Free content

Deutsche Asset Management is gearing up to enter structured products in Asia and has hired Michel Bang, head of derivative sales at TD Securities in Tokyo, to lead the operation from Singapore, according to market officials.

Credit houses in Asia have recently been in talks about expanding the iTraxx Asia credit derivatives index to incorporate a broader array of names.

Chris Seery, co-head of structured and alternative markets at Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein in London, has announced his intention to leave the firm.

--Costas Katsileros, credit options trader at ABN AMRO in London, commenting on the difficulties of processing growing volumes of credit-default swaps and credit options.

The Financial Accounting Standards Board has issued proposed guidance clarifying when derivatives are allowed in QSPEs.

The International Swaps and Derivatives Association has delayed the publication of its novation protocol, which officials had expected this week.

Derivative shops in Europe are looking for methods to stamp out potential trading mistakes on credit option exercise dates.

Karim Awenat, a credit trader at Goldman Sachs in London, has jumped to JPMorgan to join the credit hybrids desk.

Many ideas have been proposed to build correlation smile curves close to those observed in the tranched iTraxx market.

Old Mutual, a London-based investment manager with GBP3.5 billion (USD6.2 billion) under management, is launching a capital protected fund of funds in the U.K.

Heller, Bernstein & Associates and asset manager CB Richard Ellis have capital-protected a real estate investment trust using constant proportion portfolio insurance.