Regulatory Reform for Derivatives

From the U.S. Treasury: Regulatory Reform Over-The-Counter (OTC) Derivatives

As the AIG situation has made clear, massive risks in derivatives markets have gone undetected by both regulators and market participants. But even if those risks had been better known, regulators lacked the proper authorities to mount an effective policy response.

Today, to address these concerns, the Obama Administration proposes a comprehensive regulatory framework for all Over-The-Counter derivatives.

The press release has the details, but basically the Obama Administration is proposing all derivatives must be centrally cleared and subject to oversight and regulation.

From Reuters: U.S. regulators propose OTC derivatives crackdown

Authorities proposed subjecting all over-the-counter derivatives dealers to "a robust regime of prudential supervision and regulation," including conservative capital, reporting and margin requirements.

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Mary Schapiro, and Mike Dunn, acting chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, announced the proposal at a news conference.

Under current law, over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives are largely excluded or exempted from regulation.

"We're going to require for the first time all standardized over-the-counter derivative products be centrally cleared," said Geithner.

About time.