[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 66 (Thursday, April 8, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18378-18421]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-07255]



[[Page 18377]]

Vol. 86

Thursday,

No. 66

April 8, 2021

Part II





Securities and Exchange Commission





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Notice of Substituted Compliance Application Submitted by the United 
Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority in Connection With Certain 
Requirements Applicable to Security-Based Swap Dealers and Major 
Security-Based Swap Participants Subject to Regulation in the United 
Kingdom; Proposed Order; Notice

  Federal Register / Vol. 86 , No. 66 / Thursday, April 8, 2021 / 
Notices  

[[Page 18378]]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-91476; S7-04-21]


Notice of Substituted Compliance Application Submitted by the 
United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority in Connection With Certain 
Requirements Applicable to Security-Based Swap Dealers and Major 
Security-Based Swap Participants Subject to Regulation in the United 
Kingdom; Proposed Order

AGENCY: Securities and Exchange Commission.

ACTION: Notice of application for substituted compliance determination; 
proposed order.

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SUMMARY: The Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'' or 
``SEC'') is soliciting public comment on an application by the United 
Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority (``FCA'') requesting that, pursuant 
to rule 3a71-6 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Exchange 
Act''), the Commission determine that registered security-based swap 
dealers and registered major security-based swap participants 
(together, ``SBS Entities'') that are not U.S. persons and that are 
subject to certain regulation in the United Kingdom (``UK'') may comply 
with certain requirements under the Exchange Act via compliance with 
corresponding requirements of the UK. The Commission also is soliciting 
comment on a proposed Order providing for conditional substituted 
compliance in connection with the application.

DATES: Submit comments on or before May 3, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/rules/submitcomments.htm); or
     Send an email to [email protected]. Please include 
File Number S7-04-21 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

     Send paper comments to Vanessa A. Countryman, Secretary, 
Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 
20549-1090.

All submissions should refer to File Number S7-04-21. This file number 
should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help the 
Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, please 
use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the 
Commission's internet website (http://www.sec.gov/rules/proposed.shtml). Typically, comments are also available for website 
viewing and printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F 
Street NE, Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the 
hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Due to pandemic conditions, however, access 
to the Commission's public reference room is not permitted at this 
time. All comments received will be posted without change. Persons 
submitting comments are cautioned that the Commission does not redact 
or edit personal identifying information from comment submissions. You 
should submit only information that you wish to make publicly 
available.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carol M. McGee, Assistant Director, 
Laura Compton, Senior Special Counsel, or Pamela Carmody, Special 
Counsel, at 202-551-5870, Office of Derivatives Policy, Division of 
Trading and Markets, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street 
NE, Washington, DC 20549-7010.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commission is soliciting public comment 
on an application by the FCA requesting that the Commission determine 
that SBS Entities that are not U.S. persons and that are subject to 
certain regulation in the UK may satisfy certain requirements under the 
Exchange Act by complying with comparable requirements in the UK. The 
Commission also is soliciting comment on a proposed Order, set forth in 
Attachment A, providing for conditional substituted compliance in 
connection with the FCA application.

I. Background

    On August 6, 2021, market participants will begin to count 
security-based swap positions toward the thresholds for registration 
with the Commission as an SBS Entity.\1\ Exchange Act rule 3a71-6 \2\ 
conditionally provides that non-U.S. SBS Entities may satisfy certain 
requirements under Exchange Act section 15F \3\ by complying with 
comparable regulatory requirements of a foreign jurisdiction.\4\ 
Substituted compliance potentially is available in connection with 
requirements regarding business conduct and supervision, chief 
compliance officers, trade acknowledgment and verification, non-
prudentially regulated capital and margin, recordkeeping and reporting, 
portfolio reconciliation and dispute reporting, portfolio compression 
and trading relationship documentation.\5\
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    \1\ See Exchange Act Release No. 86175 (Jun. 21, 2019), 84 FR 
43872, 53954 (Aug. 22, 2019) (``Capital and Margin Adopting 
Release''); see also Exchange Act Release No. 87780 (Dec. 18, 2019), 
85 FR 6270, 6345-49 (Feb. 4, 2020).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.3a71-6.
    \3\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-10.
    \4\ The Commission also has discussed the parameters of 
substituted compliance in connection with substituted compliance 
requests regarding the Federal Republic of Germany and the French 
Republic. See Exchange Act Release No. 90378 (Nov. 9, 2020), 85 FR 
72726 (Nov. 13, 2020) (``German Notice and Proposed Order''); 
Exchange Act Release No. 90765 (Dec. 22, 2020), 85 FR 85686 (Dec. 
29, 2020) (``German Substituted Compliance Order''); Exchange Act 
Release No. 90766 (Dec. 22, 2020), 85 FR 85720 (Dec. 29, 2020) 
(``French Notice and Proposed Order'').
    \5\ See Exchange Act rule 3a71-6(d). Substituted compliance is 
not available for antifraud prohibitions and information-related 
requirements under section 15F. See Exchange Act rule 3a71-6(d)(1) 
(specifying that substituted compliance is not available in 
connection with the antifraud provisions of Exchange Act section 
15F(h)(4)(A) and Exchange Act rule 15Fh-4(a), 17 CFR 240.15Fh-4(a), 
and the information-related provisions of Exchange Act sections 
15F(j)(3) and 15F(j)(4)(B)). Substituted compliance under rule 3a71-
6 also does not extend to certain other provisions of the federal 
securities laws that apply to security-based swaps, such as: (1) 
Additional antifraud prohibitions (see Exchange Act section 10(b), 
15 U.S.C. 78j(b), Exchange Act rule 10b-5, 17 CFR 240.10b-5, and 
Securities Act of 1933 section 17(a), 15 U.S.C. 77q(a)); (2) 
requirements related to transactions with counterparties that are 
not eligible contract participants (``ECPs'') (see Exchange Act 
section 6(l), 15 U.S.C. 78f(l); Securities Act of 1933 section 5(e), 
15 U.S.C. 77e(e)); (3) segregation of customer assets (see Exchange 
Act section 3E, 15 U.S.C. 78c-5; Exchange Act rule 18a-4, 17 CFR 
240.18a-4); (4) required clearing upon counterparty election (see 
Exchange Act section 3C(g)(5), 15 U.S.C. 78c-3(g)(5)); (5) 
regulatory reporting and public dissemination (see generally 
Regulation SBSR, 17 CFR 242.900 et seq.); (6) SBS Entity 
registration (see Exchange Act section 15F(a) and (b)); and (7) 
registration of offerings (see Securities Act of 1933 section 5, 15 
U.S.C. 77e).
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    Substituted compliance in part is predicated on the Commission 
determining the analogous foreign requirements are ``comparable'' to 
the applicable requirements under the Exchange Act, after accounting 
for factors such as the ``scope and objectives'' of the relevant 
foreign regulatory requirements and the effectiveness of the relevant 
foreign authority's or authorities' supervisory and enforcement 
frameworks.\6\ Substituted compliance further requires that the 
Commission and the relevant foreign financial regulatory authorities 
have entered into an effective supervisory and enforcement memorandum 
of understanding and/or other arrangement addressing cooperation and 
other matters related to substituted compliance.\7\ A foreign

[[Page 18379]]

financial regulatory authority may submit a substituted compliance 
application only if the authority provides ``adequate assurances'' that 
no law or policy would impede the ability of any entity that is 
directly supervised by the authority and that may register with the 
Commission ``to provide prompt access to the Commission to such 
entity's books and records or to submit to onsite inspection or 
examination by the Commission.'' \8\
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    \6\ See Exchange Act rule 3a71-6(a)(2)(i).
    \7\ See Exchange Act rule 3a71-6(a)(2)(ii). The Commission and 
the FCA are in the process of negotiating a memorandum of 
understanding to address cooperation matters related to substituted 
compliance. Because the FCA asks the Commission to permit certain 
entities regulated and supervised by both the FCA and the UK 
Prudential Regulation Authority (``PRA'') to use substituted 
compliance, the Commission and the PRA are also in the process of 
developing a memorandum of understanding or other arrangement to 
address cooperation matters related to substituted compliance. These 
memoranda of understanding or other arrangements will need to be in 
place before the Commission may allow Covered Entities (as defined 
herein) to use substituted compliance to satisfy obligations under 
the Exchange Act. The Commission expects to publish any such 
memorandum of understanding or arrangement on its website at 
www.sec.gov under the ``Substituted Compliance'' tab, which is 
located on the ``Security-Based Swap Markets'' page in the Division 
of Trading and Markets section of the site.
    \8\ See Exchange Act rule 3a71-6(a)(3). The FCA has satisfied 
this prerequisite in the Commission's preliminary view, taking into 
account information and representations that the FCA provided 
regarding certain UK requirements that are relevant to the 
Commission's ability to inspect, and access the books and records 
of, Covered Entities (as defined herein).
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    Commission rule 0-13 \9\ addresses procedures for filing 
substituted compliance applications. The rule provides that the 
Commission will publish a notice when a completed application has been 
submitted and that any person may submit to the Commission ``any 
information that relates to the Commission action requested in the 
application.'' \10\
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    \9\ 17 CFR 240.0-13.
    \10\ See Commission rule 0-13(h). The Commission may take final 
action on a substituted compliance application no earlier than 25 
days following publication of the notice in the Federal Register. 
See id.
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II. The FCA's Substituted Compliance Request

    The FCA has submitted a complete substituted compliance application 
to the Commission (``FCA Application'').\11\ Pursuant to rule 0-13, the 
Commission is publishing notice of the FCA Application together with a 
proposed Order to conditionally grant substituted compliance to an 
entity that (1) is a security-based swap dealer or major security-based 
swap participant registered with the Commission; (2) is not a ``U.S. 
person,'' as that term is defined in rule 3a71-3(a)(4) under the 
Exchange Act; \12\ (3) is a ``MiFID investment firm'' or ``third 
country investment firm,'' as such terms are defined in the FCA 
Handbook Glossary, that has permission from the FCA or PRA under Part 
4A of FSMA to carry on regulated activities relating to investment 
services and activities in the UK; and (4) is supervised by the FCA 
under the fixed supervision model and, if the firm is a PRA-authorized 
person, also supervised by the PRA as a Category 1 firm (each, a 
``Covered Entity'').\13\ In making its substituted compliance 
determination, the Commission will consider public comments on the FCA 
Application and the proposed Order.
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    \11\ See Letter from Nausicaa Delfas, Executive Director of 
International, FCA, dated March 19, 2021. The FCA Application is 
available on the Commission's website at: https://www.sec.gov/files/uk-financial-conduct-authority-complete-application-substituted-compliance-031921.pdf.
    \12\ 17 CFR 240.3a71-3(a)(4).
    \13\ The terms ``MiFID investment firm'' and ``third country 
investment firm'' include credit institutions when they provide 
investment services or perform investment activities in the UK. See 
FCA Handbook Glossary.
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    The FCA seeks substituted compliance for Covered Entities in 
connection with a number of requirements under Exchange Act section 
15F.

A. Relevant Market Participants and General Conditions

    The Commission will consider whether to allow substituted 
compliance to be used by any Covered Entity.

B. Relevant Section 15F Requirements

    The FCA requests that the Commission issue an order determining 
that--for substituted compliance purposes--applicable requirements in 
the UK are comparable with the following requirements under Exchange 
Act section 15F:
     Risk control requirements--Requirements related to 
internal risk management systems, trade acknowledgment and 
verification, portfolio reconciliation and dispute resolution, 
portfolio compression and trading relationship documentation.\14\
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    \14\ See part IV, infra.
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     Capital and margin requirements--Requirements related to 
capital applicable to non-prudentially regulated security-based swap 
dealers and requirements related to margin applicable to non-
prudentially regulated SBS Entities.\15\
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    \15\ See part V, infra. The FCA requests substituted compliance 
in connection with capital and margin requirements applicable to 
non-prudentially regulated SBS Entities pursuant to Exchange Act 
section 15F(e) and Exchange Act rules 18a-1 through 18a-1d, and 18a-
3. 17 CFR 240.18a-1 through 18a-1d, and 17 CFR 240.18a-3. The FCA 
does not request substituted compliance in connection with capital 
requirements applicable to non-prudentially regulated major 
security-based swap participants pursuant to Exchange Act rule 18a-
2, 17 CFR 240.18a-2. The proposed Order defines the term 
``prudentially regulated'' to mean an SBS Entity that has a 
``prudential regulator'' as that term is defined in Exchange Act 
section 3(a)(74), 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(74). See para. (g)(41) to the 
proposed Order.
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     Internal supervision, chief compliance officer and 
additional Exchange Act section 15F(j) requirements--Requirements 
related to diligent supervision, conflicts of interest, information 
gathering under Exchange Act section 15F(j) and chief compliance 
officers.\16\
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    \16\ See part VI, infra.
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     Counterparty protection requirements--Requirements related 
to disclosure of material risks and characteristics and material 
incentives or conflicts of interest, ``know your counterparty,'' 
suitability of recommendations, fair and balanced communications, 
disclosure of daily marks and disclosure of clearing rights.\17\
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    \17\ See part VII, infra. The FCA is not requesting substituted 
compliance in connection with: ECP verification requirements 
(Exchange Act section 15F(h)(3)(A) and Exchange Act rule 15Fh-
3(a)(1), 17 CFR 240.15Fh-3(a)(1)); ``special entity'' provisions 
(Exchange Act sections 15F(h)(4) and (5) and Exchange Act rules 
15Fh-3(a)(2) and (3), 15Fh-4(b) and 15Fh-5, 17 CFR 240.15Fh-3(a)(2) 
and (3), 240.15Fh-4(b) and 240.15Fh-5); and political contribution 
provisions (Exchange Act rule 15Fh-6, 17 CFR 240.15Fh-6).
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     Recordkeeping, reporting, notification and securities 
count requirements--Requirements related to making and keeping current 
certain prescribed records, the preservation of records, reporting, 
notification and securities counts.\18\
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    \18\ See part VIII, infra.
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C. Comparability Considerations and Proposed Order

    Though the UK ceased to be a member of the European Union (the 
``EU'') on January 31, 2020, market participants in the UK remain 
subject to UK requirements implemented pursuant to EU directives, and 
to EU regulations that have been added to UK law.\19\ Those 
requirements include those related to: Organization, compliance

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and conduct; \20\ risk-mitigation; \21\ prudential matters; \22\ and 
certain other matters relevant to the application.\23\ In the view of 
the FCA, UK requirements taken as a whole produce regulatory outcomes 
that are comparable to those of the relevant requirements under the 
Exchange Act.\24\
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    \19\ In adding EU regulations to UK law, the UK in some cases 
has adopted UK versions of these regulations that differ from the 
original EU versions ``as necessary to account for the effects of 
Brexit.'' See FCA Application Appendix A at 7. The Commission has 
reviewed the FCA Application in light of the UK versions of these 
regulations.
    \20\ The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (``FSMA'') 
gives the FCA and PRA powers to make rules and guidance for firms 
within the scope of FSMA's financial services regulatory regime, 
including MiFID investment firms and third country investment firms. 
Relevant elements of the EU's Markets in Financial Instruments 
Directive, Directive 2014/65/EU (``MiFID''), have been implemented 
in the UK via provisions in the FCA Handbook and PRA Rulebook. These 
provisions in the FCA Handbook and the PRA Rulebook address 
organizational, compliance and conduct requirements applicable to 
MiFID investment firms and third country investment firms. The UK 
version of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/565 (``UK MiFID 
Org Reg'') in part supplements the FCA Handbook and the PRA Rulebook 
with respect to organizational requirements for these firms. The UK 
version of the Markets in Financial Instruments Regulation, 
Regulation (EU) 648/2012 (``UK MiFIR''), addresses certain 
recordkeeping requirements. Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 
2017/593 (``MiFID Delegated Directive'') in part supplements MiFID 
with regard to safeguarding client property, and in the UK has been 
implemented in relevant part in the FCA Handbook and PRA Rulebook.
    \21\ The UK version of the European Market Infrastructure 
Regulation (``EMIR''), Regulation (EU) 648/2012 (``UK EMIR''), in 
part imposes certain risk mitigation requirements on counterparties 
in connection with non-centrally cleared OTC derivatives 
transactions. The UK version of Delegated Regulation (EU) 149/2013 
(``UK EMIR RTS'') supplements EMIR with requirements related to 
confirmations, portfolio reconciliation, portfolio compression and 
dispute resolution. The UK version of Delegated Regulation (EU) 
2016/2251 (``UK EMIR Margin RTS'') further supplements EMIR with 
requirements related to documentation and collateral.
    \22\ The EU's Capital Requirements Directive IV, Directive 2013/
36/EU (``CRD''), has been adopted in the UK via provisions in the 
FCA Handbook and PRA Rulebook. The FCA Handbook sets forth 
prudential and related requirements applicable in relevant part to 
IFPRU investment firms. The PRA Rulebook sets forth prudential and 
related requirements applicable in relevant part to UK banks and UK 
designated investment firms. The UK version of the Capital 
Requirements Regulation (``CRR''), Regulation (EU) 575/2013 (``UK 
CRR''), further addresses prudential and related requirements for 
those firms. The UK version of Commission Implementing Regulation 
(EU) 680/2014 (``UK CRR Reporting ITS'') sets forth implementing 
technical standards regarding supervisory reporting.
    \23\ The UK version of the Market Abuse Regulation, Regulation 
(EU) 596/2014 (``UK MAR''), sets forth requirements to enhance 
market integrity and investor protection. The UK version of the MAR 
Investment Recommendations Regulation, Commission Delegated 
Regulation (EU) 2016/958 (``UK MAR Investment Recommendations 
Regulation''), supplements UK MAR with respect to regulatory 
technical standards regarding investment recommendations. The UK's 
Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds 
(Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (``MLR 2017'') sets 
forth ``know your counterparty'' requirements.
    \24\ The FCA Application includes a series of analyses that 
compare UK requirements with the applicable requirements under the 
Exchange Act in the following areas: Risk control (see FCA 
Application Appendix B category 1), books and records (see FCA 
Application Appendix B category 2), internal supervision and 
compliance (see FCA Application Appendix B category 3) and 
counterparty protection (see FCA Application Appendix B category 4). 
These analyses are available on the Commission's website along with 
the remainder of the FCA Application. See note 11, supra.
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    In the Commission's preliminary view, requirements under the 
Exchange Act and UK requirements maintain similar approaches with 
respect to achieving regulatory goals in several respects, but follow 
differing approaches or incorporate disparate elements in certain other 
respects. The Commission has considered those similarities and 
differences when analyzing comparability and developing preliminary 
views, while recognizing that differences in approach do not 
necessarily preclude substituted compliance in light of the 
Commission's holistic, outcomes-oriented framework for assessing 
comparability.\25\
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    \25\ In this context, the Commission recognizes that other 
regulatory regimes will have exclusions, exceptions and exemptions 
that may not align perfectly with the corresponding requirements 
under the Exchange Act. Where the Commission preliminarily has found 
that the UK regime produces comparable outcomes notwithstanding 
those particular differences, the Commission proposes to make a 
positive determination on substituted compliance. Where the 
Commission preliminarily has found that those exclusions, exemptions 
and exceptions lead to outcomes that are not comparable, however, 
the proposal would not provide for substituted compliance.
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    Based on the Commission's analysis of the application and review of 
relevant UK requirements, the proposed Order, located at Attachment A, 
would grant substituted compliance subject to specific conditions and 
limitations. When Covered Entities seek to rely on substituted 
compliance to satisfy particular requirements under the Exchange Act, 
non-compliance with the applicable UK requirements would lead to a 
violation of those requirements under the Exchange Act and potential 
enforcement action by the Commission (as opposed to automatic 
revocation of the substituted compliance order).

III. Applicable Entities and General Conditions

A. Covered Entities for Which the Commission Is Proposing a Positive 
Conditional Substituted Compliance Determination

    Under the proposed Order, substituted compliance could be applied 
by ``Covered Entities''--a term that would limit the scope of the 
substituted compliance determination to SBS Entities that are subject 
to applicable UK requirements and oversight. Consistent with the 
parameters of substituted compliance under Exchange Act rule 3a71-6, 
the proposed ``Covered Entity'' definition provides that the relevant 
entity must be a security-based swap dealer or major security-based 
swap participant registered with the Commission, and that the entity 
cannot be a U.S. person.\26\ The proposed ``Covered Entity'' definition 
further would provide that the entity must be either a MiFID investment 
firm or a third country investment firm that has permission from the 
FCA or PRA under Part 4A of FSMA to carry on regulated activities 
relating to investment services and activities in the UK.\27\ Each 
entity also must be supervised by the FCA under the fixed supervision 
model and, if the firm is a PRA-authorized person, also supervised by 
the PRA as a Category 1 firm.\28\ These prongs of the definition are 
intended to help ensure that Covered Entities are subject to relevant 
UK requirements and oversight.
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    \26\ See paras. (g)(1)(i) and (ii) to the proposed Order.
    \27\ See para. (g)(1)(iii) to the proposed Order.
    \28\ See para. (g)(1)(iv) to the proposed Order.
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B. General Conditions and Prerequisites

    Substituted compliance under the proposed Order would be subject to 
a number of conditions and other prerequisites, to help ensure that the 
relevant UK requirements that form the basis for substituted compliance 
in practice will apply to the Covered Entity's security-based swap 
business and activities, and to promote the Commission's oversight over 
entities that avail themselves of substituted compliance.
1. ``Subject to and Complies With'' Applicability Provisions
    Each relevant section of the proposed Order would be subject to the 
condition that the Covered Entity ``is subject to and complies with'' 
the applicable UK requirements that are needed to establish 
comparability. Accordingly, the proposed Order would not provide 
substituted compliance when a Covered Entity is excused from compliance 
with relevant foreign provisions, such as, for example, if relevant UK 
requirements do not apply to the security-based swap activities of a 
non-UK branch of a MiFID investment firm or to a third country 
investment firm. In that event, the Covered Entity would not be 
``subject to'' those requirements, and the Covered Entity could not 
rely on substituted compliance in connection with those activities.\29\
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    \29\ An SBS Entity's ``voluntary'' compliance with the relevant 
UK requirements would not suffice for these purposes. Substituted 
compliance reflects an alternative means by which an SBS Entity may 
comply with applicable requirements under the Exchange Act, and thus 
mandates that the SBS Entity be subject to the requirements needed 
to establish comparability and face consequences arising from any 
failure to comply with those requirements. Moreover, the 
comparability assessment takes into account the effectiveness of the 
supervisory compliance program administered and the enforcement 
authority exercised by the FCA and/or PRA, which would not be 
expected to promote comparable outcomes when compliance merely is 
``voluntary.''

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[[Page 18381]]

2. Additional General Conditions
    Substituted compliance under the proposed Order further would be 
subject to general conditions intended to help ensure the applicability 
of relevant UK requirements, and to facilitate the Commission's 
oversight of firms that avail themselves of substituted compliance. In 
particular:
     ``Regulated activities''--For each condition in the 
proposed Order that requires the application of, and compliance with, 
provisions of the Senior Management Arrangements, Systems and Controls 
Sourcebook of the FCA Handbook (``FCA SYSC'') 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 and/or 10, 
certain parts of the PRA Rulebook and/or MLR 2017, the Covered Entity's 
relevant security-based swap activities must constitute ``regulated 
activities'' as defined for purposes of the relevant UK provisions, 
must be carried on by the Covered Entity from an establishment in the 
UK and must fall within the scope of the Covered Entity's authorization 
from the FCA and/or PRA to conduct regulated activities in the UK.\30\
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    \30\ See para. (a)(1) to the proposed Order.
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     UK MiFID ``investment services or activities''--For each 
condition in the proposed Order that requires the application of, and 
compliance with, provisions of the Product Intervention and Product 
Governance Sourcebook of the FCA Handbook (``FCA PROD'') 3 and/or UK 
MiFID Org Reg, the Covered Entity's relevant security-based swap 
activities must constitute ``investment services or activities,'' as 
defined in the FCA Handbook Glossary, must be carried on by the Covered 
Entity from an establishment in the UK and must fall within the scope 
of the Covered Entity's authorization from the FCA and/or PRA to 
conduct regulated activities in the UK.\31\
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    \31\ See para. (a)(2) to the proposed Order. Under this 
condition, a Covered Entity's security-based swap activities must 
constitute ``investment services or activities'' only to the extent 
that the relevant part of the proposed Order requires the entity to 
be subject to and comply with the UK provisions listed in paragraph 
(a)(2) to the proposed Order. The security-based swap activities 
need not be ``investment services or activities'' when the relevant 
part of the proposed Order does not require compliance with one of 
those provisions (e.g., paragraph (e)(6) to the proposed Order 
addressing substituted compliance for daily mark disclosure 
requirements).
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     UK ``MiFID or equivalent third country business''--For 
each condition in the proposed Order that requires the application of, 
and compliance with, provisions of the Conduct of Business Sourcebook 
of the FCA Handbook (``FCA COBS'') 2, 4, 6, 8A, 9A, 14 and/or 14A, the 
Covered Entity's relevant security-based swap activities must 
constitute ``MiFID or equivalent third country business,'' as defined 
in the FCA Handbook Glossary, must be carried on by the Covered Entity 
from an establishment in the UK and must fall within the scope of the 
Covered Entity's authorization from the FCA and/or PRA to conduct 
regulated activities in the UK.\32\
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    \32\ See para. (a)(3) to the proposed Order. Under this 
condition, a Covered Entity's security-based swap activities must 
constitute ``MiFID or equivalent third country business'' only to 
the extent that the relevant part of the proposed Order requires the 
entity to be subject to and comply with the UK provisions listed in 
paragraph (a)(3) to the proposed Order. The security-based swap 
activities need not be ``MiFID or equivalent third country 
business'' when the relevant part of the proposed Order does not 
require compliance with one of those provisions (e.g., paragraph 
(e)(6) to the proposed Order addressing substituted compliance for 
daily mark disclosure requirements).
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     UK ``designated investment business''--For each condition 
in the proposed Order that requires the application of, and compliance 
with, provisions of FCA COBS 11, the Covered Entity's relevant 
security-based swap activities must constitute ``MiFID business'' that 
is also ``designated investment business,'' each as defined in the FCA 
Handbook Glossary, must be carried on by the Covered Entity from an 
establishment in the UK and must fall within the scope of the Covered 
Entity's authorization from the FCA and/or PRA to conduct regulated 
activities in the UK.\33\
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    \33\ See para. (a)(4) to the proposed Order. Under this 
condition, a Covered Entity's security-based swap activities must 
constitute ``MiFID business'' that is also ``designated investment 
business'' only to the extent that the relevant part of the proposed 
Order requires the entity to be subject to and comply with FCA COBS 
11. The security-based swap activities need not be ``MiFID 
business'' that is also ``designated investment business'' when the 
relevant part of the proposed Order does not require compliance with 
FCA COBS 11 (e.g., paragraph (e)(6) addressing substituted 
compliance for daily mark disclosure requirements).
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     UK ``MiFID business''--For each condition in the proposed 
Order that requires the application of, and compliance with, provisions 
of the Client Asset Sourcebook of the FCA Handbook (``FCA CASS'') 6 
and/or 7, the Covered Entity must not be an ``ICVC'' as defined in the 
FCA Handbook Glossary,\34\ the Covered Entity's relevant security-based 
swap activities must constitute ``regulated activities'' as defined for 
purposes of the relevant UK provisions and ``MiFID business'' as 
defined in the FCA Handbook Glossary, must be carried on by the Covered 
Entity from an establishment in the UK and must fall within the scope 
of the Covered Entity's authorization from the FCA and/or PRA to 
conduct regulated activities in the UK.\35\
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    \34\ ``ICVC'' means investment company with variable capital as 
defined in the FCA Handbook Glossary.
    \35\ See para. (a)(5) to the proposed Order. Under this 
condition, a Covered Entity's security-based swap activities must 
constitute ``regulated activities'' that is also ``MiFID business'' 
only to the extent that the relevant part of the proposed Order 
requires the entity to be subject to and comply with the UK 
provisions listed in paragraph (a)(5) to the proposed Order. The 
security-based swap activities need not be ``MiFID business'' that 
is also ``designated investment business'' when the relevant part of 
the proposed Order does not require compliance with one of those 
provisions (e.g., paragraph (e)(6) addressing substituted compliance 
for daily mark disclosure requirements).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Activities covered by FCA SYSC 10A--For each condition in 
the proposed Order that requires the application of, and compliance 
with, provisions of FCA SYSC 10A, the Covered Entity's relevant 
security-based swap activities must constitute activities described in 
FCA SYSC 10A.1.1(2)(a), (b) and/or (c), must be carried on by the 
Covered Entity from an establishment in the UK and must fall within the 
scope of the Covered Entity's authorization from the FCA and/or PRA to 
conduct regulated activities in the UK.\36\
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    \36\ See para. (a)(6) to the proposed Order. Under this 
condition, a Covered Entity's security-based swap activities must 
constitute activities described in FCA SYSC 10A.1.1(2)(a), (b) and/
or (c) only to the extent that the relevant part of the proposed 
Order requires the entity to be subject to and comply with FCA SYSC 
10A. The security-based swap activities need not be activities 
described in those provisions when the relevant part of the proposed 
Order does not require compliance with FCA SYSC 10A (e.g., paragraph 
(e)(6) addressing substituted compliance for daily mark disclosure 
requirements).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     UK MiFID ``clients''--For each condition in the proposed 
Order that requires the application of, and compliance with, provisions 
of FCA CASS 6 and/or 7, FCA COBS 2, 4, 6, 8A, 9A, 11, 14 and/or 14A, 
FCA PROD 3, FCA SYSC 10.1.8, FCA SYSC 10A and/or UK MiFID Org, the 
Covered Entity's relevant counterparties (or potential counterparties) 
must be ``clients'' (or potential ``clients'') as defined in FCA COBS 
3.2.1R.\37\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \37\ See para. (a)(7) to the proposed Order.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     UK MiFID ``financial instruments''--For each condition in 
the proposed Order that requires the

[[Page 18382]]

application of, and compliance with, provisions of FCA CASS 6 and/or 7, 
FCA COBS 2, 4, 6, 8A, 9A, 11, 14 and/or 14A, FCA PROD 3, FCA SYSC 10A, 
UK MAR, UK MAR Investment Recommendations Regulation and/or UK MiFID 
Org Reg, the relevant security-based swap must be a ``financial 
instrument'' as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 2 of the UK Regulated 
Activities Order.\38\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \38\ See para. (a)(8) to the proposed Order.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     UK CRD/CRR ``institution''--For each condition in the 
proposed Order that requires the application of, and compliance with, 
provisions of UK CRR, the Covered Entity must be an ``institution'' as 
defined in UK CRR article 4(1)(3).\39\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \39\ See para. (a)(9) to the proposed Order.
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     ``Common platform firm'' or ``third country firm''--For 
each condition in the proposed Order that requires the application of, 
and compliance with, provisions of FCA SYSC 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 and/or 10, 
the Covered Entity must be either a ``common platform firm'' (other 
than a ``UCITS investment firm'') or a ``third country firm,'' each as 
defined in the FCA Handbook Glossary.\40\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \40\ See para. (a)(10) to the proposed Order.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     ``IFPRU investment firm''--For each condition in the 
proposed Order that requires the application of, and compliance with, 
provisions of FCA SYSC 19A, the Prudential Sourcebook for Investment 
Firms of the FCA Handbook (``FCA IFPRU'') and/or the Prudential 
Sourcebook for Banks, Building Societies and Investment Firms of the 
FCA Handbook (``FCA BIPRU''), the Covered Entity must be an ``IFPRU 
investment firm'' as defined in the FCA Handbook Glossary.\41\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \41\ See para. (a)(11) to the proposed Order.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     ``UK bank'' or ``UK designated investment firm''--For each 
condition in the proposed Order that requires the application of, and 
compliance with, provisions of FCA SYSC 19D and/or certain parts of the 
PRA Rulebook, the Covered Entity must be a ``UK bank'' or ``UK 
designated investment firm,'' each as defined in the FCA Handbook 
Glossary (in the case of chapter 19D of FCA SYSC) or in the PRA 
Rulebook Glossary (in the case of a part of the PRA Rulebook).\42\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \42\ See para. (a)(12) to the proposed Order.
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     Covered Entity's counterparties as UK EMIR 
``counterparties''--For each condition in the proposed Order that 
requires the application of, and compliance with, provisions of UK 
EMIR, UK EMIR RTS and/or UK EMIR Margin RTS, if the counterparty to the 
Covered Entity is not a ``financial counterparty'' or ``non-financial 
counterparty'' as defined in UK EMIR articles 2(8) or 2(9), 
respectively, the Covered Entity must comply with the applicable 
condition as if the counterparty were a financial counterparty or non-
financial counterparty.\43\ If the Covered Entity reasonably determines 
that the counterparty conducts a financial business that would cause it 
to be a financial counterparty if it were UK-established and UK-
authorized, then the proposed Order would require the Covered Entity to 
treat the counterparty as a financial counterparty; otherwise, the 
proposed Order would require the Covered Entity to treat the 
counterparty as a non-financial counterparty.\44\ In addition, the 
proposed Order would provide that a Covered Entity complying with UK 
EMIR could not apply substituted compliance by complying with third 
country requirements that UK authorities may determine to be equivalent 
to UK EMIR.\45\
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    \43\ See para. (a)(13) to the proposed Order.
    \44\ See para. (a)(13)(i) to the proposed Order.
    \45\ See para. (a)(13)(ii) to the proposed Order.
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     Security-based swap status under UK EMIR--For each 
condition in the proposed Order that requires the application of, and 
compliance with, provisions of UK EMIR, UK EMIR RTS and/or UK EMIR 
Margin RTS, either: (1) The relevant security-based swap must be an 
``OTC derivative'' or ``OTC derivative contract,'' as defined in UK 
EMIR article 2(7), that has not been cleared by a CCP and otherwise is 
subject to the provisions of UK EMIR article 11, UK EMIR RTS articles 
11 through 15, and UK EMIR Margin RTS article 2; or (2) the relevant 
security-based swap must have been cleared by a central counterparty 
that has been authorized or recognized to clear derivatives contracts 
in the UK.\46\
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    \46\ See para. (a)(14) to the proposed Order.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Memorandum of understanding--The Commission has an 
applicable memorandum of understanding or other arrangement with the 
FCA and PRA addressing cooperation with respect to the proposed Order 
at the time the Covered Entity makes use of substituted compliance.\47\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \47\ See para. (a)(15) to the proposed Order.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Notice of reliance on substituted compliance--A Covered 
Entity must provide notice of its intent to rely on the proposed Order 
by notifying the Commission in the manner specified on the Commission's 
website.\48\ In the notice, the Covered Entity would need to identify 
each specific substituted compliance determination in the proposed 
Order for which the Covered Entity intends to apply substituted 
compliance.\49\ If a Covered Entity elects not to apply substituted 
compliance with respect to a specific substituted compliance 
determination in the proposed Order, it must comply with the Exchange 
Act requirements subject to that determination. Further, except in the 
case of the counterparty protection requirements and linked 
recordkeeping requirements discussed below, the Commission has 
determined that the Exchange Act requirements subject to substituted 
compliance determinations in the proposed Order are entity-level 
requirements. Therefore, if a Covered Entity elects to apply 
substituted compliance to these entity-level requirements, it must do 
so at the entity level. Finally, a Covered Entity must promptly update 
the notice if it intends to modify its reliance on the positive 
substituted compliance determinations in the proposed Order.\50\
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    \48\ See para. (a)(16) to the proposed Order.
    \49\ If the Covered Entity intends to rely on all the 
substituted compliance determinations in a given paragraph of the 
Order, it can cite that paragraph in the notice. For example, if the 
Covered Entity intends to rely on the capital and margin 
determinations in paragraph (c) of the proposed Order, it would 
indicate in the notice that it is relying on the determinations in 
paragraph (c). However, if the Covered Entity intends to rely on the 
margin determination but not the capital determination, it would 
need to indicate in the notice that it is relying on paragraph 
(c)(2) of the proposed Order (the margin determination). In this 
case, paragraph (c)(1) of the proposed Order (the capital 
determination) would be excluded from the notice and the Covered 
Entity would need to comply with the Exchange Act capital 
requirements. Further, as discussed below in section VIII.B. of this 
notice, the recordkeeping and reporting determinations in the 
proposed Order have been structured to provide Covered Entities with 
a high level of flexibility in selecting specific requirements 
within those rules for which they want to rely on substituted 
compliance. For example, paragraph (f)(1)(i) of the proposed Order 
sets forth the Commission's preliminary substituted compliance 
determinations with respect to the requirements of Exchange Act rule 
18a-5, 17 CFR 240.18a-5. These proposed determinations are set forth 
in paragraphs (f)(1)(i)(A) through (O). If a Covered Entity intends 
to rely on some but not all of the determinations, it would need to 
identify in the notice the specific determinations in this paragraph 
it intends to rely on (e.g., paragraphs (f)(1)(i)(A), (B), (C), (D), 
(G), (H), (I), and (O)). For any determinations excluded from the 
notice, the Covered Entity would need to comply with the Exchange 
Act rule 18a-5 requirement. Finally, as discussed below in sections 
VII.B.2. and VIII.B.2. of this notice, a Covered Entity would be 
able to apply substituted compliance at the transaction level 
(rather than the entity level) for certain counterparty protection 
requirements and the recordkeeping requirements that are linked to 
them. In this case, the notice would need to indicate the class of 
transactions (e.g., transactions with UK counterparties) for which 
the Covered Entity is applying substituted compliance with respect 
to the counterparty protection requirements and linked recordkeeping 
requirements.
    \50\ A Covered Entity would modify its reliance on the positive 
substituted compliance determinations in the proposed Order, and 
thereby trigger the requirement to update its notice, if it adds or 
subtracts determinations for which it is applying substituted 
compliance or completely discontinues its reliance on the proposed 
Order.

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[[Page 18383]]

IV. Substituted Compliance for Risk Control Requirements

A. FCA Request and Associated Analytic Considerations

    The FCA Application in part requests substituted compliance in 
connection with risk control requirements under the Exchange Act 
relating to:
     Risk management systems--Internal risk management system 
requirements pursuant to Exchange Act section 15F(j)(2) and relevant 
aspects of Exchange Act rule 15Fh-3(h)(2)(iii)(I).\51\ Those provisions 
address the obligation of SBS Entities to follow policies and 
procedures reasonably designed to help manage the risks associated with 
their business activities.\52\
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    \51\ 17 CFR 240.15Fh-3(h)(2)(iii)(I). The FCA also is requesting 
substituted compliance in connection with Exchange Act rule 18a-
1(f), 17 CFR 240.18a-1(f), which sets forth additional internal risk 
management system requirements for non-prudentially regulated 
security-based swap dealers. The Commission preliminarily has 
considered that request holistically as part of its analysis of the 
FCA's request for substituted compliance for capital requirements 
for those entities. See part V, infra. The FCA is not requesting 
substituted compliance in connection with Exchange Act rule 18a-
2(c), which sets forth additional internal risk management system 
requirements for non-prudentially regulated major security-based 
swap participants.
    \52\ See Exchange Act Release No. 68071 (Oct. 18, 2012), 77 FR 
70214, 70250 (Nov. 23, 2012) (proposing capital and margin 
requirements for security-based swap dealers and major security-
based swap participants). The FCA Application discusses UK 
requirements that address Covered Entities' obligations related to 
risk management. See FCA Application Appendix B category 1 at 19-71.
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     Trade acknowledgment and verification--Trade 
acknowledgment and verification requirements pursuant to Exchange Act 
section 15F(i) and Exchange Act rule 15Fi-2.\53\ Those provisions help 
avoid legal and operational risks by requiring definitive written 
records of transactions and for procedures to avoid disagreements 
regarding the meaning of transaction terms.\54\
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    \53\ 17 CFR 240.15Fi-2.
    \54\ See Exchange Act Release No. 78011 (Jun. 8, 2016), 81 FR 
39808, 39809 & 39820 (Jun. 17, 2016) (``Trade Acknowledgment and 
Verification Adopting Release''). The FCA Application discusses UK 
requirements that address Covered Entities' obligations related to 
confirmations. See FCA Application Appendix B category 1 at 72-84.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Portfolio reconciliation and dispute reporting--Portfolio 
reconciliation and dispute reporting requirements pursuant to Exchange 
Act section 15F(i) and Exchange Act rule 15Fi-3.\55\ Those provisions 
require that counterparties engage in portfolio reconciliation and 
resolve discrepancies in connection with uncleared security-based swaps 
and promptly notify the Commission and applicable prudential regulators 
regarding certain valuation disputes.\56\
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    \55\ 17 CFR 240.15Fi-3.
    \56\ See Exchange Act Release No. 87782 (Dec. 18, 2019), 85 FR 
6359, 6360-61 (Feb. 4, 2020) (``Risk Mitigation Adopting Release''). 
The FCA Application discusses UK requirements that address portfolio 
reconciliation and dispute resolution and reporting. See FCA 
Application Appendix B category 1 at 85-93.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Portfolio compression--Portfolio compression requirements 
pursuant to Exchange Act section 15F(i) and Exchange Act rule 15Fi-
4.\57\ Those provisions require that SBS Entities have procedures 
addressing bilateral offset, bilateral compression and multilateral 
compression in connection with uncleared security-based swaps.\58\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \57\ 17 CFR 240.15Fi-4.
    \58\ See Risk Mitigation Adopting Release, 85 FR at 6361. The 
FCA Application discusses UK portfolio compression requirements. See 
FCA Application Appendix B category 1 at 94-96.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Trading relationship documentation--Trading relationship 
documentation requirements pursuant to Exchange Act section 15F(i) and 
Exchange Act rule 15Fi-5.\59\ Those provisions require that SBS 
Entities have procedures to execute written security-based swap trading 
relationship documentation with their counterparties prior to, or 
contemporaneously with, executing certain security-based swaps.\60\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \59\ 17 CFR 240.15Fi-5.
    \60\ See Risk Mitigation Adopting Release, 85 FR at 6361. The 
FCA Application discusses UK requirements regarding records of 
agreements with counterparties. See FCA Application Appendix B 
category 1 at 96-100.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Taken as a whole, these risk control requirements help to promote 
market stability by mandating that SBS Entities follow practices that 
are appropriate to manage the market, credit, counterparty, operational 
and legal risks associated with their security-based swap businesses. 
The Commission's comparability assessment accordingly focuses on 
whether the analogous foreign requirements--taken as a whole--produce 
comparable outcomes with regard to providing that Covered Entities 
follow risk mitigation and documentation practices that are appropriate 
to the risks associated with their security-based swap businesses.

B. Preliminary Views and Proposed Order

1. General Considerations
    In the Commission's preliminary view based on the FCA Application 
and the Commission's review of applicable provisions, relevant UK 
requirements would produce regulatory outcomes that are comparable to 
those associated with the above risk control requirements, by 
subjecting Covered Entities to risk mitigation and documentation 
practices that are appropriate to the risks associated with their 
security-based swap businesses. Substituted compliance accordingly 
would be conditioned on Covered Entities being subject to the UK 
provisions that in the aggregate establish a framework that produces 
outcomes comparable to those associated with these risk control 
requirements under the Exchange Act.\61\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \61\ In connection with risk management system requirements, a 
Covered Entity must be subject to and comply with provisions of UK 
law that implement MiFID article 16(4) and (5) and CRD articles 74, 
76 and 79 through 87; UK CRR articles 286 through 288 and 293; UK 
EMIR Margin RTS article 2; and UK MiFID Org Reg articles 21 through 
24. See para. (b)(1) to the proposed Order. In connection with trade 
acknowledgment and verification requirements, a Covered Entity must 
be subject to and comply with the UK EMIR article 11(1)(a) and the 
UK EMIR RTS article 12. See para. (b)(2) to the proposed Order. In 
connection with portfolio reconciliation and dispute reporting 
requirements, a Covered Entity must be subject to and comply with UK 
EMIR article 11(1)(b) and UK EMIR RTS articles 13 and 15. See para. 
(b)(3) to the proposed Order. In connection with portfolio 
compression requirements, a Covered Entity must be subject to and 
comply with UK EMIR RTS article 14. See para. (b)(4) to the proposed 
Order. In connection with trading relationship documentation 
requirements, a Covered Entity must be subject to and comply with UK 
EMIR article 11(1)(a), UK EMIR article 12 and UK EMIR Margin RTS 
article 2. See para. (b)(5) to the proposed Order.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In connection with trade acknowledgement and verification 
requirements, the Commission preliminarily believes that UK 
requirements are comparable to Exchange Act requirements despite not 
requiring a Covered Entity to establish, maintain and enforce written 
policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to obtain prompt 
verification of a trade acknowledgment. The Commission reached this 
preliminary conclusion because the UK requirements instead generally 
require both counterparties to provide a trade confirmation. Though 
this confirmation requirement generally does not apply to a 
counterparty not established in the UK, such as a U.S. person 
counterparty (unless the relevant contract has a direct and substantial 
effect in the UK), the Commission has considered the UK confirmation 
requirements together with guidance from the European Securities and 
Markets Authority (``ESMA'').\62\ In interpreting EU confirmation

[[Page 18384]]

requirements that are identical to the UK requirements referenced in 
the proposed Order, that guidance provides that ``when an EU 
counterparty is transacting with a third country entity, the EU 
counterparty would be required to ensure that the requirements for . . 
. timely confirmation . . . are met for the relevant . . . transactions 
even though the third country entity would not itself be subject to 
EMIR.'' \63\ That guidance also provides that compliance with the EMIR 
confirmation requirements means ``reach[ing] a legally binding 
agreement to all the terms of an OTC derivative contract.'' \64\ The 
FCA has published guidance indicating that ESMA's guidance ``will 
remain relevant [after the UK's exit from the EU] to the FCA and market 
participants in their compliance with regulatory requirements.'' \65\ 
In the Commission's preliminary view, the UK requirements, as 
interpreted by this guidance, thus are comparable to Exchange Act trade 
acknowledgment and verification requirements.
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    \62\ See European Securities and Markets Authority, Questions 
and Answers: Implementation of the Regulation (EU) No 648/2012 on 
OTC Derivatives, Central Counterparties and Trade Repositories 
(EMIR), available at: https://www.esma.europa.eu/sites/default/files/library/esma70-1861941480-52_qa_on_emir_implementation.pdf 
(``ESMA EMIR Q&A'').
    \63\ See ESMA EMIR Q&A, OTC Answer 12(b).
    \64\ See ESMA EMIR Q&A, OTC Answer 5(a).
    \65\ See Financial Conduct Authority, ``Brexit: Our approach to 
EU non-legislative materials,'' para. 9, available at: https://www.fca.org.uk/publication/corporate/brexit-our-approach-to-eu-non-legislative-materials.pdf (``FCA Brexit Guidance''); see also FCA 
Brexit Guidance at para. 12 (``We will continue to have regard to 
other EU non-legislative material where and if they are relevant, 
taking account of Brexit and ongoing domestic legislation. Firms, 
market participants and stakeholders should also continue to do 
so.'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In connection with trading relationship documentation requirements, 
the Commission also preliminarily believes that UK requirements are 
comparable to Exchange Act requirements when considered together with 
this guidance. The proposed Order would require a Covered Entity to be 
subject to and comply with UK EMIR article 11(1)(a), UK EMIR RTS 
article 12 and UK EMIR Margin RTS article 2. By its terms, UK EMIR 
Margin RTS article 2 relates to documentation of ``risk management 
procedures for the exchange of collateral'' for non-centrally cleared 
transactions.\66\ Exchange Act trading relationship documentation 
requirements, however, apply not only to agreements related to 
collateral exchange procedures but also to any other terms governing 
the trading relationship between the counterparties.\67\ In the 
Commission's preliminary view, UK EMIR article 11(1)(a) and UK EMIR RTS 
article 12, when viewed together with the ESMA EMIR Q&A as described 
above, bridge this gap by requiring counterparties to reach a legally 
binding agreement to all the terms of a transaction.
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    \66\ UK EMIR Margin RTS article 2(1).
    \67\ See Exchange Act rule 15Fi-5(b)(1) (``The security-based 
swap trading relationship documentation shall be in writing and 
shall include all terms governing the trading relationship between 
the security-based swap dealer or major security-based swap 
participant and its counterparty. . . .'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    While the Commission recognizes these and certain other differences 
between UK requirements and the applicable risk control requirements 
under the Exchange Act, in the Commission's preliminary view those 
differences on balance would not preclude substituted compliance for 
these requirements, particularly as requirement-by-requirement 
similarity is not needed for substituted compliance.
2. Scope of Substituted Compliance
    The proposed Order would permit a Covered Entity to apply 
substituted compliance for one or more risk control requirements. For 
example, a Covered Entity could apply substituted compliance for 
internal risk management requirements but comply directly with Exchange 
Act trade acknowledgment and verification, portfolio reconciliation and 
dispute reporting, portfolio compression or trading relationship 
documentation requirements. For any set of risk control requirements 
for which a Covered Entity applies substituted compliance, however, the 
proposed Order would require the Covered Entity to apply substituted 
compliance at an entity level, i.e., to all of its activities subject 
to that set of risk control requirements. For example, the proposed 
Order would require a Covered Entity applying substituted compliance 
for internal risk management requirements to comply with the comparable 
UK requirements with respect to all of its risk management systems. The 
Covered Entity could not choose to comply with the Exchange Act for one 
part of its risk management systems and with UK requirements for 
another part of its risk management systems.\68\ The Commission 
preliminarily believes that this scope of substituted compliance 
strikes the right balance between providing Covered Entities 
flexibility to tailor the application of substituted compliance to 
their business needs and ensuring that substituted compliance is 
consistent with the Commission's classification of the relevant 
Exchange Act risk control requirements as entity-level 
requirements.\69\
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    \68\ See para. (b)(1) to the proposed Order. Similarly, a 
Covered Entity applying substituted compliance for trade 
acknowledgment and verification requirements would have to comply 
with the comparable UK requirements with respect to all security-
based swaps subject to Exchange Act trade acknowledgment and 
verification requirements. See para. (b)(2) to the proposed Order. A 
Covered Entity applying substituted compliance for portfolio 
reconciliation and dispute reporting requirements would have to 
comply with the comparable UK requirements with respect to all 
security-based swaps subject to Exchange Act portfolio 
reconciliation and dispute reporting requirements. See para. (b)(3) 
to the proposed Order. A Covered Entity applying substituted 
compliance for portfolio compression requirements would have to 
comply with the comparable UK requirements with respect to all 
security-based swaps subject to Exchange Act portfolio compression 
requirements. See para. (b)(4) to the proposed Order. A Covered 
Entity applying substituted compliance for trading relationship 
documentation requirements would have to comply with the comparable 
UK requirements with respect to all security-based swaps subject to 
Exchange Act trading relationship documentation requirements. See 
para. (b)(5) to the proposed Order.
    \69\ See Exchange Act Release No. 77617 (Apr. 14, 2016), 81 FR 
29960, 30064 (May 13, 2016) (``Business Conduct Adopting Release'') 
(internal risk management requirements are entity-level 
requirements); Trade Acknowledgment and Verification Adopting 
Release, 81 FR at 39826 (trade acknowledgment and verification 
requirements are entity-level requirements); Risk Mitigation 
Adopting Release, 85 FR at 6378 (portfolio reconciliation and 
dispute reporting, portfolio compression and trading relationship 
documentation requirements are entity-level requirements).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. Types of Covered Entities ``Subject to'' Comparable UK Requirements
    In connection with risk management system requirements, each of the 
comparable UK provisions listed in the proposed Order applies to a 
uniquely defined set of UK-authorized firms.\70\ To assist UK firms in 
determining whether they are subject to these provisions, the 
Commission preliminarily has determined that any Covered Entity that is 
an ``IFPRU investment firm,'' as defined in the FCA Handbook Glossary, 
or a ``UK bank'' or ``UK designated investment firm,'' as defined in 
both the FCA Handbook Glossary and the PRA Rulebook Glossary, would be 
subject to all of the required UK provisions. Accordingly, those types 
of firms preliminarily would be eligible to apply substituted 
compliance for risk management system requirements. A Covered Entity 
that is preliminarily not eligible to apply substituted compliance

[[Page 18385]]

for risk management system requirements, such as a third country 
investment firm, nevertheless would be preliminarily eligible to apply 
substituted compliance for other requirements addressed in the proposed 
Order if it complies with the relevant parts of the proposed Order.
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    \70\ The Commission preliminarily understands that FCA IFPRU and 
FCA BIPRU apply to IFPRU investment firms; FCA SYSC 4 and 7 apply to 
common platform firms and third country firms; FCA SYSC 19A applies 
to IFPRU investment firms and their overseas firm analogues; FCA 
SYSC 19D applies to UK banks, UK designated investment firms and 
their overseas firm analogues; the PRA rules cited in paragraph 
(b)(1) to the proposed Order apply to CRR firms as defined in the 
PRA Rulebook Glossary; UK CRR applies to CRR firms as defined in 
that legislation; UK EMIR Margin RTS applies to financial 
counterparties; and UK MiFID Org Reg applies to MIFID investment 
firms.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In connection with trade acknowledgment and verification, portfolio 
reconciliation and dispute reporting, portfolio compression and trading 
relationship documentation requirements, each of the comparable UK 
provisions listed in the proposed Order applies to ``financial 
counterparties.'' The Commission preliminarily understands that this 
term includes Covered Entities that are MiFID investment firms but not 
Covered Entities that are third country investment firms. A Covered 
Entity that is preliminarily not eligible to apply substituted 
compliance for these Exchange Act requirements nevertheless would be 
preliminarily eligible to apply substituted compliance for other 
requirements addressed in the proposed Order if it complies with the 
relevant parts of the proposed Order.
4. Additional Conditions and Scope Issues
    Substituted compliance in connection with these requirements would 
be subject to certain additional conditions to help ensure the 
comparability of outcomes:
a. Trading Relationship Documentation--Disclosure Regarding Legal and 
Bankruptcy Status
    Under the proposed Order, substituted compliance in connection with 
trading relationship documentation would not extend to disclosures 
regarding legal and bankruptcy status that are required by paragraph 
(b)(5) to Exchange Act rule 15Fi-5 when the counterparty is a U.S. 
person.\71\ Documentation requirements under applicable UK law do not 
address the disclosure of information related to insolvency procedures 
under U.S. law. However, the absence of such disclosure would not 
appear to preclude a comparable regulatory outcome when the 
counterparty is not a U.S. person, because the insolvency-related 
consequences that are the subject of the disclosure would not be 
applicable to non-U.S. counterparties in most cases.\72\
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    \71\ Those disclosures address information regarding the status 
of the SBS Entity or its counterparty as an insured depository 
institution or financial counterparty, and regarding the possibility 
that in certain circumstances the SBS Entity or its counterparty may 
be subject to the insolvency regime set forth under Title II of the 
Dodd-Frank Act or the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, which may 
affect rights to terminate, liquidate or net security-based swaps. 
See Risk Mitigation Adopting Release, 85 FR at 6374 (discussing 
potential application of alternatives to the liquidation schemes 
established under the Securities Investor Protection Act of 1970 or 
the U.S. Bankruptcy Code).
    \72\ See also UK EMIR Margin RTS (in part addressing procedures 
providing for or specifying the terms of agreements entered into by 
counterparties, including applicable governing law for non-centrally 
cleared derivatives, and further providing that counterparties which 
enter into a netting or collateral exchange agreement must perform 
an independent legal review regarding enforceability).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

b. Dispute Reporting--Provision of Dispute Reports Consistent With UK 
Law
    Under the proposed Order, substituted compliance further would be 
conditioned on Covered Entities having to provide the Commission with 
reports regarding disputes between counterparties, on the same basis as 
the Covered Entities provide those reports to the FCA pursuant to UK 
law.\73\ This condition promotes comparability with the Exchange Act 
rule requiring reporting to the Commission regarding significant 
valuation disputes,\74\ while leveraging UK reporting provisions to 
avoid the need for Covered Entities to create additional reporting 
frameworks.\75\
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    \73\ See para. (b)(3)(ii) to the proposed Order.
    \74\ In proposing the notice provision, the Commission 
recognized that valuation inaccuracies may lead to uncollateralized 
credit exposure and the potential for loss in the event of default. 
See Exchange Act Release No. 84861 (Dec. 19, 2018), 84 FR 4614, 4621 
(Feb. 15, 2019). It thus is important that the Commission be 
informed regarding valuation disputes affecting SBS Entities.
    \75\ The principal difference between the two sets of 
requirements concerns the timing of notices. Under Exchange Act rule 
15Fi-3, SBS Entities must promptly report to the Commission 
valuation disputes in excess of $20 million that have been 
outstanding for three or five business days (depending on 
counterparty types). Under UK EMIR RTS article 15(2), firms must 
report to the FCA at least monthly any disputes between 
counterparties in excess of [euro]15 million and outstanding for at 
least 15 business days. The Commission is mindful that the UK 
provision does not provide for notice as quickly as rule 15Fi-3(c), 
but in the Commission's preliminary view, on balance this difference 
would not be inconsistent with the conclusion that the two sets of 
risk control requirements--taken as a whole--produce comparable 
regulatory outcomes.
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V. Substituted Compliance for Capital and Margin Requirements

A. The FCA's Request and Associated Analytic Considerations

    The FCA Application in part requests substituted compliance in 
connection with requirements under the Exchange Act relating to:
     Capital--Capital requirements pursuant to Exchange Act 
section 15F(e) and Exchange Act rule 18a-1 and its appendices 
(collectively ``Exchange Act rule 18a-1'') applicable to certain SBS 
Entities.\76\ Exchange Act rule 18a-1 helps to ensure the SBS Entity 
maintains at all times sufficient liquid assets to promptly satisfy its 
liabilities, and to provide a cushion of liquid assets in excess of 
liabilities to cover potential market, credit, and other risks.\77\ The 
rule's net liquid assets test standard protects customers and 
counterparties and mitigates the consequences of an SBS Entity's 
failure by promoting the ability of the firm to absorb financial shocks 
and, if necessary, to self-liquidate in an orderly manner.\78\ As part 
of the capital requirements, non-prudentially regulated security-based 
swap dealers also must comply with the internal risk management control 
requirements of Exchange Act Rule 15c3-4 with respect to certain 
activities.\79\
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    \76\ Exchange Act rule 18a-1 applies to non-prudentially 
regulated security-based swap dealers that are not also registered 
as broker-dealers, other than OTC derivatives dealers.
    \77\ See Capital and Margin Adopting Release, 84 FR at 43947. 
The FCA Application discusses UK requirements that address firms' 
capital requirements. See FCA Application Appendix B, Annex V (Side 
Letter Addressing Capital Requirements). See also FCA Application 
Appendix B category 1.d. (Internal Risk Management Requirements) 
(generally discussing internal risk management requirements).
    \78\ See Capital and Margin Adopting Release, 84 FR at 43879-83. 
The capital standard of Exchange Act rule 18a-1 is based on the net 
liquid assets test of Exchange Act rule 15c3-1 applicable to broker-
dealers. Id. The net liquid assets test seeks to promote liquidity 
by requiring that a firm maintain sufficient liquid assets to meet 
all liabilities, including obligations to customers, counterparties, 
and other creditors, and, in the event a firm fails financially, to 
have adequate additional resources to wind-down its business in an 
orderly manner without the need for a formal proceeding. See id. at 
43879. See FCA Application Appendix B, Annex V (Side Letter 
Addressing Capital Requirements).
    \79\ See Exchange Act rule 18a-1(f).
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     Margin--Margin requirements pursuant to Exchange Act 
section 15F(e) and Exchange Act rule 18a-3 for non-prudentially 
regulated SBS Entities. The margin requirements are designed to protect 
SBS Entities from the consequences of a counterparty's default.\80\
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    \80\ See Capital and Margin Adopting Release, 84 FR at 43947; 
see also id. at 43949 (``Obtaining collateral is one of the ways OTC 
derivatives dealers manage their credit risk exposure to OTC 
derivatives counterparties. Prior to the financial crisis, in 
certain circumstances, counterparties were able to enter into OTC 
derivatives transactions without having to deliver collateral. When 
``trigger events'' occurred during the financial crisis, those 
counterparties faced significant liquidity strains when they were 
required to deliver collateral''). The FCA Application discusses UK 
requirements that address firms' margin requirements. See FCA 
Application Appendix B category 1.c. (Margin Requirements for 
Nonbank Firms) and Annex I (Margin Haircuts (Category 1)).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Taken as a whole, these capital and margin requirements help to 
promote

[[Page 18386]]

market stability by mandating that SBS Entities follow practices to 
manage the market, credit, liquidity, solvency, counterparty, and 
operational risks associated with their security-based swap businesses. 
The Commission's comparability assessment accordingly focuses on 
whether the analogous foreign requirements--taken as a whole--produce 
comparable outcomes with regard to providing that Covered Entities 
follow capital and margin requirements that address the risks 
associated with their security-based swap businesses.

B. Preliminary Views and Proposed Order

1. General Considerations
    In the Commission's preliminary view, based on the FCA Application 
and the Commission's review of applicable provisions, relevant UK 
capital requirements would produce regulatory outcomes that address the 
risks that the above capital requirements are designed to address. As 
discussed below, however, the Commission preliminarily believes that 
additional conditions on applying substituted compliance with respect 
to the Exchange Act capital requirements may be an appropriate 
supplement to the UK capital requirements in order to produce 
comparable regulatory outcomes. Substituted compliance with respect to 
the capital requirements accordingly would be conditioned on Covered 
Entities being subject to the UK capital requirements and additional 
conditions that, in the aggregate, establish a framework that produces 
outcomes comparable to those associated with the capital requirements 
under Exchange Act rule 18a-1.\81\
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    \81\ In connection with capital requirements, Covered Entities 
must comply with: The capital requirements of UK CRR, including 
recitals 40, 43 and 87, and articles 26, 28, 50 through 52, 61, 63, 
92, 111, 113(1), 114 through 122, 143, 153(8), 177(2), 283, 290, 300 
through 311, 312(2), 362 through 377, 382 through 383, 412(1), 
413(1), 416(1), 427(1), 413, 429, 430, and 499; UK MiFID Org Reg 
article 23; UK EMIR Margin RTS recital 31 and articles 2, 3(b), 7, 
and 19(1)(d) and (e), (3) and (8); FCA SYSC 4.1.1R, 7.1.4R, and 
7.1.18R; FCA IFPRU 2,7, 10, and 11; FCA BIPRU 12; FCA PRIN; Client 
asset protection requirements under FCA CASS; PRA General 
Organisational Requirements Rule 2.1; PRA Risk Control Rules 2.3 and 
3.1(1), Capital Buffers Part, Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment 
Part, Internal Liquidity Adequacy Assessment Part, Liquidity 
Coverage Requirement--UK Designated Investment Firms Part, and 
Notifications Part, of the PRA Rulebook; Banking Act 2009; Capital 
Requirements Regulations 2013; Capital Requirements (Capital Buffers 
and Macro-prudential Measures) Regulations 2014; Part 8 and Part 9 
of the Bank Recovery and Resolution (No 2) Order 2014; Bank of 
England Act 1998 (Macro-prudential Measures) (No 2) Order 2015; and 
Parts 4A and 12A of FSMA. See para. (c)(1)(i) to the proposed Order.
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    In the Commission's preliminary view, based on the FCA Application 
and the Commission's review of applicable provisions, relevant UK 
margin requirements would produce regulatory outcomes that are 
comparable to those associated with the above margin requirements. For 
example, in adopting its final margin requirements for non-cleared 
security-based swaps, the Commission stated that it modified the 
proposal to more closely align the final rule with the margin rules of 
the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the U.S. prudential 
regulators and, in doing so, with the recommendations made by the Basel 
Committee on Banking Supervision (``BCBS'') and the Board of the 
International Organization of Securities Commissions (``IOSCO'') with 
respect to margin requirements for non-centrally cleared 
derivatives.\82\ Substituted compliance with respect to the margin 
requirements accordingly would be conditioned on Covered Entities being 
subject to those UK provisions that, the Commission has determined, in 
the aggregate, establish a framework that produces outcomes comparable 
to those associated with the requirements under the Exchange Act rule 
18a-3.\83\
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    \82\ See Capital and Margin Adopting Release, 84 FR at 43908-09; 
see also BCBS/IOSCO, Margin Requirements for Non-centrally Cleared 
Derivatives (April 2020), available at: https://www.bis.org/bcbs/publ/d499.pdf (``BCBS/IOSCO Paper''). The UK margin requirements 
also are based on the recommendation in the BCBS/IOSCO Paper.
    \83\ In connection with margin requirements, Covered Entities 
must comply with: UK EMIR article 11; UK EMIR Margin RTS; UK CRR 
articles 103, 105(3); 105(10); 111(2), 224, 285, 286, 286(7), 290, 
295, 296(2)(b), 297(1), 297(3), and 298(1); UK MiFID Org Reg article 
23(1); FCA SYSC 4.1.1R; FCA IFPRU 2.2.18R; PRA General 
Organisational Requirements Rule 2.1; and PRA Internal Capital 
Adequacy Assessment Rule 4.2. See para. (c)(2) to the proposed 
Order.
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    While the Commission recognizes that there are certain differences 
between those UK requirements and the applicable capital and margin 
requirements under the Exchange Act, in the Commission's preliminary 
view, those differences on balance would not preclude substituted 
compliance for these requirements, particularly as requirement-by-
requirement similarity is not needed for substituted compliance.
    As noted above, substituted compliance in connection with capital 
requirements would be subject to certain additional conditions to help 
ensure the comparability of outcomes.\84\ As discussed in more detail 
below in section V.B.3. of this notice, these proposed conditions to 
substituted compliance for capital are designed to promote 
comparability in light of the differences between the net liquid assets 
test standard of Exchange Act rule 18a-1 and the bank capital standard 
applicable to Covered Entities.\85\ More specifically, in proposing the 
capital conditions, the Commission has preliminarily sought to balance 
the Commission's objective to promote the ability of Covered Entities 
to absorb financial shocks and, if necessary, to self-liquidate in an 
orderly manner while also providing them flexibility to apply 
substituted compliance with respect to Exchange Act rule 18a-1.\86\
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    \84\ See para. (c)(1)(ii) to the proposed Order.
    \85\ See Capital and Margin Adopting Release, 84 FR at 43881 
(``Consequently, in the Commission's judgment, the broker-dealer 
capital standard is the appropriate standard for nonbank SBSDs 
because it is designed to promote a firm's liquidity and self-
sufficiency (in other words, to account for the lack of inexpensive 
funding sources that are available to banks, such as deposits and 
central bank support).'').
    \86\ See, e.g., Capital and Margin Adopting Release, 84 FR at 
43881 (``The Commission believes that the broker-dealer capital 
standard is the most appropriate alternative for nonbank SBSDs, 
given the nature of their business activities and the Commission's 
experience administering the standard with respect to broker-
dealers. The objective of the broker-dealer capital standard is to 
protect customers and counterparties and to mitigate the 
consequences of a firm's failure by promoting the ability of these 
entities to absorb financial shocks and, if necessary, to self-
liquidate in an orderly manner.'').
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2. Scope of Substituted Compliance
    The proposed Order would permit a Covered Entity to apply 
substituted compliance for the capital and/or margin requirements. 
Thus, a Covered Entity could apply substituted compliance for Exchange 
Act margin requirements by complying with UK margin requirements but 
comply with Exchange Act capital requirements (rather than applying 
substituted compliance to those requirements) and vice versa. However, 
as to the various requirements within the capital and margin rules, the 
Commission found the rules to be entity-level when adopting amendments 
to Exchange Act rule 3a71-6 to make substituted compliance available 
with respect to them.\87\ Consequently, under the proposed Order, a 
Covered Entity must apply substituted compliance with respect to 
capital and margin requirements at an entity level. For example, a 
Covered Entity applying substituted compliance for capital would need 
to comply with the comparable UK capital requirements at the entity 
level with respect to all capital requirements and calculations. 
Similarly, a Covered Entity applying substituted compliance for margin 
would need to comply with the

[[Page 18387]]

comparable UK requirements at the entity level with respect to all 
margin requirements and counterparties--the firm could not apply UK 
margin requirements for one set of counterparties and Exchange Act 
margin requirements for another set of counterparties.\88\
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    \87\ See Capital and Margin Adopting Release, 84 FR at 43946-50.
    \88\ See Capital and Margin Adopting Release, 84 FR at 43947 
(``Margin is designed to protect the nonbank SBSD or MSBSP from the 
consequences of a counterparty's default. Permitting different 
margin requirements based on the location of the counterparty is not 
consistent with this objective.'') (footnotes omitted).
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3. Additional Conditions
    Substituted compliance in connection with capital requirements 
would be subject to certain additional conditions to help ensure the 
comparability of outcomes. As discussed above, the capital standard of 
Exchange Act rule 18a-1 is the net liquid assets test. This is the same 
capital standard that applies to broker-dealers under Exchange Act rule 
15c3-1. The net liquid assets test is designed to promote liquidity. In 
particular, Exchange Act rule 18a-1 allows an SBS Entity to engage in 
activities that are part of conducting a securities business (e.g., 
taking securities into inventory) but in a manner that places the firm 
in the position of holding at all times more than one dollar of highly 
liquid assets for each dollar of unsubordinated liabilities (e.g., 
money owed to customers, counterparties, and creditors).\89\ For 
example, Exchange Act rule 18a-1 allows securities positions to count 
as allowable net capital, subject to standardized or internal model-
based haircuts. The rule, however, does not permit most unsecured 
receivables to count as allowable net capital. This aspect of the rule 
severely limits the ability of SBS Entities to engage in activities, 
such as uncollateralized lending, that generate unsecured receivables. 
The rule also does not permit fixed assets or other illiquid assets to 
count as allowable net capital, which creates disincentives for SBS 
Entities to own real estate and other fixed assets that cannot be 
readily converted into cash. For these reasons, Exchange Act rule 18a-1 
incentivizes SBS Entities to confine their business activities and 
devote capital to security-based swap activities.
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    \89\ See, e.g., Exchange Act Release No. 8024 (Jan. 18, 1967), 
32 FR 856 (Jan. 25, 1967) (``Rule 15c3-1 (17 CFR 240.15c3-1) was 
adopted to provide safeguards for public investors by setting 
standards of financial responsibility to be met by brokers and 
dealers. The basic concept of the rule is liquidity; its object 
being to require a broker-dealer to have at all times sufficient 
liquid assets to cover his current indebtedness.'') (footnotes 
omitted); Exchange Act Release No. 10209 (June 8, 1973), 38 FR 16774 
(June 26, 1973) (Commission release of a letter from the Division of 
Market Regulation) (``The purpose of the net capital rule is to 
require a broker or dealer to have at all times sufficient liquid 
assets to cover its current indebtedness. The need for liquidity has 
long been recognized as vital to the public interest and for the 
protection of investors and is predicated on the belief that 
accounts are not opened and maintained with broker-dealers in 
anticipation of relying upon suit, judgment and execution to collect 
claims but rather on a reasonable demand one can liquidate his cash 
or securities positions.''); Exchange Act Release No. 15426 (Dec. 
21, 1978), 44 FR 1754 (Jan. 8, 1979) (``The rule requires brokers or 
dealers to have sufficient cash or liquid assets to protect the cash 
or securities positions carried in their customers' accounts. The 
thrust of the rule is to insure that a broker or dealer has 
sufficient liquid assets to cover current indebtedness.''); Exchange 
Act Release No. 26402 (Dec. 28, 1988), 54 FR 315 (Jan. 5, 1989) 
(``The rule's design is that broker-dealers maintain liquid assets 
in sufficient amounts to enable them to satisfy promptly their 
liabilities. The rule accomplishes this by requiring broker-dealers 
to maintain liquid assets in excess of their liabilities to protect 
against potential market and credit risks.'') (footnote omitted).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The net liquid assets test is imposed through how an SBS Entity is 
required to compute net capital pursuant to Exchange Act rule 18a-1. 
The first step is to compute the SBS Entity's net worth under generally 
accepted accounting principles (``GAAP''). Next, the SBS Entity must 
make certain adjustments to its net worth to calculate net capital, 
such as deducting illiquid assets and taking other capital charges and 
adding qualifying subordinated loans.\90\ The amount remaining after 
these deductions is defined as ``tentative net capital.'' Exchange Act 
rule 18a-1 prescribes a minimum tentative net capital requirement of 
$100 million for SBS Entities approved to use models to calculate net 
capital. The final step in computing net capital is to take prescribed 
percentage deductions (standardized haircuts) or model-based deductions 
from the mark-to-market value of the SBS Entity's proprietary positions 
(e.g., securities, money market instruments, and commodities) that are 
included in its tentative net capital. The amount remaining is the 
firm's net capital, which must exceed the greater of $20 million or a 
ratio amount. An SBS Entity that is meeting its minimum net capital 
requirement will be in the position where each dollar of unsubordinated 
liabilities is matched by more than a dollar of highly liquid assets.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \90\ See 17 CFR 240.15c3-1(c)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In comparison, Covered Entities in the UK are subject to capital 
requirements applicable to prudentially regulated entities based on the 
international capital standard for banks (the ``Basel capital 
standard'').\91\ The Basel capital standard counts as capital assets 
that Exchange Act rule 18a-1 would exclude (e.g., loans and most other 
types of uncollateralized receivables, furniture and fixtures, real 
estate). The Basel capital standard accommodates the business of 
banking: Making loans (including extending unsecured credit) and taking 
deposits. While the Covered Entities that will apply substituted 
compliance with respect to Exchange Act rule 18a-1 will not be banks, 
the Basel capital standard allows them to count illiquid assets such as 
real estate and fixtures as capital. It also allows them to treat 
unsecured receivables related to activities beyond dealing in security-
based swaps as capital notwithstanding the illiquidity of these assets.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \91\ See supra note 81 (citing UK capital requirements under UK 
CRR). See also BCBS, The Basel Framework, available at: https://www.bis.org/basel_framework/.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Further, one critical example of the difference between the 
requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-1 and the Basel capital standard 
relates to the treatment of initial margin with respect to security-
based swaps and swaps. Under the UK margin requirements, Covered 
Entities will be required to post initial margin to counterparties 
unless an exception applies.\92\ Under Exchange Act rule 18a-1, an SBS 
Entity cannot count as capital the amount of initial margin posted to a 
counterparty unless it enters into a special loan agreement with an 
affiliate.\93\ The special loan agreement requires the affiliate to 
fund the initial margin amount and the agreement must be structured so 
that the affiliate--rather than the SBS Entity--bears the risk that the 
counterparty may default on the obligation to return the initial 
margin. The reason for this restrictive approach to initial margin 
posted away is that it ``would not be available [to the SBS Entity] for 
other purposes, and, therefore, the firm's liquidity would be 
reduced.'' \94\ Under the Basel capital standard, a Covered Entity can 
count initial margin posted away as capital without the need to enter 
into a special loan arrangement with an affiliate. Consequently, 
because of the ability to include illiquid assets and margin posted 
away as capital, Covered Entities subject to the Basel capital standard 
may have less balance sheet liquidity than SBS Entities subject to 
Exchange Act rule 18a-1.
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    \92\ Exchange Act rule 18a-3 does not require SBS Entities to 
post initial margin (though it does not prohibit the practice).
    \93\ See Capital and Margin Adopting Release, 84 FR at 43887-88.
    \94\ See id. at 43887.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    To address this potential liquidity difference, substituted 
compliance with respect to Exchange Act rule 18a-1

[[Page 18388]]

would be subject to the conditions that a Covered Entity: (1) Maintains 
an amount of assets that are allowable under Exchange Act rule 18a-1, 
after applying applicable haircuts under the Basel capital standard, 
that equals or exceeds the Covered Entity's current liabilities coming 
due in the next 365 days; (2) makes a quarterly record listing: (a) The 
assets maintained pursuant to the first condition, their value, and the 
amount of their applicable haircuts; and (b) the aggregate amount of 
the liabilities coming due in the next 365 days; (3) maintains at least 
$100 million of equity capital composed of highly liquid assets, as 
defined in the Basel capital standard; and (4) includes its most recent 
statement of financial condition (i.e., balance sheet) filed with its 
local supervisor whether audited or unaudited with its initial written 
notice to the Commission of its intent to rely on substituted 
compliance under condition (a)(16) to the proposed Order.\95\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \95\ See para. (c)(1)(ii) to the proposed Order.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The first proposed capital condition would require a Covered Entity 
to maintain an amount of assets that are allowable under Exchange Act 
rule 18a-1, after applying applicable haircuts under the Basel capital 
standard,\96\ that equals or exceeds the Covered Entity's current 
liabilities coming due in the next 365 days.\97\ The objective of this 
condition is to require a Covered Entity to maintain sufficient 
liquidity to meet near-term liabilities through a simple computation, 
as compared to the net capital computation required by Exchange Act 
rule 18a-1. Generally, current liabilities are understood to mean those 
liabilities coming due within one year as distinct from long-term 
liabilities that mature in more than a year. The proposed 365-day 
period is designed to align with that distinction between short-term 
and long-term liabilities to facilitate compliance with the condition. 
Because the condition does not address long-term liabilities, it would 
not necessarily leave the Covered Entity in position where each dollar 
of unsubordinated liabilities is matched by more than a dollar of 
highly liquid assets (as is the case with the net liquid assets test of 
Exchange Act rule 18a-1). However, it would provide a pool of highly 
liquid assets that can be used by the Covered Entity to avoid a near-
term liquidity strain that could imperil its ability to remain a going 
concern.\98\ The condition's use of the Basel capital standard haircuts 
(as opposed to Exchange Act rule 18a-1 haircuts) is designed to tailor 
the condition to the Basel capital standard consistent with substituted 
compliance.
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    \96\ See standard supervisory haircuts under the Basel capital 
standards. BCBS, The Basel Framework, available at: https://www.bis.org/basel_framework/.
    \97\ See para. (c)(1)(ii)(A) to the proposed Order.
    \98\ See Capital and Margin Adopting Release, 84 FR at 43881 
(``The Commission believes that the broker-dealer capital standard 
is the most appropriate alternative for nonbank SBSDs, given the 
nature of their business activities and the Commission's experience 
administering the standard with respect to broker-dealers. The 
objective of the broker-dealer capital standard is to protect 
customers and counterparties and to mitigate the consequences of a 
firm's failure by promoting the ability of these entities to absorb 
financial shocks and, if necessary, to self-liquidate in an orderly 
manner.'')
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The second proposed condition would require that a Covered Entity 
make a quarterly record listing: (1) The assets maintained pursuant to 
the first condition, their value, and the amount of their applicable 
haircuts; and (2) the aggregate amount of the liabilities coming due in 
the next 365 days.\99\ The requirement to create this record would 
enable the Commission or Commission staff to monitor compliance with 
the proposed condition and facilitate examination of the Covered Entity 
with regard to substituted compliance. The proposed quarterly interval 
between making this record (as opposed to a daily, weekly, or monthly 
interval) is designed to facilitate exams while minimizing the burden 
of the condition.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \99\ See para. (c)(1)(ii)(B) to the proposed Order.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In proposing these two conditions, the Commission acknowledges that 
the Basel capital standard includes the liquidity coverage ratio 
(``LCR''). However, the LCR requires Covered Entities to maintain an 
amount of high quality liquid assets equal to or greater than their 
projected total net cash outflows over a prospective 30 calendar-day 
period. As discussed above, the first proposed condition requires 
sufficient liquidity to address liabilities coming due over the next 
365 days. The longer period in the condition is designed to cover a 
greater amount of liabilities in order to further enhance the Covered 
Entity's liquidity to achieve an outcome more in line with the 
liquidity that results from the net liquid assets test of Exchange Act 
rule 18a-1. This is consistent with the goal of ensuring comparability 
of outcomes.
    The third proposed condition is that the Covered Entity maintain at 
least $100 million of equity capital composed of highly liquid assets 
as defined in the Basel capital standard.\100\ This condition is based 
on the $100 million tentative net capital requirement of Exchange Act 
rule 18a-1 for SBS Entities authorized to use models. The condition is 
designed to ensure that Covered Entities applying substituted 
compliance with respect to Exchange Act rule 18a-1 have a minimum level 
of capital to absorb financial losses. Further, the LCR defines 
``highly liquid assets'' and the use of that definition is designed to 
tailor the condition to the Basel capital standard consistent with the 
substituted compliance.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \100\ See para. (c)(1)(ii)(C) to the proposed Order.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The fourth condition is that the Covered Entity include its most 
recently filed statement of financial condition whether audited or 
unaudited with its initial notice to the Commission of its intent to 
rely on substituted compliance.\101\ This one-time obligation would 
provide the Commission with information about the assets, liabilities, 
and capital of Covered Entities applying substituted compliance with 
respect to Exchange Act rule 18a-1. The Commission would use the 
statement of financial condition and the periodic audited and unaudited 
reports Covered Entities will file with the Commission to monitor the 
appropriateness of the capital condition if it is included in the final 
Order. The Commission expects that most Covered Entities will file 
their initial notice of intent to apply substituted compliance with 
respect to Exchange Act rule 18a-1 at or around the time they file 
their registration applications with the Commission. Therefore, receipt 
of the statement of financial condition at that time would allow the 
Commission to begin this monitoring process before Covered Entities 
begin filing audited and unaudited reports with the Commission pursuant 
to Exchange Act rule 18a-7.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \101\ See para. (c)(1)(ii)(D) to the proposed Order.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission is mindful that compliance with these conditions 
would require Covered Entities applying substituted compliance to 
Exchange Act rule 18a-1 to supplement their existing capital 
calculations and practices, as well as to incur additional time and 
cost burdens to implement the potential conditions and integrate them 
into existing business operations.\102\ On balance, however, these 
proposed conditions to substituted compliance for capital are designed 
to ensure the comparability of outcomes in light of the differences 
between the net liquid

[[Page 18389]]

assets test and the Basel capital standard. If these conditions are 
included in the final order, the Commission intends to monitor their 
impact on firms and to make adjustments to them as appropriate.
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    \102\ Additional time and costs burdens may include employee 
costs and time to program software and computer systems to add an 
additional capital calculation into an existing system and firm 
processes and procedures, as well as ongoing time and expenses to 
monitor the calculations on an ongoing basis. Further, additional 
time and expense may be incurred with respect to any additional 
controls implemented to ensure compliance with the proposed capital 
conditions.
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VI. Substituted Compliance for Internal Supervision, Chief Compliance 
Officers and Additional Exchange Act Section 15F(j) Requirements

A. FCA Request and Associated Analytic Considerations

    The FCA also requests substituted compliance in connection with 
requirements under the Exchange Act relating to:
     Internal supervision--Diligent supervision is required 
pursuant to Exchange Act rule 15Fh-3(h),\103\ and Exchange Act section 
15F(j)(5) requires conflict of interest systems and procedures. These 
provisions generally require that SBS Entities establish, maintain and 
enforce supervisory policies and procedures that reasonably are 
designed to prevent violations of applicable law, and implement certain 
systems and procedures related to conflicts of interest.\104\
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    \103\ 17 CFR 240.15Fh-3(h).
    \104\ The FCA Application addresses UK provisions that address 
firms' supervisory frameworks, persons with supervisory authority, 
supervisory policies and procedures, general compliance and internal 
recordkeeping, investigation of personnel, conflicts of interest, 
personal trading and remuneration. See FCA Application Appendix B 
category 3 at 190-214, 217-48.
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     Chief compliance officers--Chief compliance officer 
requirements are set out in Exchange Act section 15F(k) and Exchange 
Act rule 15Fk-1.\105\ These provisions in general require that SBS 
Entities designate individuals with the responsibility and authority to 
establish, administer and review compliance policies and procedures, to 
resolve conflicts of interest, and to prepare and certify an annual 
compliance report to the Commission.\106\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \105\ 17 CFR 240.15Fk-1.
    \106\ The FCA Application discusses UK requirements that address 
compliance officers and their responsibilities, compliance officer 
appointment, removal and compensation, related conflict of interest 
provisions and compliance-related reports. See FCA Application 
Appendix B category 3 at 249-74.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Additional Exchange Act section 15F(j) requirements--
Additional requirements related to information-gathering pursuant to 
Exchange Act section 15F(j)(4)(A), and certain antitrust prohibitions 
specified by Exchange Act section 15F(j)(6).\107\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \107\ Section 15F(j)(4)(A) particularly requires firms to have 
systems and procedures to obtain necessary information to perform 
functions required under section 15F. The FCA Application in turn 
discusses UK provisions generally addressing information gathering 
and disclosure. See FCA Application Appendix B category 3 at 214-15. 
Section 15F(j)(6) prohibits firms from adopting any process or 
taking any action that results in any unreasonable restraint of 
trade, or to impose any material anticompetitive burden on trading 
or clearing. The FCA Application addresses EU antitrust 
requirements. See FCA Application Appendix B category 3 at 216-17.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Taken as a whole, these internal supervision, chief compliance 
officer and additional Exchange Act section 15F(j) requirements help to 
promote SBS Entities' use of structures, processes and responsible 
personnel reasonably designed to promote compliance with applicable 
law, to identify and cure instances of non-compliance and to manage 
conflicts of interest. The comparability assessment accordingly may 
focus on whether the analogous foreign requirements--taken as a whole--
produce comparable outcomes with regard to providing that Covered 
Entities have structures and processes reasonably designed to promote 
compliance with applicable law, identify and cure instances of non-
compliance and to manage conflicts of interest, in part through the 
designation of an individual with responsibility and authority over 
compliance matters.

B. Preliminary Views and Proposed Order

1. General Considerations
    Based on the FCA Application and the Commission's review of 
applicable provisions, in the Commission's preliminary view the 
relevant UK requirements would produce regulatory outcomes that are 
comparable to those associated with the above-described internal 
supervision, chief compliance officer, conflict of interest and 
information-related requirements by providing that Covered Entities 
have structures and processes that reasonably are designed to promote 
compliance with applicable law and to identify and cure instances of 
non-compliance and manage conflicts of interest.\108\ As elsewhere, 
this part of the proposed Order conditions substituted compliance on 
Covered Entities being subject to and complying with specified UK 
requirements that are necessary to establish comparability.\109\
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    \108\ This portion of the proposed Order accordingly would 
extend generally to the internal supervision provisions of Exchange 
Act rule 15Fh-3(h), the requirement in Exchange Act section 
15F(j)(4)(A) to have systems and procedures to obtain necessary 
information to perform functions required under Exchange Act section 
15F and the conflict of interest provisions of Exchange Act section 
15F(j)(5). See para. (d)(1) to the proposed Order. This portion of 
the proposed Order does not extend to the portions of rule 15Fh-3(h) 
that mandate supervisory policies and procedures in connection with: 
The risk management system provisions of Exchange Act section 
15F(j)(2) (which are addressed by paragraph (b)(1) to the proposed 
Order in connection with internal risk management); the information-
related provisions of Exchange Act sections 15F(j)(3) and (j)(4)(B) 
(for which substituted compliance is not available); or the 
antitrust provisions of Exchange Act section 15F(j)(6) (for which 
the Commission is not proposing to provide substituted compliance). 
See para. (d)(1)(iii) to the proposed Order.
    \109\ In connection with these internal supervision, chief 
compliance officer and conflict of interest and information 
gathering provisions, a Covered Entity must be subject to and comply 
with provisions of UK law that implement MiFID articles 16 and 23 
and CRD articles 74, 76, 79 through 87, 88(1), 91(1) and (2) and 92; 
UK CRR article 286 through 288 and 293; UK EMIR Margin RTS article 
2; and UK MiFID Org Reg articles 21 through 37 and 72 through 76 and 
Annex IV. See para. (d)(3) to the proposed Order.
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    The Commission recognizes that certain differences are present 
between those UK requirements and the applicable requirements under the 
Exchange Act. In the Commission's preliminary view, on balance, 
however, those differences would not preclude substituted compliance 
within the relevant outcomes-oriented context.
2. Scope of Substituted Compliance
    The proposed Order would permit a Covered Entity to apply 
substituted compliance for internal supervision and/or chief compliance 
officer requirements. For example, a Covered Entity could apply 
substituted compliance for internal supervision requirements but comply 
directly with Exchange Act chief compliance officer requirements. For 
either set of requirements for which a Covered Entity applies 
substituted compliance, however, the proposed Order would require the 
Covered Entity to apply substituted compliance at an entity level, 
i.e., to all of its activities subject to that set of requirements. For 
example, the proposed Order would require a Covered Entity applying 
substituted compliance for internal supervision requirements to comply 
with the comparable UK requirements with respect to all of its internal 
supervision systems and procedures. The Covered Entity could not choose 
to comply with the Exchange Act for one part of its internal 
supervision systems and procedures and with UK requirements for another 
part of its internal supervision systems and procedures.\110\ The 
Commission preliminarily believes that this scope of substituted 
compliance strikes the right balance between providing Covered Entities

[[Page 18390]]

flexibility to tailor the application of substituted compliance to 
their business needs and ensuring that substituted compliance is 
consistent with the Commission's classification of the relevant 
Exchange Act requirements as entity-level requirements.\111\
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    \110\ See para. (d)(1) to the proposed Order. Similarly, a 
Covered Entity applying substituted compliance for chief compliance 
officer requirements would have to comply with the comparable UK 
requirements with respect to all security-based swaps subject to 
Exchange Act trade acknowledgment and verification requirements. See 
para. (d)(2) to the proposed Order.
    \111\ See Business Conduct Adopting Release, 81 FR at 30064 
(diligent supervision and chief compliance officer requirements are 
entity-level requirements).
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3. Types of Covered Entities ``Subject to'' Comparable UK Requirements
    Each of the comparable UK provisions listed in the proposed Order 
applies to a uniquely defined set of UK-authorized firms.\112\ To 
assist UK firms in determining whether they are subject to these 
provisions, the Commission preliminarily has determined that any 
Covered Entity that is an ``IFPRU investment firm,'' as defined in the 
FCA Handbook Glossary, or a ``UK bank'' or ``UK designated investment 
firm,'' as defined in both the FCA Handbook Glossary and the PRA 
Rulebook Glossary, and is not an ``investment company with variable 
capital,'' as defined in the FCA Handbook Glossary, would be subject to 
all of the required UK provisions. Accordingly, those types of firms 
preliminarily would be eligible to apply substituted compliance for 
internal supervision, chief compliance officer, conflict of interest 
and information-related requirements. A Covered Entity that is 
preliminarily not eligible to apply substituted compliance for those 
requirements, such as a third country investment firm, nevertheless 
would be preliminarily eligible to apply substituted compliance for 
other requirements addressed in the proposed Order if it complies with 
the relevant parts of the proposed Order.
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    \112\ The Commission preliminarily understands that FCA CASS 6 
and 7 apply to all FCA-authorized firms that are not investment 
companies with variable capital; FCA COBS 11 applies to all FCA-
authorized firms; FCA IFPRU and FCA BIPRU apply to IFPRU investment 
firms; FCA SYSC 4, 7, 9 and 10 (except SYSC 10.1.8) apply to common 
platform firms and third country firms; FCA SYSC 10.1.8 applies to 
firms that provide services to a client in the course of carrying on 
regulated activities or ancillary activities or providing ancillary 
services that constituted MiFID business; FCA SYSC 10A applies to 
MiFID investment firms and third country investment firms; FCA SYSC 
19A applies to IFPRU investment firms and their overseas firm 
analogues; FCA SYSC 19D applies to UK banks, UK designated 
investment firms and their overseas firm analogues; the PRA rules 
cited in paragraph (d)(3) to the proposed Order apply to CRR firms 
as defined in the PRA Rulebook Glossary; and UK MiFID Org Reg 
applies to investment firms and credit institutions.
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4. Additional Conditions and Scope Issues
    Substituted compliance in connection with these requirements would 
be subject to certain additional conditions to help ensure the 
comparability of outcomes:
a. Application of UK Supervisory and Compliance Requirements to 
Residual U.S. Requirements and Order Conditions
    Under the proposed Order, substituted compliance for the relevant 
internal supervision requirements would be conditioned on Covered 
Entities complying with applicable UK supervisory and compliance 
provisions as if those provisions also require the Covered Entity to 
comply with applicable requirements under the Exchange Act and the 
other applicable conditions to the Order.\113\
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    \113\ See para. (d)(4) to the proposed Order.
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    Even with substituted compliance, Covered Entities still would be 
subject directly to a number of requirements under the Exchange Act and 
to the conditions to the Order. In some cases, particular requirements 
under the Exchange Act are outside the ambit of substituted 
compliance.\114\ In other cases, certain requirements under the 
Exchange Act may not have comparable UK requirements or may be outside 
the scope of the FCA Application,\115\ or the Covered Entity may decide 
not to use substituted compliance for certain requirements under the 
Exchange Act. While the UK regulatory framework in general reasonably 
appears to promote Covered Entities' compliance with applicable UK 
laws, those requirements do not appear to promote Covered Entities' 
compliance with requirements under the Exchange Act that are not 
subject to substituted compliance, or promote Covered Entities' 
compliance with the applicable conditions to substituted compliance. 
This condition would address this issue, while still allowing Covered 
Entities to use their existing internal supervision and compliance 
frameworks to comply with the relevant Exchange Act requirements and 
Order conditions, rather than having to establish separate special-
purpose supervision and compliance frameworks.
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    \114\ As noted, substituted compliance does not extend to 
antifraud prohibitions or to certain other requirements under the 
Exchange Act (e.g., requirements related to transactions with 
counterparties that are not ECPs and segregation requirements). See 
note 5, supra.
    \115\ For example, the FCA is not requesting substituted 
compliance in connection with ECP verification requirements, 
``special entity'' provisions and political contribution provisions. 
See note 17, supra.
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b. Compliance Reports
    Under the proposed Order, substituted compliance in connection with 
the compliance report requirements under Exchange Act section 15F(k)(3) 
and Exchange Act rule 15Fk-1(c) also would be subject to the condition 
that the compliance reports required pursuant to UK MiFID Org Reg 
article 22(2)(c) must: (1) Be provided to the Commission annually and 
in the English language; (2) include a certification under penalty of 
law that the report is accurate and complete; and (3) address the 
Covered Entity's compliance with other applicable conditions to the 
proposed Order.\116\
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    \116\ See para. (d)(2)(ii) to the proposed Order. UK MiFID Org 
Reg article 22(2)(c) particularly requires that a Covered Entity's 
compliance function ``report to the management body, on at least an 
annual basis, on the implementation and effectiveness of the overall 
control environment for investment services and activities, on the 
risks that have been identified and on the complaints-handling 
reporting as well as remedies undertaken or to be undertaken[.]'' 
Under the proposed condition, those reports, as submitted to the 
Commission and the Covered Entity's management body, also would 
address the Covered Entity's compliance with the other conditions to 
the proposed Order (in addition to addressing the Covered Entity's 
compliance with applicable UK provisions).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Although certain UK requirements address a Covered Entity's use of 
internal compliance reports, those provisions do not require it to 
submit compliance reports to the Commission. Under this condition, a 
Covered Entity could leverage the compliance reports that it otherwise 
must produce, by extending those reports to address compliance with the 
conditions to the proposed Order.\117\
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    \117\ In practice, a Covered Entity may satisfy this condition 
by identifying relevant Order conditions and reporting on the 
implementation and effectiveness of its controls with regard to 
compliance with those Order conditions.
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c. Antitrust Considerations
    Under the proposed Order, substituted compliance would not extend 
to Exchange Act section 15F(j)(6) (and related internal supervision 
requirements of Exchange Act rule 15Fh-3(h)(2)(iii)(I)). Allowing an 
alternative means of compliance would not lead to outcomes comparable 
to that statutory prohibition.\118\
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    \118\ See also German Substituted Compliance Order, 85 FR at 
85691-92. The Commission is not taking any position regarding the 
applicability of the section 15F(j)(6) antitrust prohibitions in the 
cross-border context. Non-U.S. SBS Entities should assess the 
applicability of those prohibitions to their security-based swap 
businesses.
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VII. Substituted Compliance for Counterparty Protection Requirements

A. FCA Request and Associated Analytic Considerations

    The FCA further requests substituted compliance in connection with 
provisions under the Exchange Act relating to:

[[Page 18391]]

     Disclosure of material risks and characteristics and 
material incentives or conflicts of interest--Exchange Act rule 15Fh-
3(b) \119\ requires that SBS Entities disclose to certain 
counterparties to a security-based swap certain information about the 
material risks and characteristics of the security-based swap, as well 
as material incentives or conflicts of interest that the SBS Entity may 
have in connection with the security-based swap. These provisions 
address the need for security-based swap market participants to have 
information that is sufficient to make informed decisions regarding 
potential transactions involving particular counterparties and 
particular financial instruments.\120\
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    \119\ 17 CFR 240.15Fh-3(b).
    \120\ See Business Conduct Adopting Release, 81 FR at 29983-86. 
The FCA Application discusses UK requirements that address 
disclosure of product information and firm information. See FCA 
Application Appendix B category 4 at 292-303.
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     ``Know your counterparty''--Exchange Act rule 15Fh-3(e) 
\121\ requires that SBS Entities establish, maintain and enforce 
written policies and procedures to obtain and retain certain 
information regarding a counterparty that is necessary for conducting 
business with that counterparty. This provision accounts for the need 
that SBS Entities obtain essential counterparty information necessary 
to promote effective compliance and risk management.\122\
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    \121\ 17 CFR 240.15Fh-3(e).
    \122\ See Business Conduct Adopting Release, 81 FR at 29993-94. 
The FCA Application discusses UK suitability requirements regarding 
information that firms must obtain regarding counterparties. See FCA 
Application Appendix B category 4 at 313-20.
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     Suitability--Exchange Act rule 15Fh-3(f) \123\ requires a 
security-based swap dealer that recommends to certain counterparties a 
security-based swap or trading strategy involving a security-based 
swap, to undertake reasonable diligence to understand the potential 
risks and rewards associated with the recommendation and to have a 
reasonable basis to believe that the recommendation is suitable for the 
counterparty.\124\ This provision accounts for the need to guard 
against security-based swap dealers making unsuitable 
recommendations.\125\
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    \123\ 17 CFR 240.15Fh-3(f).
    \124\ See Business Conduct Adopting Release, 81 FR at 29994-
30000. A security-based swap dealer may satisfy its counterparty-
specific suitability obligation with respect to an ``institutional 
counterparty,'' as defined in Exchange Act rule 15Fh-3(f)(4), if the 
security-based swap dealer reasonably determines that the 
counterparty or its agent is capable of independently evaluating 
relevant investment risks, the counterparty or its agent represents 
in writing that it is exercising independent judgment in evaluating 
the recommendation, and the security-based swap dealer discloses 
that it is acting as counterparty and is not undertaking to assess 
the suitability of the recommendation for the counterparty. See 
Exchange Act rule 15Fh-3(f)(2) and (3).
    \125\ See Business Conduct Adopting Release, 81 FR at 29997. The 
FCA Application discusses UK suitability requirements that are more 
targeted for transactions with ``professional clients.'' See FCA 
Application Appendix B category 4 at 321-32.
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     Fair and balanced communications--Exchange Act rule 15Fh-
3(g) \126\ requires that SBS Entities communicate with counterparties 
in a fair and balanced manner based on principles of fair dealing and 
good faith. These provisions promote complete and honest communications 
as part of SBS Entities' security-based swap businesses.\127\
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    \126\ 17 CFR 240.15Fh-3(g).
    \127\ See Business Conduct Adopting Release, 81 FR at 30000-02. 
The FCA Application discusses UK requirements that address 
communications standards. See FCA Application Appendix B category 4 
at 275-91.
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     Daily mark disclosure--Exchange Act rule 15Fh-3(c) \128\ 
requires that SBS Entities provide daily mark information to certain 
counterparties. These provisions address the need for market 
participants to have effective access to daily mark information 
necessary to manage their security-based swap positions.\129\
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    \128\ 17 CFR 240.15Fh-3(c).
    \129\ See Business Conduct Adopting Release, 81 FR at 29986-91. 
The FCA Application discusses UK requirements that address 
valuation, portfolio reconciliation and trade reporting. See FCA 
Application Appendix B category 4 at 304-12.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Clearing rights disclosure--Exchange Act rule 15Fh-3(d) 
\130\ requires that SBS Entities provide certain counterparties with 
information regarding clearing rights under the Exchange Act.\131\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \130\ 17 CFR 240.15Fh-3(d).
    \131\ Exchange Act section 3C(g)(5), provides certain rights for 
counterparties to select the clearing agency at which a security-
based swap is cleared. For all security-based swaps that an SBS 
Entity enters into with certain counterparties, the counterparty has 
the sole right to select the clearing agency at which the security-
based swap is cleared. For security-based swaps that are not subject 
to mandatory clearing (pursuant to Exchange Act sections 3C(a) and 
(b), 15 U.S.C. 78c-3(a) and (b)) and that an SBS Entity enters into 
with certain counterparties, the counterparty also may elect to 
require clearing of the security-based swap. Substituted compliance 
is not available in connection with this provision. The FCA 
Application discusses UK provisions that address clearing rights. 
See FCA Application Appendix B category 4 at 333-40.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Taken as a whole, the counterparty protection requirements under 
section 15F of the Exchange Act help to ``bring professional standards 
of conduct to, and increase transparency in, the security-based swap 
market and to require [SBS Entities] to treat parties to these 
transactions fairly.'' \132\ The comparability assessment accordingly 
may focus on whether the analogous foreign requirements--taken as a 
whole--produce similar outcomes with regard to promoting professional 
standards of conduct, increasing transparency and requiring Covered 
Entities to treat parties fairly.
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    \132\ See Business Conduct Adopting Release, 81 FR at 30065. 
These transaction-level requirements generally apply only to a non-
U.S. SBS Entity's activities involving U.S. counterparties (unless 
the transaction is arranged, negotiated or executed in the United 
States). In particular, for non-U.S. SBS Entities, the counterparty 
protection requirements under Exchange Act section 15F(h) apply only 
to the SBS Entity's transactions with U.S. counterparties (apart 
from certain transactions conducted through a foreign branch of the 
U.S. counterparty), or to transactions arranged, negotiated or 
executed in the United States. See Exchange Act rule 3a71-3(c), 17 
CFR 240.3a71-3(c) (exception from business conduct requirements for 
a security-based swap dealer's ``foreign business''); see also 
Exchange Act rule 3a71-3(a)(3), (8) and (9), 17 CFR 240.3a71-
3(a)(3), (8) and (9) (definitions of ``transaction conducted through 
a foreign branch,'' ``U.S. business'' and ``foreign business'').
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B. Preliminary Views and Proposed Order

1. General Considerations
    Based on the FCA Application and the Commission's review of 
applicable provisions, in the Commission's preliminary view, the 
relevant UK requirements produce regulatory outcomes that are 
comparable to counterparty protection requirements under Exchange Act 
section 15F(h) related to disclosure of material risks and 
characteristics, disclosure of material incentives or conflicts of 
interest, ``know your counterparty,'' suitability, fair and balanced 
communications and daily mark disclosure, by subjecting Covered 
Entities to obligations that promote standards of professional conduct, 
transparency and the fair treatment of parties. The proposed Order 
accordingly would provide conditional substituted compliance in 
connection with those requirements.\133\ The proposed Order 
preliminarily does not provide substituted compliance in connection 
with requirements related to clearing rights disclosure, however, for 
reasons addressed below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \133\ See generally para. (e) to the proposed Order.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In taking this proposed approach, the Commission recognizes that 
there are certain differences between relevant UK requirements, on the 
one hand, and the relevant disclosure, ``know your counterparty,'' 
suitability and communications requirements under the Exchange Act, on 
the other hand. On balance, however, in the Commission's preliminary 
view, those differences, when coupled with the conditions in the 
proposed Order, are not so material as to be inconsistent with 
substituted

[[Page 18392]]

compliance within the requisite outcomes-oriented framework. As 
elsewhere, the counterparty protection provisions of the proposed Order 
in part condition substituted compliance on Covered Entities being 
subject to, and complying with, specified UK requirements that are 
necessary to establish comparability.\134\ Substituted compliance in 
connection with these counterparty protection requirements also would 
be subject to specific conditions and limitations necessary to promote 
consistency in regulatory outcomes.
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    \134\ In connection with requirements related to disclosure of 
information regarding material risks and characteristics, a Covered 
Entity must be subject to and comply with provisions of UK law that 
implement MiFID article 24(4) and either UK MiFID Org Reg articles 
48 through 50 or provisions of UK law that reflect UK MiFID Org Reg 
articles 48 through 50, in each case in relation to the security-
based swap for which substituted compliance is applied. See para. 
(e)(1) to the proposed Order. In connection with requirements 
related to disclosure of information regarding material incentives 
or conflicts of interest, a Covered Entity must be subject to and 
comply with either: (1) Provisions of UK law that implement MiFID 
article 23(2) and (3) and UK MiFID Org Reg articles 33 through 35; 
(2) provisions of UK law that implement MiFID article 24(9) and 
MiFID Delegated Directive article 11(5); or (3) UK MAR article 20(1) 
and UK MAR Investment Recommendations Regulation articles 5 and 6, 
in each case in relation to the security-based swap for which 
substituted compliance is applied. See para. (e)(2) to the proposed 
Order. In connection with ``know your counterparty'' requirements, a 
Covered Entity must be subject to and comply with provisions of UK 
law that implement MiFID article 16(2); UK MiFID Org Reg articles 
21, 22, 25, 26 and applicable parts of Annex I; provisions of UK law 
that implement CRD articles 74(1) and 85(1), MLD articles 11 and 13 
and MLD articles 8(3) and 8(4)(a) as applied to policies, controls 
and procedures regarding customer due diligence, in each case in 
relation to the security-based swap counterparty for which 
substituted compliance is applied. See para. (e)(3) to the proposed 
Order. In connection with suitability requirements, a Covered Entity 
must be subject to and comply with provisions of UK law that 
implement MiFID articles 24(2) and (3) and 25(1) and (2) and UK 
MiFID Org Reg articles 21(1)(b) and (d), 54 and 55, in each case in 
relation to the recommendation of a security-based swap or trading 
strategy involving a security-based swap for which substituted 
compliance is applied. See para. (e)(4)(i) to the proposed Order. In 
connection with fair and balanced communications requirements, a 
Covered Entity must be subject to and comply with provisions of UK 
law that implement either MiFID article 24(1) and (3) or MiFID 
article 30(1); provisions of UK law that implement MiFID article 
24(4) and (5); either UK MiFID Org Reg articles 46 through 48 or 
provisions of UK law that reflect UK MiFID Org Reg articles 46 
through 48; UK MAR Investment Recommendations Regulation articles 3 
and 4; and UK MAR articles 12(1)(c), 15 and 20(1), in each case in 
relation to the communication for which substituted compliance is 
applied. See para. (e)(5) to the Proposed Order. In connection with 
daily mark disclosure requirements, Covered Entities must be 
required to reconcile, and in fact reconcile, the portfolio 
containing the security-based swap for which substituted compliance 
is applied, on each business day pursuant to UK EMIR articles 
11(1)(b) and 11(2) and UK EMIR RTS article 13. See para. (e)(6) to 
the Proposed Order.
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2. Scope of Substituted Compliance
    The proposed Order would permit a Covered Entity to apply 
substituted compliance for one or more counterparty protection 
requirements. For example, a Covered Entity could apply substituted 
compliance for fair and balanced communications requirements but comply 
directly with Exchange Act requirements related to disclosure of 
information regarding material risks and characteristics, disclosure of 
information regarding material incentives or conflicts of interest, 
``know your counterparty,'' suitability and daily mark disclosure. A 
Covered Entity also may decide to apply substituted compliance for a 
particular set of counterparty protection requirements, such as fair 
and balance communications, for some activities and comply directly 
with Exchange Act requirements for other activities. For example, the 
proposed Order would allow a Covered Entity applying substituted 
compliance for fair and balanced communications requirements to comply 
with the comparable UK requirements with respect to communications with 
UK counterparties that are subject to the Exchange Act and to comply 
directly with Exchange Act requirements with respect to U.S. person 
counterparties.\135\ The Commission preliminarily believes that this 
scope of substituted compliance would provide Covered Entities 
flexibility to tailor the application of substituted compliance to 
their business needs in a manner consistent with the Commission's 
classification of the relevant Exchange Act counterparty protection 
requirements as transaction-level requirements.\136\
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    \135\ See para. (e)(5) to the proposed Order. Similarly, a 
Covered Entity applying substituted compliance for requirements to 
disclose information regarding material risks and characteristics 
could comply with the comparable UK requirements with respect to 
some security-based swaps and comply directly with Exchange Act 
requirements with respect to other security-based swaps. See para. 
(e)(1) to the proposed Order. A Covered Entity applying substituted 
compliance for requirements to disclose information regarding 
material incentives or conflicts of interest could comply with the 
comparable UK requirements with respect to some security-based swaps 
and comply directly with Exchange Act requirements with respect to 
other security-based swaps. See para. (e)(2) to the proposed Order. 
A Covered Entity applying substituted compliance for ``know your 
counterparty'' requirements could comply with the comparable UK 
requirements with respect to some security-based swap counterparties 
and comply directly with Exchange Act requirements with respect to 
other counterparties. See para. (e)(3) to the proposed Order. A 
Covered Entity applying substituted compliance for suitability 
requirements could comply with the comparable UK requirements with 
respect to some recommendations of a security-based swap or trading 
strategy involving a security-based swap and comply directly with 
Exchange Act requirements with respect to other recommendations. See 
para. (e)(4) to the proposed Order. A Covered Entity applying 
substituted compliance for daily mark disclosure requirements could 
comply with the comparable UK requirements with respect to some 
security-based swaps and comply directly with Exchange Act 
requirements with respect to other security-based swaps. See para. 
(e)(6) to the proposed Order.
    \136\ See Business Conduct Adopting Release, 81 FR at 30065 
(counterparty protection requirements are transaction-level 
requirements).
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3. Types of Covered Entities ``Subject to'' Comparable UK Requirements
    Each of the comparable UK provisions listed in the proposed Order 
applies to a uniquely defined set of UK-authorized firms.\137\ To 
assist UK firms in determining whether they are subject to these 
provisions, the Commission preliminarily has determined that any 
Covered Entity would be subject to the required UK requirements related 
to disclosure of material risks and characteristics, disclosure of 
material incentives or conflicts of interest, suitability and fair and 
balanced communications. Accordingly, any

[[Page 18393]]

Covered Entity preliminarily would be eligible to apply substituted 
compliance for disclosure of material risks and characteristics, 
disclosure of material incentives or conflicts of interest, suitability 
and fair and balanced communications requirements. In connection with 
``know your counterparty'' requirements, the Commission also 
preliminarily has determined that any Covered Entity that is an ``IFPRU 
investment firm,'' as defined in the FCA Handbook Glossary, or a ``UK 
bank'' or ``UK designated investment firm,'' as defined in both the FCA 
Handbook Glossary and the PRA Rulebook Glossary, would be subject to 
all of the required UK provisions and thus eligible to apply 
substituted compliance for Exchange Act ``know your counterparty'' 
requirements. In connection with daily mark disclosure requirements, 
the Commission preliminarily has determined that any Covered Entity 
that is a ``financial counterparty''--that is, a Covered Entity that is 
a MiFID investment firm rather than a third country investment firm--
would be subject to all of the required UK provisions and thus eligible 
to apply substituted compliance for Exchange Act daily mark disclosure 
requirements. A Covered Entity that is preliminarily not eligible to 
apply substituted compliance for ``know your counterparty'' and/or 
daily mark disclosure requirements, such as a third country investment 
firm, nevertheless would be preliminarily eligible to apply substituted 
compliance for other requirements addressed in the proposed Order if it 
complies with the relevant parts of the proposed Order.
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    \137\ In connection with requirements related to disclosure of 
information regarding material risks and characteristics, the 
Commission preliminarily understands that FCA COBS 2, 6, 9A and 14 
apply to MiFID investment firms and third country investment firms 
and the UK MiFID Org Reg applies to investment firms and credit 
institutions. In connection with requirements related to disclosure 
of information regarding material incentives or conflicts of 
interest, the Commission preliminarily understands that FCA COBS 2 
applies to MiFID investment firms and third country investment 
firms; FCA SYSC 10.1.8 applies to firms that provide services to a 
client in the course of carrying on regulated activities or 
ancillary activities or providing ancillary services that constitute 
MiFID business; UK MAR article 20 applies to all natural and legal 
persons; and UK MiFID Org Reg applies to investment firms and credit 
institutions. In connection with ``know your counterparty'' 
requirements, the Commission preliminarily understands that FCA 
IFPRU applies to IFPRU investment firms; FCA SYSC 4 and 6 apply to 
common platform firms and third country firms; MLR 2017 applies to, 
among others, investment firms and credit institutions; the PRA 
rules cited in paragraph (e)(3) to the proposed Order apply to CRR 
firms as defined in the PRA Rulebook Glossary; and UK MiFID Org Reg 
applies to investment firms and credit institutions. In connection 
with suitability requirements, the Commission preliminarily 
understands that FCA COBS 4 and 9A and PROD 3 apply to MiFID 
investment firms and third country investment firms; FCA SYSC 5 
applies to common platform firms and third country firms; and UK 
MiFID Org Reg applies to investment firms and credit institutions. 
In connection with fair and balanced communications requirements, 
the Commission preliminarily understands that FCA COBS 2, 4, 6, 8A, 
9A, 14 and 14A apply to MiFID investment firms and third country 
investment firms; UK MAR articles 12(1)(c) and 15 and UK MAR 
Investment Recommendations Regulation article 5 apply to all natural 
and legal persons; and UK MiFID Org Reg applies to investment firms 
and credit institutions. In connection with daily mark disclosure 
requirements, the Commission preliminarily understands that UK EMIR 
and UK EMIR RTS apply to financial counterparties.
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4. Additional Conditions and Scope Issues
a. Daily Mark Disclosure
    The proposed Order would provide substituted compliance in 
connection with daily mark disclosure requirements pursuant to Exchange 
Act rule 15Fh-3(c) to the extent that the Covered Entity participates 
in daily portfolio reconciliation exercises that include the relevant 
security-based swap pursuant to UK requirements.\138\ The FCA 
Application takes the view that UK requirements directing certain types 
of derivatives counterparties to mark-to-market (or mark-to-model) 
uncleared transactions each day are comparable to Exchange Act 
requirements. In the Commission's preliminary view, however, these UK 
mark-to-market (or mark-to-model) requirements are not comparable to 
Exchange Act requirements because the UK requirements do not require 
disclosure to counterparties. In the alternative, the FCA Application 
notes that certain derivatives counterparties must report to a UK trade 
repository updated daily valuations for each OTC derivative contract 
and that all counterparties have the right to access these valuations 
at the relevant UK trade repository. In the Commission's preliminary 
view, in practice, U.S. counterparties may encounter challenges when 
attempting to access daily marks for different security-based swaps 
reported to multiple UK trade repositories with which they may not 
otherwise have business relationships. In addition, the information may 
be less current, given the time necessary for reporting and for the 
trade repository to make the information available.\139\ For these 
reasons, in the Commission's preliminary view, these UK reporting 
requirements also are not comparable to Exchange Act requirements. 
Finally, the FCA Application describes the EU's portfolio 
reconciliation requirements for uncleared OTC derivative contracts, 
which include a requirement to exchange valuations of those contracts 
directly between counterparties. The required frequency of portfolio 
reconciliations varies depending on the types of counterparties and the 
size of the portfolio of OTC derivatives between them, with daily 
reconciliation required only for the largest portfolios. For security-
based swaps to which the UK's daily portfolio reconciliation 
requirements apply (i.e., security-based swaps of a financial 
counterparty or non-financial counterparty subject to the clearing 
obligation in UK EMIR, if the counterparties have 500 or more OTC 
derivatives contracts outstanding with each other \140\), the 
Commission preliminarily views these requirements as comparable to 
Exchange Act requirements. For all other security-based swaps in 
portfolios that are not required to be reconciled on each business day, 
the Commission preliminarily views the UK's portfolio reconciliation 
requirements as not comparable to Exchange Act requirements and is 
proposing not to make a positive substituted compliance determination.
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    \138\ The Commission received a comment on the German Notice and 
Proposed Order suggesting that a similar condition should apply only 
to security-based swaps with U.S. counterparties; for all other 
transactions subject to Exchange Act daily mark requirements, the 
commenter proposed that the Commission grant substituted compliance 
if the Covered Entity complies with EU mark-to-market (or mark-to-
model) and reporting requirements. See Letter from Kyle Brandon, 
Managing Director, Head of Derivative Policy, SIFMA (Dec. 8, 2020) 
(``SIFMA Letter'') at 6. The Commission did not adopt that 
bifurcated approach. See German Substituted Compliance Order, 85 FR 
at 85694-95. Similarly, the Commission is proposing one approach to 
substituted compliance for daily mark requirements in response to 
the FCA Application. This approach would provide substituted 
compliance for daily mark requirements based on comparability of 
outcomes with respect to transactions with U.S. counterparties to 
the same extent as it would provide substituted compliance with 
respect to all other transactions.
    \139\ The Commission received a comment on the German Notice and 
Proposed Order that EU reporting requirements similar to the UK 
requirements cited by the FCA are comparable to Exchange Act daily 
mark requirements. See SIFMA Letter at 5. The commenter stated that 
the access and timing challenges should not be as relevant for EU 
and other non-U.S. counterparties if they are already subject to EU 
reporting obligations and that in its experience data is available 
promptly from trade repositories. See id. The commenter's position, 
however, highlights that U.S. counterparties, as well as non-U.S. 
counterparties without existing business relationships with multiple 
UK trade repositories, still may encounter challenges in receiving 
timely marks from these trade reports. See also German Substituted 
Compliance Order, 85 FR at 85694-95.
    \140\ See UK EMIR RTS article 13(3)(a)(i); UK EMIR article 10.
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b. No Substituted Compliance in Connection With Clearing Rights 
Disclosure
    The proposed Order would not provide substituted compliance in 
connection with clearing rights disclosure requirements pursuant to 
Exchange Act rule 15Fh-3(d). For those requirements, the FCA 
Application cites certain provisions related to clearing rights in the 
UK that are unrelated to the clearing rights provided by Exchange Act 
section 3C(g)(5).\141\ The section 3C(g)(5) clearing rights are not 
eligible for substituted compliance, and the UK provisions do not 
require disclosure of these section 3C(g)(5) clearing rights. In the 
Commission's preliminary view, substituted compliance based on UK 
clearing provisions would not lead to comparable disclosure of a 
counterparty's clearing rights under the Exchange Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \141\ See note 131, supra.
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c. Suitability
    Under the proposed Order, substituted compliance in connection with 
the suitability provisions of Exchange Act rule 15Fh-3(f) in part would 
be conditioned on the requirement that the counterparty be a per se 
``professional client'' as defined in FCA COBS and not be a ``special 
entity'' as defined in Exchange Act section 15F(h)(2)(C) and Exchange 
Act rule 15Fh-2(d).\142\ Accordingly, the proposed Order would not 
provide substituted compliance for Exchange Act suitability 
requirements for a recommendation made to a counterparty

[[Page 18394]]

that is a ``retail client'' or an elective ``professional client,'' as 
such terms are defined in FCA COBS,\143\ or for a ``special entity'' as 
defined in the Exchange Act. In the Commission's preliminary view, 
absent such a condition the UK suitability requirements would not be 
expected to produce a counterparty protection outcome that is 
comparable with the outcome produced by the suitability requirements 
under the Exchange Act.\144\
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    \142\ 17 CFR 240.15Fh-2(d). See para. (e)(4)(ii) to the proposed 
Order.
    \143\ FCA COBS 3.5 describes which clients are ``professional 
clients.'' FCA COBS 3.5.2R describes the types of clients considered 
to be professional clients unless the client elects non-professional 
treatment; these clients are per se professional clients. FCA COBS 
3.5.3R describes the types of clients who may be treated as 
professional clients on request; these clients are elective 
professional clients. See FCA COBS 3.5.
    \144\ The Commission recognizes that Exchange Act rules permit 
security-based swap dealers, when making a recommendation to an 
``institutional counterparty,'' to satisfy some elements of the 
suitability requirement if the security-based swap dealer reasonably 
determines that the counterparty or its agent is capable of 
independently evaluating relevant investment risks, the counterparty 
or its agent represents in writing that it is exercising independent 
judgment in evaluating recommendations, and the security-based swap 
dealer discloses to the counterparty that it is acting as 
counterparty and is not undertaking to assess the suitability of the 
recommendation for the counterparty. See Exchange Act rule 15Fh-
3(f)(2). However, the institutional counterparties to whom this 
alternative applies are only a subset of the ``professional 
clients'' to whom more narrowly tailored suitability requirements 
apply under UK law. The Commission notes that the institutional 
counterparty alternative under the Exchange Act would remain 
available, in accordance with its terms, for recommendations that 
are not eligible for, or for which a Covered Entity does not rely 
on, substituted compliance.
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VIII. Substituted Compliance for Recordkeeping, Reporting, 
Notification, and Securities Count Requirements

A. FCA Request and Associated Analytic Considerations

    The FCA Application in part requests substituted compliance for 
requirements applicable to SBS Entities under the Exchange Act relating 
to:
     Recordmaking--Exchange Act rule 18a-5 requires prescribed 
records to be made and kept current.\145\
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    \145\ See 17 CFR 240.18a-5. The FCA Application discusses UK 
requirements that address firms' record creation obligations related 
to matters such as financial condition, operations, transactions, 
counterparties and their property, personnel and business conduct. 
See FCA Application Appendix B category 2 at 101-28, 136-39.
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     Record Preservation--Exchange Act section 15F(g) and 
Exchange Act rule 18a-6 require preservation of records.\146\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \146\ See 15 U.S.C. 780-10(g); 17 CFR 240.18a-6. The FCA 
Application discusses UK requirements that address firms' record 
preservation obligations related to records that firms are required 
to create, as well as additional records such as records of 
communications. See FCA Application Appendix B category 2 at 140-71.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Reporting--Exchange Act rule 18a-7 requires certain 
reports.\147\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \147\ See 17 CFR 240.18a-7. The FCA Application discusses UK 
requirements that address firms' obligations to make certain 
reports. See FCA Application Appendix B category 2 at 172-80, 185-
89.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Notification--Exchange Act rule 18a-8 requires 
notification to the Commission when certain financial or operational 
problems occur.\148\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \148\ See 17 CFR 240.18a-8. The FCA Application discusses UK 
requirements that address firms' obligations to make certain 
notifications. See FCA Application Appendix B category 2 at 181-85.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Securities Count--Exchange Act rule 18a-9 requires non-
prudentially regulated security-based swap dealers to perform a 
quarterly securities count.\149\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \149\ See 17 CFR 240.18a-9. The FCA Application discusses UK 
requirements that address firms' obligations to perform securities 
counts. See FCA Application Appendix B category 2 at 129-36.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Taken as a whole, the recordkeeping, reporting, notification, and 
securities count requirements that apply to SBS Entities are designed 
to promote the prudent operation of the firm's security-based swap 
activities, assist the Commission in conducting compliance examinations 
of those activities, and alert the Commission to potential financial or 
operational problems that could impact the firm and its customers. The 
comparability assessment accordingly may focus on whether the analogous 
foreign requirements--taken as a whole--produce comparable outcomes 
with regard to recordkeeping, reporting, notification, securities 
counts, and related practices that support the Commission's oversight 
of these registrants. A foreign jurisdiction need not have analogues to 
every requirement under Commission rules to receive a positive 
substituted compliance determination.\150\
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    \150\ Rule 3a71-6 sets forth additional analytic considerations 
in connection with substituted compliance for the Commission's 
recordkeeping, reporting, notification, and securities count 
requirements. In particular, Exchange Act rule 3a71-6(d)(6) provides 
that the Commission intends to consider (in addition to any 
conditions imposed) ``whether the foreign financial regulatory 
system's required records and reports, the timeframes for recording 
or reporting information, the accounting standards governing the 
records and reports, and the required format of the records and 
reports'' are comparable to applicable provisions under the Exchange 
Act, and whether the foreign provisions ``would permit the 
Commission to examine and inspect regulated firms' compliance with 
the applicable securities laws.''
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B. Preliminary Views and Proposed Order

1. General Considerations
    Based on the FCA Application and the Commission's review of 
applicable provisions, in the Commission's preliminary view, the 
relevant UK requirements, subject to the conditions and limitations of 
the proposed Order, would produce regulatory outcomes that are 
comparable to the outcomes associated with the vast majority of the 
recordkeeping, reporting, notification, and securities count 
requirements under the Exchange Act applicable to SBS Entities pursuant 
to Exchange Act section 15F(g) and Exchange Act rules 18a-5, 18a-6, 
18a-7, 18a-8, and 18a-9.
    In reaching this preliminary conclusion, the Commission recognizes 
that there are certain differences between those UK requirements and 
the applicable recordkeeping, reporting, notification, and securities 
count requirements under the Exchange Act. In the Commission's 
preliminary view, on balance, those differences generally would not be 
inconsistent with substituted compliance for these requirements. As 
noted, requirement-by-requirement similarity is not needed for 
substituted compliance.
    However, the Commission is structuring its preliminary substituted 
compliance determinations in the Order with respect to the 
recordkeeping and reporting rules to provide Covered Entities with 
greater flexibility to select which distinct requirements within the 
broader recordkeeping and reporting rules for which they want to apply 
substituted compliance. This flexibility is intended to permit Covered 
Entities to leverage existing recordkeeping and reporting systems that 
are designed to comply with the broker-dealer recordkeeping and 
reporting requirements on which the recordkeeping and reporting 
requirements applicable to SBS Entities are based. For example, it may 
be more efficient for a Covered Entity to comply with certain Exchange 
Act requirements within a given recordkeeping or reporting rule (rather 
than apply substituted compliance) because it can utilize systems that 
its affiliated broker-dealer has implemented to comply with them.
    As applied to Exchange Act rules 18a-5 and 18a-6, this approach of 
providing greater flexibility results in preliminary substituted 
compliance determinations with respect to the different categories of 
records these rules require SBS Entities to make, keep current, and/or 
preserve. The objectives of these rules--taken as a whole--is to assist 
the Commission in monitoring and examining for compliance with Exchange 
Act requirements applicable to SBS Entities as well as to promote the 
prudent operation of these firms.\151\ The

[[Page 18395]]

Commission preliminarily believes the comparable UK recordkeeping rules 
achieve these outcomes with respect to compliance with UK requirements 
for which positive substituted compliance determinations are being made 
in this proposed Order (e.g., capital and margin requirements). At the 
same time, the recordkeeping rules address different categories of 
records through distinct requirements within the rules. Each 
requirement with respect to a specific category of records (e.g., 
paragraph (a)(2) of Exchange Act rule 18a-5 addressing ledgers (or 
other records) reflecting all assets and liabilities, income and 
expense and capital accounts) can be viewed in isolation as a distinct 
recordkeeping rule. Therefore, it may be appropriate to make 
substituted compliance determinations at this level of Exchange Act 
rules 18a-5 and 18a-6.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \151\ See, e.g., Exchange Act Release No. 71958 (Apr. 17, 2014), 
79 FR 25194, 25199-200 (May 2, 2014).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As discussed in more detail below, the Commission's preliminary 
view is that substituted compliance is appropriate for most of the 
requirements within these rules. However, certain of the requirements 
are fully or partially linked to substantive Exchange Act requirements 
for which a positive substituted compliance determination is not being 
made under the proposed Order. In these cases, a positive substituted 
compliance determination is not being made for the fully linked 
requirement in the recordkeeping or reporting rules or to the portion 
of the requirement that is linked to substantive Exchange Act 
requirement for which there is not a positive determination. In 
particular, a positive substituted compliance determination is not 
being made for recordkeeping, reporting, or notification requirements 
linked to the following Exchange Act rules for which a positive 
substituted compliance determination is not being made: (1) Exchange 
Act rule 10b-10 (``Rule 10b-10 Exclusion''); (2) Exchange Act rule 
15Fh-4 (``Rule 15Fh-4 Exclusion''); (3) Exchange Act rule 15Fh-5 
(``Rule 15Fh-5 Exclusion''); (4) Exchange Act rule 15Fh-6 (``Rule 15Fh-
6 Exclusion''); (5) Exchange Act rule 18a-2 (``Rule 18a-2 Exclusion''); 
(6) Exchange Act rule 18a-4 (``Rule 18a-4 Exclusion''); and (7) 
Regulation SBSR (``Regulation SBSR Exclusion'').
    In addition, certain of the requirements in the recordkeeping, 
reporting, and notification rules are linked to substantive Exchange 
Act requirements where a positive substituted compliance determination 
is being made under the proposed Order. In these cases, substituted 
compliance with the linked requirement in the recordkeeping, reporting, 
or notification rule is conditioned on the Covered Entity applying 
substituted compliance to the linked substantive Exchange Act 
requirement. This is the case regardless of whether the requirement is 
fully or partially linked to the substantive Exchange Act requirement. 
The recordkeeping, reporting, and notification requirements that are 
linked to a substantive Exchange Act requirement are designed and 
tailored to assist the Commission in monitoring and examining an SBS 
Entity's compliance with the substantive Exchange Act requirement. UK 
recordkeeping, reporting, and notification requirements are designed to 
perform a similar role with respect to the UK requirements to which 
they are linked. Consequently, this condition is designed to ensure 
that the records, reports, and notifications of a Covered Entity align 
with the substantive Exchange Act or UK requirement to which they are 
linked. For these reasons, substituted compliance for recordkeeping, 
reporting, and notification requirements linked to the following 
Exchange Act rules is conditioned on the SBS Entity applying 
substituted compliance to the linked substantive Exchange Act rule: (1) 
Exchange Act rule 15Fh-3 (``Rule 15Fh-3 Condition''); (2) Exchange Act 
rule 15Fi-2 (``Rule 15Fi-2 Condition''); (3) Exchange Act rule 15Fi-3 
(``Rule 15Fi-3 Condition''); (4) Exchange Act rule 15Fi-4 (``Rule 15Fi-
4 Condition''); (5) Exchange Act rule 15Fi-5 (``Rule 15Fi-5 
Condition''); (6) Exchange Act rule 15Fk-1 (``Rule 15Fk-1 Condition''); 
(7) Exchange Act rule 18a-1 (``Rule 18a-1 Condition''); (8) Exchange 
Act rule 18a-3 (``Rule 18a-3 Condition''); (8) Exchange Act rule 18a-5 
(``Rule 18a-5 Condition'') and (9) Exchange Act rule 18a-7 (``Rule 18a-
7 Condition'').
    Moreover, while certain recordkeeping and reporting requirements 
are not expressly linked to Exchange Act rule 18a-1, they would be 
important to the Commission's ability to monitor or examine for 
compliance with the capital requirements under this rule. The records 
also will assist the firm in monitoring its net capital position and, 
therefore, in complying with Exchange rule 18a-1 and its appendices. 
Therefore, substituted compliance with respect to these recordkeeping 
and reporting requirements is subject to the condition that the Covered 
Entity applies substituted compliance with respect to Exchange Act rule 
18a-1 and its appendices (i.e., the Rule 18a-1 Condition). This 
approach is designed to ensure that, if the Covered Entity does not 
apply substituted compliance with respect to Exchange Act rule 18a-1, 
it makes and preserves records and files reports that the Commission 
uses to monitor and examine for compliance with the Exchange Act rule 
18a-1 and its appendices, and that the firm makes and preserves records 
to assist it in complying with these rules.
2. Scope of Substituted Compliance
    The structure of the preliminary substituted compliance 
determinations with respect to Exchange Act rules 18a-5, 18a-6, 18a-7, 
18a-8, and 18a-9 as well as Exchange Act Section 15F(g) would permit a 
covered entity to apply substituted compliance with respect to certain 
of these rules (e.g., Exchange Act rules 18a-5 and 18a-6) and comply 
with the Exchange Act requirements of the remaining rules and statute 
(i.e., Exchange Act rules 18a-7, 18a-8, and 18a-9, as well as Exchange 
Act Section 15F(g)). Moreover, as discussed above, the Commission is 
structuring its preliminary substituted compliance determinations in 
the Order with respect to the recordkeeping and reporting rules to 
provide Covered Entities with greater flexibility to select distinct 
requirements within the broader recordkeeping and reporting rules for 
which they want to apply substituted compliance. As applied to Exchange 
Act rules 18a-5 and 18a-6, this approach of providing greater 
flexibility results in preliminary substituted compliance 
determinations with respect to the different categories of records 
these rules require SBS Entities to make, keep current, and/or 
preserve. For example, a Covered Entity could apply substituted 
compliance with respect Exchange Act rule 18a-5 requirements to make 
and keep current records of trade blotters \152\ but comply directly 
with Exchange Act rule 18a-5 requirements to make and keep current 
employment records.\153\
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    \152\ See para. (f)(1)(i)(A) to the proposed Order (relating to 
substituted compliance for Exchange Act rule 18a-5(a)(1) and 
(b)(1)).
    \153\ See para. (f)(1)(i)(K) to the proposed Order (relating to 
substituted compliance for Exchange Act rule 18a-5(a)(10) and 
(b)(8)).
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    In this regard, the Commission found the recordkeeping, reporting, 
notification, and securities count rules to be entity-level when 
adopting amendments to Exchange Act rule 3a71-6 to make substituted 
compliance available with respect to them.\154\ Consequently, aside 
from a limited exception for recordkeeping requirements linked to 
customer

[[Page 18396]]

protection rules,\155\ a Covered Entity must apply substituted 
compliance at the entity level if it chooses to apply substituted 
compliance with respect to Exchange Act rule 18a-9 and Exchange Act 
Section 15F(g). Further, with respect to a distinct substituted 
compliance determination for a requirement within rule 18a-5, 18a-6, 
18a-7, or 18a-8, a Covered Entity must apply substituted compliance 
with respect to the determination at the entity level. For example, a 
Covered Entity applying substituted compliance for Exchange Act rule 
18a-5 requirements to make and keep current records of trade blotters 
pursuant to paragraph (f)(1)(i)(A) of the proposed Order would have to 
comply with the comparable UK requirements at the entity level. The 
Covered Entity could not choose to comply with the Exchange Act for one 
part of its trade blotters and with UK requirements for another part of 
its trade blotters. The Commission preliminarily believes that this 
scope of substituted compliance strikes the right balance between 
providing Covered Entities flexibility to tailor the application of 
substituted compliance to their business needs and ensuring that 
substituted compliance is consistent with the Commission's 
classification of the Exchange Act recordkeeping, reporting, 
notification and securities count requirements as entity-level 
requirements.\156\
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    \154\ See 84 FR 68550, 68596-97 (Dec. 16, 2019), Exchange Act 
Release No. 87005 (Sept. 19, 2019) (``Recordkeeping Adopting 
Release'').
    \155\ See paras. (f)(1)(i)(M) and (f)(2)(i)(K) to the proposed 
Order (permitting substituted compliance on a transaction level). As 
discussed below, these recordkeeping requirements are linked to 
transaction level counterparty protection requirements.
    \156\ Id.
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    With respect to requirements in Exchange Act rules 18a-5 and 18a-6 
linked to counterparty protection rules (i.e., Exchange Act rules 15Fh-
3(b), (c), (e), (f) and (g)), the proposed Order would permit a Covered 
Entity to apply substituted compliance to some security-based swap 
activities and comply directly with Exchange Act requirements for other 
activities.\157\ As discussed in section VII.B.2. of this notice, a 
Covered Entity may decide to apply substituted compliance for a 
particular set of counterparty protection requirements, such as fair 
and balanced communications, for some activities and comply directly 
with Exchange Act requirements for other activities.\158\ For example, 
the proposed Order would allow a Covered Entity applying substituted 
compliance for fair and balanced communications requirements to comply 
with the comparable UK requirements with respect to communications with 
UK counterparties that are subject to the Exchange Act and to comply 
directly with Exchange Act requirements with respect to U.S. person 
counterparties.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \157\ See paras. (f)(1)(ii)(B) and (f)(2)(ii)(A) of the proposed 
Order; see also para. (f)(1)(i)(M) of the proposed Order (the 
preliminary substituted compliance determination with respect to 
Exchange Act rules 18a-5(a)(17) and (b)(13)) and para. (f)(2)(i)(K) 
of the proposed Order (the preliminary substituted compliance 
determination with respect to Exchange Act rules 18a-6(b)(1)(xii) 
and (b)(2)(vii)).
    \158\ See Business Conduct Adopting Release, 81 FR at 30065 
(counterparty protection requirements are transaction-level 
requirements).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    To accommodate the transaction-level approach to the counterparty 
protection rules, the proposed Order would allow a Covered Entity to 
apply substituted compliance to requirements of Exchange Act rules 18a-
5 and 18a-6 linked to the counterparty protection rules consistently 
with how the firm is applying substituted compliance with respect to 
the counterparty protection rules. For example, if the Covered Entity 
is applying substituted compliance with respect to Exchange Act rule 
15Fh-3(g) for UK counterparties and complying with Exchange Act rule 
15Fh-3(g) for U.S. person counterparties, the Covered Entity could 
apply substituted compliance with respect to the linked requirements of 
Exchange Act rule 18a-5 for UK counterparties and comply with the 
linked requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-5 for U.S. person 
counterparties.
    The Commission preliminarily believes that this scope of 
substituted compliance would provide Covered Entities flexibility to 
tailor the application of substituted compliance to their business 
needs in a manner consistent with the Commission's classification of 
the relevant Exchange Act counterparty protection requirements as 
transaction-level requirements. In proposing this significant 
flexibility for the application of substituted compliance, the 
Commission nevertheless would expect Covered Entities to ensure that 
the manner in which they choose to apply substituted compliance allows 
them to comply with the requirements to keep books and records open to 
inspection by any representative of the Commission and promptly furnish 
to a representative of the Commission legible, true, complete and 
current copies of the Covered Entity's records.\159\
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    \159\ See also para. (f)(7) to the proposed Order.
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3. Exchange Act Rule 18a-5
    Exchange Act rule 18a-5 requires SBS Entities to make and keep 
current various types of records. The requirements for SBS Entities 
that do not have a prudential regulator are set forth in paragraph (a) 
of the rule.\160\ The requirements for SBS Entities that do have a 
prudential regulator are set forth in paragraph (b) of the rule.\161\ 
The Commission preliminarily is making a positive substituted 
compliance determination for many of the requirements set forth in 
these paragraphs.
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    \160\ See paras. (a)(1) through (18) of Exchange Act rule 18a-5.
    \161\ See paras. (b)(1) through (14) of Exchange Act rule 18a-6.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    However, certain of these requirements are linked to substantive 
Exchange Act requirements for which a positive substituted compliance 
is not being made under the proposed Order. In these cases, a positive 
substituted compliance determination is not being made for the linked 
requirement in Exchange Act rule 18a-5 or the portion of the 
requirement in Exchange Act rule 18a-5 that is linked to the 
substantive Exchange Act requirement.\162\
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    \162\ A positive substituted compliance determination is not 
being made for the following requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-5 
because they are linked to a substantive Exchange Act requirement 
for which a positive substituted compliance determination is not 
being made: (1) The portion of Exchange Act rules 18a-5(a)(6) and 
(b)(6) that relates to confirmations with respect to securities 
(other than security based swaps) is subject to the Rule 10b-10 
Exclusion; (2) the portion of Exchange Act rule 18a-5(a)(9) that 
relates to Exchange Act rule 18a-2 is subject to the Rule 18a-2 
Exclusion; (3) Exchange Act rules 18a-5(a)(13) and (14) and (b)(9) 
and (10) are fully linked to Exchange Act rule 18a-4 and, therefore, 
are subject to the Rule 18a-4 Exclusion; (4) the portions of 
Exchange Act rules 18a-5(a)(16) and (b)(12) that relate to Exchange 
Act rule 15Fh-6 are subject to the Rule 15Fh-6 Exclusion; (5) the 
portions of Exchange Act rules 18a-5(a)(17) and (b)(13) that relate 
to Exchange Act rules 15Fh-4 are subject to the Rule 15Fh-4 
Exclusion; and (6) the portions of Exchange Act rules 18a-5(a)(17) 
and (b)(13) that relate to Exchange Act rule 15Fh-5 are subject to 
the 15Fh-5 Exclusion.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, certain of the requirements in Exchange Act rule 18a-5 
are fully or partially linked to substantive Exchange Act requirements 
where a positive substituted compliance determination is being made 
under the proposed Order. In these cases, substituted compliance with 
the requirement in Exchange Act rule 18a-5 is conditioned on the SBS 
Entity applying substituted compliance to the linked substantive 
Exchange Act requirement.\163\
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    \163\ Substituted compliance with the following requirements of 
Exchange Act rule 18a-5 is conditioned on the SBS Entity applying 
substituted compliance to the linked substantive Exchange Act 
requirement: (1) Exchange Act rules 18a-5(a)(6), (a)(15), (b)(6) and 
(b)(11) are linked to Exchange Act rule 15Fi-2 and, therefore, are 
subject to the Rule 15Fi-2 Condition; (2) Exchange Act rule 18a-
5(a)(9) is linked to Exchange Act rule 18a-1 and, therefore, is 
subject to the Rule 18a-1 Condition; (3) Exchange Act rule 18a-
5(a)(12) is linked to Exchange Act rule 18a-3 and, therefore, is 
subject to the Rule 18a-3 Condition; (4) Exchange Act rules 18a-
5(a)(17) and (b)(13) are linked to Exchange Act rule 15Fh-3 and, 
therefore, are subject to the Rule 15Fh-3 Condition; (5) Exchange 
Act rules 18a-5(a)(17) and (b)(13) are linked to Exchange Act rule 
15Fk-1, and therefore, are subject to the Rule 15Fk-1 Condition; (6) 
Exchange Act rules 18a-5(a)(18)(i) and (ii) or (b)(14)(i) and (ii) 
are linked to Exchange Act rule 15Fi-3 and, therefore, are subject 
to the Rule 15Fi-3 Condition; and (7) Exchange Act rules 18a-
5(a)(18)(iii) and (b)(14)(iii) are linked to Exchange Act rule 15Fi-
4 and, therefore, are subject to the Rule 15Fi-4 Condition.

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[[Page 18397]]

    Moreover, there are certain requirements in Exchange Act rule 18a-5 
that are not expressly linked to Exchange Act rule 18a-1, but that 
would be important records in terms of the Commission's ability to 
examine for compliance with that rule, and the Covered Entity's ability 
to monitor its net capital position. Therefore, substituted compliance 
with respect to these requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-5 is 
subject to the condition that the Covered Entity applies substituted 
compliance with respect to Exchange Act rule 18a-1 and its appendices 
(i.e., the Rule 18a-1 Condition).\164\
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    \164\ Substituted compliance with the requirements of Exchange 
Act rules 18a-5(a)(1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (7), (8), and (9) is 
conditioned on the SBS Entity applying substituted compliance to 
Exchange Act rule 18a-1 and its appendices.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Under the proposed Order, substituted compliance in connection with 
the recordmaking requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-5 is subject to 
the condition that the SBS Entity: (1) Preserves all of the data 
elements necessary to create the records required by Exchange Act rules 
18a-5(a)(1), (2), (3), (4), and (7) (if not prudentially regulated) or 
Exchange Act rules 18a-5(b)(1), (2), (3), and (7) (if prudentially 
regulated); and (2) upon request furnishes promptly to representatives 
of the Commission the records required by those rules (``SEC Format 
Condition'').\165\ This condition is modeled on the alternative 
compliance mechanism in paragraph (c) of Exchange Act rule 18a-5. In 
effect, a Covered Entity applying substituted compliance with respect 
to these requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-5 would need to comply 
with the comparable UK requirements. However, under the SEC Format 
Condition, the Covered Entity would need to produce a record that is 
formatted in accordance with the requirements of rule 18a-5 at the 
request of Commission staff. The objective is to require--on a very 
limited basis--the production of a record that consolidates the 
information required by Exchange Act rules 18a-5(a)(1), (2), (3), (4), 
and (7) (if not prudentially regulated) or Exchange Act rules 18a-
5(b)(1), (2), (3), and (7) (if prudentially regulated) in a single 
record and, as applicable, in a blotter or ledger format. This will 
assist the Commission staff in reviewing the information on the record.
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    \165\ See para. (f)(1)(ii) to the proposed Order.
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    The following table summarizes the Commission's proposed positive 
substituted compliance determinations with respect to requirements of 
Exchange Act rule 18a-5 by listing in each row: (1) The paragraph of 
the proposed Order that sets forth the determination; (2) the 
paragraph(s) of Exchange Act rule 18a-5 to which the determination 
applies; (3) a brief description of the records required by those 
paragraphs; and (4) any additional conditions, including any partial 
exclusions from positive substituted compliance.\166\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \166\ The chart below does not include the additional conditions 
for applying substituted compliance to Exchange Act rule 18a-5; 
namely that the SBS Entity: (1) Must be subject to and comply with 
specified requirements of foreign law; (2) remains subject to the 
requirement of Exchange Act section 15F(f) to keep books and records 
open to inspection by any representative of the Commission and the 
requirement of Exchange Act rule 18a-6(g) to furnish promptly to a 
representative of the Commission legible, true, complete, and 
current copies of certain records (see discussion below); and (3) 
must promptly furnish to a representative of the Commission upon 
request an English translation of certain records (see discussion 
below). See paras. (f)(7) and (8) to the proposed Order (with 
respect to the second and third conditions).

                                             Exchange Act Rule 18a-5
                                                 [Record making]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Order paragraph                          Rule paragraph              Rule description..  Additional conditions
                                                                                          and partial
                                                                                         exclusions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(f)(1)(i)(A)..............  (a)(1).............  (b)(1)............  Trade blotters....  (1) SEC Format
                                                                                          Condition; (2) Rule
                                                                                          18a-1 Condition for ]
                                                                                          (a)(1).
(f)(1)(i)(B)..............  (a)(2).............  ..................  General ledger....  (1) SEC Format
                                                                                          Condition; (2) Rule
                                                                                          18a-1 Condition for ]
                                                                                          (a)(2).
(f)(1)(i)(C)..............  (a)(3).............  (b)(2)............  Account ledgers...  (1) SEC Format
                                                                                          Condition; (2) Rule
                                                                                          18a-1 Condition for ]
                                                                                          (a)(3).
(f)(1)(i)(D)..............  (a)(4).............  (b)(3)............  Stock record......  (1) SEC Format
                                                                                          Condition; (2) Rule
                                                                                          18a-1 Condition for ]
                                                                                          (a)(4).
(f)(1)(i)(E)..............  ...................  (b)(4)............  Memoranda of        N/A.
                                                                      brokerage orders.
(f)(1)(i)(F)..............  (a)(5).............  (b)(5)............  Memoranda of        Rule 18a-1 Condition
                                                                      proprietary         for ] (a)(5).
                                                                      orders.
(f)(1)(i)(G)..............  (a)(6), (a)(15)....  (b)(6), (b)(11)...  Confirmations,      (1) Rule 15Fi-2
                                                                      trade               Condition; (2) Rule
                                                                      verification.       10b-10 Exclusion.
(f)(1)(i)(H)..............  (a)(7).............  (b)(7)............  Accountholder       (1) SEC Format
                                                                      information.        Condition; (2) Rule
                                                                                          18a-1 Condition for ]
                                                                                          (a)(7).
(f)(1)(i)(I)..............  (a)(8).............  ..................  Options positions.  Rule 18a-1 Condition.
(f)(1)(i)(J)..............  (a)(9).............  ..................  Trial balances,     (1) Rule 18a-1
                                                                      computation of      Condition; (2) Rule
                                                                      net capital and     18a-2 Exclusion.
                                                                      tangible net
                                                                      worth.
(f)(1)(i)(K)..............  (a)(10)............  (b)(8)............  Associated          N/A.
                                                                      person's
                                                                      employment
                                                                      application.
(f)(1)(i)(L)..............  (a)(12)............  ..................  Non-cleared margin  Rule 18a-3 Condition.
                                                                      rule calculations.
(f)(1)(i)(M)..............  (a)(17)............  (b)(13)...........  Compliance with     (1) Rule 15Fh-3
                                                                      business conduct    Condition; (2) Rule
                                                                      requirements.       15Fk-1 Condition; (3)
                                                                                          Rule 15Fh-4 Exclusion;
                                                                                          (4) Rule 15Fh-5
                                                                                          Exclusion.
(f)(1)(i)(N)..............  (a)(18)(i),          (b)(14)(i),         Portfolio           Rule 15Fi-3 Condition.
                             (a)(18)(ii).         (b)(14)(ii).        reconciliation.

[[Page 18398]]

 
(f)(1)(i)(O)..............  (a)(18)(iii).......  (b)(14)(iii)......  Portfolio           Rule 15Fi-4 Condition.
                                                                      compression.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The following table summarizes the Commission's preliminary 
determinations with respect to requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-5 
for which a positive substituted compliance determination is not being 
made because they are fully linked to substantive Exchange Act 
requirements for which a positive substituted compliance determination 
is not being made by listing in each row: (1) The paragraph of the 
proposed Order that sets forth the determination; (2) the paragraph(s) 
of Exchange Act rule 18a-5 to which the determination applies; (3) a 
brief description of the records required by those paragraphs; and (4) 
the exclusion from substituted compliance.

                                             Exchange Act Rule 18a-5
                                                 [Record making]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Order paragraph                          Rule paragraph              Rule description..  Exclusion
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(f)(1)(ii)(B).............  (a)(13)............  (b)(9)............  Possession or       Rule 18a-4 Exclusion.
                                                                      control records.
(f)(1)(ii)(B).............  (a)(14)............  (b)(10)...........  Reserve             Rule 18a-4 Exclusion.
                                                                      computations.
(f)(1)(ii)(B).............  (a)(16)............  (b)(12)...........  Political           Rule 15Fh-6 Exclusion.
                                                                      contribution
                                                                      records.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. Exchange Act Rule 18a-6
    Exchange Act rule 18a-6 requires an SBS Entity to preserve certain 
types of records if it makes or receives them (in addition to the 
records the SBS Entity is required to make and keep current pursuant to 
Exchange Act rule 18a-5). Exchange Act rule 18a-6 also prescribes the 
time period that these additional records and the records required to 
be made and kept current pursuant to Exchange Act rule 18a-5 must be 
preserved and the manner in which they must be preserved.\167\ 
Paragraphs (a) through (d) of Exchange Act rule 18a-6 identify the 
records that an SBS Entity must retain if it makes or receives them and 
prescribes the retention periods for these records as well as for the 
records that must be made and kept current pursuant to Exchange Act 
rule 18a-5. Certain of these paragraphs prescribe requirements 
separately for SBS Entities that do not have a prudential regulator and 
SBS Entities that do have a prudential regulator.\168\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \167\ See 17 CFR 240.18a-5.
    \168\ Paragraphs (a)(1), (b)(1), (d)(2)(i), and (d)(3)(i) of 
Exchange Act rule 18a-6 apply to SBS Entities that do not have a 
prudential regulator. Paragraphs (a)(2), (b)(2), (d)(2)(ii), and 
(d)(3)(ii) of Exchange Act rule 18a-6 apply to SBS Entities that 
have a prudential regulator. Paragraphs (c), (d)(1), (d)(4), (d)(5), 
(e), (f), (g), and (h) of Exchange Act rule 18a-6 apply to SBS 
Entities irrespective of whether they have a prudential regulator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Paragraph (e) of Exchange Act rule 18a-6 sets forth the 
requirements for preserving records electronically. Paragraph (f) sets 
forth requirements for when records are prepared or maintained by a 
third party. Paragraph (g) requires that an SBS Entity must furnish 
promptly to a representative of the Commission legible, true, complete, 
and current copies of those records of the SBS Entity that are required 
to be preserved under Exchange Act rule 18a-6, or any other records of 
the SBS Entity that are subject to examination or required to be made 
or maintained pursuant to section 15F of the Exchange Act that are 
requested by a representative of the Commission.
    The Commission is making a preliminary positive substituted 
compliance determination for many of the requirements set forth in 
paragraphs (a) through (f) of Exchange Act rule 18a-6.\169\ However, 
certain of these requirements are fully or partially linked to 
substantive Exchange Act requirements for which a positive substituted 
compliance determination is not being made under the proposed Order. In 
these cases, a positive substituted compliance determination is not 
being made for the linked requirement in Exchange Act rule 18a-6.\170\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \169\ The Commission does not believe it would be appropriate to 
grant substituted compliance with respect to the requirements in 
paragraph (g) of Exchange Act rule 18a-6 because there is no 
comparable requirement in the UK to produce these records to a 
representative of the Commission.
    \170\ A positive substituted compliance determination is not 
being made for the following requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-6 
because they are linked to a substantive Exchange Act requirement 
for which a positive substituted compliance determination is not 
being made: (1) The portion of Exchange Act rule 18a-6(b)(1)(v) 
relating to Exchange Act rule 18a-2 is subject to the Rule 18a-2 
Exclusion; (2) Exchange Act rule 18a-6(b)(1)(viii)(L) is fully 
linked to Exchange Act Rule 18a-4 and, therefore, is subject to the 
Rule 18a-4 Exclusion; (3) the portion of Exchange Act rule 18a-
6(b)(1)(viii)(M) relating to Exchange Act rule 18a-2 is subject to 
the Rule 18a-2 Exclusion; (4) Exchange Act rules 18a-6(b)(1)(xi) and 
(b)(2)(vi) are fully linked to Regulation SBSR and, therefore, are 
subject to the Regulation SBSR Exclusion; (5) Exchange Act rules 
18a-6(b)(1)(xiii) and 18a-6(b)(2)(viii) are fully linked to Exchange 
Act rules 15Fh-4 and, therefore, are subject to the Rule 15Fh-4 
Exclusion; and (6) Exchange Act rules 18a-6(b)(1)(xiii) and 18a-
6(b)(2)(viii) are fully linked to Exchange Act rules 15Fh-5 and, 
therefore, are subject to the Rule 15Fh-5 Exclusion.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, certain of the requirements in Exchange Act rule 18a-6 
are fully or partially linked to substantive Exchange Act requirements 
where a positive substituted compliance determination is being made 
under the proposed Order. In these cases, substituted compliance with 
the requirement in Exchange Act rule 18a-6 is conditioned on the SBS 
Entity applying substituted compliance to the linked substantive 
Exchange Act requirement.\171\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \171\ Substituted compliance with the following requirements of 
Exchange Act rule 18a-6 is conditioned on the SBS Entity applying 
substituted compliance to the linked substantive Exchange Act 
requirement: (1) Exchange Act rule 18a-6(b)(1)(v) is linked to 
Exchange Act rule 18a-1 and, therefore, is subject to the Rule 18a-1 
Condition; (2) Exchange Act rules 18a-6(b)(1)(viii) and (b)(2)(v) 
are linked to Exchange Act rule 18a-7 and, therefore are subject to 
the Rule 18a-7 Condition; (3) Exchange Act rule 18a-6(b)(1)(viii) is 
linked to Exchange Act rule 18a-1 and, therefore, is subject to the 
Rule 18a-1 Condition; (4) Exchange Act rule 18a-6(b)(1)(ix) is 
linked to Exchange Act rule 18a-1 and, therefore, is subject to the 
Rule 18a-1 Condition; (5) Exchange Act rule 18a-6(b)(1)(x) is linked 
to Exchange Act rule 18a-1 and, therefore, is subject to the Rule 
18a-1 Condition; (6) Exchange Act rules 18a-6(b)(1)(xii) and 
(b)(2)(vii) are linked to Exchange Act rule 15Fh-3 and, therefore, 
is subject to the Rule 15Fh-3 Condition; (7) Exchange Act rules 18a-
6(b)(1)(xii) and (b)(2)(vii) are linked to Exchange Act rule 15Fk-1 
and, therefore, is subject to the Rule 15Fk-1 Condition; (8) 
Exchange Act rules 18a-6(d)(4) and (d)(5) are linked to Exchange act 
rule 15Fi-3 and, therefore, are subject to the Rule 15Fi-3 
Condition; (9) Exchange Act rules 18a-6(d)(4) and (d)(5) are linked 
to Exchange act rule 15Fi-4 and, therefore, are subject to the Rule 
15Fi-4 Condition; and (10) Exchange Act rules 18a-6(d)(4) and (d)(5) 
are linked to Exchange act rule 15Fi-3 and, therefore, are subject 
to the Rule 15Fi-5 Condition.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 18399]]

    Moreover, there are certain requirements in Exchange Act rule 18a-6 
that are not expressly linked to Exchange Act rule 18a-1, but that 
would be important records in terms of the Commission's ability to 
examine for compliance with that rule, and the Covered Entity's ability 
to monitor its net capital position. Therefore, substituted compliance 
with respect to these requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-6 is 
subject to the Rule 18a-1 Condition.\172\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \172\ Substituted compliance with the requirements of Exchange 
Act rules 18a-6(b)(1)(ii), (b)(1)(iii), (b)(1)(vi), (b)(1)(vii), 
(d)(2)(i), and (d)(3)(i) is conditioned on the SBS Entity applying 
substituted compliance to Exchange Act rule 18a-1 and its 
appendices.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The following table summarizes the Commission's proposed positive 
substituted compliance determinations with respect to requirements of 
Exchange Act rule 18a-6 by listing in each row: (1) The paragraph of 
the proposed Order that sets forth the determination; (2) the 
paragraph(s) of Exchange Act rule 18a-6 to which the determination 
applies; (3) a brief description of the records required by those 
paragraphs; and (4) a brief description of any additional conditions to 
applying substituted compliance to the requirements, including any 
partial exclusions because portions of the requirements are linked to 
substantive Exchange Act requirements for which a positive substituted 
compliance is not being made under this Order.\173\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \173\ The chart below does not include the additional conditions 
for applying substituted compliance to Exchange Act rule 18a-6; 
namely that the SBS Entity: (1) Is subject to and complies with the 
requirements of foreign law; (2) remains subject to the requirement 
of Exchange Act section 15F(f) to keep books and records open to 
inspection by any representative of the Commission and the 
requirement of Exchange Act rule 18a-6(g) to furnish promptly to a 
representative of the Commission legible, true, complete, and 
current copies of certain records; and (3) must promptly furnish to 
a representative of the Commission upon request an English 
translation of certain records. See para. (f)(7) and (8) to the 
proposed Order (with respect to the second and third conditions).

                                             Exchange Act Rule 18a-6
                                              [Record preservation]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Order paragraph                          Rule paragraph              Rule description..  Conditions and partial
                                                                                          exclusions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(f)(2)(i)(A)..............  (a)(1).............  (a)(2)............  6 year record       N/A.
                                                                      preservation.
(f)(2)(i)(B)..............  (b)(1)(i)..........  (b)(2)(i).........  3 year record       N/A.
                                                                      preservation.
(f)(2)(i)(C)..............  (b)(1)(ii),          ..................  Bank records,       Rule 18a-1 Condition.
                             (b)(1)(iii).                             bills.
(f)(2)(i)(D)..............  (b)(1)(iv).........  (b)(2)(ii)........  Communications....  N/A.
(f)(2)(i)(E)..............  (b)(1)(v)..........  ..................  Trial balances....  (1) Rule 18a-1
                                                                                          Condition; (2) Rule
                                                                                          18a-2 Exclusion.
(f)(2)(i)(F)..............  (b)(1)(vi).........  (b)(2)(iii).......  Account documents.  Rule 18a-1 Condition
                                                                                          for ] (b)(1)(vi).
(f)(2)(i)(G)..............  (b)(1)(vii)........  (b)(2)(iv)........  Written agreements  Rule 18a-1 Condition
                                                                                          for ] (b)(1)(vii).
(f)(2)(i)(H)..............  (b)(1)(viii).......  (b)(2)(v).........  Information         (1) Rule 18a-7
                                                                      supporting          Condition; (2) Rule
                                                                      financial reports.  18a-2 Exclusion for ]
                                                                                          (b)(1)(viii)(M).
(f)(2)(i)(I)..............  (b)(1)(ix).........  ..................  Rule 15c3-4 risk    Rule 18a-1 Condition.
                                                                      management
                                                                      records.
(f)(2)(i)(J)..............  (b)(1)(x)..........  ..................  Credit risk         Rule 18a-1 Condition.
                                                                      determinations.
(f)(2)(i)(K)..............  (b)(1)(xii)........  (b)(2)(vii).......  Business conduct    (1) Rule 15Fh-3
                                                                      standard records.   Condition; (2) Rule
                                                                                          15Fk-1 Condition.
                           -----------------------------------------
(f)(2)(i)(L)..............                    (c)                    Corporate           N/A.
                                                                      documents.
                           -----------------------------------------
(f)(2)(i)(M)..............                   (d)(1)                  Associated          N/A.
                                                                      person's
                                                                      employment
                                                                      application.
                           -----------------------------------------
(f)(2)(i)(N)..............  (d)(2)(i)..........  (d)(2)(ii)........  Regulatory          Rule 18a-1 Condition
                                                                      authority reports.  for ] (d)(2)(i).
(f)(2)(i)(O)..............  (d)(3)(i)..........  (d)(3)(ii)........  Compliance,         Rule 18a-1 Condition
                                                                      supervisory, and    for ] (d)(3)(i).
                                                                      procedures
                                                                      manuals.
                           -----------------------------------------
(f)(2)(i)(P)..............               (d)(4), (d)(5)              Portfolio           (1) Rule 15Fi-3
                                                                      reconciliation.     Condition; (2) Rule
                                                                                          15Fi-4 Condition; (3)
                                                                                          Rule 15Fi-5 Condition.
                           -----------------------------------------
(f)(2)(i)(Q)..............                    (e)                    Electronic storage  N/A.
                                                                      system.
                           -----------------------------------------
(f)(2)(i)(R)..............                    (f)                    Third-party         N/A.
                                                                      recordkeeper.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The following table summarizes the Commission's preliminary 
determinations with respect to requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-6 
for which for which a positive substituted compliance determination is 
not being made because they are fully linked to substantive Exchange 
Act requirements for which a positive substituted compliance 
determination is not being made by listing in each row: (1) The 
paragraph of the proposed Order that sets forth the determination; (2) 
the paragraph(s) of Exchange Act rule 18a-6 to which the determination 
applies; (3) a brief description of the records required by those 
paragraphs; and (4) the exclusion from substituted compliance.

[[Page 18400]]



                                             Exchange Act Rule 18a-6
                                                 [Preservation]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Order paragraph                          Rule paragraph              Rule description..  Exclusion
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(f)(2)(ii)................  (b)(1)(xi).........  (b)(2)(vi)........  Regulation SBSR     Regulation SBSR
                                                                      information.        Exclusion.
(f)(2)(i)(H)(4)...........  (b)(1)(viii)(L)....  ..................  Possession or       Rule 18a-4 Exclusion.
                                                                      control
                                                                      information.
(f)(2)(ii)................  (b)(1)(xiii).......  (b)(2)(viii)......  Special entity      (1) Rule 15Fh-4
                                                                      documents.          Exclusion; (2) Rule
                                                                                          15Fh-5 Exclusion.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5. Exchange Act Rule 18a-7
    Paragraph (a)(1) of Exchange Act rule 18a-7 requires SBS Entities 
that are not prudentially regulated to file monthly unaudited reports 
about its financial and operational condition using the FOCUS Report 
Part II. Paragraph (a)(2) of Exchange Act rule 18a-7 requires SBS 
Entities that are prudentially regulated to file quarterly periodic 
unaudited reports about their financial and operational condition using 
the FOCUS Report Part IIC. The FOCUS Report Part IIC elicits less 
information than the FOCUS Report Part II because the Commission does 
not have responsibility for overseeing the capital and margin 
requirements applicable to these entities. Paragraph (a)(3) of Exchange 
Act rule 18a-7 requires SBS Entities that are not prudentially 
regulated and have been authorized by the Commission to compute net 
capital under Exchange Act rule 18a-1 using models to file certain 
monthly or quarterly information related to their use of models. 
Paragraph (b) of Exchange Act rule 18a-7 requires SBS Entities that are 
not prudentially regulated to make certain financial information 
available on their websites. Paragraphs (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), and 
(h) of Exchange Act rule 18a-7 set forth requirements for SBS Entities 
that are not prudentially regulated to annually file financial 
statements and certain reports, as well as reports covering those 
statements and reports prepared by an independent public accountant. 
Paragraph (i) of Exchange Act rule 18a-7 requires SBS Entities that do 
not have a prudential regulator to notify the Commission when they 
change their fiscal year. Finally, Paragraph (j) of Exchange Act rule 
18a-7 sets forth requirements with respect to the reports that must be 
filed with the Commission under the rule.\174\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \174\ See 17 CFR 240.18a-7.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission preliminarily is making a positive substituted 
compliance determination for all of these paragraphs of Exchange Act 
rule 18a-7. As discussed below, substituted compliance with respect to 
these paragraphs of Exchange Act rule 18a-7 is subject to certain 
conditions.
    First, certain of the requirements in Exchange Act rule 18a-7 are 
fully or partially linked to substantive Exchange Act requirements for 
which a positive substituted compliance determination is being made 
under the proposed Order. In these cases, substituted compliance with 
the requirement in Exchange Act rule 18a-7 is conditioned on the 
Covered Entity applying substituted compliance to the linked 
substantive Exchange Act requirement.\175\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \175\ Substituted compliance with the following requirements of 
Exchange Act rule 18a-7 is conditioned on the SBS Entity applying 
substituted compliance to the linked substantive Exchange Act 
requirement: (1) Exchange Act rule 18a-7(a)(1) is linked to Exchange 
Act rule 18a-1 and, therefore, is subject to the Rule 18a-1 
Condition; (2) Exchange Act rule 18a-7(a)(3) is linked to Exchange 
Act rule 18a-1 and, therefore, is subject to the Rule 18a-1 
Condition; and (3) Exchange Act rules 18a-7(c), (d), (e), (f), (g) 
and (h) taken as a whole are linked to Exchange Act rule 18a-1 and, 
therefore, are subject to the Rule 18a-1 Condition.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Second, under the proposed Order, substituted compliance with 
respect to the requirement in Exchange Act rule 18a-7 to file periodic 
unaudited financial and operational information on the FOCUS Report 
Part II or Part IIC is subject to the condition that the Covered Entity 
file with the Commission periodic unaudited financial and operational 
information in the manner and format specified by the Commission by 
order or rule (``Manner and Format Condition'') and present the 
financial information in accordance with GAAP that the firm uses to 
prepare general purpose publicly available or available to be issued 
financial statements in the UK (``UK GAAP Condition'').\176\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \176\ See para. (f)(3)(i) to the proposed Order. Under this 
approach, Covered Entities would be permitted to present the 
information reported in the FOCUS Report in accordance with GAAP 
that the firm uses to prepare publicly available or available to be 
issued general purpose financial statements in its home jurisdiction 
instead of U.S. GAAP if other GAAP, such as International Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting 
Standards Board (IASB), is used by the SBS Entity in preparing 
publicly available or available to be issued general purpose 
financial statements in the UK.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As noted above, Exchange Act rule 18a-7 requires SBS Entities, on a 
monthly basis (if not prudentially regulated) or on a quarterly basis 
(if prudentially regulated), to file an unaudited financial and 
operational report on the FOCUS Report Part II (if not prudentially 
regulated) or Part IIC (if prudentially regulated). The Commission will 
use the FOCUS Reports filed by the SBS Entities to both monitor the 
financial and operational condition of individual SBS Entities and to 
perform comparisons across SBS Entities. The FOCUS Report Parts II and 
IIC are standardized forms that elicit specific information through 
numbered line items. This facilitates cross-firm analysis and 
comprehensive monitoring of all SBS Entities registered with the 
Commission. Further, the Commission has designated the Financial 
Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (``FINRA'') to receive the FOCUS 
Reports from SBS Entities.\177\ Broker-dealers registered with the 
Commission currently file their FOCUS Reports with FINRA through the 
eFOCUS system it administers. Using FINRA's eFOCUS system will enable 
broker-dealers, security-based swap dealers, and major security-based 
swap participants to file FOCUS Reports on the same platform using the 
same preexisting templates, software, and procedures.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \177\ See Order Designating Financial Industry Regulatory 
Authority, Inc., to Receive Form X-17A-5 (FOCUS Report) from Certain 
Security-Based Swap Dealers and Major Security-Based Swap 
Participants, Exchange Release No. 88866 (May 14, 2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission preliminarily believes that it would be appropriate 
to condition substituted compliance with respect to Exchange Act rule 
18a-7 on the Covered Entity filing unaudited financial and operational 
information in a manner and format that facilitates cross-firm analysis 
and comprehensive monitoring of all SBS Entities registered with the 
Commission. For example, the Commission could by order or rule require 
SBS Entities to file the financial and operational information with 
FINRA using the FOCUS Report Part II (if not prudentially regulated) or 
Part IIC (if prudentially regulated) but permit the information input 
into the form to

[[Page 18401]]

be the same information the SBS Entity reports to the FCA or PRA.\178\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \178\ The Commission anticipates that it would be appropriate to 
tailor the line items required to be reported pursuant to this 
condition and is requesting comment on which, if any, line items in 
FOCUS Report Part II (if not prudentially regulated) and Part IIC 
(if prudentially regulated) the SBS Entity does not otherwise report 
or record pursuant to applicable laws or regulations. Further, the 
Commission is requesting comment on whether it would be appropriate 
as a condition to substitute compliance for SBS Entities to file a 
FOCUS Report Part II (if not prudentially regulated) or Part IIC (if 
prudentially regulated) with a limited number of the required line 
items filled out for two years. During this time, the Commission 
could further evaluate the scope of information SBS Entities should 
file.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Third, under the proposed Order, substituted compliance in 
connection with the requirement that Covered Entities without a 
prudential regulator file audited annual reports under Exchange Act 
rule 18a-7 is subject to five conditions.\179\ The first condition is 
that the SBS Entity simultaneously sends a copy of the financial 
statements the Covered Entity is required to file with the UK PRA or 
FCA, including a report of an independent public accountant covering 
the financial statements, to the Commission in the manner specified on 
the Commission's website (``SEC Filing Condition''). Because UK laws 
would not otherwise require the financial statements and report of the 
independent public accountant covering the financial statements to be 
filed with the Commission, the purpose of this condition is to ensure 
the Commission receives the financial statements and report to more 
effectively supervise and monitor SBS Entities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \179\ See para. (f)(3)(iv) to the proposed Order.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The second condition is that the SBS Entity includes with the 
transmission of the annual financial statements and report the contact 
information of an individual who can provide further information about 
the financial statements and reports (``Contact Information 
Condition''). This would assist the Commission staff in promptly 
contacting an individual at the SBS Entity who can respond to questions 
that information on the financial statements or report may raise about 
the Covered Entity's financial or operational condition.
    The third condition is that the SBS Entity includes with the 
transmission the report of an independent public accountant required by 
Exchange Act rule 18a-7(c)(1)(i)(C) covering the annual financial 
statements if UK laws do not require the Covered Entity to engage an 
independent public accountant to prepare a report covering the annual 
financial statements (``Accountant's Report Condition''). The third 
condition further provides that the report of the independent public 
accountant may be prepared in accordance with generally accepted 
auditing standards (``GAAS'') in the UK that are used to perform audit 
and attestation services and the accountant complies with UK 
independence requirements. According to the FCA Application, UK laws 
only require certain investment firms (depending on their size) to have 
their financial statements audited, so this condition ensures that all 
SBS Entities subject to the requirement in rule 18a-7 to file audited 
annual reports are required to have their financial statements audited.
    The fourth condition is that an SBS Entity that is a security-based 
swap dealer must file the reports required by Exchange Act rule 18a-
7(c)(1)(i)(B) and (C) addressing the statements identified in Exchange 
Act rule 18a-7(c)(3) or (c)(4), as applicable, that relate to Exchange 
Act rule 18a-4 (``Rule 18a-4 Limited Exclusion'').\180\ These reports 
are designed to provide the Commission with information about an SBS 
Entity's compliance with Rule 18a-4. As discussed above, a positive 
substituted compliance determination is not being made for Exchange Act 
rule 18a-4 and, therefore, this condition is designed to provide the 
Commission with similar compliance information. Under this condition, 
Covered Entities will need to file a limited compliance report that 
includes the statements relating to Rule 18a-4 \181\ or exemption 
report if the Covered Entity claims an exemption from Rule 18a-4. The 
Covered Entity also will need to file the report of an independent 
public accountant covering the limited compliance report or exemption 
report. The fourth condition further provides that the report of the 
independent public accountant may be prepared in accordance with GAAS 
in the UK that are used to perform audit and attestation services and 
the accountant complies with UK independence requirements.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \180\ The Commission views this as a limited exclusion from the 
availability of substituted compliance for these requirements 
because the proposed Order permits these reports relating Exchange 
Act rule 18a-4 to be included with the UK regulatory reports the 
Covered Entities will file with the Commission and because the 
reports can be prepared in accordance with UK GAAS (as discussed 
below).
    \181\ The limited compliance report would not need to address 
Exchange Act rule 18a-9 if the Covered Entity is applying 
substituted compliance to this requirement. Further, as discussed 
above, substituted compliance with paragraphs (c) through (h) of 
Exchange Act rule 18a-7 is conditioned on the Covered Entity 
applying substituted compliance to Exchange Act rule 18a-1. 
Therefore, the Covered Entity would not need to address that rule in 
the compliance report. Finally, the Covered Entity would not need to 
address an account statement rule of a self-regulatory organization.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The fifth condition is that a Covered Entity that is a security-
based swap dealer files the supporting schedules required by Exchange 
Act rule 18a-7(c)(1)(i)(A) and (C) addressing the statements identified 
in Exchange Act rules 18a-7(c)(2)(ii) and (iii) that relate to Exchange 
Act rule 18a-4 if the SBS Entity is not exempt from Exchange Act rule 
18a-4 (i.e., a Rule 18a-4 Limited Exclusion). These supporting 
schedules are the Computation for Determination of Security-Based Swap 
Customer Reserve Requirements and the Information Relating to the 
Possession or Control Requirements for Security-Based Swap Customers, 
which are designed to provide the Commission with information about an 
SBS Entity's compliance with Rule 18a-4.
    Fourth, under the proposed Order, substituted compliance in 
connection with the requirement that Covered Entities file notice of a 
change in fiscal year under Exchange Act rule 18a-7(i) is conditioned 
on the SBS Entity simultaneously sending a copy of the notice of change 
in fiscal year that the Covered Entity is required to file with the UK 
PRA or FCA to the Commission in the manner specified on the 
Commission's website (``SEC Filing Condition''). Because UK laws would 
not otherwise require the notice of a change in fiscal year to be filed 
with the Commission, the purpose of this condition is to ensure the 
Commission receives the notice to more effectively supervise and 
monitor SBS Entities.
    The following table summarizes the Commission's proposed positive 
substituted compliance determinations with respect to requirements of 
Exchange Act rule 18a-7 by listing in each row: (1) The paragraph of 
the proposed Order that sets forth the determination; (2) the 
paragraph(s) of Exchange Act rule 18a-7 to which the determination 
applies; (3) a brief description of the records required by those 
paragraphs; and (4) a brief description of any additional conditions to 
applying substituted compliance to the requirements, including any 
partial exclusions because portions of the requirements are linked to 
substantive Exchange Act requirements for which a positive substituted 
compliance determination is not being made under the proposed 
Order.\182\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \182\ The chart below does not include the additional conditions 
for applying substituted compliance to Exchange Act rule 18a-7; 
namely that the SBS Entity: (1) Is subject to and complies with the 
requirements of foreign law; (2) remains subject to the requirement 
of Exchange Act section 15F(f) to keep books and records open to 
inspection by any representative of the Commission and the 
requirement of Exchange Act rule 18a-6(g) to furnish promptly to a 
representative of the Commission legible, true, complete, and 
current copies of certain records; and (3) must promptly furnish to 
a representative of the Commission upon request an English 
translation of certain records. See paras. (f)(7) and (8) to the 
proposed Order (with respect to the second and third conditions).

[[Page 18402]]



                                             Exchange Act Rule 18a-7
                                                   [Reporting]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Order paragraph                          Rule paragraph              Rule description..  Conditions and partial
                                                                                          exclusions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(f)(3)(i).................  (a)(1).............  (a)(2)............  File FOCUS Reports  (1) Manner and Format
                                                                                          Condition; (2) UK GAAP
                                                                                          Condition; (3) Rule
                                                                                          18a-1 Condition for ]
                                                                                          (a)(1).
(f)(3)(ii)................  (a)(3).............  ..................  Information         (1) Rule 18a-1
                                                                      related to          Condition.
                                                                      capital models.
(f)(3)(iii)...............  (b)................  ..................  Publish certain     N/A.
                                                                      financial
                                                                      information.
(f)(3)(iv)................  (c), (d), (e), (f),  ..................  File annual         (1) SEC Filing
                             (g), (h).                                audited reports.    Condition; (2) Contact
                                                                                          Information Condition;
                                                                                          (3) Accountant's
                                                                                          Report Condition; (4)
                                                                                          Rule 18a-4 Limited
                                                                                          Exclusion; (5) Rule
                                                                                          18a-1 Condition.
(f)(3)(v).................  (i)................  ..................  Notice of fiscal    SEC Filing Condition.
                                                                      year change.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6. Exchange Act Rule 18a-8
    Exchange Act rule 18a-8 requires SBS Entities to send notifications 
to the Commission if certain adverse events occur.\183\ Paragraphs 
(a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii), (b)(1), (b)(2), and (b)(4) of Exchange Act rule 
18a-8 require an SBS Entity that is a security-based swap dealer and 
that does not have a prudential regulator to provide notifications 
related to the capital requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-1. 
Paragraphs (a)(2) and (b)(3) Exchange Act rule 18a-8 require an SBS 
Entity that is a major security-based swap participant and that does 
not have a prudential regulator to provide notifications related to the 
capital requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-8. Paragraph (c) Exchange 
Act rule 18a-8 requires an SBS Entity that is a security-based swap 
dealer and that files a notice of adjustment to its reported capital 
category with a U.S. prudential regulator to transmit a copy of the 
notice to the Commission. Paragraph (d) of Exchange Act rule 18a-8, in 
pertinent part, requires an SBS Entity to provide notification to the 
Commission if it fails to make and keep current books and records under 
Exchange Act rule 18a-5 and to transmit a subsequent report on what is 
being done to correct the situation. Paragraph (e) of Exchange Act rule 
18a-8, in pertinent part, requires an SBS Entity that is a security-
based swap dealer and that does not have a prudential regulator to 
provide notification if it has a material weakness under Exchange Act 
rule 18a-7 and to transmit a subsequent report on what is being done to 
correct the situation. Paragraph (g) of Exchange Act rule 18a-8, in 
pertinent part, requires an SBS Entity that is a security-based swap 
dealer to provide notification if it fails to make a required deposit 
into its special reserve account for the exclusive benefit of security-
based swap customers under Exchange Act rule 18a-4. Finally, paragraph 
(h) sets forth requirements for transmitting the notifications 
described above.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \183\ See 17 CFR 240.18a-8.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission preliminarily makes a positive substituted 
compliance determination for a number of the notification requirements 
set forth in these paragraphs. However, certain of these requirements 
are linked to substantive Exchange Act requirements for which a 
positive substituted compliance determination is not being made under 
the proposed Order. In these cases, a positive substituted compliance 
determination is not being made for the linked requirement in Exchange 
Act rule 18a-8 or the portion of the requirement in Exchange Act rule 
18a-8 that is linked to the substantive Exchange Act requirement.\184\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \184\ A positive substituted compliance determination is not 
being made for the following requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-8 
because they are linked to a substantive Exchange Act requirement 
for which a positive substituted compliance determination is not 
being made: (1) Exchange Act rules 18a-8(a)(3) and (b)(3) are fully 
linked to Exchange Act rule 18a-2 and, therefore, are subject to the 
Rule 18a-2 Exclusion; (2) the portion of Exchange Act rule 18a-8(e) 
that relates to Exchange Act rule 18a-2 is subject to the Rule 18a-2 
Exclusion; (3) the portion of Exchange Act rule 18a-8(e) that 
relates to Exchange Act rule 18a-4 is subject to the Rule 18a-4 
Exclusion; and (4) Exchange Act rule 18a-8(g) is fully linked to 
Exchange act rule 18a-4 and, therefore, is subject to the Rule 18a-4 
Exclusion.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, certain of the requirements in Exchange Act rule 18a-8 
are fully or partially linked to substantive Exchange Act requirements 
where a positive substituted compliance determination is being made 
under the proposed Order. In these cases, substituted compliance with 
the requirement in Exchange Act rule 18a-8 is conditioned on the SBS 
Entity applying substituted compliance to the linked substantive 
Exchange Act requirement.\185\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \185\ Substituted compliance with the following requirements of 
Exchange Act rule 18a-8 is conditioned on the SBS Entity applying 
substituted compliance to the linked substantive Exchange Act 
requirement: (1) Exchange Act rules 18a-8(a)(1)(i) and (ii), (b)(1), 
(b)(2), and (b)(4) are linked to Exchange Act rule 18a-1 and, 
therefore, are subject to the Rule 18a-1 Condition; and (2) Exchange 
Act rules 18a-8(d) is linked to Exchange Act rule 18a-5 and, 
therefore, is subject to the Rule 18a-5 Condition with respect to 
any category of records required to be made and kept current by that 
rule. Consequently, if the Covered Entity does not apply substituted 
compliance with respect to a category of record required to be made 
and kept current by Exchange Act rule 18a-5, the Covered Entity 
would need to provide the notification required by Exchange Act rule 
18a-8(d) if it fails to make and keep current that category of 
record.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Under the proposed Order, substituted compliance in connection with 
the notification requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-8 is subject to 
the condition that the SBS Entity: (1) Simultaneously sends a copy of 
any notice required to be sent by UK notification laws to the 
Commission in the manner specified on the Commission's website; and (2) 
includes with the transmission the contact information of an individual 
who can provide further information about the matter that is the 
subject of the notice (i.e., the ``Contact Information Condition''). 
The purpose of this condition is to alert the Commission to financial 
or operational problems that could adversely affect the firm--the 
objective of Exchange Act rule 18a-8.
    The following table summarizes the Commission's proposed positive

[[Page 18403]]

substituted compliance determinations with respect to requirements of 
Exchange Act rule 18a-8 by listing in each row: (1) The paragraph of 
the proposed Order that sets forth the determination; (2) the 
paragraph(s) of Exchange Act rule 18a-8 to which the determination 
applies; (3) a brief description of the records required by those 
paragraphs; and (4) a brief description of any additional conditions to 
applying substituted compliance to the requirements, including any 
partial exclusions because portions of the requirements are linked to 
substantive Exchange Act requirements for which a positive substituted 
compliance determination is not being made.\186\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \186\ The chart below does not include the additional conditions 
for applying substituted compliance to Exchange Act rule 18a-8; 
namely that the SBS Entity: (1) Is subject to and complies with the 
requirements of foreign law; (2) remains subject to the requirement 
of Exchange Act section 15F(f) to keep books and records open to 
inspection by any representative of the Commission and the 
requirement of Exchange Act rule 18a-6(g) to furnish promptly to a 
representative of the Commission legible, true, complete, and 
current copies of certain records; and (3) must promptly furnish to 
a representative of the Commission upon request an English 
translation of certain records. See paras. (f)(7) and (8) to the 
proposed Order (with respect to the second and third conditions).

                                             Exchange Act Rule 18a-8
                                                 [Notification]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Order paragraph                          Rule paragraph              Rule description..  Conditions and partial
                                                                                          exclusions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(f)(4)(i)(A)..............  (a)(1)(i),           ..................  Capital notices...  (1) Rule 18a-1
                             (a)(1)(ii),                                                  Condition; (2) SEC
                             (b)(1), (b)(2),                                              Filing Condition; (3)
                             (b)(4).                                                      Contact Information
                                                                                          Condition.
(f)(4)(i)(B)..............  (c)................  ..................  Prudential          (1) SEC Filing
                                                                      regulator capital   Condition; (2) Contact
                                                                      category            Information Condition.
                                                                      adjustment
                                                                      notices.
(f)(4)(i)(C)..............  (d)................  ..................  Books and records   (1) Rule 18a-5
                                                                      notices.            Condition; (2) SEC
                                                                                          Filing Condition; (3)
                                                                                          Contact Information
                                                                                          Condition.
(f)(4)(i)(D)..............  (e)................  ..................  Material weakness   (1) Rule 18a-1
                                                                      notices.            Condition; (2) Rule
                                                                                          18a-2 Exclusion; (3)
                                                                                          Rule 18a-4 Limited
                                                                                          Exclusion; (4) SEC
                                                                                          Filing Condition; (5)
                                                                                          Contact Information
                                                                                          Condition.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The following table summarizes the Commission's preliminary 
determinations with respect to requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-8 
for which a positive substituted compliance determination is not being 
made because they are fully linked to substantive Exchange Act 
requirements for which a positive substituted compliance determination 
is not being made by listing in each row: (1) The paragraph of the 
proposed Order that sets forth the determination; (2) the paragraph(s) 
of Exchange Act rule 18a-8 to which the determination applies; (3) a 
brief description of the records required by those paragraphs; and (4) 
the exclusion from substituted compliance.

                                             Exchange Act Rule 18a-8
                                                 [Notification]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Order paragraph                          Rule paragraph              Rule description..  Exclusion
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(f)(4)(ii)(B).............  (a)(2).............  (b)(3)............  MSBSP capital       Rule 18a-2 Exclusion.
                                                                      notices.
(f)(4)(ii)(C).............  (g)................  ..................  Reserve account     Rule 18a-4 Exclusion.
                                                                      notices.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7. Exchange Act Rule 18a-9
    Exchange Act rule 18a-9 requires SBS Entities that are security-
based swap dealers and that do not have a prudential regulator to 
examine and count the securities they physically hold, account for the 
securities that are subject to their control or direction but are not 
in their physical possession, verify the locations of securities under 
certain circumstances, and compare the results of the count and 
verification with their records.\187\ The Commission preliminarily is 
making a positive substituted compliance determination' for this 
rule.\188\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \187\ See 17 CFR 240.18a-9.
    \188\ See para. (f)(5) to the proposed Order.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

8. Exchange Act Section 15F(g)
    Exchange Act Section 15F(g) requires SBS Entities to maintain daily 
trading records.\189\ The Commission preliminarily believes UK law 
produces a comparable result in terms of its daily trading 
recordkeeping requirements.\190\ Accordingly, the Commission 
preliminarily is making a positive substituted compliance determination 
for the self-executing requirements in this paragraph.\191\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \189\ See 15 U.S.C. 78o-10(g).
    \190\ See FCA COND at paragraphs 2C, 2D, 3B, 3C, 5D and 5F; PRA 
Fundamental Rules 2 and 6; FCA PRIN 2.1.1.R(2) and (3); PRA 
Recordkeeping Rule 2.1; FCA SYSC 9.1.1AR.
    \191\ See para. (f)(6) to the proposed Order.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

9. Examination and Production of Records
    Every Covered Entity registered with the Commission, whether 
complying directly with Exchange Act requirements or relying on 
substituted compliance as a means of complying with the Exchange Act, 
is required to satisfy the inspection and production requirements 
imposed on such entities under the Exchange Act.\192\ Covered Entities 
may make, keep, and preserve records, subject to the conditions 
described above, in a manner prescribed by applicable UK requirements. 
The Commission notes that as an element of its substituted compliance 
application, the FCA has provided the Commission with adequate 
assurances that no law or policy would impede the ability of any entity 
that is directly supervised by the

[[Page 18404]]

authority and that may register with the Commission ``to provide prompt 
access to the Commission to such entity's books and records or to 
submit to onsite inspection or examination by the Commission.'' 
Consistent with those assurances and the requirements that apply to all 
Covered Entities under the Exchange Act, Covered Entities will need to 
keep books and records open to inspection by any representative of the 
Commission and to furnish promptly to a representative of the 
Commission legible, true, complete, and current copies of those records 
of the firm that these entities are required to preserve under Exchange 
Act rule 18a-6 (which would include records for which a positive 
substituted compliance determination is being made with respect to 
Exchange Act rule 18a-6 under the Order), or any other records of the 
firm that are subject to examination or required to be made or 
maintained pursuant to Exchange Act section 15F that are requested by a 
representative of the Commission.\193\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \192\ See Exchange Act section 15F(f); Exchange Act rule 18a-
6(g).
    \193\ See para. (f)(6) to the proposed Order.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

10. English Translations
    The proposed Order states that to the extent documents are not 
prepared in the English language, SBS Entities must furnish to a 
representative of the Commission upon request an English translation of 
any record, report, or notification of the SBS Entity that is required 
to be made, preserved, filed, or subject to examination pursuant to 
Exchange Act section 15F or the UK Order.\194\ This requirement 
addresses difficulties that Commission examinations staff would have 
examining SBS Entities that furnish documents in a foreign language. 
While acknowledging that English is widely spoken in the UK, this 
requirement is included to address foreign branches of UK SBS Entities 
that may prepare documents in foreign languages. Such English 
translations would be required to be provided promptly.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \194\ See para. (f)(7) to the proposed Order.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

IX. Additional Considerations Regarding Supervisory and Enforcement 
Effectiveness in the UK

A. General Considerations

    As noted above, Exchange Act rule 3a71-6 provides that the 
Commission's assessment of the comparability of the requirements of the 
foreign financial regulatory system must account for ``the 
effectiveness of the supervisory program administered, and the 
enforcement authority exercised'' by the foreign financial regulatory 
authority. This prerequisite accounts for the understanding that 
substituted compliance determinations should reflect the reality of the 
foreign regulatory framework, in that rules that appear high-quality on 
paper nonetheless should not form the basis for substituted compliance 
if--in practice--market participants are permitted to fall short of 
their regulatory obligations. This prerequisite, however, also 
recognizes that differences among the supervisory and enforcement 
regimes should not be assumed to reflect flaws in one regime or 
another.\195\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \195\ See generally Business Conduct Adopting Release, 81 FR at 
30079.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In connection with these considerations, the FCA Application 
includes information regarding the UK supervisory and enforcement 
framework applicable to derivatives markets and market participants. 
This includes information regarding the supervisory and enforcement 
authority afforded to the FCA and the PRA to promote compliance with 
applicable requirements, applicable supervisory and enforcement tools 
and capabilities, consequences of non-compliance, and the application 
of the FCA's and PRA's supervisory and enforcement practices in the 
cross-border context. After review of this information, the Commission 
preliminarily believes that the framework is reasonably designed to 
promote compliance with the laws where substituted compliance has been 
requested.
    In preliminarily concluding that the relevant supervisory and 
enforcement considerations are consistent with substituted compliance, 
the Commission particularly has considered the following factors:

B. Supervisory Framework in the UK

    Supervision of banks and investment firms (together, ``firms'') 
that conduct security-based swap business in the UK is conducted by the 
FCA and the PRA. At the time of this application, all firms that will 
be using substituted compliance are dually-regulated by the FCA and 
PRA. Although both supervisors take a broad view of their supervisory 
powers, the FCA is primarily responsible for conduct, anti-money 
laundering, trade acknowledgment and verification, portfolio 
reconciliation and dispute reporting, portfolio compression, trading 
relationship documentation and securities count requirements, while the 
PRA is primarily responsible for capital, margin, internal supervision, 
chief compliance officer and risk management requirements. Both the FCA 
and the PRA are responsible for recordkeeping, reporting and 
notification requirements, and both have the ability to request records 
needed for supervision from firms through the supervisory process. In 
addition, the FCA and the PRA set priorities in their annual business 
plans which also sets forth the thematic reviews that will be conducted 
each year. These thematic reviews focus on particular areas of risk or 
products across several firms and key findings are made public to 
promote consistency across the market.
1. FCA
    For large firms, such as those that will be applying to be 
security-based swap dealers in the United States, the FCA uses a firm-
specific supervision program (``fixed supervision'') and assigns at 
least one supervisor dedicated to supervising the firm. The supervisor 
has regular interaction with the firm, including meetings, emails, 
phone calls and video calls. The supervisor reviews the monthly and 
quarterly reports that are submitted by firms. If a supervisor sees a 
red flag on a report, the supervisor may take a number of actions such 
as contacting the firm's senior management or requiring a skilled 
person review. This supervisor also works with specialists, who monitor 
specific activities at the firm, such as financial crimes, and provide 
support to the primary supervisor.
    The FCA meets with each firm subject to fixed supervision to 
conduct a strategy meeting, which allows the firm to inform the FCA of 
their business strategy for the next two years.\196\ This strategy 
meeting feeds into the firm evaluation, which is the FCA's assessment 
of the firm using the FAM methodology.\197\ Before a firm evaluation is 
finalized, the supervisor presents the FAM analysis, a description of 
the key risks at the firm, and a workplan to address those risks to 
senior management for approval. Once the workplan is approved, the firm 
is sent a letter that summarizes the supervisory team's assessment of 
the firm and gives the firm an overview of what to expect from a 
supervisory perspective over the next year.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \196\ Depending on the regulatory cycle of the firm, these 
meetings typically occur at least every two years.
    \197\ More information on FCA's supervisory approach, including 
a description of the FAM methodology, is available at: https://www.fca.org.uk/publication/corporate/our-approach-supervision-final-report-feedback-statement.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    When the FCA identifies a risk or issue at a firm that requires 
remediation,

[[Page 18405]]

the FCA can take a number of corrective actions and strives to choose 
the one that is appropriate and proportionate to the circumstances. If 
the FCA determines that the issue is minor then the supervisor may 
discuss with the firm how the matter is best resolved and follow up 
with the firm to ensure adequate steps have been taken. For more 
significant issues, the supervisor can deploy a range of regulatory 
tools to achieve a specific outcome. The common tools used by the FCA 
include starting a deep dive; \198\ requiring the firm to commit to 
certain action (for example, varying a firm's ability to conduct 
business until a prescribed action is taken); or requiring review by a 
third party, such as a skilled person review.\199\ If these actions 
fail, or if the issue is considered harmful enough, the matter will be 
referred to the FCA Enforcement division for investigation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \198\ A deep dive is a focused, forward-looking assessment of a 
firm to investigate a specific area of potential risk. Deep dives 
are designed to be focused assessments, looking at specific risks, 
rather than wide ranging assessments that, for example, look at 
controls within a firm generally.
    \199\ More information on skilled person reviews is available 
at: https://www.fca.org.uk/about/supervision/skilled-persons-reviews.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. PRA
    The PRA divides all firms into the five categories for supervisory 
purposes, with category 1 (``CAT1'') being the most significant firms 
whose size, interconnectedness, complexity and business type give them 
the capacity to cause significant disruption to the UK financial system 
by failing, or by carrying on their business in an unsafe manner.\200\ 
All firms that will be registering as security-based swap dealers in 
the United States are CAT1 firms and are assigned several supervisors 
to monitor the firm. These supervisors have frequent interactions 
(typically daily) with the firms, including regular meetings with the 
firm's executive management. Supervisors review information submitted 
by a firm and this information is periodically validated, either 
through onsite inspection by the PRA supervisory and specialist risk 
staff, or by third-parties. Supervisors examine for risks in the firm's 
business model and analyze where and how a firm makes money, the risks 
involved in doing so, and how the firm is funded. PRA staff regularly 
engages with firms on business performance, governance and management, 
external context impact, capital, liquidity, risk controls, and 
resolvability. The supervisors work with risk specialists and other 
staff who offer expertise in certain areas (e.g., credit risk, 
operational risk, governance) to monitor the firm.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \200\ Information on the PRA's supervisory approach, including 
the factors it uses to divide firms into the different categories, 
is available at: https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/-/media/boe/files/prudential-regulation/approach/banking-approach-2018.pdf?la=en&hash=3445FD6B39A2576ACCE8B4F9692B05EE04D0CFE3.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The PRA conducts an annual internal meeting regarding each firm 
called a ``periodic summary meeting'' (``PSM'') to discuss the major 
risks at the firm, the supervisory strategy, and proposed remedial 
actions, including guidance about the adequacy of a firm's capital and 
liquidity. After the PSM, the PRA sends an annual letter to each firm 
outlining the key risks that are of greatest concern, which require 
action by the firm. The PRA verifies that action is taken on the key 
risks identified in the PSM, and actively engages with the firm's audit 
committee and non-executive directors on the progress made to address 
the most significant risks. Less significant issues identified in the 
PSM are conveyed to the firm to be addressed autonomously and the PRA 
expects confirmation by the most appropriate senior individual within 
the firm (e.g., the chief executive officer, finance director, or chair 
of the audit committee) that these issues have been closed.
    When the PRA detects supervisory issues at a firm, it has the power 
to require firms to take corrective actions, such as conducting an 
internal audit or appointing a monitor to review certain aspects of the 
firm's regulatory reports. The PRA may also determine that further 
information is needed and can, for example, require an external audit, 
conduct its own inspection or appoint an independent skilled person 
that will produce a report on the topic to the PRA. The PRA may conduct 
its own onsite inspection, which involves risk specialists and other 
technical staff, when it wants to review a certain area, such as a 
particular business line or a model review. The inspections are in-
depth, focused reviews that involve discussions with staff, reviews of 
internal documents at the firm, and testing to ensure the information 
provided by the firm to the PRA is accurate. If a firm does not take 
appropriate corrective action as required, the PRA may open an 
enforcement proceeding.

C. Enforcement Authority in the UK

    Similar to the supervision regime, enforcement of banks and 
investment firms located in the UK is conducted by the FCA and the PRA. 
As with supervisory powers, the FCA is primarily responsible for 
conduct, anti-money laundering, trade acknowledgment and verification, 
portfolio reconciliation and dispute reporting, portfolio compression, 
trading relationship documentation and securities count requirements, 
while the PRA is primarily responsible for capital, margin, internal 
supervision, chief compliance officer and risk management requirements. 
Both the FCA and PRA are responsible for recordkeeping, reporting and 
notification requirements.
1. FCA
    Within the FCA, enforcement investigations are carried out by the 
relevant department of the organization's Enforcement and Market 
Oversight Division (``EMO''). EMO has three investigation departments: 
(1) Unauthorized business; (2) retail; and (3) wholesale. Most 
investigations into firms subject to substituted compliance would fall 
into the wholesale category. The FCA gathers information through 
voluntary submissions and interviews, and may compel information, 
documents or testimony as necessary, and subject to limitations on use. 
In addition to the authority to investigate and impose sanctions for 
regulatory misconduct, the FCA can simultaneously prosecute criminal 
offenses such as insider trading and unauthorized business and 
promotion activities. The FCA has many sanctions and remedies for 
wrongdoing available for use. Among its sanctioning powers are: Public 
censure, financial penalties, disciplinary prohibitions, and suspension 
or restriction orders. In deciding which sanction to apply, the FCA 
considers relevant circumstances including steps taken to mitigate or 
remedy the harm and the level of cooperation. The FCA resolves many 
matters by settlement. Additionally, as required by law, it publishes 
Final Notices regarding enforcement, subject to certain public interest 
limitations on publication.
2. PRA
    The decision to open an investigation at the PRA is typically made 
jointly by a senior supervisor and a senior representative of the PRA's 
enforcement team. Once these individuals decide to investigate, 
investigators are appointed and the PRA sends a notice to the subject. 
Like the FCA, the PRA is empowered to require certain information or 
documents from authorized firms. Under certain circumstances, 
investigators also can require a person that is neither the subject of 
the investigation nor connected with the subject to attend an interview 
and answer questions and/or

[[Page 18406]]

provide information necessary to the investigation. At the end of an 
investigation, the investigators will report to the PRA and make a 
recommendation. The possible recommendations include, among others, (1) 
taking no further action; (2) imposing an enforcement sanction against 
the subject, which may start settlement discussions or steps towards a 
contested process; (3) imposing requirements or other supervisory 
measures against a firm; or (4) opening additional investigations.\201\ 
The PRA is empowered to impose sanctions such as publishing a public 
statement regarding misconduct, called ``public censure,'' directing 
persons to refrain from conduct, prohibiting a person from holding an 
office or position, or imposing a financial penalty.\202\ In 
determining the appropriate amount of penalty, the PRA considers: (1) 
Any disgorgement to be ordered; (2) the seriousness of the misconduct; 
(3) any adjustment for aggravating or mitigating factors; (4) any 
adjustment for deterrence; and (5) reductions for settlement discount 
and/or serious financial hardship. In resolving actions, the PRA seeks 
first to determine whether an appropriate settlement can be reached. If 
one cannot be reached, the investigation team recommends action to the 
Enforcement Decision Making Committee, which is the PRA's decision-
making body for contested enforcement cases.\203\ As with the FCA, the 
PRA is required by law to publish Final Notices regarding enforcement, 
subject to certain public interest limitations on publication.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \201\ See PRA Regulatory Investigations Guide, available at: 
https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/-/media/boe/files/prudential-regulation/pra-statutory-powers/regulatory-investigations-guide.pdf?la=en&hash=7170036F5249F21F15236504A8CC94E6F65D5EE2, April 
2019 at 8.
    \202\ See Enforcement Decision Making Committee Policy Statement 
PS/EDMC2018, available at: https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/-/media/boe/files/paper/2018/enforcement-decision-making-committee-policy-statement.pdf?la=en&hash=2F1E211F8BDB9B23A054DD770CBE342EB381020E 
(``Enforcement Decision Making Committee Policy Statement PS/
EDMC2018''), at 1 (citing Section 832ZR of the Banking Act of 2009).
    \203\ Enforcement Decision Making Committee Policy Statement PS/
EDMC2018.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

X. Request for Comment

    Commenters are invited to address all aspects of the application, 
the Commission's preliminary views and the proposed Order.

A. General Aspects of the Comparability Assessments and Proposed Order

    The Commission requests comment regarding the preliminary views and 
proposed Order in connection with each of the general ``regulatory 
outcome'' categories addressed above. Commenters particularly are 
invited to address, among other issues, whether the relevant UK 
provisions generally are sufficient to produce regulatory outcomes that 
are comparable to the outcomes associated with requirements under the 
Exchange Act, and whether the conditions and limitations of the 
proposed Order would adequately address potential gaps in the relevant 
regulatory outcomes or would otherwise result in any implementation or 
other practical issues.
    Further, the Commission requests comment regarding whether the 
proposed conditions and limitations guard against comparability gaps 
arising from the cross-border application of UK requirements (including 
when SBS Entities conduct security-based swap business through branches 
located in the United States or in third countries).
    With respect to the proposed conditions and limitations, commenters 
also are invited to address any differences between UK regulatory 
requirements and frameworks and either the German requirements and 
frameworks that formed the basis for the Commission's conditional grant 
of substituted compliance for Germany or the French requirements and 
frameworks that formed the basis for the Commission's proposed 
conditional grant of substituted compliance for France.\204\ Would the 
responses to any of the questions that the Commission asked in 
connection with the German Notice and Proposed Order and/or the French 
Notice and Proposed Order differ if those questions applied to UK 
regulatory requirements and frameworks?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \204\ See German Substituted Compliance Order, 85 FR at 85868; 
French Notice and Proposed Order, 85 FR at 85720; see also German 
Notice and Proposed Order, 85 FR at 72729-30.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

B. Risk Control Requirements

    The Commission further requests comment regarding the proposed 
grant of substituted compliance in connection with requirements under 
the Exchange Act related to internal risk management systems, trade 
acknowledgement and verification, portfolio reconciliation and dispute 
reporting, and trading relationship documentation. Commenters 
particularly are invited to address the basis for substituted 
compliance in connection with those risk control requirements, and the 
proposed conditions and limitations connected to substituted compliance 
for those requirements.
    In addition to these general matters, the Commission invites 
commenters to address the Commission's preliminary analysis that UK 
EMIR trade acknowledgment and verification and trading relationship 
documentation requirements are comparable to Exchange Act requirements 
when viewed in light of the ESMA EMIR Q&A and the addition of the new 
general condition concerning a Covered Entity's application of UK EMIR 
requirements, and without the need to rely on UK requirements that 
implement MiFID documentation requirements. Should the Commission 
instead require Covered Entities to comply both with UK EMIR 
requirements related to trade acknowledgment and verification and 
trading relationship documentation and with UK requirements that 
implement MiFID documentation requirements?
    With respect to portfolio reconciliation and dispute reporting 
requirements, the Commission also invites commenters to address the 
condition requiring a Covered Entity to provide the Commission with 
reports regarding disputes between counterparties on the same basis as 
the Covered Entity provides those reports to the FCA pursuant to UK 
law. Would differences in the timing of dispute reports made pursuant 
to Exchange Act requirements as compared to reports made pursuant to UK 
law make UK portfolio reconciliation and dispute reporting requirements 
not comparable to Exchange Act requirements?
    With respect to all risk control requirements, commenters also are 
invited to address any differences between UK regulatory requirements 
and frameworks and either the German requirements and frameworks that 
formed the basis for the Commission's conditional grant of substituted 
compliance for Germany or the French requirements and frameworks that 
formed the basis for the Commission's proposed conditional grant of 
substituted compliance for France.\205\ Would the responses to any of 
the questions about risk control requirements that the Commission asked 
in connection with the German Notice and Proposed Order and/or the 
French Notice and Proposed Order differ if those questions applied to 
UK regulatory requirements and frameworks?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \205\ See German Substituted Compliance Order, 85 FR at 85689-
91; French Notice and Proposed Order, 85 FR 85724-25; see also 
German Notice and Proposed Order, 85 FR at 72730-32.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 18407]]

C. Capital and Margin Requirements

1. Capital
    The Commission further requests comment regarding the comparability 
analysis of UK capital requirements with Exchange Act capital 
requirements for non-prudentially regulated security-based swap 
dealers. Commenters particularly are invited to address the basis for 
substituted compliance in connection with those requirements, and the 
proposed conditions and limitations connected to substituted compliance 
for those requirements. Does UK law taken as a whole produce regulatory 
outcomes that are comparable to those of Exchange Act rule 18a-1? Are 
there any additional conditions that should be applied to substituted 
compliance for these capital requirements to promote comparable 
regulatory outcomes?
    The Commission also requests comment and supporting data on the 
proposed capital conditions. The purpose of the potential conditions 
would be to address the concern that, while the Basel capital standard 
contains requirements designed to address liquidity such as the LCR, 
net stable funding ratio (``NSFR''), and an internal liquidity adequacy 
assessment process (``liquidity assessment process''), the Basel 
capital standard does not impose a net liquid assets test that requires 
a Covered Entity to maintain more than one dollar of highly liquid 
assets for each dollar of unsubordinated liabilities. The Commission 
requests comment on how the liquidity provisions in the Basel capital 
standard (the LCR, NSFR, and liquidity assessment process) impact the 
liquidity of Covered Entities that would apply substituted compliance 
with respect to Exchange Act rule 18a-1 (i.e., nonbanks). Do these 
requirements in practice result in Covered Entities maintaining more 
than one dollar of highly liquid assets for each dollar of 
unsubordinated liabilities? If so, explain why. If not, explain why 
not.
    The Commission also requests comment on whether Covered Entities 
that are not banks have access to short-term liquidity through Central 
Bank facilities in the UK that are available to banks (e.g., Sterling 
Monetary Framework through the Bank of England). Please identify and 
describe each facility that is available to nonbank Covered Entities, 
including any limitations on their ability to access the facility.
    The Commission also requests comment on how the proposed capital 
conditions compare to any existing capital requirements under the Basel 
capital standards. For example, are there differences in the frequency 
or nature of calculations under the Basel capital standards?
    The Commission also requests comment on and seeks information about 
the assets, liabilities, and capital of the Covered Entities that would 
apply substituted compliance with respect to Exchange Act rule 18a-1. 
The Commission further requests comment on what specific types of non-
prudentially regulated security-based swap dealers in the UK would be 
relying on a substituted compliance determination with respect to 
capital requirements under Exchange Act rule 18a-1. What are the 
primary business lines engaged in by these entities and what types of 
assets and liabilities do they typically carry on their balance sheets? 
Are the balance sheets of these entities primarily composed of liquid 
or illiquid assets? The Commission would use this information to 
analyze the liquidity of these entities in the context of considering 
the proposed capital conditions. For example, do the Covered Entities 
that would apply substituted compliance with respect to Exchange Act 
rule 18a-1 engage primarily in a securities business? If so, are their 
balance sheets similar to those of U.S. broker-dealers that deal in 
securities in terms of holding highly liquid assets? If their balance 
sheets are similar to U.S. broker-dealers, are the additional capital 
conditions discussed above necessary? Alternatively, would the 
additional capital conditions serve to ensure that these firms do not 
engage in non-securities business activities that could impair their 
liquidity? Should the Commission consider the relevance of a Covered 
Entity's business model in determining whether to impose any potential 
capital conditions? For example, should the Commission take into 
account the fact that a Covered Entity does not engage in unsecured 
lending and other activities more typical of banks?
    The Commission requests comment on the capital conditions that 
would require a Covered Entity to: (1) Maintain an amount of assets 
that are allowable under Exchange Act rule 18a-1, after applying 
applicable haircuts under the Basel capital standard, that equals or 
exceeds the Covered Entity's current liabilities coming due in the next 
365 days; and (2) makes a quarterly record listing: (a) The assets 
maintained pursuant to the first proposed condition, their value, and 
the amount of their applicable haircuts; and (b) the aggregate amount 
of the liabilities coming due in the next 365 days. Is the term 
``current liabilities'' understood by market participants? If not, 
please explain why and suggest alternative language. Is 365 days an 
appropriate number of days to use in connection with covering ``current 
liabilities''? If not, please explain why and suggest an alternative 
number of days. For example, would a period of 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 
210, 240, 270, 300, 330, 420, 510 days or some other period of days be 
more appropriate in terms of enhancing the liquidity of Covered 
Entities applying substituted compliance to Exchange Act rule 18a-1? If 
so, explain why. If the Commission determines to use a number of days 
that is less than 365, should the Commission use a term other than 
``current liabilities'' such as ``short-term liabilities''? If so, 
explain why. The Commission requests comment on whether the haircuts 
under the Basel capital standard are the appropriate haircuts to apply 
under the proposed capital condition. If so, please explain why. Are 
they comparable to the haircuts under Exchange Act rule 18a-1? Would it 
impose a significant burden on Covered Entities to apply the haircuts 
under Exchange Act rule 18a-1 rather than under the Basel capital 
standard? If so, please explain why. Please identify any regulatory or 
operational issues in connection with these proposed capital 
conditions, including with maintaining a quarterly record. The 
Commission requests comment on how these conditions would compare to 
the LCR.
    The Commission also requests comment and supporting data on the 
proposed condition that a Covered Entity maintain at least $100 million 
of equity capital composed of ``highly liquid assets'' as defined in 
the Basel capital standard. How would this potential minimum capital 
amount compare with the amounts of equity capital currently maintained 
by Covered Entities that would apply substituted compliance to Exchange 
Act rule 18a-1? Should the condition require a different amount of 
equity capital? For example, should the amount be $50, $75, $125, or 
$150 million or some other amount? If so, explain why. Are the terms 
``highly liquid assets'' and ``equity capital'' understood by market 
participants? If not, please explain why and suggest alternative terms.
    The Commission also requests comment and supporting data on the 
proposed condition that a Covered Entity includes its most recent 
audited or unaudited statement of financial condition filed with its 
local supervisor with its initial written notice to the Commission of 
its intent to rely on substituted compliance. Are there other

[[Page 18408]]

means for the Commission to efficiently obtain this information? If so, 
explain how. Is the information presented in these reports prepared in 
accordance with the GAAP that the firm uses to prepare publicly 
available or available to be issued general purpose financial 
statements in its home jurisdiction?
    The Commission requests comment on the potential benefits and costs 
of the potential capital conditions? Would the conditions promote 
comparable regulatory outcomes between the capital requirements applied 
to Covered Entities in the UK and capital requirements under Exchange 
Act rule 18a-1? If so, explain why. If not, explain why not. The 
Commission is mindful that compliance with these capital conditions 
would require Covered Entities applying substituted compliance to 
Exchange Act rule 18a-1 to supplement their existing capital 
calculations and practices, as well as to incur additional time and 
cost burdens to implement the potential conditions and integrate them 
into existing business operations. The Commission requests comment and 
supporting data on these potential time and cost burdens, including 
quantitative information about the amount of the burdens. The 
Commission also requests comment on any potential operational or 
regulatory issues or burdens associated with adhering to the proposed 
capital conditions.
    The Commission requests comment on the potential impacts the 
capital conditions would have on competition. For example, how would 
they impact competition between Covered Entities applying substituted 
compliance with respect to Exchange Act rule 18a-1 and SBS Entities 
that will comply with Exchange Act rule 18a-1? Would the conditions 
eliminate or mitigate potential competitive advantages that Covered 
Entities adhering to the Basel capital standard might have over SBS 
Entities adhering to the more stringent net liquid assets test standard 
of Exchange Act rule 18a-1? Alternatively, would the conditions create 
competitive disadvantages for Covered Entities applying substituted 
compliance with respect to Exchange Act rule 18a-1 as compared to SBS 
Entities complying with Exchange Act rule 18a-1? Please describe and 
explain.
    Please identify and describe any potential impacts on the way 
Covered Entities currently conduct their business with respect to 
implementing the proposed capital conditions.
    The Commission further requests comment on whether the Commission 
should consider other potential conditions with respect to applying 
substituted compliance to Exchange Act rule 18a-1. Should the 
Commission consider imposing a potential capital condition that is more 
consistent with Exchange Act rule 18a-1? Please explain why or why not. 
Should the capital condition include higher requirements for a Covered 
Entity that holds a significant amount of illiquid assets? For example, 
if 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, or some other percent of the Covered Entity's 
assets would not be allowable under Exchange Act rule 18a-1, should the 
firm be required to hold an amount of allowable assets to cover 
liabilities coming due over a longer period of time than a firm that 
does not exceed the percent threshold? If so, explain why and identify 
the appropriate percent threshold. Should there be a percent threshold 
of non-allowable assets under Exchange Act rule 18a-1 held by the 
Covered Entity over which substituted compliance with respect to 
capital would not be permitted? If so, explain why and identify the 
appropriate percent threshold.
    The Commission also requests comment on whether the Commission 
should consider imposing other capital conditions (or no conditions) if 
a Covered Entity's business with U.S. persons falls below a certain 
notional threshold, such as $8 billion, $20 billion, $50 billion, or 
some other threshold. If so, explain why? Please explain which 
threshold may be appropriate or suggest an alternative.
    The Commission further requests comment on whether there will be 
any non-prudentially regulated security-based swap dealers in the UK 
other than PRA-designated investment firms that would be seeking 
substituted compliance. In addition, HM Treasury, the PRA and the FCA 
published a joint statement announcing that they had decided to target 
an implementation date of January 1, 2022 for the new prudential rules 
for investment firms. The Commission further requests comment on 
whether any investment firms that may be relying on the Commission's 
proposed substituted compliance determination with respect to Exchange 
Act rule 18a-1 would potentially be covered under this new capital 
regime for investment firms in the UK. If so, should these capital 
requirements be included in any Commission final order regarding the 
determination of substituted compliance with respect to the capital 
requirements of the Commission and the UK? If so, explain how they are 
comparable to the capital requirements for non-prudentially regulated 
security-based swap dealers under the Exchange Act.
    With respect to capital requirements, commenters also are invited 
to address any differences between UK regulatory requirements and 
frameworks and the French requirements and frameworks that formed the 
basis for the Commission's proposed conditional grant of substituted 
compliance for France.\206\ Would the responses to any of the questions 
about capital requirements that the Commission asked in connection with 
the French Notice and Proposed Order differ if those questions applied 
to UK regulatory requirements and frameworks? \207\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \206\ See French Notice and Proposed Order, 85 FR 85726.
    \207\ See French Notice and Proposed Order, 85 FR 85736-37.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission further requests comment on whether there would be 
any non-prudentially regulated major security-based swap participants 
in the UK that would be seeking substituted compliance with respect to 
Exchange Act rule 18a-2.
2. Margin
    The Commission further requests comment regarding the Commission's 
preliminary view that the UK margin requirements are comparable to the 
Exchange Act margin requirements for non-prudentially regulated 
security-based swap dealers and major security-based swap participants. 
Commenters particularly are invited to address the basis for 
substituted compliance in connection with those requirements. Does UK 
law taken as a whole produce regulatory outcomes that are comparable to 
those of Exchange Act rule 18a-3? Are there any additional conditions 
that should be applied to substituted compliance for these margin 
requirements to promote comparable regulatory outcomes?
    The Commission further requests comment on whether the haircuts 
required under the UK EMIR Margin RTS are comparable to the collateral 
haircuts required under paragraph (c)(3) of Exchange Act rule 18a-3. 
The Commission also requests comment whether the standardized grid for 
computing initial margin under the UK EMIR Margin RTS is comparable to 
the standardized approach for computing initial margin under paragraph 
(d)(1) of Exchange Act rule 18a-3.
    With respect to margin requirements, commenters also are invited to 
address any differences between UK regulatory requirements and 
frameworks and the French requirements and frameworks that formed the 
basis for the Commission's proposed conditional

[[Page 18409]]

grant of substituted compliance for France.\208\ Would the responses to 
any of the questions about margin requirements that the Commission 
asked in connection with the French Notice and Proposed Order differ if 
those questions applied to UK regulatory requirements and frameworks? 
\209\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \208\ See French Notice and Proposed Order, 85 FR 85726.
    \209\ See French Notice and Proposed Order, 85 FR 85736.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

D. Internal Supervision, Chief Compliance Officer and Additional 
Exchange Act Section 15F(j) Requirements

    The Commission requests comment regarding the proposed grant of 
substituted compliance in connection with requirements under the 
Exchange Act related to internal supervision and chief compliance 
officers, as well as additional Exchange Act section 15F(j) 
requirements. Commenters particularly are invited to address the basis 
for substituted compliance in connection with those risk control 
requirements, and the proposed conditions and limitations connected to 
substituted compliance for those requirements.
    With respect to internal supervision and chief compliance officers 
requirements, as well as additional Exchange Act section 15F(j) 
requirements, commenters also are invited to address any differences 
between UK regulatory requirements and frameworks and either the German 
requirements and frameworks that formed the basis for the Commission's 
conditional grant of substituted compliance for Germany or the French 
requirements and frameworks that formed the basis for the Commission's 
proposed conditional grant of substituted compliance for France.\210\ 
In particular, the proposed Order would require a Covered Entity to be 
subject to, and comply with, in part provisions of UK law that 
implement CRD article 92, whereas the German Substituted Compliance 
Order requires, and the French Notice and Proposed Order would require, 
compliance with provisions that implement CRD articles 92 through 95. 
Should the Commission apply to these three orders (and to any other 
substituted compliance orders in jurisdictions with requirements based 
on CRD) the approach to these provisions in the proposed Order or the 
approach in the German Substituted Compliance Order and French Notice 
and Proposed Order? Similarly, the proposed Order would require a 
Covered Entity to be subject to, and comply with, in part UK CRR 
articles 286 through 288 and 293, whereas the German Substituted 
Compliance Order does not require, and the French Notice and Proposed 
Order would not require, compliance with comparable provisions of EU 
law. Should the Commission apply to these three order (and to any other 
substituted compliance orders in jurisdictions with requirements based 
on CRR) the approach to these provisions in the proposed Order or the 
approach in the German Substituted Compliance Order and French Notice 
and Proposed Order? In addition, would the responses to any of the 
questions about internal supervision or chief compliance officer 
requirements, or the additional Exchange Act section 15F(j) 
requirements, that the Commission asked in connection with the German 
Notice and Proposed Order and/or the French Notice and Proposed Order 
differ if those questions applied to UK regulatory requirements and 
frameworks?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \210\ See generally German Substituted Compliance Order, 85 FR 
at 85691-92; French Notice and Proposed Order, 85 FR 85726-28; see 
also German Notice and Proposed Order, 85 FR at 72732-34.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

E. Counterparty Protection Requirements

    The Commission requests comment regarding the proposed grant of 
substituted compliance in connection with counterparty protection 
requirements under the Exchange Act. Commenters particularly are 
invited to address the basis for substituted compliance in connection 
with the counterparty protection requirements, and the proposed 
conditions and limitations connected to substituted compliance for 
those requirements.
    The Commission also requests comment on the scope of UK ``know your 
counterparty'' and daily mark requirements to which a Covered Entity 
must be subject if it relies on substituted compliance. Third country 
investment firms (a term that includes third country credit 
institutions when providing investment services or performing 
investment activities in the UK) are not subject to these UK 
requirements and therefore would not be eligible to apply substituted 
compliance for Exchange Act ``know your counterparty'' or daily mark 
requirements. Do any such third country investment firms currently plan 
to apply, or believe they might in the future apply, substituted 
compliance for Exchange Act ``know your counterparty'' or daily mark 
requirements? Are any other UK requirements applicable to third country 
investment firms comparable to Exchange Act ``know your counterparty'' 
or daily mark requirements?
    With respect to all counterparty protection requirements, 
commenters also are invited to address any differences between UK 
regulatory requirements and frameworks and either the German 
requirements and frameworks that formed the basis for the Commission's 
conditional grant of substituted compliance for Germany or the French 
requirements and frameworks that formed the basis for the Commission's 
proposed conditional grant of substituted compliance for France.\211\ 
Would the responses to any of the questions about counterparty 
protection requirements that the Commission asked in connection with 
the German Notice and Proposed Order and/or the French Notice and 
Proposed Order differ if those questions applied to UK regulatory 
requirements and frameworks?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \211\ See generally German Substituted Compliance Order, 85 FR 
at 85692-95; French Notice and Proposed Order, 85 FR 85728-30; see 
also German Notice and Proposed Order, 85 FR at 72734-36.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

F. Recordkeeping, Reporting, Notification, and Securities Count

    The Commission requests comment regarding the proposed grant of 
substituted compliance in connection with requirements under the 
Exchange Act related to recordkeeping, reporting, notification, and 
securities counts, as well as the requirement of Exchange Act section 
15F(g). Commenters particularly are invited to address the basis for 
substituted compliance in connection with those requirements, and the 
proposed conditions and limitations connected to substituted compliance 
for those requirements. Does UK law taken as a whole produce regulatory 
outcomes that are comparable to those of Exchange Act section 15F(g) 
and Exchange Act rules 18a-5, 18a-6, 18a-7, 18a-8, and 18a-9? In this 
regard, commenters are invited to address the UK laws cited for each 
substituted compliance determination with respect to the distinct 
requirements within Exchange Act rules 18a-5, 18a-6, 18a-7, and 18a-8 
(i.e., the rules for which a more granular approach to substituted 
compliance is being taken). With respect to each substituted compliance 
determination, the Commission seeks comment on the following matters: 
(1) Will the UK laws cited for the determination result in a comparable 
regulatory outcome; (2) are there additional or alternative UK laws 
that should be cited to achieve a comparable regulatory outcome; and 
(3) are any of the UK laws cited for the determination

[[Page 18410]]

unnecessary to achieve a comparable regulatory outcome?
    Commenters particularly are invited to address the proposed 
condition with respect to Exchange Act rule 18a-5 that the Covered 
Entity: (1) Preserve all of the data elements necessary to create the 
records required by Exchange Act rules 18a-5(a)(1), (2), (3), (4), and 
(7) (if not prudentially regulated) or Exchange Act rules 18a-5(b)(1), 
(2), (3), and (7) (if prudentially regulated); and (2) upon request 
furnish promptly to representatives of the Commission the records 
required by those rules. Do the relevant UK laws require SBS Entities 
to retain the data elements necessary to create the records required by 
these rules? If not, please identify which data elements are not 
preserved pursuant to the relevant UK laws. Further, how burdensome 
would it be for an SBS Entity to format the data elements into the 
records required by these rules (e.g., a blotter, ledger, or securities 
record, as applicable) if the firm was requested to do so? In what 
formats do SBS Entities in the UK produce this information to the PRA, 
FCA, or other UK authorities? How do those formats differ from the 
formats required by Exchange Act rules 18a-5(a)(1), (2), (3), (4), and 
(7) (if not prudentially regulated) or Exchange Act rules 18a-5(b)(1), 
(2), (3), and (7) (if prudentially regulated)?
    Is it appropriate to structure the Commission's substituted 
compliance determinations in the Order with respect to the 
recordkeeping and reporting rules to provide Covered Entities with 
greater flexibility to select which distinct requirements within the 
broader recordkeeping, reporting, notification, and securities count 
rules for which they want to apply substituted compliance? Explain why 
or why not. For example, would it be more efficient for a Covered 
Entity to comply with certain Exchange Act requirements within a given 
recordkeeping or reporting rule (rather than apply substituted 
compliance) because it can utilize systems that its affiliated broker-
dealer has implemented to comply with them? If so, explain why. If not, 
explain why not. Is it appropriate to permit Covered Entities to take a 
more granular approach to the requirements within these recordkeeping 
rules? For example, would this approach make it more difficult for the 
Commission to get a comprehensive understanding of the Covered Entity's 
security-based swap activities and financial condition? Explain why or 
why not. Would it be overly complex for the Covered Entity to 
administer a firm-wide recordkeeping system under this approach? 
Explain why or why not.
    Certain of the Commission's recordkeeping, reporting, and 
notification requirements are fully or partially linked to substantive 
Exchange Act requirements for which a positive substituted compliance 
determination is preliminarily not being made under the proposed Order. 
In these cases, should the Commission not make a positive substituted 
compliance determination for the fully linked requirement in the 
recordkeeping or reporting rules or to the portion of the requirement 
that is linked to a substantive Exchange Act requirement? In 
particular, should the Commission not make a positive substituted 
compliance determination for recordkeeping, reporting, or notification 
requirements linked to the following Exchange Act rules for which a 
positive substituted compliance determination is preliminarily not 
being made: (1) Exchange Act rule 10b-10; (2) Exchange Act rule 15Fh-4; 
(3) Exchange Act rule 15Fh-5; (4) Exchange Act rule 15Fh-6; (5) 
Exchange Act rule 18a-2; (6) Exchange Act rule 18a-4; and (7) 
Regulation SBSR? If not, explain why.
    Certain of the requirements in the Commission's recordkeeping, 
reporting, and notification rules are linked to substantive Exchange 
Act requirements where a positive substituted compliance determination 
is being made under the proposed Order. In these cases, should a 
positive substituted compliance determination for the linked 
requirement in the recordkeeping, reporting, or notification rule be 
conditioned on the Covered Entity applying substituted compliance to 
the linked substantive Exchange Act requirement? If not, explain why. 
Should this be the case regardless of whether the requirement is fully 
or partially linked to the substantive Exchange Act requirement? If 
not, explain why. In particular, should substituted compliance for 
recordkeeping, reporting, and notification requirements linked to the 
following Exchange Act rules be conditioned on the SBS Entity applying 
substituted compliance to the linked substantive Exchange Act rule: (1) 
Exchange Act rule 15Fh-3; (2) Exchange Act rule 15Fi-2; (3) Exchange 
Act rule 15Fi-3; (4) Exchange Act rule 15Fi-4; (5) Exchange Act rule 
15Fi-5; (6) Exchange Act rule 15Fk-1; (7) Exchange Act rule 18a-1; (8) 
Exchange Act rule 18a-3; (8) Exchange Act rule 18a-5; and (9) Exchange 
Act rule 18a-7? If not, explain why.
    While certain recordkeeping and reporting requirements are not 
expressly linked to Exchange Act rule 18a-1, they would be important to 
the Commission's ability to monitor or examine for compliance with the 
capital requirements under this rule. The records also will assist the 
firm in monitoring its net capital position and, therefore, in 
complying with Exchange rule 18a-1 and its appendices. Should a 
positive substituted compliance determination with respect to these 
recordkeeping and reporting requirements be subject to the condition 
that the Covered Entity applies substituted compliance with respect to 
Exchange Act rule 18a-1 and its appendices? If not, explain why.
    Commenters also are invited to address the proposal that a positive 
substituted compliance determination with respect to Exchange Act rule 
18a-7 would be conditioned on the Covered Entity filing financial and 
operational information with the Commission in the manner and format 
specified by the Commission by order or rule. With respect to FOCUS 
Report Part II, not all of the line items on the report may be as 
pertinent to a non-prudentially regulated SBS Entity if a positive 
substituted compliance determination is made with respect to capital or 
margin. With respect to FOCUS Report Part IIC, because the Commission 
does not have responsibility to administer capital and margin 
requirements for prudentially regulated SBS Entities, the FOCUS Report 
Part IIC elicits much less information than the FOCUS Report Part II or 
the financial reports SBS Entities file with UK authorities. Should the 
Commission require Covered Entities to file the financial and 
operational information using the FOCUS Report Part II (if not 
prudentially regulated) or Part IIC (if prudentially regulated)? Are 
there line items on the FOCUS Report Part II or Part IIC that elicit 
information that is not included in the reports SBS Entities file with 
the FCA or PRA? If so, do SBS Entities record that information in their 
required books and records? Please identify any information that is 
elicited in the FOCUS Report Part II (if not prudentially regulated) or 
Part IIC (if prudentially regulated) that is not: (1) Included in the 
financial reports filed by SBS Entities with the FCA or PRA; or (2) 
recorded in the books and records required of SBS Entities. With 
respect to FOCUS Report Part IIC, would the answer to these questions 
change if references to FFIEC Form 031 were not included in the FOCUS 
Report Part IIC? If so, how? As a preliminary matter, as a condition of 
substituted compliance should SBS Entities file a limited amount of 
financial and operational information on the FOCUS Report Part II (if 
not prudentially regulated) or Part IIC (if prudentially regulated) for 
a

[[Page 18411]]

period of two years to further evaluate the burden of requiring all 
applicable line items to be filled out? If so, which line items should 
be required? To the extent that SBS Entities otherwise report or record 
information that is responsive to the FOCUS Report Part II or Part IIC, 
how could the information on these reports be integrated into a 
database of filings the Commission or its designee will maintain for 
filers of the FOCUS Report Parts II and IIC (e.g., the eFOCUS system) 
to achieve the objective of being able to perform cross-form analysis 
of information entered into the uniquely numbered line items on the 
forms?
    Commenters also are invited to address the proposal that a positive 
substituted compliance determination with respect to the requirement to 
file annual audited reports pursuant to Exchange Act rule 18a-7 would 
be subject to five conditions. For example, comment is sought on the 
first and third conditions that would permit the SBS Entity to 
simultaneously transmit to the Commission a copy of the financial 
statements the SBS Entity is required to file annually with a UK 
regulator, and, if not already required, require the SBS Entity to 
engage an independent public accountant to prepare a report covering 
the annual financial statements. Are there any concerns with the 
Commission accepting financial statements that are prepared in 
accordance with UK GAAP and audited by an independent public accountant 
in accordance with UK GAAS? In addition, are there any concerns with 
the public accountant being independent in accordance with local UK 
requirements? Further, the third condition would require SBS Entities 
that are not required under UK law to file a report of an independent 
public accountant covering their financial statements to file such an 
accountant's report. This condition is based on the fact that UK law 
only requires certain investment firms (depending on their size) to 
have their financial statements audited. Do the firms in the UK that 
are not subject to the requirement to file audited financial reports 
engage in security-based swap activities? If so, are they likely to 
register with the Commission as a non-prudentially regulated security-
based swap dealer or major security-based swap participant?
    With respect to recordkeeping, reporting, notification, and 
securities count requirements, commenters also are invited to address 
any differences between UK regulatory requirements and frameworks and 
either the German requirements and frameworks that formed the basis for 
the Commission's conditional grant of substituted compliance for 
Germany or the French requirements and frameworks that formed the basis 
for the Commission's proposed conditional grant of substituted 
compliance for France.\212\ Would the responses to any of the questions 
about recordkeeping, reporting, notification, and securities count 
requirements that the Commission asked in connection with the German 
Notice and Proposed Order and the French Notice and Proposed Order 
differ if those questions applied to UK regulatory requirements and 
frameworks?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \212\ See generally German Substituted Compliance Order, 85 FR 
at 85695-97; French Notice and Proposed Order, 85 FR 85730-34.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

G. Supervisory and Enforcement Issues

    The Commission further requests comment regarding how to weigh 
considerations regarding supervisory and enforcement effectiveness in 
the UK as part of the comparability assessments. Commenters 
particularly are invited to address relevant issues regarding the 
effectiveness of UK supervision and enforcement over firms that may 
register with the Commission as SBS Entities, including but not limited 
to issues regarding:
     UK supervisory and enforcement authority, supervisory 
inspection practices and the use of alternative supervisory tools, and 
enforcement tools and practices;
     UK supervisory and enforcement effectiveness with respect 
to derivatives such as security-based swaps; and
     UK supervision and enforcement in the cross-border context 
(e.g., any differences between the oversight of firms' businesses 
within the UK and the oversight of activities and branches outside of 
the UK, including within the United States).

    By the Commission.

    Dated: April 5, 2021.
Vanessa A. Countryman,
Secretary.

Attachment A

    It is hereby determined and ordered, pursuant to rule 3a71-6 under 
the Exchange Act, that a Covered Entity (as defined in paragraph (g)(1) 
of this Order) may satisfy the requirements under the Exchange Act that 
are addressed in paragraphs (b) through (f) of this Order so long as 
the Covered Entity is subject to and complies with relevant 
requirements of the United Kingdom and with the conditions to this 
Order, as amended or superseded from time to time.

(a) General Conditions

    This Order is subject to the following general conditions, in 
addition to the conditions specified in paragraphs (b) through (f):
    (1) Activities as UK ``regulated activities.'' For each condition 
in paragraphs (b) through (f) of this Order that requires the 
application of, and the Covered Entity's compliance with, provisions of 
FCA SYSC 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 and/or 10, PRA General Organisational 
Requirements, PRA Recordkeeping Rules, PRA Remuneration Rules, PRA Risk 
Control Rules and/or MLR 2017, the Covered Entity's relevant security-
based swap activities constitute ``regulated activities'' as defined 
for purposes of the relevant UK provisions, are carried on by the 
Covered Entity from an establishment in the United Kingdom and fall 
within the scope of the Covered Entity's authorization from the FCA 
and/or the PRA to conduct regulated activities in the United Kingdom.
    (2) Activities as UK MiFID ``investment services or activities.'' 
For each condition in paragraphs (b) through (f) of this Order that 
requires the application of, and the Covered Entity's compliance with, 
provisions of FCA PROD 3 and/or UK MiFID Org Reg, the Covered Entity's 
relevant security-based swap activities constitute ``investment 
services or activities,'' as defined in the FCA Handbook Glossary, are 
carried on by the Covered Entity from an establishment in the United 
Kingdom and fall within the scope of the Covered Entity's authorization 
from the FCA and/or PRA to conduct regulated activities in the United 
Kingdom.
    (3) Activities as UK ``MiFID or equivalent third country 
business.'' For each condition in paragraphs (b) through (f) of this 
Order that requires the application of, and the Covered Entity's 
compliance with, provisions of FCA COBS 2, 4, 6, 8A, 9A, 14 and/or 14A, 
the Covered Entity's relevant security-based swap activities constitute 
``MiFID or equivalent third country business,'' as defined in the FCA 
Handbook Glossary, are carried on by the Covered Entity from an 
establishment in the United Kingdom and fall within the scope of the 
Covered Entity's authorization from the FCA and/or PRA to conduct 
regulated activities in the United Kingdom.
    (4) Activities as UK ``designated investment business.'' For each 
condition in paragraphs (b) through (f) of this Order that requires the 
application of, and the Covered Entity's compliance with, provisions of 
FCA

[[Page 18412]]

COBS 11, the Covered Entity's relevant security-based swap activities 
constitute ``MiFID business'' that is also ``designated investment 
business,'' each as defined in the FCA Handbook Glossary; are carried 
on by the Covered Entity from an establishment in the United Kingdom; 
and fall within the scope of the Covered Entity's authorization from 
the FCA and/or PRA to conduct regulated activities in the United 
Kingdom.
    (5) Activities as UK ``MiFID business.'' For each condition in 
paragraphs (b) through (f) of this Order that requires the application 
of, and the Covered Entity's compliance with, provisions of FCA CASS 6 
and/or 7, the Covered Entity is not an ICVC as defined in the FCA 
Handbook Glossary and the Covered Entity's relevant security-based swap 
activities constitute ``regulated activities'' as defined for purposes 
of the relevant UK provisions and ``MiFID business'' as defined in the 
FCA Handbook Glossary; are carried on by the Covered Entity from an 
establishment in the United Kingdom and fall within the scope of the 
Covered Entity's authorization from the FCA and/or the PRA to conduct 
regulated activities in the United Kingdom.
    (6) Activities covered by FCA SYSC 10A. For each condition in 
paragraphs (b) through (f) of this Order that requires the application 
of, and the Covered Entity's compliance with, provisions of FCA SYSC 
10A, the Covered Entity's relevant security-based swap activities 
constitute activities described in FCA SYSC 10A.1.1(2)(a), (b) and/or 
(c); are carried on by the Covered Entity from an establishment in the 
United Kingdom and fall within the scope of the Covered Entity's 
authorization from the FCA and/or the PRA to conduct regulated 
activities in the United Kingdom.
    (7) Counterparties as UK MiFID ``clients.'' For each condition in 
paragraphs (b) through (f) of this Order that requires the application 
of, and the Covered Entity's compliance with, provisions of FCA CASS 6 
and/or 7, FCA COBS 2, 4, 6, 8A, 9A, 11, 14 and/or 14A, FCA PROD 3, FCA 
SYSC 10.1.8, FCA SYSC 10A and/or UK MiFID Org Reg, the relevant 
counterparty (or potential counterparty) to the Covered Entity is a 
``client'' (or potential ``client''), as defined in COBS 3.2.1R.
    (8) Security-based swaps as UK MiFID ``financial instruments.'' For 
each condition in paragraphs (b) through (f) of this Order that 
requires the application of, and the Covered Entity's compliance with, 
provisions of FCA CASS 6 and/or 7, FCA COBS 2, 4, 6, 8A, 9A, 11, 14 
and/or 14A, FCA PROD 3, FCA SYSC 10A, UK MAR, UK MAR Investment 
Recommendations Regulation and/or UK MiFID Org Reg, the relevant 
security-based swap is a ``financial instrument,'' as defined in Part 1 
of Schedule 2 of the UK Regulated Activities Order.
    (9) Covered Entity as UK CRD/CRR ``institution.'' For each 
condition in paragraph (b) through (f) of this Order that requires the 
application of, and the Covered Entity's compliance with, provisions of 
UK CRR, the Covered Entity is an ``institution,'' as defined in UK CRR 
article 4(1)(3).
    (10) Covered Entity as UK ``common platform firm'' or ``third 
country firm.'' For each condition in paragraph (b) through (f) of this 
Order that requires the application of, and the Covered Entity's 
compliance with, provisions of FCA SYSC 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 and/or 10, the 
Covered Entity is either a ``common platform firm'' (other than a 
``UCITS investment firm'') or a ``third country firm,'' each as defined 
in the FCA Handbook Glossary.
    (11) Covered Entity as UK ``IFPRU investment firm.'' For each 
condition in paragraph (b) through (f) of this Order that requires the 
application of, and the Covered Entity's compliance with, provisions of 
FCA SYSC 19A, FCA IFPRU and/or FCA BIPRU, the Covered Entity is an 
``IFPRU investment firm,'' as defined in the FCA Handbook Glossary.
    (12) Covered Entity as ``UK bank'' or ``UK designated investment 
firm.'' For each condition in paragraph (b) through (f) of this Order 
that requires the application of, and the Covered Entity's compliance 
with, provisions of FCA SYSC 19D, PRA Internal Capital Adequacy 
Assessment Rules, PRA Internal Liquidity Adequacy Assessment Rules, PRA 
General Organisational Requirements, PRA Remuneration Rules and/or PRA 
Risk Control Rules, the Covered Entity is a ``UK bank'' or ``UK 
designated investment firm,'' each as defined in the FCA Handbook 
Glossary (in the case of a provision of FCA SYSC 19D) or as defined in 
the PRA Rulebook Glossary (in the case of a provision of a PRA rule).
    (13) Covered Entity's counterparties as UK EMIR ``counterparties.'' 
For each condition in paragraphs (b) through (e) of this Order that 
requires the application of, and the Covered Entity's compliance with, 
provisions of UK EMIR, UK EMIR RTS and/or UK EMIR Margin RTS, if the 
counterparty to the Covered Entity is not a ``financial counterparty'' 
or ``non-financial counterparty'' as defined in UK EMIR articles 2(8) 
or 2(9), respectively, the Covered Entity complies with the applicable 
condition of this Order:
    (i) As if the counterparty were a financial counterparty, if the 
Covered Entity reasonably determines that the counterparty would be a 
financial counterparty if it were established in the UK and authorized 
by an appropriate UK authority, or, otherwise, as if the counterparty 
were a non-financial counterparty; and
    (ii) Without regard to the application of UK EMIR article 13.
    (14) Security-based swap status under UK EMIR. For each condition 
in paragraphs (b) through (e) of this Order that requires the 
application of, and the Covered Entity's compliance with, provisions of 
UK EMIR and/or other UK requirements adopted pursuant to those 
provisions, either:
    (i) The relevant security-based swap is an ``OTC derivative'' or 
``OTC derivative contract,'' as defined in UK EMIR article 2(7), that 
has not been cleared by a CCP and otherwise is subject to the 
provisions of UK EMIR article 11, UK EMIR RTS articles 11 through 15, 
and UK EMIR Margin RTS article 2; or
    (ii) The relevant security-based swap has been cleared by a central 
counterparty that has been authorized or recognized to clear 
derivatives contracts in the UK.
    (15) Memorandum of Understanding with the FCA and the PRA. The 
Commission has a supervisory and enforcement memorandum of 
understanding and/or other arrangement with the FCA and the PRA 
addressing cooperation with respect to this Order at the time the 
Covered Entity complies with the relevant requirements under the 
Exchange Act via compliance with one or more provisions of this Order.
    (16) Notice to Commission. A Covered Entity relying on this Order 
must provide notice of its intent to rely on this Order by notifying 
the Commission in writing. Such notice must be sent to the Commission 
in the manner specified on the Commission's website. The notice must 
include the contact information of an individual who can provide 
further information about the matter that is the subject of the notice. 
The notice must identify each specific substituted compliance 
determination within paragraphs (b) through (f) of the Order for which 
the Covered Entity intends to apply substituted compliance. A Covered 
Entity must promptly provide an amended notice if it modifies its 
reliance on the substituted compliance determinations in this Order.

[[Page 18413]]

(b) Substituted Compliance in Connection With Risk Control Requirements

    This Order extends to the following provisions related to risk 
control:
    (1) Internal risk management. The requirements of Exchange Act 
section 15F(j)(2) and related aspects of Exchange Act rule 15Fh-
3(h)(2)(iii)(I), provided that the Covered Entity is subject to and 
complies with the requirements of:
    (i) Either {FCA IFPRU 2.2.7R(2), 2.2.17R through 2.2.28R, 2.2.30R 
and 2.2.32R through 2.2.35R; and FCA BIPRU 12.3.4R, 12.3.5R, 12.3.7R, 
12.3.8R, 12.3.22AR, 12.3.22BR, 12.3.27R, 12.4.-2R, 12.4.-1R, 12.4.5AR, 
12.4.10R and 12.4.11R{time}  or {PRA Internal Capital Adequacy 
Assessment Rules 4.1 through 4.4, 5.1, 6.1, 7.1, 7.2, 8.1 through 8.5, 
9.1, 10.1, 10.2 and 11.1 through 11.3; and PRA Internal Liquidity 
Adequacy Assessment Rules 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1, 7.2, 8.1, 9.2, 11.1, 
11.2, 11.4, 12.1, 12.3, and 12.4{time} ;
    (ii) FCA PRIN 2.1.1R(3);
    (iii) FCA SYSC 4.1.1R(1), 4.1.2R, 7.1.4R, 7.1.17R, 7.1.18R, 
7.1.18BR, 7.1.19R, 7.1.20R, 7.1.21R and 7.1.22R and, if the Covered 
Entity is a UK bank or UK designated investment firm, also PRA General 
Organisational Requirements Rule 2.1 and 2.2 and PRA Risk Control Rules 
2.3, 2.7 and 3.1 through 3.5;
    (iv) Either {FCA SYSC 19A.2.1R{time}  or {FCA SYSC 19D.2.1R and PRA 
Remuneration Rule 6.2{time} ;
    (v) Either {FSMA schedule 6 part 2D and FCA COND 2.4.1A{time}  or 
{FSMA schedule 6 parts 3C and 5D, FCA COND 2.4.1C and PRA Fundamental 
Rules 3 through 6{time} ;
    (vi) UK CRR articles 286 through 288 and 293;
    (vii) UK EMIR Margin RTS article 2; and
    (viii) UK MiFID Org Reg articles 21 through 24.
    (2) Trade acknowledgement and verification. The requirements of 
Exchange Act rule 15Fi-2, provided that the Covered Entity is subject 
to and complies with the requirements of UK EMIR article 11(1)(a) and 
UK EMIR RTS article 12.
    (3) Portfolio reconciliation and dispute reporting. The 
requirements of Exchange Act rule 15Fi-3, provided that:
    (i) The Covered Entity is subject to and complies with the 
requirements of UK EMIR article 11(1)(b) and UK EMIR RTS articles 13 
and 15;
    (ii) The Covered Entity provides the Commission with reports 
regarding disputes between counterparties on the same basis as it 
provides those reports to the FCA pursuant to UK EMIR RTS article 
15(2).
    (4) Portfolio compression. The requirements of Exchange Act rule 
15Fi-4, provided that the Covered Entity is subject to and complies 
with the requirements of UK EMIR RTS article 14.
    (5) Trading relationship documentation. The requirements of 
Exchange Act rule 15Fi-5, other than paragraph (b)(5) to that rule when 
the counterparty is a U.S. person, provided that the Covered Entity is 
subject to and complies with the requirements of UK EMIR article 
11(1)(a), UK EMIR RTS article 12 and UK EMIR Margin RTS article 2.

(c) Substituted Compliance in Connection With Capital and Margin

    (1) Capital. The requirements of Exchange Act section 15F(e) and 
Exchange Act rules 18a-1, and 18a-1a through d, provided that:
    (i) The Covered Entity is subject to and complies with the capital 
requirements of: The UK CRR, including recitals 40, 43 and 87, and 
articles 26, 28, 50 through 52, 61, 63, 92, 111, 113(1), 114 through 
122, 143, 153(8), 177(2), 283, 290, 300 through 311, 312(2), 362 
through 377, 382 through 383, 412(1), 413(1), 416(1), 427(1), 413, 429, 
430, and 499; UK MiFID Org Reg article 23; UK EMIR Margin RTS, recital 
31, articles 2, 3(b), 7, and 19(1)(d) and (e), (3) and (8); FCA SYSC 
4.1.1R, 7.1.4R and 7.1.18R; Chapters 2,7, 10, 11 of FCA IFPRU; Chapter 
12 of FCA BIPRU; FCA PRIN; Client asset protection requirements under 
the FCA CASS; PRA General Organisational Requirements Rule 2.1; PRA 
Risk Control Rules 2.3 and 3.1(1); PRA Capital Buffers Rules; PRA 
Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Rules; PRA Internal Liquidity 
Adequacy Assessment Rules; PRA Liquidity Coverage Requirement--UK 
Designated Investment Firms Rules; PRA Notifications Rules; Banking Act 
2009; Capital Requirements Regulations 2013; Capital Requirements 
(Capital Buffers and Macro-prudential Measures) Regulations 2014; Part 
8 and Part 9 of the Bank Recovery and Resolution (No 2) Order 2014; 
Bank of England Act 1998 (Macro-prudential Measures) (No 2) Order 2015; 
and Parts 4A and 12A of FSMA; and
    (ii) The Covered Entity:
    (A) Maintains an amount of assets that are allowable under Exchange 
Act rule 18a-1, after applying applicable haircuts under the Basel 
capital standard, that equals or exceeds the Covered Entity's current 
liabilities coming due in the next 365 days;
    (B) Makes a quarterly record listing:
    (1) The assets maintained pursuant to paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(A), 
their value, and the amount of their applicable haircuts;
    (2) The aggregate amount of the liabilities coming due in the next 
365 days; and
    (C) Maintains at least $100 million of equity capital composed of 
``highly liquid assets'' as defined in the Basel capital standard; and
    (D) Includes its most recent statement of financial condition filed 
with its local supervisor whether audited or unaudited with its initial 
written notice to the Commission of its intent to rely on substituted 
compliance under condition (a)(16) above.
    (2) Margin. The requirements of Exchange Act section 15F(e) and 
Exchange Act rule 18a-3, provided that the Covered Entity is subject to 
and complies with the requirements of: UK EMIR article 11; UK EMIR 
Margin RTS; UK CRR articles 103, 105(3); 105(10); 111(2), 224, 285, 
286, 286(7), 290, 295, 296(2)(b), 297(1), 297(3), and 298(1); UK MiFID 
Org Reg article 23(1); FCA SYSC 4.1.1R; FCA IFPRU 2.2.18R; PRA General 
Organisational Requirements Rule 2.1; and PRA Internal Capital Adequacy 
Assessment Rule 4.2.

(d) Substituted Compliance in Connection With Internal Supervision and 
Compliance Requirements and Certain Exchange Act Section 15F(j) 
Requirements

    This Order extends to the following provisions related to internal 
supervision and compliance and Exchange Act section 15F(j) 
requirements:
    (1) Internal supervision. The requirements of Exchange Act rule 
15Fh-3(h) and Exchange Act sections 15F(j)(4)(A) and (j)(5), provided 
that:
    (i) The Covered Entity is subject to and complies with the 
requirements identified in paragraph (d)(3) to this Order;
    (ii) The Covered Entity complies with paragraph (d)(4) to this 
Order; and
    (iii) This paragraph (d) does not extend to the requirements of 
paragraph (h)(2)(iii)(I) to rule 15Fh-3 to the extent those 
requirements pertain to compliance with Exchange Act sections 
15F(j)(2), (j)(3), (j)(4)(B) and (j)(6), or to the general and 
supporting provisions of paragraph (h) to rule 15Fh-3 in connection 
with those Exchange Act sections.
    (2) Chief compliance officers. The requirements of Exchange Act 
section 15F(k) and Exchange Act rule 15Fk-1, provided that:
    (i) The Covered Entity is subject to and complies with the 
requirements

[[Page 18414]]

identified in paragraph (d)(3) to this Order;
    (ii) All reports required pursuant to UK MiFID Org Reg article 
22(2)(c) must also:
    (A) Be provided to the Commission at least annually and in the 
English language;
    (B) Include a certification that, under penalty of law, the report 
is accurate and complete; and
    (C) Address the firm's compliance with other applicable conditions 
to this Order in connection with requirements for which the Covered 
Entity is relying on this Order.
    (3) Applicable supervisory and compliance requirements. Paragraphs 
(d)(1) and (d)(2) are conditioned on the Covered Entity being subject 
to and complying with the following requirements:
    (i) FCA CASS 6.2.1R, 7.11.1R and 7.12.1R;
    (ii) FCA COBS 11.7A.3R;
    (iii) Either {FCA IFPRU 2.2.7R(2), 2.2.17R through 2.2.28R, 2.2.30R 
and 2.2.32R through 2.2.35R; and FCA BIPRU 12.3.4R, 12.3.5R, 12.3.7R, 
12.3.8R, 12.3.22AR, 12.3.22BR, 12.3.27R, 12.4.-2R, 12.4.-1R, 12.4.5AR, 
12.4.10R and 12.4.11R{time}  or {PRA Internal Capital Adequacy 
Assessment Rules 4.1 through 4.4, 5.1, 6.1, 7.1, 7.2, 8.1 through 8.5, 
9.1, 10.1, 10.2 and 11.1 through 11.3; and PRA Internal Liquidity 
Adequacy Assessment Rules 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1, 7.2, 8.1, 9.2, 11.1, 
11.2, 11.4, 12.1, 12.3 and 12.4{time} ;
    (iv) FCA PRIN 2.1.1R(3);
    (v) FCA SYSC 4.1.1R(1), 4.1.2R, 4.3A.1R, 4.3A.3R, 4.3A.4R, 7.1.4R, 
7.1.17R, 7.1.18R, 7.1.18BR, 7.1.19R, 7.1.20R, 7.1.21R, 7.1.22R, 
9.1.1AR, 10.1.3R, 10.1.7R, 10.1.8R, 10A.1.6R, 10A.1.8R, 10A.1.11R and 
24.2.6R(8) and, if the Covered Entity is a UK bank or UK designated 
investment firm, also PRA Allocation of Responsibilities Rule 4.1(16); 
PRA General Organisational Requirements Rules 2.1, 2.2 and 5.1 through 
5.3; PRA Record Keeping Rule 2.1; PRA Risk Control Rules 2.3, 2.7 and 
3.1 through 3.5; and PRA Senior Management Functions Rule 8.2;
    (vi) Either {FCA SYSC 19A.2.1R, 19A.3.1R(1), 19A.3.3R, 19A.3.7R 
through 19A.3.11R, 19A.3.14R, 19A.3.16R and 19A.3.35AR{time}  or {FCA 
SYSC 19D.2.1R, 19D.3.1R, 19D.3.3R, 19D.3.7R through 19D.3.11R, 
19D.3.15R, 19D.3.17R and 19D.3.37R and PRA Remuneration Rules 3.1, 4.2, 
5.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 7.2, 7.3, 8.1, 8.2 and 15.2{time} ;
    (vii) Either {FSMA schedule 6 part 2D and FCA COND 2.4.1A{time}  or 
{FSMA schedule 6 parts 3C and 5D, FCA COND 2.4.1C and PRA Fundamental 
Rules 3 through 6{time} ;
    (viii) UK CRR articles 286 through 288 and 293;
    (ix) UK EMIR Margin RTS article 2; and
    (x) UK MiFID Org Reg articles 21 through 37 and 72 through 76 and 
Annex IV.
    (4) Additional condition to paragraph (d)(1). Paragraph (d)(1) 
further is conditioned on the requirement that the Covered Entity 
complies with the provisions specified in paragraph (d)(3) as if those 
provisions also require compliance with:
    (i) Applicable requirements under the Exchange Act; and
    (ii) The other applicable conditions to this Order in connection 
with requirements for which the Covered Entity is relying on this 
Order.

(e) Substituted Compliance in Connection With Counterparty Protection 
Requirements

    This Order extends to the following provisions related to 
counterparty protection:
    (1) Disclosure of information regarding material risks and 
characteristics. The requirements of Exchange Act rule 15Fh-3(b) 
relating to disclosure of material risks and characteristics of one or 
more security-based swaps subject thereto, provided that the Covered 
Entity, in relation to that security-based swap, is subject to and 
complies with the requirements of:
    (i) FCA COBS 2.2A.2R, 6.1ZA.11R, 6.1ZA.12R, 6.2B.33R, 9A.3.6R and 
14.3A.3R; and
    (ii) Either {UK MiFID Org Reg articles 48 through 50{time}  or {FCA 
COBS 6.1ZA.9UK, 6.1ZA.14UK, and 14.3A.5UK{time} .
    (2) Disclosure of information regarding material incentives or 
conflicts of interest. The requirements of Exchange Act rule 15Fh-3(b) 
relating to disclosure of material incentives or conflicts of interest 
that a Covered Entity may have in connection with one or more security-
based swaps subject thereto, provided that the Covered Entity, in 
relation to that security-based swap, is subject to and complies with 
the requirements of either:
    (i) FCA SYSC 10.1.8R and UK MiFID Org Reg articles 33 to 35;
    (ii) FCA COBS 2.3A.5R, 2.3A.6R, 2.3A.7E and 2.3A.10R through 
2.3A.14R; or
    (iii) UK MAR article 20(1) and UK MAR Investment Recommendations 
Regulation articles 5 and 6.
    (3) ``Know your counterparty.'' The requirements of Exchange Act 
rule 15Fh-3(e), as applied to one or more security-based swap 
counterparties subject thereto, provided that the Covered Entity, in 
relation to the relevant security-based swap counterparty, is subject 
to and complies with the requirements of:
    (i) FCA SYSC 6.1.1R;
    (ii) UK MiFID Org Reg articles 21, 22, 25, 26 and applicable parts 
of Annex I;
    (iii) FCA SYSC 4.1.1R(1);
    (iv) Either {FCA IFPRU 2.2.7R(2) and 2.2.32R{time}  or {PRA General 
Organisational Requirement 2.1 and PRA Internal Capital Adequacy 
Assessment Rule 10.1{time} ;
    (v) MLR 2017 Regulations 27 and 28; and
    (v) MLR 2017 Regulations 19(1) through (3), as applied to policies, 
controls and procedures regarding customer due diligence.
    (4) Suitability. The requirements of Exchange Act rule 15Fh-3(f), 
as applied to one or more recommendations of a security-based swap or 
trading strategy involving a security-based swap subject thereto, 
provided that:
    (i) The Covered Entity, in relation to the relevant recommendation, 
is subject to and complies with the requirements of:
    (A) FCA COBS 4.2.1R, 9A.2.1R and 9A.1.16R;
    (B) FCA PROD 3.2.1R and 3.3.1R;
    (C) FCA SYSC 5.1.5AAR and 5.1.5ABR; and
    (D) UK MiFID Org Reg articles 21(1)(b) and (d), 54 and 55; and
    (ii) The counterparty to which the Covered Entity makes the 
recommendation is a ``professional client'' mentioned in FCA COBS 
3.5.2R and is not a ``special entity'' as defined in Exchange Act 
section 15F(h)(2)(C) and Exchange Act rule 15Fh-2(d).
    (5) Fair and balanced communications. The requirements of Exchange 
Act rule 15Fh-3(g), as applied to one or more communications subject 
thereto, provided that the Covered Entity, in relation to the relevant 
communication, is subject to and complies with the requirements of:
    (i) Either {FCA COBS 2.1.1R and FCA COBS 4.2.1R{time}  or {FCA COBS 
2.1.1AR and FCA COBS 4.2.1R{time} ;
    (ii) FCA COBS 2.2A.2R, 2.2A.3R, 6.1ZA.11R, 6.1ZA.12R, 6.1ZA.13R, 
6.2B.33R, 6.2B.34R, 9A.3.6R and 14.3A.3R;
    (iii) Either {UK MiFID Org Reg articles 46 through 48{time}  or 
{FCA COBS 4.5A.9UK, 4.7.-1AUK, 6.1ZA.5UK, 6.1ZA.8UK, 6.1ZA.17UK, 
6.1ZA.19UK, 6.1ZA.20UK, 8A.1.5UK to 8A.1.7UK, 14.3A.5UK, 14.3A.7UK and 
14.3A.9UK{time} ;
    (iv) UK MAR Investment Recommendations Regulation articles 3 and 4; 
and
    (v) UK MAR articles 12(1)(c), 15 and 20(1).

[[Page 18415]]

    (6) Daily mark disclosure. The requirements of Exchange Act rule 
15Fh-3(c), as applied to one or more security-based swaps subject 
thereto, provided that the Covered Entity is required to reconcile, and 
does reconcile, the portfolio containing the relevant security-based 
swap on each business day pursuant to UK EMIR articles 11(1)(b) and 
11(2) and UK EMIR RTS article 13.

(f) Substituted Compliance in Connection With Recordkeeping, Reporting, 
Notification, and Securities Count Requirements

    This Order extends to the following provisions that apply to a 
Covered Entity related to recordkeeping, reporting, notification and 
securities counts:
    (1)(i) Make and keep current certain records. The requirements of 
the following provisions of Exchange Act rule 18a-5, provided that the 
Covered Entity complies with the relevant conditions in this paragraph 
(f)(1)(i) and with the applicable conditions in paragraph (f)(1)(ii):
    (A) The requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-5(a)(1) or (b)(1), as 
applicable, provided that:
    (1) The Covered Entity is subject to and complies with the 
requirements of UK MiFID Org Reg articles 74, 75, 76 and Annex IV; UK 
MiFIR article 25(1); and FCA SYSC 10A.1.6R, 10A.1.8R; and
    (2) With respect to the requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-
5(a)(1), the Covered Entity applies substituted compliance for the 
requirements of Exchange Act section 15F(e) and Exchange Act rules 18a-
1 through 18a-1d pursuant to this Order.
    (B) The requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-5(a)(2), provided 
that:
    (1) The Covered Entity is subject to and complies with the 
requirements of FCA IFPRU 2.2.7R(1); PRA Internal Capital Adequacy 
Assessment Rule 3.1; FCA CASS 6.2.1R, 6.2.2R, 6.3.2AR, 6.3.4A-1R, 
6.3.6AR, 6.6.2R, 6.6.3R, 6.6.4R, 6.6.5G, 6.6.33G, 6.6.34R, 6.6.8R, 
7.12.1R, 7.12.2R, 7.13.12R, 7.13.25R, 7.13.32R(3), 7.13.33R(3), 
7.15.2R, 7.15.3R, 7.15.4G, 7.15.5R, 7.15.8R, 7.15.9R, 7.15.20R, 
7.15.21G, 10.1.2G, 10.1.3R, 10.1.7 and 10.1.9E; UK MiFID Org Reg 
articles 72(1), 74 and 75; and UK EMIR article 39(4); and
    (2) The Covered Entity applies substituted compliance for the 
requirements of Exchange Act section 15F(e) and Exchange Act rules 18a-
1 through 18a-1d pursuant to this Order;
    (C) The requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-5(a)(3) or (b)(2), as 
applicable, provided that:
    (1) The Covered Entity is subject to and complies with the 
requirements of FCA CASS 6.2.1R, 6.2.2R, 6.3.2AR, 6.3.4A-1R, 6.3.6AR, 
6.6.4R, 6.6.5G, 6.6.2R, 6.6.3R, 6.6.33G, 6.6.34R, 6.6.8R, 7.12.1R, 
7.12.2R, 7.13.12R, 7.13.25R, 7.13.32R(3), 7.13.33R(3), 7.15.2R, 
7.15.3R, 7.15.4G, 7.15.5R, 7.15.8R, 7.15.9R, 7.15.20R, 7.15.21G, 
10.1.2G, 10.1.3R, 10.1.7 and 10.1.9E; UK MiFID Org Reg articles 72(1), 
74 and 75; and UK EMIR article 39(4); and
    (2) With respect to the requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-
5(a)(3), the Covered Entity applies substituted compliance for the 
requirements of Exchange Act section 15F(e) and Exchange Act rules 18a-
1 through 18a-1d pursuant to this Order;
    (D) The requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-5(a)(4) or (b)(3), as 
applicable, provided that:
    (1) The Covered Entity is subject to and complies with the 
requirements of UK CRR articles 103 and 103(b)(ii); FCA COND at 
paragraphs 2C, 2D, 3B, 3C, 5D and 5F; PRA Fundamental Rules 2 and 6; 
FCA PRIN 2.1.1.R(2) and (3); PRA Recordkeeping Rule 2.1; UK MiFID Org 
Reg articles 59, 74, 75 and 76 and Annex IV; UK MiFIR article 25(1); 
FCA SYSC 9.1.1AR, 10A.1.6R and 10A.1.8R; FCA COBS 8A.1.9R, 9A.2.1R, 
9.1.1AR, 16A.2.1 R and 16A.3.1UK; UK EMIR articles 9(2) and 11(1)(a); 
MLR 2017 Regulations 28(10) and (18) and 28 through 30; and FCA FCG 
3.1.7; and
    (2) With respect to the requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-
5(a)(4), the Covered Entity applies substituted compliance for the 
requirements of Exchange Act section 15F(e) and Exchange Act rules 18a-
1 through 18a-1d pursuant to this Order;
    (E) The requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-5(b)(4) provided that 
the Covered Entity is subject to and complies with the requirements of 
FCA COBS 8A.1.9R, 16A.2.1 R, 16A.3.1UK; UK MiFID Org Reg article 59; 
FCA SYSC 9.1.1AR; and UK EMIR articles 9(2) and 11(1)(a);
    (F) The requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-5(a)(5) or (b)(5), as 
applicable, provided that:
    (1) The Covered Entity is subject to and complies with the 
requirements of UK MiFID Org Reg articles 74, 75, 76 and Annex IV; UK 
MiFIR article 25(1); FCA SYSC 10A.1.6R, 10A.1.8R; and UK MiFID Org Reg 
article 76; and
    (2) With respect to the requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-
5(a)(5), the Covered Entity applies substituted compliance for the 
requirements of Exchange Act section 15F(e) and Exchange Act rules 18a-
1 through 18a-1d pursuant to this Order;
    (G) The requirements of Exchange Act rules 18a-5(a)(6) and (a)(15) 
or (b)(6) and (b)(11), as applicable, provided that:
    (1) The Covered Entity is subject to and complies with the 
requirements of FCA COND at paragraphs 2C, 2D, 3B, 3C, 5D and 5F; PRA 
Fundamental Rules 2 and 6; FCA PRIN 2.1.1.R(2) and (3); PRA 
Recordkeeping Rule 2.1; UK MiFID Org Reg articles 59, 74, 75 76 and 
Annex IV; UK MiFIR article 25(1); FCA SYSC 9.1.1AR, 10A.1.6R and 
10A.1.8R; FCA COBS 8A.1.9R, 9.1.1AR, 9A.2.1R, 16A.2.1R and 16A.3.1UK; 
UK EMIR articles 9(2) and 11(1)(a); MLR 2017 Regulations 28(10) and 
(18) and 28-30; and FCA FCG 3.1.7;
    (2) The Covered Entity applies substituted compliance for the 
requirements of Exchange Act rule 15Fi-2 pursuant to this Order; and
    (3) This Order does not extend to the requirements of Exchange Act 
rule 18a-5(a)(6) and (b)(6) to make and keep current books and records 
of confirmations of purchases and sales of securities other than 
security-based swaps;
    (H) The requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-5(a)(7) or (b)(7), as 
applicable, provided that:
    (1) The Covered Entity is subject to and complies with the 
requirements of UK MiFIR article 25(1); MLR 2017 Regulations 28 through 
30; FCA FCG 3.1.7; FCA COBS 8A.1.9R, 9.1.1AR, 9A.2.1R, 16A.2.1 R and 
16A.3.1UK; FCA SYSC 9.1.1AR, 10A.1.6R and 10A.1.8R; FCA COND at 
paragraphs 2C, 2D, 3B, 3C, 5D and 5F; PRA Fundamental Rules 2 and 6; 
FCA PRIN 2.1.1.R(2) and (3); PRA Recordkeeping Rule 2.1; UK MiFID Org 
Reg articles 59, 74, 75 and 76 and Annex IV; and UK EMIR articles 9(2) 
and 11(1)(a); and
    (2) With respect to the requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-
5(a)(7), the Covered Entity applies substituted compliance for the 
requirements of Exchange Act section 15F(e) and Exchange Act rules 18a-
1 through 18a-1d pursuant to this Order;
    (I) The requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-5(a)(8), provided 
that:
    (1) The Covered Entity is subject to and complies with the 
requirements of FCA COND at paragraphs 2C, 2D, 3B, 3C, 5D and 5F; PRA 
Fundamental Rules 2 and 6; FCA PRIN 2.1.1.R(2) and (3); PRA 
Recordkeeping Rule 2.1; UK MiFID Org Reg articles 59, 72(1), 74, 75 76 
and Annex IV; UK MiFIR article 25(1); FCA SYSC 9.1.1AR, 10A.1.6R and 
10A.1.8R; FCA COBS 8A.1.9R, 9.1.1AR, 9A.2.1R, 16A.2.1 R and 16A.3.1UK; 
UK EMIR articles 9(2) and 11(1)(a); MLR 2017 Regulations 28(10) and 
(18) and 28 through 30; and FCA FCG 3.1.7; and

[[Page 18416]]

    (2) The Covered Entity applies substituted compliance for the 
requirements of Exchange Act section 15F(e) and Exchange Act rules 18a-
1 through 18a-1d pursuant to this Order.;
    (J) The requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-5(a)(9), provided 
that:
    (1) The Covered Entity is subject to and complies with the 
requirements of FCA IFPRU 2.2.7R(1); PRA Internal Capital Adequacy 
Assessment Rule 3.1; FCA CASS 6.2.1R, 6.2.2R, 6.3.2AR, 6.3.4A-1R, 
6.3.6AR, 6.6.2R, 6.6.3R, 6.6.4R, 6.6.5G, 6.6.33G, 6.6.34R, 6.6.8R, 
7.12.1R, 7.12.2R, 7.13.12R, 7.13.25R, 7.13.32R(3), 7.13.33R(3), 
7.15.2R, 7.15.3R, 7.15.4G, 7.15.5R, 7.15.8R, 7.15.9R, 7.15.20R, 
7.15.21G, 10.1.2G, 10.1.3R, 10.1.7 and 10.1.9E; UK EMIR article 39(4); 
and UK MiFID Org Reg articles 72(1), 74, and 75;
    (2) The Covered Entity applies substituted compliance for the 
requirements of Exchange Act section 15F(e) and Exchange Act rules 18a-
1 through 18a-1d pursuant to this Order; and
    (3) This Order does not extend to the requirements of Exchange Act 
rule 18a-5(a)(9) relating to Exchange Act rule 18a-2;
    (K) The requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-5(a)(10) and (b)(8), 
provided that the Covered Entity is subject to and complies with the 
requirements of FSMA sections 63F(2), 63F(5), 63(2A), 60A(2) and (5); 
PRA Fitness and Propriety Rules 2.6 and 2.9; SMR Applications and 
Notifications Rules 2.1, 2.2 and 2.6; PRA Certification Rules; PRA 
Fundamental Rules 2 and 6; PRA Recordkeeping Rule 2.1; PRA Internal 
Capital Adequacy Assessment Rule 3.1; PRA General Organisational 
Requirements Rules 5.1 and 5.2; FCA SUP 3.10.4R through 3.10.7R, 
10C.10.8D, 10C.10.8AD, 10C.15, 10C.10.14G, 10C.10.16R, 10C.10.21G and 
10C Annex 3D; FCA SYSC 4.3A.1R., 4.3A.3R, 4.3A.3R, 10.1.7R, 27 and 
27.2.5G; FCA FIT 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3; UK MiFID Org Reg articles 21(1)(a), 
35;
    (L) The requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-5(a)(12), provided 
that:
    (1) The Covered Entity is subject to and complies with the 
requirements of UK CRR articles 103, 105(3) and 105(10); FCA IFPRU 
2.2.7R(1); PRA Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Rule 3.1; FCA CASS 
6.2.1R, 6.2.2R, 6.3.2AR, 6.3.4A-1R, 6.3.6AR, 6.6.2R, 6.6.3R, 6.6.4R, 
6.6.5G, 6.6.33G, 6.6.34R, 6.6.8R, 7.12.1R, 7.12.2R, 7.13.12R, 7.13.25R, 
7.13.32R(3), 7.13.33R(3), 7.15.2R, 7.15.3R, 7.15.4G, 7.15.5R, 7.15.8R, 
7.15.9R, 7.15.20R, 7.15.21G, 10.1.2G, 10.1.3R, 10.1.7 and 10.1.9E; UK 
EMIR article 39(4); and MiFID Org Reg. articles 72(1), 74 and 75;
    (2) The Covered Entity applies substituted compliance for the 
requirements of Exchange Act section 15F(e) and Exchange Act rule 18a-3 
pursuant to this Order;
    (M) The requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-5(a)(17) and (b)(13), 
as applicable, regarding one or more provisions of Exchange Act rules 
15Fh-3 or 15Fk-1 for which substituted compliance is available under 
this Order, provided that:
    (1) The Covered Entity is subject to and complies with the 
requirements of FCA COND at paragraphs 2C, 2D, 3B, 3C, 5D and 5F; PRA 
Fundamental Rules 2 and 6; FCA PRIN 2.1.1.R(2) and (3); PRA 
Recordkeeping Rule 2.1; FCA SYSC 9.1.1AR and 10A.1.6R; UK MiFID Org Reg 
articles 72, 73, 76(8)(b) and Annex I; and UK EMIR article 39(5), in 
each case with respect to the relevant security-based swap or activity;
    (2) With respect to the portion of Exchange Act rule 18a-5(a)(17) 
and (b)(13) that relates to Exchange Act rule 15Fh-3, the Covered 
Entity applies substituted compliance for such business conduct 
standard(s) of Exchange Act rule 15Fh-3 pursuant to this Order, as 
applicable, with respect to the relevant security-based swap or 
activity; and
    (3) With respect to the portion of Exchange Act rule 18a-5(a)(17) 
and (b)(13) that relates to Exchange Act rule 15Fk-1, the Covered 
Entity applies substituted compliance for Exchange Act section 15F(k) 
and Exchange Act rule 15Fk-1 pursuant to this Order;
    (N) The requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-5(a)(18)(i) and (ii) 
or (b)(14)(i) and (ii), as applicable, provided that:
    (1) The Covered Entity is subject to and complies with the 
requirements of UK EMIR article 11(1)(b); and UK EMIR RTS article 
15(1); and
    (2) The Covered Entity applies substituted compliance for Exchange 
Act rule 15Fi-3 pursuant to this Order; and
    (O) The requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-5(a)(18)(iii) or 
(b)(14)(iii), as applicable, provided that:
    (1) The Covered Entity is subject to and complies with the 
requirements of UK EMIR article 11(1)(b); and UK EMIR RTS article 
15(1), in each case with respect to such security-based swap 
portfolio(s); and
    (2) The Covered Entity applies substituted compliance for Exchange 
Act rule 15Fi-4 pursuant to this Order.
    (ii) Paragraph (f)(1)(i) is subject to the following further 
conditions:
    (A) Paragraphs (f)(1)(i)(A) through (D) and (H) are subject to the 
condition that the Covered Entity preserves all of the data elements 
necessary to create the records required by the applicable Exchange Act 
rules cited in such paragraphs and upon request furnishes promptly to 
representatives of the Commission the records required by those rules;
    (B) A Covered Entity may apply the substituted compliance 
determination in paragraph (f)(1)(i)(M) to records of compliance with 
Exchange Act rule 15Fh-3(b), (c), (e), (f) and (g) in respect of one or 
more security-based swaps or activities related to security-based 
swaps; and
    (C) This Order does not extend to the requirements of Exchange Act 
rule 18a-5(a)(13), (a)(14), (a)(16), (b)(9), (b)(10) or (b)(12).
    (2)(i) Preserve certain records. The requirements of the following 
provisions of Exchange Act rule 18a-6, provided that the Covered Entity 
complies with the relevant conditions in this paragraph (f)(2)(i) and 
with the applicable conditions in paragraph (f)(2)(ii):
    (A) The requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-6(a)(1) or (a)(2), as 
applicable, provided that the Covered Entity is subject to and complies 
with the requirements of UK MiFID Org Reg articles 59, 72(1), 74, 75, 
76 and Annex IV; FCA SYSC 9.1.1AR, 9.1.2R, 10A.1.6R and 10A.1.8R; FCA 
IFPRU 2.2.7R(1); PRA Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Rule 3.1; PRA 
Fundamental Rules 2 and 6; PRA Recordkeeping Rules 2.1 and 2.2; FCA 
COBS 8A.1.9R, 9.1.1AR, 9A.2.1R, 16A.2.1 R and 16A.3.1UK; FCA PRIN 
2.1.1.R(2) and (3); FCA FCG 3.1.7; FCA CASS 6.2.1R, 6.2.2R, 6.3.2AR, 
6.3.4A-1R, 6.3.6AR, 6.6.2R, 6.6.3R, 6.6.4R, 6.6.5G, 6.6.33G, 6.6.34R, 
6.6.8R, 7.12.1R, 7.12.2R, 7.13.12R, 7.13.25R, 7.13.32R(3), 7.13.33R(3), 
7.15.2R, 7.15.3R, 7.15.4G, 7.15.5R, 7.15.8R, 7.15.9R, 7.15.20R, 
7.15.21G, 10.1.2G, 10.1.3R, 10.1.7 and 10.1.9E; UK CRR articles 103 and 
103(b)(ii); FCA COND at paragraphs 2C, 2D, 3B, 3C, 5D and 5F; MLR 2017 
Regulations 28 through 30; UK MiFID Org Reg article 72(1), 74 and 75; 
UK MiFIR article 25(1); and UK EMIR article 9(2), 39(4) and 11(1)(a);
    (B) The requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-6(b)(1)(i) or 
(b)(2)(i), as applicable, provided that the Covered Entity is subject 
to and complies with the requirements of UK MiFID Org Reg articles 59, 
72(1), 74, 75, 76 and Annex IV; FCA SYSC 9.1.1AR, 9.1.2R, 10A.1.6R and 
10A.1.8R; FCA IFPRU 2.2.7R(1); PRA Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment 
Rule 3.1; PRA Fundamental Rules 2 and 6; PRA Recordkeeping Rules 2.1 
and 2.2; FCA COBS 8A.1.9R, 9.1.1AR, 9A.2.1R, 16A.2.1 R and 16A.3.1UK; 
FCA PRIN

[[Page 18417]]

2.1.1.R(2) and (3); FCA FCG 3.1.7; FCA CASS 6.2.1R, 6.2.2R, 6.3.2AR, 
6.3.4A-1R, 6.3.6AR, 6.6.2R, 6.6.3R, 6.6.4R, 6.6.5G, 6.6.33G, 6.6.34R, 
6.6.8R, 7.12.1R, 7.12.2R, 7.13.12R, 7.13.25R, 7.13.32R(3), 7.13.33R(3), 
7.15.2R, 7.15.3R, 7.15.4G, 7.15.5R, 7.15.8R, 7.15.9R, 7.15.20R, 
7.15.21G, 10.1.2G, 10.1.3R, 10.1.7 and 10.1.9E; UK CRR articles 103 and 
103(b)(ii); FCA COND at paragraphs 2C, 2D, 3B, 3C, 5D and 5F; MLR 2017 
Regulations 28(10) and (18) and 28 through 30; UK MiFID Org Reg 
articles 72(1), 74 and 75; UK MiFIR article 25(1); and UK EMIR articles 
9(2), 39(4) and 11(1)(a);
    (C) The requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-6(b)(1)(ii) and 
(iii), provided that:
    (1) The Covered Entity is subject to and complies with the 
requirements of FCA IFPRU 2.2.7R(1); PRA Internal Capital Adequacy 
Assessment Rule 3.1; FCA CASS 6.2.1R, 6.2.2R, 6.3.2AR, 6.3.4A-1R, 
6.3.6AR, 6.6.2R, 6.6.3R, 6.6.4R, 6.6.5G, 6.6.33G, 6.6.34R, 6.6.8R, 
7.12.1R, 7.12.2R, 7.13.12R, 7.13.25R, 7.13.32R(3), 7.13.33R(3), 
7.15.2R, 7.15.3R, 7.15.4G, 7.15.5R, 7.15.8R, 7.15.9R, 7.15.20R, 
7.15.21G, 10.1.2G, 10.1.3R, 10.1.7 and 10.1.9E; UK MiFID Org Reg 
articles 72(1), 74 and 75; PRA Recordkeeping Rules 2.1 and 2.2; FCA 
SYSC 9.1.1AR and 9.1.2R; UK EMIR articles 9(2), 25(1) and 39(4); FCA 
COND at paragraphs 2C, 2D, 3B, 3C, 5D and 5F; and PRA Fundamental Rules 
2 and 6; and
    (2) The Covered Entity applies substituted compliance for the 
requirements of Exchange Act section 15F(e) and Exchange Act rules 18a-
1 through 18a-1d pursuant to this Order;
    (D) The requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-6(b)(1)(iv) or 
(b)(2)(ii), as applicable, provided that the Covered Entity is subject 
to and complies with the requirements of FCA SYSC 9.1.1AR, 10A.1.6R and 
10A.1.8R; FCA COND at paragraphs 2C, 2D, 3B, 3C, 5D and 5F; MLR 2017 
Regulations 28(18), 28(10) and 28 through 30; PRA Internal Capital 
Adequacy Assessment Rule 3.1; PRA Fundamental Rules 2 and 6; PRA 
Recordkeeping Rules 2.1 and 2.2; FCA CASS 6.2.1R, 6.2.2R, 6.3.2AR, 
6.3.4A-1R, 6.3.6AR, 6.6.2R, 6.6.3R, 6.6.4R, 6.6.5G, 6.6.33G, 6.6.34R, 
6.6.8R, 7.12.1R, 7.12.2R, 7.13.12R, 7.13.25R, 7.13.32R(3), 7.13.33R(3), 
7.15.2R, 7.15.3R, 7.15.4G, 7.15.5R, 7.15.8R, 7.15.9R, 7.15.20R, 
7.15.21G, 10.1.2G, 10.1.3R, 10.1.7 and 10.1.9E; UK CRR articles 103 and 
103(b)(ii); FCA PRIN 2.1.1.R(2) and (3); FCA FCG 3.1.7; FCA IFPRU 
2.2.7R(1); FCA COBS 8A.1.9R, 9.1.1AR, 9A.2.1R, 16A.2.1 R and 16A.3.1UK; 
FCA SYSC 9.1.1AR, 9.1.2R, 10A.1.6R and 10A.1.8R; UK MiFID Org Reg 
articles 59, 72, 72(1), 73, 74, 75, 76, 76(8)(b), Annex I and Annex IV; 
UK MiFIR article 25(1); and UK EMIR articles 9(2), 11(1)(a), 39(4) and 
39(5);
    (E) The requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-6(b)(1)(v), provided 
that:
    (1) The Covered Entity is subject to and complies with the 
requirements of UK CRR articles 99, 104(1)(j), 294, 394, 415, 430 and 
Part Six: Title II & Title III; UK CRR Reporting ITS annexes I, II, 
III, IV, V, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII, XIII and article 14; PRA 
Recordkeeping Rules 2.1 and 2.2; FCA SYSC 9.1.1AR and 9.1.2R; UK MiFID 
Org Reg article 72(1); UK MiFIR article 25(1); and UK EMIR article 
9(2);
    (2) With respect to the requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-
6(b)(1)(v), the Covered Entity applies substituted compliance for the 
requirements of Exchange Act section 15F(e) and Exchange Act rules 18a-
1 through 18a-1d pursuant this Order; and
    (3) This Order does not extend to the requirements of Exchange Act 
rule 18a-6(b)(1)(v) relating to Exchange Act rule 18a-2;
    (F) The requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-6(b)(1)(vi) or 
(b)(2)(iii), as applicable, provided that:
    (1) The Covered Entity is subject to and complies with the 
requirements of FCA COBS 8A.1.9R; PRA Recordkeeping Rules 2.1 and 2.2; 
FCA SYSC 9.1.1AR and 9.1.2R; UK MiFID Org Reg articles 72(1) and 73; 
FCA COND at paragraphs 2C, 2D, 3B, 3C, 5D and 5F; PRA Fundamental Rules 
2 and 6; and FCA PRIN 2.1.1.R(2) and (3); UK MiFIR article 25(1); and 
UK EMIR article 9(2); and
    (2) With respect to the requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-
6(b)(1)(vi), the Covered Entity applies substituted compliance for the 
requirements of Exchange Act section 15F(e) and Exchange Act rules 18a-
1 through 18a-1d pursuant to this Order;
    (G) The requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-6(b)(1)(vii) or 
(b)(2)(iv), as applicable, provided that:
    (1) The Covered Entity is subject to and complies with the 
requirements of FCA COBS 8A.1.9R, 16A.2.1 R, and 16A.3.1; PRA 
Recordkeeping Rules 2.1 and 2.2; FCA SYSC 9.1.1AR and 9.1.2R; UK MiFID 
Org Reg articles 59, 72(1) and 73; UK MiFIR article 25(1); UK EMIR 
articles 9(2) and 11(1)(a); FCA COND at paragraphs 2C, 2D, 3B, 3C, 5D 
and 5F; PRA Fundamental Rules 2 and 6; and FCA PRIN 2.1.1.R(2) and (3); 
and
    (2) With respect to the requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-
6(b)(1)(vii), the Covered Entity applies substituted compliance for the 
requirements of Exchange Act section 15F(e) and Exchange Act rules 18a-
1 through 18a-1d pursuant to this Order;
    (H) The requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-6(b)(1)(viii) or 
(b)(2)(v), as applicable, provided that:
    (1) The Covered Entity is subject to and complies with the 
requirements of UK CRR articles 99, 104(1)(j), 294, 394, 415, 430 and 
Part Six: Title II & Title III; UK CRR Reporting ITS article 14 and 
annexes I, II, III, IV, V, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII, XIII; PRA 
Recordkeeping Rules 2.1 and 2.2; FCA SYSC 9.1.1AR and 9.1.2R; UK MiFID 
Org Reg article 72(1); UK MiFIR article 25(1); and UK EMIR article 
9(2);
    (2) The Covered Entity applies substituted compliance for the 
requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-7 pursuant to this Order;
    (3) With respect to the requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-
6(b)(1)(viii), the Covered Entity applies substituted compliance for 
the requirements of Exchange Act section 15F(e) and Exchange Act rules 
18a-1 through 18a-1d pursuant to this Order;
    (4) This Order does not extend to the requirements of Exchange Act 
rule 18a-6(b)(1)(viii)(L); and
    (5) This Order does not extend to the requirements of Exchange Act 
rule 18a-6(b)(1)(viii)(M) relating to Exchange Act rule 18a-2.
    (I) The requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-6(b)(1)(ix), provided 
that:
    (1) The Covered Entity is subject to and complies with the 
requirements of FCA SYSC 4.1.1(1)R, 4.1.1R(1), 6.1.1R, 7.1.4R, 9.1.1AR, 
9.1.2R and 10.1.7R; FCA COBS 2.3A.32R; UK MiFID Org Reg articles 
22(3)(c), 23, 23(1)(b), 24, 25(2), 26, 29(2)(c), 35 and 72(1); PRA Risk 
Control Rule 2.3; PRA Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Rules 3 
through 11; FCA IFPRU 2.2.7R, 2.2.17R through 2.2.35R and 2.2.44R; UK 
CRR articles 286 and 293(1)(d); UK EMIR RTS; PRA Recordkeeping Rule 2.1 
and 2.2; UK MiFIR article 25(1); UK EMIR articles 9(2) and 11; UK EMIR 
RTS; FCA COND at paragraphs 2C, 2D, 3B, 3C, 5D and 5F; PRA Fundamental 
Rules 2 and 6; and FCA PRIN 2.1.1.R(2) and (3); and
    (2) The Covered Entity applies substituted compliance for the 
requirements of Exchange Act section 15F(e) and Exchange Act rules 18a-
1 through 18a-1d pursuant to this Order;
    (J) The requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-6(b)(1)(x), provided 
that:
    (1) The Covered Entity is subject to and complies with the 
requirements of FCA IFPRU 2.2.7R; PRA Internal Capital Adequacy 
Assessment Rule 3.1; PRA Recordkeeping Rules 2.1 and 2.2; FCA SYSC 
9.1.1AR and 9.1.2R; UK MiFID Org Reg article 72(1); UK MiFIR article 
25(1); UK EMIR article 9(2); FCA COND at paragraphs 2C, 2D, 3B, 3C, 5D 
and 5F; PRA Fundamental Rules 2 and 6; FCA

[[Page 18418]]

PRIN 2.1.1.R(2) and (3); PRA Recordkeeping Rule 2.1; and FCA SYSC 
9.1.1AR; and
    (2) The Covered Entity applies substituted compliance for the 
requirements of Exchange Act section 15F(e) and Exchange Act rules 18a-
1 through 18a-1d pursuant to this Order;
    (K) The requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-6(b)(1)(xii) or 
(b)(2)(vii), as applicable, regarding one or more provisions of 
Exchange Act rules 15Fh-3 or 15Fk-1 for which substituted compliance is 
available under this Order, provided that:
    (1) The Covered Entity is subject to and complies with the 
requirements of MLD4 articles 11 and 14; MLR 2017 Regulations 27 
through 30; PRA Recordkeeping Rule 2.1 and 2.2; FCA SYSC 9.1.1AR and 
9.1.2R; UK MiFID Org Reg article 72(1); UK MiFIR article 25(1); and UK 
EMIR article 9(2), in each case with respect to the relevant security-
based swap or activity;
    (2) With respect to the portion of Exchange Act rule 18a-
6(b)(1)(xii) or (b)(2)(vii) that relates to Exchange Act rule 15Fh-3, 
the Covered Entity applies substituted compliance for such business 
conduct standard(s) of Exchange Act rule 15Fh-3 pursuant to this Order, 
as applicable, with respect to the relevant security-based swap or 
activity; and
    (3) With respect to the portion of Exchange Act rule 18a-
6(b)(1)(xii) or (b)(2)(vii), as applicable, that relates to Exchange 
Act rule 15Fk-1, the Covered Entity applies substituted compliance for 
Exchange Act section 15F(k) and Exchange Act rule 15Fk-1 pursuant to 
this Order;
    (L) The requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-6(c), provided that 
the Covered Entity is subject to and complies with the requirements of 
PRA Recordkeeping Rules 2.1 and 2.2; FCA SYSC 9.1.1AR and 9.1.2R; UK 
MiFID Org Reg article 72(1); UK MiFIR article 25(1); and UK EMIR 
article 9(2);
    (M) The requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-6(d)(1), provided 
that the Covered Entity is subject to and complies with the 
requirements of PRA General Organisational Requirements Rule 5.2; FSMA 
sections 60A(2), 63(2A), 63F(2) and (5); PRA Fitness and Propriety 
Rules 2.6 and 2.9; FCA SUP 10C.10.8D, 10C.10.8AD 10C.15, 10C Annex 3D, 
10C.10.14G, 10C.10.16R, and 10C.10.21G; SMR Applications and 
Notifications Rules 2.1, 2.2 and 2.6; PRA Certification Rule 2.1; FCA 
SYSC 4.3A.1R, 4.3A.3R, 9.1.1AR, 9.1.2R, 10.1.7R, 27 and 27.2.5G; FCA 
FIT 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3; PRA General Organisational Requirements Rules 5.1 
and 5.2; UK MiFID Org Reg articles 21(1)(a), 35 and 72(1); and PRA 
Recordkeeping Rules 2.1 and 2.2;
    (N) The requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-6(d)(2), provided 
that:
    (1) The Covered Entity is subject to and complies with the 
requirements of PRA Recordkeeping Rules 2.1 and 2.2; FCA SYSC 9.1.1AR 
and 9.1.2R; UK MiFID Org Reg articles 72(1) and 72(3); UK MiFIR article 
25(1); and UK EMIR article 9(2); and
    (2) With respect to the requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-
6(d)(2)(i), the Covered Entity applies substituted compliance for the 
requirements of Exchange Act section 15F(e) and Exchange Act rules 18a-
1 through 18a-1d pursuant to this Order;
    (O) The requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-6(d)(3), provided 
that:
    (1) The Covered Entity is subject to and complies with the 
requirements of FCA COND at paragraphs 2C, 2D, 3B, 3C, 5D and 5F; PRA 
Fundamental Rules 2 and 6; FCA PRIN 2.1.1.R(2) and (3); FCA SYSC 
6.1.1R, 9.1.1AR, 9.1.2R and 10A.1.6R; PRA Recordkeeping Rules 2.1 and 
2.2; UK MiFID Org Reg articles 72, 72(1), 73, 76(8)(b) and Annex I; UK 
MiFIR article 25(1); and UK EMIR article 9(2) and 39(5); and
    (2) With respect to the requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-
6(d)(3)(i), the Covered Entity applies substituted compliance for the 
requirements of Exchange Act section 15F(e) and Exchange Act rules 18a-
1 through 18a-1d pursuant to this Order;
    (P) The requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-6(d)(4) and (d)(5), 
provided that:
    (1) The Covered Entity is subject to and complies with the 
requirements of FCA COBS 8A.1.9R; PRA Recordkeeping Rules 2.1 and 2.2; 
FCA SYSC 4.1.1R(1), 9.1.1AR and 9.1.2R; UK MiFID Org Reg articles 24, 
25(2), 72(1) and 73; UK MiFIR article 25(1); and UK EMIR article 9(2); 
and
    (2) The Covered Entity applies substituted compliance for Exchange 
Act rules 15Fi-3, 15Fi-4, and 15Fi-5 pursuant to this Order;
    (Q) The requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-6(e), provided that 
the Covered Entity is subject to and complies with the requirements of 
FCA COBS 8A.1.9R; PRA Recordkeeping Rules 2.1 and 2.2; FCA SYSC 4.1.1R, 
9.1.1AR and 9.1.2R; UK MiFID Org Reg articles 21(2), 58, 72(1) and 
72(3); UK MiFIR article 25(1); and UK EMIR article 9(2); and
    (R) The requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-6(f), provided that 
the Covered Entity is subject to and complies with the requirements of 
PRA Outsourcing Rule 2.1; EBA Guidelines on Outsourcing section 13.3; 
PRA Recordkeeping Rules 2.1 and 2.2; FCA SYSC 8.1.1R, 9.1.1AR and 
9.1.2R; UK MiFID Org Reg articles 31(1) and 72(1); UK MiFIR article 
25(1); and UK EMIR article 9(2).
    (ii) Paragraph (f)(2)(i) is subject to the following further 
conditions:
    (A) A Covered Entity may apply the substituted compliance 
determination in paragraph (f)(2)(i)(K) to records related to Exchange 
Act rule 15Fh-3(b), (c), (e), (f) and (g) in respect of one or more 
security-based swaps or activities related to security-based swaps; and
    (B) This Order does not extend to the requirements of Exchange Act 
rule (b)(1)(xi), (b)(1)(xiii), (b)(2)(vi), or (b)(2)(viii).
    (3) File Reports. The requirements of the following provisions of 
Exchange Act rule 18a-7, provided that the Covered Entity complies with 
the relevant conditions in this paragraph (f)(3):
    (i) The requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-7(a)(1) or (a)(2), as 
applicable, and the requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-7(j) as 
applied to such requirements, provided that:
    (A) The Covered Entity is subject to and complies with the 
requirements of FSMA sections 137A, 137G and 137T; CRD article 
104(1)(j); PRA Definition of Capital Rule 4.5; UK CRR articles 99, 394, 
430 and Part Six: Title II & Title III; and UK CRR Reporting ITS 
annexes I, II, III, IV, V, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII and XIII;
    (B) The Covered Entity files periodic unaudited financial and 
operational information with the Commission or its designee in the 
manner and format required by Commission rule or order and presents the 
financial information in the filing in accordance with generally 
accepted accounting principles that the Covered Entity uses to prepare 
general purpose publicly available or available to be issued financial 
statements in the UK; and
    (C) With respect to the requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-
7(a)(1), the Covered Entity applies substituted compliance for the 
requirements of Exchange Act section 15F(e) and Exchange Act rules 18a-
1 through 18a-1d pursuant to this Order;
    (ii) The requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-7(a)(3) and the 
requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-7(j) as applied to such 
requirements, provided that:
    (A) The Covered Entity is subject to and complies with the 
requirements of UK CRR articles 99, 394, 431 to 455, 432, 433, 434, 437 
to 440, 442, 443, 445 to 449, 451 to 455, 452 and 455; UK CRR Reporting 
ITS annexes I, II, VIII and IX; FSMA sections 137A, 137G and 137T; PRA 
Definition of Capital Rule 4.5; and Companies Act sections 394, 415, 
442 and 475; and

[[Page 18419]]

    (B) The Covered Entity applies substituted compliance for the 
requirements of Exchange Act section 15F(e) and Exchange Act rules 18a-
1 through 18a-1d pursuant to this Order;
    (iii) The requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-7(b), provided that 
the Covered Entity is subject to and complies with the requirements of 
UK CRR articles 434, 437 through 440, 442, 443, 445 through 449, 451 
through 455; and Companies Act sections 394, 415, 442 and 475;
    (iv) The requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-7(c), (d), (e), (f), 
(g) and (h) and the requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-7(j) as 
applied to such requirements, provided that:
    (A) The Covered Entity is subject to and complies with the 
requirements of FCA CASS 6.2.2R, 6.6.2R, 6.6.3R, 6.6.33G, 6.6.34R, 
7.12.2R, 7.15.2R, 7.15.3R, 7.15.20R and 7.15.21R; FCA SUP 3.8.5R, 
3.10.4R through 3.10.7R; UK CRR articles 26(2), 132(5), 154, 191, 321, 
325bi, 350, 353, 368, 418, 431 to 455, 434, 437 to 440, 442, 443, 445 
to 449 and 451 to 455; Companies Act sections 394, 415, 442 and 475; 
and Capital Requirements Regulations 2013 Regulation 2(4);
    (B) With respect to financial statements the Covered Entity is 
required to file annually with the UK PRA or FCA, including a report of 
an independent public accountant covering the financial statements, the 
Covered Entity:
    (1) Simultaneously sends a copy of such annual financial statements 
and the report of the independent public accountant covering the annual 
financial statements to the Commission in the manner specified on the 
Commission's website;
    (2) Includes with the transmission the contact information of an 
individual who can provide further information about the financial 
statements and report;
    (3) Includes with the transmission the report of an independent 
public accountant required by Exchange Act rule 18a-7(c)(1)(i)(C) 
covering the annual financial statements if UK laws do not require the 
Covered Entity to engage an independent public accountant to prepare a 
report covering the annual financial statements; provided, however, 
that such report of the independent public accountant may be prepared 
in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards in UK that the 
independent public accountant uses to perform audit and attestation 
services and the accountant complies with UK independence requirements;
    (4) Includes with the transmission the reports required by Exchange 
Act rule 18a-7(c)(1)(i)(B) and (C) addressing the statements identified 
in Exchange Act rule 18a-7(c)(3) or (c)(4), as applicable, that relate 
to Exchange Act rule 18a-4; provided, however, that the report of the 
independent public accountant required by Exchange Act rule 18a-
7(c)(1)(i)(C) may be prepared in accordance with generally accepted 
auditing standards in the UK that the independent public accountant 
uses to perform audit and attestation services and the accountant 
complies with UK independence requirements; and
    (5) Includes with the transmission the supporting schedules and 
reconciliations, as applicable, required by Exchange Act rules 18a-
7(c)(2)(ii) and (iii), respectively, relating to Exchange Act rule 18a-
2; and
    (6) Includes with the transmission the supporting schedules and 
reconciliations, as applicable, required by Exchange Act rules 18a-
7(c)(2)(ii) and (iii), respectively, relating to Exchange Act rules 
18a-4 and 18a-4a; and
    (C) The Covered Entity applies substituted compliance for the 
requirements of Exchange Act section 15F(e) and Exchange Act rules 18a-
1 through 18a-1d pursuant to this Order;
    (v) The requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-7(i), provided that:
    (A) The Covered Entity is subject to and complies with the 
requirements of FCA SUP 16.3.17R and PRA Regulatory Reporting Rule 18; 
and
    (B) The Covered Entity:
    (1) Simultaneously sends a copy of any notice required to be sent 
by UK law cited in paragraph (f)(3)(v)(A) of the Order to the 
Commission in the manner specified on the Commission's website; and
    (2) Includes with the transmission the contact information of an 
individual who can provide further information about the matter that is 
the subject of the notice.
    (4)(i) Provide Notification. The requirements of the following 
provisions of Exchange Act rule 18a-8, provided that the Covered Entity 
complies with the relevant conditions in this paragraph (f)(4)(i) and 
with the applicable conditions in paragraph (f)(4)(ii):
    (A) The requirements of paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii), (b)(1), 
(b)(2), and (b)(4) of Exchange Act rule 18a-8 and the requirements of 
Exchange Act rule 18a-8(h) as applied to such requirements, provided 
that:
    (1) The Covered Entity is subject to and complies with the 
requirements of FCA PRIN 2.1.1R and 11; PRA Fundamental Rule 7; FCA SUP 
15.3.1R, 15.3.11R, 15.3.12G, 15.3.14G, 15.3.15R, 15.3.17R and 15.3.21R; 
FCA CASS 6.6.57R, 7.15.33R and Schedule 2; PRA Notifications Rules 2.1, 
2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.8 and 2.9; FCA SYSC 18.6.1R and 18.6.4G; FCA IFPRU 
2.4.1R; and PRA General Organisational Requirements 2A.2, 2A.1(2) and 
2A.3 to 2A.6; and
    (2) The Covered Entity applies substituted compliance for the 
requirements of Exchange Act section 15F(e) and Exchange Act rules 18a-
1 through 18a-1d pursuant to this Order;
    (B) The requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-8(c) and the 
requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-8(h) as applied to such 
requirements, provided that the Covered Entity is subject to and 
complies with the requirements of FCA PRIN 2.1.1R and 11; PRA 
Fundamental Rule 7; FCA SUP 15.3.1R, 15.3.11R, 15.3.12G, 15.3.14G, 
15.3.15R, 15.3.17R and 15.3.21R; FCA CASS 6.6.57R, 7.15.33R and 
Schedule 2; PRA Notifications Rules 2.1, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.8 and 2.9; 
FCA SYSC 18.6.1R and 18.6.4G; FCA IFPRU 2.4.1R; and PRA General 
Organisational Requirements 2A.2, 2A.1(2) and 2A.3 to 2A.6;
    (C) The requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-8(d) and the 
requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-8(h) as applied to such 
requirements, provided that:
    (1) The Covered Entity is subject to and complies with the 
requirements of FCA PRIN 2.1.1R and 11; PRA Fundamental Rule 7; FCA SUP 
15.3.1R, 15.3.11R, 15.3.12G, 15.3.14G, 15.3.15R, 15.3.17R and 15.3.21R; 
FCA CASS 6.6.57R, 7.15.33R and Schedule 2; PRA Notifications Rules 2.1, 
2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.8 and 2.9; FCA SYSC 18.6.1R and 18.6.4G; FCA IFPRU 
2.4.1R; and PRA General Organisational Requirements 2A.2, 2A.1(2) and 
2A.3 through 2A.6; and
    (2) This Order does not extend to the requirements of Exchange Act 
rule 18a-8(d) to give notice with respect to books and records required 
by Exchange Act rule 18a-5 for which the Covered Entity does not apply 
substituted compliance pursuant to this Order;
    (D) The requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-8(e) and the 
requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-8(h) as applied to such 
requirements, provided that:
    (1) The Covered Entity is subject to and complies with the 
requirements of FCA PRIN 2.1.1R and 11; PRA Fundamental Rule 7; FCA SUP 
15.3.1R, 15.3.11R, 15.3.12G, 15.3.14G, 15.3.15R, 15.3.17R and 15.3.21R; 
FCA CASS 6.6.57R, 7.15.33R and Schedule 2; PRA Notifications Rules 2.1, 
2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.8 and 2.9; FCA SYSC 18.6.1R and 18.6.4G; FCA IFPRU 
2.4.1R; and PRA General Organisational Requirements 2A.2, 2A.1(2) and 
2A.3 through 2A.6;

[[Page 18420]]

    (2) The Covered Entity applies substituted compliance for the 
requirements of Exchange Act section 15F(e) and Exchange Act rules 18a-
1 through 18a-1d pursuant to this Order;
    (3) This Order does not extend to the requirements of Exchange act 
rule 18a-8(e) relating to Exchange Act rule 18a-2 or to the 
requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-8(h) as applied to such 
requirements; and
    (4) This Order does not extend to the requirements of Exchange act 
rule 18a-8(e) relating to Exchange Act rule 18a-4 or to the 
requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-8(h) as applied to such 
requirements;
    (ii) Paragraph (f)(4)(i) is subject to the following further 
conditions:
    (A) The Covered Entity:
    (1) Simultaneously sends a copy of any notice required to be sent 
by UK law cited in this paragraph of the Order to the Commission in the 
manner specified on the Commission's website; and
    (2) Includes with the transmission the contact information of an 
individual who can provide further information about the matter that is 
the subject of the notice;
    (B) This Order does not extend to the requirements of paragraphs 
(a)(2) and (b)(3), and of Exchange Act rule 18a-8 relating to Exchange 
Act rule 18a-2 or to the requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-8(h) as 
applied to such requirements;
    (C) This Order does not extend to the requirements of paragraph (g) 
of rule 18a-8 or to the requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-8(h) as 
applied to such requirements.
    (5) Securities Counts. The requirements of Exchange Act rule 18a-9, 
provided that:
    (1) The Covered Entity is subject to and complies with the 
requirements of FCA CASS 6.2.1R, 6.2.2R, 6.3.4A-1R, 6.3.6AR, 6.6.2R, 
6.6.3R, 6.6.33G, 6.6.34R, 6.6.4R, 6.6.47G, 6.6.5G, 6.6.8R, 7.12.1R, 
7.12.2R, 7.13.12R, 7.13.32R(3), 7.13.33R(3), 7.15.2R, 7.15.5R, 7.15.9R, 
7.15.3R, 7.15.8R, 7.15.20R, 7.15.21G, 10.1.2G, 10.1.3R, 10.1.7 and 
10.1.9E; FCA SUP 3.10.4R-3.10.7R; UK MiFID Org Reg articles 74 and 75; 
UK EMIR article 11(1)(b); and UK EMIR RTS articles 12 and 13; and
    (2) The Covered Entity applies substituted compliance for the 
requirements of Exchange Act section 15F(e) and Exchange Act rules 18a-
1 through 18a-1d pursuant to this Order.
    (6) Daily Trading Records. The requirements of Exchange Act section 
15F(g), provided that:
    (1) The Covered Entity is subject to and complies with the 
requirements of FCA COND at paragraphs 2C, 2D, 3B, 3C, 5D and 5F; PRA 
Fundamental Rules 2 and 6; FCA PRIN 2.1.1.R(2) and (3); PRA 
Recordkeeping Rule 2.1; and FCA SYSC 9.1.1AR; and
    (2) The Covered Entity applies substituted compliance for the 
requirements of Exchange Act section 15F(e) and Exchange Act rules 18a-
1 through 18a-1d pursuant to this Order.
    (7) Examination and Production of Records. Notwithstanding the 
forgoing provisions of paragraph (f) of this Order, this Order does not 
extend to, and Covered Entities remain subject to, the requirement of 
Exchange Act section 15F(f) to keep books and records open to 
inspection by any representative of the Commission and the requirement 
of Exchange Act rule 18a-6(g) to furnish promptly to a representative 
of the Commission legible, true, complete, and current copies of those 
records of the Covered Entity that are required to be preserved under 
Exchange Act rule 18a-6, or any other records of the Covered Entity 
that are subject to examination or required to be made or maintained 
pursuant to Exchange Act section 15F that are requested by a 
representative of the Commission.
    (8) English Translations. Notwithstanding the forgoing provisions 
of paragraph (f) of this Order, to the extent documents are not 
prepared in the English language, Covered Entities must promptly 
furnish to a representative of the Commission upon request an English 
translation of any record, report, or notification of the Covered 
Entity that is required to be made, preserved, filed, or subject to 
examination pursuant to Exchange Act section 15F of this Order.

(g) Definitions

    (1) ``Covered Entity'' means an entity that:
    (i) Is a security-based swap dealer or major security-based swap 
participant registered with the Commission;
    (ii) Is not a ``U.S. person,'' as that term is defined in rule 
3a71-3(a)(4) under the Exchange Act;
    (iii) Is a ``MiFID investment firm'' or ``third country investment 
firm,'' as such terms are defined in the FCA Handbook Glossary, that 
has permission from the FCA or PRA under Part 4A of FSMA to carry on 
regulated activities relating to investment services and activities in 
the United Kingdom; and
    (iv) Is supervised by the FCA under the fixed supervision model 
and, if the firm is a PRA-authorized person, also supervised by the PRA 
as a Category 1 firm.
    (2) ``Capital Requirements Regulations 2013'' means the UK Capital 
Requirements Regulations 2013, as amended from time to time.
    (3) ``Companies Act'' means the UK Companies Act 2006, as amended 
from time to time.
    (4) ``FCA'' means the UK's Financial Conduct Authority.
    (5) ``FCA BIFPRU'' means the Prudential Sourcebook for Banks, 
Building Societies and Investment Firms of the FCA Handbook, as amended 
from time to time.
    (6) ``FCA CASS'' means the Client Asset Sourcebook of the FCA 
Handbook, as amended from time to time.
    (7) ``FCA COBS'' means the Conduct of Business Sourcebook of the 
FCA Handbook, as amended from time to time.
    (8) ``FCA COND'' means the Threshold Conditions of the FCA 
Handbook, as amended from time to time.
    (9) ``FCA Enforcement Guide'' means the Enforcement Guide of the 
FCA Handbook, as amended from time to time.
    (10) ``FCA FCG'' means the Financial Crime Guide of the FCA 
Handbook, as amended from time to time.
    (11) ``FCA FIT'' means the Fit and Proper test for Employees and 
Senior Personnel Sourcebook of the FCA Handbook, as amended from time 
to time.
    (12) ``FCA Handbook'' means the FCA's Handbook of rules and 
guidance, as amended from time to time.
    (13) ``FCA Handbook Glossary'' means the Glossary part of the FCA's 
Handbook of rules and guidance, as amended from time to time.
    (14) ``FCA IFPRU'' means the Prudential Sourcebook for Investment 
Firms of the FCA Handbook, as amended from time to time.
    (15) ``FCA PRIN'' means the Principles for Businesses Sourcebook of 
the FCA Handbook, as amended from time to time.
    (16) ``FCA PROD'' means the Product Intervention and Product 
Governance Sourcebook of the FCA Handbook, as amended from time to 
time.
    (17) ``FCA SUP'' means the Supervision Sourcebook of the FCA 
Handbook, as amended from time to time.
    (18) ``FCA SYSC'' means the Senior Management Arrangements, Systems 
and Controls Sourcebook of the FCA Handbook, as amended from time to 
time.
    (19) ``FSMA'' means the UK's Financial Services and Markets Act 
2000, as amended from time to time.
    (20) ``ICVC'' means investment company with variable capital as 
defined in the FCA Handbook Glossary.

[[Page 18421]]

    (21) ``MLR 2017'' means the UK's Money Laundering, Terrorist 
Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 
2017, as amended from time to time.
    (22) ``PRA'' means the UK's Prudential Regulation Authority.
    (23) ``PRA Capital Buffer Rules'' means the Capital Buffer Part of 
the PRA Rulebook for CRR Firms, as amended from time to time.
    (24) ``PRA Certification Rules'' means the Certification Part of 
the PRA Rulebook for CRR Firms, as amended from time to time.
    (25) ``PRA Definition of Capital Rules'' means the Definition of 
Capital Part of the PRA Rulebook for CRR Firms, as amended from time to 
time.
    (26) ``PRA Fitness and Proprietary Rules'' means the Fitness and 
Propriety Part of the PRA Rulebook for CRR Firms, as amended from time 
to time.
    (27) ``PRA Fundamental Rules'' means the Fundamental Rules Part of 
the PRA Rulebook for CRR Firms, as amended from time to time.
    (28) ``PRA General Organisational Requirements'' means the General 
Organisational Requirements Part of the PRA Rulebook for CRR Firms, as 
amended from time to time.
    (29) ``PRA Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Rules'' means the 
Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Part of the PRA Rulebook for CRR 
Firms, as amended from time to time.
    (30) ``PRA Internal Liquidity Adequacy Assessment Rules'' means the 
Internal Liquidity Adequacy Assessment Part of the PRA Rulebook for CRR 
Firms, as amended from time to time.
    (31) ``PRA Liquidity Coverage Requirement--UK Designated Investment 
Firms Rules'' means the PRA Liquidity Coverage Requirement--UK 
Designated Investment Firms Part of the PRA Rulebook for CRR Firms, as 
amended from time to time.
    (32) ``PRA Notifications Rules'' means the Notifications Part of 
the PRA Rulebook for CRR Firms, as amended from time to time.
    (33) ``PRA Outsourcing Rules'' means the Outsourcing Part of the 
PRA Rulebook for CRR Firms, as amended from time to time.
    (34) ``PRA Recordkeeping Rules'' means the Recordkeeping Part of 
the PRA Rulebook for CRR Firms, as amended from time to time.
    (35) ``PRA Regulatory Reporting Rules'' means the Regulatory 
Reporting Part of the PRA Rulebook for CRR Firms, as amended from time 
to time.
    (36) ``PRA Remuneration Rules'' means the Remuneration Part of the 
PRA Rulebook for CRR Firms, as amended from time to time.
    (37) ``PRA Risk Control Rules'' means the Risk Control Part of the 
PRA Rulebook for CRR Firms, as amended from time to time.
    (38) ``PRA Rulebook'' or ``PRA Rulebook for CRR Firms'' means the 
PRA's Rulebook for Capital Requirement Regulation Firms, as amended 
from time to time.
    (39) ``PRA Rulebook Glossary'' means the Glossary part of the PRA 
Rulebook for CRR Firms, as amended from time to time.
    (40) ``PRA Senior Management Functions Rules'' means the Senior 
Management Functions Part of the PRA Rulebook for CRR Firms, as amended 
from time to time.
    (41) ``Prudentially regulated'' means a Covered Entity that has a 
``prudential regulator'' as that term is defined in Exchange Act 
section 3(a)(74).
    (42) ``SMR'' means the Senior Managers Regime that forms part of 
the Senior Managers and Certification Regime, as amended from time to 
time.
    (43) ``UK'' means the United Kingdom.
    (44) ``UK CRR'' means the UK version of Regulation (EU) No 575/
2013, as amended from time to time.
    (45) ``UK CRR Reporting ITS'' means the UK version of Commission 
Implementing Regulation (EU) 680/2014.
    (46) ``UK EMIR'' means the UK version of the ``European Market 
Infrastructure Regulation,'' Regulation (EU) No 648/2012, as amended 
from time to time.
    (47) ``UK EMIR Margin RTS'' means the UK version of Commission 
Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/2251, as amended from time to time.
    (48) ``UK EMIR RTS'' means UK version of Commission Delegated 
Regulation (EU) No 149/2013, as amended from time to time.
    (49) ``UK MAR'' means the UK version of Market Abuse Regulation 
(EU) 596/2014, as amended from time to time.
    (50) ``UK MAR Investment Recommendations Regulation'' means the UK 
version of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/958, as amended 
from time to time.
    (51) ``UK MiFID Org Reg'' means the UK version of Commission 
Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/565, as amended from time to time.
    (52) ``UK MiFIR'' means the UK version of the ``Markets in 
Financial Instruments Regulation,'' Regulation (EU) 600/2014, as 
amended from time to time.
    (53) ``UK Regulated Activities Order'' means the Financial Services 
and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order (SI 2001/544), as 
amended from time to time.

[FR Doc. 2021-07255 Filed 4-7-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P