Transparency
S&P warns banks against reducing capital too soon in anticipation of Basel II
Standard and Poor's will review, and possibly downgrade, issuers that will be found to have reduced their capital levels in anticipation of the effect of the new Basel Accord, also known as Basel II, according to Paris-based Scott Bugie, the rating firm…
Unlocking the rating process
The credit rating agencies are often criticized for a lack of transparency in their rating methodology. But as John Caserta reports, the agencies are taking steps to shed light on this often mysterious process and, in doing so, rebuild investor…
Regulators highlight the challenges of establishing internal credit ratings
Panelists at a World Bank conference in Washington, DC, yesterday outlined recommendations to banks in emerging markets considering implementing internal credit ratings systems.
Sponsor's article > Accounting for revenue uncertainty
The past 20 years have seen an increasing focus on mark-to-market accounting when determining corporate profits. This has been accompanied by a dramatic growth in contracts where multiple complex contingencies interact to affect valuation. David Rowe…
A window on transparency
Hedge funds will no doubt start 2004 where they left off in 2003 - as the investment vehicles of choice for private and institutional investors looking for the best opportunities for decent returns.
Bill of rights
A group of 25 institutional investors have released a manifesto outlining their aims for a better world for bondholders. Stronger covenants, greater transparency and improved ratings practices are amongst their demands.
Energy firms face “crunch time” for accounting compliance
Professional services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) says time is running out for energy and utility companies to get to grips with the pending implementation of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
Creating an op risk loss-collection framework
To meet the Basel II advanced measurement requirements and improve op risk management, firms must establish robust loss databases. Ulrich Anders and Jürgen Platz of Dresdner Bank in Frankfurt outline such a framework.
Mutual fund proposals may spur tech uptake
NEW YORK – Mutual funds may have to make more technology implementations if legislation introduced by the US House of Representatives' financial services committee becomes law. The bill, proposed last month, is intended to improve mutual funds'…
Securitisation will not be damaged by Basel II, says Mercer Oliver Wyman
Securitisation and related forms of credit risk transfer are unlikely to suffer in the long-term under the Basel II proposals, according to a report published today by financial and risk management consultancy, Mercer Oliver Wyman.
Basel trouble brewing in Europe's accession countries
Domestic banks and corporate banking customers in central and eastern Europe could have trouble adapting to the changes the revised Basel Accord would have on their economies.
IAS will inject volatility into financial statements, says S&P
The required adoption of International Accounting Standards (IAS) for publicly listed European Union banks by 2005 is set to boost not only the transparency, but also the volatility of these institutions' financial statements in coming years, rating…
Corporate governance hots up on the continent
Continental European countries are increasing their focus on corporate governance issues.
Tracing Transparency
Corporate bond traders are hesitantly embracing greater transparency and trying to figure out how to use it.