CFTC Staff Letter 16-21: Exemption for Additional Proprietary Funds of CPO "A"

U.S. COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION
Three Lafayette Centre
1155 21st Street, NW, Washington, DC 20581
Telephone: (202) 418-5326 eflaherty@cftc.gov
Division of Swap Dealer and
Intermediary Oversight
Eileen T. Flaherty
Director
CFTC Letter No. 16-21
Exemption
February 3, 2016
Division of Swap Dealer and Intermediary Oversight Re: Request to receive the relief provided in CFTC Staff Letter No. 14-49 for additional proprietary funds of “A” Dear :
This is in response to your letters, dated October 9, 2015, December 8, 2015, and December 17, 2015 (collectively, the “Letters”) to the Division of Swap Dealer and Intermediary Oversight (the “Division”) of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “Commission” or “CFTC”). You request, on behalf of “A”, that “A” receive the relief provided in CFTC Staff Letter No. 14-49 for additional proprietary funds (the “Additional “A” Proprietary Funds”) that are listed below. 1

Based on the letter, we understand the facts to be as follows. “A” is the registered commodity pool operator (“CPO”) for the Additional “A” Proprietary Funds, which are the following:

1. “B”
2. “C”
3. “D”
4. “E”
5. “F”
6. “G”
7. “H”
8. “I”
9. “J”
   You state that the statements that you had made in connection with the Division’s issuance of CFTC Staff Letter No. 14-49 with respect to the “A” Proprietary Funds (as defined in CFTC Staff Letter No. 14-49) apply to the Additional “A” Proprietary Funds. Furthermore, you

1 CFTC Staff Letter No. 14-49 and other Commission staff letters cited herein are available on the Commission’s website, www.cftc.gov. Also, previously, “A” received relief with respect to certain additional “A” proprietary funds in CFTC Staff Letter Nos. 14-125 and 15-36.

“A” state that “A” will comply with the conditions for relief described in CFTC Staff Letter No. 14- 49 with respect to the Additional “A” Proprietary Funds as well. Also, in the chart describing the ownership of each Additional “A” Proprietary Fund, as was the case for the “A” proprietary funds for which “A” received relief pursuant to CFTC Staff Letter Nos. 14-49, 14-125, and 15- 36, each such fund is wholly-owned only by current “A” principals, close relatives of such “A” principals, senior employees of “A”, or portfolio managers of the applicable “A” proprietary fund. Based on the representations made in the Letters, the Division believes that granting relief is neither contrary to the purpose of Commission regulations 4.7(b)(3) and 4.22(d) nor to public interest. Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated by Commission regulations 4.12(a) and 140.93, the Division hereby grants “A” relief from the requirement pursuant to Commission regulation 4.22(d) to have an independent public accountant audit the financial statements in the annual report for the Additional “A” Proprietary Funds, subject to the conditions for relief applicable to the “A” Proprietary Funds described in CFTC Staff Letter No. 14-49. The relief issued by this letter does not excuse persons relying on it from compliance with any other applicable requirements contained in the Commodity Exchange Act or in the Commission regulations issued thereunder. Further, this letter, and the relief contained herein, is based upon the representations made to the Division. Any different, changed or omitted material facts or circumstances might render this letter void. Finally, the Division retains the authority to condition further, modify, suspend, terminate, or otherwise restrict the terms of the relief provided herein, in its discretion. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Amanda Olear, Associate Director, at 202-418-5283, or Chang Jung, Special Counsel, at 202-418-5202. Very truly yours, Eileen T. Flaherty Director Division of Swap Dealer and Intermediary Oversight