Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc.; Notice of Filing and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of Proposed Rule Change To Comply With Revisions to CFTC Regulations Governing Derivatives Clearing Organizations, 22372-22374 [2012-8879]
Download as PDF
22372
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 72 / Friday, April 13, 2012 / Notices
are advised that they have the option of
having investors attest to SMMP status as a
means of streamlining the dealers’ process for
determining that the customer is an SMMP.
However, a dealer would not be able to rely
upon a customer’s SMMP attestation if the
dealer knows or has reason to know that an
investor lacks sophistication concerning a
municipal securities transaction, as
discussed in detail below.
Because the list of factors may
actually serve as a constraint on the
dealer’s reasonable basis determination,
when FINRA Rule 2111 eliminated a
very similar list of factors, the MSRB
decided to eliminate the list from the
restated SMMP notice as well. This
provides more flexibility to a dealer as
to how it will satisfy the reasonable
basis requirement of the general rule.
The MSRB wishes to clarify that dealers
might find those factors useful but
would not be required to consider them.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the
Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
Within 45 days of the date of
publication of this notice in the Federal
Register or within such longer period (i)
as the Commission may designate up to
90 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
such proposed rule change, or
(B) institute proceedings to determine
whether the proposed rule change
should be disapproved.
IV. Solicitation of Comments
Electronic Comments
pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
• Use the Commission’s Internet
comment form (https://www.sec.gov/
rules/sro.shtml); or
• Send an email to rulecomments@sec.gov. Please include File
Number SR–MSRB–2012–05 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 submissions should refer to File
Number SR–MSRB–2012–05. This file
14:16 Apr 12, 2012
Jkt 226001
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.14
Kevin M. O’Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2012–8878 Filed 4–12–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
Interested persons are invited to
submit written data, views, and
arguments concerning the foregoing,
including whether the proposed rule
change is consistent with the Exchange
Act. Comments may be submitted by
any of the following methods:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
number should be included on the
subject line if email is used. To help the
Commission process and review your
comments more efficiently, please use
only one method. The Commission will
post all comments on the Commission’s
Internet Web site (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 MSRB’s offices. 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–MSRB–2012–05 and should
be submitted on or before May 4, 2012.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–66773; File No. SR–CME–
2012–09]
Self-Regulatory Organizations;
Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc.;
Notice of Filing and Order Granting
Accelerated Approval of Proposed
Rule Change To Comply With
Revisions to CFTC Regulations
Governing Derivatives Clearing
Organizations
April 9, 2012.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
notice is hereby given that on March 29,
2012, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange
14 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
1 15
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Frm 00092
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Inc. (‘‘CME’’) filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission
(‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule
change described in Items I and II
below, which items have been prepared
primarily by CME. The Commission is
publishing this Notice and Order to
solicit comments on the proposed rule
change from interested persons and to
approve the proposed rule change on an
accelerated basis.
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of Terms of Substance of the
Proposed Rule Change
CME proposes to amend certain of its
rules to comply with pending revisions
to Commodity Futures Trading
Commission (‘‘CFTC’’) Regulations
governing derivatives clearing
organizations (‘‘DCOs’’). The text of the
proposed rule change is available at the
CME’s Web site at https://
www.cmegroup.com/market-regulation/
rule-filings.html.
II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of Purpose of, and Statutory
Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
In its filing with the Commission,
CME included statements concerning
the purpose 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 III below. CME 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 Purpose of, and Statutory
Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
CME is registered as a DCO with the
CFTC and operates a substantial
business clearing futures and swaps
contracts subject to the jurisdiction of
the CFTC. CME proposes to amend
certain of its rules to comply with
pending changes to CFTC Regulations
that require DCOs to make
corresponding rule changes. The
changes that are the subject of this filing
will become effective on May 7, 2012.
1. Amendments To Comply With CFTC
Regulations 39.12(a)(5)(B)
The CFTC adopted a number of new
regulations designed to implement the
core principles for DCOs in the
Commodity Exchange Act (‘‘CEA’’), as
amended by the Dodd-Frank Act.
Certain of these new DCO regulations
become effective on May 7, 2012,
including CFTC Regulation
39.12(a)(5)(B), which provides that: ‘‘(B)
A derivatives clearing organization shall
require clearing members that are not
E:\FR\FM\13APN1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 72 / Friday, April 13, 2012 / Notices
futures commission merchants to make
the periodic financial reports provided
pursuant to paragraph (a)(5)(i) of this
section available to the Commission
[CFTC] upon the Commission’s [CFTC’s]
request or, in lieu of imposing this
requirement, a derivatives clearing
organization may provide such financial
reports directly to the Commission
[CFTC] upon the Commission’s [CFTC’s]
request.’’
In order to comply with CFTC
Regulation 39.12(a)(5)(B), CME proposes
to amend CME Rule 970.B by adding
new language that makes clear that nonFCM clearing members are required to
make available to the CFTC upon
request copies of financial reports
required to be submitted to the CME
audit department.
2. Amendments To Comply With CFTC
Regulations 39.13(h)(5)(B)–(C)
New CFTC Regulations effective on
May 7, 2012, also include CFTC
Regulation 39.13(h)(5), which requires
each DCO to adopt rules that: ‘‘(B)
Ensure that it has the authority to
request and obtain information and
documents from its clearing members
regarding their risk management
policies, procedures, and practices,
including, but not limited to,
information and documents relating to
the liquidity of their financial resources
and their settlement procedures; and (C)
Require its clearing members to make
information and documents regarding
their risk management policies,
procedures, and practices available to
the Commission [CFTC] upon the
Commission’s [CFTC’s] request.’’
In order to comply with Regulation
39.13(h)(5), CME proposes to amend
CME Rule 982 and CME Rule 8F010 to
make clear that clearing members will
be required upon request to make
appropriate information available
regarding risk management policies,
procedures, and practices.
pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
3. Amendments To Comply With CFTC
Regulation 39.12(a)(2)(iii)
New CFTC Regulations effective May
7, 2012, also include CFTC Regulation
39.12(a)(2)(iii) which provides that a
DCO ‘‘shall not set minimum capital
requirements of more than $50 million
for any person that seeks to become a
clearing member in order to clear
swaps.’’ In order to comply with this
Regulation, CME proposes to amend
CME Rule 8F04 to conform it to the new
standard described above. Note that
CME plans to make additional changes
in the near future to the relevant
chapters in its rulebook governing
interest rate swap and credit default
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14:16 Apr 12, 2012
Jkt 226001
swap clearing member obligations and
qualifications.
CME also made two separate filings,
CME Submissions 12–067 and 12–097,
with its primary regulator, the CFTC,
with respect to the proposed rule
changes.
CME believes the proposed changes
are consistent with the requirements of
the Act. CME, a DCO, is required to
implement the proposed changes to
comply with recent changes to CFTC
regulations. CME notes that the policies
of the CEA with respect to clearing are
comparable to a number of the policies
underlying the Exchange Act, such as
promoting market transparency for
derivatives markets, promoting the
prompt and accurate clearance of
transactions, and protecting investors
and the public interest.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
CME does not believe that the
proposed rule change will have any
impact or impose any burden on
competition.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Comments on the
Proposed Rule Change Received From
Members, Participants, or Others
CME has not solicited and does not
intend to solicit comments regarding
this proposed rule change. CME has not
received any unsolicited written
comments from interested parties.
III. 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 may be
submitted by using the Commission’s
Internet comment form (https://
www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml), or send
an email to rule-comments@sec.gov.
Please include File No. SR–CME–2012–
09 on the subject line.
• Paper comments should be sent 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
Number SR–CME–2012–09. This file
number should be included on the
subject line if email is used. To help the
Commission process and review your
comments more efficiently, please use
only one method. The Commission will
post all comments on the Commission’s
Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/
rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the
PO 00000
Frm 00093
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
22373
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 CME.
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–CME–2012–09 and should
be submitted on or before May 4, 2012.
IV. Commission’s Findings and Order
Granting Accelerated Approval of
Proposed Rule Change
Section 19(b) of the Act 3 directs the
Commission to approve a proposed rule
change of a self-regulatory organization
if it finds that such proposed rule
change is consistent with the
requirements of the Act and the rules
and regulations thereunder applicable to
such organization. The Commission
finds that the proposed rule change is
consistent with the requirements of the
Act, in particular the requirements of
Section 17A of the Act, and the rules
and regulations thereunder applicable to
CME.4 Specifically, the Commission
finds that the proposed rule change is
consistent with Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of
the Act which requires, among other
things, that the rules of a clearing
agency be designed to assure the
safeguarding of securities and funds
which are in the custody and control of
the clearing agency because the
proposed rule change should allow CME
to better monitor the financial status
and risk management procedures of its
clearing members.5
In its filing, CME requested that the
Commission approve this proposed rule
change on an accelerated basis for good
cause shown. CME cites as the reason
for this request CME’s operation as a
3 15
U.S.C. 78s(b).
U.S.C. 78q–1. In approving this proposed
rule change, the Commission has considered the
proposed rule’s impact on efficiency, competition,
and capital formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
5 15 U.S.C. 78q–1(b)(3)(F).
4 15
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 72 / Friday, April 13, 2012 / Notices
DCO, which is subject to regulation by
the CFTC under the CEA. This rule
change is being made according to
regulations promulgated by the CFTC,
which were previously subject to notice
and comment. Not approving this
request on an accelerated basis would
have a significant impact on CME’s
operations as a DCO.
The Commission finds good cause for
approving the proposed rule change
prior to the 30th day after the date of
publication of notice in the Federal
Register because the proposed rule
change allows CME to implement the
regulations of another federal regulatory
agency, the CFTC, in accordance with
those regulations’ effective date.
V. Conclusion
It is therefore ordered, pursuant to
Section 19(b)(2) of the Act, that the
proposed rule change (SR–CME–2012–
09) is approved on an accelerated basis.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.6
Kevin M. O’Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2012–8879 Filed 4–12–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–66774; File No. SR–FINRA–
2011–075]
Self-Regulatory Organizations;
Financial Industry Regulatory
Authority, Inc.; Notice of Filing of
Amendment No. 1 and Order Granting
Accelerated Approval of a Proposed
Rule Change, as Modified by
Amendment No. 1, Amending Rule
13024 of the Code of Arbitration
Procedure for Industry Disputes To
Preclude Collective Action Claims
From Being Arbitrated
pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
April 9, 2012.
I. Introduction
On December 22, 2011, the Financial
Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.
(‘‘FINRA’’) filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (‘‘SEC’’ or
‘‘Commission’’), pursuant to Section
19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 (‘‘Exchange Act’’) 1 and Rule
19b–4 thereunder,2 a proposal to amend
Rule 13204 of the Code of Arbitration
Procedure for Industry Disputes
(‘‘Industry Code’’) to preclude collective
action claims by employees of FINRA
6 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
1 15
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:16 Apr 12, 2012
Jkt 226001
members under the Fair Labor
Standards Act (FLSA), the Age
Discrimination in Employment Act
(ADEA), or the Equal Pay Act of 1963
(EPA) from being arbitrated under the
Industry Code. Specifically, the
proposal would, among other things, (1)
State that collective action claims under
the FLSA, the ADEA, or the EPA may
not be arbitrated under the Code; (2)
provide that any claim involving
similarly situated plaintiffs against the
same defendants, such as a courtcertified collective action or a putative
collective action, would not be
arbitrated in FINRA’s arbitration forum;
(3) give arbitrators the authority to
decide disputes about whether a claim
is part of a collective action; and (4)
prohibit a member firm or associated
person from enforcing any arbitration
agreement against a member of a
certified or putative collective action
with respect to any claim that is the
subject of the certified or putative
collective action until either the
collective certification is denied or the
group is decertified.
The proposed rule change was
published for comment in the Federal
Register on January 11, 2012.3 The
Commission received two comments on
the proposed rule change.4 On March
29, 2012, FINRA filed a response to
comments and a partial amendment to
the proposed rule change (‘‘Amendment
No. 1’’).5 The Commission is publishing
this notice and order to solicit comment
on Amendment No. 1 and to approve
the proposed rule change, as modified
by Amendment No. 1, on an accelerated
basis.
II. Description of Proposed Rule Change
As stated in the Notice, Rule 13204 of
the Industry Code generally provides
that any claim that is based upon the
3 See Exchange Act Release No. 66109 (Jan. 5,
2012), 77 FR 1773 (Jan. 11, 2012) (Notice of Filing
of Proposed Rule Change to Amend the Code of
Arbitration Procedure for Industry Disputes to
Preclude Collective Action Claims from Being
Arbitrated) (‘‘Notice’’). The comment period closed
on February 1, 2012.
4 See Letter from Kevin M. Carroll, Managing
Director and Associate General Counsel, Securities
Industry and Financial Markets Association, dated
February 1, 2012 (‘‘SIFMA Letter’’); and letter from
Jill I. Gross, Director, Edward Pekarek, Assistant
Director, and Genavieve Shingle, Student Intern,
Investor Rights Clinic at Pace Law School, dated
February 1, 2012 (‘‘PIRC Letter’’). Comment letters
are available at https://www.sec.gov.
5 See Letter from Mignon McLemore, Assistant
Chief Counsel, FINRA, FINRA Dispute Resolution,
to Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary, SEC, dated
March 28, 2012 (‘‘Response to Comments No. 1 and
Partial Amendment No. 1’’). The text of Response
to Comments No. 1 and Partial Amendment No. 1
is available on FINRA’s Web site at https://
www.finra.org, at the principal office of FINRA, and
on the Commission’s Web site at https://
www.sec.gov.
PO 00000
Frm 00094
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
same facts and law, and involves the
same defendants as in a court-certified
class action or a putative class action,
shall not be arbitrated. The Notice also
stated that in 1999 FINRA issued an
Interpretive Letter stating that its class
action rules should include collective
action claims brought under the FLSA
and, therefore, considered these claims
ineligible for arbitration in its forum.6
However, as described in the Notice, the
United States District Court for the
Southern District of New York found
that an FLSA collective action is not a
class action for purposes of Rule 13204
of the Industry Code and compelled
arbitration of such claims in FINRA’s
dispute resolution forum.7
In response to the court’s finding,
FINRA is proposing to amend Rule
13204 to preclude collective action
claims from being arbitrated in FINRA’s
forum under the Industry Code. The
proposed amendments to Rule 13204,
would separate Rule 13204 into two
sections: subparagraph (a) for class
actions, and subparagraph (b) for
collective actions. Subparagraph (a)
would be titled, ‘‘Class Actions,’’ and renumbered. Subparagraph (b) would be
titled, ‘‘Collective Actions,’’ and would
contain four subparagraphs.
Proposed subparagraph (b)(1) would
state that collective action claims under
the FLSA, the ADEA, or the EPA may
not be arbitrated under the Industry
Code.
Under proposed subparagraph (b)(2),
any claim that involves plaintiffs who
are similarly-situated against the same
defendants as in a court-certified
collective action or a putative collective
action, or that is ordered by a court for
collective action at a forum not
sponsored by a self-regulatory
organization, would not be arbitrated
under the Industry Code, if the party
bringing the claim has opted in to the
collective action.
Under proposed subparagraph (b)(3),
as originally proposed, the Director
would have referred to a panel any
dispute as to whether a claim is part of
a collective action, unless a party asked
the court hearing the collective action to
resolve the dispute within 10 days of
receiving notice that the Director has
decided to refer the dispute to a panel.
Amendment No. 1, however, would
permit a party to ask any forum (not just
a court) hearing the collective action to
resolve the dispute within the specified
time.
6 See Notice (citing FINRA Interpretive Letter to
Cliff Palefsky, Esq., dated September 21, 1999).
7 Id. (citing Hugo Gomez et al. v. Brill Securities,
Inc. et al., No. 10 Civ. 3503, 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS
118162 (S.D.N.Y. Nov. 2, 2010)).
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 72 (Friday, April 13, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22372-22374]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-8879]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-66773; File No. SR-CME-2012-09]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc.;
Notice of Filing and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of Proposed
Rule Change To Comply With Revisions to CFTC Regulations Governing
Derivatives Clearing Organizations
April 9, 2012.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(``Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given that
on March 29, 2012, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. (``CME'') filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') the
proposed rule change described in Items I and II below, which items
have been prepared primarily by CME. The Commission is publishing this
Notice and Order to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from
interested persons and to approve the proposed rule change on an
accelerated basis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
\2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of Terms of Substance of
the Proposed Rule Change
CME proposes to amend certain of its rules to comply with pending
revisions to Commodity Futures Trading Commission (``CFTC'')
Regulations governing derivatives clearing organizations (``DCOs'').
The text of the proposed rule change is available at the CME's Web site
at https://www.cmegroup.com/market-regulation/rule-filings.html.
II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
In its filing with the Commission, CME included statements
concerning the purpose 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 III below. CME 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 Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
CME is registered as a DCO with the CFTC and operates a substantial
business clearing futures and swaps contracts subject to the
jurisdiction of the CFTC. CME proposes to amend certain of its rules to
comply with pending changes to CFTC Regulations that require DCOs to
make corresponding rule changes. The changes that are the subject of
this filing will become effective on May 7, 2012.
1. Amendments To Comply With CFTC Regulations 39.12(a)(5)(B)
The CFTC adopted a number of new regulations designed to implement
the core principles for DCOs in the Commodity Exchange Act (``CEA''),
as amended by the Dodd-Frank Act. Certain of these new DCO regulations
become effective on May 7, 2012, including CFTC Regulation
39.12(a)(5)(B), which provides that: ``(B) A derivatives clearing
organization shall require clearing members that are not
[[Page 22373]]
futures commission merchants to make the periodic financial reports
provided pursuant to paragraph (a)(5)(i) of this section available to
the Commission [CFTC] upon the Commission's [CFTC's] request or, in
lieu of imposing this requirement, a derivatives clearing organization
may provide such financial reports directly to the Commission [CFTC]
upon the Commission's [CFTC's] request.''
In order to comply with CFTC Regulation 39.12(a)(5)(B), CME
proposes to amend CME Rule 970.B by adding new language that makes
clear that non-FCM clearing members are required to make available to
the CFTC upon request copies of financial reports required to be
submitted to the CME audit department.
2. Amendments To Comply With CFTC Regulations 39.13(h)(5)(B)-(C)
New CFTC Regulations effective on May 7, 2012, also include CFTC
Regulation 39.13(h)(5), which requires each DCO to adopt rules that:
``(B) Ensure that it has the authority to request and obtain
information and documents from its clearing members regarding their
risk management policies, procedures, and practices, including, but not
limited to, information and documents relating to the liquidity of
their financial resources and their settlement procedures; and (C)
Require its clearing members to make information and documents
regarding their risk management policies, procedures, and practices
available to the Commission [CFTC] upon the Commission's [CFTC's]
request.''
In order to comply with Regulation 39.13(h)(5), CME proposes to
amend CME Rule 982 and CME Rule 8F010 to make clear that clearing
members will be required upon request to make appropriate information
available regarding risk management policies, procedures, and
practices.
3. Amendments To Comply With CFTC Regulation 39.12(a)(2)(iii)
New CFTC Regulations effective May 7, 2012, also include CFTC
Regulation 39.12(a)(2)(iii) which provides that a DCO ``shall not set
minimum capital requirements of more than $50 million for any person
that seeks to become a clearing member in order to clear swaps.'' In
order to comply with this Regulation, CME proposes to amend CME Rule
8F04 to conform it to the new standard described above. Note that CME
plans to make additional changes in the near future to the relevant
chapters in its rulebook governing interest rate swap and credit
default swap clearing member obligations and qualifications.
CME also made two separate filings, CME Submissions 12-067 and 12-
097, with its primary regulator, the CFTC, with respect to the proposed
rule changes.
CME believes the proposed changes are consistent with the
requirements of the Act. CME, a DCO, is required to implement the
proposed changes to comply with recent changes to CFTC regulations. CME
notes that the policies of the CEA with respect to clearing are
comparable to a number of the policies underlying the Exchange Act,
such as promoting market transparency for derivatives markets,
promoting the prompt and accurate clearance of transactions, and
protecting investors and the public interest.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
CME does not believe that the proposed rule change will have any
impact or impose any burden on competition.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others
CME has not solicited and does not intend to solicit comments
regarding this proposed rule change. CME has not received any
unsolicited written comments from interested parties.
III. 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 may be submitted by using the
Commission's Internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml), or send an email to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include
File No. SR-CME-2012-09 on the subject line.
Paper comments should be sent 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 Number SR-CME-2012-09. This file
number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help
the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently,
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on
the Commission's Internet Web site (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 CME. 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-CME-2012-09 and should be
submitted on or before May 4, 2012.
IV. Commission's Findings and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of
Proposed Rule Change
Section 19(b) of the Act \3\ directs the Commission to approve a
proposed rule change of a self-regulatory organization if it finds that
such proposed rule change is consistent with the requirements of the
Act and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to such
organization. The Commission finds that the proposed rule change is
consistent with the requirements of the Act, in particular the
requirements of Section 17A of the Act, and the rules and regulations
thereunder applicable to CME.\4\ Specifically, the Commission finds
that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 17A(b)(3)(F)
of the Act which requires, among other things, that the rules of a
clearing agency be designed to assure the safeguarding of securities
and funds which are in the custody and control of the clearing agency
because the proposed rule change should allow CME to better monitor the
financial status and risk management procedures of its clearing
members.\5\
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\3\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b).
\4\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1. In approving this proposed rule change, the
Commission has considered the proposed rule's impact on efficiency,
competition, and capital formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
\5\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(3)(F).
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In its filing, CME requested that the Commission approve this
proposed rule change on an accelerated basis for good cause shown. CME
cites as the reason for this request CME's operation as a
[[Page 22374]]
DCO, which is subject to regulation by the CFTC under the CEA. This
rule change is being made according to regulations promulgated by the
CFTC, which were previously subject to notice and comment. Not
approving this request on an accelerated basis would have a significant
impact on CME's operations as a DCO.
The Commission finds good cause for approving the proposed rule
change prior to the 30th day after the date of publication of notice in
the Federal Register because the proposed rule change allows CME to
implement the regulations of another federal regulatory agency, the
CFTC, in accordance with those regulations' effective date.
V. Conclusion
It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,
that the proposed rule change (SR-CME-2012-09) is approved on an
accelerated basis.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\6\
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\6\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Kevin M. O'Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2012-8879 Filed 4-12-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P