# AGENCY:

Commodity Futures Trading Commission. 

# ACTION:

Proposed rules. 

# SUMMARY:

                        The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“Commission” or “CFTC”) is proposing to amend several provisions of its Regulation 1.17, which governs the minimum financial requirements imposed upon futures commission merchants (“FCMs”) and introducing brokers (“IBs”). The proposal would:  ease the restrictions                         Start Printed Page 6570                        imposed upon the withdrawal of equity capital from an FCM;  increase the percentage deduction (                        *i.e.,*                         “haircut”) applied to the value of equity securities pledged as collateral for secured demand notes that are included in the adjusted net capital of an FCM or IB; and delete a reference to a section of the Securities and Exchange Commission's (“SEC”) capital rule that has been repealed.                     

The Commission believes that the current restriction on the withdrawal of equity capital that is based on a percentage of the amount of funds an FCM is required to segregate or set aside for customers may be unnecessary in light of other early warning capital standards and the degree of surveillance carried out by SROs over their member FCMs. The proposed amendment increasing the haircut applied to equity securities pledged as collateral for secured demand notes would provide greater conformity between the Commission's capital rules and the capital rules of the SEC. 

# DATES:

Comments must be received on or before March 13, 2000. 

# ADDRESSES:

                        Comments should be mailed to Jean A. Webb, Secretary, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Three Lafayette Centre, 1155 21st Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20581. In addition, comments may be sent by facsimile to (202) 418-5521, or by electronic mail to                         *secretary@cftc.gov.*                         Reference should be made to “Minimum Financial Requirements for Futures Commission Merchants and Introducing Brokers—Equity Capital.”                     

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

                        Henry J. Matecki, Financial Audit and Review Branch, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, 300 S. Riverside Plaza, Room 1600-N, Chicago, IL 60606; telephone (312) 886-3217; electronic mail                         *hmatecki@cftc.gov:*                         or Gary C. Miller, Associate Chief Accountant, Division of Trading and Markets, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Three Lafayette Centre, 1155 21st Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20581; telephone (202) 418-5461; electronic mail                         *gmiller@cftc.gov.*

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

## I. Restrictions on the Withdrawal of Equity Capital From a Futures Commission Merchant 

### A. Background 

                    Commission Regulation 1.17(e) [1]                                          prohibits the withdrawal of equity capital from an FCM [2]                                          to redeem or to repurchase shares of stock of the FCM, to pay dividends, or to make an unsecured advance or loan to a stockholder, partner, sole proprietor or employee of the FCM if, after giving effect to the withdrawal and to certain other specified withdrawals and payments, the FCM's adjusted net capital would be less than the greatest of:                

(1) $300,000 (120 percent of the $250,000 minimum adjusted net capital requirement); 

                    (2) Seven percent of the customer funds required to be segregated or set aside pursuant to the Commodity Exchange Act (“Act”) and Commission regulations, [3]                                          (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “customer segregated and secured amount”);                

(3) 120 percent of the amount of adjusted net capital required by a registered futures association of which the FCM is a member; or 

(4) For an FCM that is also a securities broker or dealer registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), the amount of net capital specified in SEC Rule 15c3-1(e) (17 CFR 240.15c3-1(e)). 

                    The Joint Audit Committee (“JAC”) has petitioned the Commission to amend the restriction in (2) above to permit the withdrawal of equity capital from an FCM provided that, after giving effect to the withdrawal, the FCM's adjusted net capital is in excess of six percent of the customer segregated and secured amount. [4]                                          The JAC's petition did not address the other withdrawal restrictions listed above.                

In its petition, the JAC stated that prohibiting capital withdrawals that result in an FCM having adjusted net capital that is less than seven percent of the customer segregated and secured amount is an unnecessary regulatory burden. In support of its position, the JAC claimed that other provisions of the Commission's regulations also impose effective restraints on the excessive withdrawal of capital from an FCM by an equity holder. Specifically, the JAC noted that: (1) FCMs are required to maintain minimum adjusted net capital of at least four percent of the customer segregated and secured amount funds requirements in order to operate and to handle customer positions and funds; (2) the Commission's “early warning” notice and financial reporting requirements provide the Commission and the FCMs' designated self-regulatory organizations (“DSRO”) with the ability to monitor the financial condition and operations, including capital withdrawals, of an FCM that fails to maintain adjusted net capital at a level that exceeds six percent of the customer segregated and secured amount; and (3) the Commission's debt-equity ratio requirement imposes an effective restraint on the excessive withdrawal of equity capital.

Furthermore, the JAC stated that the changes it requested would provide greater harmony between the Commission's capital rules and the capital rules of the SEC. In this regard, the JAC noted that the SEC's capital rules permit withdrawals of capital from a broker or dealer provided that, after giving effect to the withdrawal, the broker's or dealer's net capital equals or exceeds the SEC's early warning level. Each of the reasons set forth by the JAC is discussed below.

### B. Proposed Rule Amendments

After careful consideration of the JAC's petition and the issues that the petition presents, the Commission is proposing to amend Regulation 1.17(e) to permit equity capital withdrawals provided that, after giving effect to the withdrawals, the FCM's adjusted net capital is in excess of six percent of the customer segregated and secured amount. The Commission is not proposing to amend any of the other capital withdrawal restrictions set forth in the regulation.

                    An FCM is required to maintain minimum adjusted net capital of the greatest of: (A) $250,000; (B) four percent of the customer segregated and secured amount; (C) the amount of adjusted net capital required by a registered futures association of which it is a member; or (D) for securities brokers and dealers, the amount of net capital required by SEC Rule 15c3-1(a) (17 CFR                     Start Printed Page 6571                    240.15c3-1(a)). FCMs that are members of commodity exchanges must comply with the net capital requirements of those exchanges, which are required to be at least as stringent as the Commission's. [5]                                          Generally, FCMs that handle customer accounts are required to maintain adjusted net capital in excess of four percent of the customer segregated and secured amount.                

                    An FCM that is not in compliance with the minimum net capital requirement must transfer all customer accounts and immediately cease doing business as an FCM. [6]                                          Therefore, each FCM must ensure that a capital withdrawal does not cause the FCM's adjusted net capital to fall below four percent of the customer segregated and secured amount.                

In addition, the Commission's “early warning” notice and financial reporting requirements deter excessive equity withdrawals. Commission Regulation 1.12(b)(2) requires an FCM to notify its DSRO and the Commission in writing if its adjusted net capital does not equal or exceed six percent of the customer segregated and secured amount. These early warning notices must be filed within five business days of the FCM's adjusted net capital falling below the early warning level. Moreover, Commission Regulation 1.12(g)(2) requires an FCM to give the Commission written notice at least two business days prior to a planned withdrawal of equity capital if the withdrawal would reduce excess net capital by 30 percent or more from that most recently reported in a financial report filed with the Commission.

                    An FCM that hits the early warning trigger is also required to file a financial report on Form 1-FR-FCM with the Commission and its DSRO as of the close of the month during which its adjusted net capital does not exceed the early warning level and for each month thereafter until three successive months have elapsed during which its adjusted net capital is at all times equal to or in excess of the early warning level. [7]                                          This early warning notice is intended to bring to the Commission's and DSRO's attention firms that should be subjected to closer monitoring because of their minimal regulatory capital.                 

                    Furthermore, the Commission's “debt-equity ratio” requirement also limits the amount of capital that may be withdrawn from an FCM. Commission Regulation 1.17(d) prohibits the withdrawal of capital from an FCM if, after giving effect to the withdrawal, the FCM's equity capital would be less than 30 percent of its debt-equity total. [8] 

                    Finally, setting the capital withdrawal limit at the Commission's early warning level is supported by the capital withdrawal rules adopted by the SEC for securities brokers or dealers that compute their minimum net capital requirement in accordance with the SEC's “alternative” method. [9]                                          SEC Rule 15c3-1(e)(2)(vi) (17 CFR 240.15c3-1(e)(2)(vi)) prohibits a capital withdrawal from a broker or dealer that computes its minimum net capital requirement under the alternative method if, after giving effect to the withdrawal, the broker's or dealer's minimum net capital would be less than five percent of the aggregate debit items as determined by the Reserve Formula. The SEC's early warning requirement for such brokers and dealers is also set at five percent of aggregate debit items. [10] 

## II. Equity Securities Pledged as Collateral for Secured Demand Notes 

### A. Background 

                    Commission Regulation 1.17(h) sets forth the minimum requirements for satisfactory subordination agreements. An FCM or IB may enhance its regulatory capital by borrowing cash pursuant to subordinated loan agreements or by accepting secured demand notes. A secured demand note must be collateralized by cash or readily marketable securities. [11]                                          The securities collateralizing a secured demand note are subject to percentage deductions (                    *i.e.,*                     haircuts) to provide protection against a potential decrease in the market values of the securities. Commission regulations, however, do not specify the specific haircuts to be applied. Instead, the Commission's regulations provide that an FCM or IB must apply the haircuts that are set forth in SEC Rule 15c3-1(c)(2)(vi) (17 CFR 240. 15c3-1(c)(2)(vi)), which are the haircuts that a broker or dealer must apply to securities that it includes in its capital computation.                 

                    When the Commission adopted its current capital rules in September 1978, the haircut for an equity security under SEC Rule 15c3-1(c)(2)(vi) was 30 percent. Therefore, an FCM or IB was required to apply a 30 percent haircut to an equity security collateralizing a secured demand note. [12] 

                    In December 1992, the SEC amended its capital rules. As part of these amendments, the SEC amended Rule 15c3-1(c)(2)(vi) by reducing the haircut on equity securities from 30 percent to 15 percent. [13]                                          Since the Commission's capital rules incorporated the haircuts in SEC Rule 15c3-1(c)(2)(vi), the Commission's capital rules were effectively amended and the haircut applied to equity securities collateralizing a secured demand note was reduced from 30 percent to 15 percent. In the December 1992 amendments, however, the SEC also explicitly retained the 30 percent haircut on equity securities collateralizing secured demand notes included in adjusted net capital by brokers or dealers. Thus, an unintended difference developed between the Commission's capital rules and the capital rules of the SEC. The difference stems from the Commission incorporating the SEC's regulation imposing haircuts on securities that a broker or dealer includes in its capital computation (Rule 15c3-1(c)(2)(vi)) as opposed to the regulation imposing haircuts on securities that a broker or dealer receives as collateral for a secured demand note that was contributed as capital (Rule 15c3-1d) (17 CFR 240.15c3-1(d)).                 

### B. Proposed Rule Amendment 

                    The Commission attempts to maintain, to the extent practicable, uniformity between its capital rules and those of the SEC. Uniform capital rules more readily permit dually-registered FCMs (                    *i.e.,*                     FCMs that are also SEC-registered securities brokers or dealers) that comply with the Commission's                     Start Printed Page 6572                    capital rules to comply with the SEC's capital rules. As set forth above, the Commission's capital rules were originally consistent with the SEC's capital rules with respect to the haircuts to be applied to equity securities collateralizing secured demand notes and the current difference is unintended. Accordingly, in order to provide greater uniformity between the Commission and SEC capital rules, the Commission proposes increasing to 30 percent from 15 percent the haircut on the market value of equity securities pledged as collateral for a secured demand note.                 

## III. Technical Amendment 

Commission Regulation 1.17(c)(5)(v) requires an FCM or IB, in computing its adjusted net capital, to apply haircuts to securities positions carried in the FCM's or IB's proprietary accounts and to securities purchased with customer funds that are required to be segregated or set aside in separate accounts. The regulation directs the FCM or IB to apply the specific haircut percentages that are set forth in SEC Rule 15c3-1(c)(2)(vi) for equity securities and Rule 15c3-1(c)(2)(vii) (17 CFR 240.15c3-1(c)(2)(vii)) for non-marketable securities, or Rule 15c3-1(f) (17 CFR 240. 15c3-1(f)) for dually registered securities brokers or dealers and FCMs that compute their minimum net capital requirements in accordance with the SEC's “alternative, or aggregate debit items,” method. 

In December 1992, the SEC amended its capital rules by, among other things, revising the securities haircuts that a broker or dealer subject to the alternative capital method had to apply to securities positions in the broker's or dealer's proprietary accounts. Specifically, the amendments made the haircuts consistent regardless of the method that a broker or dealer used in computing its minimum net capital. The SEC effected the revisions by consolidating the haircuts in Rule 15c3-1(f) into Rules 15c3-1(c)(2)(vi) and 15c3-1(c)(2)(vii) and repealing15c3-1(f). Accordingly, the Commission proposes deleting the reference to Rule 15c3-1(f) in its Rule 1.17(c)(5)(v). 

## IV. Related Matters 

### A. Regulatory Flexibility Act 

                    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (“RFA”), 5 U.S.C. 601-611, requires that agencies, in proposing rules, consider the impact of those rules on small businesses. The proposed rule amendments discussed herein would affect FCMs and IBs. The Commission has previously determined that, based upon the fiduciary nature of FCM/customer relationships, as well as the requirement that FCMs meet minimum financial requirements, FCMs should be excluded from the definition of small entity.[14] 

                    With respect to IBs, the Commission stated that it is appropriate to evaluate within the context of a particular rule whether some or all IBs should be considered to be small entities and, if so, to analyze the economic impact on such entities at that time.[15]                                          The proposed technical amendment to Regulation 1.17(c)(5)(v) and the proposed amendment to Regulation 1.17(e) easing the restriction on the withdrawal of equity capital from an FCM do not impose additional requirements on an IB. The proposed amendment to Regulation 1.17(h)(1)(iii) increasing the haircut on equity securities submitted as collateral for a secured demand note may impact an IB's financial operations. The proposal, however, conforms the Commission's rules to those of the SEC and restores the haircut to its previous level prior to the SEC amendment of its capital rules in December 1992. Thus, on behalf of the Commission, the Chairman certifies that the proposed rule amendments will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The Commission, however, invites comments from registered FCMs or IBs who believe that the proposed amendments would have a significant impact on their operations.                 

### B. Paperwork Reduction Act 

                    The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501*et seq.*                     (Supp. I 1995), requires federal agencies (including the Commission) to review rules and rule amendments to evaluate the information collection burden that they impose on the public. The Commission believes that paragraphs (c)(5)(v), (e)(1)(ii), and (h)(1)(iii) of Rule 1.17, as proposed, do not impose an information collection burden on the public.                 

# List of Subjects in 17 CFR Part 1

Brokers, Commodity futures. 

In consideration of the foregoing and pursuant to the authority contained in the Commodity Exchange Act and, in particular, Sections 4f, 4g and 8a(5) thereof, 7 U.S.C. 6d, 6g and 12a(5), the Commission hereby proposes to amend Chapter I of Title 17 of the Code of Federal Regulations as follows: 

# PART 1—GENERAL REGULATIONS UNDER THE COMMODITY EXCHANGE ACT 

1. The authority citation for Part 1 continues to read as follows: 

Authority:7 U.S.C. 1a, 2, 2a, 4, 4a, 6, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, 6j, 6k, 6l, 6m, 6n, 6o, 6p, 7, 7a, 7b, 8, 9, 12, 12a, 12c, 13a, 13a-1, 16, 16a, 19, 21, 23, and 24. 

2. Section 1.17 is amended by revising paragraphs (c)(5)(v), (e)(1)(ii), and (h)(1)(iii) to read as follows: 

§ 1.17 

* * * * *

(c) * * * 

(5) * * * 

(v) In the case of securities and obligations used by the applicant or registrant in computing net capital, and in the case of a futures commission merchant with securities in segregation pursuant to Section 4d(2) of the Act and these regulations which were not deposited by customers, the percentages specified in Rule 240.15c3-1(c)(2)(vi) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (17 CFR 240.15c3-1(c)(2)(vi)) (“securities haircuts”) and 100 percent of the value of “nonmarketable securities” as specified in Rule 240.15c3-1(c)(2)(vii) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (17 CFR 240.15c3-1(c)(2)(vii)); 

* * * * *

(e) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(ii) For a futures commission merchant or applicant therefor, 6 percent of the following amount: The customer funds required to be segregated pursuant to the Act and the regulations in this part and the foreign futures or foreign options secured amount, less the market value of commodity options purchased by customers on or subject to the rules of a contract market or a foreign board of trade for which the full premiums have been paid: Provided, however, That the deduction for each customer shall be limited to the amount of customer funds in such customer's account(s) and foreign futures and foreign options secured amounts; 

* * * * *

(h) * * * 

(1) * * * 

                        (iii) The term “collateral value” of any securities pledged to secure a secured demand note means the market value of such securities after giving effect to the percentage deductions specified in Rule 240.15c3-1d(a)(2)(iii) of the Securities                         Start Printed Page 6573                        and Exchange Commission (17 CFR 240.15c3-1d(a)(2)(iii)).                     

* * * * *

Issued in Washington D.C. on February 3, 2000 by the Commission. 

Catherine D. Dixon, 

Assistant Secretary of the Commission. 

# Footnotes

1.                             Commission rules cited herein can be found at 17 CFR Ch. I (1999).                    
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2.                             The prohibition against withdrawal of equity capital set forth in Regulation 1.17(e) applies to both FCMs and IBs. The restriction requires consideration of both the minimum dollar amount of net capital required for both types of registrants ($250,000 for FCMs and $30,000 for IBs) and, just for FCMs, the amount of funds required to be segregated and set aside for FCMs' customers. For purposes of this proposal, only the restriction on FCMs need be addressed since the change relates only to the percentage applied to the amount of funds required to be segregated and set aside for customers.                     
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3.                             Before applying the percentage capital factor, the amount required to be segregated or set aside is reduced by the market value of commodity options purchased by customers on or subject to the rules of a contract market or a foreign board of trade for which the full premiums have been paid: provided, however, that the option premium deduction for each customer is limited to the amount of customer funds and the foreign futures and foreign options secured amounts in such customer's account(s).                    
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4.                             The JAC is comprised of representatives of the audit and compliance departments of the self-regulatory organizations (“SROs”) and National Futures Association. The JAC coordinates the industry's audit and ongoing surveillance activities to promote a uniform framework of self-regulation.                     
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5.                             See Regulations 1.17(a)(2)(i) and 1.52.                     
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6.                             See Regulation 1.17(a)(4).                     
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7.                             See Regulation 1.12(b)(4).                     
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8.                             Equity capital is defined by Regulation 1.17(d)(1) to include certain loans subject to qualifying satisfactory subordination agreements and the following:                    

(1) In the case of a corporation, the sum of its par or stated value of capital stock, paid in capital in excess of par, retained earnings, unrealized profit and loss, and other capital accounts; 

(2) In the case of a partnership, the sum of its capital accounts of partners (inclusive of such partners' commodity interest and securities accounts subject to the provisions of Rule 1.17(e) concerning restrictions on withdrawals of equity capital), and unrealized profit and loss; and 

(3) In the case of a sole proprietorship, the sum of its capital accounts and unrealized profit and loss. 

“Debt-equity total” is defined by Regulation 1.17(d)(2) and encompasses equity capital as defined above plus loans subject to satisfactory subordination agreements that do not qualify as equity capital under Regulation 1.17(d)(1). 
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9.                             SEC Rule 15c3-1(a)(1)(ii) (17 CFR 240.15c3-1(a)(1)(ii)) requires a securities broker or dealer computing its minimum net capital requirement under the alternative method to maintain minimum net capital of not less than the greater of $250,000 or 2 percent of aggregate debit items computed in accordance with the Formula for Determination of Reserve Requirement for Brokers and Dealers (Exhibit A to Rule 15c3-3).                    
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10.                             17 CFR 240.17a-11(c)(2).                    
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11.                             The value of the collateral, after applicable haircuts, must exceed the full outstanding face amount of the secured demand note.                    
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12.                             43 FR 39956 (September 8, 1978).                    
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13.                             57 FR 56984 (December 2, 1992).                    
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14.                             47 FR 18618, 18619-18620 (April 30, 1982).                    
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15.                             48 FR 35248, 35275-78 (August 3, 1983).                    
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[FR Doc. 00-2917 Filed 2-9-00; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 6351-01-P