CFTC Staff Letter 13-34: Extension of No-Action Relief for Swap Dealers and Major Swap Participants from Valuation Data Reporting

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U.S. COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION
Three Lafayette Centre
1155 21st Street, NW, Washington, DC 20581
Telephone: (202) 418-5000
Facsimile: (202) 418-5521 www.cftc.gov
Division of Market Oversight
CFTC Letter No. 13-34
No-Action
June 26, 2013
Division of Market Oversight
Re: Extension of Time-Limited No-Action Relief for Swap Dealers and Major Swap Participants from Compliance with Reporting Obligations Under 17 CFR § 45.4(b)(2)(ii) On December 17, 2012, the Division of Market Oversight (“DMO” or “Division”) of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “Commission”) granted time-limited no-action relief from certain requirements of § 45.4 of the Commission’s regulations to swap dealers (“SDs”) and major swap participants (“MSPs”) acting as reporting counterparties for swap transactions. 1 In particular, the Commission granted a request from the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (“ISDA”), 2 on behalf of its members that intend to register as SDs or MSPs and other similarly situated persons, for no-action relief from enforcement action against an SD or MSP acting as a reporting counterparty for a cleared swap that fails to comply with the regulation 45.4(b)(2)(ii) valuation data reporting requirements. Absent further action from the Division, the initial no-action relief would expire on June 30, 2013. This letter extends the no-action relief period to June 30, 2014. Applicable Regulatory Requirements The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act 3 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) added to the Commodity Exchange Act 4 (the “CEA”) provisions requiring the retention and reporting of data related to swap transactions. New section 2(a)(13)(G) of the CEA requires that all swaps, both cleared and uncleared, be reported to a registered SDR. New section 21(b) of the CEA directs the Commission to prescribe standards for swap data recordkeeping and reporting.

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CFTC Letter No. 12-55 (December 17, 2012).
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ISDA submitted its request for no-action relief pursuant to Commission regulation 140.99 by letter on December 13, 2012. 3 Pub. L. 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376 (2010). 4 7 U.S.C. §§ 1, et seq.

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The Commission published final rules under part 45 of the Commission’s regulations on January 13, 2012. 5 The rules implement the provisions of the CEA pertaining to swap data recordkeeping and reporting obligations. Among other requirements, the final part 45 regulations call for electronic reporting to an SDR of swap data from each of two relevant stages of the existence of a swap: the creation of the swap and the continuation of the swap over its existence until its final termination or expiration. 6 Regulations 45.4(b)(2)(i) and (ii) require that swap valuation data be reported to the SDR by both the relevant derivatives clearing organization (“DCO”) that clears the swap and the reporting counterparty to the cleared swap, if the reporting counterparty is an SD or MSP. The obligation of the DCO to provide valuation data for the cleared swap under regulation 45.4(b)(2)(i) is independent of the obligation of the SD or MSP to provide valuation data for the same cleared swap under regulation 45.4(b)(2)(ii). Extension of Time-Limited No-Action Relief Market participants have raised concerns that they do not currently have the necessary connectivity to report valuation data as set forth in regulation 45.4(b)(2)(ii) to all SDRs to which they would need to report. The Division has accepted these assertions without independent analysis, and accordingly, advises that this relief applies to all registered SDs and MSPs. Based on market participant concerns and the representations ISDA made in its initial request for no-action relief, the Division will not recommend that the Commission take enforcement action against an SD or MSP for failure of such SD or MSP to comply with the requirements of regulation 45.4(b)(2)(ii) to report valuation data, subject to the following conditions:
(1) The no-action relief applies to SDs and MSPs that are reporting counterparties under regulation 45.8, for the purposes of regulation 45.4(b)(2)(ii). (2) The no-action relief applies to cleared swaps for which the reporting counterparty has the obligation to report valuation data under regulation 45.4(b)(2)(ii). (3) The no-action relief shall expire on June 30, 2014. The position taken herein concerns staff recommendation of enforcement action only and does not represent a legal conclusion with respect to the applicability of any provision of the CEA or the Commission’s regulations. 7 The no-action position taken herein does not excuse the recipients of this relief from compliance with any other applicable requirements of the

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76 Fed. Reg. 2197 (Jan. 13, 2012).
6 Required swap creation data means all primary economic terms (“PET”) data and all confirmation data for a swap. Required swap continuation data means all changes to PET data and all valuation data. See 17 C.F.R. § 45.1. 7 Should the Commission promulgate additional swap data reporting rules applicable to the subject matter covered herein during the pendency of this no-action relief period, such rules could supersede the no-action relief granted herein.

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Commodity Exchange Act or the regulations thereunder. In addition, the Division’s position does not necessarily reflect the views of the Commission or any other division or office of the Commission. Because this position is based upon the representations contained in the Letter, it should be noted that any different, changed, or omitted material facts or circumstances may require a different conclusion or render this no-action letter void. Finally, as with all no-action letters, the Division retains the authority to condition further, modify, suspend, terminate, or otherwise restrict the terms of the no-action relief provided herein, in its discretion. If you have any questions concerning the content of this staff no-action letter, please contact Ben DeMaria, Attorney Advisor, at (202) 418-5988. Sincerely, Richard Shilts Acting Director Division of Market Oversight