[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 48 (Friday, March 11, 1994)] [Unknown Section] [Page 0] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 94-5693] [[Page Unknown]] [Federal Register: March 11, 1994] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM The Toronto-Dominion Bank; Application to Engage in Certain Nonbanking Activities The Toronto-Dominion Bank, Toronto, Canada (Applicant), has applied pursuant to section 4(c)(8) of the Bank Holding Company Act (12 U.S.C. 1843(c)(8)) (BHC Act) and section 225.23 of the Board's Regulation Y (12 CFR 225.23), to engage de novo through its indirect wholly owned subsidiary, Toronto-Dominion Securities (USA) Inc., New York, New York (Company), in the following nonbanking activities: 1. Underwriting and dealing in, to a limited extent, all types of debt and equity securities, including sovereign debt securities, corporate debt securities, debt securities convertible into equity securities, debt securities issued by a trust or other vehicle secured by or representing interests in debt obligations, preferred stock, common stock, American Depositary Receipts, and other direct and indirect ownership interests in corporations and other entities; 2. Purchasing and selling all types of securities as a ``riskless principal'' on the order of customers; and 3. Making, acquiring, and servicing loans or other extensions of credit (including issuing letters of credit and accepting drafts) for Company's account or for the account of others, pursuant to section 225.25(b)(1) of Regulation Y. Applicant seeks approval for Company to conduct the proposed activities throughout the United States. Closely Related to Banking Standard Section 4(c)(8) of the BHC Act provides that a bank holding company may, with Board approval, engage in any activity ``which the Board after due notice and opportunity for hearing has determined (by order or regulation) to be so closely related to banking or managing or controlling banks as to be a proper incident thereto.'' In determining whether a proposed activity is closely related to banking for purposes of the BHC Act, the Board considers, inter alia, the matters set forth in National Courier Association v. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 516 F.2d 1229 (D.C. Cir. 1975). These considerations are: (1) Whether banks generally have in fact provided the proposed services; (2) Whether banks generally provide services that are operationally or functionally so similar to the proposed services as to equip them particularly well to provide the proposed services; and (3) Whether banks generally provide services that are so integrally related to the proposed services as to require their provision in a specialized form. See 516 F.2d at 1237. In addition, the Board may consider any other basis that may demonstrate that the activity has a reasonable or close relationship to banking or managing or controlling banks. Board Statement Regarding Regulation Y, 49 FR 806 (1984). Applicant states that the Board previously has determined by regulation that the proposed lending activities, when conducted within the limitations established by the Board in its regulations and in related interpretations and orders, are closely related to banking for purposes of section 4(c)(8) of the BHC Act. See 12 CFR 225.25(b)(1). Applicant also maintains that the Board previously has determined by order that the other proposed activities, when conducted within the limitations established by the Board in its previous orders, are closely related to banking, and consistent with section 20 of the Glass-Steagall Act (12 U.S.C. 377). See Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, et al., 76 Federal Reserve Bulletin 158 (1990); J.P. Morgan & Co. Incorporated, et al., 75 Federal Reserve Bulletin 192 (1989), aff'd sub nom. Securities Industries Ass'n v. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 900 F.2d 360 (D.C. Cir. 1990); Order Approving Modifications to the Section 20 Orders, 75 Federal Reserve Bulletin 751 (1989); Order Approving Modifications to the Section 20 Orders, 79 Federal Reserve Bulletin 226 (1993); and Supplement to Order Approving Modifications to Section 20 Orders, 79 Federal Reserve Bulletin 360 (1993) (underwriting and dealing activities). See also Dauphin Deposit Corporation, 77 Federal Reserve Bulletin 672 (1991); Bankers Trust New York Corporation, 75 Federal Reserve Bulletin 829 (1989) (riskless principal activities). Applicant maintains that Company will conduct the proposed activities in conformity with the conditions and limitations established by the Board in prior cases. Proper Incident to Banking Standard In order to approve the proposal, the Board must determine that the proposed activities to be conducted by Company ``can reasonably be expected to produce benefits to the public, such as greater convenience, increased competition, or gains in efficiency, that outweigh possible adverse effects, such as undue concentration of resources, decreased or unfair competition, conflicts of interests, or unsound banking practices.'' 12 U.S.C. 1843(c)(8). Applicant believes that the proposal will produce public benefits that outweigh any potential adverse effects. In particular, Applicant maintains that the proposal will enhance competition and provide greater convenience to Company's customers. In addition, Applicant states that the proposed activities will not result in adverse effects such as an undue concentration of resources, decreased or unfair competition, conflicts of interest, or unsound banking practices. In publishing the proposal for comment, the Board does not take a position on issues raised by the proposal. Notice of the proposal is published solely in order to seek the views of interested persons on the issues presented by the application, and does not represent a determination by the Board that the proposal meets or is likely to meet the standards of the BHC Act. Any comments or requests for hearing should be submitted in writing and received by William W. Wiles, Secretary, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Washington, D.C. 20551, not later than April 9, 1994. Any request for a hearing on this application must, as required by Sec. 262.3(e) of the Board's Rules of Procedure (12 CFR 262.3(e)), be accompanied by a statement of the reasons why a written presentation would not suffice in lieu of a hearing, identifying specifically any questions of fact that are in dispute, summarizing the evidence that would be presented at a hearing, and indicating how the party commenting would be aggrieved by approval of the proposal. This application may be inspected at the offices of the Board of Governors or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, March 4, 1994. Jennifer J. Johnson, Associate Secretary of the Board. [FR Doc. 94-5693 Filed 3-10-94; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6210-01-F