A switch engine module receive interest rate risk portfolios from a plurality
of
traders, and for each prospective trader, provides available switches based on
positions in other counterparty portfolios that offset the viewing traders' positions.
The offsetting positions are encoded with credit preference information in order
to identify eligible trades based on both counterparties credit preferences. In
particular, an embodiment provides for a switch auction whereby users can use an
auction process to trade for forward rate agreement switches with other counterparties.
In the switch auction, the price is predetermined by the system prior to the auction
so that parties can opt out of the transaction if desired. The credit preferences
of the participating traders are taken in consideration in making matches.