Getting Ready for Initial Margin: The Steps to Take

Each September until 2022*, increasing numbers of entities will be required to meet initial margin regulations as the threshold level for compliance reduces. Preparation for meeting these requirements will take significant time, and will involve intensive work to ensure systems, processes and documentation are in place.

ISDA has published a fact sheet that sets out the steps firms should take when preparing to comply with regulatory initial margin requirements. These are not necessarily presented in chronological order – the precise order and timing will depend on a firm’s specific circumstances.

STEP 1: Identify in-scope entities early

STEP 2: Make early disclosures to counterparties

STEP 3: Exchange information on compliance

STEP 4: Identify special cases

STEP 5: Establish custodial relationships

STEP 6: Prepare for compliance

STEP 7: Negotiate/execute documentation

STEP 8: Finalize preparations

  • Updated in August 2020 to account for new Basel Committee on Banking Supervision/IOSCO implementation schedule.

Click on the attached PDF to read the full list of steps.

Documents (1) for Getting Ready for Initial Margin: The Steps to Take

ISDA Omnibus Canadian Representation Letter

On September 2, ISDA published the Omnibus Canadian Representation Letter, which combines previously published representation letters drafted to assist firms in compliance with Canadian trade reporting, business conduct, regulatory margin and clearing classification rules. The Omnibus Canadian Letter is designed...

Joint Response on Cross-margining

On August 31, ISDA and FIA submitted a letter to the US Commodity Futures and Trading Commission (CFTC) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on the agencies’ joint request for comment on the implementation of portfolio margining and cross-margining...

Response to SEC on FICC Guaranty Fund

On September 1, ISDA and FIA submitted a joint response to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), supporting the Fixed Income Clearing Corporation’s (FICC) proposal to establish a dedicated guaranty fund at its government securities division (GSD). FICC had...