BCBS and IOSCO provide phase-in update 07 March 2019Basel Reporter: Maddie Saghir
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Significant progress has been made to implement the framework for margin requirements for non-centrally-cleared derivatives, according to the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) and the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO).
Based on monitoring of the implementation of the framework across products, jurisdictions and market participants, the Basel Committee and IOSCO provided guidance to support a timely and smooth implementation of the framework and clarify its requirements.
The Basel Committee and IOSCO realise that market participants may need to amend derivatives contracts in response to interest rate benchmark reforms.
Amendments to legacy derivative contracts pursued the purpose of addressing interest rate benchmark reforms do not require the application of the margin requirements for the purposes of the BCBS/IOSCO framework.
It was noted that the position may be different under relevant implementing laws.
Meanwhile, in the remaining phases of the framework’s implementation in 2019 and 2020, initial margin requirements will apply to a large number of entities for the first time.
According to the Basel Committee and IOSCO, this could potentially involve documentation, custodial and operational arrangements.
The Basel Committee and IOSCO cite that the framework does not specify documentation, custodial or operational requirements if the bilateral initial margin amount does not exceed the framework’s €50 million initial margin threshold.
It is expected, however, that covered entities will act diligently when their exposures approach the threshold to ensure that the relevant arrangements needed are in place if the threshold is exceeded.
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