
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 59 (Wednesday, March 29, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15564-15601]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-06037]



[[Page 15563]]

Vol. 82

Wednesday,

No. 59

March 29, 2017

Part II





Securities and Exchange Commission





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17 CFR Part 240





Securities Transaction Settlement Cycle; Final Rule

  Federal Register / Vol. 82 , No. 59 / Wednesday, March 29, 2017 / 
Rules and Regulations  

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

17 CFR Part 240

[Release No. 34-80295; File No. S7-22-16]
RIN 3235-AL86


Securities Transaction Settlement Cycle

AGENCY: Securities and Exchange Commission.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') is 
adopting an amendment to the Settlement cycle Rule (Rule 15c6-1(a)) 
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Exchange Act'') to shorten 
the standard settlement cycle for most broker-dealer transactions from 
three business days after the trade date (``T+3'') to two business days 
after the trade date (``T+2'').

DATES: 
    Effective Date: May 30, 2017.
    Compliance Date: September 5, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey Mooney, Assistant Director; 
Elizabeth Fitzgerald, Branch Chief; Susan Petersen, Special Counsel; 
Andrew Shanbrom, Special Counsel; Jesse Capelle, Special Counsel, 
Office of Market Infrastructure, Office of Clearance and Settlement; 
and Justin Pica, Senior Policy Advisor, Office of Market Supervision, 
Division of Trading and Markets, Securities and Exchange Commission, 
100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549-7010, at 202-551-5550.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commission is amending Rule 15c6-1 of 
the Exchange Act under the Commission's rulemaking authority set forth 
in Sections 15(c)(6), 17A and 23(a) of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 
78o(c)(6), 78q-1, and 78w(a) respectively).

Table of Contents

I. Introduction
II. Background
    A. Statutory Framework
    B. Regulatory Framework
    C. Overview of Market Participants Affected by the Settlement 
Cycle
    1. FMUs
    2. Market Participants--Investors, Broker-Dealers, and 
Custodians
III. Discussion of Amendment to Exchange Act Rule 15C6-1
    A. Amendment to Rule 15c6-1
    1. Reduction in Risk to CCPs in the Clearance and Settlement 
Process
    2. Reduction in Risk to CCP Members
    3. Benefits to Other Market Participants From a Shortened 
Settlement Cycle
    4. Cross-Border Harmonization
    5. Reduction in Systemic Risk
    6. Leveraging and Advancement of Existing Technology, 
Operations, and Market Infrastructure
    B. Paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of Rule 15c6-1
    C. Impact on Other Commission Rules and Guidance; Relevant No-
Action and Exemptive Relief
    1. Regulation SHO
    2. Financial Responsibility Rules Under the Exchange Act
    3. Exchange Act Rule 10b-10
    4. Prime-Broker No-Action Letter
    5. Prospectus Delivery
    D. Exemptive Orders Excluding Certain Products From the 
Requirements of Rule 15c6-1(a)
IV. Compliance Date
V. Further Reductions in the Settlement Cycle
VI. Economic Analysis
    A. Background
    B. Baseline
    1. Central Counterparties
    2. Market Participants--Investors, Broker-Dealers, and 
Custodians
    3. Investment Companies
    4. The Current Market for Clearance and Settlement Services
    C. Analysis of Benefits, Costs, and Impact on Efficiency, 
Competition, and Capital Formation
    1. Benefits
    2. Costs
    3. Economic Implications Through Other Commission Rules
    4. Effect on Efficiency, Competition, and Capital Formation
    5. Quantification of Direct and Indirect Effects of a T+2 
Settlement Cycle
    D. Consideration of Alternatives
    1. Shift to a T+1 Standard Settlement Cycle
    2. Straight-Through Processing Requirement
VII. Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
    A. Need for the Rule
    B. Summary of Significant Issues Raised by Public Comment
    C. Description and Estimation of Number of Small Entities 
Subject to the Rule
    D. Projected Reporting, Recordkeeping, or Other Compliance 
Requirements
    E. Description of Commission Actions To Minimize Effect on Small 
Entities
VIII. Statutory Authority

I. Introduction

    On September 28, 2016, the Commission proposed an amendment to 
Exchange Act Rule 15c6-1(a) to shorten the standard settlement cycle 
from T+3 to T+2.\1\ After consideration of the comments received in 
response to the T+2 Proposing Release, the Commission is adopting the 
amendment to Rule 15c6-1(a), as proposed.\2\ As discussed in greater 
detail below, the Commission believes that shortening the standard 
settlement cycle to T+2 at this time will lead to a reduction in 
credit, market, and liquidity risk, and as a result, a reduction in 
systemic risk for U.S. market participants.\3\ These benefits, as 
discussed below, will be distributed across the financial system.
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    \1\ See Exchange Act Release No. 78962 (Sep. 28, 2016), 81 FR 
69240 (Oct. 5, 2016) (``T+2 Proposing Release'').
    \2\ If any of the provisions of these rules, or the application 
thereof to any person or circumstance, is held to be invalid, such 
invalidity shall not affect other provisions or application of such 
provisions to other persons or circumstances that can be given 
effect without the invalid provisions or application.
    \3\ Credit risk refers to the risk that the credit quality of 
one party will deteriorate to the extent that it is unable to 
fulfill its obligations to its counterparty on settlement date. 
Market risk refers to the risk that the value of securities bought 
and sold will change between trade execution and settlement such 
that the completion of the trade would result in a financial loss. 
Liquidity risk describes the risk that an entity will be unable to 
meet financial obligations on time due to an inability to deliver 
funds or securities in the form required though it may possess 
sufficient financial resources in other forms. T+2 Proposing 
Release, supra note 1, 81 FR at 69241 n.3.
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    Specifically, the Commission believes that the shortened standard 
settlement cycle will reduce certain risks inherent in the clearance 
and settlement process for all clearing agencies, such as a central 
counterparty's (``CCP's'') \4\ credit, market, and liquidity risk 
exposure to its members, because there will be fewer unsettled trades 
and a reduced time period of exposure to such trades.\5\ The Commission 
believes that shortening the standard settlement cycle to T+2 will also 
result in related reductions in liquidity risks for broker-dealers that 
are CCP members and, by extension, introducing broker-dealers that 
clear their trades through CCP members. As a result of the transition 
to the T+2 standard settlement cycle, a CCP may require less financial 
resources (i.e., collateral) from its members, and the CCP's members 
may, in turn, reduce margin charges and other fees that they may pass 
down to other market participants, including introducing broker-
dealers, institutional investors, and retail investors, thereby 
reducing trading costs. In addition, the Commission believes that a 
shortened standard settlement cycle will enable market participants to 
gain quicker access to funds and securities following trade execution, 
which should further reduce liquidity risks and financing costs 
incurred by market participants. The Commission also believes that

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shortening the standard settlement cycle will more closely align and 
harmonize the U.S. standard settlement cycle with those foreign markets 
that have already moved to a shorter settlement cycle. Finally, the 
Commission believes that shortening the standard settlement cycle will 
promote technological innovation and changes in market infrastructures 
and operations that will incentivize market participants to further 
pursue more operationally and technologically efficient processes, 
which may lead to further shortening of the standard settlement cycle.
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    \4\ As defined in Exchange Act Rule 17Ad-22(a)(2), ``CCP means a 
clearing agency that interposes itself between the counterparties to 
securities transactions, acting functionally as the buyer to every 
seller and the seller to every buyer.'' 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22(a)(2).
    \5\ Credit and liquidity risk may also be relevant to the 
functioning of a central securities depository (``CSD''), given that 
the CSD will rely on incoming payments or deliveries of securities 
from certain participants to make payments or deliveries to other 
participants.
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    The Commission has also considered the costs attendant to 
shortening the standard settlement cycle to T+2 and believes that the 
amendment to Rule 15c6-1(a) will yield benefits that justify the 
associated costs. The Commission also believes that shortening the 
standard settlement cycle is supported by significant changes in 
technology, operations, and infrastructure that have occurred in the 
financial markets since the Commission's adoption of Rule 15c6-1 in 
1993, as well as the investments already undertaken by market 
participants in recent years to support a migration to a T+2 standard 
settlement cycle.

II. Background

A. Statutory Framework

    Congress amended the Exchange Act in 1975 to, among other things, 
(i) direct the Commission to facilitate the establishment of a national 
system for the prompt and accurate clearance and settlement of 
transactions in securities, and (ii) provide the Commission with the 
authority to regulate those entities critical to the clearance and 
settlement process.\6\ At the same time, Congress provided the 
Commission with direct rulemaking authority over broker and dealer 
activity in making settlements, payments, transfers, and deliveries of 
securities.\7\ Taken together, these provisions provide the Commission 
with the authority to regulate entities that are critical to the 
national clearance and settlement system.\8\
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    \6\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1(a)(2)(A); see also S. Rep. No. 94-75 (1975), 
reprinted in 1975 U.S.C.C.A.N. 179, 183; Securities and Exchange 
Commission, Study of Unsafe and Unsound Practices of Brokers and 
Dealers, H.R. Doc. No. 92-231 (1971); 15 U.S.C. 78q-1(a)(1)(A)-(D) 
(setting forth the Congressional findings for Section 17A of the 
Exchange Act). ``Clearance and settlement'' refers generally to the 
activities that occur following the execution of a trade. These 
post-trade processes are critical to ensuring that a buyer receives 
securities and a seller receives proceeds in accordance with the 
agreed-upon terms of the trade by settlement date.
    \7\ S. Rep. No. 94-75, supra note 6, at 111. Specifically, 
Section 15(c)(6) of the Exchange Act prohibits broker-dealers from 
engaging in or inducing securities transactions in contravention of 
such rules and regulations as the Commission shall prescribe as 
necessary or appropriate in the public interest and for the 
protection of investors or to perfect or remove impediments to a 
national system for the prompt and accurate clearance and settlement 
of securities transactions, with respect to the time and method of, 
and the form and format of documents used in connection with, making 
settlements of and payments for transactions in securities, making 
transfers and deliveries of securities, and closing accounts. 15 
U.S.C. 78o(c)(6).
    \8\ See 15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)-(c); 15 U.S.C. 78o(c).
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    Congress reaffirmed its view of the importance of a strong 
clearance and settlement system in 2010 with the enactment of the 
Payment, Clearing and Settlement Supervision Act (``Clearing 
Supervision Act'').\9\ Specifically, Congress found that the ``proper 
functioning of the financial markets is dependent upon safe and 
efficient arrangements for the clearing and settlement of payments, 
securities, and other financial transactions.'' \10\ Under the Clearing 
Supervision Act, registered clearing agencies \11\ providing CCP and 
CSD services \12\ are financial market utilities (``FMUs'').\13\ FMUs 
centralize clearance and settlement activities and enable market 
participants to reduce costs, increase operational efficiency, and 
manage risks more effectively. While an FMU can provide many risk 
management benefits to market participants, the concentration of 
clearance and settlement activity at an FMU has the potential to 
disrupt the securities markets if the FMU does not effectively manage 
the risk in its activities.\14\
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    \9\ See 12 U.S.C. 5461-5472.
    \10\ 12 U.S.C. 5461(a)(1).
    \11\ Section 17A(b) of the Exchange Act requires any clearing 
agency performing the functions of a clearing agency with respect to 
any security (other than an exempted security) to be registered with 
the Commission, unless the Commission has exempted such entity from 
the registration requirements. 15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(1). The term 
``clearing agency'' is defined broadly to include any person who: 
(1) Acts as an intermediary in making payments or deliveries or both 
in connection with transactions in securities; (2) provides 
facilities for comparison of data respecting the terms of settlement 
of securities transactions, to reduce the number of settlements of 
securities transactions, or for the allocation of securities 
settlement responsibilities; (3) acts as a custodian of securities 
in connection with a system for the central handling of securities 
whereby all securities of a particular class or series of any issuer 
deposited within the system are treated as fungible and may be 
transferred, loaned, or pledged by bookkeeping entry, without 
physical delivery of securities certificates (such as a securities 
depository); or (4) otherwise permits or facilitates the settlement 
of securities transactions or the hypothecation or lending of 
securities without physical delivery of securities certificates 
(such as a securities depository). 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(23). A clearing 
agency may provide, among other things, CCP services and CSD 
services.
    \12\ As defined in Exchange Act Rule 17Ad-22(a)(3), ``central 
securities depository services'' means the services of a clearing 
agency that is a central securities depository as described in 
Section 3(a)(23)(A) of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(23)(A)). 
17 CFR 240.17Ad-22(a)(3).
    \13\ The Clearing Supervision Act defines ``financial market 
utility'' or ``FMU'' as any person that manages or operates a 
multilateral system for the purpose of transferring, clearing, or 
settling payments, securities, or other financial transactions among 
financial institutions or between financial institutions and the 
person. 12 U.S.C. 5462(6)(A). This definition contains a number of 
exclusions that include, but are not limited to, certain designated 
contract markets, registered futures associations, swap or security-
based swap data repositories, swap execution facilities, national 
securities exchanges, alternative trading systems, brokers, dealers, 
transfer agents, investment companies, and futures commission 
merchants. 12 U.S.C. 5462(6)(B)(i).
    \14\ See Standards for Covered Clearing Agencies, Exchange Act 
Release No. 78961 (Sept. 28, 2016), 81 FR 70786, 70849 (Oct. 13, 
2016) (``CCA Standards Adopting Release''); see also Risk Management 
Supervision of Designated Clearing Agencies, Joint Report to Senate 
Committees on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and Agriculture, 
Nutrition, and Forestry, and the House Committees on Financial 
Services and Agriculture, from the Board of Governors of the Federal 
Reserve System, Securities and Exchange Commission, and Commodity 
Futures Trading Commission (July 2011), available at https://www.federalreserve.gov/publications/other-reports/files/risk-management-supervision-report-201107.pdf.
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B. Regulatory Framework

    The Commission adopted Exchange Act Rule 15c6-1 in 1993 to 
establish T+3 as the standard settlement cycle for broker-dealer 
transactions, and in so doing, effectively shortened the prevailing 
settlement cycle for most securities transactions (with certain 
exceptions), which was generally five business days after the trade 
date (``T+5'').\15\ At that time, the Commission cited a number of 
reasons for standardizing and shortening the settlement cycle, 
including reducing credit and market risk exposure related to unsettled 
trades, reducing liquidity risk among derivatives and cash markets, 
encouraging greater efficiency in the clearance and settlement process, 
and reducing systemic risk for the U.S. markets.\16\
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    \15\ Securities Transactions Settlement, Exchange Act Release 
No. 33023 (Oct. 6, 1993), 58 FR 52891, 52893 (Oct. 13, 1993) (``T+3 
Adopting Release''). Rule 15c6-1 of the Exchange Act prohibits 
broker-dealers from effecting or entering into a contract for the 
purchase or sale of a security (other than an exempted security, 
government security, municipal security, commercial paper, bankers' 
acceptances, or commercial bills) that provides for payment of funds 
and delivery of securities later than the third business day after 
the date of the contract unless otherwise expressly agreed to by the 
parties at the time of the transaction. 17 CFR 240.15c6-1.
    \16\ T+3 Adopting Release, supra note 15, 58 FR at 52893.
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    Since the adoption of Rule 15c6-1, the financial markets have 
expanded and evolved significantly.\17\ Over that time, the Commission 
has continued to focus on further mitigating and

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managing risks in the clearance and settlement process, including risks 
associated with the U.S. standard settlement cycle. For example, in 
2004, the Commission published a concept release \18\ seeking comment 
on, among other things, the benefits and costs of moving to a standard 
settlement cycle shorter than T+3, and possible methods to help the 
U.S. securities industry achieve straight-through processing 
(``STP'').\19\
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    \17\ See generally Concept Release on Equity Market Structure, 
Exchange Act Release No. 61358 (Jan. 14, 2010), 75 FR 3594 (Jan. 21, 
2010).
    \18\ Securities Transactions Settlements, Exchange Act Release 
No. 49405 (Mar. 11, 2004), 69 FR 12922 (Mar. 18, 2004). 
Specifically, the Commission sought comment on, among other things, 
(i) the benefits and costs of shortening the settlement cycle to a 
timeframe less than T+3; (ii) whether the Commission should adopt a 
new rule or the SROs should be required to amend their existing 
rules to require the completion of the confirmation/affirmation 
process on trade date (``T+0''); and (iii) reducing the use of 
physical securities.
    \19\ The Securities Industry Association (which in 2006 merged 
with The Bond Markets Association to form the Securities Industry 
Financial Markets Association) has described STP ``as the seamless 
integration of systems and processes to automate the trade process 
from end-to-end--trade execution, confirmation, and settlement--
without manual intervention or the re-keying of data.'' Securities 
Industry Association, Glossary of Terms, reprinted in part in Kyle 
L. Brandon, Prime Brokerage: Of Prime Importance to the Securities 
Industry (SIA Res. Rep., Vol. VI, No. 4, New York, NY), Apr. 28, 
2005, at 25-26, http://www.sifma.org/WorkArea/linkit.aspx?LinkIdentifier=id&ItemID=21718&libID=5884.
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    The Commission's efforts to facilitate further shortening of the 
standard settlement cycle are consistent with its broader focus on 
enhancing the resilience and efficiency of the national clearance and 
settlement system and the role that certain FMUs, particularly CCPs and 
CSDs, play in concentrating and managing risk.\20\ To address these 
risks, the Commission has used its authority under the Exchange Act, as 
supplemented by the authority under the Clearing Supervision Act, to 
promulgate rules designed to, among other things, establish enhanced 
risk, operational, and governance standards for FMUs registered as 
clearing agencies with the Commission to help ensure that FMUs under 
its supervision are subject to sufficiently robust regulatory 
standards.\21\ These entities are also subject to inspections and 
examinations under both the Exchange Act and the Clearing Supervision 
Act, and the Commission also monitors these entities to assess and 
evaluate the risks posed.\22\
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    \20\ See Clearing Agency Standards, Exchange Act Release No. 
68080 (Oct. 22, 2012), 77 FR 66220 (Nov. 2, 2012) (``Clearing Agency 
Standards Adopting Release'').
    \21\ See, e.g., CCA Standards Adopting Release, supra note 14; 
Clearing Agency Standards Adopting Release, supra note 20, 77 FR at 
66221-22.
    \22\ CCA Standards Adopting Release, supra note 14, 81 FR at 
70794.
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C. Overview of Market Participants Affected by the Settlement Cycle

    The clearance and settlement process for transactions involving 
securities that currently settle on a T+3 standard settlement cycle 
involves a number of market participants whose role and functions will 
be impacted significantly by a change in the standard settlement 
cycle.\23\ As a starting point, there are a number of market 
participants that operate as financial market infrastructures 
facilitating the national clearance and settlement system, including 
two FMUs that provide CCP and CSD services, respectively, and three 
matching and electronic trade confirmation service providers 
(collectively ``Matching/ETC Providers'').\24\ In addition, there is 
the diverse population of market participants that depend on the 
clearance and settlement services facilitated by the FMUs and Matching/
ETC Providers that also will be affected by the shortened settlement 
cycle. These market participants include, but are not limited to, 
institutional and retail investors, broker-dealers, and custodians.
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    \23\ This release focuses on securities that currently settle on 
a T+3 standard settlement cycle. The definition of the term 
``security'' in Section 3(a)(10) of the Exchange Act covers, among 
others, stocks, corporate bonds, unit investment trusts (``UITs''), 
mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (``ETFs''), American depository 
receipts (``ADRs''), and options. 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(10). Although 
current Rule 15c6-1 establishes a standard settlement timeframe of 
no more than T+3, in today's environment certain types of 
transactions routinely settle on a settlement cycle shorter than 
T+3, which is permissible under the rule. For example, open-end 
funds (i.e., mutual funds) generally settle on a T+1 basis, except 
for certain retail funds which typically settle on T+3, and options 
generally settle on a settlement cycle less than T+3. Therefore, 
such transactions that already settle on a shorter settlement cycle 
will not be impacted by the amendment shortening the standard 
settlement cycle to T+2.
    In addition, Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and 
Consumer Protection Act, Public Law 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376 (2010), 
amended, among other things, the definition of ``security'' under 
the Exchange Act to encompass security-based swaps. The Commission 
granted temporary exemptive relief from compliance with certain 
provisions of the Exchange Act, including Rule 15c6-1, in connection 
with the revision of the Exchange Act definition of ``security'' to 
encompass security-based swaps in July 2011. See Order Granting 
Temporary Exemptions Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 In 
Connection With the Pending Revision of the Definition of 
``Security'' To Encompass Security-Based Swaps, Exchange Act Release 
No. 64795 (July 1, 2011), 76 FR 39927 (July 7, 2011), and Order 
Extending Temporary Exemptions Under the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934 In Connection With the Revision of the Definition of 
``Security'' To Encompass Security-Based Swaps, Exchange Act Release 
No. 71485 (Feb. 5, 2014), 79 FR 7731 (Feb. 10, 2014). The Commission 
then extended the exemption for Rule 15c6-1, along with certain 
other exemptions, to February 5, 2018. See Order Extending Certain 
Temporary Exemptions under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 In 
Connection with the Revision of the Definition of ``Security'' to 
Encompass Security-Based Swaps, Exchange Act Release No. 79833 (Jan. 
18, 2017), 82 FR 8467 (Jan. 25, 2017).
    \24\ See Order Granting Exemption from Registration as a 
Clearing Agency for Global Joint Venture Matching Services-U.S., 
LLC, Exchange Act Release No. 44188 (Apr. 17, 2001), 66 FR 20494, 
20501 (Apr. 23, 2001) (``Omgeo Order''); Order Approving 
Applications for an Exemption from Registration as a Clearing Agency 
for Bloomberg STP LLC and SS&C Techs., Inc., Exchange Act Release 
No. 76514 (Nov. 24, 2015), 80 FR 75388, 75413 (Dec. 1, 2015) 
(``Bloomberg/SS&C Order'').
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1. FMUs
a. CCP
    A CCP eliminates bilateral risk between individual counterparties 
by becoming the buyer to each seller and the seller to each buyer, 
thereby assuming a central role in ensuring the performance of open 
contracts and the facilitation of the clearance and settlement of the 
trade. In the U.S. financial system, NSCC is the only CCP for trades 
involving securities that currently settle on a T+3 standard settlement 
cycle.\25\ NSCC facilitates the management of risk among its members 
using a number of tools, which primarily include: (1) Novating and 
guaranteeing trades to assume the credit risk of the original 
counterparties; (2) netting to reduce NSCC's overall exposure to its 
counterparties; and (3) collecting clearing fund contributions from 
members to help ensure that NSCC has sufficient financial resources in 
the event that one of the counterparties defaults on its 
obligations.\26\
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    \25\ In addition to providing CCP services, NSCC provides a 
number of other non-CCP services to market participants, including, 
for example, services that support mutual funds, alternative 
investments, and insurance products.
    \26\ NSCC's rules provide for several categories of membership 
with different levels of access to NSCC's services. This release 
uses the term ``member'' when referring to an NSCC member that has 
full access to NSCC's CCP services. See NSCC Rules and Procedures, 
Rule 1 (providing definitions of the various membership categories) 
(``NSCC Rules and Procedures''), www.dtcc.com/legal/rule-and-procedures.
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    In novation, when a CCP member presents a contract to the CCP for 
clearing, the original contract between the buyer and seller is 
discharged and two new contracts are created, one between the CCP and 
the buyer, and the other between the CCP and the seller. The CCP 
thereby assumes the original parties' contractual obligations to each 
other. Historically, NSCC has attached its trade guaranty to its 
novated transactions at midnight on T+1; however, the Commission 
recently approved a rule change proposed by NSCC that will accelerate 
the NSCC trade guaranty from midnight of T+1 to

[[Page 15567]]

the point of trade comparison and validation for bilateral submissions, 
or to the point of trade validation for locked-in submissions.\27\ 
Through novation and the trade guaranty, the two original trading 
counterparties to the transaction replace their bilateral credit, 
market, and liquidity risk exposure to each other with risk exposure to 
NSCC.
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    \27\ See Self-Regulatory Organizations; National Securities 
Clearing Corporation; Order Granting Approval of Proposed Rule 
Change to Accelerate its Trade Guaranty, Add New Clearing Fund 
Components, Enhance its Intraday Risk Management, Provide for Loss 
Allocation of ``Off-the-Market Transactions,'' and Make Other 
Changes, Exchange Act Release No. 79598 (Dec. 19, 2016), 81 FR 94462 
(Dec. 23, 2016). NSCC has not yet implemented these rule changes.
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    Netting is the process of automatically offsetting a member's buy 
orders of an individual security against its corresponding sell orders 
for that security, thereby allowing NSCC to reduce the number and value 
of the transactions that must be cleared between members to settle 
their trades. Through the use of NSCC's netting and accounting system, 
the Continuous Net Settlement System (``CNS''), NSCC accepts trades 
into CNS for clearing from exchanges and other trading venues.\28\ It 
also uses CNS to net each NSCC member's trades in each security traded 
that day to a single receive or deliver position for such 
securities.\29\ Throughout the day, cash debit and credit data 
generated by NSCC's members' activities are recorded, and at the end of 
the processing day, the debits and credits are netted for each security 
to produce one aggregate cash debit or credit for each member.\30\
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    \28\ NSCC accepts CNS-eligible securities. To be CNS-eligible, a 
security must be eligible for book-entry transfer on the books of 
DTC, and must be capable of being processed in the CNS system. For 
example, securities may be ineligible for CNS processing due to 
certain transfer restrictions (e.g., 144A securities) or due to the 
pendency of certain corporate actions. See NSCC Rules and 
Procedures, supra note 26, Rules 1 (defining CNS-eligible 
securities) and 3 (listing CNS-eligible securities).
    \29\ In CNS, compared and recorded transactions in CNS-eligible 
securities that are scheduled to settle on a common settlement date 
are netted by specific security issue into one net long (i.e., buy) 
or net short (i.e., sell) position. CNS then nets those positions 
further with positions of the same specific security issue that 
remain open after their originally scheduled settlement date, which 
are generally referred to as ``Fail Positions.'' The result of the 
netting process is a single deliver or receive obligation for each 
NSCC member for each specific security issue in which the member has 
activity on a given day. See NSCC Rules and Procedures, supra note 
26, Rule 11 and Procedures VII and X.
    \30\ See NSCC, Disclosures under the Principles for Financial 
Market Infrastructures, at 9 (Dec. 2015) (``NSCC PFMI Disclosure 
Framework''), http://www.dtcc.com/legal/policy-and-compliance.
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    To mitigate default risk, NSCC collects clearing fund deposits from 
its members to maintain sufficient financial resources in the event a 
member or members default on their obligations to NSCC.\31\ NSCC's 
rules allow NSCC to adjust and collect additional clearing fund 
deposits as needed to cover the risks present while a member's trades 
are unsettled. Each member's required clearing fund deposit is 
calculated at least once daily pursuant to a formula set forth in 
NSCC's rules,\32\ and is designed to provide sufficient funds to cover 
NSCC's exposure to the member.\33\
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    \31\ NSCC's clearing fund is comprised of cash, securities, and 
letters of credit posted by NSCC members to provide NSCC the 
necessary resources to cover member defaults. The amount and timing 
of contributions to the clearing fund are determined pursuant to 
NSCC's rules. See NSCC Rules and Procedures, supra note 26, Rules 1 
and 4.
    \32\ See NSCC Rules and Procedures, supra note 26, Rule 4 and 
Procedure XV.
    \33\ Commission Rules 17Ad-22(b)(1) through (4) and 17Ad-
22(e)(4) through (6) establish standards for NSCC, as a registered 
clearing agency that performs CCP services and a covered clearing 
agency, with respect to its policies and procedures regarding margin 
and its financial resources. 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22(b)(1)-(4) and 
(e)(4)-(6).
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b. CSDs
    A CSD is an entity that holds securities for its participants 
either in certificated or uncertificated (dematerialized) form so that 
ownership can be easily transferred through a book entry (rather than 
the transfer of physical certificates), as well as providing central 
safekeeping and other asset services. DTC serves as the CSD and 
securities settlement system \34\ for most equity securities and a 
significant number of debt securities held by U.S. market participants. 
In its capacity as a CSD, DTC provides custody and book-entry transfer 
services for the vast majority of securities transactions that are 
cleared through NSCC. While NSCC provides final settlement instructions 
to its members each day, the payment for and transfer of securities 
ownership occurs at DTC.\35\ In accordance with its rules, DTC accepts 
deposits of securities from its participants \36\ (primarily broker-
dealers and banks), credits those securities to the depositing 
participants' accounts, and effects book-entry transfer of those 
securities. The securities deposited with DTC are registered in DTC's 
nominee name and are held in fungible bulk for the benefit of its 
participants and their customers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \34\ On September 28, 2016, the Commission published a proposal 
to amend the definition of a covered clearing agency to add 
registered clearing agencies that perform the services of a 
securities settlement system. See Exchange Act Rel. No. 78962 (Sep. 
28, 2016) 81 FR 70744, 70745 (Oct. 13, 2016).
    \35\ At the conclusion of each trading day, CNS short positions 
(i.e., obligations to deliver) at NSCC are compared against the long 
positions held in the NSCC members' DTC accounts to determine 
security availability. If securities are available, they are 
transferred from the NSCC member's account at DTC to NSCC's account 
at DTC, to cover the NSCC member's CNS short positions. CNS long 
positions (i.e., the right to receive securities owed to the 
participant) are transferred from the NSCC account at DTC to the 
accounts of NSCC members at DTC. On settlement date, NSCC submits 
instructions to DTC to deliver (i.e., transfer) securities positions 
for each security netted though CNS for each NSCC member holding a 
long position in such securities. Cash obligations are settled 
through DTC by one net payment for each NSCC member at the end of 
the settlement day. See NSCC PFMI Disclosure Framework, supra note 
30, at 106.
    \36\ DTC's rules provide for different categories of membership, 
including ``participants.'' This release uses the term 
``participant'' when referring to a participant of DTC. See Rules, 
By-Laws, and Organizational Certificate of DTC, Rule 1 (providing 
definitions of various categories of membership).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DTC substantially reduces the number of physical securities 
certificates transferred in the U.S. markets by immobilizing 
securities, which generally means, holding and transferring ownership 
of securities positions in book-entry form, with DTC's nominee 
reflected as the registered owner on the issuer's records, and by 
centralizing and automating securities settlements. DTC thereby 
significantly improves operational efficiencies and reduces the risks 
and costs associated with the processing of physical securities 
certificates.
    In addition to a securities account at DTC, each DTC participant 
has a settlement account at a clearing bank (e.g., custodian) to record 
any net funds obligation for end-of-day settlement, whether payment 
will be due to or from the participant. During the day, debits and 
credits are entered into the participant's settlement account. The 
debits and credits arise from DVP transfers and from other events or 
transactions involving the transfer of funds, such as principal and 
interest payments distributed to a participant or intraday settlement 
progress payments by a participant to DTC.\37\ Debits and credits in 
the participant's settlement account are netted intraday to calculate, 
at any time, a net debit balance or net credit balance, resulting in an 
end-of-day settlement obligation or right to receive payment. DTC nets 
debit and credit balances for participants who are also members of NSCC 
to reduce funds transfers for settlement, and acts as settlement agent 
for NSCC in this process. Settlement payments between DTC and DTC's 
participants' settlement banks are made through the National

[[Page 15568]]

Settlement System of the Federal Reserve System.\38\
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    \37\ As noted above, a CSD operates a securities settlement 
system that provides for transfers of securities either free of 
payment or for payment. When a transfer occurs for payment, 
typically securities settlement systems provide ``delivery versus 
payment'' or ``DVP,'' whereby the delivery of the security occurs 
only if payment occurs. The concept of DVP is sometimes referred to 
as ``DVP/RVP.'' The term ``receive versus payment'' or ``RVP'' is 
from the perspective of the seller.
    \38\ See NSCC PFMI Disclosure Framework, supra note 30, at 9-10.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DTC also provides certain settlement services for trades by 
institutional investors (as discussed further in Part II.C.2 below) 
that are not otherwise cleared through NSCC. In such cases, 
institutional investors' transactions may be processed on a trade-for-
trade basis through a prime broker \39\ and settled on an RVP/DVP basis 
through DTC and the institutional customer's custodial bank.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \39\ Prime brokers provide a range of centralized services to 
clients, including, for example, trade execution, custodial 
services, clearing and settlement services, financing, securities 
lending, recordkeeping and reporting services, and capital 
introduction.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

c. Matching/ETC Providers--Exempt Clearing Agencies
    Matching/ETC Providers electronically facilitate communication 
among a broker-dealer, an institutional investor, and the institutional 
investor's custodian to reach agreement on the details of a securities 
trade.\40\ Currently, there are three entities that have obtained 
exemptions from registration as a clearing agency from the Commission 
to operate as Matching/ETC Providers.\41\ The existing Matching/ETC 
Providers use two methods, ``Matching'' \42\ and ``ETC,'' \43\ to 
facilitate agreement on the trade details among the parties. When the 
parties reach agreement, it is generally referred to as an ``affirmed 
confirmation.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \40\ Electronic trade confirmation (``ETC'') was originally 
developed by DTC in the early 1970s as an alternative to the use of 
phone, fax, or other manual processes. To facilitate greater use of 
ETC by market participants to process institutional trades, the 
Commission approved rule changes filed by several SROs that required 
the use of ETC for trades involving institutional investors. See 
Exchange Act Release No. 19227 (Nov. 9, 1982), 47 FR 51658, 51664 
(Nov. 18, 1982) (order approving confirmation rules for exchanges 
and securities association).
    \41\ The Commission issued an interpretive release in 1998 
concluding that matching constitutes comparison of data respecting 
the terms of settlement of securities transactions, and therefore an 
entity that provides matching services as an intermediary between a 
broker-dealer and an institutional customer is a clearing agency 
within the meaning of Section 3(a)(23) of the Exchange Act and is, 
therefore, subject to the registration requirements of Section 17A. 
See Confirmation and Affirmation of Securities Trades, Exchange Act 
Release No. 39829 (Apr. 6, 1998), 63 FR 17943, 17946 (Apr. 13, 
1998); Clearing Agency Standards Adopting Release, supra note 20, 77 
FR at 66220, 66228 & n.94 (noting the 1998 interpretive release); 
see also 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(23) (defining the term ``clearing 
agency''). The Commission has provided exemptions from registering 
as a clearing agency to certain entities that operate matching and 
ETC services. See Omgeo Order, supra note 24; Bloomberg/SS&C Order, 
supra note 24.
    \42\ Matching is a process by which the Matching/ETC Provider 
compares and reconciles the broker-dealer's trade details with the 
institutional investor's allocation instructions to determine 
whether the two descriptions of the trade agree. If the trade 
details and institutional investor's allocation instructions match, 
an affirmed confirmation is generated, which also is used to effect 
settlement of the trade. As with ETC, transmission of the affirmed 
confirmations by the Matching/ETC Provider to DTC facilitates 
automated trade settlement. Bloomberg/SS&C Order, supra note 24, 80 
FR at 75389.
    \43\ ETC is a process where the Matching/ETC Provider simply 
provides the communication facilities to enable a broker-dealer and 
its institutional investor to send messages back and forth that 
ultimately results in the agreement of the trade details or affirmed 
confirmation, which is in turn sent to DTC to effect settlement of 
the trade. Bloomberg/SS&C Order, supra note 24, 80 FR at 75389.
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2. Market Participants--Investors, Broker-Dealers, and Custodians
    As mentioned above, a variety of market participants that depend on 
the clearance and settlement functions provided by the FMUs and 
Matching/ETC Providers will be affected by a shortened standard 
settlement cycle. These market participants include, but are not 
limited to, institutional and retail investors, broker-dealers, and 
custodians (e.g., banks).
    Institutional investors are entities such as mutual funds, pension 
funds, hedge funds, bank trust departments, and insurance companies. 
Transactions involving institutional investors are often more complex 
than those for and with retail investors due to the volume and size of 
the transactions, the entities involved in facilitating the execution 
and settlement of the trade, including Matching/ETC Providers and 
custodians, and the need to manage certain regulatory or business 
obligations.\44\
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    \44\ The distinction between ``institutional investor'' and 
``retail investor'' is made only for the purpose of noting the 
manner in which these types of entities generally clear and settle 
their securities transactions. For the purposes of this release, the 
term ``institutional investor'' includes any entity that settles its 
trades using the facilities of a Matching/ETC Provider, and the term 
``retail investor'' includes entities that do not use the facilities 
of a Matching/ETC Provider. For more information about the manner in 
which these entities clear and settle their securities, see the T+2 
Proposing Release, supra note 1, Part II.A.3.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Trades involving retail investors are typically smaller in size 
than institutional trades, and the settlement of retail investor trades 
generally occurs directly with the investor's or their intermediary's 
broker-dealer and does not involve a separate custodian bank. 
Accordingly, retail investors do not rely upon the involvement of a 
Matching/ETC Provider to facilitate the settlement of their 
transactions.
    To clear and settle securities transactions directly through a 
registered clearing agency, the rules of the clearing agencies provide 
that a broker-dealer or other type of market participant must become a 
direct member of that clearing agency; such broker-dealers are 
generally referred to as ``clearing broker-dealers.'' \45\ Clearing 
broker-dealers must comply with the rules of the clearing agency, 
including rules relating to operational and financial requirements, 
such as NSCC's clearing fund deposits mentioned above. In contrast, 
broker-dealers that submit transactions to a clearing agency through a 
clearing broker-dealer are generally referred to as ``introducing 
broker-dealers.'' In general, broker-dealers executing trades on a 
registered securities exchange are required by the exchange's rules (as 
a self-regulatory organization (``SRO'')) to clear those transactions 
through a registered clearing agency.\46\ Broker-dealers executing 
trades otherwise than on an exchange (e.g., on an internalized basis) 
may clear and settle such trades through a clearing agency, may choose 
to settle those trades through mechanisms internal to that broker-
dealer, or may settle such trades bilaterally.\47\ Broker-

[[Page 15569]]

dealers that effect transactions in municipal and corporate debt 
securities generally are required to clear and settle those 
transactions through a registered clearing agency.\48\
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    \45\ Due to the financial and operational obligations of 
entities submitting trades to a clearing agency, all clearing 
agencies have established specific requirements for initial 
membership and ongoing participation in the clearing agency. See, 
e.g., NSCC Rules and Procedures, supra note 26, Rules 2A and 2B 
(discussing initial and ongoing requirements for membership).
    \46\ See, e.g., BATS EDGX Exchange, Inc. Rule 11.13 and NASDAQ 
Stock Market Rule 4618 (stating that all transactions through the 
facilities of the exchange shall be cleared and settled through a 
registered clearing agency using a continuous net settlement system; 
however, transactions may be settled ``ex clearing'' provided that 
both parties to the transaction agree); NYSE Rule 132 (stating that 
each party to a contract shall submit data regarding its side of the 
contract to a registered clearing agency for comparison or 
settlement; however, this requirement does not apply if otherwise 
stipulated in the bid or offer, otherwise mutually agreed upon by 
both parties to the contract, or a registered clearing agency 
refuses to act in the matter).
    \47\ See generally Financial Industry Regulatory Authority 
(``FINRA'') Rules 6350A(a) and 6350B(a) (requiring that FINRA 
members must clear and settle transactions in ``designated 
securities'' (i.e., NMS stocks) through the facilities of a 
registered clearing agency that uses a continuous net settlement 
system). See also FINRA Rule 6274(a) (requiring that FINRA members 
must clear and settle transactions ``effected on'' the Alternative 
Display Facility in ADF-eligible securities (i.e., NMS stocks) that 
are eligible for net settlement through the facilities of a 
registered clearing agency that uses a continuous net settlement 
system). Notwithstanding the requirements in Rules 6350A(a), 
6350B(a) and 6274(a), transactions in designated securities and 
transactions in ADF-eligible securities may be settled ``ex-
clearing'' provided that both parties to the transaction agree to 
the same. See FINRA Rules 6350A(b), 6350B(b), 6274(b).
    \48\ See Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (``MSRB'') Rule 
G-12(f) (stating that inter-dealer transactions in municipal 
securities shall be compared through a registered clearing agency); 
FINRA Rule 11900 (stating that a member or its agent that is a 
participant in a registered clearing agency, for the purposes of 
clearing over-the-counter securities transactions, shall use the 
facilities of a registered clearing agency for the clearance of 
eligible transactions between members in corporate debt securities).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Custodians handle the electronic payment or receipt of payment 
through the Federal Reserve's Bank's Fedwire system, which automates 
and streamlines the process by which broker-dealers make payments for 
securities transactions. Pursuant to DTC rules, DTC participants are 
required to select a custodial bank to facilitate payment of their 
transactions cleared and settled through NSCC and DTC, with a net cash 
payment facilitated between DTC and the DTC participant's custodial 
bank account. Since many broker-dealers use the same custodial bank to 
settle their trades, NSCC and DTC can net the total amount being 
handled by any one custodian for all DTC participants using that bank.
    Often, due to regulatory or business obligations, an institutional 
investor will not use its executing broker-dealer to custody the 
institutional investor's securities at DTC, but rather will use a 
custodian bank for the safekeeping and administration of both their 
securities and cash.\49\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \49\ Section 17(f) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 
``Investment Company Act'') and the rules thereunder govern the 
safekeeping of a registered investment company's assets, and 
generally provide that a registered investment company must place 
and maintain its securities and similar instruments only with 
certain qualified custodians. Section 17(f)(1)(A) of the Investment 
Company Act permits certain banks to maintain custody of registered 
investment company assets subject to Commission rules. See 15 U.S.C. 
80a-17(f).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

III. Discussion of Amendment to Exchange Act Rule 15c6-1

A. Amendment to Rule 15c6-1

    In the T+2 Proposing Release, the Commission proposed to amend Rule 
15c6-1(a) to shorten the standard settlement cycle from T+3 to T+2 and 
articulated several reasons supporting this proposal. The Commission 
received a number of comment letters in response.\50\ As described in 
Parts III.A.1 through III.A.6 below, commenters generally supported the 
reasoning in the T+2 Proposing Release for shortening the standard 
settlement cycle. The comments received are addressed in detail below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \50\ See letters from Michael C. Parker (Sep. 29, 2016) 
(``Parker''); Eugene W. Guinn (Oct. 14, 2016) (``Guinn''); Sally J. 
Gellert (Oct. 20, 2016) (``Gellert''); Randy Spydell (Nov. 14, 2016) 
(``Spydell''); Todd J. May, President, The Securities Transfer 
Association, Inc. (Nov. 28, 2016) (``STA''); Keith Evans, Executive 
Director, Canadian Capital Markets Association (Nov. 1, 2016) 
(``CCMA''); Stephen E. Roth, Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP for the 
Committee of Annuity Insurers (Nov. 29, 2016) (``CAI''); Paul Kim 
(Dec. 4, 2016) (``Kim''); Greg Babyak, Head, Global Regulatory and 
Policy Group, Bloomberg L.P. (Dec. 5, 2016) (``Bloomberg''); Mike 
Nicholas, CEO, Bond Dealers Association (December. 5, 2016) 
(``BDA''); Micah Hauptman, Financial Services Counsel, Consumer 
Federation of America (Dec. 5, 2016) (``CFA''); William A. Jacobson, 
Esq., Clinical Professor of Law, Director, Cornell Securities Law 
Clinic, and Nandy Millette, and Arjun A. Ajjegowda (``CSLC''); Larry 
E. Thompson, Vice Chairman & General Counsel, Depository Trust and 
Clearing Corporation (Dec. 5, 2016) (``DTCC Letter''); Marc. R. 
Bryant, Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, Fidelity 
Investments (Dec. 5, 2016) (``Fidelity''); Christopher W. Bok, 
Financial Information Forum (Dec. 5, 2016) (``FIF''); David T. 
Bellaire, Esq., Executive Vice President & General Counsel, 
Financial Services Institute (Dec. 5, 2016) (``FSI''); Richard 
Foster, Senior Vice President and Senior Counsel for Regulatory and 
Legal Affairs, Financial Services Roundtable (Dec. 5, 2016) 
(``FSR''); Martin A. Burns, Chief Industry Operations Officer, 
Investment Company Institute (Dec. 5, 2016) (``ICI''); Amy B.R. 
Lancellotta, Managing Director, Independent Directors Council (Dec. 
5, 2016) (``IDC''); Stuart J. Kaswell, Executive Vice President & 
Managing Director, General Counsel, Managed Funds Association (Dec. 
5, 2016) (``MFA''); Thomas F. Price, Managing Director, Operations 
and Technology & BCP, Securities Industry and Financial Markets 
Association (Dec. 5, 2016) (``SIFMA''); Manisha Kimmel, Chief 
Regulatory Officer, Wealth Management, Thomson Reuters (Dec. 5, 
2016) (``Thomson Reuters''); Robert J. McCarthy, Director of 
Regulatory Policy, Wells Fargo Advisors (Dec. 5, 2016) (``WFA''); 
Ryan M. Newill (Dec. 8, 2016) (``Newill''); Jezamine Wee (Dec. 8, 
2016) (``Wee''); Gene Finn, Ph.D. (Dec. 21, 2016) (``Finn I''); Gee 
Finn, Ph.D. (Dec. 21, 2016) (``Finn II''); Suzanne Shatto (Jan. 24, 
2017) (``Shatto''). Copies of the comment letters are available at 
https://www.sec.gov/comments/s7-22-16/s72216.htm.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission is adopting as proposed the amendment to Rule 15c6-
1(a) to shorten the standard settlement cycle. Specifically, paragraph 
(a) of Exchange Act Rule 15c6-1, as amended, will prohibit broker-
dealers from effecting or entering into a contract for the purchase or 
sale of a security (other than certain exempted securities \51\ that 
provides for payment of funds and delivery of securities later than the 
second business day after the date of the contract, unless otherwise 
expressly agreed to by the parties at the time of the transaction. 
Subject to the exceptions enumerated in the rule, the prohibition in 
paragraph (a) of Rule 15c6-1 applies to all securities.\52\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \51\ Rule 15c6-1(a) does not apply to a contract for an exempted 
security, government security, municipal security, commercial paper, 
bankers' acceptances, or commercial bills. 17 CFR 240.15c6-1(a). The 
rule also provides additional exemptions for: (i) Transactions in 
limited partnership interests that are not listed on an exchange or 
for which quotations are not disseminated through an automated 
quotation system of a registered securities association; (ii) 
contracts for the purchase and sale of securities that the 
Commission may from time to time, taking into account then existing 
market practices, exempt by order; and (iii) contracts for the sale 
of cash securities that priced after 4:30 p.m. (Eastern Standard 
Time) that are sold by an issuer to an underwriter pursuant to a 
firm commitment offering registered under the Securities Act of 1933 
(``Securities Act'') or the sale to an initial purchaser by a 
broker-dealer participating in such offering. 17 CFR 240.15c6-1(b) 
and (c).
    Additionally, as discussed further in the T+3 Adopting Release, 
the Commission determined not to include transactions in municipal 
securities within the scope of Rule 15c6-1, with the expectation 
that the MSRB would take the lead in implementing three-day 
settlement of municipal securities by the implementation date of the 
new rule. The Commission requested a report from the MSRB within six 
months of the Commission's adoption of Rule 15c6-1 outlining the 
schedule in which the MSRB intended to implement T+3 in the 
municipal securities market. T+3 Adopting Release, supra note 15, 58 
FR at 52899. MSRB rules that established T+3 as the standard 
settlement cycle for transactions in municipal securities became 
operative on June 7, 1995 (the same date as Exchange Act Rule 15c6-
1). See Order Approving MSRB Proposed Rule Change Establishing Three 
Business Day Settlement Time Frame, Exchange Act Release No. 35427 
(Feb. 28, 1995), 60 FR 12798 (Mar. 8, 1995).
    \52\ See note 23 supra for a discussion of the securities 
subject to Rule 15c6-1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Reduction in Risk to CCPs in the Clearance and Settlement Process
    In the T+2 Proposing Release, the Commission noted its preliminary 
belief that shortening the standard settlement cycle would (assuming 
current levels of trading activity remain constant), for a CCP, result 
in fewer unsettled trades at any given point in time and a reduced time 
period of exposure to such trades, which would, in turn, reduce the 
CCP's credit, market, and liquidity risk exposure to its members.\53\ 
Commenters generally agreed with this position.\54\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \53\ T+2 Proposing Release, supra note 1, 81 FR at 69257 and 
69241 n.3.
    \54\ Bloomberg at 1; CFA at 3; DTCC Letter at 2; Fidelity at 1; 
FIF at 2; FSI at 2; ICI at 4-5; IDC at 1; MFA at 1-2; SIFMA at 1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Several commenters noted that the reduced period of exposure for 
CCPs would result in a reduction of credit, market, and/or liquidity 
risk. For example, one commenter noted that shortening the settlement 
cycle would reduce the period during which CCPs are exposed to credit 
risk due to non-payment or non-delivery of a security (i.e., the CCP's 
exposure to risk if a member defaults on a payment), which could result 
in the CCP using its financial resources to meet the CCP's end-of-day 
settlement obligations.\55\

[[Page 15570]]

Similarly, one commenter stated that a shorter settlement cycle would 
diminish counterparty and mark-to-market risks because the number of 
days between entering a transaction, until the time it is settled, is 
reduced by one day. This reduction would decrease the possibility of a 
counterparty failure prior to settlement, as well as the possibility of 
changes in the market value of the security purchased.\56\ Another 
commenter stated, from the perspective of a CCP, that the T+2 
transition would correspondingly decrease the number of unsettled 
trades in the clearance and settlement system at any given time, which 
would mean that fewer unsettled trades would be subject to counterparty 
risk and market risk. The commenter further added that the market risk 
of unsettled trades would be reduced because there would be less time 
between trade execution and settlement for potential price movements in 
the securities underlying those trades.\57\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \55\ FIF at 2.
    \56\ ICI at 5. Generally, market risk refers to the risk that 
the value of securities bought and sold will change between trade 
execution and settlement such that the completion of the trade would 
result in a financial loss. T+2 Proposing Release, supra note 1, 81 
FR at 69241 n.3.
    \57\ DTCC Letter at 2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission believes that, in the case of a CCP, fewer unsettled 
trades and a reduced time period of exposure to such trades will reduce 
the CCP's credit, market, and liquidity risk exposure to its 
members.\58\ As discussed earlier, a CCP, through novation and the 
provision of its trade guaranty, acts as the counterparty to its 
members and faces resultant credit risk in that a clearing member, both 
on behalf of purchasers of securities who may fail to deliver the 
payment and on behalf of sellers of securities who may fail to deliver 
the securities. In each case, the CCP is required to meet its 
obligation to its members, which in respect of the buyer is to deliver 
securities, and in respect of the seller is to deliver cash.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \58\ See also note 5 supra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The CCP also faces market risk if, during the settlement cycle, a 
member defaults and the CCP may be forced to liquidate open positions 
of the defaulting member and any financial resources of the member it 
may hold (i.e., collateral) to cover losses and expenses in adverse 
market circumstances. For example, if the market value of the unsettled 
securities has increased after the trade date, in the case of a seller 
default, the CCP may be forced to obtain the replacement securities in 
the market at a higher price, and in the case of a buyer default, the 
CCP may be forced to obtain cash to purchase the securities at a higher 
price, which could involve liquidation of its members' collateral.
    Finally, the CCP can face liquidity risks during the settlement 
cycle if a member defaults, resulting in the CCP deploying financial 
resources to meet the CCP's end-of-day settlement obligations.\59\ In 
each instance, the amount and period of risk to which the CCP is 
exposed is a function of the length of the settlement cycle, and the 
Commission therefore believes that shortening the settlement cycle 
should reduce the CCP's overall exposure to those risks.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \59\ The costs associated with deploying such resources are 
ultimately borne by the CCP members, both in the ordinary course of 
the CCP's daily risk management process and in the event of an 
extraordinary event where members may be subject to additional 
liquidity assessments. As discussed earlier, these costs may be 
passed on through the CCP members to broker-dealers and investors.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Reduction in Risk to CCP Members
    In the T+2 Proposing Release, the Commission stated its preliminary 
belief that shortening the standard settlement cycle to T+2 would 
result in liquidity risk reductions for broker-dealers that are CCP 
members.\60\ As discussed earlier and in the T+2 Proposing Release,\61\ 
a CCP may take a number of measures to manage the risks its members 
present, including the collection of member financial resource 
contributions and netting down the total outstanding exposure of a 
particular member. However, the extent to which a CCP must apply these 
risk mitigation tools is dictated by, among other things, the amount of 
unsettled trades that remain outstanding as well as the time during 
which the CCP remains exposed to these risks. Thus, the Commission 
believes that reducing the amount of unsettled trades and the period of 
time during which the CCP is exposed to such trades will result in a 
reduction in financial resource obligations for CCP members.\62\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \60\ See T+2 Proposing Release, supra note 1, 81 FR at 69257.
    \61\ See T+2 Proposing Release, supra note 1, 81 FR at 69243-44; 
Part III.A.1 supra.
    \62\ See T+2 Proposing Release, supra note 1, 81 FR at 69250-51.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Many commenters agreed.\63\ For example, one commenter stated that 
shortening the settlement cycle would result in fewer unsettled trades 
at any point in time, which would reduce capital and clearing fund 
requirements for the CCP and its broker-dealer clearing members, which, 
in turn, would result in positive liquidity to broker-dealers that are 
direct members of clearing agencies.\64\ Similarly, one commenter noted 
that by shortening the settlement cycle, market participants' exposure 
to customers' open positions would be reduced, which would allow 
financial institutions to better manage liquidity needs and margin 
requirements at CCPs.\65\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \63\ ICI at 4-5; SIFMA at 15; DTCC at 2; WFA at 2; FIF at 2; 
Fidelity at 1; FSI at 3; IDC at 1; Newill at 1.
    \64\ ICI at 4-5.
    \65\ WFA at 2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Another commenter stated that reduced collateral requirements would 
also help reduce liquidity risks, thereby improving capital utilization 
by market participants.\66\ An additional commenter agreed with the 
Commission's preliminary belief, as articulated in the T+2 Proposing 
Release, that a shorter settlement cycle is likely to reduce liquidity 
risk for broker-dealers, with less collateral required to mitigate the 
risk of unsettled trades.\67\ Another commenter stated that the 
reduction in counterparty risk would directly translate into a 
reduction of collateral requirements from CCPs, thus improving capital 
efficiency by CCP members.\68\ Several other commenters stated 
generally that the transition to T+2 would reduce liquidity demands on 
market participants, decrease clearing capital requirements for broker-
dealers, enhance liquidity, and/or improve the use of capital.\69\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \66\ SIFMA at 15.
    \67\ FIF at 2.
    \68\ The commenter, the holding company for, among other 
entities, NSCC and DTC, noted a recent analysis that it conducted 
which indicated that the move to T+2 would reduce NSCC clearing fund 
deposits by an average of almost 25%, which translates into 
approximately $1.36 billion of freed capital for NSCC's members, 
although this analysis does not reflect the implementation of NSCC's 
accelerated trade guaranty, as discussed in note 27 supra and 
accompanying text. DTCC Letter at 2 and n.2; SIFMA at 10 n.43.
    \69\ Fidelity at 1; FSI at 3; IDC at 1; Newill at 1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    After considering the comments, the Commission continues to believe 
that the transition to a T+2 standard settlement cycle will have a 
positive impact on the liquidity risks and costs faced by CCP members. 
The Commission expects that the reduction in the amount of unsettled 
trades and the period of time during which the CCP is exposed to risk 
will reduce the amount of financial resources that CCP members may have 
to provide to support the CCP's risk management process, both on an 
ordinary-course basis as well as in less predictable or procyclical 
instances where adverse general market conditions or a CCP member 
default results in a sudden liquidity demand by the CCP for additional 
financial resources from market participants.\70\ This reduction in

[[Page 15571]]

the potential need for financial resources should, in turn, reduce the 
liquidity costs and capital demands clearing broker-dealers face in the 
current environment and allow for improved capital utilization.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \70\ The term ``procyclical'' is generally understood to refer 
to changes in risk-management practices that are positively 
correlated with market, business, or credit cycle fluctuations that 
may cause or exacerbate financial stability.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission believes that shortening the standard settlement 
cycle to T+2 will result in reductions in liquidity risk for broker-
dealers that are CCP members and additionally provide certain attendant 
benefits, including but not limited to, lower costs on a business and 
transactional basis, and improved use of financial resources.
3. Benefits to Other Market Participants From a Shortened Settlement 
Cycle
    In the T+2 Proposing Release, the Commission stated its preliminary 
belief that shortening the standard settlement cycle would also lead to 
benefits to other market participants, including introducing broker-
dealers, institutional investors, and retail investors.\71\ These 
benefits would include quicker access to funds and securities following 
trade execution, which should further reduce liquidity risks and 
financing costs faced by market participants who may use those proceeds 
to transact in other markets, including the derivatives markets and 
non-U.S. markets that already operate on a T+2 settlement cycle.\72\ 
They would also include reduced margin charges and other fees that 
clearing broker-dealers may pass down to other market participants, 
thereby reducing transaction costs generally and freeing up capital for 
deployment elsewhere in the markets by those entities.\73\ Commenters 
generally supported this belief.\74\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \71\ To the extent they engage in proprietary trading, clearing 
broker-dealers should also realize many of the same benefits 
described in this section, including quicker access to funds and 
securities following trade execution and a reduction in liquidity 
risk.
    \72\ The length of the settlement cycle governs the time when 
the proceeds of a securities transaction may be made available to 
the member/participant. A mismatch in timing between the settlement 
cycle for the securities transaction and the settlement cycle for 
another market transaction, such as in the derivatives market or a 
non-U.S. market with a different settlement cycle, can in turn lead 
to liquidity risk for the member in meeting all of its settlement 
obligations across markets. See T+2 Proposing Release, supra note 1, 
81 FR at 69251 and n.77.
    \73\ T+2 Proposing Release, supra note 1, 81 FR at 69257-58.
    \74\ FSI at 2; SIFMA at 15-16; ICI at 4-5; IDC at 1-2; WFA at 2-
3; Wee at 1; Fidelity at 1; Newill.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

a. Introducing Broker-Dealers
    With respect to introducing broker-dealers, one commenter stated 
that introducing firms would benefit from shortening the settlement 
cycle to T+2, including through the reduction in liquidity risk and 
lowered costs related to margin and other charges and fees imposed by 
clearing brokers in association with managing credit risk. The 
commenter also stated that the underlying customer of an introducing 
firm would stand to realize significant benefits from the migration, 
including the more rapid returns of the proceeds of a sale of a 
security given the shortened settlement cycle.\75\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \75\ SIFMA at 12.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission agrees that introducing broker-dealers would benefit 
from a T+2 settlement cycle. Such entities would be able to access 
their own funds and securities from a transaction more quickly than 
under the current settlement cycle, which would reduce liquidity risk 
and free up capital. They would also face lower costs related to margin 
charges and other fees that clearing brokers may pass down as part of 
the costs related to the clearing brokers' risk management program. As 
noted above, several commenters noted that clearing broker-dealers 
would likely benefit from reduced clearing requirements.\76\ The 
Commission agrees that such reduced requirements could, in turn, result 
in reduced charges and fees for introducing broker-dealers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \76\ Newill at 1; DTCC Letter at 2; Fidelity at 1; ICI at 4-5.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

b. Institutional Investors
    Several commenters noted that a shortened settlement cycle would 
reduce funding gaps and potential additional financing costs for 
institutional investors resulting from mismatched settlement cycles 
that apply to mutual funds whose own securities settle on a different 
cycle than those in their portfolio.\77\ Specifically, these commenters 
stated that, in the context of mutual funds, a shortened settlement 
cycle would reduce the funding gap between settlement of a mutual 
fund's portfolio securities (which settle on T+3) and the settlement of 
shares issued to investors through the mutual fund itself (which settle 
on T+1), improving cash management for funds to meet redemptions.\78\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \77\ ICI at 4: IDC at 1-2.
    \78\ ICI at 4; IDC at 1-2. These commenters also noted more 
generally that the proposal would reduce funding gaps among all 
types of securities, as settlement cycles would be better aligned, 
including those for various types of portfolio securities such as 
derivatives and government bonds. For example, the settlement cycle 
timeframe for open-end mutual funds that settle through NSCC is 
generally T+1. However, the standard settlement cycle timeframe for 
many underlying portfolio securities held by mutual funds is T+3. 
Settlement timeframes for securities with non-standard settlements 
held by these funds may be longer than T+3. This mismatch in timing 
presents potential liquidity risks for such funds as market 
participants with respect to the receipt of portfolio proceeds and 
in satisfying their investor redemption obligations. See T+2 
Proposing Release, supra note 1, 81 FR at 69251 n.77; Investment 
Company Liquidity Risk Management Programs Release No. 32315 (Oct. 
13, 2016), 81 FR 82142, 82143 n.9 (Nov. 18, 2016).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    These comments support the Commission's belief, as initially 
expressed in the T+2 Proposing Release,\79\ that by better aligning the 
settlement cycles between the underlying portfolio securities and the 
securities issued to investors through the mutual fund, the risk to the 
fund, and ultimately investors, is reduced. Under a shortened standard 
settlement cycle, the mutual fund will receive the proceeds of the 
transaction more quickly, which, in turn, will free up liquidity 
generally and, in particular, if there are significant new outflows or 
cash is needed to address other market stresses.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \79\ See T+2 Proposing Release, supra note 1, 81 FR at 69257 
n.156.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

c. Retail Investors
    Several commenters stated that a shortened standard settlement 
cycle would lead to benefits for retail investors, particularly through 
quicker access to funds and securities following trade execution. 
Specifically, these commenters noted that settlement of trades on a T+2 
standard settlement cycle would improve investors' access to capital 
and reduce the need to borrow funds.\80\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \80\ WFA at 2-3; Wee at 1; Fidelity at 1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Several commenters noted that retail investors would benefit from a 
shorter standard settlement cycle because of reduced risk in the 
settlement process. One commenter stated that different settlement 
cycles have the potential to contribute towards failed trades for an 
investor who, for example, attempts to buy a mutual fund upon selling 
an exchange-traded fund. This can be especially true when an investor 
attempts to rebalance a portfolio of securities consisting of various 
securities with differing settlement cycles.\81\ An additional 
commenter stated that retail investors, among others, would benefit 
from a shorter standard settlement cycle through reduced risk in the 
settlement process, based on the related reduction in counterparty risk 
and liquidity demands on market participants, decreased clearing 
capital requirements for broker-dealers, and harmonization of the 
global settlement process as many foreign securities markets already 
operate on a

[[Page 15572]]

T+2 settlement cycle.\82\ The Commission agrees that, like other market 
participants, retail investors will benefit from reduced risks arising 
in a shortened standard settlement cycle as a result of the reduced 
risks for CCPs and CCP members discussed above in Parts III.A.1 and 
III.A.2. The Commission further believes that reducing the number of 
days in the standard settlement cycle will reduce the exposure of 
retail investors, and institutional investors, to the risks of failure 
to make payment or deliver securities, thereby reducing overall risks 
to all investors.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \81\ WFA at 2-3.
    \82\ Fidelity at 1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, one commenter cited lower transaction costs for 
investors as a benefit of shortening the settlement cycle to T+2, 
although this commenter did not provide specific data or information to 
support this conclusion.\83\ As noted above, the Commission generally 
believes that a transition to a T+2 standard settlement cycle will 
result in reduced costs for broker-dealers, including those whose 
customers are retail investors. Such broker-dealers may or may not 
choose to pass on the benefit of reduced costs to their retail investor 
customers, and therefore it is not clear that retail investors would, 
in all instances, experience a benefit of reduced fees or other costs 
charged by their broker-dealers. However, as discussed further below, 
the Commission generally believes that retail investors may bear few 
(if any) direct costs in a transition to a T+2 standard settlement 
cycle because their respective broker-dealers handle the back-office 
settlement functions of each transaction.\84\ The Commission further 
agrees with the comments described above that moving to a T+2 standard 
settlement cycle should, in and of itself, result in a number of the 
benefits that the comments identify, including with respect to the 
rebalancing of an investor's portfolio or the modification of asset 
allocation, by reducing settlement timeframes and related risks. For 
example, the Commission believes that a T+2 settlement cycle will allow 
retail investors to gain quicker access to funds and securities 
following trade execution.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \83\ Newill.
    \84\ For a further discussion, see Part VI.B.2 infra. As 
discussed further therein, it is possible that retail investors may 
face indirect costs from the transition, such as those passed 
through from broker-dealers or banks.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    One commenter who focused on the concerns of retail investors 
stated that the Commission's proposal to transition to a T+2 settlement 
cycle would be ``woefully insufficient'' to address their needs in the 
current environment.\85\ In discussing the impact of the T+3 standard 
settlement cycle on retail investors, the commenter noted that the time 
from order execution until the securities are exchanged for cash is a 
lengthy waiting process (up to five days if the process extends over a 
weekend) that can be frustrating and potentially damaging for investors 
who are faced with immediate and unexpected financial obligations. The 
commenter noted that investors may respond to this lengthy settlement 
process by keeping larger buffers of cash on hand, which can be costly 
and inefficient, or alternatively, they may borrow money short-term, 
often at high interest rates, to bridge the gap, which can be costly, 
or they may just have to wait until the transaction has settled, which 
can have other opportunity costs.\86\ This same commenter noted that 
other scenarios related to the current settlement timeframe can cost 
investors money and impede basic transactions. For example, if an 
investor tries to sell shares of an ETF and then tries to buy shares of 
a traditional open-end mutual fund on the same day, the broker may not 
allow the trade due to the two-day difference in settlement between the 
ETF shares and the mutual fund shares. If the investor tries to make 
the trade, the account will be short cash for several days, which means 
at best, the investor would be charged interest or the buy order would 
not go through. The delay in settlement may cause routine rebalancing 
of an investor's portfolio or the modification of asset allocation to 
turn into a lengthy and complicated multi-step processes. In short, 
this commenter stated that the Commission's proposal to shorten the T+3 
settlement cycle by only one day would be inadequate to address the 
range of retail investor challenges identified by the commenter.\87\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \85\ See CFA at 1. In particular, this commenter supported 
shortening the settlement cycle to a T+1 standard based on STP. The 
Commission addresses this portion of the commenter's letter 
regarding a standard settlement cycle shorter than T+2 further in 
Parts VI.D.1 and Part VI.D.2 infra.
    \86\ CFA at 2-3.
    \87\ Id at 1, 3-5.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission agrees that, all else being equal, moving to a T+1 
standard settlement cycle would likely result in retail investors 
receiving transaction proceeds sooner than under a T+2 standard 
settlement cycle, and that a shorter standard settlement cycle could 
mitigate, or in some cases eliminate, the potential issues for retail 
investors identified by the commenter.\88\ However, the Commission 
believes that shortening the standard settlement cycle to T+2 will 
address many of these concerns. Additionally, the Commission believes 
that the important risk-reducing benefits of a shortened standard 
settlement cycle for market participants, including retail investors, 
can be quickly achieved at this time with a T+2 settlement cycle 
because the necessary preparation (including appropriate technological 
and operational changes) has occurred to support moving to a T+2 
standard settlement cycle. Consequently, movement at this time to a T+2 
standard may be accomplished in a timely and cost-effective, manner 
that minimizes undue disruptions in the securities markets. As noted 
earlier, the near-term benefits of a T+2 standard settlement cycle 
include quicker access to funds and a reduction in borrowing and other 
transaction costs, as well as reduced risk in the settlement process 
and a greater ability to manage asset allocation (including the 
allocation challenges the commenter describes above in the context of 
mutual fund and exchange-traded fund security purchases). Therefore, 
the Commission believes, as discussed further in Part VI.D.1 below, 
that a transition to a T+2 standard settlement cycle will realize these 
important benefits in the near term in a manner that is relatively more 
cost effective and consistent with the current state of market 
participant preparedness than a transition to T+1. The Commission also 
notes that this belief is supported by those commenters who observed 
that a move to a T+2 standard settlement cycle, and the realization of 
risk-reducing benefits for retail and other investors, is relatively 
more feasible and cost effective in the near term than a T+1 
transition.\89\ Therefore, the Commission notes that a move to a T+2 
standard settlement cycle is an appropriate step at this time. Further, 
the movement to T+2 at this time does not foreclose future efforts to 
shorten the settlement cycle beyond T+2.\90\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \88\ See, e.g., id. at 2-3 (identifying as issues for retail 
investors under the current settlement cycle the lengthy waiting 
period that can arise between trade execution and settlement, 
exposing retail investors to the potential need to address the risk 
of immediate and unexpected financial obligations, as well as the 
mismatch in settlement cycles between the shares of an ETF and the 
shares of a traditional open-end mutual fund).
    \89\ See Part VI.D.1 infra for a discussion of such comments.
    \90\ See Part V infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Several other commenters raised concerns regarding how a change in 
the current T+3 environment could result in challenges and costs for 
retail investors.\91\ Two commenters discussed

[[Page 15573]]

the impact that a shortened settlement cycle would have on individuals 
who use paper checks to facilitate payment and transfer of funds for 
the settlement of securities transactions. One of these commenters 
observed that moving to a settlement cycle shorter than T+3 would 
impose hardships on such individuals, noting that the current T+3 
settlement cycle already places pressure on individuals who may use 
paper checks instead of other modes of payment, such as electronic 
payment transfer systems. The commenter further observed that a T+2 
settlement cycle therefore would increase such pressures as well as the 
likelihood of increased reliance on electronic payment transfers; the 
commenter also expressed concern about the potential for new risks and 
costs that may come from such reliance upon electronic payment 
transfers, including risks and costs related to the security of 
personal information. In light of these potential new risks and costs, 
the commenter expressed a belief that a T+2 standard settlement cycle 
could give rise to barriers to stock ownership by retail investors.\92\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \91\ Gellert; CSLC at 1-2; BDA at 1. In addition, one commenter 
stated that the Commission failed to meaningfully address how the 
amendment would affect smaller individual investors and instead 
focused on institutional market participants, primarily broker-
dealers, and clearing firms. CSLC at 2. The commenter asserted that 
the Commission had failed to identify or analyze significant 
impediments with the current T+3 standard settlement cycle, and 
concluded by stating that it opposed the proposal until the proposal 
adequately takes these considerations into account. CSLC at 3. In 
response, the Commission notes that the T+2 Proposing Release 
specifically detailed both the current process by which retail 
investors clear and settle their securities transactions in a T+3 
environment and the impact of that process on retail investors. See, 
e.g., T+2 Proposing Release, supra note 1, 81 FR at 69427-69428. In 
addition, the Commission solicited specific comment in the T+2 
Proposing Release regarding the potential impact a move to T+2 could 
have on retail investors, including potential costs and benefits for 
retail investors. See id. at 69262. Further, as described herein, a 
number of commenters, including this commenter, submitted specific 
responses to the inquiries in the T+2 Proposing Release focused on 
retail investors. Among those commenters, a number raised specific 
issues related to retail investors that the Commission has addressed 
herein, including ways that a move to T+2 could potentially heighten 
or lower impediments to a national system for the prompt and 
accurate clearance and settlement of securities transactions.
    \92\ Gellert.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The other commenter who raised issues with respect to the use of 
paper checks expressed concern that the proposed amendment to Rule 
15c6-1(a) would shorten the timeframe within which a broker-dealer 
would be required to cancel or liquidate an unpaid cash account 
transaction under the Federal Reserve Board's Regulation T, from the 
current five business days after the transaction date, to four business 
days after the transaction date.\93\ The commenter urged regulators to 
ensure that the shortened settlement cycle does not negatively impact 
retail clients that still rely on sending checks, which may not be 
sent, received, processed, and cleared within four days after the 
transaction date.\94\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \93\ BDA at 1-2 (noting that under Regulation T, the term 
``payment period'' means the number of business days in the standard 
securities settlement cycle in the United States, as defined in 
paragraph (a) of Rule 15c6-1, plus two business days). Regulation T 
provides that, with respect to cash account transactions, a creditor 
shall obtain full cash payment for customer purchases within one 
payment period of the date any ``nonexempted security'' was 
purchased, and that a creditor shall promptly cancel or liquidate a 
transaction or any part of a transaction for which the customer has 
not made full cash payment with the required time. 12 CFR 
220.8(b)(i) and (ii)(4).
    \94\ BDA at 2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In response to these commenters, the Commission acknowledges that 
shortening the standard settlement cycle to T+2 may create additional 
costs for retail investors who choose to fund securities transactions 
by mailing a paper check to their broker-dealer. For example, retail 
investors who wish to continue using paper checks may need to deliver 
their checks to their broker-dealers more quickly and in a more costly 
manner (i.e., hand or overnight delivery as opposed to delivery via the 
postal service). The Commission also acknowledges that, in light of 
such challenges, certain retail investors may need to adopt or increase 
their use of electronic payment methods, and that the use of electronic 
payment methods may introduce new costs and risks for such investors, 
including with respect to the protection of personal information. The 
Commission further acknowledges that such costs and risks could 
potentially impact the willingness of certain retail investors to 
participate in the securities markets, including via stock ownership. 
However, using electronic payment options may also lower existing costs 
to retail investors.
    While recognizing the concerns raised by these commenters, however, 
the Commission believes that the risk-reducing benefits discussed above 
that will be realized by market participants, including retail 
investors, as a result of a shortened standard settlement cycle justify 
the potential costs and risks identified by the commenters. As noted 
above, the Commission believes that retail investors will gain quicker 
access to funds and securities following trade execution, which in turn 
will allow retail investors to re-deploy their assets more quickly and 
efficiently for other purposes, including additional investment and 
risk management. On balance, the Commission believes that this benefit 
is more likely to decrease rather than increase barriers to 
participation by retail investors in the securities markets, including 
through stock ownership.
    Separately, while discussing the potential negative impact of a 
shortened settlement cycle on retail investors, one commenter asserted 
that shortening the standard settlement cycle to T+2 could give rise to 
destabilizing effects on the financial markets. In making this 
observation, the commenter expressed a view that shortened settlement 
periods result in weaker liquidity requirements for broker-dealers and 
market makers, as well as an increased likelihood of computerized high-
volume trading that could destabilize the market.\95\ In response, the 
Commission notes that, as discussed in Parts III.A.1, 2, and 3.a and b 
above, a transition to a T+2 standard settlement cycle will reduce, as 
opposed to heighten, liquidity risk exposure for market participants 
because, for a CCP, there would be fewer unsettled trades at any given 
point in time and a reduced time period of exposure to such trades, 
resulting in a CCP's reduced potential need for financial resources, 
which should, in turn reduce the liquidity costs for clearing broker-
dealers and those market participants that rely upon the services of 
clearing broker-dealers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \95\ Gellert.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Further, with respect to the impact a shorter settlement cycle may 
have on the presence of computerized high-volume trading in the 
financial markets, the Commission notes that the commenter has not 
provided information or other evidence demonstrating how an increase in 
the pace of trade settlement will result in an increase in the presence 
of computerized high-volume trading that could destabilize the 
financial markets. The Commission believes that amending the length of 
the settlement cycle will affect the manner in which post-trade 
processes occur, but does not expect the proposed amendment to alter 
the incidence of computerized trading or how such activity influences 
market stability. The Commission further believes that, as discussed 
above, a shortened standard settlement cycle is appropriate given the 
reduction in credit, market, and liquidity risks associated with a 
shorter settlement cycle. Therefore, the Commission is not persuaded 
that a shortened standard settlement cycle will give rise to the 
liquidity risk and market stability concerns raised by the commenter.

[[Page 15574]]

4. Cross-Border Harmonization
    In the T+2 Proposing Release, the Commission noted that the 
proposed amendment to Rule 15c6-1(a) would harmonize the settlement 
cycle in the U.S. with non-U.S. markets that had already moved to a T+2 
settlement cycle or were planning to do so.\96\ In addition, the 
Commission discussed the potential benefits of harmonizing settlement 
cycles across markets, which included reducing the degree to and time 
during which, market participants are exposed to credit, market, and 
liquidity risk arising from unsettled transactions.\97\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \96\ T+2 Proposing Release, supra note 1, 81 FR at 69258.
    \97\ T+2 Proposing Release, supra note 1, 81 FR at 69258, 69259, 
69269.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A number of commenters cited increased global harmonization of 
settlement cycles as a prospective benefit of moving to a T+2 
settlement cycle in the U.S.\98\ One commenter stated that the benefits 
of harmonized settlement cycles would include increased efficiency in 
coordinating trading among investors across international markets and 
decreased operational risk because investment managers would not need 
to balance inconsistent settlement cycles across broad asset classes 
common to both U.S. and international markets.\99\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \98\ DTCC Letter at 2 and 3; Fidelity at 1; FIF at 3; FSI at 3; 
ICI at 5-6; IDC at 1; MFA at 2; Newill at 1; SIFMA at 16; STA at 1-
2; Thomson Reuters at 3 (noting further that T+2 would be consistent 
with the FX markets); WFA at 3; Wee at 1-2.
    \99\ SIFMA at 16. The commenter also noted that a transition to 
a T+2 settlement cycle in the United States would result in over 77% 
of top ten markets worldwide, as calculated by market 
capitalization, operating in a T+2 settlement environment. Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Another commenter stated that the industry would benefit from the 
reduction of hedge risks stemming from mismatched settlement cycles 
(e.g., the one day lag between settlement in Europe and settlement in 
the U.S.). The same commenter noted that harmonization between markets 
should also further reduce risk to market participants, as participants 
would no longer be required to choose between bearing an additional day 
of market risk in the European trading markets by delaying by one day 
the purchase of securities on European markets, or funding such a 
transaction with short-term borrowing, as the settlement cycle in both 
U.S. and European markets will be aligned.\100\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \100\ FIF at 3.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Another commenter noted that consistency in the settlement cycle 
across the U.S. and non-U.S. markets could help funds better manage 
liquidity and cash flow, which could reduce and simplify financing 
needs.\101\ A fourth commenter stated that a further harmonized global 
securities settlement cycle would reduce operational risk for 
institutional investors by closing the gap in the settlement cycle 
between the U.S. and other foreign markets in which they invest, 
standardizing cross-border settlement processes, and fostering adoption 
of industry best practices.\102\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \101\ IDC at 1.
    \102\ ICI at 5.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    These commenters generally supported the Commission's belief that 
aligning the settlement cycle in the U.S. with the settlement cycle in 
several major non-U.S. markets that have already moved to T+2 or are 
planning to do so will benefit market participants. The Commission 
agrees that harmonization of settlement cycles may reduce the need for 
some market participants engaging in cross-border transactions to hedge 
risks stemming from mismatched settlement cycles. In addition, the 
Commission agrees that harmonization of the U.S. settlement cycle with 
the T+2 settlement cycle in certain non-U.S. markets will reduce 
financing/borrowing costs for market participants who engage in cross-
border transactions in both those markets and U.S. markets.\103\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \103\ However, the Commission notes that the shortened standard 
settlement cycle cannot address the fact that certain non-U.S. 
markets may continue to face harmonization issues based on the 
different time zones in which the transactions occur.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

5. Reduction in Systemic Risk
    In the T+2 Proposing Release, the Commission noted its preliminary 
belief that the reductions in credit, market, and liquidity risks 
should reduce systemic risk, and that, as it stated in adopting Rule 
15c6-1 in 1993, reducing the total volume and value of outstanding 
obligations in the settlement pipeline at any point in time will better 
insulate the financial sector from the potential systemic consequences 
of serious market disruptions. The Commission also noted that reducing 
the period of time during which a CCP is exposed to credit, market, and 
liquidity risk should enhance the CCP's overall ability to serve as a 
source of stability and efficiency in the national clearance and 
settlement system, thereby reducing the likelihood that disruptions in 
the clearance and settlement process will trigger consequential 
disruptions that extend beyond the cleared markets.\104\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \104\ T+2 Proposing Release, supra note 1, 81 FR at 69257. See 
also Parts III.A.1 and III.A.2, supra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Several commenters generally agreed with this belief, noting that 
shortening the standard settlement cycle to T+2 would result in reduced 
systemic risk or enhanced financial stability.\105\ For example, one 
commenter strongly agreed with the Commission's description of the 
systemic risk benefits from moving to T+2, noting that, in light of the 
financial resource and liquidity demands facing CCPs and other market 
participants during times of market volatility and stress, a shorter 
settlement cycle should help meaningfully reduce those demands. The 
commenter also agreed with the Commission that reducing the total 
volume and value of obligations in the settlement pipeline at any given 
time would help minimize the systemic consequences of serious market 
disruptions. The commenter further noted that minimizing risk in the 
context of CCPs can limit the circumstances in which a disruption in 
the clearance and settlement system will extend to other aspects of the 
market.\106\ Another commenter identified one benefit of the shortened 
settlement cycle as a more stable financial system, based on reduced 
counterparty risk and the amount of capital required to be maintained 
by clearing firms to mitigate such risk, as well as less operational 
and systemic risk through reduced exposure between the parties to a 
trade, between the counterparties to the clearinghouse, and for the 
clearinghouse itself.\107\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \105\ Bloomberg at 1; DTCC Letter at 2; FIF at 2; FSR; FSI at 2; 
Kim at 1; MFA at 1-2; Newill at1; SIFMA at 15; WFA at 2. An 
additional commenter noted generally that shortening the settlement 
cycle would help protect market participants from credit, market, 
and liquidity risks, reduce the threat of systemic risk, and hasten 
the processing of investors' transactions, but continued to advocate 
for changes beyond T+2. CFA at 3. See also T+2 Proposing Release, 
supra note 1, 81 FR at 69258.
    \106\ SIFMA at 15.
    \107\ FSI at 2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission agrees with commenters that the reduction in credit, 
market, and liquidity risks resulting from a shortened settlement cycle 
should reduce systemic risk. Because of the potential procyclical 
impact on financial resource and other liquidity demands by CCPs and 
other market participants during times of market volatility and stress, 
efforts to reduce these liquidity demands through a shorter settlement 
cycle are expected to reduce systemic risk.\108\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \108\ T+2 Proposing Release, supra note 1, 81 FR at 69258.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission noted in the T+2 Proposing Release that the 
reduction in exposure to credit, market, liquidity, and systemic risk 
arising from fewer unsettled transactions at any one time due to a 
shorter settlement cycle should improve the stability of the U.S.

[[Page 15575]]

markets.\109\ One commenter agreed with the Commission and stated that 
CCPs would be better positioned to serve as a source of stability and 
efficiency within the clearance and settlement system when there is a 
shorter period of time during which they are exposed to credit, market, 
and liquidity risks, because the shorter period of time limits the 
volume of trades subject to the guarantee at any one time.\110\ Another 
commenter stated that the decrease in counterparty and mark-to-market 
risk, which are typically magnified during times of highly volatile 
markets, would add to the overall stability of the financial 
system.\111\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \109\ T+2 Proposing Release, supra note 1, 81 FR at 69257.
    \110\ SIFMA at 15.
    \111\ ICI at 18.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission agrees with these commenters that reducing the 
period of time during which a CCP is exposed to credit, market, and 
liquidity risk should enhance the overall ability of the CCP to serve 
as a source of stability and efficiency in the national clearance and 
settlement system, thereby reducing the likelihood that disruptions in 
the clearance and settlement process will trigger consequential 
disruptions that extend beyond the cleared markets.\112\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \112\ See T+2 Proposing Release, supra note 1, 81 FR at 69258; 
see also CCA Standards Adopting Release, supra note 14, 81 FR at 
70849. Clearing members are often members of larger financial 
networks, and the ability of a covered clearing agency to meet 
payment obligations to its members can directly affect its members' 
ability to meet payment obligations outside of the cleared market. 
Thus, management of liquidity risk may mitigate the risk of 
contagion between asset markets.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

6. Leveraging and Advancement of Existing Technology, Operations, and 
Market Infrastructure
    In the T+2 Proposing Release, the Commission stated its preliminary 
belief that significant advancements in technology and the changes in 
market infrastructures and operations that have occurred since 1993, 
which are widely assimilated into market practices, provide a basis to 
accommodate shortening the standard settlement cycle to T+2.\113\ The 
Commission further noted in the T+2 Proposing Release that it has 
observed that market participants have begun to accelerate collective 
progress to prepare for a transition to a T+2 settlement cycle.\114\ 
Several commenters expressed general support for this view.\115\
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    \113\ See T+2 Proposing Release, supra note 1, 81 FR at 69258.
    \114\ Id.
    \115\ Kim at 1; SIFMA at 14; DTCC Letter at 4.
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    One commenter stated that, with current computer and software 
technology, a move to T+2 is feasible and sensible.\116\ An additional 
commenter supported the Commission's preliminary belief, noting that 
market participants already have invested in evaluating and preparing 
for a potential move to a T+2 standard settlement cycle, thus making 
the industry well-positioned to capitalize on those efforts and 
complete the transition to a shorter settlement cycle.\117\ The 
commenter further noted that the industry has made incremental 
improvements in batch processing systems as the technology to do so has 
become available, and has moved to real-time processing where logical 
(e.g., NSCC Trade Reporting).\118\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \116\ Kim at 1.
    \117\ SIFMA at 14.
    \118\ SIFMA at 14.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission agrees with the comments that the current state of 
technology and market infrastructure and operations support amending 
Rule 15c6-1(a) to establish a T+2 settlement cycle. As noted by 
commenters, market participants are actively working to transition to a 
T+2 settlement cycle and have made investments in technology and 
operations to do so. The Commission believes that these advancements in 
technology and changes in market infrastructures and operations, which 
have occurred since 1993 generally and in conjunction with recent 
efforts to transition to a T+2 standard settlement cycle, support 
shortening the settlement cycle.
    Several commenters also expressed support for shortening the 
standard settlement cycle to T+2 by noting that a shorter settlement 
cycle will promote operational efficiencies.\119\ In the T+2 Proposing 
Release the Commission noted that a shortened settlement cycle may 
necessitate incremental increases in utilization by certain market 
participants of Matching/ETC Providers, with a focus on improving and 
accelerating affirmation/confirmation processes, as well as relative 
enhancements to efficiencies in the services and operations of the 
Matching/ETC Providers themselves.\120\ The Commission further stated 
that it preliminarily expects that these changes may be necessary in a 
T+2 environment because certain steps related to the allocation, 
confirmation, and affirmation of institutional trades will need to 
occur earlier in the settlement cycle compared to in a T+3 
environment.\121\
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    \119\ DTCC Letter at 2; IDC at 1; SIFMA at 15.
    \120\ T+2 Proposing Release, supra note 1, 81 FR at 69258.
    \121\ Id.
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    Consistent with this view, one commenter noted that a T+2 standard 
settlement cycle would motivate market participants to tighten their 
operational processes. This commenter stated that it expects 
institutional investors to improve the quality of settlement 
instructions and static settlement data maintenance, and increase 
automation and STP rates with their broker-dealers and custodian 
banks.\122\ This commenter added that this would result in higher 
numbers of on-time affirmed, confirmed, and settled trades.\123\ 
Similarly, another commenter stated a T+2 standard settlement cycle 
would lead to enhancements and compression of batch processing 
systems.\124\
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    \122\ ICI at 5.
    \123\ Id.
    \124\ SIFMA at 14.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Another commenter noted that it believes that a shorter settlement 
cycle would lead to greater use of automation in the settlement 
process.\125\ This commenter stated that automation in the settlement 
process will enable STP and contribute to increases in same-day 
affirmation rates and increases in settlement rates, with an attendant 
decrease in exceptions that lead to fails, and that automation will 
also eliminate inefficient procedures for clearance and settlement and 
lower overall costs to investors.\126\ In addition, this commenter 
noted that it believes that automation would not only enable a T+2 
standard settlement cycle but will also facilitate moving to an even 
shorter settlement cycle.\127\
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    \125\ Bloomberg at 2-3.
    \126\ Id. at 2. The commenter also noted that its trade matching 
service will offer solutions to move manual clients to an automated 
work flow, which will minimize exceptions and reduce costly 
inefficiencies.
    \127\ Id. at 2-3.
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    The Commission agrees with the comments that moving to a T+2 
settlement cycle will lead market participants to develop and utilize 
more efficient operational processes. The Commission noted in the T+2 
Proposing Release that technological and operational changes necessary 
to support a T+2 standard settlement cycle would in many cases require 
only incremental modifications to existing market infrastructures and 
systems and processes. Some comments anticipated that the changes 
necessary to support a T+2 standard settlement cycle may improve 
operational efficiency.\128\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \128\ See Bloomberg at 2-3; SIFMA at 14; ICI at 5.
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B. Paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of Rule 15c6-1

    In the T+2 Proposing Release, the Commission requested comment as 
to whether the Commission should consider any amendments to paragraphs

[[Page 15576]]

(b), (c), and (d) of Rule 15c6-1.\129\ No commenters requested changes 
to those paragraphs, and the Commission is not amending those portions 
of the Rule.
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    \129\ See T+2 Proposing Release, supra note 1, 81 FR at 69263-
64.
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    One commenter requested clarification regarding the application of 
Rule 15c6-1(d) and the Commission's statement in the T+2 Proposing 
Release regarding what is sometimes referred to as the ``override 
provision'' of Rule 15c6-1(a) that permits broker-dealers to agree 
expressly at the time of the transaction to settlement beyond the 
standard settlement cycle.\130\ Rule 15c6-1(d) provides that, for 
purposes of paragraphs (a) and (c) of the rule, parties to a contract 
shall be deemed to have expressly agreed to an alternate date for 
payment of funds and delivery of securities at the time of the 
transaction for a contract for the sale for cash of securities pursuant 
to a firm commitment offering if the managing underwriter and the 
issuer have agreed to such date for all securities sold pursuant to 
such offering and the parties to the contract have not expressly agreed 
to another date for payment of funds and delivery of securities at the 
time of the transaction.\131\ In raising its concerns, the commenter 
expressed the belief that current market practices indicate that 
extended settlement periods beyond the standard settlement cycle are 
applied for the settlement of certain primary firm commitment 
offerings, particularly those in the convertible debt, preferred 
equity, options on securities and fixed income markets.\132\ The 
commenter further observed that, in such markets, issuers, underwriters 
and the initial purchasers of those securities have increasingly relied 
on an extended settlement cycle pursuant to Rule 15c6-1(d) for many 
primary distributions.
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    \130\ SIFMA at 19-20 (discussing footnote 153 of the T+2 
Proposing Release). Specifically, Rule 15c6-1(a) allows a broker-
dealer to agree that settlement will take place in a period longer. 
than the T+3 standard settlement cycle if expressly agreed to by the 
parties at the time of the transaction.
    \131\ 17 CFR 240.15c6-1(d). See also Prospectus Delivery; 
Securities Transaction Settlement, Exchange Act Release No. 35705 
(May 11, 1995), 60 FR 26604, 26612 (May 17, 1995) (``Rule 15c6-1(d) 
Adopting Release'').
    \132\ SIFMA at 19.
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    In light of this belief regarding current market practices for many 
primary distributions, the commenter expressed concern over a statement 
made by the Commission in a footnote of the T+2 Proposing Release 
regarding the override provision in Rule 15c6-1(a). Specifically, in 
the T+2 Proposing Release, the Commission noted that at the time Rule 
15c6-1(a) was adopted, the Commission stated its belief that the usage 
of the override provision of Rule 15c6-1(a) was intended to apply only 
to unusual transactions, such as seller's option trades that typically 
settle as many as sixty days after execution as specified by the 
parties to the trade at execution. In the T+2 Proposing Release, the 
Commission stated its preliminary belief that the use of this provision 
should continue to be applied in limited cases to ensure that the 
settlement cycle set by Rule 15c6-1(a) remains a standard settlement 
cycle.\133\ In response to this statement, the commenter raised the 
concern that such a belief did not match actual market practices and 
may result in unintended negative consequences.\134\ Accordingly, the 
commenter requested that, in adopting a T+2 standard settlement cycle, 
the Commission clarify that parties to a primary offering may continue 
the practice of agreeing to extended settlements in accordance with 
Rule 15c6-1 in appropriate cases, including those identified by the 
commenter. In addition, the commenter requested that the Commission 
clarify that the use of such extended settlements in primary offerings 
of these securities need not be limited to unusual circumstances or 
confined to situations where settlement on a T+2 basis is not 
feasible.\135\
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    \133\ T+2 Proposing Release, supra note 1, 81 FR at 69257 n.153 
(quoting T+3 Adopting Release, supra note 15, 58 FR at 52902).
    \134\ SIFMA at 20.
    \135\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The commenter's concern applies to two distinct, but related, parts 
of Rule 15c6-1. One part is the general override provision for extended 
settlement set forth in Rule 15c6-1(a) and the other part is the 
extended settlement provision specific to firm commitment primary 
offerings in Rule 15c6-1(d). In response to the commenter, the 
Commission notes that its statement, as expressed in the footnote in 
the T+2 Proposing Release, is only with respect to the override 
provision in Rule 15c6-1(a) and does not relate to the application of 
Rule 15c6-1(d) in the specific context of firm commitment 
offerings.\136\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \136\ See Rule 15c6-1(d) Adopting Release, supra note 131, 60 FR 
at 26612.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

C. Impact on Other Commission Rules and Guidance; Relevant No-Action 
and Exemptive Relief

    The Commission stated in the T+2 Proposing Release that it reviewed 
its existing regulatory framework to consider the potential impact a 
T+2 standard settlement cycle may have on other Commission rules. Some 
Commission rules require market participants to perform certain 
regulatory obligations on settlement date or within a specified number 
of business days after the settlement date, or are otherwise keyed off 
of settlement date. Accordingly, shortening the standard settlement 
cycle to T+2 could have ancillary consequences for how market 
participants comply with these existing regulatory obligations. In 
response to the T+2 Proposing Release, several commenters identified 
specific rules, as well as related guidance and no-action and exemptive 
relief, on which a T+2 standard settlement cycle may have an impact.
1. Regulation SHO
    In the T+2 Proposing Release, the Commission identified several 
provisions of Regulation SHO under the Exchange Act that may be 
impacted by the adoption of a T+2 settlement cycle. While not 
referencing specific settlement timeframes (i.e., T+3), certain 
provisions of Regulation SHO key off of ``trade date'' and ``settlement 
date'' to determine the timeframes for compliance relating to sales of 
equity securities and fails to deliver on settlement date. In 
particular, Rule 204 of Regulation SHO (``Rule 204'') provides that a 
participant \137\ of a registered clearing agency must deliver 
securities to a registered clearing agency for clearance and settlement 
on a long or short sale in any equity security by settlement date, or 
if a participant has a fail to deliver position, the participant shall, 
by no later than the beginning of regular trading hours on the 
applicable close-out date, immediately close out the fail to deliver 
position by borrowing or purchasing securities of like kind and 
quantity.\138\ If a fail to deliver position results from a short sale, 
the participant must close out the fail to deliver position by no later 
than the beginning of regular trading hours on the settlement day 
following the settlement date.\139\
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    \137\ For purposes of Regulation SHO, the term ``participant'' 
has the same meaning as in Section 3(a)(24) of the Exchange Act, 15 
U.S.C. 78c(a)(24). See Amendments to Regulation SHO, Exchange Act 
Release No. 60388 (July 27, 2009), 74 FR 38266, 38268 n.34 (July 31, 
2009) (``Rule 204 Adopting Release'').
    \138\ 17 CFR 242.204(a). Under the current T+3 standard 
settlement cycle, the close-out for short sales is required by the 
beginning of regular trading hours on T+4. If a fail to deliver 
results from a long sale or a sale from bona fide market making 
activity, the participant must close-out the fail to deliver 
position by no later than the beginning of regular trading hours on 
the third consecutive settlement day following the settlement date 
(i.e., T+6). 17 CFR 242.204(a)(1) and (a)(3) respectively.
    \139\ Id.

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[[Page 15577]]

    Shortening the standard settlement cycle to T+2 will also impact 
the application of Rule 200(g)(1) of Regulation SHO as it pertains to 
loaned but recalled securities.\140\ Pursuant to Rule 200(g), a broker-
dealer may only mark a sale as ``long'' if the seller is ``deemed to 
own'' the security being sold under paragraphs (a) through (f) of Rule 
200,\141\ and either (i) the security is in the broker-dealer's 
physical possession or control; or (ii) it is reasonably expected that 
the security will be in the broker-dealer's possession or control by 
settlement of the transaction.\142\ In order to clarify the operation 
of Rule 200(g)(1) in the context of loaned but recalled securities, the 
Commission has stated that:
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    \140\ See 17 CFR 242.200(g).
    \141\ See 17 CFR 242.200(a)-(f).
    \142\ See 17 CFR 242.200(g)(1).

. . . if a person that has loaned a security to another person sells 
the security and a bona fide recall of the security is initiated 
within two business days after trade date, the person that has 
loaned the security will be `deemed to own' the security for 
purposes of Rule 200(g)(1), and such sale will not be treated as a 
short sale for purposes of Rule 204T. In addition, a broker-dealer 
may mark such orders as `long' sales provided such marking is also 
in compliance with Rule 200(c) of Regulation SHO.\143\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \143\ See Rule 204 Adopting Release, supra note 137, 74 FR at 
38270 at n.55 (citations omitted).

    Thus, broker-dealers that initiate bona fide recalls \144\ on T+2 
of loaned securities that sellers are ``deemed to own'' under 
paragraphs (a) through (f) of Rule 200 may currently mark such orders 
as ``long.'' \145\ The Commission limited this application of Rule 
200(g)(1) regarding the marking of sales of loaned securities ``long'' 
to those in which bona fide recalls are initiated on or before the 
business day preceding settlement date under the current T+3 settlement 
cycle because the Commission believed that, pursuant to industry 
standards for loaned but recalled securities, such recalls would likely 
be delivered within three business days after initiation of a 
recall.\146\ As a result, in a T+3 environment, recalled securities 
would be available by T+5 to close out the fail to deliver on a 
``long'' sale, or before the close-out for fails on sales marked 
``long'' is otherwise required by Rule 204 (i.e., no later than the 
beginning of regular trading hours on T+6).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \144\ Because a recall must be initiated by no later than the 
business day preceding the settlement date to be delivered prior to 
the required Rule 204 close-out, any cancellation or modification of 
a recall of a security would not constitute a bona fide recall.
    \145\ In the release adopting the ``naked'' short selling 
antifraud rule, Rule 10b-21, 17 CFR 240.10b-21, the Commission 
stated that ``a seller would not be making a representation at the 
time it submits an order to sell a security that it can or intends 
to deliver securities on the date delivery is due if the seller 
submits an order to sell securities that are held in a margin 
account but the broker-dealer has loaned out the shares pursuant to 
the margin agreement. Under such circumstances, it would be 
reasonable for the seller to expect that the securities will be in 
the broker-dealer's physical possession or control by settlement 
date.'' See ``Naked'' Short Selling Antifraud Rule, Exchange Act 
Release No. 58774 (Oct. 14, 2008), 73 FR 61666, 61672 (Oct. 17, 
2008). Thus, a seller of securities would not be deemed to be 
deceiving a broker-dealer under Rule 10b-21 if the seller submits a 
sell order to an executing broker-dealer and informs the executing 
broker-dealer that the seller's shares are in the physical 
possession or control of a prime broker, but neither the seller nor 
the executing broker-dealer knows or has reason to know that the 
prime broker has loaned out the securities pursuant to a margin 
agreement. The Commission notes that this interpretation, which 
concerns whether a seller has made a misrepresentation regarding the 
deliverability of its securities in time for settlement, does not 
apply to rules other than Rule 10b-21.
    \146\ See Master Securities Loan Agreement (``MSLA''), Paragraph 
6.1(a), discussing the termination of a loan of securities (``Unless 
otherwise agreed, either party may terminate a Loan on a termination 
date established by notice given to the other party prior to the 
Close of Business on a Business Day. The termination date 
established by a termination notice shall be a date no earlier than 
the standard settlement date that would apply to a purchase or sale 
of the Loaned Securities (in the case of notice given by Lender) or 
the noncash Collateral securing the Loan (in the case of a notice 
given by Borrower) entered into at the time of such notice, which 
date shall, unless Borrower and Lender agree to the contrary, be (i) 
in the case of Government Securities, the next Business Day 
following such notice and (ii) in the case of all other Securities, 
the third Business Day following such notice''). A sample MSLA can 
be found at http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/59440/000095014405003873/g94498exv10w1.htm.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission sought comment generally on which, if any, 
Commission rules (including Regulation SHO) would need to be amended, 
and whether there is a need to provide interpretive guidance concerning 
any Commission rules, to accommodate a T+2 standard settlement cycle. 
In addition, the Commission sought comment on operational issues that 
might arise by the application of Rule 200(g) of Regulation SHO 
relating to loaned but recalled securities being recalled on T+1 
instead of T+2. The Commission received five comment letters relevant 
to the discussion of Regulation SHO in the T+2 Proposing Release.\147\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \147\ FSR at 4; Fidelity at 3-4; SIFMA at 17-18; Thomson Reuters 
at 2; Guinn. One of these commenters expressed concerns about short 
selling generally and the negative effect of short selling on the 
market, but did not express a view on Regulation SHO. See Guinn.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Several commenters agreed with the Commission's preliminary views 
that shortening the settlement cycle to T+2 would impact other rules, 
and in particular, compliance with Regulation SHO.\148\ Three 
commenters acknowledged that the close-out periods required by Rule 204 
will accelerate because the Rule 204 close-out periods are measured 
from settlement date,\149\ with one of the three raising the specific 
concern that the shorter timeframe may impact customers who do not make 
timely deliveries.\150\ Despite this compression in the compliance 
timeframes under Rule 204, two of these commenters agreed with the 
Commission that because the text of Rule 204 does not explicitly 
reference T+3 as the standard ``settlement date,'' the rule is 
therefore unaffected by the amendment to Rule 15c6-1.\151\ Three 
commenters also agreed that modification of existing interpretation or 
guidance concerning Regulation SHO was appropriate.\152\ Two of these 
commenters specifically encouraged the Commission to revise the staff's 
Frequently Asked Questions on Regulation SHO on the Commission's Web 
site to clarify the implications of a move to T+2 settlement cycle and, 
in particular, that the close-out periods will shorten by a single day 
when measured from the trade date.\153\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \148\ SIFMA at 17; Fidelity at 3-4; FSR at 4; Thomson Reuters at 
2.
    \149\ SIFMA at 17; Fidelity at 3; FSR at 4.
    \150\ FSR at 4.
    \151\ SIFMA at 17; Fidelity at 3.
    \152\ SIFMA at 18; Fidelity at 3; Thomson Reuters at 2.
    \153\ SIFMA at 18; Fidelity at 3. See also Division of Market 
Regulation: Responses to Frequently Asked Questions Concerning 
Regulation SHO, available at https://www.sec.gov/divisions/marketreg/mrfaqregsho1204.htm.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Several commenters noted the potential consequences to the 
securities lending markets, particularly with respect to recalling 
loans to settle transactions.\154\ One of these commenters also raised 
concern that there would likely be an operational impact to stock loan 
departments in terms of policies and procedures and a need to train 
staff to adjust to a shortened recall cycle.\155\ Two of these 
commenters believed that security lenders, security borrowers, and 
service providers are currently addressing the impact of a shortened 
settlement cycle on their business models and trading strategies, and 
in particular, that the move to T+2 will shorten the loan recall period 
by one day.\156\ However, one of these two commenters stated that 
industry participants recognize and support the need for the move to 
T+2 settlement, despite the implication that this move will necessarily 
shorten the recall period by one day, and are prepared to make the 
necessary operational adjustments to accommodate this shortened period.

[[Page 15578]]

These changes, this commenter believed, were anticipated as part of the 
move to T+2 and its clients have been preparing accordingly.\157\ Both 
of these commenters recommended the Commission modify its 
interpretation or guidance regarding the recall period so that it 
reflects the consequences of the move to T+2.\158\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \154\ SIFMA at 18; Fidelity at 3; Thomson Reuters at 2.
    \155\ Thomson Reuters at 2.
    \156\ SIFMA at 18; Fidelity at 4.
    \157\ SIFMA at 18.
    \158\ SIFMA at 18; Fidelity at 4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission acknowledges that the amendment to Rule 15c6-1, as 
adopted, will operate to reduce the timeframes to effect a close-out 
under Rule 204. For example, the existing close-out requirement for 
fail to deliver positions resulting from short sales would be reduced 
from T+4 to T+3 based on the existing definition of settlement date in 
Rule 204.\159\ Similarly, with regard to fails to deliver resulting 
from long sales or sales from bona fide market making activity, the 
existing close-out requirement would be reduced from T+6 to T+5. After 
considering comments, in particular that industry participants stated 
that they have either already anticipated the shortening of the 
Regulation SHO close-out period or are prepared to make the necessary 
operational adjustments, the Commission is not making any changes to 
the rule text of Regulation SHO.\160\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \159\ See 17 CFR 242.204(g)(1).
    \160\ See 17 CFR 200 et seq.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission believes, however, that, to the extent that 
customers have not made timely deliveries and have caused a fail to 
deliver by a broker-dealer, any indirect impacts on such customers are 
warranted.\161\ In addition, the Commission believes that a compliance 
date of September 5, 2017 will provide retail investors with time to 
become informed--either directly or through their broker-dealers--of 
the change to a T+2 standard settlement cycle and determine what 
changes to their own processes and behaviors may be necessary to 
participate in the market under a shorter settlement cycle.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \161\ In the Rule 204 Adopting Release, the Commission 
recognized that requiring broker-dealers to close-out fails to 
deliver promptly after they occur may result in costs to certain 
participants, but believed that ``such costs are limited and are 
justified by the fact that the rule will continue our efforts to 
achieve our goals of reducing fails to deliver by maintaining the 
reductions in fails to deliver achieved by the adoption of temporary 
Rule 204T, as well as other actions taken by the Commission, and 
addressing potentially abusive `naked' short selling and, thereby 
help restore, maintain, and enhance investor confidence in the 
markets.'' Rule 204 Adopting Release, supra note 137, 74 FR at 
38286.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    With regard to commenters' request to modify guidance regarding the 
recall of loaned securities to reflect the consequences of the move to 
T+2, the adoption of a T+2 settlement cycle means that bona fide 
recalls initiated on T+2 as described above would likely not be 
delivered before the close-out requirement for fails on sales marked 
``long'' under Rule 204 (i.e., no later than the beginning of regular 
trading hours on T+5 under a T+2 settlement cycle).\162\ As a result, 
the Commission is now clarifying that recalls of loaned securities that 
are initiated by no later than the settlement day before the settlement 
date may be marked ``long,'' provided the seller is otherwise net long 
in accordance with Rule 200(c) of Regulation SHO.\163\ This 
clarification should help ensure that loaned but recalled securities 
would be available by T+4 before the close-out period for fails on 
sales marked ``long'' would otherwise be required by Rule 204 (i.e., no 
later than the beginning of regular trading hours on T+5). 
Specifically, in a T+2 settlement cycle, a broker-dealer seeking to 
mark an order ``long'' for loaned but recalled securities would need to 
initiate a bona fide recall of a security on the settlement day before 
the settlement date (i.e., T+1), provided the seller is also net long 
under Rule 200(c) of Regulation SHO. Otherwise, the general 
requirements of Rule 200 of Regulation SHO would govern, and sales of 
loaned securities could only be marked ``long'' if the seller is 
``deemed to own'' the security being sold and either (i) the security 
is in the broker-dealer's physical possession or control; or (ii) it is 
reasonably expected that the security will be in the broker-dealer's 
possession or control by settlement of the transaction.\164\
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    \162\ The Commission notes that a participant may not offset the 
amount of its fail to deliver position with shares that the 
participant receives or will receive during the applicable close-out 
date (i.e., during T+4 or T+6, as applicable, under a T+3 settlement 
cycle, or during T+3 or T+5, as applicable, under a T+2 settlement 
cycle) but must take affirmative action, by borrowing or purchasing 
securities of like kind and quantity, at or before the beginning of 
regular trading hours on the applicable close-out date. See Rule 204 
Adopting Release, supra note 137, 74 FR at 38272.
    \163\ The staff's Frequently Asked Questions regarding 
Regulation SHO include some non-substantive introductory language 
that references specific settlement dates. In response to 
commenters' request that such language be updated following adoption 
of the shortened settlement cycle, the Commission directs the staff 
to review the document and make updates as necessary and 
appropriate.
    \164\ See 17 CFR 242.200(g).
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2. Financial Responsibility Rules Under the Exchange Act
    As noted in the T+2 Proposing Release, certain provisions of the 
broker-dealer financial responsibility rules under the Exchange Act 
\165\ reference explicitly or implicitly the settlement date of a 
securities transaction. For example, Rule 15c3-3(m) provides that if a 
broker-dealer executes a sell order of a customer (other than an order 
to execute a sale of securities for which the seller does not own) and 
if for any reason whatever the broker-dealer has not obtained 
possession of the securities from the customer within 10 business days 
after the settlement date, the broker-dealer must immediately close the 
transaction with the customer by purchasing securities of like kind and 
quantity.\166\ Settlement date is also referenced in paragraph (c)(9) 
of Exchange Act Rule 15c3-1,\167\ which explains what it means to 
``promptly transmit'' funds and ``promptly deliver'' securities within 
the meaning of paragraphs (a)(2)(i) and (a)(2)(v) of Rule 15c3-1.\168\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \165\ The term ``financial responsibility rules,'' for purposes 
of this release, includes any rule adopted by the Commission 
pursuant to Sections 8, 15(c)(3), 17(a), or 17(e)(1)(A) of the 
Exchange Act, any rule adopted by the Commission relating to 
hypothecation or lending of customer securities, or any rule adopted 
by the Commission relating to the protection of funds or securities. 
The financial responsibility rules include Exchange Act Rules 15c3-1 
(17 CFR 240.15c3-1), 15c3-3 (17 CFR 240.15c3-3), 17a-3 (17 CFR 
240.17a-3), 17a-4 (17 CFR 240.17a-4), 17a-5 (17 CFR 240.17a-5), 17a-
11 (17 CFR 240.17a-11), and 17a-13 (17 CFR 240.17a-13).
    \166\ 17 CFR 240.15c3-3(m). However, paragraph (m) of Rule 15c3-
3 provides that the term ``customer'' for the purpose of paragraph 
(m) does not include a broker or dealer who maintains an omnibus 
credit account with another broker or dealer in compliance with Rule 
7(f) of Regulation T (12 CFR 220.7(f)).
    \167\ 17 CFR 240.15c3-1(c)(9).
    \168\ 17 CFR 240.15c3-1(a)(2)(i), (a)(2)(v). The concepts of 
promptly transmitting funds and promptly delivering securities are 
incorporated in other provisions of the financial responsibility 
rules, including paragraphs (k)(1)(iii), (k)(2)(i), and (k)(2)(ii) 
of Rule 15c3-3 (17 CFR 240.15c3-3(k)(1)(iii)), (k)(2)(i), 
(k)(2)(ii)), paragraph (e)(1)(A) of Rule 17a-5 (17 CFR 240.17a-
5(e)(1)(A)), and paragraph (a)(3) of Rule 17a-13 (17 CFR 240.17a-
13(a)(3)).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission requested comment regarding the potential impact 
that shortening the standard settlement cycle from T+3 to T+2 may have 
on the ability of broker-dealers to comply with the financial 
responsibility rules. One commenter described certain requirements 
provided in Rule 15c3-3(m), and stated that it did not believe a change 
to that rule is required in order to support migration to T+2.\169\ A 
second commenter stated that shortening the settlement cycle by one day 
will reduce the number of days (from 13 business days to 12 business 
days) a broker-dealer will have under Rule 15c3-3(m) to obtain 
possession of the securities or close out a customer's

[[Page 15579]]

transaction, possibly to the detriment of the customer.\170\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \169\ SIFMA at 22.
    \170\ FSR at 3-4.
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    The Commission acknowledges that shortening the standard settlement 
cycle to T+2 will effectively reduce the number of days (from 13 
business days to 12 business days) that a broker-dealer will have to 
obtain possession of customer securities before being required to close 
out a customer transaction under Rule 15c3-3(m). The Commission notes 
that the operations supporting the processing of customer orders by 
broker-dealers and the technology supporting those operations have 
developed substantially since 1972, when the Commission adopted 
paragraph (m) of Rule 15c3-3.\171\ The Commission believes that these 
developments have resulted in a lower frequency of broker-dealers 
failing to obtain possession of the securities from their customers 
within 10 business days after the settlement date. Therefore, the 
Commission believes that these developments in technology and broker-
dealer operations diminish the potential for customers to be adversely 
affected by the change from 13 business days to 12 business days. 
Accordingly, the Commission does not believe that the change from 13 
business days to 12 business days will materially burden broker-dealers 
or their customers, and the Commission does not believe that it is 
necessary to amend Rule 15c3-3(m) at this time.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \171\ See Exchange Act Release No. 9882 (November 17, 1972), 37 
FR 25224 (November 29, 1972).
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3. Exchange Act Rule 10b-10
    Exchange Act Rule 10b-10 requires a broker-dealer to give or send a 
customer a written confirmation disclosing information relevant to the 
transaction ``at or before completion of [the] transaction.'' \172\ 
Rule 10b-10 does not directly refer to the settlement cycle but instead 
defines the term at or before ``completion of the transaction'' by 
reference to Exchange Act Rule 15c1-1.\173\ Generally, Rule 15c1-1 
defines ``completion of the transaction'' to mean the time when: (i) A 
customer is required to deliver the security being sold; (ii) a 
customer is required to pay for the security being purchased; or (iii) 
a broker-dealer makes a bookkeeping entry showing a transfer of the 
security from the customer's account or payment by the customer of the 
purchase price.\174\
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    \172\ 17 CFR 240.10b-10(a).
    \173\ See 17 CFR 240.10b-10(d)(1).
    \174\ See 17 CFR 240.15c1-1(b).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As the Commission noted in the T+2 Proposing Release, while a 
confirmation must be sent ``at or before completion'' of the 
transaction, Commission rules do not require that the customer receive 
a confirmation prior to settlement.\175\ When adopting Rule 15c6-1 in 
1993 to establish a T+3 standard settlement cycle, the Commission noted 
that broker-dealers typically send customer confirmations on the day 
after trade date.\176\ In the T+2 Proposing Release, the Commission 
stated that it understands that, while broker-dealers may continue to 
send physical customer confirmations on the day after the trade date, 
broker-dealers may also send electronic confirmations to customers on 
the trade date. Accordingly, the Commission noted its preliminary 
belief that implementation of a T+2 settlement cycle will not create 
problems with regard to a broker-dealer's ability to comply with the 
requirement under Rule 10b-10 to send a confirmation ``at or before 
completion'' of the transaction, but acknowledged that broker-dealers 
will have a shorter timeframe to comply with the requirements of Rule 
10b-10 in a T+2 settlement cycle.\177\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \175\ T+2 Proposing Release, supra note 1, 81 FR at 69261.
    \176\ T+3 Adopting Release, supra note 15, 58 FR at 52908.
    \177\ T+2 Proposing Release, supra note 1, 81 FR at 69261.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission received one comment pertaining to certain no-action 
letters and exemptive relief that allow a broker-dealer providing a 
dividend reinvestment program (``DRIP'') to confirm automatic dividend 
reinvestments on monthly account statements in lieu of the trade-by-
trade confirmations generally required by Rule 10b-10.\178\ This 
commenter stated that moving to a T+2 standard settlement cycle does 
not directly conflict with the flexibility afforded by the relief that 
has been granted, but nonetheless questioned whether the recipients of 
such relief would be able to continue to rely on it given that the 
requesting letters typically include a detailed description of the 
program operations, including reference to their operation within a T+3 
settlement cycle.\179\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \178\ SIFMA at 21.
    \179\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission agrees with the commenter that a firm should not be 
deemed to have departed from the procedures described in the applicable 
no-action letter or exemptive relief regarding the application of Rule 
10b-10 to DRIP transactions solely by reason of the firm's 
transitioning to a shorter settlement cycle and operating the program 
on a T+2 settlement cycle.
4. Prime-Broker No-Action Letter
    The Commission received two comment letters discussing a no-action 
letter issued by Commission staff known as the ``Prime Broker No-Action 
Letter.'' \180\ In particular, the commenters noted that one of the 
important rights that prime brokers hold under the Prime Broker No-
Action Letter is the right to ``disaffirm'' all previously affirmed 
institutional trades of a customer reported by executing brokers to the 
prime broker for clearance and settlement, without which the prime 
broker would be responsible for settling the transaction.\181\ One 
commenter stated that, without industry-wide consensus to change common 
technology platforms currently used in the industry, the move to a T+2 
settlement cycle is likely to shorten the cutoff time frame for prime 
brokers to disaffirm trades, with the cutoff time moving from T+2 to 
the morning of T+1.\182\ The commenter further stated that moving to an 
earlier cutoff time for disaffirming trades decreases prime brokers' 
ability to manage their exposure to risk (vis-[agrave]-vis customers) 
that arises from margin calls issued by prime brokers on T+1.\183\
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    \180\ Prime Broker Committee, SEC No-Action Letter (Jan. 25, 
1994), available at https://www.sec.gov/divisions/marketreg/mr-noaction/pbroker012594-out.pdf (discussed in SIFMA at 18-19 and 
Fidelity at 4).
    \181\ SIFMA at 18-19; Fidelity at 4. One commenter further noted 
that, generally, the prime broker's right to disaffirm has provided 
an incentive for speedy affirmation of such trades, as evidenced in 
the high prime-broker same-day affirmation rate, while still 
permitting the prime broker to manage its risk vis-[agrave]-vis the 
customer. SIFMA at 19.
    \182\ SIFMA at 19.
    \183\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Both commenters acknowledged that changes to the Prime Broker No-
Action Letter were not necessarily a prerequisite to shortening the 
standard settlement cycle to T+2. However, the commenters also noted 
that it would be helpful for the Commission to revisit this guidance to 
ensure that it reflects current market practices, including the 
shortened settlement cycle.\184\ In addition, one commenter stated that 
certain prime brokers, together with Omgeo \185\ and The Depository 
Trust & Clearing Corporation (``DTCC''), are meeting to discuss the 
potential impact of a move to a shorter settlement cycle on prime 
broker trade processing, particularly as it relates to the ability to 
effectuate a disaffirmation from a

[[Page 15580]]

technology perspective.\186\ Finally, the commenter stated that it 
supports ongoing efforts by Commission staff to evaluate potential 
updates to the Prime Broker No-Action Letter, but notes that industry 
groups are continuing their work to operationalize the processes 
contemplated in a T+2 environment and consider required changes to the 
agreements between prime brokers and executing brokers.\187\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \184\ SIFMA at 17, 19; Fidelity at 4.
    \185\ Omgeo is an exempt clearing agency that currently provides 
matching and ETC services for the U.S. equity markets. See note 24 
and accompanying text supra.
    \186\ SIFMA at 19.
    \187\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission acknowledges the commenters' views that the move to 
a T+2 standard settlement cycle may, in the absence of additional 
changes to industry practices, result in an earlier cutoff time for 
prime brokers to disaffirm trades of customers reported by executing 
brokers. Additionally, the Commission notes that the comments also 
suggest that the industry is currently considering how best to 
operationalize the relevant prime brokerage processes in a T+2 standard 
settlement cycle, and that the comments do not recommend specific 
changes or modifications to the Prime Broker No-Action Letter. The 
Commission expects that its staff will consider whether modifications 
to the Prime Broker No-Action letter are appropriate in connection with 
industry implementation of the T+2 standard settlement cycle.
5. Prospectus Delivery
    In the T+2 Proposing Release, the Commission requested comment on 
whether the adoption of a T+2 settlement cycle would create any legal 
or operational concerns for issuers or broker-dealers related to their 
ability to comply with the prospectus delivery obligations under the 
Securities Act.\188\ As noted in the T+2 Proposing Release, Securities 
Act Rule 172 implements an ``access equals delivery'' model that 
permits, with certain exceptions, final prospectus delivery obligations 
to be satisfied by the filing of a final prospectus with the 
Commission, rather than delivery of the prospectus to purchasers.\189\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \188\ T+2 Proposing Release, supra note 1, 81 FR at 69263. 
Section 5(b)(2) of the Securities Act makes it unlawful to deliver 
(i.e., as part of settlement) a security ``unless accompanied or 
preceded'' by a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 
10(a) of the Act (known as a ``final prospectus''). 15 U.S.C. 
77e(b)(2).
    \189\ T+2 Proposing Release, supra note 1, 81 FR at 69254, 
n.113. Under Securities Act Rule 172(b), an obligation under Section 
5(b)(2) of the Securities Act to have a prospectus that satisfies 
the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Act precede or accompany 
the delivery of a security in a registered offering is satisfied 
only if the conditions specified in paragraph (c) of Rule 172 are 
met. Paragraph (d) of Rule 172 provides that Rule 172 does not apply 
to any offerings of investment companies or business development 
companies, or to a business combination, or any offering registered 
on Form S-8 (17 CFR 239.16b).
    Under Securities Act Rule 174(h), a dealer may satisfy any 
obligation to deliver a prospectus pursuant to Section 4(a)(3) of 
the Securities Act (other than for blank check companies) by 
complying with the provisions of Securities Act Rule 172. 17 CFR 
230.174(h). (In 2012, Congress enacted the Jumpstart Our Business 
Startups Act, which re-designated Section 4(3) of the Securities Act 
as Section 4(a)(3). Public Law 112-106, Sec. 201(b)(1), (c)(1), Apr. 
5, 2012, 126 Stat 306.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Two commenters submitted letters encouraging the Commission to 
permit expanded use of electronic delivery of prospectuses and other 
materials that broker-dealers are required to provide to investors at 
or prior to settlement in accordance with various provisions of the 
securities laws.\190\ One commenter expressed concern that, for 
securities that do not benefit from access equals delivery, the move to 
T+2 leaves little or no margin for operational difficulties that could 
delay the delivery of a prospectus despite a good faith effort by the 
broker-dealer.\191\ In light of the potential for unforeseen or 
unanticipated disruption to this process, the commenter encouraged the 
Commission to provide for a reasonable means to comply or otherwise 
avoid non-compliance with prospectus and confirmation delivery 
requirements, given the operational constraints associated with 
physical delivery.\192\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \190\ SIFMA at 20-21; Fidelity at 5-6; see also note 188 supra.
    \191\ SIFMA at 20. In support of that concern, the commenter 
noted that the current process to effectuate delivery of such 
documentation often entails a number of steps that occur late in the 
day and overnight to ensure compliance.
    \192\ Id. at 21. As an example, the commenter suggested that the 
Commission could provide guidance indicating that it will consider a 
broker-dealer to have met the requirement to deliver both a physical 
prospectus and a confirmation prior to settlement when the broker-
dealer has made a good faith effort to deliver the physical 
prospectus and confirmation prior to settlement and delivers the 
prospectus and confirmation as soon as practicable thereafter. The 
commenter also suggested that the Commission could provide guidance 
indicating that when a confirmation is sent in advance of the 
prospectus as a result of an unforeseen delay, the confirmation will 
not be deemed a ``nonconforming'' prospectus in violation of Section 
5 of the Securities Act if the dealer has made a good faith effort 
to deliver the prospectus and the prospectus is delivered as soon as 
practicable thereafter. Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The second commenter focused more generally on the use of 
electronic delivery.\193\ The commenter believed that shareholder 
preferences and technology regarding internet usage has changed 
considerably over the years, and that the Commission should, in light 
of these changes, update its existing guidance on the use of electronic 
media.\194\ The commenter further asserted that electronic delivery, 
particularly under a notice and access model, offers investors an 
opportunity to receive up-to-date information in a format to which they 
are accustomed and that is searchable. Lastly, the commenter stated 
that electronic delivery offers significant cost savings benefits to 
investors and to the intermediaries that support them and is 
environmentally friendly.\195\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \193\ Fidelity at 5-6.
    \194\ Id.
    \195\ Id. at 6.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission received comments, which suggested that operational 
difficulties may arise if the standard settlement cycle is shortened to 
T+2 in instances where a broker-dealer is required to deliver a 
physical prospectus. Such commenters, however, did not identify 
specific instances where such operational difficulties could occur. If, 
during implementation, specific issues arise, the Commission encourages 
industry participants to bring them to the attention of the staff. 
Accordingly, the Commission is not at this time providing guidance on 
these requirements.

D. Exemptive Orders Excluding Certain Products From the Requirements of 
Rule 15c6-1(a)

    To help facilitate the establishment of a T+3 settlement cycle, the 
Commission issued an exemptive order in 1995 granting a limited 
exemption for securities that do not generally trade in the U.S. by 
providing that all transactions in securities that do not have transfer 
or delivery facilities in the U.S. are exempt from the scope of Rule 
15c6-1.\196\ In the T+2 Proposing Release, the Commission requested 
comment as to whether this exemptive order should be modified or 
whether the conditions of that exemption were still appropriate.\197\ 
The Commission did not receive any comment letters pertaining to this 
exemptive order and is not rescinding or modifying it.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \196\ See Securities Transactions Settlement, Exchange Act 
Release No. 35750 (May 22, 1995), 60 FR 27994, 27995 (May 26, 1995) 
(granting exemption for certain transactions in foreign securities).
    \197\ See T+2 Proposing Release, supra note 1, 81 FR at 69262.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission also granted an exemption from the T+3 settlement 
cycle for contracts for the purchase or sale of any security issued by 
an insurance company (as defined in Section 2(a)(17) of the Investment 
Company Act) \198\ that is funded by or participates in a ``separate 
account'' (as defined in Section 2(a)(37) of the Investment Company 
Act),\199\ including

[[Page 15581]]

a variable annuity contract or a variable life insurance contract, or 
any other insurance contract registered as a security under the 
Securities Act.\200\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \198\ 15 U.S.C. 80a-2(a)(17).
    \199\ 15 U.S.C. 80a-2(a)(37).
    \200\ See Securities Transactions Settlement, Exchange Act 
Release No. 35815 (June 6, 1995), 60 FR 30906, 30907 (June 12, 1995) 
(granting exemption for transactions involving certain insurance 
contracts). Certain insurance contracts, including variable annuity 
contracts and variable life insurance contracts, have been deemed to 
be securities under the Securities Act. SEC v. Variable Annuity Life 
Ins. Co. of America, 359 U.S. 65 (1959) (variable annuity contracts 
are ``securities'' which must be registered with the Commission 
under the Securities Act); Adoption of Rule 3c-4 under the 
Investment Company Act of 1940, Exchange Act Release No. 9972, 1 SEC 
Docket 17 (Jan. 31, 1973) (a public offering of variable life 
insurance contracts involved an offering of securities required to 
be registered under the Securities Act).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In the T+2 Proposing Release, the Commission requested comment as 
to whether the conditions set forth in the existing exemption for 
registered insurance products continued to be appropriate, or whether 
the exemption should be modified.\201\ Two commenters stated that the 
conditions for the Commission's existing exemption for registered 
insurance products are still appropriate, and as such, the exemption 
should be preserved.\202\ In support of that view, both of these 
commenters argued that the conditions and considerations set forth in 
the 1995 exemptive order apply as much today as in 1995 and are even 
more applicable in a T+2 environment.\203\ According to one of these 
commenters, insurance companies issuing registered insurance products 
are still subject to specific federal and state law requirements, as 
noted in the Commission's exemptive order.\204\ Further, this commenter 
noted that no relevant market or regulatory conditions have changed, 
and that no relevant features of insurance products have changed since 
the Commission determined that the insurance exemption was justified in 
light of such requirements.\205\ In addition, the commenter noted that 
registered insurance products do not trade in the same manner as most 
other securities, they are not listed on exchanges or sold in the OTC 
market, and these products do not present the credit, market, 
liquidity, and systemic risks that Rule 15c6-1 is designed to 
address.\206\ The other commenter believed that it would be helpful for 
the Commission to include language in the adopting release noting that 
the exemptive order for insurance products remains intact and is not 
affected by the proposed amendment.\207\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \201\ See T+2 Proposing Release, supra note 1, 81 FR at 69262.
    \202\ CAI at 1; Fidelity at 4.
    \203\ CAI at 3; Fidelity at 4.
    \204\ Specifically, this commenter stated that the Commission's 
order noted certain federal and state law requirements on insurers 
to: (1) Assess the purchaser's insurability and mortality risk, 
which often involves time consuming medical examinations, laboratory 
tests, and review of medical records; (2) conduct a review to 
determine any additional requirements imposed by the Internal 
Revenue Code or ERISA; and (3) preserve and implement, as required 
by state law in many jurisdictions, a purchaser's right to return or 
cancel an insurance contract for any reason within a specified time 
of delivery (so-called ``free look'' requirements). CAI at 3 (citing 
to Release Nos. 33-7177; 34-35815 (June 6, 1995), 60 FR 30906 (June 
12, 1995)).
    \205\ CAI at 3.
    \206\ Id. at 4.
    \207\ Fidelity at 4-5.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission has carefully considered the comments and is not 
rescinding or modifying the exemptive order for registered insurance 
products.

IV. Compliance Date

    In the T+2 Proposing Release, the Commission noted that in setting 
a compliance date it would need to provide sufficient time to allow for 
broker-dealers, clearing agencies, and other market participants to 
plan for, implement, and test changes to their systems, operations, 
policies, and procedures in a manner that would allow for an orderly 
transition to a T+2 standard settlement cycle. The Commission also 
noted that the Industry Steering Group (``ISC'') \208\ that was formed 
to facilitate the transition to a T+2 settlement cycle published, in 
conjunction with Deloitte & Touche LLP, the T+2 Industry Implementation 
Playbook (``T+2 Playbook''), which set forth an implementation timeline 
with milestones and dependencies, as well as detailed remedial 
activities that impacted market participants should consider to prepare 
for a migration to a T+2 settlement cycle.\209\ This implementation 
timeline provides for a transition to a T+2 settlement cycle in the 
third quarter of 2017. Subsequent to publication of the T+2 Playbook, 
the ISC identified September 5, 2017 as the target date for the 
transition to a T+2 settlement cycle.\210\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \208\ DTCC, in collaboration with the Investment Company 
Institute and the Securities Industry and Financial Markets 
Association, and other market participants, formed the ISC in 
October 2014. See Press Release, DTCC, Industry Steering Committee 
and Working Group Formed to Drive Implementation of T+2 in the U.S. 
(Oct. 2014), http://www.dtcc.com/news/2014/october/16/ust2.aspx.
    \209\ Deloitte & Touche LLP & ISC, T+2 Industry Implementation 
Playbook (Dec. 2015), http://www.ust2.com/pdfs/T2-Playbook-12-21-15.pdf.
    \210\ The ISC announced in March 2016 that it identified 
September 5, 2017 as a target implementation date. See Press 
Release, ISC, US T+2 ISC Recommends Move to Shorter Settlement Cycle 
On September 5, 2017 (Mar. 7, 2016), http://www.ust2.com/pdfs/T2-ISC-recommends-shorter-settlement-030716.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In response to the T+2 Proposing Release, several commenters 
supported September 5, 2017 as the compliance date for the proposed 
changes to Rule 15c6-1(a), and no commenters suggested an alternative 
compliance date for the Commission's consideration or otherwise 
addressed the compliance date issue.\211\ In identifying September 5, 
2017, two commenters noted that they attempted to determine the lowest 
risk date on which to migrate to a shorter settlement cycle, and that 
considerations included, holidays, high-volume events such as index 
rebalancing, options expiration, and scheduled corporate action events, 
among others.\212\ One commenter cited the advantages of September 5, 
2017 being the Tuesday following Labor Day, which would provide market 
participants with a three-day weekend to implement and test system and 
procedural changes.\213\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \211\ CCMA at 2-3; DTCC Letter at 3-4; Fidelity at 2; FIF at 1; 
ICI at 6; IDC at 2; SIFMA at 2, 3-4; Thomson Reuters at 2; WFA at 3.
    \212\ DTCC Letter at 3-4; SIFMA at 5.
    \213\ DTCC Letter at 4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Several commenters noted work that already has been performed by 
market participants to implement a T+2 standard settlement cycle on a 
schedule consistent with the target implementation date set forth by 
the ISC.\214\ As a means of ensuring that market participants continue 
to work towards implementation of a T+2 standard settlement cycle on 
this timeline, several commenters encouraged the Commission to adopt 
the amendment to Rule 15c6-1(a) by March 2017 and set a compliance date 
consistent with the target date set by the ISC, which would provide 
market participants with certainty that the transition to a shorter 
settlement cycle would occur as well as provide time to implement and 
test changes necessary to support a transition to a shorter settlement 
cycle.\215\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \214\ DTCC Letter at 4; SIFMA at 14; Thomson Reuters at 1-2.
    \215\ Fidelity at 2; FIF at 1; ICI at 6; SIFMA at 2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    One commenter specifically noted that the industry-wide testing 
approach developed by the ISC suggested that a six-month test period 
prior to the compliance date would be required to meet industry 
requirements.\216\ This commenter also expressly supported Commission 
action in March 2017, stating that swift, decisive leadership by the 
Commission to adopt the T+2 settlement cycle by March 2017 would 
guarantee industry participants continue their efforts to complete the 
operational and technological changes

[[Page 15582]]

required to move to a shorter settlement cycle.\217\ This commenter 
also noted that testing within individual firms and between firms has 
already begun, with industry-wide testing scheduled to begin on 
February 13, 2017.\218\ One commenter noted that formal projects to 
migrate its systems to T+2 have been created across multiple product 
lines, and that it is well on-track to have all required changes 
completed and positioned to support industry testing scheduled to take 
place in February 2017.\219\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \216\ SIFMA at 4-5.
    \217\ Id. at 2.
    \218\ Id. This commenter also noted that testing of changes 
related to a transition to a T+2 standard settlement cycle is being 
coordinated with testing associated with other industry initiatives, 
including, among others, Regulation Systems Compliance and Integrity 
and the implementation of the Consolidated Audit Trail. Id. at 9.
    \219\ DTCC Letter at 4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In light of the scope of industry preparation highlighted by the 
commenters as necessary for a successful transition by all market 
participants to a T+2 standard settlement cycle, the Commission 
believes that September 5, 2017 is an appropriate compliance date, and 
an earlier date could result in disruptions to the securities markets 
if market participants are not able to complete the changes necessary 
to support a T+2 standard settlement cycle on a shorter timeline. 
Commenters supporting a September 5, 2017 compliance date indicated 
that industry preparations have continued to proceed since the March 
2016 announcement by the ISC of the target implementation date and are 
anticipated to be completed in time for a transition to a shorter 
settlement cycle by September 5, 2017.\220\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \220\ SIFMA at 2, 4-5, 9; DTCC Letter at 4; Thomson Reuters at 
1-2; WFA at 2-3; ICI at 6. With respect to the preparedness of SROs 
for a transition to a shortened standard settlement cycle, the 
Commission received one comment noting that, although several SROs 
already had published changes or proposed changes to their rules to 
accommodate a shortened settlement cycle, there are still certain 
SRO rules requiring amendment to recognize the T+2 settlement cycle. 
Such rules may specifically establish or reference a T+3 settlement 
cycle, but they also may not contain specific references to T+3 and 
instead establish time frames based on the settlement date of a 
trade. See SIFMA at 6 (identifying three particular rules that 
specifically reference a T+3 settlement cycle). The Commission 
already has approved certain SRO rule changes to accommodate a T+2 
settlement cycle. See, e.g., NYSE Arca, Inc.; Order Granting 
Approval of a Proposed Rule Change to Conform to Proposed Amendment 
to Rule 15c6-1(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to 
Shorten the Standard Settlement Cycle from T+3 to T+2, Exchange Act 
Release No. 79732 (Jan. 4, 2017); MSRB; Order Granting Approval of a 
Proposed Rule Change Consisting of Proposed Amendments to Rules G-12 
and G-15 to Define Regular-Way Settlement for Municipal Securities 
Transactions as Occurring on a Two-Day Settlement Cycle and 
Technical Conforming Amendments, Exchange Act Release No. 77744 
(April 29, 2016).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission received two comment letters referencing certain 
regulations of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (``FDIC'') and 
the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (``OCC'') which use 
language similar to the language in Rule 15c6-1(a) being amended 
today.\221\ One commenter described these as rules that should be 
amended in light of the move to a T+2 settlement cycle. The commenter 
noted that the industry is in contact with each of these regulatory 
entities regarding these rules and stated its belief that none of these 
anticipated changes should present an obstacle to the migration 
currently underway.\222\ The other commenter noted that these rules are 
virtually identical to Rule 15c6-1 and requested that the Commission 
coordinate with both the FDIC and OCC on changes to their rules that 
match the proposal.\223\ Commission staff is in contact and 
coordination with staff from these agencies, and Commission staff also 
understands that staff from these agencies are in contact with the 
industry regarding these rules and the shift to a T+2 settlement cycle. 
These commenters did not identify a specific problem or impediment 
arising from the existence of these rules, and the Commission does not 
see the existence of these rules as an impediment to adopting the 
amendment to Rule 15c6-1(a).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \221\ See SIFMA at 6 and FSR at 5 (identifying FDIC Rule 
344.7(a) and OCC Rule 12.9(a) as using language mirroring that in 
Rule 15c6-1).
    \222\ SIFMA at 6.
    \223\ FSR at 5. This commenter also requested that the 
Commission work with the FDIC and OCC to ensure that they amend 
their equivalent rules sufficiently in advance of the T+2 compliance 
date. Id. at 2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Therefore, the Commission believes that September 5, 2017 is an 
appropriate compliance date by which the transition to a T+2 standard 
settlement cycle should be completed. The Commission believes that a 
compliance date of September 5, 2017 provides sufficient time for 
broker-dealers, clearing agencies, SROs and other market participants, 
including retail investors,\224\ to plan for, implement, promulgate new 
rules, and test changes to systems, operations, policies, and 
procedures.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \224\ As previously discussed, one commenter noted concerns 
about the impact of a T+2 settlement cycle on investors that do not 
make timely deliveries and the potential implications for Exchange 
Act Rules 15c3-3(m) and 204. See notes 150 and 170 supra. The 
Commission believes that a compliance date of September 5, 2017 will 
provide retail investors with time to become informed--either 
directly or through their broker-dealers--of the change to a T+2 
standard settlement cycle and determine what changes to their own 
processes and behaviors may be necessary to participate in the 
market under a shorter settlement cycle.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

V. Further Reductions in the Settlement Cycle

    In the T+2 Proposing Release, the Commission requested comment on 
whether additional reductions in the settlement cycle could be 
achieved.\225\ As also discussed in Parts III.A.3.c and VI.D.1 and 2, a 
few commenters urged the Commission to adopt a T+1 or shorter standard 
settlement cycle citing benefits similar to those of a T+2 standard 
settlement cycle, but greater in magnitude.\226\ One commenter asserted 
that the Commission should move without undue delay toward a T+1 
standard based on STP.\227\ Another commenter noted the proposed rule 
change did not go far enough to treat all investors equally and thought 
the settlement cycle should be 24 hours as a maximum timeframe and one 
hour at a minimum.\228\ Another commenter stated that it was time to 
implement ``instantaneous'' settlement of trades, noting that the 
practical impact of longer settlement cycles is that if he is 
``actively trading,'' the commenter would not have access to the 
proceeds of a transaction until it settled and therefore had to keep 
funds ``un-invested'' at all times.\229\ As discussed in further detail 
in Part VI.D.1, several commenters argued against a move to a 
settlement cycle shorter than T+2, citing the industry coordination 
challenges, higher investment costs, and the longer time needed to 
recoup the investment.\230\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \225\ See T+2 Proposing Release, 81 FR at 69262.
    \226\ CFA at 1-4; Spydell.
    \227\ CFA at 1, 3.
    \228\ Spydell.
    \229\ Parker.
    \230\ Thomson Reuters at 2, WFA at 3, MFA at 2, and DTCC Letter 
at 4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission believes at this time that a successful transition 
to a settlement cycle shorter than T+2 would require comparatively 
larger investments by market participants to adopt new systems and 
processes.\231\ However, the Commission notes that a move to a T+1 
standard settlement cycle could have similar qualitative benefits of 
market, credit, and liquidity risk reduction for market participants as 
a move to a T+2 standard settlement cycle. Accordingly, the staff of 
the Commission will undertake to submit a report to the Commission no 
later than three years from the compliance date of Rule 15c6-1(a) as 
amended herein. This report will include, but not be limited to an 
examination of:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \231\ See Part VI.D.1.

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[[Page 15583]]

    (i) The impact of today's amendment to Rule 15c6-1(a) to establish 
a T+2 standard settlement cycle on market participants, including 
investors;
    (ii) the potential impacts associated with movement to a shorter 
settlement cycle beyond T+2;
    (iii) the identification of technological and operational 
improvements that can be used to facilitate a movement to a shorter 
settlement cycle; and
    (iv) cross-market impacts (including international developments) 
related to the shortening of the settlement cycle to T+2.
    Given that the report will be based on data and information 
available to Commission staff, the Commission invites academics, market 
participants, fellow regulators and other interested parties to provide 
data and information that will be useful in informing the staff's 
study.

VI. Economic Analysis

    The Commission has prepared an economic analysis in connection with 
the amendment to Rule 15c6-1(a) that it is adopting today. The economic 
analysis begins with a discussion of the risks inherent in the standard 
settlement cycle for securities transactions and the impact that 
shortening the standard settlement cycle may have on the management and 
mitigation of these risks. Next, the economic analysis summarizes and 
considers comments that address the costs and benefits of a shorter 
settlement cycle, as well as comments about the economic analysis 
provided in the T+2 Proposing Release. Finally, the economic analysis 
discusses certain market frictions that potentially impair the ability 
of market participants to shorten the settlement cycle in the absence 
of a Commission rule. The discussion regarding settlement cycle risks 
and market frictions frames the Commission's analysis of the rule's 
benefits and costs in later sections. The Commission believes that the 
amendment to Rule 15c6-1(a) will ameliorate these market frictions and 
thus will reduce the risks inherent in settlement.
    After discussing the aforementioned risks and market frictions, the 
economic analysis then provides a baseline of current practices. The 
economic analysis then discusses the likely economic effects of the 
amendment, such as the costs and benefits of the adopted amendment as 
well as its effects on efficiency, competition, and capital 
formation.\232\ The Commission has, where possible, attempted to 
quantify the economic effects expected to result from the amendment.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \232\ Section 3(f) of the Exchange Act requires the Commission, 
when engaging in rulemaking that requires the Commission to consider 
or determine whether an action is necessary or appropriate in the 
public interest, to consider, in addition to the protection of 
investors, whether the action will promote efficiency, competition, 
and capital formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
    Further, Section 23(a)(2) of the Exchange Act requires the 
Commission, when adopting rules under the Exchange Act, to consider 
the impact that any new rule would have on competition, and provides 
that the Commission shall not adopt any rule that would impose a 
burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in 
furtherance of the purposes of the Exchange Act. 15 U.S.C. 
78w(a)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

A. Background

    The amendment to Rule 15c6-1(a) prohibits a broker-dealer from 
effecting or entering into a contract for the purchase or sale of a 
security (other than an exempted security, government security, 
municipal security, commercial paper, bankers' acceptances, or 
commercial bills) that provides for payment of funds and delivery of 
securities later than the second business day after the date of the 
contract unless otherwise expressly agreed to by both parties at the 
time of the transaction, subject to certain exceptions provided in the 
rule. Several commenters addressed the impact that the length of the 
settlement cycle would have on credit, market, liquidity, and 
counterparty risk in financial markets.\233\ In its analysis of the 
economic impacts of the amendment to Rule 15c6-1(a), the Commission has 
considered the risks that market participants, including broker-
dealers, clearing agencies, and institutional and retail investors, are 
exposed to during the settlement cycle and how those risks change with 
the length of the cycle.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \233\ Bloomberg at 1; CFA at 3; DTCC Letter at 2; Fidelity at 1; 
FIF at 2; FSI at 2; ICI at 4-5; IDC at 1; MFA at 1-2; SIFMA at 1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The settlement cycle spans the length of time between when a trade 
is executed and when cash and securities are delivered to the seller 
and buyer, respectively. During this period of time, each party to a 
trade faces the risk that its counterparty may fail to meet its 
obligations to deliver cash or securities. When a counterparty defaults 
or fails to meet its obligations to deliver cash or securities, the 
trade must be closed out. Regardless of whether the non-defaulting 
party chooses to enter into a new transaction as a result of the failed 
trade, it is likely to bear costs as a result of its counterparty's 
failure to deliver the cash or securities. For example, a party that 
chooses to enter into a new transaction must find a new counterparty to 
contract with and must trade at a price that may not be the same as the 
price of the original trade.\234\ The length of the settlement cycle 
influences this risk in two ways: (i) Through its effect on 
counterparty exposures to price volatility, and (ii) through its effect 
on the value of outstanding obligations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \234\ As described in Part II.c.1.a above, in its role as a CCP, 
NSCC becomes counterparty to both initial parties to a transaction. 
In the case of cleared transactions, while each initial party is not 
exposed to the risk that their original counterparty defaults, both 
are exposed to the risk of CCP default. Similarly, the CCP is 
exposed to the risk that either initial party defaults.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    First, the duration of the settlement timeframe affects whether and 
how much asset prices can move further away from the price of the 
original trade. For example, if daily asset returns are statistically 
independent, then the variance of prices over t days is equal to t 
multiplied by the daily variance of asset returns. Thus when daily 
returns are independent and daily variance of returns is constant, the 
variance of returns increases linearly as the length of the settlement 
cycle increases.\235\ In other words, if more time passes between when 
a trade is executed and when a counterparty defaults, the variance of 
prices will be larger, and the more likely it will be that difference 
between execution price and the price ultimately paid will be larger. 
For example, if a buyer whose counterparty defaults or fails to meet 
its obligations to deliver securities decides to enter into a new 
transaction to buy the same security, the buyer faces the risk that the 
price of the security will have deviated from the price of the original 
transaction. The price could increase or decrease, but in the event of 
a price increase, the buyer must pay more than the original execution 
price.\236\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \235\ More generally, because total variance over multiple days 
is equal to the sum of daily variances and variables related to the 
correlation between daily returns, total variance increases with 
time so long as daily returns are not highly negatively correlated. 
See e.g., Morris H. DeGroot, Probability and Statistics 216 
(Addison-Wesley Publishing Co. 1986).
    \236\ Similarly, a seller whose counterparty fails faces similar 
risks with respect to the security, albeit in opposite directions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Second, the length of the settlement cycle directly influences the 
quantity of unsettled transactions between trade date and settlement 
date. For example, assuming no change in transaction volumes, the 
volume of unsettled trades under a T+2 standard settlement cycle is 
two-thirds the volume of unsettled trades under a T+3 standard 
settlement cycle. Thus, in the event of a counterparty default, 
counterparties would have to enter into a new transaction for, or 
otherwise close out, two-thirds of the number of trades in a

[[Page 15584]]

T+2 standard settlement cycle, as compared to the number of trades 
requiring a new trade or close-out in a T+3 standard settlement cycle. 
For a given adverse move in prices, the financial losses resulting from 
counterparty default will be two-thirds as large under a T+2 standard 
settlement cycle than under a T+3 standard settlement cycle.\237\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \237\ One commenter specifically commented on how the volume of 
obligations might affect the consequences of adverse price 
movements, stating that reducing the total volume and value of 
obligations in the settlement system at any given time would help 
minimize the systemic consequences of serious market disruptions. 
See SIFMA at 15.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Market participants manage and mitigate the risks associated with 
settlement in a number of specific ways that are discussed in Part 
III.A of this release. Generally, these methods entail costs to market 
participants. In some cases, these costs may be explicit. For instance, 
broker-dealers may explicitly charge customers for providing them with 
the implicit option to default on payment or delivery obligations. 
Other costs are implicit, such as the opportunity cost of assets posted 
as collateral, or limitations on the amount of credit that broker-
dealers are willing to provide their customers.
    Shortening the standard settlement cycle will shorten the amount of 
time that market participants are exposed to credit and market risks. 
In addition, a shorter standard settlement cycle will reduce liquidity 
risks that could arise between derivative and cash markets by allowing 
investors to obtain the proceeds of securities transactions sooner. 
These are risks that affect all market participants, are difficult to 
diversify away, and require resources to manage and mitigate. CCPs and 
clearing members require participants to post financial resources in 
order to secure members' obligations to deliver cash and securities to 
the CCP. To the extent that collateral is posted to CCPs and clearing 
members for the purposes of mitigating the risks of the clearance and 
settlement process, that may represent an allocative inefficiency.
    This allocative inefficiency could take on several forms. First, 
CCP financial resources that are used to mitigate the risks of the 
clearance and settlement process could have been put to alternative 
uses, such as investment in less liquid assets. Second, assets that are 
valuable because they are particularly suited to meeting financial 
resource obligations may have been better allocated to market 
participants that hold these assets for their fundamental risk and 
return characteristics. These allocative inefficiencies may reduce 
capital formation. Reducing the financial risks associated with the 
overall clearance and settlement process would thereby reduce the 
amount of collateral required to mitigate these risks, which would 
reduce the costs that market participants bear to manage and mitigate 
these risks and the allocative inefficiencies that may stem from risk 
management practices.\238\ Hence, the Commission believes that these 
benefits generally provide securities market participants with 
incentives to shorten the settlement cycle.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \238\ See infra Part II.C.1.a for further discussion of 
financial resources collected to mitigate and manage financial 
risks; see also infra Part III.A for more information about risk 
reduction.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    However, the Commission acknowledges that certain market frictions 
may prevent securities markets from shortening the settlement cycle in 
the absence of regulatory intervention. The Commission has considered 
two key market frictions related to investments required to implement a 
shorter settlement cycle. The first is a coordination problem that 
arises when some of the benefits of actions taken by market 
participants are only realized when other market participants take a 
similar action. For example, in the absence of the amendment to Rule 
15c6-1(a), if a particular institutional investor makes a technological 
investment necessary to reduce the time it requires to match and 
allocate trades while its clearing broker-dealers do not, the 
institutional investor cannot fully realize the benefits of its 
investment, as the settlement process is limited by the capabilities of 
the clearing agency for trade matching and allocation. More generally, 
when each market participant must bear the costs of an upgrade for the 
entire market to enjoy a benefit, the result is a coordination problem, 
where each market participant is reluctant to make the necessary 
investments until it can be sure that others will also do so. In 
general, these coordination problems may be resolved if all parties can 
credibly commit to the necessary infrastructure investments. Regulatory 
intervention is one possible way of coordinating market participants to 
undertake the investments necessary to support a shorter settlement 
cycle. Such intervention could come through Commission rulemaking and/
or through a coordinated set of SRO rule changes. Two commenters made 
similar arguments, discussing the need for ``regulatory certainty'' 
(i.e., Commission action) to encourage market participants to make the 
necessary investments for a T+2 standard settlement cycle.\239\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \239\ Fidelity at 2; FIF at 1; ICI at 6; SIFMA at 2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition to coordination problems, a second market friction 
related to the settlement cycle involves situations where one market 
participant's investments result in benefits for other market 
participants. For example, if a market participant invests in a 
technology that reduces the error rate in its trade matching, not only 
does it benefit from fewer errors, but its counterparties and other 
market participants may also benefit from more robust trade matching. 
However, because market participants do not necessarily take into 
account the benefits that may accrue to other market participants (also 
known as ``externalities'') when market participants choose the level 
of investment in their systems, the level of investment in technologies 
that reduce errors might be less than efficient for the entire market. 
More generally, underinvestment may result because each participant 
only takes into account its own costs and benefits when choosing which 
infrastructure improvements or investments to make, and does not take 
into account the costs and benefits that may accrue to its 
counterparties, other market participants, or other financial markets.
    Moreover, because market participants that incur similar costs to 
enable a move to a shorter settlement cycle may nevertheless experience 
different levels of economic benefits, there is likely heterogeneity 
across market participants in the demand for a shorter settlement 
cycle. This heterogeneity may exacerbate coordination problems and 
underinvestment. Market participants that do not expect to receive 
direct benefits from settling transactions earlier may lack incentives 
to invest in infrastructure to support a shorter settlement cycle and 
thus could make it difficult for the market as a whole to realize the 
overall risk reduction that the Commission believes a shorter 
settlement cycle will bring.
    For example, the level and nature of settlement risk exposures vary 
across different types of market participants. A market participant's 
characteristics and trading strategies can influence the level of 
settlement risk it faces. For example, large market participants will 
generally be exposed to more settlement risk than small market 
participants because they trade in larger volume. However, large market 
participants also trade across a larger variety of assets and may face 
less idiosyncratic risk in the event of

[[Page 15585]]

counterparty default if the portfolio of trades that would have to be 
reestablished is diversified.\240\ As a corollary, a market participant 
who trades a single security in a single direction against a given 
counterparty may face more idiosyncratic risk in the event of 
counterparty failure than a market participant who trades in both 
directions with that counterparty.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \240\ See Ananth Madhavan, Morris Mendelson & Junius W. Peake, 
Risky Business: The Clearance and Settlement of Financial 
Transactions (Wharton Sch. Rodney L. White Ctr. for Fin. Research, 
Working Paper No. 40-88, 1988); see also John H. Cochrane, Asset 
Pricing (Princeton University Press rev. ed. 2009), at 15 (defining 
the idiosyncratic component of any payoff as the part that is 
uncorrelated with the discount factor).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Further, the extent to which a market participant experiences any 
economic benefits that may stem from a shortened standard settlement 
cycle likely depends on the market participant's relative bargaining 
power. While large intermediaries, such as clearing broker-dealers, may 
experience direct benefits from a shorter settlement cycle as a result 
of being required to post less collateral with a CCP, they may not pass 
on the entirety of these cost savings to their customers. In addition, 
to the extent that broker-dealers do not effectively compete for 
customers through fees and services as a result of market power, they 
may limit the portion of these cost savings passed through to their 
customers.\241\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \241\ See infra Parts VI.C.1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In light of the above, the Commission believes that the amendment 
to Rule 15c6-1(a), which will shorten the standard settlement cycle 
from T+3 to T+2, will mitigate the market frictions of coordination and 
underinvestment described above. The Commission also believes that 
mitigating these market frictions and moving to a shorter standard 
settlement cycle will reduce the risks inherent in the clearance and 
settlement process.
    The shorter standard settlement cycle will also have an impact on 
the level of operational risk that exists in the U.S. clearance and 
settlement system as a result of existing clearance and settlement 
processes. By shortening the settlement cycle by one day, market 
participants involved in a securities transaction will have one less 
day to resolve any errors that might occur in the clearance and 
settlement process. As a result, tighter operational timeframes and 
linkages required under a shorter standard settlement cycle might 
introduce new fragility that could impact financial market 
participants, specifically an increased risk that operational issues 
could impact transaction processing and related securities 
settlement.\242\ One commenter noted that a T+2 settlement cycle would 
motivate market participants to tighten their operational 
processes.\243\ While the Commission acknowledges that a shorter 
standard settlement cycle may increase risks associated with the 
clearance and settlement process by creating tighter operational 
timeframes, the operational improvements made by market participants to 
facilitate a shorter standard settlement cycle may offset these 
increases in risk. In addition, even in the absence of such operational 
improvements, the Commission believes that the transition to a 
shortened settlement cycle is appropriate given the reduction in 
credit, market, and liquidity risks associated with a shorter 
settlement cycle.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \242\ For example, the ability to compute an accurate net asset 
value (``NAV'') within the settlement timeframe is a key component 
for settlement of ETF transactions. See, e.g., Barrington Partners, 
An Extraordinary Week: Shared Experiences from Inside the Fund 
Accounting Systems Failure of 2015, at 10 (Nov. 2015), http://www.mfdf.org/images/uploads/blog_files/SharedExperiencefromFASystemFailure2015.pdf.
    \243\ See ICI at 5. Specifically, the commenter noted that it 
expected institutional investors to improve the quality of 
settlement instructions and static settlement data maintenance and 
increase automation and STP rates with their broker-dealers and 
custodian banks, resulting in higher on-time affirmed, confirmed, 
and settled trades.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    One commenter noted its view more generally that shortened 
settlement periods will result in an increased likelihood of 
computerized trading that could destabilize the market.\244\ The 
Commission notes that amending the length of the settlement cycle will 
affect the speed at which post-trade processes occur, but has not 
observed any evidence to suggest that a shortened standard settlement 
cycle will alter the incidence of computerized trading or how such 
activity influences market stability.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \244\ See Gellert; Part III.A.3 supra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Market participants may incur initial costs for the investments 
necessary to comply with a shorter standard settlement cycle.\245\ 
However, these costs may differ across market participants and these 
differences may exacerbate coordination problems. First, differences in 
operational costs across CCP members may be driven by member 
transaction volume, and so the extent to which many of the upgrades 
necessary for a T+2 standard settlement cycle are optimal for a member 
to adopt unilaterally may depend on its transaction volume. For 
example, certain upgrades necessary for a T+2 standard settlement cycle 
may result in economies of scale, where large clearing members are able 
to comply with the amendment to Rule 15c6-1(a) at a lower per 
transaction cost than smaller members. As a result, larger members 
might take a short time to recover their initial costs for upgrades; 
smaller members with lower transaction volumes might take longer to 
recover their initial cost outlays and might be more reluctant to make 
the upgrades in the absence of the amendment to Rule 15c6-1(a).\246\ On 
the other hand, smaller members might be more dependent on third-party 
service providers, and may thus bear fewer direct costs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \245\ See infra Part VI.C.2.
    \246\ See SIFMA at 13 (observing that the largest asset managers 
reported lower estimated costs than medium asset managers).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, the Commission acknowledges that the upgrades 
necessary to implement a shorter standard settlement cycle may produce 
indirect economic effects. We analyze some of these indirect effects, 
such as the impact on competition and third-party service providers, in 
the following section. However, other indirect effects, such as the 
ancillary benefits and costs mentioned in the October 2012 Boston 
Consulting Group study (``BCG Study''),\247\ of investments and changes 
to market practices that enhance the speed and efficiency of the 
settlement process, but which are unrelated to a shorter standard 
settlement cycle, are not within the scope of this economic analysis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \247\ See The Boston Consulting Group, Cost Benefit Analysis of 
Shortening the Settlement Cycle, (Oct. 2012) (``BCG Study'') at 8, 
http://www.dtcc.com/~/media/Files/Downloads/WhitePapers/
CBA_BCG_Shortening_the_Settlement_Cycle_October2012.pdf.
    As noted in the T+2 Proposing Release, DTCC commissioned in May 
2012 a study to examine and evaluate the necessary investments and 
resulting benefits associated with a shortened settlement cycle for 
U.S. equities and corporate and municipal bonds. The resulting BCG 
Study analyzed the costs, benefits, opportunities and challenges 
associated with shortening the settlement cycle in the U.S. 
securities markets to either T+1 or T+2, respectively. See T+2 
Proposing Release, supra note 1, 81 FR at 69254.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

B. Baseline

    In order to perform its analysis of the likely economic effects of 
the amendment to Rule 15c6-1(a), as well as the amendment's effects on 
efficiency, competition, and capital formation, the Commission uses as 
its baseline the clearance and settlement process as it exists today. 
In addition to the current process that was described in the T+2 
Proposing Release, the baseline includes rules adopted by the 
Commission, including rules governing the clearance and settlement 
system, SRO rules,\248\ as well as rules adopted

[[Page 15586]]

by regulators in other jurisdictions to regulate securities settlement 
in those jurisdictions.\249\ The following section discusses several 
additional elements of the baseline that are relevant for the economic 
analysis of the amendment to Rule 15c6-1(a) because they are related to 
the risks and costs faced by market participants that clear and settle 
securities transactions subject to the rule and the specific means by 
which market participants manage these risks.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \248\ See id. at 69247.
    \249\ See id. at 69255.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Central Counterparties
    One way NSCC mitigates the credit, market, and liquidity risk it 
assumes through its novation and guaranty of trades is via multilateral 
netting of the delivery and payment obligations across clearing 
members. By offsetting these obligations, NSCC reduces the aggregate 
market value of securities and cash it must deliver to clearing members 
after the trade is novated and the trade guaranty attaches. While 
netting reduces NSCC's settlement obligations by an average of 97% on 
each day, it does not fully eliminate the risk posed by unsettled 
trades because NSCC is still responsible for payments or deliveries on 
trades it cannot fully net. NSCC reported clearing an average of 
approximately $805 billion each day during the third quarter of 
2016,\250\ suggesting an average net settlement obligation of 
approximately $24.2 billion each day.\251\ Based on these estimates, 
and given that, under current practices, NSCC's trade guaranty 
currently attaches at midnight on T+1, the average notional value of 
unsettled trades approaches $48.4 billion.\252\ However, as mentioned 
previously, the Commission recently approved a rule change proposed by 
NSCC that will accelerate the NSCC trade guaranty from midnight of T+1 
to the point of trade comparison and validation for bilateral 
submissions or to the point of trade validation for locked-in 
submissions. Under the current standard settlement cycle, this 
accelerated trade guaranty effectively increases the length of time 
that NSCC's trade guaranty attaches from two days to three days. For 
the purposes of determining a baseline to compare the effects of this 
amendment, the Commission has assumed that NSCC's accelerated trade 
guaranty will already be in effect when this amendment takes 
effect.\253\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \250\ See NSCC CPMI-IOSCO Quantitative Disclosure Results--Q3 
2016, at 14 (Jan. 2017), http://www.dtcc.com/legal/policy-and-compliance.
    \251\ Calculated as $805 billion x 3% = $24.2 billion.
    \252\ Calculated as $24.2 billion x 2 days between attachment of 
the trade guaranty and settlement on T+3 = $48.4 billion.
    \253\ See supra Part II.C.1.a.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The aggregate settlement risk faced by NSCC is also a function of 
the probability of clearing member default. NSCC manages the risk of 
clearing member default by imposing certain financial requirements on 
its members. For example, as of 2016, broker-dealer members of NSCC 
that are not municipal securities brokers and do not intend to clear 
and settle transactions for other broker-dealers must have excess net 
capital over the minimum net capital requirement imposed by the 
Commission in the amount of $500,000.\254\ Further, each NSCC member is 
subject to ongoing membership requirements, including a requirement to 
furnish NSCC with assurances of the member's financial responsibility 
and operational capability, including, but not limited to, periodic 
reports of its financial and operational condition.\255\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \254\ See NSCC Rules and Procedures, supra note 24, Rule 2A, 
Section 1A, and Addendum B, Section 1.B.1.
    \255\ See, e.g., id., Rule 15, Section 2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition to managing the risk of member default, CCPs also take 
steps to mitigate the risks and adverse indirect effects generated by 
member default. For example, in the normal course of business, a CCP's 
exposure to market or liquidity risk is hedged because it expects to 
receive every security from a seller it is obligated to deliver to a 
buyer and it expects to receive every payment from a buyer that it is 
obligated to deliver to a seller. However, when a clearing member 
defaults, the CCP can no longer expect the defaulting member to deliver 
securities or make payments. CCPs mitigate this risk by requiring 
clearing members to make contributions of financial resources to the 
CCP. As of Q3 2016, NSCC's clearing fund deposits totaled approximately 
$5.4 billion, of which $5.2 billion was cash deposits.\256\ The level 
of financial resources a CCP requires clearing members to post may be 
based on, among other things, the market and liquidity risk of a 
member's portfolio, the correlation between the assets in the member's 
portfolio and the member's own default probability, and the liquidity 
of the collateral assets.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \256\ See NSCC Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial 
Statements for Q3 2016, available at http://www.dtcc.com/~/media/
Files/Downloads/legal/financials/2016/NSCC-Unaudited-Condensed-
Consolidated-Financial-Statements-3Q-2016.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Market Participants--Investors, Broker-Dealers, and Custodians
    As discussed in Part II.C.2 above, broker-dealers serve both retail 
and institutional customers. Aggregate statistics from the Board of 
Governors of the Federal Reserve System suggest that at the end of the 
third quarter of 2016, U.S. households held approximately 40% of the 
value of corporate equity outstanding, and 50% of the value of mutual 
fund shares outstanding, which provide a general picture of the share 
of holdings by retail investors.\257\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \257\ See Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 
Statistical Release Z.1 Financial Accounts of the United States, 
Flow of Funds, Balance Sheets, and Integrated Macroeconomic 
Accounts, at tables L.223 and L.224 (Third Quarter 2016), https://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/z1/current/z1.pdf
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In the 2015 annual FOCUS reports, approximately 4,100 broker-
dealers filed reports \258\ with FINRA. These firms varied in size, 
with median assets of approximately $700,000, average assets of nearly 
$1 billion dollars and total assets for all broker-dealers 
approximately $4.1 trillion. Thirty broker-dealers held approximately 
80% of the assets of broker-dealers overall, with total assets of 
approximately $3.4 trillion, indicating a high degree of concentration 
in the industry. Of the 4,100 filers, 186 reported self-clearing public 
customer accounts, while 1,497 reported acting as an introducing broker 
and sending orders to another broker-dealer for clearing. Broker-
dealers that identified themselves as self-clearing broker-dealers, had 
on average, higher total assets than broker-dealers that identified 
themselves as introducing broker-dealers. While the decision to self-
clear may be based on many factors, this evidence is consistent with 
the argument that there may currently be high barriers to entry for 
providing clearing services as a broker-dealer.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \258\ FOCUS Reports, or ``Financial and Operational Combined 
Uniform Single'' Reports, are monthly, quarterly, and annual reports 
that broker-dealers generally are required to file with the 
Commission and/or SROs pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 17a-5, 17 CFR 
240.17a-5.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Clearing broker-dealers face liquidity risks as they are obligated 
to make payments to clearing agencies on behalf of customers who 
purchase securities. As discussed in more detail below, from the 
perspective of clearing broker-dealers, customers have an option to 
default on their payment obligations, particularly when the price of a 
purchased security declines during the settlement cycle.\259\ 
Therefore, clearing broker-dealers take measures to reduce the risks 
posed by their customers. For example, clearing broker-dealers may 
require customers to contribute financial resources in the form of 
margin to margin accounts, to pre-fund purchases in cash accounts, or 
may restrict the use of unsettled funds. These

[[Page 15587]]

measures are in many ways analogous to measures taken by clearing 
agencies to reduce and mitigate the risks posed by their clearing 
members. In addition, clearing broker-dealers may also mitigate the 
risks posed by customers by charging higher transaction fees that 
reflect the value of the customer's option to default, thereby causing 
customers to internalize the cost of the default options inherent in 
the settlement process.\260\ While not directly reducing the risk posed 
by customers to clearing members, these higher transaction fees at 
least allocate to customers the direct expected costs of customer 
default.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \259\ See id.
    \260\ See infra Parts VI.B.4 and VI.C.5(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Another way the settlement cycle may affect transaction prices is 
related to the use of funds during the settlement cycle. To the extent 
that buyers may use the cash to purchase securities during the 
settlement cycle for other purposes, they may derive value from the 
length of time it takes to settle a transaction. Two studies have 
tested this hypothesis, and found that sellers demand compensation for 
the benefit that buyers receive from deferring payment during the 
settlement cycle and that this compensation is incorporated in equity 
returns.\261\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \261\ See Victoria Lynn Messman, Securities Processing: The 
Effects of a T+3 System on Security Prices (May 2011) (Ph.D. 
dissertation, University of Tennessee--Knoxville), http://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_graddiss/1002/; Josef Lakonishok & Maurice 
Levi, Weekend Effects on Stock Returns: A Note, 37 J. Fin. 883 
(1982), https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/2327716.pdf; Ramon P. 
DeGennaro, The Effect of Payment Delays on Stock Prices, 13 J. Fin. 
Res. 133 (1990), http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1475-6803.1990.tb00543.x/abstract.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The settlement process also exposes investors to certain risks. The 
length of the settlement cycle sets the minimum amount of time between 
when an investor places an order to sell securities and when the 
customer can expect to have access to the proceeds of that sale. 
Investors take this into account when they plan transactions to meet 
liquidity needs. For example, under T+3 settlement, investors who 
experience liquidity shocks, such as unexpected expenses that must be 
met within two business days, could not rely on obtaining funding 
solely through a sale of securities because the proceeds of the sale 
would be available in three business days, at the earliest, and not 
two. One possible strategy to deal with such a shock under T+3 
settlement would be to borrow cash on day two to meet payment 
obligations on day two and repay the loan on day three with the 
proceeds from a sale of securities, incurring the cost of one day of 
interest on the short-term loan. Another strategy that investors may 
use is to hold financial resources to insure themselves from liquidity 
shocks.
3. Investment Companies
    As noted above,\262\ shares issued by investment companies settle 
on different timeframes. ETFs and certain closed-end funds generally 
settle on T+3. By contrast, options and mutual funds generally settle 
on a T+1 basis, except for certain retail funds which settle on 
T+3.\263\ Mutual funds that settle on a T+1 basis currently face 
liquidity risk as a result of a mismatch between the timing of mutual 
fund transaction order settlements and the timing of fund portfolio 
security transaction order settlements. Mutual funds may manage these 
particular liquidity needs by, among other methods, using cash 
reserves, back-up lines of credit, or interfund lending facilities to 
provide cash to cover the settlement mismatch.\264\ As of the end of 
2015, there were 9,156 open-end funds (excluding money market funds, 
but including ETFs).\265\ The assets of these funds were approximately 
$14.95 trillion.\266\ Within these figures, there were 1,521 ETFs with 
$2.1 trillion in assets.\267\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \262\ See supra note 78.
    \263\ Retail funds that currently settle on T+3 will be required 
to settle on T+2 as a result of this amendment, and are thus part of 
the broader set of securities that will be required to settle on 
T+2. The costs and benefits stemming from a shorter settlement cycle 
for these retail funds are included in our analysis in Section VI.C.
    \264\ See Open-End Fund Liquidity Risk Management Programs; 
Swing Pricing; Re-Opening of Comment Period for Investment Company 
Reporting Modernization Release, Investment Company Act Release No. 
31835 (Sept. 22, 2015), 80 FR 62274, 62285 n.100 (Oct. 15, 2015), 
and Investment Company Liquidity Risk Management Programs Release 
No. 32315 (Oct. 13, 2016), 81 FR 82142 (Nov. 18, 2016) at 82143 n.9.
    \265\ See ICI, 2015 Investment Company Fact Book (2016), at 176, 
183 (``2016 ICI Fact Book''), http://www.ici.org/pdf/2016_factbook.pdf.
    \266\ See id. at 174, 182.
    \267\ See id. at 182-83.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Under Section 22(e) of the Investment Company Act, an open-end fund 
is required to pay shareholders who tender shares for redemption within 
seven days of their tender.\268\ In addition to this requirement, as a 
practical matter open-end funds that are sold through broker-dealers 
meet redemptions within three days because broker-dealers are subject 
to Rule 15c6-1(a). Furthermore, Rule 22c-1 under the Investment Company 
Act,\269\ the ``forward pricing'' rule, requires funds, their principal 
underwriters, and dealers to sell and redeem fund shares at a price 
based on the current NAV next computed after receipt of an order to 
purchase or redeem fund shares, even though cash proceeds from 
purchases may be invested or fund assets may be sold in subsequent days 
in order to satisfy purchase requests or meet redemption obligations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \268\ See 15 CFR 270.80a-22(e).
    \269\ 17 CFR 270.22c-1.
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4. The Current Market for Clearance and Settlement Services
    As described in Part II.C.1 above, two affiliated entities, NSCC 
and DTC, facilitate clearance and settlement for transactions that 
currently settle on a T+3 settlement cycle. There is limited 
competition in the provision of the services that these entities 
provide. NSCC is the CCP for trades between broker-dealers involving 
equity securities, corporate and municipal debt, and UITs for the U.S. 
market. DTC is the CSD that provides custody and book-entry transfer 
services for the vast majority of securities transactions in the U.S. 
market that are cleared through NSCC. There is also limited competition 
in the provision of Matching/ETC services--three entities that have 
obtained exemptions from registration as a clearing agency from the 
Commission to operate as Matching/ETC Providers.\270\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \270\ See supra note 24.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Broker-dealers compete to provide services to retail and 
institutional customers. Based on the large number of broker-dealers, 
there is likely a high degree of competition among broker-dealers. 
However, the markets that broker-dealers serve may be segmented along 
lines relevant for the analysis of competitive impacts of the amendment 
to Rule 15c6-1(a). As noted above, the set of broker-dealers that 
indicate they clear public customer accounts by self-clearing tends to 
be smaller than the set of broker-dealers that indicate they do so by 
introducing and not self-clearing. This could mean that introducing 
broker-dealers compete more intensively for customers than clearing 
broker-dealers. Further, clearing broker-dealers must meet requirements 
set by NSCC and DTC, such as financial obligations, including clearing 
fund requirements. These requirements may represent barriers to entry 
for clearing broker-dealers, limiting competition among these entities.
    Competition for customers impacts how the costs associated with the 
clearance and settlement process are allocated among market 
participants. In managing the expected costs of risks from their 
customers and the costs of compliance with SRO and Commission rules, 
clearing broker-dealers decide what fraction of these costs to pass

[[Page 15588]]

through to their customers in the form of fees and margin requirements, 
and what fraction of these costs to bear themselves. The level of 
competition that a clearing broker-dealer faces for customers will 
dictate the extent to which it is able to exercise market power in 
passing through these costs to their customers; a clearing broker-
dealer with little competition for customers is likely to pass on a 
majority of its costs to its customers, while one with heavy 
competition is likely to choose to bear the cost internally to avoid 
losing market share.
    In addition, several factors related to clearance and settlement 
impact the current levels of efficiency and capital formation in the 
securities market. First, at a general level, market participants 
occupying various positions in the clearance and settlement system must 
post or hold liquid financial resources, and the level of these 
financial resources is a function of the length of the settlement 
cycle. For example, NSCC collects clearing fund contributions from 
members to ensure that it has sufficient financial resources in the 
event that one of its members defaults on its obligations to NSCC. As 
discussed above, the length of the settlement cycle is one determinant 
of the size of NSCC's exposure to clearing members. As another example, 
mutual funds may manage liquidity needs by, among other methods, using 
cash reserves, back-up lines of credit, or interfund lending facilities 
to provide cash. These liquidity needs, in turn, are related to the 
mismatch between the timing of mutual fund transaction settlements and 
the timing of fund portfolio security transaction settlements.
    Holding assets solely for the purpose of mitigating counterparty 
risk or liquidity needs that arise as part of the settlement process 
could represent an allocative inefficiency, as discussed above, both 
because firms that are required to hold these assets might prefer to 
put them to alternative uses and because these assets may be more 
efficiently allocated to other market participants who value them for 
their fundamental risk and return characteristics rather than for their 
collateral value. To the extent that intermediaries bear costs as a 
result of inefficient allocation of collateral assets, these may be 
reflected in transaction costs.
    The settlement cycle may also have more direct impacts on 
transaction costs. As noted above, clearing broker-dealers may charge 
higher transaction fees to reflect the value of the customer's option 
to default, and these fees may cause customers to internalize the cost 
of the default options inherent in the settlement process. However, 
these fees also make transactions costly and may, at the margin, 
influence the willingness of market participants to efficiently share 
risks or to supply liquidity to securities markets. Taken together, 
inefficiencies in the allocation of resources and risks across market 
participants may serve to impair capital formation.
    Finally, market participants may make processing errors in the 
clearance and settlement process.\271\ Industry participants have 
commented that a lack of automation and manual processing have led to 
processing errors.\272\ Although some of these errors may be resolved 
within the settlement cycle and not result in a failed trade, those 
that are not may result in failed trades, which appear in the failure 
to deliver data.\273\ Further, market participants may incorporate the 
likelihood that processing errors result in delays in payments or 
deliveries into securities prices.\274\ Although errors and the 
correction of errors are a part of current market practices in a 
clearance and settlement system, the Commission does not have, nor did 
commenters provide, data available to estimate the rate of processing 
errors and the time needed to correct these processing errors.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \271\ See, e.g., Omgeo, Mitigating Operational Risk and 
Increasing Settlement Efficiency through Same Day Affirmation (SDA), 
at 12 (Oct. 2010), http://www.omgeo.com/page/sda_whitepaper.
    \272\ See DTCC Letter at 2; IDC at 1; SIFMA at 15.
    \273\ See T+2 Proposing Release, supra note 1, 81 FR at 69245; 
see also Statement by The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, 
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Securities Lending and 
Short Sales Roundtable, at 3 (Sept. 30, 2009), https://www.sec.gov/comments/4-590/4590-32.pdf.
    \274\ See Messman, supra note 261.
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C. Analysis of Benefits, Costs, and Impact on Efficiency, Competition, 
and Capital Formation

1. Benefits
    Several commenters noted that the amendment would reduce the risks 
associated with the settlement cycle.\275\ One commenter stated that by 
shortening the settlement cycle, the amendment would reduce both the 
aggregate market value of all unsettled trades and the amount of time 
that CCPs or the counterparties to a trade may be subject to market and 
credit risk from an unsettled trade.\276\ Shortening the settlement 
cycle by one day would reduce the time that unsettled transactions are 
guaranteed by NSCC. Under our baseline assumption that NSCC's 
accelerated trade guaranty would be in effect by the effective date of 
this amendment, a T+2 standard settlement cycle would reduce the time 
that unsettled transactions are guaranteed by NSCC from three days to 
two days, by approximately one-third. Based on published statistics 
from the third quarter of 2016,\277\ and holding average dollar volumes 
constant, the maximum aggregate notional value of unsettled 
transactions at NSCC under the accelerated trade guaranty would be 
approximately $72.6 billion,\278\ and would fall to $48.4 billion under 
a T+2 standard settlement cycle, a reduction of $24.2 billion.\279\ Two 
commenters noted that a shorter settlement cycle would reduce the 
market risks associated with price movements during the settlement 
cycle.\280\ A market participant that experiences counterparty default 
and enters into a new transaction under a T+3 settlement cycle is 
exposed to more market risk than would be the case under a T+2 
settlement cycle. As a result, market participants that are exposed to 
market, credit, and liquidity risks would be exposed to less risk under 
a T+2 settlement cycle. To the extent that these transactions currently 
give rise to counterparty risk exposures between mutual funds and 
broker dealers, these exposures may decrease as a consequence of a 
shorter settlement cycle. The Commission notes that industry 
participants have suggested further benefits of a T+2 standard 
settlement cycle relative to a T+3 standard settlement cycle as a 
result of reduced procyclicality of counterparty exposures and clearing 
fund requirements, and presented an analysis consistent with such 
benefits.\281\ These benefits depend on the assumptions that underlie 
models of counterparty exposures and clearing fund requirements.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \275\ Bloomberg at 1; CFA at 3; DTCC Letter at 2; Fidelity at 1; 
FIF at 2; FSI at 2; ICI at 4-5; IDC at 1; MFA at 1-2; SIFMA at 1.
    \276\ DTCC Letter at 2.
    \277\ See CPMI-IOSCO Quantitative Disclosure Results--Q3 2016, 
supra note 250, at 14.
    \278\ NSCC has not yet implemented these rule changes. See note 
27 supra.
    \279\ The Commission notes that if NSCC's accelerated trade 
guaranty is not in effect by the effective date of this amendment, 
then the time that unsettled transactions are guaranteed by NSCC 
would change from two days to one day. In this case, the aggregate 
notional value of unsettled transactions at NSCC would fall from 
$48.4 billion under a T+3 standard settlement cycle to $24.2 billion 
under a T+2 settlement cycle. However, the overall reduction to the 
aggregate notional value of unsettled transactions at NSCC would 
remain the same, a reduction of $24.2 billion.
    \280\ ICI at 5; DTCC Letter at 2.
    \281\ See DTCC, DTCC Recommends Shortening the U.S. Trade 
Settlement Cycle at 2-3 (Apr. 2014), http://www.ust2.com/industry-action/.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A portion of the savings by intermediaries from less costly risk

[[Page 15589]]

management under a T+2 standard settlement cycle relative to a T+3 
standard settlement cycle may flow through to investors. Intermediaries 
such as broker-dealers may mitigate settlement risks through collateral 
requirements on their customers in the form of securities or cash. Such 
protection is likely to require less collateral to manage settlement 
risks when settlement cycles are shorter. To the extent that lower 
collateral needs result in lower collateral requirements, investors may 
be able to profitably redeploy financial resources once used to satisfy 
collateral requirements by, for example, converting them into less-
liquid assets that offer higher returns in exchange for bearing 
additional liquidity risk. Several commenters identified additional 
benefits that investors may experience from a shorter settlement cycle 
through their intermediaries.\282\ One commenter noted in the context 
of mutual funds that funds, as investors in the markets, would benefit 
from a shortened settlement cycle, and those benefits would flow to 
fund shareholders.\283\ Another commenter noted that investors are 
exposed to their broker-dealer from the point of trade execution to 
settlement, further stating that if the broker-dealer were to go out of 
business during that time, the investor may be forced to re-execute the 
trade at a new market price.\284\ The same commenter suggested that a 
shorter settlement cycle would reduce the charges and fees imposed by 
clearing broker-dealers on introducing broker-dealers.\285\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \282\ IDC at 1-2; SIFMA at 15-16.
    \283\ IDC at 1-2.
    \284\ SIFMA at 16.
    \285\ SIFMA at 15.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Industry participants might also individually benefit through 
reduced clearing fund deposit requirements. In the T+2 Proposing 
Release, the Commission cited industry estimates of cost savings 
associated with reduced clearing fund contributions. In response to the 
T+2 Proposing Release, one commenter cited an industry impact analysis 
estimating that projected reduction in average daily clearing fund 
requirements associated with two-day settlement cycle under NSCC's 
accelerated trade guaranty would be $533 million, or about 9% of 
average clearing fund requirements.\286\ In addition, a shorter 
settlement cycle might reduce liquidity risk by allowing investors to 
obtain the proceeds of their securities transactions sooner. Reduced 
liquidity risk may be a benefit to individual investors, but it may 
also reduce the volatility of securities markets by reducing liquidity 
demands in times of adverse market conditions, potentially reducing the 
correlation between market prices and the risk management practices of 
market participants.\287\ Several commenters included statements 
consistent with the view that shortening the settlement cycle would 
benefit investors by reducing liquidity demands and clearing capital 
requirements, and improving use of capital.\288\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \286\ SIFMA at 10. The commenter also noted that in the absence 
of the NSCC accelerated trade guaranty, the same impact analysis 
estimated a projected reduction in average daily clearing fund 
requirements of nearly $1.36 billion, or about 25% of average 
clearing fund requirements.
    \287\ See Peter F. Christoffersen & Francis X. Diebold, How 
Relevant is Volatility Forecasting for Financial Risk Management?, 
82 Rev. Econ. & Stat. 12 (2000), http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1162/003465300558597#.V6xeL_nR-JA. The paper shows that 
volatility can be predicted in the short run, and concludes that 
short run forecastable volatility would be useful for risk 
management practices.
    \288\ Fidelity at 1; FSI at 3; IDC at 1; Newill at 1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, the harmonization of the standard settlement cycle in 
the U.S. with settlement cycles in foreign markets that settle 
transactions on a T+2 settlement cycle may reduce the need for some 
market participants engaging in cross-border and cross-asset 
transactions to hedge risks stemming from mismatched settlement cycles 
and hence reduce related financing and borrowing costs, resulting in 
additional benefits. For example, under the current T+3 settlement 
cycle, a market participant selling a security in U.S. equity markets 
to fund a purchase of securities in European markets would face a one 
day lag between settlement in Europe and settlement in the U.S. The 
participant could choose between bearing an additional day of market 
risk in the European trading markets by delaying the purchase by a day, 
or funding the purchase of European shares with short-term borrowing. 
Additionally, because FX transactions generally settle on a T+2 
settlement cycle,\289\ a market participant who expects to use the 
proceeds from the sale of securities transactions that settle on the 
standard settlement cycle in the U.S. to fund the purchase of 
securities in Europe would also be faced with a choice between bearing 
an additional day of currency risk due to the need to purchase Euros as 
part of the transaction, or to incur the cost related to hedging away 
this risk in the forward market. Twelve commenters agreed that a T+2 
standard settlement cycle would align the U.S. securities settlement 
cycle with several non-U.S. markets that have already moved to a T+2 
settlement cycle, as well as markets that are planning or considering a 
move to a T+2 settlement cycle.\290\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \289\ See, e.g., John W. McPartland, Foreign exchange trading 
and settlement: Past and present, The Federal Reserve Bank of 
Chicago, Essays on Issues No. 223 (Feb. 2006), https://
www.chicagofed.org/~/media/publications/chicago-fed-letter/2006/
cflfebruary2006-223-pdf.pdf.
    \290\ DTCC Letter at 2 and 3; FIF at 3; FSI at 3; ICI at 5-6; 
IDC at 1; MFA at 2; Newill at 1; SIFMA at 16; STA at 1-2; Thomson 
Reuters at 3; WFA at 3; Wee at 1-2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The benefits of harmonized settlement cycles may also accrue to 
mutual funds. As described above,\291\ transactions in mutual fund 
shares typically settle on a T+1 basis even when transactions in the 
securities purchase and sold by the fund settle on a T+3 basis. As a 
result, there is a two-day mismatch between when these funds make 
payments to shareholders that redeem shares and when they receive cash 
proceeds for portfolio securities they sell.\292\ Two commenters noted 
that the risk reduction benefits of a T+2 standard settlement cycle 
would also flow to mutual fund transactions. One commenter noted that a 
T+2 settlement cycle would reduce the funding gap between settlement of 
a mutual fund's portfolio securities and the settlement of shares, 
improving cash management for funds to meet redemptions.\293\ The other 
commenter stated that a T+2 settlement cycle would harmonize the 
settlement time for securities held by open-ended funds (i.e., mutual 
funds) with the settlement time for shares of mutual funds, which would 
enhance funds' cash management for meeting redemptions.\294\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \291\ See supra note 78.
    \292\ Retail funds which currently settle on T+3, however, 
already have harmonized settlement cycles with their underlying 
securities. As this amendment requires a T+2 settlement cycle for 
both these retail funds and their underlying securities, these 
retail funds would not see benefits stemming from a reduction in 
settlement cycle mismatch between retail fund shares and underlying 
securities.
    \293\ ICI at 4-5.
    \294\ IDC at 1-2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission believes that exceptions to Rule 15c6-1(a) set forth 
in paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of Rule 15c6-1 are unlikely to 
substantially reduce the benefits of a shorter settlement cycle for 
most securities transactions. Market participants that rely on Rule 
15c6-1(b) to transact in limited partnership interests that are not 
listed on an exchange or for which quotations are not disseminated 
through an automated quotation system of a registered securities 
association are likely to continue to make use of that exception under 
the amendment to Rule 15c6-1(a). Similarly, market participants 
involved in offerings that currently

[[Page 15590]]

settle by the fourth business day under Rule 15c6-1(c) will likely 
continue to settle by T+4. There may be transactions covered by Rules 
15c6-1(b) and (c) that in the past did not make use of these exceptions 
because they settled within three business days, but that may require 
use of these exceptions under the amendment because they require more 
than two days to settle. However, these markets are opaque, and the 
Commission does not have, nor did commenters provide, data on 
transactions in these categories that currently settle within three 
days but that might make use of this exception under the amendment.
    In addition, the Commission notes that market participants involved 
in certain transactions will not experience substantial benefits 
related to reducing the maximum number of days required to settle most 
securities transactions. Specifically, market participants involved in 
transactions which now voluntarily settle in two days or less may 
experience fewer risk reduction benefits as a result of the amendment 
to Rule 15c6-1(a) than market participants that currently settle in the 
standard three business days.
    Finally, the extent to which different types of market participants 
experience any benefits that stem from the amendment to Rule 15c6-1(a) 
may depend on their market power. Market participants that have a 
greater ability to negotiate with customers or service providers may be 
able to retain a larger portion of the operational cost savings from a 
shorter settlement cycle than others, as they may be able to use their 
market power to avoid passing along the cost savings to their clients.
2. Costs
    The Commission believes that compliance with a T+2 standard 
settlement cycle will involve initial fixed costs to update systems and 
processes.\295\ The Commission has used input from comment letters and 
industry studies to quantify these costs to the extent possible in Part 
VI.C.5 below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \295\ Industry estimates have suggested some updates to systems 
and processes might yield operational cost savings after the initial 
update. See infra Part VI.C.5.a for industry estimates of the costs 
and benefits of the amendment to Rule 15c6-1(a).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The operational costs associated with the amendment to Rule 15c6-
1(a) for different market participants might vary depending on each 
participant's degree of direct or indirect inter-connectivity to the 
clearance and settlement process, regardless of size.\296\ For example, 
clearing broker-dealers that internally manage more of their own post-
trade processes will directly incur more of the upfront operational 
costs associated with the amendment to Rule 15c6-1(a), because they 
must directly undertake more of the upgrades and testing necessary for 
a T+2 standard settlement cycle. As mentioned in Part VI.C.5, other 
market participants might outsource the clearance and settlement of 
their transactions to third-party providers of back-office services. 
One commenter noted that the use of third party service bureaus would 
reduce the costs necessary to support a T+2 standard settlement 
cycle.\297\ The exposures to the operational costs associated with 
shortening the standard settlement cycle will be indirect to the extent 
that third-party service providers pass through the costs of 
infrastructure upgrades to their customers. The degree to which 
customers bear operational costs depends on their bargaining position 
relative to third-party providers. Large customers with market power 
may be able to avoid internalizing these costs, while small customers 
in a weaker negotiation position relative to service providers may bear 
the bulk of these costs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \296\ See infra Part VI.C.5 for more detail of the specific 
operational costs that each type of market participant may incur.
    \297\ SIFMA at 10.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Further, changes to initial and ongoing operational costs may make 
some self-clearing market participants alter their decision to continue 
internally managing the clearance and settlement of their transactions. 
Entities that currently internally manage their clearance and 
settlement activity may prefer to restructure their businesses to rely 
instead on third-party providers of clearance and settlement services 
that may be able to amortize the initial fixed cost of upgrade across a 
much larger volume of transaction activity.
    The way that different market participants are likely to bear costs 
as a result of the amendment to Rule 15c6-1(a) may also vary based on 
their business structure. For example, a shorter standard settlement 
cycle will require payment for securities that settle regular-way by 
T+2 rather than T+3 (subject to the exceptions in the rule). Generally, 
regardless of current funding arrangements between investors and 
broker-dealers, removing a day between execution and settlement would 
mean that broker-dealers could choose between requiring investors to 
fund the purchase of securities one day earlier while extending the 
same level of credit they do under T+3 settlement, or providing an 
additional day of funding to investors. In other words, broker-dealers 
could pass through some of the costs of a shorter standard settlement 
cycle by imposing the same shorter cycle on investors, or they could 
pass these costs on to investors by raising transactions fees to 
compensate for the additional day of funding the broker-dealer may 
choose to provide. The extent to which these costs get passed through 
to customers may depend on, among other things, the market power of the 
broker-dealer. At most, the broker-dealer might pass through the entire 
initial investment cost to its customers, while if the broker-dealer 
faces perfect competition for its customers, the broker-dealer may not 
pass along any of these costs to its customers.\298\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \298\ See supra Part VI.C.1 for further discussion of the impact 
of broker-dealer market power. See infra Part VI.C.5(3) for 
quantitative estimates of the costs to broker-dealers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Retail investors and the broker-dealers that serve them may 
experience the burden of an earlier payment requirement differently 
from broker-dealers with more institutional clients or large custodian 
banks because of the way retail investors fund their accounts. One 
commenter stated the concern that a shortened settlement cycle would 
impose hardships on retail investors who transfer funds between 
financial institutions by paper check.\299\ These retail investors 
might need to change the way that they fund their transactions as a 
result of the operational and technological changes required for a 
shorter settlement cycle. The Commission notes that after a transition 
to a T+2 standard settlement cycle broker-dealers may continue to 
accept paper checks from retail investors. However, retail investors 
that transfer funds by paper check may need to accelerate their 
payments associated with their transactions by one day.\300\ For 
example, retail investors who previously mailed paper checks may 
instead deliver these checks overnight or by hand. While information on 
the number of paper checks currently used to fund transactions is not 
readily available, the Commission notes that the cost of overnight 
delivery of a single paper check using the U.S. postal service is 
approximately $23.75,\301\ and believes that the difference between 
this and first-class postage, $23.28, represents a reasonable estimate 
of the

[[Page 15591]]

most inexpensive means of accelerating delivery of checks on a per-
transaction basis.\302\ In addition, broker-dealers that serve retail 
investors may also experience costs unrelated to funding choices. For 
instance, retail investors may require additional or different services 
such as education regarding the impact of the shorter standard 
settlement cycle.\303\ Although the Commission does not believe that 
the amendment will directly prevent retail investors from the transfer 
of funds by paper check, the Commission believes that even if retail 
investors were required to fund their transactions more quickly, 
requiring a transition to a T+2 standard settlement cycle is 
appropriate in light of the expected benefits from reductions in 
credit, market, and liquidity risk in financial markets.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \299\ See Gellert.
    \300\ See Part III.A.3.
    \301\ The current postage rate for a U.S. Postal Service (USPS) 
Priority Mail Express 1-DayTM Flat Rate Envelope is 
$23.75. Other vendors' rates may vary.
    \302\ Calculated as the difference between USPS Priority Mail 
Express 1-DayTM Flat Rate Envelope and first-class 
postage: $23.75-$0.47 = $23.28.
    \303\ See infra Part VI.C.5.b.3 for more on retail investors and 
their broker-dealers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Several commenters noted that broker-dealers engaging in securities 
lending may incur additional implementation costs relative to other 
broker-dealers.\304\ In particular, one commenter noted that these 
firms would need to train staff to adjust to a shortened recall 
cycle.\305\ Another commenter noted that industry participants 
recognize and support the need for the move to T+2 settlement, despite 
the implication that this move will necessarily shorten the recall 
period by one day and require operational adjustments.\306\ A third 
commenter stated that participants in securities lending transactions, 
including security lenders, security borrowers, and service providers, 
are currently addressing the impact of a shortened settlement cycle on 
their business models and trading strategies, notably that the move to 
T+2 will shorten the recall period by one day.\307\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \304\ Thomson Reuters at 2; SIFMA at 18; Fidelity at 4.
    \305\ See Thomson-Reuters at 2.
    \306\ See SIFMA at 18.
    \307\ See Fidelity at 4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    At the same time, some market participants may face lower 
implementation costs as a result of their current business structure 
and practices. As mentioned earlier, 2011 DTCC affirmation data 
indicate that, on average, 45% of trades were affirmed on trade date, 
while 90% were affirmed on T+1.\308\ In addition, market participants 
that trade in markets that have already implemented a T+2 settlement 
cycle may face lower costs in transitioning to a T+2 cycle in the U.S., 
as many of the systems and process improvements may already have been 
adopted in order to support settlement in other markets.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \308\ See supra Part VI.C.5(5) for discussion of foreign broker-
dealers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Finally, a shorter settlement cycle may result in higher costs 
associated with liquidating a defaulting member's position, as a 
shorter horizon for default management may result in larger price 
impacts, particularly for less liquid assets. For example, when a 
clearing member defaults, NSCC is obligated to fulfill its trade 
guaranty with the defaulting member's counterparty. One way it 
accomplishes this is by liquidating assets from clearing fund 
contributions from clearing members. However, depending on the 
composition of clearing fund deposits, the liquidation of clearing fund 
assets in a short period of time may have an adverse impact on the 
price of these assets. Shortening the standard settlement cycle from 
T+3 to T+2 would reduce the amount of time that NSCC would have to 
liquidate clearing fund deposits, which may exacerbate the price impact 
of liquidation. One commenter noted a similar negative impact in a 
different setting, stating that broker-dealers required by Federal 
Reserve Board's Regulation T to liquidate a customer's unpaid 
transaction would have one less day to do so.\309\ Broker-dealers may 
increase investments in pre-transaction risk management practices to 
compensate for the reduction in time available to liquidate a 
customer's unpaid transaction should the broker-dealer need to 
disaffirm a trade. In addition, the Commission notes that broker-
dealers already rely on many risk management practices to mitigate the 
counterparty risks posed by their customers before the need to 
disaffirm a trade.\310\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \309\ BDA at 1-2.
    \310\ See Part II.C.2 supra for a discussion of broker-dealer 
risk-management practices.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. Economic Implications Through Other Commission Rules
    As discussed in Part III.B, shortening the standard settlement 
cycle could have an ancillary impact on how market participants comply 
with existing regulatory obligations that relate to the settlement 
timeframe. The Commission provided examples of specific Commission 
rules that include such requirements or are otherwise are keyed-off of 
settlement date, including Regulation SHO,\311\ and certain provisions 
included in the Commission's financial responsibility rules.\312\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \311\ See supra Part III.C.1.
    \312\ See supra Part III.C.2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Financial markets and regulatory requirements have evolved 
significantly since the Commission adopted Rule 15c6-1 in 1993. Market 
participants have responded to these developments in diverse ways, 
including implementing a variety of systems and processes, some of 
which may be unique to the market participant and its business, and 
some of which may be integrated throughout the market participant's 
operations. Because of the broad variety of ways in which market 
participants currently satisfy regulatory obligations pursuant to 
Commission rules, in most circumstances it is difficult to identify 
with precision those practices that market participants will need to 
change in order to meet these other obligations. Under these 
circumstances, and without additional information, the Commission is 
unable to provide an estimate of the ancillary economic impact that the 
amendment to Rule 15c6-1(a) would have on how market participants 
comply with other Commission rules.
    In certain cases, based on information about current market 
practices, the Commission believes that the amendment to Rule 15c6-1(a) 
is unlikely to change the means by which market participants comply 
with existing regulatory requirements. For example, under the 
amendment, broker-dealers will have a shorter timeframe to comply with 
the customer confirmation requirements of Exchange Act Rule 10b-10. 
However, the Commission understands that broker-dealers typically send 
physical customer confirmations on the day after trade date, and many 
broker-dealers send electronic confirmations to customers on trade 
date. The Commission believes that because of the lack of ancillary 
consequences in these cases, market participants are unlikely to bear 
additional costs to comply with these requirements under a shorter 
standard settlement cycle.
    In certain cases, however, the amendment to Rule 15c6-1(a) may 
incrementally increase the costs associated with complying with other 
Commission rules where those rules potentially require broker-dealers 
to engage in purchases of securities within a specific period of time. 
Two examples of these types of rules are Regulation SHO and the 
Commission's financial responsibility rules. In most instances, 
Regulation SHO governs the timeframe in which a ``participant'' of a 
registered clearing agency must close out a fail to

[[Page 15592]]

deliver position by purchasing or borrowing securities. In the event a 
market participant must alter current operations, practices or systems 
or develop new operations, practices or systems in order to comply with 
the current provisions of Regulation SHO, there may be associated 
costs. For example, if recalls of loaned securities need to be made one 
day sooner in order to comply with certain requirements under 
Regulation SHO, the broker-dealer will have to ensure its systems, 
staff and operations are prepared to make the adjustment to accommodate 
the change.\313\
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    \313\ See Part III.C.1 for the discussion of the impact of 
shortening the settlement cycle on complying with Regulation SHO. 
The costs of these adjustments are incorporated into the cost 
estimates in Part VI.C.5.b.3.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Similarly, some of the Commission's financial responsibility rules 
relate to actions or notifications that reference the settlement date 
of a transaction. For example, Exchange Act Rule 15c3-3(m) \314\ uses 
settlement date to prescribe the timeframe in which a broker-dealer 
must complete certain sell orders on behalf of customers. The 
settlement date is also incorporated into paragraph (c)(9) of Rule 
15c3-1,\315\ which explains what it means to ``promptly transmit'' 
funds and ``promptly deliver'' securities within the meaning of 
paragraphs (a)(2)(i) and (a)(2)(v) of Rule 15c3-1. As explained above, 
the concepts of promptly transmitting funds and promptly delivering 
securities are incorporated in other provisions of the financial 
responsibility rules.\316\ Under the amendment to Rule 15c6-1(a), the 
timeframes included in these rules will be one business day closer to 
the trade date.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \314\ 17 CFR 240.15c3-3(m).
    \315\ 17 CFR 240.15c3-1(c)(9).
    \316\ See, e.g., 17 CFR 240.15c3-1(a)(2)(i), (a)(2)(v); 17 CFR 
240.15c3-3(k)(1)(iii), (k)(2)(i), (k)(2)(ii); 17 CFR 240.17a-
5(e)(1)(A); 17 CFR 240.17a-13(a)(3).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission believes that shortening these timeframes will not 
materially affect the costs that broker-dealers are likely to incur to 
meet their Regulation SHO obligations and obligations under the 
Commission's financial responsibility rules after the settlement date. 
Nevertheless, the Commission acknowledges that a shorter settlement 
cycle could affect the processes by which broker-dealers manage the 
likelihood of incurring these obligations. For example, broker-dealers 
may currently have in place inventory management systems that help them 
avoid failing to deliver securities by T+3. Broker-dealers may incur 
incremental costs in order to update these systems to support a shorter 
settlement cycle.
    In cases where market participants will need to adjust the way in 
which they comply with other Commission rules, the magnitude of the 
costs associated with these adjustments is difficult to quantify. As 
noted above, market participants employ a wide variety of strategies to 
meet regulatory obligations. For example, broker-dealers may ensure 
that they have securities available to meet their obligations by using 
inventory management systems or they may choose instead to borrow 
securities. An estimate of costs is further complicated by the 
possibility that market participants could change their compliance 
strategies in response to the shortened standard settlement cycle. 
However, the Commission notes that some of the adjustment costs for 
compliance with other Commission rules, such as the stock loan recall 
requirements of Regulation SHO, and the prospectus delivery 
requirements of Securities Act Rule 172 are included in the cost 
estimates we provide in Part VI.C.5.\317\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \317\ Stock loan recall and prospectus delivery requirements 
were explicitly listed in the set of process updates necessary for 
T+2 in the T+2 Playbook, which was used to form our upper bound cost 
estimates. For the SIFMA survey cost estimates which the Commission 
uses as a lower bound for cost estimates, the Commission assumes 
that survey responders have incorporated these costs into their 
estimates.
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4. Effect on Efficiency, Competition, and Capital Formation
    A shorter standard settlement cycle will improve the efficiency of 
the clearance and settlement process through several channels. The 
Commission believes that the primary effect that a shorter settlement 
cycle would have on the efficiency of the settlement process would be a 
reduction in the credit, market, and liquidity risks that broker-
dealers, CCPs, and other market participants are subject to during the 
standard settlement cycle. A shorter standard settlement cycle will 
generally reduce the volume of unsettled transactions that could 
potentially pose settlement risk to counterparties. By shortening the 
period between trade execution and settlement, trades can be settled 
with less aggregate risk to counterparties or the CCP. A shorter 
standard settlement cycle may also decrease liquidity risk by enabling 
market participants to access the proceeds of their transactions 
sooner, which may reduce the cost market participants incur to handle 
idiosyncratic liquidity shocks (i.e., liquidity shocks that are 
uncorrelated with the market). That is, because the time interval 
between a purchase/sale of securities and payment is reduced by one 
day, market participants with immediate payment obligations that they 
could cover by selling securities would be required to obtain short-
term funding for one less business day.\318\ As a result of reduced 
cost associated with covering their liquidity needs, market 
participants may, under particular circumstances, be able to shift 
assets that would otherwise be held as liquid collateral towards more 
productive uses, improving allocative efficiency.\319\ Several 
commenters made similar arguments, noting the benefits of reduced 
liquidity risk and reduced collateral requirements.\320\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \318\ See supra Part VI.B.2.
    \319\ See supra Part VI.A for more on collateral and allocative 
efficiency.
    \320\ SIFMA at 15, ICI at 4-5, FIF at 2, WFA at 2. The SIFMA 
comment letter stated that CCPs will be better positioned to serve 
as a source of stability and efficiency within the clearance and 
settlement system when there is a shorter period of time during 
which they are exposed to credit, market, and liquidity risks, and 
provided DTCC's estimate of a reduction of nearly $1.36 billion in 
average daily clearing fund requirements for DTCC member firms (in 
the absence of NSCC's accelerated trade guaranty). The ICI letter 
also discussed the reduction in credit, market, and liquidity risk, 
and added that this will reduce liquidity gaps and enhance cash 
management for investment advisers and mutual funds as well as other 
institutional investors. WFA stated that a shortened settlement 
cycle would reduce systemic risks, free up capital, standardize 
global transaction settlement, and better meet customers' needs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, a shorter standard settlement cycle may increase price 
efficiency through its effect on credit risk exposures between 
financial intermediaries and their customers. In particular, a prior 
study noted that certain intermediaries that transact on behalf of 
investors, such as broker-dealers, may be exposed to the risk that 
their customers default on payment obligations when the price of 
purchased securities declines during the settlement cycle.\321\ As a 
result of the option to default on payment obligations, customers' 
payoffs from securities purchases resemble European call options and, 
from a theoretical standpoint, can be valued as such. Notably, the 
value of European call options are increasing in the time to maturity 
\322\ suggesting that the value of call options held by customers who 
purchase securities is increasing in the length of the settlement 
cycle. In order to compensate itself for the call option that it 
writes, an intermediary may include the cost of these call options as

[[Page 15593]]

part of its transaction fee and this cost may become a component of 
bid-ask spreads for securities transactions. By reducing the value of 
customers' option to default by reducing the option's time to maturity, 
a shorter standard settlement cycle may reduce transaction costs in 
U.S. securities markets.\323\ In addition, to the extent that any 
benefit buyers receive from deferring payment during the settlement 
cycle is incorporated in securities returns,\324\ the amendment to Rule 
15c6-1, as adopted, may reduce the extent to which these returns 
deviate from returns consistent with changes to fundamentals.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \321\ See Madhavan et al., supra note 240.
    \322\ All other things equal, an option with a longer time to 
maturity is more likely to be in the money given that the variance 
of the underlying security's price at the exercise date is higher.
    \323\ One commenter agreed that a shorter settlement cycle could 
result in lower transactions costs. See Newill.
    \324\ See supra Part VI.B.2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission believes that the amendment to Rule 15c6-1(a) will 
likely require market participants to incur costs related to 
infrastructure upgrades and will likely yield benefits to market 
participants, largely in the form of reduced financial risks related to 
settlement. As a result, the Commission believes that the amendment to 
Rule 15c6-1(a) could affect competition in a number of different, and 
potentially offsetting, ways.
    The prospective reduction in financial risks related to shortening 
the standard settlement cycle may represent a reduction in barriers to 
entry for certain market participants. Reductions in the financial 
resources required to cover an NSCC member's clearing fund requirements 
that result from a shorter standard settlement cycle could encourage 
financial firms that currently clear transactions through NSCC clearing 
members to become clearing members themselves. Their entry into the 
market could promote competition among clearing members at NSCC. 
Furthermore, if a reduction in settlement risks results in lower 
transaction costs for the reasons discussed above, market participants 
that were, on the margin, discouraged from supplying liquidity to 
securities markets due to these costs could choose to enter the market 
for liquidity suppliers, increasing competition.
    At the same time, the Commission acknowledges that the 
technological and operational changes required to enable a shorter 
standard settlement cycle could adversely affect competition. Among 
clearing members, where such process improvements might be necessary to 
comply with the shorter standard settlement cycle required under the 
amendment to Rule 15c6-1(a), the cost associated with compliance might 
create barriers to entry, because new firms will incur higher fixed 
costs associated with a shorter standard settlement cycle if they wish 
to enter the market. Clearing members might choose to comply by 
upgrading their systems and processes or may choose instead to exit the 
market for clearing services. The exit of clearing members could have 
negative consequences for competition between clearing members. 
Clearing activity tends to be concentrated among larger broker-dealers, 
and the exit of clearing members could result in further concentration 
and additional market power for those clearing members that 
remain.\325\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \325\ See id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Alternatively, some current clearing members may choose to comply 
by ceasing to be clearing members and instead outsourcing their 
operational needs to third-party service providers. Use of third-party 
service providers may represent a reasonable response to the 
operational costs associated with the amendment to Rule 15c6-1(a). 
While the costs associated with the amendment to Rule 15c6-1(a) may 
have adverse effects on competition between clearing members, including 
by increasing barriers to entry for broker-dealers who wish to become 
clearing member, the Commission believes that the use of third-party 
service providers may mitigate them. This is because, to the extent 
that third-party service providers are able to spread the fixed costs 
of compliance across a larger volume of transactions than their 
clients, the Commission believes that the use of third-party service 
providers might impose a smaller compliance cost on clearing members, 
including smaller broker-dealers, than if these firms directly bore the 
costs of compliance.
    Existing market power may also affect the distribution of 
competitive impacts stemming from the amendment to Rule 15c6-1(a) 
across different types of market participants. While, as noted above, 
reductions in risk could promote competition among clearing members and 
liquidity suppliers, these groups may benefit to differing degrees, 
depending on the extent to which they are able to capture the benefits 
of a shortened standard settlement cycle. For example, clearing brokers 
tend to be larger than other broker-dealers,\326\ and may generally be 
able to appropriate more of the savings from clearing fund deposit 
reductions for themselves if they have market power relative to their 
customers by passing only a small portion of savings through to their 
customers through fees or transactions costs. However, those broker-
dealers that predominantly serve retail investors may be in a better 
bargaining position relative to those that predominantly serve 
institutional investors, and therefore may capture more of the benefits 
stemming from the amendment to Rule 15c6-1(a). Likewise, broker-dealers 
that serve retail investors may similarly be able to use their market 
power relative to their customers to retain more of the clearing fund 
deposit reduction as profits by maintaining their transaction costs and 
fees instead of passing these through to their customers. Institutional 
investors may be in a relatively better bargaining position by virtue 
of their large size and may be more likely to successfully negotiate 
lower fees or transaction costs and share in the savings associated 
with lower clearing fund deposits.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \326\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Finally, a shorter standard settlement cycle could improve the 
capital efficiency of the clearance and settlement process, which would 
promote capital formation in U.S. securities markets and in the 
financial system generally.\327\ A shorter standard settlement cycle 
would reduce the amount of time that collateral must be held for a 
given trade, thus freeing the collateral to be used elsewhere earlier. 
Additionally, one commenter estimated that the move to a T+2 standard 
settlement cycle would reduce NSCC clearing fund deposits by an average 
of almost 9%, which translates into approximately $533 million of freed 
capital for NSCC's members.\328\ The greater collateral efficiency 
promoted by a shorter settlement cycle might also indirectly promote 
capital formation for market participants in the financial system in 
general, because the proceeds from purchases and sales will be 
available to market participants faster, and allow those assets to be 
used for other purposes sooner. This would improve capital efficiency, 
as a given amount of collateral can support a larger amount of economic 
activity.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \327\ See supra Part VI.C.1. and Part VI.C.4. for more 
discussion about capital formation and efficiency.
    \328\ SIFMA at 10. The SIFMA comment letter also noted that DTCC 
estimated a reduction of nearly $1.36 billion in average daily 
clearing fund requirements for DTCC member firms in the absence of 
NSCC's accelerated trade guaranty.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

5. Quantification of Direct and Indirect Effects of a T+2 Settlement 
Cycle
    Prior to the T+2 Proposing Release, industry groups released cost 
estimates for compliance with a shorter standard settlement cycle, 
including the SIA, the ISC, and BCG. In response to the T+2 Proposing 
Release, SIFMA and ICI

[[Page 15594]]

retained the services of Deloitte & Touche LLC to analyze the results 
of the Industry Cost Survey that they conducted of asset managers, 
broker-dealers, and custody banks, as well as service bureaus and 
DTCC.\329\ This survey provides cost estimates for the investments 
necessary for a T+2 standard settlement cycle. This economic analysis 
first summarizes the most recent cost estimates provided by commenters 
in the subsection immediately below and then, in the following 
subsections, provides the Commission's evaluation of these estimates as 
part of a discussion of the potential direct and indirect compliance 
costs related to the amendment to Rule 15c6-1(a).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \329\ SIFMA at 10.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

a. Industry Estimates of Costs and Benefits
    The SIFMA survey cost estimates have several advantages over the 
BCG Study cost estimates published in 2012. First, because the SIFMA 
survey cost estimates are more recent, they may take into account 
technological innovations that have occurred since 2012 that may have 
changed the cost of upgrades that a shorter standard settlement cycle 
could necessitate. In addition, the SIFMA survey cost estimates may 
also incorporate information about more recent investments many market 
participants have already made to support transition to a T+2 
settlement cycle which may reduce the necessity of certain 
upgrades.\330\ Finally, given the efforts of industry participants to 
publicize the transition to a T+2 standard settlement cycle, market 
participants may have a more concrete timeline upon which to base their 
cost estimates.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \330\ See SIFMA at 13.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission notes that some of the weaknesses of the BCG Study 
also apply to the SIFMA survey. As both studies rely on respondents to 
voluntarily provide information about their own cost estimates, the 
cost estimates may not be representative of the costs of all market 
participants. Given that the cost estimates in some industry categories 
had significant variation, it is not clear to what extent the costs of 
those industry participants who did not respond to the survey would 
differ from those that did. However, the response rates in different 
categories of industry participants varied significantly, which 
suggests that the potential for selection bias for the cost estimates 
may vary by participant category.
    The SIFMA survey concluded that the transition to a T+2 standard 
settlement cycle would cost approximately $687 million in incremental 
initial investments across industry constituent groups.\331\ This value 
is higher than the $550 million total cost estimate from the BCG Study 
in conducted in 2012.\332\ The SIFMA survey contained 87 responses 
segmented by business model, including asset managers, clearing broker-
dealers, introducing broker-dealers, self-clearing broker-dealers, 
custody banks, and service providers, to produce an average cost for 
the category of firm. The Commission's entity estimates for each 
category of firm from the T+2 Proposing Release were used to estimate 
the size of each category, and to produce the total cost estimate. In 
addition, the survey's estimates were grouped by the size of the firm, 
with this grouping based on assets under management (``AUM'') for asset 
managers and on annual revenues for sell side and clearing firms.\333\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \331\ SIFMA at 24. The commenter stated its belief that these 
costs, while significant, reflect that its members and other market 
participants would bear the costs of the transition to a T+2 
settlement cycle individually and by segment both reasonably and 
proportionately. The commenter further stated that the survey 
indicated that costs borne by various segments could be reduced 
because investments already made in system changes for firms 
operating in jurisdictions that maintain a T+2 settlement 
environment and widespread use of service bureaus to provide 
clearance and settlement services include the changes needed to 
support the initiative. SIFMA at 10. In addition, one other 
commenter stated that it does not believe the proposed amendment 
will impose any burdens on the industry in addition to those 
necessary to implement the industry initiative to move to T+2. 
Fidelity at 6.
    \332\ SIFMA at 10.
    \333\ SIFMA at 10-11. There was a broad range of firm sizes and 
business models, with asset managers with AUM ranging from $20 
billion to over $200 billion and annual revenues of broker-dealers 
ranging from under $250 million to over $1 billion.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The investment costs for asset managers were estimated to be 
$74,000 per asset manager, and the total cost for all asset managers 
would be $71,410,000.\334\ The 26 asset managers that responded to the 
survey represented approximately 48% of ICI fund members' assets in 
open ended mutual funds. The survey estimate for broker-dealers 
(clearing for others and self-clearing) is approximately $2,690,000, 
with the total cost for all broker-dealers (clearing for others and 
self-clearing) estimated to be $500,340,000.\335\ The commenter noted 
that broker-dealer respondents provided cost estimates that varied 
significantly, and that some self-clearing firms reported much lower 
costs due to their use of third party service providers and the fact 
that some firms have already made the investments necessary to support 
a move to a T+2 settlement cycle given their presence in non-U.S. 
markets that operate on a T+2 settlement cycle. At the same time, other 
self-clearing firms reported much higher costs, up to $15.6 million.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \334\ SIFMA at 24.
    \335\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The survey noted that introducing firms reported de minimis direct 
implementation costs, and estimates that each introducing broker-dealer 
would incur $30,000 of client outreach and education costs. The survey 
estimated that custodian banks would have an average cost of $782,000, 
with a total cost for all custodian banks of $41,446,000.\336\ The 
average cost estimate for service providers was $3,006,000, and the 
total cost estimate for all service providers was $18,036,000. As in 
the case for broker-dealers, the commenter notes that there was 
significant variation in cost estimates, as some service providers 
reported having already made the necessary investments. In addition, 
the survey notes that survey respondents were instructed not to include 
the costs of third party service party providers in their responses, to 
avoid double counting. The survey estimates that the average cost for 
ETC providers was $315,000 each, with the total cost for all Matching/
ETC providers at $945,000. The estimated cost for NSCC and DTC was $10 
million each, which was provided by DTCC.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \336\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

b. Commission Estimates of Costs
    The amendment to Rule 15c6-1(a) will generate direct and indirect 
costs for market participants, who may need to change multiple systems 
and processes to comply with a T+2 standard settlement cycle. As noted 
in Part IV above, the T+2 Playbook included a timeline with milestones 
and dependencies necessary for a transition to a T+2 settlement cycle, 
as well as activities that market participants should consider in 
preparation for the transition. The Commission believes that the 
majority of the activities of migration to a T+2 standard settlement 
cycle will stem from behavior modification of market participants and 
systems testing, and thus the majority of the costs of migration will 
be from labor. These modifications may include a compression of the 
settlement timeline, as well as an increase in the fees that brokers 
may impose on their customers for trade failures.
    As noted by several commenters, many market participants work with

[[Page 15595]]

third-party service providers for activities such as trade processing 
and asset servicing, and thus may only indirectly bear the costs of the 
requirements. In addition, some market participants already have the 
processes and systems in place to accommodate a T+2 settlement cycle or 
would be able to adjust to a T+2 settlement cycle with minimal cost. 
For example, some market participants may already have the systems and 
processes to reduce the amount of time needed for trade affirmation and 
matching.\337\ These market participants may thus bear a significantly 
lower cost to update their trade affirmation to comply with a T+2 
standard settlement cycle.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \337\ See BCG Study, supra note 247, at 23; SIFMA at 4-5.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In the following section, the Commission examines several 
categories of market participants and estimates the compliance costs 
for each category. The Commission acknowledges that many entities are 
already undertaking activities to support a migration to a T+2 
settlement cycle in anticipation of the amendment. However, to the 
extent that the costs of these activities have already been incurred, 
the Commission considers these as sunk costs and therefore does not 
include them in the analysis below.
(1) FMUs--CCPs and CSDs
    NSCC and DTC systems and operations will require adjustment to 
support a T+2 standard settlement cycle. According to the T+2 Playbook 
and the ISC White Paper, regulation-dependent planning, implementation, 
testing, and migration activities associated with the transition to a 
T+2 settlement cycle could last up to five quarters.\338\ In the T+2 
Proposing Release, the Commission initially estimated that these 
activities will impose a one-time compliance cost of $10.9 million 
\339\ for DTC and NSCC each. The SIFMA survey stated that DTCC reported 
their estimated costs to be $10 million each, $6 million for the build 
out necessary for the test environment and $4 million for T+2 system 
modifications.\340\ These self-reported costs do not significantly 
differ from the Commission's nor the BCG Study's preliminary estimate.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \338\ See T+2 Playbook, supra note 209, at 11. To monetize the 
internal costs, Commission staff used data from the SIFMA 
publications. Our time estimates account for the fact that a portion 
of the timeline has already elapsed in anticipation of a transition 
to a T+2 standard settlement cycle, and those costs are already 
sunk.
    \339\ The estimate is based on the T+2 Playbook timeline, which 
estimates regulation-dependent implementation activity, industry 
testing, and migration lasting five quarters. We assume 10 
operations specialists (at $129 per hour), 10 programmers (at $256 
per hour), and 1 senior operations manager (at $345/hour), working 
40 hours per week. (10 x $129 + 10 x $256 + 1 x $345) x 5 x 13 x 40 
= $10,907,000.
    \340\ SIFMA at 25; DTCC Letter at 3.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

(2) Matching/ETC Providers--Exempt Clearing Agencies
    Matching/ETC Providers may need to adapt their trade processing 
systems to comply with a T+2 settlement cycle. This may include actions 
such as updating reference data, configuring trade match systems, and 
configuring trade affirmation systems to affirm trades by 12:00 p.m. on 
T+1. Matching/ETC Providers will also need to conduct testing and 
assess post-migration activities. In response to the SIFMA survey, 
Matching/ETC providers indicated an average cost of $315,000 each. 
Given that two out of the three Matching/ETC providers responded to the 
survey, the Commission believes that the survey responses support a 
lower bound of the per-entity cost estimate to $315,000. However, the 
Commission acknowledges that some Matching/ETC providers may have a 
higher or lower costs than others based on the volume of transactions 
that they process as well as the extent to which the ETC provider has 
already made the necessary investments for a T+2 settlement cycle. 
Thus, the Commission continues to believe that the $10.9 million per 
entity estimate cost is a reasonable upper bound on the per-entity cost 
estimate for Matching/ETC Providers. The Commission expects that 
Matching/ETC providers will incur minimal ongoing costs after the 
initial transition to a T+2 settlement cycle because the Commission 
believes that the majority of the costs of migration to a T+2 
settlement cycle entail behavioral changes of market participants and 
pre-migration testing.
(3) Market Participants--Investors, Broker-Dealers, and Custodians
    The overall compliance costs that a market participant incurs in 
connection with the amendment to Rule 15c6-1(a) will depend on the 
extent to which it is directly involved in functions related to 
clearance and settlement, asset servicing, and other activities. For 
example, retail investors may bear few (if any) direct costs in a 
transition to a T+2 standard settlement cycle, because their respective 
broker-dealer handles the back-office functions of each transaction. 
However, as is discussed below, this does not imply that retail 
investors will not face indirect costs from the transition, such as 
those passed through from broker-dealers or banks.
    Institutional investors may need to configure systems and update 
reference data, which may also include updates to trade funding and 
processing mechanisms, to operate in a T+2 environment. In the T+2 
Proposing Release, the Commission preliminarily estimated that these 
would require an initial expenditure of $2.32 million per entity.\341\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \341\ T+2 Proposing Release, supra note 1, 81 FR at 69275.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The SIFMA survey estimated that asset managers would have an 
average cost of $74,000. The survey received 26 responses from asset 
managers, which represented $7.8 trillion in assets under management 
(``AUM''), approximately 48% of total ICI fund members' assets in open 
ended mutual funds. The average cost varied depending on the asset 
manager's size, with those with $20 billion to $250 billion in AUM with 
an approximate average cost estimate of $151,000, while the largest 
asset managers with over $200 billion in AUM had lower average costs of 
approximately $58,000. The SIFMA survey argued that this difference in 
cost may reflect the fact that larger asset managers may have already 
made system changes to support their activity in non-U.S. markets that 
have already moved to a T+2 settlement cycle.\342\ Asset managers 
represent a subset of the institutional investors that will bear costs 
as a result of the amendment. Based on these survey responses, the 
Commission acknowledges that a portion of institutional investors will 
likely bear lower costs than was initially estimated, and the 
Commission is revising the lower bound of its per-entity cost estimate 
to the SIFMA survey estimates $74,000 per institutional investor. 
However, these costs may vary depending on the extent to which a 
particular institutional investor has already automated their trade 
processes, and the Commission is maintaining its initial estimate of 
$2.32 million as an upper bound cost estimate. The Commission expects 
institutional investors will incur minimal ongoing direct compliance 
costs after the initial transition to a T+2 standard settlement cycle.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \342\ See SIFMA at 24.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Broker-dealers that serve institutional investors will not only 
need to configure their trading systems and update reference data, but 
may also need to update trade confirmation/affirmation systems, 
documentation, cashiering and asset servicing functions, depending on 
the roles they assume with respect to their clients. In the T+2 
Proposing Release, the Commission preliminarily

[[Page 15596]]

estimated that, on average, each of these broker-dealers would incur an 
initial compliance cost of up to $4.72 million.\343\ We expect that 
these broker-dealers will incur minimal ongoing direct compliance costs 
after the initial transition to a T+2 standard settlement cycle.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \343\ T+2 Proposing Release, supra note 1, 81 FR at 69275.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Broker-dealers that serve retail investors may also need to spend 
significant resources to educate their clients about the shorter 
settlement cycle. In the T+2 Proposing Release, the Commission 
preliminarily estimated that these broker-dealers would incur an 
initial compliance cost of up to $8.6 million each.\344\ Retail 
investors may require additional education and customer service, which 
may impose costs on their broker-dealers. The Commission preliminarily 
estimated that a reasonable upper bound for the costs associated with 
this requirement is $30,000 per broker-dealer.\345\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \344\ Id.
    \345\ This estimate is based on the assumption that a broker-
dealer chooses to educate customers using a 10-minute view that 
takes at most $3,000 per minute to produce. See Crowdfunding, 
Exchange Act Release No. 76324 (Oct. 30, 2015), 80 FR 71388, 71529 & 
n.1683 (Nov. 16, 2015).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The SIFMA survey reported that introducing firms reported a de 
minimis direct implementation investment cost, as the necessary 
investments were made at their clearing firms and other service 
providers.\346\ The survey also stated that introducing firms would 
likely only have costs related to employee education and outreach to 
customers, and used the Commission estimate of $30,000 for each 
introducing firm for these costs.\347\ Given the survey responses, the 
Commission believes that the total average cost of $30,000 is an 
appropriate lower bound for the per-entity cost for introducing firms, 
and that the previous estimate from the T+2 Proposing Release of 
$8,630,000 remains an appropriate upper bound.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \346\ SIFMA at 12.
    \347\ See SIFMA at 24.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Assuming all clearing and introducing broker-dealers must educate 
retail customers, the total costs of retail investor education would be 
approximately $50.5 million for all broker-dealers.\348\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \348\ Calculated as $30,000 per broker-dealer x (186 broker-
dealers reporting as self-clearing + 1,497 broker-dealers reporting 
as introducing but not self-clearing) = $50,490,000.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Custodian banks will need to update their asset servicing functions 
to comply with a shorter settlement cycle. In the T+2 Proposing 
Release, the Commission preliminarily estimated that custodian banks 
would incur an initial compliance cost of $1.16 million per custodian 
bank.\349\ The SIFMA survey estimated that the average cost for each 
custodian bank would be approximately $782,000, which the Commission 
uses as a lower bound estimate for the average cost. In addition, the 
Commission expects custodian banks to incur minimal ongoing compliance 
costs after the initial transition because most of the costs will stem 
from pre-migration updates and testing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \349\ See T+2 Proposing Release supra note 1, 81 FR at 69275.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

(4) Indirect Costs
    In estimating these implementation costs, we note that market 
participants who bear the direct costs of the actions they undertake to 
comply with Rule 15c6-1 may pass these costs on to their customers. For 
example, retail and institutional investors might not directly bear the 
cost of all of the necessary upgrades for a T+2 settlement cycle, but 
might indirectly bear these costs as their broker-dealers might 
increase their fees to amortize the costs of updates among their 
customers. The Commission is unable to quantify the overall magnitude 
of the indirect costs that retail and institutional investors may bear, 
because it will depend on the market power of each broker-dealer, and 
its willingness to pass on the costs of migration to a T+2 standard 
settlement cycle to their customers. However, the Commission believes 
that in situations where broker-dealers have little or no competition, 
broker-dealers may at most pass on the entire cost of the initial 
investment to their customers. As discussed above, this could be as 
high as $4.72 million for broker-dealers that serve institutional 
investors, and $8.6 million for broker-dealers that serve retail 
investors. However, in situations where broker-dealers face heavy 
competition for customers, broker-dealers may bear the costs of the 
initial investment entirely, and avoid passing on these costs to their 
customers.
    As noted in Part VI.A above, the ability of market participants to 
pass implementation costs on to customers likely depends on their 
relative bargaining power. For example, CCPs, like many other 
utilities, exhibit many of the characteristics of natural monopolies 
and, as a result, may have market power, particularly relative to 
broker-dealers who submit trades for clearing. This means that they may 
be able to share implementation costs they directly face related to 
shortening the settlement cycle with broker-dealers through higher 
clearing fees. Conversely, if institutional investors have market power 
relative to broker-dealers, broker-dealers may not be in a position to 
impose indirect costs on them.
(5) Industry-Wide Costs
    To estimate the aggregate, industry-wide cost of a transition to a 
T+2 standard settlement cycle, the Commission takes its per-entity 
estimates and multiplies them by its estimate of the respective number 
of entities. The Commission estimates that there are 965 buy-side 
firms, 186 broker-dealers, and 53 custodian banks.\350\ Additionally, 
as noted in Part III.C.1.c above, there are three Matching/ETC 
Providers, and 1,683 broker-dealers that will incur investor education 
costs. One way to establish a total industry initial compliance cost 
estimate would be to multiply each estimated per-entity cost by the 
respective number of entities and sum these values, which would result 
in an estimate of $4.0 billion.\351\ The Commission, however, believes 
that this estimate is likely to overstate the true initial cost of 
transition to a T+2 settlement cycle for a number of reasons, and thus 
uses this value as an upper bound for our cost estimates. First, the 
Commission's per-entity estimates do not account for the heterogeneity 
in market participant size, which may have a significant impact on the 
costs that market participants face. While the SIFMA survey and the BCG 
Study included both estimates of the number of entities in different 
size categories as well as estimates of costs that an entity in each 
size category is likely to incur, it did not provide sufficient 
underlying information to allow the Commission to estimate the 
relationship between market participant size and compliance cost and 
thus the Commission cannot produce comparable estimates.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \350\ The estimate for the number of buy-side firms is based on 
the Commission's 13(f) holdings information filers with over $1 
billion in AUM, as of December 31, 2015. The estimate for the number 
of broker-dealers is based on FINRA FOCUS Reports of firms reporting 
as self-clearing. See supra note 258 and accompanying text. The 
estimate for the number of custodian banks is based on the number of 
``settling banks'' listed in DTC's Member Directories, available at 
http://www.dtcc.com/client-center/dtc-directories.
    \351\ Calculated as 186 broker-dealers (self-clearing) x 
$8,606,000 + 1683 broker-dealers (self-clearing and introducing) x 
$30,000 + 53 custodian banks x $1,159,000 + 965 buy-side firms x 
$2,319,000 + 3 Matching/ETC Providers x $10,900,000 + 2 FMUs x 
$10,900,000 = $ 4,005,034,800.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Second, the Commission's estimate assumes that broker-dealers will 
not repurpose existing systems that allow them to participate in 
foreign markets that require settlement by T+2. For example, 
approximately 99 of the

[[Page 15597]]

broker-dealers that reported self-clearing also reported that they were 
affiliates or subsidiaries of foreign broker-dealers or banks. To the 
extent that a broker-dealer has a foreign affiliate or parent that 
already has systems in place to support T+2 settlement in foreign 
markets, it may bear lower costs under the proposed amendment to Rule 
15c6-1(a) than the estimate above. Removing all 99 of these broker-
dealers from the computation of total industry initial compliance cost 
estimate presented above results in a reduction of this estimate to 
approximately $3.2 billion.\352\ One commenter stated that those firms 
that had already made investments to support the move to T+2 settlement 
in Europe were expected to be able to draw on their experience to rely 
on already modified systems to support the move in their U.S. 
operations.\353\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \352\ Calculated as 87 broker-dealers (self-clearing) x 
$8,606,000 + 1683 broker-dealers (self-clearing and introducing) x 
$30,000 + 53 custodian banks x $1,159,000 + 965 buy-side firms x 
$2,319,000 + 3 Matching/ETC Providers x $10,900,000 + 2 FMUs x 
$10,900,000 = $ 3,153,040,800.
    \353\ See SIFMA at 12.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Third, investments by third-party service providers may mean that 
many of the estimated compliance costs for market participants are 
duplicated. The SIFMA survey and BCG Study suggests that the use of 
service providers may yield a savings of $194 million, reducing 
aggregate costs by approximately 29%.\354\ Based on information 
gathered from the recent available financial reports of service 
providers, the Commission believes that a reasonable range of estimates 
for the average cost reduction associated with service providers across 
all entities could be between 16% and 32%.\355\ Applying this range to 
the total industry initial compliance cost estimate presented above 
yields a range of total industry initial compliance cost estimates 
between $2.7 billion and $3.4 billion. One commenter supported this 
point, stating that ``[s]ome self-clearing firms reported that they 
anticipate making only de minimis investments beyond client 
communications and staff education, due to their use of third party 
service providers that will make the bulk of necessary investments.'' 
\356\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \354\ See BCG Study supra note 247, at 79.
    \355\ Commission Staff hand collected information on operating 
margins for business segments related to settlement services of 
three large service providers for fiscal years 2013, 2014, and 2015. 
The median estimate was 16.4%. To arrive at the lower bound of 16%, 
the Commission assumes service providers capture all of the cost 
reduction they provide; to arrive at the upper bound, the Commission 
assumes that service providers share half of the overall cost 
reduction with their customers. Generally, the extent to which 
service providers share the efficiencies they provide with their 
customers may depend on service providers' bargaining power. See, 
e.g., Binmore, Ken, Ariel Rubinstein, and Asher Wolinsky, The Nash 
Bargaining Solution In Economic Modelling, The RAND Journal of 
Economics, 17, no. 2, Summer, 1986, at 176-188.
    \356\ See SIFMA at 12.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Taking into account potential cost reductions due to repurposing 
existing systems and using service providers as described above, the 
Commission initially estimated that $2.1 billion to $4.2 billion 
represented a reasonable range for the total industry initial 
compliance costs.\357\ Having reviewed the survey data provided by 
SIFMA, the Commission believes that compliance costs for some types of 
entities may be lower than initially estimated in the T+2 Proposing 
Release and has revised down the lower bound of this range to $687 
million. However, the Commission notes that the survey information also 
suggested substantial variation in per entity costs and, as a result, 
the Commission believes that $4.2 billion continues to be a reasonable 
upper bound for this range.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \357\ See T+2 Proposing Release, supra note 1, 81 FR at 69276.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition to these initial costs, a transition to a T+2 standard 
settlement cycle may also result in certain ongoing industry-wide 
costs. Though the Commission believes that a move to a T+2 standard 
settlement cycle will generally bring with it a reduced reliance on 
manual processing, a shorter settlement cycle may also exacerbate 
remaining operational risk. This is because a shorter settlement cycle 
would provide market participants with less time to resolve errors. For 
example, if there is an entry error in the trade match details sent by 
either counterparty for a trade, both counterparties would have one 
extra business day to resolve the error under the baseline than in a 
T+2 environment. For these errors, a shorter settlement cycle may 
increase the probability that the error ultimately results in a 
settlement fail. However, given the variety of operational errors that 
are possible in the clearance and settlement process and the low 
probability of some of these errors, the Commission is unable to 
quantify the impact that shortening the standard settlement cycle to 
T+2 may have on the ongoing industry-wide costs stemming from a 
potential increase in operational risk.
    Another industry-wide potential cost of shortening the standard 
settlement cycle is related to CCP member default. A shorter settlement 
cycle may provide CCPs with a shorter time horizon in which to manage a 
defaulting member's outstanding settlement obligations. Besides 
potentially increasing the operational risks associated with default 
management, a shorter standard settlement cycle may also have 
implications for CCPs that must liquidate a defaulting member's 
securities and, if circumstances require, the securities of non-
defaulting members, in order to meet payment obligations for unsettled 
trades. A shorter standard settlement cycle leaves a CCP with less time 
in which to liquidate the securities and may increase the price impact 
associated with liquidation.
    Current margin models at CCPs may account for the price impact 
associated with liquidating collateral. Although a CCP's margining 
algorithm may account for the additional impact generated by a shorter 
liquidation horizon for the defaulting member's clearing fund deposits, 
margin requirements may not reflect the costs that a liquidation over a 
shorter horizon may impose on other market participants. For example, a 
CCP may impose haircuts on collateral to account for the costs of 
liquidating collateral in the event of a clearing member default, 
causing clearing members to internalize a portion of the cost of 
liquidating illiquid assets. While the haircut may mitigate the risk 
that the price impact associated with liquidation of collateral assets 
over a shorter period of time causes the CCP to fail to meet its 
settlement obligations, the reduction in the price of collateral assets 
may affect other market participants who may be sensitive to the value 
of these assets.

D. Consideration of Alternatives

1. Shift to a T+1 Standard Settlement Cycle
    Although the Commission proposed a two day standard settlement 
cycle, the Commission acknowledged that amending Rule 15c6-1(a) to 
further shorten the standard settlement cycle (e.g., T+1 or T+0) could 
potentially result in further risk reduction in the national clearance 
and settlement system.\358\ The T+2 Proposing Release requested comment 
on whether the standard settlement cycle should be shortened to T+1 or 
some other shorter settlement cycle, as well as the reasons for or 
against such further shortening.\359\ The Commission stated its 
preliminary belief that shortening the standard settlement cycle to T+2 
is the appropriate step to take at this time because implementing a T+1 
or T+0

[[Page 15598]]

settlement cycle could require market participants to incur 
comparatively larger investments and would necessitate more lead time 
and greater coordination.\360\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \358\ T+2 Proposing Release, supra note 1, 81 FR at 69259.
    \359\ Id. at 69262.
    \360\ Id. at 69259.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission has considered standard settlement cycles shorter 
than T+2, along with the related comments, and does not believe that a 
shorter settlement cycle is appropriate at this time.\361\ The 
Commission believes that although a move to a T+1 standard settlement 
cycle could have similar qualitative benefits of market, credit, and 
liquidity risk reduction as a move to a T+2 standard settlement cycle, 
the types of investments and changes necessary to move to a T+1 
standard settlement cycle will also introduce greater costs for market 
participants.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \361\ The Commission noted in the T+2 Proposing Release that the 
Commission's Investor Advisory Committee (``IAC'') issued in 
February 2015 a public statement noting that shortening the 
settlement cycle will mitigate operational and systemic risk, as 
well as ``reduce credit, liquidity, and counterparty exposure 
risks,'' which will benefit both the securities industry and 
individual investors. See 81 FR at 69255. In its recommendation, the 
IAC stated that it ``strongly endorsed the direction of the 
recommendation by DTCC'' to shorten the settlement cycle to T+2, but 
recommended implementing a T+1 settlement cycle (rather than a T+2 
settlement cycle), noting that retail investors would significantly 
benefit from a T+1 settlement cycle. According to the IAC, moving to 
a T+1 settlement cycle, matching the settlement cycle that already 
exists for treasuries and mutual funds, would greatly reduce 
systemic risk and benefit investors. See Investor Advisory 
Committee, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Recommendation 
of the Investor Advisory Committee: Shortening the Settlement Cycle 
in U.S. Financial Markets (Feb. 12, 2015), http://www.sec.gov/spotlight/investor-advisory-committee-2012/settlement-cycle-recommendation-final.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As stated earlier, a T+1 standard settlement cycle might result in 
a larger reduction in certain settlement risks than would result from a 
T+2 standard settlement cycle because, as explained above, the risks 
associated with counterparty default tend to increase with the passage 
of time. Price volatility, as measured by the standard deviation of a 
price, is concave in time, which means that as a period of time 
increases, volatility will increase, but at a decreasing rate. This 
suggests that the reduction in price volatility from moving from T+2 
settlement to T+1 settlement is larger than the reduction in price 
volatility from moving from T+3 settlement to T+2 settlement. 
Similarly, assuming constant trading volume, the volume of unsettled 
trades for a T+1 standard settlement cycle would be reduced again by 
one-third, and, as a result, for any given adverse movement in prices, 
the financial losses resulting from counterparty default will be two-
thirds less than those under a T+3 standard settlement cycle.
    A few commenters urged the Commission to adopt a T+1 or shorter 
standard settlement cycle citing benefits similar to those of a T+2 
standard settlement cycle, but greater in magnitude.\362\ One commenter 
argued that the Commission should adopt a T+1 standard settlement cycle 
precisely because it would require more investments and transformations 
in securities processing.\363\ This commenter stated that while the 
proposal constitutes an improvement over the status quo, the proposal 
is ``woefully'' insufficient to properly protect market participants 
from credit, market, and liquidity risks, safeguard the financial 
system from excessive and unnecessary threats, and ensure the timely 
processing of investors transactions. The commenter urged the 
Commission to go further to mitigate these shortcomings, including by 
moving without undue delay toward a T+1 standard based on STP. The 
commenter stated that T+2 still constitutes an unreasonably lengthy 
settlement process ``in this day and age,'' and effectively preserves 
other suboptimal processes within the settlement cycle.\364\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \362\ CFA at 1-4; Spydell; Parker.
    \363\ CFA at 1.
    \364\ CFA at 2, 3. More specifically, the commenter argued that 
a longer cycle allows settlement processes to be structured in 
inefficient ways that are iterative, redundant, and error prone, and 
a T+2 settlement cycle does not necessarily address these issues 
because, although a T+2 settlement cycle requires reducing the time 
between steps in the settlement process, it does not necessarily 
require the fundamental overhaul of settlement procedures so that 
they are most efficient, automated, and least error-prone. While 
acknowledging that a direct move to a T+1 settlement cycle would 
require higher initial costs compared with a move to a T+2 
settlement cycle, the commenter stated that those costs would be 
``paid back'' in a relatively short amount of time.
    In addition, the commenter opposed what it characterized as the 
industry coalescing around the idea that the Commission should adopt 
at a `T+2' standard and then pause for further assessment of 
industry readiness and appetite for a future move to T+1. The 
commenter further argued that the industry has already proven it is 
unwilling or unable to move collectively and in a timely manner 
toward a shorter and more automated settlement cycle, even one that 
is based on T+2 timeframe.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    An additional commenter stated that the proposal did not go far 
enough to treat all investors equally and the settlement cycle should 
be ``24 hours maximum and 1 hour at a minimum.'' \365\ Another 
commenter stated that it was time to implement ``instantaneous'' 
settlement of trades, noting that the practical impact of longer 
settlement cycles is that if he is ``actively trading,'' the commenter 
would not have access to the proceeds of a transaction until it settled 
and therefore had to keep funds ``un-invested'' at all times.\366\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \365\ Spydell.
    \366\ Parker.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Another commenter stated that cash account customers' transactions 
handled as principal by the executing broker should be settled on a 
next day (T+1) basis and that same day settlement of principal trades 
may be possible. In support of these statements, the commenter observed 
that it is common for execution, clearance, settlement, and custody to 
be provided by a single entity or interrelated entities, and that when 
this occurs, all aspects of the trade have occurred the instant that 
execution has been recorded on the customer account. The commenter 
further stated that these are effectively cash on delivery (``COD'') 
transactions and require only the sweep of funds to/from an 
individual's sweep account for their settlement. Finally, the commenter 
noted that funds available for trading by individual accounts are 
adjusted instantly following a trade, but when an outside sweep account 
is used, the sweep account may adjust only at day's end.\367\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \367\ Finn I.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission believes that the initial costs of complying with a 
T+1 standard settlement cycle will be greater than with a T+2 standard 
settlement cycle. Successful transition to a settlement cycle that is 
shorter than T+2 could require larger investments by market 
participants to adopt new systems and processes. The upgrades necessary 
for a T+1 standard settlement cycle might include changes such as a 
transformation of lending and foreign buyer processes, real-time or 
near real-time trade processing capabilities, as well as a further 
acceleration of the retail funding timeline, which would require larger 
structural changes to the settlement process and more cross-industry 
coordination than the upgrades for a T+2 standard settlement cycle 
would. Because these upgrades could require more changes across 
multiple markets and settlement systems, they may be more expensive to 
implement than the upgrades necessary for T+2 settlement. Additionally, 
the lead time and level of coordination by market participants required 
to implement such changes to transition to a T+1 standard settlement 
cycle would be longer and greater than the time and coordination 
required to move to a T+2 standard settlement cycle, which could delay 
the realization of the risk-reducing benefits of shortening the 
settlement cycle and increase the risk that market

[[Page 15599]]

participants would not be able to transition to a T+1 standard 
settlement cycle in a coordinated fashion.
    Several commenters argued against a move to a T+1 standard 
settlement cycle at this time for similar reasons, citing the industry 
coordination challenges, higher investment costs, and the longer time 
needed to recoup the investment.\368\ One such commenter stated that 
the implementation effort, in terms of system and process changes, is 
considerably more to move to T+1, and that shifting efforts to achieve 
T+1 at this time would only delay ``our ability'' to achieve the risk 
reduction associated with the T+2 initiative.\369\ Another commenter 
representing two of the registered clearing agencies that would be most 
impacted by the T+2 proposal stated that shortening the settlement 
cycle to T+0 or T+1 would present significant challenges and changes 
for many industry members.\370\ The commenter further stated that 
transitioning to a T+1 or T+0 model would likely require a 
significantly larger effort across the industry due to the significant 
investments required to react to major process changes in existing 
business practices.\371\ In addition, the commenter noted, some firms 
may incur significant investment costs when implementing new systems 
and/or transitioning existing systems from batch mode of operation to 
near real-time.\372\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \368\ Thomson Reuters at 2, WFA at 3, MFA at 2, and DTCC Letter 
at 4.
    \369\ Thomson Reuters at 2.
    \370\ DTCC Letter at 3.
    \371\ Id.
    \372\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Another commenter expressed support for the Commission's proposal 
and stated that the commenter does not believe consideration of 
alternative settlement options is appropriate at this time.\373\ An 
additional commenter noted its agreement with the reasons the 
Commission's proposal provides for transitioning to T+2 rather than 
T+1, and concurred that the costs associated with the T+2 proposal are 
proportionate to the benefits to investors.\374\ The commenter further 
stated that it was not sure a change to T+1 would justify the 
additional expense to investors at this time, but did not provide any 
data to support their statement.\375\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \373\ WFA at 3.
    \374\ MFA at 2.
    \375\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Two studies have examined the costs and benefits of a transition to 
a T+1 settlement cycle. The BCG Study examined the costs and benefits 
of a T+1 settlement cycle as an alternative to a T+2 settlement cycle, 
while the SIA T+1 Business Case, published in 2000, examined only a T+1 
settlement cycle.
    The BCG Study estimated that the transition to a T+1 settlement 
cycle would cost the industry $1.77 billion in incremental investments 
(compared to $550 million for a T+2 settlement cycle), with an annual 
operational cost savings of $175 million per year and $35 million from 
clearing fund reductions (compared to $170 million and $25 million per 
year in a T+2 settlement cycle, respectively). Risk reduction benefits 
were estimated to be $410 million for a T+1 settlement cycle (compared 
to $200 million per year in a T+2 settlement cycle).\376\ Although the 
Commission believes that these numbers cannot be fully accepted as cost 
estimates for the amendment to Rule 15c6-1(a),\377\ the magnitude of 
the difference between the BCG Study's T+2 and T+1 cost and benefit 
estimates likely indicate additional larger structural changes 
necessary to transition to a T+1 standard settlement cycle. However, 
the Commission notes that these studies evaluated technology and 
operations that were in use prior to 2012.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \376\ See BCG Study, supra note 247, at 41.
    \377\ See supra Part VI.C.5.a.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, the SIA Business Case Report estimated the initial 
investment cost of a shortened standard settlement cycle to T+1 to be 
$8 billion, with net annual benefits of $2.7 billion per year. The 
report estimated that broker-dealers would have an initial investment 
of $5.4 billion, with net annual benefits of $2.1 billion per year; 
asset managers would have an initial investment of $1.7 billion, with 
net annual benefits of $403 million per year; custodians would have an 
initial investment of $600 million, with net annual benefits of $307 
million per year; and infrastructure service providers would have an 
initial investment of $237 million, with net annual loss of $81 million 
per year.\378\ Although the SIA estimates have higher costs and 
benefits than the estimates in the BCG Study, the SIA estimates were 
made in 2000, and are much older than the BCG Study estimates, which 
were made in 2012. In the seventeen years since the publication of the 
SIA Business Case Report, significant technological and industry 
changes may have affected the costs and benefits of a T+1 standard 
settlement cycle, which may limit the usefulness of the report's 
estimates for assessing the costs and benefits of a T+1 standard 
settlement cycle today.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \378\ See SIA Business Case Report at 3.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Further, the Commission believes that a move to a T+1 standard 
settlement cycle could introduce certain financial risks and costs as a 
result of its impact on transactions in certain foreign markets. As 
discussed in the T+2 Proposing Release, the Commission believes that 
shortening the settlement cycle further than T+2 at this time may 
increase funding costs for market participants who rely on the 
settlement of foreign currency exchange (``FX'') transactions to fund 
securities transactions that settle regular way. As noted in the T+2 
Proposing Release, because the settlement of FX transactions occurs on 
T+2, market participants who seek to fund a cross-border securities 
transaction with the proceeds of an FX transaction would, in a T+1 or 
T+0 environment, be required to settle the securities transaction 
before the proceeds of the FX transaction become available and would be 
required to pre-fund securities transactions in foreign currencies. 
Under these circumstances, a market participant would either incur 
opportunity costs and currency risk associated with holding FX reserves 
or be exposed to price volatility by delaying securities transactions 
by one business day to coordinate settlement of the securities and FX 
legs. In addition, shortening the settlement cycle to T+1 at this time 
may make it more difficult for market participants to timely settle 
cross-border transactions because the U.S. settlement cycle would not 
be harmonized with non-U.S. markets that have already transitioned to a 
T+2 settlement cycle.\379\ The disparity between the settlement cycles 
would most likely increase the costs associated with such cross-border 
transactions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \379\ For further discussion regarding the potential benefits of 
harmonization of settlement cycles for market participants engaging 
in cross-border transactions, see supra Part III.A.4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission agrees that a successful transition to a settlement 
cycle shorter than T+2 would require comparatively larger investments 
by market participants to adopt new systems and processes, and the 
additional lead time necessary to implement such an approach would 
delay the realization of the expected benefits from a reduction of 
credit, market, liquidity, and systemic risk that are expected to 
result from shortening the standard settlement cycle to T+2.\380\ On 
balance, for the reasons discussed herein the Commission believes that 
it is appropriate to adopt a T+2 standard settlement cycle at this 
time. However,

[[Page 15600]]

the Commission believes that establishing a T+2 settlement cycle does 
not foreclose, and could promote, ongoing efforts by market 
participants to explore in a meaningful and considered manner the 
possibility of moving to further shorten the standard settlement cycle. 
Further, the Commission notes that the costs incurred to transition to 
a T+2 settlement cycle will likely impact the costs that may be 
incurred for future reductions in the settlement cycle.
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    \380\ Conditional on the availability of data and information, 
the staff of the Commission will assess, among other things, the 
impact of the rule on financial risk management in its report to the 
Commission. See Part III.A.3.
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2. Straight-Through Processing Requirement
    The Commission has also considered the consequences of mandating 
specific clearance and settlement practices, such as STP, in lieu of 
the amendment to Rule 15c6-1(a). STP involves the electronic entry of 
trade details during the settlement process, which avoids the manual 
entry and re-entry of trade details. By avoiding the manual entry of 
trade details, STP can speed up the settlement process as well as 
reduce error rates. However, the Commission believes that although many 
of the costs and benefits of a T+2 standard settlement cycle could be 
achieved by mandating specific clearance and settlement practices, 
there are several reasons why mandating a shorter standard settlement 
cycle may substantively differ from a specific practice requirement.
    First, the Commission believes that many of the amended rule's 
benefits stem directly from the fact that the length of the settlement 
cycle has been shortened, and not from the particular practices used to 
comply with the amendment. As discussed above in Part III.A, the 
Commission believes that shortening the standard settlement cycle is 
likely to reduce a number of risks associated with securities 
settlement, including credit and market risks that stem from 
counterparty exposures. Moreover, the Commission believes that 
intermediaries that manage these types of risk as a result of their 
role in the clearance and settlement system may share a portion of 
potential cost savings associated with reduced risks with market 
participants. While the Commission acknowledges that an alternative 
approach that primarily focuses on mandating STP may achieve some of 
the operational benefits associated with a shortened standard 
settlement cycle, such an approach may not reduce counterparty 
exposures and attendant risks.
    Three of the commenters that have expressed support for a T+2 or 
shorter settlement cycle have identified STP as an important practice 
that would facilitate a shortened standard settlement cycle.\381\ 
However, no commenter argued specifically for the Commission to mandate 
a STP requirement. While the Commission recognizes that STP may be a 
natural enabler for a shorter settlement cycle, it may not be the most 
efficient enabler available to firms. The Commission believes that 
market participants have a variety of methods to comply with a T+2 
standard settlement cycle, and may prefer the least costly method of 
shortening the settlement cycle. By allowing market participants to 
choose how to comply with a shorter standard settlement cycle, rather 
than mandating a specific practice, the amendment to Rule 15c6-1(a) may 
allow the market to realize the benefits of a shorter standard 
settlement cycle at the lowest cost to market participants.
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    \381\ See ICI at 5; SIFMA at 14; Bloomberg at 2.
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    Additionally, mandating specific clearance and settlement practices 
instead of mandating a shortened standard settlement cycle may have 
adverse effects on competition in the market for back-office services. 
Back-office service providers may have a variety of methods to help 
their clients comply with a shorter settlement cycle, and mandating 
specific clearance and settlement practices may adversely affect the 
number of providers that market participants might use, and a reduction 
in competition among back-office service providers that can comply with 
required practices may result in higher compliance costs for market 
participants. One commenter specifically argued against a mandate on 
specific practices, citing to the potential for an adverse effect on 
competition and innovation for back-office services.\382\
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    \382\ Bloomberg at 2-3.
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VII. Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

    This Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis has been prepared in 
accordance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act (``RFA'').\383\ It 
relates to the amendment to Rule 15c6-1(a) under the Exchange Act. An 
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (``IRFA'') was prepared in 
conjunction with the T+2 Proposing Release in September 2016.\384\ The 
T+2 Proposing Release included, and solicited comment on, the IRFA.
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    \383\ 5 U.S.C. 604.
    \384\ See Proposing Release, supra note 1, 81 FR at 69279-80.
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A. Need for the Rule

    The Commission is adopting the amendment to Rule 15c6-1(a) under 
the Exchange Act to achieve the benefits of shortening the standard 
settlement cycle to T+2 discussed above, such as the further reduction 
of credit, market, and liquidity risk, and as a result a reduction in 
systemic risk, for U.S. market participants.\385\
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    \385\ See Part III supra.
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B. Summary of Significant Issues Raised by Public Comment

    As noted above, the T+2 Proposing Release solicited comment on the 
IRFA. Although the Commission received no comments specifically 
concerning the IRFA, one commenter discussed the one-time costs 
introducing broker-dealers, a subset of which are small entities, may 
face to support the initial transition to a shorter settlement 
cycle.\386\ This comment is discussed further below.
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    \386\ See SIFMA at 12.
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C. Description and Estimation of Number of Small Entities Subject to 
the Rule

    Paragraph (c) of Rule 0-10 under the Exchange Act provides that, 
for purposes of Commission rulemaking in accordance with the provisions 
of the RFA, when used with reference to a broker or dealer, the 
Commission has defined the term ``small entity'' to mean a broker or 
dealer: (1) With total capital (net worth plus subordinated 
liabilities) of less than $500,000 on the date in the prior fiscal year 
as of which its audited financial statements were prepared pursuant to 
Rule 17a-5(d) under the Exchange Act,\387\ or if not required to file 
such statements, a broker-dealer with total capital (net worth plus 
subordinated liabilities) of less than $500,000 on the last business 
day of the preceding fiscal year (or in the time that it has been in 
business, if shorter); and (2) is not affiliated with any person (other 
than a natural person) that is not a small business or small 
organization.\388\
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    \387\ 17 CFR 240.17a-5(c).
    \388\ 17 CFR 240.0-10(d).
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    The amendment to Rule 15c6-1(a) prohibits broker-dealers, including 
those that are small entities, from effecting or entering into a 
contract for the purchase or sale of a security (other than an exempted 
security, government security, municipal security, commercial paper, 
bankers' acceptances, or commercial bills) that provides for payment of 
funds and delivery of securities no later than the second business day 
after the date of the contract unless otherwise expressly agreed to by 
the parties at the time of the transaction. Currently, based on

[[Page 15601]]

FOCUS Report \389\ data, as of December 31, 2015, it is estimated that 
there are 1,235 broker-dealers that may be considered small entities.
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    \389\ FOCUS Reports, or ``Financial and Operational Combined 
Uniform Single'' Reports, are monthly, quarterly, and annual reports 
that broker-dealers generally are required to file with the 
Commission and/or SROs pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 17a-5, 17 CFR 
240.17a-5.
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D. Projected Reporting, Recordkeeping, or Other Compliance Requirements

    The amendment to Rule 15c6-1(a) will not impose any new reporting 
or recordkeeping requirements on broker-dealers that are small 
entities. However, the amendment to Rule 15c6-1(a) may impact certain 
broker-dealers, including those that are small entities, to the extent 
that broker-dealers may need to make changes to their business 
operations and incur certain costs in order to operate in a T+2 
environment.
    For example, conversion to a T+2 standard settlement cycle may 
require broker-dealers, including those that are small entities, to 
make changes to their business practices, as well as to their computer 
systems, and/or to deploy new technology solutions. Implementation of 
these changes may require broker-dealers to incur new or increased 
costs, which may vary based on the business model of individual broker-
dealers as well as other factors. Additionally, conversion to a T+2 
standard settlement cycle may also result in an increase in costs to 
certain broker-dealers who finance the purchase of customer securities 
until the broker-dealer receives payment from its customers. To pay for 
securities purchases, many customers liquidate other securities or 
money fund balances held for them by their broker-dealers in 
consolidated accounts such as cash management accounts. However, some 
broker-dealers may elect to finance the purchase of customer securities 
until the broker-dealer receives payment from its customers for those 
customers that do not choose to liquidate other securities or have a 
sufficient money fund balance prior to trade execution to pay for 
securities purchases. Broker-dealers that elect to finance the purchase 
of customer securities may incur an increase in costs in a T+2 
environment resulting from settlement occurring one day earlier unless 
the broker-dealer can expedite customer payments.
    As discussed above, one commenter stated that introducing broker-
dealers, including 1,235 firms that are small entities, may face a one-
time cost to support the transition to a shorter settlement cycle.\390\ 
The commenter estimated this cost, including education of employees and 
outreach to customers, to be $30,000 per introducing broker-dealer. The 
commenter also stated that introducing broker-dealers will benefit from 
the shorter settlement cycle by a reduction in liquidity risk and lower 
costs related to margin and other charges fees imposed by the 
introducing firm's clearing broker-dealer in association with managing 
credit risk. The commenter further stated that customers of introducing 
broker-dealers will realize significant benefits from a shorter 
settlement cycle, such as a more rapid return of the proceeds from a 
sale of a security.\391\
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    \390\ SIFMA at 12.
    \391\ See note 346 supra and accompanying text for further 
discussion of this comment.
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E. Description of Commission Actions To Minimize Effect on Small 
Entities

    The Commission considered alternatives to the amendment that would 
accomplish the stated objectives of the amendment without 
disproportionately burdening broker-dealers that are small entities, 
including: Differing compliance requirements or timetables; clarifying, 
consolidating, or simplifying the compliance requirements; using 
performance rather than design standards; or providing an exemption for 
certain or all broker-dealers that are small entities. The purpose of 
Rule 15c6-1(a) is to establish a standard settlement cycle for broker-
dealer transactions. Alternatives, such as different compliance 
requirements or timetables, or exemptions, for Rule 15c6-1(a), or any 
part thereof, for small entities would undermine the purpose of 
establishing a standard settlement cycle. For example, allowing small 
entities to settle at a time later than T+2 could create a two-tiered 
market that could work to the detriment of small entities whose order 
flow would not coincide with that of other firms operating on a T+2 
settlement cycle. Additionally, the Commission believes that 
establishing a single timetable (i.e., compliance date) for all broker-
dealers, including small entities, to comply with the amendment is 
necessary to ensure that the transition to a T+2 standard settlement 
cycle takes place in an orderly manner that minimizes undue disruptions 
in the securities markets. With respect to using performance rather 
than design standards, the Commission used performance standards to the 
extent appropriate under the statute. In addition, under the amendment, 
broker-dealers have the flexibility to tailor their systems and 
processes, and generally to choose how, to comply with the rule.

VIII. Statutory Authority

    The Commission is adopting an amendment to Rule 15c6-1 pursuant to 
the Commission's rulemaking authority set forth in Sections 15(c)(6), 
17A and 23(a) of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. 78o(c)(6), 78q-1, and 
78w(a) respectively].

List of Subjects in 17 CFR Part 240

    Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Securities.

Text of the Final Amendment

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, Title 17, Chapter II of the 
Code of Federal Regulations is to be amended as follows:

PART 240--GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS, SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 
1934

0
1. The general authority citation for part 240 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 77c, 77d, 77g, 77j, 77s, 77z-2, 77z-3, 
77eee, 77ggg, 77nnn, 77sss, 77ttt, 78c, 78c-3, 78c-5, 78d, 78e, 78f, 
78g, 78i, 78j, 78j-1, 78k, 78k-1, 78l, 78m, 78n, 78n-1, 78o, 78o-4, 
78o-10, 78p, 78q, 78q-1, 78s, 78u-5, 78w, 78x, 78ll, 78mm, 80a-20, 
80a-23, 80a-29, 80a-37, 80b-3, 80b-4, 80b-11, 7201 et seq., and 
8302; 7 U.S.C. 2(c)(2)(E); 12 U.S.C. 5221(e)(3); 18 U.S.C. 1350; 
Pub. L. 111-203, 939A, 124 Stat. 1376 (2010); and Pub. L. 112-106, 
sec. 503 and 602, 126 Stat. 326 (2012), unless otherwise noted.
* * * * *

0
2. Amend Sec.  240.15c6-1 by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:


Sec.  240.15c6-1  Settlement cycle.

    (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of this 
section, a broker or dealer shall not effect or enter into a contract 
for the purchase or sale of a security (other than an exempted 
security, government security, municipal security, commercial paper, 
bankers' acceptances, or commercial bills) that provides for payment of 
funds and delivery of securities later than the second business day 
after the date of the contract unless otherwise expressly agreed to by 
the parties at the time of the transaction.
* * * * *


    By the Commission.

    Dated: March 22, 2017
Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-06037 Filed 3-28-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P


