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

Letter on EU Legislative Reform

On July 1, ISDA and 11 other trade associations published a statement on enhancing the EU legislative and supervisory framework to support market competitiveness. The statement highlights a significant opportunity to strengthen the EU’s regulatory and supervisory framework through the...

Response to CPMI-IOSCO Margin Proposals

On June 29, ISDA submitted a response to a consultation from the Committee on Payments and Market Infrastructures (CPMI) and the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) on updated guidance and public quantitative disclosures to implement the 2025 margin proposals....

US Treasury Repo Clearing Indicators May 2026

The ISDA-Actrix US Treasury Repo Market Clearing Indicators illustrate central clearing adoption in the US Treasury repo market. Sponsored cleared repo volumes are used as a proxy to monitor client participation in central clearing, the key objective of the Securities...