Frequently Asked Questions on Repo

Watch ICMA’s short clip explaining the repo product and the vital role it plays in global financial markets. &amp;amp;amp;nbsp;
DOWNLOAD PDF VERSION OF FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON REPO (Updated January 2019)
Understanding repo and the repo market
1.	What is a repo?
2.	What does repo do?
3.	What is the role of repo in the financial markets?
4.	How big is the repo market?
5.	Who are the main users of the repo market?
6.	What types of asset are used as collateral in the repo market?
7.	What are the typical maturities of repos?
8.	What is general collateral (GC)?
9.	What is a ‘special’ in the repo market?
10.	What is ‘rehypothecation’ of collateral?
11.	What is the difference between a repurchase transaction and a buy/sell-back?
12.	What is an open repo?
13.	What is the difference between repo and securities lending?
14.	Is repo in Europe the same as repo in the US?

How repos are managed
15.	Is repo riskless?
16.	Does repo encourage lending to risky counterparties?
17.	Who regulates the repo market?
18.	Why is it important to document repo?
19.	What is the GMRA?
20.	How do repo parties ensure they have enough collateral?
21.	What is a haircut?
22.	Who is entitled to receive coupons, dividends or other income payments on a security being used as collateral in a repo?
23.	Who can exercise the voting rights and corporate actions attached to equity and corporate bonds being used as collateral in a repo?
24.	What is tri-party repo?
25.	What happens if a party fails to deliver collateral in a repo?
26.	What happens to repo in a default?
27.	What does a repo CCP do?
28.	What happens to repo transactions when interest rates go negative?
Topical issues
29.	What has been the regulatory response in the repo market to the Great Financial Crisis?
30.	What is ‘short selling’ and what is the role of repo?
31.	Do repos allow for infinite leverage?
32.	Do changes in haircuts/margins exacerbate pro-cyclicality?
33.	Do banks that lend through repo receive preferential treatment over other creditors?
34.	Does repo ‘encumber’ a borrower’s assets?
35.	Was a ‘run on repo’ the cause of the Great Financial Crisis in 2007?
36.	Is repo a type of ‘shadow banking’?
37.	Is repo used to remove assets from the balance sheet?
38.	Could a repo rate benchmark replace LIBOR or EURIBOR?
39.	How do MiFID II and MiFIR apply to the repo market in the EU?
These FAQs have been written by Richard Comotto, Senior Visiting Fellow at the ICMA Centre at Reading University. These FAQs are provided for information purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal, financial or other professional advice. While the information contained herein is taken from sources believed to be reliable, ICMA does not represent or warrant that it is accurate or complete and neither ICMA nor its employees shall have any liability arising from or relating to the use of this publication or its contents, including any information contained on any third party website which may be referred to or accessed through any of the hyperlinks above. ICMA ERCC Guide to best practice in the European Repo Market

Welcome to the International Capital Market Association

A global community for the capital markets

ICMA engages with its global membership on market practice and regulatory policy issues through its expert forums.

ICMA serves as Secretariat to the GBP, the SBP, the SBG and the SLBP, providing support while advising on governance and other issues.

ICMA seeks to mainstream relevant FinTech developments and market electronification through all of its initiatives, activities and fora.

Studying with ICMA

Already studying?

Accreditations

What’s happening at ICMA?

Frequently Asked Questions on Repo

Scan QR Code