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The big freeze
The US subprime crisis has shown how market illiquidity can affect trading. Yet liquidity risk is a fact of life for commodity firms. William Rhode looks at how to mitigate it
Germany's new dawn
For years a liquid, transparent and competitive gas market has failed to appear in Germany. Now there are signs of progress as dominant incumbents, pushed by domestic and international pressure, move slowly towards a market model, writes Roderick Bruce
Jerome Malka
Jerome Malka, managing director of SG's Orbeo, may have risen rapidly through the ranks, but he doesn't want to make a big deal of it, finds Andrew Holt
Suppliers fight for green
A shortage of green power in the US has left some states struggling to meet mandatory renewables supply targets. Long-term supply contracts could help producers build new plants, but utilities and competitive suppliers are feuding over who gets to sign…
The right clients
A traditional approach to credit risk management is still the best, says Bill Lindsay of commercial property lender Eurohypo. Success depends on winning the best clients, he tells Rob Mannix
Core value
First American CoreLogic is said to be close to finalising a deal with a rating agency to provide loan level data as part of industry efforts to improve transparency and standardise information. Han-Nee Tay talks to Walter Allen, senior vice-president of…
Turning on tables
Basel II
Doubts that UK government kitemark scheme will fly
'Gold standard' plan for bonds gets mixed reception, with industry watchers divided over whether it gives the market much-needed direction or fails to offer any real assurances
Talking Point - Regulation through the credit crisis
The role of the regulator has been highlighted by the ongoing turmoil in the credit market. What response can we expect from regulators in the months to come?
Gloomy outlook forces credit analysts to jump ship
The credit market is losing the expertise of many leading analysts and strategists who are switching jobs in the worsening climate - at the very time when their research skills could be most needed
A call to arms
Covenants have been a cause of conflict between issuers and investors for as long as the bond market has been in existence. But now that appetite for lending has dipped, can investors use the crisis in credit to demand the best protection yet? Matthew…
Hybrids - The alchemists
Much like the early scientists of the Middle Ages who tried to turn base metal into gold, today's financial engineers are wrestling with the task of changing relatively worthless structured credit products into commercially viable and marketable assets…
The Big Interview - Philip Fischer
Merrill Lynch's municipal bond strategist explains to Dalia Fahmy why the muni market deserves to be better understood
Profile - Nic Pifer
The portfolio manager and sector leader, global fixed income, at RiverSource Investments talks to Dalia Fahmy about what's behind the fund manager's rise up the rankings
Briault, Sullivan, Wagner, Leach, Sokobin, Rollauer, Lea
CHANGING HATS
Op risk is moving up the 'C-suite' agenda
REGULATORY NEWS