What Is the Significance of the ISDA Master Agreement in OTC Derivatives Credit Intermediation?
The ISDA Master Agreement is a standardized document used to govern all OTC derivatives transactions between two parties. Its primary significance lies in establishing a single legal framework for all trades, especially regarding netting.
It ensures that in the event of a counterparty default, all outstanding transactions can be legally netted down to a single payment obligation, drastically reducing credit and settlement risk.