Derivatives clearing specialists have banded together to form a new discussion forum, the Margin Club.

The group’s first session focussed on standardisation, looking at how European markets can standardise their approaches to proposed regulation to ensure a level playing field and transparency of procedure.

Topics discussed included a regulatory round-up, followed by a panel session on territorialisation, working with regulators, transparency and IT issues.

The closed session was attended by 35 delegates from 28 firms, including banks, trading houses and consultants.

Hartmut Klein, head of the derivatives practice at consultancy Goodacre and former head of Eurex’s UK office, is club secretary.

Klein commented: “We are pleased with the success of our inaugural session.

The high quality of both attendees and panellists ensured a lively debate, with many concerns being raised about the ongoing regulatory changes, both in Europe and the US.

“We hope that this forum will provide a place for ETD and OTC market participants to come together to discover practical ways to leverage these changes for the benefit of the derivatives community as a whole,” he added.

The body’s next session will consider developments in interest rate swaps.