Follow Us

Follow us on Twitter  Follow us on LinkedIn
 

30 April 2010

EFAMA’s comments on ECON draft report on OTC derivatives


EFAMA calls for a robust risk management system for the CCP as it is vital to protect both its clearing and non‐clearing members. Of particular importance are margin and collateral management, as well as pricing and default procedures.

EFAMA  welcomes  the  reduction  of  counterparty  risk  that  central  clearinghouses  (CCPs)  would  bring,  but  wishes  to  bring  to  the  European  Parliament’s  attention  the  elements  that  are  in  its  view  crucial  for  the  fair  regulation  of  clearing  mechanisms  and  should  therefore  be  considered  in  upcoming  regulation:  
 
·         Of  greatest  importance  is  the  segregation  of  client  positions  and  posted  collateral,  even  if  access  to  the  CCP  is  indirect  (that  is,  if  provided  through  a  clearing  member).  Almost  all  asset  managers  (like  the  rest  of  the  buyside)  will  choose  to  have  only  indirect  access  to  the  CCP  through  a  clearing  member.  Lack  of  segregation  was  highlighted  by  the  Lehman  bankruptcy  as  one  of  the  key  issues  in  OTC  derivatives.  
·         The  interests  of  all  users  (including  indirect  users)  must  be  adequately  reflected  in  the  CCP’s  governance  rules  and  structures.  Buyside  representation  on  the  Board  of  CCPs  is  needed  to  ensure  fair  treatment  of  all  users.  
·         A  robust  risk  management  system  for  the  CCP  is  vital  to  protect  both  its  clearing  and  nonclearing  members.  Of  particular  importance  are  margin  and  collateral  management,  as  well  as  pricing  and  default  procedures.   
·         Transparency  to  the  public  of  CCP  governance  rules,  risk  management,  segregation  arrangements  and  prices  is  key  to  permit  due  diligence  by  investment  managers.
·         Position  portability:  it  should  be  possible  for  an  asset  manager  to  change  the  clearing  members  used  to  access  the  CCP  facilities.  A  nonclearing  member  should  therefore  be  able  to  request  a  transfer  of  open  positions  from  one  clearing  member  to  another,  or  to  a  member  of  a  different  CCP.   
 
 


© EFAMA - European Fund and Asset Management Association

Documents associated with this article

10-4029_EFAMA_comments_on_EP_DRaft_Report_on_OTC_Derivatives[1].pdf


< Next Previous >
Key
 Hover over the blue highlighted text to view the acronym meaning
Hover over these icons for more information



Add new comment