The Australian Payments Clearing Association yesterday secured a 10-year clearance from the competition regulator for the rules that govern its high-value clearing system.Around 40 banks participate in the high-value clearing system. APCA had asked for a routine extension of five years on the existing authorisation of its rules, which have been in place in much the same form since 1997.Those aspects of the rules that govern suspension, termination and membership of SWIFT require periodic authorisation by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.The ACCC wrote in its draft determination that "having considered the stability of the arrangements" it would authorise the rules for a further 10 years.