94-14938. Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Options Clearing Corporation; Notice of Filing and Order Granting Accelerated Approval on a Temporary Basis of a Proposed Rule Change Relating to Revisions to the Standards for Letters of Credit Deposited ...  

  • [Federal Register Volume 59, Number 117 (Monday, June 20, 1994)]
    [Unknown Section]
    [Page 0]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 94-14938]
    
    
    [[Page Unknown]]
    
    [Federal Register: June 20, 1994]
    
    
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    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
    [Release No. 34-34206; File No. SR-OCC-94-06]
    
     
    
    Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Options Clearing Corporation; 
    Notice of Filing and Order Granting Accelerated Approval on a Temporary 
    Basis of a Proposed Rule Change Relating to Revisions to the Standards 
    for Letters of Credit Deposited as Margin
    
    June 13, 1994.
        Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
    (``Act''),\1\ notice is hereby given that on May 27, 1994, The Options 
    Clearing Corporation (``OCC'') filed with the Securities and Exchange 
    Commission (``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in 
    Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared primarily by OCC. 
    The Commission is publishing this notice and order to solicit comments 
    from interested persons and to grant accelerated approval of the 
    proposed rule change through June 30, 1995.
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        \1\15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1) (1988).
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    I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
    of the Proposed Rule Change
    
        The proposed rule change extends the Commission's previous 
    temporary approval of OCC's modifications to its rules setting forth 
    the standards for letters of credit deposited with OCC as margin.
    
    II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and 
    Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
    
        In its filing with the Commission, OCC included statements 
    concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and 
    discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The 
    text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in 
    Item IV below. OCC has prepared summaries, set forth in sections (A), 
    (B), and (C) below, of the most significant aspects of such statements.
    
    A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and 
    Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
    
        Previously, OCC has filed with the Commission and the Commission 
    has temporarily approved rule changes which modify the standards for 
    letters of credit deposited with OCC as margin.\2\ Like the previous 
    filings, this filing makes several modifications to Rule 604, which 
    sets forth the standards for acceptable forms of collateral deposited 
    with OCC as margin. With respect to letters of credit constituting an 
    acceptable form of margin, the following standards must be followed. 
    First, in order to conform to the Uniform Commercial Code and to avoid 
    any ambiguity as to the latest time for honoring demands upon letters 
    of credit, letters of credit must state expressly that payment must be 
    made prior to the close of business on the third banking day following 
    demand. Second, letters of credit must be irrevocable. Third, letters 
    of credit must expire on a quarterly basis. OCC also is adding to Rule 
    604 language to make explicit its authority to draw upon letters of 
    credit at any time, whether or not the clearing member that deposited 
    the letter of credit has been suspended or is in default, if OCC 
    determines that such draws are advisable to protect OCC, other clearing 
    members, or the general public.\3\
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        \2\Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 29641 (August 30, 1991), 
    56 FR 46027 [File No. SR-OCC-91-13] (order temporarily approving 
    proposed rule change through February 28, 1992); 30424 (February 28, 
    1992), 57 FR 8160 [File No. SR-OCC-92-06] (order temporarily 
    approving proposed rule change through May 31, 1992); 30763 (June 1, 
    1992), 57 FR 24284 [File No. SR-OCC-92-11] (order temporarily 
    approving proposed rule change through August 31, 1992); 31126 
    (September 1, 1992) 57 FR 40925 [File No. SR-OCC-92-19] (order 
    temporarily approving proposed rule change through December 31, 
    1992); 31614 (December 17, 1992) 57 FR 61142 [File No. SR-OCC-92-37] 
    (order temporarily approving proposed rule change through June 30, 
    1993); and 32532 (June 28, 1993), 58 FR 36232 [File No. SR-OCC-93-
    14] (order temporarily approving proposed rule change through June 
    30, 1994).
        \3\For a detailed discussion of the modifications to OCC's rules 
    governing letters of credit deposited as margin, refer to Securities 
    Exchange Act Release No. 29641, supra note 2.
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        Since approval of its original letters of credit filing, OCC has 
    received no adverse comments or complaints from any of its clearing 
    members, banks, or other interested parties with respect to the 
    modifications to Rule 604 or to the implementation of the revised 
    letter of credit standards. Accordingly, OCC is requesting that the 
    Commission again approve the revisions.
        OCC believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the 
    requirements of Section 17A of Act and the rules thereunder.\4\ 
    Specifically, OCC believes the proposed rule change promotes the 
    protection of investors by enhancing OCC's ability to safeguard the 
    securities and funds in its possession or subject to its control.
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        \4\15 U.S.C. 78q-1.
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    B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
    
        OCC does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any 
    burden on competition.
    
    C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed 
    Rule Change Received From Members, Participants or Others
    
        Comments were not and are not intended to be solicited with respect 
    to the proposed rule change, and none were received.
    
    III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for 
    Commission Action
    
        The Commission believes that the proposal is consistent with 
    Section 17A of the Act and specifically with Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of 
    the Act.\5\ That section requires that the rules of a clearing agency 
    be designed to assure the safeguarding of securities and funds which 
    are in the custody or control of the clearing agency or for which the 
    clearing agency is responsible.
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        \5\15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(3)(F) (1988).
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        The revised standards should make letters of credit deposited as 
    margin more liquid instruments and, consequently, should permit OCC to 
    more safely rely upon such letters of credit. Because the revised 
    standards will induce letter of credit issuers to reexamine clearing 
    members' financial conditions every three months rather than annually 
    as under the prior standards, the financial conditions of clearing 
    members electing to deposit letters of credit as margin should be 
    assessed more frequently. More frequent assessments should facilitate 
    the discovery of any adverse developments in a more timely manner. In 
    addition, because letters of credit will be irrevocable, issuers of 
    letters of credit no longer will be able to revoke letters of credit at 
    times when the clearing members most need credit facilities (e.g., when 
    a clearing member is experiencing financial difficulties or during 
    times of market volatility). By approving the proposed rule change on a 
    temporary basis through June 30, 1995, OCC, the Commission, and other 
    interested parties will be able to assess further, prior to permanent 
    Commission approval, any effects the revised standards have on letter 
    of credit issuance and on margin deposited at OCC.\6\
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        \6\The Commission and OCC currently are studying concentration 
    limits on letters of credit deposited as margin. The Division 
    believes that clearing agencies that accept letters of credit as 
    margin deposits or clearing fund contributions should limit their 
    exposure by imposing concentration limits on the use of letters of 
    credit. Generally, clearing agencies impose limitations on the 
    percentage of an individual member's required deposit or 
    contribution that may be satisfied with letters of credit, 
    limitations on the percentage of the total required deposits or 
    contributions that may be satisfied with letters of credit by any 
    one issuer, or some combination of both. OCC has no concentration 
    limits on the use of letters of credit issued by U.S. institutions.
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        OCC has requested that the Commission find good cause for approving 
    the proposed rule change prior to the thirtieth day after the date of 
    publication of notice of the filing. The Commission finds good cause 
    for so approving because the Commission believes it is desirable that 
    the proposed rule change be approved before the expiration of the 
    Commission's previous order granting temporary approval of these 
    modifications to the letter of credit standards. By approving this 
    proposed rule filing before expiration of the prior temporary approval 
    order, the changes that have been implemented pursuant to the temporary 
    approval order may remain in place during the further assessment of any 
    effects the revised standards have on the issuance of letters of credit 
    and on margin deposited at OCC pending permanent approval.
    
    IV. Solicitation of Comments
    
        Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and 
    arguments concerning the foregoing. Persons making written submissions 
    should file six copies thereof with the Secretary, Securities and 
    Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. 
    Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written 
    statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with 
    the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed 
    rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those 
    that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions 
    of 5 U.S.C. Sec. 552, will be available for inspection and copying in 
    the Commission's Public Reference Section, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., 
    Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies of such filing will also be available 
    for inspection and copying at the principal office of OCC. All 
    submissions should refer to the file number SR-OCC-94-06 and should be 
    submitted by July 11, 1994.
    
    V. Conclusion
    
        On the basis of the foregoing, the Commission finds that OCC's 
    proposed rule change is consistent with the Act and in particular with 
    Section 17A of the Act.
        It is therefore ordered, under Section 19(b)(2) of the Act, that 
    the proposal (File No. SR-OCC-94-06) be, and hereby is, approved 
    through June 30, 1995.
    
        For the Commission by the Division of Market Regulation, 
    pursuant to delegated authority.\7\
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        \7\17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12) (1993).
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    Margaret H. McFarland
    Deputy Secretary.
    [FR Doc. 94-14938 Filed 6-17-94; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 8010-01-M
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
06/20/1994
Department:
Securities and Exchange Commission
Entry Type:
Uncategorized Document
Document Number:
94-14938
Pages:
0-0 (1 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Federal Register: June 20, 1994, Release No. 34-34206, File No. SR-OCC-94-06