For asset managers the main issue continues to be the reclassification of ETDs as OTCs as a result of the non-equivalence of UK regulated markets. While we understand that a review is legally mandated at this point in time, we do not see value in recalibrating the various thresholds or making changes to the calculation methodologies unless these are in the two areas we define below. Our main concern revolves around the fact that changes would carry significant compliance costs while making little impact on the population of counterparties and notional captured by the thresholds.
European Market Infrastructures regulation (EMIR)
In 2012, following the 2008 financial crisis, the EU adopted the European Market Infrastructures regulation (EMIR) with the laudable objectives of increasing transparency in the OTC derivatives markets, to reduce the counterparty risk of derivatives contracts and to reduce operational risks associated with derivatives trading.
EFAMA welcomes the improvements recently brought by the EMIR Refit: It redefines the obligations imposed on derivatives users, recognising and solving some issues previously existing in EMIR, such as the disproportionate regulatory burden imposed on the least risky counterparties. We also advocate for a better alignment between EMIR and MiFIR, especially with regards to the clearing and trading obligations.
ESMA consultation on the review of clearing thresholds under EMIR
UK clearing house equivalence - request from nine trade associations
Nine associations (AFME, AIMA, EAPB, EBF, EFAMA, FIA, ICI, ISDA, SIFMA AMG) welcome the Commission's decision to grant a time-limited equivalence decision in respect of UK CCPs. However, when this time-limited equivalence decision expires on 30 June 2022, there remains a significant risk of disruption to clearing for EU firms and to their access to global markets.
Joint Association letter to the EC on the equivalence of UK derivatives regulated markets under EMIR Article 2a
FIA, ISDA, AFME, ICI, AIMA, EBF and EFAMA (together the Associations) welcome the
European Commission's (the Commission) timely and temporary equivalence decision from
21 September 2020 with respect to UK central counterparties (CCPs) and subsequent
recognition decisions by ESMA of CCPs and the recent temporary equivalence decision for
UK Central Securities Depositories (CSDs) under CSDR. Together, these steps have provided
much needed certainty for continued and uninterrupted access to these CCPs and CSDs by
UK clearing house equivalence - request from nine trade associations
Nine associations (AFME, AIMA, EAPB, EBF, EFAMA, FIA, ICI, ISDA, SIFMA AMG) welcome the Commission's decision to grant a time-limited equivalence decision in respect of UK CCPs. However, when this time-limited equivalence decision expires on 30 June 2022, there remains a significant risk of disruption to clearing for EU firms and to their access to global markets.
Visual | Why do we need a real-time Consolidated Tape in the EU?
The current lack of quality pre- and post-trade data and the fragmentation of data sources remain an obstacle to the completion of the Capital Markets Union. The benefits of a real-time Consolidated Tape are wide-ranging: from market surveillance for supervisors, to best execution and an improved view on trading opportunities for retail investors, to portfolio management and pre- and post-trade analysis for fund managers to name a few.