Document ID: SEC-2017-0387-0001
Agency: sec
Document Type: Notice
Title: Self-Regulatory Organizations; Proposed Rule Changes: Options Clearing Corp.
Posted Date: 2017-03-13T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 47 (Monday, March 13, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13522-13526]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-04816]

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-80168; File No. SR-OCC-2017-002]

Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Options Clearing Corporation; 
Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change Concerning Changes to The 
Options Clearing Corporation's Management Structure

March 7, 2017.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given that 
on February 22, 2017, The Options Clearing Corporation (``OCC'') filed 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') the 
proposed rule change as described in Items I, II and III below, which 
Items have been prepared primarily by OCC. The Commission is publishing 
this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from 
interested persons.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
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I. Clearing Agency's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the 
Proposed Rule Change

    This proposed rule change by OCC would amend OCC's By-Laws, Rules, 
Board of Directors Charter (``Board Charter''), Compensation and 
Performance Committee Charter (``CPC Charter''), Dividend Policy, and 
Refund Policy to address organizational changes within OCC's management 
structure. Specifically, OCC is proposing the following changes: (1) 
Amendment of OCC's By-Laws to provide that the Executive Chairman would 
also serve as Chief Executive Officer (``CEO''); (2) amendment of OCC's 
By-Laws and Rules to reflect that the President would no longer be a 
recognized officer of OCC; (3) amendment of OCC's By-Laws to provide 
that the Board would appoint the Chief Operating Officer (``COO'') and 
a newly recognized Chief Administrative Officer (``CAO''); (4) 
amendment of OCC's By-Laws and Rules to provide that the COO and CAO 
would each have authority to take certain actions or grant exceptions 
where that authority was previously granted to the President; (5) 
conforming changes to OCC's Board Charter, CPC Charter, and the 
Dividend and Refund Policies reflecting the proposed amendments 
described above; (6) amendment of OCC's By-Laws to separate the 
positions of Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (``CFO''); and (7) a 
number of administrative and clean-up edits to the By-Laws and Rules.

II. Clearing Agency's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis 
for, the Proposed Rule Change

    In its filing with the Commission, OCC included statements 
concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and 
discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The 
text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in 
Item IV below. OCC has prepared summaries, set forth in sections (A), 
(B), and (C) below, of the most significant aspects of these 
statements.

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

1. Purpose
    The purpose of this proposed rule change is to implement 
organizational changes to OCC's management structure in OCC's By-Laws 
and Rules. Specifically, OCC is proposing the following changes: (1) 
Amendment of OCC's By-Laws to provide that the Executive Chairman would 
also serve as CEO; (2) amendment of OCC's By-Laws and Rules to reflect 
that the President would no longer be a recognized officer of OCC; (3) 
amendment of OCC's By-Laws to provide that the Board would appoint the 
COO and a newly recognized CAO; (4) amendment of OCC's By-Laws and 
Rules to provide that the COO and CAO would each have authority to take 
certain actions or grant exceptions where that authority was previously 
granted to the President; (5) conforming changes to OCC's Board 
Charter, CPC Charter, and the Dividend and Refund Policies reflecting 
the proposed amendments described above; (6) amendment of OCC's By-Laws 
to separate the positions of Treasurer and CFO; and (7) a number of 
administrative and clean-up edits to the By-Laws and Rules. These 
changes are proposed as a result of the Board's continual evaluation of 
OCC's governance arrangements, and OCC believes that they represent 
leadership enhancements that promote OCC's efficient management and 
operation and would therefore improve OCC's ability to serve Clearing 
Members and the markets for which it clears.
Overview of OCC's Management Structure
Officers Appointed by the Board
    The organizational structure of OCC's management is primarily 
addressed in Article IV of the By-Laws (Officers). Under Article IV, 
Section 1, the Board is required to elect an Executive Chairman from 
among OCC's full-time employees and is also required to elect a 
President, Secretary, and a Treasurer, who are not required to be 
members of the Board at the time of their election.\3\ The Board also 
has discretion to elect other officers or one or more Vice Presidents, 
as it may determine to be appropriate from time to time, to promote the 
efficient management and

[[Page 13523]]

operation of OCC. In addition, under Article IV, Section 11 of the By-
Laws, the Treasurer also serves as the CFO unless another person is 
designated by the Board of Directors to serve in that capacity.
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    \3\ Under Article IV, Section 1 of the By-Laws, the Board is 
also required to elect the Vice Chairman of the Board from among the 
Member Directors.
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Responsibilities and Authority of the Executive Chairman and the 
President
    Pursuant to OCC's By-Laws, the Executive Chairman is responsible 
for OCC's control functions, including, but not limited to, enterprise 
risk management, internal audit and compliance, and external 
affairs.\4\ The President is responsible for all aspects of OCC's 
business that do not report directly to the Executive Chairman, 
administers OCC's day-to-day affairs in accordance with directions from 
the Executive Chairman, generally fulfills the duties and powers of the 
Executive Chairman if the Executive Chairman is ever absent or disabled 
and also serves as OCC's COO.\5\ The Executive Chairman and President 
also have those duties and powers that usually pertain to their offices 
and as may be further prescribed by the By-Laws and Rules, the Board, 
or a Board committee.\6\
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    \4\ See Article IV, Section 6 of the By-Laws.
    \5\ See Article IV, Section 8 of the By-Laws.
    \6\ See Article IV, Section 5 of the By-Laws. For example, OCC's 
Rules provide the Executive Chairman and President with the 
authority to, among other things, impose certain restrictions on a 
Clearing Member's transactions, positions and activities based on 
the financial or operational condition of the Clearing Member (Rule 
305); extend settlement times in emergency conditions (Rule 505); 
waive the required margin deposit of a Clearing Member in the 
interest of maintaining fair and orderly markets (Rule 609A); and 
make a determination as to whether the immediate liquidation of some 
or all of a suspended Clearing Member's margin deposits and/or 
contributions to the Clearing Fund would not be in the best 
interests of the Corporation, other Clearing Members, or the general 
public (Rule 1104).
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    In addition to officers who are elected by the Board, the Executive 
Chairman and President may, to the extent that they deem it necessary 
and appropriate, appoint officers and agents to carry out the functions 
that are assigned to them.\7\ The Executive Chairman and President are 
responsible for the supervision of any such officers and agents they 
appoint.\8\
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    \7\ See Article IV, Section 2 of the By-Laws.
    \8\ See Article IV, Sections 6 and 8 of the By-Laws.
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Proposed Changes to OCC's Management Structure
    OCC proposes a number of management structure changes in its By-
Laws and Rules that are primarily related to the elimination of the 
office of President. Accordingly, the President's powers and duties 
would be allocated among other officers in OCC's management, and in 
many cases, the proposed changes are designed to vest the powers and 
duties of the President in the COO and CAO, without otherwise modifying 
OCC's management structure. In addition, OCC is proposing an amendment 
to its By-Laws to separate the positions of Treasurer and CFO. The 
proposed changes are described in detail below.
(1) The Executive Chairman Also Serves as a Newly Recognized CEO
    Under the proposed rule change, the Executive Chairman would 
continue to be appointed by the Board and be responsible for OCC's 
control functions. However, OCC proposes to amend Article IV, Section 6 
of the By-Laws to provide that the Executive Chairman would also serve 
as a newly recognized CEO. In that capacity, the Executive Chairman and 
CEO would be responsible for all aspects of OCC's business and the day-
to-day administration of its affairs that are not otherwise assigned to 
the COO or CAO. OCC notes that, under its current By-Laws, the 
President is responsible for all aspects of OCC's business that do not 
report directly to the Executive Chairman and is responsible for the 
day-to-day administration of OCC's affairs in accordance with the 
directions of the Executive Chairman. The proposed rule change would 
provide the Executive Chairman/CEO with explicit responsibility for 
overseeing all aspects of OCC's business and the day-to-day 
administration of its affairs, with the COO and CAO each being 
responsible for aspects of the business of OCC that do not report 
directly to the Executive Chairman and CEO and administering the day to 
day affairs and business of OCC in accordance with the directions of 
the Executive Chairman and CEO. In connection with this change, OCC's 
senior management would be reorganized within an Office of the 
Executive Chairman that would be comprised of the Executive Chairman 
(who would also serve as CEO), the COO and the CAO. OCC believes that 
this new management structure will combine the breadth and depth of 
experience and skill necessary within OCC's senior management team to 
provide for the efficient and effective management and operation of 
OCC, improve OCC's ability to serve Clearing Members and the markets 
for which it clears, and help to ensure that OCC is so organized and 
has the capacity to facilitate the prompt and accurate clearance and 
settlement of the transactions it clears.
(2) The President Is No Longer a Recognized Officer of OCC
    OCC proposes a number of amendments throughout its By-Laws and 
Rules to remove references to the office of President to reflect the 
fact that the President would no longer be a recognized officer within 
OCC's management. As described in more detail below, all references to 
the authority and responsibilities of the President would generally be 
replaced with references to the COO and newly appointed CAO. OCC 
believes that eliminating the role of President and distributing the 
wide range of authority and responsibilities associated therewith to 
two senior officers (the CAO and COO) would provide for an even broader 
range of knowledge, skills, and experience within OCC's senior 
management team, promote more efficient and effective management and 
operation of OCC, improve OCC's ability to serve Clearing Members and 
the markets for which it clears, and help to ensure that OCC is so 
organized and has the capacity to facilitate the prompt and accurate 
clearance and settlement of the transactions it clears.
(3) Election of the COO and CAO
    OCC proposes to amend Article IV, Sections 1, 8 and 13 of the By-
Laws to provide that the Board would elect a COO and a CAO and would 
set the salaries for such officers. Accordingly, OCC would continue to 
have a COO within its management structure because, as noted above, the 
President also serves as COO under OCC's existing By-Laws. The CAO, 
however, is a newly recognized officer within OCC's management 
structure. As is currently the case regarding the President, neither 
the COO nor the CAO would be required to be a member of the Board upon 
election. Also, consistent with the existing prohibition against the 
same person holding any two of the offices of Executive Chairman, 
President and Member Vice Chairman,\9\ the restriction would continue 
to apply but would reference the COO and CAO rather than the President. 
As noted above, OCC believes that eliminating the role of President and 
distributing the wide range of responsibilities associated therewith to 
the COO and a newly appointed CAO would provide for more efficient and 
effective management and operation of OCC, improve OCC's ability to 
serve Clearing Members and the markets for which it clears, and help to 
ensure that OCC is so organized and has the capacity to facilitate the 
prompt and

[[Page 13524]]

accurate clearance and settlement of the transactions it clears.
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    \9\ See Article IV, Section 1 of the By-Laws.
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(4) Assignment of Certain Responsibilities to the COO and CAO
    The responsibility of management to carry out OCC's affairs is 
frequently assigned to groups of officers, including the Executive 
Chairman, President, and other officers of appropriate seniority. This 
approach provides important flexibility to help ensure that 
responsibility is not unduly concentrated in any one officer, that 
OCC's affairs are carried out efficiently, and that management has the 
capacity to continue carrying out OCC's business and day-to-day affairs 
even if a particular officer is absent or becomes disabled. To preserve 
the benefits of this structure given the elimination of the office of 
President, OCC proposes that the COO and CAO would instead assume 
certain responsibilities in the By-Laws and Rules where they are 
currently assigned, at least in part, to the President.
    Under the proposed changes to Article IV, Section 8 of the By-Laws, 
the COO and CAO would be responsible for the aspects of OCC's business 
that do not report directly to the Executive Chairman, as determined by 
the Board to promote the efficient and effective management and 
operation of OCC, and they would administer their responsibilities in 
accordance with directions from the Executive Chairman. Under the 
proposed management structure changes, the COO initially would be 
responsible for the oversight of OCC's technology and operations 
functions while the CAO would be responsible for the oversight of the 
finance, human resources, financial risk management, corporate 
planning, product and business development, and project management 
aspects of OCC's business. In addition, in the event of any absence or 
disability of the Executive Chairman, the COO and CAO would each have 
the authority and responsibility to fulfill the duties and have the 
powers of the Executive Chairman. However, in the absence or disability 
of the Executive Chairman, neither the COO nor the CAO would be 
permitted to preside at meetings of the Board or stockholders. This 
same restriction currently applies to the President.
    Under the proposed amendments to Article IV, Sections 2, 3, 9, and 
13 of the By-Laws, the COO and CAO each would have authority, 
consistent with the authority previously granted to the President, to 
appoint officers and agents as they deem necessary or appropriate to 
carry out the functions assigned to them. This includes, but is not 
limited to, the authority to appoint certain Vice Presidents within 
management. Any officers or agents who are appointed by the COO or CAO 
would be subject to their supervision and would be able to be removed 
by the COO and CAO, respectively, at any time, with or without cause. 
Such officers or agents would exercise powers and perform duties as 
determined by the COO or the CAO and the term and salary \10\ of any 
such positions would also be determined by the COO or CAO, 
respectively. The Executive Chairman and CEO would also have the 
authority to set the terms, powers, duties, and salaries of any officer 
or agent appointed by the COO or CAO and to remove officers or agents 
appointed by the COO and CAO.
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    \10\ Any salary fixed by the COO or CAO would be subject to any 
contrary action taken by the Board, as is the case today regarding 
any officers or agents appointed by the Executive Chairman or the 
President. See Article IV, Section 13 of the By-Laws.
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    Other examples of the responsibilities of the President being 
reallocated to the COO and CAO in the By-Laws and Rules include, but 
are not limited to, that the COO and CAO would, under certain 
conditions, have shared authority with the Executive Chairman and other 
officers to: (1) Approve banks or trust companies as Approved 
Custodians; (2) declare the existence of an emergency and take related 
actions; (3) approve clearing membership applications and grant related 
extensions; (4) impose restrictions on options exercises; (5) determine 
reasonable means through which to borrow or otherwise obtain funds 
using Clearing Fund contributions; (6) sign certificates representing 
shares in OCC; (7) waive or suspend OCC's By-Laws, Rules, policies, 
procedures or any other of OCC's rules in emergency circumstances to 
protect OCC or the public interest; (8) impose restrictions on certain 
Clearing Member transactions, positions and activities; (9) extend 
settlement times in emergency conditions; (10) waive the required 
margin deposit of a Clearing Member in the interest of maintaining fair 
and orderly markets; \11\ and (11) authorize late filing of an exercise 
notice by a Clearing Member.\12\
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    \11\ See Rule 609A. OCC also proposes to make a ministerial 
change to this rule to clarify a reference to the Securities and 
Exchange Commission.
    \12\ See Proposed changes in (1) OCC By-Laws Article I, Section 
1; (2) Article III, Section 15; (3) Article V, Sections 1-3, I&P 
.01; (4) Article VI, Section 17; (5) Article VIII, Section 5; (6) 
Article IX, Section 12; (7) Article IX, Section 14; (8) OCC Rule 
305; (9) Rule 505; (10) Rule 609A; and (11) Rule 801.
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    OCC believes the proposed changes described above will result in an 
appropriate and effective management structure that combines the 
breadth and depth of experience and skill necessary within OCC's senior 
management team to provide for the efficient and effective management 
and operation of OCC, improve OCC's ability to serve Clearing Members 
and the markets for which it clears, and help to ensure that OCC is so 
organized and has the capacity to facilitate the prompt and accurate 
clearance and settlement of the transactions it clears. Moreover, the 
proposed changes to OCC's management structure would provide important 
flexibility to help ensure that responsibility is not unduly 
concentrated in any one officer, that OCC's affairs are carried out 
efficiently, and that management has the capacity to continue carrying 
out OCC's business and day-to-day affairs even if a particular officer 
is absent or becomes disabled.
    OCC also proposes to amend Article IV, Section 12 of the By-Laws to 
provide that, in the event of a vacancy of the office of Controller, 
the Executive Chairman (in addition to the Board) would have the 
authority to designate a person to serve as chief accounting officer of 
OCC until the office of Controller is filled. OCC believes it would be 
appropriate for the Executive Chairman to replace the President in this 
role given the Executive Chairman's capacity as Management Director.
(5) Conforming Changes to Certain OCC Charters and Policies
    In connection with the proposed changes described above, OCC also 
proposes to change certain references to the President that appear in 
its Board Charter, CPC Charter, Dividend Policy and Refund Policy. 
These changes are described below and would not otherwise modify OCC's 
management structure.
    OCC proposes to amend the Board Charter to reflect that the Board 
has responsibility for selecting, overseeing and, where appropriate, 
replacing the COO and CAO, and that the Board evaluates and sets the 
compensation of these officers. The proposed amendments would also 
state that the Board provides counsel and advice to the COO and CAO and 
oversees those officers as part of the Board's evaluation of whether 
OCC's business is being appropriately managed. OCC notes that the 
proposed amendments are consistent with the Board's existing 
obligations with respect to the election and oversight of the 
President.

[[Page 13525]]

    Additionally, OCC proposes to amend the CPC Charter to reflect that 
the CPC would generally oversee the compensation, benefits and 
perquisites of the COO and CAO, including responsibility for making 
associated recommendations to the Board, and to identify that the CPC 
is responsible for reviewing and approving the annual goals and 
objectives of the COO and CAO. OCC also proposes to amend the CPC 
Charter to reflect that the CPC will now meet at least annually with 
the COO and CAO (instead of the President) to discuss and review 
compensation and performance levels of senior management and other key 
officers. In addition, the CPC Charter would be amended to reflect that 
the CPC reviews OCC's employment contracts with the COO and CAO (in 
place of the President) and makes recommendations to the Board 
regarding related approvals.
    OCC's Refund Policy would be amended to reflect that, in addition 
to the Executive Chairman, the COO or CAO would have authority under 
certain conditions to determine the payment date of refunds. This 
authority is currently reserved to the Executive Chairman and the 
President. OCC would also amend the Dividend Policy to reflect that, in 
addition to the Executive Chairman, the COO or CAO (rather than the 
President) would have authority under certain conditions to determine 
the payment date of dividends if for any reason OCC's Refund Policy is 
not in effect. As a housekeeping matter that is unrelated to the COO 
and CAO assuming certain responsibilities of the President, OCC is also 
updating its Dividend Policy and Refund Policy to reflect that the 
Commission recently adopted its Standards for Covered Clearing 
Agencies.\13\
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    \13\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 78961 (September 
28, 2016), 81 FR 70786 (October 13, 2016).
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(6) Separation of Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer Positions
    OCC proposes to amend Article IV, Section 11 of the By-Laws to 
eliminate a sentence that provides that OCC's Treasurer shall also 
serve as CFO absent another person being designated by the Board to 
serve in that capacity. Under the proposed rule change, the Board would 
continue to appoint OCC's Treasurer as currently required under Article 
IV, Section 1 of the By-Laws; however, the Treasurer would no longer 
automatically serve as CFO, and the Board would not be responsible for 
appointing OCC's CFO. OCC believes that separating these positions and 
eliminating this provision of the By-Laws will allow for greater 
flexibility relative to the structure, management and operation of 
OCC's corporate finance group.
(7) Administrative and Clean-Up Changes
    OCC is proposing a number of administrative and clean-up changes to 
its By-Laws and Rules. Specifically, OCC proposes to add a definition 
of ``Designated Officer'' in Article I, Section 1 of the By-Laws. The 
term is already used elsewhere in OCC's By-Laws and Rules (e.g., 
Article III, Section 15 of the By-Laws and Rule 1102). OCC believes 
that locating this definition in Article, I, Section 1 of the By-Laws 
with the majority of the other definitions that are used in OCC's By-
Laws and Rules promotes organizational consistency and clarity in OCC's 
legal framework. OCC also proposes to amend Interpretation and Policy 
.01 of Rule 309 to change a reference to ``OCC'' to ``the Corporation'' 
to conform to existing convention in OCC's By-Laws and Rules.
    Additionally, OCC proposes to amend Interpretation and Policy .01 
of Article III, Section 7 of the By-Laws, which concerns the use of the 
criteria of OCC's Fitness Standards for Directors, Clearing Members and 
Others in the election of Management Directors, to remove a reference 
to the President. OCC notes that, in addition to the proposed 
elimination of the office of President in this proposed rule change, in 
2014, the Commission approved a proposed rule change providing that 
OCC's President would no longer be considered a Management 
Director.\14\ OCC also proposes to amend Interpretation and Policy .02 
of Rule 1104 to remove references to the Management Vice Chairman. In 
September 2016,\15\ the Commission approved a proposed rule change by 
OCC to eliminate the role of Management Vice Chairman.\16\ OCC is 
proposing to remove remaining references to this position that were 
intended to be removed as part of SR-OCC-2016-002.
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    \14\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 73785 (December 8, 
2014), 79 FR 73915 (December 12, 2014) (SR-OCC-2014-18).
    \15\ Commission staff revised this text, previously reading 
``Earlier this year,'' to read ``In September 2016,'' at the request 
of the OCC.
    \16\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 78862 (September 
16, 2016), 81 FR 65415 (September 22, 2016) (SR-OCC-2016-002).
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    Finally, OCC proposes a number of non-substantive amendments to 
correct typographical errors in the By-Laws and Rules (e.g., correction 
of typographical error in Rule 305(c) to refer to the ``Executive'' 
Chairman and in Rule 309A to state ``an'' Appointed Clearing Member).
2. Statutory Basis
    OCC believes the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 
17A of the Act \17\ and the rules thereunder applicable to OCC. Section 
17A(b)(3)(A) of the Act \18\ requires, among other things, that a 
clearing agency be so organized and have the capacity to be able to 
facilitate the prompt and accurate clearance and settlement of 
securities transactions and derivative agreements, contracts, and 
transactions for which it is responsible. Rule 17Ad-22(d)(1) \19\ 
requires each registered clearing agency to provide for a well-founded 
transparent, and enforceable legal framework for each aspect of its 
operations in all relevant jurisdictions. Rule 17Ad-22(d)(8) \20\ 
further requires each registered clearing agency to have clear and 
transparent governance arrangements to, in part, fulfill the public 
interest requirements in Section 17A of the Act \21\ and support the 
objectives of owners and participants.
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    \17\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1.
    \18\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(3)(A).
    \19\ 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22(d)(1).
    \20\ 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22(d)(8).
    \21\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1.
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    OCC believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with 
Section 17A(b)(3)(A) of the Act \22\ and the rules thereunder because 
it is designed to ensure that OCC is so organized and has the capacity 
to be able to facilitate the prompt and accurate clearance and 
settlement of securities transactions and derivative agreements, 
contracts, and transactions for which it is responsible by implementing 
certain leadership enhancements intended to promote OCC's efficient 
management and operation. Specifically, OCC believes that having the 
Executive Chairman also serve as OCC's CEO, reallocating the 
President's duties and powers among the Executive Chairman, COO and 
CAO, authorizing the COO and CAO to take action or grant exceptions 
under certain conditions, and separating the positions of Treasurer and 
CFO, as described in detail above, would: (i) Provide for a broad range 
of knowledge, skills, and experience within OCC's management team, (ii) 
improve the alignment of officers' responsibilities with their skills 
and experience and thereby enhance efficiency and effectiveness within 
OCC's management, and (iii) ensure that there continues to be an 
appropriate allocation of duties and powers among

[[Page 13526]]

officers such that management has the capacity to continue carrying out 
OCC's affairs even if a particular officer is absent or disabled. 
Moreover, OCC believes the proposed management structure changes would 
provide clear and transparent governance arrangements designed to 
improve OCC's ability to serve Clearing Members and the markets for 
which it clears and thereby fulfill the public interest requirements in 
Section 17A of the Act \23\ and support the objectives of owners and 
participants consistent with Rule 17Ad-2(d)(8).\24\
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    \22\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(3)(A).
    \23\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1.
    \24\ 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22(d)(8).
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    In addition, OCC believes that centralizing the definition of 
``Designated Officer'' in Article I, Section 1 and making other 
clarifying, conforming and clean-up changes to OCC's governing 
documents would promote organizational consistency and clarity in OCC's 
legal framework to ensure that it remains well-founded, transparent and 
enforceable in all relevant jurisdictions in accordance with Rule 17Ad-
22(d)(1).\25\
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    \25\ 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22(d)(1). For the same reasons, OCC 
believes that the proposed change also is consistent with recently 
adopted Rule 17Ad-22(e)(1), which requires covered clearing agencies 
to maintain written policies and procedures reasonably designed to 
provide for a well-founded, clear, transparent, and enforceable 
legal basis for each aspect of its activities in all relevant 
jurisdictions. 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22(e)(1).
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    Finally, recently adopted Rule 17Ad-22(e)(2) \26\ requires covered 
clearing agencies to maintain written policies and procedures 
reasonably designed to, among other things, provide for governance 
arrangements that are clear and transparent and specify clear and 
direct lines of responsibility. OCC believes that the proposed 
amendments to its By-Laws, Rules, charters and policies would provide 
explicit, clear, and transparent statements of the responsibilities of 
its Executive Chairman/CEO, COO and CAO within the overall management 
structure of OCC in accordance with Rule 17Ad-22(e)(2).
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    \26\ 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22(e)(2).
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    The proposed rule change is not inconsistent with the existing 
rules of OCC, including any other rules proposed to be amended.

(B) Clearing Agency's Statement on Burden on Competition

    Section 17A(b)(3)(I) of the Act requires that the rules of a 
clearing agency not impose any burden on competition not necessary or 
appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.\27\ OCC does not 
believe that the proposed rule change would impose any burden or have 
any impact on competition. The proposed rule change would implement 
certain leadership changes within OCC's management to have the 
Executive Chairman also serve as OCC's CEO, reallocate the President's 
duties and powers among the Executive Chairman, COO and CAO, authorize 
the COO and CAO to take action or grant exceptions under certain 
conditions, and de-couple the positions of Treasurer and CFO. This 
proposed rule change would not inhibit access to OCC's services or 
disadvantage or favor any particular user in relationship to another. 
As a result, OCC believes the proposed rule change would not impact or 
impose a burden on competition.
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    \27\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(3)(I).
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(C) Clearing Agency's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change 
Received From Members, Participants or Others

    Written comments were not and are not intended to be solicited with 
respect to the proposed rule change and none have been received.

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

    Within 45 days of the date of publication of this notice in the 
Federal Register or within such longer period up to 90 days (i) as the 
Commission may designate if it finds such longer period to be 
appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or (ii) as to 
which the self-regulatory organization consents, the Commission will:
    (A) By order approve or disapprove the proposed rule change, or
    (B) institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule 
change should be disapproved.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

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

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's Internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an email to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include 
File Number SR-OCC-2017-002 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

     Send paper comments in triplicate to Brent J. Fields, 
Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20549-1090.

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-OCC-2017-002. This file 
number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help 
the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, 
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on 
the Commission's Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all 
written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are 
filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to 
the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other 
than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the 
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and 
printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such filing also will be available 
for inspection and copying at the principal office of OCC and on OCC's 
Web site at http://www.theocc.com/components/docs/legal/rules_and_bylaws/sr_occ_17_002.pdf.
    All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission 
does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You 
should submit only information that you wish to make available 
publicly.
    All submissions should refer to File Number SR-OCC-2017-002 and 
should be submitted on or before April 3, 2017.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\28\
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    \28\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-04816 Filed 3-10-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P