Risk magazine
Crosby Report wary of more UK government intervention
In an interim report released today, Sir James Crosby, deputy chairman of the UK Financial Services Authority (FSA), warned against the government becoming more deeply involved in attempting to prop up the mortgage market.
CFTC dismisses speculation speculation
The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has found no evidence that speculation is responsible for the rise in crude oil prices, despite political pressure to curb the activities of hedge funds and other futures investors blamed for high fuel…
Ex-Lehman Bros CFO joins Credit Suisse
Erin Callan will join Credit Suisse as head of its global hedge funds business. She was chief financial officer at Lehman Brothers until she was removed from the role in June, several days before the bank revealed it had made a $2.8 billion loss in the…
Further monoline downgrades likely
Moody's has put the last two remaining 'legacy' monoline insurers to maintain a Aaa rating - Assured Guaranty and Financial Security Assurance (FSA) - on watch for a downgrade.
New York sues UBS for alleged auction rate securities fraud
UBS executives sold off $21 million in personal auction rate securities (ARS) holdings just days before the market ground to a halt, while continuing to market the securities to unwitting consumers, a New York State lawsuit has alleged.
SG speculates on credit
Société Générale has reported increased interest in unleveraged long credit trades based on the iTraxx Crossover Europe index.
Deutsche recruits foreign exchange options head
Deutsche Bank has appointed Connor Kelly as head of foreign exchange emerging markets options for central and eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America.
ICG chairman Klein quits Citi
Michael Klein, New York-based chairman of Citi’s institutional clients group (ICG), is leaving to pursue other opportunities, according to a statement released by the bank on July 21.
Wachovia names Robert Steel CEO amid more losses
Wachovia has revealed a $8.9 billion loss for the second quarter.
Basel Committee releases incremental risk charge proposal
The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision today released revised proposals for the charging of capital for incremental risk in the trading book. The new rules, developed in conjunction with the International Organisation of Securities Commissions, are…
New GSE legislation to be approved by end of week
Sweeping new legislation empowering the US Treasury to provide Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac with virtual carte blanche to access to government lines of credit could be approved by Congress as soon as the end of this week, Treasury secretary Hank Paulson…
Bank of America digests writedowns to post $3.41bn profit
Bank of America (BofA) posted profits of $3.41 billion for the second quarter, despite recording combined writedowns of $4.84 billion in its credit book and elsewhere for the same period.
Citi’s trading risk head relocates to Dubai
Farhang Mehregani, currently Citi's London-based head of trading risk for the global equities business, will relocate to Dubai to lead the bank's equities business for central and eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Markit and DTCC plan to merge OTC services
London-based data provider Markit and New York-based Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation (DTCC) have announced their intention to form a new company to serve the over-the-counter derivatives markets.
UK bank rights issues flop as Citi announces $7 billion writedown
Multi-billion-pound rights issues by two major UK banks produced disappointing results this weekend, as US giant Citigroup announced $7.2 billion in writedowns on its subprime, monoline and commercial real estate exposures.
Merrill Lynch startles market with end-of-day news on losses
Merrill Lynch waited until trading had closed in New York yesterday to announce quarterly losses of $4.7 billion, including $9.1 billion writedowns on its structured product, monoline and mortgage exposures.
Cheyne assets disappoint in rescue auction
The auction of the first portion of assets in SIV Portfolio, formerly known as Cheyne Finance, took place this week, but the assets sold at just 44% of par value - well below analyst predictions.
S&P outlines "stability" changes to structured product ratings
US rating agency Standard & Poor's has outlined its proposal to include credit stability in its rating process, which could see severe downgrades for many volatile structured credit products.
Banks and hedge funds spur growth in OIS
Central bank activity has contributed towards a surge in trading overnight index swaps (OIS) over the past year, according to dealers.
SEC bans naked short selling of financial stocks
The US Securities and Exchange Commission will ban naked shorting of the major banks and mortgage companies from next week, in a bid to counteract the rumours that have surrounded banks such as Lehman Brothers in recent days.
Merrill’s equities trading head joins Citi
Mike Pringle, Merrill Lynch’s former head of equities trading for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, has joined Citi in the same role.
Fed to support Fannie and Freddie
The US Federal Reserve has stepped in to support the struggling government-sponsored mortgage holders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Misys names capital markets product head
Charles Smith has joined software manufacturer Misys as head of product management for the company's treasury and capital markets business.
Regulators shut down IndyMac
US banking regulators have seized IndyMac, the troubled California-based mortgage lender, which announced deep losses and job cuts last week.