Protection of Collateral of Counterparties to Uncleared Swaps; Treatment of Securities in a Portfolio Margining Account in a Commodity Broker Bankruptcy

Résumé

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the "Commission") hereby proposes rules to implement new statutory provisions enacted by Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the "Dodd-Frank Act"). Specifically, the proposed rules contained herein impose requirements on swap dealers ("SDs") and major swap participants ("MSPs") with respect to the treatment of collateral posted by their counterparties to margin, guarantee, or secure uncleared swaps. Additionally, such proposed rules ensure that, for purposes of subchapter IV of chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code: Securities held in a portfolio margining account that is a futures account constitute "customer property"; and owners of such account constitute "customers".