Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Depository Trust Company; Order Granting Approval of Proposed Rule Change To Establish a Sub-Account for Use With the DTCC Euroclear Global Collateral Ltd Collateral Management Service and Provide for the Authorization of a Representative To Receive Information About the Sub-Account, 21837-21839 [2017-09426]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 89 / Wednesday, May 10, 2017 / Notices
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Commission to consider matters related
to negotiated service agreement(s). The
request(s) may propose the addition or
removal of a negotiated service
agreement from the market dominant or
the competitive product list, or the
modification of an existing product
currently appearing on the market
dominant or the competitive product
list.
Section II identifies the docket
number(s) associated with each Postal
Service request, the title of each Postal
Service request, the request’s acceptance
date, and the authority cited by the
Postal Service for each request. For each
request, the Commission appoints an
officer of the Commission to represent
the interests of the general public in the
proceeding, pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505
(Public Representative). Section II also
establishes comment deadline(s)
pertaining to each request.
The public portions of the Postal
Service’s request(s) can be accessed via
the Commission’s Web site (https://
www.prc.gov). Non-public portions of
the Postal Service’s request(s), if any,
can be accessed through compliance
with the requirements of 39 CFR
3007.40.
The Commission invites comments on
whether the Postal Service’s request(s)
in the captioned docket(s) are consistent
with the policies of title 39. For
request(s) that the Postal Service states
concern market dominant product(s),
applicable statutory and regulatory
requirements include 39 U.S.C. 3622, 39
U.S.C. 3642, 39 CFR part 3010, and 39
CFR part 3020, subpart B. For request(s)
that the Postal Service states concern
competitive product(s), applicable
statutory and regulatory requirements
include 39 U.S.C. 3632, 39 U.S.C. 3633,
39 U.S.C. 3642, 39 CFR part 3015, and
39 CFR part 3020, subpart B. Comment
deadline(s) for each request appear in
section II.
II. Docketed Proceeding(s)
1. Docket No(s).: CP2014–1; Filing
Title: Notice of United States Postal
Service of Amendment to Parcel Select
and Parcel Return Service Contract 5;
Filing Acceptance Date: May 4, 2017;
Filing Authority: 39 CFR 3015.5; Public
Representative: Gregory Stanton;
Comments Due: May 12, 2017.
2. Docket No(s).: MC2017–127 and
CP2017–180; Filing Title: Request of the
United States Postal Service to Add
Priority Mail Contract 315 to
Competitive Product List and Notice of
Filing (Under Seal) of Unredacted
Governors’ Decision, Contract, and
Supporting Data; Filing Acceptance
Date: May 4, 2017; Filing Authority: 39
U.S.C. 3642 and 39 CFR 3020.30 et seq.;
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:21 May 09, 2017
Jkt 241001
Public Representative: Katalin K.
Clendenin; Comments Due: May 12,
2017.
3. Docket No(s).: MC2017–128 and
CP2017–181; Filing Title: Request of the
United States Postal Service to Add
Priority Mail Contract 316 to
Competitive Product List and Notice of
Filing (Under Seal) of Unredacted
Governors’ Decision, Contract, and
Supporting Data; Filing Acceptance
Date: May 4, 2017; Filing Authority: 39
U.S.C. 3642 and 39 CFR 3020.30 et seq.;
Public Representative: Katalin K.
Clendenin; Comments Due: May 12,
2017.
This notice will be published in the
Federal Register.
Stacy L. Ruble,
Secretary.
21837
Depository Trust Company (‘‘DTC
Rules’’) 4 in order to add new Rule 35
(CMS Reporting). The proposed rule
would provide that any DTC participant
that is, or is acting on behalf of, a user
of certain collateral management
services (‘‘CMS’’) 5 of DTCC Euroclear
Global Collateral Ltd. (‘‘DEGCL’’) 6 may
establish one or more sub-Accounts at
DTC in connection with CMS (each, a
‘‘CMS Sub-Account’’). A DTC
participant that establishes a CMS SubAccount pursuant to the proposed rule
(‘‘CMS Participant’’) would thereby: (i)
Authorize DEGCL to receive account
and transactional information and
reports with respect to the CMS SubAccount, and (ii) direct DTC to provide
such information and reports to DEGCL,
as described below.
[FR Doc. 2017–09445 Filed 5–9–17; 8:45 am]
A. DEGCL Background
BILLING CODE 7710–FW–P
DTC states that DEGCL performs
information and record-keeping services
for CMS users that have entered into
user agreements with DEGCL for this
purpose (‘‘CMS Users’’).7 CMS Users are
financial institutions that are
counterparties to agreements
establishing obligations between them
to provide securities collateral with
respect to swaps or other types of
financing transactions.8 These bilateral
swap or other financing agreements are
entered into by such counterparties
outside and independent of DEGCL or
DTC.9
This proposed rule change relates to
one of the services that DEGCL proposes
to offer, the DEGCL ‘‘Allocation Option’’
(also referred to as ‘‘auto-select’’). DTC
states that the Allocation Option would
only be used with DTC eligible
securities held in a CMS Sub-Account
by a CMS Participant (‘‘CMS
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–80598; File No. SR–DTC–
2017–001]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; The
Depository Trust Company; Order
Granting Approval of Proposed Rule
Change To Establish a Sub-Account
for Use With the DTCC Euroclear
Global Collateral Ltd Collateral
Management Service and Provide for
the Authorization of a Representative
To Receive Information About the SubAccount
May 4, 2017.
On March 9, 2017, The Depository
Trust Company (‘‘DTC’’) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission
(‘‘Commission’’) proposed rule change
SR–DTC–2017–001 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 March 24, 2017.3
The Commission did not receive any
comment letters on the proposed rule
change. For the reasons discussed
below, the Commission is granting
approval of the proposed rule change.
I. Description of the Proposed Rule
Change
The proposed rule change consists of
amendments to the Rules, By-Laws and
Organization Certificate of The
1 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
CFR 240.19b–4.
3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 80280
(March 20, 2017), 82 FR 15081 (March 24, 2017)
(SR–DTC–2017–001) (‘‘Notice’’).
2 17
PO 00000
Frm 00049
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
4 Available at https://www.dtcc.com/legal/rulesand-procedures.aspx.
5 In particular, there would be a CMS option
authorizing DEGCL, on behalf of the CMS User, to
propose collateral allocations to satisfy
counterparty obligations of the CMS User, referred
to by DEGCL as the ‘‘Allocation Option’’ and further
explained below.
6 DEGCL is a joint venture of The Depository
Trust & Clearing Corporation (‘‘DTCC’’), the
corporate parent of DTC, and Euroclear S.A./N.V.
(‘‘Euroclear’’), the corporate parent of Euroclear
Bank, described further below. DTC understands
that CMS will be operated by Euroclear Bank and
other entities in the Euroclear group, as service
providers to DEGCL, in accordance with
appropriate agreements between them.
7 Notice, 82 FR at 15082.
8 Id.
9 DTC states that a CMS User will typically be a
major financial institution or buy-side investor that
is a bank, broker dealer, or investment company.
CMS Users will enter into a Collateral Management
Service Agreement with DEGCL, which includes
general terms of conditions and operating
procedures (‘‘CMS Agreement’’). Id.
E:\FR\FM\10MYN1.SGM
10MYN1
21838
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 89 / Wednesday, May 10, 2017 / Notices
Securities’’).10 The Allocation Option is
dependent on DEGCL receiving certain
information from DTC for the applicable
CMS Sub-Account of the applicable
CMS Participant.11 The proposed rule
change would provide a mechanism for
a CMS Participant to authorize DEGCL
as the CMS Participant’s ‘‘CMS
Representative’’ to receive the necessary
information from DTC, and to direct
DTC to provide DEGCL with that
information, as described below.
B. The Proposed Rule Change
The proposed rule change would
allow a CMS Participant to establish one
or more CMS Sub-Accounts. Upon
doing so, a CMS Participant would be
able to instruct DTC to transfer
securities to the CMS Participant’s CMS
Sub-Account. Such securities (i.e., CMS
Securities) would then be available for
allocation by DEGCL for delivery or
pledge by book-entry at DTC in
accordance with DTC Rules and
Procedures (including risk management
controls),12 in satisfaction of the various
collateral obligations of the CMS
Participant or the CMS User on behalf
of which the CMS Participant is
acting.13
By establishing a CMS Sub-Account,
a CMS Participant would be (i)
authorizing DEGCL, as its CMS
Representative, to receive in report
form, the information defined below
regarding CMS Securities credited to the
CMS Sub-Account at the time of the
report (‘‘CMS Report’’), and regarding
any delivery or pledge from, or delivery
or release to, the CMS Sub-Account
(‘‘CMS Delivery Information’’); 14 (ii)
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
10 Id.
11 The CMS Participant may be a CMS User acting
for itself or a DTC participant acting on behalf of
a CMS User as the CMS Participant. Id.
12 DTC states that its risk management controls,
including Collateral Monitor and Net Debit Cap (as
defined in Rule 1, Section 1 of the DTC Rules, supra
note 4), are designed so that DTC may complete
system-wide settlement notwithstanding the failure
to settle of its largest participant or affiliated family
of participants. The Collateral Monitor tests
whether a DTC participant has sufficient collateral
for DTC to pledge or liquidate if that participant
were to fail to meet its settlement obligation. Id.
Pursuant to these controls under applicable DTC
Rules and Procedures, any delivery instruction
order to a CMS Sub-Account that would cause the
CMS Participant to exceed its Net Debit Cap or to
have insufficient DTC Collateral to secure its
obligations to DTC, would not be processed by DTC.
Id. Deliveries would be processed in the same order
and with the same priority as otherwise provided
in the DTC Rules and Procedures, i.e., such
deliveries would not take precedence over any
other type of delivery in the DTC system. Id.
13 Id. at 15082–83.
14 Each CMS Participant would continue to be
liable as principal for the actions of its CMS
Representative and would indemnify DTC against
any claim or loss arising from any act or omission
of its CMS Representative, or arising from DTC’s
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15:21 May 09, 2017
Jkt 241001
representing and warranting that it is
duly authorized to instruct DTC to
provide the CMS Reports and CMS
Delivery Information about such CMS
Sub-Account to DEGCL; (iii) directing
DTC to provide the CMS Reports and
CMS Delivery Information to DEGCL; 15
and (iv) representing and warranting
that it would conduct business in such
CMS Sub-Account as provided in
proposed Rule 35, and otherwise
pursuant to the DTC Rules and
Procedures, and in compliance with
applicable law.
The CMS Report would include, with
respect to the CMS Securities credited
to a CMS Sub-Account of such CMS
Participant at the time of such report, (i)
the Committee on Uniform Securities
Identification Procedures (‘‘CUSIP’’)
number, International Securities
Identification Number (‘‘ISIN’’), or other
identification number of the CMS
Securities; and (ii) the number of shares
or other units or principal amount of the
CMS Securities. CMS Delivery
Information would be provided in real
time, and would include, with respect
to each delivery or pledge of CMS
Securities from, or delivery or release of
CMS Securities to a CMS Sub-Account,
a copy of any delivery, pledge, or
release message with respect to the CMS
Sub-Account, including (i) the CUSIP,
ISIN, or other identification number of
such CMS Securities, and (ii) the
number of shares or other units or
principal amount of such CMS
Securities.
II. Discussion and Commission
Findings
Section 19(b)(2)(C) of the Act 16
directs the Commission to approve a
proposed rule change of a selfregulatory organization if it finds that
such proposed rule change is consistent
with the requirements of the Act and
rules and regulations thereunder
applicable to such organization. The
Commission believes the proposal is
consistent with the Act, specifically
provision of the CMS Report and CMS Delivery
Information to DEGCL or the receipt and use thereof
by DEGCL, except to the extent caused directly by
DTC’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. Id. at
15083.
15 The CMS Report and CMS Delivery Information
would be transmitted to DEGCL using DTCC’s
existing Common Data Transfer Service (‘‘CDTS’’)
over a dedicated BT Radianz link. See CDTS User
Guide and Schemas, available at https://
www.dtcc.com/∼/media/Files/Downloads/
Settlement-Asset-Services/Underwriting/CDTS.zip.
BT Radianz is an existing DTCC network service
provider. CDTS is DTCC’s proprietary file input and
output management system. Id. It enables DTCC to
securely and reliably automate the exchange of files
over a network link with its Participants, Members,
and third-parties. Id.
16 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(C).
PO 00000
Frm 00050
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act and Rule
17Ad–22(e)(20) under the Act, as
discussed below.17
A. Consistency With Section 17A
Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act
requires, among other things, that the
rules of the clearing agency be designed
to promote the prompt and accurate
clearance and settlement of securities
transactions.18 As described above, the
proposed rule change would permit a
CMS Participant (i.e., a DTC participant
acting for itself or on behalf of a CMS
User) to establish a CMS Sub-Account at
DTC. Securities transferred to the CMS
Sub-Account would then be available
for allocation by DEGCL, via DTC, to
satisfy various collateral obligations
through the DEGCL Allocation Option.
By monitoring transactions of a CMS
User with multiple counterparties, the
Allocation Option could offer efficiency
by automating the selection of
appropriate securities collateral to
satisfy applicable collateral obligations.
The proposed rule change could allow
CMS Participants to avail themselves of
the efficiency of the Allocation Option,
such as not needing to transmit delivery
and position information to DEGCL, by
providing a mechanism for DTC to
provide information on behalf of CMS
Participants to DEGCL. Therefore, the
Commission believes that the proposed
rule change could help streamline the
settlement of collateral transactions,
thereby promoting the prompt and
accurate clearance and settlement,
consistent Section 17A(b)(3)(F), cited
above.
B. Consistency With Rule 17Ad–
22(e)(20)
Rule 17Ad–22(e)(20) under the Act
requires a clearing agency, such as DTC,
to establish, implement, maintain and
enforce written policies and procedures
reasonably designed to identify,
monitor, and manage risks related to
any link DTC establishes with one or
more other clearing agencies, financial
market utilities, or trading markets.19 In
developing the proposed rule change,
DTC states that it evaluated the risks
that could arise by establishing a link
with DEGCL.20 In particular, DTC
identified the risk of data error from the
communication link or the external
communication of a CMS Participant’s
proprietary information.21 DTC
determined that the identified risks
could be mitigated because (i) the
17 15 U.S.C. 78q–1(b)(3)(F); 17 CFR 240.17Ad–
22(20).
18 15 U.S.C. 78q–1(b)(3)(F).
19 17 CFR 240.17Ad–22(e)(20).
20 Notice, 82 FR at 15084.
21 Id.
E:\FR\FM\10MYN1.SGM
10MYN1
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 89 / Wednesday, May 10, 2017 / Notices
Allocation Option would not require
any material change to DTC’s settlement
framework, technology, or operating
procedures including existing
settlement cycles and risk management
controls; (ii) DTCC’s Technology Risk
Management existing control
procedures could manage data integrity
and authorization provisioning to
mitigate information and technology
risk; and (iii) DEGCL is only receiving
CMS Reports and CMS Delivery
Information from a CMS Sub-Account
specifically designated for this purpose
by a CMS Participant.22 Therefore, the
Commission believes that DTC has
sought to identify, monitor, and manage
the relevant risks associated with the
proposed rule change, consistent with
Rule 17Ad–22(e)(20), cited above.
III. Conclusion
On the basis of the foregoing, the
Commission finds that the proposal is
consistent with the requirements of the
Act, in particular the requirements of
Section 17A of the Act 23 and the rules
and regulations thereunder.
It is therefore ordered, pursuant to
Section 19(b)(2) of the Act, that
proposed rule change SR–DTC–2017–
001 be, and hereby is, approved.24
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.25
Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017–09426 Filed 5–9–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–80591; File No. SR–
NASDAQ–2017–025]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; The
NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Order
Granting Approval of Proposed Rule
Change, as Modified by Amendment
Nos. 3 and 4, To List and Trade Shares
of the Hartford Global Impact
NextSharesTM Fund Under Nasdaq
Rule 5745
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
May 4, 2017.
I. Introduction
On March 1, 2017, The NASDAQ
Stock Market LLC (‘‘Nasdaq’’ or
‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission
22 Id.
23 15
U.S.C. 78q–1.
approving the proposed rule change, the
Commission considered the proposal’s impact on
efficiency, competition, and capital formation. 15
U.S.C. 78c(f).
25 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
24 In
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:21 May 09, 2017
Jkt 241001
(‘‘Commission’’), pursuant to Section
19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4
thereunder,2 a proposed rule change to
list and trade common shares (‘‘Shares’’)
of the Hartford Global Impact
NextSharesTM Fund (‘‘Fund’’) under
Nasdaq Rule 5745. The proposed rule
change was published for comment in
the Federal Register on March 20,
2017.3 On April 13, 2017, the Exchange
filed Amendment No. 3 to the proposed
rule change and, on May 3, 2017, the
Exchange filed Amendment No. 4 to the
proposed rule change.4 The Commission
1 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
CFR 240.19b–4.
3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 80237
(March 14, 2017), 82 FR 14395 (‘‘Notice’’).
4 On April 4, 2017, the Exchange filed
Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule change and,
on April 18, 2017, the Exchange withdrew
Amendment No. 1. On April 12, 2017, the Exchange
filed Amendment No. 2 to the proposed rule change
and, on April 13, 2017, the Exchange withdrew
Amendment No. 2. Amendment No. 3 to the
proposed rule change replaces and supersedes the
original filing in its entirety. In Amendment No. 3,
the Exchange: (a) Represents that neither the
Adviser nor the Sub-Adviser (as defined herein) is
a registered broker-dealer; however, it represents
that each of the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser is
affiliated with a broker-dealer, and each of the
Adviser and the Sub-Adviser has implemented and
will maintain a fire wall with respect to its affiliated
broker-dealer regarding access to information
concerning the composition of, and/or changes to,
the Fund’s portfolio; (b) represents that personnel
who make decisions on the Fund’s portfolio
composition must be subject to procedures
designed to prevent the use and dissemination of
material, non-public information regarding the
Fund’s portfolio; (c) represents that, in the event
that the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser registers as a
broker-dealer or becomes newly affiliated with a
broker-dealer, or any new adviser or a sub-adviser
to the Fund is a registered broker-dealer or becomes
affiliated with a broker-dealer, such new adviser or
sub-adviser will implement and maintain a fire wall
with respect to its relevant personnel and/or such
broker-dealer affiliate, if applicable, regarding
access to information concerning the composition
of, and/or changes to, the Fund’s portfolio, and will
be subject to procedures designed to prevent the use
and dissemination of material non-public
information regarding such portfolio; (d) provides
additional detail regarding the investments and
operation of the Fund and the Master Portfolio (as
defined herein); (e) clarifies the public Web sites on
which certain information about the Fund would be
available; (f) modifies the continued listing
representations to conform to Nasdaq rules; and (g)
makes other technical, non-substantive corrections
in the proposed rule change. Amendment No. 3 is
available at: https://www.sec.gov/comments/srnasdaq-2017-025/nasdaq2017025-1701702149977.pdf. Amendment No. 4 to the proposed rule
change is a partial amendment in which the
Exchange clarifies that the Reporting Authority (as
defined in Nasdaq Rule 5745) will implement and
maintain, or ensure that the Composition File (as
defined in Nasdaq Rule 5745) will be subject to,
procedures designed to prevent the use and
dissemination of material non-public information
regarding the Fund’s portfolio positions and
changes in the positions. Because Amendment Nos.
3 and 4 to the proposed rule change do not
materially alter the substance of the proposed rule
change or raise unique or novel regulatory issues,
Amendment Nos. 3 and 4 are not subject to notice
and comment.
2 17
PO 00000
Frm 00051
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
21839
received no comments on the proposed
rule change. This order grants approval
of the proposed rule change, as
modified by Amendment Nos. 3 and 4.
II. Exchange’s Description of the
Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange proposes to list and
trade the Shares of the Fund under
Nasdaq Rule 5745, which governs the
listing and trading of Exchange-Traded
Managed Fund Shares, as defined in
Nasdaq Rule 5745(c)(1). The Fund is a
series of Hartford Funds NextShares
Trust (‘‘Trust’’).5 The Exchange
represents that the Trust will be
registered with the Commission as an
open-end investment company and that
it has filed a registration statement on
Form N–1A (‘‘Registration Statement’’)
with the Commission.6
Hartford Funds Management
Company, LLC (‘‘Adviser’’) will be the
adviser to the Fund and Wellington
Management Company LLP will the
sub-adviser to the Fund (‘‘SubAdviser’’). ALPS Distributors, Inc. will
be the principal underwriter and
distributor of the Fund’s Shares.
Hartford Funds Management Company,
LLC will act as the administrator and
accounting agent to the Fund. State
Street Bank and Trust Company will act
as sub-administrator, sub-accounting
agent, transfer agent, and custodian to
the Fund.
The Exchange has made the following
representations and statements in
describing the Fund.7
5 According to the Exchange, the Commission has
issued an order granting the Trust and certain
affiliates of the Trust exemptive relief under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 (‘‘1940 Act’’). See
Investment Company Act Release No. 31607 (May
19, 2015) (File No. 812–14439). The Exchange
represents that, in compliance with Nasdaq Rule
5745(b)(5), which applies to Shares based on an
international or global portfolio, the Trust’s
application for exemptive relief under the 1940 Act
states that the Trust will comply with the federal
securities laws in accepting securities for deposits
and satisfying redemptions with securities,
including that the securities accepted for deposits
and the securities used to satisfy redemption
requests are sold in transactions that would be
exempt from registration under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended.
6 See Registration Statement on Form N–1A for
the Trust dated November 30, 2016 (File Nos. 333–
214842 and 811–23215).
7 The Commission notes that additional
information regarding the Trust, the Fund, and the
Shares, including investment strategies, risks,
creation and redemption procedures, calculation of
net asset value (‘‘NAV’’), fees, distributions, and
taxes, among other things, can be found in the
Notice, Amendment Nos. 3 and 4, and Registration
Statement, as applicable. See supra notes 3, 4, and
6, respectively, and accompanying text.
E:\FR\FM\10MYN1.SGM
10MYN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 89 (Wednesday, May 10, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21837-21839]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-09426]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-80598; File No. SR-DTC-2017-001]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Depository Trust Company;
Order Granting Approval of Proposed Rule Change To Establish a Sub-
Account for Use With the DTCC Euroclear Global Collateral Ltd
Collateral Management Service and Provide for the Authorization of a
Representative To Receive Information About the Sub-Account
May 4, 2017.
On March 9, 2017, The Depository Trust Company (``DTC'') filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') proposed rule
change SR-DTC-2017-001 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 March 24, 2017.\3\ The Commission did not receive any comment
letters on the proposed rule change. For the reasons discussed below,
the Commission is granting approval of the proposed rule change.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
\2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
\3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 80280 (March 20,
2017), 82 FR 15081 (March 24, 2017) (SR-DTC-2017-001) (``Notice'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. Description of the Proposed Rule Change
The proposed rule change consists of amendments to the Rules, By-
Laws and Organization Certificate of The Depository Trust Company
(``DTC Rules'') \4\ in order to add new Rule 35 (CMS Reporting). The
proposed rule would provide that any DTC participant that is, or is
acting on behalf of, a user of certain collateral management services
(``CMS'') \5\ of DTCC Euroclear Global Collateral Ltd. (``DEGCL'') \6\
may establish one or more sub-Accounts at DTC in connection with CMS
(each, a ``CMS Sub-Account''). A DTC participant that establishes a CMS
Sub-Account pursuant to the proposed rule (``CMS Participant'') would
thereby: (i) Authorize DEGCL to receive account and transactional
information and reports with respect to the CMS Sub-Account, and (ii)
direct DTC to provide such information and reports to DEGCL, as
described below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ Available at https://www.dtcc.com/legal/rules-and-procedures.aspx.
\5\ In particular, there would be a CMS option authorizing
DEGCL, on behalf of the CMS User, to propose collateral allocations
to satisfy counterparty obligations of the CMS User, referred to by
DEGCL as the ``Allocation Option'' and further explained below.
\6\ DEGCL is a joint venture of The Depository Trust & Clearing
Corporation (``DTCC''), the corporate parent of DTC, and Euroclear
S.A./N.V. (``Euroclear''), the corporate parent of Euroclear Bank,
described further below. DTC understands that CMS will be operated
by Euroclear Bank and other entities in the Euroclear group, as
service providers to DEGCL, in accordance with appropriate
agreements between them.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. DEGCL Background
DTC states that DEGCL performs information and record-keeping
services for CMS users that have entered into user agreements with
DEGCL for this purpose (``CMS Users'').\7\ CMS Users are financial
institutions that are counterparties to agreements establishing
obligations between them to provide securities collateral with respect
to swaps or other types of financing transactions.\8\ These bilateral
swap or other financing agreements are entered into by such
counterparties outside and independent of DEGCL or DTC.\9\
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\7\ Notice, 82 FR at 15082.
\8\ Id.
\9\ DTC states that a CMS User will typically be a major
financial institution or buy-side investor that is a bank, broker
dealer, or investment company. CMS Users will enter into a
Collateral Management Service Agreement with DEGCL, which includes
general terms of conditions and operating procedures (``CMS
Agreement''). Id.
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This proposed rule change relates to one of the services that DEGCL
proposes to offer, the DEGCL ``Allocation Option'' (also referred to as
``auto-select''). DTC states that the Allocation Option would only be
used with DTC eligible securities held in a CMS Sub-Account by a CMS
Participant (``CMS
[[Page 21838]]
Securities'').\10\ The Allocation Option is dependent on DEGCL
receiving certain information from DTC for the applicable CMS Sub-
Account of the applicable CMS Participant.\11\ The proposed rule change
would provide a mechanism for a CMS Participant to authorize DEGCL as
the CMS Participant's ``CMS Representative'' to receive the necessary
information from DTC, and to direct DTC to provide DEGCL with that
information, as described below.
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\10\ Id.
\11\ The CMS Participant may be a CMS User acting for itself or
a DTC participant acting on behalf of a CMS User as the CMS
Participant. Id.
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B. The Proposed Rule Change
The proposed rule change would allow a CMS Participant to establish
one or more CMS Sub-Accounts. Upon doing so, a CMS Participant would be
able to instruct DTC to transfer securities to the CMS Participant's
CMS Sub-Account. Such securities (i.e., CMS Securities) would then be
available for allocation by DEGCL for delivery or pledge by book-entry
at DTC in accordance with DTC Rules and Procedures (including risk
management controls),\12\ in satisfaction of the various collateral
obligations of the CMS Participant or the CMS User on behalf of which
the CMS Participant is acting.\13\
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\12\ DTC states that its risk management controls, including
Collateral Monitor and Net Debit Cap (as defined in Rule 1, Section
1 of the DTC Rules, supra note 4), are designed so that DTC may
complete system-wide settlement notwithstanding the failure to
settle of its largest participant or affiliated family of
participants. The Collateral Monitor tests whether a DTC participant
has sufficient collateral for DTC to pledge or liquidate if that
participant were to fail to meet its settlement obligation. Id.
Pursuant to these controls under applicable DTC Rules and
Procedures, any delivery instruction order to a CMS Sub-Account that
would cause the CMS Participant to exceed its Net Debit Cap or to
have insufficient DTC Collateral to secure its obligations to DTC,
would not be processed by DTC. Id. Deliveries would be processed in
the same order and with the same priority as otherwise provided in
the DTC Rules and Procedures, i.e., such deliveries would not take
precedence over any other type of delivery in the DTC system. Id.
\13\ Id. at 15082-83.
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By establishing a CMS Sub-Account, a CMS Participant would be (i)
authorizing DEGCL, as its CMS Representative, to receive in report
form, the information defined below regarding CMS Securities credited
to the CMS Sub-Account at the time of the report (``CMS Report''), and
regarding any delivery or pledge from, or delivery or release to, the
CMS Sub-Account (``CMS Delivery Information''); \14\ (ii) representing
and warranting that it is duly authorized to instruct DTC to provide
the CMS Reports and CMS Delivery Information about such CMS Sub-Account
to DEGCL; (iii) directing DTC to provide the CMS Reports and CMS
Delivery Information to DEGCL; \15\ and (iv) representing and
warranting that it would conduct business in such CMS Sub-Account as
provided in proposed Rule 35, and otherwise pursuant to the DTC Rules
and Procedures, and in compliance with applicable law.
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\14\ Each CMS Participant would continue to be liable as
principal for the actions of its CMS Representative and would
indemnify DTC against any claim or loss arising from any act or
omission of its CMS Representative, or arising from DTC's provision
of the CMS Report and CMS Delivery Information to DEGCL or the
receipt and use thereof by DEGCL, except to the extent caused
directly by DTC's gross negligence or willful misconduct. Id. at
15083.
\15\ The CMS Report and CMS Delivery Information would be
transmitted to DEGCL using DTCC's existing Common Data Transfer
Service (``CDTS'') over a dedicated BT Radianz link. See CDTS User
Guide and Schemas, available at https://www.dtcc.com/~/media/Files/
Downloads/Settlement-Asset-Services/Underwriting/CDTS.zip. BT
Radianz is an existing DTCC network service provider. CDTS is DTCC's
proprietary file input and output management system. Id. It enables
DTCC to securely and reliably automate the exchange of files over a
network link with its Participants, Members, and third-parties. Id.
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The CMS Report would include, with respect to the CMS Securities
credited to a CMS Sub-Account of such CMS Participant at the time of
such report, (i) the Committee on Uniform Securities Identification
Procedures (``CUSIP'') number, International Securities Identification
Number (``ISIN''), or other identification number of the CMS
Securities; and (ii) the number of shares or other units or principal
amount of the CMS Securities. CMS Delivery Information would be
provided in real time, and would include, with respect to each delivery
or pledge of CMS Securities from, or delivery or release of CMS
Securities to a CMS Sub-Account, a copy of any delivery, pledge, or
release message with respect to the CMS Sub-Account, including (i) the
CUSIP, ISIN, or other identification number of such CMS Securities, and
(ii) the number of shares or other units or principal amount of such
CMS Securities.
II. Discussion and Commission Findings
Section 19(b)(2)(C) of the Act \16\ 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 rules and regulations thereunder applicable
to such organization. The Commission believes the proposal is
consistent with the Act, specifically Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act
and Rule 17Ad-22(e)(20) under the Act, as discussed below.\17\
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\16\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(C).
\17\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(3)(F); 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22(20).
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A. Consistency With Section 17A
Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act requires, among other things, that
the rules of the clearing agency be designed to promote the prompt and
accurate clearance and settlement of securities transactions.\18\ As
described above, the proposed rule change would permit a CMS
Participant (i.e., a DTC participant acting for itself or on behalf of
a CMS User) to establish a CMS Sub-Account at DTC. Securities
transferred to the CMS Sub-Account would then be available for
allocation by DEGCL, via DTC, to satisfy various collateral obligations
through the DEGCL Allocation Option. By monitoring transactions of a
CMS User with multiple counterparties, the Allocation Option could
offer efficiency by automating the selection of appropriate securities
collateral to satisfy applicable collateral obligations. The proposed
rule change could allow CMS Participants to avail themselves of the
efficiency of the Allocation Option, such as not needing to transmit
delivery and position information to DEGCL, by providing a mechanism
for DTC to provide information on behalf of CMS Participants to DEGCL.
Therefore, the Commission believes that the proposed rule change could
help streamline the settlement of collateral transactions, thereby
promoting the prompt and accurate clearance and settlement, consistent
Section 17A(b)(3)(F), cited above.
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\18\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(3)(F).
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B. Consistency With Rule 17Ad-22(e)(20)
Rule 17Ad-22(e)(20) under the Act requires a clearing agency, such
as DTC, to establish, implement, maintain and enforce written policies
and procedures reasonably designed to identify, monitor, and manage
risks related to any link DTC establishes with one or more other
clearing agencies, financial market utilities, or trading markets.\19\
In developing the proposed rule change, DTC states that it evaluated
the risks that could arise by establishing a link with DEGCL.\20\ In
particular, DTC identified the risk of data error from the
communication link or the external communication of a CMS Participant's
proprietary information.\21\ DTC determined that the identified risks
could be mitigated because (i) the
[[Page 21839]]
Allocation Option would not require any material change to DTC's
settlement framework, technology, or operating procedures including
existing settlement cycles and risk management controls; (ii) DTCC's
Technology Risk Management existing control procedures could manage
data integrity and authorization provisioning to mitigate information
and technology risk; and (iii) DEGCL is only receiving CMS Reports and
CMS Delivery Information from a CMS Sub-Account specifically designated
for this purpose by a CMS Participant.\22\ Therefore, the Commission
believes that DTC has sought to identify, monitor, and manage the
relevant risks associated with the proposed rule change, consistent
with Rule 17Ad-22(e)(20), cited above.
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\19\ 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22(e)(20).
\20\ Notice, 82 FR at 15084.
\21\ Id.
\22\ Id.
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III. Conclusion
On the basis of the foregoing, the Commission finds that the
proposal is consistent with the requirements of the Act, in particular
the requirements of Section 17A of the Act \23\ and the rules and
regulations thereunder.
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\23\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1.
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It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,
that proposed rule change SR-DTC-2017-001 be, and hereby is,
approved.\24\
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\24\ 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).
\25\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\25\
Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-09426 Filed 5-9-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P