Jul 13, 2012
HKMA and SFC set out OTC derivatives proposals and amendments
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and Securities and
Futures Commission (SFC) have set out conclusions on the proposed regulatory
regime for OTC derivatives in Hong Kong and issued a further supplementary
consultation paper on the final scope of the proposed
changes.
The two regulators aim to bring Hong Kong into line with the
G-20 nations’ agreement to reduce systemic risks in OTC derivatives markets by
improving transparency and monitoring. The consultation, which ran from October
to November 2011, proposed imposition of mandatory reporting, clearing and
trading obligations, as well as proposals for the regulation of intermediaries
and oversight of systemically important players.
“In view of the generally positive feedback from
respondents, we are minded to proceed along the lines of our earlier proposals,
albeit with some adjustments and refinements to address comments and concerns
raised,” said the consultation response document.
The original proposals called for a new regime to be set out in Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Ordinance, the overarching legislative framework for Hong Kong’s financial markets. The HKMA would have responsibility for maintaining a trade repository, with reporting obligations initially applying to interest rate swaps and non-deliverable forwards before being extended to other instruments. IRSs and NDFs will also be the first instruments that are made eligible for central clearing. The two watchdogs also said further assessment was required before deciding whether swaps should be traded on exchange-like platforms.
One of the main concerns aired by respondents was that the
definition of an OTC derivatives transaction put forward by the consultation
was too wide. Instead, market participants requested that the regulators
exclude all exchange-traded transactions, securities products, embedded
derivatives and spot contracts – a request to which the HKMA and SFC agreed in
principle.
The new supplementary consultation paper is open for comment
until the end of August.
Elliott Holley
+44 (0)20 7397 3820
elliott.holley@information-partners.com