In response to events relating to the close-out of Lehman Brothers in 2008, NSCC and DTC have been engaged with the industry in a series of initiatives designed to improve the efficiency and reduce risks associated with transactions processed through the Automated Customer Accounts Transfer service (ACATS) system. Previous initiatives focused on CNS-eligible and mutual fund ACATS obligations.
As a next step in this series of initiatives, a new ACATS settlement process has been developed for enhanced efficiency and risk reduction for ACATS transfers of CNS-eligible securities and assets that are eligible for settlement at DTC, but not in CNS (non-CNS DTC-eligible assets).
The changes address processing and risk-related concerns with respect to ACATS processing of CNS-eligible securities and non-CNS DTC-eligible assets:
- This initiative creates features for NSCC to track non-CNS DTC-eligible ACATS obligations on ACATS settlement date and reverse only those uncompleted transactions of the defaulting member in the event of a default. Previous initiatives focused on reversals of CNS-eligible and mutual fund ACATS obligations.
- The proposed modifications allow NSCC to track CNS ACATS transactions in case of multiple Member defaults on ACATS settlement date.
- Revised processing ensures that non-CNS DTC-eligible items are credited to a no lien location, in the same way that CNS eligible items are.
The project completed migration to production in June 2014.
To learn more about the ACATS Settlement Process for CNS and DTC eligible assets, see the ACATS User Guides and ACATS Best Practices sections.
CNS ACATS DTC Important Notices
| # | Name | Description | Added On |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 CNS ACATS and DTC Settling Assets - Addendum Notice (05/19/2014) | Important Notice 0916-14 outlined the key process changes associated with the May 30th, 2014 implementation of the CNS ACATS and DTC Settling Assets Project. This communication will serve as an addendum to the aforementioned notice. | May 18, 2014 |
| 2 |
DTC Settlement Changes for the CNS ACATS and DTC Settling Assets Project (05/08/2014) | Beginning on settlement date May 30, 2014, subject to Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approval, the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC) and the Depository Trust Company (DTC) plan to implement the Continuous Net Settlement (CNS) Automated Customer Account Transfer Service (ACATS) and DTC Settling Assets Project as outlined in NSCC Important Notice A7556 P&S 7126 and DTC Important Notice B1988-12, both dated December 21, 2012. | May 08, 2014 |
| 3 |
Participant Testing of the CNS ACATS and DTC Settling Assets Project (11/18/2013) | In May 2014, subject to Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approval, the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC) and the Depository Trust Company (DTC) plan to implement the Continuous Net Settlement (CNS) Automated Customer Account Transfer Service (ACATS) and DTC Settling Assets Project as outlined in NSCC Important Notice A7556 P&S 7126 and DTC Important Notice B1988-12, both dated December 21, 2012. | Nov 18, 2013 |
| 4 |
Set-up of CNS Exemptions for New S Sub-Account (04/10/2014) | Beginning on settlement date May 30, 2014, subject to Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approval, the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC) and The Depository Trust Company (DTC) plan to implement the Continuous Net Settlement (CNS) Automated Customer Account Transfer Service (ACATS) and DTC Settling Assets Project as outlined in NSCC Important Notice A7556 P&S 7126 and DTC Important Notice B1988-12, both dated December 21, 2012. | Apr 09, 2014 |
For more frequently asked questions, see CNS ACATS and DTC Frequently Asked Questions, which is also available in the ACATS Best Practices section.
No. The changes associated with the new ACATS settlement process are not optional. If your firm is an ACATS participating broker-dealer, you will have to make these changes. See also: CNS ACATS DTC.