Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc.; Notice of Filing and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of Proposed Rule Change Regarding an Expansion of CME Clearing's Category 3 Collateral Limits, 29163-29165 [2013-11760]
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 96 / Friday, May 17, 2013 / Notices
Dated: May 15, 2013.
Elizabeth M. Murphy,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2013–11963 Filed 5–15–13; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–69564; File No. SR–CME–
2013–06]
Self-Regulatory Organizations;
Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc.;
Notice of Filing and Order Granting
Accelerated Approval of Proposed
Rule Change Regarding an Expansion
of CME Clearing’s Category 3
Collateral Limits
May 13, 2013.
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 May 3,
2013, 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 to
solicit comments on the proposed rule
change from interested persons and to
approve the proposed rule change on an
accelerated basis.
wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Terms of Substance of
the Proposed Rule Change
CME proposes to issue the text copied
below via a Clearing Advisory Notice to
announce changes relating to the
maximum limits for ‘‘Category 3’’
collateral (as specified on CME’s Web
site) effective as of May 10, 2013. This
text is also available at CME’s Web site
at https://www.cmegroup.com, at the
principal office of CME, and at the
Commission’s Public Reference Room.
The text is:
As per the normal review of acceptable
collateral and limits, CME Clearing is making
the below change regarding the clearing
member firm maximum limit for Category 3
collateral. The change is pending all
regulatory review periods.
Collateral accepted by CME Clearing is
categorized as noted below. Currently, the
maximum allowable limit for utilization of
Category 3 Assets is the lesser of a) 40% of
core margin requirements and concentration
requirements per origin and asset account or
b) $3 billion per Clearing Member Firm
across all settlement accounts.
Effective with the RTH cycle on Friday,
May 10, 2013, the maximum allowable limit
1 15
2 17
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
CFR 240.19b–4.
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15:20 May 16, 2013
Jkt 229001
for utilization of Category 3 Assets will be the
lesser of a) 40% of core margin requirements
and concentration requirements per origin
and asset account or b) $5 billion per
Clearing Member Firm across all settlement
accounts.
Category 1 assets have no requirement type
limits. Category 2 assets have a maximum
allowable limit of 40% of core margin
requirements and concentration requirements
per Clearing Member Firm across all
settlement accounts.
Please refer to the Web site link below for
details on individual asset type limits and
product class restrictions.
Category 1 Assets:
• U.S. Cash
• U.S. Treasuries
• IEF2 Money Market Fund Program
Category 2 Assets:
• U.S. Government Agencies
• Select Mortgage Backed Securities
• IEF5 Specialized Cash Program
• Letters of Credit
Category 3 Assets:
• Foreign Sovereign Debt (sub-limit of $1
billion per clearing member firm)
• Gold (sub-limit of $500 million per
clearing member firm)
• IEF4 Specialized Collateral Program
• Stocks
• TIPS (sub-limit of $1 billion per clearing
member firm)
Please call CME Clearing for availability of
Foreign Cash deposits.
Please refer to the Web site https://
www.cmegroup.com/clearing/financial-andcollateral-management/ for further detail
regarding acceptable collateral, haircuts, and
limits. For questions about requirements,
please call Risk Management hotline at 312–
634–3888 and questions about collateral can
be directed to the Financial Unit hotline at
312–207–2594.
*
*
*
*
*
II. Self-Regulatory Organizations
Statement of the 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 the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
As a derivatives clearing organization
(‘‘DCO’’) registered with the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission (‘‘CFTC’’),
CME periodically reviews the
acceptable collateral and limits
associated with its clearing business.
The changes announced in the Clearing
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Sfmt 4703
29163
Notice are part of this normal process.
The changes relate to the maximum
limit for certain ‘‘Category 3’’ collateral
as specified on CME’s Web site.
Currently, the maximum allowable limit
for utilization of the Category 3 Assets
is the lesser of (a) 40% of core margin
requirements and concentration
requirements per origin and asset
account or (b) $3 billion per Clearing
Member Firm across all settlement
accounts. The Notice would announce
that, effective on Friday, May 10, 2013,
the maximum allowable limit for
utilization of Category 3 Assets will
become the lesser of (a) 40% of core
margin requirements and concentration
requirements per origin and asset
account or (b) $5 billion per Clearing
Member Firm across all settlement
accounts. The purpose of the change is
to increase the flexibility of CME
clearing members to post additional
Category 3 collateral in anticipation of
an increase to the amount of initial
margin posted at CME due to the CFTC’s
impending June 11, 2013 clearing
mandate effective date.
Although the changes could impact
the makeup of the collateral used by any
particular clearing member to meet its
margin requirements, the changes
would have no impact on the level of
margin collected.3 Further, the changes
will have no impact at all on the
collection of margin in relation to CME’s
CDS clearing offering, because the CDS
business has separate requirements that
apply in particular to posting collateral
in connection with CDS activities. The
Notice would not change those separate
CDS-specific requirements.
CME notes that it has also submitted
the proposed rule changes that are the
subject of this filing to its primary
regulator, the CFTC, in CME Submission
13–155.
CME believes the proposed rule
change is consistent with the
requirements of the Exchange Act,
including Section 17A of the Act.4
Specifically, CME believes the changes
are consistent with Section 17A(b)(3)(F)
3 Historically, CME has aligned the size of its
committed liquidity facility with the amount of
Category 3 assets it was willing to accept as
collateral. For example, in 2012 CME’s committed
liquidity facility was $3 billion and the amount of
Category 3 collateral it accepted was also $3 billion.
CME increased its committed liquidity facility and
obtained a $5 billion liquidity facility for 2013.
When CME increased its liquidity facility it did not
immediately increase its Category 3 collateral limits
in tandem. CME now plans to increase the limits
on its acceptance of Category 3 collateral in advance
of the Category 2 clearing mandate. Since CME
already increased its committed liquidity facility to
$5 billion, this change does not impact its overall
risk profile.
4 15 U.S.C. 78q–1.
E:\FR\FM\17MYN1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 96 / Friday, May 17, 2013 / Notices
of the Act,5 which requires, among other
things, that the rules of a clearing
agency be designed to promote the
prompt and accurate clearance and
settlement of securities transactions
and, to the extent applicable, derivative
agreements, contracts, and transactions,
to assure the safeguarding of securities
and funds which are in the custody and
control of the clearing agency or for
which it is responsible, and to protect
investors and the public interest. As a
DCO registered with the CFTC, CME
believes the proposed Advisory Notice
will facilitate posting of collateral in
relation to products that are subject to
the CFTC’s impending clearing
mandates and that such changes are in
compliance with applicable CFTC
requirements related to such matters. In
addition, although the changes could
impact the makeup of the collateral
used by any particular clearing member
to meet its margin requirements for
CFTC regulated products, the changes
would have no impact on the overall
level of margin collected. CME believes
the Notice is consistent with the
requirements of the Act because
facilitating posting of collateral in
compliance with applicable CFTC
regulations promotes the prompt and
accurate clearance and settlement of
derivative agreements, contracts and
transactions and facilitates the
protection of investors and the public
interest. Furthermore, the proposed
Advisory Notice is limited to CME’s
business as a DCO and therefore does
not significantly affect any securities
operations of the clearing agency or any
related rights or obligations of the
clearing agency or persons using such
service. For these reasons, CME believes
the proposed rule is consistent with the
requirements of Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of
the Act.6
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.
wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
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.
5 15
U.S.C. 78q–1(b)(3)(F).
6 Id.
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15:20 May 16, 2013
Jkt 229001
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
• 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–CME–2013–06 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–CME–2013–06. 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
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such
filing also will be available for
inspection and copying at the principal
office of CME and on CME’s Web site at
https://www.cmegroup.com/marketregulation/files/sec_19b-4_13-06.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–CME–2013–06 and should
be submitted on or before June 7, 2013.
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IV. Commission’s Findings and Order
Granting Accelerated Approval of
Proposed Rule Change
Section 19(b) of the Act 7 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,8 and the rules
and regulations thereunder applicable to
CME. Specifically, the Commission
finds that the proposed rule change is
consistent with Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of
the Act,9 which requires, among other
things, that the rules of a registered
clearing agency be designed to promote
the prompt and accurate clearance and
settlement of securities transactions
and, to the extent applicable, derivative
agreements, contracts, and transactions
because it will facilitate the posting of
collateral in relation to products that are
subject to the CFTC’s impending
clearing mandates.
In its filing, CME requested that the
Commission approve this proposed rule
change on an accelerated basis for good
cause shown. CME notes that the
products affected by this filing, and the
CME’s operations as a DCO clearing
such products, are regulated by the
CFTC under the Commodity Exchange
Act and are therefore limited to CME’s
business as a DCO and do not
significantly affect any securities
clearing operations of CME or any
related rights or obligations of the
clearing agency or persons using such
service. CME believes the Advisory
Notice simply increases the flexibility
afforded to CME in executing its
responsibilities as a DCO and does not
have any negative impact on its overall
risk profile. Additionally, CME has
indicated that not approving this
request on an accelerated basis would
have a significant impact on the clearing
business of CME as a DCO.
The Commission finds that there is
good cause, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2)
of the Act,10 for approving the proposed
rule change prior to the thirtieth day
after the date of publication of notice in
the Federal Register because: (i) The
proposed rule change does not
7 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).
9 15 U.S.C. 78q–1(b)(3)(F).
10 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
8 15
E:\FR\FM\17MYN1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 96 / Friday, May 17, 2013 / Notices
significantly affect any of CME’s
securities clearing operations or any
related rights or obligations of CME or
persons using such service; (ii) the
products affected by this filing, and the
CME’s operations as a DCO clearing
such products, are regulated by the
CFTC under the Commodity Exchange
Act; and (iii) CME has indicated that not
providing accelerated approval would
have a significant impact on its swaps
clearing business as a designated
clearing organization.
V. Conclusion
It is therefore ordered, pursuant to
Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,11 that the
proposed rule change (SR–CME–2013–
06) be, and hereby is, approved on an
accelerated basis.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.12
Kevin M. O’Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2013–11760 Filed 5–16–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–69565; File No. SR–NYSE–
2013–33]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; New
York Stock Exchange LLC; Notice of
Filing of Proposed Rule Change
Proposing To: (i) Delete the Sections in
the Listed Company Manual (the
‘‘Manual’’) Containing the Listing
Application Materials (Including the
Listing Application and the Listing
Agreement) and Adopt Updated Listing
Application Materials That Will Be
Posted on the Exchange’s Web Site;
and (ii) Adopt as New Rules Certain
Provisions That Are Currently Included
in the Various Forms of Agreements
That Are in the Manual, as Well as
Some Additional New Rules That Make
Explicit Existing Exchange Policies
With Respect to Initial Listings
wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
May 13, 2013.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) 1 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
‘‘Act’’) 2 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,3
notice is hereby given that, on April 30,
2013, New York Stock Exchange LLC
(the ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘NYSE’’) filed with
the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the ‘‘Commission’’) the
proposed rule change as described in
11 Id.
12 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 15 U.S.C. 78a.
3 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
1 15
VerDate Mar<15>2010
15:20 May 16, 2013
Jkt 229001
Items I, II, and III below, which Items
have been prepared by the selfregulatory organization. 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 proposes to: (i) Delete
the sections in the Listed Company
Manual (the ‘‘Manual’’) containing the
listing application materials (including
the listing application and the listing
agreement) and adopt updated listing
application materials that will be posted
on the Exchange’s Web site; and (ii)
adopt as new rules certain provisions
that are currently included in the
various forms of agreements that are in
the Manual, as well as some additional
new rules that make explicit existing
Exchange policies with respect to initial
listings. The text of the proposed rule
change is available on the Exchange’s
Web site at www.nyse.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
self-regulatory organization 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 those statements may be examined at
the places specified in Item IV below.
The Exchange has prepared summaries,
set forth in sections A, B, and C below,
of the most significant parts of such
statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and the
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
1. Purpose
The Exchange proposes to: (i) delete
the forms of documents required in
connection with a listing from the
Manual and eliminate requirements
from those documents that are
redundant or that no longer serve any
regulatory purpose; and (ii) adopt as
new rules certain provisions that are
currently included in the various forms
of agreements that are in the Manual, as
well as some additional new rules that
make explicit existing Exchange policies
with respect to initial listings. In lieu of
their inclusion in the Manual, the
Exchange proposes to make all of the
PO 00000
Frm 00055
Fmt 4703
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29165
required documents (including the
listing application and the listing
agreement) available on its Web site
(www.nyx.com).4 In the event that in the
future the Exchange makes any
substantive changes (including changes
to the rights, duties, or obligations of the
applicant or the Exchange, or that
would otherwise require a rule filing) to
those documents being removed from
the Manual, it will submit a rule filing
to the Securities and Exchange
Commission (‘‘SEC’’) to obtain approval
of such changes.5 The Exchange will
maintain all historical versions of those
documents on its Web site after changes
have been made, so that it will be
possible to review how each document
has changed over time.
Part I of the rule filing includes a
discussion of the proposed changes to
the Manual on a section-by-section
basis. Part II sets out the Exchange’s
proposed approach to each item
included in the current forms of listing
agreements for domestic companies and
Part III sets out the Exchange’s proposed
approach to each item included in the
current forms of listing agreements for
foreign private issuers. Part IV sets forth
the Exchange’s proposed approach to
each requirement in the current form of
the original listing application. Finally,
Part V sets forth the Exchange’s
proposed approach to the requirements
in the forms of transfer agent and
registrar agreements.
I. Proposed Changes to the Manual by
Section
The following is a discussion of the
changes being made to the Manual on a
section-by-section basis: 6
4 The forms of all of the documents required in
connection with a listing application as they will
appear on the Exchange’s Web site are included in
Exhibit 3 to this filing. The Commission notes that
Exhibit 3 is attached to the filing, not to this Notice.
It has been a long-standing practice of the Exchange
to post on its Web site the forms of the documents
required to be submitted in connection with
applications to list. After approval of this proposal
the Exchange will continue that practice as before,
but the forms of those documents will no longer be
set forth in the Manual.
5 The Exchange will not submit a rule filing if the
changes made to a document are typographical or
stylistic in nature.
6 All rule references in this filing are to sections
of the Manual unless otherwise specified. In
addition to the changes discussed herein, the
Exchange proposes to amend the following sections
of the Manual to remove cross-references therein to
sections that are proposed to be deleted or amended
and to state that the required documents are on the
Exchange’s Web site or available from the Exchange
upon request: Sections 102.01C(F) (Minimum
Numerical Standards—Domestic Companies—
Equity Listings); 103.01B(C) (Minimum Numerical
Standards Non-U.S. Companies Equity Listings);
103.04 (Sponsored American Depository Receipts or
Shares (‘‘ADRS’’)); 204.00(B) (Notice to and Filings
E:\FR\FM\17MYN1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 96 (Friday, May 17, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29163-29165]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-11760]
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-69564; File No. SR-CME-2013-06]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc.;
Notice of Filing and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of Proposed
Rule Change Regarding an Expansion of CME Clearing's Category 3
Collateral Limits
May 13, 2013.
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 May 3, 2013, 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 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 the Terms of Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change
CME proposes to issue the text copied below via a Clearing Advisory
Notice to announce changes relating to the maximum limits for
``Category 3'' collateral (as specified on CME's Web site) effective as
of May 10, 2013. This text is also available at CME's Web site at
https://www.cmegroup.com, at the principal office of CME, and at the
Commission's Public Reference Room. The text is:
As per the normal review of acceptable collateral and limits,
CME Clearing is making the below change regarding the clearing
member firm maximum limit for Category 3 collateral. The change is
pending all regulatory review periods.
Collateral accepted by CME Clearing is categorized as noted
below. Currently, the maximum allowable limit for utilization of
Category 3 Assets is the lesser of a) 40% of core margin
requirements and concentration requirements per origin and asset
account or b) $3 billion per Clearing Member Firm across all
settlement accounts.
Effective with the RTH cycle on Friday, May 10, 2013, the
maximum allowable limit for utilization of Category 3 Assets will be
the lesser of a) 40% of core margin requirements and concentration
requirements per origin and asset account or b) $5 billion per
Clearing Member Firm across all settlement accounts.
Category 1 assets have no requirement type limits. Category 2
assets have a maximum allowable limit of 40% of core margin
requirements and concentration requirements per Clearing Member Firm
across all settlement accounts.
Please refer to the Web site link below for details on
individual asset type limits and product class restrictions.
Category 1 Assets:
U.S. Cash
U.S. Treasuries
IEF2 Money Market Fund Program
Category 2 Assets:
U.S. Government Agencies
Select Mortgage Backed Securities
IEF5 Specialized Cash Program
Letters of Credit
Category 3 Assets:
Foreign Sovereign Debt (sub-limit of $1 billion per
clearing member firm)
Gold (sub-limit of $500 million per clearing member
firm)
IEF4 Specialized Collateral Program
Stocks
TIPS (sub-limit of $1 billion per clearing member firm)
Please call CME Clearing for availability of Foreign Cash
deposits.
Please refer to the Web site https://www.cmegroup.com/clearing/financial-and-collateral-management/ for further detail regarding
acceptable collateral, haircuts, and limits. For questions about
requirements, please call Risk Management hotline at 312-634-3888
and questions about collateral can be directed to the Financial Unit
hotline at 312-207-2594.
* * * * *
II. Self-Regulatory Organizations Statement of the 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 the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
As a derivatives clearing organization (``DCO'') registered with
the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (``CFTC''), CME periodically
reviews the acceptable collateral and limits associated with its
clearing business. The changes announced in the Clearing Notice are
part of this normal process. The changes relate to the maximum limit
for certain ``Category 3'' collateral as specified on CME's Web site.
Currently, the maximum allowable limit for utilization of the Category
3 Assets is the lesser of (a) 40% of core margin requirements and
concentration requirements per origin and asset account or (b) $3
billion per Clearing Member Firm across all settlement accounts. The
Notice would announce that, effective on Friday, May 10, 2013, the
maximum allowable limit for utilization of Category 3 Assets will
become the lesser of (a) 40% of core margin requirements and
concentration requirements per origin and asset account or (b) $5
billion per Clearing Member Firm across all settlement accounts. The
purpose of the change is to increase the flexibility of CME clearing
members to post additional Category 3 collateral in anticipation of an
increase to the amount of initial margin posted at CME due to the
CFTC's impending June 11, 2013 clearing mandate effective date.
Although the changes could impact the makeup of the collateral used
by any particular clearing member to meet its margin requirements, the
changes would have no impact on the level of margin collected.\3\
Further, the changes will have no impact at all on the collection of
margin in relation to CME's CDS clearing offering, because the CDS
business has separate requirements that apply in particular to posting
collateral in connection with CDS activities. The Notice would not
change those separate CDS-specific requirements.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ Historically, CME has aligned the size of its committed
liquidity facility with the amount of Category 3 assets it was
willing to accept as collateral. For example, in 2012 CME's
committed liquidity facility was $3 billion and the amount of
Category 3 collateral it accepted was also $3 billion. CME increased
its committed liquidity facility and obtained a $5 billion liquidity
facility for 2013. When CME increased its liquidity facility it did
not immediately increase its Category 3 collateral limits in tandem.
CME now plans to increase the limits on its acceptance of Category 3
collateral in advance of the Category 2 clearing mandate. Since CME
already increased its committed liquidity facility to $5 billion,
this change does not impact its overall risk profile.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
CME notes that it has also submitted the proposed rule changes that
are the subject of this filing to its primary regulator, the CFTC, in
CME Submission 13-155.
CME believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the
requirements of the Exchange Act, including Section 17A of the Act.\4\
Specifically, CME believes the changes are consistent with Section
17A(b)(3)(F)
[[Page 29164]]
of the Act,\5\ which requires, among other things, that the rules of a
clearing agency be designed to promote the prompt and accurate
clearance and settlement of securities transactions and, to the extent
applicable, derivative agreements, contracts, and transactions, to
assure the safeguarding of securities and funds which are in the
custody and control of the clearing agency or for which it is
responsible, and to protect investors and the public interest. As a DCO
registered with the CFTC, CME believes the proposed Advisory Notice
will facilitate posting of collateral in relation to products that are
subject to the CFTC's impending clearing mandates and that such changes
are in compliance with applicable CFTC requirements related to such
matters. In addition, although the changes could impact the makeup of
the collateral used by any particular clearing member to meet its
margin requirements for CFTC regulated products, the changes would have
no impact on the overall level of margin collected. CME believes the
Notice is consistent with the requirements of the Act because
facilitating posting of collateral in compliance with applicable CFTC
regulations promotes the prompt and accurate clearance and settlement
of derivative agreements, contracts and transactions and facilitates
the protection of investors and the public interest. Furthermore, the
proposed Advisory Notice is limited to CME's business as a DCO and
therefore does not significantly affect any securities operations of
the clearing agency or any related rights or obligations of the
clearing agency or persons using such service. For these reasons, CME
believes the proposed rule is consistent with the requirements of
Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act.\6\
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\4\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1.
\5\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(3)(F).
\6\ Id.
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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
Use 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 Number SR-CME-2013-06 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-CME-2013-06. 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
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such filing also will be available
for inspection and copying at the principal office of CME and on CME's
Web site at https://www.cmegroup.com/market-regulation/files/sec_19b-4_13-06.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-CME-2013-06
and should be submitted on or before June 7, 2013.
IV. Commission's Findings and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of
Proposed Rule Change
Section 19(b) of the Act \7\ 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,\8\ and the rules and
regulations thereunder applicable to CME. Specifically, the Commission
finds that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section
17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act,\9\ which requires, among other things, that
the rules of a registered clearing agency be designed to promote the
prompt and accurate clearance and settlement of securities transactions
and, to the extent applicable, derivative agreements, contracts, and
transactions because it will facilitate the posting of collateral in
relation to products that are subject to the CFTC's impending clearing
mandates.
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\7\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b).
\8\ 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).
\9\ 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
notes that the products affected by this filing, and the CME's
operations as a DCO clearing such products, are regulated by the CFTC
under the Commodity Exchange Act and are therefore limited to CME's
business as a DCO and do not significantly affect any securities
clearing operations of CME or any related rights or obligations of the
clearing agency or persons using such service. CME believes the
Advisory Notice simply increases the flexibility afforded to CME in
executing its responsibilities as a DCO and does not have any negative
impact on its overall risk profile. Additionally, CME has indicated
that not approving this request on an accelerated basis would have a
significant impact on the clearing business of CME as a DCO.
The Commission finds that there is good cause, pursuant to Section
19(b)(2) of the Act,\10\ for approving the proposed rule change prior
to the thirtieth day after the date of publication of notice in the
Federal Register because: (i) The proposed rule change does not
[[Page 29165]]
significantly affect any of CME's securities clearing operations or any
related rights or obligations of CME or persons using such service;
(ii) the products affected by this filing, and the CME's operations as
a DCO clearing such products, are regulated by the CFTC under the
Commodity Exchange Act; and (iii) CME has indicated that not providing
accelerated approval would have a significant impact on its swaps
clearing business as a designated clearing organization.
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\10\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
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V. Conclusion
It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the
Act,\11\ that the proposed rule change (SR-CME-2013-06) be, and hereby
is, approved on an accelerated basis.
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\11\ Id.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\12\
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\12\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Kevin M. O'Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2013-11760 Filed 5-16-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P