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Version date: 27 March 2020 - onwards

MAR12 Definition of trading desk (paras. 12.1-12.6) (effective as of 1 January 2023)

This chapter defines a trading desk, which is the level at which model approval is granted.

Version effective as of 01 Jan 2023

First version in the format of the consolidated framework updated to take account of the revised implementation date announced on 27 March 2020.

12.1 For the purposes of market risk capital calculations, a trading desk is a group of traders or trading accounts that implements a well defined business strategy operating within a clear risk management structure.

12.2 Trading desks are defined by the bank but subject to the regulatory approval of the supervisor for capital purposes.

(1) A bank should be allowed to propose the trading desk structure per their organisational structure, consistent with the requirements set out in MAR12.4.

(2) A bank must prepare a policy document for each trading desk it defines, documenting how the bank satisfies the key elements in MAR12.4.

(3) Supervisors will treat the definition of the trading desk as part of the initial model approval for the trading desk, as well as ongoing approval:

(a) Supervisors may determine, based on the size of the bank’s overall trading operations, whether the proposed trading desk definitions are sufficiently granular.