Administrators of financial benchmarks
On 7 March 2019 the Financial Markets (Derivatives Margin and Benchmarking) Reform Amendment Bill was first read in the House. The Bill will introduce a licensing regime for administrators of financial benchmarks.
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Why a licensing regime is necessary
A licensing regime is necessary to respond to new European Union (EU) regulations, which will take full effect on 1 January 2020.
The regulations will set standards around the processes for setting financial benchmarks, and for recognising and using third country benchmarks in the EU.
Implications of new regulations for New Zealand
These regulations have significant implications for New Zealand. Unless New Zealand’s regulatory regime meets the new EU standards, New Zealand benchmarks won't be able to be used in critical financial contracts with EU parties.
This means that banks and other benchmark users, including ACC, the New Zealand Super Fund and the New Zealand Debt Management Office, would no longer be able to transact with EU counterparties in critical financial transactions. Ultimately this would lead to significant costs to New Zealand businesses and consumers.
A new opt-in licensing regime
To ensure continued access for New Zealand benchmarks to EU financial markets, a new opt-in licensing regime for New Zealand administrators of financial benchmarks is being introduced under the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013.
The licensing regime will fit into the existing framework for licensing of market service providers in Part 6 of the Act, with regulations to set out further detailed requirements of the regime.
This regime is intended to provide the basis for an ‘equivalence’ decision by the European Commission. Licensing, monitoring and enforcement would be carried out by the Financial Markets Authority.
Read the documents behind the policy decision:
Next steps
The Bill has been introduced to the House and been referred to the Finance and Expenditure Committee for the Select Committee stage.