Clearing Houses
In the third video of his series, Abdulla explains why a clearing House is crucial to the smooth functioning of business on the exchange. He discusses the role of Clearing Houses as guarantors of contract performance, acting as central counterparty in every transaction administering all post-trade activity; including delivery and settlement.
In the third video of his series, Abdulla explains why a clearing House is crucial to the smooth functioning of business on the exchange. He discusses the role of Clearing Houses as guarantors of contract performance, acting as central counterparty in every transaction administering all post-trade activity; including delivery and settlement.
Clearing Houses
5 mins 14 secs
Overview:
Clearing Houses provide a crucial role in the functioning of derivatives (and stock) exchanges.
What is the purpose and role of Clearing Houses?
- Through the process of Novation they become the Central Counterparty in every transaction conducted on the exchange.
- The Clearing House acts as guarantor of contract performance thereby substantially reducing counterparty credit risk.
- Administers all post trade activity up to and including delivery and settlement, including the operation of margin cash flows and issuing delivery and exercise notices when contracts expire or when options are exercised.
What does the Clearing House do in the event of default?
In the event of a default, the Clearing House will immediately close up all the positions of the defaulting member by undertaking offsetting trades in the market. This will crystallise the net losses incurred by the defaulting member. The Clearing House will then use the defaulting member’s margin funds or posted collateral to offset those losses.