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Notice2026-16099

Self-Regulatory Organizations; Fixed Income Clearing Corporation; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change Regarding Regulatory Information Requests and Indemnification of Reported Data

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Published
August 7, 2026

Issuing agencies

Securities and Exchange Commission

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 151 (Friday, August 7, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 151 (Friday, August 7, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51188-51191]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-16099]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-106038; File No. SR-FICC-2026-009]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Fixed Income Clearing Corporation; 
Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change 
Regarding Regulatory Information Requests and Indemnification of 
Reported Data

August 4, 2026.
    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 July 27, 2026, Fixed Income Clearing Corporation (``FICC'') filed 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') the 
proposed rule change as described in Items I, II and III below, which 
Items have been prepared by the clearing agency. FICC filed the 
proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \3\ and 
Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\4\ 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.
    \3\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \4\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
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I. Clearing Agency's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the 
Proposed Rule Change

    The proposed rule change consists of modifications to FICC's 
Government Securities Division Rulebook (``Rules'') to require that 
Netting Members (1) provide, when requested, data or other information 
in connection with FICC's obligations, as a self-regulatory 
organization or in its capacity as a regulated entity, to cooperate and 
share such information with other regulatory and self-regulatory 
organizations for

[[Page 51189]]

regulatory purposes; and (2) indemnify FICC for any losses, 
liabilities, expenses and legal actions arising from incomplete or 
inaccurate information that is delivered in connection with such 
requests.\5\
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    \5\ Terms not defined herein are defined in the Rules, available 
at <a href="http://www.dtcc.com/legal/rules-and-procedures">www.dtcc.com/legal/rules-and-procedures</a>.
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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, the clearing agency 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. The clearing agency 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

1. Purpose
    FICC is proposing changes to Rule 29, which addresses the 
circumstances in which FICC may release certain data and other 
information relating to the transactions of its Netting Members, 
defined in the Rule as ``Clearing Data''.\6\ Specifically, the proposed 
changes would state that FICC may request, and Netting Members would be 
required to provide, data and other information, which may include but 
is not limited to Clearing Data, in connection with FICC's obligations, 
as a self-regulatory organization or in its capacity as a regulated 
entity, to cooperate and share such information with other regulatory 
and self-regulatory organizations for regulatory purposes.
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    \6\ ``Clearing Data'' is defined in Rule 29 as ``transaction 
data which is received by the Corporation in the clearance and/or 
settlement processes of the Corporation, or such data, reports or 
summaries thereof, which may be produced as a result of processing 
such transaction data.'' Supra note 5.
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    The proposed changes would also require that Netting Members 
indemnify FICC for any losses, liabilities, expenses, and legal actions 
arising from incomplete or inaccurate data that is delivered in 
response to such requests and relied on by FICC to comply with these 
regulatory reporting obligations.
Overview of Rule 29 and Release of Clearing Data
    Rule 29 describes the circumstances in which FICC may release 
Clearing Data relating to transactions of a particular Member and the 
permitted recipients of such Clearing Data. Absent valid legal process, 
the permitted recipients of Clearing Data include (i) the Member to 
which such data relates, (ii) that Member's Cross-Margining Affiliate 
\7\ or Sponsoring Member,\8\ (iii) the Commission, (iv) the Federal 
Reserve Bank of New York (``FRBNY'') for market surveillance purposes, 
or to an FCO \9\ and its regulators pursuant to a Cross-Margining 
Arrangement.\10\ Any release of Clearing Data under Rule 29 must be 
done either in response to a written request or pursuant to a written 
agreement with FICC.\11\
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    \7\ See Rule 43, regarding cross-margining arrangements, and the 
definition of Cross-Margining Affiliate in Rule 1, supra note 5.
    \8\ See Rule 3A, regarding Sponsoring Members and Sponsored 
Members, and see also the definition of Sponsored Member in Rule 1, 
supra note 5.
    \9\ See Rule 43, regarding cross-margining arrangements, and the 
definition of FCO in Rule 1, supra note 5.
    \10\ See Rule 29(a), supra note 5.
    \11\ See Rule 29(c), supra note 5.
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    The limitations on FICC's release of Clearing Data under Rule 29 do 
not apply to data that is in a form as to prevent the disclosure of the 
proprietary and/or confidential data of a particular Member or groups 
of Members.\12\ Rule 29 also makes clear that it does not prohibit or 
limit FICC's ability to release Clearing Data to other regulatory 
bodies and, further, that the Rule is not intended to, or be deemed to 
be in contravention, or a limitation, of FICC's obligations as a self-
regulatory organization to cooperate and share data with other 
regulatory and self-regulatory organizations for regulatory 
purposes.\13\
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    \12\ See Rule 29(b), supra note 5.
    \13\ See Rule 29(b) and (e), supra note 5.
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Proposed Changes To Require Members To Provide Certain Data and 
Information
    As a regulated entity and self-regulatory organization, FICC may be 
required to respond to requests, including from its regulatory 
supervisors, to provide data or other information related to its 
clearing business. Such requests may include Clearing Data or other 
information about FICC's Members and the activity they submit to FICC.
    For example, FICC was recently informed that it is required to 
report certain data in connection with the U.S. Department of the 
Treasury's Treasury International Capital (``TIC'') System. The TIC 
System collects various data regarding, for example, transactions and 
holdings of foreign residents of U.S. Treasury debt securities. Under 
this regulatory requirement, FICC will submit to the FRBNY on a monthly 
basis information on transactions in U.S. Treasury Securities to which 
at least one counterparty is a non-U.S. entity. This information will 
be reported on a Report of U.S Dollar Claims of Financial Institutions 
on Foreign Residents (``TIC BC'') and Report of U.S Dollar Liabilities 
of Financial Institutions to Foreign Residents (``TIC BL-1'') report 
forms (collectively, the ``TIC B Reports''). These reports will include 
Clearing Data of Netting Members and Indirect Participants. In order 
for FICC to submit the TIC B Reports accurately and completely to the 
FRBNY, FICC will request additional information from its Members. Such 
information would include, for example, the branch licensing 
information of Bank Netting Members to ensure FICC is correctly 
reporting the jurisdiction of the counterparties to the transactions 
that are required in the TIC B Reports.
    As noted above, Rule 29 addresses FICC's obligations, as a self-
regulatory organization, to cooperate and share data with other 
regulatory and self-regulatory organizations for regulatory purposes. 
FICC is proposing to amend Rule 29 to further provide that such 
obligations may also relate to FICC's capacity as a regulated entity 
(unrelated to its status as a self-regulatory organization) and may 
include sharing other information, in addition to data.
    The proposed changes would also state that, in connection with such 
regulatory obligations, FICC may request, and Netting Members shall 
provide, additional data or other information, which may include but is 
not limited to Clearing Data, with respect to the Netting Member and, 
when applicable, the Indirect Participants of the Netting Member. While 
FICC generally does not need to request additional information from its 
Members to comply with regulatory reporting obligations, as noted above 
relating to the TIC B Reports, certain information from its Members 
could be necessary for FICC to ensure it is completely and accurately 
meeting those obligations. FICC does not anticipate, based on existing 
regulatory reporting obligations, including the TIC-B Reports, that 
Members would be required to provide information that is not readily 
available and easily delivered.
    These proposed changes would improve the disclosures in Rule 29 
regarding the release of data and other information related to its 
Members and Indirect Participants to regulatory organizations for 
regulatory purposes. The proposed changes to require Netting

[[Page 51190]]

Members to provide additional information to FICC when requested would 
support FICC's ability to meet its regulatory reporting obligations.
Proposed Changes To Require Indemnification With Respect to Data 
Reporting
    FICC is also proposing to amend the Rules to require that Netting 
Members indemnify FICC with respect to data or other information 
Netting Members provide to FICC in connection with a request that is 
related to FICC's regulatory obligations. The proposed indemnification 
is identical to the indemnification Members provide to FICC in 
connection with their obligation to have a current Legal Entity 
Identifier \14\ on file with FICC at all times (including with respect 
to their Indirect Participants, when applicable).\15\
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    \14\ A Legal Entity Identifier is defined in the Rules as ``a 
20-character reference code to uniquely identify legally distinct 
entities that engage in financial transactions based on the ISO 
17442 standard developed by the International Organization for 
Standardization that satisfies the standards implemented by the 
Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation.'' Rule 1, supra note 5.
    \15\ See Rule 2B, section 2 (with respect to Netting Members' 
ongoing membership obligations); Rule 3A, section 2(d) (with respect 
to the Sponsored Members of Sponsoring Members); Rule 3B, section 
5(c) (with respect to CCIT Members' ongoing membership 
requirements); and Rule 8, section 3(d) (with respect to the 
Executing Firm Customers of Agent Clearing Members), supra note 5.
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    The proposed change would provide that Netting Members indemnify 
FICC and its employees, officers, directors, shareholders, agents, and 
Members (to be collectively defined as the ``Data Reporting Indemnified 
Parties''), for any and all losses, liabilities, expenses and legal 
actions suffered or incurred by the Data Reporting Indemnified Parties 
arising from any incomplete or inaccurate data or other information 
provided to FICC in connection with FICC's regulatory reporting 
obligations. The proposed changes would define ``Legal Action'', for 
purposes of this indemnification, to mean and include any claim, 
counterclaim, demand, action, suit, countersuit, arbitration, inquiry, 
proceeding or investigation before any federal, state or foreign court 
or other tribunal, or any investigative or regulatory agency or self-
regulatory organization.
    The proposed change would protect FICC from losses, liabilities, 
expenses, and legal actions that it may incur if it relied on 
information provided by a Member to comply with its regulatory 
reporting obligations and that information was incomplete or incorrect. 
The proposed change would also provide Netting Members with an 
incentive to maintain controls around the completeness and accuracy of 
data and other information that it reports to FICC in connection with 
these requests.
2. Statutory Basis
    FICC believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the 
requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder 
applicable to a registered clearing agency. In particular, FICC 
believes the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 
17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act \16\ and Rule 17ad-22(e)(23)(ii), promulgated 
under the Act,\17\ for the reasons described below.
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    \16\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(3)(F).
    \17\ 17 CFR 240.17ad-22(e)(23)(ii).
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    Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act requires, in part, that the rules 
of a clearing agency be designed to promote the prompt and accurate 
clearance and settlement of securities transactions and assure the 
safeguarding of securities and funds which are in the custody or 
control of the clearing agency or for which it is responsible.\18\ The 
Rules currently provide that FICC may release Clearing Data, and other 
data and information, to other regulatory organizations. The proposed 
changes would improve these disclosures in the Rules by clarifying the 
information that may be released by FICC for regulatory purposes could 
be related to FICC's capacity as a regulated entity (other than its 
status as a self-regulatory organization) and that FICC may release 
other information, in addition to data. When participants better 
understand their rights and obligations regarding the Rules, such 
participants are more likely to act in accordance with the Rules, which 
FICC believes would promote the prompt and accurate clearance and 
settlement of securities transactions consistent with Section 
17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act.\19\
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    \18\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(3)(F).
    \19\ Id.
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    The proposed changes would require Members to provide information, 
when requested, to support FICC's ability to comply with its regulatory 
reporting requirements. These proposed changes support FICC's ability 
to comply with its regulatory obligations and, therefore, to continue 
to perform its obligations as a registered clearing agency, which 
include ensuring the prompt and accurate clearance and settlement of 
securities transactions. In this way, the proposed changes are 
consistent with Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act.\20\
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    \20\ Id.
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    The proposed changes to require that Members indemnify FICC with 
respect to the data and other information they provide to FICC would 
limit the potential losses, liabilities, expenses, and exposures to 
legal actions that FICC could otherwise incur. By limiting FICC's 
exposures to these costs, the proposed change assures the safeguarding 
of securities and funds which are in the custody or control of the 
clearing agency or for which it is responsible, consistent with Section 
17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act.\21\
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    \21\ Id.
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    Rule 17ad-22(e)(23)(ii) under the Act requires, in part, that FICC 
establish, implement, maintain and enforce written policies and 
procedures reasonably designed to provide for sufficient information to 
enable participants to identify and evaluate the risks, fees, and other 
material costs they incur by participating in the covered clearing 
agency.\22\ As stated above, the proposed changes would provide Members 
with information regarding (1) FICC's rights to share data and other 
information with regulatory organizations for regulatory purposes, (2) 
Members' requirement to provide FICC with data and other information, 
when requested, in connection with its regulatory reporting 
obligations, and (3) Members' indemnification of FICC for losses, 
liabilities, expenses and legal actions that may arise in connection 
with any incomplete or inaccurate data that is provided to FICC in 
response to such requests. The proposed changes would provide Members 
with information that would enable them to identify and evaluate the 
risks related to FICC's ability to share information in compliance with 
its regulatory obligations, and the costs that Members may incur in 
connection with providing information to FICC, including in connection 
with the indemnification of FICC. As such, FICC believes that the 
proposed changes are consistent with Rule 17ad-22(e)(23)(ii) under the 
Act.\23\
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    \22\ 17 CFR 240.17ad-22(e)(23)(ii).
    \23\ Id.
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(B) Clearing Agency's Statement on Burden on Competition

    FICC does not believe the proposed rule changes would have any 
impact on competition. The proposed changes would apply equally to all 
Members, as the information that FICC may be required to share with 
other regulatory organizations could relate to any Netting Member or 
Indirect Participant. The proposed changes are designed to improve 
Netting Members' understanding of the implications of FICC's regulatory 
reporting requirements and, through the

[[Page 51191]]

indemnification requirement, encourage Netting Members to adopt, or 
enhance existing, controls that would ensure information provided to 
FICC is complete and accurate. As such, FICC does not believe such 
proposed changes would have any effect on participants' respective 
competitive positions.

(C) Clearing Agency's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change 
Received From Members, Participants, or Others

    FICC has not received or solicited any written comments relating to 
this proposal. If any additional written comments are received, they 
will be publicly filed as Exhibit 2 to this filing, as required by Form 
19b-4 and the General Instructions thereto.
    Persons submitting comments are cautioned that, according to 
Section IV (Solicitation of Comments) of the Exhibit 1A in the General 
Instructions to Form 19b-4, the Commission does not edit personal 
identifying information from comment submissions. Commenters should 
submit only information that they wish to make available publicly, 
including their name, email address, and any other identifying 
information.
    All prospective commenters should follow the Commission's 
instructions on how to submit comments, available at <a href="http://www.sec.gov/regulatory-actions/how-to-submit-comments">www.sec.gov/regulatory-actions/how-to-submit-comments</a>. General questions regarding 
the rule filing process or logistical questions regarding this filing 
should be directed to the Main Office of the SEC's Division of Trading 
and Markets at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2b5f594a4f42454c4a454f464a59404e5f586b584e48054c445d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7105031015181f16101f151c10031a140502310214125f161e07">[email&#160;protected]</span></a> or 202-551-5777.

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

    Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not:
    (i) significantly affect the protection of investors or the public 
interest;
    (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and
    (iii) become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was 
filed, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has 
become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \24\ and 
Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\25\
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    \24\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \25\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
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    At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule 
change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule 
change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or 
appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or 
otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.

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

    <bullet> Use the Commission's internet comment form (<a href="https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml">https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml</a>); or
    <bullet> Send an email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2052554c450d434f4d4d454e5453605345430e474f56"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0c7e796069216f6361616962787f4c7f696f226b637a">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>. Please include 
file number SR-FICC-2026-009 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

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

All submissions should refer to file number SR-FICC-2026-009. 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 (<a href="https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml">https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml</a>). Copies of the filing will be available for inspection and 
copying at the principal office of FICC and on DTCC's website (<a href="https://dtcc.com/legal/sec-rule-filings.aspx">https://dtcc.com/legal/sec-rule-filings.aspx</a>). Do not include personal 
identifiable information in submissions; you should submit only 
information that you wish to make available publicly. We may redact in 
part or withhold entirely from publication submitted material that is 
obscene or subject to copyright protection. All submissions should 
refer to file number SR-FICC-2026-009 and should be submitted on or 
before August 28, 2026.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\26\
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    \26\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Sherry R. Haywood,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2026-16099 Filed 8-6-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P


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Indexed from Federal Register on August 7, 2026.

This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.