[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 141 (Wednesday, July 23, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39561-39562]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-19347]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-38848; File No. SR-DTC-97-06]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; the Depository Trust Company; 
Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change 
Relating to the Processing of Cent-Denominated Securities

July 17, 1997.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Act''),\1\ notice is hereby given that on May 16, 1997, The 
Depository Trust Company (``DTC'') filed with the

[[Page 39562]]

Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') the proposed rule 
change (File No. SR-DTC-97-06) as described in Items I, II, and III 
below, which items have been prepared primarily by DTC. The Commission 
is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule 
change from interested persons.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of 
Substance of the Proposed Rule Change

    The purpose of the proposed rule change is to modify the way DTC 
processes cent-denominated securities.

II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

    In its filing with the Commission, DTC included statements 
concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and 
discussed any comments that it received on the proposed rule change. 
The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in 
Item IV below. DTC has prepared summaries, set forth in sections (A), 
(B), and (C) below, of the most significant aspects of such 
statements.\2\
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    \2\ The Commission has modified the text of the summaries 
submitted by DTC.
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(A) Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

    DTC began processing cent-denominated securities in January, 
1997.\3\ Participants depositing cent-denominated securities received 
credit for the whole dollar amount of the deposit. But the cents 
portion of the aggregate dollar figure for the deposited securities was 
truncated. The truncated amounts were collected in an internal DTC 
account and along with any income derived therefrom became part of 
DTC's general revenues. DTC now has developed the capability to credit 
the cents positions resulting from deposits or principal and income 
payments to a participant's account. These cents positions will be 
maintained in a contra-CUSIP account and will be eligible for various 
DTC services including deposit, withdrawal, and rush withdrawal 
services. DTC proposes to track cent-denominated securities in the 
manner described above so that its records may more accurately reflect 
the true ownership of cent-denominated positions.
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    \3\ Securities Exchange Act Release No. 36798 (January 31, 
1996), 61 FR 4692 [File No. SR-DTC-95-14] (order approving proposed 
rule change which made fractional shares and cent-denominated 
securities depository eligible at DTC).
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    DTC believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the 
requirements of section 17A(b)(3)(A) of the Act \4\ and the rules and 
regulations thereunder because it will promote efficiencies in the 
clearance and settlement of securities transactions.
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    \4\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1.
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(B) Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    DTC does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any 
burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in 
furtherance of the purposes of the Act, in the public interest, and for 
the protection of investors.

(C) Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the 
Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others

    While most DTC participants recognize the benefits of tracking 
cents in a contra-CUSIP account, some participants have expressed 
concern with the new tracking method because participants will be 
required to make programming changes in order to use the new system. As 
a result, DTC has made participation in the cent-denominated program 
voluntary so that participants that must make systems changes to use 
the new program may have sufficient time to do so.

III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing 
for Commission Action

    The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 
19(b)(3)(A)(3) \5\ of the Act and Rule 19b-4(e)(4) \6\ promulgated 
thereunder because the proposal effects a change in an existing service 
of DTC that does not adversely affect the safeguarding of securities or 
funds in the custody or control of DTC or for which it is responsible 
and does not significantly affect the respective rights or obligations 
of DTC or persons using the service. At any time within 60 days of the 
filing of such proposed rule change the Commission may summarily 
abrogate such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such 
action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the 
protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of 
the Act.
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    \5\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(3).
    \6\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(e)(4).
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IV. Solicitation of Comments

    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and 
arguments concerning the foregoing. Persons making written submissions 
should file six copies thereof with the Secretary, Securities and 
Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. 
Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written 
statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with 
the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed 
rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those 
that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions 
of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for inspection and copying in the 
Commission's Public Reference Room, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, 
D.C. 20549. Copies of such filing will also be available for inspection 
and copying at the principal office of DTC. All submissions should 
refer to the file number SR-DTC-97-06 and should be submitted by August 
13, 1997.

    For the Commission by the Division of Market Regulation, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\7\
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    \7\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Margaret H. McFarland,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-19347 Filed 7-22-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-M