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Working Paper
Opportunity cost and prudentiality: an analysis of collateral decisions in bilateral and multilateral settings
This paper develops a model that explains how the creation of a futures clearinghouse allows traders to reduce default and economize on margin. We contrast the collateral necessary between bilateral partners with that required when multilateral netting occurs. Optimal margin levels balance the deadweight costs of default against the opportunity costs of holding additional margin. Once created, it may be optimal for the clearinghouse to monitor the financial condition of its members. If undertake, monitoring will reduce the amount of margin required but need not affect the probability of ...
Working Paper
Contracting innovations and the evolution of clearing and settlement methods at futures exchanges
Defining futures contracts as substitutes for associated cash transactions enables a discussion of the evolution of controls over contract nonperformance risk. These controls are incorporated into exchange methods for clearing contracts. Three clearing methods are discussed: direct, ringing and complete. The incidence and operation of each are described. Direct-clearing systems feature bilateral contracts with terms specified by the counterparties to the contract. Exchanges relying on direct clearing system chiefly serve as mediators in trade disputes. Ringing is shown to facilitate contract ...
Conference Paper
The effect of bank-held derivatives on credit accessibility