BENEFITS OF PRIMARY MEMBERSHIP

ISDA's Primary Members enjoy many important advantages. These include:

ISDA Netting Opinions
Only ISDA members are eligible to receive the Association’s legal opinions on the enforceability of the netting provisions of the ISDA Master Agreements, which enable institutions to reduce credit risk and consequently capital requirements in jurisdictions subject to BIS capital regulations. ISDA has obtained netting opinions for 48 jurisdictions. In addition to the netting opinions, ISDA provides members with legal opinions on the ISDA Credit Support Documents from 36 different jurisdictions. The collateral opinions assist members in ensuring the validity and enforceability of collateral arrangements entered into pursuant to the ISDA Credit Support Documents to provide credit support for transactions under an ISDA Master Agreement.

Board of Directors' Participation and Election
Only Primary Members have the ability to serve on the Association's Board of Directors and to elect ISDA's Directors. As the Board is the Association's policy-making instrument, the ability to serve on it and to elect Directors provides Primary Members with a means to participate in shaping ISDA's policies and direction.

Policy Development
Primary Members can participate on ISDA committees and task forces, important mechanisms for formulating and staying up-to-date on policy issues affecting the business.

Access to Information
Only ISDA members receive the numerous policy papers, response letters, market survey data, and communications on key business issues that ISDA and its consultants generate.

Committee Participation
Only ISDA members are able to participate in the Association's numerous committees and task forces which serve to address issues in the rapidly evolving derivatives market.

Discounted Rates for Publications
ISDA members receive substantial discounts when ordering copies of the Master Agreement and supporting documents that are published by the Association and widely used to document privately negotiated derivatives transactions. Primary Contacts at member firms receive complimentary copies of all new publications upon their release.

Conference Participation
Only ISDA members are eligible to attend the Association's Annual General Meeting, which is perhaps the industry's preeminent forum for the discussion of developments and issues in the privately negotiated derivatives business. In addition, a strong preference is given to enlisting speakers from ISDA member firms at the Association's numerous conferences and seminars.