Self-Regulatory Organizations; National Securities Clearing Corporation; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change To Amend Rules Relating to Discontinuing Dividend Settlement Service, Funds Only Settlement Service, Data Distribution Box Services, and Changes to the Envelope Settlement Service, 39463-39465 [2011-16822]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 129 / Wednesday, July 6, 2011 / Notices
Commission takes such action, the
Commission shall institute proceedings
to determine whether the proposed rule
should be approved or disapproved.
IV. Solicitation of Comments
[FR Doc. 2011–16843 Filed 7–5–11; 8:45 am]
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
No. SR–Phlx–2011–87 on the subject
line.
sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
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 submissions should refer to File No.
SR–Phlx–2011–87. 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 Room, 100 F Street, NE.,
Washington, DC 20549, on official
business days between the hours of 10
a.m. and 3 p.m. 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 No. SR–Phlx–2011–
87 and should be submitted on or before
July 27, 2011.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
18:17 Jul 05, 2011
Jkt 223001
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.56
Cathy H. Ahn,
Deputy Secretary.
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–64769; File No. SR–NSCC–
2011–04]
Self-Regulatory Organizations;
National Securities Clearing
Corporation; Notice of Filing of
Proposed Rule Change To Amend
Rules Relating to Discontinuing
Dividend Settlement Service, Funds
Only Settlement Service, Data
Distribution Box Services, and
Changes to the Envelope Settlement
Service
June 29, 2011.
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 June 15,
2011, National Securities Clearing
Corporation (‘‘NSCC’’) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission
(‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule
change as described in Items I and II
below, which Items have been prepared
primarily by NSCC.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 NSCC’s rules
relating to NSCC’s incorporation of its
Dividend Settlement Service (‘‘DSS’’)
and Funds Only Settlement Service
(‘‘FOSS’’) into the Envelope Settlement
Service (‘‘ESS’’) and NSCC’s
discontinuing of its Data Distribution
Boxes Service (‘‘DDBS’’). The proposed
rule change would also make certain
changes to ESS processing.
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
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
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 NSCC’s filing, which is available at
https://www.dtcc.com/downloads/legal/rule_filings/
2011/nscc/2011-04.pdf.
PO 00000
39463
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.4
(A) Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
DSS, FOSS, and ESS operate similarly
in that they are non-guaranteed services
of NSCC through which NSCC members
exchange physical envelopes through a
centralized location at NSCC. Pursuant
to Rule 43 of NSCC’s Rules and
Procedures, DSS centralizes claims
processing for collection and payment
of dividends and interest between NSCC
members through the exchange of
envelopes through the facilities of
NSCC. Pursuant to Rule 41 of NSCC’s
Rules and Procedures, FOSS centralizes
money-only settlements for NSCC
members through the exchange of
paperwork delivered to and received by
NSCC members through NSCC’s
facilities. Pursuant to Rule 9 and
Addendum D of NSCC’s Rules and
Procedures, ESS allows an NSCC
member to physically deliver a sealed
envelope containing securities and such
other items as NSCC may from time to
time permit to a specified NSCC
member. The money settlement
associated with ESS, DSS, and FOSS
transactions occurs through NSCC’s
end-of-day settlement process.
Discontinuing FOSS and DSS and
Merging Functionality into ESS
NSCC has offered DSS since its
founding. FOSS was created in 1983 to
remove money-only settlement activity,
which prior to that time was included
in ESS, from ESS in order to facilitate
what was then NSCC’s guaranty of
settlement of securities transactions
processed through ESS.5 The use of
each of these services has steadily
declined in recent years due to
increased dematerialization of securities
and automation of transactions. In light
of this decline and the elimination of
the guaranty of ESS transactions, NSCC
is proposing to amend its rules to
discontinue the separate DSS and FOSS
services and to allow members to
56 17
1 15
Frm 00088
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
4 The Commission has modified the text of the
summaries prepared by NSCC.
5 The guaranty of ESS settlement was in effect
from 1983 until 2010. Securities Exchange Act
Notice 34–61618 (March 1, 2010) [File No. SR–
NSCC–2010–01], 75 FR 10542 (March 8, 2010).
E:\FR\FM\06JYN1.SGM
06JYN1
39464
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 129 / Wednesday, July 6, 2011 / Notices
process dividends and funds-only
settlement activities through ESS.6
Closing of DDBS
DDBS was traditionally used to
distribute hard copy Important Notices,
clearing reports, and other informational
documents to NSCC members. Today
members: (a) receive Important Notices
through the Web site of NSCC’s parent,
The Depository Trust & Clearing
Corporation, at https://www.dtcc.com, (b)
receive clearing reports through
electronic communications, and (c)
exchange other information that
previously might have been transferred
through DDBS, via email, facsimile,
courier services, the U.S. Postal Service,
and other delivery mechanisms. The
DDBS service has become obsolete as a
result of the use of these other more
efficient means of distribution.
Accordingly, NSCC is proposing to
amend its rules to discontinue DDBS.
ESS Processing Changes
sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Increased Transparency
NSCC performs certain regulatory
tracking and reporting functions (e.g.,
OFAC screening) for securities
transactions processed through NSCC.
With respect to some NSCC services,
such as Continuous Net Settlement
(‘‘CNS’’),7 NSCC electronically receives
information as to security identification
and transaction size that facilitates such
tracking and reporting. However, similar
electronic information is not available
for securities transferred through ESS.
In order to facilitate transparency in this
regard, NSCC is proposing (1) to require
its members to provide a security
identifier (i.e., CUSIP or ISIN) and
include quantity delivered for all
securities delivered through ESS, (2) to
restrict members to one security issue
per envelope, and (3) to prohibit the
comingling of securities with other
items. The proposed rule change would
also allow NSCC to require its members
provide it with additional information
that NSCC from time to time deems
necessary to facilitate ESS processing.
Separately, the proposed rule change
would also allow for automatic updates
to NSCC’s Obligation Warehouse service
with respect to securities transactions
that settle though ESS where the
6 In order to distinguish securities transfers from
other ESS activity, NSCC would add a required
indicator for input by members to disclose whether
or not a security is included in an envelope.
7 CNS is an on-going automated accounting
system operated by NSCC which nets today’s
settling trades with yesterday’s closing positions in
eligible securities to produce new short or long
positions per security issue for each NSCC member.
Since NSCC is always the contraside for all
transactions, NSCC is able to identify the securities
for transactions submitted to CNS.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
18:17 Jul 05, 2011
Jkt 223001
delivering member includes an
Obligation Warehouse control number
with the respective envelope delivery to
ESS. However, this feature will not be
implemented concurrently with the
other changes proposed by this filing,
but rather it would be announced by
Important Notice at a later date.8
NSCC Facilities Used for ESS Deliveries
Under the proposed rule change,
NSCC’s rules would be updated to
change references to ESS deliveries and
receives occurring through NSCC’s New
York City facility to use general
language allowing NSCC to provide the
service through any NSCC facility as
announced by Important Notice.
Segregation of Activity Within ESS
As mentioned above, the rule change
proposes to require that members not
comingle different issues of securities in
the same envelope or with other activity
conducted through ESS. Pursuant to the
proposed rule changes, NSCC would
also be allowed to prohibit comingling
between funds-only and dividend
settlement items.
Proposed Rule Changes
With respect to the above, NSCC
proposes to make changes to its rules
and procedures as follows:
Rule 6—Distribution Facilities
NSCC’s Rule 6 presently provides for
the establishment of DDBS. Under the
proposed rule change, the text of this
rule would be deleted to reflect the
elimination of DDBS.
Rule 9—Delivery and Receipt of
Securities
Under the proposed rule change,
NSCC’s Rule 9 (currently entitled
‘‘Delivery and Receipt of Securities’’),
pursuant to which NSCC offers ESS,
would be renamed as ‘‘Envelope
Settlement Service’’ and would be
amended to: (1) Reflect the
incorporation of FOSS and DSS into
ESS, (2) incorporate the ESS processing
changes described above, (3) allow for
automatic updates to NSCC’s Obligation
Warehouse service with respect to
securities transactions that settle
through ESS where the delivering
member includes an Obligation
Warehouse Control Number with the
respective envelope delivery to ESS,
and (4) make other conforming changes
to integrate rule provisions relating to
FOSS and DSS into Rule 9.
8 For information on the Obligation Warehouse
service, see Exchange Act Release 63588 (December
21, 2010), 75 FR 82112 (December 29, 2010) [File
No. SR–NSCC–2010–11].
PO 00000
Frm 00089
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Rule 41—Funds Only Settlement Service
NSCC’s Rule 41 provides for the
establishment of and procedures for
FOSS. Under the proposed rule change,
the text of this rule will be deleted to
reflect the elimination of FOSS as a
separate service.
Rule 43—Dividend Settlement Service
NSCC’s Rule 43 provides for the
establishment of and procedures for
DSS. Under the proposed rule change,
the text of this rule would be deleted to
reflect the elimination of DSS as a
separate service.
Addendum A—Fee Structure
NSCC’s Fee Schedule would be
revised to delete charges for the
discontinued services mentioned above.
Under the proposed rule change, all
services offered under the newly
combined ESS would be subject to the
existing ESS charge for deliveries and
receives.9
Addendum D—Statement of Policy—
Envelope Settlement Service, Mutual
Fund Services, Insurance and
Retirement Processing and Other
Services Offered by the Corporation
Addendum D, a statement of policy
with regard to ESS and other NSCC
services, provides, among other things,
that money-only settlement charges
should not be processed through ESS.
NSCC proposed to amend Addendum D
to conform to the changes proposed
above. The proposed revised Addendum
D would also include a technical change
that clarifies that NSCC may reverse a
member’s debits or credits that are
related to the Commission Bill Service.
Implementation Date
Upon Commission approval of this
rule filing, the implementation date of
the proposed changes described above
will be announced by Important Notice;
however, the elimination of DDBS will
not take effect until approximately (but
no less than) 30 days from the date of
the Commission’s approval.
The proposed rule change is
consistent with the requirements of the
9 In addition, two separate line items relating to
ESS fees will be consolidated into one and reflect
that the combined fee applies to all ESS deliveries
and receives (including intercity). Also, as a
technical change, fees relating to the New York
Window Service would be deleted from the Fee
Schedule as that service is no longer an offering of
NSCC and certain other fees relating to physical
processing functions that have become obsolete
(which appear in the Fee Schedule as items A
through F under the heading ‘‘Other Service Fees’’)
would also be deleted. For additional information
on the discontinuation of the New York Window
Service at NSCC, see Exchange Act Release No.
40179 (July 8, 1998), 63 FR 38221 (July 15, 1998)
(File Nos. SR–DTC–98–09, SR–NSCC–98–05).
E:\FR\FM\06JYN1.SGM
06JYN1
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 129 / Wednesday, July 6, 2011 / Notices
Act, as amended, and the rules and
regulations thereunder applicable to
NSCC because it facilitates the prompt
and accurate clearance and settlement of
securities transactions by increasing
processing efficiencies through the
merger of several similar services for
physical processing. In addition, the
proposed rule change is consistent with
Recommendation 12 of the CPSS/IOSCO
Recommendations for Central
Counterparties because it promotes
efficiency in services offered to
members by assimilating several modes
of physical processing into a single
service.
(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 relating to the
proposed rule change have not been
solicited NSCC.
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:
Paper Comments
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
• Send paper comments in triplicate
to Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary,
Securities and Exchange Commission,
100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC
20549–1090.
[Public Notice 7515]
All submission should refer to File
Number SR–NSCC–2011–04. 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 NSCC
and on NSCC’s Web site at https://
www.dtcc.com/downloads/legal/rule
filings/2011/nscc/2011–04.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–NSCC–2011–04 and should
be submitted on or before July 27, 2011.
For the Commission by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.10
Cathy H. Ahn,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011–16822 Filed 7–5–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD 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–2011–04 on the
subject line.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
18:17 Jul 05, 2011
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39465
PO 00000
10 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
Frm 00090
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
30-Day Notice of Proposed Information
Collection: DS–573, DS–574, DS–575,
and DS–576, Overseas Schools—Grant
Request Automated Submissions
Program (GRASP)
Notice of request for public
comment and submission to OMB of
proposed collection of information.
ACTION:
The Department of State has
submitted the following information
collection request to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for
approval in accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
• Title of Information Collection:
Grant Request Automated Submissions
Program (GRASP).
• OMB Control Number: 1405–0036.
• Type of Request: Extension of a
Currently Approved Collection.
• Originating Office: Office of
Overseas Schools, A/OPR/OS.
• Form Number: DS–573, DS–574,
DS–575, and DS–576.
• Respondents: Recipients of grants.
• Estimated Number of Respondents:
196.
• Estimated Number of Responses:
196.
• Average Hours Per Response: 90
minutes.
• Total Estimated Burden: 294 hours.
• Frequency: Annually.
• Obligation to Respond: Required to
obtain a benefit.
DATES: Submit comments to the Office
of Management and Budget (OMB) for
up to 30 days from July 6, 2011.
ADDRESSES: Direct comments to the
Department of State Desk Officer in the
Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs at the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB). You may submit
comments by the following methods:
• E-mail:
oira_submission@omb.eop.gov. You
must include the DS form number,
information collection title, and OMB
control number in the subject line of
your message.
• Fax: 202–395–5806. Attention: Desk
Officer for Department of State.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: You
may obtain copies of the proposed
information collection and supporting
documents from Keith Miller, Office of
Overseas Schools, U.S. Department of
State, Room H–328, 2301 C Street, NW.,
Washington, DC 20522–0132, who may
be reached on 202–261–8200 or at
millerkd2@state.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We are
soliciting public comments to permit
the Department to:
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\06JYN1.SGM
06JYN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 129 (Wednesday, July 6, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39463-39465]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-16822]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-64769; File No. SR-NSCC-2011-04]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; National Securities Clearing
Corporation; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change To Amend Rules
Relating to Discontinuing Dividend Settlement Service, Funds Only
Settlement Service, Data Distribution Box Services, and Changes to the
Envelope Settlement Service
June 29, 2011.
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 June 15, 2011, National Securities Clearing Corporation (``NSCC'')
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') the
proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items
have been prepared primarily by NSCC.\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 NSCC's filing, which is available at https://www.dtcc.com/downloads/legal/rule_filings/2011/nscc/2011-04.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 NSCC's rules
relating to NSCC's incorporation of its Dividend Settlement Service
(``DSS'') and Funds Only Settlement Service (``FOSS'') into the
Envelope Settlement Service (``ESS'') and NSCC's discontinuing of its
Data Distribution Boxes Service (``DDBS''). The proposed rule change
would also make certain changes to ESS processing.
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.\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
DSS, FOSS, and ESS operate similarly in that they are non-
guaranteed services of NSCC through which NSCC members exchange
physical envelopes through a centralized location at NSCC. Pursuant to
Rule 43 of NSCC's Rules and Procedures, DSS centralizes claims
processing for collection and payment of dividends and interest between
NSCC members through the exchange of envelopes through the facilities
of NSCC. Pursuant to Rule 41 of NSCC's Rules and Procedures, FOSS
centralizes money-only settlements for NSCC members through the
exchange of paperwork delivered to and received by NSCC members through
NSCC's facilities. Pursuant to Rule 9 and Addendum D of NSCC's Rules
and Procedures, ESS allows an NSCC member to physically deliver a
sealed envelope containing securities and such other items as NSCC may
from time to time permit to a specified NSCC member. The money
settlement associated with ESS, DSS, and FOSS transactions occurs
through NSCC's end-of-day settlement process.
Discontinuing FOSS and DSS and Merging Functionality into ESS
NSCC has offered DSS since its founding. FOSS was created in 1983
to remove money-only settlement activity, which prior to that time was
included in ESS, from ESS in order to facilitate what was then NSCC's
guaranty of settlement of securities transactions processed through
ESS.\5\ The use of each of these services has steadily declined in
recent years due to increased dematerialization of securities and
automation of transactions. In light of this decline and the
elimination of the guaranty of ESS transactions, NSCC is proposing to
amend its rules to discontinue the separate DSS and FOSS services and
to allow members to
[[Page 39464]]
process dividends and funds-only settlement activities through ESS.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ The guaranty of ESS settlement was in effect from 1983 until
2010. Securities Exchange Act Notice 34-61618 (March 1, 2010) [File
No. SR-NSCC-2010-01], 75 FR 10542 (March 8, 2010).
\6\ In order to distinguish securities transfers from other ESS
activity, NSCC would add a required indicator for input by members
to disclose whether or not a security is included in an envelope.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Closing of DDBS
DDBS was traditionally used to distribute hard copy Important
Notices, clearing reports, and other informational documents to NSCC
members. Today members: (a) receive Important Notices through the Web
site of NSCC's parent, The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, at
https://www.dtcc.com, (b) receive clearing reports through electronic
communications, and (c) exchange other information that previously
might have been transferred through DDBS, via email, facsimile, courier
services, the U.S. Postal Service, and other delivery mechanisms. The
DDBS service has become obsolete as a result of the use of these other
more efficient means of distribution. Accordingly, NSCC is proposing to
amend its rules to discontinue DDBS.
ESS Processing Changes
Increased Transparency
NSCC performs certain regulatory tracking and reporting functions
(e.g., OFAC screening) for securities transactions processed through
NSCC. With respect to some NSCC services, such as Continuous Net
Settlement (``CNS''),\7\ NSCC electronically receives information as to
security identification and transaction size that facilitates such
tracking and reporting. However, similar electronic information is not
available for securities transferred through ESS. In order to
facilitate transparency in this regard, NSCC is proposing (1) to
require its members to provide a security identifier (i.e., CUSIP or
ISIN) and include quantity delivered for all securities delivered
through ESS, (2) to restrict members to one security issue per
envelope, and (3) to prohibit the comingling of securities with other
items. The proposed rule change would also allow NSCC to require its
members provide it with additional information that NSCC from time to
time deems necessary to facilitate ESS processing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\7\ CNS is an on-going automated accounting system operated by
NSCC which nets today's settling trades with yesterday's closing
positions in eligible securities to produce new short or long
positions per security issue for each NSCC member. Since NSCC is
always the contraside for all transactions, NSCC is able to identify
the securities for transactions submitted to CNS.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Separately, the proposed rule change would also allow for automatic
updates to NSCC's Obligation Warehouse service with respect to
securities transactions that settle though ESS where the delivering
member includes an Obligation Warehouse control number with the
respective envelope delivery to ESS. However, this feature will not be
implemented concurrently with the other changes proposed by this
filing, but rather it would be announced by Important Notice at a later
date.\8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\8\ For information on the Obligation Warehouse service, see
Exchange Act Release 63588 (December 21, 2010), 75 FR 82112
(December 29, 2010) [File No. SR-NSCC-2010-11].
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSCC Facilities Used for ESS Deliveries
Under the proposed rule change, NSCC's rules would be updated to
change references to ESS deliveries and receives occurring through
NSCC's New York City facility to use general language allowing NSCC to
provide the service through any NSCC facility as announced by Important
Notice.
Segregation of Activity Within ESS
As mentioned above, the rule change proposes to require that
members not comingle different issues of securities in the same
envelope or with other activity conducted through ESS. Pursuant to the
proposed rule changes, NSCC would also be allowed to prohibit
comingling between funds-only and dividend settlement items.
Proposed Rule Changes
With respect to the above, NSCC proposes to make changes to its
rules and procedures as follows:
Rule 6--Distribution Facilities
NSCC's Rule 6 presently provides for the establishment of DDBS.
Under the proposed rule change, the text of this rule would be deleted
to reflect the elimination of DDBS.
Rule 9--Delivery and Receipt of Securities
Under the proposed rule change, NSCC's Rule 9 (currently entitled
``Delivery and Receipt of Securities''), pursuant to which NSCC offers
ESS, would be renamed as ``Envelope Settlement Service'' and would be
amended to: (1) Reflect the incorporation of FOSS and DSS into ESS, (2)
incorporate the ESS processing changes described above, (3) allow for
automatic updates to NSCC's Obligation Warehouse service with respect
to securities transactions that settle through ESS where the delivering
member includes an Obligation Warehouse Control Number with the
respective envelope delivery to ESS, and (4) make other conforming
changes to integrate rule provisions relating to FOSS and DSS into Rule
9.
Rule 41--Funds Only Settlement Service
NSCC's Rule 41 provides for the establishment of and procedures for
FOSS. Under the proposed rule change, the text of this rule will be
deleted to reflect the elimination of FOSS as a separate service.
Rule 43--Dividend Settlement Service
NSCC's Rule 43 provides for the establishment of and procedures for
DSS. Under the proposed rule change, the text of this rule would be
deleted to reflect the elimination of DSS as a separate service.
Addendum A--Fee Structure
NSCC's Fee Schedule would be revised to delete charges for the
discontinued services mentioned above. Under the proposed rule change,
all services offered under the newly combined ESS would be subject to
the existing ESS charge for deliveries and receives.\9\
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\9\ In addition, two separate line items relating to ESS fees
will be consolidated into one and reflect that the combined fee
applies to all ESS deliveries and receives (including intercity).
Also, as a technical change, fees relating to the New York Window
Service would be deleted from the Fee Schedule as that service is no
longer an offering of NSCC and certain other fees relating to
physical processing functions that have become obsolete (which
appear in the Fee Schedule as items A through F under the heading
``Other Service Fees'') would also be deleted. For additional
information on the discontinuation of the New York Window Service at
NSCC, see Exchange Act Release No. 40179 (July 8, 1998), 63 FR 38221
(July 15, 1998) (File Nos. SR-DTC-98-09, SR-NSCC-98-05).
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Addendum D--Statement of Policy--Envelope Settlement Service, Mutual
Fund Services, Insurance and Retirement Processing and Other Services
Offered by the Corporation
Addendum D, a statement of policy with regard to ESS and other NSCC
services, provides, among other things, that money-only settlement
charges should not be processed through ESS. NSCC proposed to amend
Addendum D to conform to the changes proposed above. The proposed
revised Addendum D would also include a technical change that clarifies
that NSCC may reverse a member's debits or credits that are related to
the Commission Bill Service.
Implementation Date
Upon Commission approval of this rule filing, the implementation
date of the proposed changes described above will be announced by
Important Notice; however, the elimination of DDBS will not take effect
until approximately (but no less than) 30 days from the date of the
Commission's approval.
The proposed rule change is consistent with the requirements of the
[[Page 39465]]
Act, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to
NSCC because it facilitates the prompt and accurate clearance and
settlement of securities transactions by increasing processing
efficiencies through the merger of several similar services for
physical processing. In addition, the proposed rule change is
consistent with Recommendation 12 of the CPSS/IOSCO Recommendations for
Central Counterparties because it promotes efficiency in services
offered to members by assimilating several modes of physical processing
into a single service.
(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 relating to the proposed rule change have not been
solicited NSCC.
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 Number SR-NSCC-2011-04 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-NSCC-2011-04. 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 NSCC
and on NSCC's Web site at https://www.dtcc.com/downloads/legal/rule
filings/2011/nscc/2011-04.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-NSCC-2011-04 and should be submitted on or before July
27, 2011.
For the Commission by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\10\
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\10\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Cathy H. Ahn,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011-16822 Filed 7-5-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P