[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 17, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2668-2671]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-00774]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-96634; File No. SR-ICEEU-2022-027]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; ICE Clear Europe Limited; Notice 
of Filing of Proposed Rule Change Relating to the Capital Replenishment 
Plan

January 11, 2023.
    Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given that 
on December 29, 2022, ICE Clear Europe Limited (``ICE Clear Europe'' or 
the ``Clearing House'') filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission (``Commission'') the proposed rule changes described in 
Items I, II and III below, which Items have been prepared primarily by 
ICE Clear Europe. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit 
comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
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I. Clearing Agency's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the 
Proposed Rule Change

    ICE Clear Europe Limited (``ICE Clear Europe'' or the ``Clearing 
House'') proposes to adopt a new Capital Replenishment Plan to document 
certain tools, procedures and arrangements to replenish its financial 
resources in the event of Clearing Member default and in the event of 
losses not caused by Clearing Member default.\3\
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    \3\ Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the 
meanings specified in the Capital Replenishment Plan or, if not 
defined therein, the ICE Clear Europe Clearing Rules.
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II. Clearing Agency's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis 
for, the Proposed Rule Change

    In its filing with the Commission, ICE Clear Europe included 
statements concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule 
change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule 
change. The text of these statements may be examined at the places 
specified in Item IV below. ICE Clear Europe has prepared summaries, 
set forth in sections (A), (B), and (C) below, of the most significant 
aspects of such statements.

(A) Clearing Agency's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis 
for, the Proposed Rule Change

(a) Purpose
    ICE Clear Europe is proposing to adopt a new Capital Replenishment 
Plan (the ``Plan'') to document certain tools, procedures and 
arrangements that the Clearing House may use to replenish its capital, 
when necessary. The Plan \4\ would address replenishment of both ICE 
Clear Europe's own resources contribution to its guaranty funds and 
capital required under applicable law, including the capital 
requirement under EMIR as incorporated into UK law following the Brexit 
transition (the ``EMIR capital requirement'').\5\ The Plan would 
recognize that a need to replenish capital may arise because of a 
Clearing Member default, the occurrence of sudden extraordinary one-off 
losses, net losses resulting from custody or investment risks, or from 
recurring losses which may arise from general business risks.\6\
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    \4\ The Plan would consolidate and replace a pre-existing 
capital requirement framework and related practices.
    \5\ Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No. 152/2013 of 19 
December 2012 supplementing Regulation (EU) No. 648/2012 of the 
European Parliament and of the Council with regard to regulatory 
technical standards on capital requirements for central 
counterparties, as on-shored into UK law following the end of the 
Brexit transition period.
    \6\ The Plan would also serve as a recovery tool and would be 
part of ICE Clear Europe's overall Recovery Plan.
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    The Plan would set out the overall purposes of the Plan and the 
Clearing House's overall approach to capital management and maintaining 
capital resources. The Plan is intended, among other purposes, to set 
out for senior management, the audit committee and the Board actions 
they may consider to replenish capital and to identify stakeholders and 
their respective responsibilities with respect to ICE Clear Europe's 
continued compliance with relevant laws and regulations

[[Page 2669]]

covering regulatory capital. This Plan takes into account both the 
minimum legal capital requirements, including under the EMIR capital 
requirement, as well as a higher target capital requirement (which 
includes a voluntary capital contribution as well as a notification 
buffer). The replenishment tools and actions under the Plan have been 
developed so as to prioritize replenishing the legal capital 
requirement first. Replenishment of additional capital to the target 
amount can be addressed once the legal requirement has been restored, 
(or at the same time at the discretion of the Board, resources 
permitting).
    The Plan outlines the general steps the Clearing House would expect 
to take to replenish capital, including (1) first assessing and using 
available accumulated financial resources, (2) then looking to use 
reasonably calculated forecasts as to future profits, (3) if those 
resources are insufficient to restore capital to the legal requirement, 
by seeking resources from its parent company in the ICE group, and (4) 
thereafter, with the approval of its parent and subject to the rights 
of existing shareholders, by seeking additional capital from third 
parties. ICE Clear Europe may also bypass the first two steps outlined 
above and immediately request capital from its parent company.
    The Plan also states that overall accountability for the plan lies 
with the Finance Director, President, and the Board. The Plan would be 
subject to annual review, and capital replenishment would be included 
in the annual default management test schedule. The Plan would identify 
specific internal control and governance responsibilities for the 
Finance Director, President, the Board and Board Risk Committee 
relating to monitoring capital compliance and replenishment. The 
Finance Director would be responsible for monitoring ICE Clear Europe's 
compliance with the applicable regulatory capital requirements, 
reporting capital adequacy internally and to regulators, escalating 
matters relating to capital adequacy to the President where 
appropriate, and contributing to the development of plans to increase 
and/or replenish Eligible Capital as required for ICE Clear Europe to 
continue to meet its regulatory capital requirements. The President 
would be responsible for ensuring ICE Clear Europe meets its capital 
adequacy obligations under relevant laws and regulations. The Board 
Risk Committee would be responsible for reviewing and recommending to 
the Board the principles underlying the capital planning process, as 
well as the Plan, itself, and the Board itself would be responsible for 
approving the principles and the Plan. The Board would also be 
responsible for holding the President accountable for demonstrating 
adherence to ICE Clear Europe's capital policies and for reviewing and 
approving any capital transactions.
    The Plan would also address the determination of the target capital 
amount in excess of the legal minimum capital requirement. ICE Clear 
Europe seeks to maintain excess capital above the threshold at which 
notification would be required to the Bank of England (which is 
generally 10% above the required capital level). In addition, ICE Clear 
Europe endeavors to maintain additional capital, on a voluntary basis, 
approximately equal to an additional 10% of the required capital level 
plus the 10% buffer referenced above.
    The Plan would also provide further detail as to the use of the 
capital replenishment tools referenced above in different default loss 
and non-default loss scenarios and related actions to be taken for each 
tool, including as to the key individuals and departments involved and 
approvals required, the estimated timing for various actions, relevant 
documentation requirements, the procedure for determination of the 
relevant amount of additional resources to be sought or applied from 
the relevant sources, and the process for consultation with Clearing 
Members and regulators, among other matters. Annexes to the Plan also 
set out relevant templates for documentation.
(b) Statutory Basis
    ICE Clear Europe believes that the proposed adoption of the Capital 
Replenishment Plan is consistent with the requirements of section 17A 
of the Act \7\ and the regulations thereunder applicable to it. In 
particular, section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act \8\ requires, among other 
things, that the rules of a clearing agency be designed to promote the 
prompt and accurate clearance and settlement of securities transactions 
and, to the extent applicable, derivative agreements, contracts, and 
transactions, the safeguarding of securities and funds in the custody 
or control of the clearing agency or for which it is responsible, and 
the protection of investors and the public interest. The Capital 
Replenishment Plan is intended to document procedures for replenishing 
capital, for both the own resources contribution to the guaranty funds 
and the EMIR capital requirements for the Clearing House. As a part of 
the broader Recovery Plan, the proposed Capital Replenishment Plan will 
facilitate the continued operation of the Clearing House following a 
significant loss from one or more Clearing Member defaults or a non-
default loss (including investment or custodial losses and losses from 
general business risk) by replenishing needed financial resources. The 
Plan would address replenishment to both the minimum legal capital 
requirement and the higher target level intended to provide additional 
resources as an operating buffer. The amendments thus are consistent 
with the continued prompt and accurate clearance and settlement of 
securities transactions and derivatives transactions and the 
safeguarding of securities and funds in the custody or control of the 
Clearing House or for which it is responsible, following a significant 
default or non-default loss. The amendments thus also enhance the 
protection of investors and the public interest in the continued sound 
operation of the Clearing House, consistent with the requirements of 
section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act.\9\
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    \7\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1.
    \8\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(3)(F).
    \9\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(3)(F).
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    The Capital Replenishment Plan is also consistent with relevant 
provisions of Rule 17Ad-22. Rule 17Ad-22(e)(3)(ii) \10\ provides that 
the ``covered clearing agency shall establish, implement, maintain and 
enforce written policies and procedures reasonable designed to, as 
applicable [. . .] maintain a sound risk management framework for 
comprehensively managing legal, credit, liquidity, operational, general 
business, investment, custody and other risks that arise in or are 
borne by the covered clearing agency, which . . . includes plans for 
the recovery or orderly wind-down of the covered clearing agency 
necessitated by credit losses, liquidity shortfalls, losses from 
general business risk, or any other losses.'' As discussed above, the 
Plan serves as a part of the broader Recovery Plan and is intended to 
document tools, arrangements and procedures for replenishing capital 
when needed as a result of default losses or non-default losses, 
including losses from general business risk. The Plan further sets out 
the roles and functions of the Board, ICE Clear Europe management and 
other internal personnel and committees in taking such steps to 
replenish financial resources. In ICE Clear Europe's view, the 
implementation of the Capital Replenishment Plan is therefore

[[Page 2670]]

consistent with the requirements of Rule 17Ad-22(e)(3)(ii).\11\
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    \10\ 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22(e)(3)(ii).
    \11\ 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22(e)(3)(ii).
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    Rule 17Ad-22(e)(2) \12\ provides that the ``covered clearing agency 
shall establish, implement, maintain and enforce written policies and 
procedures reasonable designed to, as applicable [. . .] provide for 
governance arrangements'' that ``are clear and transparent'' \13\ and 
``specify clear and direct lines of responsibility''.\14\ The Plan 
identifies responsibilities of key ICE Clear Europe personnel, the 
Board and other stakeholders with respect to ongoing compliance with 
capital requirements and for capital replenishment when necessary. The 
Plan also provides for annual review by ICE Clear Europe's President, 
Finance Director, and Board to ensure that it remains up-to-date and is 
reviewed in accordance with the Clearing House's internal governance 
processes. In ICE Clear Europe's view, the documents are therefore 
consistent with the requirements of Rule 17Ad-22(e)(2).\15\
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    \12\ 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22(e)(2).
    \13\ 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22(e)(2)(i).
    \14\ 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22(e)(2)(v).
    \15\ 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22(e)(2).
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    In addition, the Plan is consistent with the requirements of Rule 
17Ad-22(e)(15),\16\ which states that a clearing agency shall 
``identify, monitor, and manage, the covered clearing agency's general 
business risk and hold sufficient liquid net assets funded by equity to 
cover potential general business losses . . .'' by ``[m]aintaining a 
viable plan, approved by the board of directors and updated at least 
annually, for raising additional equity should its equity fall close to 
or below the amount required under paragraph (e)(15)(ii) of this 
section.'' \17\ As stated above, the Plan has been approved by the ICE 
Clear Europe Board of Directors, would be reviewed and updated 
annually, and would outline the tools available to restore additional 
capital if needed. Specifically, the Plan serves as a part of the 
broader Recovery Plan and is intended to document tools, arrangements 
and procedures for replenishing capital when needed, including as a 
result of losses from general business risk. The capital restoration 
levels detailed in the Plan are based on the Clearing House's legal 
capital requirements and its own target capital level. These are 
designed to exceed the amount required under Rule 17Ad-
22(e)(15)(ii).\18\ As a result, it is ICE Clear Europe's view that the 
Plan is consistent with Rule 17Ad-22(e)(15).\19\
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    \16\ 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22(e)(15).
    \17\ 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22(e)(15)(iii).
    \18\ 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22(e)(15)(ii).
    \19\ 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22(e)(15).
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(B) Clearing Agency's Statement on Burden on Competition

    ICE Clear Europe does not believe the proposed amendments would 
have any impact, or impose any burden, on competition not necessary or 
appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The proposed 
Capital Replenishment Plan is intended to facilitate replenishment of 
capital when necessary as a result of a clearing member default, the 
occurrence of sudden extraordinary one-off losses, any net losses 
incurred resulting from custody or investment risks, or from recurring 
losses which may arise from general business risks. The Plan will not 
affect the rights or obligations of Clearing Members, and is designed 
to facilitate continued operation of the Clearing House following a 
loss. ICE Clear Europe does not believe that the proposal would 
adversely affect the ability of Clearing Members or other market 
participants generally to access clearing services. Further, ICE Clear 
Europe believes that the Plan would not otherwise affect competition 
among Clearing Members, adversely affect the market for clearing 
services, or limit market participants' choices for obtaining clearing 
services. Accordingly, ICE Clear Europe does not believe that the 
amendments would impose any impact or burden on competition that is not 
appropriate in furtherance of the purpose of the Act.

(C) Clearing Agency's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change

    Written comments relating to the proposed amendment has not been 
solicited or received by ICE Clear Europe. ICE Clear Europe will notify 
the Commission of any comments received with respect to the proposed 
rule change.

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

    Within 45 days of the date of publication of this notice in the 
Federal Register or within such longer period up to 90 days (i) as the 
Commission may designate if it finds such longer period to be 
appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or (ii) as to 
which the self-regulatory organization consents, the Commission will:
    (A) by order approve or disapprove such proposed rule change, or
    (B) institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule 
change should be disapproved.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and 
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule 
change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of 
the following methods:

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml) or
     Send an email to [email protected]. Please include 
File Number SR-ICEEU-2022-027 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

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

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-ICEEU-2022-027. 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/sro.shtml). 
Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written 
statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with 
the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed 
rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those 
that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions 
of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for 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 10:00 a.m. and 
3:00 p.m. Copies of such filings will also be available for inspection 
and copying at the principal office of ICE Clear Europe and on ICE 
Clear Europe's website at https://www.theice.com/clear-europe/regulation.
    All comments received will be posted without change. Persons 
submitting comments are cautioned that we do not redact or edit 
personal identifying information from comment submissions. You should 
submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All 
submissions should refer to File Number SR-ICEEU-2022-027

[[Page 2671]]

and should be submitted on or before February 7, 2023.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\20\
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    \20\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Sherry R. Haywood,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023-00774 Filed 1-13-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P