Supporting Benchmark Reform
It is crucial that market participants are properly equipped to manage a smooth and orderly transition to the alternative risk-free reference rates (RFRs).
As strong proponents of these benchmark reform initiatives, and with Rates markets in different jurisdictions at different stages in terms of transition to RFRs, we continue to collaborate with our market partners to deliver innovative clearing solutions that are providing early liquidity and accelerating adoption of the new RFRs, including conversion events.
Work has been organised along currency lines, and industry-wide progress is being driven by working groups established by national central banks and modelled as public-private partnerships. We are working closely with ISDA and other industry bodies on the key issues to ensure we meet the needs of our customers while continuing to mitigate systemic risk.
Benchmark Reform – CAD Market
At LCH, we have supported reform across various currencies and benchmarks we clear, including the Canadian market transition from CDOR to CORRA.
In June 2024, LCH completed the conversion event for CAD CDOR to CORRA. We have worked closely with industry bodies, such as CARR, and with our user-base, to ensure clarity around the transition process.
Please use the resources below to learn more about the key issues around the conversion of CDOR and find out how LCH enabled customers to make a smooth, orderly transition to the new benchmark.
LCH Resources
Benchmark Reform – USD Market
In May 2023, LCH completed its final conversion event for USD LIBOR to SOFR.
The shift from LIBOR to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) was a huge undertaking for the US dollar (USD) interest rate derivatives market, the world’s largest. In July 2018, LCH launched the industry’s first clearing service for USD interest rate swaps (IRS) referencing SOFR – a critical step for developing a liquid market in SOFR derivatives and driving its adoption.
We have worked closely with industry bodies, such as ARRC and ISDA, and with our user-base, to ensure clarity around the transition process.
Please use the resources below to learn more about the key issues around SOFR, and find out how LCH enabled customers to make a smooth, orderly transition to the new benchmark.
LCH Resources
-
LCH USD LIBOR Conversion Quick Guide
-
SOFR Discounting Auction Results
-
SOFR Mid-Price Auction Results
-
SOFR Auction Final Portfolio
-
SOFR Cash Settlement Supplement
-
SOFR discounting - auction process technical specification (version 2.0)
-
Risk notice for clients
-
LCH’s position on SwapClear and pre-cessation triggers - Dec 19
External Resources
Benchmark Reform – EUR Market
Shortly after the introduction of the new Euro Short Term Rate (€STR) in October 2019, LCH launched the industry’s first clearing service for swaps referencing the new benchmark – a critical step for the development of an active, liquid market.
LCH completed its conversion event for EUR EONIA to ESTR and for EUR LIBOR to ESTR in October 2021 and December 2021 respectively.
Please use the resources below to learn more about the key issues around €STR, and find out how LCH enabled customers to make a smooth, orderly transition to the new risk-free rate (RFR).
LCH Resources
External Resources
-
ISDA IBOR fallback factsheet
-
ISDA preliminary results of consultation on pre-cessation fallbacks for LIBOR
-
Risk.net LiborRisk Q4 2019 report
-
European Central Bank (ECB) overview of €STR
-
Materials from the ECB-convened working group on Euro risk-free rates
-
ESMA authorisation of EURIBOR under EU BMRs
-
July 2018 speech from FCA’s Andrew Bailey
Benchmark Reform – Other Markets
In December 2021, LCH completed its conversion event for CHF LIBOR to SARON, GBP LIBOR to SONIA and JPY LIBOR to TONA. In addition, in June 2023, LCH completed the conversion for SGD SOR to SORA and for THB THBFIX to THOR.
LCH is committed to support the benchmark transition initiatives in the cleared swaps market globally across all the currencies and benchmarks we clear, including ILS, PLN, MXN and ZAR.
Please use the resources below to find out how LCH is enabling customers to make a smooth transition to the alternative risk-free reference rates (RFRs) in all these markets.
LCH Resources
-
LCH SwapClear guide: RFR transition in cleared swap markets
-
LIBOR Transition - Risk Notice (November 2021)
-
LCH SGD SOR and THB THBFIX Conversion quick guide
-
LCH Clears First SORA Swaps (Press Release)
-
MXN 28D-TIIE Conversion
-
ILS TELBOR Conversion
-
LCH SwapClear extends clearing eligibility to SWESTR and DESTR reference rates
-
LCH clears first Israeli Shekel-denominated swaps
-
LCH clears first ZARONIA swaps
-
ISDA final parameters for benchmark fallback adjustments
-
Working Group on Sterling Risk-Free Reference Rates
Contact us
If you'd like to know more about how we can help you, please get in touch.