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[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 248 (Friday, December 28, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67418-67421]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-28191]

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-84894; File No. SR-DTC-2018-013]

Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Depository Trust Company; 
Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change 
To Revise the Service Guide for the Canadian-Link Service

December 20, 2018.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given that 
on December 19, 2018, The Depository Trust Company (``DTC'') filed with 
the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') the proposed 
rule change as described in Items I, II and III below, which Items have 
been prepared by the clearing agency. DTC filed the proposed rule 
change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \3\ and Rule 19b-
4(f)(4) thereunder.\4\ The Commission is publishing this notice to 
solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \3\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \4\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(4).
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I. Clearing Agency's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the 
Proposed Rule Change

    The proposed rule change of DTC \5\ consists of modifications to 
the text of the Procedures,\6\ specifically the service guide 
(``Guide'') \7\ for the DTC Canadian-Link Service (``Canadian-Link 
Service''), relating to the determination of a conversion rate applied 
by DTC for the conversion of Canadian dollar (``CAD'') amounts into the 
equivalent U.S. dollar (``USD'') amounts.
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    \5\ Capitalized terms not defined herein are defined in the 
Rules, By-Laws and Organization Certificate of DTC (``Rules''), 
available at www.dtcc.com/~/media/Files/Downloads/legal/rules/
dtc_rules.pdf and the Guide.
    \6\ Pursuant to the Rules, the term ``Procedures'' means the 
Procedures, service guides, and regulations of DTC adopted pursuant 
to Rule 27, as amended from time to time. See Rule 1, Section 1, 
supra note 5. Pursuant to Rule 27, each Participant and DTC is bound 
by the Procedures and any amendment thereto in the same manner as it 
is bound by the Rules. See Rule 27 at 98, supra note 5.
    \7\ Available at http://www.dtcc.com/~/media/Files/Downloads/
legal/service-guides/Canadian_Dollar_Settlement.pdf.
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II. Clearing Agency's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis 
for, the Proposed Rule Change

    In its filing with the Commission, the clearing agency 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. The clearing agency has prepared summaries, 
set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant 
aspects of such statements.

(A) Clearing Agency's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis 
for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose
    The proposed rule change consists of modifications to the Guide \8\ 
relating to the determination of a conversion rate applied by DTC for 
the conversion of CAD amounts into the equivalent USD amounts, which 
DTC uses in connection with the calculation of the Collateral Value \9\ 
of Securities delivered, and CAD funds transfers processed through, the 
Canadian-Link Service, as described below.
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    \8\ Id.
    \9\ The term ``Collateral Value'', as used with respect to the 
Collateral of a Participant, means, on any Business Day, (i) with 
respect to the Actual Participants Fund Deposit of a Participant, 
the amount of such Actual Participants Fund Deposit, (ii) with 
respect to the Actual Preferred Stock Investment of a Participant, 
the amount of such Actual Preferred Stock Investment, (iii) with 
respect to the Net Additions of a Participant, an amount determined 
by applying to the Market Value of such Net Additions a percentage 
determined by the Corporation, in its sole discretion, and (iv) with 
respect to any settlement progress payments wired by a Participant 
to the account of the Corporation at the Federal Reserve Bank of New 
York in the manner specified in the Procedures, the amount of such 
settlement progress payments. Rule 1, Section 1 at 3, supra note 5. 
Net Additions in the definition of Collateral Value refers to the 
term ``Net Addition Securities'' as defined in Rule 1. The term 
``Net Addition Securities'' (sometimes referred to as ``Net 
Additions'') of a Participant on any Business Day means (i) 
Securities subject of Deliveries Versus Payment to the Participant, 
(ii) Securities credited to the Account of the Participant (such as 
Deposits of Eligible Securities and Free Deliveries of Securities) 
and designated as Net Addition Securities by the Participant in the 
manner specified in the Procedures. Net Addition Securities shall 
cease to be such if (x) they become Pledged or Segregated 
Securities, (y) they are Delivered or Withdrawn by the Participant 
or (z) they are designated as Minimum Amount Securities by the 
Participant in the manner specified in the Procedures. Rule 1, 
Section 1 at 10, supra note 5.
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Background
    In 2006, DTC established a ``northbound'' Canadian-Link Service 
that supports transactions settled in CAD.\10\ Rule 30 \11\ describes 
the operation of the Canadian-Link Service, which permits DTC 
Participants using the Canadian Link Service (``Canadian-Link 
Participants'') to (A) settle valued Securities transactions with 
participants (``CDS Participants'') of The Canadian Depository for 
Securities Limited (``CDS'') and other Canadian-Link Participants in 
CAD and (B) transfer CAD to or receive CAD from CDS Participants and 
other Canadian-Link Participants without any corresponding delivery or 
receipt of securities.\12\
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    \10\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 52784 (November 16, 
2005), 70 FR 70902 (November 23, 2005) (SR-DTC-2005-08).
    \11\ Supra note 5.
    \12\ The Canadian-Link Service also provides for Cross-Border 
USD Securities Transactions between Participants and CDS 
Participants. See Rule 30, Section 1(a)(2), supra note 5. See also 
Securities Exchange Act Release No. 55239 (February 5, 2007), 72 FR 
6798 (February 13, 2007).
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    The Canadian-Link Service provides Participants with a single 
depository interface for CAD transactions. The link facilitates 
Participants' ability to maintain U.S. and Canadian Security positions 
in their DTC accounts for securities listed in both Canada and the 
United States (i.e., dually listed). This eliminates the need for 
Participants to maintain separate positions in an eligible \13\ 
Security in CDS for CAD settlements and in DTC for USD settlements. It 
also eliminates the need for Participants to reposition Securities 
inventory between DTC and CDS in preparation for corporate action 
events and or transaction processing for dually listed issues.
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    \13\ DTC may determine the Securities that are eligible for the 
Canadian-Link Service. Some Securities may be eligible for all 
purposes of the Canadian-Link Service and some Securities may be 
eligible only for limited purposes (e.g., clearance and settlement 
through the facilities of CDS but only custody and asset servicing 
through the facilities of DTC). See Rule 30, Section 4, supra note 
5.
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    Transactions between Canadian-Link Participants and CDS 
Participants are processed through an omnibus account

[[Page 67419]]

maintained by DTC at CDS (``DTC Omnibus Account'') in accordance with 
the rules and procedures of CDS. Canadian-Link Participants are able 
(i) to deliver securities to or receive securities from CDS 
Participants against payment in CAD and (ii) to transfer funds to or 
receive funds from CDS Participants in CAD without any corresponding 
delivery or receipt of Securities. Transactions between Canadian-Link 
Participants and other Canadian-Link Participants are processed through 
accounts at DTC in accordance with the Rules.
    For both transactions (i) between Canadian-Link Participants and 
CDS Participants processed through the DTC Omnibus Account and (ii) 
between Canadian-Link Participants and other Canadian-Link Participants 
processed through accounts at DTC, there is a single end-of-day CAD 
money settlement between DTC and its Canadian-Link Participants 
(``Canadian-Link Money Settlement''). For the transactions between 
Canadian-Link Participants and CDS Participants processed through the 
DTC Omnibus Account, there is a separate end-of-day CAD money 
settlement between CDS and DTC.
    As with all valued transactions processed at DTC, DTC maintains 
risk controls with respect to transactions processed by Canadian-Link 
Participants, including the Net Debit Cap and Collateral Monitor.\14\ 
With respect to Collateral Monitor, each Canadian-Link Participant has 
a single Collateral Monitor with respect to transactions processed for 
such Participant through the Canadian-Link Service and other 
transactions processed by DTC for such Participant.
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    \14\ The term ``Collateral Monitor'' of a Participant, as used 
with respect to its obligations to the Corporation, means, on any 
Business Day, the record maintained by the Corporation for the 
Participant which records, in the manner specified in Procedures, 
the algebraic sum of (i) the Net Credit or Debit Balance of the 
Participant and (ii) the aggregate Collateral Value of the 
Collateral of the Participant. Rule 1, Section 1 at 3, supra note 5.
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    In connection with CAD transactions, DTC faces the risk of USD/CAD 
exchange rate movements that may affect the Collateral Value relating 
to transactions and Securities processed through the Collateral 
Monitor. Specifically, CDS Participants' net settlement debits are 
expressed in CAD and DTC Collateral is expressed in USD, which presents 
the risk of adverse movement in the USD/CAD exchange rate which may 
impact the value of the Collateral Monitor.\15\ To address this 
exchange rate risk, DTC currently uses a haircut approach applied to 
CAD net debits (``Haircut Approach'').
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    \15\ For purposes of the Canadian-Link Service, the Collateral 
Monitor of a Canadian-Link Participant is adjusted as follows: (1) 
CAD net credits from transactions processed for such Participant 
through the Canadian-Link Service are converted into USD equivalents 
and added to USD net credits from other transactions processed by 
DTC for such Participant; (2) CAD net debits from transactions 
processed for such Participant through the Canadian-Link Service are 
converted into USD equivalents and added to USD net debits from 
other transactions processed by DTC for such Participant; (3) The 
Collateral Value of Securities delivered by such Participant to CDS 
Participants through the DTC Omnibus Account and the Collateral 
Value of Securities delivered by such Participant to other Canadian-
Link Participants through accounts at DTC are converted into USD 
equivalents and deducted from the Collateral Value of the Collateral 
of such Participant; and (4) Collateral Value in USD is given for 
Securities received by such Participant from other Canadian-Link 
Participants but no Collateral Value is given for Securities 
received by such Participant from CDS Participants unless and until 
such Securities are credited to an account of such Participant at 
DTC. See Rule 30, Section 9, supra note 5.
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    The Haircut Approach uses a 3 percent fixed-rate factor. DTC 
converts CAD amounts into the equivalent USD amounts using a conversion 
rate (``Collateral Monitor Conversion Rate'') that is a published rate 
for exchanging CAD to USD on the prior Business Day plus (in the case 
of CAD debits) or minus (in the case of CAD credits) the 3 percent 
fixed-rate factor.\16\ The 3 percent fixed-rate factor is based on one-
day, two-day and five-day exchange rate fluctuations over the ten years 
prior to implementation of the Collateral Monitor Conversion Rate.\17\ 
At the time, DTC determined that the 3 percent fixed-rate factor 
adequately accounted for over 99 percent of exchange rate fluctuations 
during such period.\18\
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    \16\ See Guide at 6, supra note 7.
    \17\ Id.
    \18\ Id.
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    The Guide provides that DTC may from time to time, if necessary, 
change the 3 percent fixed-rate factor (``Factor'') used to calculate 
the Collateral Monitor Conversion Rate to appropriately account for 
exchange rate fluctuations.\19\ DTC has recently analyzed the Haircut 
Approach and has determined that it is necessary to amend the Guide 
with respect to text describing the Factor and the Collateral Monitor 
Conversion Rate.
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    \19\ Id.
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Proposed Rule Change
    While the Guide states that DTC may change the Factor, if 
necessary, to account for exchange rate fluctuations, it also refers to 
specific criteria, as described above, that were used to determine the 
3 percent fixed-rate Factor at the time the Canadian-Link Service was 
implemented.\20\ While DTC has not changed the Factor since its 
implementation, the criteria originally used to determine the Factor 
may not continue to appropriately account for the risk of exchange rate 
fluctuations and their impact on the Collateral Monitor when changes to 
market conditions and risk management practices over time are taken 
into account. Therefore, DTC proposes to amend the Guide to remove 
specific references to (i) the Factor being established at 3 percent 
and (ii) references to time intervals used to calculate the Factor at 
the time the Canadian-Link service was established.
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    \20\ Id.
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    In addition, DTC recently adopted its Clearing Agency Model Risk 
Management Framework (``Framework''), which is designed to assist DTC 
in identifying, measuring, monitoring, and managing the risks 
associated with the development, implementation, use and validation of 
quantitative models.\21\ In this regard, all models used by DTC, 
including that used to derive any change to the Factor used in the 
calculation of the Collateral Monitor Conversion Rate, must be 
developed, implemented, used and validated in accordance with the 
Framework. Therefore, DTC also proposes to amend the Guide to state 
that the Factor would be calculated in accordance with a methodology 
established by DTC, from time to time, in accordance with the Clearing 
Agency Model Risk Management Framework of DTC, that appropriately 
accounts for exchange rate fluctuations.
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    \21\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 81485 (August 25, 
2017), 82 FR 41433 (August 31, 2017).
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    DTC completed the Factor model validation process according to the 
Framework and would calibrate the Factor no less than semi-annually as 
follows: Four-day exchange rate returns would be calculated for a ten-
year lookback period, plus a one-year stress period \22\ which would be 
determined by calculating the evenly weighted volatility of the four-
day exchange rate returns across rolling twelve-month periods. The 
twelve-month period with the highest resulting volatility would be 
selected as the one-year stress period. In addition, four-day exchange 
rate returns would be calculated for a ten-year lookback period. The 
factor would then be derived by estimating the 0.5th percentile from 
the combined sample of ten-year and one-year stress period returns. The 
factor would then be rounded up to a whole percentage.
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    \22\ In a case of the one-year stress period overlapping the 
ten-year lookback period, the data used for calibration would be the 
ten-year period plus the non-overlapping days in the stress period.

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[[Page 67420]]

    In this regard, the Guide currently states with respect to the 
Factor:
    ``For purposes of adjustments in the collateral monitor, DTC will 
convert Canadian dollar amounts into the equivalent U.S. dollar amounts 
using a conversion rate (Collateral Monitor Conversion Rate) that is a 
published rate for exchanging Canadian dollars to U.S. dollars on the 
prior business day plus (in the case of Canadian dollar debits) or 
minus (in the case of Canadian dollar credits) a factor of 3%. The 3% 
factor is based on one day, two day and five day exchange rate 
fluctuations over the past ten years. Such 3% factor adequately 
accounts for over 99% of exchange rate fluctuations during such period. 
DTC may from time to time if necessary change the factor used to 
calculate the Collateral Monitor Conversion Rate to appropriately 
account for exchange rate fluctuations.'' \23\
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    \23\ See Guide at 6, supra note 3.
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    Pursuant to the authority currently set forth in the Guide for DTC 
to, from time to time if necessary, change the factor used to calculate 
the Collateral Monitor Conversion Rate to appropriately account for 
exchange rate fluctuations,\24\ DTC would amend the Guide text to read:
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    \24\ Id.
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    ``For purposes of adjustments in the collateral monitor, on a given 
Business Day, DTC converts Canadian dollar amounts into the equivalent 
U.S. dollar amounts using a conversion rate (Collateral Monitor 
Conversion Rate) that is a published rate for exchanging Canadian 
dollars to U.S. dollars on the prior Business Day plus (in the case of 
Canadian dollar debits) or minus (in the case of Canadian dollar 
credits) a factor (``Factor'') of no less than 3%, calculated in 
accordance with a methodology established by DTC, from time to time, in 
accordance with the Clearing Agency Model Risk Management Framework of 
DTC, that appropriately accounts for exchange rate fluctuations. DTC 
will calibrate the Factor no less than semi-annually as follows: Four-
day exchange rate returns will be calculated for a ten-year lookback 
period, plus a one-year stress period (Note: In a case where the one-
year stress period overlaps with the ten-year lookback period, the data 
used for calibration would be the ten-year period plus the non-
overlapping days in the stress period.) which will be determined by 
calculating the evenly weighted volatility of the four-day exchange 
rate returns across rolling twelve-month periods. The twelve-month 
period with the highest resulting volatility will be selected as the 
one-year stress period. In addition, four-day exchange rate returns 
will be calculated for a ten-year lookback period. The factor will then 
be derived by estimating the 0.5th percentile from the combined sample 
of ten-year and one-year stress period returns. The factor will then be 
rounded up to a whole percentage. Except for extreme market conditions, 
the methodology and any changes in the Factor will be distributed by 
Important Notice at least 5 Business Days before becoming effective.''
Effective Date
    The proposed rule change would become effective upon filing with 
the Commission.
2. Statutory Basis
    Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act requires that the rules of the 
clearing agency be designed, inter alia, to promote the prompt and 
accurate clearance and settlement of securities transactions.\25\ DTC 
believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with this 
provision of the Act because, by revising the Guide to update the 
description of how changes to the Factor would be made in light of 
DTC's adoption of the Framework, the proposed rule change would 
facilitate Participants' ability to understand the calculation of the 
Collateral Monitor Conversion Rate and its impact on risk controls 
relating to their transaction activity. Therefore, the proposed rule 
change would promote the prompt and accurate clearance and settlement 
of securities transactions consistent with Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the 
Act.\26\
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    \25\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(3)(F).
    \26\ Id.
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(B) Clearing Agency's Statement on Burden on Competition

    DTC does not believe that the proposed rule change would have any 
impact on competition. The proposed rule change would merely update the 
Guide with respect to existing Procedures relating to DTC's discretion 
to change the Factor as necessary to account for exchange rate 
fluctuations.\27\ The proposed change would reflect that any change in 
the Factor would be made pursuant to a methodology established in 
accordance with the Framework, which is a Procedure previously approved 
by the Commission.\28\ Therefore, the proposed rule change would not 
affect the rights or obligations of Participants, and as such, would 
not impact competition.
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    \27\ See Guide at 6, supra note 7.
    \28\ Supra note 21.
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(C) Clearing Agency's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change 
Received From Members, Participants, or Others

    DTC has not received or solicited any written comments relating to 
this proposal. DTC will notify the Commission of any written comments 
received by DTC.

III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change, and Timing for 
Commission Action

    The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 
19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \29\ and paragraph (f) of Rule 19b-4 
thereunder.\30\ At any time within 60 days of the filing of the 
proposed rule change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend 
such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is 
necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of 
investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
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    \29\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \30\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f).
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IV. Solicitation of Comments

    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views and 
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule 
change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of 
the following methods:

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an email to [email protected]. Please include 
File Number SR-DTC-2018-013 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

     Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities 
and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549.

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-DTC-2018-013. This file 
number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help 
the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, 
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on 
the Commission's internet website (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). 
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

[[Page 67421]]

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. 552, will be 
available for website viewing and printing in the Commission's Public 
Reference Room, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549 on official 
business days between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of 
the filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the 
principal office of DTC and on DTCC's website (http://dtcc.com/legal/sec-rule-filings.aspx). All comments received will be posted without 
change. Persons submitting comments are cautioned that we do not redact 
or edit personal identifying information from comment submissions. You 
should submit only information that you wish to make available 
publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-DTC-2018-013 
and should be submitted on or before January 18, 2019.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\31\
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    \31\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2018-28191 Filed 12-27-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
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