Traders close ranks against FVA critics

Derivatives desks have been passing along funding costs for uncollateralised trades since bank spreads blew out in the crisis. But a funding-dependent price is subjective – and this is intolerable to some quants and risk managers. A heated debate is now generating proposals that could have a radical effect on how the business is run. Laurie Carver reports

fva-wrecking-ball

Providing funds for derivatives desks was a backwater, pre-crisis. Treasurers were “the boring guys in grey suits no-one wanted to party with”, according to one. But firms could still get caught out if they neglected obligations to their treasury. One senior London-based trader at a US bank recalls being summoned, as a junior associate, to explain to the global head of rates trading why 20% of the annual profit of his multi-million-dollar book had been lost to a funding slippage. “We had

Only users who have a paid subscription or are part of a corporate subscription are able to print or copy content.

To access these options, along with all other subscription benefits, please contact info@risk.net or view our subscription options here: http://subscriptions.risk.net/subscribe

You are currently unable to copy this content. Please contact info@risk.net to find out more.

Sorry, our subscription options are not loading right now

Please try again later. Get in touch with our customer services team if this issue persists.

New to Risk.net? View our subscription options

Most read articles loading...

You need to sign in to use this feature. If you don’t have a Risk.net account, please register for a trial.

Sign in
You are currently on corporate access.

To use this feature you will need an individual account. If you have one already please sign in.

Sign in.

Alternatively you can request an individual account here