News
Japanese credit spreads tighten to near-record levels
Japanese credit default swap spreads continued to tighten on technical factors, nearly reaching record levels, with trading volumes on the whole fairly subdued, according to traders.
Basel II securitisation treatment too harsh, says Fitch
The treatment of securitisations under current proposals in the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision's Basel II capital Accord is likely to be "overly punitive", according to credit rating agency Fitch.
Risk management and data "are critical success factors" in insurer ratings, says Moody's
US-based rating agency Moody's says "the quality of data and risk management are growing in importance as success factors" for insurance companies, and as a result it is putting additional emphasis on these areas when reviewing a company, according to a…
JP Morgan Chase launches Credit Navigator for relative-value credit trading
JP Morgan Chase has launched its Credit Navigator product, an analytical tool designed to identify relative-value opportunities in the credit markets.
Standard Chartered boosts global ABS team
Standard Chartered has strengthened its asset-backed securitisation (ABS) capabilities with three new hires.
Basel II securitisation treatment too harsh, says Fitch
The treatment of securitisations under current proposals in the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision’s Basel II capital Accord is likely to be “overly punitive”, according to credit rating agency Fitch.
BoA adds to European structured debt and risk management team
Banc of America Securities, the investment banking arm of Bank of America, has boosted its European debt capital raising and risk management group.
Basel II may prompt mortgage market consolidation
The Tower Group, a US-based consultancy, has just published a report that says the Basel II capital Accord may prompt the consolidation of mortgage lenders in both the US and EU markets, and improve pricing in mortgage instruments.
RWE deploys Trema to integrate treasury and asset management operations
German utility powerhouse RWE plans to extend its straight-through processing (STP) capabilities across its global subsidiaries using front, middle and back office integrated software from Swedish technology company Trema.
Meff launches Spanish central counterparty for repos
Meff, the Spanish derivatives exchange, plans to act as a central counterparty for government bond repurchase agreements (repos), following a change in Spanish finance law.
AIG hires risk manager in New York
Paul Stubbs will join AIG Trading Group in Greenwich, Connecticut, as a vice-president in foreign exchange and commodity risk management. He will report to Mark Balfan, senior vice-president and global head of market risk management.
Basel II may prompt mortgage market consolidation
The Tower Group, a US-based consultancy, has just published a report that says the Basel II capital Accord may prompt the consolidation of mortgage lenders in both the US and EU markets, and improve pricing in mortgage instruments.
Mizuho takes FNX for foreign exchange options
Mizuho Tokyo has upgraded to release 4.4 of FNX’s Sierra System for FX options trading. The new release has faster algorithms and architecture to accommodate Mizuho’s high volumes, FNX said.
Tiffe to launch long-term interest rate futures
The Tokyo International Financial Futures Exchange (Tiffe) plans to launch long-term interest rate futures by May, despite a fall-off in interest for the exchange's short-term rates contracts.
Ong moves into academia
Former chief risk officer for the Americas at Credit Agricole Indosuez, Michael Ong, has moved into academia with a full professorship and directorship on the finance program at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago.
HSBC appoints investment banking and markets co-heads
HSBC last week announced the appointment of Stuart Gulliver as co-head of the corporate, investment banking and markets business (CIBM), responsible for foreign exchange, fixed income, syndicated loans, structured credit, precious metals, equities and…
DataSynapse adds IBM functionality
New York-based technology vendor DataSynapse has expanded its LiveCluster service that provides on demand computing power to be able to use IBM’s eServer zSeries mainframe computers.
CBOT signs on for Radianz services
The Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) has signed a three-year deal with Radianz to provide an outsourced IP network to deliver its real-time data, CBOT and Radianz officials say.
Chinese derivatives regulations expected soon, say bankers
The Chinese central bank is expected to publish new regulations within the next few months aimed at easing tough restrictions in the country's derivatives market, say bankers.
Japan credit spreads tighten as Iraqi conflict draws to a close
Credit protection on Japanese names continued a tightening trend this week, on the back of positive sentiment globally with the war in Iraq nearing a close and the absence of negative news in the domestic market.
Chinese derivatives regulations expected soon, say bankers
The Chinese central bank is expected to publish new regulations within the next few months aimed at easing tough restrictions in the country’s derivatives market, say bankers.
Restructuring debate will rage on after CP3, says Munro
The Basel Committee's widely anticipated ditching of restructuring as a required credit event for capital relief in its forthcoming third consultation paper on Basel II, will not bring to an end the heated debate between hedging banks and investors over…
Principia expands its credit functionality
Principia Partners, a Jersey City-based risk management technology vendor, said it has enhanced the credit derivatives capability of its Principia System front- to back-office product.
RBS expands Italian securitisation team
The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has appointed Fulvio Pelargonio as director of securitisation, based in Milan.