4618. Clearance and Settlement

(a) A Trade Reporting Facility Participant shall clear and settle transactions in designated securities through the facilities of a registered clearing agency that uses a continuous net settlement system. This requirement may be satisfied by direct participation, use of direct clearing services, or by entry into a correspondent clearing arrangement with another member that clears trades through such an agency.

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), transactions in designated securities may be settled "ex-clearing" provided that both parties to the transaction agree.