Repo Fragility Exacerbated by a Hot New Corner of Funding Market

  • Sponsored repo concentrating more activity in overnight market
  • Increased focus on key funding markets since September turmoil
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A funding niche that’s exploded in popularity in the past two years could be adding to instability in U.S. dollar money markets.

The market for repurchase agreements, a key part of the financial system that allows institutions to borrow cash by using Treasuries as collateral, has been in focus since mid-September, when it was at the center of funding upheavals. And one relatively new corner of that market -- sponsored repo -- may be exacerbating strains, according to analysts.