Futures commission merchant (FCM)
NSCC liquidity shortfalls raise T+1 concerns
Lagging FX settlement processes could become a problem for clearing houses
Margin standards are here – and clearing firms aren’t happy
Clearing members complain that latest transparency proposals would force them to act as middlemen by providing margin simulation tools for clients
UBS’s FCM allocates record-low own funds relative to client margin
Residual interest equivalent to just 1.9% of customer contributions for futures and options in November
Osttra to launch Treasury clearing middleware
Mid-year delivery expected for system that aids credit checking for repo trades
Morgan Stanley overtakes BofA as third-largest FCM by margin in 2024
Marex and Deutsche see sharpest upticks in required client margin for F&O, while Wedbush and Mizuho fall furthest
FCMs welcome CFTC margin rule ring-fencing clarification
Final rule on separate accounts replicates no-action relief as Republicans strip out gold plate
Rostin Behnam’s unfinished business
Next CFTC chair must finish the work Behnam started on crypto regulation and conflicts of interest
FCMs call for more oversight of self-clearing CCP members
Clearing firms worry that PTFs and market-makers joining CCPs en masse will increase systemic risk
Clearing members ponder the purpose of CME’s mystery FCM
Some think licence will be used to boost crypto clearing capacity, but many questions remain
Review of 2024: as markets took a breather, firms switched focus
In the absence of major crises and rules deadlines, financial firms revamped strategy, services and practices
US senators press CFTC on Japan swap clearing
Boozman and Hagerty urge action on yen swap clearing access to JSCC in letter to US regulator
BofA’s rates revamp leans into multi-strategy boom
New rates head Laura Chepucavage prioritises collateral efficiency, e-trading and central risk book for enlarged rates, futures and financing unit
Withholding tax trips up Eurex agency clearing model
Clearing members rely on CCP to resolve potential problem with German tax authorities
Marex leapfrogs three FCMs with record F&O margin
New clients, trading activity surge and higher margin rates drive increase at UK broker
CFTC’s Mersinger wants new rules for vertical silos
Republican commissioner shares Democrats’ concerns about combined FCMs and clearing houses
Clearing members rattled as CME approved to launch its own FCM
National Futures Association registration sharpens concerns about conflict of interest with CCP
Gensler to stick to Treasury clearing timetable
SEC chief promises to keep up the pressure for done-away trades
Morgan Stanley, Goldman FCMs set new margin records
Investment banks see futures, options and swaps margin hit new highs in September
Required swaps margin surged at three US FCMs in volatile August
Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo and BofA hoovered up $5.5bn in client margin over first half of last month
The standoff over separate account margining
CFTC issues sixth extension of no-action relief as long-awaited final rule stalls
Citi, Barclays raise FCM target residual interest 28% in June
Backstop funds also marginally up as a proportion of required customer funds