on OCC (Options Clearing Corporation) counterparty risk:
basically in 2008 they had a $3.5 billion cash fund and a $130 billion emergency fund. not that much if you ask me..
http://online.barrons.com/article/SB122246733123380367.html
http://seekingalpha.com/article/95413-lehman-the-counterparty-risk
here's their rules: http://www.optionsclearing.com/risk-management/default-rules/
OCC 2011 Annual Report - The Options Clearing Corporation www.optionsclearing.com/.../docs/.../occ_2011_annual_report.pdf
says the clearing fund is only $2.9 billion at the end of 2011! They also have 76.8 billion in margin. they have only $12million in shareholders' equity. they lost $8million in 2011! they have $50-80million in cash