ISDA Letter on Reform of UK EMIR

On December 22, 2022, ISDA CEO Scott O’Malia sent a letter and accompanying note to HM Treasury, the Financial Conduct Authority and the Bank of England with recommendations to reform the UK European Market Infrastructure Regulation intragroup transaction exemption and the equity options exemption for variation margin and initial margin.

ISDA proposes that there should be permanent intragroup exemptions from margin and clearing requirements for over-the-counter derivatives between UK and non-UK group companies, which do not depend on equivalence determinations in respect of non-UK countries. The note presents a set of reforms that would give the industry clarity and would remove a cliff edge for some firms at the end of 2023. The letter also urges UK authorities to permanently exempt single-stock options and equity index options from margin requirements, and to communicate plans early to firms that otherwise face an uncertain implementation period.

Joint Response on Stress Testing Framework

On February 23, ISDA, the Bank Policy Institute, the American Bankers Association, the Financial Services Forum, the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association and the US Chamber of Commerce jointly responded to the US Federal Reserve’s consultation on the stress...

Response to FCA on UK MIFIR Consultation

On February 20, ISDA responded to the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) consultation on improving the UK Markets in Financial Instruments Regulation (MIFIR) transaction reporting regime. The consultation aims to reduce the regulatory burden on firms, support sustained economic growth in...