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SEC Proposes Rule Change for Fixed Income Clearing Corp

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Published March 20th, 2026
Detected March 26th, 2026
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Summary

The SEC is soliciting comments on a proposed rule change by the Fixed Income Clearing Corporation (FICC). The proposal seeks to amend the QRM Methodology Document to provide for the delayed implementation of previously approved rule changes related to bond haircut models, setting an implementation date of April 30, 2026.

What changed

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is publishing a notice to solicit comments on a proposed rule change filed by the Fixed Income Clearing Corporation (FICC). This proposal, filed under Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, aims to amend FICC's Methodology Document—GSD Initial Market Risk Margin Model (QRM Methodology Document). Specifically, it seeks to add a legend to the cover page indicating that previously approved rule changes (File Number SR-FICC-2026-002), which enhance the correlation calculation for bond haircut models, will be implemented by April 30, 2026. Upon implementation, this legend will be automatically removed.

This proposed rule change is considered minor as it primarily addresses the timing of an already approved change rather than introducing new substantive obligations or penalties. The FICC believes this proposal will not burden competition. The SEC is seeking comments from interested persons on this proposal, with the comment period closing on April 19, 2026. Compliance officers should review the proposed implementation date and ensure their firms are prepared for the approved rule changes to take effect by April 30, 2026.

What to do next

  1. Review the proposed rule change regarding the delayed implementation of FICC's QRM Methodology Document.
  2. Submit comments to the SEC by April 19, 2026, if applicable.
  3. Prepare for the implementation of approved rule changes by April 30, 2026.

Source document (simplified)

Content

March 20, 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 March 13, 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)(4) thereunder. (4) The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.

I. Clearing Agency's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change

The proposed rule change consists of amendments to the Methodology Document—GSD Initial Market Risk Margin Model (“QRM Methodology
Document”) (5) in order to provide for delayed implementation of changes to the QRM Methodology Document that were proposed pursuant to File
Number SR-FICC-2026-002 (“Rule Filing”) and approved by the Commission on March 9, 2026 (“Approved Rule Changes”). (6)

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

On January 27, 2026, FICC filed the Rule Filing with the Commission pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Act (7) and Rule 19b-4 thereunder. (8)

On March 9, 2026, the Commission approved the Rule Filing pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act. (9) The Approved Rule Changes consist of modifications to the QRM Methodology Document in order to enhance the correlation calculation
for bond haircut models and make a technical change.

FICC is proposing to amend the QRM Methodology Document to add a legend to the cover page of the QRM Methodology Document
to state that the Approved Rule Changes will be implemented by April 30, 2026. Upon implementation of the Approved Rule Changes,
the legend will be automatically removed from the QRM Methodology Document.

2. Statutory Basis

Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act requires that the rules of a clearing agency be designed to, among other things, promote the
prompt and accurate clearance and settlement of securities transactions. (10)

By establishing the date by which the Approved Rule Changes would be implemented, this proposal would enable Members to timely
fulfill their obligations to FICC, which would in turn support FICC's ability to promote the prompt and accurate clearance
and settlement of securities transactions. Therefore, FICC believes that the proposal is consistent with Section 17A(b)(3)(F)
of the Act. (11)

(B) Clearing Agency's Statement on Burden on Competition

FICC does not believe that the proposal to establish an implementation date for the Approved Rule Changes would have any impact,
or impose any burden, on competition.

(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 written comments are received, they
will be publicly filed as an 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 www.sec.gov/rules-regulations/how-submit-comment.* General questions regarding the rule filing process or logistical questions regarding this filing should be directed to the
  Main Office of the Commission's Division of Trading and Markets at *tradingandmarkets@sec.gov* or 202-551-5777.

FICC reserves the right not to respond to any comments received.

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

The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act (12) and paragraph (f) of Rule 19b-4 thereunder. (13) 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

• Use the Commission's internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/rules-regulations/self-regulatory-organization-rulemaking); or

• Send an email to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include File Number SR-FICC-2026-005 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

  • 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-2026-005. 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 (https://www.sec.gov/rules-regulations/self-regulatory-organization-rulemaking). Copies of the filing will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of FICC and on DTCC's website (www.dtcc.com/legal/sec-rule-filings). 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-2026-005 and should be submitted on or before April 15, 2026.

For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority. (14)

Vanessa A. Countryman, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2026-05758 Filed 3-24-26; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011-01-P

Footnotes

(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)(4).

(5) The QRM Methodology Document was filed as a confidential exhibit in the rule filing and advance notice for GSD sensitivity
VaR. See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 83362 (June 1, 2018), 83 FR 26514 (June 7, 2018) (SR-FICC-2018-001) and 83223 (May 11,
2018), 83 FR 23020 (May 17, 2018) (SR-FICC-2018-801). The QRM Methodology Document has been subsequently amended. See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 85944 (May 24, 2019), 84 FR 25315 (May 31, 2019) (SR-FICC-2019-001), 90182 (Oct. 14,
2020), 85 FR 66630 (Oct. 20, 2020) (SR-FICC-2020-009), 93234 (Oct. 1, 2021), 86 FR 55891 (Oct. 7, 2021) (SR-FICC-2021-007),
95605 (Aug. 25, 2022), 87 FR 53522 (Aug. 31, 2022) (SR-FICC-2022-005), 97342 (Apr. 21, 2023), 88 FR 25721 (Apr. 27, 2023)
(SR-FICC-2023-003), 99447 (Jan. 30, 2024), 89 FR 8260 (Feb. 6, 2024) (SR-FICC-2024-001), 101569 (Nov. 8, 2024), 89 FR 90109
(Nov. 14, 2024) (SR-FICC-2024-003), 104116 (Sept. 29, 2025), 90 FR 47437 (Oct. 1, 2025) (SR-FICC-2025-018), and 104952 (Mar.
9, 2026), 91 FR 12248 (Mar. 12, 2026) (SR-FICC-2026-002).

(6) See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 104952 (Mar. 9, 2026), 91 FR 12248 (Mar. 12, 2026) (SR-FICC-2026-002).

(7) 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).

(8) 17 CFR 240.19b-4.

(9) 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).

(10) 15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(3)(F).

(11) Id.

(12) 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).

(13) 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f).

(14) 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).

Download File

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Named provisions

Methodology Document—GSD Initial Market Risk Margin Model Approved Rule Changes

Classification

Agency
SEC
Published
March 20th, 2026
Comment period closes
April 19th, 2026 (15 days)
Compliance deadline
April 30th, 2026 (26 days)
Instrument
Consultation
Legal weight
Non-binding
Stage
Draft
Change scope
Minor
Document ID
SEC-2026-1826-0001
Docket
SEC-2026-1826-0001

Who this affects

Applies to
Financial advisers Fund managers Investors
Industry sector
5231 Securities & Investments
Activity scope
Clearance and Settlement
Geographic scope
United States US

Taxonomy

Primary area
Securities
Operational domain
Compliance
Compliance frameworks
BSA/AML
Topics
Market Infrastructure Risk Management

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