Open from November 21, 2022
This November 2022 Benchmark Module is a “Benchmark Module” for purposes of the ISDA 2021 Fallbacks Protocol (the “Protocol”) and shall be binding with respect to each Adhering Party that adheres to this Benchmark Module.
ISDA has published this Benchmark Module to enable parties to Protocol Covered Documents to amend the terms of each such Protocol Covered Document to (i) in respect of a Protocol Covered Document which incorporates, or references a rate as defined in, a Covered ISDA Definitions Booklet, include in the terms of such Protocol Covered Document certain terms relating to fallbacks for a Relevant Benchmark included in Version 7.0 of the ISDA 2021 Interest Rate Derivatives Definitions (the “2021 Definitions”) or such equivalent provisions as they relate to that Covered ISDA Definitions Booklet and (ii) in respect of a Protocol Covered Document which otherwise references a Relevant Benchmark, include in the terms of such Protocol Covered Document new fallbacks for that Relevant Benchmark. The Relevant Benchmarks are CIBOR, MosPrime and TELBOR.
This Benchmark Module does not amend LIBOR contracts: Neither the Protocol nor this Benchmark Module cover fallbacks for LIBOR in any currency. Please see the ISDA 2020 IBOR Fallbacks Protocol if you need to amend contracts to include fallbacks for LIBOR in any currency.
ISDA has prepared this list of frequently asked questions to assist in your consideration of the NOVEMBER 2022 BENCHMARK MODULE to the ISDA 2021 FALLBACKS PROTOCOL.
THESE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS DO NOT PURPORT TO BE AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A GUIDE TO OR AN EXPLANATION OF ALL RELEVANT ISSUES OR CONSIDERATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THE NOVEMBER 2022 BENCHMARK MODULE. PARTIES SHOULD CONSULT WITH THEIR LEGAL ADVISERS AND ANY OTHER ADVISER THEY DEEM APPROPRIATE PRIOR TO USING OR ADHERING TO THE ISDA 2021 FALLBACKS PROTOCOL AND THE NOVEMBER 2022 BENCHMARK MODULE. ISDA ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY USE TO WHICH ANY OF ITS DOCUMENTATION MAY BE PUT.
These FAQs address the following questions:
- What does the November 2022 Benchmark Module do?
- What constitutes a Relevant Benchmark under the November 2022 Benchmark Module?
- How are Protocol Covered Documents that incorporate any of Versions 1.0 to 6.0 of the 2021 Definitions amended by the November 2022 Benchmark Module?
- How are Protocol Covered Documents that incorporate the 2006 Definitions amended by the November 2022 Benchmark Module?
- How are Protocol Covered Documents that incorporate the 2000 ISDA Definitions amended by the November 2022 Benchmark Module?
- How are Protocol Covered Documents that incorporate the 1991 ISDA Definitions or the 1991 ISDA Definitions as supplemented by the 1998 Supplement to the 1991 ISDA Definitions (together, the “1991 Definitions”) amended by the November 2022 Benchmark Module?
- How are Protocol Covered Documents that reference a Relevant Benchmark “as defined”, or as having the meaning given, in a Covered ISDA Definitions Booklet amended by the November 2022 Benchmark Module?
- How are Protocol Covered Documents that reference a Relevant Benchmark that is not defined by reference to an ISDA definitional booklet amended by the November 2022 Benchmark Module?
- Which transactions referencing a Relevant Benchmark are covered by the November 2022 Benchmark Module?
- Which new concepts from the 2021 Definitions does the November 2022 Benchmark Module insert in Protocol Covered Documents that (i) incorporate a Covered ISDA Definitions Booklet that is not the 2021 Definitions or (ii) contain a generic reference to a Relevant Benchmark without referring to a Covered ISDA Definitions Booklet?
- What is an Administrator/Benchmark Event and why has it been included in the November 2022 Benchmark Module?
- What are the Supplement 70 General Provisions and the Supplement 90 General Provisions and why are they applied to certain Protocol Covered Documents by the November 2022 Benchmark Module?
- What are the Generic Fallback Provisions and when do they apply?
- What happens if an Index Cessation Event occurs with respect to a Relevant Benchmark?
- What happens if a Relevant Benchmark permanently ceases to be available?
- What happens if only certain tenors of a Relevant Benchmark are permanently discontinued?
- How are the fallbacks that apply upon an Index Cessation Effective Date or an Administrator/Benchmark Event Date with respect to MosPrime different to those that apply upon an Index Cessation Effective Date or an Administrator/Benchmark Event Date with respect to the other interbank offered rates covered by the 2020 IBOR Fallbacks Protocol and the December 2021 Benchmark Module to the 2021 Fallbacks Protocol?
- Do the amendments made by the November 2022 Benchmark Module constitute a “Spread Provision” (as defined in the ISDA 2014 Collateral Agreement Negative Interest Protocol published on May 12, 2014 by ISDA)?
You can download the full FAQs here.