Change remains a constant in FS risk & regulation. Here’s “our take” on key developments impacting the industry.

Current topics – September 2021

IOSCO issues warning over credit-sensitive alternatives to USD LIBOR. On Wednesday, the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) called on greater attention to its principles on financial benchmarks. The statement directly appeals to administrators of credit-sensitive rates (CSRs) that have recently been proposed as additional replacement options for LIBOR, supplementing the risk-free rates recommended by the various national working groups. Specifically, IOSCO highlights that benchmarks will need to adhere to its principles relating to the relative size of a benchmark’s underlying market and its ability to accurately and reliably represent that market. Banking regulators both in the US and UK have recently been vocal about their concerns that CSRs might not be sufficiently robust, and that their similarities to LIBOR, including the relatively low volume of underlying transactions, might eventually pose many of the same challenges that ultimately led to LIBOR’s demise.

Subscribe to PwC’s LIBOR Transition Market Update here to read more about these and other developments.

CFTC Commissioner Dan Berkovitz to depart. Yesterday, CFTC Commissioner Dan Berkovitz announced that he plans to step down on October 15, 2021. Following his departure, the agency will have only two of its five seats filled, with Democrats and Republicans each having one representative. President Biden will then be able to appoint three new Commissioners, although one of the appointments must be from the Republican party. He can also decide whether to select one of the nominees as Chair or nominate current Acting Chair Rostin Behnam to fill the role on a confirmed basis.