Wavelength Podcast Episode 120: CCP Non-Default Losses

This week, Anthony and James examine the issue of clearinghouse management and the risk of non-default losses at a center counterparty clearinghouse (CCP).

To hear the full interview, listen in the player above, or you can download it.

Essentially, how do these entities manage operational risks around cyber-attacks, fraud or disaster recovery? Futures Commission Merchants (FCMs) argue that they shouldn’t be responsible for risk they don’t introduce into the clearinghouse; CCPs argue that the whole point of a clearinghouse is to mutualize risk.

This topic is coming to a head because earlier this year the European Parliament proposed rules on how these should be managed, the first time anyone’s really codified it. Under this, the CCPs have to contribute 25 percent of what they put into the default fund—known as their “skin-in-the-game”—to cover these risks, before they dip into member money that is meant to be there to guarantee trades.

James discusses the main issues involved, how serious a non-default loss could be versus something like a member default, why everyone should care about this issue, and what we can expect going forward. Anthony just basically listens and nods.

The conversation starts at about the 3:45 mark and goes to about 17:00, where they transition—naturally—to a discussion of horror films.

Upcoming Events

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Contact Info

As is the case with everything we do, we'd love to get some feedback from our listeners. Feel free to reach out to Anthony or James via Twitter or email.

Anthony: @a_malakian; [email protected]

James: @JimRundle; [email protected]

Past 10 episodes:

Episode 109: An Overview of the CFTC Technology Advisory Committee’s Meeting

Episode 110: An Examination of the Temenos-Fidessa Deal

Episode 111: The Challenges Facing Utilities

Episode 112: A Look at How Fintechs are Being Disruptive

Episode 113: IBM's Lund on Blockchain's Evolution

Episode 114: A Recap of FIA Boca - Blockchain, Crypto, AI, Brexit

Episode 115: The CME Buys NEX Group

Episode 116: The Perils of Bitcoin; SS&C and Ion Move in on Fidessa

Episode 117: Machine Learning, Chatbots & Fintechs

Episode 118: CAT ‘State of the Union’, RTS 27 & 28 Concerns

Episode 119: SS&C's Acquisition Plans; Data Privacy Concerns; May 2018 Features