Provided are techniques for savepoint processing. One of a savepoint statement, a rollback to savepoint statement, and a release savepoint statement is received. It is determined whether to propagate the received one of the savepoint statement, the rollback to savepoint statement, and the release savepoint statement to a data source based on an asymmetrical model in which a nested level of savepoints on a federated server side is capable of being greater than a nested level of savepoints on a data source side and wherein a two-tiered data structure is used to preserve savepoint information in the asymmetrical model. In response to determining that propagation is to occur, the one of the savepoint statement, the rollback to savepoint statement, and the release savepoint statement is propagated to the data source.