Basel II
Regulatory capital volatility
When the consultation period ends, what calibration of risk weights will Basel finally decide on? Here, Esa Jokivuolle and Samu Peura demonstrate that the ratings sensitivity of risk weights may require Basel to think more carefully about the…
IRB approach explained
At the end of this month, the consultation period for the new Basel Accord on bank capital will end. We have prepared a technical section this month devoted to various issues surrounding Basel II. In the first paper, Tom Wilde sheds light on the…
Could do better
David Rowe argues that the Basel Committee can provide better incentives for improved operational risk management than those implicit in the draft revision to the capital Accord.
Banks and investment firms: not peas in an Op Risk pod
The Basel Committee’s op risk proposals threaten to damage European investment firms, says Angela Knight. She calls for a broader review of the problems.
Basel II could endanger stability if cuts in capital charges are too big, says UK central banker
Financial stability would be endangered if new capital adequacy rules meant large international banks saw a significant cut in the capital they have to set aside against the risks of banking, a senior UK central banker said in April.
Bankers worried EU may not meet 2004 deadline
European bankers fear it will be touch-and-go whether the European Union will meet its 2004 deadline for introducing new capital adequacy rules for EU banks and investment firms.
Basel survey signals focus of discussion paper
The focus of the operational risk discussion document planned by global banking regulators is signalled in a survey seeking information on banks’ losses from such hazards as fraud, computer system failure and trade settlement errors.
The FSA’s hardliner
Oliver Page, of the UK’s FSA and the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, says regulators should stay tough on credit and operational risk.
Implications of Basel for credit risk
Credit risk comes under the spotlight in Pillar one of the new Accord, forcing institutions to consider the benefits – and costs – of meeting the regulatory requirements. Jared Chebib, head of credit risk consulting at Andersen’s London office reports.
Risk suppliers rise to Basel challenge
Risk management software suppliers will need to improve their products to meet the demands of Basel II.
Justifying granularity
The granularity adjustment for the IRB approach to credit risk contained in Basel II is controversial. Some banks say it is too simplistic. Regulators disagree.
Binomial gammas
The Basel II gamma question is vexing minds around the world. Here, concerned UK couple Mr and Mrs J Pézier of Purley, Surrey voice their fears.
Frozen in time
David Rowe believes the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision is perpetuating obsolete standards of risk measurement.
Running out of time
Will banking supervisors be able to implement Basel II in time? Even when they agree on what they want, the differences between the G-10’s regulatory regimes make a level playing field unlikely.
Wake-up call for Basel’s insurance neighbours
With liquidity draining away from the credit markets, banks have turned to the insurance industry to underwrite credit risks. But how prepared are insurers and reinsurers to takethese risks?
An advanced model for op risk capital calculation
The Basel II regulators need to develop a comprehensive approach to op risk modelling, says Tony Blunden in his final article on the new capital accord.
Unleashing Asia’s demons
The Basel Committee’s new consultative paper on capital adequacy could wreak havoc with Asia’s domestic banks. The revamped rules will make the shortcomings of their risk management systems all too clear.
Do we need a broader definition of op risk?
A definition of op risk should embrace the linkages with market and credit risk, argues Ken Swenson.
Op risk gamma survey expected in April
Global banking regulators are expected in April to issue their survey seeking loss data from banks for the calculation of an operational risk capital charge that will be based on a bank’s own internal op risk measurements.
What can loss databases do for you?
Many banks need to understand fully the role that external op risk loss databases can play.
Banks face challenge assessing benefits of Basel II op risk approaches, says Andersen
Calculating the benefit for banks of adopting the more complex methods of arriving at an operational risk capital charge is very challenging because of uncertainties over the factors involved.
Basel discussion document will centre on internal measurement approach
Global banking regulators intend to issue in June or July a special discussion document on operational risk in the context of Basel II, the new capital adequacy accord proposed for large international banks from 2004.
Asian banks fear unfair op risk capital charges
Operational risk has long been a challenge for Asia’s banks. But many smaller banks in the region fear that a capital charge against such hazards as fraud, computer systems failure and settlement foul-ups would penalise them unfairly if it took the form…
Basel II set to increase bank demand for single-A debt
The new Basel capital accord is likely to lead to increased demand by international banks for senior bank debt, the sovereign debt of industrialised countries and sovereign guaranteed debt that is rated single-A or lower by credit rating agencies.