Securities and Exchange Commission
- [Release No. 34-80280; File No. SR-DTC-2017-001]
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 March 9, 2017, 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 DTC. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
I. Clearing Agency's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change
The proposed rule change consists of amendments to Rules, By-Laws and Organization Certificate of The Depository Trust Company (the “DTC Rules”) [3] in order to add new Rule 35 (CMS Reporting) which would provide that any DTC Participant that is, or is acting on behalf of, a user of certain collateral management services (“CMS”) [4] of DTCC Euroclear Global Collateral Ltd. (“DEGCL”) [5] may establish one or more sub-Accounts for use in connection with CMS (each, a “CMS Sub-Account”). A DTC Participant that establishes a CMS Sub-Account pursuant to the proposed rule (a “CMS Participant”) would thereby: (i) Authorize DEGCL to receive account and transactional information and reports with respect to the CMS Sub-Account, and (ii) direct DTC to provide such information and reports to DEGCL, as described in detail below.
II. Clearing Agency's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
In its filing with the Commission, the clearing agency included statements concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The clearing agency has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements.
(A) Clearing Agency's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
1. Purpose
The proposal would add new Rule 35 (CMS Reporting), which would provide that any DTC Participant that is, or is acting on behalf of, a user of DEGCL CMS may establish one or more CMS Sub-Accounts. A CMS Participant would thereby: (i) Authorize DEGCL to receive account and transactional information and reports with respect to the CMS Sub-Account, and (ii) direct DTC to provide such information and reports to DEGCL, as described below.
(i) Background
(a) DEGCL
DEGCL was formed in the United Kingdom (“UK”), and is authorized by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) [6] in the UK as a “service company” in accordance with applicable law of the UK.[7] DEGCL was formed for the purpose of offering global information, record keeping, and processing services for derivatives collateral transactions and other types of financing transactions. DEGCL seeks to provide services to buy-side and sell-side financial institutions that seek increased efficiency in the availability and deployment of collateral and streamlined margin processing, in light ( printed page 15082) of new and enhanced regulatory requirements.[8] These requirements have resulted in increased capital requirements, mandatory central clearing of more derivative transactions, and new margining rules for bilateral trades, driving a significant increased demand for high quality collateral, and for efficient and effective deployment of collateral.
(b) DEGCL CMS Options
DEGCL performs information and record-keeping services for CMS users who have entered into user agreements with DEGCL for this purpose (“CMS Users”). CMS Users are financial institutions that are counterparties to agreements establishing obligations between them to provide securities collateral with respect to swaps or other types of financing transactions. These bilateral swap or other financing agreements are entered into by such counterparties outside, and independently, of DEGCL or DTC.[9]
DEGCL will provide two CMS service options for the selection of collateral to satisfy these external collateral obligations. For use of these options at DEGCL, both counterparties must agree with DEGCL to apply the same collateral selection option to a transaction between them.
The first option is referred to by DEGCL as the “Standard Option” (also referred to as “self-select”). The Standard Option relates to securities collateral at any U.S. settlement location and does not depend on the proposed rule change. It is described in this rule filing for informational purposes only.
The second collateral selection option is referred to by DEGCL as the “Allocation Option” (also referred to as “auto-select”). This option relates to securities collateral held at DTC; the offering of this option by DEGCL depends on, and is subject to, approval of the proposed rule change. The CMS User with the obligation to deliver collateral must be a CMS Participant under the proposed rule change, or the customer of a CMS Participant acting on its behalf.[10] The CMS User that is the counterparty receiving collateral must also be either a DTC Participant or the customer of a DTC Participant acting on its behalf.[11]
(c) Standard Option, for Securities Collateral Held at Various Settlement Locations
CMS Users may elect the Standard Option for securities held at any applicable settlement location, including custodial banks and DTC. Under the Standard Option, a CMS User will have the option to specify to DEGCL, obligation by obligation, what collateral to transfer with respect to each counterparty collateral obligation and at what settlement location, hence “self-select.” DEGCL will process the information it receives from the CMS User and generate proposed settlement instructions for the transfer of such collateral at the applicable settlement location. DEGCL will send its proposed settlement instructions to the CMS User and/or its agent, referred to by DEGCL as a designated settlement service provider (“DSSP”).[12] The DSSP will determine whether to issue the proposed settlement instructions to the applicable settlement location.
For the Standard Option applied to securities collateral for which DTC is the applicable settlement location, DEGCL will not receive any information from DTC and, therefore, this option is not subject to the proposed rule change. The CMS User will self-report information to DEGCL.
(c) Allocation Option for Securities Collateral Held at DTC
The Allocation Option would only be used in connection with Eligible Securities held at DTC in a CMS Sub-Account by a CMS Participant (“CMS Securities”). The CMS Participant may be a CMS User acting for itself or a DTC Participant acting on behalf of a CMS User as the CMS Participant.[13] As described below, the Allocation Option is dependent on DEGCL receiving certain information from DTC for the applicable CMS Sub-Account of the applicable CMS Participant. The proposed rule change provides a mechanism for a CMS Participant to authorize DEGCL as its “CMS Representative” to receive the necessary information from DTC, and to direct DTC to provide DEGCL with that information, as described in detail below.
(ii) Proposed Rule Change
(a) The Proposed Rule Change Would Establish Dedicated CMS Sub-Accounts at DTC for CMS Participants and Provide That a CMS Participant Authorizes DEGCL, as its CMS Representative, To Receive Certain Information About its CMS Sub-Accounts and Directs DTC To Provide the Information to DEGCL, as its CMS Representative
The proposed rule change would allow a CMS Participant to establish one or more CMS Sub-Accounts. A CMS Participant would, from time to time, instruct DTC to transfer Securities from its Account to its CMS Sub-Account, to be available for allocation by DEGCL to delivery or pledge by book-entry at DTC in accordance with DTC Rules and Procedures (including risk management controls),[14] in satisfaction of the various ( printed page 15083) collateral obligations of the CMS Participant or the CMS User on behalf of which the CMS Participant is acting.
By establishing a CMS Sub-Account, a CMS Participant would be: (a) Authorizing DEGCL, as its CMS Representative, to receive the information defined below regarding CMS Securities credited to the CMS Sub-Account at the time of the report (“CMS Report”), and regarding any Delivery or Pledge from, or Delivery or Release to, the CMS Sub-Account (“CMS Delivery Information”); [15] (b) representing and warranting that it is duly authorized to instruct DTC to provide the CMS Reports and CMS Delivery Information about such CMS Sub-Account to the CMS Representative; (c) directing DTC to provide the CMS Reports and CMS Delivery Information to DEGCL; [16] and (d) representing and warranting that it would conduct business in such CMS Sub-Account as provided in proposed Rule 35, and otherwise pursuant to the DTC Rules and Procedures, and in compliance with applicable law.
The CMS Report would include, with respect to the CMS Securities credited to a CMS Sub-Account of such CMS Participant at the time of such report, the following information: (a) The CUSIP, ISIN, or other identification number of the CMS Securities and (b) the number of shares or other units or principal amount of the CMS Securities. CMS Delivery Information would be provided in real time, and would include, with respect to (i) each Delivery or Pledge of CMS Securities from, or (ii) Delivery or Release of CMS Securities to a CMS Sub-Account, a copy of any Delivery, Pledge, or Release message with respect to the CMS Sub-Account, including the following information: (x) The CUSIP, ISIN, or other identification number of such CMS Securities and (y) the number of shares or other units or principal amount of such CMS Securities.
(b) The Proposed Rule Change Supports a CMS Participant's Use of the DEGCL CMS Allocation Option
As explained above, once the CMS Participant establishes a CMS Sub-Account, DTC would send CMS Reports and CMS Delivery Information for that CMS Sub-Account to DEGCL. The CMS Reports and CMS Delivery Information would provide DEGCL with up-to-date snapshots of the Securities credited to the CMS Sub-Account to identify to DEGCL the available CMS Securities from which it could propose allocations for Delivery or Pledge by book-entry at DTC in accordance with DTC Rules and Procedures (including risk management controls) and for DEGCL to maintain such information and records as it has agreed with CMS Users that it will maintain.
DEGCL would review the Securities credited to a CMS Sub-Account and verify, through a series of algorithms, which CMS Securities in the CMS Sub-Account meet the collateral obligations of the applicable CMS User to its several counterparties that are CMS Users that have agreed to the Allocation Option. Based on the results, DEGCL would formulate a set of proposed settlement instructions for the Deliveries and/or Pledges of the CMS Securities in accordance with the DTC Rules and Procedures, including risk management controls.[17] DEGCL would then transmit the proposed settlement instructions to the CMS Participant, acting on its own behalf or on behalf of a CMS User; the CMS Participant would determine whether to submit the proposed settlement instruction(s) to DTC. That is, the CMS Participant remains responsible for deciding whether to submit the proposed settlement instructions. Once the CMS Participant submits the settlement instruction to DTC, DEGCL would receive the corresponding Delivery Information and update its records accordingly.
(c) Proposed Rule
The proposed rule change would add Rule 35 to the DTC Rules, to provide for:
i. The defined terms applicable to the proposed Rule 35,[18]
ii. the establishment and maintenance of one or more CMS Sub-Accounts for each CMS Participant;
iii. each CMS Participant's authorization of DEGCL as its CMS Representative;
iv. each CMS Participant's representation and warranty that it is duly authorized to instruct DTC to provide the CMS Reports and CMS Delivery Information about such CMS Sub-Account to the CMS Representative, and that it would conduct business in such CMS Sub-Account as provided in proposed Rule 35 and otherwise pursuant to the DTC Rules and Procedures, and in compliance with applicable law;
v. information to be provided by DTC to the CMS Representative of the CMS Participant, specifically, the CMS Report and CMS Delivery Information;
vi. Deliveries of Securities by a CMS Participant from an Account of the CMS Participant to its CMS Sub-Account, and Deliveries and Pledges from its CMS Sub-Account;
vii. each CMS Participant's liability as principal for the actions of its CMS Representative with respect to all matters provided under proposed Rule 35 or otherwise;
viii. DTC's disclaimer of liability to: (x) Any CMS Participant as a result of providing the CMS Report and CMS Delivery Information to its CMS Representative pursuant to proposed Rule 35; (y) the CMS Representative or any CMS Participant as a result of (i) any loss relating to proposed Rule 35, unless caused directly by DTC's gross negligence, willful misconduct, or violation of federal securities laws for which there is a private right of action or (ii) any force majeure, market disruption, or technical malfunction, or (z) any third party for any reason; and
ix. indemnification of DTC by the CMS Participant for any loss arising from any act or omission of its CMS Representative, or arising from the provision of the CMS Report and CMS Delivery Information to its CMS Representative or the receipt and use thereof by the CMS Representative, except to the extent caused directly by DTC's gross negligence or willful misconduct. ( printed page 15084)
Implementation Timeframe
DTC will implement the proposed rule change upon approval of this filing by the Commission.
2. Statutory Basis
DTC believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the requirements of the Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to DTC, in particular Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act,[19] and Rule 17Ad-22(d)(7) promulgated thereunder.[20]
Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act [21] requires, inter alia, that the DTC Rules be designed to promote the prompt and accurate clearance and settlement of securities transactions. By looking across transactions of a CMS User with multiple counterparties, the Allocation Option would offer efficiency by automating the selection of appropriate securities collateral to satisfy applicable collateral obligations. Proposed Rule 35 would provide a mechanism for DTC to provide information on behalf of CMS Participants to DEGCL, so that they may avail themselves of the efficiency of the Allocation Option and would not need to transmit delivery and position information to DEGCL. By supporting this efficiency in the collateral sector, DTC is helping to streamline the settlement of the increasing volume of collateral transactions, thereby promoting the prompt and accurate clearance and settlement, consistent with the requirements of the Act, in particular Section 17A(b)(3)(F), cited above.
Rule 17Ad-22(d)(7) promulgated under the Act [22] requires that a registered clearing agency establish, implement, maintain and enforce written policies and procedures reasonably designed to evaluate the potential sources of risks that can arise when the clearing agency establishes links either cross-border or domestically to clear or settle trades, and ensure that the risks are managed prudently on an ongoing basis. In developing this proposal, DTC evaluated the market, liquidity, operational, and information security, technology, and privacy risks that could arise in allowing CMS Participants to establish a CMS Sub-Account and allow DTC to provide information to DEGCL in support of the Allocation Option. Such risks include data error from the communication link or the external communication of a CMS Participant's proprietary information. DTC determined that the identified risks are mitigated because (i) the Allocation Option would not require any material change to DTC's settlement framework, technology or operating procedures including existing settlement cycles and risk management controls; (ii) DTCC's Technology Risk Management existing control procedures will manage data integrity and authorization provisioning to mitigate information and technology risk; and (iii) DEGCL is only receiving CMS Reports and CMS Delivery Information from a CMS Sub-Account specifically designated for this purpose by a CMS Participant. As a result, the CMS Sub-Account activity and reporting should be well monitored. Accordingly, DTC believes the proposed Rule 35 is consistent with DTC's obligations under Rule 17Ad-22(d)(7), cited above.
(B) Clearing Agency's Statement on Burden on Competition
DTC believes that the proposed rule change would not impose any burden on competition with respect to fees charged by DTC for the CMS Sub-Account and associated reporting because there would be no new or increased fees imposed. For transactions into and out of the CMS Sub-Account, standard, existing transaction fees would apply. In addition, DTC believes that the proposed rule change would not impose any burden on competition with respect to access to the proposed service. The proposed service is optional and would be available to all DTC Participants that choose to be CMS Users of the Allocation Option (or DTC Participants' customers that choose to be CMS Users of the Allocation Option and agree that such DTC Participants will act on their behalf in respect of this activity). However, DTC recognizes that the proposed rule is tailored to support a specialized service available only to such CMS Users. DTC relies on the representations of DEGCL that it provides open access to diverse CMS Users and thus, indirectly, the benefits of the proposed rule change should be available on a broad basis to industry members requiring such services, not imposing a burden on competition in this respect.
(C) Clearing Agency's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others
Written comments relating to the proposed rule change have not been solicited or received. DTC will notify the Commission of any written comments received by DTC.
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 torule-comments@sec.gov. Please include File Number SR-DTC-2017-001 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-2017-001. 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 Web site ( 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 Web site 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 ( printed page 15085) inspection and copying at the principal office of DTC and on DTCC's Web site ( http://dtcc.com/legal/sec-rule-filings.aspx). All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-DTC-2017-001 and should be submitted on or before April 14, 2017.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.[23]
Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.