The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has approved the Final Rule on Margin Requirements for Uncleared Swaps for Swap Dealers and Major Swap Participants. The Commission voted 2 in favour and 1 opposed.
The new regulation addresses margin requirements for uncleared swaps entered into by swap dealers (SDs) or major swap participants (MSPs) that are not subject to regulation by the Federal Reserve Board, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Farm Credit Administration or the Federal Housing Finance Agency (CSEs).
The Commission’s margin requirements will protect the safety and soundness of CSEs and the integrity of the financial system. Requiring parties to collect margin will provide them with collateral to cover the risk posed by counterparties with open uncleared swap positions. Requiring parties to post margin will reduce the ability of firms to take on excessive risk.
