Derivs - People and Markets

The European Securities and Markets Authority will review structured products distribution next week as a first stage in discussing a pan-European solution for the market.

VTB Capital has expanded its equities team in the Middle East with the appointment of five officials across trading, sales and structuring.

South Africa is planning to expand application of its 0.25% securities transfer tax to include derivatives, beginning April 1, 2013.

The gap in spreads between credit default swaps on big banks and those on the broader markets have more than doubled the average since 2009, fueled by concern over the second bailout of Greek debt in three years, according to Bloomberg.

Deborah Fuhr, former global head of exchange-traded fund research and implementation and a managing director at BlackRock, has formed ETF Global Insight, an independent research and consultancy firm.

Energy credit default swaps have tightened 23% since reaching a record 296 basis points last Oct. 4, according to Standard & Poor’s.

William Butt is retiring as head of investment banking at the Bank of Montreal, effective April 1.

James Davis is said to have left as senior v.p. of prime brokerage sales in the Dallas office of Jefferies Group after four years.

Royal Bank of Canada has hired Stuart McGregor as head of debt capital markets for sovereign, supranational and agencies.

Guggenheim Partners is closing eight exchange-traded funds as it moves to integrate the Rydex lineup it acquired with the purchase of Security Benefit in 2010.

Societe General Corporate and Corporate Banking has named Diony Lebot as ceo and deputy head of coverage and investment banking, effective April 2.

Jason Murray is leaving as head of capital markets for Australia at Bank of America Merrill Lynch after five years to become finance director and cfo at London-based Sirius Minerals.