Self-Regulatory Organizations; ICE Clear Europe Limited; Notice of Filing of Amendment No. 1 and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of a Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment No. 1, Relating to the 2014 ISDA Credit Derivatives Definitions, 57629-57632 [2014-22791]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 186 / Thursday, September 25, 2014 / Notices to enhance the platform, including the recent addition of Bondwatch, a webbased system that enables investors to obtain real-time pricing information. The proposed increases, therefore, will help defray the Exchange’s costs to operate the platform. The Exchange believes that it is equitable and not unfairly discriminatory to have different pricing schemes for equity and bond issuers because, while the overall costs to operate and maintain the Exchange’s equity and bond platforms have both increased, the costs attributable to the equity platform are proportionately higher than those to the bond platform. The Exchange believes that the nonsubstantive changes that are proposed are reasonable because they will result in the removal of obsolete text from the Manual. B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Burden on Competition The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The proposed rule change is designed to ensure that the fees charged by the Exchange accurately reflect the services provided and benefits realized by listed companies. The proposed fee increases will apply to all issuers listed on the Exchange, therefore they will be equitably allocated amongst all issuers and will not be unfairly discriminatory towards an individual issuer or class of issuers. Further, because issuers have the option to list their securities on a different national securities exchange, the Exchange does not believe that the proposed fee changes impose a burden on competition. C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the proposed rule change. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action The foregoing rule change is effective upon filing pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) 8 of the Act and subparagraph (f)(2) of Rule 19b–4 9 thereunder, because it establishes a due, fee, or other charge imposed by the Exchange. 8 15 9 17 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). CFR 240.19b–4(f)(2). VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:25 Sep 24, 2014 At any time within 60 days of the filing of such proposed rule change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings under Section 19(b)(2)(B) 10 of the Act to determine whether the proposed rule change should be approved or disapproved. IV. Solicitation of Comments Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: Electronic Comments • Use the Commission’s Internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/ rules/sro.shtml); or • Send an email to rule-comments@ sec.gov. Please include File Number SR– NYSE–2014–51 on the subject line. Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–NYSE–2014–51. 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 the filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal 10 15 Jkt 232001 PO 00000 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B). Frm 00127 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 57629 office of the Exchange. All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–NYSE– 2014–51 and should be submitted on or before October 16, 2014. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.11 Kevin M. O’Neill, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2014–22790 Filed 9–24–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–73156; File No. SR–ICEEU– 2014–13] Self-Regulatory Organizations; ICE Clear Europe Limited; Notice of Filing of Amendment No. 1 and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of a Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment No. 1, Relating to the 2014 ISDA Credit Derivatives Definitions September 19, 2014. I. Introduction On August 14, 2014, ICE Clear Europe Limited (‘‘ICE Clear Europe’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule change SR–ICEEU–2014– 13 pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder.2 The proposed rule change was published for comment in the Federal Register on August 20, 2014.3 The Commission did not receive comments on the proposed rule change. On September 19, 2014, ICE Clear Europe filed Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule change.4 The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on Amendment No. 1 from interested persons and is approving the proposed rule change, as modified by 11 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78(s)(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 3 Securities Exchange Act Release No. 34–72849 (August 14, 2014), 79 FR 49357 (August 20, 2014) (SR–ICEEU–2014–13) (hereinafter referred to as the ‘‘Initial Rule Filing’’). 4 ICE Clear Europe filed Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule change to address the timing of the commencement of clearing of transactions incorporating the 2014 ISDA Credit Derivatives Definitions in light of changes in the implementation timing of the industry-wide ISDA protocol, as discussed in more detail below. 1 15 E:\FR\FM\25SEN1.SGM 25SEN1 57630 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 186 / Thursday, September 25, 2014 / Notices Amendment No. 1, on an accelerated basis. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES II. Description of the Proposed Rule Change A. Description of the Initial Rule Filing ICE Clear Europe has stated that the principal purpose of the proposed rule change is to revise the ICE Clear Europe Clearing Rules (the ‘‘Rules’’) and the ICE Clear Europe CDS Procedures (the ‘‘CDS Procedures’’) to incorporate references to revised Credit Derivatives Definitions, as published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (‘‘ISDA’’) on February 21, 2014 (the ‘‘2014 ISDA Definitions’’). In the Initial Rule Filing, ICE Clear Europe anticipated that, consistent with the approach being taken throughout the CDS market at that time, the industry standard 2014 ISDA Definitions would be applicable to certain products cleared by ICE Clear Europe beginning on September 22, 2014.5 ICE Clear Europe principally proposes to (i) revise the Rules and CDS Procedures to make proper distinctions between the 2014 ISDA Definitions and the ISDA Credit Derivatives Definitions published previously in 2003 (as amended in 2009, the ‘‘2003 ISDA Definitions’’) and related documentation; and (ii) make conforming changes throughout the Rules and the CDS Procedures to reference provisions from the proper ISDA Definitions. In addition, ICE Clear Europe proposes to revise its CDS Risk Policy to reflect appropriate portfolio margin treatment between CDS Contracts cleared under the 2003 and 2014 ISDA Definitions. ICE Clear Europe has stated that, as described by ISDA, the 2014 Definitions make a number of changes from the 2003 ISDA Definitions to the standard terms for CDS Contracts, including (i) introduction of new terms applicable to credit events involving financial reference entities and settlement of such credit events, (ii) introduction of new terms applicable to credit events involving sovereign reference entities and settlement of such credit events, (iii) implementation of standard reference obligations applicable to certain reference entities, and (iv) various other improvements and drafting updates that reflect market experience and developments since the 2009 amendments to the 2003 ISDA Definitions. ICE Clear Europe proposes to accept for clearing new transactions in eligible contracts that reference the 2014 ISDA 5 See supra note 4 and the discussion of Amendment No. 1 below. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:25 Sep 24, 2014 Jkt 232001 Definitions. ICE Clear Europe also proposes revisions that would provide for the conversion of certain existing contracts currently based on the 2003 ISDA Definitions into contracts based on the 2014 ISDA Definitions, an approach consistent with expected industry practice for similar contracts not cleared by ICE Clear Europe, and these converting contracts will be subject to a multilateral amendment ‘‘protocol’’ sponsored by ISDA. For contracts that are not converting automatically, ICE Clear Europe expects to continue to accept for clearing both new transactions referencing the 2014 ISDA Definitions and new transactions referencing the 2003 ISDA Definitions (and such contracts based on different definitions will not be fungible). ICE Clear Europe understands, through industry consensus, that Clearing Members plan to adhere to the ISDA protocol and would desire ICE Clear Europe to convert certain protocoleligible contracts cleared at ICE Clear Europe into contracts based on the 2014 ISDA Definitions, consistent with the ISDA protocol. In an effort to achieve consistency across the CDS marketplace, ICE Clear Europe’s implementation plan is intended to be fully consistent with the planned ISDA protocol implementation. ICE Clear Europe anticipates that, consistent with the protocol, most ICE Clear Europe CDS Contracts will convert, with certain exceptions including CDS on so-called protocol excluded reference entities, which are principally sovereigns and financial reference entities. To this end, ICE Clear Europe proposes to (i) revise the Rules to make proper distinctions between the 2014 ISDA Definitions and the 2003 ISDA Definitions and related documentation; and (ii) make conforming changes throughout the Rules to reference provisions from the proper ISDA Definitions. ICE Clear Europe proposes changes to Parts 1, 9 and 15 of the Rules. ICE Clear Europe also proposes revisions to the CDS Procedures to reflect proper distinctions between the 2003 ISDA Definitions and the 2014 ISDA Definitions.6 Finally, ICE Clear Europe proposes revisions to its CDS Risk Policy to provide for appropriate portfolio treatment between CDS Contracts cleared under the 2003 and 2014 ISDA Definitions. ICE Clear Europe intends to introduce a ‘‘Risk Sub-Factor’’ in the CDS Risk Policy as a specific single 6 A more detailed description of the proposed changes to the Rules, CDS Procedures and CDS Risk Policy is set forth in the notice of the Initial Rule Filing. See supra note 3. PO 00000 Frm 00128 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 name and any unique combination of instrument attributes (e.g., restructuring clause, 2003 or 2014 ISDA Definitions, debt tier, etc), so that the union of all Risk Sub-Factors that share the same underlying single name would form a single name Risk Factor. ICE Clear Europe intends the portfolio treatment at the Risk Sub-Factor level would be provided for in the risk policy, as appropriate. Additionally, ICE Clear Europe proposes that the CDS Risk Policy would be revised to reflect a change in the 2014 ISDA Definitions that restructuring credit events (including sovereign restructurings) other than M(M)R Restructuring will not require separate triggering of each contract and will therefore be treated as ‘‘hard’’ credit events such as bankruptcy and failure to pay. ICE Clear Europe also intends to revise its CDS Risk Policy regarding physical settlement, including referencing the cash settlement fallback where physical settlement fails. B. Description of Amendment No. 1 On September 19, 2014, ICE Clear Europe filed Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule change to address the timing of the commencement of clearing of transactions incorporating the 2014 ISDA Definitions in light of changes in the implementation timing of the industry-wide ISDA protocol. ICE Clear Europe has represented that, except as described in Amendment No. 1, the proposed rule changes in the Initial Rule Filing are unchanged. As described in the Initial Rule Filing, ICE Clear Europe is proposing changes to incorporate the 2014 ISDA Definitions, which make a number of changes to the standard terms for CDS Contracts. ICE Clear Europe has stated that, based on consultation with its Clearing Members and others, ICE Clear Europe has sought to implement these revisions in a manner and at a time consistent with the expected industry implementation of the 2014 ISDA Definitions for similar contracts not cleared by ICE Clear Europe, as provided under a multilateral amendment protocol sponsored by ISDA. ICE Clear Europe has stated that, as has been publicly announced by ISDA, the implementation date for the conversion of existing transactions to the 2014 ISDA Definitions under the ISDA protocol has been delayed until October 6, 2014. In addition, ICE Clear Europe has stated that the industry consensus date for the commencement of trading of new transactions based on the 2014 ISDA Definitions has similarly been delayed until October 6, 2014, with the exception of certain European E:\FR\FM\25SEN1.SGM 25SEN1 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 186 / Thursday, September 25, 2014 / Notices corporate, financial and sovereign CDS contracts for which new transactions based on the 2014 ISDA Definitions may be entered into commencing on September 22, 2014 (so-called ‘‘protocol excluded transactions’’ or ‘‘Non-STEC Contracts’’ 7). Following consultation with its Clearing Members, and in an effort to maintain consistency across the CDS marketplace, ICE Clear Europe proposes to modify certain of the proposed rule changes in the Initial Rule Filing so that the clearing of CDS contracts at ICE Clear Europe after the implementation of the 2014 ISDA Definitions by the industry is consistent with this revised schedule. Accordingly, ICE Clear Europe proposes to make certain additional changes to the CDS Procedures. In Paragraph 1 of the CDS Procedures, a new definition of ‘‘2014 CDD Implementation Date’’ (defined to be September 22, 2014) is proposed to be added. As described below, this definition will be used to distinguish the 2014 ISDA Definitions implementation date for protocol excluded transactions from that of other transactions. ICE Clear Europe also proposes to revise the definition of ‘‘2014 CDD Protocol’’ to reflect the fact that the protocol has been modified as discussed above. The definition of ‘‘Protocol Effective Date’’ would be clarified to refer to the first Amendment Effective Date under the protocol, which is now expected to be October 6, 2014. The remaining provisions in Paragraph 1 of the CDS Procedures would be renumbered and cross-references would be updated. Paragraph 4.3(c) would be revised to distinguish single-name CDS contracts with different implementation times for the 2014 ISDA Definitions. Revised subparagraph (i) would address contracts for which use of the 2014 ISDA Definitions will not commence until the Protocol Effective Date. Proposed revisions to subparagraph (ii) would address the protocol excluded contracts for which use of the 2014 ISDA Definitions may commence on the 2014 CDD Implementation Date. Similarly, Paragraph 10.1 would be revised to reflect the revised implementation timing for the 2014 ISDA Definitions for Non-STEC Contracts (i.e., protocol excluded contracts). Under revised Paragraph 10.1(e), Non-STEC Contracts accepted for clearing prior to the 2014 CDD Implementation Date would be subject to the 2003 ISDA Definitions. Under revised Paragraph 10.1(f), Non-STEC Contracts accepted for clearing on or following the 2014 CDD Implementation Date would be subject to the 2014 ISDA Definitions, unless the 2003 ISDA Definitions are specified to be applicable to such contracts. ICE Clear Europe has represented that the purpose of, and statutory basis for, the proposed rule changes, as set forth in the Initial Rule Filing, are otherwise unchanged. III. Discussion and Commission Findings Section 19(b)(2)(C) of the Act 8 directs the Commission to approve a proposed rule change of a self-regulatory organization if the Commission finds that such proposed rule change is consistent with the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to such selfregulatory organization. Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act 9 requires, among other things, that the rules of a clearing agency are 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 or control of the clearing agency or for which it is responsible and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest. The Commission finds that the proposed revisions to the Rules, CDS Procedures and CDS Risk Policy, as modified by Amendment No. 1, are consistent with the requirements of Section 17A of the Act 10 and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to ICE Clear Europe. The proposed rule change, which is principally designed to incorporate and implement the 2014 ISDA Definitions, will permit clearing of contracts, both new and existing, referencing the new definitions, while distinguishing, where applicable, contracts cleared by ICE Clear Europe between those referencing the 2014 ISDA Definitions and those referencing the 2003 ISDA Definitions for purposes of risk management and clearing operations. Additionally, the proposed rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 1, will allow ICE Clear Europe to implement the clearing of contracts referencing the 2014 ISDA Definitions in a manner consistent with the implementation of the industry-wide ISDA protocol for similar uncleared contracts, as discussed above, thereby facilitating the trading and clearing of CDS throughout the entire credit 8 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(C). U.S.C. 78q–1(b)(3)(F). 10 15 U.S.C. 78q–1. derivatives market. Finally, ICE Clear Europe states that the proposed rule change is necessary to provide the market with the assurances that ICE Clear Europe plans to implement the 2014 ISDA Definitions consistent with industry practice, thereby facilitating prompt and accurate clearance and settlement. The Commission therefore believes that the proposed rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 1, is reasonably designed to promote the prompt and accurate clearance and settlement of securities transactions and, to the extent applicable, derivative agreements, contracts, and transactions and to assure the safeguarding of securities and funds which are in the custody or control of the clearing agency or for which it is responsible, consistent with Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act.11 IV. Solicitation of Comments on Amendment No. 1 Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether Amendment No. 1 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– ICEEU–2014–13 on the subject line. Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–ICEEU–2014–13. 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 9 15 7 As defined in the Initial Rule Filing. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:25 Sep 24, 2014 Jkt 232001 PO 00000 Frm 00129 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 57631 11 15 E:\FR\FM\25SEN1.SGM U.S.C. 78q–1(b)(3)(F). 25SEN1 57632 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 186 / Thursday, September 25, 2014 / Notices 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 the filing also will 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/clear-europe/ regulation. As discussed above, ICE Clear Europe submitted Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule change to address the necessary change in the timing of the clearing of transactions incorporating the 2014 ISDA Definitions in light of the change in the implementation timing of the industry-wide ISDA protocol. The Commission believes that Amendment No. 1 does not modify the proposed rule change as described in the Initial Rule Filing 12 in any substantive manner, but will facilitate the trading and clearing of CDS throughout the entire credit derivatives market. Accordingly, the Commission finds good cause, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2)(C)(iii) of the Act,13 to approve the proposed rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 1, prior to the thirtieth day after the date of publication of notice of Amendment No. 1 in the Federal Register. VI. Conclusion mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES On the basis of the foregoing, the Commission finds that the proposal is consistent with the requirements of the Act and in particular with the requirements of Section 17A of the Act 14 and the rules and regulations thereunder. It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,15 that the proposed rule change (File No. SR– ICEEU–2014–13), as modified by Amendment No. 1, be, and hereby is, approved on an accelerated basis.16 12 The Initial Rule Filing was published in the Federal Register on August 20, 2014, for 21-day comment and the comment period ended on September 10, 2014. The Commission did not receive comments on the Initial Rule Filing. 13 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(C)(iii). 14 15 U.S.C. 78q–1. 15 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2). 16 In approving the proposed rule change, the Commission considered the proposal’s impact on efficiency, competition and capital formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f). 17:25 Sep 24, 2014 Jkt 232001 [FR Doc. 2014–22791 Filed 9–24–14; 8:45 am] 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 BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–73152; File No. SR–Phlx– 2014–54] V. Accelerated Approval of Proposed Rule Change as Modified by Amendment No. 1 VerDate Sep<11>2014 For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.17 Kevin M. O’Neill, Deputy Secretary. Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change To Add a New Complex Order Process Called Legging Orders September 19, 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 September 10, 2014, NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC (‘‘Phlx’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘SEC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III, below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons. I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of the Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The Exchange proposes to amend Rule 1080.08(f)(iii) to add a new Complex Order process called Legging Orders. The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange’s Web site at https://nasdaqomxphlx.cchwall street.com, at the principal office of the Exchange, and at the Commission’s Public Reference Room. II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of 17 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 1 15 PO 00000 Frm 00130 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 1. Purpose The Exchange proposes to implement functionality to provide additional liquidity for Complex Orders resting on top of the Complex Order Book (‘‘CBOOK’’) at a price which improves the cPBBO.3 Today, a Complex Order resting on the CBOOK may be executed either by: (i) trading against an incoming Complex Order that is marketable against the resting Complex Order,4 or (ii) legging into the market when the net price of the Complex Order can be satisfied by executing all of the legs against the best bids or offers on the Exchange for the individual options series.5 Legging Orders are designed to increase the opportunity for Complex Orders to ‘‘leg’’ into the market. As proposed herein, a Legging Order is a limit order on the regular order book in an individual series that represents one leg of a two-legged Complex Order (which improves the cPBBO) to buy or sell an equal quantity of two option series resting on the CBOOK.6 As explained further below, Legging Orders may be automatically generated on behalf of Complex Orders resting on the top of the CBOOK so that they are represented at the best bid and/or offer on the Exchange for the individual legs. Accordingly, Legging Orders serve to attract interest to trade, while the existing functionality that legs into the market is merely reacting to liquidity that arrives and is placed on the book. The system will evaluate the CBOOK when a Complex Order enters the CBOOK and at a regular time interval to be determined by the Exchange (which interval shall not exceed 1 second) following a change in the National Best Bid/Offer (‘‘NBBO’’) or PHLX Best Bid/ Offer (‘‘PBBO’’) in any component of a Complex Order eligible to generate Legging Orders to determine whether Legging Orders may be generated. The 3 The term ‘‘cPBBO’’ means the best net debit or credit price for a Complex Order Strategy based on the PBBO for the individual options components of such Complex Order Strategy, and, where the underlying security is a component of the Complex Order, the National Best Bid and/or Offer for the underlying security. See Rule 1080.08(a)(iv). 4 See Rule 1080.08(f)(iii)(A)(2). 5 See Rule 1080.08(f)(iii)(A)(1). 6 See proposed Rule 1080.08(f)(iii)(C). Legging Orders may only be generated for two-legged Complex Orders involving a one-to-one ratio. This is the same as ISE Rule 715(k). Also, both components must be options, and therefore stockoption orders are not permitted. E:\FR\FM\25SEN1.SGM 25SEN1

Agencies

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 186 (Thursday, September 25, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57629-57632]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-22791]

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-73156; File No. SR-ICEEU-2014-13]

Self-Regulatory Organizations; ICE Clear Europe Limited; Notice
of Filing of Amendment No. 1 and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of
a Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment No. 1, Relating to the
2014 ISDA Credit Derivatives Definitions

September 19, 2014.

I. Introduction

On August 14, 2014, ICE Clear Europe Limited (``ICE Clear Europe'')
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') the
proposed rule change SR-ICEEU-2014-13 pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4
thereunder.\2\ The proposed rule change was published for comment in
the Federal Register on August 20, 2014.\3\ The Commission did not
receive comments on the proposed rule change. On September 19, 2014,
ICE Clear Europe filed Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule change.\4\
The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on
Amendment No. 1 from interested persons and is approving the proposed
rule change, as modified by

[[Page 57630]]

Amendment No. 1, on an accelerated basis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78(s)(b)(1).
\2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
\3\ Securities Exchange Act Release No. 34-72849 (August 14,
2014), 79 FR 49357 (August 20, 2014) (SR-ICEEU-2014-13) (hereinafter
referred to as the ``Initial Rule Filing'').
\4\ ICE Clear Europe filed Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule
change to address the timing of the commencement of clearing of
transactions incorporating the 2014 ISDA Credit Derivatives
Definitions in light of changes in the implementation timing of the
industry-wide ISDA protocol, as discussed in more detail below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. Description of the Proposed Rule Change

A. Description of the Initial Rule Filing

ICE Clear Europe has stated that the principal purpose of the
proposed rule change is to revise the ICE Clear Europe Clearing Rules
(the ``Rules'') and the ICE Clear Europe CDS Procedures (the ``CDS
Procedures'') to incorporate references to revised Credit Derivatives
Definitions, as published by the International Swaps and Derivatives
Association, Inc. (``ISDA'') on February 21, 2014 (the ``2014 ISDA
Definitions''). In the Initial Rule Filing, ICE Clear Europe
anticipated that, consistent with the approach being taken throughout
the CDS market at that time, the industry standard 2014 ISDA
Definitions would be applicable to certain products cleared by ICE
Clear Europe beginning on September 22, 2014.\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\5\ See supra note 4 and the discussion of Amendment No. 1
below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

ICE Clear Europe principally proposes to (i) revise the Rules and
CDS Procedures to make proper distinctions between the 2014 ISDA
Definitions and the ISDA Credit Derivatives Definitions published
previously in 2003 (as amended in 2009, the ``2003 ISDA Definitions'')
and related documentation; and (ii) make conforming changes throughout
the Rules and the CDS Procedures to reference provisions from the
proper ISDA Definitions. In addition, ICE Clear Europe proposes to
revise its CDS Risk Policy to reflect appropriate portfolio margin
treatment between CDS Contracts cleared under the 2003 and 2014 ISDA
Definitions.
ICE Clear Europe has stated that, as described by ISDA, the 2014
Definitions make a number of changes from the 2003 ISDA Definitions to
the standard terms for CDS Contracts, including (i) introduction of new
terms applicable to credit events involving financial reference
entities and settlement of such credit events, (ii) introduction of new
terms applicable to credit events involving sovereign reference
entities and settlement of such credit events, (iii) implementation of
standard reference obligations applicable to certain reference
entities, and (iv) various other improvements and drafting updates that
reflect market experience and developments since the 2009 amendments to
the 2003 ISDA Definitions.
ICE Clear Europe proposes to accept for clearing new transactions
in eligible contracts that reference the 2014 ISDA Definitions. ICE
Clear Europe also proposes revisions that would provide for the
conversion of certain existing contracts currently based on the 2003
ISDA Definitions into contracts based on the 2014 ISDA Definitions, an
approach consistent with expected industry practice for similar
contracts not cleared by ICE Clear Europe, and these converting
contracts will be subject to a multilateral amendment ``protocol''
sponsored by ISDA. For contracts that are not converting automatically,
ICE Clear Europe expects to continue to accept for clearing both new
transactions referencing the 2014 ISDA Definitions and new transactions
referencing the 2003 ISDA Definitions (and such contracts based on
different definitions will not be fungible). ICE Clear Europe
understands, through industry consensus, that Clearing Members plan to
adhere to the ISDA protocol and would desire ICE Clear Europe to
convert certain protocol-eligible contracts cleared at ICE Clear Europe
into contracts based on the 2014 ISDA Definitions, consistent with the
ISDA protocol. In an effort to achieve consistency across the CDS
marketplace, ICE Clear Europe's implementation plan is intended to be
fully consistent with the planned ISDA protocol implementation. ICE
Clear Europe anticipates that, consistent with the protocol, most ICE
Clear Europe CDS Contracts will convert, with certain exceptions
including CDS on so-called protocol excluded reference entities, which
are principally sovereigns and financial reference entities.
To this end, ICE Clear Europe proposes to (i) revise the Rules to
make proper distinctions between the 2014 ISDA Definitions and the 2003
ISDA Definitions and related documentation; and (ii) make conforming
changes throughout the Rules to reference provisions from the proper
ISDA Definitions. ICE Clear Europe proposes changes to Parts 1, 9 and
15 of the Rules. ICE Clear Europe also proposes revisions to the CDS
Procedures to reflect proper distinctions between the 2003 ISDA
Definitions and the 2014 ISDA Definitions.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\6\ A more detailed description of the proposed changes to the
Rules, CDS Procedures and CDS Risk Policy is set forth in the notice
of the Initial Rule Filing. See supra note 3.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Finally, ICE Clear Europe proposes revisions to its CDS Risk Policy
to provide for appropriate portfolio treatment between CDS Contracts
cleared under the 2003 and 2014 ISDA Definitions. ICE Clear Europe
intends to introduce a ``Risk Sub-Factor'' in the CDS Risk Policy as a
specific single name and any unique combination of instrument
attributes (e.g., restructuring clause, 2003 or 2014 ISDA Definitions,
debt tier, etc), so that the union of all Risk Sub-Factors that share
the same underlying single name would form a single name Risk Factor.
ICE Clear Europe intends the portfolio treatment at the Risk Sub-Factor
level would be provided for in the risk policy, as appropriate.
Additionally, ICE Clear Europe proposes that the CDS Risk Policy would
be revised to reflect a change in the 2014 ISDA Definitions that
restructuring credit events (including sovereign restructurings) other
than M(M)R Restructuring will not require separate triggering of each
contract and will therefore be treated as ``hard'' credit events such
as bankruptcy and failure to pay. ICE Clear Europe also intends to
revise its CDS Risk Policy regarding physical settlement, including
referencing the cash settlement fallback where physical settlement
fails.

B. Description of Amendment No. 1

On September 19, 2014, ICE Clear Europe filed Amendment No. 1 to
the proposed rule change to address the timing of the commencement of
clearing of transactions incorporating the 2014 ISDA Definitions in
light of changes in the implementation timing of the industry-wide ISDA
protocol. ICE Clear Europe has represented that, except as described in
Amendment No. 1, the proposed rule changes in the Initial Rule Filing
are unchanged.
As described in the Initial Rule Filing, ICE Clear Europe is
proposing changes to incorporate the 2014 ISDA Definitions, which make
a number of changes to the standard terms for CDS Contracts. ICE Clear
Europe has stated that, based on consultation with its Clearing Members
and others, ICE Clear Europe has sought to implement these revisions in
a manner and at a time consistent with the expected industry
implementation of the 2014 ISDA Definitions for similar contracts not
cleared by ICE Clear Europe, as provided under a multilateral amendment
protocol sponsored by ISDA.
ICE Clear Europe has stated that, as has been publicly announced by
ISDA, the implementation date for the conversion of existing
transactions to the 2014 ISDA Definitions under the ISDA protocol has
been delayed until October 6, 2014. In addition, ICE Clear Europe has
stated that the industry consensus date for the commencement of trading
of new transactions based on the 2014 ISDA Definitions has similarly
been delayed until October 6, 2014, with the exception of certain
European

[[Page 57631]]

corporate, financial and sovereign CDS contracts for which new
transactions based on the 2014 ISDA Definitions may be entered into
commencing on September 22, 2014 (so-called ``protocol excluded
transactions'' or ``Non-STEC Contracts'' \7\). Following consultation
with its Clearing Members, and in an effort to maintain consistency
across the CDS marketplace, ICE Clear Europe proposes to modify certain
of the proposed rule changes in the Initial Rule Filing so that the
clearing of CDS contracts at ICE Clear Europe after the implementation
of the 2014 ISDA Definitions by the industry is consistent with this
revised schedule.
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\7\ As defined in the Initial Rule Filing.
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Accordingly, ICE Clear Europe proposes to make certain additional
changes to the CDS Procedures. In Paragraph 1 of the CDS Procedures, a
new definition of ``2014 CDD Implementation Date'' (defined to be
September 22, 2014) is proposed to be added. As described below, this
definition will be used to distinguish the 2014 ISDA Definitions
implementation date for protocol excluded transactions from that of
other transactions. ICE Clear Europe also proposes to revise the
definition of ``2014 CDD Protocol'' to reflect the fact that the
protocol has been modified as discussed above. The definition of
``Protocol Effective Date'' would be clarified to refer to the first
Amendment Effective Date under the protocol, which is now expected to
be October 6, 2014. The remaining provisions in Paragraph 1 of the CDS
Procedures would be renumbered and cross-references would be updated.
Paragraph 4.3(c) would be revised to distinguish single-name CDS
contracts with different implementation times for the 2014 ISDA
Definitions. Revised subparagraph (i) would address contracts for which
use of the 2014 ISDA Definitions will not commence until the Protocol
Effective Date. Proposed revisions to subparagraph (ii) would address
the protocol excluded contracts for which use of the 2014 ISDA
Definitions may commence on the 2014 CDD Implementation Date.
Similarly, Paragraph 10.1 would be revised to reflect the revised
implementation timing for the 2014 ISDA Definitions for Non-STEC
Contracts (i.e., protocol excluded contracts). Under revised Paragraph
10.1(e), Non-STEC Contracts accepted for clearing prior to the 2014 CDD
Implementation Date would be subject to the 2003 ISDA Definitions.
Under revised Paragraph 10.1(f), Non-STEC Contracts accepted for
clearing on or following the 2014 CDD Implementation Date would be
subject to the 2014 ISDA Definitions, unless the 2003 ISDA Definitions
are specified to be applicable to such contracts.
ICE Clear Europe has represented that the purpose of, and statutory
basis for, the proposed rule changes, as set forth in the Initial Rule
Filing, are otherwise unchanged.

III. Discussion and Commission Findings

Section 19(b)(2)(C) of the Act \8\ directs the Commission to
approve a proposed rule change of a self-regulatory organization if the
Commission finds that such proposed rule change is consistent with the
requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder
applicable to such self-regulatory organization. Section 17A(b)(3)(F)
of the Act \9\ requires, among other things, that the rules of a
clearing agency are 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 or control of the clearing agency or for which it is
responsible and, in general, to protect investors and the public
interest.
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\8\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(C).
\9\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(3)(F).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Commission finds that the proposed revisions to the Rules, CDS
Procedures and CDS Risk Policy, as modified by Amendment No. 1, are
consistent with the requirements of Section 17A of the Act \10\ and the
rules and regulations thereunder applicable to ICE Clear Europe. The
proposed rule change, which is principally designed to incorporate and
implement the 2014 ISDA Definitions, will permit clearing of contracts,
both new and existing, referencing the new definitions, while
distinguishing, where applicable, contracts cleared by ICE Clear Europe
between those referencing the 2014 ISDA Definitions and those
referencing the 2003 ISDA Definitions for purposes of risk management
and clearing operations. Additionally, the proposed rule change, as
modified by Amendment No. 1, will allow ICE Clear Europe to implement
the clearing of contracts referencing the 2014 ISDA Definitions in a
manner consistent with the implementation of the industry-wide ISDA
protocol for similar uncleared contracts, as discussed above, thereby
facilitating the trading and clearing of CDS throughout the entire
credit derivatives market. Finally, ICE Clear Europe states that the
proposed rule change is necessary to provide the market with the
assurances that ICE Clear Europe plans to implement the 2014 ISDA
Definitions consistent with industry practice, thereby facilitating
prompt and accurate clearance and settlement. The Commission therefore
believes that the proposed rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 1,
is reasonably designed to promote the prompt and accurate clearance and
settlement of securities transactions and, to the extent applicable,
derivative agreements, contracts, and transactions and to assure the
safeguarding of securities and funds which are in the custody or
control of the clearing agency or for which it is responsible,
consistent with Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act.\11\
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\10\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1.
\11\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(3)(F).
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IV. Solicitation of Comments on Amendment No. 1

Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views and
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether Amendment No. 1
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-ICEEU-2014-13 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities
and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090.
All submissions should refer to File Number SR-ICEEU-2014-13. 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

[[Page 57632]]

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 the filing also will 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/clear-europe/regulation.

V. Accelerated Approval of Proposed Rule Change as Modified by
Amendment No. 1

As discussed above, ICE Clear Europe submitted Amendment No. 1 to
the proposed rule change to address the necessary change in the timing
of the clearing of transactions incorporating the 2014 ISDA Definitions
in light of the change in the implementation timing of the industry-
wide ISDA protocol. The Commission believes that Amendment No. 1 does
not modify the proposed rule change as described in the Initial Rule
Filing \12\ in any substantive manner, but will facilitate the trading
and clearing of CDS throughout the entire credit derivatives market.
Accordingly, the Commission finds good cause, pursuant to Section
19(b)(2)(C)(iii) of the Act,\13\ to approve the proposed rule change,
as modified by Amendment No. 1, prior to the thirtieth day after the
date of publication of notice of Amendment No. 1 in the Federal
Register.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\12\ The Initial Rule Filing was published in the Federal
Register on August 20, 2014, for 21-day comment and the comment
period ended on September 10, 2014. The Commission did not receive
comments on the Initial Rule Filing.
\13\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(C)(iii).
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VI. Conclusion

On the basis of the foregoing, the Commission finds that the
proposal is consistent with the requirements of the Act and in
particular with the requirements of Section 17A of the Act \14\ and the
rules and regulations thereunder.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\14\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1.
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It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the
Act,\15\ that the proposed rule change (File No. SR-ICEEU-2014-13), as
modified by Amendment No. 1, be, and hereby is, approved on an
accelerated basis.\16\
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\15\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
\16\ In approving the proposed rule change, the Commission
considered the proposal's impact on efficiency, competition and
capital formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).

For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\17\
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\17\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Kevin M. O'Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2014-22791 Filed 9-24-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P

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