1. 5/2/2013
Client Alert: SEC Publishes Cross-Border Release and Reopens Comment
Period for Dodd-Frank Rules
Alerts
On May 1, 2013, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC or Commission) held an open meeting to consider:
1. Whether to propose new rules and interpretive guidance for cross-border security-based swap (SBS) activities and whether to re-propose
Regulation SBSR (on reporting) and certain rules and forms relating to the registration of SBS dealers and major SBS participants; and
2. Whether to reopen the comment periods and receive new information for all rules not yet finalized, stemming from Title VII of the Dodd-
Frank Act, and the Commission’s policy statement describing the order in which it expects these new rules to take effect.
The SEC unanimously approved the new proposed rule and interpretive guidance for cross-border SBS activities and the re-proposal of
Regulation SBSR, which is almost 1,000 pages and provides 90 days to comment on more than 100 questions. The SEC also voted
unanimously to approve reopening for 60 days the comment period for rules not yet finalized and the Commission’s policy statement
describing the order in which it expects these new rules to take effect.
CHAIRWOMAN WHITE’S FIRST OPEN MEETING
Chairwoman Mary Jo White stated that the cross-border guidance represents the final key component of the new regulatory regime for the
derivatives market. She stated that the SEC should “take a robust and workable approach to this particularly complex and predominantly
global market.” She added that, because of the global nature of the market, the U.S. rules should avoid an “all-or-none” approach and avoid
a situation where overlapping regulatory oversight could lead to “conflicting or costly duplicative regulatory requirements.”
CROSS-BORDER SECURITY-BASED SWAP ACTIVITIES; RE-PROPOSAL OF REGULATION SBSR AND CERTAIN RULES AND FORMS RELATING TO
THE REGISTRATION OF SECURITY-BASED SWAP DEALERS AND MAJOR SECURITY-BASED SWAP PARTICIPANTS
Office: Division of Trading and Markets
Staff: Brian Bussey, Matt Daigler, Wenchi Hu, Richard Gabbert, Richard Grant
Brian Bussey provided a brief overview of the proposed rule. He noted the rule recognizes that the SEC is not standing alone as a regulator
in the derivatives space and is a result of consultation with, and examination of, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)
proposed guidance. He expressed hope that the SEC proposal will advance the international dialogue and that Europe will follow suit in
proposing cross-border guidance in the “very near future.” In drafting the proposed rule, Mr. Bussey noted that the SEC was guided by the
Dodd-Frank Act goals, the global nature of the market, and the effects of the proposal on efficiency, competition, and capital formation.
Mr. Bussey explained that the proposed rule was drafted with a “narrow territorial approach,” trying to simplify definitions and
recommending broad substituted compliance. He stated that the definitions are not just focused on the location of the party, but also the
location of the conduct, driven by concerns regarding the future competiveness of U.S. firms. For example, he noted the SEC did not
propose a requirement for guaranteed foreign subsidiaries of U.S.-based companies to register as dealers when they conduct business
outside of the United States. According to Mr. Bussey, the proposal focuses on 10 main areas, including: dealer and major participant
regulation; data regulation; SBS registration issues; Swap Execution Facility (SEF) registration issues; reporting issues; mandatory clearing;
mandatory trade execution; data access; indemnification provisions; and fraud issues.
Craig Lewis from the SEC staff noted that the SEC completed a substantial cost-benefit analysis on the rule, looking at its effects on
competition, efficiency, and capital formation. He added that the rule is designed to increase price transparency and reduce unnecessary

2. duplication in regulations.
Commissioner Walter stated that SBS and other derivatives trade continuously in today’s global market so cross-border rules are at the
heart of U.S. regulation. She noted that the SEC took a “common sense” approach in the proposed rule. For example, she stated that
substituted compliance is a key component that allows for flexibility rather than a line-by-line comparison of the rules in different
jurisdictions. She added that the Commission will retain examination and enforcement authority even after a substituted compliance decision
is made. At the Commissioner’s request, Mr. Bussey provided additional detail regarding substituted compliance, explaining that the rule
allows a person or group to request a substituted compliance determination. With regard to the process, he noted that the SEC would work
with the requesters and government officials in the jurisdiction at hand to consider the request. In making a substituted compliance
determination, he noted the SEC may open the request for public comment.
Commissioner Aguilar expressed some concerns regarding the rule’s “heavy” reliance on substituted compliance, especially with regard to
external business conduct standards. He warned against passing a rule that would deny investors the protections of U.S. laws, adding it
could lead to regulatory arbitrage and risk contagion. For example, he stated that the rule assumes that the failure by a foreign subsidiary
would not affect the U.S. parent. He added that the rule also “relies heavily” on counterparty representations as to whether swaps are
executed within the United States, and questioned whether parties should be required a higher “reasonable care” standard with regard to
representations made.
Commissioner Paredes expressed “significant reservations with the proposal.” He noted the rule would extend the reach of Title VII of the
Dodd-Frank Act to international transactions outside of the United States. As a result, he cautioned that because of the rule, foreign market
participants may reduce their presence in the U.S. market or may decide to transact less with U.S. persons overseas, or the rule may lead
to regulatory retaliation if it is viewed as an undue regulatory encroachment. He spoke about the need to rely on substituted compliance and
“show proper regard” for the judgments made by other regulators.
Commissioner Gallagher stated that the proposed rule is only the first step to address how to implement cohesive regulation in the United
States and abroad. He noted that the CFTC rule has been criticized as extending the reach of U.S. regulation and thus, regulators are
watching closely what the SEC decides.
REOPENING OF COMMENT PERIODS FOR CERTAIN RULEMAKING RELEASES AND POLICY STATEMENT APPLICABLE TO SECURITY-BASED
SWAPS PROPOSED PURSUANT TO THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 AND THE DODD-FRANK WALL STREET REFORM AND CONSUMER
PROTECTION ACT
Office: Division of Trading and Markets
Staff: Carol McGee, Ann McKeehan, Jason Williams
Mr. Bussey gave a brief description of the staff recommendation to reopen for 60 days the comment period for not yet finalized rules
regarding Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Act and the Commission’s policy statement describing the order in which it expects these new rules to
take effect. He noted that re-opening the comment period will allow the public to comment on issues such as the effect of the rules, the
costs and benefits of the rules, and the rules in the context of the CFTC’s swaps regulation.