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New FSA banking regulation aims to promote fairness for consumers
Daily news headlines
OpRisk Europe: FSA condemns operational risk weaknesses
Daily news headlines
Utilities call for early allocation of emissions
US utilities have called on Congress to allocate emissions allowances in the early years of a national cap-and-trade scheme during testimony before the House Energy and Commerce Committee yesterday.
No new coal without CCS, says Miliband
Energy secretary Ed Miliband announced yesterday that there will be no new coal plants built in the UK without carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, in a move designed to place Britain at the forefront of technological developments.
Swiss Re ceases carbon trading
Zurich-based reinsurer Swiss Re is closing its carbon emissions trading desk, according to a spokesperson.
Citi to trade CERs in Israel
Citi has confirmed details of a recent emissions deal for certified emissions reductions (CERs) from a clean development mechanism (CDM) project in Israel.
LME steel trading hits 1.5 million tonnes
The London Metal Exchange (LME) has traded more than 1.5 million tonnes of steel in its first year, outperforming the first year of aluminium trade in 1978 by 49%, according to figures from the exchange.
CDSs on US banks tighten
The cost of credit protection on US banks fell yesterday, in the week US Treasury secretary Timothy Geithner asserted "the vast majority" of the nation's banks are well-capitalised.
OpRisk Europe: Dump Basel II, MP says
Basel II should be abandoned in favour of tougher regulations, UK member of parliament John Redwood told operational risk managers in London yesterday.
Freddie Mac's ex-CEO rejoins within a month of resigning
The ex-chief executive of US government-supported mortgage buyer Freddie Mac, David Moffett, has rejoined the firm only a month after he resigned.
Government ownership of banks possible, asserts Tarp board
According to a report released today by the Financial Stability Oversight Board, the government has the potential to take a major ownership stake in banks via the Capital Assistance Program (Cap), which was designed to provide capital to ailing banks…
IMF: leverage best for determining bank bailouts
Leverage ratios, return on assets and stock data are among the most reliable indicators for predicting whether banks would require government intervention in the credit crisis, according to a study published by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) this…
Credit Suisse reshuffles CRO positions
As Credit Suisse announced its first quarter results on April 23, which included reporting profits of Sfr2 billion ($1.72 billion) for the period, it also revealed changes to its risk management team.
Proposed replacement for IAS 39 to be released in October
The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) will release proposals to replace IAS 39 - the accounting standard for financial instruments - in October this year.
European CDS dealers to follow US to fixed coupons
An agreement between the major dealers to move to standardised fixed coupons for trading European credit default swaps (CDSs), following a similar move in North America, could speed global moves towards central clearing, say market participants.
UK government revises Community Emissions Trading Scheme
HM Treasury announced revisions to the Community Emission Trading Scheme today which set out how the UK will conduct auctions of carbon allowances and how participation in Phase II of the European Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) will be governed.
CCFE launches REC futures
The Chicago Climate Futures Exchange (CCFE) has launched the first futures contracts based on renewable energy certificates (RECs).
CDS spreads tighten on financials
The cost of credit protection on European and US banks fell in early trading today after Credit Suisse became the latest major bank to post positive first-quarter earnings.
OpRisk Europe: FSA condemns operational risk weaknesses
Financial institutions have failed to properly manage their operational risk in recent years and can expect to be subjected to higher requirements in future, an official from the UK Financial Services Authority (FSA) warned yesterday.
Isda AGM: 94% of world's largest corporates use derivatives
Ninety-four per cent the world's largest corporates use derivatives to hedge their business and financial risks, according to a survey of the Fortune Global 500 companies by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (Isda), released at its 24th…
UK guarantees AAA RMBS in bid to jump-start lending
The UK government has launched a scheme to guarantee up to £50 billion in residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) for the first time, finance minister Alistair Darling said yesterday.
Isda AGM: US regulator identifies six weaknesses in OTC market
Theo Lubke, senior vice-president at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, identified six main problem areas in the over-the-counter derivatives market during a panel discussion on public policy at the International Swaps and Derivatives Association's…
EU presses ahead with tougher regulation of rating agencies
The European Parliament today voted in favour of a new regulation that will force credit rating agencies (CRAs) to comply with minimum standards of good practice and transparency.
Trading and technical gains outweigh loan losses in Q1
Strong trading results have offset large loan losses as banks report a mixed bag of first-quarter results.