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.

Episode 54: A Modernization Agenda

ISDA’s chair Amy Hong sets out priorities for the association in 2026 and the important role that technologies like tokenization and artificial intelligence will play in modernizing derivatives markets. Please view this page via Chrome to access the recording.

Developing OTC Commodity Derivatives in India

The development of a robust and liquid over-the-counter (OTC) commodity derivatives market in India could support the continued growth of India’s economy given its significant reliance on commodities. A well-functioning OTC market in India would offer several advantages. First, it...

Joint Response to FCA and HMT Consultations

On January 16, ISDA and UK Finance responded to both the consultation on streamlining the UK European Market Infrastructure Regulation (UK EMIR) intragroup regime by the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) and the draft statutory instrument from His Majesty’s Treasury (HMT)....