News/Risk management/Foreign exchange
Regulator re-opens speculation debate
At the first of three hearings on possible methods to control oil price speculation today, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) chairman called for serious consideration of the need for position limits in energy trading.
Regulatory turf war hits Congress
A battle for influence among US financial regulators broke out in Congress on July 24, as they testified before a Congressional committee on the merits of the Obama administration's proposals for regulatory reform.
Leverage ratios are "counterproductive", says IIF
In a new report on how to strengthen financial regulation, the Institute of International Finance (IIF) has proposed some measures directly at odds with options currently being explored by regulators in both Europe and the US.
Airlines to face €1 billion carbon bill in 2012
Aviation's entry into the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) in 2012 is set to cost the sector €1 billion, a report by carbon analysts Point Carbon has shown.
Q2 profits a false dawn for banks, Moody's says
Rising funding costs, continuing writedowns and the withdrawal of government support could push the global banking industry back into crisis, analysts warned this week.
US Talf helps CMBS market recover
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York's Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility (Talf) is helping to revive the commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) market, analysts have concluded, although the chances for residential mortgages to be included…
Senate investigates speculation in wheat market
Several market participants appeared before a Senate subcommittee today to discuss the effect of excessive speculation on the price of wheat futures.
Tarp inspector general calls for more clarity on banks' use of funds
The US Treasury's special inspector general for the Troubled Assets Relief Program (Tarp), Neil Barofsky, has called on the Treasury to force banks to report their use of the Tarp's bailout funds. But the Treasury is reluctant to do so.
Doubt over Fed’s ability to limit systemic risk
The Obama administration’s proposals for safeguarding the financial system place the US Federal Reserve at the heart of a new regulatory regime for systemic risk, but some former regulators are sceptical of the Fed’s ability to carry out the job.
Race against the clock for European CDS CCPs
With just two weeks remaining until the European Commission’s deadline for central counterparties (CCPs) to begin clearing credit default swaps (CDSs), two of the competing platforms are still waiting for regulatory approval.
TSE targets Japanese banks for CCP
The Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) is courting domestic financial institutions to become clearing members of its proposed central counterparty (CCP), which it is developing alongside its 86.3%-owned clearing arm, Japan Securities Clearing Corp (JSCC).
Trayport links cleared OTC energy trades to LCH.Clearnet
Trading software provider Trayport has announced that it will now offer automated clearing for energy OTC trades on LCH.Clearnet.
Quant Congress: Don't confuse models with reality, says Derman
Models were not responsible for the financial crisis, but those using them need to remember the shortcomings of models in general, asserted Emanuel Derman, head of risk at Prisma Capital Management and professor at Columbia University, at Risk 's Quant…
Central clearing will need new laws, Isda report finds
New laws will be needed in the US and Europe to support the introduction of central clearing of credit default swap (CDS) trades, according to a study published yesterday by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association.
UK Treasury gives FSA new powers
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TriOptima tear-ups cut CDS notional by $9 trillion
Swedish technology company TriOptima eliminated $9 trillion in notional outstanding from the credit default swap (CDS) market in the first half of 2009, the firm announced on July 9.
Cesr proposes Europe-wide disclosure of short positions
Investors across Europe could be compelled to reveal short positions in any stock, under draft rules published today by the Committee of European Securities Regulators (Cesr).
Cebs consults on liquidity buffers
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Almost all SIV assets now sold off, Fitch says
The structured investment vehicles (SIVs) at the heart of the credit crisis have now disposed of 95% of their $400 billion in assets, according to analysis released today by credit rating agency Fitch Ratings.
UPDATED: CFTC plans speculation clampdown
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) will hold public hearings in July and August to discuss the need for federal position limits to be imposed on energy futures traders.