Feature
Upgrading the rating process
As the debate rages over the usefulness of credit ratings, Moody's unveils a set of credit risk indicators derived from market movements. Will 'market implied ratings' silence the agencies' critics?
BCBS report provides overview of international Basel II developments
The 15th biennial report shows current and completed work at the BCBS and national supervisors.
FSI report shows country-specific plans for Basel II implementation in non-BCBS countries
The report updates 2004 global results for Basel II preparation.
Downsizing and consolidation continues to be the trend in the EU banking sector
The ECB’s annual report on banking structures shows that consolidation remains the most important structural development in the EU banking sector.
In brief: BIS releases second quarter report
Locational and consolidated banking statistics have been published.
Fernbach releases liquidity management solution
A software solutions provider has released an application that tracks liquidity exposure and identifies liquidity shortfalls.
SG to launch tradeable CDS Index
France’s SG is planning to launch a tradeable credit derivative index, which has initially been dubbed Credindex. The product aims to make investing in credit derivatives simpler in order to appeal to segments of the market that are currently…
Nvesta to be sold as EAG goes into administration
UK structured products provider Nvesta is to be sold off earlier than previously planned. Its parent company, Eurolife Assurance Group (EAG), went into administration in August. EAG was due to make a second payment in September to investors in its…
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…