Feature
IMF director on key risks to global stability
Gerd Häusler, the counsellor and director of the international capital markets department of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) identified key risks to global stability in a press conference launching the Global Financial Stability Report (GFSR).
Markit launches Portfolio Valuations
Markit Group, the UK-based pricing firm, has launched a Portfolio Valuations service for its buyside clients.
CIMB offers All Stars Global Protected Note
Malaysia’s CIMB, the investment and commercial banking arm of Bumiputra-Commerce Holdings Berhad, has the launched the All-Stars Global Protected Note. The note is a 100% capital guaranteed product providing investors with upside exposure to a basket of…
GARP launches new introductory course in risk and regulation
The Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP) has launched a course designed to introduce risk and regulation in banks.
Canada opens its borders
A change in regulation allowing investors to hold more debt issued by non-Canadian entities has proved a fillip to the country's bond markets. Nadia Damouni looks at how the credit markets in Canada are evolving
Synthetic ABS is hot property
The emergence of credit default swaps on ABS has led to the development of an index of these securities. Nadia Damouni looks at the prospects for this rapidly evolving corner of the market
Complacency is the biggest risk to sound risk management, says former head of CEBS
Complacency and a ‘tick-box’ approach to implementing Basel II is the biggest threat to sound risk management, according to José María Roldán, the former head of the Committee of European Banking Supervisors (CEBS). Instead, the Accord should be…
FSA to consult on ending audit requirements for small firms
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has issued a consultation paper proposing the removal of statutory audit requirements under the Companies Act for small firms and Appointed Representatives (ARs).
Reserve Bank of New Zealand works towards implementation
Capital requirements for banks will soon be made more sensitive to the risks the banks are taking as a result of the Basel Accord. Speaking at the Retail Financial Services Forum, deputy governor Adrian Orr said the Reserve Bank was working intensively…
Basel Committee seeks comments on updated core principles
The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision has issued updated versions of the 1997 Basel Core Principles for Effective Banking Supervision and the 1999 Core Principles Methodology for public comment. The core principles are a benchmark to assess quality…
CEBS opens second round of consultation on outsourcing standards
The Committee of European Banking Supervisors (CEBS) has today started a second round of public consultation on the standards for outsourcing of credit institutions’ business activities.
Level 2 Draft Puts Industry on Notice
LONDON - Now that the European Commission has released the Level 2 draft of MiFID, most financial firms expect the November 2007 implementation date to be finalized any day now.
Gauging the MiFID effect
Despite uncertainty over its exact implementation, the EU's Markets in Financial Services Directive is set to utterly transform the financial services industry. Paul Kennedy says those firms that prepare for change now will fare best in the new landscape
Asking the Right Questions
Welcome to the launch of MiFID Meg, the monthly column dedicated to comment, chat and debate on every data manager's favourite EU directive, the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive.
FSA Timetable Adjusts to MiFID Schedule
In an effort to follow the European Commission's MiFID timetable, the Financial Securities Authority has established a schedule for its consultation program.
Federal Reserve governor discusses benefits of removing geographic restrictions in the EU
Federal Reserve board governor Randall Kroszner today spoke about how removing geographic restrictions on banking in Europe can benefit all EU banks. Kroszner cited examples from the US to support his argument.
Rabobank moves structuring from Singapore to HK
Rabobank International has announced plans to relocate its structuring arm in Singapore to Hong Kong. It said the move was in line with its corporate strategy to strengthen its capabilities in structured product origination, risk management and…
Hong Kong’s TMA to launch official spot fixing rate
Hong Kong’s Treasury Markets Associations (TMA) is to launch the official spot USD/HKD fixing rate on 6 April. The spot fixing rate is calculated and distributed by Reuters. It serves as a reference rate for the pricing of Hong Kong dollar-linked…
SG CIB offers first Charity note
SG Corporate & Investment Banking (SG CIB), the corporate and investment banking arm of the Société Générale Group, will launch its first Charity Guaranteed note, the Kashmir Relief note, on April 26.
RBS recruits from BNP Paribas to form Japanese equity derivatives business
The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has launched a Japanese equity derivatives business within RBS Securities Japan, its wholly owned subsidiary in Tokyo, the bank said in a statement.
Asset Alliance gets in early with Eastern European fund of funds
Asset Alliance Corporation launched what may be the first fund of hedge funds (FoHF) dedicated to managers that invest in Central and Eastern Europe.
Intercorp builds single-manager platform
Investcorp has entered into a strategic partnership with Interlachen Capital Group, a Minnesota-based hedge fund manager, with the aim of launching a new multi-strategy fund onto Investcorp’s single-manager hedge fund platform.
FBE weighs in on implications of US delay
The European Banking Federation (FBE) has expressed concerns over any delay in US implementation of Basel II for European banks with subsidiaries in the US.
UBS Wealth Management launches World GROI
UBS Wealth Management is offering Australian investors exposure to the growth opportunities in international equity markets as well as a high level of capital protection with the launch of the UBS World Index Basket GROI product (World GROI).