Clearinghouse Tweaks Cash Margin Interest Rules
Published Date: 9/21/2026
Notice
Summary
The Options Clearing Corporation (OCC) is updating how it pays interest on cash that members put up as margin. This change helps manage risks and keeps things running smoothly for traders and clearing members. The new rules kick in quickly and aim to make sure everyone’s money is handled safely and fairly.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
OCC to pay interest on margin cash
OCC will pay Clearing Members interest on all margin cash (except cash in X-M accounts) at a rate equal to the Federal Reserve's Interest on Reserve Balances (IORB) minus an administrative fee. OCC will calculate interest daily and pay it monthly.
Securities customer cash may be held at FRB
OCC will be allowed to deposit securities customer cash margin in its Federal Reserve Bank (FRB) account (subject to limited exclusions such as segregated futures accounts). The Commission states that FRB access can reduce custody risk and provide an additional custodian for customer cash.
Cash management fee rises to 10 basis points
OCC will charge a 10-basis-point (0.10%) cash management fee on each Clearing Member's average daily cash balance (other than cash in X-M accounts). This replaces the current 5-basis-point (0.05%) fee on Clearing Member cash held in OCC's FRB account.
FRB service fees can be covered by Clearing Fund or capital
OCC may use a portion of Clearing Members' cash fees to pay FRB service charges (the FRB monthly service charge is approximately $3,000 per month). OCC would also be authorized to apply unpaid FRB service charges against the Minimum Capital Contribution and, if needed, use the Clearing Fund to satisfy unpaid FRB account service charges.
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