Self-Regulatory Organizations; the Depository Trust Company; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change To Amend Rules Relating to the Requirement To Maintain a Balance Certificate in the Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program, 71473-71475 [2010-29401]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 225 / Tuesday, November 23, 2010 / Notices
at: https://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/policymaking/schedule.html.
*
*
*
*
*
The NRC provides reasonable
accommodation to individuals with
disabilities where appropriate. If you
need a reasonable accommodation to
participate in these public meetings, or
need this meeting notice or the
transcript or other information from the
public meetings in another format (e.g.
braille, large print), please notify Angela
Bolduc, Chief, Employee/Labor
Relations and Work Life Branch, at 301–
492–2230, TDD: 301–415–2100, or by
e-mail at angela.bolduc@nrc.gov.
mailto:dlc@nrc.gov.mailto:aks@nrc.gov
Determinations on requests for
reasonable accommodation will be
made on a case-by-case basis.
*
*
*
*
*
This notice is distributed
electronically to subscribers. If you no
longer wish to receive it, or would like
to be added to the distribution, please
contact the Office of the Secretary,
Washington, DC 20555 (301–415–1969),
or send an e-mail to
darlene.wright@nrc.gov.
Dated: November 18, 2010.
Rochelle C. Bavol,
Policy Coordinator, Office of the Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2010–29604 Filed 11–19–10; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 7590–01–P
OVERSEAS PRIVATE INVESTMENT
CORPORATION
Sunshine Act—Public Hearing
November 24, 2010
OPIC’s Sunshine Act notice of its
Public Hearing in Conjunction with
each Board meeting was published in
the Federal Register (Volume 75,
Number 210, Page 67145) on November
1, 2010. No requests were received to
provide testimony or submit written
statements for the record; therefore,
OPIC’s public hearing scheduled for 2
PM, November 24, 2010 in conjunction
with OPIC’s December 9, 2010 Board of
Directors meeting has been cancelled.
mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES
CONTACT PERSON FOR INFORMATION:
Wednesday, December 1,
2010, at 11 a.m.
PLACE: Commission hearing room, 901
New York Avenue, NW., Suite 200,
Washington, DC 20268–0001.
STATUS: Parts of this meeting will be
open to the public. The rest of the
meeting will be closed to the public.
The open parts of the meeting will be
audiocast. The audiocast can be
accessed via the Commission’s Web site
at https://www.prc.gov.
MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: The agenda
for the Commission’s December meeting
includes the items identified below.
PORTIONS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC:
1. Election of Vice Chairman.
2. Review of postal-related
congressional activity.
3. Report on international activities.
4. Review of active cases.
5. Report on recent activities of the
Joint Periodicals Task Force and status
of the report to the Congress pursuant to
Section 708 of the PAEA.
6. Report on the status of the Annual
Report.
PORTIONS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC:
7. Discussion of pending litigation.
8. Discussion of confidential
personnel issues.
9. Discussion of contracts involving
confidential commercial information.
CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Stephen L. Sharfman, General Counsel,
Postal Regulatory Commission, 901 New
York Avenue, NW., Suite 200,
Washington, DC 20268–0001, at
stephen.sharfman@prc.gov or 202–789–
6820 (for agenda-related inquiries) and
Shoshana M. Grove, Secretary, at 202–
789–6800 or shoshana.grove@prc.gov
(for inquiries related to meeting
location, access for handicapped or
disabled persons, the audiocast, or
similar matters).
TIME AND DATE:
Dated: November 19, 2010.
By the Commission.
Ruth Ann Abrams,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2010–29664 Filed 11–19–10; 4:15 pm]
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
Sunshine Act Meeting
November 19, 2010.
Connie M. Downs,
OPIC Corporate Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2010–29580 Filed 11–19–10; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 3210–01–P
18:02 Nov 22, 2010
Sunshine Act Meetings
BILLING CODE 7710–FW–P
Information on the hearing cancellation
may be obtained from Connie M. Downs
at (202) 336–8438, via facsimile at (202)
218–0136, or via e-mail at
Connie.Downs@opic.gov.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION
Jkt 223001
Notice is hereby given, pursuant to
the provisions of the Government in the
Sunshine Act, Public Law 94–409, that
the Securities and Exchange
PO 00000
Frm 00062
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
71473
Commission will hold a Closed Meeting
on Monday, November 22, 2010 at 2
p.m.
Commissioners, Counsel to the
Commissioners, the Secretary to the
Commission, and recording secretaries
will attend the Closed Meeting. Certain
staff members who have an interest in
the matters also may be present.
The General Counsel of the
Commission, or his designee, has
certified that, in his opinion, exemption
5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(10) and 17 CFR
200.402(a)(10), permit consideration of
the scheduled matter at the Closed
Meeting.
Commissioner Paredes, as duty
officer, voted to consider the item listed
for the Closed Meeting in a closed
session, and determined that no earlier
notice thereof was possible.
The subject matter of the Closed
Meeting scheduled for Monday,
November 22, 2010 will be:
Consideration of amicus participation.
At times, changes in Commission
priorities require alterations in the
scheduling of meeting item.
For further information and to
ascertain what, if any, matters have been
added, deleted or postponed, please
contact:
The Office of the Secretary at (202)
551–5400.
Dated: November 18, 2010.
Elizabeth M. Murphy,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2010–29595 Filed 11–19–10; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–63320; File No. SR–DTC–
2010–15]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; the
Depository Trust Company; Notice of
Filing of Proposed Rule Change To
Amend Rules Relating to the
Requirement To Maintain a Balance
Certificate in the Fast Automated
Securities Transfer Program
November 16, 2010.
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 November
5, 2010, the Depository Trust Company
(‘‘DTC’’) filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’)
the proposed rule change as described
in Items I and II below, which Items
1 15
2 17
E:\FR\FM\23NON1.SGM
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
CFR 240.19b–4.
23NON1
71474
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 225 / Tuesday, November 23, 2010 / Notices
have been prepared primarily by DTC.3
The Commission is publishing this
notice to solicit comments on the
proposed rule change from interested
persons.
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Terms of the Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change
The purpose of this proposed rule
change is to amend DTC’s rules relating
to its Fast Automated Securities
Transfer (‘‘FAST’’) program to eliminate
the requirement for certain transfer
agents to custody a balance certificate.
II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
In its filing with the Commission,
DTC 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. DTC has prepared
summaries, set forth in sections (A), (B),
and (C) below, of the most significant
aspects of these statements.4
mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES
(A) Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
Under DTC’s FAST program, DTC
leaves securities in the form of balance
certificates in the custody of the transfer
agent participating in FAST (‘‘FAST
transfer agents’’).5 The balance
certificates are registered in the name of
DTC’s nominee, Cede & Co. and
evidence the record ownership by Cede
& Co. of each issue for which the FAST
transfer agent acts as transfer agent. The
balance certificate agreement is
executed by each FAST transfer agent
and DTC and sets forth the rights and
3 The text of the proposed rule change is attached
as Exhibit 5 to DTC’s filing, which is available at
https://www.dtcc.com/downloads/legal/rule_filings/
2010/dtc/2010–15.pdf.
4 The Commission has modified the text of the
summaries prepared by NSCC.
5 FAST reduces the movement of certificates
between DTC and the transfer agent, thereby
reducing the costs and risks associated with the
creation, movement, and storing of certificates. For
a description of DTC’s current rules relating to
FAST, see Securities Exchange Act Release Nos.
34–13342 (March 8, 1977) (File No. SR–DTC–76–3);
34–14997 (July 26, 1978) (File No. SR–DTC–78–11);
34–21401 (October 16, 1984) (File No. SR–DTC–84–
8); 34–31941 (March 3, 1993) (SR–DTC–92–15); and
34–46956 (December 2, 2002) (File No. SR–DTC–
2002–15). In addition, DTC has filed a proposed
rule change with the SEC to update the
requirements relating to its FAST and DRS
programs (See Securities Exchange Act Release No.
34–57362 (February 20, 2008) (File No. SR–DTC–
2006–16).
VerDate Mar<15>2010
18:02 Nov 22, 2010
Jkt 223001
obligations of FAST transfer agents and
DTC. As additional securities are
deposited or withdrawn from DTC, the
FAST transfer agent adjusts the
denomination of the balance certificate
as appropriate and electronically
confirms theses changes with DTC.
Recently, FAST transfer agents have
requested that DTC remove the
requirement for FAST transfer agents to
custody a balance certificate because the
transfer agent electronically confirms
the balance with DTC on a daily basis.
As a result, DTC is proposing to remove
the requirement that FAST transfer
agents maintain a balance certificate for
certain issuers that are participating in
the direct registration system (‘‘DRS’’).6
An issuer that participates in DRS has
agreed to allow investors to hold their
securities position in book-entry form
on the records of the issuer’s transfer
agent instead of in certificated form.
With DRS, shares can be electronically
transferred between a DRS Limited
Participant (i.e., a transfer agent
participating in DRS) and DTC
participants (i.e., broker-dealers or
banks). DRS provides investors with an
alternate approach to holding their
securities either in certificated form or
in ‘‘street’’ name.7 As additional
securities are deposited or withdrawn
from DTC, the DRS Limited Participant
adjusts the denomination of the balance
certificate as appropriate and
electronically confirms these changes
with DTC.
Since issuers that participate in DRS
have acknowledged that the use of
electronic registration of securities is a
valid method to evidence ownership of
their issued securities and since
electronic registration should reduce the
costs and risks associated with the
creation, storage, and replacement of
balance certificates, DTC proposes to
remove the requirement that FAST
transfer agents maintain a balance
certificate for those exchange listed
issues that are DRS eligible and
participating in DRS. However, DTC
also proposes to continue to reserve its
rights to draw down from the FAST
balance and to receive in lieu of a DRS
6 DRS allows registered owners to hold their
assets on the records of the transfer agent in bookentry form rather than in certificated form.
Securities on deposit at DTC are considered ‘‘DRS
eligible’’ if the issuer’s by-laws permit the issuance
of book entry shares and the CUSIP number has
been designated as FAST eligible by DTC.
‘‘Participating in DRS’’ means that the issuer and its
transfer agent have complied with DTC’s
requirements to participate in the DRS program and
actually allow investors to hold shares in DRS.
7 Street name generally describes securities held
in the name of a broker-dealer or another nominee,
such as a clearing agency, instead of the brokerdealer’s customer.
PO 00000
Frm 00063
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
or electronic position a certificate to be
registered in DTC’s nominee name of
Cede & Co. and to reflect any number of
shares up to and including the total
amount of shares outstanding due DTC
from those FAST transfer agents.
The proposed rule change is
consistent with the requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, (‘‘Act’’) and the rules and
regulations thereunder applicable to
DTC because it should allow DTC to
better safeguard the securities which are
in DTC’s custody or control or for which
it is responsible by reducing the
inherent risks associated with the
transfer and maintenance of physical
certificates.
(B) Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
DTC 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 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 forty-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 or disapprove
the 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 rulecomments@sec.gov. Please include File
E:\FR\FM\23NON1.SGM
23NON1
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 225 / Tuesday, November 23, 2010 / Notices
Number SR–DTC–2010–15 on the
subject line.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
Paper Comments
[Release No. 34–63324; File No. SR–ISE–
2010–103]
• Send paper comments in triplicate
to Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary,
Securities and Exchange Commission,
100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC
20549–1090.
All submission should refer to File
Number SR–DTC–2010–15. 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 Web site viewing and
printing in the Commission’s Public
Reference Section, 100 F Street, NE.,
Washington, DC 20549–1090, on official
business days between the hours of 10
a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of such filings
will also be available for inspection and
copying at the principal office of DTC
and on DTC’s Web site at https://
www.dtcc.com/downloads/legal/
rule_filings/2010/nscc/2010–11.pdf. 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–2010–15 and should
be submitted on or before December 14,
2010.
mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES
For the Commission by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.8
Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2010–29401 Filed 11–22–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
Self-Regulatory Organizations;
International Securities Exchange,
LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate
Effectiveness of Proposed Rule
Change Relating to Market Data Fees
November 17, 2010.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
notice is hereby given that on November
4, 2010, the International Securities
Exchange, LLC (the ‘‘Exchange’’ or the
‘‘ISE’’) filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’
or ‘‘SEC’’) the proposed rule change as
described in Items I, II, and III below,
which items have been prepared by the
Exchange. The Commission is
publishing this notice to solicit
comments on the proposed rule change
from interested persons.
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Terms of Substance of
the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange is proposing to amend
its fees for its real-time depth of market
data offering. The text of the proposed
rule change is available on the
Exchange’s Web site https://
www.ise.com, at the principal office of
the Exchange, 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. The text of these
statements may be examined at the
places specified in Item IV below. The
self-regulatory organization 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
ISE currently creates market data that
consists of options quotes and orders
and all trades that are executed on the
Exchange. ISE also produces a Best Bid/
1 15
8 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
VerDate Mar<15>2010
18:02 Nov 22, 2010
2 17
Jkt 223001
PO 00000
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
CFR 240.19b–4.
Frm 00064
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
71475
Offer, or BBO, with the aggregate size
from all outstanding quotes and orders
at the top price level, or the ‘‘top of
book.’’ This ‘‘core’’ 3 data is formatted
according to Options Price Reporting
Authority (‘‘OPRA’’) specification and
sent to OPRA for redistribution to the
public.
Pursuant to Securities and Exchange
Commission (‘‘SEC’’) approval, the
Exchange also offers a ‘‘non-core’’ data
feed on a subscription basis called the
ISE Depth of Market Data Feed (‘‘Depth
Feed’’). The Depth Feed offering
aggregates all quotes and orders at the
top five price levels on the Exchange, on
both the bid and offer side of the
market. The Depth Feed offering
consists of non-marketable orders and
quotes that a prospective buyer or seller
has chosen to display. Depth Feed,
which is distributed in real time,
provides subscribers with a
consolidated view of tradable prices
beyond the BBO. Depth Feed also shows
additional liquidity and enhances
transparency for ISE traded options that
are not currently available through the
OPRA feed. The offering is available to
members and non-members, and to both
professional and non-professional
subscribers.
The Exchange currently charges
distributors 4 of Depth Feed $5,000 per
month. In addition, the Exchange
charges the distributor a monthly fee per
controlled device 5 of (i) $50 per
controlled device for Professionals at a
distributor where the data is for internal
use only, (ii) $50 per controlled device
for Professionals who receive the data
from a distributor where the data is
further redistributed externally, and
(iii) $5 per controlled device for NonProfessionals who receive the date from
a distributor. The Exchange also has a
fee cap currently in place where for any
one month the combined maximum
amount of fees payable by a distributor
is as follows: (i) $7,500 for Professionals
at a distributor where the data is for
internal use only, (ii) $12,500 for
3 ‘‘Core’’ data refers to the best-priced quotations
and comprehensive last sale reports of all markets
that the Commission requires a central processor to
consolidate and distribute to the public pursuant to
joint-SRO plans. ‘‘Non-core’’ data refers to products
other than the consolidated products that markets
offer collectively under joint industry plans.
4 A ‘‘distributor’’ of a Depth Feed is defined on the
ISE Schedule of Fees as any firm that receives the
Depth of Market data feed directly from ISE or
indirectly through a redistributor and then
distributes it either internally or externally. A
redistributor includes market data vendors and
connectivity providers such as extranets and private
network providers.
5 A ‘‘controlled device’’ is defined on the ISE
Schedule of Fees as any device that a distributor of
the Depth of Market data feed permits to access the
information in the Depth of Market Raw Data Feed.
E:\FR\FM\23NON1.SGM
23NON1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 225 (Tuesday, November 23, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71473-71475]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-29401]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-63320; File No. SR-DTC-2010-15]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; the Depository Trust Company;
Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change To Amend Rules Relating to the
Requirement To Maintain a Balance Certificate in the Fast Automated
Securities Transfer Program
November 16, 2010.
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 November 5, 2010, the Depository Trust Company (``DTC'') filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') the proposed
rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items
[[Page 71474]]
have been prepared primarily by DTC.\3\ The Commission is publishing
this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from
interested persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
\2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
\3\ The text of the proposed rule change is attached as Exhibit
5 to DTC's filing, which is available at https://www.dtcc.com/downloads/legal/rule_filings/2010/dtc/2010-15.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of the
Substance of the Proposed Rule Change
The purpose of this proposed rule change is to amend DTC's rules
relating to its Fast Automated Securities Transfer (``FAST'') program
to eliminate the requirement for certain transfer agents to custody a
balance certificate.
II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
In its filing with the Commission, DTC 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. DTC has prepared summaries, set forth in sections (A),
(B), and (C) below, of the most significant aspects of these
statements.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ 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
Under DTC's FAST program, DTC leaves securities in the form of
balance certificates in the custody of the transfer agent participating
in FAST (``FAST transfer agents'').\5\ The balance certificates are
registered in the name of DTC's nominee, Cede & Co. and evidence the
record ownership by Cede & Co. of each issue for which the FAST
transfer agent acts as transfer agent. The balance certificate
agreement is executed by each FAST transfer agent and DTC and sets
forth the rights and obligations of FAST transfer agents and DTC. As
additional securities are deposited or withdrawn from DTC, the FAST
transfer agent adjusts the denomination of the balance certificate as
appropriate and electronically confirms theses changes with DTC.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ FAST reduces the movement of certificates between DTC and
the transfer agent, thereby reducing the costs and risks associated
with the creation, movement, and storing of certificates. For a
description of DTC's current rules relating to FAST, see Securities
Exchange Act Release Nos. 34-13342 (March 8, 1977) (File No. SR-DTC-
76-3); 34-14997 (July 26, 1978) (File No. SR-DTC-78-11); 34-21401
(October 16, 1984) (File No. SR-DTC-84-8); 34-31941 (March 3, 1993)
(SR-DTC-92-15); and 34-46956 (December 2, 2002) (File No. SR-DTC-
2002-15). In addition, DTC has filed a proposed rule change with the
SEC to update the requirements relating to its FAST and DRS programs
(See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 34-57362 (February 20,
2008) (File No. SR-DTC-2006-16).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recently, FAST transfer agents have requested that DTC remove the
requirement for FAST transfer agents to custody a balance certificate
because the transfer agent electronically confirms the balance with DTC
on a daily basis. As a result, DTC is proposing to remove the
requirement that FAST transfer agents maintain a balance certificate
for certain issuers that are participating in the direct registration
system (``DRS'').\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\ DRS allows registered owners to hold their assets on the
records of the transfer agent in book-entry form rather than in
certificated form. Securities on deposit at DTC are considered ``DRS
eligible'' if the issuer's by-laws permit the issuance of book entry
shares and the CUSIP number has been designated as FAST eligible by
DTC. ``Participating in DRS'' means that the issuer and its transfer
agent have complied with DTC's requirements to participate in the
DRS program and actually allow investors to hold shares in DRS.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
An issuer that participates in DRS has agreed to allow investors to
hold their securities position in book-entry form on the records of the
issuer's transfer agent instead of in certificated form. With DRS,
shares can be electronically transferred between a DRS Limited
Participant (i.e., a transfer agent participating in DRS) and DTC
participants (i.e., broker-dealers or banks). DRS provides investors
with an alternate approach to holding their securities either in
certificated form or in ``street'' name.\7\ As additional securities
are deposited or withdrawn from DTC, the DRS Limited Participant
adjusts the denomination of the balance certificate as appropriate and
electronically confirms these changes with DTC.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\7\ Street name generally describes securities held in the name
of a broker-dealer or another nominee, such as a clearing agency,
instead of the broker-dealer's customer.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since issuers that participate in DRS have acknowledged that the
use of electronic registration of securities is a valid method to
evidence ownership of their issued securities and since electronic
registration should reduce the costs and risks associated with the
creation, storage, and replacement of balance certificates, DTC
proposes to remove the requirement that FAST transfer agents maintain a
balance certificate for those exchange listed issues that are DRS
eligible and participating in DRS. However, DTC also proposes to
continue to reserve its rights to draw down from the FAST balance and
to receive in lieu of a DRS or electronic position a certificate to be
registered in DTC's nominee name of Cede & Co. and to reflect any
number of shares up to and including the total amount of shares
outstanding due DTC from those FAST transfer agents.
The proposed rule change is consistent with the requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (``Act'') and the rules
and regulations thereunder applicable to DTC because it should allow
DTC to better safeguard the securities which are in DTC's custody or
control or for which it is responsible by reducing the inherent risks
associated with the transfer and maintenance of physical certificates.
(B) Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
DTC 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 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 forty-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 or disapprove the 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
[[Page 71475]]
Number SR-DTC-2010-15 on the subject line.
Paper Comments
Send paper comments in triplicate to Elizabeth M. Murphy,
Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE.,
Washington, DC 20549-1090.
All submission should refer to File Number SR-DTC-2010-15. 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 Web site viewing and
printing in the Commission's Public Reference Section, 100 F Street,
NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090, on official business days between the
hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of such filings will also be
available for inspection and copying at the principal office of DTC and
on DTC's Web site at https://www.dtcc.com/downloads/legal/rule_filings/2010/nscc/2010-11.pdf. 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-2010-15 and should be submitted on or before December 14, 2010.
For the Commission by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\8\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2010-29401 Filed 11-22-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P