Derivatives Deskbook: Close-Out Netting, Risk Mitigation, Litigation (Second Edition) is a comprehensive resource geared to all users of swap agreements and derivatives, from financial institutions to corporate end users. Derivatives Deskbook defines the key terminology and identifies the major players; discusses the full range of documentation; and highlights techniques and best practices that can significantly minimize risks. It examines the termination events and events of default that can trigger the early termination of OTC derivative transactions; the complex process of calculating the early termination amounts due the parties under the transactions; and how these transactions can be terminated in ways that minimize the damage to the parties and to the global financial system.

Derivatives Deskbook further examines the impact of U.S. bankruptcy interrelationship on the termination and close-out netting process and what steps must be taken to comply with a counterparty that is or may become bankrupt. It also serves as a comprehensive resource to key litigation involving derivative transactions in major jurisdictions around the world.

Highlights of this Release #3 include:

• Chapter 3: Collateral and Security Arrangements; New sections explore the new variation margin regulations adopted by regulators in a variety of major jurisdictions in reaction to the financial crisis to govern the posting of collateral in OTC derivative transactions. The regulations have been enacted by applicable regulators in the European Union, the United States, Switzerland, Canada, and Japan.
• Chapter 6: Risk Mitigation and Close-out Netting; Revised section 6:6, Collateral Arrangements, examines the need, in large financings with multiple banks and counterparties, for intercreditor agreements to sort through the rights of the various creditors to the collateral securing their obligations. Typically, in an intercreditor agreement, a swap counterparty would agree to abstain from declaring certain events so that a minor breach with one swap counterparty under a swap agreement for dealers and those costs will likely be passed on to counterparties.
• Chapter 8: Best Practices Recommendations; Revised section 8:4.1, Credit Support Annex, explains that the restrictions on hypothecation in the initial margin regulations are expected to increase the costs of swap agreements for dealers and those cost will likely be passed on to counterparties.

This treatise is available on PLI PLUS. If you would like to purchase a print copy, please contact libraryrelations@pli.edu.