Global standard-setting bodies publish three final reports on margin in centrally and non-centrally cleared markets
The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS), the BIS Committee
on Payments and Market Infrastructures (CPMI) and the International
Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) today published final
reports on initial and variation margin in centrally cleared and non-
centrally cleared markets. The reports address areas of further
policy work identified in the 2022 BCBS-CPMI-IOSCO Review of margining
practices as part of the policy responses coordinated by the Financial
Stability Board (FSB) to the March 2020 "dash for cash" market
turmoil. The reports contain proposals and practices intended to
improve transparency, streamline margin processes and increase the
predictability of margin requirements across centrally and non-
centrally cleared markets.
The BCBS, the CPMI and IOSCO today
published three reports containing proposals and practices to improve
transparency and streamline margin processes and increase the
predictability of margin requirements across centrally and non-
centrally cleared markets.
The reports are part of a holistic
work programme bringing together the BCBS, the CPMI, IOSCO and the
FSB. They were developed following the 2022 publication of the BCBS-
CPMI-IOSCO report Review of margining practices, which identified
areas for further work.
Transparency and responsiveness of
initial margin in centrally cleared markets – review and policy
proposals, from the BCBS, CPMI and IOSCO, sets out 10 final policy
proposals relevant to central counterparties and clearing members.
The proposals seek to aid market participants' and regulators'
understanding of initial margin requirements and responsiveness
through increased transparency. An accompanying cover note summarises
consultation feedback. The relevant standard-setting bodies will
consider how best to implement the proposals.
In tandem, the
CPMI and IOSCO have published the final report Streamlining variation
margin in centrally cleared markets – examples of effective practices.
The eight effective practices set out in the report provide examples
of how standards set out in the CPMI-IOSCO Principles for financial
market infrastructures, as supplemented by the relevant guidance, can
be met.
The practices aim to enhance market participants'
liquidity preparedness for above-average variation margin calls
through increased transparency and the efficient collection and
distribution of variation margin in centrally cleared markets.
In addition, the BCBS and IOSCO have published the final
report Streamlining variation margin processes and initial margin
responsiveness of margin models in non-centrally cleared markets. The
report sets out eight recommendations to firms to encourage the
widespread implementation of good market practices. These practices
streamline variation margin processes and increase the responsiveness
of initial margin models.
The FSB's Final report on Liquidity
Preparedness for Margin and Collateral Calls, published in December
2024, forms part of this work programme and complements the BCBS, CPMI
and IOSCO reports.
These reports should be read together as
elements of a comprehensive approach to improving transparency,
streamlining margin processes, increasing the predictability of margin
requirements and improving the liquidity preparedness of non-bank
market participants for margin calls.