Economic Sanctions Programs & Derivatives

The expanded and increasingly novel use of targeted economic sanctions programs in recent years has potential ramifications for the derivatives market and there has been limited and inconsistent guidance on how, if at all, sanctions programs are intended to impact derivatives. This paper examines unique aspects of derivatives transactions that can present issues in interpreting how sanctions programs should apply in the context of derivatives and analyses these issues in the context of recent sanctions program experiences.  This paper also proposes eight principles for sanctions authorities to be cognizant of when introducing new sanctions programs or extending existing sanctions programs to ensure the continued safe operation of derivatives markets and minimize market disruption and economic consequences for non-sanctioned entities, without compromising foreign policy or national security goals, conferring any benefit on sanctioned entities or otherwise harming the objectives of any sanctions program.

Click on the attached PDF to read the full paper.

Paper on Proposal 6 on Margin Transparency

On November 16, ISDA published a document that looked at proposal 6 in the final Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS), Committee on Payments and Market Infrastructures (CPMI) and International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) report on margin transparency. Proposal...

Tender Issued for DC Administrator Role

ISDA and the Credit Derivatives Governance Committee have issued an invitation to tender for an independent regulated entity to serve as the administrator for the Credit Derivatives Determinations Committees (DCs), which includes assuming the role of DC secretary. The DC...

ISDA SIMM: The Standard for IM Calculations

The ISDA Standard Initial Margin Model (ISDA SIMM) plays an important role in ensuring margin calculations are consistent, transparent and aligned with global best practices and regulatory requirements. Since its launch in 2016, the model has been rigorously tested, regularly...