[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 127 (Wednesday, July 2, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35859-35860]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-17252]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-38769; File No. SR-MBSCC-97-02]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; MBS Clearing Corporation; Order 
Approving a Proposed Rule Change Relating to the Valuation of 
Securities Deposited as Collateral in the Participants Funds to Satisfy 
Daily Margin Requirements

June 24, 1997.
    On February 12, 1997, MBS Clearing Corporation (``MBSCC'') filed 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') a proposed 
rule change (File No. SR-MBSCC-97-02) pursuant to Section 19(b) (1) of 
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Act'').\1\ On March 26, 1997, 
MBSCC filed an amendment to the proposed rule change.\2\ Notice of the 
proposal was published in the Federal Register on April 28, 1997.\3\ No 
comment letters were received. For the reasons discussed below, the 
Commission is approving the proposed rule change.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b) (1).
    \2\ Letter form Richard J. Paley, MBSCC (March 25, 1997).
    \3\ Securities Exchange Act Release No. 38536 (April 22, 1997), 
62 FR 22983.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I. Description

    MBSCC's rules allow participants to satisfy their margin 
requirements by depositing approved forms of collateral such as cash, 
securities,\4\ and letters of credit into the participants fund. 
Recently, securities have become the dominant form of acceptable 
collateral used by participants to satisfy their margin requirements. 
As a result of this increased use of securities, MBSCC reappraised the 
value given to securities deposited as collateral for participants 
funds obligations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ Securities acceptable as collateral include direct 
obligations of the United States (i.e., Treasury Bills, Treasury 
Notes, and Treasury Bonds) (``Treasury securities'') and mortgage-
backed securities issued by the Government National Mortgage 
Association, the Federal National Mortgage Association, and the 
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Currently, MBSCC values mortgage-backed securities at the lesser of 
par or current market value, and it values Treasury securities at 
current market value. MBSCC revalues both types of securities daily and 
analyzes them for pending maturity.
    Under the proposal, MBSCC will value mortgage-backed securities 
with a remaining maturity of one year or more at the lesser of par or 
95 percent of the current market value and Treasury securities with a 
remaining maturity of one year or more at 95 percent of their

[[Page 35860]]

current market value.\5\ MBSCC will value mortgage-backed securities 
with a remaining maturity of less than one year at the lesser of par or 
the current market value and Treasury securities with a remaining 
maturity of less than one year at the current market value. MBSCC will 
continue to revalue securities daily and analyze them for pending 
maturity before the depositing participant is credited.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ The proposal also provides that from time to time MBSCC may 
use a lower percentage of the current market value in determining 
the collateral value of mortgage-backed securities or Treasury 
securities.
    \6\ Because par value for mortgage-backed securities is $100, 
the proposed rule change will apply a five percent haircut only to 
those mortgage-backed securities that have a current market value of 
$105 or less. For example, a mortgage-backed security with a current 
market value exceeding $105 is and will continue to be revalued to a 
par value of $100. However, a mortgage-backed security with a 
current market value of $105 will now be revalued to $99.75 or 95 
percent of current market value. Similarly, a mortgage-backed 
security with a current market value of $99 will be revalued to 
$94.05.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. Discussion

    Section 17A(b) (3) (F) of the Act requires that the rules of a 
clearing agency be designed to ensure the safeguarding of securities 
and funds in its custody or control or for which it is responsible.\7\ 
The Commission believes that MBSCC's proposed rule change is consistent 
with its obligations under Section 17A of the Act. By amending this 
valuation procedures, MBSCC's valuation should more accurately reflect 
the actual values of the securities deposited as collateral. 
Accordingly, MBSCC will have greater certainly that the securities 
deposited by a participant will be sufficient to satisfy the 
participant's obligations to MBSCC in the event that the participant 
becomes insolvent or defaults.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b) (3) (F).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

III. Conclusion

    On the basis of the foregoing, the Commission finds that the 
proposal is consistent with the requirements of the Act and in 
particular with the requirements of Section 17A of the Act and the 
rules and regulations thereunder.
    It is Therefore Ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b) (2) of the Act, 
that the proposed rule change (File No. SR-MBSCC-97-02) be and hereby 
is approved.

    For the Commission by the Division of Market Regulation, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a) (12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Margaret H. McFarland,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-17252 Filed 7-1-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-M