Self-Regulatory Organizations; Fixed Income Clearing Corporation; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change To Amend the Application and Continuing Membership Standards of the Government Securities Division and the Mortgage-Backed Securities Division, 4167-4169 [E5-316]
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 18 / Friday, January 28, 2005 / Notices
Electronic Comments
• Use the Commission’s Internet
comment form (https://www.sec.gov/
rules/sro.shtml); or
• Send an e-mail to rulecomments@sec.gov. Please include File
Number SR–CBOE–2004–35 on the
subject line.
Paper Comments
• Send paper comments in triplicate
to Jonathan G. Katz, Secretary,
Securities and Exchange Commission,
450 Fifth Street, NW., Washington, DC
20549–0609.
All submissions should refer to File
Number SR–CBOE–2004–35. This file
number should be included on the
subject line if e-mail 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 (https://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 inspection and copying in
the Commission’s Public Reference
Room. Copies of such filing also will be
available for inspection and copying at
the principal office of the Exchange. 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–CBOE–2004–35 and should
be submitted on or before February 18,
2005.
V. Conclusion
It is therefore ordered, pursuant to
section 19(b)(2) of the Act,16 that the
proposed rule change (File No. SR–
CBOE–2004–35) be approved, and that
Amendment No. 2 thereto be approved
on an accelerated basis.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated
authority.17
Margaret H. McFarland,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E5–318 Filed 1–27–05; 8:45 am]
members, and participants to notify
FICC within two business days if they
become aware of an investigation or
similar proceeding against them that
could lead them to violate a FICC
membership standard.
BILLING CODE 8010–01–P
II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
In its filing with the Commission,
FICC 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. FICC has prepared
summaries, set forth in sections (A), (B),
and (C) below, of the most significant
aspects of these statements.2
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–51066; File No. SR–FICC–
2005–02]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Fixed
Income Clearing Corporation; Notice of
Filing of Proposed Rule Change To
Amend the Application and Continuing
Membership Standards of the
Government Securities Division and
the Mortgage-Backed Securities
Division
January 21, 2005.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(‘‘Act’’),1 notice is hereby given that on
January 7, 2005, the Fixed Income
Clearing Corporation (‘‘FICC’’) filed
with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (‘‘Commission’’) and on
January 14, 2005, amended the
proposed rule change described in Items
I, II, and III below, which items have
been prepared primarily by FICC. The
Commission is publishing this notice to
solicit comments on the proposed rule
change from interested parties.
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Terms of Substance of
the Proposed Rule Change
FICC is seeking to amend the rules of
the Government Securities Division
(‘‘GSD’’) and the Mortgage-Backed
Securities Division (‘‘MBSD’’) to: (1)
Provide that when an applicant,
member, or participant becomes subject
to an order of statutory disqualification
or order of similar effect, including an
order issued by a non-U.S. regulator or
examining authority, the FICC
Membership and Risk Management
Committee (‘‘Committee’’) shall
determine whether such order shall be
the basis for denial of the membership
applicant or termination of membership
rather than such denial or termination
being automatic; (2) impose a fine on
members and participants that fail to
notify FICC within two business days of
falling out of compliance with specified
membership standards, including
becoming subject to an order of
statutory disqualification or order of
similar effect; and (3) require applicants,
17 17
16 Id.
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15:43 Jan 27, 2005
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4167
PO 00000
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
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(A) Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
FICC is seeking to amend the
application and continuing membership
standards of the GSD and the MBSD to:
(1) Provide that when an applicant,
member, or participant becomes subject
to an order of statutory disqualification
or order of similar effect, including an
order issued by a non-U.S. regulator or
examining authority, the Committee
shall determine whether this shall be
the basis for denial of the membership
applicant or termination of membership,
rather than such denial or termination
being automatic; (2) impose a fine on
members and participants that fail to
notify FICC within 2 business days of
falling out of compliance with specified
membership standards, including
becoming subject to an order of
statutory disqualification or order of
similar effect; and (3) require applicants,
members, and participants to notify
FICC within two business days if they
become aware of an investigation or
similar proceeding against them that
could lead them to violate a FICC
membership standard.
1. Action in Cases of Statutory
Disqualification or Orders of Similar
Effect
The GSD and MBSD rules currently
provide that a membership applicant
that is subject to an order of statutory
disqualification under Section 3(a)(39)
of the Act or an order of similar effect
is not eligible for membership.3
2 The Commission has modified the text of the
summaries prepared by FICC.
3 For example, GSD Rule 3, ‘‘Financial
Responsibility and Operational Capability
Continued
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 18 / Friday, January 28, 2005 / Notices
Currently, a waiver of this requirement
by the Committee is necessary in order
for FICC to admit such applicant into
membership. The admission
requirements also serve as continuance
standards for current members and
participants. Therefore, if a member or
participant becomes subject to a
statutory disqualification, a waiver must
be sought in order for membership in
FICC to continue.
At the time it was organized as a
clearing corporation, the Government
Securities Clearing Corporation, the
predecessor to FICC, modeled its rules
provisions regarding statutory
disqualifications on those of other
clearing agencies which are now
subsidiaries of The Depository Trust &
Clearing Corporation. The
understanding at the time was that
instances of statutory disqualification
were a rare occurrence and called into
question the entity’s ability to meet
membership requirements or to remain
a member in good standing. More
recently, firms are increasingly
becoming subject to statutory
disqualification, but the reasons for a
firm’s statutory disqualification may
have little or no bearing on its ability to
become or remain a member in good
standing.4 FICC would retain the ability
to deny membership to or terminate as
a member or participant a firm whose
ability to meet applicable membership
requirements is called into question.
However, to the extent an order of
statutory disqualification does not call
this into question, FICC does not believe
it appropriate for the Committee to issue
a waiver in order to admit or retain the
member.
The proposed rule change would
eliminate the automatic need to obtain
a waiver in cases where an entity is
Standards,’’ Section 1, ‘‘Admissions Criteria for
Comparison-Only Members,’’ provides that an
applicant may not be subject to an order of statutory
disqualification or ‘‘an order of similar effect issued
by a Federal or State banking authority, or other
examining authority or regulator.’’ Section 3(a)(39)
of the Act, which sets forth the definition of
‘‘statutory disqualification,’’ specifically covers
orders issued by foreign financial regulatory
authorities that are the equivalent to Commissionissued orders covered by the definition. The
statutory definition also includes specific references
to entities being barred from the ‘‘foreign equivalent
of a self-regulatory organization [or a] foreign or
international securities exchange’’ under ‘‘any
substantially equivalent foreign statute or
regulation.’’
4 Of note is that in those situations brought by
management before the Committee recently, the
Commission has permitted the entity to continue
operating as a registered broker-dealer, and the
relevant designated examining authority has
retained the entity as a member. In addition, Rule
19h–1 promulgated pursuant to the Act, does not
require that self-regulatory organizations
automatically terminate the membership of entities
subject to statutory disqualification.
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15:43 Jan 27, 2005
Jkt 205001
subject to an order of statutory
disqualification or order of similar effect
but would keep such orders as a
criterion to be considered for
membership or continued membership.
FICC management would continue to
present all instances of such orders to
the Committee, and the Committee
would make all final determinations
with respect to these entities. In this
manner, FICC management and the
Committee would be able to thoroughly
evaluate the risks presented by an
applicant, member, or participant that
becomes subject to an order. The
proposed rule change would allow the
Committee to permit FICC to admit or
retain members or participants that pose
no risk to FICC.5 In instances where
waivers are still required under the
rules and are granted by the Committee,
FICC would promptly notify the
Commission.
a failure to notify FICC within two
business days of the member or
participant first having knowledge of its
falling out of compliance with the
particular membership standard.8
Members and participants would be
afforded the same due process as is
currently available under FICC’s rules
with respect to other types of fines. As
with all fines, FICC will notify the
Commission of all fines that are
imposed pursuant to this rule change.
In addition, members and participants
that fail to timely notify FICC of falling
out of compliance with any membership
standard would automatically be placed
on the Watch List and be subject to
more frequent and thorough monitoring
as provided for in GSD Rule 4, ‘‘Clearing
Fund, Watch List, and Loss Allocation,’’
Section 3, ‘‘Watch List,’’ and MBSD
Article IV, ‘‘Participants Fund,’’ Rule 6,
‘‘Watch List.’’
2. Fines for Failure To Notify FICC for
Falling Out of Compliance With
Membership Criteria
In addition to the changes above,
FICC is proposing to implement a fine
for those members and participants that
do not promptly notify FICC of their
noncompliance with any membership
standard.6 The membership standards
are set forth in GSD Rules 2,
‘‘Members,’’ and 3, ‘‘Financial
Responsibility and Operational
Capability Standards,’’ which apply to
comparison-only and netting members
as applicable, and in MBSD clearing
rules Article III, ‘‘Participants,’’ which
apply to MBSD clearing participants.
For risk management purposes, it is
important that FICC learn of a member
or participant’s failure to meet a
membership standard as soon as
possible in order to determine a course
of action that will best protect FICC. In
addition, in some instances, such as
certain cases where a member or
participant becomes subject to a
statutory disqualification order,7 FICC is
required to promptly notify the
Commission. Given the importance of
FICC’s membership standards and the
need for FICC to learn of noncompliance
as soon as possible, FICC is proposing
to fine members $1,000 per instance of
3. Notification of Pending Investigations
5 To the extent the Committee determines to
admit or retain a member despite a statutory
disqualification, the Committee will still retain all
rights it currently has under FICC rules to impose
limitations or restrictions on such member or
participant.
6 The rules of FICC currently require members
and participants to promptly notify FICC in the
event that they are not meeting their membership
standards.
7 Rule 19h–1 of the Act does not require a
notification or notice to the Commission in all cases
of statutory disqualification.
PO 00000
Frm 00085
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
The proposed rule change also
requires applicants, members, and
participants to notify FICC within two
business days of first having knowledge
of a pending investigation or similar
proceeding or condition that could lead
them to violate a membership standard.
The proposed rule change would
provide an exception to this
requirement in cases where disclosure
to FICC would cause the applicant,
member, or participant to violate an
applicable law, rule, or regulation.
4. Definitions
Finally, MBSD is proposing to add
two definitions to Article I, ‘‘Definitions
and General Provisions.’’ The term
‘‘Associated Person’’ would be defined
to mean, when applied to any ‘‘person,’’
any partner, officer, or director of such
‘‘person’’ or any ‘‘person’’ directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by
such ‘‘person,’’ including an employee
of such ‘‘person.’’ The term ‘‘Person’’
would mean a partnership, Corporation
or other organization, entity or
individual.
FICC believes that the proposed rule
change is consistent with the
requirements of Section 17A of the Act 9
and the rules and regulations
thereunder applicable to FICC because it
amends FICC’s membership criteria in a
prudent manner. It imposes fines that
will encourage members and
participants to notify FICC promptly of
falling out of compliance with
membership standards, which will
8 Once FICC is notified of an applicant or
member’s statutory disqualification, it will follow
the provisions of Rule 19h–1 of the Act.
9 15 U.S.C. 78q–1.
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 18 / Friday, January 28, 2005 / Notices
enable FICC to act quickly to protect
itself and its members and participants
and which will better enable FICC to
safeguard the securities and funds in its
custody or control or for which it is
responsible.
(B) Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
FICC does not believe that the
proposed rule change will have any
impact or impose any burden on
competition.
(C) Self-Regulatory Organization’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 yet been
solicited or received. FICC will notify
the Commission of any written
comments received by FICC.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the
Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
Within thirty-five days of the date of
publication of this notice in the Federal
Register or within such longer period (i)
as the Commission may designate up to
ninety days of such date 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 such proposed
rule change or
(B) Institute proceedings to determine
whether the proposed rule change
should be disapproved.
IV. Solicitation of Comments
Electronic Comments
• Use the Commission’s Internet
comment form (https://www.sec.gov/
rules/sro.shtml) or
• Send an E-mail to rulecomments@sec.gov. Please include File
Number SR–FICC–2005–02 on the
subject line.
Paper Comments
• Send paper comments in triplicate
to Jonathan G. Katz, Secretary,
Securities and Exchange Commission,
450 Fifth Street, NW., Washington, DC
20549–0609.
All submissions should refer to File
Number SR–FICC–2005–02. This file
15:43 Jan 27, 2005
Jkt 205001
notice is hereby given that on December
8, 2004, the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. (‘‘NASD’’) filed
with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (‘‘SEC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’)
the proposed rule change as described
in items I, II, and III below, which items
have been prepared by NASD. NASD
has designated the proposed rule change
as ‘‘establishing or changing a due, fee
or other charge’’ under section
19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act 3 and Rule 19b–
4(f)(2) thereunder,4 which renders the
proposal effective upon filing with the
Commission. The Commission is
publishing this notice to solicit
comments on the proposed rule change
from interested persons.
For the Commission by the Division of
Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated
authority.10
Margaret H. McFarland,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E5–316 Filed 1–27–05; 8:45 am]
*
BILLING CODE 8010–01–P
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:
VerDate jul<14>2003
number should be included on the
subject line if e-mail 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 (https://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 inspection and copying in
the Commission’s Public Reference
Section, 450 Fifth Street, NW.,
Washington, DC 20549. Copies of such
filing also will be available for
inspection and copying at the principal
office of FICC and on FICC’s Web site
at https://www.ficc.com. 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–FICC–
2005–02 and should be submitted on or
before February 18, 2005.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–51075; File No. SR–NASD–
2004–179]
Self Regulatory Organizations; Notice
of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness
of Proposed Rule Change by National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
Relating to Amendments to Section 13
of Schedule A to the NASD By-Laws
(Review Charge for Advertisement,
Sales Literature, and Other Such
Material Filed With or Submitted to
NASD)
January 24, 2005.
Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
PO 00000
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3).
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Terms of Substance of
the Proposed Rule Change
NASD is proposing to amend Section
13 of Schedule A to the NASD By-Laws
(‘‘Section 13’’) governing the review
charges for advertisements, sales
literature, and other such material filed
with or submitted to NASD’s
Advertising Regulation Department (the
‘‘Department’’). Below is the text of the
proposed rule change. Proposed new
language is italicized; proposed
deletions are in [brackets].
*
*
*
*
*
SCHEDULE A TO NASD BY-LAWS
*
*
*
*
Section 13—Review Charge for
Advertisement, Sales Literature, and
Other Such Material Filed or Submitted
There shall be a review charge for
each and every item of advertisement,
sales literature, and other such material,
whether in printed, video or other form,
filed with or submitted to NASD, except
for items that are filed or submitted in
response to a written request from
NASD’s Advertising Regulation
Department issued pursuant to the spot
check procedures set forth in NASD’s
Rules as follows: (1) For printed
material reviewed, [$75.00] $100.00,
plus $10.00 for each page reviewed in
excess of 10 pages; and (2) for video or
audio media, [$75.00] $100.00, plus
$10.00 per minute for each minute of
tape reviewed in excess of 10 minutes.
Where a member requests expedited
review of material submitted to the
Advertising Regulation Department
there shall be a review charge of $500.00
per item plus $25 for each page
reviewed in excess of 10 pages.
Expedited review shall be completed
within three business days, not
10 17
1 15
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U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
CFR 240.19b–4(f)(2).
28JAN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 18 (Friday, January 28, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4167-4169]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-316]
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-51066; File No. SR-FICC-2005-02]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Fixed Income Clearing Corporation;
Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change To Amend the Application and
Continuing Membership Standards of the Government Securities Division
and the Mortgage-Backed Securities Division
January 21, 2005.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(``Act''),\1\ notice is hereby given that on January 7, 2005, the Fixed
Income Clearing Corporation (``FICC'') filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (``Commission'') and on January 14, 2005, amended
the proposed rule change described in Items I, II, and III below, which
items have been prepared primarily by FICC. The Commission is
publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change
from interested parties.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change
FICC is seeking to amend the rules of the Government Securities
Division (``GSD'') and the Mortgage-Backed Securities Division
(``MBSD'') to: (1) Provide that when an applicant, member, or
participant becomes subject to an order of statutory disqualification
or order of similar effect, including an order issued by a non-U.S.
regulator or examining authority, the FICC Membership and Risk
Management Committee (``Committee'') shall determine whether such order
shall be the basis for denial of the membership applicant or
termination of membership rather than such denial or termination being
automatic; (2) impose a fine on members and participants that fail to
notify FICC within two business days of falling out of compliance with
specified membership standards, including becoming subject to an order
of statutory disqualification or order of similar effect; and (3)
require applicants, members, and participants to notify FICC within two
business days if they become aware of an investigation or similar
proceeding against them that could lead them to violate a FICC
membership standard.
II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
In its filing with the Commission, FICC 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. FICC has prepared summaries, set forth in sections (A),
(B), and (C) below, of the most significant aspects of these
statements.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ The Commission has modified the text of the summaries
prepared by FICC.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A) Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
FICC is seeking to amend the application and continuing membership
standards of the GSD and the MBSD to: (1) Provide that when an
applicant, member, or participant becomes subject to an order of
statutory disqualification or order of similar effect, including an
order issued by a non-U.S. regulator or examining authority, the
Committee shall determine whether this shall be the basis for denial of
the membership applicant or termination of membership, rather than such
denial or termination being automatic; (2) impose a fine on members and
participants that fail to notify FICC within 2 business days of falling
out of compliance with specified membership standards, including
becoming subject to an order of statutory disqualification or order of
similar effect; and (3) require applicants, members, and participants
to notify FICC within two business days if they become aware of an
investigation or similar proceeding against them that could lead them
to violate a FICC membership standard.
1. Action in Cases of Statutory Disqualification or Orders of Similar
Effect
The GSD and MBSD rules currently provide that a membership
applicant that is subject to an order of statutory disqualification
under Section 3(a)(39) of the Act or an order of similar effect is not
eligible for membership.\3\
[[Page 4168]]
Currently, a waiver of this requirement by the Committee is necessary
in order for FICC to admit such applicant into membership. The
admission requirements also serve as continuance standards for current
members and participants. Therefore, if a member or participant becomes
subject to a statutory disqualification, a waiver must be sought in
order for membership in FICC to continue.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ For example, GSD Rule 3, ``Financial Responsibility and
Operational Capability Standards,'' Section 1, ``Admissions Criteria
for Comparison-Only Members,'' provides that an applicant may not be
subject to an order of statutory disqualification or ``an order of
similar effect issued by a Federal or State banking authority, or
other examining authority or regulator.'' Section 3(a)(39) of the
Act, which sets forth the definition of ``statutory
disqualification,'' specifically covers orders issued by foreign
financial regulatory authorities that are the equivalent to
Commission-issued orders covered by the definition. The statutory
definition also includes specific references to entities being
barred from the ``foreign equivalent of a self-regulatory
organization [or a] foreign or international securities exchange''
under ``any substantially equivalent foreign statute or
regulation.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
At the time it was organized as a clearing corporation, the
Government Securities Clearing Corporation, the predecessor to FICC,
modeled its rules provisions regarding statutory disqualifications on
those of other clearing agencies which are now subsidiaries of The
Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation. The understanding at the time
was that instances of statutory disqualification were a rare occurrence
and called into question the entity's ability to meet membership
requirements or to remain a member in good standing. More recently,
firms are increasingly becoming subject to statutory disqualification,
but the reasons for a firm's statutory disqualification may have little
or no bearing on its ability to become or remain a member in good
standing.\4\ FICC would retain the ability to deny membership to or
terminate as a member or participant a firm whose ability to meet
applicable membership requirements is called into question. However, to
the extent an order of statutory disqualification does not call this
into question, FICC does not believe it appropriate for the Committee
to issue a waiver in order to admit or retain the member.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ Of note is that in those situations brought by management
before the Committee recently, the Commission has permitted the
entity to continue operating as a registered broker-dealer, and the
relevant designated examining authority has retained the entity as a
member. In addition, Rule 19h-1 promulgated pursuant to the Act,
does not require that self-regulatory organizations automatically
terminate the membership of entities subject to statutory
disqualification.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The proposed rule change would eliminate the automatic need to
obtain a waiver in cases where an entity is subject to an order of
statutory disqualification or order of similar effect but would keep
such orders as a criterion to be considered for membership or continued
membership. FICC management would continue to present all instances of
such orders to the Committee, and the Committee would make all final
determinations with respect to these entities. In this manner, FICC
management and the Committee would be able to thoroughly evaluate the
risks presented by an applicant, member, or participant that becomes
subject to an order. The proposed rule change would allow the Committee
to permit FICC to admit or retain members or participants that pose no
risk to FICC.\5\ In instances where waivers are still required under
the rules and are granted by the Committee, FICC would promptly notify
the Commission.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ To the extent the Committee determines to admit or retain a
member despite a statutory disqualification, the Committee will
still retain all rights it currently has under FICC rules to impose
limitations or restrictions on such member or participant.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Fines for Failure To Notify FICC for Falling Out of Compliance With
Membership Criteria
In addition to the changes above, FICC is proposing to implement a
fine for those members and participants that do not promptly notify
FICC of their noncompliance with any membership standard.\6\ The
membership standards are set forth in GSD Rules 2, ``Members,'' and 3,
``Financial Responsibility and Operational Capability Standards,''
which apply to comparison-only and netting members as applicable, and
in MBSD clearing rules Article III, ``Participants,'' which apply to
MBSD clearing participants. For risk management purposes, it is
important that FICC learn of a member or participant's failure to meet
a membership standard as soon as possible in order to determine a
course of action that will best protect FICC. In addition, in some
instances, such as certain cases where a member or participant becomes
subject to a statutory disqualification order,\7\ FICC is required to
promptly notify the Commission. Given the importance of FICC's
membership standards and the need for FICC to learn of noncompliance as
soon as possible, FICC is proposing to fine members $1,000 per instance
of a failure to notify FICC within two business days of the member or
participant first having knowledge of its falling out of compliance
with the particular membership standard.\8\ Members and participants
would be afforded the same due process as is currently available under
FICC's rules with respect to other types of fines. As with all fines,
FICC will notify the Commission of all fines that are imposed pursuant
to this rule change.
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\6\ The rules of FICC currently require members and participants
to promptly notify FICC in the event that they are not meeting their
membership standards.
\7\ Rule 19h-1 of the Act does not require a notification or
notice to the Commission in all cases of statutory disqualification.
\8\ Once FICC is notified of an applicant or member's statutory
disqualification, it will follow the provisions of Rule 19h-1 of the
Act.
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In addition, members and participants that fail to timely notify
FICC of falling out of compliance with any membership standard would
automatically be placed on the Watch List and be subject to more
frequent and thorough monitoring as provided for in GSD Rule 4,
``Clearing Fund, Watch List, and Loss Allocation,'' Section 3, ``Watch
List,'' and MBSD Article IV, ``Participants Fund,'' Rule 6, ``Watch
List.''
3. Notification of Pending Investigations
The proposed rule change also requires applicants, members, and
participants to notify FICC within two business days of first having
knowledge of a pending investigation or similar proceeding or condition
that could lead them to violate a membership standard. The proposed
rule change would provide an exception to this requirement in cases
where disclosure to FICC would cause the applicant, member, or
participant to violate an applicable law, rule, or regulation.
4. Definitions
Finally, MBSD is proposing to add two definitions to Article I,
``Definitions and General Provisions.'' The term ``Associated Person''
would be defined to mean, when applied to any ``person,'' any partner,
officer, or director of such ``person'' or any ``person'' directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by such ``person,'' including an
employee of such ``person.'' The term ``Person'' would mean a
partnership, Corporation or other organization, entity or individual.
FICC believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the
requirements of Section 17A of the Act \9\ and the rules and
regulations thereunder applicable to FICC because it amends FICC's
membership criteria in a prudent manner. It imposes fines that will
encourage members and participants to notify FICC promptly of falling
out of compliance with membership standards, which will
[[Page 4169]]
enable FICC to act quickly to protect itself and its members and
participants and which will better enable FICC to safeguard the
securities and funds in its custody or control or for which it is
responsible.
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\9\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1.
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(B) Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
FICC does not believe that the proposed rule change will have any
impact or impose any burden on competition.
(C) Self-Regulatory Organization'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 yet
been solicited or received. FICC will notify the Commission of any
written comments received by FICC.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
Within thirty-five days of the date of publication of this notice
in the Federal Register or within such longer period (i) as the
Commission may designate up to ninety days of such date 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 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 (https://
www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml) or
Send an E-mail to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include
File Number SR-FICC-2005-02 on the subject line.
Paper Comments
Send paper comments in triplicate to Jonathan G. Katz,
Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW.,
Washington, DC 20549-0609.
All submissions should refer to File Number SR-FICC-2005-02. This
file number should be included on the subject line if e-mail 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 (https://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 inspection
and copying in the Commission's Public Reference Section, 450 Fifth
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20549. Copies of such filing also will be
available for inspection and copying at the principal office of FICC
and on FICC's Web site at https://www.ficc.com. 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-FICC-2005-02 and should be submitted on
or before February 18, 2005.
For the Commission by the Division of Market Regulation,
pursuant to delegated authority.\10\
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\10\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Margaret H. McFarland,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E5-316 Filed 1-27-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P
