79 FR 238 pgs. 73655-73656 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend the Fee Schedule Applicable to Its OTC Credit Default Swap Clearing Offering
Type: NOTICEVolume: 79Number: 238Pages: 73655 - 73656
Pages: 73655, 73656Docket number: [Release No. 34-73752; File No. SR-CME-2014-55]
FR document: [FR Doc. 2014-29003 Filed 12-10-14; 8:45 am]
Agency: Securities and Exchange Commission
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-73752; File No. SR-CME-2014-55]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend the Fee Schedule Applicable to Its OTC Credit Default Swap Clearing Offering
December 5, 2014.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act")1and Rule 19b-4 thereunder2notice is hereby given that, on December 1, 2014, Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. ("CME") 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 CME. CME filed the proposal pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act,3and Rule 19b-4(f)(2)4thereunder, so that the proposal was effective upon filing with the Commission. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
Footnotes:
1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
4 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change
CME is proposing to amend the fee schedule that currently applies to its OTC Credit Default Swap ("CDS") index clearing offering. The text of the proposed rule change is available on CME's Web site at http://www.cmegroup.com, at the principal office of CME, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.
II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
In its filing with the Commission, CME 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. CME has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of these statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
CME is registered as a derivatives clearing organization with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC") and currently offers clearing services for many different futures and swaps products. With this filing, CME proposes to make certain amendments to the current fee schedule that applies to its OTC CDS index clearing offering. The changes described in this filing are limited to products that fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the CFTC.
The first set of proposed modifications specifies the fees that will apply to iTraxx Index Products that will be cleared by CME once the product is made available for clearing. This is scheduled to occur on December 8, 2014 or whenever applicable regulatory approvals are obtained. In general, iTraxx products will have the same fee schedule as the similar North American CDX products that CME currently clears, but will be charged in Euros as opposed to U.S. Dollars. Additionally, the proposed modifications will also feature a temporary discount on these products to all clients.
The second set of proposed modifications relate to the volume-based tiers that are currently offered in connection with CME's North American CDX index product offering. These proposed modifications would lower certain of the current tier thresholds. These changes would become operational on January 1, 2015.
The proposed fee changes are limited to CME's business as a derivatives clearing organization clearing products and do not impact security-based swaps in any way. CME has also certified the proposed rule changes that are the subject of this filing to the CFTC in CFTC Submission 14-441.
CME believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the requirements of the Act including Section 17A of the Act.5More specifically, the proposed rule change establishes or changes a member due, fee or other charge imposed by CME under Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii)6of the Act and Rule 19b-4(f)(2)7thereunder. CME believes that the proposed fee change is consistent with the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and, in particular, to Section 17A(b)(3)(D) of the Act,8because the proposed fee changes apply equally to all market participants clearing covered products and therefore the proposed changes provide for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees and other charges among participants. CME also notes that it operates in a highly competitive market in which market participants can readily direct business to competing venues. As such, the proposed changes are appropriately filed pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii)9of the Act and Rule 19b-4(f)(2)10thereunder.
Footnotes:
5 15 U.S.C. 78q-1.
6 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
7 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).
8 15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(3)(D).
9 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
10 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).
B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
CME does not believe that the proposed rule change will have any impact, or impose any burden, on competition. The proposed modifications will introduce pricing for a new OTC CDS index swap offering and will make minor modifications to the pricing schedules for current OTC CDS index clearing offerings. These products are swaps under the exclusive jurisdiction of the CFTC, and, as such, these proposed changes do not affect the security-based swap clearing activities of CME in any way and therefore do not impose any burden on competition that is inappropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants or Others
CME has not solicited, and does not intend to solicit, comments regarding this proposed rule change. CME has not received any unsolicited written comments from interested parties.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action
[top] The foregoing rule change has become effective upon filing pursuant to Section
Footnotes:
11 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
12 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).
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
• 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-CME-2014-55 on the subject line.
Paper Comments
• Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090.
All submissions should refer to File Number SR-CME-2014-55. 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 filings will also be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of CME and on CME's Web site at http://www.cmegroup.com/market-regulation/rule-filings.html.
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-CME-2014-55 and should be submitted on or before January 2, 2015.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.13
Footnotes:
13 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
Kevin M. O'Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2014-29003 Filed 12-10-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P