Counterparty Risk, Impacton Collateral Flows and Role for Central Counterparties

Author/Editor:

James Aitken ; Manmohan Singh

Publication Date:

August 1, 2009

Electronic Access:

Free Download. Use the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this PDF file

Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary:

Counterparty risk in the United States stemming from exposures to OTC derivatives payables (after netting) is now concentrated in five banks?Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, Bank of America, Morgan Stanley and Citi. This note analyzes how such risks have shifted over the past year. We estimate that the adverse impact of counterparty risk on high-grade collateral flows and global liquidity due to decrease in rehypothecation, reduced securities lending, and hoarding of cash by major banks is at least $5 trillion. In order to mitigate counterparty risk, there have been regulatory initiatives to establish central counterparties (CCPs). From a policy perspective, counterparty risk remains large at present and recent experience has shown that OTC derivative positions are not supported by sufficient capital, constituting a major risk for participants in this market.

Series:

Working Paper No. 2009/173

Subject:

Asset and liability management Banking Central counterparty clearing house Collateral Currencies Derivative markets Financial institutions Financial markets International liquidity Money

English

Publication Date:

August 1, 2009

ISBN/ISSN:

9781451873207/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA2009173

Pages:

15

Please address any questions about this title to publications@imf.org