CME Group has posted a notice of disciplinary action against Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC. The respondent has agreed to pay a fine as a part of a settlement over alleged breaches of CBOT rules.
In relevant part, CBOT Rule 930. PERFORMANCE BOND REQUIREMENTS: ACCOUNT HOLDER LEVEL states:
- D. ACCEPTANCE OF ORDERS
Clearing members may accept orders for an account provided sufficient performance bond is on deposit in the account or is forthcoming within a reasonable time. For an account which has been subject to calls for performance bond for an unreasonable time, clearing members may only accept orders that reduce the performance bond requirements of existing positions in the account. Clearing members may not accept orders for an account that has been in debit an unreasonable time.
- E. Calls for Performance Bond
1. Clearing members must issue calls for performance bond that would bring an account up to the initial performance bond requirement: a) when performance bond equity in an account initially falls below the maintenance performance bond requirement; and b). subsequently, when performance bond equity plus existing performance bond calls in an account is less than the maintenance performance bond requirement.
Such calls must be made within one business day after the occurrence of the event giving rise to the call. Clearing members may call for additional performance bond at their discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a clearing member is not required to call for or collect performance bond for day trades.
2. Clearing members shall only reduce a call for performance bond through the receipt of performance bond deposits permitted under subsection C. of this rule. Clearing members may cancel a call for performance bond through: a) the receipt of performance bond deposits permitted under subsection C. of this rule only if such deposits equal or exceed the amount of the total performance bond call; or b) inter-day favorable market movements and/or the liquidation of positions only if performance bond equity in the account is equal to or greater than the initial performance bond requirement. Clearing members shall reduce an account holder’s oldest outstanding performance bond call first.
- F. Release of Excess Performance Bond
Subject to exceptions granted by Clearing House staff, clearing members may only release performance bond deposits from an account if such deposits are in excess of initial performance bond requirements.
Pursuant to an offer of settlement in which Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC neither admitted nor denied the rule violations upon which the penalty is based, the Clearing House Risk Committee found that Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC violated CBOT Rules 930.D., 930.E.1., 930.E.2. and 930.F.
In accordance with the settlement offer, the Committee imposed a $150,000 fine.