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Consolidation has been a perennial theme in Italian finance, but the country has little to show for it. This time is different. -
Covered bonds have had a great start to 2016, in terms of supply, spread performance, and participation in the market from real money investors, but this trend is unlikely to hold. Central bank action, once again, will corrode the market from both supply and demand sides.
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The endgame for the Basel Committee’s new credit risk rules is to get rid of internal models, but it just can’t get there yet.
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Consolidation has been a perennial theme in Italian finance, but the country has little to show for it. This time is different.
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Credit Suisse’s operational risk bond is a beautiful piece of financial engineering — an elegant demonstration that where there’s a buyer or seller, there’s a capital markets solution to a problem. But actually, what it demonstrates is the absurdity of operational risk rules.
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The UK mid-market for investment banking is facing another round of consolidation after regulatory pressures and a faltering IPO market have wrought havoc on the sector, writes David Rothnie.
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Adding retail investors to the buyer base of subordinated bank debt, as was suggested to the European Parliament this week, wouldn’t be nearly enough to make the Bank Resolution and Recovery Directive (BRRD) a workable, practical resolution framework. If retail are going to be allowed into the market, it shouldn’t be because their lack of expertise makes them a good foundation for a stable financial system.
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A slew of international financial institutions have recently found success in selling dollar notes in the Taiwanese domestic bond market, with ABN Amro breaking new ground last week with a tier two deal. Taiwan’s local investors have proved resilient during tough times and with the market looking increasingly attractive, there are plenty of opportunities for FIG issuers.
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Buried in a hay bale of legal documentation last week, the European Union’s final draft of margin rules for uncleared swaps contained a joke that is sure to needle major banks. The question is whether anyone, including regulators, will still be able to smile at it when the September 1 deadline passes.
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Regulators and politicians have suddenly found the will to defend the additional tier one market — a market they created — from the violent shocks it experienced early this year. In particular, they want to give AT1 investors some reassurance about skipped coupons.
