NSCC Approves Special Margin Accounts for Trade Clearing
Published Date: 5/15/2026
Notice
Summary
The National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC) just got a cool new rule approved that lets Agent Clearing Members use a special net margin account for securities financing transactions. This change helps these members manage their money and risks better when clearing trades. It kicks in soon and aims to make the whole process smoother without extra costs for customers.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
New Net-Margin Account for Agent Clearing
If you are an Agent Clearing Member or a Customer of one, NSCC now offers an Agent Clearing Member Customer Net Margin Account (approved May 12, 2026) that allows offsetting (netting) of Transferor and Transferee positions for margin and Clearing Fund purposes. That netting is intended to reduce margin requirements and provide greater capital efficiency compared with existing Agent Clearing Member Customer Omnibus (gross margin) Accounts.
Default and Close-Out Rule Clarifications
NSCC revised rules to clarify netting, close-out, and default management for SFT accounts: if NSCC ceases to act for an Agent Clearing Member, NSCC will stop accepting new submissions but may continue to process already-novated transactions and may decide whether to close-out or permit settlement. NSCC also may close-out offsetting long and short SFT positions in the same security without taking market action and determine resulting loss or profit by other market actions or market data.
Agent Clearing Members Remain Fully Liable
If you are an Agent Clearing Member, you remain fully liable to NSCC for performance of all obligations arising from Agent Clearing Member Transactions in the new Net Margin Accounts, just as you are for existing Customer Omnibus Accounts. The rule explicitly states the Agent Clearing Member continues to bear full liability.
Clarified Submission and Account-Designation Rules
NSCC clarified that an Agent Clearing Member acts as agent when submitting Agent Clearing Member Transactions and must designate the account where an SFT will be recorded; that designation represents the transaction is of a type permitted in that account. These clarifications apply to both the new Net Margin Accounts and existing Gross Margin Omnibus Accounts and are intended to help market participants understand submission requirements.
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