Self-Regulatory Organizations; National Securities Clearing Corporation; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change To Allow Cash, Next Day, and Seller's Option Equity Trades To Be Processed in the Continuous Net Settlement System and To Modify the Clearing Fund Formula To Mitigate the Risk Associated With the Shorter Settlement Cycle of Cash and Next Day Settling Trades, 57588-57590 [E6-15985]

Download as PDF 57588 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 189 / Friday, September 29, 2006 / Notices C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others Written comments were neither solicited nor received. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not: (i) Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii) become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate if consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest, it has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 6 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6) thereunder.7 As required under Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii),8 NASD provided the Commission with written notice of NASD’s intent to file the proposed rule change along with a brief description and text of the proposed rule change, at least five business days prior to the filing date of the proposed rule change. A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b–4(f)(6) normally may not become operative for 30 days after the date of its filing.9 However, Rule 19b– 4(f)(6)(iii) 10 permits the Commission to designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. NASD has requested that the Commission waive the 30-day operative delay contained in Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) 11 under the Act based upon a representation that the proposed rule change does not make any substantive changes to the current filing requirements for communications concerning investment analysis tools, and will provide clarification to member firms. In light of the foregoing, the Commission believes such waiver is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. Accordingly, the Commission designates the proposal to be effective and operative upon filing with the Commission.12 6 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). 8 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii). 9 Id. 10 Id. 11 Id. 12 For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay of this proposal, the Commission has considered the proposed rule’s impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f). jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES 7 17 VerDate Aug<31>2005 20:43 Sep 28, 2006 Jkt 208001 At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule change, the Commission may summarily abrogate such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. submitted on or before October 20, 2006. For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority.13 Nancy M. Morris, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6–16028 Filed 9–28–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8010–01–P 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 rulecomments@sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–NASD–2006–105 on the subject line. Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Nancy M. Morris, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–NASD–2006–105. 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 NASD. 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 NASD–2006–105 and should be PO 00000 Frm 00129 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–54482; File No. SR–NSCC– 2006–09] Self-Regulatory Organizations; National Securities Clearing Corporation; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change To Allow Cash, Next Day, and Seller’s Option Equity Trades To Be Processed in the Continuous Net Settlement System and To Modify the Clearing Fund Formula To Mitigate the Risk Associated With the Shorter Settlement Cycle of Cash and Next Day Settling Trades September 22, 2006. Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’),1 notice is hereby given that on July 24, 2006, the National Securities Clearing Corporation (‘‘NSCC’’) 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 NSCC. 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 NSCC is seeking to modify its procedures for equity trade processing to enable cash,2 next day,3 and seller’s option 4 equity trades received on a locked-in basis from self-regulatory organizations (‘‘SROs’’) and Qualified Special Representatives (‘‘QSRs’’) to be processed in NSCC’s Continuous Net Settlement (‘‘CNS’’) system.5 NSCC is 13 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 A ‘‘cash trade’’ is a trade that settles on the same day as the trade. 3 A ‘‘next day trade’’ is a trade that settles on the day after the trade (‘‘T+1’’). 4 A ‘‘seller’s option trade’’ is a trade that gives the seller the right to deliver the securities on a specified date ranging from not less than two but not more than 180 days after the trade date. 5 Cash and next day transactions in debt securities are compared but are not settled through NSCC. NSCC is not at this time seeking to make such transactions eligible for CNS. 1 15 E:\FR\FM\29SEN1.SGM 29SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 189 / Friday, September 29, 2006 / Notices also proposing to add a new element to its clearing fund formula to cover trades, such as cash and next day settling CNS trades, that settle in less than three days. II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change In its filing with the Commission, NSCC 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. NSCC has prepared summaries, set forth in sections (A), (B), and (C) below, of the most significant aspects of these statements.6 jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES (A) Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change A. Cash, Next Day, and Seller’s Option Equity Trades Processed in CNS Currently, cash, next day, and seller’s option equity trades are recorded or compared, as applicable, and are reported by NSCC to its members but are not settled through NSCC’s facilities. Instead these trades currently settle on a trade-for-trade basis directly between counterparties. When NSCC updated and revised CNS in 2004 (referred to as the ‘‘CNS Rewrite’’), a major aspect included a new platform for the system that accommodates real-time updates, including the capacity to add trades to the settlement process real-time for late input into CNS until noon of settlement day.7 At that time, rule changes were made to permit as-of regular way equity trades (i.e., trades settling on a T+3 basis that are either recorded or compared after trade date) to be submitted to NSCC up to the cut-off time designated by NSCC on T+3 for processing in CNS for settlement on their originally designated settlement dates. Given the system’s real-time capabilities, members would now also like to have cash, next day, and seller’s option equity trades in CNS-eligible CUSIPS made eligible for processing in CNS. This would provide members with the benefits of netting, automated trade processing, and NSCC’s trade guaranty. Accordingly, NSCC proposes to amend its Procedure II (Trade Comparison and Recording Service) to permit cash, next day, and 6 The Commission has modified the text of the summaries prepared by NSCC. 7 Securities Exchange Act Release No. 50026 (July 15, 2004), 69 FR 43650 [File No. SR–NSCC–2004– 01]. VerDate Aug<31>2005 20:43 Sep 28, 2006 Jkt 208001 seller’s option equity transactions submitted by SROs and QSRs on behalf of members to be processed for settlement through the facilities of NSCC. Locked-in trade data with respect to seller’s option equity transactions would be accepted for processing so long as the parties’ designated settlement date is not more than 180 days beyond the trade date. Cash trades submitted after the cut-off time designated by NSCC, which is currently 11:30 a.m., would only be recorded and reported by NSCC and must, as is the current situation, would have to be settled directly between the parties outside of NSCC.8 Next day asof transactions if received prior to the applicable cut-off time, would be processed for settlement on their originally designated settlement date.9 If such trades were received after the applicable cut-off time, the trade would be assigned the next settlement day. Finally, any trades that are either (i) designated ‘‘special trades,’’ 10 (ii) in non-CNS eligible securities, (iii) in a security undergoing a corporate action, or (iv) scheduled to settle between the ex-dividend date and record date would continue to be processed on a trade-fortrade basis. Conforming changes as needed are also being made to Procedure IV (Special Representative Service), Procedure V (Balance Order Accounting Operation), and Procedure VII (CNS Accounting Operation). B. Shortened Process Trade Component in the Clearing Fund Formula NSCC is also proposing to modify its clearing fund formula (Procedure XV) by including an additional component that is intended to mitigate the risk associated with shortened trades that are processed on a settlement cycle shorter than three days such as cash and next day settling CNS trades. Because NSCC’s trade guaranty would attach to these trades prior to the scheduled collection of clearing fund monies, the proposed new additional component is intended to mitigate risk by calculating an average clearing fund requirement for this type of activity (referred to in the proposed rules and this release as 8 NSCC announced the 11:30 a.m. cut-off time in its Important Notice A#6220, P&S#5790 (March 23, 2006), which is the same as the cut-off time for receipt of next day as-of trade input. Any changes to the cut-off times would be announced by NSCC through an Important Notice. 9 Id. 10 A ‘‘special trade’’ is defined in NSCC’s rules to mean a transaction reported to NSCC involving a cleared security either which the parties thereto agree to settle on a member-to-member basis or which NSCC designates as settling on a member-tomember basis. PO 00000 Frm 00130 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 57589 ‘‘Specified Activity’’) based upon historical activity.11 Specified Activity positions would be isolated and a charge would be applied using not less than two standard deviations. (This would be the same standard deviations as those derived for the daily volatility calculation provided that where a percentage charge is applied in lieu of a volatility charge, the same percentage charge would be applied to the relevant Specified Activity.) The new component would equal the average of a member’s three highest calculated charges for Specified Activity over the most recent 20-day period. Specified Activity includes cash trades, next day settling trades, as-of trades compared or recorded on T+3 (including trades received after the applicable T+2 cut-off time), and similar transactions. NSCC believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the requirements of Section 17A of the Act 12 and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to NSCC because it should facilitate the prompt and accurate clearance and settlement of securities by increasing automated trade processing and by expanding the types of trades eligible for CNS netting. In addition, the proposed rule change should assure the safeguarding of securities and funds in NSCC’s custody or control or for which it is responsible by enabling NSCC to more accurately determine and collect collateral to cover the potential additional exposures resulting from trades that are processed on a settlement cycle other than three days. (B) Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Burden on Competition NSCC does not believe that the proposed rule change would 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 were not and are not intended to be solicited with respect to the proposed rule change, and none have been received. NSCC will notify the Commission of any written comments it receives. 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 11 This component is also being added to Appendix 1. 12 15 U.S.C. 78q–1. E:\FR\FM\29SEN1.SGM 29SEN1 57590 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 189 / Friday, September 29, 2006 / Notices 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, as amended, is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: jlentini on PROD1PC65 with 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–NSCC–2006–09 on the subject line. Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Nancy M. Morris, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–NSCC–2006–09. 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, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549. Copies of such filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of NSCC and on NSCC’s Web site at https:// www.nscc.com/legal. All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal VerDate Aug<31>2005 20:43 Sep 28, 2006 Jkt 208001 identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–NSCC– 2006–09 and should be submitted on or before October 16, 2006. For the Commission by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority.13 J. Lynn Taylor, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. E6–15985 Filed 9–28–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8010–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–54520; File No. SR–NYSE– 2006–65] Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change and Amendment Nos. 1, 2 and 3 Thereto Relating to Exchange Rules Governing Certain Definitions, Systemic Processing of Certain Orders, and the Implementation Schedule of the NYSE HYBRID MARKETSM September 27, 2006. 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 August 23, 2006 the New York Stock Exchange LLC (‘‘NYSE’’ or the ‘‘Exchange’’) 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 Exchange. On September 11, 2006, September 15, 2006, and September 26, 2006 the Exchange filed Amendment Nos. 1,3 2,4 and 3 5 respectively, to the proposed rule change. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change, as amended, from interested persons. 13 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 3 Amendment No. 1 (‘‘Amendment No. 1’’) replaced the original filing in its entirety. 4 Partial Amendment No. 2 (‘‘Amendment No. 2’’) added proposed rule language to NYSE Rule 1000 governing the maximum order size of automatic executions. 5 Partial Amendment No. 3 (‘‘Amendment No. 3’’) removed proposed changes to NYSE Rule 13 related to At the Opening or At the Opening Only Orders and Regulation NMS-compliant Immediate or Cancel Orders. 1 15 PO 00000 Frm 00131 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change NYSE proposes to amend Exchange Rules to clarify certain definitions and systemic processes in the NYSE HYBRID MARKETSM (‘‘Hybrid Market’’). The proposed amendment further serves to differentiate between certain definitions in NYSE Rule 13 and terms in NYSE Rule 1000 (Direct +). It also adds in the rule text a chart containing the Exchange’s calculated liquidity replenishment points (‘‘LRPs’’). In addition, this filing updates the Hybrid Market implementation schedule.6 The text of the proposed rule change, as amended, is available on NYSE’s Web site at (https://www.nyse.com), at the principal office of NYSE, and at the Commission’s Public Reference Room. II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements concerning the purpose of, and basis for, the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change, as amended. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in Sections, A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements. A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose The Exchange is submitting this proposed rule change to amend certain rules governing the Hybrid Market in order to clarify definitions and the operation of certain systemic processes. The Commission approved the Hybrid Market on March 22, 2006.7 The approved rules did not become effective immediately; rather they are being implemented in a series of phases over a period of time. Implementation of Phase 1 of the Hybrid Market, which focused primarily on the ability of Floor brokers to electronically represent their customers’ interest (‘‘e-Quote’’) was substantially completed on April 5, 2006. The installation of software necessary to implement Phase 2 of the Hybrid 6 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 53539 (March 22, 2006), 71 FR 16353 (March 31, 2006), (SR–NYSE–2004–05) (‘‘Hybrid Order’’). 7 Id. E:\FR\FM\29SEN1.SGM 29SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 189 (Friday, September 29, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57588-57590]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-15985]


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

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-54482; File No. SR-NSCC-2006-09]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; National Securities Clearing 
Corporation; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change To Allow Cash, 
Next Day, and Seller's Option Equity Trades To Be Processed in the 
Continuous Net Settlement System and To Modify the Clearing Fund 
Formula To Mitigate the Risk Associated With the Shorter Settlement 
Cycle of Cash and Next Day Settling Trades

September 22, 2006.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Act''),\1\ notice is hereby given that on July 24, 2006, the 
National Securities Clearing Corporation (``NSCC'') 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 NSCC. 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

    NSCC is seeking to modify its procedures for equity trade 
processing to enable cash,\2\ next day,\3\ and seller's option \4\ 
equity trades received on a locked-in basis from self-regulatory 
organizations (``SROs'') and Qualified Special Representatives 
(``QSRs'') to be processed in NSCC's Continuous Net Settlement 
(``CNS'') system.\5\ NSCC is

[[Page 57589]]

also proposing to add a new element to its clearing fund formula to 
cover trades, such as cash and next day settling CNS trades, that 
settle in less than three days.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ A ``cash trade'' is a trade that settles on the same day as 
the trade.
    \3\ A ``next day trade'' is a trade that settles on the day 
after the trade (``T+1'').
    \4\ A ``seller's option trade'' is a trade that gives the seller 
the right to deliver the securities on a specified date ranging from 
not less than two but not more than 180 days after the trade date.
    \5\ Cash and next day transactions in debt securities are 
compared but are not settled through NSCC. NSCC is not at this time 
seeking to make such transactions eligible for CNS.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

    In its filing with the Commission, NSCC 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. NSCC has prepared summaries, set forth in sections (A), 
(B), and (C) below, of the most significant aspects of these 
statements.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ The Commission has modified the text of the summaries 
prepared by NSCC.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

(A) Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

A. Cash, Next Day, and Seller's Option Equity Trades Processed in CNS
    Currently, cash, next day, and seller's option equity trades are 
recorded or compared, as applicable, and are reported by NSCC to its 
members but are not settled through NSCC's facilities. Instead these 
trades currently settle on a trade-for-trade basis directly between 
counterparties.
    When NSCC updated and revised CNS in 2004 (referred to as the ``CNS 
Rewrite''), a major aspect included a new platform for the system that 
accommodates real-time updates, including the capacity to add trades to 
the settlement process real-time for late input into CNS until noon of 
settlement day.\7\ At that time, rule changes were made to permit as-of 
regular way equity trades (i.e., trades settling on a T+3 basis that 
are either recorded or compared after trade date) to be submitted to 
NSCC up to the cut-off time designated by NSCC on T+3 for processing in 
CNS for settlement on their originally designated settlement dates. 
Given the system's real-time capabilities, members would now also like 
to have cash, next day, and seller's option equity trades in CNS-
eligible CUSIPS made eligible for processing in CNS. This would provide 
members with the benefits of netting, automated trade processing, and 
NSCC's trade guaranty. Accordingly, NSCC proposes to amend its 
Procedure II (Trade Comparison and Recording Service) to permit cash, 
next day, and seller's option equity transactions submitted by SROs and 
QSRs on behalf of members to be processed for settlement through the 
facilities of NSCC. Locked-in trade data with respect to seller's 
option equity transactions would be accepted for processing so long as 
the parties' designated settlement date is not more than 180 days 
beyond the trade date.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ Securities Exchange Act Release No. 50026 (July 15, 2004), 
69 FR 43650 [File No. SR-NSCC-2004-01].
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Cash trades submitted after the cut-off time designated by NSCC, 
which is currently 11:30 a.m., would only be recorded and reported by 
NSCC and must, as is the current situation, would have to be settled 
directly between the parties outside of NSCC.\8\ Next day as-of 
transactions if received prior to the applicable cut-off time, would be 
processed for settlement on their originally designated settlement 
date.\9\ If such trades were received after the applicable cut-off 
time, the trade would be assigned the next settlement day. Finally, any 
trades that are either (i) designated ``special trades,'' \10\ (ii) in 
non-CNS eligible securities, (iii) in a security undergoing a corporate 
action, or (iv) scheduled to settle between the ex-dividend date and 
record date would continue to be processed on a trade-for-trade basis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ NSCC announced the 11:30 a.m. cut-off time in its Important 
Notice A6220, P&S5790 (March 23, 2006), which is 
the same as the cut-off time for receipt of next day as-of trade 
input. Any changes to the cut-off times would be announced by NSCC 
through an Important Notice.
    \9\ Id.
    \10\ A ``special trade'' is defined in NSCC's rules to mean a 
transaction reported to NSCC involving a cleared security either 
which the parties thereto agree to settle on a member-to-member 
basis or which NSCC designates as settling on a member-to-member 
basis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Conforming changes as needed are also being made to Procedure IV 
(Special Representative Service), Procedure V (Balance Order Accounting 
Operation), and Procedure VII (CNS Accounting Operation).
B. Shortened Process Trade Component in the Clearing Fund Formula
    NSCC is also proposing to modify its clearing fund formula 
(Procedure XV) by including an additional component that is intended to 
mitigate the risk associated with shortened trades that are processed 
on a settlement cycle shorter than three days such as cash and next day 
settling CNS trades. Because NSCC's trade guaranty would attach to 
these trades prior to the scheduled collection of clearing fund monies, 
the proposed new additional component is intended to mitigate risk by 
calculating an average clearing fund requirement for this type of 
activity (referred to in the proposed rules and this release as 
``Specified Activity'') based upon historical activity.\11\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ This component is also being added to Appendix 1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Specified Activity positions would be isolated and a charge would 
be applied using not less than two standard deviations. (This would be 
the same standard deviations as those derived for the daily volatility 
calculation provided that where a percentage charge is applied in lieu 
of a volatility charge, the same percentage charge would be applied to 
the relevant Specified Activity.) The new component would equal the 
average of a member's three highest calculated charges for Specified 
Activity over the most recent 20-day period. Specified Activity 
includes cash trades, next day settling trades, as-of trades compared 
or recorded on T+3 (including trades received after the applicable T+2 
cut-off time), and similar transactions.
    NSCC believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the 
requirements of Section 17A of the Act \12\ and the rules and 
regulations thereunder applicable to NSCC because it should facilitate 
the prompt and accurate clearance and settlement of securities by 
increasing automated trade processing and by expanding the types of 
trades eligible for CNS netting. In addition, the proposed rule change 
should assure the safeguarding of securities and funds in NSCC's 
custody or control or for which it is responsible by enabling NSCC to 
more accurately determine and collect collateral to cover the potential 
additional exposures resulting from trades that are processed on a 
settlement cycle other than three days.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

(B) Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    NSCC does not believe that the proposed rule change would 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 were not and are not intended to be solicited with 
respect to the proposed rule change, and none have been received. NSCC 
will notify the Commission of any written comments it receives.

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

[[Page 57590]]

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, as amended, 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-NSCC-2006-09 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

     Send paper comments in triplicate to Nancy M. Morris, 
Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE., 
Washington, DC 20549-1090.

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NSCC-2006-09. 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, 100 F Street, 
NE., Washington, DC 20549. Copies of such filing also will be available 
for inspection and copying at the principal office of NSCC and on 
NSCC's Web site at https://www.nscc.com/legal. 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-NSCC-2006-09 and should be submitted on 
or before October 16, 2006.

    For the Commission by the Division of Market Regulation, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\13\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

J. Lynn Taylor,
Assistant Secretary.
 [FR Doc. E6-15985 Filed 9-28-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P
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