Organizational Structure

ATHEXCLEAR's functional organization combines organizational units of the companies of ATHEX Group and distinct units/governance bodies of ATHEXCLEAR:

• General Assembly (ATHEXCLEAR)
• Board of Directors (ATHEXCLEAR)
• Board Committees
   

Supervisory Committees

• Audit Committee (ATHEXCLEAR)
• Risk Committee (ATHEXCLEAR)
• Committee for the Appointment of Executive
• Nomination of BoD Members and Remuneration (ATHEXCLEAR)
   

Executive Committees

• Default & Crisis Management Committee(ATHEXCLEAR)
• Strategic Investment Committee (ATHEXGROUP)
• Clearing Fund Assets Management Committee (ATHEXCLEAR)
• Information Security Management Committee (ATHEXGROUP)
• IT Steering Committee (ATHEXGROUP)
• Athens Exchange Steering Committee (ATHEXGROUP)
• Legal Affairs Monitoring and Coordination Committee (ATHEXGROUP)
• Policies Committee (ATHEXGROUP)
   

Supervisory units

• Internal Audit Unit (ATHEXCLEAR)
• Risk Management & Clearing Division
• Risk Management Department (ATHEXCLEAR)
• Compliance Unit (ATHEXCLEAR)
   

Executive Units

• Risk Management & Clearing Division, Clearing Department (ATHEXCLEAR)
• IT Development Division (ATHEXGROUP)
   

Support Functions

• Infrastructure Management and IT Support Division (ATHEXCSD)
• Human Resources & Administrative Support Division (ATHEXCSD)
• Financial Management Division (ATHEXCSD)
• Corporate Secretary & Corporate Governance Unit (ATHEX)
• Legal Affairs Unit (ATHEXCSD)
• Regulation & International Affairs Unit (ΑΤΗΕΧ)
• Clearing Member Support Services (ATHEXCLEAR)
   

See the Organisation Chart here.
 

Remuneration policy

ATHEXCLEAR has adopted and applies the Athens Exchange Group Remuneration Policy (ATHEXGROUP), which is posted here.
 

Financial information

You can view financial information for ATHEXCLEAR in ATHEXCLEAR's detailed financial statements here.

Operating Framework

The Regulations on Clearing of Transactions on Derivatives and of Transferable Securities Transactions in Book Entry Form include information on the operating framework of ATHEXCLEAR and its procedures, namely:

• Default management procedures
• Rights and obligations of clearing members
• Description of the risks associated with using the ATHEXCLEAR's services
• Current clearing services
• Models used in margin calculations
• Use of collateral and default fund contributions
• Admission, suspension and exit criteria for clearing membership
   

Click here to see the Regulations on Transactions Clearing.
 

Pricing Policy

ATHEXCLEAR's Pricing Policy as well as the detailed fees for management and use of transactions clearing systems are posted here.
 

Business Continuity / Disaster Recovery

The business continuity / disaster recovery plan for ATHEXCLEAR's systems and procedures is a part of the general framework for business continuity / disaster recovery of the Athens Exchange Group's operations.
 

Business Continuity / Disaster Recovery Procedures

In cases of malfunctioning or failure of the clearing system or other emergencies that may cause difficulties or make it impossible to carry out the obligations of ATHEXCLEAR, ATHEX Group is responsible for:

• Εstablishing procedures and plans to achieve business continuity / disaster recovery
• Ηaving installed a disaster recovery site synchronized with its primary site with a different geographic profile than that of the main data center
• Performing annually, trials of disaster scenarios in order to familiarize ATHEXCLEAR and market participants (members, data vendors, etc.) with the IT infrastructure and the activation mechanism of the Group's business continuity plan on the disaster recovery site, to the smallest possible time not exceeding two (2) hours.
   

Group's business continuity plan has been certified in accordance with the International Business Continuity Standard ISO-22301.
 

Establishment of Crisis Management and Emergency Management Groups

These groups aim to maintain the continuity of the provision of Group's services and consequently ATHEXCLEAR's in the event of an unforeseen event.
 

Back-up clearing systems

ATHEXCLEAR's clearing and other operations systems are installed and operate at the ATHEX Group's data center. The data center consists of two, independent of the site, the support facilities and the provided technological services, mirror data centers, so that there is redundancy and increased availability re-ensuring the uninterrupted function of ATHEXCLEAR systems.
 

Business impact analysis

A business impact analysis is conducted annually assessing the risk of disruption of critical operations of ATHEXCLEAR and appropriate measures are taken to mitigate this risk. This risk is monitored on an ongoing basis.
 

Investment Policy

ATHEXCLEAR has established Investment Policy that concerns the investments of cash (own resources and capital requirements), cash from clearing of derivatives and securities as well as safety margins (guarantees) of members.

Having as priority the security of ATHEXCLEAR funds as well as the collaterals (margins, clearing fund of derivatives and securities), ATHEXCLEAR as CCP invests all above funds only in cash in EUR and strictly at the Bank of Greece.

More information on this policy is provided in the ATHEXCLEAR's Annual Financial Report 2014, which is posted here.
 

Eligible Margin Collaterals and Haircuts

More information on the risk management parameters for derivatives and securities markets is posted here.
 

List of Clearing Members

You can see a list of clearing members here.

ATHEXCLEAR's management and staff respect the right of the persons with whom they deal, to complain about the level of services provided by ATHEXCLEAR.

With the Complaint Management Policy, ATHEXCLEAR ensures that all complaints from the clearing members are recorded and received the appropriate attention, and provision is made for them to be processed / resolved fairly, in a timely, impartial and transparent manner.

The clearing members are treated with dignity, professionalism and fairness during the process of submitting and processing their complaint and, in the event that they are not satisfied with the response given, they are provided with the necessary information and means of communication in order to reach a higher level of hierarchy or a competent body.

The process of complaints management is in compliance with the principles and rules of personal data and confidential information protection.

Any expression of dissatisfaction from clearing members about ATHEXCLEAR's performance (delays, mistakes, etc.) or failure to fulfill its obligations is considered a complaint.

The key steps of complaints submission procedure are the following: 

• The complaint shall be submitted by the person in charge of the Clearing Member (who has the role of "membership issues") or the person in charge for clearing securities or derivatives. It is recommended that the complaint would be submitted through "Service Desk" to ensure that it would be handled in accordance with ATHEXCLEAR's procedures. The description of the complaint should be brief but at the same time sufficiently documented, accurate, containing the necessary information for being easily understood and effectively handled. Also, any accompanying explanatory documents should be attached.
• The complaint is received, investigated and answered by senior executives of ATHEXCLEAR within a reasonable time. In order to address it more effectively, further information and clarifications may be required. In any case, whether the request is described as a complaint or not, the Clearing Member will receive a documented response.
• If the Clearing Member is not satisfied with the response, it may request a reexamination of the complaint, after explaining the reasons for the non-satisfaction and submitting any additional information. The process is monitored by the ATHEXCLEAR's Compliance Unit, which operates independently of its other functions. 

ATHEXCLEAR complies with the Principles for Financial Market Infrastructures (PFMI) published by the Committee on Payment and Settlement Systems (CPSS) and the Technical Committee of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) in April 2012. The detailed assessment can be viewed here: ATHEXCLEAR REPORT on PFMI Principles.

ATHEXCLEAR also publishes in a quarterly basis quantitative data following requirements from Committee on Payment and Market Infrastructures and the International Organization of Securities Commissions (CPMI-IOSCO). The Public Quantitative Data follow:

*3 Amended as 28/01/2022

*2 Amended as 23/07/2021

*1 Amended as 05/09/2019

ATHEXCLEAR publicly disclose the levels of protection and the costs that are connected to  the different levels of segregation which it provides for clearing purposes per System as provided for under Article 39(7)  of Regulation (EU) No 648/2012 and in particular in accordance with the provisions of the Rulebook of System operation "Rulebook for Clearing of Transactions in Transferable Securities in Book Entry Form" and the Rulebook of System operation "Rulebook for Clearing of Transactions in Derivatives", as adopted by the Board of Directors of ATHEXCLEAR and approved by the Hellenic Capital Market Commission (HCMC). 

Initial Margin and Haircut Methodology

ATHEXCLEAR makes use of a parametric Value-at-Risk (VaR) model in order to calculate margin parameters for the securities market and input parameters for the RI.VA. system (SPAN like) used in derivatives market to calculate margins. The estimation of margin parameters is done at 1% significance level. The lookback period is twelve (12) months, while the risk horizon is two (2) to three (3) days for securities and two (2) to four (4) days for derivatives, depending on their expected liquidation period. Moreover, in order to count for pro-cyclicality a stressed period is incorporated, creating a mixed distribution with fatter tailes. Note that for Haircut Parameters the same methodology applies but at a 0.1% significance level. For the Derivatives Market the estimated parameters are incorporated into to a SPAN like model where initial margin is calculated. The input parameters for futures contracts are: (i) Valuation Interval for the underlying and the (ii) Adjustment factor, to count for maturity spreads (calendar spread); whereas for options the input parameters are: (i) Valuation Interval for the underlying instrument, (ii), Central Volatility, (iii) Change of Volatility and (iv) the Risk Free Rate.

For the Securities Market Correlations apply only among high liquid securities which are significantly and stable correlated with a benchmark index (currently only with the ATHEX FTSE/LARGE CAP Index); these securities belong to a correlation group. For securities within the correlation group, their estimated risk parameter is split in two (2) components: a general and a specific risk component, where the general component represents market risk of each security and the specific component their idiosyncratic risk. The general risk parameter is a residual parameter obtained by subtracting the specific risk parameter from the total risk parameter. Note that only securities belonging to the same Clearing Account are allowed to offset their general risk component (i.e. netting of Initial Margin); moreover only securities with opposite position signs (long/short) are allowed to offset their market risk. Initial Margin netting is not allowed in the Derivatives Market; only a maturity spread (calendar spread) among different series with the same underlying instrument apply.
 

Stress Test Methodology

ATHEXCLEAR is obliged to cover on a daily basis stress test results in terms of loss as well as in terms of liquidity, arising from the default of a certain group(-s) of CM(-s) with the highest stress exposure for each market (securities, derivatives) under extreme but plausible market conditions.

As far as Counterparty Credit Risk is concerned, ATHEXCLEAR is obliged to cover on a daily basis credit stress test results (in terms of P/L) arising from the default of the Clearing Member in which ATHEXCLEAR has the largest risk exposure in terms of stress result (cover 2) or of the 2nd & 3rd Clearing Member if the cumulative risk exposure is higher, taking into account the dependencies of their groups (cover 2). Additionally the default of the 1st & 2nd Clearing Member with the largest cumulative risk exposure including specific own funds (SIG) shall be covered, taking into account the dependencies of their groups (cover 2). The simulated losses are net of total pledged margin collaterals.

As far as Liquidity Risk is concerned, ATHEXCLEAR is obliged to cover on a daily basis liquidity stress test results (in terms of liquidity needs) arising from the default of the 1st & 2nd Clearing Member with the largest cumulative liquidity risk exposure for each market (securities, derivatives) taking into account the dependencies of their groups (cover 2). Liquidity needs airing from close-out of positions in case of a Clearing Member default rise within an upward sloping environment, i.e. liquidity amounts needed for physical delivery of stocks in the securities and derivatives market rise vis-a-vis stock prices. The available liquidity resources of the respective markets are (i) pledged cash collaterals of all CMs, (ii) Specific Own Resources (SIG) and (iii) Default Fund contributions. Moreover ATHEXCLEAR could cover additional liquidity needs with its (iv) own liquidity (cash).

Stress scenarios for Counterparty Credit Risk as well as for Liquidity Risk are historical and hypothetical. In both scenario categories extreme but plausible market conditions are simulated. The main goal is to simulate extreme conditions where prices of diverse instruments move adverse with respect to CA positions as well as to simulate correlation breaks. Currently twelve (12) stress test scenarios are performed on a daily basis. Ten (10) scenarios for testing vulnerability resulting from CCR and two (2) for testing liquidity risk exposure aiming to cover all possible market constellations. Scenarios applied show the losses ATHEXCLEAR would have to cover with own and contributed pre-funded financial resources of Clearing Members according to the default waterfall sequence as well as with own Equity Capital. The stress results are aggregated at Clearing Member Group level.
 

Nature of Tests Performed

On a regular basis a validation of margin models takes place. Particularly for the margin model a daily Back-testing Procedure at Clearing Account level is performed. Within the back-testing procedure a verification whether the realized price fluctuation (P/L) of positions at Clearing Account level is in line with model predictions, i.e. whether the percentage of outliers given the number of observations are greater than the significance level (α). In evaluating the outcomes a "Traffic Lights Approach" applies. Under this approach back testing results are classified into three zones, (i) Green zone: the results do not suggest a problem with the quality or reliability of the model; (ii) Amber zone: the results give rise to some questions regarding the quality or reliability of the model but firm conclusions can be drawn; and (iii) Red zone: the results almost certainly suggest a problem with the quality or reliability of the model. For Haircut Parameters the same methodology applies but at single asset level (unit back-testing).

Another validation component is the Sensitivity Analysis. According to this, several parameters of the VAR model, i.e. confidence level, correlation assumptions, Implied Volatility and significant drop in prices of cleared instruments issued by Clearing Members are progressively stressed in order to estimate their sensitivity with respect to the change in required margin. Sensitivity analysis results serve as a benchmark whether the calculated margin deviates significantly from the expected shortfall (fat tails) or whether correlation assumptions have a large offsetting effect or portfolio effect.

Reverse Stress Testing is an integral part of the robustness test of the stress framework. The aim is to simulate that market conditions that would exhaust all available financial resources of ATHEXCLEAR before Equity Capital. The outcome serves as a benchmark check for the plausibility of stress scenarios, i.e. whether the plausibility criterion as well as the extremeness of stress scenarios are valid. The approach is to stress market prices for diverse financial instruments or/and to squeeze liquidity progressively until loss absorbing financial resources or available liquidity resources are exhausted.
 

High Level Summary of the Test Results for the period 01 October 2023 - 30 September 2024

Credit & Liquidity Stress-Test Results:

* Satisfactory result means that default fund resources were always more than stress results.

Initial Margin and Haircut Parameter Back-testing Results:

* Satisfactory within the respective confidence level.