Practical guidance toward handling the latest changes to the OTC derivatives market Central Counterparties is a practical guide to central clearing and bilateral margin requirements, from one of the industry's most influential credit practitioners. With up-to-date information on the latest regulations imposed after the global financial crisis, this book covers the mechanics of the clearing process and analyses the resulting consequences. Detailed discussion explains the ways in which the very significant clearing and margining rules will affect the OTC derivatives market and the financial markets in general, with practical guidance toward implementation and how to handle the potential consequences. Over-the-counter derivatives were blamed by many for playing a major role in the 2007 financial crisis, resulting in a significant attention and dramatic action by policymakers, politicians, and regulators to reduce counterparty credit risk which was seen as a major issue in the crisis. The two most important regulatory changes are the mandatory clearing of standardised OTC derivatives, and the requirements for bilateral margin posting in non-standard OTC contracts. Central Counterparties is a complete reference guide to navigating these changes, providing clarification and practical advice. Review the mitigation of counterparty credit risk with the historical development of central clearing - Clarify the latest regulatory requirements imposed by Dodd-Frank, EMIR, Basel III and more - Learn the mechanics of central clearing, with special attention to complex issues such as margin calculations, the loss waterfall, client clearing and regulatory capital rules - Gain insight into the advantages and disadvantages of clearing and bilateral margin requirements, and the potential issues that arise As the clearing and margining mandates are phased in, the associated costs will be severe enough to dramatically shift the topology of the financial markets and transform the nature of risk. Central Counterparties provides the information, clarification and expert insight market practitioners need to get up to speed quickly. Clearing has risen to the top of the agenda for derivatives risk managers and operational staff. Here now in one place, is the ideal reference book for those coping with these new challenges, combining crystal clear exposition with deep institutional and technical understanding. Alistair Milne, Professor of Financial Economics, Loughborough University School of Business and Economics Politicians and regulators have placed great faith in central counterparties (CCPs) to reduce systemic risk and contribute to overall market stability. Jon Gregory provides an excellent and very accessible description of the many complex issues that arise in running a CCP. This is a book that anyone concerned with financial regulation should read. Stuart M. Turnbull, Bauer Chaired Professor, Bauer College of Business, University of Houston The derivatives landscape has changed as a result of the global financial crisis that started in 2007. Jon Gregory has done an excellent job explaining the way derivatives markets now work. All derivatives market participants will find his book an invaluable source of information. John C. Hull, Professor of Derivatives and Risk Management, University of Toronto Jon Gregory's new book goes a long way to filling a yawning gap in the literature on CCPs. There is no better single source from which to learn about every aspect of CCPs, from the microscopic details of their operations to the macroscopic importance of these entities in the new financial infrastructure. The book is truly comprehensive, but at the same time is clear, concise, and accessible to a broad audience. Moreover, Jon is extremely even-handed in his appraisal of the pros and cons of CCPs. Sometimes CCPs are characterized as 'single points of failure'; this book can be accurately characterized as a 'single point of knowledge' about CCPs, and successfully explicates this extremely complicated subject. Craig Pirrong, Professor of Finance, Bauer College of Business, University of Houston Central Counterparties Mandatory Clearing and Bilateral Margin Requirements for OTC Derivatives The Global Financial Crisis, from 2007 onwards, illustrated the inherent weaknesses in the global financial system and some of their causes. In particular over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives were blamed by many for partially causing and catalysing the crisis. Not surprisingly, this has led to dramatic action from politicians, policymakers and regulators in relation to OTC derivative markets. Two of the most important changes are the mandatory clearing of standardised OTC derivatives and the requirements for bilateral margin posting in non-standard OTC contracts. Both clearing and margining mandates will be effectively phased in from 2014 and the associated costs will be severe. These regulatory changes are therefore going to create a dramatic shift