Document ID: SEC-2010-1285-0001
Agency: sec
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Definitions Contained in Title VII of Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act
Posted Date: 2010-08-20T04:00Z

[Federal Register: August 20, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 161)]
[Proposed Rules]               
[Page 51429-51433]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20au10-17]                         

[[Page 51429]]

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COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION

17 CFR Part 1

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

17 CFR Part 240

[Release No. 34-62717; File No. S7-16-10]
RIN 3235-AK65; 3038-AD06

 
Definitions Contained in Title VII of Dodd-Frank Wall Street 
Reform and Consumer Protection Act

AGENCY: Securities and Exchange Commission; Commodity Futures Trading 
Commission.

ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act 
(the ``Dodd-Frank Act''), provides for the comprehensive regulation of 
swaps and security-based swaps. Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Act 
(``Title VII''), provides that the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(``SEC'') and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (``CFTC'') 
(collectively, ``the Commissions''), in consultation with the Board of 
Governors of the Federal Reserve System, shall jointly further define 
certain key terms (specifically, ``swap'', ``security-based swap'', 
``swap dealer'', ``security-based swap dealer'', ``major swap 
participant'', ``major security-based swap participant'', ``eligible 
contract participant'', and ``security-based swap agreement''), and 
shall jointly prescribe regulations regarding ``mixed swaps,'' as that 
term is used in Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Act. To assist the SEC and 
CFTC in further defining such terms, the Commissions are issuing this 
Notice and request for public comment.

DATES: Comments must be in writing and received by September 20, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:

SEC

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's Internet comment form (http://
www.sec.gov/rules/proposed.shtml);
     Send an e-mail to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include 
File Number S7-12-10 on the subject line; or
     Use the Federal eRulemaking Portal (http://
www.regulations.gov). Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

Paper Comments

     Send paper comments in triplicate to Elizabeth M. Murphy, 
Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE., 
Washington, DC 20549-1090.

All submissions should refer to File Number S7--16-10. This file number 
should be included on the subject line if e-mail is used. To help us 
process and review your comments more efficiently, please use only one 
method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commission's 
Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/rules/proposed.shtml). Comments 
are also available for Web site viewing and copying in the Commission's 
Public Reference Room, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549, on 
official business days between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. All 
comments received will be posted without change; we do not edit 
personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit 
only information that you wish to make available publicly.

CFTC

    Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:
     Mail: David A. Stawick, Secretary, Commodity Futures 
Trading Commission, Three Lafayette Centre, 1155 21st Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20581.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Same as mail above.
     Fax: 202-418-5521.
     E-mail: Comments may be submitted via e-mail at 
dfadefinitions@cftc.gov.
     Agency Web Site: Comments may be submitted to http://
www.cftc.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments on the 
Web site.
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Comments also may be submitted 
at http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting 
comments.
    ``Definitions'' must be in the subject field of responses submitted 
via e-mail, and clearly indicated on written submissions. All comments 
must be submitted in English, or if not, accompanied by an English 
translation. All comments provided in any electronic form or on paper 
will be published on the CFTC Web site, without review and without 
removal of personally identifying information. All comments are subject 
to the CFTC Privacy Policy.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SEC: Matthew A. Daigler, Senior 
Special Counsel, at 202-551-5578, or Cristie L. March, Attorney 
Adviser, at 202-551-5574, Division of Trading and Markets, or Michael 
J. Reedich, Special Counsel, at 202-551-3279, Office of Chief Counsel, 
Division of Corporate Finance, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 
F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549-7010; CFTC: Terry S. Arbit, Deputy 
General Counsel, at 202-418-5357, tarbit@cftc.gov, Julian E. Hammar, 
Assistant General Counsel, at 202-418-5118, jhammar@cftc.gov, Mark 
Fajfar, Assistant General Counsel, at 202-418-6636, mfajfar@cftc.gov, 
or David Aron, Counsel, at 202-418-6621, daron@cftc.gov, Office of 
General Counsel, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Three Lafayette 
Centre, 1155 21st Street, NW., Washington, DC 20581.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Dodd-Frank Act was enacted on July 21, 2010.\1\ Title VII of 
the Dodd-Frank Act provides for the comprehensive regulation of swaps 
and security-based swaps and includes definitions of key terms relating 
to such regulation.\2\ Section 712(d) of the Dodd-Frank Act provides 
that the SEC and CFTC, in consultation with the Board of Governors of 
the Federal Reserve System, shall jointly further define the terms 
``swap'', ``security-based swap'', ``swap dealer'', ``security-based 
swap dealer'', ``major swap participant'', ``major security-based swap 
participant'', ``eligible contract participant'', and ``security-based 
swap agreement'' (collectively ``Key Definitions'').\3\ Section 712(d) 
further provides that such jointly prescribed rules and regulations 
shall be comparable to the maximum extent possible, taking into 
consideration differences in instruments and in the applicable 
statutory requirements.
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    \1\ Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, 
Public Law No. 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376 (2010).
    \2\ Under Section 701 of the Dodd-Frank Act, Title VII may be 
cited as the ``Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act of 
2010.''
    \3\ These terms are defined in Sections 721 and 761 of the Dodd-
Frank Act and, with respect to the term ``eligible contract 
participant'', in Section 1a(18) of the Commodity Exchange Act, 7 
U.S.C. 1a(18), as re-designated and amended by Section 721 of the 
Dodd-Frank Act.
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    Further, Section 721(c) requires the CFTC to adopt a rule to 
further define the terms ``swap'', ``swap dealer'', ``major swap 
participant'', and ``eligible contract participant'', and Section 
761(b) requires the SEC to adopt a rule to further define the terms 
``security-based swap'', ``security-based swap dealer'', ``major 
security-based swap participant'' and ``eligible contract 
participant'', with regard to security-based swaps, for the purpose of 
including transactions and

[[Page 51430]]

entities that have been structured to evade Title VII of the Dodd-Frank 
Act. Finally, Section 712(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act provides that the 
SEC and CFTC, after consultation with the Board of Governors of the 
Federal Reserve System, shall jointly prescribe regulations regarding 
``mixed swaps,'' \4\ as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of 
Title VII.
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    \4\ Sections 721 and 761 of the Dodd-Frank Act amend the 
Commodity Exchange Act, 7 U.S.C. 1 et seq., and the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934, 15 U.S.C. 78a et seq., respectively, to define 
``mixed swap''.
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    To assist the SEC and CFTC in further defining the Key Definitions 
specified above, and to prescribe regulations regarding ``mixed swaps'' 
as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of Title VII, the 
Commissions are seeking comment from interested parties.

II. Solicitation for Comments About the Key Definitions and the 
Regulation of ``Mixed Swaps''

    The Commissions invite comment with respect to all aspects of the 
Key Definitions, and also the regulation of ``mixed swaps'' as may be 
necessary to carry out the purposes of Title VII. Commenters are 
encouraged to address aspects of the Key Definitions such as the extent 
to which the definitions should be based on qualitative or quantitative 
factors and what those factors should be, any analogous areas of law, 
economics, or industry practice, and any factors specific to the 
commenter's experience. Commenters also are encouraged to express views 
on the regulation of ``mixed swaps'', as may be necessary to carry out 
the purposes of Title VII. Please comment generally and specifically, 
and please include empirical data and other information in support of 
such comments, where appropriate and available, regarding any of the 
Key Definitions described above and the regulation of ``mixed swaps''.
    When commenting, please also take into account the statutory 
definitions of these terms that have been enacted in the Dodd-Frank 
Act. These statutory definitions are reprinted herein as follows:
    Swap: Section 721(a)(21) of the Dodd-Frank Act:

    ``(47) Swap.--
    (A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the 
term `swap' means any agreement, contract, or transaction--
    (i) That is a put, call, cap, floor, collar, or similar option 
of any kind that is for the purchase or sale, or based on the value, 
of 1 or more interest or other rates, currencies, commodities, 
securities, instruments of indebtedness, indices, quantitative 
measures, or other financial or economic interests or property of 
any kind;
    (ii) That provides for any purchase, sale, payment, or delivery 
(other than a dividend on an equity security) that is dependent on 
the occurrence, nonoccurrence, or the extent of the occurrence of an 
event or contingency associated with a potential financial, 
economic, or commercial consequence;
    (iii) That provides on an executory basis for the exchange, on a 
fixed or contingent basis, of 1 or more payments based on the value 
or level of 1 or more interest or other rates, currencies, 
commodities, securities, instruments of indebtedness, indices, 
quantitative measures, or other financial or economic interests or 
property of any kind, or any interest therein or based on the value 
thereof, and that transfers, as between the parties to the 
transaction, in whole or in part, the financial risk associated with 
a future change in any such value or level without also conveying a 
current or future direct or indirect ownership interest in an asset 
(including any enterprise or investment pool) or liability that 
incorporates the financial risk so transferred, including any 
agreement, contract, or transaction commonly known as--
    (I) An interest rate swap;
    (II) A rate floor;
    (III) A rate cap;
    (IV) A rate collar;
    (V) A cross-currency rate swap;
    (VI) A basis swap;
    (VII) A currency swap;
    (VIII) A foreign exchange swap;
    (IX) A total return swap;
    (X) An equity index swap;
    (XI) An equity swap;
    (XII) A debt index swap;
    (XIII) A debt swap;
    (XIV) A credit spread;
    (XV) A credit default swap;
    (XVI) A credit swap;
    (XVII) A weather swap;
    (XVIII) An energy swap;
    (XIX) A metal swap;
    (XX) An agricultural swap;
    (XXI) An emissions swap; and
    (XXII) A commodity swap;
    (iv) That is an agreement, contract, or transaction that is, or 
in the future becomes, commonly known to the trade as a swap;
    (v) Including any security-based swap agreement which meets the 
definition of `swap agreement' as defined in section 206A of the 
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (15 U.S.C. 78c note) of which a material term 
is based on the price, yield, value, or volatility of any security 
or any group or index of securities, or any interest therein; or
    (vi) That is any combination or permutation of, or option on, 
any agreement, contract, or transaction described in any of clauses 
(i) through (v).
    (B) Exclusions.--The term `swap' does not include--
    (i) Any contract of sale of a commodity for future delivery (or 
option on such a contract), leverage contract authorized under 
section 19, security futures product, or agreement, contract, or 
transaction described in section 2(c)(2)(C)(i) or section 
2(c)(2)(D)(i);
    (ii) Any sale of a nonfinancial commodity or security for 
deferred shipment or delivery, so long as the transaction is 
intended to be physically settled;
    (iii) Any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege on any 
security, certificate of deposit, or group or index of securities, 
including any interest therein or based on the value thereof, that 
is subject to--
    (I) The Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77a et seq.); and
    (II) The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et 
seq.);
    (iv) Any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege relating to a 
foreign currency entered into on a national securities exchange 
registered pursuant to section 6(a) of the Securities Exchange Act 
of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78f(a));
    (v) Any agreement, contract, or transaction providing for the 
purchase or sale of 1 or more securities on a fixed basis that is 
subject to--
    (I) The Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77a et seq.); and
    (II) The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et 
seq.);
    (vi) Any agreement, contract, or transaction providing for the 
purchase or sale of 1 or more securities on a contingent basis that 
is subject to the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77a et seq.) and 
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.), unless 
the agreement, contract, or transaction predicates the purchase or 
sale on the occurrence of a bona fide contingency that might 
reasonably be expected to affect or be affected by the 
creditworthiness of a party other than a party to the agreement, 
contract, or transaction;
    (vii) Any note, bond, or evidence of indebtedness that is a 
security, as defined in section 2(a)(1) of the Securities Act of 
1933 (15 U.S.C. 77b(a)(1));
    (viii) Any agreement, contract, or transaction that is--
    (I) Based on a security; and
    (II) Entered into directly or through an underwriter (as defined 
in section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 
77b(a)(11)) by the issuer of such security for the purposes of 
raising capital, unless the agreement, contract, or transaction is 
entered into to manage a risk associated with capital raising;
    (ix) Any agreement, contract, or transaction a counterparty of 
which is a Federal Reserve bank, the Federal Government, or a 
Federal agency that is expressly backed by the full faith and credit 
of the United States; and
    (x) Any security-based swap, other than a security-based swap as 
described in subparagraph (D).
    (C) Rule of Construction regarding master agreements.--
    (i) In general.--Except as provided in clause (ii), the term 
`swap' includes a master agreement that provides for an agreement, 
contract, or transaction that is a swap under subparagraph (A), 
together with each supplement to any master agreement, without 
regard to whether the master agreement contains an agreement, 
contract, or transaction that is not a swap pursuant to subparagraph 
(A).
    (ii) Exception.--For purposes of clause (i), the master 
agreement shall be considered to be a swap only with respect to each 
agreement, contract, or transaction covered by the master agreement 
that is a swap pursuant to subparagraph (A).

[[Page 51431]]

    (D) Mixed swap.--The term `security-based swap' includes any 
agreement, contract, or transaction that is as described in section 
3(a)(68)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 
78c(a)(68)(A)) and also is based on the value of 1 or more interest 
or other rates, currencies, commodities, instruments of 
indebtedness, indices, quantitative measures, other financial or 
economic interest or property of any kind (other than a single 
security or a narrow-based security index), or the occurrence, non-
occurrence, or the extent of the occurrence of an event or 
contingency associated with a potential financial, economic, or 
commercial consequence (other than an event described in 
subparagraph (A)(iii)).
    (E) Treatment of foreign exchange swaps and forwards.--
    (i) In general.--Foreign exchange swaps and foreign exchange 
forwards shall be considered swaps under this paragraph unless the 
Secretary makes a written determination under section 1b that either 
foreign exchange swaps or foreign exchange forwards or both--
    (I) Should be not be regulated as swaps under this Act; and
    (II) Are not structured to evade the Dodd-Frank Wall Street 
Reform and Consumer Protection Act in violation of any rule 
promulgated by the [Commodity Futures Trading] Commission pursuant 
to section 721(c) of that Act.
    (ii) Congressional notice; effectiveness.--The Secretary shall 
submit any written determination under clause (i) to the appropriate 
committees of Congress, including the Committee on Agriculture, 
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate and the Committee on 
Agriculture of the House of Representatives. Any such written 
determination by the Secretary shall not be effective until it is 
submitted to the appropriate committees of Congress.
    (iii) Reporting.--Notwithstanding a written determination by the 
Secretary under clause (i), all foreign exchange swaps and foreign 
exchange forwards shall be reported to either a swap data 
repository, or, if there is no swap data repository that would 
accept such swaps or forwards, to the [Commodity Futures Trading] 
Commission pursuant to section 4r within such time period as the 
[Commodity Futures Trading] Commission may by rule or regulation 
prescribe.
    (iv) Business standards.--Notwithstanding a written 
determination by the Secretary pursuant to clause (i), any party to 
a foreign exchange swap or forward that is a swap dealer or major 
swap participant shall conform to the business conduct standards 
contained in section 4s(h).
    (v) Secretary.--For purposes of this subparagraph, the term 
`Secretary' means the Secretary of the Treasury.
    (F) Exception for certain foreign exchange swaps and forwards.--
    (i) Registered entities.--Any foreign exchange swap and any 
foreign exchange forward that is listed and traded on or subject to 
the rules of a designated contract market or a swap execution 
facility, or that is cleared by a derivatives clearing organization, 
shall not be exempt from any provision of this Act or amendments 
made by the Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act of 2010 
prohibiting fraud or manipulation.
    (ii) Retail transactions.--Nothing in subparagraph (E) shall 
affect, or be construed to affect, the applicability of this Act or 
the jurisdiction of the [Commodity Futures Trading] Commission with 
respect to agreements, contracts, or transactions in foreign 
currency pursuant to section 2(c)(2).''

    Security-Based Swap: Section 761(a)(6) of the Dodd-Frank Act:

    ``(68) Security-Based Swap.--
    (A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the 
term `security-based swap' means any agreement, contract, or 
transaction that--
    (i) Is a swap, as that term is defined under section 1a of the 
Commodity Exchange Act (without regard to paragraph (47)(B)(x) of 
such section); and
    (ii) Is based on--
    (I) An index that is a narrow-based security index, including 
any interest therein or on the value thereof;
    (II) A single security or loan, including any interest therein 
or on the value thereof; or
    (III) The occurrence, nonoccurrence, or extent of the occurrence 
of an event relating to a single issuer of a security or the issuers 
of securities in a narrow-based security index, provided that such 
event directly affects the financial statements, financial 
condition, or financial obligations of the issuer.
    (B) Rule of construction regarding master agreements.--The term 
`security-based swap' shall be construed to include a master 
agreement that provides for an agreement, contract, or transaction 
that is a security-based swap pursuant to subparagraph (A), together 
with all supplements to any such master agreement, without regard to 
whether the master agreement contains an agreement, contract, or 
transaction that is not a security-based swap pursuant to 
subparagraph (A), except that the master agreement shall be 
considered to be a security-based swap only with respect to each 
agreement, contract, or transaction under the master agreement that 
is a security-based swap pursuant to subparagraph (A).
    (C) Exclusions.--The term `security-based swap' does not include 
any agreement, contract, or transaction that meets the definition of 
a security-based swap only because such agreement, contract, or 
transaction references, is based upon, or settles through the 
transfer, delivery, or receipt of an exempted security under 
paragraph (12), as in effect on the date of enactment of the Futures 
Trading Act of 1982 (other than any municipal security as defined in 
paragraph (29) as in effect on the date of enactment of the Futures 
Trading Act of 1982), unless such agreement, contract, or 
transaction is of the character of, or is commonly known in the 
trade as, a put, call, or other option.
    (D) Mixed swap.--The term `security-based swap' includes any 
agreement, contract, or transaction that is as described in 
subparagraph (A) and also is based on the value of 1 or more 
interest or other rates, currencies, commodities, instruments of 
indebtedness, indices, quantitative measures, other financial or 
economic interest or property of any kind (other than a single 
security or a narrow-based security index), or the occurrence, non-
occurrence, or the extent of the occurrence of an event or 
contingency associated with a potential financial, economic, or 
commercial consequence (other than an event described in 
subparagraph (A)(ii)(III)).
    (E) Rule of construction regarding use of the term index.--The 
term `index' means an index or group of securities, including any 
interest therein or based on the value thereof.''

    Swap Dealer: Section 721(a)(21) of the Dodd-Frank Act:

    ``(49) Swap dealer.--
    (A) In general.--The term `swap dealer' means any person who--
    (i) Holds itself out as a dealer in swaps;
    (ii) Makes a market in swaps;
    (iii) Regularly enters into swaps with counterparties as an 
ordinary course of business for its own account; or
    (iv) Engages in any activity causing the person to be commonly 
known in the trade as a dealer or market maker in swaps, provided 
however, in no event shall an insured depository institution be 
considered to be a swap dealer to the extent it offers to enter into 
a swap with a customer in connection with originating a loan with 
that customer.
    (B) Inclusion.--A person may be designated as a swap dealer for 
a single type or single class or category of swap or activities and 
considered not to be a swap dealer for other types, classes, or 
categories of swaps or activities.
    (C) Exception.--The term `swap dealer' does not include a person 
that enters into swaps for such person's own account, either 
individually or in a fiduciary capacity, but not as a part of a 
regular business.
    (D) De minimis exception.--The [Commodity Futures Trading] 
Commission shall exempt from designation as a swap dealer an entity 
that engages in a de minimis quantity of swap dealing in connection 
with transactions with or on behalf of its customers. The [Commodity 
Futures Trading] Commission shall promulgate regulations to 
establish factors with respect to the making of this determination 
to exempt.''

    Security-Based Swap Dealer: Section 761(a)(6) of the Dodd-Frank 
Act:

    ``(71) Security-Based Swap Dealer.--
    (A) In general.--The term `security-based swap dealer' means any 
person who--
    (i) Holds themself out as a dealer in security-based swaps;
    (ii) Makes a market in security-based swaps;
    (iii) Regularly enters into security-based swaps with 
counterparties as an ordinary course of business for its own 
account; or
    (iv) Engages in any activity causing it to be commonly known in 
the trade as a dealer or market maker in security-based swaps.
    (B) Designation by type or class.--A person may be designated as 
a security-based swap dealer for a single type or single class or 
category of security-based swap or activities and considered not to 
be a security-based

[[Page 51432]]

swap dealer for other types, classes, or categories of security 
based swaps or activities.
    (C) Exception.--The term `security-based swap dealer' does not 
include a person that enters into security-based swaps for such 
person's own account, either individually or in a fiduciary 
capacity, but not as a part of regular business.
    (D) De minimis exception.--The [Securities and Exchange] 
Commission shall exempt from designation as a security-based swap 
dealer an entity that engages in a de minimis quantity of security-
based swap dealing in connection with transactions with or on behalf 
of its customers. The [Securities and Exchange] Commission shall 
promulgate regulations to establish factors with respect to the 
making of any determination to exempt.''

    Major Swap Participant: Section 721(a)(16) of the Dodd-Frank Act:

    ``(33) Major Swap Participant.--
    (A) In general.--The term `major swap participant' means any 
person who is not a swap dealer, and--
    (i) Maintains a substantial position in swaps for any of the 
major swap categories as determined by the [Commodity Futures 
Trading] Commission, excluding--
    (I) Positions held for hedging or mitigating commercial risk; 
and
    (II) Positions maintained by any employee benefit plan (or any 
contract held by such a plan) as defined in paragraphs (3) and (32) 
of section 3 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 
(29 U.S.C. 1002) for the primary purpose of hedging or mitigating 
any risk directly associated with the operation of the plan;
    (ii) Whose outstanding swaps create substantial counterparty 
exposure that could have serious adverse effects on the financial 
stability of the United States banking system or financial markets; 
or
    (iii)(I) Is a financial entity that is highly leveraged relative 
to the amount of capital it holds and that is not subject to capital 
requirements established by an appropriate Federal banking agency; 
and
    (II) Maintains a substantial position in outstanding swaps in 
any major swap category as determined by the [Commodity Futures 
Trading] Commission.
    (B) Definition of substantial position.--For purposes of 
subparagraph (A), the [Commodity Futures Trading] Commission shall 
define by rule or regulation the term `substantial position' at the 
threshold that the [Commodity Futures Trading] Commission determines 
to be prudent for the effective monitoring, management, and 
oversight of entities that are systemically important or can 
significantly impact the financial system of the United States. In 
setting the definition under this subparagraph, the [Commodity 
Futures Trading] Commission shall consider the person's relative 
position in uncleared as opposed to cleared swaps and may take into 
consideration the value and quality of collateral held against 
counterparty exposures.
    (C) Scope of designation.--For purposes of subparagraph (A), a 
person may be designated as a major swap participant for 1 or more 
categories of swaps without being classified as a major swap 
participant for all classes of swaps.
    (D) Exclusions.--The definition under this paragraph shall not 
include an entity whose primary business is providing financing, and 
uses derivatives for the purpose of hedging underlying commercial 
risks related to interest rate and foreign currency exposures, 90 
percent or more of which arise from financing that facilitates the 
purchase or lease of products, 90 percent or more of which are 
manufactured by the parent company or another subsidiary of the 
parent company.''

    Major Security-Based Swap Participant: Section 761(a)(6) of the 
Dodd-Frank Act:

    ``(67) Major Security-Based Swap Participant.--
    (A) In general.--The term `major security-based swap 
participant' means any person--
    (i) Who is not a security-based swap dealer; and
    (ii)(I) Who maintains a substantial position in security-based 
swaps for any of the major security-based swap categories, as such 
categories are determined by the [Securities and Exchange] 
Commission, excluding both positions held for hedging or mitigating 
commercial risk and positions maintained by any employee benefit 
plan (or any contract held by such a plan) as defined in paragraphs 
(3) and (32) of section 3 of the Employee Retirement Income Security 
Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1002) for the primary purpose of hedging or 
mitigating any risk directly associated with the operation of the 
plan;
    (II) Whose outstanding security-based swaps create substantial 
counterparty exposure that could have serious adverse effects on the 
financial stability of the United States banking system or financial 
markets; or
    (III) That is a financial entity that--
    (aa) Is highly leveraged relative to the amount of capital such 
entity holds and that is not subject to capital requirements 
established by an appropriate Federal banking agency; and
    (bb) Maintains a substantial position in outstanding security-
based swaps in any major security-based swap category, as such 
categories are determined by the [Securities and Exchange] 
Commission.
    (B) Definition of substantial position.--For purposes of 
subparagraph (A), the [Securities and Exchange] Commission shall 
define, by rule or regulation, the term `substantial position' at 
the threshold that the [Securities and Exchange] Commission 
determines to be prudent for the effective monitoring, management, 
and oversight of entities that are systemically important or can 
significantly impact the financial system of the United States. In 
setting the definition under this subparagraph, the [Securities and 
Exchange] Commission shall consider the person's relative position 
in uncleared as opposed to cleared security-based swaps and may take 
into consideration the value and quality of collateral held against 
counterparty exposures.
    (C) Scope of designation.--For purposes of subparagraph (A), a 
person may be designated as a major security-based swap participant 
for 1 or more categories of security-based swaps without being 
classified as a major security-based swap participant for all 
classes of security-based swaps.''

    Eligible Contract Participant: Section 1a(18) of the Commodity 
Exchange Act, 7 U.S.C. 1a(18), as re-designated and amended by Sections 
721(a)(9) and 741(b)(10) \5\ of the Dodd-Frank Act:
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    \5\ Section 741(b)(10) of the Dodd-Frank Act provides that 
``Section 1a(19)(A)(iv)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 
1a(19)(A)(iv)(II)) (as redesignated by section 721(a)(1)) is amended 
by inserting before the semicolon at the end the following: 
``provided, however, that for purposes of section 2(c)(2)(B)(vi) and 
section 2(c)(2)(C)(vii), the term `eligible contract participant' 
shall not include a commodity pool in which any participant is not 
otherwise an eligible contract participant''. The probable intent of 
Congress was to amend the definition of ``eligible contract 
participant'', which is in paragraph (18)(A)(iv)(II), not paragraph 
(19)(A)(iv)(II).

    ``(18) Eligible Contract Participant.--The term `eligible 
contract participant' means--
    (A) Acting for its own account--
    (i) A financial institution;
    (ii) An insurance company that is regulated by a State, or that 
is regulated by a foreign government and is subject to comparable 
regulation as determined by the [Commodity Futures Trading] 
Commission, including a regulated subsidiary or affiliate of such an 
insurance company;
    (iii) An investment company subject to regulation under the 
Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-1 et seq.) or a 
foreign person performing a similar role or function subject as such 
to foreign regulation (regardless of whether each investor in the 
investment company or the foreign person is itself an eligible 
contract participant);
    (iv) A commodity pool that--
    (I) Has total assets exceeding $5,000,000; and
    (II) Is formed and operated by a person subject to regulation 
under this Act or a foreign person performing a similar role or 
function subject as such to foreign regulation (regardless of 
whether each investor in the commodity pool or the foreign person is 
itself an eligible contract participant) provided, however, that for 
purposes of section 2(c)(2)(B)(vi) and section 2(c)(2)(C)(vii), the 
term `eligible contract participant' shall not include a commodity 
pool in which any participant is not otherwise an eligible contract 
participant;
    (v) A corporation, partnership, proprietorship, organization, 
trust, or other entity--
    (I) That has total assets exceeding $10,000,000;
    (II) The obligations of which under an agreement, contract, or 
transaction are guaranteed or otherwise supported by a letter of 
credit or keepwell, support, or other agreement by an entity 
described in subclause (I), in clause (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), or 
(vii), or in subparagraph (C); or
    (III) That--
    (aa) Has a net worth exceeding $1,000,000; and
    (bb) Enters into an agreement, contract, or transaction in 
connection with the conduct of

[[Page 51433]]

the entity's business or to manage the risk associated with an asset 
or liability owned or incurred or reasonably likely to be owned or 
incurred by the entity in the conduct of the entity's business;
    (vi) An employee benefit plan subject to the Employee Retirement 
Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.), a governmental 
employee benefit plan, or a foreign person performing a similar role 
or function subject as such to foreign regulation--
    (I) That has total assets exceeding $5,000,000; or
    (II) The investment decisions of which are made by--
    (aa) An investment adviser or commodity trading advisor subject 
to regulation under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 
80b-1 et seq.) or this Act;
    (bb) A foreign person performing a similar role or function 
subject as such to foreign regulation;
    (cc) A financial institution; or
    (dd) An insurance company described in clause (ii), or a 
regulated subsidiary or affiliate of such an insurance company;
    (vii)(I) A governmental entity (including the United States, a 
State, or a foreign government) or political subdivision of a 
governmental entity;
    (II) A multinational or supranational government entity; or
    (III) An instrumentality, agency, or department of an entity 
described in subclause (I) or (II);

except that such term does not include an entity, instrumentality, 
agency, or department referred to in subclause (I) or (III) of this 
clause unless (aa) the entity, instrumentality, agency, or 
department is a person described in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) of 
paragraph (17)(A); (bb) the entity, instrumentality, agency, or 
department owns and invests on a discretionary basis $50,000,000 or 
more in investments; or (cc) the agreement, contract, or transaction 
is offered by, and entered into with, an entity that is listed in 
any of subclauses (I) through (VI) of section 2(c)(2)(B)(ii);
    (viii)(I) A broker or dealer subject to regulation under the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.) or a foreign 
person performing a similar role or function subject as such to 
foreign regulation, except that, if the broker or dealer or foreign 
person is a natural person or proprietorship, the broker or dealer 
or foreign person shall not be considered to be an eligible contract 
participant unless the broker or dealer or foreign person also meets 
the requirements of clause (v) or (xi);
    (II) An associated person of a registered broker or dealer 
concerning the financial or securities activities of which the 
registered person makes and keeps records under section 15C(b) or 
17(h) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78o-5(b), 
78q(h));
    (III) An investment bank holding company (as defined in section 
17(i) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78q(i));
    (ix) A futures commission merchant subject to regulation under 
this Act or a foreign person performing a similar role or function 
subject as such to foreign regulation, except that, if the futures 
commission merchant or foreign person is a natural person or 
proprietorship, the futures commission merchant or foreign person 
shall not be considered to be an eligible contract participant 
unless the futures commission merchant or foreign person also meets 
the requirements of clause (v) or (xi);
    (x) A floor broker or floor trader subject to regulation under 
this Act in connection with any transaction that takes place on or 
through the facilities of a registered entity (other than an 
electronic trading facility with respect to a significant price 
discovery contract) or an exempt board of trade, or any affiliate 
thereof, on which such person regularly trades; or
    (xi) An individual who has amounts invested on a discretionary 
basis, the aggregate of which is in excess of--
    (I) $10,000,000; or
    (II) $5,000,000 and who enters into the agreement, contract, or 
transaction in order to manage the risk associated with an asset 
owned or liability incurred, or reasonably likely to be owned or 
incurred, by the individual;
    (B)(i) A person described in clause (i), (ii), (iv), (v), 
(viii), (ix), or (x) of subparagraph (A) or in subparagraph (C), 
acting as broker or performing an equivalent agency function on 
behalf of another person described in subparagraph (A) or (C); or
    (ii) An investment adviser subject to regulation under the 
Investment Advisers Act of 1940, a commodity trading advisor subject 
to regulation under this Act, a foreign person performing a similar 
role or function subject as such to foreign regulation, or a person 
described in clause (i), (ii), (iv), (v), (viii), (ix), or (x) of 
subparagraph (A) or in subparagraph (C), in any such case acting as 
investment manager or fiduciary (but excluding a person acting as 
broker or performing an equivalent agency function) for another 
person described in subparagraph (A) or (C) and who is authorized by 
such person to commit such person to the transaction; or
    (C) Any other person that the [Commodity Futures Trading] 
Commission determines to be eligible in light of the financial or 
other qualifications of the person.''

    Security-Based Swap Agreement: Section 761(a)(6) of the Dodd-Frank 
Act:

    ``(78) Security-Based Swap Agreement.--
    (A) In general.--For purposes of sections 9, 10, 16, 20, and 21A 
of this Act, and section 17 of the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 
77q), the term `security-based swap agreement' means a swap 
agreement as defined in section 206A of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act 
(15 U.S.C. 78c note) of which a material term is based on the price, 
yield, value, or volatility of any security or any group or index of 
securities, or any interest therein.
    (B) Exclusions.--The term `security-based swap agreement' does 
not include any security-based swap.''

    By the Securities and Exchange Commission.

    Dated: August 13, 2010.
Elizabeth M. Murphy,
Secretary.

    By the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

    Dated: August 13, 2010.
David A. Stawick,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2010-20567 Filed 8-19-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P