The International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (ISDA) is overseeing the symbology project, which involves a consortium of buy- and sell-side market participants, vendors, platforms and trade associations. London-based capital markets technology consultancy Etrading Software is acting as project manager. 

 

The initiative comes in response to a variety of regulatory changes, including the European Union’s revised Markets in Financial Instruments Directive/Regulation (MIFID II/MIFIR) and the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) reporting rules, which require a standardized means of identifying derivatives instruments at a granular level. A common methodology for classifying and identifying derivatives instruments across all platforms will also cut complexity and costs for market participants that need to connect to multiple trading venues, and simplify the distribution of liquidity. 

 

“The ISDA symbology project is a great example of the industry coming together to tackle an important challenge. With MIFID II and SEC regulatory requirements soon to be implemented, the drive for an industry wide, open-source standard with sufficient granularity to meet regulatory needs is now critical,” said Scott O’Malia, ISDA’s Chief Executive. 

 

The consortium will initially work to produce globally standardized symbols for credit, rates and equity derivatives in 2015. This project leverages the work and existing initiatives that some participants have previously been involved in.

 

ISDA has created a Symbology Governance Committee (SGC), which will provide oversight and governance for a clear classification and identification standard that meets both industry and regulatory requirements. The SGC will focus on the near-term product priorities, alongside the longer-term symbology governance model. The SGC will report to ISDA’s Board of Directors.

 

Press release