ISDA is a nonprofit standards and policy organization for over-the-counter derivatives, built around three core functions: developing financial messaging standards (FpML, ISO 20022, FIX), maintaining risk-calculation methodologies (SIMM), and advancing derivatives regulation globally. The tech stack reveals a standards-first org—heavy on XML, data transformation (Python, Pandas, NumPy), and analytics (Looker)—paired with a policy-led hiring mix (4 policy roles vs. 3 engineering) that reflects ISDA's dual mandate as both a technical standards body and a regulatory advocate.
Notable leadership hires: Public Policy Director, Assistant Director
ISDA is the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, a membership-driven nonprofit founded in 1986 and headquartered in New York. With over 960 member institutions across 78 countries—ranging from banks and investment managers to exchanges, clearinghouses, and service providers—ISDA sets industry standards and practices for derivatives risk management. The organization maintains critical financial messaging standards (FpML, ISO 20022), publishes the ISDA Master Agreement and related legal documentation, and develops margin and counterparty-risk models (SIMM) that reduce credit and operational friction. ISDA operates globally with hiring across the US, UK, Singapore, and China, balancing technical infrastructure work (platform enhancements, standards maintenance) with policy engagement on regulation and market access.
ISDA develops and maintains FpML (financial messaging), ISO 20022, FIX, and the ISDA Master Agreement. Current projects include SIMM (margin methodology), CDM (common data model), and related derivatives risk frameworks used across global derivatives markets.
ISDA has over 960 member institutions from 78 countries, including banks, investment managers, exchanges, clearinghouses, law firms, and other derivatives market participants and infrastructure providers.
Other companies in the same industry, closest in size