Securitization People and Markets

GlobalCapital and Afme convened a virtual roundtable to tackle the biggest issues facing securitization as the pandemic crisis continues. While other capital markets and the wider economy are reeling from the economic fallout stemming from Covid-19, European securitization is undergoing a regulatory rejuvenation, as the European Commission turns towards structured products as a solution to the coming wave of NPLs. Meanwhile, the market for synthetic ABS is being given a second look to help free bank balance sheets across Europe and spur lending to the real economy. Over the summer, the market saw the report from the senior forum on the Capital Markets Union, which included a number of recommendations on regulatory adjustments to improve the functioning of securitization in Europe. More recently the European Commission put forward a capital markets economic recovery package including measures related to securitization. The Commission has proposed extending the STS framework to synthetic securitizations or on-balance-sheet securitizations. The Commission has also put forward proposals to remove regulatory obstacles to the securitization of NPLs including changes to the regulatory capital treatment.

The European Commission’s proposed new approach to non-performing loan securitization may encourage more deals to come out in fully placed format, accelerating development of the market. But the revised rules still hurt banks which hold part of the structures, and which form the vast majority of the market today, as the Commission took its lead from the Basel Committee rather than its own regulators.

MEPs have asked the European Commission to come up with a legislative proposal for a new class of bank debt, known as ‘European Secured Notes’, as they push the executive to fast track its work on establishing a Capital Markets Union.

Wartchow heads to Pemberton — Barclays names permanent equities heads — Bonilla joins Kartesia

Nat Hoopes is leaving the Marketplace Lending Association (MLA) to join online lender Upstart as vice president and head of public policy and regulatory affairs. The newly created role will focus on increasing Upstart’s presence in Washington, helping policy makers understand the benefits of alternative lending.

Connecticut-based Nassau Corporate Credit is starting a European CLO operation led by former Ellington portfolio managers Paul Meloche and Hekeani Mathieu. The new business will buy CLO liabilities from third parties as well as running its own CLOs.

Nassau Asset Management has hired Michael Tamasco to oversee global business development, enhance client engagement and expand the firm’s third-party asset management platform.

The publication of final rules on data disclosure for securitizations in the EU last Thursday ought to have been the last step in a long journey for the industry, but uncertainties and controversies over the rules remain.

Kartesia has hired Lizeth Bonilla to join its structured credit team, expanding the firm’s CLO investment capabilities.