66 FR 138 pg. 37509 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; National Securities Clearing Corporation; Order Granting Approval of a Proposed Rule Change Relating to Processing Commission Payments
Type: NOTICEVolume: 66Number: 138Page: 37509
Docket number: [Release No. 34-44550; File No. SR-NSCC-2001-08]
FR document: [FR Doc. 01-17931 Filed 7-17-01; 8:45 am]
Agency: Securities and Exchange Commission
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-44550; File No. SR-NSCC-2001-08]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; National Securities Clearing Corporation; Order Granting Approval of a Proposed Rule Change Relating to Processing Commission Payments
July 12, 2001.
On April 27, 2001, the National Securities Clearing Corporation ("NSCC") filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission") a proposed rule change (File No. SR-NSCC-2001-08) pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act").1Notice of the proposal was published in the Federal Register on May 29, 2001.2No comment letters were received. For the reasons discussed below, the Commission is granting approval of the proposed rule change.
Footnotes:
1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 Securities Exchange Act Release No. 44330 (May 29, 2001), 66 FR 29192.
I. Description
The purpose of the filing is to further standardize and automate NSCC's processing of commission payments to non-clearing members. In accordance with NSCC Rule 16, NSCC's Commission Bill Service currently permits non-clearing members entitled to a credit to receive their monthly commission bill payments either electronically by Automated Clearing House ("ACH") wire transfer or manually by check. At present, slightly less than 50% of NSCC's approximate 350 non-clearing members receive their commission bill payments by check. Such manual distributions are made on the floors of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") and the American Stock Exchange ("AMEX"). The proposed rule change will require all non-clearing members to execute appropriate ACH documentation and to receive their credit payments by ACH wire transfer.
In the event a non-clearing member does not pay an amount it owes to NSCC, the rule is being changed to explicitly permit NSCC to set-off any future commission bill credits to which the non-clearing member is entitled.
Subject to Commission approval, NSCC will implement the proposed rule changes on July 13, 2001. Any non-clearing member that has not executed the appropriate ACH wire transfer documentation will not receive any credit payments until it does.
II. Discussion
Section 17A(b)(3)(F)3of the Act requires that the rules of a clearing agency be designed to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a national system. The proposed rule change allows NSCC to require non-clearing members to receive their monthly commission payments by wire transfer rather than by check. By electronically transferring such funds, NSCC can further standardize and automate its processing systems which is consistent with NSCC's obligation to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of the national system for clearance and settlement. Therefore, the Commission finds that NSCC's proposed rule change is consistent with its obligations under section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act.
Footnotes:
3 15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(3)(F).
III. Conclusion
On the basis of the foregoing, the Commission finds that the proposed rule change is consistent with the requirements of the Act and in particular Section 17A of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.
It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act, that the proposed rule change (File No. SR-NSCC-2001-08) be and hereby is approved.
For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority.4
Footnotes:
4 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
Jonathan G. Katz,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 01-17931 Filed 7-17-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-M