ISDA Margin Survey Full Year 2017

The ISDA Margin Survey considers the impact of regulatory and other changes on collateral practices, and analyzes the amount and type of initial margin (IM) and variation margin (VM) posted for non-cleared derivatives, and the IM posted for cleared transactions.

The survey finds that the amount of IM collected by the 20 largest market participants (phase-one firms) for their non-cleared derivatives increased by nearly 22% to $130.6 billion at year-end 2017 compared to the first quarter of 2017. Of this amount, $73.7 billion represented margin posted by counterparties currently in scope of the rules (an increase of 58%), and $56.9 billion comprised discretionary IM posted by counterparties not currently in scope (a decrease of 6%).

The survey also finds that $194.1 billion in IM had been posted by all market participants to major central counterparties (CCPs) for their cleared interest rate derivatives (IRD) and credit default swap (CDS) transactions at the end of 2017.

Click on the attached PDF to read the survey.

IQ Interview with Mark Uyeda

Mandatory clearing of US Treasury securities is due to begin at the end of this year under rules finalized by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 2023. SEC commissioner Mark Uyeda talks to IQ about the benefits of clearing...

Response to FCA on CFI Codes for Transparency

On March 19, ISDA responded to Chapter 3 of the UK Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) Quarterly Consultation CP26/8 on transparency requirements for financial instruments under Market Conduct Sourcebook (MAR) 11. Sections 3.11-3.13 of the consultation paper explain a discrepancy between...

Why We Need Safe and Efficient SFT Markets

Securities financing transactions (SFTs) play a vital role in fostering liquidity, mobilizing collateral and supporting the smooth functioning of derivatives markets. But during periods of stress, secured funding markets often come under pressure just when they’re needed most, with reduced...

Response to BoE on Clearing Exemption for PTRR

On March 11, ISDA submitted a response to the Bank of England’s consultation on a proposed approach to exempting post-trade risk reduction (PTRR) transactions from the derivatives clearing obligation under Article 4 of the European Market Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR). ISDA...