Feature
Losing the asset swap lifeline?
A price difference between inflation-linked and nominal bonds last year created a huge opportunity for real-money investors to benefit through asset swaps. Now the opportunity has diminished, how important are asset swap investors in providing inflation…
A return to domestic inflation
Activity in Europe’s domestic inflation derivatives markets dropped away after the collapse of Lehman Brothers. Now, dealers report buyers and sellers are starting to return. But there is likely to be less warehousing of risk by banks and a greater focus…
Inflation issuers face Greek fallout
Issuance of sovereign inflation-linked bonds is expected to reach record highs this year as governments struggle with vast fiscal deficits. With investors shaken by the crisis in Greece, however, some issuers may have to draw on the lessons of the crisis…
The inflation pricing conundrum
Fear of a spike in consumer prices has created greater demand for inflation protection from a variety of participants. This has increased the need for inflation pricing and analytics tools – but it is not as simple as tweaking existing models used for…
To boldly go
Throughout its brief history, the operational risk discipline has been labouring under a limiting and perhaps inaccurate definition of what it is and what it should be covering. Op risk needs to broaden its remit across the enterprise if it is going to…
Sound scenarios
Mariano Selvaggi describes the issues the Operational Risk Consortium took into account when preparing its report on the use of scenario analysis of operational risk in insurance, and how a sound scenarios framework can benefit firms
The big debate
On March 19, the European Commission hosted a high-level, intensive conference on the construction of a new crisis management framework in the banking sector. But little agreement was found among regulators, legislators and bankers.
A granular approach to data
The drive for regulatory reform in the US has focused on the availabilty of data, and a bill being discussed in Washington, DC proposes the establishment of national data and research centres.
Action reactions
At OpRisk USA 2010 participants discussed how they can deal with increasing waves of regulation and add value in the new financial environment.
Right place, right time
Eileen Robbins, vice-president in operational risk at the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, has a history of turning up just as things are kicking off. She talks to OR&R about the DTCC’s much-lauded handling of the Lehman Brothers collapse, and…
OTC shake-up likely as regulators mull centralised clearing
US legislators are pressing for reforms that will lead to a big shake-up in how over-the-counter derivatives are bought and sold. The question is how this will affect the structured notes market. John Ferry reports
Solving the problem of inflation measures
With fears about future inflation still plaguing investors, inflation-linked products may seem like a sensible way of hedging against the rising cost of living. But the effect of substitution, interest rate rises and timing mean that returns on these…
The benefits of art investing
Alternative investments are tipped to outperform conventional financial offerings this year, leading to a rapid rise in the number of indexes based on art, as well as increasing interest from fund managers. Randall Willette, managing director at Fine Art…
Structurers plead with Hong Kong SFC to retain ‘safe harbour’ rules
Providers of structured products fear a collapse in private placement volumes and a shift of business to Singapore following a proposal from Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission to remove rules that ease offering requirements. Georgina Lee…
Conference warns of rising complexity in leveraged ETFs
Investors searching for good value and transparency have flocked to exchange-traded funds. But this demand is now driving increasing complexity, and speakers at the first Art of Indexing Europe conference in Frankfurt warned of the pitfalls of messing…
Exchange of the Year
Structured Products Americas Awards 2010
Mature pension funds will not survive another financial crisis
Pension schemes have been severely affected by the recent financial crisis. But, according to Cardano’s Theo Kocken and Joeri Potters, the prognosis for recovery is dependent on the maturity of the individual schemes – unless there is widespread systemic…
Facing the Solvency II technology challenge
The final shape of Solvency II has not yet been decided, but it is clear that whatever the result insurers will need to upgrade their technology and data-gathering approach. Clive Davidson examines how Europe’s leading insurers are meeting this challenge
Asian insurers hedge away solvency fears
Asian insurance companies have sat up and paid attention to their solvency ratios during the past two years like never before. This has led to unprecedented levels of derivatives take-up. But will this conversion to derivatives last? Harry Thompson…
Inverted swap spreads change insurer’s and pension fund’s hedging approach
Inverted swap spreads have defied earlier predictions that they were a short-term aberration to still be a feature 18 months after their first appearance. Is this set to continue and, if so, does it pose an opportunity for pension schemes and insurers?…
Flood of sovereign debt drowns out corporate bonds
Elevated government borrowing will be a fixture of the credit markets for the foreseeable future, as emergency spending and tax shortfalls heighten state financing needs. But could this excess supply of sovereign debt threaten demand for corporate bonds?…
Solvency management provides reinsurance opportunity
Testing economic conditions have prompted widespread moves by life insurers to reinsure their liabilities in order to gain capital relief. As the situation eases, will demand for reinsurance fall, or are other factors coming to prominence? Blake Evans…
Goldman charged over CDO role
The US Securities and Exchange Commission filed a lawsuit against Goldman Sachs in April, alleging the firm misled clients. Some observers suggest the action may not be successful, but criticise Goldman’s behaviour. By Mark Pengelly and Duncan Wood
The price is wrong
As the basis between Libor and overnight index swap rates ballooned during the credit crisis, banks were forced to reassess methods for pricing collateralised and uncollateralised derivatives trades. The result is a move towards a new market standard in…