Foreign exchange
Gary Jenkins: Turner's blank canvas
The FSA's chairman, Lord Turner, has published his much-anticipated recommendations for a shake-up of the regulatory system. Do they go far enough?
The price is right
Consensus on the input assumptions that financial institutions use to value structured finance securities is crucial if the market is to reach a universally agreed method of pricing these impaired assets. By Peter Jones of Standard & Poor's
Heineken
Our regular look at groundbreaking and innovative deals in the primary markets takes in the £400 million unrated Heineken deal, and BP's monster $3.25 billion offering
Stopping the rot
Noises from leading banks that they may be returning to profitability are failing to mask the painful truth that vast quantities of toxic assets are still causing a stink on banks' balance sheets. Credit looks at the various plans being put forward to…
FDIC extension gives breathing space to banks
The difficulties banks are facing in borrowing capital are ample justification for extending the TLGP scheme, say observers. Indeed, there are calls for the scheme to become more permanent
Limits to growth for Russian forex derivatives exchanges
The decline in the rouble led to a boom for Russian derivatives exchanges earlier this year, but local conditions mean growth is unlikely to continue.
Put spreads play part in the taming of the skew
The recent popularity of put spreads and put-spread collars has helped push down volatility skew to record lows on global equity indexes, according to dealers.
Regulators square up to leverage ratio challenge
Bank supervisors are increasingly advocating the introduction of a gross leverage ratio as a restriction on the growth of assets relative to capital, but the biggest challenge will be to create an internationally consistent measure under diverse…
Talf requests plunge $3bn to $1.7bn in latest funding round
Demand for loans under the US Treasury's Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility (Talf) has dropped precipitously since the scheme opened in March.
Concerns over political influence overshadow FASB's changes to fair value
US auditors and investors are concerned that accounting standards are being dictated by politicians rather than independent standard setters.
BNP Paribas appoints Blotto
BNP Paribas Corporate & Investment Banking has appointed Stefano Blotto to the Institutional relationship management team for European coverage of institutional accounts. Blotto is based in London and reports to Talbot Stark, global relationship manager…
Fed in $287bn currency swap with central banks
Four central banks, including the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Bank of England (BoE), have agreed further reciprocal foreign currency swap arrangements with the Federal Reserve to provide more US dollar funds to firms in participating nations as…
Russian revolution?
The news that TNK-BP will sell oil products on the St. Petersburg International Mercantile Exchange could signal a shift by Russia towards market mechanisms, Roderick Bruce reports
Phoenix rises into green markets
Interdealer broker expands in to renewables and emissions markets to harness sector growth, and plans to act as a counterparty for RECs
New York may up RGGI allowances
New York State may decide to allocate more allowances under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to ease the cost burden on compliance buyers, finds Pauline McCallion
The challenge of complying with remuneration guidelines
Editor's blog
G-20 creates Financial Stability Board from FSF; frees up $1.1 trillion for IMF
Daily news headlines
Risk not seen as top priority by global investment management
Daily news headlines
Deutsche Bank queues up certificate listings in Poland
Deutsche Bank has filed to list the eighth series of its Express Notes on the Warsaw Stock Exchange (WSE). The certificates are linked to the domestic Wig 20 index, which tracks Polish equity performance, and should list within the next week.
US Wrap: Barclays back with reverse convertibles
Barclays launched 11 reverse convertibles into the US market yesterday, its first significant chunk of issuance of the structure since its bumper day of 22 notes on March 19. The US equity-linked products constituted well over half of the 17 products…
G20 fires starting gun on global systemic risk regime
A declaration by the Group of 20 leading economies (G20) fleshed out plans for a global regime of systemic risk regulation, “covering regulated banks, shadow banks and private pools of capital to limit the build-up of systemic risk”.
Basel Committee ready for new members
The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision is set to confirm the appointment of seven new members within the next fortnight, according to a senior committee official.