Europe
Germany tells EU to PFOF
Proposed ban might need to be dropped to prove practice is harmful
EU banks decry threat of capital hit to UK CCP exposures
EBA says supervisors could apply charges to “excessive exposures” of euro derivatives at all non-EU clearing houses
Ice Clear Europe hit by $1.03bn margin breach
The CCP’s futures and options division reported its second largest IM breach ever in Q4, as energy prices skyrocketed
Offshore waves: how the ruble is becoming a painful trade
As liquidity dries up in markets affected by sanctions, trading is shifting from electronic venues
In roiling markets, fraud rises. Banks want to understand why
Disruption from Ukraine and Covid puts managers on alert for misconduct, as risk controls are stretched to the max
Germany fights for neobrokers’ PFOF rights
Leaked document shows Germany wants to protect ‘anti-competitive’ practice
EU banks kept building Russian exposures as sanctions loomed
Latest EBA data shows the bloc’s lenders cut holdings of government debt securities, but increased commitments to private sector
This is going to hurt: EU-prescribed OTC tape is no cure-all
Market participants sharply divided on utility of a consolidated tape to record OTC derivatives trades
LCH turns to central banks in rejig of liquidity pools
Central bank balances hit all-time high, despite aggregate fall in liquidity buffer in Q4
EU banks racked up VAR breaches in 2021
Crédit Agricole and ING Bank hit with higher multipliers after exception count rises
Funds forced to estimate value of Russian securities
Western asset managers can sell Russian shares from April 1. But they have to value them by March 31
Ucits’ clash with IM rules could cause collateral damage
Strict collateral reuse guidelines may restrict popular investment vehicles’ hedging capabilities
Climate is changing for derivatives valuation adjustments
Banks back increased use of global warming criteria when calculating XVAs
EC looks to force market’s hand in euro clearing battle
Industry exasperated as commission proposes new mandates and capital penalties for banks clearing in London
EU trading venue definition could crush innovation, fear bank execs
Widening scope of regulated firms could undo progress in fixed income electronification and increase costs
ETF issuers face dilemma with frozen Russian funds
To liquidate or not to liquidate? BlackRock, VanEck and Lyxor risk lawsuits if they wind down ETFs
Op risk data: Allianz dealt a $4bn blow for not-so-Alpha Funds
Also: Credit Suisse cops two cartel shops; banks get slapped in gender pay gap. Data by ORX News
Banks: sanctions evasion driving rise in money laundering risk
Attempts by oligarchs to siphon cash out of Russia sparks heightened scrutiny of AML alerts
Goldman exec: rogue algos could spark ‘systemic’ crashes
Device proliferation and digital assets also altering risk environment, says Europe op risk head
Net zero banks playing catch-up in ECB climate review
Banks that aim to align to Paris Agreement still fall short on climate disclosures
On Russia, finance needs to find its moral compass
The looming risk of big write-offs should prompt investor rethink
Energy firms call for central bank support to cover margin spikes
EFET warns energy market participants risk being unable to meet “unprecedented margin requirements”
Apollo, KKR, Ares and the Bermudan CLO arbitrage
‘Capital efficiency’ may explain a 1,100% surge in life assets reinsured on the Atlantic island
How Russian stocks still meet EU rules for ‘good governance’
Loose SFDR definitions leave room for Russian state-owned firms to remain in article 8 funds