Testimony of Robert Pickel Chief Executive Officer, International Swaps and Derivatives Association Before the Committee on Agriculture U.S. House of Representatives December 8, 2008

Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee: Thank you very much for inviting ISDA to testify at this follow-up hearing regarding credit derivatives. As you know from our previous meeting ISDA and the OTC derivatives industry are proud of the strength the OTC infrastructure has demonstrated during the recent turmoil, while at the same time being committed to working with Congress, regulators and within the industry to strengthen these markets still further. About ISDA ISDA, which represents participants in the privately negotiated derivatives industry, is the largest global financial trade association, by number of member firms. ISDA was chartered in 1985, and today has over 850 member institutions from 56 countries on six continents. These members include most of the world's major institutions that deal in privately negotiated derivatives, as well as many of the businesses, governmental entities and other end users that rely on over-the-counter derivatives to manage efficiently the financial market risks inherent in their core economic activities. Since its inception, ISDA has pioneered efforts to identify and reduce the sources of risk in the derivatives and risk management business. Among its most notable accomplishments are: developing the ISDA Master Agreement; publishing a wide range of related documentation materials and instruments covering a variety of transaction types; producing legal opinions on the enforceability of netting and collateral arrangements; securing recognition of the risk-reducing effects of netting in determining capital requirements; promoting sound risk management practices; and advancing the understanding and treatment of derivatives and risk management from public policy and regulatory capital perspectives. Among other types of documentation ISDA