83_FR_6670 83 FR 6639 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Depository Trust Company; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change To Amend the By-Laws

83 FR 6639 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Depository Trust Company; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change To Amend the By-Laws

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 31 (February 14, 2018)

Page Range6639-6646
FR Document2018-02984

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 31 (Wednesday, February 14, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 31 (Wednesday, February 14, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6639-6646]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-02984]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-82671; File No. SR-DTC-2018-001]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Depository Trust Company; 
Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change To Amend the By-Laws

February 8, 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 February 2, 2018, The Depository Trust Company (``DTC'') 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. 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.
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I. Clearing Agency's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the 
Proposed Rule Change

    The proposed rule change would amend the DTC By-Laws (``By-Laws'') 
\3\ to (i) make changes to DTC's governance procedures, (ii) revise 
certain DTC Board of Directors (``Board'') and designated officer 
titles or offices and update the related powers and duties, (iii) 
revise the section describing the compensation of officers, and (iv) 
make certain other technical changes and corrections.
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    \3\ The By-Laws are included in the Rules, By-Laws and 
Organization Certificate of DTC (``Rules''), available at http://www.dtcc.com/legal/rules-and-procedures.
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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

[[Page 6640]]

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
    In DTC's review of the By-Laws, DTC has identified and is proposing 
the following changes to the By-Laws: (i) Changing its internal 
governance procedures, (ii) revising certain Board and designated 
officer titles or offices and updating the related powers and duties, 
(iii) revising the section describing the compensation of officers, and 
(iv) making certain technical changes and corrections. Specifically, 
regarding the proposed changes to the Board and designated officer 
titles or offices and updating the related powers and duties, DTC is 
proposing to: (1) Change the title of Chairman of the Board to Non-
Executive Chairman of the Board and update the related powers and 
duties associated with that role due to personnel changes in DTC's 
management, (2) add the office of the Chief Executive Officer 
(``CEO''), combine the office of the President and the office of the 
Chief Executive Officer into one office (President and Chief Executive 
Officer) and update the related powers and duties to reflect that the 
two positions are now combined and are held by one individual, (3) add 
the office of the Chief Financial Officer (``CFO'') and delete the 
office of the Comptroller, (4) delete the office of the Chief Operating 
Officer (``COO''), (5) change the title of Vice President to Executive 
Director and update the related powers and duties, and (6) make other 
changes related to certain powers and duties of the Board and various 
officers, including Managing Directors, the Vice Chairman of the 
Corporation, the Treasurer and the Assistant Treasurer, as described in 
greater detail below. DTC is proposing to make these changes to the By-
Laws so that the By-Laws remain consistent and accurate and DTC's 
governance documents accurately reflect its management and 
organizational structure and the responsibilities within the purview of 
certain roles. DTC believes these changes would facilitate the 
efficient governance and operation of DTC.
Proposed Changes to the By-Laws \4\
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    \4\ DTC last submitted a rule filing regarding changes to the 
By-Laws in 2006. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 54173 (July 
19, 2006), 71 FR 42890 (July 28, 2006) (SR-DTC-2006-10, SR-FICC-
2006-09, and SR-NSCC-2006-08).
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A. Changes to DTC's Governance Procedures
    DTC would revise the By-Laws to (1) change the frequency with which 
each of the Board and the Executive Committee is required to meet, (2) 
permit the Board to act by unanimous written consent, and (3) make a 
technical change by removing the word ``monthly'' from the phrase 
``regular monthly meetings'' when describing Board meetings. DTC 
proposes to make the changes to the By-Laws that are described below.
1. Changes to the Frequency of Board Meetings and Executive Committee 
Meetings; Technical Change to the Description of Regular Meetings of 
the Board
    Currently, the By-Laws require (1) the Board to meet for ten 
meetings per year with at least two meetings during any three-month 
period and (2) the Executive Committee to meet at least once in each 
30-day period during which the Board does not meet. DTC is proposing to 
reduce the required frequency of its Board meetings and Executive 
Committee meetings to better align the frequency of DTC's Board 
meetings with those of Fixed Income Clearing Corporation and National 
Securities Clearing Corporation. DTC believes that reducing the 
frequency of DTC's Board meetings to better align the occurrence of 
these meetings would facilitate the efficient use of corporate 
resources. Specifically, DTC proposes to make the following changes to 
current Section 2.6 (Meetings) of the By-Laws to (1) reduce the 
required number of Board meetings and (2) eliminate the requirement 
that the Executive Committee meet at least once in each thirty-day 
period during which the Board does not meet:
    a. The minimum required number of meetings of the Board in current 
Section 2.6 (Meetings) would be reduced from ten meetings per year with 
at least two meetings during any three-month period to six meetings per 
year with at least one meeting during any three-month period.
    b. The provision in current Section 2.6 (Meetings) requiring the 
Executive Committee to meet during each 30-day period in which the 
Board does not meet would be deleted.
    In addition, DTC proposes to make a technical change in current 
Section 2.6 (Meetings) by removing the word ``monthly'' from the phrase 
``regular monthly meetings'' when describing that the Board may fix 
times and places for such meetings of the Board. The current provision 
refers to regular monthly meetings but also states that such meetings 
shall be held at least ten times a year. As such, DTC believes that the 
proposed language, which would state that the Board may fix times and 
places for regular meetings of the Board and no notice of such meetings 
need to be given, would improve clarity and consistency.
2. Unanimous Written Consent
    DTC proposes to add proposed Section 2.9 (Action by Unanimous 
Written Consent), permitting the Board to act by unanimous written 
consent in lieu of a meeting. The Board would be permitted to take all 
actions that are required to or may be taken at a meeting by unanimous 
written consent. The provision would require that the written consent 
set forth the action to be taken, be signed by all of the directors, 
and be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board. DTC has 
determined that the unanimous written consent provision would 
facilitate the efficient operation of DTC by permitting the Board to 
make necessary decisions in a timely and efficient manner.
B. Changes to Certain DTC Board and Designated Officer Titles or 
Offices and Updates to the Related Powers and Duties
    DTC proposes to revise the titles or offices and update the related 
powers and duties of various designated officers and the Board, as 
further described below, and for the reasons described below.
1. Change the Title of Chairman of the Board to Non-Executive Chairman 
of the Board; Update the Powers and Duties of the Non-Executive 
Chairman of the Board
    DTC proposes to replace the title of Chairman of the Board with the 
title Non-Executive Chairman of the Board (``Non-Executive Chairman of 
the Board''). This change in title reflects that this position is now 
held by an individual who is not part of DTC's management (i.e., a non-
executive). In 2016, DTC made personnel changes. As part of these 
personnel changes, the individual who was serving as Chairman of the 
Board and who was part of DTC's management at that time became a non-
executive. DTC believed that it would be beneficial and desirable to 
continue to have this individual serve as chairman of the Board even 
though he is no longer part of DTC's management. Therefore, DTC 
proposes

[[Page 6641]]

to change the title of this position in the By-Laws to Non-Executive 
Chairman of the Board to reflect that this position is held by a non-
executive. DTC believes this proposed change would accurately reflect 
this organizational change. Furthermore, DTC proposes to revise the By-
Laws to enumerate the powers and duties of the Non-Executive Chairman 
of the Board. To implement this proposed change, DTC would revise the 
By-Laws as described below.
    Certain references to either Chairman or Chairman of the Board 
would be revised to Non-Executive Chairman of the Board in the sections 
of the By-Laws that would continue to apply to the Non-Executive 
Chairman of the Board. Specifically, the following changes would be 
made:
    a. In current Section 1.2 (Special Meetings), current Section 1.8 
(Presiding Officer and Secretary), current Section 2.6 (Meetings), and 
current Section 6.1 (Certificates for Shares), the word ``Non-
Executive'' would be added before each reference to the Chairman of the 
Board.
    Certain references to Chairman of the Board in the By-Laws would be 
deleted because such references are in the sections of the By-Laws that 
only apply to members of DTC management. Because the Non-Executive 
Chairman of the Board would not be a management position, such sections 
of the By-Laws would no longer be applicable. Specifically, the 
following changes would be made:
    a. In current Section 3.1 (General Provisions), Chairman of the 
Board would be removed from the list of designated officers of DTC.
    b. In current Section 3.12 (Compensation of Officers), the 
references to the Chairman of the Board would also be deleted because 
the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board does not receive compensation 
and because, as further described below, this section would be revised 
to only address the setting of compensation for the President and CEO.
    Current Section 3.2 (Powers and Duties of the Chairman of the 
Board) would be deleted and replaced by proposed Section 2.8 (Non-
Executive Chairman of the Board). Specifically, the following changes 
would be made:
    a. Certain powers and duties prescribed to the Chairman of the 
Board in current Section 3.2 (Powers and Duties of the Chairman of the 
Board) would remain with the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board. Such 
powers and duties include: (i) Presiding over the meetings of the 
stockholders and of the Board at which he is present and (ii) such 
other powers and duties as the Board may designate. This would be set 
forth in proposed Section 2.8 (Non-Executive Chairman of the Board). 
Furthermore, as is similarly stated in current Section 3.2 (Powers and 
Duties of the Chairman of the Board), proposed Section 2.8 (Non-
Executive Chairman of the Board) would state that the ``performance of 
any such duty by the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board shall be 
conclusive evidence of his power to act.''
    b. DTC would also expressly include in proposed Section 2.8 (Non-
Executive Chairman of the Board) that the Non-Executive Chairman of the 
Board has general supervision over the Board and its activities and 
would provide overall leadership to the Board. Consistent with his 
authority to supervise and lead the Board, DTC proposes to assign the 
responsibility for carrying out the policies of the Board of Directors 
to the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board rather than the President 
(as is provided in current Section 3.3 (Powers and Duties of the 
President)). Furthermore, in current Section 3.6 (Powers and Duties of 
the Secretary), the power to assign additional powers and duties to the 
Secretary would be revised to replace the reference to President with 
Non-Executive Chairman of the Board. DTC believes this is an 
appropriate responsibility for the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board 
to have as part of his general supervision of the Board.
    c. In addition, proposed Section 2.8 (Non-Executive Chairman of the 
Board) would state that, in the absence of the Non-Executive Chairman 
of the Board, the presiding director, as elected by the Board, shall 
preside at all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board at which 
he or she is present. Current Section 3.3 (Powers and Duties of the 
President) provides that, in the absence or in ability of the Chairman 
of the Board, the President shall preside at all meetings of 
shareholders and all meetings of the Board of Directors at which he is 
present. Pursuant to the Board of Directors of The Depository Trust & 
Clearing Corporation (``DTCC''), DTC, Fixed Income Clearing Corporation 
(``FICC'') and National Securities Clearing Corporation (``NSCC'') 
Mission Statement and Charter (``Board Mission Statement and 
Charter''), DTC annually elects a presiding director to preside at 
meetings when the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board is absent. As 
such, DTC believes the proposed language described above would enhance 
accuracy by correcting the inconsistency between the By-Laws and the 
Board Mission Statement and Charter.
    d. As further described below, in proposed Section 3.2 (Powers and 
Duties of the President and Chief Executive Officer), the Non-Executive 
Chairman of the Board would have the authority to designate powers and 
duties to the President and CEO. DTC believes this authority to 
designate powers and duties to the President and CEO is within the 
scope of the supervisory role of the Non-Executive Chairman of the 
Board and therefore proposes to revise the By-Laws to expressly state 
that the Non-Executive Chairman has this authority.
    e. In current Section 3.5 (Powers and Duties of Vice Presidents and 
Managing Directors), DTC would add the Non-Executive Chairman of the 
Board to the list of individuals who have the power to assign powers 
and duties to Managing Directors as well as make conforming changes. 
DTC believes this is an appropriate responsibility for the Non-
Executive Chairman of the Board to have because he has general 
supervision over the Board.
2. Add the Office of the CEO and Combine the Office of the President 
and the Office of the CEO into the Office of the President and CEO; 
Update the Related Powers and Duties
    DTC proposes to add the office of the CEO and combine the office of 
the President and the office of the CEO into one office (President and 
CEO) because one individual is the President and CEO. DTC proposes to 
revise the By-Laws to reflect that one individual holds the office of 
the President and CEO, including revising the list of designated 
officers in current Section 3.1 (General Provisions) to include the 
President and CEO. While current Section 3.3 (Powers and Duties of the 
President) provides that the President shall be the chief executive 
officer, current Section 3.1 (General Provisions) does not include CEO 
in the list of designated officer positions (President is currently 
included in this list). As such, DTC would revise certain references in 
the By-Laws from President to President and Chief Executive Officer. 
Specifically, DTC proposes to make the changes to the By-Laws that are 
described below.
    a. In current Section 1.2 (Special Meetings), current Section 1.8 
(Presiding Officer and Secretary), current Section 2.6 (Meetings), 
current Section 3.1 (General Provisions), current Section 3.5 (Powers 
and Duties of Vice Presidents and Managing Directors), current Section 
3.7 (Powers and Duties of the Treasurer), and current Section 3.12 
(Compensation of Officers), the words ``and Chief Executive Officer''

[[Page 6642]]

would be added after each reference to President.
    b. In current Section 6.1 (Certificates for Shares), the words 
``the President'' would be deleted and replaced by the words 
``President and Chief Executive Officer.''
    Furthermore, except as otherwise described below, the 
responsibilities, duties and powers granted to the President that are 
currently described in the By-Laws would continue to remain with the 
President and CEO. DTC proposes to make the following changes to the 
By-Laws to reflect the updated responsibilities and powers and duties 
that are granted to the President and CEO:
    a. A portion of current Section 3.3 (Powers and Duties of the 
President) would be deleted and replaced with proposed Section 3.2 
(Powers and Duties of the President and Chief Executive Officer). The 
remaining portion of current Section 3.3 (Powers and Duties of the 
President) would be included in proposed Section 3.2 (Powers and Duties 
of the President and Chief Executive Officer).
    b. Current Section 3.3 (Powers and Duties of the President) states 
that the President will have general supervision over the business and 
affairs of DTC subject to the direction of the Board. Additionally, 
current Section 3.3 (Powers and Duties of the President) states that 
the President may employ and discharge employees and agents of DTC, 
except such as shall be elected or appointed by the Board, and he may 
delegate these powers. Similarly, proposed Section 3.2 (Powers and 
Duties of the President and Chief Executive Officer) would state that 
the President and Chief Executive Officer would have general 
supervision over the overall business strategy, business operations, 
systems, customer outreach, and risk management, control and staff 
functions, subject to the direction of the Board and the Non-Executive 
Chairman of the Board. DTC believes the additional detail provided in 
proposed Section 3.2 (Powers and Duties of the President and CEO) would 
add clarity to the powers and duties associated with the role of 
President and Chief Executive Officer and would be consistent with the 
combined role. In addition, because the office of the COO would be 
eliminated (as described further below), the responsibility of general 
supervision over the operations of DTC, which is designated to the COO 
role in current Section 3.4 (Powers and Duties of the Chief Operating 
Officer), would be assigned to the President and CEO.
    c. Proposed Section 3.2 (Powers and Duties of the President and 
CEO) would state that the President and CEO would have such other 
powers and perform such other duties as the Board or the Non-Executive 
Chairman of the Board may designate. DTC believes this generally aligns 
with current Section 3.3 (Powers and Duties of the President). DTC 
believes that providing the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board with 
this additional authority to designate powers and duties to the 
President and CEO is within the scope of the supervisory role of the 
Non-Executive Chairman of the Board.
    d. As noted above, certain powers and duties listed in current 
Section 3.3 (Powers and Duties of the President) would be removed or 
assigned to another position. Specifically, as noted above, the 
responsibility for carrying out the policies of the Board would be 
assigned to the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board rather than to the 
President and CEO. Additionally, the statement that ``performance of 
any such duty by the President shall be conclusive evidence of his 
power to act'' that appears in current Section 3.3 (Powers and Duties 
of the President) would be removed as DTC believes it would be best 
practice to document specific designation of powers and/or duties made 
by the Board or Non-Executive Chairman of the Board to the President 
and CEO. Furthermore, as noted above, the language stating that, in the 
absence of the Non-Executive Chairman, the President and CEO shall 
preside at all meetings of shareholders and all meetings of the Board 
of Directors at which he is present would be deleted because, pursuant 
to the Board Mission Statement and Charter, that power resides with the 
presiding director who is elected annually by the DTC Board. DTC 
believes deleting this language would enhance accuracy by correcting 
the inconsistency between the By-Laws and the Board Mission Statement 
and Charter.
    e. As described above, in current Section 3.6 (Powers and Duties of 
the Secretary), the power to assign additional powers and duties to the 
Secretary would be removed from the President and granted to the Non-
Executive Chairman of the Board. DTC believes this is an appropriate 
responsibility for the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board to have as 
part of his general supervision of the Board.
    f. As described below, the President and Board currently have the 
authority to assign powers and duties to the Comptroller in current 
Section 3.8 (Powers and Duties of the Comptroller). Similarly, proposed 
Section 3.5 (Powers and Duties of the Chief Financial Officer) would 
provide that the CFO would perform such other duties as he may agree 
with the President and CEO and the Board.
3. Add the Office of the CFO; Delete of the Office of the Comptroller
    DTC would add the office of the CFO and assign to the CFO all of 
the powers and duties of the office of the chief financial officer. The 
CFO would, in general, have overall supervision of the financial 
operations of DTC. Furthermore, references to the office of the 
Comptroller would be deleted. DTC does not currently have a Comptroller 
nor does DTC plan to appoint one. Therefore, DTC believes it would be 
more accurate to remove all references to such position in the By-Laws. 
Specifically, DTC would revise the By-Laws as described below.
    a. In current Section 3.1 (General Provisions), CFO would be added 
to and Comptroller would be removed from the list of designated 
officers of DTC.
    b. DTC would add proposed Section 3.5 (Powers and Duties of the 
Chief Financial Officer). This proposed section would enumerate the 
powers and duties of the CFO. It would state that the CFO would have 
overall supervision of the financial operations of DTC and upon 
request, would counsel and advise other officers of DTC and perform 
other duties as agreed with the President and CEO or as determined by 
the Board. DTC believes these powers and duties are appropriate for the 
newly created role of CFO. Proposed Section 3.5 (Powers and Duties of 
the Chief Financial Officer) would also state that the CFO would report 
directly to the President and CEO. DTC believes it is appropriate for 
the CFO to report to the President and CEO and to specify this clear 
line of responsibility in the By-Laws.
    c. Furthermore, proposed Section 3.6 (Powers and Duties of the 
Treasurer) would also be revised to state that the Treasurer shall have 
all such powers and duties as generally are incident to the position of 
Treasurer or as the CFO (in addition to the President and CEO and the 
Board) may assign to him. Because the Treasurer directly reports to the 
CFO, DTC believes it is appropriate for the CFO to assign powers and 
duties to the Treasurer.
    d. DTC would delete current Section 3.8 (Powers and Duties of the 
Comptroller), which, with the elimination of the office of the 
Comptroller, would no longer be necessary.

[[Page 6643]]

4. Delete the Office of the COO
    DTC would also delete references to the designated office of the 
COO in the By-Laws. DTC believes this change is necessary because DTC 
no longer has a COO nor does DTC plan to appoint one. Specifically, DTC 
would make the changes to the By-Laws described below.
    a. In current Section 3.1 (General Provisions), the COO would be 
removed from the list of designated officers of DTC.
    b. Current Section 3.4 (Powers and Duties of the Chief Operating 
Officer) would be deleted, which, with the elimination of the office of 
the COO, would no longer be necessary. The power and duty prescribed to 
this position (general supervision over the operations of DTC) would be 
assigned to the President and CEO in proposed Section 3.2 (Powers and 
Duties of the President and Chief Executive Officer), as described 
above.
5. Change the Title of Vice President to Executive Director; Update the 
Related Powers and Duties
    DTC proposes to change the title of Vice President to Executive 
Director and update the related powers and duties. DTC believes these 
changes are necessary because DTC has decided that the title of 
Executive Director is more widely used in the financial services 
industry for roles similar to those designated as Vice Presidents. In 
DTC's organizational structure, Executive Directors report to Managing 
Directors. As such, it was decided that Executive Directors do not have 
sufficient seniority to call special meetings of shareholders, to 
preside over shareholder meetings unless specifically designated to do 
so by the Board, or to sign share certificates. DTC proposes to make 
the following changes to the By-Laws to reflect the change in the title 
from Vice President to Executive Director and to update the related 
powers and duties.
    a. In current Section 1.2 (Special Meetings), the proposed rule 
change would remove Vice Presidents from the list of officers 
authorized to call special meetings of shareholders. DTC believes that 
Vice Presidents do not have sufficient seniority to call special 
meetings of shareholders.
    b. In current Section 1.8 (Presiding Officer and Secretary), Vice 
President would removed. DTC believes that a Vice President should not 
preside over a shareholder meeting unless specifically designated to do 
so by the Board.
    c. In current Section 3.1 (General Provisions), Vice Presidents 
would be removed from the list of designated officers of DTC. As 
described below, a parenthetical phrase would be added explaining that 
the Board's power to appoint other officers includes the power to 
appoint one or more Executive Directors.
    d. In current Section 3.5 (Powers and Duties of Vice Presidents and 
Managing Directors), all references to Vice President would be deleted. 
Section 3.5 (Powers and Duties of Vice Presidents and Managing 
Directors) currently states that Vice Presidents and Managing Directors 
have such powers and perform such duties as the Board or the President 
may assign to them.\5\ Because individuals with the title of Executive 
Director report to Managing Directors, DTC believes the reference to 
Vice President in this section would not be necessary.
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    \5\ With this proposal, this reference to President would be 
revised to President and CEO, and the Non-Executive Chairman of the 
Board would be added so the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board 
would also be able to assign powers and duties to the Managing 
Directors.
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6. Other Changes to the Powers and Duties of the Board and Certain 
Other Designated Officers
Managing Directors
    a. In Section 1.2 (Special Meetings), the reference to the Managing 
Director would be added to the list of officers authorized to call 
special meetings of the stockholders to provide DTC's management with 
more flexibility by enabling additional persons within senior 
management to call special meetings of the Board.
    b. In current Section 2.6 (Meetings), the proposal would add 
Managing Directors to the list of officers authorized to call special 
meetings of the Board. DTC believes this proposed change would provide 
DTC's management with additional flexibility by enabling additional 
persons within senior management to call special meetings of the Board.
    c. In current Section 6.1 (Certificates for Shares), Managing 
Directors would be removed from the list of officers authorized to sign 
certificates for shares. By removing Managing Directors, DTC would be 
able to limit the authorized signatories of certificates for shares of 
DTC to a smaller number of individuals within senior management.
Vice Chairman of the Corporation
    As described below, a parenthetical phrase would be added in 
current Section 3.1 (General Provisions) explaining that the Board's 
power to appoint other offices includes, but is not limited to, the 
power to appoint a Vice Chairman of the Corporation.
Board
    a. In current Section 3.1 (General Provisions), DTC proposes to add 
a parenthetical phrase explaining that the Board's power to appoint 
other offices includes, but is not limited to, the power to appoint a 
Vice Chairman of the Corporation and one or more Executive Directors to 
enhance clarity.
    b. Additionally, in current Section 3.1 (General Provisions), 
regarding the ability of any one person to hold more than one office, 
DTC proposes to enhance and clarify the exception by specifying that 
neither the Secretary nor any Assistant Secretary can hold the 
following offices: (1) Vice Chairman of the Corporation or (2) 
President and CEO. DTC believes this proposed change is necessary to 
ensure that the Secretary and any Assistant Secretary would not hold 
those positions.
Treasurer
    In current Section 6.1 (Certificates of Shares), DTC proposes to 
delete the reference to Treasurer from the list of authorized 
signatories because DTC expects the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary 
(who are each currently listed as authorized signatories) to sign any 
share certificates.
Assistant Treasurer
    In current Section 6.1 (Certificates of Shares), DTC proposes to 
delete the reference to Assistant Treasurer from the list of authorized 
signatories because DTC expects the Secretary or the Assistant 
Secretary (who are each currently listed as authorized signatories) to 
sign any share certificates.
7. Revise Compensation of Officers to Compensation of the President and 
Chief Executive Officer
    Current Section 3.12 (Compensation of Officers) would be revised to 
accurately reflect DTC's compensation setting practices. Current 
Section 3.12 states that: (i) The compensation, if any, of the Chairman 
of the Board, and the President shall be fixed by a majority (which 
shall not include the Chairman of the Board or the President) of the 
entire Board of Directors and (ii) salaries of all other officers shall 
be fixed by the President with the approval of the Board and no officer 
shall be precluded from receiving a salary because he is also a 
director. Current Section 3.12 would be revised to state that the 
Compensation Committee of the Corporation will recommend the 
compensation for the President and Chief Executive Officer to

[[Page 6644]]

the Board of Directors for approval because, pursuant to the DTCC/DTC/
FICC/NSCC Compensation and Human Resources Committee Charter 
(``Compensation Committee Charter''), this is the process that is 
followed. In addition, DTC also proposes to delete the language stating 
that salaries of all other officers shall be fixed by the President 
with approval of the Board and no officer shall be precluded from 
receiving a salary because he is also a director. DTC believes the 
proposed changes are appropriate because they no longer reflect DTC's 
compensation setting procedures. In addition, as noted above, 
references to Chairman of the Board would be deleted because the Non-
Executive Chairman of the Board does not receive compensation. 
Furthermore, the title of this section would be revised from 
Compensation of Officers to Compensation of the President and Chief 
Executive Officer because this section would no longer speak to the 
compensation of officers other than the President and CEO.
C. Technical Changes and Corrections
    DTC has identified the following technical changes and/or 
corrections that it proposes to make to the By-Laws to enhance the 
clarity and readability of the By-Laws.
1. Delete Direct Reference to Statutes and Statutory Requirements
    DTC would delete direct statutory references from the By-Laws as 
set forth below so that the By-Laws remain consistent and accurate 
despite any changes to a specifically cited statute. DTC believes this 
proposed change would also provide DTC with a broad base to act in 
accordance with relevant law without violating the By-Laws and thereby 
also provide DTC with more flexibility. Specifically, DTC proposes to 
make the following changes to the By-Laws:
    a. In current Section 1.2 (Special Meetings), regarding 
stockholders' ability to compel the Secretary to call a special meeting 
of the stockholders for the election of directors, the reference to the 
provisions of Section 6003 of the New York Banking Law would be 
deleted.
    b. In current Section 1.4 (Notice of Meetings), regarding the 
composition of notices for stockholder meetings, the reference to the 
specific provisions and requirements of Section 6022 of the New York 
Banking Law would be deleted.
    c. In current Section 2.2 (Election and Term of Directors), 
regarding the directors' oath of office, the specific citation to 
Section 7015 would be removed. DTC also would clarify that the Banking 
Law is in fact referring to the New York Banking Law.
2. Technical Changes to Section Describing Audit Committee
    DTC proposes to revise proposed Section 2.11 (Audit Committee) to 
conform the description of the composition of the Audit Committee to 
the description of the Audit Committee in the by-laws of FICC because 
the composition of such committee is the same for DTC, FICC and NSCC 
and therefore, DTC believes the description of such committee should be 
consistent. Specifically, DTC proposes to revise proposed Section 2.11 
(Audit Committee) to state that the Board of Directors may appoint an 
Audit Committee consisting of three or more directors other than 
officers of DTC or DTCC. Furthermore, language stating that the Audit 
Committee will review the progress of all internal audits conducted by 
the Auditor (if there be one) and all periodic reports of such audits 
submitted to it by the Auditor pursuant to Section 3.9 and shall 
supervise, and cooperate and coordinate with, the Auditor in the 
performance of his duties would be deleted as a conforming change and 
for consistency with the by-Laws of FICC.
3. Other Technical Changes and Corrections
    In addition to the technical changes proposed above, DTC proposes 
to make the additional technical and grammatical changes described 
below.
    a. In the heading for current Article I, DTC proposes to delete 
``STOCKHOLDERS'' and replace it with ``Stockholders'' and in the 
heading for current Article II, delete ``BOARD OF DIRECTORS'' and 
replace it with ``Board of Directors'' to be consistent with the 
headings of the other Articles in the By-Laws.
    b. In current Section 1.2 (Special Meetings), current Section 1.3 
(Record Date for Meetings and Other Purposes), current Section 1.8 
(Presiding Officer and Secretary), current Section 2.6 (Meetings), 
current Section 3.1 (General Provisions), current Section 3.5 (Powers 
and Duties of Vice Presidents and Managing Directors), current Section 
3.6 (Powers and Duties of the Treasurer), current Section 3.12 
(Compensation of Officers), and current Section 6.1 (Certificates for 
Shares), conforming grammatical corrections would be made.
    c. In current Section 1.10 (Inspectors of Election), each use of 
the word ``corporation'' would be capitalized so that it would read 
``Corporation'' and the word ``such'' would be replaced with the word 
``the'' before the word ``Corporation'' in the last sentence to correct 
typographical errors and enhance consistency and readability.
    d. In current Section 2.3 (Newly Created Directorships and 
Vacancies), the extra space before and after the word ``of'' in the 
first sentence would be deleted.
    e. In addition, additional spaces between the section number and 
the section title would be added in current Section 1.1 (Annual 
Meeting) through Section 1.12 (Written Consent of Stockholders Without 
a Meeting), in current Section 2.1 (Number of Directors) through 
current Section 2.7 (Quorum and Voting), proposed Section 2.8 (Non-
Executive Chairman of the Board), proposed Section 2.10 (Executive 
Committee) through proposed Section 2.13 (Compensation of Directors), 
current Section 3.1 (General Provisions), proposed Section 3.3 (Powers 
and Duties of Managing Directors), proposed Section 3.4 (Powers and 
Duties of the Secretary), proposed Section 3.6 (Powers and Duties of 
the Treasurer), proposed Section 3.7 (Powers and Duties of the Auditor) 
through proposed Section 3.10 (Compensation of Officers), and current 
Section 6.1 (Certificates for Shares) through current Section 6.4 
(Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates).
    f. In current Section 2.6 (Meetings), each use of the word 
``board'' in the second paragraph would be capitalized to correct 
typographical errors and enhance consistency.
    g. Current Section 2.8 (Executive Committee) through current 
Section 2.11 (Compensation of Directors) would be renumbered to reflect 
the addition of proposed Section 2.8 (Non-Executive Chairman of the 
Board) and proposed Section 2.9 (Action by Unanimous Written Consent).
    h. Current Section 3.5 (Powers and Duties of Vice Presidents and 
Managing Directors) through current Section 3.12 (Compensation of 
Officers) would be renumbered to reflect the addition of proposed 
Section 3.2 (Powers and Duties of the President and Chief Executive 
Officer) and proposed Section 3.5 (Powers and Duties of the Chief 
Financial Officer) and the deletion of current Section 3.2 (Powers and 
Duties of the Chairman of the Board), current Section 3.3 (Powers and 
Duties of the President), current Section 3.4 (Powers and Duties of the 
Chief Operating Officer) and current Section 3.8 (Powers and Duties of 
the Comptroller).
    i. Proposed Article X (Gender References) would be added to clarify 
that the By-Laws are intended to be

[[Page 6645]]

gender neutral with any reference to one gender deemed to include the 
other.
2. Statutory Basis
    Section 17A(b)(3)(A) of the Act requires, among other things, that 
a clearing agency is so organized to be able to facilitate the prompt 
and accurate clearance and settlement of securities transactions for 
which it is responsible.\6\ DTC believes the proposed changes to the 
By-Laws described above are consistent with this provision. 
Specifically, DTC believes that the (1) change of title from Chairman 
of the Board to Non-Executive Chairman of the Board and changes to the 
related powers and duties, (2) addition of the office of the CEO, the 
combination of the offices of the President and CEO and changes to the 
related powers and duties, (3) addition of the office of the CFO and 
deletion of the office of the Comptroller, (4) change of title from 
Vice President to Executive Director and changes to the related powers 
and duties, (5) deletion of the office of the COO, (6) changes to the 
powers and duties of the Board, (7) changes to the powers and duties of 
Managing Directors, (8) changes to the powers and duties of Vice 
Chairman of the Corporation, (9) changes to the powers and duties of 
the Treasurer, and (10) changes to the powers and duties of the 
Assistant Treasurer are designed to facilitate the effective and 
efficient governance and operation of DTC and accurately reflect DTC's 
current Board and management structure. DTC also believes the changes 
to the powers and duties of the Board and designated officer positions 
are appropriate and aligned with each role. Furthermore, these proposed 
changes are intended to promote additional clarity as to the 
responsibilities of the Board and certain designated officers. DTC 
believes the proposed changes to the section describing the 
compensation of officers are designed to accurately reflect: (1) The 
process that is followed for setting compensation pursuant to the 
Compensation Committee Charter and (2) that the Non-Executive Chairman 
of the Board does not receive compensation and would promote additional 
clarity as to the setting of compensation of the President and CEO and 
Non-Executive Chairman of the Board. DTC also believes the technical 
changes and corrections to the By-Laws would enhance clarity and 
transparency in DTC's organizational documents. DTC also believes that 
the proposed changes that would: (1) Reduce the minimum number of 
required Board meetings, (2) eliminate the requirement that the 
Executive Committee meet during each 30-day period in which the Board 
does not meet, and (3) authorize the Board to act by unanimous written 
consent in lieu of a meeting would facilitate the efficient operation 
of DTC by permitting the Board to make necessary decisions in a timely 
and efficient manner. DTC also believes that removing the word 
``monthly'' when describing that the Board may fix times and places of 
regular meetings of the Board would enhance clarity and consistency 
regarding the requirements associated with such meetings. Therefore, 
DTC believes these proposed changes are consistent with the requirement 
that DTC is so organized to facilitate the prompt and accurate 
clearance and settlement of securities transactions for which it is 
responsible.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(3)(A).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Rule 17Ad-22(e)(1) under the Act requires a covered clearing agency 
to establish, implement, maintain and enforce written policies and 
procedures reasonably designed to provide for a well-founded, 
transparent and enforceable legal basis for each aspect of its 
activities in all relevant jurisdictions.\7\ DTC believes the (1) 
proposed changes to the titles or offices and the related powers and 
duties of the Board and certain officers and (2) proposed technical 
changes and corrections to the By-Laws are designed to ensure that 
DTC's organizational documents accurately describe DTC's organizational 
structure and that such organizational documents remain clear, 
transparent, and consistent. Therefore, DTC believes these proposed 
changes are consistent with Rule 17Ad-22(e)(1) because they are 
designed to ensure that DTC's organizational documents remain well-
founded, transparent and enforceable in all relevant jurisdictions.\8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22(e)(1).
    \8\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Rule 17Ad-22(e)(2) under the Act requires that DTC establish, 
implement, maintain and enforce written policies and procedures to 
provide for governance arrangements that, among other things, (1) are 
clear and transparent, (2) support the public interest requirements in 
Section 17A of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78q-1) applicable to clearing 
agencies, and the objectives of owners and participants; and (3) 
specify clear and direct lines of responsibility.\9\ DTC believes the 
proposed changes to the By-Laws described above are designed to be 
consistent with Rule 17Ad-22(e)(2).\10\ Specifically, DTC believes the 
proposed changes to the By-Laws regarding the titles or offices and the 
related powers and duties of various officers and the Board would 
enhance clarity and transparency because they would clearly and 
accurately set forth the organizational structure of DTC, including the 
roles and lines of responsibility of various officers and the Board. 
DTC also believes that the proposed changes that would: (1) Reduce the 
minimum number of required Board meetings, (2) eliminate the 
requirement that the Executive Committee meet during each 30-day period 
in which the Board does not meet, and (3) authorize the Board to act by 
unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting would facilitate the 
efficient operation of DTC by permitting the Board to make necessary 
decisions in a timely and efficient manner. DTC also believes that 
removing the word ``monthly'' when describing that the Board may fix 
times and places of regular meetings would enhance clarity and 
consistency regarding the requirements associated with such meetings. 
DTC also believes the proposed changes relating to the compensation of 
officers would enhance clarity and transparency regarding its 
compensation setting procedures by (1) accurately reflecting the 
process that is followed pursuant to the Compensation Committee Charter 
and (2) clarifying that the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board does 
not receive compensation. In addition, the proposed technical changes 
and corrections to the By-Laws are also designed to enhance the 
clarity, transparency, and readability of the By-Laws. DTC believes 
that, taken together, these proposed changes would facilitate the 
effective and efficient governance and operation of DTC, and therefore 
would enable DTC to better serve its Participants. As such, DTC 
believes these proposed changes would also support the public interest 
requirements in Section 17A of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78q-1) applicable to 
clearing agencies, and the objectives of its owners and participants. 
Therefore, DTC believes these proposed rule changes are consistent with 
Rule 17Ad-22(e)(2) because they are designed to enhance clarity and 
transparency in DTC's governance arrangements, support the public 
interest requirements in Section 17A of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78q-1) 
applicable to clearing agencies, and the objectives of owners and 
participants, and specify clear and direct lines of responsibility for 
various officer positions and the Board within DTC's organizational 
structure.\11\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22(e)(2).
    \10\ Id.
    \11\ Id.

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

[[Page 6646]]

(B) Clearing Agency's Statement on Burden on Competition

    DTC does not believe that the proposed rule change would have any 
impact on competition. The proposed rule change would amend the By-Laws 
to: (1) Accurately reflect DTC's organizational structure and reflect 
changes to titles or offices and the related powers and duties of the 
Board and various designated officers, (2) accurately reflect (a) the 
process that is followed for setting compensation pursuant to the 
Compensation Committee Charter and (b) that the Non-Executive Chairman 
of the Board does not receive compensation, (3) permit the Board to 
continue to make necessary decisions in a timely and efficient manner 
by reducing the minimum number of required Board meetings, authorizing 
the Board to act by unanimous written consent in lieu of meetings, and 
make other related changes, and (4) enhance the clarity, transparency, 
and readability of the By-Laws by making technical changes and 
corrections. DTC does not believe that this proposal would affect any 
of its current practices regarding the rights or obligations of its 
Participants. Therefore, DTC believes that the proposal would not have 
any effect on its Participants and thus, would not have any impact or 
burden on competition.

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

    DTC has not received any written comments relating to this 
proposal. DTC will notify the Commission of any written comments 
received by it.

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

    Within 45 days of the date of publication of this notice in the 
Federal Register or within such longer period up to 90 days (i) as the 
Commission may designate if it finds such longer period to be 
appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or (ii) as to 
which the self-regulatory organization consents, the Commission will:
    (A) By order approve or disapprove such proposed rule change, or
    (B) institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule 
change should be disapproved.

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-DTC-2018-001 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-DTC-2018-001. 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 DTC 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-DTC-2018-001 and should be submitted on 
or before March 7, 2018.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\12\
Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

[FR Doc. 2018-02984 Filed 2-13-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                                                         Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 31 / Wednesday, February 14, 2018 / Notices                                                   6639

                                               NSCC believes these proposed rule                       to be appropriate and publishes its                   information that you wish to make
                                               changes are consistent with Rule 17Ad–                  reasons for so finding or (ii) as to which            available publicly. All submissions
                                               22(e)(2) because they are designed to                   the self-regulatory organization                      should refer to File Number SR–NSCC–
                                               enhance clarity and transparency in                     consents, the Commission will:                        2018–001 and should be submitted on
                                               NSCC’s governance arrangements,                           (A) By order approve or disapprove                  or before March 7, 2018.
                                               support the public interest requirements                such proposed rule change, or                           For the Commission, by the Division of
                                               in Section 17A of the Act (15 U.S.C.                      (B) institute proceedings to determine              Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
                                               78q–1) applicable to clearing agencies,                 whether the proposed rule change                      authority.13
                                               and the objectives of owners and                        should be disapproved.                                Eduardo A. Aleman,
                                               participants, and specify clear and                     IV. Solicitation of Comments                          Assistant Secretary.
                                               direct lines of responsibility for various                                                                    [FR Doc. 2018–02987 Filed 2–13–18; 8:45 am]
                                               officer positions and the Board within                    Interested persons are invited to
                                               NSCC’s organizational structure.12                      submit written data, views and                        BILLING CODE 8011–01–P

                                                                                                       arguments concerning the foregoing,
                                               (B) Clearing Agency’s Statement on                      including whether the proposed rule
                                               Burden on Competition                                   change is consistent with the Act.                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                                                                                                       Comments may be submitted by any of                   COMMISSION
                                                  NSCC does not believe that the
                                               proposed rule change would have any                     the following methods:                                [Release No. 34–82671; File No. SR–DTC–
                                               impact on competition. The proposed                                                                           2018–001]
                                                                                                       Electronic Comments
                                               rule change would amend the By-Laws
                                               to: (1) Accurately reflect NSCC’s                         • Use the Commission’s internet                     Self-Regulatory Organizations; The
                                               organizational structure and reflect                    comment form (http://www.sec.gov/                     Depository Trust Company; Notice of
                                               changes to titles or offices and the                    rules/sro.shtml); or                                  Filing of Proposed Rule Change To
                                               related powers and duties of the Board                    • Send an email to rule-comments@                   Amend the By-Laws
                                               and various designated officers, (2)                    sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–
                                                                                                                                                             February 8, 2018.
                                               accurately reflect (a) the process that is              NSCC–2018–001 on the subject line.
                                                                                                                                                                Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
                                               followed for setting compensation                       Paper Comments                                        Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                                               pursuant to the Compensation                               • Send paper comments in triplicate                (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
                                               Committee Charter and (b) that the Non-                 to Secretary, Securities and Exchange                 notice is hereby given that on February
                                               Executive Chairman of the Board does                    Commission, 100 F Street NE,                          2, 2018, The Depository Trust Company
                                               not receive compensation, and (3)                       Washington, DC 20549.                                 (‘‘DTC’’) filed with the Securities and
                                               enhance the clarity and readability of                                                                        Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’)
                                                                                                       All submissions should refer to File
                                               the By-Laws by making technical                                                                               the proposed rule change as described
                                                                                                       Number SR–NSCC–2018–001. This file
                                               changes and corrections. The proposal                                                                         in Items I, II and III below, which Items
                                                                                                       number should be included on the
                                               to incorporate by reference the By-Laws                                                                       have been prepared by the clearing
                                                                                                       subject line if email is used. To help the
                                               and the Certificate of Incorporation                                                                          agency. The Commission is publishing
                                                                                                       Commission process and review your
                                               would further enhance clarity and                                                                             this notice to solicit comments on the
                                                                                                       comments more efficiently, please use
                                               transparency because these                                                                                    proposed rule change from interested
                                                                                                       only one method. The Commission will
                                               organizational documents would be                                                                             persons.
                                                                                                       post all comments on the Commission’s
                                               expressly identified in the Rules to
                                                                                                       internet website (http://www.sec.gov/                 I. Clearing Agency’s Statement of the
                                               which Members are subject. NSCC does
                                                                                                       rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the                       Terms of Substance of the Proposed
                                               not believe that this proposal would
                                                                                                       submission, all subsequent                            Rule Change
                                               affect any of its current practices
                                                                                                       amendments, all written statements                       The proposed rule change would
                                               regarding the rights or obligations of its
                                                                                                       with respect to the proposed rule                     amend the DTC By-Laws (‘‘By-Laws’’) 3
                                               Members. Therefore, NSCC believes that
                                                                                                       change that are filed with the                        to (i) make changes to DTC’s governance
                                               the proposal would not have any effect
                                                                                                       Commission, and all written                           procedures, (ii) revise certain DTC
                                               on its Members and thus, would not
                                                                                                       communications relating to the                        Board of Directors (‘‘Board’’) and
                                               have any impact or burden on
                                                                                                       proposed rule change between the                      designated officer titles or offices and
                                               competition.
                                                                                                       Commission and any person, other than                 update the related powers and duties,
                                               (C) Clearing Agency’s Statement on                      those that may be withheld from the                   (iii) revise the section describing the
                                               Comments on the Proposed Rule                           public in accordance with the                         compensation of officers, and (iv) make
                                               Change Received From Members,                           provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be                   certain other technical changes and
                                               Participants, or Others                                 available for website viewing and                     corrections.
                                                 NSCC has not received any written                     printing in the Commission’s Public
                                                                                                       Reference Room, 100 F Street NE,                      II. Clearing Agency’s Statement of the
                                               comments relating to this proposal.                                                                           Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the
                                               NSCC will notify the Commission of any                  Washington, DC 20549 on official
                                                                                                       business days between the hours of                    Proposed Rule Change
                                               written comments received by it.
                                                                                                       10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the                   In its filing with the Commission, the
                                               III. Date of Effectiveness of the                       filing also will be available for                     clearing agency included statements
                                               Proposed Rule Change, and Timing for                    inspection and copying at the principal               concerning the purpose of and basis for
                                               Commission Action                                       office of NSCC and on DTCC’s website                  the proposed rule change and discussed
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES




                                                  Within 45 days of the date of                        (http://dtcc.com/legal/sec-rule-
                                               publication of this notice in the Federal               filings.aspx). All comments received                    13 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
                                                                                                                                                               1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
                                               Register or within such longer period                   will be posted without change. Persons
                                                                                                                                                               2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
                                               up to 90 days (i) as the Commission may                 submitting comments are cautioned that                  3 The By-Laws are included in the Rules, By-Laws
                                               designate if it finds such longer period                we do not redact or edit personal                     and Organization Certificate of DTC (‘‘Rules’’),
                                                                                                       identifying information from comment                  available at http://www.dtcc.com/legal/rules-and-
                                                 12 Id.                                                submissions. You should submit only                   procedures.



                                          VerDate Sep<11>2014   22:07 Feb 13, 2018   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00133   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\14FEN1.SGM    14FEN1


                                               6640                      Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 31 / Wednesday, February 14, 2018 / Notices

                                               any comments it received on the                         Proposed Changes to the By-Laws 4                     monthly meetings’’ when describing
                                               proposed rule change. The text of these                 A. Changes to DTC’s Governance                        that the Board may fix times and places
                                               statements may be examined at the                       Procedures                                            for such meetings of the Board. The
                                               places specified in Item IV below. The                                                                        current provision refers to regular
                                               clearing agency has prepared                              DTC would revise the By-Laws to (1)                 monthly meetings but also states that
                                               summaries, set forth in sections A, B,                  change the frequency with which each                  such meetings shall be held at least ten
                                               and C below, of the most significant                    of the Board and the Executive                        times a year. As such, DTC believes that
                                               aspects of such statements.                             Committee is required to meet, (2)                    the proposed language, which would
                                                                                                       permit the Board to act by unanimous                  state that the Board may fix times and
                                               (A) Clearing Agency’s Statement of the                  written consent, and (3) make a                       places for regular meetings of the Board
                                               Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the                technical change by removing the word                 and no notice of such meetings need to
                                               Proposed Rule Change                                    ‘‘monthly’’ from the phrase ‘‘regular                 be given, would improve clarity and
                                               1. Purpose                                              monthly meetings’’ when describing                    consistency.
                                                  In DTC’s review of the By-Laws, DTC                  Board meetings. DTC proposes to make
                                                                                                       the changes to the By-Laws that are                   2. Unanimous Written Consent
                                               has identified and is proposing the
                                                                                                       described below.                                         DTC proposes to add proposed
                                               following changes to the By-Laws: (i)
                                                                                                                                                             Section 2.9 (Action by Unanimous
                                               Changing its internal governance                        1. Changes to the Frequency of Board                  Written Consent), permitting the Board
                                               procedures, (ii) revising certain Board                 Meetings and Executive Committee                      to act by unanimous written consent in
                                               and designated officer titles or offices                Meetings; Technical Change to the                     lieu of a meeting. The Board would be
                                               and updating the related powers and                     Description of Regular Meetings of the                permitted to take all actions that are
                                               duties, (iii) revising the section                      Board                                                 required to or may be taken at a meeting
                                               describing the compensation of officers,
                                                                                                          Currently, the By-Laws require (1) the             by unanimous written consent. The
                                               and (iv) making certain technical
                                                                                                       Board to meet for ten meetings per year               provision would require that the written
                                               changes and corrections. Specifically,
                                                                                                       with at least two meetings during any                 consent set forth the action to be taken,
                                               regarding the proposed changes to the
                                                                                                       three-month period and (2) the                        be signed by all of the directors, and be
                                               Board and designated officer titles or
                                                                                                       Executive Committee to meet at least                  filed with the minutes of the
                                               offices and updating the related powers
                                                                                                       once in each 30-day period during                     proceedings of the Board. DTC has
                                               and duties, DTC is proposing to: (1)
                                               Change the title of Chairman of the                     which the Board does not meet. DTC is                 determined that the unanimous written
                                               Board to Non-Executive Chairman of the                  proposing to reduce the required                      consent provision would facilitate the
                                               Board and update the related powers                     frequency of its Board meetings and                   efficient operation of DTC by permitting
                                               and duties associated with that role due                Executive Committee meetings to better                the Board to make necessary decisions
                                               to personnel changes in DTC’s                           align the frequency of DTC’s Board                    in a timely and efficient manner.
                                               management, (2) add the office of the                   meetings with those of Fixed Income
                                                                                                                                                             B. Changes to Certain DTC Board and
                                               Chief Executive Officer (‘‘CEO’’),                      Clearing Corporation and National
                                                                                                                                                             Designated Officer Titles or Offices and
                                               combine the office of the President and                 Securities Clearing Corporation. DTC
                                                                                                                                                             Updates to the Related Powers and
                                               the office of the Chief Executive Officer               believes that reducing the frequency of
                                                                                                                                                             Duties
                                               into one office (President and Chief                    DTC’s Board meetings to better align the
                                                                                                       occurrence of these meetings would                      DTC proposes to revise the titles or
                                               Executive Officer) and update the
                                                                                                       facilitate the efficient use of corporate             offices and update the related powers
                                               related powers and duties to reflect that
                                                                                                       resources. Specifically, DTC proposes to              and duties of various designated officers
                                               the two positions are now combined
                                                                                                       make the following changes to current                 and the Board, as further described
                                               and are held by one individual, (3) add
                                                                                                       Section 2.6 (Meetings) of the By-Laws to              below, and for the reasons described
                                               the office of the Chief Financial Officer
                                                                                                       (1) reduce the required number of Board               below.
                                               (‘‘CFO’’) and delete the office of the
                                               Comptroller, (4) delete the office of the               meetings and (2) eliminate the                        1. Change the Title of Chairman of the
                                               Chief Operating Officer (‘‘COO’’), (5)                  requirement that the Executive                        Board to Non-Executive Chairman of the
                                               change the title of Vice President to                   Committee meet at least once in each                  Board; Update the Powers and Duties of
                                               Executive Director and update the                       thirty-day period during which the                    the Non-Executive Chairman of the
                                               related powers and duties, and (6) make                 Board does not meet:                                  Board
                                               other changes related to certain powers                    a. The minimum required number of
                                                                                                       meetings of the Board in current Section                 DTC proposes to replace the title of
                                               and duties of the Board and various                                                                           Chairman of the Board with the title
                                               officers, including Managing Directors,                 2.6 (Meetings) would be reduced from
                                                                                                       ten meetings per year with at least two               Non-Executive Chairman of the Board
                                               the Vice Chairman of the Corporation,                                                                         (‘‘Non-Executive Chairman of the
                                               the Treasurer and the Assistant                         meetings during any three-month period
                                                                                                       to six meetings per year with at least                Board’’). This change in title reflects
                                               Treasurer, as described in greater detail                                                                     that this position is now held by an
                                               below. DTC is proposing to make these                   one meeting during any three-month
                                                                                                       period.                                               individual who is not part of DTC’s
                                               changes to the By-Laws so that the By-                                                                        management (i.e., a non-executive). In
                                               Laws remain consistent and accurate                        b. The provision in current Section
                                                                                                       2.6 (Meetings) requiring the Executive                2016, DTC made personnel changes. As
                                               and DTC’s governance documents
                                                                                                       Committee to meet during each 30-day                  part of these personnel changes, the
                                               accurately reflect its management and
                                                                                                       period in which the Board does not                    individual who was serving as
                                               organizational structure and the
                                                                                                       meet would be deleted.                                Chairman of the Board and who was
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                                               responsibilities within the purview of
                                                                                                          In addition, DTC proposes to make a                part of DTC’s management at that time
                                               certain roles. DTC believes these
                                                                                                       technical change in current Section 2.6               became a non-executive. DTC believed
                                               changes would facilitate the efficient
                                                                                                       (Meetings) by removing the word                       that it would be beneficial and desirable
                                               governance and operation of DTC.
                                                                                                       ‘‘monthly’’ from the phrase ‘‘regular                 to continue to have this individual serve
                                                 4 DTC last submitted a rule filing regarding
                                                                                                                                                             as chairman of the Board even though
                                               changes to the By-Laws in 2006. See Securities          FR 42890 (July 28, 2006) (SR–DTC–2006–10, SR–         he is no longer part of DTC’s
                                               Exchange Act Release No. 54173 (July 19, 2006), 71      FICC–2006–09, and SR–NSCC–2006–08).                   management. Therefore, DTC proposes


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                                                                         Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 31 / Wednesday, February 14, 2018 / Notices                                            6641

                                               to change the title of this position in the             Board may designate. This would be set                   d. As further described below, in
                                               By-Laws to Non-Executive Chairman of                    forth in proposed Section 2.8 (Non-                   proposed Section 3.2 (Powers and
                                               the Board to reflect that this position is              Executive Chairman of the Board).                     Duties of the President and Chief
                                               held by a non-executive. DTC believes                   Furthermore, as is similarly stated in                Executive Officer), the Non-Executive
                                               this proposed change would accurately                   current Section 3.2 (Powers and Duties                Chairman of the Board would have the
                                               reflect this organizational change.                     of the Chairman of the Board), proposed               authority to designate powers and
                                               Furthermore, DTC proposes to revise the                 Section 2.8 (Non-Executive Chairman of                duties to the President and CEO. DTC
                                               By-Laws to enumerate the powers and                     the Board) would state that the                       believes this authority to designate
                                               duties of the Non-Executive Chairman                    ‘‘performance of any such duty by the                 powers and duties to the President and
                                               of the Board. To implement this                         Non-Executive Chairman of the Board                   CEO is within the scope of the
                                               proposed change, DTC would revise the                   shall be conclusive evidence of his                   supervisory role of the Non-Executive
                                               By-Laws as described below.                             power to act.’’                                       Chairman of the Board and therefore
                                                 Certain references to either Chairman                    b. DTC would also expressly include                proposes to revise the By-Laws to
                                               or Chairman of the Board would be                       in proposed Section 2.8 (Non-Executive                expressly state that the Non-Executive
                                               revised to Non-Executive Chairman of                    Chairman of the Board) that the Non-                  Chairman has this authority.
                                               the Board in the sections of the By-Laws                Executive Chairman of the Board has                      e. In current Section 3.5 (Powers and
                                               that would continue to apply to the                     general supervision over the Board and                Duties of Vice Presidents and Managing
                                               Non-Executive Chairman of the Board.                    its activities and would provide overall              Directors), DTC would add the Non-
                                               Specifically, the following changes                     leadership to the Board. Consistent with              Executive Chairman of the Board to the
                                               would be made:                                          his authority to supervise and lead the               list of individuals who have the power
                                                 a. In current Section 1.2 (Special                    Board, DTC proposes to assign the                     to assign powers and duties to Managing
                                               Meetings), current Section 1.8                          responsibility for carrying out the                   Directors as well as make conforming
                                               (Presiding Officer and Secretary),                                                                            changes. DTC believes this is an
                                                                                                       policies of the Board of Directors to the
                                               current Section 2.6 (Meetings), and                                                                           appropriate responsibility for the Non-
                                                                                                       Non-Executive Chairman of the Board
                                               current Section 6.1 (Certificates for                                                                         Executive Chairman of the Board to
                                                                                                       rather than the President (as is provided
                                               Shares), the word ‘‘Non-Executive’’                                                                           have because he has general supervision
                                                                                                       in current Section 3.3 (Powers and
                                               would be added before each reference to                                                                       over the Board.
                                                                                                       Duties of the President)). Furthermore,
                                               the Chairman of the Board.
                                                 Certain references to Chairman of the                 in current Section 3.6 (Powers and                    2. Add the Office of the CEO and
                                               Board in the By-Laws would be deleted                   Duties of the Secretary), the power to                Combine the Office of the President and
                                               because such references are in the                      assign additional powers and duties to                the Office of the CEO into the Office of
                                               sections of the By-Laws that only apply                 the Secretary would be revised to                     the President and CEO; Update the
                                               to members of DTC management.                           replace the reference to President with               Related Powers and Duties
                                               Because the Non-Executive Chairman of                   Non-Executive Chairman of the Board.                     DTC proposes to add the office of the
                                               the Board would not be a management                     DTC believes this is an appropriate                   CEO and combine the office of the
                                               position, such sections of the By-Laws                  responsibility for the Non-Executive                  President and the office of the CEO into
                                               would no longer be applicable.                          Chairman of the Board to have as part                 one office (President and CEO) because
                                               Specifically, the following changes                     of his general supervision of the Board.              one individual is the President and
                                               would be made:                                             c. In addition, proposed Section 2.8               CEO. DTC proposes to revise the By-
                                                 a. In current Section 3.1 (General                    (Non-Executive Chairman of the Board)                 Laws to reflect that one individual holds
                                               Provisions), Chairman of the Board                      would state that, in the absence of the               the office of the President and CEO,
                                               would be removed from the list of                       Non-Executive Chairman of the Board,                  including revising the list of designated
                                               designated officers of DTC.                             the presiding director, as elected by the             officers in current Section 3.1 (General
                                                 b. In current Section 3.12                            Board, shall preside at all meetings of               Provisions) to include the President and
                                               (Compensation of Officers), the                         the stockholders and of the Board at                  CEO. While current Section 3.3 (Powers
                                               references to the Chairman of the Board                 which he or she is present. Current                   and Duties of the President) provides
                                               would also be deleted because the Non-                  Section 3.3 (Powers and Duties of the                 that the President shall be the chief
                                               Executive Chairman of the Board does                    President) provides that, in the absence              executive officer, current Section 3.1
                                               not receive compensation and because,                   or in ability of the Chairman of the                  (General Provisions) does not include
                                               as further described below, this section                Board, the President shall preside at all             CEO in the list of designated officer
                                               would be revised to only address the                    meetings of shareholders and all                      positions (President is currently
                                               setting of compensation for the                         meetings of the Board of Directors at                 included in this list). As such, DTC
                                               President and CEO.                                      which he is present. Pursuant to the                  would revise certain references in the
                                                 Current Section 3.2 (Powers and                       Board of Directors of The Depository                  By-Laws from President to President
                                               Duties of the Chairman of the Board)                    Trust & Clearing Corporation (‘‘DTCC’’),              and Chief Executive Officer.
                                               would be deleted and replaced by                        DTC, Fixed Income Clearing                            Specifically, DTC proposes to make the
                                               proposed Section 2.8 (Non-Executive                     Corporation (‘‘FICC’’) and National                   changes to the By-Laws that are
                                               Chairman of the Board). Specifically,                   Securities Clearing Corporation                       described below.
                                               the following changes would be made:                    (‘‘NSCC’’) Mission Statement and                         a. In current Section 1.2 (Special
                                                 a. Certain powers and duties                          Charter (‘‘Board Mission Statement and                Meetings), current Section 1.8
                                               prescribed to the Chairman of the Board                 Charter’’), DTC annually elects a                     (Presiding Officer and Secretary),
                                               in current Section 3.2 (Powers and                      presiding director to preside at meetings             current Section 2.6 (Meetings), current
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                                               Duties of the Chairman of the Board)                    when the Non-Executive Chairman of                    Section 3.1 (General Provisions), current
                                               would remain with the Non-Executive                     the Board is absent. As such, DTC                     Section 3.5 (Powers and Duties of Vice
                                               Chairman of the Board. Such powers                      believes the proposed language                        Presidents and Managing Directors),
                                               and duties include: (i) Presiding over                  described above would enhance                         current Section 3.7 (Powers and Duties
                                               the meetings of the stockholders and of                 accuracy by correcting the inconsistency              of the Treasurer), and current Section
                                               the Board at which he is present and (ii)               between the By-Laws and the Board                     3.12 (Compensation of Officers), the
                                               such other powers and duties as the                     Mission Statement and Charter.                        words ‘‘and Chief Executive Officer’’


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                                               6642                      Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 31 / Wednesday, February 14, 2018 / Notices

                                               would be added after each reference to                     c. Proposed Section 3.2 (Powers and                and Duties of the Chief Financial
                                               President.                                              Duties of the President and CEO) would                Officer) would provide that the CFO
                                                 b. In current Section 6.1 (Certificates               state that the President and CEO would                would perform such other duties as he
                                               for Shares), the words ‘‘the President’’                have such other powers and perform                    may agree with the President and CEO
                                               would be deleted and replaced by the                    such other duties as the Board or the                 and the Board.
                                               words ‘‘President and Chief Executive                   Non-Executive Chairman of the Board
                                                                                                       may designate. DTC believes this                      3. Add the Office of the CFO; Delete of
                                               Officer.’’                                                                                                    the Office of the Comptroller
                                                 Furthermore, except as otherwise                      generally aligns with current Section 3.3
                                               described below, the responsibilities,                  (Powers and Duties of the President).                    DTC would add the office of the CFO
                                               duties and powers granted to the                        DTC believes that providing the Non-                  and assign to the CFO all of the powers
                                               President that are currently described in               Executive Chairman of the Board with                  and duties of the office of the chief
                                               the By-Laws would continue to remain                    this additional authority to designate                financial officer. The CFO would, in
                                               with the President and CEO. DTC                         powers and duties to the President and                general, have overall supervision of the
                                               proposes to make the following changes                  CEO is within the scope of the                        financial operations of DTC.
                                               to the By-Laws to reflect the updated                   supervisory role of the Non-Executive                 Furthermore, references to the office of
                                               responsibilities and powers and duties                  Chairman of the Board.                                the Comptroller would be deleted. DTC
                                               that are granted to the President and                      d. As noted above, certain powers and              does not currently have a Comptroller
                                               CEO:                                                    duties listed in current Section 3.3                  nor does DTC plan to appoint one.
                                                 a. A portion of current Section 3.3                   (Powers and Duties of the President)                  Therefore, DTC believes it would be
                                               (Powers and Duties of the President)                    would be removed or assigned to                       more accurate to remove all references
                                               would be deleted and replaced with                      another position. Specifically, as noted              to such position in the By-Laws.
                                               proposed Section 3.2 (Powers and                        above, the responsibility for carrying out            Specifically, DTC would revise the By-
                                               Duties of the President and Chief                       the policies of the Board would be                    Laws as described below.
                                                                                                       assigned to the Non-Executive Chairman
                                               Executive Officer). The remaining                                                                                a. In current Section 3.1 (General
                                                                                                       of the Board rather than to the President
                                               portion of current Section 3.3 (Powers                                                                        Provisions), CFO would be added to and
                                                                                                       and CEO. Additionally, the statement
                                               and Duties of the President) would be                                                                         Comptroller would be removed from the
                                                                                                       that ‘‘performance of any such duty by
                                               included in proposed Section 3.2                                                                              list of designated officers of DTC.
                                                                                                       the President shall be conclusive
                                               (Powers and Duties of the President and
                                                                                                       evidence of his power to act’’ that                      b. DTC would add proposed Section
                                               Chief Executive Officer).
                                                                                                       appears in current Section 3.3 (Powers                3.5 (Powers and Duties of the Chief
                                                 b. Current Section 3.3 (Powers and                    and Duties of the President) would be                 Financial Officer). This proposed
                                               Duties of the President) states that the                removed as DTC believes it would be                   section would enumerate the powers
                                               President will have general supervision                 best practice to document specific                    and duties of the CFO. It would state
                                               over the business and affairs of DTC                    designation of powers and/or duties                   that the CFO would have overall
                                               subject to the direction of the Board.                  made by the Board or Non-Executive                    supervision of the financial operations
                                               Additionally, current Section 3.3                       Chairman of the Board to the President                of DTC and upon request, would
                                               (Powers and Duties of the President)                    and CEO. Furthermore, as noted above,                 counsel and advise other officers of DTC
                                               states that the President may employ                    the language stating that, in the absence             and perform other duties as agreed with
                                               and discharge employees and agents of                   of the Non-Executive Chairman, the                    the President and CEO or as determined
                                               DTC, except such as shall be elected or                 President and CEO shall preside at all                by the Board. DTC believes these
                                               appointed by the Board, and he may                      meetings of shareholders and all                      powers and duties are appropriate for
                                               delegate these powers. Similarly,                       meetings of the Board of Directors at                 the newly created role of CFO. Proposed
                                               proposed Section 3.2 (Powers and                        which he is present would be deleted                  Section 3.5 (Powers and Duties of the
                                               Duties of the President and Chief                       because, pursuant to the Board Mission                Chief Financial Officer) would also state
                                               Executive Officer) would state that the                 Statement and Charter, that power                     that the CFO would report directly to
                                               President and Chief Executive Officer                   resides with the presiding director who               the President and CEO. DTC believes it
                                               would have general supervision over the                 is elected annually by the DTC Board.                 is appropriate for the CFO to report to
                                               overall business strategy, business                     DTC believes deleting this language                   the President and CEO and to specify
                                               operations, systems, customer outreach,                 would enhance accuracy by correcting                  this clear line of responsibility in the
                                               and risk management, control and staff                  the inconsistency between the By-Laws                 By-Laws.
                                               functions, subject to the direction of the              and the Board Mission Statement and
                                               Board and the Non-Executive Chairman                                                                             c. Furthermore, proposed Section 3.6
                                                                                                       Charter.
                                               of the Board. DTC believes the                             e. As described above, in current                  (Powers and Duties of the Treasurer)
                                               additional detail provided in proposed                  Section 3.6 (Powers and Duties of the                 would also be revised to state that the
                                               Section 3.2 (Powers and Duties of the                   Secretary), the power to assign                       Treasurer shall have all such powers
                                               President and CEO) would add clarity to                 additional powers and duties to the                   and duties as generally are incident to
                                               the powers and duties associated with                   Secretary would be removed from the                   the position of Treasurer or as the CFO
                                               the role of President and Chief                         President and granted to the Non-                     (in addition to the President and CEO
                                               Executive Officer and would be                          Executive Chairman of the Board. DTC                  and the Board) may assign to him.
                                               consistent with the combined role. In                   believes this is an appropriate                       Because the Treasurer directly reports to
                                               addition, because the office of the COO                 responsibility for the Non-Executive                  the CFO, DTC believes it is appropriate
                                               would be eliminated (as described                       Chairman of the Board to have as part                 for the CFO to assign powers and duties
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                                               further below), the responsibility of                   of his general supervision of the Board.              to the Treasurer.
                                               general supervision over the operations                    f. As described below, the President                  d. DTC would delete current Section
                                               of DTC, which is designated to the COO                  and Board currently have the authority                3.8 (Powers and Duties of the
                                               role in current Section 3.4 (Powers and                 to assign powers and duties to the                    Comptroller), which, with the
                                               Duties of the Chief Operating Officer),                 Comptroller in current Section 3.8                    elimination of the office of the
                                               would be assigned to the President and                  (Powers and Duties of the Comptroller).               Comptroller, would no longer be
                                               CEO.                                                    Similarly, proposed Section 3.5 (Powers               necessary.


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                                                                         Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 31 / Wednesday, February 14, 2018 / Notices                                             6643

                                               4. Delete the Office of the COO                         removed from the list of designated                   limited to, the power to appoint a Vice
                                                  DTC would also delete references to                  officers of DTC. As described below, a                Chairman of the Corporation.
                                               the designated office of the COO in the                 parenthetical phrase would be added
                                                                                                                                                             Board
                                               By-Laws. DTC believes this change is                    explaining that the Board’s power to
                                                                                                       appoint other officers includes the                     a. In current Section 3.1 (General
                                               necessary because DTC no longer has a
                                                                                                       power to appoint one or more Executive                Provisions), DTC proposes to add a
                                               COO nor does DTC plan to appoint one.
                                                                                                       Directors.                                            parenthetical phrase explaining that the
                                               Specifically, DTC would make the
                                               changes to the By-Laws described                          d. In current Section 3.5 (Powers and               Board’s power to appoint other offices
                                               below.                                                  Duties of Vice Presidents and Managing                includes, but is not limited to, the
                                                  a. In current Section 3.1 (General                   Directors), all references to Vice                    power to appoint a Vice Chairman of the
                                               Provisions), the COO would be removed                   President would be deleted. Section 3.5               Corporation and one or more Executive
                                               from the list of designated officers of                 (Powers and Duties of Vice Presidents                 Directors to enhance clarity.
                                               DTC.                                                    and Managing Directors) currently states                b. Additionally, in current Section 3.1
                                                  b. Current Section 3.4 (Powers and                   that Vice Presidents and Managing                     (General Provisions), regarding the
                                               Duties of the Chief Operating Officer)                  Directors have such powers and perform                ability of any one person to hold more
                                               would be deleted, which, with the                       such duties as the Board or the                       than one office, DTC proposes to
                                               elimination of the office of the COO,                   President may assign to them.5 Because                enhance and clarify the exception by
                                               would no longer be necessary. The                       individuals with the title of Executive               specifying that neither the Secretary nor
                                               power and duty prescribed to this                       Director report to Managing Directors,                any Assistant Secretary can hold the
                                               position (general supervision over the                  DTC believes the reference to Vice                    following offices: (1) Vice Chairman of
                                               operations of DTC) would be assigned to                 President in this section would not be                the Corporation or (2) President and
                                               the President and CEO in proposed                       necessary.                                            CEO. DTC believes this proposed
                                               Section 3.2 (Powers and Duties of the                                                                         change is necessary to ensure that the
                                                                                                       6. Other Changes to the Powers and                    Secretary and any Assistant Secretary
                                               President and Chief Executive Officer),
                                                                                                       Duties of the Board and Certain Other                 would not hold those positions.
                                               as described above.
                                                                                                       Designated Officers
                                               5. Change the Title of Vice President to                                                                      Treasurer
                                                                                                       Managing Directors
                                               Executive Director; Update the Related                                                                          In current Section 6.1 (Certificates of
                                               Powers and Duties                                         a. In Section 1.2 (Special Meetings),               Shares), DTC proposes to delete the
                                                  DTC proposes to change the title of                  the reference to the Managing Director                reference to Treasurer from the list of
                                               Vice President to Executive Director and                would be added to the list of officers                authorized signatories because DTC
                                               update the related powers and duties.                   authorized to call special meetings of                expects the Secretary or an Assistant
                                               DTC believes these changes are                          the stockholders to provide DTC’s                     Secretary (who are each currently listed
                                               necessary because DTC has decided that                  management with more flexibility by                   as authorized signatories) to sign any
                                               the title of Executive Director is more                 enabling additional persons within                    share certificates.
                                               widely used in the financial services                   senior management to call special
                                                                                                       meetings of the Board.                                Assistant Treasurer
                                               industry for roles similar to those
                                               designated as Vice Presidents. In DTC’s                   b. In current Section 2.6 (Meetings),                 In current Section 6.1 (Certificates of
                                               organizational structure, Executive                     the proposal would add Managing                       Shares), DTC proposes to delete the
                                               Directors report to Managing Directors.                 Directors to the list of officers                     reference to Assistant Treasurer from
                                               As such, it was decided that Executive                  authorized to call special meetings of                the list of authorized signatories because
                                               Directors do not have sufficient                        the Board. DTC believes this proposed                 DTC expects the Secretary or the
                                               seniority to call special meetings of                   change would provide DTC’s                            Assistant Secretary (who are each
                                               shareholders, to preside over                           management with additional flexibility                currently listed as authorized
                                               shareholder meetings unless specifically                by enabling additional persons within                 signatories) to sign any share
                                               designated to do so by the Board, or to                 senior management to call special                     certificates.
                                               sign share certificates. DTC proposes to                meetings of the Board.
                                                                                                         c. In current Section 6.1 (Certificates             7. Revise Compensation of Officers to
                                               make the following changes to the By-                                                                         Compensation of the President and
                                               Laws to reflect the change in the title                 for Shares), Managing Directors would
                                                                                                       be removed from the list of officers                  Chief Executive Officer
                                               from Vice President to Executive
                                               Director and to update the related                      authorized to sign certificates for shares.              Current Section 3.12 (Compensation
                                               powers and duties.                                      By removing Managing Directors, DTC                   of Officers) would be revised to
                                                  a. In current Section 1.2 (Special                   would be able to limit the authorized                 accurately reflect DTC’s compensation
                                               Meetings), the proposed rule change                     signatories of certificates for shares of             setting practices. Current Section 3.12
                                               would remove Vice Presidents from the                   DTC to a smaller number of individuals                states that: (i) The compensation, if any,
                                               list of officers authorized to call special             within senior management.                             of the Chairman of the Board, and the
                                               meetings of shareholders. DTC believes                                                                        President shall be fixed by a majority
                                                                                                       Vice Chairman of the Corporation                      (which shall not include the Chairman
                                               that Vice Presidents do not have
                                               sufficient seniority to call special                      As described below, a parenthetical                 of the Board or the President) of the
                                               meetings of shareholders.                               phrase would be added in current                      entire Board of Directors and (ii) salaries
                                                  b. In current Section 1.8 (Presiding                 Section 3.1 (General Provisions)                      of all other officers shall be fixed by the
                                               Officer and Secretary), Vice President                  explaining that the Board’s power to                  President with the approval of the Board
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                                               would removed. DTC believes that a                      appoint other offices includes, but is not            and no officer shall be precluded from
                                               Vice President should not preside over                                                                        receiving a salary because he is also a
                                               a shareholder meeting unless                              5 With this proposal, this reference to President   director. Current Section 3.12 would be
                                               specifically designated to do so by the                 would be revised to President and CEO, and the        revised to state that the Compensation
                                                                                                       Non-Executive Chairman of the Board would be
                                               Board.                                                  added so the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board
                                                                                                                                                             Committee of the Corporation will
                                                  c. In current Section 3.1 (General                   would also be able to assign powers and duties to     recommend the compensation for the
                                               Provisions), Vice Presidents would be                   the Managing Directors.                               President and Chief Executive Officer to


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                                               6644                      Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 31 / Wednesday, February 14, 2018 / Notices

                                               the Board of Directors for approval                     removed. DTC also would clarify that                  with the word ‘‘the’’ before the word
                                               because, pursuant to the DTCC/DTC/                      the Banking Law is in fact referring to               ‘‘Corporation’’ in the last sentence to
                                               FICC/NSCC Compensation and Human                        the New York Banking Law.                             correct typographical errors and
                                               Resources Committee Charter                                                                                   enhance consistency and readability.
                                                                                                       2. Technical Changes to Section
                                               (‘‘Compensation Committee Charter’’),                                                                            d. In current Section 2.3 (Newly
                                                                                                       Describing Audit Committee
                                               this is the process that is followed. In                                                                      Created Directorships and Vacancies),
                                               addition, DTC also proposes to delete                      DTC proposes to revise proposed                    the extra space before and after the word
                                               the language stating that salaries of all               Section 2.11 (Audit Committee) to                     ‘‘of’’ in the first sentence would be
                                               other officers shall be fixed by the                    conform the description of the                        deleted.
                                               President with approval of the Board                    composition of the Audit Committee to                    e. In addition, additional spaces
                                               and no officer shall be precluded from                  the description of the Audit Committee                between the section number and the
                                               receiving a salary because he is also a                 in the by-laws of FICC because the                    section title would be added in current
                                               director. DTC believes the proposed                     composition of such committee is the                  Section 1.1 (Annual Meeting) through
                                               changes are appropriate because they no                 same for DTC, FICC and NSCC and                       Section 1.12 (Written Consent of
                                               longer reflect DTC’s compensation                       therefore, DTC believes the description               Stockholders Without a Meeting), in
                                               setting procedures. In addition, as noted               of such committee should be consistent.               current Section 2.1 (Number of
                                               above, references to Chairman of the                    Specifically, DTC proposes to revise                  Directors) through current Section 2.7
                                               Board would be deleted because the                      proposed Section 2.11 (Audit                          (Quorum and Voting), proposed Section
                                               Non-Executive Chairman of the Board                     Committee) to state that the Board of                 2.8 (Non-Executive Chairman of the
                                               does not receive compensation.                          Directors may appoint an Audit                        Board), proposed Section 2.10
                                               Furthermore, the title of this section                  Committee consisting of three or more                 (Executive Committee) through
                                               would be revised from Compensation of                   directors other than officers of DTC or               proposed Section 2.13 (Compensation of
                                               Officers to Compensation of the                         DTCC. Furthermore, language stating                   Directors), current Section 3.1 (General
                                               President and Chief Executive Officer                   that the Audit Committee will review                  Provisions), proposed Section 3.3
                                               because this section would no longer                    the progress of all internal audits                   (Powers and Duties of Managing
                                               speak to the compensation of officers                   conducted by the Auditor (if there be                 Directors), proposed Section 3.4 (Powers
                                               other than the President and CEO.                       one) and all periodic reports of such                 and Duties of the Secretary), proposed
                                                                                                       audits submitted to it by the Auditor                 Section 3.6 (Powers and Duties of the
                                               C. Technical Changes and Corrections                    pursuant to Section 3.9 and shall                     Treasurer), proposed Section 3.7
                                                 DTC has identified the following                      supervise, and cooperate and coordinate               (Powers and Duties of the Auditor)
                                               technical changes and/or corrections                    with, the Auditor in the performance of               through proposed Section 3.10
                                               that it proposes to make to the By-Laws                 his duties would be deleted as a                      (Compensation of Officers), and current
                                               to enhance the clarity and readability of               conforming change and for consistency                 Section 6.1 (Certificates for Shares)
                                               the By-Laws.                                            with the by-Laws of FICC.                             through current Section 6.4 (Lost, Stolen
                                               1. Delete Direct Reference to Statutes                  3. Other Technical Changes and                        or Destroyed Certificates).
                                               and Statutory Requirements                              Corrections                                              f. In current Section 2.6 (Meetings),
                                                  DTC would delete direct statutory                       In addition to the technical changes               each use of the word ‘‘board’’ in the
                                               references from the By-Laws as set forth                proposed above, DTC proposes to make                  second paragraph would be capitalized
                                               below so that the By-Laws remain                        the additional technical and                          to correct typographical errors and
                                               consistent and accurate despite any                     grammatical changes described below.                  enhance consistency.
                                               changes to a specifically cited statute.                   a. In the heading for current Article I,              g. Current Section 2.8 (Executive
                                               DTC believes this proposed change                       DTC proposes to delete                                Committee) through current Section
                                               would also provide DTC with a broad                     ‘‘STOCKHOLDERS’’ and replace it with                  2.11 (Compensation of Directors) would
                                               base to act in accordance with relevant                 ‘‘Stockholders’’ and in the heading for               be renumbered to reflect the addition of
                                               law without violating the By-Laws and                   current Article II, delete ‘‘BOARD OF                 proposed Section 2.8 (Non-Executive
                                               thereby also provide DTC with more                      DIRECTORS’’ and replace it with                       Chairman of the Board) and proposed
                                               flexibility. Specifically, DTC proposes to              ‘‘Board of Directors’’ to be consistent               Section 2.9 (Action by Unanimous
                                               make the following changes to the By-                   with the headings of the other Articles               Written Consent).
                                               Laws:                                                   in the By-Laws.                                          h. Current Section 3.5 (Powers and
                                                  a. In current Section 1.2 (Special                      b. In current Section 1.2 (Special                 Duties of Vice Presidents and Managing
                                               Meetings), regarding stockholders’                      Meetings), current Section 1.3 (Record                Directors) through current Section 3.12
                                               ability to compel the Secretary to call a               Date for Meetings and Other Purposes),                (Compensation of Officers) would be
                                               special meeting of the stockholders for                 current Section 1.8 (Presiding Officer                renumbered to reflect the addition of
                                               the election of directors, the reference to             and Secretary), current Section 2.6                   proposed Section 3.2 (Powers and
                                               the provisions of Section 6003 of the                   (Meetings), current Section 3.1 (General              Duties of the President and Chief
                                               New York Banking Law would be                           Provisions), current Section 3.5 (Powers              Executive Officer) and proposed Section
                                               deleted.                                                and Duties of Vice Presidents and                     3.5 (Powers and Duties of the Chief
                                                  b. In current Section 1.4 (Notice of                 Managing Directors), current Section 3.6              Financial Officer) and the deletion of
                                               Meetings), regarding the composition of                 (Powers and Duties of the Treasurer),                 current Section 3.2 (Powers and Duties
                                               notices for stockholder meetings, the                   current Section 3.12 (Compensation of                 of the Chairman of the Board), current
                                               reference to the specific provisions and                Officers), and current Section 6.1                    Section 3.3 (Powers and Duties of the
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                                               requirements of Section 6022 of the                     (Certificates for Shares), conforming                 President), current Section 3.4 (Powers
                                               New York Banking Law would be                           grammatical corrections would be made.                and Duties of the Chief Operating
                                               deleted.                                                   c. In current Section 1.10 (Inspectors             Officer) and current Section 3.8 (Powers
                                                  c. In current Section 2.2 (Election and              of Election), each use of the word                    and Duties of the Comptroller).
                                               Term of Directors), regarding the                       ‘‘corporation’’ would be capitalized so                  i. Proposed Article X (Gender
                                               directors’ oath of office, the specific                 that it would read ‘‘Corporation’’ and                References) would be added to clarify
                                               citation to Section 7015 would be                       the word ‘‘such’’ would be replaced                   that the By-Laws are intended to be


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                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 31 / Wednesday, February 14, 2018 / Notices                                            6645

                                               gender neutral with any reference to one                  that the Executive Committee meet                      Laws regarding the titles or offices and
                                               gender deemed to include the other.                       during each 30-day period in which the                 the related powers and duties of various
                                                                                                         Board does not meet, and (3) authorize                 officers and the Board would enhance
                                               2. Statutory Basis
                                                                                                         the Board to act by unanimous written                  clarity and transparency because they
                                                  Section 17A(b)(3)(A) of the Act                        consent in lieu of a meeting would                     would clearly and accurately set forth
                                               requires, among other things, that a                      facilitate the efficient operation of DTC              the organizational structure of DTC,
                                               clearing agency is so organized to be                     by permitting the Board to make                        including the roles and lines of
                                               able to facilitate the prompt and                         necessary decisions in a timely and                    responsibility of various officers and the
                                               accurate clearance and settlement of                      efficient manner. DTC also believes that               Board. DTC also believes that the
                                               securities transactions for which it is                   removing the word ‘‘monthly’’ when                     proposed changes that would: (1)
                                               responsible.6 DTC believes the proposed                   describing that the Board may fix times                Reduce the minimum number of
                                               changes to the By-Laws described above                    and places of regular meetings of the                  required Board meetings, (2) eliminate
                                               are consistent with this provision.                       Board would enhance clarity and                        the requirement that the Executive
                                               Specifically, DTC believes that the (1)                   consistency regarding the requirements                 Committee meet during each 30-day
                                               change of title from Chairman of the                      associated with such meetings.                         period in which the Board does not
                                               Board to Non-Executive Chairman of the                    Therefore, DTC believes these proposed                 meet, and (3) authorize the Board to act
                                               Board and changes to the related powers                   changes are consistent with the                        by unanimous written consent in lieu of
                                               and duties, (2) addition of the office of                 requirement that DTC is so organized to                a meeting would facilitate the efficient
                                               the CEO, the combination of the offices                   facilitate the prompt and accurate                     operation of DTC by permitting the
                                               of the President and CEO and changes                      clearance and settlement of securities                 Board to make necessary decisions in a
                                               to the related powers and duties, (3)                     transactions for which it is responsible.              timely and efficient manner. DTC also
                                               addition of the office of the CFO and                        Rule 17Ad–22(e)(1) under the Act                    believes that removing the word
                                               deletion of the office of the Comptroller,                requires a covered clearing agency to                  ‘‘monthly’’ when describing that the
                                               (4) change of title from Vice President                   establish, implement, maintain and                     Board may fix times and places of
                                               to Executive Director and changes to the                  enforce written policies and procedures                regular meetings would enhance clarity
                                               related powers and duties, (5) deletion                   reasonably designed to provide for a                   and consistency regarding the
                                               of the office of the COO, (6) changes to                  well-founded, transparent and                          requirements associated with such
                                               the powers and duties of the Board, (7)                   enforceable legal basis for each aspect of             meetings. DTC also believes the
                                               changes to the powers and duties of                       its activities in all relevant
                                               Managing Directors, (8) changes to the                                                                           proposed changes relating to the
                                                                                                         jurisdictions.7 DTC believes the (1)
                                               powers and duties of Vice Chairman of                                                                            compensation of officers would enhance
                                                                                                         proposed changes to the titles or offices
                                               the Corporation, (9) changes to the                                                                              clarity and transparency regarding its
                                                                                                         and the related powers and duties of the
                                               powers and duties of the Treasurer, and                                                                          compensation setting procedures by (1)
                                                                                                         Board and certain officers and (2)
                                               (10) changes to the powers and duties of                                                                         accurately reflecting the process that is
                                                                                                         proposed technical changes and
                                               the Assistant Treasurer are designed to                                                                          followed pursuant to the Compensation
                                                                                                         corrections to the By-Laws are designed
                                               facilitate the effective and efficient                                                                           Committee Charter and (2) clarifying
                                                                                                         to ensure that DTC’s organizational
                                               governance and operation of DTC and                                                                              that the Non-Executive Chairman of the
                                                                                                         documents accurately describe DTC’s
                                               accurately reflect DTC’s current Board                                                                           Board does not receive compensation. In
                                                                                                         organizational structure and that such
                                               and management structure. DTC also                                                                               addition, the proposed technical
                                                                                                         organizational documents remain clear,
                                               believes the changes to the powers and                                                                           changes and corrections to the By-Laws
                                                                                                         transparent, and consistent. Therefore,
                                               duties of the Board and designated                                                                               are also designed to enhance the clarity,
                                                                                                         DTC believes these proposed changes
                                               officer positions are appropriate and                                                                            transparency, and readability of the By-
                                                                                                         are consistent with Rule 17Ad–22(e)(1)
                                               aligned with each role. Furthermore,                                                                             Laws. DTC believes that, taken together,
                                                                                                         because they are designed to ensure that
                                               these proposed changes are intended to                                                                           these proposed changes would facilitate
                                                                                                         DTC’s organizational documents remain
                                               promote additional clarity as to the                                                                             the effective and efficient governance
                                                                                                         well-founded, transparent and
                                               responsibilities of the Board and certain                                                                        and operation of DTC, and therefore
                                                                                                         enforceable in all relevant
                                               designated officers. DTC believes the                                                                            would enable DTC to better serve its
                                                                                                         jurisdictions.8
                                               proposed changes to the section                                                                                  Participants. As such, DTC believes
                                                                                                            Rule 17Ad–22(e)(2) under the Act
                                               describing the compensation of officers                                                                          these proposed changes would also
                                                                                                         requires that DTC establish, implement,
                                               are designed to accurately reflect: (1)                                                                          support the public interest requirements
                                                                                                         maintain and enforce written policies
                                               The process that is followed for setting                                                                         in Section 17A of the Act (15 U.S.C.
                                                                                                         and procedures to provide for
                                               compensation pursuant to the                                                                                     78q–1) applicable to clearing agencies,
                                                                                                         governance arrangements that, among
                                               Compensation Committee Charter and                                                                               and the objectives of its owners and
                                                                                                         other things, (1) are clear and
                                               (2) that the Non-Executive Chairman of                                                                           participants. Therefore, DTC believes
                                                                                                         transparent, (2) support the public
                                               the Board does not receive                                                                                       these proposed rule changes are
                                                                                                         interest requirements in Section 17A of
                                               compensation and would promote                                                                                   consistent with Rule 17Ad–22(e)(2)
                                                                                                         the Act (15 U.S.C. 78q–1) applicable to
                                               additional clarity as to the setting of                                                                          because they are designed to enhance
                                                                                                         clearing agencies, and the objectives of
                                               compensation of the President and CEO                                                                            clarity and transparency in DTC’s
                                                                                                         owners and participants; and (3) specify
                                               and Non-Executive Chairman of the                                                                                governance arrangements, support the
                                                                                                         clear and direct lines of responsibility.9
                                               Board. DTC also believes the technical                                                                           public interest requirements in Section
                                                                                                         DTC believes the proposed changes to
                                               changes and corrections to the By-Laws                                                                           17A of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78q-1)
                                                                                                         the By-Laws described above are
                                               would enhance clarity and transparency                                                                           applicable to clearing agencies, and the
                                                                                                         designed to be consistent with Rule
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                                               in DTC’s organizational documents.                                                                               objectives of owners and participants,
                                                                                                         17Ad–22(e)(2).10 Specifically, DTC
                                               DTC also believes that the proposed                                                                              and specify clear and direct lines of
                                                                                                         believes the proposed changes to the By-
                                               changes that would: (1) Reduce the                                                                               responsibility for various officer
                                               minimum number of required Board                            7 17    CFR 240.17Ad–22(e)(1).
                                                                                                                                                                positions and the Board within DTC’s
                                               meetings, (2) eliminate the requirement                     8 Id.                                                organizational structure.11
                                                                                                           9 17    CFR 240.17Ad–22(e)(2).
                                                 6 15   U.S.C. 78q–1(b)(3)(A).                             10 Id.                                                 11 Id.




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                                               6646                      Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 31 / Wednesday, February 14, 2018 / Notices

                                               (B) Clearing Agency’s Statement on                      Comments may be submitted by any of                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                                               Burden on Competition                                   the following methods:                                 COMMISSION
                                                  DTC does not believe that the                        Electronic Comments
                                               proposed rule change would have any                                                                            [Release No. 34–82658; File No. SR–OCC–
                                               impact on competition. The proposed                       • Use the Commission’s internet                      2017–007]
                                               rule change would amend the By-Laws                     comment form (http://www.sec.gov/
                                               to: (1) Accurately reflect DTC’s                        rules/sro.shtml); or                                   Self-Regulatory Organizations; the
                                               organizational structure and reflect                      • Send an email to rule-comments@                    Options Clearing Corporation; Order
                                               changes to titles or offices and the                    sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–                Approving Proposed Rule Change
                                               related powers and duties of the Board                  DTC–2018–001 on the subject line.                      Related to the Options Clearing
                                               and various designated officers, (2)                                                                           Corporation’s Margin Policy
                                                                                                       Paper Comments
                                               accurately reflect (a) the process that is                                                                     February 7, 2018.
                                               followed for setting compensation                          • Send paper comments in triplicate
                                               pursuant to the Compensation                            to Secretary, Securities and Exchange                  I. Introduction
                                               Committee Charter and (b) that the Non-                 Commission, 100 F Street NE,
                                               Executive Chairman of the Board does                                                                             On December 11, 2017, the Options
                                                                                                       Washington, DC 20549.
                                               not receive compensation, (3) permit the                                                                       Clearing Corporation (‘‘OCC’’) filed with
                                                                                                       All submissions should refer to File                   the Securities and Exchange
                                               Board to continue to make necessary                     Number SR–DTC–2018–001. This file
                                               decisions in a timely and efficient                                                                            Commission (‘‘Commission’’), pursuant
                                                                                                       number should be included on the                       to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities
                                               manner by reducing the minimum
                                                                                                       subject line if email is used. To help the             Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule
                                               number of required Board meetings,
                                                                                                       Commission process and review your                     19b–4 thereunder,2 proposed rule
                                               authorizing the Board to act by
                                                                                                       comments more efficiently, please use                  change SR–OCC–2017–007. On
                                               unanimous written consent in lieu of
                                                                                                       only one method. The Commission will                   December 18, 2017, OCC filed
                                               meetings, and make other related
                                                                                                       post all comments on the Commission’s                  Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule
                                               changes, and (4) enhance the clarity,
                                                                                                       internet website (http://www.sec.gov/                  change.3 The proposed rule change, as
                                               transparency, and readability of the By-
                                                                                                       rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the                        modified by Amendment No. 1, was
                                               Laws by making technical changes and
                                                                                                       submission, all subsequent                             published for comment in the Federal
                                               corrections. DTC does not believe that
                                                                                                       amendments, all written statements                     Register on December 26, 2017.4 The
                                               this proposal would affect any of its
                                               current practices regarding the rights or               with respect to the proposed rule                      Commission did not receive any
                                               obligations of its Participants. Therefore,             change that are filed with the                         comments on the proposed rule change.
                                               DTC believes that the proposal would                    Commission, and all written                            This order approves the proposed rule
                                               not have any effect on its Participants                 communications relating to the                         change.
                                               and thus, would not have any impact or                  proposed rule change between the
                                                                                                       Commission and any person, other than                  II. Description of the Proposed Rule
                                               burden on competition.                                                                                         Change
                                                                                                       those that may be withheld from the
                                               (C) Clearing Agency’s Statement on                      public in accordance with the                          A. Background
                                               Comments on the Proposed Rule                           provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
                                               Change Received From Members,                           available for website viewing and                        As stated in the Notice, OCC filed the
                                               Participants, or Others                                 printing in the Commission’s Public                    proposed rule change to formalize and
                                                 DTC has not received any written                      Reference Room, 100 F Street NE,                       update its Margin Policy, which
                                               comments relating to this proposal. DTC                 Washington, DC 20549 on official                       describes OCC’s approach for collecting
                                               will notify the Commission of any                       business days between the hours of                     margin and managing the credit
                                               written comments received by it.                        10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the                 exposure presented by its Clearing
                                                                                                       filing also will be available for                      Members to ensure that the manner in
                                               III. Date of Effectiveness of the                       inspection and copying at the principal                which its margin methodologies are
                                               Proposed Rule Change, and Timing for                    office of DTC and on DTCC’s website                    governed and implemented complies
                                               Commission Action                                       (http://dtcc.com/legal/sec-rule-                       with Section 17A of the Act 5 and Rule
                                                  Within 45 days of the date of                        filings.aspx). All comments received                   17Ad–22(e)(6) thereunder.6 OCC stated
                                               publication of this notice in the Federal               will be posted without change. Persons                 that the Margin Policy is part of a
                                               Register or within such longer period                   submitting comments are cautioned that                 broader framework used by OCC to
                                               up to 90 days (i) as the Commission may                 we do not redact or edit personal                      promote compliance with Rule 17Ad–
                                               designate if it finds such longer period                identifying information from comment                   22(e)(6), including OCC’s By-Laws,
                                               to be appropriate and publishes its                     submissions. You should submit only                    Rules, and other policies that are
                                               reasons for so finding or (ii) as to which              information that you wish to make                      designed to support the resiliency of
                                               the self-regulatory organization                        available publicly. All submissions
                                               consents, the Commission will:                          should refer to File Number SR–DTC–                      1 15  U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
                                                  (A) By order approve or disapprove                   2018–001 and should be submitted on                      2 17  CFR 240.19b–4.
                                                                                                                                                                 3 In Amendment No. 1, OCC modified a portion
                                               such proposed rule change, or                           or before March 7, 2018.
                                                  (B) institute proceedings to determine                                                                      of its Margin Policy to: (i) State that OCC’s Board
                                                                                                         For the Commission, by the Division of               of Directors (‘‘Board’’) is ultimately responsible for
                                               whether the proposed rule change                        Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated             annual review and approval of the Policy, and (ii)
                                               should be disapproved.                                                                                         correctly cite provisions in OCC’s Rules governing
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                                                                                                       authority.12
                                                                                                                                                              its stock loan program. OCC did not propose any
                                               IV. Solicitation of Comments                            Eduardo A. Aleman,                                     other changes in Amendment No. 1.
                                                 Interested persons are invited to                     Assistant Secretary.                                      4 Securities Exchange Act Release No. 82355 (Dec.

                                                                                                       [FR Doc. 2018–02984 Filed 2–13–18; 8:45 am]            19, 2017), 82 FR 61060 (Dec. 26, 2017) (SR–OCC–
                                               submit written data, views and                                                                                 2017–007) (‘‘Notice’’).
                                               arguments concerning the foregoing,                     BILLING CODE 8011–01–P                                    5 15 U.S.C. 78q–1.
                                               including whether the proposed rule                                                                               6 See Notice at 61061 (citing 17 CFR 240.17Ad–

                                               change is consistent with the Act.                        12 17   CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).                         22(e)(6)).



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Document Created: 2018-02-14 03:59:10
Document Modified: 2018-02-14 03:59:10
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 6639 

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