central counterparty clearing houses

Rating Agency Developments

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On January 8, 2016, Fitch updated its criteria for rating investment holding companies. Report.

On January 7, 2016, Moody’s updated and replaced its existing methodology for rating banks. Report.

On January 7, 2016, Moody’s published its methodology for rating central counterparty clearing houses (CCPs). Report.

FSA Update on Derivatives Reform

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On June 26, the FSA published a speech by David Lawton, FSA Acting Director of Markets, on recent progress made on derivatives reform. Speech.

Mr. Lawton reports that much has been achieved over the past year as regards meeting the G20 commitments to improve counterparty risk management and transparency in the over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives markets. In particular, the international standard setting bodies continue to facilitate the advancement of reforms across jurisdictions and industry has made good progress to increase standardisation of contracts and use of central clearing.

However, four outstanding areas remain:

  • rules for bilateral collateralisation of uncleared trades.
  • ensuring Regulators have a full range of tools to deal with recovery and resolution of central counterparty clearing houses (CCPs). EU legislation in this area is expected sometime this year.
  • getting agreement on how requirements will apply cross-border. The FSA believes that it is desirable to achieve a global system of regulation of OTC derivatives based upon mutual recognition and substituted compliance where possible.
  • ensuring the readiness of firms, both financial and non-financial, not currently clearing OTC derivative trades. Firms will need to be ready to comply with EMIR from January 2013.