Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) and Rule 19b-4 thereunder notice is hereby given that on June 9, 2012, Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. (“CME”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) the proposed rule change described in Items I and II below, which items have been prepared primarily by CME. The Commission is publishing this Notice and Order to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons and to approve the proposed rule change on an accelerated basis.
17 CFR 240.19b-4.
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change
CME proposes to amend CME Rule 802 regarding CME's capital contribution to the financial safeguards package that includes its Base Guaranty Fund (that is, for products other than credit default swaps and interest rate swaps). The text of the proposed rule change is available at the CME's Web site at http://www.cmegroup.com/market-regulation/files/SEC_19b-4_12-24.pdf,, at the principal office of CME, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.
II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
In its filing with the Commission, CME included statements concerning the purpose 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 III below. CME has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements.
The Commission has modified the text of the summaries prepared by CME.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
CME proposes to adopt revisions to CME Rule 802 that relate to CME's capital contribution to the financial safeguards package that includes its Base Guaranty Fund (that is, for products other than credit default swaps and interest rate swaps). More specifically, CME proposes to amend CME Rule 802.B (Satisfaction of Clearing House Obligations) to make CME's capital contribution $100 million to the Base Guaranty Fund financial safeguards package. CME notes that it has already certified the proposed changes that are the subject of this filing to the CFTC, in Submission 12-184.
CME believes the proposed change is consistent with the requirements of the Act including Section 17A of the Act because it helps to assure the safeguarding of securities and funds which are in its custody or control or for which it is responsible and it protects investors and the public interest. According to CME, the proposed rule change accomplishes the objectives of the Act by offering enhancements to the financial safeguards package that applies to CME's Base Guaranty Fund.
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.
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. 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 may be submitted by using the Commission's Internet comment form ( http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml ), or send an email to rule-comment@sec.gov. Please include File No. SR-CME-2012-24 on the subject line.
- Paper comments should be sent 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 SR-CME-2012-24. 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 a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of such filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of CME. 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-2012-24 and should be submitted on or before July 18, 2012.
IV. Commission's Findings and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of Proposed Rule Change
Section 19(b) of the Act directs the Commission to approve a proposed rule change of a self-regulatory organization if it finds that such proposed rule change is consistent with the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to such organization. The Commission finds that the proposed rule change is consistent with the requirements of the Act, in particular the requirements of Section 17A of the Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to CME. Specifically, the Commission finds that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act which requires, among other things, that the rules of a clearing agency be designed to assure the safeguarding of securities and funds which are in the custody or control of the clearing agency or for which it is responsible and to protect investors and the public interest because the proposed rule change should allow CME enhance the financial safeguards package that applies to CME's Base Guaranty Fund.
15 U.S.C. 78q-1. In approving this proposed rule change, the Commission has considered the proposed rule's impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(3)(F).
In its filing, CME requested that the Commission approve this proposed rule change prior to the thirtieth day after the date of publication of the notice of the filing. CME has articulated three reasons for so granting approval. First, CME cites as a reason for this request CME's operation as a DCO, which is subject to regulation by the CFTC under the CEA. Second, CME also cites that the proposed rule changes relate solely to FX swap products and therefore relate solely to its swaps clearing activities and do not significantly relate to the CME's functions as a clearing agency for security-based swaps. Third, CME states that not approving this request on an accelerated basis will have a significant impact on the futures and swaps clearing business of the CME as a designated clearing organization.
The Commission finds good cause for granting approval of the proposed rule change prior to the thirtieth day after publication of the notice of its filing because: (i) The proposed rule change does not significantly affect any securities clearing operations of the clearing agency (whether in existence or contemplated by its rules) or any related rights or obligations of the clearing agency or persons using such service; (ii) the clearing agency has indicated that not providing accelerated approval would have a significant impact on its business as a designated clearing organization; and (iii) the activity relating to the non-security clearing operations of the clearing agency for which the clearing agency is seeking approval is subject to regulation by another federal regulator.
V. Conclusion
It is therefore ordered pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act that the proposed rule change (SR-CME-2012-24) be, and hereby is, approved on an accelerated basis.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and markets, pursuant to delegated authority.
Kevin M. O'Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2012-15635 Filed 6-26-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P