[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 48 (Monday, March 11, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9678-9680]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-5606]



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COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION


Chicago Mercantile Exchange Proposed Rule Amendments To Establish 
a Globex Foreign Exchange Facility

AGENCY: Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rule amendments of the Chicago Mercantile 
Exchange to establish a Globex Foreign Exchange Facility.

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SUMMARY: The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (``CME'' or ``Exchange'') has 
submitted proposed rule amendments and other materials which would 
establish a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Exchange which would 
function as a market maker for certain CME foreign currency futures 
contracts traded 

[[Page 9679]]
through the Globex system.\1\ Acting pursuant to the authority 
delegated by Commission Regulation 140.96, the Division of Trading and 
Markets has determined to publish the CME proposal for public comment. 
The Division believes that publication of the CME proposal is in the 
public interest and will assist the Commission in considering the views 
of interested persons.

    \1\ The CME proposal includes newly proposed Rule 586.
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DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 10, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Clarence Sanders, Attorney, Division of Trading and Markets, Commodity 
Futures Trading Commission, Three Lafayette Centre, 1155 21st Street 
NW., Washington, DC 20581. Telephone: (202) 418-5484.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Description of Proposed Rule Amendments

A. Purpose

    By letters dated January 22, and February 1, 1996, the CME 
submitted proposed rule amendments pursuant to Section 5a(a)(12)(A) of 
the Commodity Exchange Act (``Act'') and Commission Regulation 1.41(b). 
The proposed amendments would establish a Globex Foreign Exchange 
Facility (``GFF''). Under the proposal, the GFF would function as a 
market maker for certain CME foreign currency futures contracts traded 
through the Globex system.\2\ The objective of the GFF would be to 
augment the liquidity of certain Globex foreign currency futures 
contracts. In so doing, the CME believes that the GFF would help to 
ensure the presence of relatively liquid markets and narrower bid/ask 
spread quotations for trading in foreign currency futures contracts 
through the Globex system.

    \2\ Globex is an electronic trade execution system for trading 
in certain of the Exchange's futures and options contracts outside 
of the CME's regular trading hours. Additionally, certain contracts 
of the Marche A Terme International de France are listed for trading 
through Globex.
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B. Operation

    The GFF would be organized as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the CME. 
The Exchange would independently capitalize the GFF, thereby providing 
the GFF with separate financial resources. GFF employees who operate 
Globex terminals would be subject to all applicable CME rules governing 
Globex trading. The GFF would be subject to the rules and regulations 
of the Exchange in the same manner as any other participant conducting 
transactions on the Exchange.
    Operations of the Exchange, as a self-regulatory organization, and 
the GFF, as a subsidiary entity, would be separated. The GFF would have 
neither direct nor indirect access to Exchange information on market 
positions or market exposures of clearing firms and individuals.
    The GFF would operate as a market maker during the electronic 
trading hours (``ETH'') session of the Globex system. GFF trading 
activities would be confined to trading solely for the account of the 
GFF. GFF market making operations would be available during two 8\1/4\ 
hour shifts during the Globex ETH session.
    At inception, the GFF would be authorized to make markets in 
futures contracts for Deutsche marks, Japanese yen, Swiss francs, and 
British pounds traded through Globex. After a period of time, however, 
the GFF also would be authorized to make markets in futures contracts 
in Australian dollars and Canadian dollars traded through Globex.
    As a market maker, the GFF would (i) maintain a two-sided market in 
the form of current bid and ask price quotations and (ii) satisfy bids 
or offers of other market participants at the GFF's current bid and ask 
prices. The GFF also would execute transactions through Globex on a 
Request for Quote (``RFQ'') basis.\3\ The GFF would undertake to hedge 
its Globex-originated positions by executing offsetting transactions in 
the spot or forward interbank foreign currency market.

    \3\ An RFQ is a Globex system alert by which a Globex user may 
broadcast a message to all other users requesting a quotation.
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    Market positions of the GFF would be carried on the books of a CME 
clearing member firm. Under such an arrangement, the GFF would be a 
customer of the carrying clearing member firm. The GFF intends to 
liquidate its Globex-originated futures positions, along with any 
corresponding interbank positions, during regular trading hours 
(``RTH''). However, if the GFF did not liquidate all or part of its 
Globex-originated futures position during RTH, then the GFF would be 
required to meet performance bond margin requirements at its carrying 
clearing member firm.

C. Oversight

    The CME would establish risk management controls, including the 
establishment of a GFF Oversight Committee and the appointment of a GFF 
Risk Manager, to oversee GFF operations. Risk management controls 
established by the CME would incorporate automated support systems, 
including systems to track GFF audit trails and performance.
    The GFF Oversight Committee would have authority to establish and 
maintain trading limits, internal controls, and risk management 
safeguards. The GFF Oversight Committee also would have authority to 
halt trading operations of the GFF or order liquidation of GFF 
positions at any time. The GFF Oversight Committee would periodically 
report to the CME Board of Directors.
    The GFF Risk Manager, the CME clearing member firm carrying GFF 
positions, and CME Clearing House staff would review GFF trading on a 
daily basis. Other CME staff would have oversight authority to review 
books, records, systems, and facilities of the GFF. CME staff also 
would have authority to review GFF trading activity for potential 
regulatory violations or fraud.

II. Request for Comments

    The Commission requests comments on any aspect of the CME's 
proposed rule amendments that members of the public believe may raise 
issues under the Act or Commission regulations. In particular, the 
Commission requests comments regarding the impact on competitive 
trading conditions; the adequacy of safeguards designed to limit the 
Exchange's exposure to financial risk; the implications for financial 
integrity and any consequent need for the segregation of, or 
limitations on access to, information at the CME and the GFF; the need 
for safeguards to address potential or actual conflicts of interest 
arising out of the Exchange's operation of the GFF; the need for 
restrictions on the personal trading activities of GFF employees; the 
desirability of segregating GFF positions from the positions of other 
customers at the clearing member firm carrying the GFF's positions; the 
determination of appropriate means for assuring that a loss experienced 
by the GFF would not affect other customers of the clearing member firm 
carrying the GFF's positions; and whether any other conditions or 
requirements should be imposed on the proposal.
    Copies of the proposed rule amendments and related materials are 
available for inspection at the Office of the Secretariat, Commodity 
Futures Trading Commission, Three Lafayette Centre, 1155 21st Street 
NW, Washington, DC 20581. Copies also may be obtained through the 
Office of the Secretariat at the above address or by telephoning (202) 
418-5100. Some materials may be subject to confidential 

[[Page 9680]]
treatment pursuant to 17 CFR 145.5 or 145.9.
    Any person interested in submitting written data, views, or 
arguments on the proposed rule amendments should send such comments to 
Jean A. Webb, Secretary, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Three 
Lafayette Centre, 1155 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20581, by the 
specified date.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on February 4, 1996.
Alan L. Seifert,
Deputy Director.
[FR Doc. 96-5606 Filed 3-8-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6351-01-M