The Market for OTC Derivatives

Atkeson, Andrew; Eisfeldt, Andrea L.; Weill, Pierre-Olivier

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The Market for OTC Derivatives

NBER Working Paper No. w18912

71 Pages Posted: 22 Mar 2013 Last revised: 6 Mar 2022

See all articles by Andrew Atkeson

Andrew Atkeson

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) - Department of Economics; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Pierre-Olivier Weill

University of California, Los Angeles; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

There are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: March 2013

Abstract

We develop a model of equilibrium entry, trade, and price formation in over-the- counter (OTC) markets. Banks trade derivatives to share an aggregate risk subject to two trading frictions: they must pay a fixed entry cost, and they must limit the size of the positions taken by their traders because of risk-management concerns. Although all banks in our model are endowed with access to the same trading technology, some large banks endogenously arise as "dealers," trading mainly to provide intermediation services, while medium sized banks endogenously participate as "customers" mainly to share risks. We use the model to address positive questions regarding the growth in OTC markets as trading frictions decline, and normative questions of how regulation of entry impacts welfare.

Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

Atkeson, Andrew G. and Eisfeldt, Andrea L. and Weill, Pierre-Olivier, The Market for OTC Derivatives (March 2013). NBER Working Paper No. w18912, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2237825