95-29258. Self-Regulatory Organizations; Government Securities Clearing Corporation; Order Approving a Proposed Rule Change Relating to Netting Services for the Non-Same-Day-Settling Aspects of Next-Day and Term Repurchase and Reverse Repurchase ...  

  • [Federal Register Volume 60, Number 230 (Thursday, November 30, 1995)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 61577-61581]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 95-29258]
    
    
    
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    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
    
    [Release No. 34-36491; File No. SR-GSCC-95-02]
    
    
    Self-Regulatory Organizations; Government Securities Clearing 
    Corporation; Order Approving a Proposed Rule Change Relating to Netting 
    Services for the Non-Same-Day-Settling Aspects of Next-Day and Term 
    Repurchase and Reverse Repurchase Transactions
    
    November 17, 1995.
        On August 1, 1995, the Government Securities Clearing Corporation 
    (``GSCC'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
    (``Commission'') a proposed rule change (File No. SR-GSCC-95-02) 
    pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
    (``Act'').\1\ On August 29, 1995, and September 19, 1995, GSCC amended 
    the filing.\2\ Notice of the proposal was published in the Federal 
    Register on September 26, 1995.\3\ One comment letter was received 
    regarding the proposed rule change.\4\ For the reasons discussed below, 
    the Commission is approving the proposed rule change.
    
        \1\ 15 U.S.C. Sec. 78s(b)(1) (1988).
        \2\ Letters from Jeffrey F. Ingber, General Counsel and 
    Secretary, GSCC, to Christine Sibille, Division of Market 
    Regulation, Commission (August 24, 1995, and September 14, 1995).
        \3\ Securities Exchange Act Release No. 36252 (September 19, 
    1995), 60 FR 49649.
        \4\ Letter from Barry E. Silverman, President, Delta Government 
    Options Corp., to Jonathan G. Katz, Secretary, Commission (October 
    20, 1995).
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    I. Description
    
        On May 12, 1995, GSCC implemented its comparison service for next-
    day (also referred to as ``overnight'') and term repurchase and reverse 
    repurchase transactions involving government securities as the 
    underlying instrument (``repos'').\5\ As of October 10, 1995, forty-
    five members are participating in this service. This rule filing allows 
    GSCC to implement the next stage of its repo services, which is 
    providing netting and risk management services for the non-same-day-
    settling aspects of next-day and term repo transactions.\6\
    
        \5\ For a complete description of GSCC's repo comparison 
    service, refer to Securities Exchange Act Release No. 35557 (March 
    31, 1995), 60 FR 17598 [File No. SR-GSCC-94-10] (order approving 
    proposed rule change relating to implementing a comparison service 
    for repos).
        \6\ GSCC plans to offer its repo services in three phases. Phase 
    I involves providing comparison and netting services for next-day 
    and term repo transactions; Phase II will focus on providing 
    comparison, netting, and risk management services for open repos; 
    and Phase III will focus on providing intraday netting and risk 
    management services for same-day settling aspects of repo 
    transactions. Future phases will add the following repo services 
    (not necessarily in this order): (1) tracking and facilitation of 
    collateral substitutions, (2) enhanced comparison services for 
    forward-settling repos, and (3) interest rate protection for 
    forward-settling repos.
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        The repo netting process began in test mode on October 12, 1995, 
    and continues on a daily basis. The test process is conducted using 
    data submitted during the previous day's production cycle. GSCC 
    anticipates fully implementing repo netting in mid-November 1995 after 
    the November refunding of government securities. In order to 
    accommodate the repo netting process, the proposed rule change 
    substantially modifies GSCC's procedures and methodologies as described 
    below.
    
    (1) Eligibility for Netting
    
        GSCC netting members, other than interdealer broker netting 
    members, may participate in the repo netting system upon being 
    designated by GSCC's Membership and Standards Committee as eligible for 
    such services.\7\ The 
    
    [[Page 61578]]
    Committee will base its determination of eligibility on: (1) 
    Satisfactory participation in GSCC's repo comparison service, (2) 
    demonstration by the member of its ability to meet its obligations with 
    regards to the netting and settlement of repos, and (3) execution by 
    the member of documents provided by GSCC to ensure that the netting and 
    settlement of the member's repos will be done in conformity with GSCC's 
    rules.
    
        \7\ Interdealer broker netting members will not be eligible for 
    GSCC's repo netting service during this first phase because 
    brokering in the repo market currently is done on a ``give up'' 
    basis with interdealer brokers giving up the name of each 
    counterparty to the other counterparty and the no longer having any 
    involvement in the transaction.
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        A start leg or a close leg of a repo is eligible for netting and 
    settlement through the netting system if: (1) The repo is compared 
    through GSCC, (2) (i) for the start leg, the number of calendar days 
    between the business day on which the repo is submitted to GSCC and the 
    scheduled settlement date for the close leg associated with the 
    settling start leg must not be greater than the maximum number of 
    calendar days set by GSCC, which initially is 195 calendar days and 
    (ii) for the close leg, the number of calendar days between the 
    business day on which the repo is submitted to GSCC and the scheduled 
    settlement date for the close leg must not be greater than the maximum 
    number of calendar days set by GSCC, (3) netting of the start or close 
    leg must occur on or before its scheduled settlement date (i.e., the 
    leg cannot be a same-day settling leg), (4) data on each side of the 
    repo must be submitted to GSCC by members designated as eligible to 
    participate in the repo netting process, (5) the underlying securities 
    must be eligible for netting,\8\ and (6) the maturity date of the 
    underlying securities must be on or later than the scheduled settlement 
    date of the leg.
    
        \8\ Pursuant to GSCC's rules, an eligible security is a security 
    issued or guaranteed by the U.S., a U.S. government agency or 
    instrumentality, or a U.S. government-sponsored corporation (except 
    a mortgage-backed security) that GSCC has listed on its eligible 
    securities master file.
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        A forward-settling start leg \9\ is not netted with other trades 
    and is not guaranteed until the scheduled settlement date for that 
    start leg. A forward-settling close leg is not netted with other trades 
    and is not guaranteed until the scheduled settlement date for the 
    associated start leg.
    
        \9\ A forward-settling transaction is submitted one or more 
    business days prior to its scheduled settlement date.
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    (2) Netting Process
    
        Each night a participating repo netting member's eligible repo 
    transactions will be netted with its regular buy/sell cash activity and 
    Treasury auction purchases in the same CUSIP to establish a single net 
    position in each security. For netting purposes, the settlements 
    associated with repo start legs and reverse repo close legs will be 
    treated as short positions. The settlements associated with repo close 
    legs and reverse repo start legs will be treated as long positions. The 
    difference between a member's total short activity and its total long 
    activity within a CUSIP is its net position in the CUSIP.
        GSCC will provide each participant with a daily netting system 
    output that will breakdown its net positions by reporting for each 
    security: (1) The net cash position, (2) the net repo position, and (3) 
    the total net position.\10\ Each participant's forward-settling net 
    position for each of its securities is recalculated on a daily basis. 
    Forward-settling net positions automatically convert into deliver or 
    receive obligations on their scheduled settlement dates.
    
        \10\ The daily netting system output separately lists forward-
    settling start legs and close legs until such transactions are 
    eligible for netting (i.e., the settlement date of the start leg).
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    (3) Settlement
    
        Each processing day, GSCC conducts two settlement processes. These 
    are a securities settlement and a funds-only settlement.\11\ For 
    securities settlement, each netting member is obliged to deliver to or 
    to receive from GSCC its net deliver or receive obligation in each 
    CUSIP that is generated as a result of the netting process. Securities 
    settlement for repo legs will not differ from securities settlement for 
    regular cash activity. For funds-only settlement, GSCC will add amounts 
    pertaining to repos to amounts pertaining to regular cash activity and 
    Treasury auction purchases and will report such amounts within the 
    existing categories (e.g., forward margin or fail mark 
    obligations).\12\
    
        \11\ At 2:00 a.m., GSCC issues to each participant its netting 
    output reports which establish the participant's deliver, receive, 
    and payment obligations for the day. By 10:00 a.m., a participant 
    must satisfy its funds only settlement obligations, and GSCC will 
    pay funds credits owed to participants by 11:00 a.m. A participant 
    may satisfy its securities deliver obligations at any time during 
    the day.
        \12\ The daily net funds-only settlement amount for each netting 
    member will be adjusted to reflect certain changes to GSCC's 
    margining processes as discussed below in Section (7).
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    (4) Coupon Protection
    
        When the start leg of a repo is initiated, securities are moved 
    from the account of the funds borrower (i.e., the long side for the 
    close leg) to the account of the funds lender (i.e., the short side for 
    the close leg) until the settlement date of the close leg. However, 
    because the funds lender is not entitled to any coupon payments which 
    are made by the issuer directly to the funds lender's clearing bank 
    while the securities are in its possession, the coupon payments will be 
    passed through from the funds lender (short side) to the funds borrower 
    (long side) when the coupon date is after the repo start date and on or 
    before the repo close date. GSCC's current procedures for paying coupon 
    on all fail obligations will not change and will apply to fail 
    obligations arising from repos as well.\13\
    
        \13\ Under these procedures, on the coupon payment date GSCC 
    will collect the coupon payment from a member with a fail net short 
    position and pass the coupon payment to the member with the fail net 
    long position.
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    (5) Collateral Substitution
    
        In this initial phase of repo netting, GSCC will not perform 
    collateral substitutions on an automated basis. However, participants 
    may make collateral substitutions by designating new underlying 
    collateral for a repo transaction through use of the ``cancel and 
    correct'' feature of GSCC's comparison system. GSCC's operations staff 
    manually will process the collateral substitution as it does now for 
    clearing fund securities margin.
    
    (6) Guarantee of Settlement
    
        As in cash transactions, GSCC novates the repo transaction at the 
    time the start or close leg is netted. At that time, GSCC assumes 
    contraparty responsibility and guarantees settlement of the repo. 
    GSCC's guarantee includes the return of the underlying collateral to 
    the funds borrower and both the return of principal (repo start amount) 
    and the payment of interest to the term of the repo transaction to the 
    funds lender. As discussed above, forward-settling repo start legs and 
    close legs are not netted or guaranteed until the scheduled settlement 
    date of the start leg.
    
    (7) Forward Margin
    
        Because GSCC guarantees the settlement of all transactions once 
    they are compared and netted, each day GSCC will mark-to-market each 
    participant's forward-settling net positions and will recalculate each 
    participant's forward margin obligation. Participating members will 
    then be assessed forward margin accordingly in their daily funds 
    settlement.\14\
    
        \14\ Because forward-settling start legs are not guaranteed 
    until the scheduled settlement date, such transactions are not 
    margined.
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        Margin for cash trades will continue to be calculated by marking 
    each transaction to the market using the following formula:
    
    Market value=GSCC Price x Par Amount+Accrued Coupon Interest 
    
    [[Page 61579]]
    Calculated to Scheduled Settlement Date
    
        The resulting value is then subtracted from the contract value to 
    calculate the appropriate margin amount.
        To take into account differences between the repo market and the 
    when-issued cash market, including the fact that the liquidation 
    process for repos involves a cost-of-carry element, forward margin 
    calculations for repos will differ from those of cash market trades. To 
    margin a forward-settling repo close leg, GSCC begins by calculating 
    market value, using the following formula:
    
    Market Value=GSCC Price x Par Amount+Accrued Coupon Interest Calculated 
    to Current Date
    
        The market value calculated is subtracted from the repo's contract 
    value\15\ to establish a debit or credit collateral mark.
    
        \15\ The contract value of the repo is the dollar value at which 
    the close leg is to be settled.
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        Next, the repo financing mark for the transaction is calculated. If 
    a member in a net short position (reverse side) fails, GSCC will 
    replace the position by buying securities and putting them out on repo 
    in the market and thus will incur a financing cost. Conversely, if a 
    member in a net long position (repo side) fails, GSCC will replace the 
    position by selling securities obtained by doing a reverse repo in the 
    market and thus will create interest income potential. To account for 
    its possible financing costs and interest income potential, GSCC 
    computes the financing mark and includes it in the clearing margin 
    calculation. The formula used to calculate the financing mark is:
    
    Financing Mark=Market Value of Repo x GSCC Repo Rate x Number of Days 
    to Scheduled Settlement Date360
    
        GSCC tailors its repo rate to each individual repo transaction. To 
    establish the repo rate, GSCC first determines if the collateral 
    underlying the repo is general or specific.\16\ For general collateral 
    repos, GSCC uses the remaining term of the repo to determine the 
    appropriate market repo rate. For specific collateral repos, GSCC uses 
    both the CUSIP and the remaining term of the repo to determine the 
    specific repo rate. GSCC uses multiple market sources to obtain repo 
    rates which are monitored on a daily basis. After calculating, GSCC 
    debits from the reverse (short) side the financing mark and credits the 
    financing mark to the repo (long) side.
    
        \16\ General collateral repos refer to repo transactions that do 
    not specify the underlying collateral by a CUSIP number while 
    specific collateral repos indicate by CUSIP number what the 
    underlying security must be.
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        The total forward margin for repos is calculated using the 
    following formula:
    
    Total Forward Margin=Collateral Mark+Financing Mark
    
        The debit and credit margins calculated for the individual 
    transactions comprising the participant's net settlement position are 
    then added together. A participant's total forward margin is the 
    mathematical sum of the individual debit and credit margins calculated 
    across all securities and across all settlement dates.
        Any credit margin amounts resulting from both cash and repo trades 
    remaining after being used to fully offset debit margin amounts across 
    CUSIPs will be paid out to participants in funds settlements. There are 
    the following exceptions to this pay-through policy: (1) only bank and 
    category one dealer netting members that have been active in the 
    netting system for at least sixty days may collect credit forward 
    margin amounts, (2) if a member has been awarded Treasury securities at 
    auction, GSCC's obligation to pay to such member a credit forward 
    margin payment will be limited by the amount of debit forward margin 
    payment(s) that under GSCC's rules the Federal Reserve Banks are not 
    obligated to pay to GSCC, and (3) GSCC may suspend a member's right to 
    collect credit forward margin if the member is placed on surveillance.
        Because credit margins now will be paid to participants, only cash 
    may be used as margin. Members will no longer be able to post 
    collateral in advance in lieu of their cash forward margin obligations. 
    GSCC will pay interest on all margin amounts collected and will charge 
    interest on all margin amounts paid on a daily basis using the 
    effective Fed Funds rate.
    
    (8) Clearing Fund
    
        GSCC's method of calculating a member's clearing fund contribution 
    now is based on the net settlement positions of all of the cash and 
    repo activities of the participant. The funds settlement risk component 
    and the securities settlement risk component of the clearing fund 
    calculation has been changed to take into account the average of a 
    member's most active ten days over the most recent seventy-five 
    business days instead of the average of the most recent twenty business 
    days.\17\
    
        \17\ This change has been made to both the general rules on 
    clearing fund deposits and the specific rules for Category 2 dealer 
    netting members and Category 2 futures commission merchants.
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        The clearing fund formula also has been modified to anticipate any 
    exposure resulting from the clearance of the present day's settlement 
    transactions. Specifically, a member's outstanding net settlement 
    position for clearing fund purposes is calculated alternately by 
    disregarding an by including the amount of securities underlying the 
    positions that are scheduled to settle that day. The portion of the 
    clearing fund formula that reflects securities settlement exposure is 
    calculated by taking the average offset margin amount \18\ or, if 
    greater, the greatest of the following three calculations; (1) fifty 
    percent of that day's gross margin amount, (2) one hundred percent of 
    that day's offset margin amount calculated by excluding positions that 
    are schedule to settle that day or (3) one hundred percent of that 
    day's offset margin amount including positions that are scheduled to 
    settle that day.\19\
    
        \18\ The offset margin amount is the gross margin (the dollar 
    value of a member's net settlement positions multiplied by the 
    appropriate margin factors) as reduced by offsetting short and long 
    positions based on maturity date and par amount. The average offset 
    margin, which is part of the securities settlement risk component 
    discussed above, takes the average of offset margins from the ten 
    most active days over the previous seventy-five business days.
        \19\ Prior to this filing, securities settlement exposure was 
    calculated as the greater of the average offset margin amount or 50% 
    of the gross margin amount.
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        The calculation of the securities settlement exposure for a 
    Category 2 dealer netting member or a Category 2 futures commission 
    merchant netting member also is revised to require such member to 
    deposit the greatest (1) such member's average gross margin amount 
    based on the average of the ten most active days over the most recent 
    seventy-five business days, (2) such member's gross margin amount 
    calculated by including positions settle that day, or (3) such member's 
    gross margin amount calculated by excluding positions settling that 
    day.
        The proposed rule change adds a new component, the repovolatility 
    factor, to the clearing fund formula. Repo volatility factors are a set 
    of percentages which are applied to the net settlement repo positions 
    to cover the securities' settlement exposure posed by such repo 
    activity.\20\ Initially, the repo volatility factor for general 
    collateral repos will be set at fifty basis points. The repo volatility 
    factor for specific repos that 
    
    [[Page 61580]]
    are expected to convert to general collateral repos on a certain date 
    will be the same as the factor for general collateral repos. The repo 
    volatility factor for all other specific repos will be the spread 
    between the system rate for the repo and the system rate for general 
    collateral repos with a minimum factor of fifty basis points.
    
        \20\ These percentages are derived based on GSCC's research, 
    which has been conducted with the assistance of tits members, on 
    historical repo rate volatility including repo market participants' 
    analytics and raw data itself. GSCC is building and will maintain 
    its own date base on the historical daily volatility of repo rates.
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        Each member is required to add to its clearing fund requirement the 
    greater of (1) the product of the repo volatility factors and the 
    market value of the member's repo transactions reduced by offsetting 
    short and long positions based on maturity date and par amount \21\ 
    (``offset repo volatility amount'') or (2) the average of a member's 
    ten highest offset repo volatility amounts over the most recent seventy 
    five business days. Participants may submit requests for the return of 
    excess collateral on a monthly basis instead of on a quarterly basis.
    
        \21\ A twenty-five percent disallowance will be imposed an all 
    offsets.
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    (9) Obligation To Submit Trades
    
        GSCC Rule 11, Section 3, which requires a netting member to submit 
    all eligible trades to GSCC for comparison and netting, is not 
    applicable to a netting member's repo transactions. Rule 18, Section 4 
    requires a repo netting member to submit for comparison and netting all 
    repo trades eligible for netting to either GSCC, to another Commission 
    registered clearing agency, or a clearing agency exempted by the 
    Commission from Clearing agency registration.
    
    II. Comments
    
        The Commission received one comment letter opposing the 
    proposal.\22\ This commenter argues that: (1) GSCC's system does not 
    novate trades, and therefore, its members may not offset repo trades on 
    their books in reliance on Interpretation 41 of the Financial 
    Accounting Standards Board (``FASB''); \23\ (2) GSCC's repo volatility 
    factor provides inadequate protection in a volatile market; \24\ (3) 
    GSCC does not have a third party credit line to pay for customer 
    defaults; and (4) GSCC has not imposed trading limits on its members. 
    In its response to the commenter, GSCC states that the commenter's 
    arguments are based on misrepresentations and misstatements regarding 
    GSCC and its processes.\25\
    
        \22\ Supra note 4.
        \23\ The commenter asserts that nothing in GSCC's rules or 
    procedures prevents it from assigning a guaranteed obligation to a 
    system participant having an equal obligation and stepping out as a 
    counterparty.
        \24\ Specifically, the commenter asserts that GSCC's repo 
    volatility factor is based upon two standard deviations from the 
    mean rate over the historical period instead of the three standard 
    deviations used by the commenter.
        \25\ In its letter, GSCC addressed each of the commenter's 
    points. (1) Regarding novation of trades, GSCC asserts that its 
    rules clearly set forth the novation process whereby GSCC stands in 
    the middle of all net settlement positions as a counterparty to each 
    member for settlement purposes, and with regard to repos, as 
    counterparty it ensures the return of the underlying collateral to 
    the funds borrower and both the return of principal and the payment 
    of interest to the term of the repo to the funds lender. (2) 
    Regarding the protection given by GSCC's repo volatility factor in a 
    volatile market, GSCC asserts that it does not plan to use a two 
    standard deviation measure for the repo volatility component of its 
    clearing fund calculation as asserted by the commenter and states 
    that the factor will reflect the interest rate exposure incurred by 
    GSCC in guaranteeing payment to the funds lender in a repo 
    transaction. (3) Regarding third-party credit support, GSCC asserts 
    that it uses a dynamic margining process whereby margin is 
    recalculated and collected daily and increases or decreases daily 
    based on the level of members' net activity. GSCC states that the 
    dynamic nature of the margining process provides a high level of 
    assurance that GSCC's overall settlement process for the Government 
    securities industry never fails. (4) Regarding system limits and 
    risk assessment, GSCC asserts that it has a comprehensive and highly 
    automated management reporting system that allows it to assess the 
    risks presented by members' activities and changing market 
    conditions. GSCC asserts that the clearing fund and forward margin 
    requirements imposed on members act as limits on system-wide 
    exposure because a member can only increase its trading activity to 
    the extent that it can meet its daily margin obligations. Letter 
    from Jeffrey F. Ingber, General Counsel and Secretary, GSCC, to 
    Jerry W. Carpenter, Assistant Director, Division of Market 
    Regulation, Commission (October 27, 1995).
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    III. Discussion
    
        The Commission finds that the proposed rule change is consistent 
    with the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations 
    thereunder and particularly with the requirements of Section 
    17A(b)(3)(F).\26\ Section 17A(b)(3)(F) requires that the rules of a 
    clearing agency be designed to promote the prompt and accurate 
    clearance and settlement of securities transactions and to assure the 
    safeguarding of securities and funds which are in the custody or 
    control of the clearing agency or for which it is responsible. The 
    Commission believes GSCC's rule change meets these goals because the 
    implementation of a netting system for repos continues the process 
    whereby GSCC provides the benefits of centralized automated settlement 
    to a broader segment of government securities transactions and because 
    the netting system is being implemented with safeguards adequately 
    designed to limit the risks to GSCC and its participants associated 
    with the netting of repo transactions.
    
        \26\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(3)(F) (1988).
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        In addition to centralizing and automating the settlement process, 
    repo netting provides several benefits to participants. Among others, 
    these include: (1) guaranteed settlement, (2) reduction in FedWire 
    transfer activity through the netting of a member's repo transactions 
    with its cash transactions and auction purchases, (3) automated coupon 
    tracking, and (4) automated output.
        The proposed rule change also is consistent with the 
    recommendations of the Joint Report on the Government Securities 
    Market.\27\ The Joint Report recommended, among other things, that GSCC 
    include more trades in its netting system. The Joint Report noted that 
    the benefits of netting are greater as more trades are included in the 
    net and that as more trades are included in GSCC's net a larger 
    percentage of market trades become guaranteed trades.
    
        \27\ Joint Report on the Government Securities Market (January 
    1992) at 31 (``Joint Report''), prepared by the Department of the 
    Treasury, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Board of 
    Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        The Commission also believes that GSCC has put in place adequate 
    safeguards to limit the settlement risk associated with repo 
    transactions. For example, GSCC does not novate or guarantee the start 
    leg of a repo until the scheduled settlement date. In addition, GSCC's 
    guarantee is limited to repos that are schedule to settle within 195 
    days of submission to GSCC. The Commission believes that these measures 
    provide additional risk protection. As GSCC becomes more experienced in 
    the netting of repos, it may decide that it can eliminate or modify 
    these limitations consistent with its responsibility to safeguard 
    securities and funds.\28\
    
        \28\ Should GSCC decide that it can modify or eliminate the 
    limitations in a manner consistent with its statutory safeguarding 
    obligations, it will file for Commission approval a proposed rule 
    change.
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        The Commission further believes that GSCC's forward margin and 
    clearing fund calculations provide adequate risk management. GSCC's 
    margining system takes into account changes in the price of the 
    underlying collateral and the risk that GSCC may need to replace the 
    underlying collateral if a participant defaults. The clearing fund 
    calculation is based on both a member's funds settlement amount and 
    securities settlement amount. With respect to repos, GSCC also will 
    collect clearing fund contributions based on changes in the financing 
    rate which will reflect possible changes in repo rates. The Commission 
    believes that the margin and clearing fund contributions appropriately 
    take into account the risks posed to GSCC by the settlement of repos.
        The Commission also notes that GSCC's rules require that netting 
    
    [[Page 61581]]
        members submit a repo transaction to either GSCC or another registered 
    or exempted clearing agency. The Commission believes that such a 
    requirement is consistent with the Act's goal of establishing a 
    national system for the clearance and settlement of securities by 
    including more trades within the system.\29\
    
        \29\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1(a)(2)(A) (1988).
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        Currently, GSCC will not accept same-day settling repo legs or open 
    repos. The Commission understands that GSCC needs to study further the 
    risk involved with such repos and to modify its systems in order to 
    process these trades in a safe and efficient manner. The Commission 
    believes that the current limitations on eligible transactions are 
    appropriate.
        The one adverse commenter argued that GSCC's system does not comply 
    with FASB's Interpretation No. 41 because GSCC does not novate the 
    trades.\30\ The Commission believes that the commenter mischaracterizes 
    GSCC's netting process. Pursuant to Section 6 of GSCC's Rule 11, all 
    obligations between netting members are terminated at the time a report 
    of such positions and obligations are made available to members and are 
    replaced by obligations to deliver to and/or to receive from GSCC 
    securities and payments.
    
        \30\ The commenter noted that although Price Waterhouse LLP 
    issued an opinion stating that GSCC members would be allowed to 
    offset for financial statement purposes positions in repos, this 
    opinion is based on GSCC's description of the novation process by 
    which GSCC becomes the counterparty. Letter from Barry E. Silverman, 
    supra note 4, referring to a letter from Price Waterhouse LLP to 
    GSCC (May 30, 1995).
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        The adverse commenter also argues that GSCC's repo volatility 
    factor should take into account a three standard deviation move instead 
    of a two standard deviation move.
        Contrary to the commenter's statement, GSCC does not rely upon a 
    two standard deviation movement. Instead, the current minimum repo 
    volatility factor of fifty basis points exceeds the largest one day 
    movement (forty-one basis points) in all general collateral repos.\31\
    
        \31\ In contrast, a two standard deviation movement is equal to 
    ten basis points.
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        The commenter also argues that GSCC does not have sufficient 
    liquidity through a third party credit line and does not limit the 
    positions of members. In its release announcing standards for the 
    registration of clearing agencies, the Commission stated that a 
    clearing agency should establish an appropriate level of clearing fund 
    contributions based on the risks to which it is subject.\32\ The 
    purpose of the clearing fund is to enable a clearing agency to meet its 
    obligations to its participants. The Commission believes that by 
    revising its clearing fund formula to take into account repo activity, 
    GSCC will have sufficient liquidity to provide for the safeguarding of 
    securities and funds. Further, GSCC's clearing fund is based upon each 
    member's level of trading activity.\33\ Thus, GSCC will collect 
    payments from members in proportion to their trading activity.
    
        \32\ Securities Exchange Act Release No. 16900 (June 17, 1980), 
    45 FR 41920.
        \33\ While the commenter suggests that in its repo clearing 
    system it establishes trading limits for all participants, such 
    limits only prohibit additional trading activity that is not 
    margined (i.e., the commenter requires that a participant submit 
    additional margin in order to submit additional trades).
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        Nonetheless, the Commission believes it is appropriate for GSCC to 
    review its liquidity needs and resources after it has experience 
    operating the repo netting system. Accordingly, GSCC has agreed to 
    conduct a study of its liquidity resources within a year after 
    implementing this service, and to provide a copy of such study to the 
    Commission.
    
    IV. Conclusion
    
        On the basis of the foregoing, the Commission finds that the 
    proposal is consistent with the requirements of the Act and in 
    particular with Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act.
        It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act, 
    that the proposed rule change (File No. SR-GSCC-95-02) be, and hereby 
    is approved.
    
        For the Commission by the Division of Market Regulation, 
    pursuant to delegated authority.\34\
    
        \34\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12) (1994).
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    Margaret H. McFarland,
    Deputy Secretary.
    [FR Doc. 95-29258 Filed 11-29-95; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 8010-01-M
    
    

Document Information

Published:
11/30/1995
Department:
Securities and Exchange Commission
Entry Type:
Notice
Document Number:
95-29258
Pages:
61577-61581 (5 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Release No. 34-36491, File No. SR-GSCC-95-02
PDF File:
95-29258.pdf