LCH’s ForexClear launches deliverable FX Options clearing

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Summary
  • LCH Ltd pioneers clearing of deliverable FX Options
  • Settlement model developed in collaboration with CLS
  • Barclays, Citi and J.P.Morgan the first participants to use the service
Body

LCH, a leading global clearing house, today announced that it has launched deliverable FX options clearing. Barclays, Citi and J.P. Morgan are among the first participants to use the service, with further banks expected to shortly start clearing the product.

The move incorporates the first physical FX settlement service for cleared FX products, which LCH has developed in collaboration with CLS. Clearing FX Options extends LCH’s ForexClear service, a leading clearer of FX NDFs, clearing  around $70 billion in average daily volume.

Paddy Boyle, Global Head of ForexClear, LCH, said: “Clearing FX Options is an exciting milestone for LCH and the FX market. The launch of this service extends the benefits of clearing to more products and participants in the FX market, enabling them to benefit from the risk management, margin, capital and operational efficiencies of clearing. We’re delighted to partner with CLS to deliver this innovative new service.”

Alan Marquard, Chief Strategy and Development Officer, CLS, said: “This initiative marks a significant step forward for the global FX community. By working with LCH, we will reduce settlement and counterparty risk while improving efficiencies for those operating in the OTC cleared FX market.” 

Andrew Batchelor, MD, Global FX Business Manager, Barclays, said: “The strong benefit of clearing deliverable FX Options has been apparent since the introduction of the uncleared margin rules in 2016. LCH has overcome enormous complexity in development of the product through innovative thinking and strong partnerships with CLS and members. We are delighted to be a part of the launch of this ground breaking solution for the broader market.”

"The launch of FX Options clearing capabilities unlocks significant new opportunities for market participants by enabling  operational efficiency while optimizing risk management," said Mike Lawrence, Citi's Global Chief Administrative Officer for Foreign Exchange and Local Markets said. "We are pleased to work with LCH and CLS to extend the benefits of this initiative to our clients and look forward to seeing widespread market adoption of this new service.”

Robin Wemyss, Global Head of FX Options Trading, J.P. Morgan, said “Clearing deliverable FX Options and their hedges is a significant step for the market. We look forward to seeing the number of counterparts and the associated liquidity grow in the coming months.”

LCH is clearing FX Options on eight currency pairs: AUDUSD, EURUSD, GBPUSD, USDJPY, USDCHF, EURJPY, EURCHF, EURGBP with physical delivery, as well as spot and forward hedges. ForexClear plans to add further FX products to its service in line with demand, and subject to regulatory approval.

 

For further information
Rhiannon Davies, Tel: +44 (0)20 7426 7523

Lucie Holloway, Tel: +44 (0)20 7797 1126


About LCH
LCH is a group of leading multi-asset clearing houses that provides proven risk management capabilities across a range of asset classes. As demand for robust clearing services continues to grow, LCH is committed to maintaining the highest standards of risk management across all our services.
As the markets’ partner, LCH operates an open access model, offering a choice of execution venues, delivering unprecedented choice and efficiencies to the marketplace.
LCH operates clearing houses around the world, with clearing houses incorporated in the UK, France and the United States with additional offices in the Asia Pacific region. It offers clearing services across asset classes including OTC and listed rates; CDS and FX; fixed income; commodities; cash equities and equity derivatives. LCH also serves the non-cleared derivatives market through LCH SwapAgent, a new service which extends the efficiencies and infrastructure of clearing to the market, without acting as a central counterparty.
LCH is majority owned by London Stock Exchange Group (LSE.L), an international markets infrastructure business that sits at the heart of the world's financial community.
Further information on LCH can be found at www.lch.com