Category: ISDA
Eyes on IBOR – Update no. 5: The Protocol
On 9 October 2020, ISDA published the advent of the long-awaited Fallbacks Protocol (“the Protocol”) and updated 2006 Definitions (“the Supplement”). While the official Launch Date is 23 October 2020, early adopters may adhere in advance by application to their ISDA contact. The publication marks the beginning of the largest, single-phase amendment project ever undertaken […]
Landmark LIBOR date delayed
ISDA yesterday announced a further delay to the publication of the long-awaited IBOR Fallbacks Protocol. CEO Scott O’Malia used the ISDA derivatiViews blog to inform the market that the effective date of the protocol is now expected to be mid-late January, referencing a letter to this effect sent to the Bank of England and the […]
IM deferred by 1 year
On 3 April 2020 BCBS and IOSCO announced a one year extension to IM Phases 5 and 6. Accordingly, the revised Phase 5 deadline is 1 September 2021, Phase 6 is 1 September 2022. AANA calculation periods for each phase will also be extended by one year. AANA Period (EU) Threshold Deadline Phase 5 […]
ISDA appeals IM
ISDA and 21 other Trade Associations (collectively “ISDA”) yesterday submitted a letter to regulators requesting a suspension of the IM Phase 5 and 6 deadlines, pending COVID-19 clarity. The letter also suggests that when and if new deadlines are set, “sufficient lead time be provided”. The letter is supplemented by an article by Scott O’Malia, […]
Prudential Regulators do the prudent thing
US’ Prudential Regulators (FDIC, Federal Reserve, FDIC, OCC, FHFA and FCA) have become the latest to issue a proposal for amending Swap Margin Requirements. The CFTC was the first regulator to adopt the BCBS’ mitigation recommendations, staggering the ‘Big Bang’ Phase 5 and 6 thresholds, so it was only a matter of time for the […]
Another week, another regulator falls in line
The latest IM deadline passed at the start of this month without fanfare, and larger firms were able to breathe their fourth sigh of relief. A year from now, the challenge will not be as “easy”. In Phase 4, approximately 35 firms fell in-scope of the €750 bn threshold. Updated numbers for Phase 5 show […]
Margin Xchange…we hardly knew you
Highlander 1986, “There can be only one!” or for a younger generation, “When you play the game of thrones, you win or die”. Risk magazine reports that MarginXchange (MX) has retired from the fray, leaving an open (if depleted) field for its erstwhile rival ISDACreate (IC). MX was established by the triumvirate of Allen & Overy, […]
ISDA Consultation – The results are in…
In May 2019, ISDA launched two consultations: one addressing adjustments to fallback rates if IBORs are permanently discontinued, and another to address the pre-cessation of LIBOR and other IBORs. The operationally imminent cessation of LIBOR can hardly be classified as breaking news. The light shone by the 2008 financial crash fatally exposed the benchmark’s fragility, […]
HKMA latest IM domino to fall
Earlier today, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority announced their intention to adopt the BCBS/IOSCO’s revised implementation schedule. Their updated deadlines are as follows: For target institutions with Non-Cleared OTC derivatives of more than HKD 375 billion the date will be 1 September 2020. For target institutions with Non-Cleared OTC derivatives of more than HKD 60 […]
Singapore and Korea join rush to delay IM
The Korean Regulator, FSS, is the latest regulator to announce that they will adopt the BCBS/IOSCO guidelines for mitigating risk for non-cleared OTC contracts. This decision follows a recent publication by the MAS (Singapore’s regulatory authority) where they stated that they would also use BCBS/IOSCO’s framework for Non-Centrally Cleared Derivatives in determining whether margin requirements […]