Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Depository Trust Company; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Revise the Clearing Agency Policy on Capital Requirements, 45263-45267 [2020-16158]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 144 / Monday, July 27, 2020 / 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– BX–2020–016 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. jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES All submissions should refer to File Number SR–BX–2020–016. 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 website (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 website 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 office of the Exchange. All comments received will be posted without change. Persons submitting comments are cautioned that we do not redact or edit personal identifying information from comment submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–BX–2020–016 and should be submitted on or before August 17, 2020. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.91 J. Matthew DeLesDernier, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. 2020–16165 Filed 7–24–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P 91 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:31 Jul 24, 2020 Jkt 250001 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–89361; File No. SR–DTC– 2020–010] Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Depository Trust Company; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Revise the Clearing Agency Policy on Capital Requirements July 21, 2020. 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 July 15, 2020, The Depository Trust Company (‘‘DTC’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II and III below, which Items have been prepared by the clearing agency. DTC filed the proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 3 and Rule 19b–4(f)(3) thereunder.4 The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons. I. Clearing Agency’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The proposed rule change consists of amendments to the Clearing Agency Policy on Capital Requirements (‘‘Capital Policy’’ or ‘‘Policy’’) of DTC and its affiliates, National Securities Clearing Corporation (‘‘NSCC’’) and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation (‘‘FICC,’’ and together with DTC and NSCC, the ‘‘Clearing Agencies’’). In particular, the proposed revisions to the Capital Policy would (1) update the frequency of the calculation of the Total Capital Requirement (as defined below and in the Policy) to align with the Clearing Agencies’ quarterly financial statements; (2) replace the description of the calculation of the Recovery/Winddown Capital Requirement (as defined below and in the Policy) with a reference to the Clearing Agencies’ Recovery & Wind-down Plans 5 to U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). CFR 240.19b–4. 3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). 4 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(3). 5 See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 83972 (August 28, 2018), 83 FR 44964 (September 4, 2018) (SR–DTC–2017–021); 83953 (August 27, 2018), 83 FR 44381 (August 30, 2018) (SR–DTC–2017–803); 83973 (August 28, 2018), 83 FR 44942 (September 4, 2018) (SR–FICC–2017–021); 83954 (August 27, 2018), 83 FR 44361 (August 30, 2018) (SR–FICC– 2017–805); 83974 (August 28, 2018), 83 FR 44988 (September 4, 2018) (SR–NSCC–2017–017); 83955 (August 27, 2018), 83 FR 44340 (August 30, 2018) (SR–NSCC–2017–805). PO 00000 1 15 2 17 Frm 00105 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 45263 eliminate redundancy between these documents; (3) revise the description of the additional liquid net assets (‘‘LNA’’) funded by equity, referred to as the ‘‘Buffer’’ to provide the Clearing Agencies with flexibility in calculating this discretionary amount; and (4) make other updates and revisions to the Capital Policy in order to simplify the language and improve the clarity of the Policy, as described in greater detail below. II. Clearing Agency’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change In its filing with the Commission, the clearing agency 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 clearing agency has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements. (A) Clearing Agency’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose The Clearing Agencies are proposing to revise the Capital Policy, which was adopted by the Clearing Agencies in July 2017 6 and is maintained by the Clearing Agencies in compliance with Rule 17Ad–22(e)(15) under the Act,7 in order to (1) update the frequency of the calculation of the Total Capital Requirement to align with the Clearing Agencies’ quarterly financial statements; (2) replace the description of the calculation of the Recovery/Wind-down Capital Requirement with a reference to the Clearing Agencies’ Recovery & Wind-down Plans to eliminate redundancy between these documents; (3) revise the description of the additional LNA funded by equity, referred to as the ‘‘Buffer’’ to provide the Clearing Agencies with flexibility in calculating this discretionary amount; and (4) make other updates and revisions to the Capital Policy in order to simplify the language and improve the clarity of the Policy, as described in greater detail below. Overview of the Capital Policy The Capital Policy sets forth the manner in which each Clearing Agency 6 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 81105 (July 7, 2017), 82 FR 32399 (July 13, 2017) (SR– DTC–2017–003, SR–FICC–2017–007, SR–NSCC– 2017–004). 7 17 CFR 240.17Ad–22(e)(15). E:\FR\FM\27JYN1.SGM 27JYN1 45264 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 144 / Monday, July 27, 2020 / Notices identifies, monitors, and manages its general business risk with respect to the requirement to hold sufficient LNA funded by equity to cover potential general business losses so the Clearing Agency can continue operations and services as a going concern if such losses materialize.8 The amount of LNA funded by equity to be held by each of the Clearing Agencies for this purpose is defined in the Policy as the General Business Risk Capital Requirement. The Policy provides that the General Business Risk Requirement is calculated for each Clearing Agency as the greatest of three separate calculations—(1) an amount based on that Clearing Agency’s general business risk profile (‘‘RiskBased Capital Requirement’’), (2) an amount based on the time estimated to execute a recovery or orderly winddown of the critical operations of that Clearing Agency (‘‘Recovery/Winddown Capital Requirement’’), and (3) an amount based on an analysis of that Clearing Agency’s estimated operating expenses for a six month period (‘‘Operating Expense Capital Requirement’’). The General Business Risk Capital Requirement for each Clearing Agency is determined as the greatest of these calculations. The Capital Policy also addresses how each Clearing Agency maintains an amount of LNA funded by equity as a part of its management of credit risk 9 pursuant to its respective rules,10 referred to as the ‘‘Corporate Contribution.’’ These resources are maintained to address losses due to a participant default and are held in addition to the Clearing Agencies’ General Business Risk Capital Requirement. The Capital Policy describes how each Clearing Agency’s General Business Risk Capital Requirement and Corporate Contribution fit within the Clearing Agencies’ Capital Framework, where the ‘‘Total Capital Requirement’’ of each Clearing Agency is calculated as the 8 Supra note 6. funded by equity held as the Clearing Agencies’ Corporate Contribution is held in addition to resources held by the Clearing Agencies for credit risk in compliance with Rule 17Ad– 22(e)(4) under the Act, and in addition to resources held by the Clearing Agencies for liquidity risk in compliance with Rule 17Ad–22(e)(7). 17 CFR 240.17Ad–22(e)(4), (7). 10 See Rule 4 of the Rules, By-laws and Organizational Certificate of DTC (‘‘DTC Rules’’), Rule 4 of the Rulebook of the Government Securities Division of FICC (‘‘GSD Rules’’), Rule 4 of the Clearing Rules of the Mortgage-Backed Securities Division of FICC (‘‘MBSD Rules’’), and Rule 4 of the Rules & Procedures of NSCC (‘‘NSCC Rules,’’ and together with the DTC Rules, GSD Rules and MBSD Rules, the ‘‘Clearing Agencies’ Rules’’ or ‘‘Rules’’), available at https://dtcc.com/ legal/rules-and-procedures. jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES 9 LNA VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:31 Jul 24, 2020 Jkt 250001 sum of its General Business Risk Capital Requirement and Corporate Contribution. Finally, the Policy provides a plan for the replenishment of capital through the Clearing Agency Capital Replenishment Plan. Proposed Revisions to the Capital Policy The Capital Policy is reviewed and approved by the Boards annually. In connection with the most recent annual review of the Policy, the Clearing Agencies are proposing revisions and updates, described in greater detail below. These proposed changes are designed to update the Capital Policy and enhance the clarity of the Policy to ensure that it continues to operate as intended. 1. Update Frequency of Calculation of Total Capital Requirement The Clearing Agencies are proposing to update the Capital Policy to change the frequency of the calculation of the Total Capital Requirement to occur quarterly, and clarify that the calculation of the Total Capital Requirement would use the most recently completed calculations of the General Business Risk Capital Requirement and the Corporate Contribution. In connection with this proposed change, the Capital Policy would also be amended to remove references to the timing of the other calculations. As described above, the Total Capital Requirement is the sum of the General Business Risk Capital Requirement and the Corporate Contribution; and the General Business Risk Capital Requirement is the greatest of the RiskBased Capital Requirement, Recovery/ Wind-down Capital Requirement and the Operating Expense Capital Requirement. Currently the Capital Policy states that the Total Capital Requirement is calculated monthly. The Capital Policy also describes the frequency of each of the other calculations that are used in calculating the Total Capital Requirement, which occur at different intervals throughout the year. The Clearing Agencies are proposing to update the Capital Policy to state that the Total Capital Requirement will be calculated quarterly, using the most recently calculated components. This proposed change would align the timing of this calculation with the timing of each of the Clearing Agencies’ quarterly financial statements, where the results of this calculation is reported. While the calculation would occur less frequently than it is currently conducted, the Total Capital Requirement amount does not change materially from month to PO 00000 Frm 00106 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 month.11 Therefore, the Clearing Agencies believe the calculation would still be completed on an appropriate frequency. The proposed change would also simplify the Capital Policy by removing the reference to the frequency of each of the other calculations. Each of the other calculations that determine the Total Capital Requirement are completed at different frequencies throughout the year, as currently described in the Capital Policy, and all occur at least annually. The proposed change would state that the most recent results of these calculations would be used in the quarterly calculation of the Total Capital Requirement. These calculations have different purposes and provide the Clearing Agencies with different measures. Therefore, these calculations are completed at different frequencies during the year, generally timed to occur when updated information is available. By removing the frequency of these calculations from the Capital Policy, and only specifying the frequency of the Total Capital Requirement calculation, which would use the most recent results of these underlying calculations, the proposed change would simplify the Policy and would provide the Clearing Agencies with flexibility to adjust the timing of these calculations as necessary. In order to reflect this change, the Clearing Agencies are proposing to update Section 4 of the Capital Policy to state that the Total Capital Requirement would be calculated quarterly, using the most recent calculations of the General Business Risk Capital Requirement and Corporate Contribution. The proposed changes would also remove statements in Sections 5, 6, 6.1.2 and 6.3 regarding the timing of the underlying calculations. 2. Update Description of Recovery/ Wind-Down Capital Requirement To Refer to the Recovery & Wind-Down Plans of the Clearing Agencies The Clearing Agencies are proposing to amend the Capital Policy with respect to the Recovery/Wind-down Capital Requirement to update references to the Recovery & Wind-down Plans of the Clearing Agencies. In connection with this change, the Capital Policy would also be updated to clarify the role of management in advising the Boards in connection with their annual determination of the Recovery/Winddown Capital Requirement. 11 The Total Capital Requirement amount has been reported in footnote 9 to the Clearing Agencies’ financial statements since the third quarter of 2018, available at https://www.dtcc.com/ legal/financial-statements. E:\FR\FM\27JYN1.SGM 27JYN1 jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 144 / Monday, July 27, 2020 / Notices First, the proposed changes would replace descriptions of the calculation of the Recovery/Wind-down Capital Requirement with references to the Clearing Agencies’ Recovery & Winddown Plans, which have been adopted by the Clearing Agencies and include detailed descriptions of the calculation of this amount.12 The Recovery/Winddown Capital Requirement is an amount based on the time estimated to execute a recovery or orderly wind-down of the critical operations of that Clearing Agency and is used by the Clearing Agencies to determine their General Business Risk Capital Requirement, as described above. Each of the Clearing Agencies have adopted a Recovery & Wind-down Plan, which provides plans for the recovery and orderly wind-down of each of the Clearing Agencies necessitated by credit losses, liquidity shortfalls, losses from general business risk, or any other losses.13 Section 8.7 of each of the Recovery & Wind-down Plans includes an analysis of the calculation of the Recovery/Wind-down Capital Requirement. The Clearing Agencies believe their respective Recovery & Wind-down Plans are the appropriate documents for the description of the calculation of the Recovery/Wind-down Capital Requirement. The proposed change would remove redundancy between these documents and minimize the risk of inconsistency in this description. In order to implement this change, the Clearing Agencies are proposing to (1) revise the definition of Recovery/Winddown Capital Requirement in Section 2 of the Capital Policy to refer to the description of this amount in the Recovery & Wind-down Plan of each Clearing Agency; and (2) revise Section 6.2 of the Capital Policy to remove the description of the calculation of the Recovery/Wind-down Capital Requirement and replace it with a reference to this description in the Recovery & Wind-down Plan of each of the Clearing Agencies. Second, the proposed changes would clarify the role of management with respect to the Boards’ annual determination of the Recovery/Winddown Capital Requirement. Pursuant to the Clearing Agencies’ Recovery & Wind-down Plans, and in compliance with the requirements of Rule 17Ad– 22(e)(15)(ii) under the Act,14 the Boards are responsible for determining the Recovery/Wind-down Capital 12 Supra note 5. 13 Id. 14 17 CFR 240.17Ad–22(e)(15)(ii). VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:31 Jul 24, 2020 Jkt 250001 Requirement for each Clearing Agency on an annual basis. The Treasury group of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (‘‘DTCC Treasury group’’) and members of management in other relevant groups may provide the Boards with analyses and relevant data to facilitate this determination. Therefore, the Clearing Agencies are proposing to amend Section 6.2 of the Capital Policy to state that the DTCC Treasury group and members of management in other relevant groups may provide such information to the Boards. 3. Revise Description of Buffer Amount The Clearing Agencies are proposing to amend the Capital Policy to revise the description of the additional, discretionary amount of LNA funded by equity held by the Clearing Agencies in addition to the Total Capital Requirement, which is referred to as a ‘‘Buffer.’’ Currently, the Capital Policy states that the amount of LNA funded by equity held as Buffer would be periodically assessed by the DTCC Treasury group and would generally equal approximately four to six (4–6) months of operating expenses for the respective Clearing Agency. The Clearing Agencies are proposing to make two changes to the description of the Buffer in the Capital Policy, described below. First, the Clearing Agencies are proposing to remove the specificity regarding how the Buffer amount held by the Clearing Agencies is measured. This proposed change would provide the Clearing Agencies with flexibility to manage capital when determining the appropriate amount of LNA funded by equity that they would each hold in addition to the Total Capital Requirement. The Clearing Agencies would implement this proposed change by amending the description of Buffer in Section 4 of the Capital Policy to remove the reference to four to six (4– 6) months of operating expenses, and state simply that this amount is determined based on various factors, including historical fluctuations of LNA and estimates of potential losses from general business risk. Second, the Clearing Agencies are proposing to amend Section 4 of the Capital Policy to clarify that the Buffer will be calculated at least annually. Currently the Capital Policy states that the Buffer will be calculated periodically. This proposed change would provide more specificity regarding the frequency of this calculation. PO 00000 Frm 00107 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 45265 4. Technical Revisions and Clarifications In addition to the proposed changes described above, the Clearing Agencies are also proposing the following technical revisions to the Capital Policy. First, the proposed changes would update the description of the Corporate Contribution in Figure 1 of Section 4 of the Capital Policy. The proposed change would replace the current description of this amount with a reference to the Clearing Agencies’ Rules, where this amount is defined. The proposed change would align the description in Figure 1 of Section 4 with the description of the Corporate Contribution in Section 5 of the Capital Policy, which also describes the Corporate Contribution by referring to the Clearing Agencies’ Rules. Second, the proposed changes would revise Section 6.3 of the Capital Policy to use the defined term for Operating Expense Capital Requirement, which is defined in the Glossary of Key Terms in Section 2 of the Capital Policy. Third, the proposed changes would also revise Section 6.3 to clarify that the data used to estimate prospective Clearing Agency expenses in calculating the Operating Expense Capital Requirement comes from a budget developed by the Financial Planning & Analysis department for the respective Clearing Agencies. Finally, the proposed changes would update Section 7.2 of the Capital Policy, which describes where the Clearing Agencies report their assessment of LNA funded by equity against the Total Capital Requirement. The proposed change would state that, in addition to internal reporting, this assessment is also reported publicly in the Clearing Agencies’ financial statements. Each of these proposed changes would make technical drafting corrections or clarifications to the existing descriptions in the Capital Policy. While these proposed changes would not substantively alter the descriptions in the Capital Policy, they would improve the clarity of the Policy. 2. Statutory Basis The Clearing Agencies believe that the proposed rule changes to the Capital Policy are consistent with the requirements of the Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to a registered clearing agency. In particular, the Clearing Agencies believe that the proposed changes are consistent with Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act 15 15 15 E:\FR\FM\27JYN1.SGM U.S.C. 78q–1(b)(3)(F). 27JYN1 jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES 45266 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 144 / Monday, July 27, 2020 / Notices and Rule 17Ad–22(e)(15) under the Act,16 for the reasons described below. Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act requires, in part, that the rules of the Clearing Agencies be designed to promote the prompt and accurate clearance and settlement of securities transactions, and to assure the safeguarding of securities and funds which are in the custody or control of the Clearing Agencies or for which they are responsible.17 The Capital Policy is designed to ensure that each of the Clearing Agencies hold sufficient LNA funded by equity to cover potential general business losses so that they can continue the prompt and accurate clearance and settlement of securities transactions, and can continue to assure the safeguarding of securities and funds which are in their custody or control or for which they are responsible if those losses materialize. The proposed changes described above would not materially alter how the Capital Policy accomplishes this goal. The proposed changes would update the frequency of the calculation of the amount of LNA funded by equity held by the Clearing Agencies. Changing this frequency would not alter the Clearing Agencies’ ability to hold an amount needed to cover potential general business losses, as the result of these calculations do not currently change materially on a month to month basis. The proposed change to refer to the Clearing Agencies’ Recovery & Wind-down Plans for the description of the Recovery/Wind-down Capital Requirement would reduce the redundancy between the Policy and these plans, and would not alter the calculation of this amount. The proposed change to the description of the Buffer would provide the Clearing Agencies with additional flexibility in calculating this amount, which is held in addition to the amounts needed to meet compliance with their regulatory requirements. Finally, the proposed technical revisions would simplify and clarify the descriptions in the Policy, and would not alter the way the Policy operates. The proposed revisions would not materially change how the Policy ensures that each of the Clearing Agencies hold sufficient LNA funded by equity to cover potential general business losses but would allow the Clearing Agencies to maintain this document to operate in the way it was intended. Therefore, such proposed revisions would be consistent with the requirements of Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act.18 Rule 17Ad–22(e)(15) under the Act requires the Clearing Agencies to establish, implement, maintain and enforce written policies and procedures reasonably designed to identify, monitor, and manage their respective general business risk and hold sufficient liquid net assets funded by equity to cover potential general business losses so that the Clearing Agencies can continue operations and services as a going concern if those losses materialize.19 As originally implemented, the Capital Policy was designed to meet the requirements of Rule 17Ad–22(e)(15). For the reasons described above, the proposed revisions would not materially alter how the Clearing Agencies comply with their requirements under this rule. Therefore, the proposed changes would allow the Clearing Agencies to maintain the Capital Policy in a way that continues to be consistent with the requirements of Rule 17Ad–22(e)(15) under the Act.20 (B) Clearing Agency’s Statement on Burden on Competition Each of the Clearing Agencies believes that none of the proposed revisions to the Capital Policy would have any impact, or impose any burden, on competition. The Policy is maintained by the Clearing Agencies in order to satisfy their regulatory requirements and generally reflect internal tools and procedures. Tools and procedures that have a direct impact on the rights, responsibilities or obligations of members or participants of the Clearing Agencies are reflected in the Clearing Agencies’ Rules. Accordingly, the Capital Policy enhances the Clearing Agencies’ regulatory compliance and internal management and does not have any impact, or impose any burden, on competition. The proposed revisions would not effect any changes to the fundamental purpose or materially impact the operation of the Capital Policy. As such, the proposed changes also would not have any impact, or impose any burden, on competition. (C) Clearing Agency’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others The Clearing Agencies have not solicited or received any written comments relating to this proposal. The Clearing Agencies will notify the Commission of any written comments received by the Clearing Agencies. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change, and Timing for Commission Action The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) 21 of the Act and paragraph (f) 22 of Rule 19b–4 thereunder. At any time within 60 days of the filing of the 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. 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– DTC–2020–010 on the subject line. Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–DTC–2020–010. 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 website (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 website viewing and printing in the Commission’s Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE, 18 Id. 16 17 CFR 240.17Ad–22(e)(15). 17 15 U.S.C. 78q–1(b)(3)(F). VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:31 Jul 24, 2020 19 17 CFR 240.17Ad–22(e)(15). 20 Id. Jkt 250001 PO 00000 Frm 00108 21 15 22 17 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\27JYN1.SGM U.S.C 78s(b)(3)(A). CFR 240.19b–4(f). 27JYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 144 / Monday, July 27, 2020 / Notices 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 DTC and on DTCC’s website (https://dtcc.com/legal/sec-rulefilings.aspx). All comments received will be posted without change. Persons submitting comments are cautioned that we do not redact or edit personal identifying information from comment submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–DTC– 2020–010 and should be submitted on or before August 17, 2020. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.23 J. Matthew DeLesDernier, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. 2020–16158 Filed 7–24–20; 8:45 am] SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE American LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend Rule 1.1E To Include Active Proxy Portfolio Shares, Tracking Fund Shares, Proxy Portfolio Shares, and Index Fund Shares July 21, 2020. jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) 1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’) 2 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,3 notice is hereby given that on July 10, 2020, NYSE American LLC (‘‘NYSE American’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared by the self-regulatory organization. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons. I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The Exchange proposes to amend Rule 1.1E to include Active Proxy Portfolio Shares, Tracking Fund Shares, Proxy Portfolio Shares, and Index Fund CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 15 U.S.C. 78a. 3 17 CFR 240.19b–4. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:31 Jul 24, 2020 Jkt 250001 In its filing with the Commission, the self-regulatory organization included statements concerning the purpose of, and basis for, the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of those statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant parts of such statements. 1. Purpose [Release No. 34–89367; File No. SR– NYSEAMER–2020–49] 1 15 II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and the Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change BILLING CODE 8011–01–P 23 17 Shares in the definition of ‘‘UTP Exchange Traded Product.’’ The proposed rule change is available on the Exchange’s website at www.nyse.com, at the principal office of the Exchange, and at the Commission’s Public Reference Room. The Exchange proposes to amend Rule 1.1E(bbb), which sets forth the meanings of ‘‘Exchange Traded Product’’ and ‘‘UTP Exchange Traded Product’’ as those terms are used in Exchange rules. Specifically, the Exchange proposes to amend the definition of ‘‘UTP Exchange Traded Product’’ to include Active Proxy Portfolio Shares listed pursuant to NYSE Arca, Inc. (‘‘NYSE Arca’’) Rule 8.601–E, Tracking Fund Shares listed pursuant to Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. (‘‘BZX’’) Rule 14.11(m), and Proxy Portfolio Shares which may in the future be listed pursuant to Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (‘‘Nasdaq’’) Rule 5750 4 as additional types of Exchange Traded Products (‘‘ETPs’’) that may 4 Active Proxy Portfolio Shares, Tracking Fund Shares, and Proxy Portfolio Shares are substantially similar products with different names and generally refer to shares of actively managed exchange-traded funds for which the portfolio is disclosed in accordance with standard mutual fund disclosure rules. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 89185 (June 29, 2020) (order approving NYSE Arca Rule 8.601–E); Securities Exchange Act Release No. 88887 (May 15, 2020), 85 FR 30990 (May 21, 2020) (order approving BZX Rule 14.11(m)); Securities Exchange Act Release No. 89110 (June 22, 2020), 85 FR 38461 (June 26, 2020) (Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change to Adopt Nasdaq Rule 5750 to List and Trade Proxy Portfolio Shares). On June 4, 2020, BZX commenced trading its first securities listed under BZX Rule 14.11(m) (Fidelity Blue Chip Growth ETF (FBCG), Fidelity Blue Chip Value ETF (FBCV), and Fidelity New Millennium ETF (FMIL)). Although Nasdaq has rules pertaining to Proxy Portfolio Shares, it does not yet list any such product. PO 00000 Frm 00109 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 45267 trade on the Exchange pursuant to unlisted trading privileges (‘‘UTP’’). To effect this change, the Exchange proposes to add a bullet point listing ‘‘Active Proxy Portfolio Shares listed pursuant to NYSE Arca, Inc. Rule 8.601–E, Tracking Fund Shares listed pursuant to Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. Rule 14.11(m), and Proxy Portfolio Shares listed pursuant to Nasdaq Stock Market LLC Rule 5750’’ in Rule 1.1E(bbb) to include them in the enumerated list of ETPs that may trade on the Exchange on a UTP basis. The Exchange also proposes non-substantive changes to accommodate the addition of this bullet point as the final item in the bulleted list in Rule 1.1E(bbb). The Exchange also proposes to amend Rule 1.1E(bbb) to include Index Fund Shares listed pursuant to BZX Rule 14.11(c) or Nasdaq Rule 5705(b) as a type of ETP that may trade pursuant to UTP. To effect this change, the Exchange proposes to amend the existing bullet point listing ‘‘Investment Company Units’’ to include Index Fund Shares as the alternative name for the same product. Accordingly, the Exchange proposes to revise the bullet point to list ‘‘Investment Company Units listed pursuant to NYSE Arca, Inc. Rule 5.2–E(j)(3) and Index Fund Shares listed pursuant to Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. Rule 14.11(c) or Nasdaq Stock Exchange LLC Rule 5705(b).’’ 2. Statutory Basis The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act,5 in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,6 in particular, because it is designed to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest. The proposed rule change is designed to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market, promote just and equitable principles of trade, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest because it modifies Rule 1.1E(bbb) to state the complete list of ETPs that may trade on a UTP basis on the Exchange, providing specificity, clarity, and transparency in the Exchange’s rules. Moreover, the proposed rule change will facilitate the trading of additional types of ETPs on the Exchange pursuant to UTP, thereby enhancing competition among market participants for the benefit of investors and the marketplace. 5 15 6 15 E:\FR\FM\27JYN1.SGM U.S.C. 78f(b). U.S.C. 78f(b)(4) & (5). 27JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 144 (Monday, July 27, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45263-45267]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-16158]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-89361; File No. SR-DTC-2020-010]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Depository Trust Company; 
Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change 
To Revise the Clearing Agency Policy on Capital Requirements

July 21, 2020.
    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 July 15, 2020, The Depository Trust Company (``DTC'') filed with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') the proposed rule 
change as described in Items I, II and III below, which Items have been 
prepared by the clearing agency. DTC filed the proposed rule change 
pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \3\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(3) 
thereunder.\4\ The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit 
comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \3\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \4\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(3).
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I. Clearing Agency's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the 
Proposed Rule Change

    The proposed rule change consists of amendments to the Clearing 
Agency Policy on Capital Requirements (``Capital Policy'' or 
``Policy'') of DTC and its affiliates, National Securities Clearing 
Corporation (``NSCC'') and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation (``FICC,'' 
and together with DTC and NSCC, the ``Clearing Agencies''). In 
particular, the proposed revisions to the Capital Policy would (1) 
update the frequency of the calculation of the Total Capital 
Requirement (as defined below and in the Policy) to align with the 
Clearing Agencies' quarterly financial statements; (2) replace the 
description of the calculation of the Recovery/Wind-down Capital 
Requirement (as defined below and in the Policy) with a reference to 
the Clearing Agencies' Recovery & Wind-down Plans \5\ to eliminate 
redundancy between these documents; (3) revise the description of the 
additional liquid net assets (``LNA'') funded by equity, referred to as 
the ``Buffer'' to provide the Clearing Agencies with flexibility in 
calculating this discretionary amount; and (4) make other updates and 
revisions to the Capital Policy in order to simplify the language and 
improve the clarity of the Policy, as described in greater detail 
below.
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    \5\ See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 83972 (August 28, 
2018), 83 FR 44964 (September 4, 2018) (SR-DTC-2017-021); 83953 
(August 27, 2018), 83 FR 44381 (August 30, 2018) (SR-DTC-2017-803); 
83973 (August 28, 2018), 83 FR 44942 (September 4, 2018) (SR-FICC-
2017-021); 83954 (August 27, 2018), 83 FR 44361 (August 30, 2018) 
(SR-FICC-2017-805); 83974 (August 28, 2018), 83 FR 44988 (September 
4, 2018) (SR-NSCC-2017-017); 83955 (August 27, 2018), 83 FR 44340 
(August 30, 2018) (SR-NSCC-2017-805).
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II. Clearing Agency's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis 
for, the Proposed Rule Change

    In its filing with the Commission, the clearing agency 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 clearing agency has prepared summaries, 
set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant 
aspects of such statements.

(A) Clearing Agency's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis 
for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose
    The Clearing Agencies are proposing to revise the Capital Policy, 
which was adopted by the Clearing Agencies in July 2017 \6\ and is 
maintained by the Clearing Agencies in compliance with Rule 17Ad-
22(e)(15) under the Act,\7\ in order to (1) update the frequency of the 
calculation of the Total Capital Requirement to align with the Clearing 
Agencies' quarterly financial statements; (2) replace the description 
of the calculation of the Recovery/Wind-down Capital Requirement with a 
reference to the Clearing Agencies' Recovery & Wind-down Plans to 
eliminate redundancy between these documents; (3) revise the 
description of the additional LNA funded by equity, referred to as the 
``Buffer'' to provide the Clearing Agencies with flexibility in 
calculating this discretionary amount; and (4) make other updates and 
revisions to the Capital Policy in order to simplify the language and 
improve the clarity of the Policy, as described in greater detail 
below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 81105 (July 7, 
2017), 82 FR 32399 (July 13, 2017) (SR-DTC-2017-003, SR-FICC-2017-
007, SR-NSCC-2017-004).
    \7\ 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22(e)(15).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Overview of the Capital Policy
    The Capital Policy sets forth the manner in which each Clearing 
Agency

[[Page 45264]]

identifies, monitors, and manages its general business risk with 
respect to the requirement to hold sufficient LNA funded by equity to 
cover potential general business losses so the Clearing Agency can 
continue operations and services as a going concern if such losses 
materialize.\8\ The amount of LNA funded by equity to be held by each 
of the Clearing Agencies for this purpose is defined in the Policy as 
the General Business Risk Capital Requirement. The Policy provides that 
the General Business Risk Requirement is calculated for each Clearing 
Agency as the greatest of three separate calculations--(1) an amount 
based on that Clearing Agency's general business risk profile (``Risk-
Based Capital Requirement''), (2) an amount based on the time estimated 
to execute a recovery or orderly wind-down of the critical operations 
of that Clearing Agency (``Recovery/Wind-down Capital Requirement''), 
and (3) an amount based on an analysis of that Clearing Agency's 
estimated operating expenses for a six month period (``Operating 
Expense Capital Requirement''). The General Business Risk Capital 
Requirement for each Clearing Agency is determined as the greatest of 
these calculations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ Supra note 6.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Capital Policy also addresses how each Clearing Agency 
maintains an amount of LNA funded by equity as a part of its management 
of credit risk \9\ pursuant to its respective rules,\10\ referred to as 
the ``Corporate Contribution.'' These resources are maintained to 
address losses due to a participant default and are held in addition to 
the Clearing Agencies' General Business Risk Capital Requirement. The 
Capital Policy describes how each Clearing Agency's General Business 
Risk Capital Requirement and Corporate Contribution fit within the 
Clearing Agencies' Capital Framework, where the ``Total Capital 
Requirement'' of each Clearing Agency is calculated as the sum of its 
General Business Risk Capital Requirement and Corporate Contribution. 
Finally, the Policy provides a plan for the replenishment of capital 
through the Clearing Agency Capital Replenishment Plan.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ LNA funded by equity held as the Clearing Agencies' 
Corporate Contribution is held in addition to resources held by the 
Clearing Agencies for credit risk in compliance with Rule 17Ad-
22(e)(4) under the Act, and in addition to resources held by the 
Clearing Agencies for liquidity risk in compliance with Rule 17Ad-
22(e)(7). 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22(e)(4), (7).
    \10\ See Rule 4 of the Rules, By-laws and Organizational 
Certificate of DTC (``DTC Rules''), Rule 4 of the Rulebook of the 
Government Securities Division of FICC (``GSD Rules''), Rule 4 of 
the Clearing Rules of the Mortgage-Backed Securities Division of 
FICC (``MBSD Rules''), and Rule 4 of the Rules & Procedures of NSCC 
(``NSCC Rules,'' and together with the DTC Rules, GSD Rules and MBSD 
Rules, the ``Clearing Agencies' Rules'' or ``Rules''), available at 
https://dtcc.com/legal/rules-and-procedures.
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Proposed Revisions to the Capital Policy
    The Capital Policy is reviewed and approved by the Boards annually. 
In connection with the most recent annual review of the Policy, the 
Clearing Agencies are proposing revisions and updates, described in 
greater detail below. These proposed changes are designed to update the 
Capital Policy and enhance the clarity of the Policy to ensure that it 
continues to operate as intended.
1. Update Frequency of Calculation of Total Capital Requirement
    The Clearing Agencies are proposing to update the Capital Policy to 
change the frequency of the calculation of the Total Capital 
Requirement to occur quarterly, and clarify that the calculation of the 
Total Capital Requirement would use the most recently completed 
calculations of the General Business Risk Capital Requirement and the 
Corporate Contribution. In connection with this proposed change, the 
Capital Policy would also be amended to remove references to the timing 
of the other calculations.
    As described above, the Total Capital Requirement is the sum of the 
General Business Risk Capital Requirement and the Corporate 
Contribution; and the General Business Risk Capital Requirement is the 
greatest of the Risk-Based Capital Requirement, Recovery/Wind-down 
Capital Requirement and the Operating Expense Capital Requirement. 
Currently the Capital Policy states that the Total Capital Requirement 
is calculated monthly. The Capital Policy also describes the frequency 
of each of the other calculations that are used in calculating the 
Total Capital Requirement, which occur at different intervals 
throughout the year.
    The Clearing Agencies are proposing to update the Capital Policy to 
state that the Total Capital Requirement will be calculated quarterly, 
using the most recently calculated components. This proposed change 
would align the timing of this calculation with the timing of each of 
the Clearing Agencies' quarterly financial statements, where the 
results of this calculation is reported. While the calculation would 
occur less frequently than it is currently conducted, the Total Capital 
Requirement amount does not change materially from month to month.\11\ 
Therefore, the Clearing Agencies believe the calculation would still be 
completed on an appropriate frequency.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ The Total Capital Requirement amount has been reported in 
footnote 9 to the Clearing Agencies' financial statements since the 
third quarter of 2018, available at https://www.dtcc.com/legal/financial-statements.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposed change would also simplify the Capital Policy by 
removing the reference to the frequency of each of the other 
calculations. Each of the other calculations that determine the Total 
Capital Requirement are completed at different frequencies throughout 
the year, as currently described in the Capital Policy, and all occur 
at least annually. The proposed change would state that the most recent 
results of these calculations would be used in the quarterly 
calculation of the Total Capital Requirement. These calculations have 
different purposes and provide the Clearing Agencies with different 
measures. Therefore, these calculations are completed at different 
frequencies during the year, generally timed to occur when updated 
information is available. By removing the frequency of these 
calculations from the Capital Policy, and only specifying the frequency 
of the Total Capital Requirement calculation, which would use the most 
recent results of these underlying calculations, the proposed change 
would simplify the Policy and would provide the Clearing Agencies with 
flexibility to adjust the timing of these calculations as necessary.
    In order to reflect this change, the Clearing Agencies are 
proposing to update Section 4 of the Capital Policy to state that the 
Total Capital Requirement would be calculated quarterly, using the most 
recent calculations of the General Business Risk Capital Requirement 
and Corporate Contribution. The proposed changes would also remove 
statements in Sections 5, 6, 6.1.2 and 6.3 regarding the timing of the 
underlying calculations.
2. Update Description of Recovery/Wind-Down Capital Requirement To 
Refer to the Recovery & Wind-Down Plans of the Clearing Agencies
    The Clearing Agencies are proposing to amend the Capital Policy 
with respect to the Recovery/Wind-down Capital Requirement to update 
references to the Recovery & Wind-down Plans of the Clearing Agencies. 
In connection with this change, the Capital Policy would also be 
updated to clarify the role of management in advising the Boards in 
connection with their annual determination of the Recovery/Wind-down 
Capital Requirement.

[[Page 45265]]

    First, the proposed changes would replace descriptions of the 
calculation of the Recovery/Wind-down Capital Requirement with 
references to the Clearing Agencies' Recovery & Wind-down Plans, which 
have been adopted by the Clearing Agencies and include detailed 
descriptions of the calculation of this amount.\12\ The Recovery/Wind-
down Capital Requirement is an amount based on the time estimated to 
execute a recovery or orderly wind-down of the critical operations of 
that Clearing Agency and is used by the Clearing Agencies to determine 
their General Business Risk Capital Requirement, as described above. 
Each of the Clearing Agencies have adopted a Recovery & Wind-down Plan, 
which provides plans for the recovery and orderly wind-down of each of 
the Clearing Agencies necessitated by credit losses, liquidity 
shortfalls, losses from general business risk, or any other losses.\13\ 
Section 8.7 of each of the Recovery & Wind-down Plans includes an 
analysis of the calculation of the Recovery/Wind-down Capital 
Requirement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ Supra note 5.
    \13\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Clearing Agencies believe their respective Recovery & Wind-down 
Plans are the appropriate documents for the description of the 
calculation of the Recovery/Wind-down Capital Requirement. The proposed 
change would remove redundancy between these documents and minimize the 
risk of inconsistency in this description.
    In order to implement this change, the Clearing Agencies are 
proposing to (1) revise the definition of Recovery/Wind-down Capital 
Requirement in Section 2 of the Capital Policy to refer to the 
description of this amount in the Recovery & Wind-down Plan of each 
Clearing Agency; and (2) revise Section 6.2 of the Capital Policy to 
remove the description of the calculation of the Recovery/Wind-down 
Capital Requirement and replace it with a reference to this description 
in the Recovery & Wind-down Plan of each of the Clearing Agencies.
    Second, the proposed changes would clarify the role of management 
with respect to the Boards' annual determination of the Recovery/Wind-
down Capital Requirement. Pursuant to the Clearing Agencies' Recovery & 
Wind-down Plans, and in compliance with the requirements of Rule 17Ad-
22(e)(15)(ii) under the Act,\14\ the Boards are responsible for 
determining the Recovery/Wind-down Capital Requirement for each 
Clearing Agency on an annual basis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22(e)(15)(ii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Treasury group of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation 
(``DTCC Treasury group'') and members of management in other relevant 
groups may provide the Boards with analyses and relevant data to 
facilitate this determination. Therefore, the Clearing Agencies are 
proposing to amend Section 6.2 of the Capital Policy to state that the 
DTCC Treasury group and members of management in other relevant groups 
may provide such information to the Boards.
3. Revise Description of Buffer Amount
    The Clearing Agencies are proposing to amend the Capital Policy to 
revise the description of the additional, discretionary amount of LNA 
funded by equity held by the Clearing Agencies in addition to the Total 
Capital Requirement, which is referred to as a ``Buffer.'' Currently, 
the Capital Policy states that the amount of LNA funded by equity held 
as Buffer would be periodically assessed by the DTCC Treasury group and 
would generally equal approximately four to six (4-6) months of 
operating expenses for the respective Clearing Agency. The Clearing 
Agencies are proposing to make two changes to the description of the 
Buffer in the Capital Policy, described below.
    First, the Clearing Agencies are proposing to remove the 
specificity regarding how the Buffer amount held by the Clearing 
Agencies is measured. This proposed change would provide the Clearing 
Agencies with flexibility to manage capital when determining the 
appropriate amount of LNA funded by equity that they would each hold in 
addition to the Total Capital Requirement. The Clearing Agencies would 
implement this proposed change by amending the description of Buffer in 
Section 4 of the Capital Policy to remove the reference to four to six 
(4-6) months of operating expenses, and state simply that this amount 
is determined based on various factors, including historical 
fluctuations of LNA and estimates of potential losses from general 
business risk.
    Second, the Clearing Agencies are proposing to amend Section 4 of 
the Capital Policy to clarify that the Buffer will be calculated at 
least annually. Currently the Capital Policy states that the Buffer 
will be calculated periodically. This proposed change would provide 
more specificity regarding the frequency of this calculation.
4. Technical Revisions and Clarifications
    In addition to the proposed changes described above, the Clearing 
Agencies are also proposing the following technical revisions to the 
Capital Policy.
    First, the proposed changes would update the description of the 
Corporate Contribution in Figure 1 of Section 4 of the Capital Policy. 
The proposed change would replace the current description of this 
amount with a reference to the Clearing Agencies' Rules, where this 
amount is defined. The proposed change would align the description in 
Figure 1 of Section 4 with the description of the Corporate 
Contribution in Section 5 of the Capital Policy, which also describes 
the Corporate Contribution by referring to the Clearing Agencies' 
Rules.
    Second, the proposed changes would revise Section 6.3 of the 
Capital Policy to use the defined term for Operating Expense Capital 
Requirement, which is defined in the Glossary of Key Terms in Section 2 
of the Capital Policy.
    Third, the proposed changes would also revise Section 6.3 to 
clarify that the data used to estimate prospective Clearing Agency 
expenses in calculating the Operating Expense Capital Requirement comes 
from a budget developed by the Financial Planning & Analysis department 
for the respective Clearing Agencies.
    Finally, the proposed changes would update Section 7.2 of the 
Capital Policy, which describes where the Clearing Agencies report 
their assessment of LNA funded by equity against the Total Capital 
Requirement. The proposed change would state that, in addition to 
internal reporting, this assessment is also reported publicly in the 
Clearing Agencies' financial statements.
    Each of these proposed changes would make technical drafting 
corrections or clarifications to the existing descriptions in the 
Capital Policy. While these proposed changes would not substantively 
alter the descriptions in the Capital Policy, they would improve the 
clarity of the Policy.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Clearing Agencies believe that the proposed rule changes to the 
Capital Policy are consistent with the requirements of the Act, and the 
rules and regulations thereunder applicable to a registered clearing 
agency. In particular, the Clearing Agencies believe that the proposed 
changes are consistent with Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act \15\

[[Page 45266]]

and Rule 17Ad-22(e)(15) under the Act,\16\ for the reasons described 
below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(3)(F).
    \16\ 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22(e)(15).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act requires, in part, that the rules 
of the Clearing Agencies be designed to promote the prompt and accurate 
clearance and settlement of securities transactions, and to assure the 
safeguarding of securities and funds which are in the custody or 
control of the Clearing Agencies or for which they are responsible.\17\ 
The Capital Policy is designed to ensure that each of the Clearing 
Agencies hold sufficient LNA funded by equity to cover potential 
general business losses so that they can continue the prompt and 
accurate clearance and settlement of securities transactions, and can 
continue to assure the safeguarding of securities and funds which are 
in their custody or control or for which they are responsible if those 
losses materialize.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(3)(F).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposed changes described above would not materially alter how 
the Capital Policy accomplishes this goal. The proposed changes would 
update the frequency of the calculation of the amount of LNA funded by 
equity held by the Clearing Agencies. Changing this frequency would not 
alter the Clearing Agencies' ability to hold an amount needed to cover 
potential general business losses, as the result of these calculations 
do not currently change materially on a month to month basis. The 
proposed change to refer to the Clearing Agencies' Recovery & Wind-down 
Plans for the description of the Recovery/Wind-down Capital Requirement 
would reduce the redundancy between the Policy and these plans, and 
would not alter the calculation of this amount. The proposed change to 
the description of the Buffer would provide the Clearing Agencies with 
additional flexibility in calculating this amount, which is held in 
addition to the amounts needed to meet compliance with their regulatory 
requirements. Finally, the proposed technical revisions would simplify 
and clarify the descriptions in the Policy, and would not alter the way 
the Policy operates.
    The proposed revisions would not materially change how the Policy 
ensures that each of the Clearing Agencies hold sufficient LNA funded 
by equity to cover potential general business losses but would allow 
the Clearing Agencies to maintain this document to operate in the way 
it was intended. Therefore, such proposed revisions would be consistent 
with the requirements of Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act.\18\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \18\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Rule 17Ad-22(e)(15) under the Act requires the Clearing Agencies to 
establish, implement, maintain and enforce written policies and 
procedures reasonably designed to identify, monitor, and manage their 
respective general business risk and hold sufficient liquid net assets 
funded by equity to cover potential general business losses so that the 
Clearing Agencies can continue operations and services as a going 
concern if those losses materialize.\19\ As originally implemented, the 
Capital Policy was designed to meet the requirements of Rule 17Ad-
22(e)(15). For the reasons described above, the proposed revisions 
would not materially alter how the Clearing Agencies comply with their 
requirements under this rule. Therefore, the proposed changes would 
allow the Clearing Agencies to maintain the Capital Policy in a way 
that continues to be consistent with the requirements of Rule 17Ad-
22(e)(15) under the Act.\20\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \19\ 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22(e)(15).
    \20\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

(B) Clearing Agency's Statement on Burden on Competition

    Each of the Clearing Agencies believes that none of the proposed 
revisions to the Capital Policy would have any impact, or impose any 
burden, on competition. The Policy is maintained by the Clearing 
Agencies in order to satisfy their regulatory requirements and 
generally reflect internal tools and procedures. Tools and procedures 
that have a direct impact on the rights, responsibilities or 
obligations of members or participants of the Clearing Agencies are 
reflected in the Clearing Agencies' Rules. Accordingly, the Capital 
Policy enhances the Clearing Agencies' regulatory compliance and 
internal management and does not have any impact, or impose any burden, 
on competition.
    The proposed revisions would not effect any changes to the 
fundamental purpose or materially impact the operation of the Capital 
Policy. As such, the proposed changes also would not have any impact, 
or impose any burden, on competition.

(C) Clearing Agency's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change 
Received From Members, Participants, or Others

    The Clearing Agencies have not solicited or received any written 
comments relating to this proposal. The Clearing Agencies will notify 
the Commission of any written comments received by the Clearing 
Agencies.

III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change, and Timing for 
Commission Action

    The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 
19(b)(3)(A) \21\ of the Act and paragraph (f) \22\ of Rule 19b-4 
thereunder. At any time within 60 days of the filing of the 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \21\ 15 U.S.C 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \22\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 [email protected]. Please include 
File Number SR-DTC-2020-010 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

     Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities 
and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549.

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-DTC-2020-010. 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 website (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 website viewing and printing in 
the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE,

[[Page 45267]]

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 DTC and on DTCC's 
website (https://dtcc.com/legal/sec-rule-filings.aspx). All comments 
received will be posted without change. Persons submitting comments are 
cautioned that we do not redact or edit personal identifying 
information from comment submissions. You should submit only 
information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions 
should refer to File Number SR-DTC-2020-010 and should be submitted on 
or before August 17, 2020.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\23\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \23\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

J. Matthew DeLesDernier,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2020-16158 Filed 7-24-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P


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