ISDA today announces the results of its consultation on the implementation of fallbacks for the sterling LIBOR ICE Swap Rate and the US dollar LIBOR ICE Swap Rate.
The results indicate a significant majority of respondents agree with the fallback provisions set out in the draft amendments attached to the consultation. These amendments implement the fallbacks suggested by the Non-Linear Task Force of the Working Group on Sterling Risk-Free Reference Rates in the UK and a Subcommittee of the Alternative Reference Rates Committee in the US.
Respondents to the consultation satisfied the criteria specified in the consultation for ISDA to publish a Supplement to the 2006 ISDA Definitions to incorporate the sterling LIBOR ICE Swap Rate fallback provisions and a Supplement to incorporate the US dollar LIBOR ICE Swap Rate fallback provisions, as well as template language that counterparties could use to negotiate bilateral amendments for incorporation of the amended terms in legacy derivative contracts.
A report analyzing the consultation results will be available in the coming weeks. ISDA will also begin finalizing the amendments to implement fallbacks for the sterling LIBOR ICE Swap Rate as soon as possible and will finalize the amendments to implement fallbacks for the US dollar LIBOR ICE Swap Rate when a SOFR swap rate is published in a form that can be referenced in financial instruments.
Additional information relating to fallbacks for swap rates, including a webinar recording and slide presentation on the consultation, is available on the ISDA website.
On July 19, ISDA launched its Understanding IBOR Benchmark Fallbacks microsite on its newly redesigned Benchmark Reform and Transition from LIBOR InfoHub. The microsite was developed in coordination with The Brattle Group and provides background information about key interbank offered rate fallbacks.
