Central banks
Spanish rules cushioned banks from the crisis, says top regulator
In an exclusive interview with Risk , José María Roldán, director-general of banking regulation at the Banco de España, explains how a unique regulatory framework has led Spanish banks to adopt prudent trading and risk management processes that paid off…
Eurex CDS clearing solution to start on July 30
Eurex will begin clearing European index and single-name credit default swaps (CDS) as of July 30, the exchange said today.
The future of systemic risk supervision
Editor's blog
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.
Regulators and banks reach buyback agreement on Minibonds
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) have finally reached an agreement with 16 banks that distributed Minibonds, including ABN Amro and the Bank of China, to repurchase the Lehman Brothers-backed products…
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.
'We will abolish the failed tripartite system' says UK Conservative white paper
UK opposition party pledges to fold the FSA into the Bank of England if elected
European supervisors press for more detail on EC overhaul plans
The European Commission (EC) is expected to publish feedback on its proposals for an overhaul of financial supervision in August, but senior European regulators are already expressing concern about some aspects of the proposed reforms.
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.
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.
Anglo-Irish CDS widen on buyback plans
The cost of credit protection on Anglo Irish Bank soared this week, rising to 679.1 basis points (bp) from 628.9 bp on July 3, as the bank announced plans to buy back billions of pounds and euros in Tier 1 and Tier 2 securities.
Singapore's MAS bans 10 retail structured note distributors
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has banned 10 financial institutions from selling structured notes, after their clients lost S$401 million by investing in Lehman-linked structured credit products.
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.
UK chancellor warns bankers off a return to excess
Daily news headlines
Basel implementation chief: no need for Basel III
Daily news headlines
Icap offers cleared broking service to Iberian electricity market
Interdealer broker Icap Energy is to offer its cleared OTC broking services on the Iberian electricity market (Mibel).
Basel implementation chief: no need for Basel III
Modifications being made to Basel II are sufficient to tackle the flaws in the framework and "we are certainly not going in the direction of Basel III", according to the chair of the standards implementation group of the Basel Committee on Banking…
The usual upsets
Regulation
Agencies aim to unite US with Basel liquidity risk standards
US regulatory authorities yesterday released proposed guidance on contingent funding and liquidity risk in a bid to bring US financial institutions into alignment with international liquidity standards.
The art of debt
Governments across the globe face huge increases in borrowing requirements, sparking concern over possible rating downgrades, while many have seen their credit default swap spreads widen dramatically. Despite this, sovereign debt management offices claim…
Central concerns
The European Central Bank (ECB) has been pumping liquidity into the financial markets since August 2007, extended the list of assets eligible as collateral for credit operations and cut rates to record low levels. Jose Manuel Gonzalez-Paramo, a member of…