Swap Execution Facility - SEF

A trading system or platform that enables many participants to execute or trade swaps. A swap execution facility would allow for greater transparency and would be a significant shift in the way derivative trading is made. The Dodd-Frank Act lays the foundation for this change of derivative execution.

It is defined by the Dodd-Frank Act as "a facility, trading system or platform in which multiple participants have the ability to execute or trade swaps by accepting bids and offers made by other participants that are open to multiple participants in the facility or system, through any means of interstate commerce."

As of May 2011, security-based swaps are traded exclusively in over-the-counter markets with little transparency or oversight. As a result, the expected role of the SEF would allow for transparency and provide the tools for a complete record and audit trail of trades.