Two Vendors Focus on Noncleared OTC Derivatives SmartStream Technologies, a post-trade systems and services provider, and Numerix, a risk technology vendor, report an agreement intended to better support end users in complying with the International Swaps and Derivative Association’s (ISDA) standards governing margin requirements for non-centrally cleared derivatives. In order to facilitate the over-the-counter (OTC)… Read More >>
Hong Kong Firm Goes Live with GBST Solution
CMB Wing Lung Bank Revamps Back Office The Hong Kong-based CMB Wing Lung Bank has implemented a back-office custody solution from post-trade financial technology vendor GBST in an effort to grow its custody banking business, officials say. The bank, which is a subsidiary of China Merchants Bank, is using GBST’s Syn~Ops Custody product to… Read More >>
ISDA Automates IM Docs as New Rules Loom
The International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) and the Linklaters law firm have officially launched an online platform, “ISDA Create — IM,” that automates the production and negotiation of initial margin documentation and the creation of structured legal data to help financial services firm cope with tougher IM compliance requirements coming this year and next…. Read More >>
ISDA’s Best Practices Target CCP Members
The International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) is setting forth in a new white paper a set of best practices for central counterparty clearinghouses (CCPs) in a bid to prevent troubling defaults that have to then be absorbed by CCP participants. Citing two recent defaults, ISDA says that they represent “the weaknesses in some CCP… Read More >>
Most Firms Unprepared for Move to RFRs: Report
A new report co-sponsored by three key securities industry associations finds that while many participants are aware that they need to move away from the scandalized interbank offered rate benchmarks (IBORS) to alternative risk-free rates (RFRs), they have barely begun to start their transitions. The new report is based upon a survey of 150 banks,… Read More >>
New SmartStream Team to Investigate AI for Ops
SmartStream Creates ‘Innovations Team’ SmartStream Technologies, which characterizes itself as a financial transaction lifecycle management provider, reports that its new “innovations team” is “working with financial institutions to optimise workflows, using Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) and blockchain technologies, in the areas of reconciliations, cash management and fees and expense management.” The new… Read More >>
CFTC Chairman Unveils Swaps Reform Agenda 2.0
Swaps regulatory reform is the focus of a recent white paper/report, “Swaps Regulation Version 2.0: An Assessment of the Current Implementation of Reform and Proposals for Next Steps,” co-authored by CFTC Chairman J. Christopher Giancarlo and CFTC Chief Economist Bruce Tuckman. The report was unveiled at the annual meeting of the International Swaps and Derivatives… Read More >>
ISDA Survey: Number of Dealers to Shrink While Costs Rise
Respondents to an ISDA derivatives industry survey have expressed optimism about the future of their market, but almost half of those surveyed say that the number of derivatives dealers is declining, and that the cost of using derivatives is increasing. In particular, the survey found that 47.3 percent of respondents say “the number of derivatives… Read More >>
JPMorgan Explores New Blockchain for Debt Issuance
JPMorgan Tests Involve National Bank of Canada JPMorgan tested “a new blockchain platform” for debt issuance with the National Bank of Canada and other large financial services firms, officials announced on April 20. JPMorgan is “is seeking to streamline origination, settlement, interest rate payments and other processes,” according to an official statement. For the test,… Read More >>
ISDA-Led Group Wants to End Libor, Euribor Benchmarks
The International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) is leading a group of securities industry associations in a drive to move financial markets closer to alternative risk-free rates (RFRs) and away from interbank offered rates, the “ibor” behind the Libor and Euribor benchmarks applied to contracts and business practices. The Libor, Euribor and Tibor benchmarks are… Read More >>
