The CFTC requests approval of its request to extend the information collections associated with the agency's rules governing Margin Requirements for Uncleared Swaps for Swap Dealers and Major Swap Participants--Cross-Border Application of the Margin Requirements.
These collections of information implement section 4s(e) of the Commodity Exchange Act ("CEA"), which mandates that the Commission adopt rules establishing margin requirements for uncleared swaps of swap dealers ("SDs") and major swap participants ("MSPs") that do not have a Prudential Regulator (collectively, "Covered Swap Entities" or "CSEs"), and section 2(i) of the CEA, which provides the Commission with express authority over swaps activities in cross-border transactions when certain conditions are met. The Commission uses the information collected to determine whether the foreign jurisdiction's margin rules for uncleared swaps are comparable to the Commission's corresponding margin requirements. Covered Swap Entities or CSEs that are eligible for substituted compliance under the Proposed Rule, as well as foreign regulatory agencies that have direct supervisory authority to administer the foreign jurisdiction's margin requirements for uncleared swaps in the requested foreign jurisdiction, may make a request for a comparability determination. The information collections also require CSEs to have policies and procedures ensuring that they are in compliance with all of the requirements of the special provisions for non-netting jurisdictions and non-segregation provisions, respectively, and to maintain books and records properly documenting that all of the requirements of the special provisions for non-netting jurisdictions and non-segregation jurisdictions, respectively, are satisfied. These collections are necessary as a means for the Commission to be able to determine that CSEs relying on the non-netting jurisdictions and non-segregation provisions are entitled to do so and are complying with the special provisionsâ requirements.
There are no program changes or adjustments. However, the Commissionâs total burden hour estimate for the information collection for Commission Regulation 23.160(d) has decreased due to a decrease in the number of CSEs subject to such recordkeeping requirements. The number of CSEs has decreased from 53 to 50. This results in an overall decrease from 530 to 500 in the total burden hour estimate for CSEs under Commission Regulation 23.160(d). This reduction yields a decrease in the total number of respondents subject to this collection from 79 to 76, and an overall decrease in the estimated burden hours for the collection from 3,010 total burden hours to 2,980 annual burden hours.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.