[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 174 (Monday, September 11, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 42619-42623]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-19008]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

12 CFR Parts 12 and 151

[Docket ID OCC-2017-0013]
RIN 1557-AE24

FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION

12 CFR Part 344

RIN 3064-AE64


Securities Transaction Settlement Cycle

AGENCY: Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Treasury (OCC); and 
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The OCC and the FDIC (``Agencies'') are proposing to shorten 
the standard settlement cycle for securities purchased or sold by 
national banks, federal savings associations, and FDIC-supervised 
institutions. The Agencies' proposal is consistent with an industry-
wide transition to a two-business-day settlement cycle, which is 
designed to reduce settlement exposure and align settlement practices 
across all market participants.

DATES: You must submit comments by October 11, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Interested parties are encouraged to submit written comments 
jointly to both of the Agencies. Commenters are encouraged to use the 
title ``Securities Transaction Settlement Cycle'' to facilitate the 
organization and distribution of comments among the Agencies.

OCC

    You may submit comments to the OCC by any of the methods set forth 
below. Because paper mail in the Washington, DC area and at the OCC is 
subject to delay, commenters are encouraged to submit comments through 
the Federal eRulemaking Portal or email, if possible. You may submit 
comments by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal--``Regulations.gov'': Go to 
www.regulations.gov. Enter ``Docket ID OCC-2017-0013'' in the Search 
Box and click ``Search.'' Click on ``Comment Now'' to submit public 
comments.
    <bullet> Click on the ``Help'' tab on the Regulations.gov home page 
to get information on using Regulations.gov, including instructions for 
submitting public comments.

[[Page 42620]]

    <bullet> Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#86f4e3e1f5a8e5e9ebebe3e8f2f5c6e9e5e5a8f2f4e3e7f5a8e1e9f0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bfcddad8cc91dcd0d2d2dad1cbccffd0dcdc91cbcddadecc91d8d0c9">[email protected]</span></a>.
    <bullet> Mail: Legislative and Regulatory Activities Division, 
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, 400 7th Street SW., Suite 
3E-218, Mail Stop 9W-11, Washington, DC 20219.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery/Courier: 400 7th Street SW., Suite 3E-218, 
Washington, DC 20219.
    <bullet> Fax: (571) 465-4326.
    Instructions: You must include ``OCC'' as the agency name and 
``Docket ID OCC-2017-0013'' in your comment. In general, the OCC will 
enter all comments received into the docket and publish them on the 
Regulations.gov Web site without change, including any business or 
personal information that you provide, such as name and address 
information, email addresses, or phone numbers. Comments received, 
including attachments and other supporting materials, are part of the 
public record and subject to public disclosure. Do not include any 
information in your comment or supporting materials that you consider 
confidential or inappropriate for public disclosure.
    You may review comments and other related materials that pertain to 
this rulemaking action by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Viewing Comments Electronically: Go to 
www.regulations.gov. Enter ``Docket ID OCC-2017-0013'' in the Search 
box and click ``Search.'' Click on ``Open Docket Folder'' on the right 
side of the screen. Comments and supporting materials can be filtered 
by clicking on ``View all documents and comments in this docket'' and 
then using the filtering tools on the left side of the screen.
    <bullet> Click on the ``Help'' tab on the Regulations.gov home page 
to get information on using Regulations.gov. The docket may be viewed 
after the close of the comment period in the same manner as during the 
comment period.
    <bullet> Viewing Comments Personally: You may personally inspect 
and photocopy comments at the OCC, 400 7th Street SW., Washington, DC. 
For security reasons, the OCC requires that visitors make an 
appointment to inspect comments. You may do so by calling (202) 649-
6700 or, for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, TTY, (202) 649-
5597. Upon arrival, visitors will be required to present valid 
government-issued photo identification and submit to security screening 
in order to inspect and photocopy comments.

FDIC

    You may submit comments, identified by RIN number, by any of the 
following methods:
    <bullet> Agency Web site: https://www.fdic.gov/regulations/laws/publiccomments/. Follow instructions for submitting comments on the 
Agency Web site.
    <bullet> Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#22614d4f4f474c56516244464b410c454d54"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3b785456565e554f487b5d5f5258155c544d">[email protected]</span></a>. Include the RIN number 3064-AE64 
on the subject line of the message.
    <bullet> Mail: Robert E. Feldman, Executive Secretary, Attention: 
Comments, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, 550 17th Street NW., 
Washington, DC 20429.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Comments may be hand delivered to the guard 
station at the rear of the 550 17th Street Building (located on F 
Street) on business days between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
    <bullet> Public Inspection: All comments received must include the 
agency name and RIN 3064-AE64 for this rulemaking. All comments 
received will be posted without change to https://www.fdic.gov/regulations/laws/publiccomments/, including any personal information 
provided. Paper copies of public comments may be ordered from the FDIC 
Public Information Center, 3501 North Fairfax Drive, Room E-I002, 
Arlington, VA 22226 by telephone at 1 (877) 275-3342 or 1 (703) 562-
2200.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
    OCC: David Stankiewicz, Special Counsel, Securities and Corporate 
Practices Division, (202) 649-5510; Daniel Perez, Attorney, Legislative 
and Regulatory Activities Division, (202) 649-5490 or, for persons who 
are deaf or hard of hearing, TTY, (202) 649-5597; or Patricia Dalton, 
Technical Expert, Asset Management Group, Market Risk, at (202) 649-
6360.
    FDIC: Thomas F. Lyons, Chief, Policy & Program Development, (202) 
898-6850; Michael W. Orange, Senior Trust Examination Specialist, 
Policy & Program Development, (678) 916-2289, Risk Management Policy 
Branch, Division of Risk Management Supervision; Annmarie H. Boyd, 
Counsel, Bank Activities Unit, (202) 898-3714; Benjamin J. Klein, 
Counsel, Bank Activities Unit, (202) 898-7027, Supervision and 
Legislation Branch, Legal Division.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Pursuant to 12 CFR 12.9 and 151.130, a national bank or federal 
savings association (``FSA'') (collectively, ``OCC-supervised 
institutions'') generally may not effect or enter into a contract for 
the purchase or sale of a security that provides for payment of funds 
and delivery of securities later than the third business day after the 
date of the contract, unless otherwise expressly agreed to by the 
parties at the time of the transaction. Similarly, pursuant to 12 CFR 
344.7, an FDIC-supervised institution \1\ (together with OCC-supervised 
institutions, ``banks'') generally may not effect or enter into a 
contract for the purchase or sale of a security that provides for 
payment of funds and delivery of securities later than the third 
business day after the date of the contract, unless otherwise expressly 
agreed to by the parties at the time of the transaction.\2\ The three-
day settlement cycle, which is the current standard for the securities 
industry in the United States, is known as ``T+3''--shorthand for 
``trade date plus three days.'' The Agencies are proposing to amend 12 
CFR 12.9, 151.130, and 344.7 by shortening the settlement cycle from 
three days to two (i.e., a ``T+2'' settlement cycle). By shortening the 
settlement cycle, the proposed change will directly reduce banks' 
exposure to their trade counterparties during the settlement period and 
thus mitigate banks' operational and systemic risk.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ ``FDIC-supervised institution'' means any insured depository 
institution for which the FDIC is the appropriate Federal banking 
agency pursuant to section 3(q) of the Federal Deposit Insurance 
Act, 12 U.S.C. 1813(q). 12 CFR 344.3(h). Pursuant to section 3(q), 
the FDIC is the appropriate Federal banking agency with respect to: 
(1) Any State nonmember insured bank; (2) any foreign bank having an 
insured branch; and (3) any State savings association. 12 U.S.C. 
1813(q)(2).
    \2\ Sections 12.9, 151.130, and 344.7 also include special 
provisions for settlement in connection with a firm commitment 
underwriting and exceptions for certain securities and contracts.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Agencies' proposal is part of a larger, industry-wide shift to 
a T+2 settlement cycle that includes a multi-year securities industry 
initiative and rule changes being implemented by other financial 
regulators and securities self-regulatory organizations. The industry's 
compliance date for this initiative is September 5, 2017, consistent 
with the compliance date for the Securities and Exchange Commission's 
(``SEC'') T+2 rule.\3\ The self-regulatory organizations overseeing 
transactions in securities for their respective registrants that would 
be covered by the T+2 standard, including the Financial Industry 
Regulatory Authority (``FINRA'') and the Municipal Securities 
Rulemaking Board (``MSRB''), have finalized or will finalize rule 
changes necessary to implement the

[[Page 42621]]

new settlement cycle and related processes.\4\ On June 9, 2017, the OCC 
issued Bulletin 2017-22, which notified OCC-supervised institutions 
that they should comply with the T+2 settlement standard as of the 
SEC's compliance date. The FDIC issued similar guidance applicable to 
FDIC-supervised institutions through Financial Institution Letter 32-
2017 on July 26, 2017. The Agencies expect that as of the compliance 
date, September 5, 2017, OCC- and FDIC-supervised institutions will 
adhere to industry standards and applicable securities and self-
regulatory organizations' rules for T+2 securities clearance and 
settlement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ On March 29, 2017, the SEC published an amendment to its 
securities transaction settlement cycle rule. The amendment shortens 
the standard settlement cycle from T+3 to T+2 for many U.S. 
securities, including equities, corporate bonds, and unit investment 
trusts, and financial instruments composed of these products, when 
these securities are traded on the secondary market. Refer to SEC 
Rule 15c6-1(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. 17 CFR 
240.15c6-1. Also refer to 82 FR 15564, ``Securities Transaction 
Settlement Cycle,'' March 29, 2017.
    \4\ For example, refer to MSRB Regulatory Notice 2017-07, ``MSRB 
Announces Date of Transition to a Two-Day Settlement Cycle for 
Municipal Securities Transactions''; FINRA Regulatory Notice 17-19, 
``Shortening the Securities Settlement Cycle for Securities to T+2'' 
(May 2017); and SEC, Self-Regulatory Organization, Release No. 34-
80020 (February 10, 2017) (granting approval to a rule change for 
the New York Stock Exchange).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Agencies expect that most banks have already made substantial 
progress toward compliance with the T+2 settlement cycle. By aligning 
their settlement practices with those of their securities 
counterparties, banks' transition to the T+2 settlement cycle will help 
mitigate operational risk and promote safety and soundness. Altogether, 
the Agencies expect that the proposed rule change, in conjunction with 
the industry-wide movement to the T+2 settlement cycle, will produce 
safety and soundness benefits by reducing banks' counterparty 
settlement risks, reducing the procyclical margin and liquidity demands 
associated with securities clearing and settlement, and by improving 
banks' overall financial condition during periods of heightened market 
volatility or activity.

II. Description of the Proposed Rule

    Regulations governing recordkeeping and confirmation requirements 
for the securities transactions of national banks and FSAs, both for 
the bank's own account and for customers, are set out in parts 12 and 
151 of the OCC's regulations, respectively. Regulations governing the 
same for FDIC-supervised institutions are set out in part 344 of the 
FDIC's regulations. As noted above, Sec. Sec.  12.9, 151.130, and 344.7 
require that banks generally not effect or enter into a contract for 
the purchase or sale of a security that provides for payment of funds 
and delivery of securities later than the third business day after the 
date of the contract, unless otherwise expressly agreed to by the 
parties at the time of the transaction. Section 12.9 applies to 
national banks, Sec.  151.130 applies to FSAs, and Sec.  344.7 applies 
to FDIC-supervised institutions.\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ FDIC-supervised institutions include State nonmember insured 
banks, foreign banks having insured branches, and State savings 
associations. See supra note 1. In addition to stating the general 
settlement period requirement, Sec. Sec.  12.9, 151.130, and 344.7 
include special provisions for settlement in connection with a firm 
commitment underwriting and exceptions to the general requirement 
for certain securities and contracts.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Agencies propose to amend the general requirement that banks 
must settle their securities transactions no later than the third 
business day after the date of the contract by shortening the 
permissible settlement period from three business days to two. The 
proposal does not otherwise affect the regulatory requirements, 
exceptions, and conditions provided in Sec. Sec.  12.9, 151.130, or 
344.7.
    The Agencies may consider, as an alternative to the approach 
described above, implementing the two-business-day settlement 
requirement by cross-reference to the standard settlement cycle 
provided under SEC Rule 15c6-1(a) (17 CFR 240.15c6-1(a)). Under this 
alternative approach, securities transactions would generally be 
required to settle ``within the number of business days in the standard 
settlement cycle for the security followed by registered broker dealers 
in the United States,'' unless otherwise agreed to by the parties at 
the time of the transaction. ``Standard settlement cycle'' would be 
defined by reference to SEC Rule 15c6-1(a). The Agencies invite comment 
on this alternative approach. The Agencies also invite comment on the 
use and definition of the term ``standard settlement cycle.''

III. Request for Comment

    The Agencies invite comment on all aspects of this proposal, 
including the alternative approach described in part II of this 
Supplementary Information.

IV. Regulatory Analysis

Paperwork Reduction Act

    Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (``PRA''), 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520, 
the Agencies may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
to respond to, an information collection unless the information 
collection displays a valid Office of Management and Budget (``OMB'') 
control number. This proposal does not introduce or change any 
collections of information; therefore, it does not require a submission 
to OMB. Nonetheless, the Agencies invite comment on their PRA 
determination.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq. (``RFA''), 
requires an agency, in connection with a proposed rule, to prepare an 
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis describing the impact of the 
proposed rule on small entities (defined by the Small Business 
Administration (``SBA'') for purposes of the RFA to include banking 
entities with total assets of $550 million or less) or to certify that 
the proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities.
    FDIC: The RFA generally requires that, in connection with a notice 
of proposed rulemaking, an agency prepare and make available for public 
comment an initial regulatory flexibility analysis describing the 
impact of the proposed rule on small entities.\6\ A regulatory 
flexibility analysis is not required, however, if the agency certifies 
that the rule will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. The SBA has defined ``small 
entities'' to include banking organizations with total assets less than 
or equal to $550 million.\7\ For the reasons described below and 
pursuant to section 605(b) of the RFA, the FDIC certifies that the 
final rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.
    \7\ 13 CFR 121.201 (as amended, effective December 2, 2014).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FDIC supervises 3,171 depository institutions,\8\ of which 
2,990 are defined as small banking entities by the terms of the RFA.\9\ 
The proposed rule will reduce by one day the settlement time of 
transactions for equities, corporate bonds, municipal bonds, unit 
investment trusts, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, exchange-traded 
products, American depository receipts, options, rights, and warrants. 
According to recent Call Report data, 2,742 FDIC-supervised small 
entities reported holding some volume of equities that are likely to be 
affected by the new securities settlement cycle, provide custodial 
banking services, or possess a subsidiary classified as a securities 
dealer.\10\ The effects on small entities will vary according to the 
degree of participation in securities transactions. According to recent 
Call Report data one small entity identified itself as providing 
custodial banking services, while seven small entities have a

[[Page 42622]]

subsidiary classified as a securities dealer according to data from the 
Federal Reserve's National Information Center (NIC).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ FDIC-supervised institutions are set forth in 12 U.S.C. 
1813(q)(2).
    \9\ FDIC Call Report, June 30, 2017.
    \10\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Costs

    The proposed rule is likely to pose some small costs for custodian 
banks whose role is administering assets for a corporation or an 
individual. Banks engaged in custodial activities will likely incur 
costs to increase infrastructure capabilities and efficiencies, as well 
as standardizing data formats and communication protocols. These 
changes are in addition to any documentation and process changes. The 
2012 DTCC study estimated that a large custodian bank will have to 
invest $4 million in order to conform to the two-day settlement 
cycle.\11\ Therefore, the one FDIC-supervised small institution that is 
engaged in custodial activities is conservatively estimated to incur a 
total of $4 million in costs associated with the industry-led effort to 
adopt a shorter settlement cycle. However, given that the industry's 
planned commencement date for the shorter settlement cycle will take 
place before the effective date of the proposed rule, the FDIC assumes 
that little or none of these costs will result from actions taken by 
covered institutions to comply with the proposed rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ ``Cost benefit analysis of shortening the settlement 
cycle,'' Prepared by the Boston Consulting Group--Commissioned by 
the Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation (DTCC), October 2012.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposed rule is likely to pose some small costs for covered 
institutions that possess a subsidiary that is a securities broker-
dealer. Banks that possess a securities broker subsidiary will likely 
have to incur analysis and testing costs for any associated changes to 
their transaction platform necessary to comply with the shorter 
settlement cycle, as well as improvements in the management of 
securities inventories. These changes are in addition to any 
documentation and process changes. The 2012 DTCC study estimated that 
broker-dealers will likely have to invest $4 million in order to 
conform to the 2-day settlement cycle.\12\ Therefore, the seven FDIC-
supervised small institutions that operate a subsidiary classified as a 
securities broker are estimated to incur a total of $28 million in 
costs associated in the industry-led effort to adopt a shorter 
settlement cycle. However, given that the industry's planned 
commencement date for the shorter settlement cycle will take place 
before the effective date of the proposed rule, the FDIC assumes that 
little or none of these costs will result from actions taken by covered 
institutions to comply with the proposed rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposed rule is likely to pose little or no costs for covered 
institutions that do not provide custodial banking services or possess 
a broker-dealer subsidiary. Covered institutions that transact 
securities but do not manage securities transactions could incur some 
costs related to documentation changes. However, the FDIC assumes that 
most of these institutions rely on third-party security transaction 
platforms or broker-dealers to complete their transactions, and 
therefore will incur little to no cost in adopting the shorter 
settlement cycle.

Benefits

    Banks offering custodial services for securities and banks with 
broker-dealer subsidiaries are likely to incur some small benefits 
associated with the proposed rule. The infrastructure investments and 
process improvements necessary to complete the adoption of the 
industry's goal of a two-day settlement cycle should result in a 
reduction in operational costs. Additionally, the shorter settlement 
cycle should reduce the duration of unsecured, uninsured settlement 
cycle funding provided by broker-dealers. This, in turn, should reduce 
counterparty risk associated with the settlement process. The shorter 
settlement cycle should also improve the efficiency of capital 
utilization for broker-dealers and custodian banks by reducing pro-
cyclical margin demands, especially during episodes of heightened 
market volatility. The 2012 DTCC study estimated that broker-dealers 
and custodian banks will realize $55 million and $40 million, 
respectively, in costs savings over three years resulting from risk 
reduction, capital optimization, and improvements in operational 
efficiency.\13\ However, given that the industry-planned commencement 
date for the shorter settlement cycle will take place before the 
effective date of the proposed rule, the FDIC assumes that little or 
none of these benefits will result from actions taken by covered 
institutions to comply with the proposed rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Improved operational efficiency of transaction settlement, 
particularly the reduction in the exchange of physical securities, may 
benefit some covered institutions that do not provide custodial banking 
services or possess a broker-dealer subsidiary. The 2012 DTCC study 
estimated that covered institutions who transact securities but do not 
manage securities transactions could realize $30 million in costs 
savings over three years.\14\ However, the cost savings for smaller 
market participants is likely to be much lower, and given that the 
industry-planned commencement date for the shorter settlement cycle 
will take place before the effective date of the proposed rule, the 
FDIC assumes that little or none of these benefits will result from 
actions taken by covered institutions to comply with the proposed rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Although the new settlement cycle does affect a significant number 
of small FDIC-supervised institutions, the economic effects that 
directly result from the proposed rule are likely to be very small. 
This rule is being proposed in concert with an industry-led effort to 
reduce the securities settlement cycle. The planning and adoption of 
infrastructure and procedural improvements necessary to meet the 
commencement date of September 5, 2017, established by the industry 
pre-dates this proposed rulemaking. Therefore, very little or none of 
the compliance costs or operational benefits that result from adopting 
a shorter securities settlement cycle are a direct result of the 
proposed rule.
    OCC: As of December 31, 2016, the OCC supervised approximately 956 
small entities.\15\ Because the proposed rule does not contain any new 
recordkeeping, reporting, or compliance requirements, the OCC 
anticipates that it will not impose costs on any OCC-supervised 
institutions. Thus, the proposed rule will not have a substantial 
impact on any OCC-supervised small entities. Therefore, the OCC 
certifies that the proposed rule would not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of OCC-supervised small entities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ The OCC calculated the number of small entities using the 
SBA's size thresholds for commercial banks and savings institutions, 
and trust companies, which are $550 million and $38.5 million, 
respectively. Consistent with the General Principles of Affiliation, 
13 CFR 121.103(a), the OCC counted the assets of affiliated 
financial institutions when determining whether to classify a 
national bank or federal savings association as a small entity. The 
OCC used December 31, 2016, to determine size because a ``financial 
institution's assets are determined by averaging the assets reported 
on its four quarterly financial statements for the preceding year.'' 
See footnote 8 of the SBA's Table of Size Standards.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 Determination

    The OCC analyzed the proposed rule under the factors set forth in 
the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1532). Under this 
analysis, the

[[Page 42623]]

OCC considered whether the proposed rule includes a federal mandate 
that may result in the expenditure by state, local, and Tribal 
governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 
million or more in any one year (adjusted annually for inflation).
    The proposed rule does not impose new mandates. Therefore, the OCC 
concludes that implementation of the proposed rule will not result in 
an expenditure of $100 million or more annually by state, local, and 
tribal governments, or by the private sector.

Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act

    The Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act 
(``RCDRIA'') requires that the Agencies, in determining the effective 
date and administrative compliance requirements of new regulations that 
impose additional reporting, disclosure, or other requirements on 
insured depository institutions (``IDIs''), consider, consistent with 
principles of safety and soundness and the public interest, any 
administrative burdens that such regulations would place on depository 
institutions, including small depository institutions, and customers of 
depository institutions, as well as the benefits of such regulations. 
12 U.S.C. 4802. In addition, in order to provide an adequate transition 
period, new regulations that impose additional reporting, disclosures, 
or other new requirements on IDIs generally must take effect on the 
first day of a calendar quarter that begins on or after the date on 
which the regulations are published in final form.
    The proposed rule includes no additional reporting or disclosure 
requirements on IDIs, including small depository institutions, nor on 
the customers of depository institutions. Nonetheless, in connection 
with determining an effective date for the proposed rule, the Agencies 
invite comment on any administrative burdens that the proposed rule 
would place on depository institutions, including small depository 
institutions, and customers of depository institutions.

Plain Language

    Section 722 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act requires the Agencies to 
use plain language in all proposed and final rules published after 
January 1, 2000. The Agencies invite comment on how to make this 
proposed rule easier to understand.
    For example:
    <bullet> Have the Agencies organized the material to inform your 
needs? If not, how could the Agencies present the proposed rule more 
clearly?
    <bullet> Are the requirements in the proposed rule clearly stated? 
If not, how could the proposal be more clearly stated?
    <bullet> Does the proposed regulation contain technical language or 
jargon that is not clear? If so, which language requires clarification?
    <bullet> Would a different format (grouping and order of sections, 
use of headings, paragraphing) make the proposed regulation easier to 
understand? If so, what changes would achieve that?
    <bullet> Is this section format adequate? If not, which of the 
sections should be changed and how?
    <bullet> What other changes can the agencies incorporate to make 
the proposed regulation easier to understand?

List of Subjects

12 CFR Parts 12 and 151

    Banks, Banking, Federal savings associations, National banks, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Securities.

12 CFR Part 344

    Banks, Banking, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Savings 
associations.

    OCC proposes to amend 12 CFR parts 12 and 151 and FDIC proposes to 
amend 12 CFR part 344 as follows:

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

PART 12--RECORDKEEPING AND CONFIRMATION REQUIREMENTS FOR SECURITIES 
TRANSACTIONS

0
 1. The authority citation for part 12 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  12 U.S.C. 24, 92a, and 93a.

0
2. Section 12.9 is amended by revising paragraph (a) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  12.9  Settlement of securities transactions.

    (a) A national bank shall not effect or enter into a contract for 
the purchase or sale of a security (other than an exempted security as 
defined in 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(12), government security, municipal 
security, commercial paper, bankers' acceptances, or commercial bills) 
that provides for payment of funds and delivery of securities later 
than the second business day after the date of the contract, unless 
otherwise expressly agreed to by the parties at the time of the 
transaction.
* * * * *

PART 151--RECORDKEEPING AND CONFIRMATION REQUIREMENTS FOR 
SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS

0
3. The authority citation for part 151 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 1464, 5412(b)(2)(B).

0
4. Section 151.130 is amended by republishing paragraph (a) 
introductory text and revising the first sentence of paragraph (a)(1) 
to read as follows:


Sec.  151.130  When must I settle a securities transaction?

    (a) You may not effect or enter into a contract for the purchase or 
sale of a security that provides for payment of funds and delivery of 
securities later than the latest of:
    (1) The second business day after the date of the contract. * * *
* * * * *

FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION

PART 344--RECORDKEEPING AND CONFIRMATION REQUIREMENTS FOR 
SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS

0
5. The authority citation for part 344 continues to read as follows:

     Authority:  12 U.S.C. 1817, 1818, 1819, and 5412.

0
 6. Section 344.7 is amended by revising paragraph (a) to read as 
follows:
    (a) An FDIC-supervised institution shall not effect or enter into a 
contract for the purchase or sale of a security (other than an exempted 
security as defined in 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(12), government security, 
municipal security, commercial paper, bankers' acceptances, or 
commercial bills) that provides for payment of funds and delivery of 
securities later than the second business day after the date of the 
contract, unless otherwise expressly agreed to by the parties at the 
time of the transaction.
* * * * *

    Dated: August 29, 2017.
Keith A. Noreika,
Acting Comptroller of the Currency.
    Dated at Washington, DC this 31st of August 2017.

    By order of the Board of Directors.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Robert E. Feldman,
Executive Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-19008 Filed 9-8-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4810-33-P 6714-01-P


</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>