Feature
Abbey launches its first commercial property bond
Abbey in the UK has launched the first capital guaranteed commercial property-linked bond. The bond has a five-year or seven-and-a half-year investment term, offering 100% or 125% of any growth of the FTSE All UK Property Index (NAV).
IMF report praises Australian preparedness for Basel II
The IMF has released its September Financial System Stability Analysis on the Australian financial sector, and commends the country’s progress on Basel II.
Basel II may increase cyclical swings, says the adviser to the governor at the bank of England
Cyclicality was considered late in Basel II negotiations, and while it needs to be kept under review, it is too early to propose policy changes.
Main challenge to sustainable growth is regulatory convergence, says vice-president of the ECB
Faster and sustainable growth may be hindered if the ultimate goal of regulatory convergence is not met, according Lucas Papademos.
Immunisation charity granted 0% risk weight
The BCBS has allowed supervisors to treat the IFFIm like a multilateral development bank.
CESR sets out work programme and consultations for Mifid
The EU securities regulators have outlined their programme to implement Mifid requirements, marking the end of the legislative phase for the directive.
The correlation debate
In response to an article on asset value correlations for retail banking portfolios, published in the July issue of Risk, Ashish Dev of KeyCorp argues that the current Basel II rules are slightly too liberal for high-quality credit cards and overly…
Fitch spins off derivatives ratings
London- and New York-based ratings firm Fitch has spun off its derivatives operations into a new subsidiary, Derivative Fitch.
FSA plan to implement Mifid released
The Financial Services Authority has set out a Markets in Financial Instruments Directive plan with details on upcoming consultations and publications before transposition and implementation of the directive.
The MiFID Threat
Thanks to compliance, many of the European Union’s smaller exchanges now face fresh competition.
Bush signs regulatory relief bill into law
The first regulatory relief bill for US banks in over a decade has been passed, although industry will push for more reforms next year.
FSA proposes a model for stress testing
Regulator’s thematic review suggests a way to embed stress testing into the risk management framework.
US regulators to assess international differences in Basel II rules for fairness
Fed chairman promises to see if US version of Basel II imposes costs that outweigh the benefits to US banks.
Business continuity exercise will assess pandemic preparedness in the UK
The Bank of England, HM Treasury and the FSA are to gauge how the industry would manage a flu pandemic.
New guidelines on common reporting released
CEBS has published a recast version of guidelines for prudential reporting for credit institutions and investment firms.
NDF’s new plan links to DJ Eurostoxx
NDF, a UK structured products provider, has launched an investment plan linked to the performance of the Dow Jones Eurostoxx 50 Index. The five-year NDF 7.5% Annual Income Plan October 06 offers a potential income of 5.5% paid annually, or 1.80% paid…
Australia suggests new guidance for AMA for operational risk
Apra has published its response to industry submissions to its approach to AMA for operational risk.
CONFERENCE NEWS: Italian regulator issues warning
Italian structured products professionals are duty bound to provide complete product analysis if they want their products to be approved by regulators. That was the message delivered by Marcello Minenna, enforcement officer with Italy's structured…
Barclays Investment Notes commence trading on LSE
Barclays Investment Notes started trading on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) today. The structured products were launched to investors last month at the start of a three week book building period.
Lehman Brothers' AIM president jumps ship for Credit Suisse
John Kremer, formerly president of Lehman Brothers Alternative Investment Management, has joined Credit Suisse as head of European institutional distribution for asset management activities. In this new role, Kremer will be responsible for relationship…
National Bank of Fujairah launches private equity product
United Arab Emirates-based National Bank of Fujairah today launched a private equity product aimed at investors seeking medium term asset diversification.
Merrill Lynch launches its first retail structured note in Singapore
Merrill Lynch has launched its first equity-linked structured note for the retail market in Singapore. The Citrine Giant Booster Notes, provide investors with a fixed coupon linked to the performance of a basket of eight global blue chips.
FSA releases quarterly consultation paper
The FSA’s quarterly consultation paper has set out proposed minor changes to the Handbook, including changes to the glossary.
Russell hires Pritchett-Brown for European focus
Russell Investment Group has hired Benjamin Pritchett-Brown as head of European sales. Based in London, Pritchett-Brown is the first Russell associate dedicated solely to growing the US company’s index business in Europe.