Self-Regulatory Organizations; ICE Clear Europe Limited; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change Regarding New Permitted Cover, 9296-9298 [2014-03375]
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tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
9296
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 32 / Tuesday, February 18, 2014 / Notices
Investing Fund in an amount at least
equal to any compensation (including
fees received pursuant to any plan
adopted by a Fund under rule 12b-1
under the Act) received from a Fund by
the Investing Fund Advisor, or Trustee
or Sponsor, or an affiliated person of the
Investing Fund Advisor, or Trustee or
Sponsor, other than any advisory fees
paid to the Investing Fund Advisor, or
Trustee, or Sponsor, or its affiliated
person by the Fund, in connection with
the investment by the Investing Fund in
the Fund. Any Investing Fund SubAdvisor will waive fees otherwise
payable to the Investing Fund SubAdvisor, directly or indirectly, by the
Investing Management Company in an
amount at least equal to any
compensation received from a Fund by
the Investing Fund Sub-Advisor, or an
affiliated person of the Investing Fund
Sub-Advisor, other than any advisory
fees paid to the Investing Fund SubAdvisor or its affiliated person by the
Fund, in connection with the
investment by the Investing
Management Company in the Fund
made at the direction of the Investing
Fund Sub-Advisor. In the event that the
Investing Fund Sub-Advisor waives
fees, the benefit of the waiver will be
passed through to the Investing
Management Company.
6. No Investing Fund or Investing
Fund Affiliate (except to the extent it is
acting in its capacity as an investment
adviser to a Fund) will cause a Fund to
purchase a security in an Affiliated
Underwriting.
7. The Board of a Fund, including a
majority of the independent directors or
trustees, will adopt procedures
reasonably designed to monitor any
purchases of securities by the Fund in
an Affiliated Underwriting, once an
investment by an Investing Fund in the
securities of the Fund exceeds the limit
of section 12(d)(1)(A)(i) of the Act,
including any purchases made directly
from an Underwriting Affiliate. The
Board will review these purchases
periodically, but no less frequently than
annually, to determine whether the
purchases were influenced by the
investment by the Investing Fund in the
Fund. The Board will consider, among
other things: (i) Whether the purchases
were consistent with the investment
objectives and policies of the Fund; (ii)
how the performance of securities
purchased in an Affiliated Underwriting
compares to the performance of
comparable securities purchased during
a comparable period of time in
underwritings other than Affiliated
Underwritings or to a benchmark such
as a comparable market index; and (iii)
whether the amount of securities
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20:58 Feb 14, 2014
Jkt 232001
purchased by the Fund in Affiliated
Underwritings and the amount
purchased directly from an
Underwriting Affiliate have changed
significantly from prior years. The
Board will take any appropriate actions
based on its review, including, if
appropriate, the institution of
procedures designed to assure that
purchases of securities in Affiliated
Underwritings are in the best interest of
shareholders of the Fund.
8. Each Fund will maintain and
preserve permanently in an easily
accessible place a written copy of the
procedures described in the preceding
condition, and any modifications to
such procedures, and will maintain and
preserve for a period of not less than six
years from the end of the fiscal year in
which any purchase in an Affiliated
Underwriting occurred, the first two
years in an easily accessible place, a
written record of each purchase of
securities in Affiliated Underwritings
once an investment by an Investing
Fund in the securities of the Fund
exceeds the limit of section
12(d)(1)(A)(i) of the Act, setting forth
from whom the securities were
acquired, the identity of the
underwriting syndicate’s members, the
terms of the purchase, and the
information or materials upon which
the Board’s determinations were made.
9. Before investing in a Fund in
excess of the limits in section
12(d)(1)(A), an Investing Fund will
execute a FOF Participation Agreement
with the Fund stating that their
respective boards of directors or trustees
and their investment advisers, or
Trustee and Sponsor, as applicable,
understand the terms and conditions of
the order, and agree to fulfill their
responsibilities under the order. At the
time of its investment in Shares of a
Fund in excess of the limit in section
12(d)(1)(A)(i), an Investing Fund will
notify the Fund of the investment. At
such time, the Investing Fund will also
transmit to the Fund a list of the names
of each Investing Fund Affiliate and
Underwriting Affiliate. The Investing
Fund will notify the Fund of any
changes to the list as soon as reasonably
practicable after a change occurs. The
Fund and the Investing Fund will
maintain and preserve a copy of the
order, the FOF Participation Agreement,
and the list with any updated
information for the duration of the
investment and for a period of not less
than six years thereafter, the first two
years in an easily accessible place.
10. Before approving any advisory
contract under section 15 of the Act, the
board of directors or trustees of each
Investing Management Company,
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including a majority of the independent
directors or trustees, will find that the
advisory fees charged under such
contract are based on services provided
that will be in addition to, rather than
duplicative of, the services provided
under the advisory contract(s) of any
Fund in which the Investing
Management Company may invest.
These findings and their basis will be
recorded fully in the minute books of
the appropriate Investing Management
Company.
11. Any sales charges and/or service
fees charged with respect to shares of an
Investing Fund will not exceed the
limits applicable to a fund of funds as
set forth in NASD Conduct Rule 2830.
12. No Fund relying on the section
12(d)(1) relief will acquire securities of
any investment company or company
relying on section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of
the Act in excess of the limits contained
in section 12(d)(1)(A) of the Act, except
to the extent permitted by exemptive
relief from the Commission permitting
the Fund to purchase shares of other
investment companies for short-term
cash management purposes.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Investment Management, under delegated
authority.
Kevin M. O’Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2014–03377 Filed 2–14–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–71519; File No. SR–ICEEU–
2014–02]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; ICE
Clear Europe Limited; Notice of Filing
of Proposed Rule Change Regarding
New Permitted Cover
February 11, 2014.
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 February
11, 2014, ICE Clear Europe Limited
(‘‘ICE Clear Europe’’) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission
(‘‘Commission’’) the proposed changes
to the rules as described in Items I, II,
and III below, which Items have been
prepared primarily by ICE Clear Europe.
The Commission is publishing this
notice to solicit comments on the
proposed changes to the rules from
interested persons.
1 15
2 17
E:\FR\FM\18FEN1.SGM
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
CFR 240.19b–4.
18FEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 32 / Tuesday, February 18, 2014 / Notices
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Terms of Substance of
the Proposed Rule Change
The principal purpose of the change
is to permit ICE Clear Europe Clearing
Members to post additional categories of
securities, including KfW Euro
Benchmark Bonds (‘‘KfWs’’) and
European Investment Bank Euro Area
Reference Notes (‘‘EIBs’’, together with
KfWs, the ‘‘New Permitted Cover’’) to
ICE Clear Europe as permitted cover to
meet initial margin, original margin and
certain other margin requirements,
including delivery margin requirements.
The New Permitted Cover will not be
accepted to satisfy variation margin
requirements or guaranty fund
requirements.
II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
In its filing with the Commission, ICE
Clear Europe included statements
concerning the purpose of and basis for
proposing the New Permitted Cover.
The text of these statements may be
examined at the places specified in Item
IV below. ICE Clear Europe has
prepared summaries, set forth in
sections A, B, and C below, of the most
significant aspects of these statements.
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
The purpose of ICE Clear Europe
accepting the New Permitted Cover is to
provide its Clearing Members with a
greater range of high-quality collateral
that can be posted to ICE Clear Europe
to satisfy certain margin requirements.
ICE Clear Europe believes that the
New Permitted Cover is of minimal
credit risk comparable to that of other
sovereign debt currently accepted by
ICE Clear Europe as permitted cover for
margin obligations. ICE Clear Europe
further believes that the New Permitted
Cover has demonstrated low volatility,
including in stressed market conditions.
Based on its analysis of the New
Permitted Cover and its volatility and
other characteristics, ICE Clear Europe
has established initial valuation haircut
levels for the New Permitted Cover, and
will review and modify such haircuts
from time to time in accordance with
the Rules and procedures. In addition,
each type of New Permitted Cover may
only be used to satisfy margin
requirements up to a specified
concentration limit, which is subject to
review and modification from time to
time in accordance with the Rules and
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20:58 Feb 14, 2014
Jkt 232001
procedures. The concentration limit
applies on an aggregate basis across all
product categories.
Specifically, KfWs and EIBs may only
constitute up to 25% of a Clearing
Member’s total initial and original
margin requirement, up to a maximum
amount of EUR 30 million. The New
Permitted Cover will be subject to a
valuation haircut of three percent (3%),
except that the New Permitted Cover
with a maturity of more than eleven (11)
years will be subject to a valuation
haircut of five percent (5%).
Consistent with existing ICE Clear
Europe haircut policies, an additional
haircut will apply where New Permitted
Cover is used to cover a margin
requirement denominated in a different
currency, to cover the exchange rate
risk.
For the avoidance of doubt, the New
Permitted Cover cannot be used to
satisfy variation margin requirements
because variation margin must be paid
in cash in the currency of the contract.
In addition, the New Permitted Cover
will not be accepted in respect of
guaranty fund requirements.
ICE Clear Europe has identified New
Permitted Cover as types of assets that
would be appropriate for Clearing
Members to post in order to meet initial
margin and original margin
requirements. ICE Clear Europe believes
that accepting the New Permitted Cover
is consistent with the requirements of
Section 17A of the Act 3 and the
regulations thereunder applicable to it,
including the standards under Rule
17Ad–22,4 and is consistent with the
prompt and accurate clearance of and
settlement of securities transactions, the
safeguarding of securities and funds in
the custody or control of ICE Clear
Europe and the protection of investors
and the public interest, within the
meaning of Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the
Act in the same manner as other
collateral accepted by ICE Clear
Europe.5 In addition, in ICE Clear
Europe’s view, acceptance of the New
Permitted Cover will satisfy the
financial resources requirements of Rule
17Ad–22. ICE Clear Europe has
determined, through analysis of the
credit risk, liquidity, market risk,
volatility and other trading
characteristics of the New Permitted
Cover, that such assets are appropriate
for use as permitted cover for Clearing
Member’s obligations under the Rules,
subject to the haircuts and limits
described above, consistent with the
risk management of the clearing house.
3 15
U.S.C. 78q–1.
CFR 240.17Ad–22.
5 15 U.S.C. 78q–1(b)(3)(F).
4 17
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
9297
In particular, the New Permitted Cover
is a stable collateral type that presents
minimal credit risk and low volatility.
In this regard, the New Permitted Cover
is similar to the other categories of
sovereign debt that ICE Clear Europe
currently accepts as permitted cover.
Pursuant to ICE Clear Europe Rule 502,
haircuts will be reviewed by ICE Clear
Europe periodically and ICE Clear
Europe may modify the haircuts in its
discretion as it determines to be
appropriate. Use of New Permitted
Cover will also be subject to
concentration limits, as discussed
above.
For the reasons noted above, ICE Clear
Europe believes that the proposed rule
change and the New Permitted Cover
are consistent with the requirements of
Section 17A of the Act and regulations
thereunder applicable to it.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
ICE Clear Europe does not believe the
proposed changes to the rules would
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
Written comments relating to the
proposed changes to the rules have not
been solicited or received. ICE Clear
Europe will notify the Commission of
any written comments received by ICE
Clear Europe. The New Permitted Cover
has been approved by both the Futures
& Options and CDS Risk Committees.
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
up to 90 days (i) as the Commission may
designate 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:
E:\FR\FM\18FEN1.SGM
18FEN1
9298
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 32 / Tuesday, February 18, 2014 / Notices
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–
ICEEU–2014–02 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.
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
All submissions should refer to File
Number SR–ICEEU–2014–02. 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
filings will also be available for
inspection and copying at the principal
office of ICE Clear Europe and on ICE
Clear Europe’s Web site at https://
www.theice.com/notices/
Notices.shtml?regulatoryFilings.
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–ICEEU–2014–02 and
should be submitted on or before March
11, 2014.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.6
Kevin M. O’Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2014–03375 Filed 2–14–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
6 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
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20:58 Feb 14, 2014
Jkt 232001
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–71521; File No. SR–
NASDAQ–2013–155]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; The
NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of
Filing of Amendment Nos. 1 and 2 and
Order Granting Accelerated Approval
of Proposed Rule Change, as Modified
by Amendment Nos. 1 and 2, To List
and Trade Shares of the
AdvisorShares YieldPro ETF of
AdvisorShares Trust
February 11, 2014.
I. Introduction
On December 13, 2013, The NASDAQ
Stock Market LLC (‘‘Nasdaq’’ or the
‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission
(‘‘Commission’’), pursuant to Section
19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 (‘‘Act’’ or ‘‘Exchange Act’’) 1 and
Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2 a proposed rule
change to list and trade the shares
(‘‘Shares’’) of the AdvisorShares
YieldPro ETF (the ‘‘Fund’’) under
Nasdaq Rule 5735. The proposed rule
change was published for comment in
the Federal Register on January 2,
2014.3 The Commission received no
comments on the proposal. On January
3, 2014, Nasdaq filed Amendment No. 1
to the proposal.4 On January 31, 2014,
Nasdaq filed Amendment No. 2 to the
proposal.5 The Commission is
publishing this notice to solicit
comments on Amendment Nos. 1 and 2
from interested persons and is
approving the proposed rule change, as
modified by Amendment Nos. 1 and 2,
on an accelerated basis.
II. Description of the Proposed Rule
Change
The Exchange proposes to list and
trade Shares of the Fund under Nasdaq
Rule 5735, which governs the listing
and trading of Managed Fund Shares on
the Exchange. The Shares will be
offered by AdviserShares Trust
1 15
U.S.C.78s(b)(1).
CFR 240.19b–4.
3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 71193
(Dec. 26, 2013), 79 FR 0173 (Jan. 2, 2014)
(‘‘Notice’’).
4 In Amendment No. 1, Nasdaq amended the
proposed rule change to clarify that certain
requirements, discussed in note 7 and
accompanying text, infra, are applicable to the SubAdviser as well as the Adviser, and to clarify
through the deletion of certain text that the Fund
does not intend to invest in non-listed American
Depositary Receipts (‘‘ADRs’’), swaps, or over-thecounter equity securities.
5 In Amendment No. 2, Nasdaq amended the
proposed rule change to remove inapplicable
information regarding general limitations on
investments in shares of investment companies.
2 17
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Frm 00142
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
(‘‘Trust’’). The Trust is registered with
the Commission as an investment
company.6 The Fund is a series of the
Trust.
AdvisorShares Investments, LLC will
be the investment adviser (‘‘Adviser’’) to
the Fund. The Elements Financial
Group, LLC will be the investment subadviser (‘‘Sub-Adviser’’) to the Fund.
Foreside Fund Services, LLC
(‘‘Distributor’’) will be the principal
underwriter and distributor of the
Fund’s Shares. The Bank of New York
Mellon will act as the administrator,
accounting agent, custodian and transfer
agent to the Fund.
The Exchange represents that the
Adviser and Sub-Adviser are neither a
broker-dealer nor affiliated with a
broker-dealer.7 The Exchange also
represents that the Shares will be
subject to Nasdaq Rule 5735, which sets
forth the initial and continued listing
criteria applicable to Managed Fund
Shares 8 and that for initial and
continued listing, the Fund must be in
compliance with Rule 10A–3 under the
Act.9 The Exchange has made the
following additional representations
and statements in describing the Fund
and its investment strategy, including
portfolio holdings and investment
restrictions.
Principal Investments
According to the Exchange, the
Fund’s investment objective will be to
provide current income and capital
appreciation. The Fund will be an
actively managed exchange traded fund
(‘‘ETF’’) that is a ‘‘fund of funds’’
seeking to achieve its investment
objective by primarily investing in both
long and short positions in other
6 The Trust has filed a registration statement on
Form N–1A (‘‘Registration Statement’’) with the
Commission. See Registration Statement on Form
N–1A for the Trust, dated August 7, 2013 (File Nos.
333–157876 and 811–22110). In addition, the
Commission has issued an order granting certain
exemptive relief to the Trust under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 (‘‘1940 Act’’). See Investment
Company Act Release No. 28822 (July 20, 2009)
(File No. 812–13677).
7 See Notice supra note 3, 79 FR at 0174, and
Amendment No. 1, supra note 4. The Exchange
states in the event (a) the Adviser or Sub-Adviser
becomes, or becomes newly affiliated with a brokerdealer, or registers as a broker-dealer, or (b) any new
adviser or sub-adviser is a registered broker-dealer
or becomes affiliated with a broker-dealer, it will
implement a fire wall with respect to its relevant
personnel and/or such broker-dealer affiliate, if
applicable, regarding access to information
concerning the composition and changes to the
portfolio and will be subject to procedures designed
to prevent the use and dissemination of material
non-public information regarding such portfolio.
See id.
8 See Notice supra note 3 at 0177.
9 See 17 CFR 240.10A–3. See also Notice, supra
note 3 at 0177.
E:\FR\FM\18FEN1.SGM
18FEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 32 (Tuesday, February 18, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9296-9298]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-03375]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-71519; File No. SR-ICEEU-2014-02]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; ICE Clear Europe Limited; Notice
of Filing of Proposed Rule Change Regarding New Permitted Cover
February 11, 2014.
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 February 11, 2014, ICE Clear Europe Limited (``ICE Clear Europe'')
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') the
proposed changes to the rules as described in Items I, II, and III
below, which Items have been prepared primarily by ICE Clear Europe.
The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the
proposed changes to the rules from interested persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
\2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 9297]]
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change
The principal purpose of the change is to permit ICE Clear Europe
Clearing Members to post additional categories of securities, including
KfW Euro Benchmark Bonds (``KfWs'') and European Investment Bank Euro
Area Reference Notes (``EIBs'', together with KfWs, the ``New Permitted
Cover'') to ICE Clear Europe as permitted cover to meet initial margin,
original margin and certain other margin requirements, including
delivery margin requirements. The New Permitted Cover will not be
accepted to satisfy variation margin requirements or guaranty fund
requirements.
II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
In its filing with the Commission, ICE Clear Europe included
statements concerning the purpose of and basis for proposing the New
Permitted Cover. The text of these statements may be examined at the
places specified in Item IV below. ICE Clear Europe has prepared
summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most
significant aspects of these statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
The purpose of ICE Clear Europe accepting the New Permitted Cover
is to provide its Clearing Members with a greater range of high-quality
collateral that can be posted to ICE Clear Europe to satisfy certain
margin requirements.
ICE Clear Europe believes that the New Permitted Cover is of
minimal credit risk comparable to that of other sovereign debt
currently accepted by ICE Clear Europe as permitted cover for margin
obligations. ICE Clear Europe further believes that the New Permitted
Cover has demonstrated low volatility, including in stressed market
conditions. Based on its analysis of the New Permitted Cover and its
volatility and other characteristics, ICE Clear Europe has established
initial valuation haircut levels for the New Permitted Cover, and will
review and modify such haircuts from time to time in accordance with
the Rules and procedures. In addition, each type of New Permitted Cover
may only be used to satisfy margin requirements up to a specified
concentration limit, which is subject to review and modification from
time to time in accordance with the Rules and procedures. The
concentration limit applies on an aggregate basis across all product
categories.
Specifically, KfWs and EIBs may only constitute up to 25% of a
Clearing Member's total initial and original margin requirement, up to
a maximum amount of EUR 30 million. The New Permitted Cover will be
subject to a valuation haircut of three percent (3%), except that the
New Permitted Cover with a maturity of more than eleven (11) years will
be subject to a valuation haircut of five percent (5%).
Consistent with existing ICE Clear Europe haircut policies, an
additional haircut will apply where New Permitted Cover is used to
cover a margin requirement denominated in a different currency, to
cover the exchange rate risk.
For the avoidance of doubt, the New Permitted Cover cannot be used
to satisfy variation margin requirements because variation margin must
be paid in cash in the currency of the contract. In addition, the New
Permitted Cover will not be accepted in respect of guaranty fund
requirements.
ICE Clear Europe has identified New Permitted Cover as types of
assets that would be appropriate for Clearing Members to post in order
to meet initial margin and original margin requirements. ICE Clear
Europe believes that accepting the New Permitted Cover is consistent
with the requirements of Section 17A of the Act \3\ and the regulations
thereunder applicable to it, including the standards under Rule 17Ad-
22,\4\ and is consistent with the prompt and accurate clearance of and
settlement of securities transactions, the safeguarding of securities
and funds in the custody or control of ICE Clear Europe and the
protection of investors and the public interest, within the meaning of
Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act in the same manner as other collateral
accepted by ICE Clear Europe.\5\ In addition, in ICE Clear Europe's
view, acceptance of the New Permitted Cover will satisfy the financial
resources requirements of Rule 17Ad-22. ICE Clear Europe has
determined, through analysis of the credit risk, liquidity, market
risk, volatility and other trading characteristics of the New Permitted
Cover, that such assets are appropriate for use as permitted cover for
Clearing Member's obligations under the Rules, subject to the haircuts
and limits described above, consistent with the risk management of the
clearing house. In particular, the New Permitted Cover is a stable
collateral type that presents minimal credit risk and low volatility.
In this regard, the New Permitted Cover is similar to the other
categories of sovereign debt that ICE Clear Europe currently accepts as
permitted cover. Pursuant to ICE Clear Europe Rule 502, haircuts will
be reviewed by ICE Clear Europe periodically and ICE Clear Europe may
modify the haircuts in its discretion as it determines to be
appropriate. Use of New Permitted Cover will also be subject to
concentration limits, as discussed above.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1.
\4\ 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22.
\5\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(3)(F).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the reasons noted above, ICE Clear Europe believes that the
proposed rule change and the New Permitted Cover are consistent with
the requirements of Section 17A of the Act and regulations thereunder
applicable to it.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
ICE Clear Europe does not believe the proposed changes to the rules
would 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
Written comments relating to the proposed changes to the rules have
not been solicited or received. ICE Clear Europe will notify the
Commission of any written comments received by ICE Clear Europe. The
New Permitted Cover has been approved by both the Futures & Options and
CDS Risk Committees.
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 up to 90 days (i) as the
Commission may designate 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:
[[Page 9298]]
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-ICEEU-2014-02 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-ICEEU-2014-02. 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 filings will also be available
for inspection and copying at the principal office of ICE Clear Europe
and on ICE Clear Europe's Web site at https://www.theice.com/notices/Notices.shtml?regulatoryFilings.
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-ICEEU-2014-02
and should be submitted on or before March 11, 2014.
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. 2014-03375 Filed 2-14-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P