Despite attempts over the last 18 months by trading desks to develop a market for shorting bank debt, the idea is now on the backburner, according to bankers and investors. Goldman Sachs is the only bank that put together a detailed proposal for shorting bank debt, though Wall Street rivals are said to have looked at the concept. But the illiquidity in the bank market and questions over the economics proved too much of a burden, sources said. Bankers at Goldman referred questions to a spokeswoman, who declined comment, and traders at rival desks including J.P. Morgan and Credit Suisse First Boston also declined to comment on whether they have offered a short-sell product.
June 22, 2003