MINISTRY OF FINANCE | SOCIALISTREPUBLIC OF VIETNAM |
No. 119/2020/TT-BTC | Hanoi, December 31, 2020 |
CIRCULAR
ON REGISTRATION, DEPOSITORY, CLEARING AND SETTLEMENT OF SECURITIES
Pursuant to the Law on Securities dated November 26, 2019;
Pursuant to the Law on Enterprises dated June 17, 2020;
Pursuant to the Government's Decree No.155/2020/ND-CP dated December 31, 2020 on elaboration of the Law on Securities;
Pursuant to the Government's Decree No. 87/2017/ND-CP dated July 26. 2017 defining the functions, tasks, entitlements and organizational structure of the Ministry of Finance;
At the request of the President of the State Securities Commission;
The Minister of Finance promulgates a Circular on registration, depository, clearing and settlement of securities.
Chapter I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Article 1. Scope and regulated entities
1. This Circular set forth registration, depository, clearing and settlement of securities on the securities market of Vietnam.
This Circular does not govern clearing and settlement of transactions of derivative securities, debt instruments of the Government, government-guaranteed bonds, local government bonds.
2. Regulated entities of this Circular shall include:
a) Vietnam Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation (VSDC);
b) Securities companies, commercial banks, branches of foreign banks, depository members (hereinafter referred to as DMs), clearing members (hereinafter referred to as CMs), organizations directly opening accounts at VSDC (hereinafter referred to as direct account holders), settlement banks, issuers, public companies;
c) User of registration, depository, clearing and settlement of securities;
d) Relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals.
Article 2. Interpretation of terms
For the purposes of this Circular, these terms below shall be construed as follows:
1. “certificated securities” are securities issued under the form of physical certificates. Information about the legal ownership of securities owners shall be recorded on securities certificates.
2. “book-entry securities” are securities issued under the form of book entries or electronic data. Information about the legal ownership of book-entry securities owners shall be recorded on the register of securities owners.
3. “securities owner registers” are books recorded the information on securities owners made by the issuer or public company when securities application is submitted at VSDC and books made by VSDC when managing the registered securities.
4. “securities owners” are those whose names are listed on the securities owner register at VSDC.
5. “securities ownership certification books/certificates” are documents granted to owners of book-entry securities to record the information on securities ownership by the issuer, public company or organizations authorized by the issuer, public company at a certain time.
6. “final registration date” is the date VSDC make lists entitled securities owners in accordance with the provisions of law.
7. “multilateral netting” is a payment mechanism whereby amounts or securities payable can be offset against amounts or securities receivable as to securities transactions within the same period, payment method on the securities trading system to determine the net payment obligation of investors and CMs.
8. “market areas” are separate areas on VSDC's clearing and settlement system, set up for securities with the same period, payment method, risk management mechanism, CMs, clearing banks engaged in clearing and settlement for securities transactions.
9. “securities deposit” means bringing securities registered with VSDC to be centrally held at VSDC for transaction.
10. “valuable papers” are types of valuable papers as prescribed in law on banks used in monetary market operations between the State bank and depository customers.
11. “valid applications and documents” are applications and documents with adequate documents and complete declaration as prescribed by law.
Chapter II
REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES
Article 3. Registration of securities with VSDC
1. Types of securities and forms of securities registration with VSDC are specified in Clauses 1, 2, 3, Article 149 of Decree No. 155/2020/ND-CP dated December 31, 2020 of the Government elaborating the Law on Securities.
2. An issuer or public company shall register the following information with VSDC:
a) Information about the issuer, public company;
b) Information about securities of the issuer or public company;
c) Information on securities owners, including: list of securities owners, types of securities, quantity of securities owned and securities depository accounts in case the securities owners wish to both register and deposit the securities.
3. Issuers, public companies register securities directly with VSDC or through securities companies. When there is a change in the registered information, the issuer, the public company must apply for modification to the information to VSDC. The issuer or public company shall be held liable for the accuracy, completeness and timeliness of the information specified in Clause 2 of this Article.
4. VSDC shall issue regulations on securities registration.
Article 4. Issuance of securities codes
1. VSDC shall issue domestic securities codes and international securities identification number (ISIN) for securities and shares registered with VSDC.
2. Domestic securities codes are used unanimously following the registration with VSDC and listed and registered for trading on the securities trading system.
3. International securities identification numbers are used unanimously for securities issued in Vietnam for trading and settlement in the Vietnamese and international securities markets.
4. VSDC shall promulgate regulations on issuance of domestic securities codes and international securities identification numbers.
Article 5. Management of registered securities information
1. VSDC shall centrally manage all information of registered issuers and public companies specified in Clause 2, Article 3 of this Circular.
2. VSDC shall manage and modify registered securities information in accordance with regulations on securities registration.
Article 6. Transfer of ownership of securities
1. The transfer of ownership of securities centrally registered with VSDC shall be carried out by VSDC according to the following principles:
a) Transfer of ownership of securities through securities transactions conducted through the securities trading system;
b) Transfer of ownership of securities outside the securities trading systems if such transfers are non-commercial in nature or fail to be executed via the securities trading system.
2. Cases of transfer of ownership of securities as prescribed in point b clause 1 hereof include:
a) Donation, offering and inheritance of securities as stipulated by the Civil Code;
b) Transactions of securities in odd lots as per the law on securities and securities market;
c) Issuers, public companies redeem stocks from their staff/employees in accordance with the regulation on issuance of stocks to staff/employees; issuers, public companies redeem preferred stocks from their staff/employees in accordance with the regulation on equitization; issuers, public companies redeem stocks upon requests of shareholders, redeem share of every shareholder in proportion to his/her share in the company as per the Law on Enterprises;
d) Transfer of stocks of founding shareholders within the restricted trading period;
dd) Investors transfer their securities ownership to fund management companies where such fund management companies agree to manage the portfolio in the form of assets; fund management companies transfer securities ownership to investors in case of any change to the terms and conditions of the investment trust agreement; fund management companies transfer securities ownership to investors or other fund management companies in the event of contract termination; fund management companies wind up, go bankrupt, or cease operation and reimburse assets to investors or transfer the portfolio to other fund management companies; transfer of ownership between fund management companies of the same investor upon the request of such investor;
e) Cases of ownership transfers as determined by judgments and decisions of the Court, awards of arbitrators or decisions of judgment enforcement agencies;
g) Total division, partial division, consolidation, acquisition of enterprises, or capital contribution in form of shares into enterprises; restructuring of public sector entities; winding up of enterprises, household businesses as per the law;
h) Tender offer; transferring capital of state or state-owned enterprises invested in listed entities, entities registered to trade according to methods of auctions, competitive offering, book building as per the law; transfer of ownership as shareholders of public companies make public offering via auctions via stock exchanges;
i) Transfer of ownership of structure securities, fund certificates in swap transactions with the exchange-traded fund (ETF); transfer ownership; transfer of ownership of securities for issue or revocation of depository receipts in transactions between investors and foreign depository receipt issuers;
k) Transfer of ownership of valuable papers on the money market at the request of the State Bank; transfer ownership of privately placed corporate bonds;
l) Transfer of ownership in securities lending and borrowing as prescribed in Article 40 of this Circular, including transfer of ownership of securities from the lender to the borrower and vice versa or the transfer of ownership of collateral being securities from the borrower of securities to the lender of securities in case the borrower defaults on the loan; transfer of ownership of securities to handle cases of defaults on payments of securities;
m) Transfer of ownership due to realization of collateral being securities registered with VSDC and freezing according to Point c, Clause 1, Article 23 of this Circular. In case the transfer of ownership of securities related to a foreign investor leads to a change in the foreign ownership ratio in a public company, securities company or fund management company, it shall only be done after obtaining the approval from the State Securities Commission (SCC);
n) Transfer of preferred shares without restricted transfer in accordance with the Law on Enterprises; transfer of ownership of securities due to division of marital property in accordance with the Law on Marriage and Family;
o) Transfer of ownership of underlying securities to exercise covered warrants or government bond futures contracts by the method of transferring underlying securities;
p) Transfer of ownership of securities upon total division, partial division, consolidation, acquisition, winding up of securities investment fund; establishing and increasing charter capital of individual securities investment companies; increasing or decreasing the charter capital of member funds; transfer of ownership of securities when the fund pays with securities in the sale and redemption of open-end funds;
q) Transfer of share ownership between foreign investors in the event that the maximum foreign ownership ratio for such shares has been reached and the price agreed upon by the parties is higher than the ceiling price of such shares on the securities trading system at the time of trading;
r) Other cases of transfer of ownership of securities after obtaining the approval from the SCC.
3. The SCC shall consider approving a case of transfer of ownership of securities specified at Point r, Clause 2 of this Article on the basis of some or all of the following documents:
a) A written request for transfer of ownership of securities outside the securities trading system;
b) Transaction contract or agreement document between the parties;
c) Decision of the General Meeting of Shareholders or the Board of Directors or the Board of Members or the business owner of the parties to the ownership transfer (for domestic organizations) through the transfer of ownership of securities according to the Enterprise Law;
d) The decision of the General Meeting of Shareholders of the public company, the Board of Representatives of the closed-end fund approving the non-performance of procedures for tender offer as prescribed in Points a and b Clause 2 Article 35 of the Law on Securities;
dd) An official letter stating the opinions of the securities issuer entitled to transfer of ownership concerning the transfer of securities ownership between investors mentioned in the application;
e) A written certification of the DM (in the case of deposited securities) or the issuer or public company (in the case of undeposited securities) of the quantity of securities transferred that the parties to the ownership transfer currently own;
g) The written opinion of the specialized regulatory authority on the transfer of ownership of securities by the issuer or public company operating in the field in which the specialized law requires opinions;
h) License for establishment and operation or Certificate of business registration or equivalent papers of the parties transferring ownership (for an organization); identity card or citizen identification card (for an individual);
i) Certificate of registration of securities trading code of foreign investors, issued by VSDC;
k) Power of attorney or documents proving the authority to sign transaction contracts;
l) The documents of the parties to the ownership transfer clarifying the contents related to information disclosure, tender offer, non-cash payment, capital source for payment and other matters as required by of the SCC.
4. The documents specified in Clause 3 of this Article must be made in 1 set of original application in Vietnamese and submitted in person or by post to the SCC. In case the documents in the application are copies, they must be copies issued from the master book or copies certified by competent agencies or organizations or the copies that have been compared with the originals. Documents made in a foreign language must be accompanied by a certified translation into Vietnamese by a competent authority; documents issued or certified by a foreign competent authority must bear consular authentication.
Within 07 working days from the date of receipt of the application, the SCC shall send a written request to amend and supplement the application (if any). Within 10 working days from the date of receipt of valid applications and documents, the SCC must reply in writing on approval or refusal to the transfer of securities ownership.
5. The transferor of securities must deposit securities prior to the ownership transfer in the cases specified in Clause 2 of this Article, except for the following cases:
a) The transferor of securities is missing, dies, or resides overseas and cannot be contacted;
b) Issuers, public companies redeem stocks from their staff/employees in accordance with the regulation on issuance of stocks to staff/employees; issuers, public companies redeem preferred stocks from their staff/employees in accordance with the regulation on equitization;
c) Ownership transfers as determined by judgments and decisions of the Court, awards of arbitrators or decisions of judgment enforcement agencies;
d) Transfer of ownership rights due to restructuring, dissolution of enterprises, dissolution of business households but the transferor no longer exists due to completion of procedures for restructuring, dissolution of enterprises, dissolution of household businesses;
dd) Other cases after obtaining approval from the SCC.
6. VSDC shall issue regulations on securities ownership transfer.
Article 7. Deregistration of securities
1. VSDC shall deregister securities in the following cases:
a) Government debt instruments, government-guaranteed bonds, local government bonds, corporate bonds, covered warrants come due;
b) Government debt instruments, government-guaranteed bonds, local government bonds, corporate bonds, covered warrants are redeemed by the issuers before they come due;
c) The issuer reduces its capital, dissolves, goes bankrupt or ceases to exist due to the restructuring of the enterprise;
d) The issuer swaps shares, government debt instruments, government-guaranteed bonds, local government bonds, corporate bonds;
dd) Shares of an equitized enterprise that is not a public company are delisted or deregistered for trading and the enterprise requests to deregister securities;
e) Investment fund certificates, covered warrants are delisted;
g) The ETF is dissolved;
h) Securities of a public company that has registered with VSDC but no longer satisfy the requirements for a public company and the company requests securities deregistration;
i) Issuers, public companies registering securities under the agreement with VSDC voluntarily apply for securities deregistration;
k) Deregister the number of government debt instruments, government-guaranteed bonds, local government bonds that market makers or investors fail to pay for purchases; deregister the Government's debt instruments due to the maturity of the liquidity guarantee contract between the State Treasury and market makers and investors.
2. Securities deregistration shall comply with regulations on securities registration.
Article 8. Exercising rights of securities owners
1. VSDC compiles a list of securities owners at the last registration date, calculates and allocates the rights that securities owners are entitled to in accordance with the law on the basis of the following documents:
a) Written notice of the issuer, public company or a competent organization or individual in accordance with relevant laws;
b) Authorization of the issuer or public company for VSDC to act on behalf of the issuer or public company to perform related services for securities registered with VSDC as stated in the service contract between VSDC and the issuer or public company.
2. The issuer, public company, organization or individual competent to convene the General Meeting of Shareholders in accordance with the Law on Enterprises may only use the list of securities owners provided by VSDC for the purposes stated in the written notice specified at Point a, Clause 1 of this Article and shall be liable for the use with improper purpose or disclosure of confidential information.
3. The owner of deposited securities receives rights and benefits distributed through VSDC and DMs where the securities owner opens a securities depository account. Owners of undeposited securities receive rights and benefits distributed directly at the issuer, public company or entity authorized by the issuer or public company.
4. VSDC, the DM is responsible for exercising the rights for the owner of securities registered and deposited with VSDC, and is responsible for the damage caused to the securities owner due to failure to comply with the regulations on the exercise of rights in this Circular and regulations on professional activities of VSDC within the scope of its responsibilities.
5. The making of the list, provision of the list and the exercising of rights of securities owners shall be carried out on the basis of authorization of the issuer, public company and regulations on the exercising of rights issued by VSDC.
Article 9. Responsibilities of issuers and public companies with registered securities
1. Comply with the provisions of law and the relevant professional operation regulations of VSDC.
2. Sign a service contract with VSDC in accordance with Article 10 of this Circular.
3. Provide accurate necessary information or documents in a timely manner to VSDC to carry out securities registration and exercise rights as prescribed or when VSDC requests in writing to clarify information or the above documents; be held liable for the information and documents provided to VSDC.
4. Be liable for damage caused to VSDC and securities owners when failing to comply with the provisions of law and VSDC's regulations, except for force majeure cases.
5. Pay service fees to VSDC according to regulations of the Ministry of Finance.
6. Other responsibilities as prescribed by law and VSDC's regulations.
Article 10. Service contract between VSDC and the issuer, public company
1. The service contract between VSDC and the issuer or public company shall at least contain:
a) Services that the issuer or public company authorizes VSDC to perform (services of information management on securities registered with VSDC, services of confirmation of transfer of securities ownership to securities owners, services to exercise the rights of securities owners, other services arising under the agreement of the two parties);
b) Rights and obligations of VSDC, issuer, public company;
c) Settlement of disputes;
d) Termination of the contract;
dd) Collecting service charges.
2. VSDC shall issue a sample of service contract between VSDC and issuer, public company.
Chapter III
DEPOSIT OF SECURITIES
Article 11. Registration of securities depository
1. Conditions, applications, procedures for registration of securities depository of securities companies, commercial banks, branches of foreign banks in Vietnam shall be carried out under the provisions of Articles 57, 58, 59 of the Securities Law. Application for securities depository and notes of facilities sufficiently good for securities depository shall be made using the forms in Appendices I and II hereof.
2. After SSC grants the Certificate of securities depository registration, the securities company or commercial bank may authorize its branches to perform securities depository. The securities company or commercial bank must ensure that their branches meet facilities requirements for securities depository.
3. The securities company or commercial bank must report to the SCC on the authorization of the branches to carry out securities depository, together with a note of facilities sufficiently good for securities depository at the branches according to the form specified in Appendix II issued with this Circular.
4. Within 07 working days after receiving such a report mentioned in clause 3 hereof, the SCC shall notify in writing the securities company or commercial bank of the receipt of such a report.
5. Within 03 months after receiving the notice of the SCC as prescribed in Clause 4 of this Article, the securities company or commercial bank must register the securities depository, conduct securities depository for the branches in accordance with VSDC's regulations. After this time limit, if the securities company or commercial bank fails to register securities depository and conducts securities depository for the branch, it must report to the SCC.
Article 12. Termination of securities depository of branches of securities companies, branches of commercial banks
1. VSDC shall terminate securities depository operation of a branch of a securities company or a branch of a commercial bank in the following cases:
a) The securities company, commercial bank has its certificate of registration of securities depository revoked.
b) Securities company, commercial bank voluntarily terminates securities depository at the branch;
c) The branch of securities company, branch of commercial bank ceases operation.
d) The branch's facilities are not sufficiently good to carry out securities depository as notified by the SCC.
2. The termination of securities depository of branches of securities companies, branches of commercial banks shall comply with VSDC's regulations.
Article 13. Principles of securities depository
1. Depository of clients’ securities at VSDC is done according to the principle: clients deposit their securities with DMs and the DMs re-deposit their clients’ securities with VSDC.
2. DMs receive clients’ securities for deposit in the capacity of persons authorized by clients to perform securities depository operations. To deposit securities, clients must sign a contract to open a securities depository account with a DM.
3. VSDC receives deposited securities from DMs and direct account holders. To deposit securities, DMs and direct account holders must open a securities depository account in the name of DMs or direct account holders at VSDC.
Article 14. Opening a securities depository account
1. A DM must open a securities depository account at VSDC in order to conduct transactions with its securities. Each DM may only open one securities depository account at VSDC and may not open a securities depository account at another DM, except for the following cases:
a) A DM opens a securities depository account at a fund founder to perform transactions related to the exchange-traded fund;
b) A DM being a securities company that has terminated its membership at the Vietnam Stock Exchange is allowed to open a securities depository account at other DMs to deal with the remaining securities on a proprietary trading account;
c) A DM who is not a CM opens a securities depository account at a CM to serve the purpose of managing cleared margin assets and making payment for securities transactions for the DM;
d) A DM being a securities company that issues covered warrants opens an additional securities depository account at VSDC to reduce future exposure for the covered warrants;
dd) A DM being a market maker opens an additional securities depository account at VSDC to carry out market-making activities.
2. Direct account holders are allowed to open securities depository accounts at VSDC.
3. Opening securities depository accounts for investors and foreign depository receipt issuers:
a) At each DM, an investor may only open one securities depository account;
b) Foreign investors open securities depository accounts in accordance with relevant laws;
c) Foreign depository receipt issuers may open a securities depository account after being granted a securities trading code.
4. Each securities investment fund and securities investment company may only open one securities depository account at solely one custodian bank in accordance with relevant laws.
5. The fund management company must open a separate securities depository account for the company and for each securities investment fund managed by the company. In case of investment portfolio management, at each custodian bank, the fund management company is allowed to open 02 securities depository accounts in the name of the fund management company on behalf of investors (01 securities depository account for domestic investors and 01 securities depository account for foreign investors).
6. Branches of foreign fund management companies in Vietnam may open 02 securities depository accounts at DMs, of which 01 securities depository account for themselves and 01 securities depository account for portfolio management for foreign investors.
7. Foreign securities companies are allowed to open 02 separate securities depository accounts at DMs, of which 01 securities depository account for themselves and 01 securities depository account for the company's clients.
8. An insurance enterprise may open 02 securities depository accounts to separately manage investments from equity and insurance premiums when making investments on the stock market. In case an insurance enterprise has a foreign investor holding more than 50% of its charter capital, the securities deposited in the securities depository account from the equity source shall be governed by the law on foreign ownership on securities market.
9. Foreign investment funds and foreign investment organizations are managed by multiple fund management companies, investment organizations belonging to foreign governments or investment and financial organizations belonging to international financial institutions of which Vietnam is a member may open more than one securities depository account on the principle that with each securities trading code issued, one can open one securities depository account at a custodian bank.
10. In case the custodian bank where the investor opens a securities depository account is not a CM, the investor must open a securities depository account at a CM to serve the purpose of managing cleared margin assets and making payment for securities transactions.
11. The opening of a securities depository account at VSDC shall comply with VSDC's regulations on securities depository.
Article 15. Securities depository accounts of DMs and direct account holders at VSDC
1. To meet the management requirements of VSDC, securities depository accounts of DMs and direct account holders at VSDC include:
a) Trading securities accounts;
b) Securities accounts temporarily suspended from trading;
c) Securities account used for secured transactions;
d) Frozen and temporarily held securities accounts;
dd) Securities accounts awaiting payment;
e) Securities accounts waiting to be transferred;
g) Securities accounts awaiting lending;
h) Securities account as collateral for securities loans at VSDC;
i) Clearing margin accounts in case a DM is also a CM of VSDC;
k) Other accounts according to VSDC's regulations.
2. Securities depository accounts of DMs mentioned in Clause 1 of this Article are classified as follows:
a) The DM's own account;
b) Accounts for domestic clients of DMs;
c) Accounts for foreign clients of DMs.
3. Securities depository accounts of DMs or direct account holders at VSDC include the following contents:
a) Securities depository account number;
b) Name and address of the DM or direct account holder;
c) Quantity, type and code of deposited securities;
d) The number of securities increased or decreased and the reasons for the increase or decrease;
d) Other necessary information.
Article 16. Management of securities depository accounts at VSDC
1. VSDC manages securities depository accounts according to the following principles:
a) Securities deposited with VSDC are assets owned by clients and managed separately from assets of VSDC;
b) VSDC may only use clients’ securities in the cases specified at Points h, i, k, l, m, Clause 1, Article 156 of Decree No. .../2020/ND-CP dated ... of the Government on elaboration of the Law on Securities.
2. VSDC only does accounting on the securities depository account when the accounting vouchers are complete, valid and are original documents.
3. The total balance of securities depository accounts of clients opened at DMs must always match the balances of securities depository accounts of DMs opened at VSDC. The detailed balance on each client's securities depository account at a DM must match that client's ownership data at VSDC.
4. When there is any change or error in securities depository account information, the DM, direct account holder is obliged to report and modify immediately with VSDC. The modification to securities depository account information shall comply with VSDC's regulations on depository activities.
5. When detecting errors in information in the securities depository account of a DM, direct account holder or a client of a DM, VSDC must immediately notify the DM or direct account holder for proper modification.
Article 17. Securities depository accounts of clients at DMs
1. To meet the management requirements of a DM, a client's securities depository account opened at a DM includes:
a) Trading securities accounts;
b) Securities accounts temporarily suspended from trading;
c) Securities account used for secured transactions;
d) Frozen and temporarily held securities accounts;
dd) Securities accounts awaiting payment;
e) Securities waiting to be transferred;
g) Securities accounts awaiting lending;
h) Securities account as collateral for securities loans at VSDC;
i) Clearing margin accounts in case a DM is also a CM of VSDC;
k) Other accounts according to VSDC's regulations.
2. A client's securities depository account opened at a DM includes the following contents:
a) Securities depository account number;
b) Name and contact address of the client being the account holder;
c) Number and date of issuance of the people's identity card or citizen identification card for individual clients being Vietnamese; number, date of issue of certificate of business registration, license of establishment and operation or equivalent document if the client is a domestic organization; number and date of issuance of the securities trading code registration certificate if the client is a foreign investor;
d) Quantity, type and code of deposited securities;
dd) The number of securities increased or decreased and the reasons for the increase or decrease;
e) Other necessary information.
3. For the investment portfolio management by the fund management company, the securities depository account at the custodian bank must contain sufficient information about the investors as prescribed at Points b and c, d, dd and e Clause 2 of this Article.
Article 18. Management of securities depository accounts at DMs
1. DMs must manage clients’ securities depository accounts according to the following principles:
a) DMs must open a detailed securities depository account for each client and separately manage assets for each client;
b) Securities deposited by clients at DMs are assets owned by clients and managed separately from assets of DMs;
c) DM may only use securities in a client's securities depository account in the following cases:
- DM is a securities company that deals with securities on a client's account in margin trading in accordance with law or deals with securities on a client's account in accordance with agreement between the client and DM or other organization or individual, or otherwise deals with securities on the client's account in accordance with the client's written order or authorization;
- A DM is a CM who processes securities in a client's clearing margin account to ensure the solvency of securities transactions, return used support sources and compensate for financial losses in case that client defaults on securities transactions.
d) DMs have the responsibility to promptly and fully notify arising benefits related to deposited securities to clients;
dd) The DM is responsible for updating daily information on opening and closing securities depository accounts of clients at DM to VSDC and comparing information on balance of securities depository account of each client at the DM with the client's securities ownership data at VSDC on the basis of the client's securities ownership data provided by VSDC to the DM. The updating of account information and balance reconciliation shall comply with VSDC's regulations on depository activities.
2. At the client's request, the DM must send each client a statement of the securities depository account within the time limit agreed with the client; in case there is no agreement on the time limit, the DM must send to the client a statement of the securities depository account after 01 working day from the date of the client's request.
3. The client is obliged to immediately notify the DM when there is any change or error in the client's securities depository account information at the DM.
Article 19. Effect of securities deposit
1. Securities deposit at VSDC takes effect from the time VSDC does accounting on the securities depository account of the DM or direct account holder opened at VSDC.
2. The accounting and transfer of book-entry securities between securities depository accounts of DMs, direct account holders or depository clients at VSDC have the same legal effect as for with the transfer of certificated securities and recognized by law.
Article 20. Deposit of securities
1. The deposit of securities except for government debt instruments, government-guaranteed bonds, and local government bonds of clients at VSDC shall be made according to the following principles:
a) The client deposits securities in VSDC through a DM where such client opens a securities depository account;
b) DMs are responsible for carrying out procedures for receiving client's deposited securities and re-depositing them in VSDC within 01 working day from the date of receipt of valid client's application;
c) VSDC is responsible for processing securities depository applications within 01 working day from the date of receipt of valid applications of DMs;
2. A DM, direct account holder, client that deposits invalid securities, counterfeit securities, stolen securities or does not have enough information as required shall be responsible for these securities and must make restitution to related parties for any damage caused by the deposit of such securities.
3. VSDC performs the request for securities deposit from shareholders of the issuer when there is a request from the issuer to represent the shareholders.
4. VSDC shall record securities into securities depository accounts of DMs, direct account holders or clients of related DMs in cases of depositing debt instruments of government, government-guaranteed bonds, local government bonds and deposit of shares, additional registered fund certificates arising from securities deposited with VSDC.
5. Securities deposit shall comply with VSDC's regulations on securities deposit.
Article 21. Withdrawal of securities
1. Withdrawal of securities at the request of clients:
a) Clients are only required to withdraw securities within the number of securities they own on securities depository accounts, except for securities which are being held in custody, frozen or placed for clearing margin;
b) The DM must forward to VSDC the application for securities withdrawal within 01 working day from the date of receipt of a valid application from the client;
c) VSDC is responsible for processing the application for securities withdrawal within 01 working day from the date of receipt of valid application of DM;
d) Information on ownership of securities of the investor who withdraws securities shall be recorded in the list of owners of undeposited securities;
dd) The issuer is responsible for re-issuing the certificate of securities ownership or the securities ownership certificate book to the securities owner who has withdrawn the securities in case the issuer has issued the certificate of securities ownership or securities ownership certificate book.
2. Withdrawal of securities due to expiry of their validity, withdrawal of securities due to voluntary de-registration of securities shall be carried out according to the principle that VSDC automatically records the decrease in the quantity of deposited securities on the securities depository account of DMs after the issuer completes application for deregistration of securities with VSDC.
3. The withdrawal of securities deposited with VSDC shall comply with VSDC's regulations on securities depository.
Article 22. Transfer of securities
1. The transfer of securities to pay for securities transactions performed through the securities trading system must comply with regulations on clearing and settlement of securities transactions.
2. VSDC makes a depositary securities transfer outside the securities trading system and not associated with the transfer of securities ownership in the following cases:
a) The client transfers securities from the client's securities depository account at one DM to the client's own securities depository account or clearing margin account at another DM;
b) Transferring valuable papers between securities depository accounts of the same investor serving transactions on the money market;
c) Transferring securities to carry out hedging activities for covered warrants of the securities company that issues the covered warrants; transferring securities to carry out market-making activities by the market maker;
d) Transferring securities due to transfer of investment portfolio between securities depository accounts of the same investor at the request of such investor;
dd) Transferring securities due to change in information on types of securities, correction of errors in the number of securities owned, change in the representative of state capital ownership; securities transfers due to a change in foreign ownership ratio or a change of nationality resulting in a change from a domestic investor to a foreign investor and vice versa;
e) Transferring securities when the DM where the client is opening an account has the certificate of registration of securities depository, the securities brokerage practice or the certificate of DM revoked by SCC; transferring securities when the CM has the certificate of eligibility to provide clearing and settlement services for securities transactions revoked by SCC;
g) When the direct account holder terminates the service contract with VSDC.
h) The direct account holder transfers securities from its own securities depository account at VSDC to the securities depository account or clearing margin account of the direct account holder at the DM and vice versa.
3. VSDC performs the transfer of deposited securities associated with the transfer of securities ownership outside the securities trading system for the cases specified in Clause 2, Article 6 of this Circular and other transfer cases with the consent of the SCC.
4. The DM must forward to VSDC the application for securities transfer within 01 working day from the date of receipt of a valid application from the client.
5. VSDC is responsible for processing securities transfer application within 01 working day for the transfer case specified at Points a, b, c, d, dd, h Clause 2 of this Article and up to 05 working days for the transfer case specified at Points e, g, Clause 2, Clause 3 of this Article from the date of receipt of a valid application.
6. The securities transfer at VSDC shall comply with VSDC's regulations on securities depository.
Article 23. Freezing and release of securities
1. VSDC shall freeze and release securities in the following cases:
a) Freezing and releasing securities at the request of competent regulatory agencies;
b) Freezing and releasing securities at the request of investors;
c) Freezing and releasing securities of investors to be used to secure the performance of obligations in security transactions.
2. For the case specified at Point a, Clause 1 of this Article, VSDC shall only freeze and release securities after receiving a written request from a competent regulatory agency in accordance with law.
After freezing and releasing securities on securities depository accounts, VSDC is responsible for notifying DMs and direct account holders to freeze and release corresponding securities and notify the related clients of DMs.
3. For the case specified at Point b, Clause 1 of this Article, VSDC shall freeze and release the investor' securities at the investor's request and send it to VSDC through a DM where the investor has the depository securities frozen and released.
Frozen securities are freely transferable securities that are not frozen, held, or deposited. VSDC is responsible for processing the application for freezing or release of securities within 01 working day from the date of receipt of valid application. The freezing and release of securities at the request of investors shall comply with VSDC's regulations on securities depository.
4. For the case specified at Point c, Clause 1 of this Article, VSDC shall comply with regulations on registration of security interests for securities that have been centrally registered with VSDC.
Chapter IV
CLEARING AND SETTLEMENT OF SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS UNDER CENTRAL COUNTERPARTY CLEARING HOUSE
Article 24. Principles of clearing and settlement of securities transactions
1. VSDC performs multilateral netting to determine the obligation to settle securities transactions according to the following principles:
a) The clearing of securities is done for each securities and separately according to the type of brokerage account for domestic clients, brokerage account for foreign clients and proprietary trading account of CMs;
b) The clearing is done for each CM on the basis of general clearing between the amounts receivable and the amounts payable for transactions with the same time and payment method on the securities trading system and segregated by type of brokerage account for domestic clients, brokerage account for foreign clients and proprietary trading accounts of CMs.
2. The payment for securities transfer at VSDC and money payment at the settlement bank are done on the basis of the obligation to pay securities and money determined by VSDC.
3. The CM is responsible for fulfilling all obligations of clients towards VSDC as the authorized representative of the clients, including transactions of non-clearing members (NCMs), clients of NCMs.
4. Within 12 months from the date of official implementation of clearing and settlement for securities transactions under the central counterparty clearing house, DMs are allowed to participate in clearing and settlement of securities as direct CMs, exercise the rights and obligations of CMs with respect to the provision of clearing and settlement services for securities transactions under the central counterparty clearing house in accordance with law and regulations of VSDC.
5. VSDC secures settlement of securities transactions through the secured settlement mechanism specified in Article 35 of this Circular.
6. VSDC promulgates regulations on clearing and settlement of securities transactions.
Article 25. Clearing margin accounts of investors
1. A CM opens a clearing margin account for an investor to manage clearing margin asset and fulfill the investor's obligation to pay for securities transactions according to the principle that each clearing margin account of investors may open 01 clearing margin account. The securities company other than a CM and its clients must open a clearing margin account to manage clearing margin asset and fulfill payment obligations at a general CM on the basis of the clearing and settlement trust contract between the securities company and the general CM.
In case an investor has a securities depository account at a custodian bank that is not a CM, the investor opens a securities trading account and a clearing margin account at the same securities company being CM to manage clearing margin asset and fulfill obligations to settle securities transactions.
2. In case the clearing margin asset is money, the CM must open a deposit account in the CM's name at a bank to post clearing margin and separately manage the deposit to post a clearing margin for the investor. In case the clearing margin asset is securities, the CM shall manage the securities right on the investor's securities depository account at VSDC.
3. An investor's clearing margin account can only be used for the following activities:
a) Receiving and returning clearing margin asset to the investor;
b) Receiving or settling securities transactions of the investor, receiving the interest on bank deposit at the interest rate agreed between the CM and the account managing bank;
c) Receiving or transferring securities on the date of settlement, receiving rights and benefits arising for securities on the clearing margin account as guided in VSDC's regulations.
Article 26. Clearing margin of investors
1. Before performing securities transactions, the investor must have sufficient clearing margin asset at the request of the CM and regulations of law on securities trading, clearing, and settlement of securities transactions for securities transactions expected to be performed. The investor's clearing margin is made with the investor's own money and securities. Clearing margin securities must be securities that satisfy the conditions specified in Clause 3, Article 29 of this Circular and are accepted by the CM.
2. The investor must maintain clearing margin for transactions that have not yet been settled and must add clearing margin asset in case the value of clearing margin asset is lower than the value of clearing maintenance margin or clearing margin deposit balance does not guarantee the minimum clearing margin ratio in cash required by the CM. Depending on market conditions, the CM may make a margin call to request the investor to deposit more clearing margin within the trading session. The amount of additional clearing margin and the time limit for adding clearing margin shall comply with the instructions of the CM.
3. When an investor posts a clearing initial margin or additional clearing margin, the CM may request the investor to post a clearing margin in cash or allow the investor to post a partial clearing margin with securities accepted by the CM but guaranteed not to exceed 40% of the value of the clearing margin asset. The investor may withdraw the clearing margin asset if the value of clearing margin asset exceeds the value of clearing maintenance margin determined by the CM.
4. Money and securities on an investor's clearing margin account are owned by the investor, not by the CM. The CM may only use money and securities on the investor's clearing margin account as prescribed in Clause 5, Article 30 of this Circular.
Article 27. Clearing margin accounts of CMs
1. VSDC is responsible for opening clearing margin deposit accounts in VSDC's name at the settlement bank and clearing margin securities accounts in VSDC's name at VSDC to manage clearing margin assets for securities transactions of CMs and clients of CMs specified in Clause 3, Article 24 of this Circular.
2. At the settlement bank, VSDC opens for each CM 03 clearing deposit accounts and 03 checking accounts in VSDC's name for separate management of clearing margin assets and do settlement for proprietary transactions, transactions of domestic brokerage clients, transactions of foreign brokerage clients.
3. Clearing margin accounts of CMs are only used for activities of receiving and returning clearing margin assets. The asset on this account include the client's asset that the CM uses to post a margin for clearing the client's own securities transactions and the received bank deposit interest. Money and securities arising from exercising rights as to clearing margin securities on clearing margin securities account are allocated according to VSDC's regulations.
4. The CM's clearing margin account must be established by VSDC, provided that the CM's asset is separately managed from VSDC's asset; each CM’s assets and payments is separately managed from the clearing margin assets of the derivatives market.
5. VSDC is responsible for establishing a system to fully manage information on settlement obligations, settlement value, required clearing margin, value and list of clearing margin assets for each CM.
6. VSDC has the right to request CMs to provide detailed information about trading accounts (if CMs are trading members of the Vietnam Stock Exchange), clearing margin accounts, value and portfolio of clearing margin assets of each investor.
Article 28. Clearing margin of CMs
1. The CM will post a clearing margin to VSDC as follows:
a) The CM must promptly post clearing margins in full to VSDC for all securities transactions that have not yet been settled in the CM's name, including the CM's own transactions and transactions of the CM’s clients;
b) The CM must deposit more clearing margin asset when the value of clearing margin asset does not meet the value of clearing maintenance margin or the clearing margin deposit balance does not guarantee the minimum clearing margin ratio in cash calculated by VSDC for all unfinished securities settlement in the name of the CM and the clearing margin asset may be withdrawn if the value of the clearing margin asset is in excess of the value of clearing maintenance margin;
c) Clearing margin assets of CMs include money and securities accepted by VSDC. The ratio of clearing margin in cash complies with VSDC's regulations, ensuring that it is not lower than 90% of the value of the clearing margin asset. The value of clearing maintenance margin for unsettled securities in the CM's name is calculated by VSDC for the CM on a daily basis based on the risk margin value, variation margin value, market risk premium.
2. VSDC determines the required clearing margin for securities transactions that have not yet been settled by CM, type of securities and separately for each proprietary trading, domestic brokerage, and foreign brokerage activity. In case a CM fails to promptly post clearing margins in full as required, VSDC may apply the following measures:
a) Request the Vietnam Stock Exchange to suspend trading for CMs who are violating members and violating NCMs who have trust contracts for clearing and settlement with other CMs;
b) Reject novation for transactions of a CM and NCMs that entrust clearing and settlement through the CM after VSDC has requested the Vietnam Stock Exchange to suspend this CM’s trading activities;
c) Take actions against CMs violating the VSDC's regulations.
3. VSDC does not make a term deposit for clearing margin deposits of CMs. Interest on demand deposits will be returned to CMs at the interest rate quoted by the settlement bank.
4. Determination of types of clearing margin, method of calculating clearing margin, calculation parameters, types of assets approved for clearing margin, procedures for depositing and withdrawing clearing margin, clearing margin ratio, minimum clearing margin ratio in cash, exercising of rights related to clearing margin securities and other related matters shall comply with VSDC's regulations.
Article 29. Clearing margin assets
1. Investors and CMs may use money and securities meeting the conditions in Clauses 2 and 3 of this Article to post clearing margins.
2. Securities accepted by VSDC as clearing margin assets for securities transactions must satisfy the following conditions:
a) Not in the category of being warned, controlled or suspended from trading on the Stock Exchange or the securities of the issuers in the state of dissolution, bankruptcy, consolidation or merger;
b) Not being collateral in transactions in accordance with the civil law on collateral transactions, including collateral in margin transactions at securities companies; are not assets being frozen by regulatory agencies in accordance with relevant laws;
c) Not being frozen or held in custody at VSDC;
d) It is freely transferable and has been deposited on a securities trading account at VSDC; is an asset owned by the clearing margin party being an investor or a CM;
dd) Other conditions according to VSDC's regulations.
3. Securities selected by a CM to allow investors to post clearing margins must ensure:
a) Satisfy the conditions specified at Points a, b, c, d, Clause 2 of this Article;
b) Satisfy other conditions of the CM.
4. VSDC, CMs are responsible for publishing the list of securities approved for clearing margin and the discount rate of each type of securities on their website. In case of change of securities that are already approved as clearing margin assets, the investor or CM is responsible for replacing them with cash or other securities to be approved by VSDC or the CM.
5. During the clearing margin period, investors and CMs are still entitled to receive rights and interests accrued related to clearing margin securities in accordance with the enterprise law, the securities law, and VSDC’s regulations.
6. During the clearing margin period, investors and CMs may not transfer, donate, mortgage, deposit, register the clearing margin assets as collateral or use clearing margin assets for the other purpose.
Article 30. Management of clearing margin accounts and clearing margin assets of investors and CMs
1. CMs must separately manage clearing margin accounts and assets of each investor; separately manage them from its own clearing margin account and assets; separately manage clearing margin accounts and assets from the derivatives market.
2. The CM may only use clearing margin assets on the investor's clearing margin account to secure payment obligations or make payments for such investor' own securities transactions, may not use those assets to secure payment obligations or make payments for the transactions of the CM and other investors, and may not use those assets as collateral or to pay for other purposes, and may not use those assets as collateral for its own loan or used for investment except as provided for in Clause 5 of this Article. Deposit interest is returned to the investor at the demand interest rate quoted by the settlement bank.
3. The investor's clearing margin assets must be managed separately, not be and shall not be considered as the assets of the CM, even if they are already posted as clearing margin on the clearing margin account of the CM.
4. In case a CM is dissolved or goes bankrupt, the investor's clearing margin asset is not the asset of the CM and cannot be used for realization in accordance with the law on dissolution or bankruptcy, may not be distributed to the creditors of the CM or distributed to the shareholders or capital contributors of the CM in any form. The CM is responsible for immediately returning to the investor the remaining clearing margin asset after fulfilling the investor's payment obligation.
5. On a daily basis and in trading sessions with high volatility of securities prices, the CM shall calculate the required clearing margin amount, re-evaluate the value of clearing margin assets, ensuring investors always maintain clearing margin as agreed in the contract and in accordance with the law. In case an investor defaults on a securities transaction, the CM may use, sell or transfer the clearing margin asset without the investor's approval. Within 01 working day after realizing the clearing margin asset, the CM must notify the investor using the method agreed with the investor of the realization of the clearing margin asset. The notice must clearly state the reason, the type of asset realized, method, time, and value of realization.
6. VSDC has the right to use clearing margin assets of investors and CMs already posted to VSDC to fulfill obligations of investors and CMs as prescribed at Point m, Clause 1 of Article 1 of this Article. 156 Decree No..../2020/ND-CP dated of the Government on elaboration of the Law on Securities. Within 01 working day after realizing the clearing margin asset, VSDC must notify the CM in writing of the realization of the clearing margin asset. The notice must clearly state the reason, the type of asset realized, method, time, and value of realization.
Article 31. Clearing margin and settlement of securities transactions of direct account holders and clients of custodian banks
1. Direct account holders, clients of custodian banks, upon trading securities, must satisfy requirements on securities trading and post clearing margins before trading in accordance with the provisions of law on securities trading, clearing and settlement of securities transactions.
2. In case there is an agreement with the CM, the direct account holder may manage the clearing margin assets on its own depository account; a custodian bank that is not a CM may manage clearing margin assets that are money and securities of the client on the client's depository account at the custodian bank, but the clearing and settlement of securities transactions of the direct account holder and clients of the custodian bank must be performed on clearing margin accounts opened at the CM.
3. The CM is responsible for all obligations of clearing margin and settlement of securities transactions of direct account holders or clients of custodian banks other than CMs with VSDC, even if there is an agreement on management of clearing margin and settlement of securities transactions with the direct account holders or custodian banks.
4. The custodian bank that is a CM shall fully perform the responsibilities of a CM as prescribed in Clause 3, Article 24 of this Circular and may only refuse to confirm settlement of a securities transaction by the investor in case the securities company placing trading order is a CM that places an incorrect order on behalf of the investor or places an order without confirmation or guarantee from the custodian bank. In this case, the securities company that is a CM is responsible for correcting the error for the investor's transaction as prescribed in Article 33 of this Circular.
Article 32. Novation, transaction reconciliation and confirmation
1. After receiving trading results from Stock Exchanges, VSDC checks the validity of transactions before executing the novation. VSDC has the right to refuse novation and remove settlement for invalid transactions as prescribed in Clause 1, Article 37 of this Circular.
2. VSDC is responsible for notifying the list of valid transactions to CMs for reconciliation and confirmation.
3. CMs are responsible for reconciling transaction details with the valid list of transactions sent by VSDC and reconfirming with VSDC according to VSDC's regulations.
Article 33. Post-transaction error correction
1. VSDC performs post-transaction error correction in the following cases:
a) CM is a securities company that places erroneous orders on behalf of clients such as: wrong client account number, wrong ticker symbol, wrong price, over order, placing buy order instead of sell order and vice versa, the wrong quantity of stock;
b) CMs do not control the balance of clients' securities and money according to regulations, leading to lack of securities or money to pay for securities transactions;
c) The difference in the number of sold securities or the difference in the number of purchased securities because the total number of sold securities is not equal to the total number of purchased securities on the investor's executed day trading orders;
d) The securities company being a CM places trading orders for the clients of the CM being the custodian bank when there is no confirmation or orders are placed wrongly compared with the confirmation of the custodian bank;
dd) The client's account is short of securities by the specified time without sending notice or confirmation to VSDC;
e) Transactions that lack client account information.
2. Post-transaction error correction is done by VSDC according to the following principles:
a) VSDC shall correct errors on proprietary trading accounts at the request of CMs for the cases specified at Points a, b and c, Clause 1 of this Article;
b) For the case specified at Point d, Clause 1 of this Article, VSDC shall correct errors in the securities company's proprietary trading account after the custodian bank refuses to confirm settlement for securities transactions of the client;
c) For the case specified at Point dd, Clause 1 of this Article, VSDC shall correct errors in the CM's proprietary trading account without the CM's opinion;
d) For the case specified at Point e, Clause 1 of this Article, VSDC corrects the error regarding the client's account that has been updated within the specified time. After this time, for a transaction that lacks investor account information, VSDC shall correct the error on the CM's proprietary trading account.
3. If the above-mention CM does not have a proprietary trading account, VSDC will open a proprietary trading account for the CM to temporarily record the number of securities that the CM may receive or has to pay due to the error correction. The mechanism is as follows:
a) When receiving securities from error correction, the CM is obliged to immediately sell the securities received from error correction in the nearest trading session so that VSDC can close the account;
b) When the CM has to repay securities borrowed from the lender, the CM is allowed to maintain a proprietary trading account until the obligations towards the securities lender are fulfilled.
4. In case the error correction leads to the excess of the maximum foreign ownership ratio as prescribed, the CM is responsible for selling part or all of the securities received from the error correction on the nearest trading session to reduce the foreign ownership ratio to a required level.
5. As for errors other than those mentioned in Clause 1 of this Article, VSDC may consider taking actions after obtaining approval from the SCC.
6. A CM who, due to post-transaction error correction, is considered default on securities transactions, may apply settlement support mechanisms as prescribed in Article 35 of this Circular.
7. VSDC is responsible for notifying the Stock Exchange of post-transaction error correction.
8. Post-transaction error correction is carried out according to the instructions in VSDC's regulations.
Article 34. Proprietary trading error correction
1. In case a CM being a securities company enters the wrong proprietary trading account number or places wrong proprietary trading order into the securities trading system, VSDC will make corresponding adjustments to the correct proprietary trading account number, proprietary trading orders of the securities company or custodian bank for clearing and settlement of securities transactions.
2. In case a CM being a securities company enters an incorrect order leading to a shortage of securities for settlement, or a member who establishes a exchange-traded fund lacks securities or exchange-traded fund certificates for settlement due to unsuccessful traded exchange in accordance with regulations on management of the exchange-traded fund, the settlement support mechanisms specified in Article 35 of this Circular shall be applied.
3. VSDC is responsible for notifying the Stock Exchange of post-transaction error correction.
Article 35. Actions against cases of defaults on securities transactions
1. A CM or CM's client defaults on securities transactions in one of the following cases:
a) Failure to promptly perform or incompletely perform the obligations of margin clearing and settlement for securities transactions in accordance with VSDC's regulations;
b) Being bankrupt or declared bankrupt in accordance with the law on enterprise bankruptcy;
c) Other cases according to VSDC's regulations.
2. In case of cash shortage, VSDC is entitled to use support sources to ensure settlement of securities transactions when the CM or CM's client defaults on securities transactions in the following order:
a) Use clearing margin of the CM which defaults on securities transactions according to the order specified in VSDC's regulations;
b) Use the clearing fund's contribution in cash of the CM who defaults on securities transactions in case the CM's clearing margin is not enough to cover the settlement obligation;
c) Use, sell and transfer clearing margin assets of the CM or investor who defaults on securities transactions, assets contributed to clearing fund by securities of such CM in accordance with VSDC's regulations;
d) Use the contribution of other CMs to the clearing fund according to the ratio decided by VSDC. In this case, VSDC informs the CMs of the use of the clearing fund to ensure settlement within the day of use. The CM who defaults on securities transactions is responsible for returning all used clearing fund assets and paying interest to other CMs at the interest rates prescribed by VSDC;
dd) Use the practice risk prevention fund and other lawful capital sources of VSDC after obtaining the approval of the Ministry of Finance.
3. In case of shortage of securities due to error correction after trading or handling of proprietary trading errors, the CM shall apply support measures in the following order:
a) Using borrowed securities through the securities lending and borrowing system (SBL) managed by VSDC;
b) If the CM still does not have enough securities when the settlement time is due, VSDC will delay the settlement due date as to the securities in shortage of the CM to continue applying the support mechanism due to lack of securities specified at point a or c of this clause. The delay of settlement shall comply with the provisions of Article 36 of this Circular.
c) Buy-in through the securities trading system. Buy-in transactions shall be settled within the same day and cleared together with the transaction with the same settlement date through VSDC's system;
4. VSDC may make payment in cash for transactions in shortage of securities in the following cases:
a) The settlement date is the last registration date to exercise the right to generate material benefits but the CM fails to complete the loan or buy-in of securities within the stipulated time;
b) Securities in deficit but it is not allowed to borrow securities and do buy-in according to regulations of VSDC and Vietnam Stock Exchange;
c) The CM has applied the support measures specified in Clause 3 of this Article but still does not have enough securities to settle.
5. The CM who defaults on securities transactions or the client of CM who defaults on securities transactions must return the used sources of support specified in Clause 2 of this Article in accordance with regulations following the order below:
a) Lawful capital sources of VSDC;
b) VSDC's practice risk prevention fund;
c) Contributions of other CMs in the clearing fund;
d) Contributions of the CM who defaults on securities transactions in the clearing fund.
6. VSDC may use, sell and transfer existing securities and securities pending transfer from previous purchases on proprietary trading and market-making accounts of CMs who are in default; securities pending transfer from previous buy transactions with insufficient money on the account of the investor in default in order to repay used sources of support and cover related expenses.
In the event that it is not possible to sell, use, or transfer existing or pending securities as mentioned above, or the proceeds from the sale, use, or transfer are not enough to repay the sources of support and cover the related expenses, VSDC is entitled to use the proceeds from sale of other securities, the rights and benefits obtained from the securities of the CM or investor who is in default to repay the support sources and cover costs and losses incurred.
7. The use of settlement support sources, realization of collateral, loan repayment, the determination of settlement price, time and order of settlement in cash shall comply with VSDC's regulations.
8. In addition to the measures to secure the settlement as prescribed in Clauses 2, 3, 4 of this Article, VSDC may take the following measures:
a) Request the CM to explain reasons, provide all information related to the default on securities transactions, provide list of clients, client identification information and information on clearing margin accounts of clients and the CM;
b) Coordinate with the Vietnam Stock Exchange to suspend transactions for CMs who are trading members or non-clearing trading members who have trust contracts for clearing and settlement with the CM in default on securities transactions, except for transactions at the request of VSDC (if any) to reduce obligations of settlement or clearing margin of the investor or CM in question;
c) Adjust the clearing maintenance margin and clearing fund contribution for the CM in default on securities transactions.
9. In case an investor defaults on securities transactions, the CM is responsible for immediately reporting to VSDC information on securities transactions and the investor's list of clearing margin assets and take appropriate remedial measures, including:
a) Require the investor or CM to perform mandatory reciprocal transactions in proportion to the transactions executed on the same trading day to minimize the settlement obligation;
b) Suspend the receipt of new securities trading orders from the relevant investor and at the same time cancel the unexecuted trading orders of that investor;
c) Use, sell or transfer the clearing margin asset of the investor to buy or put up as collateral for the loan to fulfill the settlement obligation for securities transactions of the investor. In case it is insufficient, the CM must use its own asset to make settlement on behalf of the investor.
10. The application of securities lending and borrowing mechanism to support settlement shall comply with the guidance in VSDC's regulations.
11. In case the CM must do buy-in through the securities trading system, the CM shall comply with regulations of the Stock Exchange.
Article 36. Delay of settlement period
1. The delay of settlement period shall be effected according to the following principles:
a) VSDC will separate the securities in shortage to delay the settlement date;
b) The maximum delay of settlement is 03 working days from the date of settlement of the amount of securities in shortage. The value of the amount of securities deferred for settlement shall be determined based on the closing price of the securities deferred for settlement on the trading day preceding the settlement date;
c) The settlement of delayed securities shall be made by the general clearing method with other transactions that have the next settlement date;
d) The CM having the transaction with delayed settlement must compensate the organization and individuals for related reciprocal transactions at the rate of 5% of the value of securities per one day of delayed settlement.
2. The method of determining the quantity and value of securities in shortage subject to settlement delay and the order of settlement delay shall comply with the guidance in VSDC's regulations.
Article 37. Rejecting novation of CMs and cancelling settlement of securities transactions
1. VSDC has the right to refuse novation and cancel settlement of securities transactions in the following cases:
a) CMs and clients of CMs sell securities without having their possession in accordance with the guidance of the Ministry of Finance;
b) Transactions of CMs or clients of CMs are executed after VSDC notifies the Vietnam Stock Exchange of the suspension of transactions for such CMs;
c) Transactions executed for ticker symbols that have not been accepted for clearing and settlement on VSDC's system;
d) The transaction has an invalid account number because the CM registration number or the character of the trading account type does not exist;
dd) The transaction contains invalid information, including: no session code; the trading date does not fall under the current date; there is no order number of the buyer or the seller; price, trading volume is less than or equal to zero; no order confirmation;
e) The transaction has a combination of four information: market code, trading board code, ticket symbol, and order confirmation number which are identical with those of the previously received transaction;
g) Other cases with the approval of the SCC.
2. The CM having the transaction with novation rejected and transaction settlement cancelled as prescribed Points a and b, Clause 1 of this Article must compensate the organization, individual with related reciprocal transaction an amount equivalent to 20% of the value of the transaction with novation rejected and transaction settlement cancelled. If the CM commits any violation of law, actions shall be taken against it in accordance with the law on penalties for violations against securities and securities market.
3. VSDC shall notify the Stock Exchange of transactions with novation rejected and transaction settlement cancelled.
Article 38. Management and use of the clearing fund
1. The clearing fund is formed from contributions in cash or securities accepted by VSDC for the purpose of making restitution and completing securities transactions, fulfilling settlement obligations in the name of CMs in case any investor or CM defaults on securities transactions. The proportion of value of securities contributed to the clearing fund shall comply with VSDC's regulations.
2. VSDC determines the clearing fund contribution proportion based on the risk of default on securities transactions of CMs separately by each market area. The value of the contribution to the clearing fund for a given market area shall be only used to support settlement and make restitution for damage in connection with securities transactions of that market area.
3. CMs are obliged to contribute to the clearing fund according to the initial minimum level, to make periodic contributions due to re-evaluation and to make ad-hoc additional contributions at the request of VSDC. Contributions to the clearing fund by CMs comply with the Ministry of Finance's regulations on funds managed by VSDC.
4. VSDC shall periodically re-evaluate the clearing fund's size and determine each CM's obligation to contribute to the clearing fund based on the settlement value, market volatility, and risk level and other criteria:
a) In case the balance of contribution to the clearing fund is greater than the contribution obligation, the CM may withdraw the difference;
b) In case the balance of contribution to the clearing fund is less than the contribution obligation, the CM must make additional contribution to the difference.
5. The CM is responsible for making ad-hoc additional contributions to the clearing fund according to VSDC's regulations in the following cases:
a) After using up all assets contributed to the clearing fund according to the order specified at Point d, Clause 2, Article 35 of this Circular, but there is still not enough money to settle the securities transaction. The additional contribution level is decided by VSDC following the approval of the SCC;
b) The CM is put into warning status in accordance with the securities law on financial safety, the banking law on capital adequacy;
c) The asset contributed to the clearing fund of the CM is frozen or confiscated according to regulations of the competent regulatory agency or under a court order;
d) Other cases reported by VSDC and approved by the SCC.
6. Management and use of the clearing fund:
a) Contributions to the clearing fund are owned by CMs and managed by VSDC separately from VSDC's assets and from the clearing fund of the derivatives market. VSDC is entitled to use, transfer, and even sell assets contributed to the clearing fund to fulfill settlement obligations and make up damages arising from securities transactions in the name of CMs;
b) For contributions in cash, VSDC opens a deposit account at a settlement bank to manage the money of CMs contributing to the clearing fund;
c) For contributions in securities, VSDC opens a securities depository account at VSDC to manage securities contributed to the clearing fund by CMs. Dividends, bonds, interests accrued and other interests on contributed securities must be returned to CMs after fulfilling relevant financial obligations;
d) Deposit interests accrued on the contributions to the clearing fund in cash are allocated to CMs in accordance with the amount and time of contribution of each CM less the administration expenses to be paid to VSDC and other related expenses (if any);
dd) Depending on the actual value of the clearing fund and the frequency that CMs use the clearing fund, VSDC may place a cap on each case of settlement support. The interest rate of a loan from the clearing fund shall be determined by VSDC after reaching a consensus with the CMs and with the approval of the SCC.
7. Refund from the clearing fund:
a) A CM shall only be refunded the amount of its contribution to the clearing fund when its CM's certificate is revoked. Refund is made only after VSDC has deducted all payables (debt obligations), including compensation for financial losses to VSDC and payables for securities transactions, unfinished liabilities of CMs and clients of such CMs as prescribed in Clause 3, Article 24 of this Circular.
b) Whilst a CM is in the process to revoke the certificate of CM, the value of the CM's contribution to the clearing fund is managed separately from the clearing fund and is the foundation for the competent authority to issue a decision to withdraw the certificate (if any) after deducting the amount payable to VSDC.
8. The method of determining the contribution size and obligation; the rate of contribution to the clearing fund in cash; the procedures for deposit, withdrawal and refund; the method of receiving and distributing interest shall comply with VSDC's regulations.
Article 39. Management and use of the settlement supporting fund from the date of official launch of central counterparty clearing house
1. Management and use of the settlement supporting fund within 12 months from the date of official launch of central counterparty clearing house:
a) VSDC continues to manage and use the settlement supporting fund for the purpose of compensating for financial losses and completing securities transactions and settlement obligations of DMs, CMs, investors in case the DMs, CMs or investors default on securities transactions. During this time, VSDC is entitled to use the settlement supporting fund as a clearing fund to secure settlement according to this clause and points b and d, clause 2, Article 35 of this Circular.
b) DMs are responsible for contributing to the settlement supporting fund in cash with the initial fixed contribution rate, the annual contribution rate and the maximum contribution level as prescribed by the Ministry of Finance on funds managed by VSDC.
c) Contributions to the settlement supporting fund are owned by DMs and managed by VSDC separately from VSDC's assets. A DM is entitled to a refund of the settlement supporting fund contribution in the following cases:
- The DM has its certificate of DM revoked in accordance with law;
- The DM is not granted a CM certificate after 12 months from the date of official launch of central counterparty clearing house.
d) The refund mentioned in point c hereof is made only after VSDC issues a decision to revoke the certificate of DM and has deducted all payables (debt obligations), including compensation for financial losses to VSDC and payables for securities transactions, unfinished liabilities of the DM and clients of such DM.
dd) Whilst a DM is in the process to revoke the certificate of DM, the value of the DM's contribution to the clearing fund is managed separately from the clearing fund and is the foundation for the competent authority to issue a decision to withdraw the certificate (if any) after deducting the amount payable to VSDC.
e) The interest on the contribution to the settlement supporting fund is allocated to the DM in proportion to the amount and time of each DM's contribution less the administration expenses to be paid to VSDC (if any).
g) The method of determining the contribution size and obligation; the procedures for deposit, withdrawal and refund; the method of receiving and distributing interest shall comply with VSDC's regulations.
2. After 12 months from the date of official launch of the central counterparty house, VSDC establishes, manages and uses the clearing fund as prescribed in Article 38 of this Circular as a substitute for the settlement supporting fund and handle DMs' settlement supporting fund contributions as follows:
a) The value of contribution to the settlement supporting fund of a DM who is granted a CM certificate shall be converted into a contribution to the clearing fund. The CM shall make an additional contribution or be refunded its contribution (if any) as notified by VSDC.
b) VSDC shall refund the contribution of the settlement supporting fund to the DM who is not granted a CM certificate after deducting the amount that the DM still has to pay to VSDC including: payables (debt obligations), compensation for financial losses to VSDC and payables for securities transactions, unfulfilled settlement obligations for which the DM is liable under laws.
Article 40. Management of securities lending and borrowing system
1. VSDC plays the role of an intermediary, manages and operates the securities lending and borrowing system for the purpose of connecting securities lenders and borrowers to execute transactions in accordance with regulations of law.
2. The securities lending and borrowing system is operated on the following principles:
a) Securities lending and borrowing under the mechanism of agreement or order matching between the borrower and the lender must be carried out on the principle that the borrower must put up collateral. The order matching mechanism must ensure the priority principle of interest rate, number of securities and time;
b) Collateral can be money or qualified securities. VSDC stipulates securities that are qualified for put up as collateral and the discount rate of collateral following the approval of the SCC;
c) The value of collateral must be at least 110% of the loan value. VSDC stipulates the ratio of collateral value to loan value following the approval of the SCC;
d) Loan interest rates are agreed on the principle of compliance with relevant laws;
dd) The loan must be repaid with borrowed securities or refunded in cash with the consent of the lender. dd) The loan must be repaid with borrowed securities or refunded in cash with the consent of the lender. In case the lender receives the loan repayment by securities leading to an excess of the statutory maximum foreign ownership rate, the excess must be repaid in cash;
e) In case the lender receives the transfer of collateral in form of securities when the borrower defaults on the securities transaction, leading to an excess of statutory maximum foreign ownership rate as prescribed, the lender shall sell the securities in excess on the trading day following the date of transfer.
3. VSDC is responsible for organizing, managing and operating the securities borrowing and lending system at VSDC.
4. Securities borrowing and lending activities are carried out under the guidance of VSDC's regulations.
Chapter V
REPORTING
Article 41. Routine reports
1. On a monthly basis, DMs and direct account holders must send reports on securities deposit, and CMs must send written or electronic reports on clearing and settlement activities to VSDC with the contents specified in the regulations on practices of VSDC.
2. On an annual basis, the settlement bank must send a written or electronic report to the SCC on its eligibility for a settlement bank using the form specified in Appendix III of this Circular.
3. On a bi-annual basis, DMs and CMs being commercial banks or foreign bank branches must send written or electronic reports to the SCC on their eligibility for registration of securities deposit and clearing and settlement services for securities transactions using the form specified in Annexes IV and V issued together with this Circular.
4. On a monthly, quarterly or annual basis, the settlement bank must send a written or electronic report to the SCC on its settlement of securities transaction using the form specified in Appendix VI of this Circular.
5. The reporting time limits are prescribed as follows:
a) A monthly report shall be sent to the SCC within the first 10 days of the following month;
b) A quarterly report shall be sent to the SCC within the first 20 days of the first month of the following quarter;
c) A bi-annual report shall be sent to the SCC within the 45 days of the last date of the first 6 months;
d) An annual report shall be sent to the SCC within the first 90 days of the following year.
6. Time to close report data for a routine report is as follows:
a) The annual reporting period is 12 months from the beginning of January 1 to the end of December 31 of the calendar year;
b) The 6-month reporting period is from the beginning of January 1 to the end of June 30 of the calendar year;
c) The quarterly reporting period is 03 months, from the beginning of the first day of the first month of the quarter to the end of the last day of the last month of the quarter;
d) The monthly reporting period is 01 month, from the beginning of the 1st to the end of the last day of the month.
Article 42. Ad-hoc reports
1. VSDC must report in writing or electronically to the SCC within 24 hours from the date of occurrence of the following events;
a) Suspension of securities deposit, suspension of members' clearing and settlement of securities transactions;
b) Withdrawal of certificates of DMs and certificates of CMs; termination of securities deposit of branches of securities companies, branches of commercial banks;
c) Provision of confidential information to competent regulatory agencies;
d) Securities trading registration, depository, clearing and settlement activities are partially or completely paralyzed.
2. The settlement bank must report in writing or electronically to the SCC and VSDC immediately when the settlement of securities transactions is partially or completely paralyzed.
3. The settlement bank, DM and CM being a commercial bank or foreign bank branch must report in writing or electronically to the SCC within 24 hours since the failure to meet the eligibility as a settlement bank, the eligibility for securities deposit and clearing and settlement services for securities transactions.
4. The CM must report in writing or electronically to the SCC within 24 hours from the date of occurrence of the following events:
a) The charter capital or equity is reduced by more than 10% compared to the charter capital or equity in the latest annual or quarterly financial statement;
b) Debt-to-equity ratio exceeds 5 times.
Article 43. Reports at request
1. In addition to the routine and ad-hoc reports specified in Articles 41 and 42 of this Circular, in necessary cases, in order to protect the common interests and interests of investors, the SCC may require VSDC, DMs, direct account holders, CMs, settlement banks to report in writing or electronically on registration, depository and clearing activities, and settlement of securities transactions.
2. VSDC, DMs, direct account holders, CMs and settlement banks must report to the SCC in writing or electronically within the time limit required by the SCC as prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article.
3. In exceptional circumstances, in order to ensure the safety of the securities transaction payment system, VSDC may request CMs or settlement banks to report in writing or electronically on clearing margin and clearing, settlement of securities transactions. CMs and settlement banks are responsible for reporting to VSDC within 24 hours after receiving requests for report.
Chapter VI
IMPLEMENTATION
Article 44. Entry into force
1. This Circular comes into force as of February 15, 2021.
2. Circular No. 05/2015/TT-BTC dated January 15, 2015 of the Minister of Finance on guidelines for registration, depository, clearing and settlement of securities transactions ceases to be effective from the effective date of this Circular, except for the provisions in Clause 3, Article 45 of this Circular.
Article 45. Grandfather clause
1. Before VSDC officially operates under Law on Securities No. 54/2019/QH14, the activities of registration, depository, clearing and settlement of securities transactions shall be conducted by the Vietnam Securities Depository (VSD) in accordance with the Law on Securities No. 54/2019/QH14, Decree No. 155/2020/ND-CP dated December 31, 2020 of the Government on elaboration of the Law on Securities and this Circular.
2. Branches of securities companies, branches of commercial banks that have been granted the decision on approval for securities depository by the SCC or have been granted the certificate of securities depository of branch by the VSD before the effective date of this Circular may continue to operate securities depository.
The SCC revokes the decision on approval for securities depository for branches of securities companies, branches of commercial banks after VSDC terminates securities depository of securities company branches, commercial bank branches as prescribed in Article 12 of this Circular.
3. Before the date of official launch of the central counterparty clearing house, VSDC is allowed to continue clearing and settling securities transactions, and managing and using the settlement supporting fund under Circular 05/2015/TT-BTC dated January 15, 2015 of the Minister of Finance on guidelines for registration, depository, clearing and settlement of securities transactions.
Article 46. Implementation
1. On the basis of this Circular, VSDC shall promulgate regulations on practices and membership regulations following the approval of the SCC.
2. Difficulties that arise during the implementation of this Circular should be reported to the Ministry of Finance for consideration./.
| PP. MINISTER |
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