02 Mar Standard Initial Margin Method (SIMM) Rules Are Final
INITIAL MARGIN RULES FINALIZED
The past few years we’ve spent implementing derivatives reform. Firms purchased software, hired CCPs and participated in compression processes. This year, regulations will continue to become effective. Most recently the Standard Initial Margin Method for Uncleared Swaps was finalized.
There are two good sources for information on the final margin rules: Sidley’s Derivatives Update dated January 20, 2016 has a summary and details. If you’d rather read a concise overview, DLA Piper issued a press release here.
With Initial Margin Rules final, let the training begin.
SILO VS. VALUE CHAIN STRUCTURE
On February 24, 2016, Derivsource published a blog by Olivier Grimonpont, “Dealers Prepare As Initial Margin Deadline Looms,” about the new margin rules coming into effect in September 2016. But what interested me even more were statements about silo structure versus the need to value chain training.
Yep…right there…around two paragraphs down, Mr. Grimonpont writes:
“…The different departments within the bank will need to establish effective communication channels with each other, which may be a new scenario for some firms. Traditionally, many top tier firms have been operating in a silo-based structure where OTC derivatives and collateral were managed independently from one another. In the new world however, OTC derivatives and collateral need to work closely together.”
I’m happy to see other Derivatives Service Providers echoing my views. In the past few years, institutions have invested time and money implementing Dodd-Frank (Title VII). With much of the heavy lifting behind us, it’s time for Integrated (Value Chain) Training.
Integrated Training is a blended learning program MHDS developed in response to client needs post-implementation. The goal of value chain training (as opposed to intra-silo training) are quicker problem-resolutions by double-checking that proper redundancies are in place so each silo understands the impact of regulatory reform on their function.
THE SILO STRUCTURE
Most financial institutions (buy & sell-side players) have a silo organizational structure. There’s a good reason for silos. Silos separate functions and reporting lines, which create a layer of checks and balances necessary in a self-regulatory organization. For example:
- The middle office and trading desk mark OTC derivatives books to market independently using different data sources
- The middle office will get rates for their MTM swap & option curves (swaptions and caps) from three different sources
- The trading book will receive checks against their own observation from interdealer brokers.
- But silos have a downside when it comes to hedging risk; the risk isn’t viewed in aggregate until you reach the consolidated reporting level.
- One unit could have a long position in physical gold, another unit could be short gold derivative contracts. Net, the company is flat, but if each unit operates independently, each position is managed separately.
When wholesale changes are made to a business, impacting every part of the value chain, cross-function training is important so that each silo understands the changes made in their silo relative to other silos.
DERIVATIVES VALUE CHAIN
An Institution’s relationship with a new client (post Dodd-Frank) who will not be submitting trades to a CCP, will enter into Bilateral Contracts. The relationship begins in the derivatives area or in the origination areas (Debt & Equity Issuance, Bank Loans, Securitization & Project Finance). In either case, the Derivatives salesperson leads the charge by performing all of the required KYC and AML research before handing the client off to Legal, Docs & Credit to get the client set up to transact.
DERIVATIVES VALUE CHAIN TRAINING
MH Derivative Solutions, LLC offers clients a unique program that includes real-time examples and a blended learning process, which keeps participants interested while explaining the overarching changes of Dodd-Frank. Having grown up in the derivatives market, McCabe has seen the business grow, stumble and change. Having worked on both buy-side and sell-side, she understands their respective operations. This depth of experience means she knows every function along the derivatives value chain.
GOALS OF DERIVATIVES INTEGRATED TRAINING
The goal of Integrated (Cross) Training is that each silo has a greater understanding of the entire value chain. Particularly since the derivatives value chain has changed completely since 2010, Integrated Training is essential for smooth operations throughout the value chain. The organization is still structured in silos and their reporting lines remain unchanged.
The diagram below shows a typical derivatives workflow where Derivative Sales is the point person for derivatives with the client. Different organizations will have different workflows. But generally, the salesperson is responsible for KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) regulations. A good senior salesperson is the first line of defense, protecting their institutions. But the Sales & Trading areas count on many other operational and technology areas of the institution.
At the end of Integrated Training, each functional silo will know the derivatives value chain from start to finish and have a greater understanding of:
- The derivatives value chain and the various silo’s involved
- Their role in the value chain
- The role of other functional silos with respect to derivatives
- Reasons why your institution made the decision it did with regard to reform regulations
The depth of understanding of each individual’s role within the value chain helps institutions provide better service to their clients because each functional silo can incorporate other areas. Better-serviced clients are happy clients. And happy clients…DO BUSINESS!
The takeaways for 2016 are:
- While implementation continues, start educating all silos on new systems and workflow processes.
- Since these systems reside in different silos, Integrated Training has also assisted firms to determine how they can get to Straight Through Processing (STP).
- By educating each functional area, they can troubleshoot problems quickly; ensure redundancies exist and be able to coordinate quickly as the regulators make changes in the future.
- Finally, it will give the more creative people the chance to resolve some of the remaining issues or disconnect still being handled by hand. It’s a win-win.
FINAL THOUGHT
Globally, Derivatives Regulatory Reform is uneven at best. It may be some time before the entire globe is working with the same margin levels and capital charges. Integrated Training is not static. Rather, it’s a dynamic process where new changes are incorporated as they become final.
Well, that’s it for me. I’m going to go out into a glorious spring-like afternoon and enjoy the day and hope you do the same. If you’d like to know more about Integrated Training, contact MHDS.
FOOTNOTE: Credit lines are an important part of a trading relationship. Even though the initial margin will be posted and contracts will be marked-to-market daily, there is still counter-party risk – Concentration Risk, Wrong Way Risk, Key Person Risk, and Operational Risk to name a few.