2011-06-22 | 2011-15432Added · Updated
The Securities and Exchange Commission grants temporary exemptive relief and other temporary relief from compliance with certain provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 concerning security-based swaps. The Commission provides guidance regarding compliance with other provisions of the Exchange Act concerning security-based swaps that were amended or added by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010. This exemptive order is effective June 15, 2011, and the Commission requests comments on such guidance and the temporary relief granted by July 6, 2011.
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
17 CFR Part 240
[Release No. 34–64678; File No. S7–24–11] Temporary Exemptions and Other Temporary Relief, Together With Information on Compliance Dates for New Provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Applicable to Security-Based Swaps AGENCY: Securities and Exchange Commission. ACTION: Exemptive order. SUMMARY: The Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) is issuing an exemptive order granting temporary exemptive relief and other temporary relief from compliance with certain provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Exchange Act’’) concerning security-based swaps. The Commission also is providing guidance regarding compliance with other provisions of the Exchange Act concerning security-based swaps that were amended or added by the DoddFrank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (‘‘Dodd-Frank Act’’) and requesting comments on such guidance and the temporary relief granted. DATES: This exemptive order is effective June 15, 2011. Comments must be received on or before July 6, 2011. ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted, identified by File Number S7–24–11, by any of the following methods:
Electronic Comments
1The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, Public Law 111–203, 124 Stat. 1376 (2010). 2 Id. at preamble. 3From their beginnings in the early 1980s, the notional value of these markets has grown to almost $600 trillion globally. See Monetary and Econ. Dep’t, Bank for Int’l Settlements, Triennial and Semiannual Surveys—Positions in Global Over-theCounter (OTC) Derivatives Markets at End-June 2010 (Nov. 2010), available at http://www.bis.org/ publ/otc_hy1011.pdf. 4See 156 Cong. Rec. S5878 (daily ed. July 15,
2010) (statement of Sen. Dodd).
5Section 712(d) of the Dodd-Frank Act provides that the Commission and the CFTC, in consultation with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, shall further define the terms ‘‘swap,’’ ‘‘security-based swap,’’ ‘‘swap dealer,’’ ‘‘securitybased swap dealer,’’ ‘‘major security-based swap participant,’’ ‘‘eligible contract participant,’’ and ‘‘security-based swap agreement.’’ These terms are defined in sections 721 and 761 of the Dodd-Frank Act and the Commission and the CFTC have proposed to further define these terms in proposed joint rulemaking. See Further Definition of ‘‘Swap,’’ ‘‘Security-Based Swap,’’ and ‘‘Security-Based Swap Agreement’’; Mixed Swaps; Security-Based Swap Agreement Recordkeeping, 76 FR 29818 (May 23, 2011); Further Definition of ‘‘Swap Dealer,’’ ‘‘Security-Based Swap Dealer,’’ ‘‘Major Swap Participant,’’ ‘‘Major Security-Based Swap Participant’’ and ‘‘Eligible Contract Participant,’’ 75 FR 80174 (Dec. 21, 2010) (‘‘Entity Definitions Release’’). 6 15 U.S.C. 78a et seq. 7See generally subtitle B of Title VII. Citations to provisions of the Exchange Act in this Order refer to the numbering of those provisions after the amendments made by the Dodd-Frank Act, except as otherwise provided. 8As required by the Dodd-Frank Act, the Commission will propose rules regarding the registration of SBS Entities and a process for revocation of such registration. See section 15F of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78o–10. 9See section 3(a)(75) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(75) (defining the term ‘‘security-based swap data repository’’). The registration of an SDR and the reporting of SB swaps are the subject of separate Commission rulemakings. See SecurityBased Swap Data Repository Registration, Duties, and Core Principles, 75 FR 77305 (Dec. 10, 2010), corrected at 75 FR 79320 (Dec. 20, 2010) and 76 FR 2287 (Jan. 13, 2011); Regulation SBSR—Reporting and Dissemination of Security-Based Swap Information, 75 FR 75207 (Dec. 2, 2010). 10See Clearing Agency Standards for Operation and Governance, 76 FR 14472 (Mar. 16, 2011). The Commission has proposed rules regarding registration of clearing agencies and standards for the operation and governance of clearing agencies, including rules that would exempt certain SBSDs and SB SEFs from the definition of a clearing agency. 11See section 3C(a)(1) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78c–3(a)(1). The Commission has proposed rules regarding the manner in which clearing agencies provide information to the Commission about SB swaps that the clearing agency plans to accept for clearing and that would, in turn, be used by the Commission in determining whether such SB swaps are required to be cleared. See Process for Submissions for Review of Security-Based Swaps for Mandatory Clearing and Notice Filing Requirements for Clearing Agencies; Technical Amendments to Rule 19b–4 and Form 19b–4 Applicable to All Self-Regulatory Organizations, 75 FR 82489 (Dec. 30, 2010). 12See section 3C(g) of the Exchange
Act, 15 U.S.C. 78c–3(g) (providing an exception to the clearing requirement for certain persons). 13 15 U.S.C. 78c–4. 14 15 U.S.C. 78c–4(e). 15See section 3C(g) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78c–3(g). See section 3C(h) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78c–3(h). See also section 3(a)(77) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78c(77) (defining the term ‘‘security-based swap execution facility’’). The Commission has proposed an interpretation of the definition of ‘‘security-based swap execution facility’’ and has proposed rules to implement registration requirements, duties, and core principles for SB SEFs. See Registration and Regulation of Security-Based Swap Execution Facilities, 76 FR 10946 (Feb. 28, 2011). 16 15 U.S.C. 77a et seq. 17See sections 761(a)(2) and 768(a)(1) of the Dodd-Frank Act (amending sections 3(a)(10) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(10), and 2(a)(1) of the Securities Act, 15 U.S.C. 77b(a)(1), respectively). 18The Commission has considered similar issues raised by the treatment of credit default swaps as securities in connection with taking action in the past to facilitate clearing of certain credit default swaps (‘‘CDS’’) by clearing agencies functioning as central counterparties (‘‘CCPs’’). See infra notes 222 and 223. 19See Exemptions for Security-Based Swaps Issued by Certain Clearing Agencies, Securities Act Release No. 9222, Exchange Act Release No. 64639, Trust Indenture Act Release No. 2474 (June 9, 2011) (‘‘Proposed Cleared SB Swap Exemptions’’). 20 15 U.S.C. 77aaa et seq. 21See discussion infra note 223.
iii. Reporting and Recordkeeping for
Security-Based Swaps.
G. Registration and Regulation of SecurityBased Swap Dealers and Major SecurityBased Swap Participants. H. Registration of Clearing Agencies for Security-Based Swaps.
I. Other Amendments to the Federal
Securities Laws Relating to SecurityBased Swaps. J. Section 29(b) of the Exchange Act.
III. Solicitation of Comments.
IV. Temporary Exemptions and Other
Temporary Relief
I. Introduction and Background.
On July 21, 2010, President Barack Obama signed the Dodd-Frank Act into law.1 The Dodd-Frank Act was enacted, among other reasons, to promote the financial stability of the United States by improving accountability and transparency in the financial system.2 The recent financial crisis demonstrated the need for enhanced regulation of the over-the-counter (‘‘OTC’’) derivatives markets, which have experienced dramatic growth in recent years 3 and are capable of affecting significant sectors of the U.S. economy.4 Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Act (‘‘Title VII’’) establishes a regulatory regime applicable to the OTC derivatives markets by providing the Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (‘‘CFTC’’) with the tools to oversee these heretofore largely unregulated markets. The Dodd-Frank Act provides that the CFTC will regulate ‘‘swaps,’’ the Commission will regulate ‘‘security-based swaps,’’ and the CFTC and the Commission will jointly regulate ‘‘mixed swaps.’’ 5 Title VII amends the Exchange Act 6 to substantially expand the regulation of the security-based swap (‘‘SB swap’’) markets, establishing a new regulatory framework within which such markets can continue to evolve in a more transparent, efficient, fair, accessible, and competitive manner.7 The DoddFrank Act amendments to the Exchange Act impose, among other requirements, the following: (1) Registration and comprehensive oversight of SB swap dealers (‘‘SBSDs’’) and major SB swap participants (‘‘MSBSPs’’ and, collectively with SBSDs, ‘‘SBS Entities’’); 8 (2) reporting of SB swaps to a registered SB swap data repository (‘‘SDR’’), to the Commission, and to the public; 9 (3) clearing of SB swaps through a registered clearing agency or through a clearing agency that is exempt from registration 10 if such SB swaps are of a type that the Commission determines is required to be cleared, unless an exemption or exception from such mandatory clearing applies; 11 and (4) if an SB swap is subject to the clearing requirement,12 execution of the SB swap transaction on an exchange, on an SB swap execution facility (‘‘SB SEF’’) registered under section 3D of the Exchange Act,13 or on an SB SEF that has been exempted from registration by the Commission under section 3D(e) of the Exchange Act,14 unless no SB SEF or exchange makes such SB swap available for trading.15 Title VII also amends the Exchange Act and the Securities Act of 1933 16 (‘‘Securities Act’’) to include ‘‘security-based swaps’’ in the definition of ‘‘security’’ for purposes of those statutes.17 As a result, ‘‘security-based swaps’’ will be subject to the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the rules thereunder applicable to ‘‘securities.’’ 18 The Commission has proposed exemptions 19 under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, and the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 20 (‘‘Trust Indenture Act’’) for SB swaps issued by certain clearing agencies satisfying certain conditions.21 In addition, the Commission will
take other actions to address certain SB swaps, such as providing guidance regarding—and where appropriate, temporary relief from—the various pre-Dodd Frank Act provisions that would otherwise apply to SB swaps on July 16, 2011, as well as extending existing temporary rules under the Securities Act, the Exchange
22See SEC Announces Steps to Address One-Year Effective Date of Title VII of Dodd-Frank Act, available at http://www.sec.gov/news/press/2011/ 2011–125.htm (June 10, 2011). 23See section 774 of the Dodd-Frank Act, 15 U.S.C. 77b note. 24See, e.g., sections 15F(e)(1) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78o–10(e)(1) (capital and margin requirements); 15F(f)(1) (reporting and recordkeeping); 15F(h)(1) (business conduct standards). 25See id. (specifying that the effective date for a provision requiring a rulemaking is ‘‘not less than 60 days after publication of the final rule or regulation implementing such provision’’). 26See, e.g., section 3D(f) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78c–4(f) (requiring the Commission to prescribe rules governing the regulation of SB SEFs). Certain of these provisions relate to the CFTC or another government agency in addition to, or instead of, the Commission. 27The Commission expects that it will not, by July 16, 2011, have completed implementing Title
VII. As a result, the Commission believes it would
not be reasonable to require market participants to put systems in place or hire personnel based on a regulatory scheme that is not fully in place. To require otherwise, depending on the content of the final rules, might require these entities to incur costs to change their systems again in a relatively short period of time. 28The Commission has received comments from a wide range of commenters inquiring as to the effective dates and related compliance dates of certain provisions and requesting that the Commission propose a compliance schedule for the statutory provisions of subtitle B of Title VII and the rules being promulgated thereunder. See, e.g., letter from American Bankers Association, Financial Services Roundtable, Futures Industry Association, Institute of International Bankers, International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Investment Company Institute, Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, U.S. Chamber of Commerce (June 10, 2011) (‘‘Trade Association Letter’’); letter from Stephen Merkel, Chairman, Wholesale Markets Brokers’ Association Americas (June 3, 2010) (‘‘WMBA Letter’’); letter from Richard M. Whiting, Executive Director and General Counsel, Financial Services Roundtable (May 12, 2011); letter from Andrew Downes, Managing Director, and James B. Fuqua, Managing Director, UBS Securities LLC (Feb. 7, 2011); letter from Craig S. Donohue, CME Group Inc. (Jan. 18, 2011); letter from R. Glenn Hubbard, Co-Chair, John L. Thornton, Co-Chair, and Hal S. Scott, Director, the Committee on Capital Markets Regulation (Jan. 18,
2011) (‘‘Committee on Capital Markets Regulation
Letter’’); letter from Larry E. Thompson, General Counsel, the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (Jan 18, 2011) (‘‘DTCC Letter’’); letter from Mr. James Hill, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley (Nov. 1, 2010) (‘‘Morgan Stanley Letter’’). In addition, many letters from market participants have advocated for a phased-in approach to compliance with the requirements of Title VII. See, e.g., WMBA Letter (suggesting a ‘‘progression’’ of finalization of specific Title VII rules); Committee on Capital Markets Regulation Letter (stating that ‘‘the reporting and recordkeeping requirements should be implemented gradually over time’’); letter from Financial Services Forum, Futures Industry Association, International Swaps and Derivatives Association, and Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (May 4, 2011) (stating that ‘‘[t]he Commissions should phase in requirements based on the state of readiness of each particular asset class’’); letter from G14 Member dealers and others (Mar. 31, 2011) (suggesting a ‘‘phased-in implementation schedule’’); letter from Richard H. Baker, President & Chief Executive Officer, Managed Funds Association (Mar. 24, 2011) (recommending ‘‘milestones for clearing access and voluntary clearing with a phase-in period before clearing becomes mandatory’’); DTCC Letter (recommending a ‘‘phased-in’’ approach to implementation of reporting requirements under Regulation SBSR); Morgan Stanley Letter (urging the Commission and the CFTC ‘‘to phase in the clearing, execution and other requirements productby-product over time’’). Some of the commenters cited above addressed issues regarding effective dates, compliance, and implementation that will be addressed by other action to be taken the Commission. See supra note 22 and accompanying text. 29While this release provides guidance with respect to the provisions of the Exchange Act added by Title VII, as indicated above, the Commission will take other actions to address SB swaps under various provisions of the Federal securities laws. See supra note 22 and accompanying text. In addition, after proposing all of the key rules under Title VII, the Commission intends to consider publishing a detailed implementation plan in order to enable the Commission to move forward expeditiously with the roll-out of the new SB swap requirements in an efficient manner, while minimizing unnecessary disruption and costs to the markets. Id. Act, and the Trust Indenture Act for certain SB swaps.22 The provisions of Title VII generally are effective on July 16, 2011 (360 days after enactment of the Dodd-Frank Act, referred to herein as the ‘‘Effective Date’’), unless a provision requires a rulemaking. Specifically, if a Title VII provision requires a rulemaking, such provision will not necessarily go into effect on the Effective Date, but instead will go into effect ‘‘not less than’’ 60 days after publication of the related final rule or on July16, 2011, whichever is later.23 A substantial number
of Title VII provisions require a rulemaking and thus will not go into effect on the Effective Date. A number of Title VII provisions also expressly (or implicitly) apply only to ‘‘registered’’ persons. Until the related registration processes for such persons have been established by final Commission rules, and such persons have become registered pursuant to such rules, they will not be required to comply with these Title VII provisions.24 Other provisions of Title VII impose requirements that require compliance by market participants as a result of, or in response to, Commission action other than rulemaking and thus do not impose a compliance obligation upon market participants in the absence of such Commission action. In addition, Title VII provides the Commission with flexibility to establish effective dates beyond the minimum 60 days specified therein for Title VII provisions that require a rulemaking.25 Furthermore, as with other rulemakings under the Exchange Act, the Commission may set compliance dates (which may be later than the effective dates) for rulemakings under the Title VII amendments to the Exchange Act. Together, this provides the Commission with the ability to sequence the implementation of the various Title VII requirements in a way that effectuates the policy goals of Title VII while minimizing unnecessary disruption or costs. Title VII also includes certain provisions that authorize or direct the Commission to take specified action that, once undertaken, may impose compliance obligations upon market participants.26 These provisions will become effective on the Effective Date, but, by their plain language, pertain to Commission action. Accordingly, these provisions do not require compliance by market participants on the Effective Date unless the relevant Commission action already has been undertaken. The Commission does not expect to complete all of the rulemaking it is directed to carry out pursuant to these provisions prior to the Effective Date. In furtherance of the Dodd-Frank Act’s stated objective of promoting financial stability in the U.S. financial system, the Commission intends to move forward expeditiously with the implementation of the new SB swap requirements in an efficient manner, while minimizing unnecessary disruption and costs to the markets. The Commission recognizes that many market participants will find compliance with Title VII to be a substantial undertaking. SB swap markets already exist, are global in scope, and have generally grown in the absence of regulation in the United States and elsewhere. In addition, the SB swap markets are interconnected with other financial markets, including the traditional securities markets. In order to comply with Title VII provisions and related rules, the Commission recognizes that market participants will need additional time to acquire and configure necessary systems or to modify existing practices and systems, engage and train necessary staff, and develop and
implement necessary policies and procedures.27 Furthermore, some of these changes cannot be finalized until certain rules are effective. Accordingly, it is necessary or appropriate to defer some of these tasks until certain rules are effective, as more fully described below. In order to effectuate the purposes of Title VII, and in response to comments received from market participants,28 the Commission is providing guidance as to the provisions of the Exchange Act added by Title VII with which industry compliance will be required as of the Effective Date.29 In addition, and for the reasons discussed in this Order, the Commission
30 15 U.S.C. 78mm.
31See section 36(c) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78mm(c) (limiting the Commission’s exemptive authority with respect to certain provisions of the Exchange Act added by Title VII, such as sections 13A, 15F, and 17A(g) through (l) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78m–1, 78o–10, and 78q–1(g) through (l)). The Commission notes that the Securities Act provides for exemptive authority to be exercised through rulemaking and, as a result, this Order does not provide for any exemptive action with respect to the Securities Act. 32 15 U.S.C. 78c–3. 33 Id. 34See supra note 26 and accompanying text. 35References to section 3C of the Exchange Act in this table are to 15 U.S.C. 78c–3. is granting temporary exemptive and other relief that is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, and consistent with the protection of investors, from compliance with certain of those provisions of the Exchange Act with which compliance would otherwise be required as of the Effective Date. Generally, section 36 of the Exchange Act authorizes the Commission to conditionally or unconditionally exempt, by rule, regulation, or order, any person, security, or transaction (or any class or classes of persons, securities, or transactions) from any provision or provisions of the Exchange Act or any rule or regulation thereunder, to the extent such exemption is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, and is consistent with the protection of investors.30 This exemptive authority is not available for certain specified provisions of the Exchange Act that relate to SB swaps.31 Where such exemptive authority is not provided, the Commission is using other available authority to provide appropriate temporary relief.
II. Discussion
A. Clearing for Security-Based Swaps
Section 3C of the Exchange Act,
added by section 763(a) of the DoddFrank Act, generally provides that, if an SB swap is required to be cleared, it is unlawful for any person to engage in such SB swap unless that person submits such SB swap for clearing to a clearing agency that is registered under the Exchange Act or to a clearing agency that is exempt from registration under the Exchange Act.32 Table A below lists each provision of section 3C of the Exchange Act and identifies those with which compliance will be required on the Effective Date and those with which compliance will be triggered by registration of a person as a clearing agency, adoption of final rules, or other action by the Commission.33 For the provisions with which compliance will be required on the Effective Date, Table A notes whether temporary relief from compliance is granted. The rationale and duration for such relief is explained in the text following the table. The table also includes provisions that authorize or direct the Commission to take specified action that, once undertaken, may impose compliance obligations upon market participants.34 Unless otherwise noted in the table below, these provisions do not require compliance by market participants on the Effective Date.
TABLE A—CLEARING FOR SECURITY-BASED SWAPS—COMPLIANCE DATES
Exchange act section 35
Compliance date
Authorizes/directs commission action 36 Upon effective Relief granted date (July 16, 2011) Upon registration, publication of final rules, or other commission action 37 3C(a)(1): In general—standard for clearing ............................... .............................. ✓ .............................. N/A. 38 3C(a)(2): In general—open access ............................................ .............................. ✓ .............................. N/A. 39 3C(b)(1): Commission review—Commission-initiated review ..... .............................. .............................. ✓ N/A. 3C(b)(2)(A) and (B): Commission review—swap submission .... .............................. ✓ .............................. N/A. 40 3C(b)(2)(C): Commission review—swap submission ................. .............................. .............................. ✓ N/A. 3C(b)(3): Commission review—deadline .................................... .............................. .............................. ✓ N/A. 3C(b)(4): Commission review—determination ............................ .............................. .............................. ✓ N/A. 3C(b)(5): Commission review—rules .......................................... .............................. .............................. ✓ N/A. 3C(c): Stay of clearing requirement ........................................... .............................. .............................. ✓ N/A. 3C(d): Prevention of evasion ...................................................... .............................. .............................. ✓ N/A. 3C(e)(1): Reporting transition rules—pre-enactment SB swaps .............................. .............................. ✓ Yes. 41 3C(e)(2): Reporting transition rules—post-enactment SB swaps .............................. .............................. ✓ N/A. 42 3C(f)(1): Clearing transition rules ............................................... .............................. ✓ .............................. N/A. 43 3C(f)(2): Clearing transition rules ............................................... .............................. ✓ .............................. N/A. 44 3C(g)(1)–(2), (4): Exceptions—in general; option to clear; treatment of affiliates. .............................. ✓ .............................. N/A. 45 3C(g)(3)(A): Exceptions —financial entity definition—in general .............................. ✓ .............................. N/A. 46 3C(g)(3)(B): Exceptions—financial entity definition—exclusion .............................. .............................. ✓ N/A. 3C(g)(5)(A): Exceptions—election of counterparty—SB swaps required to be cleared. .............................. ✓ .............................. N/A. 3C(g)(5)(B): Exceptions—election of counterparty—SB swaps not required to be cleared. ✓ .............................. .............................. Yes. 3C(g)(6): Exceptions—abuse of exception .................................
.............................. .............................. ✓ N/A. 3C(h): Trade execution ............................................................... .............................. ✓ .............................. N/A. 3C(i): Board approval ................................................................. .............................. ✓ .............................. N/A. 47 3C(j)(1)—(2): Designation of chief compliance officer—in general; duties. .............................. ✓ .............................. Yes. 48 3C(j)(3): Designation of chief compliance officer—annual reports. .............................. ✓ .............................. N/A. As indicated in Table A, the Commission is providing temporary exemptive relief from compliance with
section 3C(e)(1) of the Exchange Act 49
36These provisions do not require compliance by market participants on the Effective Date, unless the relevant Commission action already has been undertaken. See supra note 26 and accompanying text. 37A number of Title VII provisions expressly (or implicitly) apply only to ‘‘registered’’ persons. Until the related registration processes for such persons have been established by final Commission rules, and such persons have become registered pursuant to such rules, they will not be required to comply with these Title VII provisions. If a Title VII provision requires a rulemaking, such provision will not necessarily go into effect on the Effective Date, but instead will go into effect ‘‘not less than’’ 60 days after publication of the related final rule or on July 16, 2011, whichever is later. See section 774 of the Dodd-Frank Act, 15 U.S.C. 77b note. 38Section 3C(b)(5) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78c–3(b)(5), requires the Commission to ‘‘adopt rules for a clearing agency’s submission for review
62 15 U.S.C. 78c–3(j)(2).
63 15 U.S.C. 78c–3(j)(2).
64 15 U.S.C. 78c–3(j)(1) and (2).
65See Letter from DTCC (April 29, 2011) (stating that ‘‘[w]hile DTCC fully supports the principle of a clearing agency designating a CCO, DTCC believes that some of the duties of the CCO specified in Proposed Rule 3Cj–1 require clarification in order to avoid an overly broad reading of those duties. DTCC believes that some of the duties of the CCO specified in the Proposed Rule go beyond those duties traditionally understood to be part of the compliance function.’’). 66 15 U.S.C. 78c–3(j)(1) or (2). 67 15 U.S.C. 78c–3(j)(2). 68See supra note 45. 69See section 3C(b)(5) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78c–3(b)(5). The Commission published proposed rules regarding the submission process. See Process for Submissions for Review of SecurityBased Swaps for Mandatory Clearing and Notice Filing Requirements for Clearing Agencies; Technical Amendments to Rule 19b–4 and Form 19b–4 Applicable to All Self-Regulatory Organizations, supra note 11. 70 15 U.S.C. 78c–4. 71 Id. 72References to section 3D of the Exchange Act in this table are to 15 U.S.C. 78c–4. 73These provisions do not require compliance by market participants on the Effective Date, unless the relevant Commission action already has been undertaken. See supra note 26 and accompanying text. 74A number of Title VII provisions expressly (or implicitly) apply only to ‘‘registered’’ persons. Until the related registration processes for such persons have been established by final Commission rules, and such persons have become registered pursuant to such rules, they will not be required to comply with these Title VII provisions. If a Title VII provision requires a rulemaking, such provision will not necessarily go into effect on the Effective Date, but instead will go into effect ‘‘not less than’’ 60 days after publication of the related final rule or on July 16, 2011, whichever is later. See section 774 of the Dodd-Frank Act, 15 U.S.C. 77b note. 75Rulemaking is necessary to establish the form and manner of registration. 76Section 3D(d)(1) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78c–4(d)(1), states in part that ‘‘[t]o be registered, and to maintain registration, as a security-based swap execution facility, the security-based swap execution facility shall comply with * * * any requirement that the Commission may impose by rule or regulation.’’ Accordingly, compliance with such requirements will be required on the later of the registration of the SB SEF and the compliance date of any Commission rule establishing such requirements under section 3D of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78c–4.
section 3C(j)(2) of the Exchange Act,62
as well as, following rulemaking, the reporting provisions of section 3C(j)(3) of the Exchange Act.63 The Commission finds that it is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, and consistent with the protection of investors to grant temporary exemptions from sections 3C(j)(1) and (2) of the Exchange Act 64 because there is potential uncertainty regarding the duties of a chief compliance officer as required by
section 3C(j)(2).65 Therefore, under this
exemption, no person will be required to comply with section 3C(j)(1) or (2) of the Exchange Act 66 until the earliest compliance date set forth in any of the final rules regarding section 3C(j)(2) of the Exchange Act.67 With respect to the remaining provisions of section 3C of the Exchange Act, unless and until the Commission makes a determination that an SB swap is required to be cleared, section 3C of the Exchange Act, by its terms, does not require any SB swap to be cleared through a registered clearing agency or a clearing agency that is exempt from registration.68 The Commission is required to adopt rules for clearing agencies’ submissions to the Commission for review of SB swaps that clearing agencies seek to accept for clearing.69 Thus, no SB swaps will be required to be submitted to the Commission for review until the compliance date set forth in such rules. Request for Comment
77 15 U.S.C. 78mm.
78 15 U.S.C. 78c–4(a)(1) and 78c–4(c).
79 15 U.S.C. 78c–4(a)(1).
80Such an entity could, for example, be an alternative trading system or a trading platform that is currently not registered with the Commission in any capacity. The Commission notes that, if such an entity were doing business as an alternative trading system, it would continue to be subject to the requirements of Regulation ATS (17 CFR
242.300 et seq.) during this temporary period.
81The Commission intends to separately consider temporary relief from the exchange registration requirements of Sections 5 and 6 of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78f. 82 15 U.S.C. 78c–4(c). 83 Id. 84 15 U.S.C. 78c–4(a)(1) and (c). 85 15 U.S.C. 78c–5. 86Section 3E of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78c– 5, contains no provisions that expressly apply only to registered SBSDs. 87References to section 3E of the Exchange Act in this table are to 15 U.S.C. 78c–5. 88These provisions do not require compliance by market participants on the Effective Date, unless the relevant Commission action already has been undertaken. See supra note 26 and accompanying text. 89A number of Title VII provisions expressly (or implicitly) apply only to ‘‘registered’’ persons. Until the related registration processes for such persons have been established by final Commission rules, and such persons have become registered pursuant Continued temporary exemptions from sections 3D(a)(1) and 3D(c) of the Exchange Act.78 Section 3D(a)(1) of the Exchange Act states that no person may operate a facility for the trading or processing of SB swaps unless the facility is registered as a SB SEF or as a national securities exchange under section 3D of the Exchange Act.79 The temporary exemption from section 3D(a)(1) would allow an entity that trades SB swaps and is not currently registered as a national securities exchange, or that cannot yet register as a SB SEF because final rules for such registration have not yet been adopted,80 to continue trading SB swaps during this temporary period without registering as a national securities exchange or SB SEF.81 The Commission finds that such action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, and consistent with the protection of investors, to facilitate the operation of entities that trade SB swaps so that these instruments can continue to be traded without the need for entities that trade such instruments to register as national securities exchanges before the Commission has put in place a registration regime for SB SEFs, at which time the entities that operate these facilities would be able to choose between registration as a national securities exchange and a SB SEF.
Section 3D(c) of the Exchange Act
requires that a national securities exchange (to the extent that it also operates an SB SEF and uses the same electronic trade execution system for listing and executing trades of SB swaps on or through the exchange and the facility) identify whether electronic trading of such SB swaps is taking place on or through the national securities exchange or the SB SEF.82 The temporary exemption from section 3D(c) of the Exchange Act 83 would avoid legal uncertainty regarding whether a national securities exchange is operating as a SB SEF until further guidance is available. The temporary exemptions from sections 3D(a)(1) and 3D(c) of the Exchange Act 84 will expire on the earliest compliance date set forth in any of the final rules regarding registration of SB SEFs. Request for Comment
to such rules, they will not be required to comply with these Title VII provisions. If a Title VII provision requires a rulemaking, such provision will not necessarily go into effect on the Effective Date, but instead will go into effect ‘‘not less than’’ 60 days after publication of the related final rule or on July16, 2011, whichever is later. See section 774 of the Dodd-Frank Act, 15 U.S.C. 77b note. 90As explained below, the Commission will consider requests for relief from compliance with this provision by CCPs on behalf of participants. 91As explained below, the Commission will consider requests for relief from compliance with this provision by CCPs on behalf of participants. 92As explained below, the Commission will consider requests for relief from CCPs on behalf of participants. 93As explained below, the Commission will consider requests for relief from CCPs on behalf of participants. 94This section incorporates ‘‘security-based swap’’ into certain provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. 1 et seq. 95 15 U.S.C. 78c–5(f). 96 Id. 97 15 U.S.C. 78c–5(f)(1)(B) and (3). 98Notwithstanding the exemption granted, market participants in uncleared SB swaps may continue to voluntarily negotiate for and receive similar protections to those provided in section 3E(f) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78c–5(f), until compliance with such section 3E(f) is required. 99 15 U.S.C. 78c–5(f). 100 Id. 101 15 U.S.C. 78mm. 102 15 U.S.C. 78c–5(f)(1), (f)(3), and (f)(4). 103 15 U.S.C. 78c–5(a). 104 Id. 105 15 U.S.C. 78c–5(b). 106 15 U.S.C. 78c–5(c), (d), and (e). 107 15 U.S.C. 78c–5(b). 108 15 U.S.C. 78c–5(a), (b), (c) or (e). 109The Commission has granted temporary conditional exemptions to facilitate CDS clearing in connection with requests on behalf of ICE Clear Europe Limited; Eurex Clearing AG; Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc.; ICE Trust US LLC; and LIFFE Administration and Management and LCH.Clearnet Ltd. See infra note 222 and accompanying text. 110 15 U.S.C. 78c–5(a), (b), and (e). 111See generally 11 U.S.C. 741 et seq. 112 15 U.S.C. 78i(j). 113 Id. In the context of Section 774 of the DoddFrank Act, which addresses provisions that require rulemaking, we believe Section 9(j) requires rulemaking. exemptions from compliance with
section 3E(f) of the Exchange Act for
SBS Entities.95 Section 3E(f) of the Exchange Act requires SBS Entities to segregate initial margin amounts delivered by their counterparties in uncleared SB swap transactions if requested to do so by such counterparties.96 Such segregation would require the establishment of accounts in which to segregate collateral with independent third-party custodians.97 The establishment of these accounts and the adoption of policies and procedures setting forth the proper collection and maintenance of collateral will require expenditures of resources and time.98 The Commission finds that temporary exemption from section 3E(f) of the Exchange Act for SBS Entities is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, and is consistent with the protection of investors, because it would allow persons to register as an SBS Entity in accordance with the applicable registration requirements, once established, prior to expending resources to comply with the provisions of section 3E(f) of the Exchange Act as discussed above.99 In addition, the Commission believes the exemption will give SBS Entities additional time to establish the necessary accounts and adopt the policies and procedures required by section 3E(f) of the Exchange Act.100 Accordingly, the Commission is providing a temporary exemption pursuant to section 36 of the Exchange Act 101 from section 3E(f) of the Exchange Act 102 for SBS Entities. The temporary exemption will expire on the date upon which the rules adopted by the Commission to register SBSDs and MSBSPs become effective.
Section 3E(a) of the Exchange Act
prohibits a person not registered as a broker, dealer, or SBSD from undertaking specified actions pertaining to the collection of margin associated with clearing an SB swap for an SB swap customer through a clearing agency.103 Section 3E(a) of the Exchange Act requires that a person register with the Commission as a broker, dealer, or SBSD in order to comply with the provision.104 Section 3E(b) of the Exchange Act obligates such persons to segregate initial margin amounts delivered by their counterparties in cleared SB swaps.105 Sections 3E(c), (d), and (e) of the Exchange Act,106 respectively, contain exceptions to
section 3E(b) of the Exchange Act 107
permitting the commingling of funds for convenience in certain circumstances, prescribe certain obligations of the United States government in which margin collected may be invested, and contain other prohibitions on the use of margin. The Commission is not granting exemptions from the requirements of sections 3E(a), (b), (c) or (e) of the Exchange Act.108 Based on the Commission’s experience in granting, and representations made by recipients of, previous exemptive orders for CCPs, the Commission understands that there are currently no CCPs offering customer clearing of SB swaps.109 However, for CCPs that are planning to offer customer clearing of SB swaps before the compliance date for any of the final rules regarding registration of SBS Entities, the Commission will consider requests for relief from such CCPs on behalf of their participants from sections 3E(a), (b), and (e) of the Exchange Act, as appropriate, based on the applicable facts and circumstances.110 Request for Comment
114References to section 9 of the Exchange Act in this table are to 15 U.S.C. 78i. 115These provisions do not require compliance by market participants on the Effective Date, unless the relevant Commission action already has been undertaken. See supra note 26 and accompanying text. 116A number of Title VII provisions expressly (or implicitly) apply only to ‘‘registered’’ persons. Until the related registration processes for such persons have been established by final Commission rules, and such persons have become registered pursuant to such rules, they will not be required to comply with these Title VII provisions. If a Title VII provision requires a rulemaking, such provision will not necessarily go into effect on the Effective Date, but instead will go into effect ‘‘not less than’’ 60 days after publication of the related final rule or on July 16, 2011, whichever is later. See section 774 of the Dodd-Frank Act, 15 U.S.C. 77b note. 117See discussion infra. Section 761(a)(2) of the Dodd-Frank Act amends the definition of ‘‘security’’ in section 3(a)(10) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(10), to include SB swaps. Section 768(a)(1) of the Dodd-Frank Act amends the Securities Act to include SB swaps in the definition of ‘‘security’’ in section 2(a)(1) thereof, 15 U.S.C. 77b(a)(1). 118See section 774 of the Dodd-Frank Act. 119 15 U.S.C. 78i(a) and 78j(b). 120 17 CFR 240.10b–5. 121 15 U.S.C. 78o(c). 122 15 U.S.C. 77q(a). 123 15 U.S.C. 78j–2. 124 Id. 125References to section 10B of the Exchange Act in this table are to 15 U.S.C. 78j–2. 126These provisions do not require compliance by market participants on the Effective Date, unless the relevant Commission action already has been undertaken. See supra note 26 and accompanying text. 127 15 U.S.C. 78m(m). 128 Id. 129See supra note 26 and accompanying text.
TABLE D—SECURITY-BASED SWAP ANTIFRAUD PROVISIONS—COMPLIANCE DATES
Exchange act section 114
Compliance date
Authorizes/directs commission action 115 Upon effective Relief granted date (July 16, 2011) Upon registration, publication of final rules, or other commission action 116 9(j): Amends Exchange Act to make unlawful fraud, manipulation and deception in connection with SB swaps directs the Commission to engage in rulemaking to define and prescribe means reasonably designed to prevent, such fraud, manipulation and deception. .............................. ✓ .............................. N/A. The Commission notes that, as of the Effective Date, SB swaps will be securities.117 Thus, once the relevant provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act take effect,118 persons effecting transactions in, or engaged in acts, practices, and courses of business involving, SB swaps will be subject to the Commission’s rules and regulations that define and prescribe acts and practices involving securities that are manipulative, deceptive, fraudulent, or otherwise unlawful for purposes of the general antifraud and anti-manipulation provisions of the Federal securities laws, including sections 9(a) and 10(b) 119 of the Exchange Act, rule 10b– 5 thereunder 120 (and the prohibitions against insider trading), section 15(c) of the Exchange Act,121 and section 17(a) of the Securities Act,122 among others. E. Position Limits for Security-Based Swaps.
Section 10B of the Exchange Act,
added by section 763(h) of the DoddFrank Act, provides that the Commission ‘‘shall, by rule or regulation, as necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of investors’’ establish limits on the size of positions in any SB swap that may be held by any person.123 As indicated in Table E below, the provisions of section 10B authorize and direct the Commission to undertake certain actions pertaining to position limits.124 These provisions will become effective on the Effective Date, but, by their plain language, pertain to Commission action. Accordingly, these provisions do not require compliance by market participants on the Effective Date.
TABLE E—POSITION LIMITS FOR SECURITY-BASED SWAPS—COMPLIANCE DATES
Exchange act section 125
Compliance date
Authorizes/directs commission action 126 Relief granted Upon effective date (July 16, 2011) Upon registration, publication of final rules, or other commission action 10B(a): Position limits ...................................................................................... .............................. .............................. ✓ ....................... N/A. 10B(b): Exemptions ......................................................................................... .............................. .............................. ✓ ....................... N/A. 10B(c): SRO rules ........................................................................................... .............................. .............................. ✓ ....................... N/A. 10B(d): Large trader reporting ........................................................................ .............................. .............................. ✓ ....................... N/A. F. Reporting of Security-Based Swaps
i. Public Availability of Security-Based
Swap Data
Section 13(m) of the Exchange Act,
added by section 763(i) of the DoddFrank Act, includes provisions regarding the reporting of SB swap transactions and the public dissemination of such reported information.127 As set forth in Table F– 1 below, certain of the statutory provisions of section 13(m) of the Exchange Act require Commission rulemaking or other action or are only applicable once there are registered SDRs to accept SB swap transaction data.128 The table also includes provisions that authorize or direct the Commission to take specified action that, once undertaken, may impose compliance obligations upon market participants.129 Unless otherwise noted in the table below, these provisions do not require compliance by market participants on the Effective Date. The remaining provisions of section 13(m) of the Exchange Act will require compliance on the Effective Date but do not impose any self-executing duties or
130 Id.
131References to section 13(m) of the Exchange Act in this table are to 15 U.S.C. 78m(m). 132These provisions do not require compliance by market participants on the Effective Date, unless the relevant Commission action already has been undertaken. See supra note 26 and accompanying text. 133A number of Title VII provisions expressly (or implicitly) apply only to ‘‘registered’’ persons. Until the related registration processes for such persons have been established by final Commission rules, and such persons have become registered pursuant to such rules, they will not be required to comply with these Title VII provisions. If a Title VII provision requires a rulemaking, such provision will not necessarily go into effect on the Effective Date, but instead will go into effect ‘‘not less than’’ 60 days after publication of the related final rule or on July 16, 2011, whichever is later. See section 774 of the Dodd-Frank Act, 15 U.S.C. 77b note. 134This section defines ‘‘real-time public reporting’’ for the purposes of section 13(m) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78m(m). 135This section sets forth the purpose of section 13(m) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78m(m). 136 15 U.S.C. 78m(n). 137 Id. 138See supra note 26 and accompanying text. 139 Id. requirements upon market participants.130 Accordingly, the Commission is not granting temporary relief from compliance with any provisions of section 13(m) of the Exchange Act.
TABLE F—PUBLIC AVAILABILITY OF SECURITY-BASED SWAP DATA—COMPLIANCE DATES
Exchange Act Section 131
Compliance Date
Authorizes/directs commission action 132 Relief granted Upon effective date (July 16, 2011) Upon registration, publication of final rules, or other commission action 133 13(m)(1)(A): In general—definition of real-time public reporting ....................... ✓ ........................ ........................ N/A.134 13(m)(1)(B): In general—purpose ...................................................................... ✓ ........................ ........................ N/A.135 13(m)(1)(C): In general—general rule ................................................................ ........................ ........................ ✓ N/A. 13(m)(1)(D): In general—registered entities and public reporting ..................... ........................ ........................ ✓ N/A. 13(m)(1)(E): In general—rulemaking required ................................................... ........................ ........................ ✓ N/A. 13(m)(1)(F): In general—timeliness of reporting ................................................ ........................ ✓ ........................ N/A. 13(m)(1)(G): In general—reporting of swaps to registered SDRs ..................... ........................ ✓ ........................ N/A. 13(m)(1)(H): In general—registration of clearing agencies ............................... ........................ ✓ ........................ N/A. 13(m)(2): Semiannual and annual public reporting of aggregate SB swap data. ........................ ........................ ✓ N/A.
ii. Security-Based Swap Data
Repositories.
Section 13(n) of the Exchange Act,
added by section 763(i) of the DoddFrank Act, provides for the registration, operation, and governance of SDRs.136 Certain of the statutory provisions in
section 13(n) of the Exchange Act either
require a rulemaking or other Commission action or apply only to SDRs once registered, rather than to SDRs generally.137 Compliance with those provisions will not be required on the Effective Date because the Commission will not have adopted final rules (including rules regarding the manner and form of registration) by that date. The table also includes provisions that authorize or direct the Commission to take specified action that, once undertaken, may impose compliance obligations upon market participants.138 Unless otherwise noted in the table below, these provisions do not require compliance by market participants on the Effective Date. Table F–2 below lists each provision of section 13(n) of the Exchange Act and identifies those provisions with which compliance will be required on the Effective Date and those with which compliance will be triggered by registration of a person as an SDR or by adoption of final rules by the Commission.139 For the provisions with which compliance will be required on the Effective Date, Table F–2 notes whether temporary relief from compliance is granted. The rationale and duration for such relief is explained in the text following the table.
TABLE F–2—SECURITY-BASED SWAP DATA REPOSITORIES—COMPLIANCE DATES
Exchange act section140
Compliance date
Authorizes/directs commission action141 Relief granted Upon effective date (July 16, 2011) Upon registration, publication of final rules, or other commission action142 13(n)(1): Registration requirement ..................................................................... ........................ ✓ ........................ N/A.143 13(n)(2): Inspection and examination ................................................................ ........................ ✓ ........................ N/A. 13(n)(3)(A): Compliance with core principles ..................................................... ........................ ✓ ........................ N/A. 13(n)(3)(B): Compliance with core principles—reasonable discretion of SDR .. ........................ ✓ ........................ N/A. 13(n)(4)(A): Standard setting—data identification .............................................. ........................ ........................ ✓ N/A. 13(n)(4)(B): Standard setting—data collection and maintenance ...................... ........................ ........................ ✓ N/A. 13(n)(4)(C): Standard setting—comparability .................................................... ........................ ........................ ✓ N/A. 13(n)(5)(A), (B),144(C), (D)(ii), and (E): Duties .................................................. ........................ ✓ ........................ N/A. 13(n)(5)(D)(i), (F), (G), and (H): Duties .............................................................. ✓ ........................ ........................ Yes. 13(n)(6)(A)—(B): Designation of chief compliance officer—in general; duties .. ........................ ✓ ........................ N/A.145 13(n)(6)(C): Designation of chief compliance officer—annual reports .............. ........................ ✓ ........................ N/A.
140References to section 13(n) of the Exchange Act in this table are to 15 U.S.C. 78m(n). 141These provisions do not require compliance by market participants on the Effective Date, unless the relevant Commission action already has been undertaken. See supra note 26 and accompanying text. 142A number of Title VII provisions expressly (or implicitly) apply only to ‘‘registered’’ persons. Until the related registration processes for such persons have been established by final Commission rules, and such persons have become registered pursuant to such rules, they will not be required to comply with these Title VII provisions. If a Title VII provision requires a rulemaking, such provision will not necessarily go into effect on the Effective Date, but instead will go into effect ‘‘not less than’’ 60 days after publication of the related final rule or on July 16, 2011, whichever is later. See section 774 of the Dodd-Frank Act, 15 U.S.C. 77b note. 143 In order to provide for orderly registration of SDRs, the Commission will need to propose rules regarding the form and manner of registration with the Commission as an SDR. 144The data for which an SDR needs to confirm the accuracy first needs to be prescribed by the Commission pursuant to section 13(n)(5)(A). 145Section 13(n)(6) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78m(n)(6), requires each SDR to designate a chief compliance officer who shall perform certain specified duties and prepare annual reports. Although the provision does not explicitly limit its application to registered SDRs, within the context of Title VII and section 13(n) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78m(n), which addresses registered SDRs, the Commission believes that Congress intended these requirements to apply only to SDRs that are registered or are required to register with the Commission. 146 15 U.S.C. 78mm. 147 15 U.S.C. 78m(n)(5)(D)(i), (n)(5)(F), (n)(5)(G), (n)(5)(H), and (n)(7)(A) through (C). 148 15 U.S.C. 78m(n). 149 15 U.S.C. 78m(n)(5)(D)(i). 150 Id. 151 Id. 152 15 U.S.C. 78m(n)(5)(G). 153 Id. 154 Id. 155 15 U.S.C. 78m(n)(5)(G). 156 15 U.S.C. 78m(n)(5)(H). 157 15 U.S.C. 78m(n)(5)(G) and 78m(n)(5)(H).
TABLE F–2—SECURITY-BASED SWAP DATA REPOSITORIES—COMPLIANCE DATES—Continued
Exchange act section140
Compliance date
Authorizes/directs commission action141 Relief granted Upon effective date (July 16, 2011) Upon registration, publication of final rules, or other commission action142 13(n)(7)(A): Core principles applicable to SDRs—market access to services and data. ✓ ........................ ........................ Yes. 13(n)(7)(B): Core principles applicable to SDRs—governance arrangements .. ✓ ........................ ........................ Yes. 13(n)(7)(C): Core principles applicable to SDRs—Conflicts of interest ............. ✓ ........................ ........................ Yes. 13(n)(7)(D): Core principles applicable to SDRs—additional duties developed by Commission. ........................ ........................ ✓ N/A. 13(n)(8): Required registration for SDRs ........................................................... ........................ ✓ ........................ N/A. 13(n)(9): Rules ................................................................................................... ........................ ........................ ✓ N/A. As indicated in Table F–2, the Commission finds, pursuant to section 36 of the Exchange Act,146 that it is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, and is consistent with the protection of investors, to grant temporary exemptions from the provisions of sections 13(n)(5)(D)(i), 13(n)(5)(F), 13(n)(5)(G), 13(n)(5)(H), and 13(n)(7)(A) through (C) of the Exchange Act147 that would otherwise impose obligations on SDRs as of the Effective Date. These temporary exemptions will allow SDRs additional time to develop the policies, procedures, and systems necessary to comply with the requirements of section 13(n) of the Exchange Act.148 The Commission finds that granting a temporary exemption from compliance with the requirements of section 13(n)(5)(D)(i) of the Exchange Act 149 is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, and is consistent with the protection of investors. Section 13(n)(5)(D)(i) of the Exchange Act requires an SDR to provide direct electronic access to the Commission or any designee of the Commission.150 The Commission believes that this provision will require investment of significant time and resources by an SDR to implement the technology to be used to enable this direct electronic access and to coordinate with the Commission to establish its direct electronic access to data maintained by the SDR. The form and manner in which an SDR will provide direct electronic access may vary, depending in part on the amount of data stored at the SDR and how the SDR maintains that data. In addition, this requirement would obligate SDRs to make changes to existing systems and practices, or develop entirely new systems and practices, all of which would require significant investment of time and resources. The Commission believes it would be inefficient for an SDR to expend time and resources to develop the technological systems necessary to provide the direct electronic access required by
section 13(n)(5)(D)(i) of the Exchange Act prior to knowing the capabilities the Commission rules will require these systems to have.151
Section 13(n)(5)(F) of the Exchange
Act requires and SDR to maintain the privacy of any and all SB swap transaction information that the SDR receives from an SBSD, counterparty, or other registered entity.152 The Commission finds that granting a temporary exemption from compliance with section 13(n)(5)(F) of the Exchange Act 153 is necessary or appropriate in the public interest because it will provide SDRs additional time to establish and implement robust policies and procedures to protect the privacy of data reported to them.
Section 13(n)(5)(G) of the Exchange
Act requires that SDRs, on a confidential basis, and after notifying the Commission of the request, make available all data obtained by the SDR, including individual counterparty trade and position data, to certain enumerated entities.154 Section 13(n)(5)(H) of the Exchange Act 155 requires that an SDR, before sharing information with any of the entities listed in section 13(n)(5)(G) of the Exchange Act,156 (i) receive a written agreement from such entity that the entity will abide by certain confidentiality provisions relating to the information on SB swap transactions that is provided and (ii) each such entity shall agree to indemnify the SDR and the Commission for any expenses arising from litigation relating to the information provided. The Commission finds that granting a temporary exemption from compliance with the notification and indemnification requirements of sections 13(n)(5)(G) and 13(n)(5)(H) of the Exchange Act,157 is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, and is consistent with the protection of investors, because it would enable relevant authorities to continue
158 15 U.S.C. 78m(n)(7)(B).
159 15 U.S.C. 78m(n)(7)(A).
160 15 U.S.C. 78m(n)(7)(C).
161 15 U.S.C. 78m(n)(5)(D)(i), (n)(5)(G), (n)(5)(H)(ii), (n)(7)(A), (n)(7)(B), and (n)(7)(C). 162 15 U.S.C. 78m–1. 163 Id. 164See supra note 26 and accompanying text. 165 Id. 166 Id. to have access to data maintained by SDRs necessary to fulfill their respective mandates while the Commission considers various issues related to these requirements. The Commission also finds that it is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, and is consistent with the protection of investors, to grant temporary exemptions from section 13(n)(7)(B) of the Exchange Act’s 158 requirement that SDRs establish transparent governance arrangements for certain enumerated reasons. Delaying compliance with this requirement until the Commission’s final rules setting forth the full panoply of duties applicable to SDRs have been adopted would avoid possible complications and unnecessary expenditures of time and resources by an SDR. It also would avoid unnecessary disruption of an SDR’s governance structure, which could adversely impact the SDR’s operations and could result in unnecessary expenditures of time and resources by the SDR. In addition, the Commission finds that it is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, and is consistent with the protection of investors, to grant temporary relief from compliance with (i) section 13(n)(7)(A) of the Exchange Act,159 which prohibits an SDR from adopting any rule or taking any action that results in any unreasonable restraint of trade or impose any material anticompetitive burden on the trading, clearing, or reporting of transactions and (ii) section 13(n)(7)(C) of the Exchange Act,160 which requires that SDRs establish rules to minimize conflicts of interest and establish a process for resolving conflicts of interest. The Commission believes that, until SDRs can register with the Commission, they should be given additional time to establish and implement the policies and procedures required by these provisions. In addition, providing additional time through a temporary exemption for SDRs to examine current business practices and any past issues they may have dealt with will likely result in more robust policies and procedures that will better protect market participants. The temporary exemption granted by the Commission from compliance with the requirements of sections 13(n)(5)(D)(i), 13(n)(5)(F), 13(n)(5)(G), 13(n)(5)(H), 13(n)(7)(A), 13(n)(7)(B), and 13(n)(7)(C) of the Exchange Act 161 will expire on the earlier of (1) the date the Commission grants registration to the SDR and (2) the earliest compliance date set forth in any of the final rules regarding the registration of SDRs. Request for Comment:
167References to section 13A of the Exchange Act in this table are to 15 U.S.C. 78m–1. 168These provisions do not require compliance by market participants on the Effective Date, unless the relevant Commission action already has been undertaken. See supra note 26 and accompanying text. 169A number of Title VII provisions expressly (or implicitly) apply only to ‘‘registered’’ persons. Until the related registration processes for such persons have been established by final Commission rules, and such persons have become registered pursuant to such rules, they will not be required to comply with these Title VII provisions. If a Title VII provision requires a rulemaking, such provision will not necessarily go into effect on the Effective Date, but instead will go into effect ‘‘not less than’’ 60 days after publication of the related final rule or on July 16, 2011, whichever is later. See section 774 of the Dodd-Frank Act, 15 U.S.C. 77b note. 170Section 13A(a)(1) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78m–1(a)(1), states in part that ‘‘[e]ach security-based swap that is not accepted for clearing by any clearing agency or derivatives clearing organization shall be reported to (A) a securitybased swap data repository described in section 13(n) [of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78m(n)].’’ Because the SDRs described in section 13(n) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78m(n), are required by
section 13(n)(1) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C.
78m(n)(1), to be registered, the Commission believes this requirement is not triggered until an SDR is registered. 171Section 13A(a)(1)(B) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78m–1(a)(1)(B), provides for an alternative method of reporting if there is no SDR that will accept a report; however, the time frame for that reporting requirement must be established by Commission rule. 172Section 13A(a)(2) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78m–1(a)(2), required the Commission to promulgate an interim final rule regarding reporting of pre-enactment SB swaps and states in part that each such pre-enactment SB swap, the terms of which have not expired as of such date, ‘‘shall be reported to a registered security-based swap data repository or the Commission by a date that is not later than (i) 30 days after issuance of the interim final rule; or (ii) such other period as the Commission determines to be appropriate.’’ The effective date of the interim final rule was October 20, 2010. However, pursuant to the interim final temporary rule issued by the Commission on reporting of pre-enactment SB swap data, specified counterparties to such pre-enactment SB swaps are required to (1) report certain information to a registered SDR or the Commission by the compliance date established in the reporting rules required under sections 3C(e) and 13A(a)(1) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78c–3(e) and 78m–1(a)(1), or within 60 days after a registered SDR commences operations to receive and maintain data concerning such SB swap, whichever occurs first, and (2) report to the Commission any information relating to such pre-enactment SB swaps upon request of the Commission. No SDR is registered yet to accept SB swap data and the reporting rules under section 3C(e) have not yet been adopted. In addition, the Commission stated, in an interpretative note to the interim final rule, its belief that it is necessary for a counterparty, that may be required to report transactions under the interim final rule, to retain all information relating to the terms of preenactment security-based swaps in order for that counterparty to be able to comply with the reporting requirements of the interim final rule. See Reporting of Security-Based Swap Transaction Data, 75 FR 64643 (Oct. 20, 2010). The reporting rules under sections 3C(e) and 13A(a)(1) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78c–3(e) and 78m–1(a)(1), are included in a separate release. See Regulation SBSR—Reporting and Dissemination of SecurityBased Swap Information, supra note 9. 173This section provides that the effective date of
section 13A of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78m–
1, is the date of enactment of section 13A of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78m–1. However, compliance will not be required until applicable rules and regulations regarding registered SDRs are in place. 174See supra note 170. 175This section defines the individuals and entities to which the requirements of section 13A(c) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78m–1(c), apply. 176 15 U.S.C. 78o–10. 177See, e.g., section 15F(b)(2) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78o–10(b)(2) (providing that the registration application of SBS Entities ‘‘shall be made in such form and manner as prescribed by the Commission’’). 178See, e.g., section 15F(h)(1) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78o–10(h)(1) (providing that registered SBS Entities shall conform to certain prescribed business conduct standards); section 15F(h)(6) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78o– 10(h)(6) (directing the Commission to prescribe rules to implement the business conduct requirements of subsection (h) of such section 15F applicable to registered SBS Entities). 179 15 U.S.C. 78o–10. 180See supra note 26 and accompanying text.
TABLE F–3—REPORTING AND RECORDKEEPING FOR SECURITY-BASED SWAPS—COMPLIANCE DATES—Continued
Exchange act section 167
Compliance Date
Authorizes/directs commission action 168 Upon effective Relief granted date (July 16, 2011) Upon registration, publication of final rules, or other commission action 169 13A(c)(1): Requirements—provision of reports on SB swaps to the Commission. .............................. ✓ .............................. N/A. 13A(c)(2): Requirements—recordkeeping requirement .............. .............................. ✓ .............................. N/A. 13A(d): Identical data ................................................................. .............................. .............................. ✓ N/A. Request for Comment
181References to section 15F of the Exchange Act in this table are to 15 U.S.C. 78o–10. 182These provisions do not require compliance by market participants on the Effective Date, unless the relevant Commission action already has been undertaken. See supra note 26 and accompanying text. 183A number of Title VII provisions expressly (or implicitly) apply only to ‘‘registered’’ persons. Until the related registration processes for such persons have been established by final Commission rules, and such persons have become registered pursuant to such rules, they will not be required to comply with these Title VII provisions. If a Title VII provision requires a rulemaking, such provision will not necessarily go into effect on the Effective Date, but instead will go into effect ‘‘not less than’’ 60 days after publication of the related final rule or on July16, 2011, whichever is later. See section 774 of the Dodd-Frank Act, 15 U.S.C. 77b note. 184Section 15F(b)(2)(A) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78o–10(b)(2)(A), requires SBS Entities to register as such ‘‘in such form and manner as prescribed by the Commission * * * ’’ 185Section 15F(e)(1) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78o–10(e)(1), states in part that registered SBS Entities for which there is not a prudential regulator ‘‘shall meet such minimum capital requirements and minimum initial and variation and margin requirements as the Commission shall by rule or regulation prescribe * * * ’’ Accordingly, compliance with such requirements will be required on the later of the registration of a person as an SBS Entity and the compliance date of any Commission rule establishing these capital and margin requirements. 186For SBS Entities for which there is a prudential regulator, the prudential regulator shall consult with the Commission and the CFTC in establishing capital and margin requirements. 187Section 15F(e)(3)(B)(i) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78o–10(e)(3)(B)(i), provides that nothing in
section 15F of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78o–10,
shall limit the authority of the Commission or the CFTC to set financial responsibility rules for SBS Entities over which they have jurisdiction, respectively. 188Section 15F(e)(3)(B)(ii) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78o–10(e)(3)(B)(ii), provides that a futures commission merchant, introducing broker, broker,
TABLE G—REGISTRATION AND REGULATION OF SECURITY-BASED SWAP DEALERS AND MAJOR SECURITY-BASED SWAP
PARTICIPANTS—COMPLIANCE DATES Exchange act section 181 Compliance date Authorizes/directs/ limits commission action 182 Upon effective Relief granted date (July 16, 2011) Upon registration, publication of final rules, or other commission action 183 15F(a): Registration of SBSDs and MSBSPs ............................ .............................. ✓ .............................. N/A.184 15F(b)(1)–(3): Requirements—in general; contents; expiration .............................. ✓ .............................. N/A. 15F(b)(4): Requirements—rules ................................................. .............................. .............................. ✓ N/A. 15F(b)(5): Requirements—transition .......................................... .............................. .............................. ✓ N/A. 15F(b)(6): Requirements—statutory disqualification .................. ✓ .............................. .............................. Yes 15F(c): Dual registration—SBS Entities ..................................... .............................. ✓ .............................. N/A. 15F(d): Rulemaking .................................................................... .............................. .............................. ✓ N/A. 15F(e)(1): Capital and margin requirements—in general ........... .............................. ✓ .............................. N/A.185 15F(e)(2): Capital and margin requirements—rules ................... .............................. .............................. ✓ N/A.186 15F(e)(3)(A): Capital and margin requirements ......................... .............................. .............................. ✓ N/A. 15F(e)(3)(B)(i): Capital and margin requirements—rule of construction; in general. .............................. .............................. ✓ 187 N/A. 15F(e)(3)(B)(ii): Capital and margin requirements—rule of construction; futures commission merchants and other dealers. ✓ .............................. .............................. N/A.188 15F(e)(3)(C), (D): Capital and margin requirements—rule of construction; margin requirements and; comparability. .............................. .............................. ✓ N/A.189 15F(f)(1): Reporting and recordkeeping—in general .................. .............................. ✓ .............................. N/A.190 15F(f)(2): Reporting and recordkeeping—rules .......................... .............................. .............................. ✓ N/A. 15F(g)(1)–(4): Daily trading records—in general; information requirements; counterparty records; audit trail. .............................. ✓ .............................. N/A.191 15F(g)(5): Daily trading records—rules ...................................... .............................. .............................. ✓ N/A. 15F(h)(1): Business conduct standards ..................................... .............................. ✓ .............................. N/A.192 15F(h)(2): Business conduct
standards—responsibilities with respect to special entities. .............................. ✓ .............................. N/A.193 15F(h)(3): Business conduct standards—business conduct requirements. .............................. .............................. ✓ N/A.194 15F(h)(4): Business conduct standards—special requirements for SBSDs acting as advisors. .............................. ✓ .............................. N/A.195 15F(h)(5)(A): Business conduct standards—special requirements for SBSDs as counterparties to special entities. .............................. ✓ .............................. N/A.196 15F(h)(5)(B): Business conduct standards—Commission authority. .............................. .............................. ✓ N/A. 15F(h)(6): Business conduct standards—rules .......................... .............................. .............................. ✓ N/A. 15F(h)(7): Business conduct standards—applicability ............... ✓ .............................. .............................. N/A.197 15F(i)(1): Documentation standards—in general ....................... .............................. ✓ .............................. N/A.198 15F(i)(2): Documentation standards—rules ............................... .............................. .............................. ✓ N/A. 15F(j)(1)–(6): Duties—monitoring of trading; risk management procedures; disclosure of general information; ability to obtain information; conflicts of interest; antitrust considerations. .............................. ✓ .............................. N/A. 15F(j)(7): Duties—rules .............................................................. .............................. .............................. ✓ N/A. 15F(k)(1)–(2): Designation of chief compliance officer—in general; duties. .............................. ✓ .............................. N/A.199 15F(k)(3): Designation of chief compliance officer—annual reports. .............................. ✓ .............................. N/A. 15F(l): Enforcement and administrative proceeding authority.200 .............................. .............................. ✓ 201 N/A.
or dealer shall maintain sufficient capital to comply with the stricter of any applicable capital requirements to which such futures commission merchant, introducing broker, broker, or dealer is subject to under section 15(f) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78o–10(f), or the Commodity Exchange Act. 189Section 15F(e)(3)(C) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78o–10(e)(3)(C), provides, inter alia, that prudential regulators, the Commission, and the CFTC shall consult and ‘‘to the maximum extent practicable’’ establish and maintain comparable minimum capital and margin requirements. 190Section 15F(f)(1) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78o–10(f)(1), states in part that registered SBS Entities ‘‘shall make such reports as are required by the Commission, by rule or regulation, regarding the transactions and positions and financial condition of the registered security-based swap dealer or major security-based swap participant’’ and ‘‘shall keep books and records
211 15 U.S.C. 78q–1. 212 Id. 213See supra note 26 and accompanying text. 214References to section 17A of the Exchange Act in this table are to 15 U.S.C. 78q–1. 215These provisions do not require compliance by market participants on the Effective Date, unless the relevant Commission action already has been undertaken. See supra note 26 and accompanying text. 216A number of Title VII provisions expressly (or implicitly) apply only to ‘‘registered’’ persons. Until the related registration processes for such persons have been established by final Commission rules, and such persons have become registered pursuant to such rules, they will not be required to comply with these Title VII provisions. If a Title VII provision requires a rulemaking, such provision will not necessarily go into effect on the Effective Date, but instead will go into effect ‘‘not less than’’ 60 days after publication of the related final rule or on July16, 2011, whichever is later. See section 774 of the Dodd-Frank Act, 15 U.S.C. 77b note. 217Section 17A(g) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78q–1(g), will not require compliance as of the Effective Date because sections 17A(i) and (j) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78q–1(i) and (j), require rulemaking regarding registration of clearing agencies that clear SB swap transactions. The Commission notes that the general clearing agency registration requirement under section 17A(b) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78q–1(b), also will apply to SB swap clearing agencies when the provisions amending the definitions of ‘‘security’’ to include SB swaps become effective on the Effective Date. See supra note 17. As noted above, however, the Commission intends to provide temporary relief from certain provisions of the Exchange Act that would otherwise be applicable to SB swaps. See supra note 22 and accompanying text. This includes temporary relief from the clearing agency registration requirement to certain persons with respect to SB swaps. Specifically, persons that currently provide important post-trade, non-CCP clearance and settlement processing services for SB swaps may be required to register as a clearing agency as of the Effective Date (including trade matching, collateral management, and tear-up/ compression services). Temporary relief for such persons would provide time for the Commission to consider comments from industry on the issue of registration of these non-CCP clearance and settlement service providers, and to consider possible alternatives to full registration as clearing agencies. See infra note 223 and accompanying text. 218Section 17A(h) provides that a person that clears trades that are not required to be cleared may nevertheless register as a clearing agency with the Commission. It is a voluntary provision. 219Rules adopted under section 17A(i) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78q–1(i), apply only to registered clearing agencies. Accordingly, compliance with such requirements will be required on the later of the registration
of the clearing agency and the compliance date of the Commission rule establishing these clearing agency standards. 220Section 17A(l)(1)–(2) provides for the deemed registration of certain clearing agencies. See infra note 223. 221Section 17A(l)(3) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78q–l(3), provides that the CFTC shall share certain information with the Commission regarding derivatives clearing organizations deemed to be registered. 222The Commission has authorized five entities to clear credit default swaps. See Exchange Act Release Nos. 60372 (July 23, 2009), 74 FR 37748 (July 29, 2009), 61973 (Apr. 23, 2010), 75 FR 22656 (Apr. 29, 2010) and 63389 (Nov. 29, 2010), 75 FR 75520 (Dec. 3, 2010) (CDS clearing by ICE Clear Europe Limited); 60373 (July 23, 2009), 74 FR 37740 (July 29, 2009), 61975 (Apr. 23, 2010), 75 FR 22641 (Apr. 29, 2010) and 63390 (Nov. 29, 2010), 75 FR 75518 (Dec. 3, 2010), (CDS clearing by Eurex Clearing AG); 59578 (Mar. 13, 2009), 74 FR 11781 (Mar. 19, 2009), 61164 (Dec. 14, 2009), 74 FR 67258 (Dec. 18, 2009), 61803 (Mar. 30, 2010), 75 FR 17181 (Apr. 5, 2010) and 63388 (Nov. 29, 2010), 75 FR 75522 (Dec. 3, 2010) (CDS clearing by Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc.); 59527 (Mar. 6, 2009), 74 FR 10791 (Mar. 12, 2009), 61119 (Dec. 4, 2009), 74 FR 65554 (Dec. 10, 2009), 61662 (Mar. 5, 2010), 75 FR 11589 (Mar. 11, 2010) and 63387 (Nov. 29, 2010) 75 FR 75502 (Dec. 3, 2010) (CDS clearing by ICE Trust US LLC); 59164 (Dec. 24, 2008), 74 FR 139 (Jan. 2, 2009) (temporary CDS clearing by LIFFE Administration and Management and LCH.Clearnet Ltd.) (collectively, ‘‘CDS Clearing Exemption Orders’’). LIFFE Administration and Management such entities notwithstanding their statutory disqualification until such time as a procedural rule defining the application of section 15F(b)(6) of the Exchange Act is in place? H. Registration of Clearing Agencies for Security-Based Swaps
Section 17A of the Exchange Act,
amended by section 763(b) of the DoddFrank Act,211 requires registration of persons performing the functions of a clearing agency with respect to SB swaps. Many of the provisions of
section 17A of the Exchange Act either
require rulemaking or other action by the Commission or apply only to clearing agencies once registered. Those provisions that either require rulemaking or other action by the Commission or apply only to registered clearing agencies will not require compliance on the Effective Date. Table H below lists each provision of section 17A of the Exchange Act 212 that was added by the Dodd-Frank Act and identifies those provisions with which compliance will be required on the Effective Date and those with which compliance will be triggered by registration of clearing agencies or by the adoption of final rules or other action by the Commission. The table also includes provisions that authorize or direct the Commission to take specified action that, once undertaken, may impose compliance obligations upon market participants.213 Unless otherwise noted in the table below, these provisions do not require compliance by market participants on the Effective Date. For the provisions with which compliance will be required on the Effective Date, Table H notes whether temporary relief from compliance is granted.
TABLE H—REGISTRATION OF CLEARING AGENCIES FOR SECURITY-BASED SWAPS—COMPLIANCE DATES
Exchange Act Section 214
Compliance Date
Authorizes/directs commission action 215 Relief granted Upon effective date (July 16, 2011) Upon registration, publication of final rules, or other commission action 216 17A(g): Registration requirement ....................................................................... ........................ ✓ ........................ N/A217 17A(h): Voluntary registration ............................................................................ ✓ ........................ ........................ No.218 17A(i): Standards for clearing agencies clearing SB swap transactions ........... ........................ ✓ ........................ N/A.219 17A(j): Rules ...................................................................................................... ........................ ........................ ✓ N/A. 17A(k): Exceptions ............................................................................................. ........................ ........................ ✓ N/A. 17A(l)(1)–(2): Existing depository institutions and derivative clearing organizations—in general; conversion of depository institutions. ✓ ........................ ........................ No.220 17A(l)(3): Existing depository institutions and derivative clearing organizations—sharing of information. ........................ ........................ ✓ N/A.221 17A(m): Modification of core principles .............................................................. ........................ ........................ ✓ N/A. As of July 16, 2011, ICE Trust U.S. LLC, ICE Clear Europe Limited and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc., which are operating pursuant to exemptive authority granted by the Commission to clear CDS,222 will be
and LCH.Clearnet Ltd. allowed their order to lapse without seeking renewal. There are currently four clearing agencies authorized to provide CCP services for SB swap transactions pursuant to these orders. Eurex Clearing AG will not be deemed registered as a clearing agency. 223See section 17A(l) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78q–1(1). To be deemed registered, a clearing agency must be a depository institution that cleared swaps as a multilateral clearing organization or a derivative clearing organization that cleared swaps pursuant to an exemption from registration as a clearing agency. Id. Section 17A(l) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78q–1(l), provides that certain SB swap clearing agencies will be deemed registered for the purpose of clearing SB swaps (‘‘Deemed Registered Provision’’). Under this Deemed Registered Provision, a deemed registered clearing agency will be required to comply with all requirements of the Exchange Act, and the rules thereunder, applicable to registered clearing agencies, including, for example, the obligation to file proposed rule changes under section 19(b) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78s(b). After the Deemed Registered Provision becomes effective on the Effective Date, see supra Table H, certain clearing agencies will no longer need an exemption from registration as a clearing agency under section 17A of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78q–1, in order to clear SB swaps. As noted above, ICE Trust U.S. LLC, ICE Clear Europe Limited, and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc., are eligible for the Deemed Registered Provision based on the specified criteria in section 17A(l) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78q–1(l). In addition, to facilitate the operation of clearing agencies as CCPs for eligible CDS, the Commission also adopted interim temporary exemptions (‘‘Temporary Exemptions’’) from certain provisions of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the Trust Indenture Act, 15 U.S.C. 77aaa et seq., subject to certain conditions. See Temporary Exemptions for Eligible Credit Default Swaps to Facilitate Operation of Central Counterparties to Clear and Settle Credit Default Swaps, 74 FR 3967 (Jan. 22, 2009). The Commission extended the expiration date of the final temporary rules until July 16, 2011. See Extension of Temporary Exemptions for Eligible Credit Default Swaps to Facilitate Operation of Central Counterparties to Clear and Settle Credit Default Swaps, 75 FR 72660 (Nov. 26, 2010). The Commission is considering extending the Temporary Exemptions. Once extended, the Temporary Exemptions would continue to be available to those clearing agencies that are deemed registered. The Commission also has proposed exemptions that would allow clearing agencies in their function as CCPs to offer or sell SB swaps subject to certain conditions. These proposed exemptions, if adopted, would replace the Temporary Exemptions and would extend to all SB swaps. See Proposed Cleared SB Swap Exemptions, supra note 19. 224 15 U.S.C.
78c(a)(23)(A). 225 15 U.S.C. 78q–1(b). As discussed above, the new registration requirement for SB swap clearing agencies in section 17A(g) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78q–1(g), will not apply until at least 60 days after rulemaking is completed. 226See Clearing Agency Standards for Operation and Governance, supra note 10 (discussing trade matching services). 227 Id. (discussing collateral management activities). 228 Id. (discussing tear-up and compression services). 229 Id. at 14494–96 (proposing, under section 36 of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78mm, an exemption to certain persons from the definition of clearing agency in section 3(a)(23) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(23), and asking questions regarding whether there are other persons for whom the Commission should grant a similar exemption). 230 15 U.S.C. 78q–1(b). 231See supra note 217. deemed registered with the Commission solely for the purpose of clearing SB swaps pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act.223 By virtue of the broad definition of the term ‘‘clearing agency’’ in section 3(a)(23)(A) of the Exchange Act,224 certain entities that provide non-CCP clearing agency services with respect to SB swaps would be required to register as a clearing agency under section 17A(b) of the Exchange Act as of the Effective Date.225 This issue arises for these entities as of the Effective Date, and not before, because prior to such time SB swaps (other than in limited circumstances) were not deemed to be securities. Non-CCP clearing agency services include such services such as trade matching,226 collateral management,227 and tear-up/ compression services,228 which are important post-trade processing services for the SB swap markets (‘‘non-CCP clearing agency services’’). On March 2, 2011, the Commission proposed exempting certain market participants from the definition of clearing agency as
part of its clearing agency standards
release.229 As noted above, the Commission also intends to separately consider temporary relief from section 17A(b) of the Exchange Act 230 for persons that provide non-CCP clearing agency services in connection with SB swaps so that those persons are not required to be registered as a clearing agency on the Effective Date.231 Request for Comment:
232These provisions do not require compliance by market participants on the Effective Date, unless the relevant Commission action already has been undertaken. See supra note 26 and accompanying text. 233A number of Title VII provisions expressly (or implicitly) apply only to ‘‘registered’’ persons. Until the related registration processes for such persons have been established by final Commission rules, and such persons have become registered pursuant to such rules, they will not be required to comply with these Title VII provisions. If a Title VII provision requires a rulemaking, such provision will not necessarily go into effect on the Effective Date, but instead will go into effect ‘‘not less than’’ 60 days after publication of the related final rule or on July16, 2011, whichever is later. See section 774 of the Dodd-Frank Act, 15 U.S.C. 77b note. 234 15 U.S.C. 78c(a). 235 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(67)(B). 236See supra note 22 and accompanying text. 237 15 U.S.C. 78c(a). 238 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(67)(B). 239 15 U.S.C. 78c note. This amendment, along with the amendments in sections 762(b), (c), and (d) of the Dodd-Frank Act, repeals GLBA, Securities Act, and Exchange Act provisions (as added by the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000) limiting the Commission’s authority over securitybased swap agreements (as defined in section 206B of the GLBA, 15 U.S.C. 78c note). 240 Id. 241 15 U.S.C. 77b–1 and 77q. 242 15 U.S.C. 78c-1, 78i, 78j, 78o, 78p, 78t, and 78u–1. See supra note 224. 243 15 U.S.C. 78f(l). 244 15 U.S.C. 78i(b)(1)–(3). Section 763(f) makes conforming amendments to the Exchange Act. 245Section 764(b) provides that no appropriate Federal banking agency shall be divested of any authority for any entity over which it has authority. 246 15 U.S.C. 78m(d)(1) and (g)(1). 247 15 U.S.C. 78m(f)(1). 248 15 U.S.C. 78o(b)(4)(C) and (b)(4)(F). 249 15 U.S.C. 78m(o). 250See Beneficial Ownership Reporting Requirements and Security-Based Swaps, Exchange Act Release No. 64628 (June 8, 2011), available at http://www.sec.gov/rules/final/2011/34–64628.pdf. 251 15 U.S.C. 78bb(a). 252This section limits the scope of applicability of certain provisions of the Exchange Act and addresses certain state law issues. 253 15 U.S.C. 77b(a) and 77e(d). 254The Commission has proposed exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act for offers or sales of SB swaps issued by certain clearing agencies satisfying certain conditions. See Proposed Cleared SB Swap Exemptions, supra note 19. 255 15 U.S.C. 80a–2(a)(54). Section 769 of the Dodd-Frank Act makes conforming amendments to
section 2(a)(54) the Investment Company Act of
1940.
256 15 U.S.C. 80b–2(a)(29). Section 770 of the Dodd-Frank Act makes conforming amendments to
section 202(a)(2) of the Investment Advisers Act of
1940.
257 15 U.S.C. 78mm(c).
258 15 U.S.C. 78dd(c).
259 15 U.S.C. 78u–2(f).
260 15 U.S.C. 78mm.
261 15 U.S.C. 78f(l).
262 Id.
263See section 1a(18) of the Commodity Exchange Act, 7 U.S.C. 1a(18). 264 15 U.S.C. 78f(b). 265Section 721(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act amended section 1a(18) of the Commodity Exchange Act, 7 U.S.C. 1a(18), to include a new definition of the term ‘‘eligible contract participant.’’
TABLE I—OTHER AMENDMENTS TO FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS RELATING TO SECURITY-BASED SWAPS—COMPLIANCE
DATES—Continued
Exchange act section
Compliance date
Authorizes/directs/ limits commission action 232 Upon effective Relief granted date (July 16, 2011) Upon registration, publication of final rules, or other commission action 233 763(f): Amends sections 9(b)(1)–(3) of the Exchange Act to add ‘‘security-based swaps’’. 244 ✓ .............................. .............................. No. 764(b): Savings clause regarding Federal banking agency authority. .............................. .............................. ✓ 245 N/A. 765: Rulemaking on conflicts of interest .................................... .............................. .............................. ✓ N/A. 766(b): Sections 13(d)(1) and (g)(1) of the Exchange Act: beneficial ownership reporting. 246 ✓ .............................. .............................. No. 766(c): Section 13(f)(1) of the Exchange Act: reports by institutional investment managers. 247 ✓ .............................. .............................. No. 766(d): Sections 15(b)(4)(C) and (b)(4)(F) of the Exchange Act: administrative proceeding authority. 248 ✓ .............................. .............................. No. 766(e): Section 13(o) of the Exchange Act: SB swap beneficial ownership. 249 .............................. ✓ 250 .............................. No. 767: Section 28(a) of the Exchange Act: state gaming and bucket shop laws. 251 ✓ .............................. .............................. N/A.252 768: Sections 2(a) and 5(d) of the Securities Act: amendments to the Securities Act; treatment of SB swaps.253 ✓ .............................. .............................. No.254 769: Conforming definition in section 2(a)(54) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. 255 ✓ .............................. .............................. No. 770: Conforming definition in section 202(a)(29) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. 256 ✓ .............................. .............................. No. 771: Other authority of other agencies ....................................... ✓ .............................. .............................. N/A. 772(a): Section 36(c) of the Exchange Act: jurisdiction—in general. 257 ✓ .............................. .............................. N/A. 772(b): Section 30(c) of the Securities Act: jurisdiction—rule of construction. 258 ✓ .............................. .............................. N/A. 773: Section 21B(f) of the Exchange Act: civil penalties 259 ...... ✓ .............................. .............................. N/A. 774: Effective date ...................................................................... ✓ .............................. .............................. N/A. As indicated in Table I, the Commission finds, pursuant to section 36 of the Exchange Act,260 that it is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, and is consistent with the protection of investors, to grant a temporary conditional exemption from
section 6(l) of the Exchange Act to
certain persons.261 Section 6(l) of the Exchange Act 262 would make it unlawful, as of the Effective Date, for any person to effect a transaction in an SB swap with or for a person that is not an eligible contract participant,263 unless such transaction is effected on a national securities exchange registered pursuant to section 6(b) of the Exchange Act.264 Title VII amended the definition of eligible contract participant in the Commodity Exchange Act.265 A number
266See, e.g., Trade Association Letter, supra note 28 (‘‘The definition of [eligible contract participant] was amended by [the Dodd-Frank Act], and the [Commission and the CFTC] have sought comments in [the Entity Definitions Release] on how to further define such term, including how to interpret the phrase ‘‘discretionary basis.’’ Until the term [eligible contract participant] is further defined in a final rulemaking, market participants will not know whether they are dealing with an [eligible contract participant], and where the line is between their institutional and retail businesses. As a result, they will not know * * * whether certain transactions are subject to the new requirement for [non-eligible contract participant] transactions to be executed on an exchange * * *. As a result, market participants may cease or severely limit their business with counterparties that could potentially be considered [non-eligible contract participants] under the Dodd-Frank statutory definition of [eligible contract participant].’’). 267 Id. 268 15 U.S.C. 78(f)(l). 269 7 U.S.C. 1a(12) (as in effect on July 20, 2010). 270 15 U.S.C. 78mm. 271 15 U.S.C. 78f(l). 272See supra note 28. 273The Commission notes however that it has not received any comments regarding the definition of ‘‘security future’’ or the possibility that SB swaps may be characterized as security futures. Section 3(a)(55) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(55), excludes from the definition of security future ‘‘any agreement, contract, or transaction excluded from the Commodity Exchange Act under section 2(c), 2(d), 2(f), or 2(g) of the Commodity Exchange Act (as in effect on the date of enactment of the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000) or title IV of the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000.’’ Although the Dodd-Frank Act repealed certain provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act added by the CFMA, Title VII did not affect this exclusion or otherwise affect the legal certainty provided by section 3(a)(55) of the Exchange Act regarding the potential scope of the definition of security future. 274See supra note 28 and note 275. 275See Trade Association Letter, supra note 28. 276See supra note 22 and accompanying text. 277See Proposed Cleared SB Swap Exemptions, supra note 19 and discussion supra note 223. 278 15 U.S.C. 77q(a). 279See Proposed Cleared SB Swap Exemptions, supra note 19. 280 15 U.S.C. 78cc(b). 281 Id. 282 Id. 283 15 U.S.C. 78mm. 284 15 U.S.C. 78cc(b). of commenters have raised concerns about potential uncertainty regarding the definition of ‘‘eligible contract participant’’ as a result of the Title VII amendments to that definition.266 They have suggested, among other things, that market participants may cease or limit their business with counterparties that could potentially be considered noneligible contract participants when the Dodd-Frank Act amendments to the definition of eligible contract participant go into effect.267 The Commission finds that
temporary exemption from section 6(l) of the Exchange Act 268 for persons that meet the definition of eligible contract participant as set forth in section 1a(12) of the Commodity Exchange Act (as in effect on July 20, 2010) 269 is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, and is consistent with the protection of investors, because it would allow persons currently participating in the SB swap markets that could potentially be considered non-eligible contract participants under the definition of eligible contract participant as amended by Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Act, to continue to do so until the term eligible contract participant is further defined in final rulemaking. Accordingly, the Commission is providing a temporary conditional exemption pursuant to
section 36 of the Exchange Act 270 from
section 6(l) of the Exchange Act 271 for
eligible contract participants under current law. The temporary exemption will expire on the effective date for the final rules further defining the term eligible contract participant. In addition, the Commission has received comments 272 expressing concern regarding the implication of the incorporation of SB swaps into the definition of ‘‘security.’’ 273 Commenters have indicated that they are still analyzing the full implication of such expansion of the definition of security, but that it will take time.274 Market participants therefore have requested temporary relief from certain provisions of the Exchange Act that will impose new obligations on counterparties to SB swaps so that they may complete their analysis and submit requests for more targeted relief.275 The Commission intends to separately address relief in this area.276 Moreover, the Commission has proposed exemptions under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, and the Trust Indenture Act for SB swaps issued by certain clearing agencies satisfying certain conditions.277 The proposed exemptive rules would exempt transactions by clearing agencies in these SB swaps from all provisions of the Securities Act, other than the section 17(a) 278 antifraud provisions, as well as exempt these SB swaps from Exchange Act registration requirements and from the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, provided certain conditions are met.279 Request for Comment:
285 Id.
286See section 774 of the Dodd-Frank Act. 287 15 U.S.C. 78i(a) and 78j(b). 288 17 CFR 240.10b–5. 289 15 U.S.C. 78o(c). 290 15 U.S.C. 77q(a). until such date as the Commission specifies. The Commission finds that such exemption is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, and is consistent with the protection of investors, because the legal uncertainty that could result if contracts entered into after the Effective Date were void or voidable under
section 29(b) of the Exchange Act 285
could be disruptive to the financial markets, create confusion for both financial institutions and their customers, or result in unnecessary and wasteful litigation. As previously discussed, once the relevant provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act take effect,286 persons effecting transactions in SB swaps, or engaged in acts, practices, and courses of business involving SB swaps, will be subject to the general antifraud and antimanipulation provisions of the Federal securities laws that were in place before the enactment of the Dodd-Frank Act, including sections 9(a) and 10(b) of the Exchange Act,287 rule 10b–5 thereunder 288 (and the prohibitions against insider trading), section 15(c) of the Exchange Act,289 and section 17(a) of the Securities Act,290 among others. Persons would retain all available rights as a result of any violation of these general antifraud and anti-manipulation provisions.
III. Solicitation of Comments
The Commission intends to monitor closely the transition of the derivatives markets to regulated markets and to determine to what extent, if any, additional regulatory action may be necessary. The Commission is soliciting public comment on all aspects of these exemptions and the guidance it provided regarding compliance dates, including:
swap dealers and major security-based swap participants become effective. It is hereby further ordered, pursuant to section 36 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, that any person that meets the definition of eligible contract participant as set forth in section 1a(12) of the Commodity Exchange Act (as in effect on July 20, 2010) is exempt from the requirements of section 6(l) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 with respect to a transaction in a securitybased swap until the effective date for the final rules further defining the term eligible contract participant, provided that such person effects such transaction with or for a person that also meets the definition of eligible contract participant as set forth in section 1a(12) of the Commodity Exchange Act (as in effect on July 20, 2010). It is hereby further ordered, pursuant to section 36 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, that no contract entered into on or after July 16, 2011 shall be void or considered voidable by reason of
section 29(b) of the Securities and
Exchange Act of 1934 because any person that is a party to the contract violated a provision of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that was amended or added by subtitle B of the Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act of 2010 and for which the Commission has taken the view that compliance will be triggered by registration of a person or by adoption of final rules by the Commission, or for which the Commission has provided an exception or exemptive relief herein, until such date as the Commission specifies. By the Commission. Dated: June 15, 2011. Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2011–15432 Filed 6–21–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
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