CCP
WHAT IS THIS? A central counterparty (CCP) manages default risk by collecting initial and variation margin from both parties to a trade. Spill-over losses are absorbed via a default fund to which all members contribute – introducing a degree of mutualised risk – and by the CCP’s own capital. The concept is an old one that was extended to over-the-counter derivatives in the aftermath of the financial crisis.
EU banks decry threat of capital hit to UK CCP exposures
EBA says supervisors could apply charges to “excessive exposures” of euro derivatives at all non-EU clearing houses
Ice Clear Europe hit by $1.03bn margin breach
The CCP’s futures and options division reported its second largest IM breach ever in Q4, as energy prices skyrocketed
Liquidity risk up 163% at Ice Clear Credit in Q4
Rate hike expectations led to the highest level on record of contributions to the CCP’s default fund
At CME, central bank balances hit all-time high
Over 70% of the CCP’s loss-absorbing funds stashed at the Fed, as interest rate expectations drive liquidity pool expansion
Behnam urges wider CCP access to Fed deposit accounts
CFTC chair says recent market shocks highlight value of Fed accounts; Congressman agrees
SwapClear’s required initial margin up 3% at end-2021
IM held against interest rate positions rose to highest level in a year
LCH turns to central banks in rejig of liquidity pools
Central bank balances hit all-time high, despite aggregate fall in liquidity buffer in Q4
Peak IM calls at FICC leapt 13% in Q4
Number of margin breaches at the central counterparty’s GSD also edged higher, as some members increase exposures after margin calculations
OCC member default fund contributions jump 8%
CCP’s skin in the game fell slightly in Q4, making up 1.8% of the prefunded total
EC looks to force market’s hand in euro clearing battle
Industry exasperated as commission proposes new mandates and capital penalties for banks clearing in London
OCC issued $6.1bn VM call in Q4
December options expiration behind highest VM call in six years
Eurex boosts liquidity buffer by 26%
Increase largely driven by the growth of the CCP’s IRS business
CCPs urged to widen collateral net as commodities spike
Broader acceptance of emissions certificates and letters of credit could relieve margin pressure
Banks, CCPs protest Esma’s ‘prescriptive’ procyclicality rules
Dealers welcome model transparency push, but call for greater say on methods to combat spikes
Legacy Libor swaptions face day of reckoning
Holders of physically settled swaptions in sterling and yen must switch to new risk-free rates, but it’s not simple
Clearing house of the year: OCC
Risk Awards 2022: Risk management reforms help clearing house weather meme stock volatility
Don’t impose blanket margin model rules, say BoE advisers
Focus instead on outcomes and costs and factor in different clearing membership, say Murphy and Vause
Banks offer crypto clearing but, shhh, don’t tell
Top dealers clear crypto futures for select clients despite smorgasbord of risks
Market halts clearing shift to Eurex ahead of EU consultation
Participants hit ‘pause’ after proposed three-year equivalence extension for UK clearing houses
Liquidity risk rose at most CCPs in Q3
JSCC, CME, Ice and Eurex among those that revised their VM estimates
CCPs to review conversion blueprint ahead of SOFR switch
Rising rates vol expected to push US transition to the wire, but process likely to follow previous runs
OCC member default fund contributions climb 11%
CCP's skin in the game up almost 5%
NSCC’s year of living dangerously
The CCP’s models are falling short time and time again, and the consequences could be disastrous
JSCC member received $3bn cash call in Q3
The CCP revised its estimate of the worst-case payment obligation that would have to be met should one of its participants collapse