LIBOR Discontinuance and the Derivatives Market

 

On July 27, 2017, the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA“) announced that, after the end of 2021, the FCA would no longer use its power to persuade or compel panel banks to submit rate information used to determine the London Interbank Offered Rate, known as “LIBOR.” LIBOR serves as a benchmark rate for hundreds of trillions of dollars of securities, loans and transactions, including over-the-counter and exchange-traded derivatives. The potential permanent discontinuance of LIBOR has significant implications for the derivatives market, especially for legacy transactions. Read more here.