
                                                                                                         solicit comments on the proposed rule                 perform certain functions and provide
                                              submission, all subsequent                                                                                       access to certain services, including:
                                              amendments, all written statements                         change from interested persons.
                                                                                                                                                               Member regulation and registration;
                                              with respect to the proposed rule                          I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                     non-real time market surveillance;
                                              change that are filed with the                             Statement of the Terms of Substance of                examinations and investigations; and
                                              Commission, and all written                                the Proposed Rule Change                              dispute resolution. FINRA currently
                                              communications relating to the                                                                                   operates the largest securities dispute
                                              proposed rule change between the                              The Exchange proposes to delete the
                                                                                                         current rules on arbitration (‘‘Current               resolution forum in the United States,4
                                              Commission and any person, other than
                                                                                                         Arbitration Rules’’), under Chapter 18,               and has given the Exchange access to
                                              those that may be withheld from the
                                                                                                         and incorporate by reference The                      these services. Under the Current
                                              public in accordance with the
                                                                                                         Nasdaq Stock Market LLC’s (‘‘Nasdaq’’)                Arbitration Rules, Members and
                                              provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
                                                                                                         rules on arbitration at General 6                     associated persons of a Member are
                                              available for website viewing and
                                              printing in the Commission’s Public                        (‘‘Proposed Arbitration Rules’’), into
                                              Reference Room, 100 F Street NE,                           General 6 of the Exchange’s rulebook’s                closer to those of its five sister exchanges, The
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                                                                                                         (‘‘Rulebook’’) shell structure.3                      Nasdaq Stock Market LLC; Nasdaq BX, Inc.; Nasdaq
                                              Washington, DC 20549 on official                                                                                 PHLX LLC; Nasdaq ISE, LLC; and Nasdaq MRX,
                                              business days between the hours of                           27 17
                                                                                                                                                               LLC (‘‘Affiliated Exchanges’’). The shell structure
                                                                                                                  CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).                         currently contains eight (8) Chapters which, once
                                              10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the                       1 15  U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).                             complete, will apply a common set of rules to the
                                              filing also will be available for                             2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.                                Affiliated Exchanges. See Securities Exchange Act
                                                                                                            3 Recently, the Exchange added a shell structure   Release No. 82171 (November 29, 2017), 82 FR
                                                25 15   U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).                                                                                   57516 (December 5, 2017) (SR–GEMX–2017–54).
                                                                                                         to its Rulebook with the purpose of improving
                                                26 17   CFR 240.19b–4(f).                                efficiency and readability and to align its rules       4 http://www.finra.org/arbitration-and-mediation.




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Document Created: 2018-10-19 01:25:33
Document Modified: 2018-10-19 01:25:33
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 Citation83 FR 53131 

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