What is the truth behind credit derivatives? Is the pricing of credit derivatives misleading bankers? Are participants fooling themselves over the benefits? This month we look at the risk management reality of these instruments and assess the latest market trends.
In reflecting on the Madrid bombings, we note in our supplement on Spain (one of six supplements this month) that business continues as usual. We also examine the chances of Spain’s outgoing finance minister Rodrigo Rato being the new head of the IMF, which faces credibility issues over Argentina. And we reveal the results of The Banker’s extensive FX poll and consider South Africa’s 10 years of democracy.
Latest articles from Analysis & Opinion
Revealing the truth behind the credit derivatives myth
April 5, 2004Spanish show their mettle in the face of adversity
April 5, 2004The determination of Spain to maintain normality after March’s attacks in Madrid served to highlight the nation’s strength.
With money to spend, will banks buyback shares?
April 5, 2004European banks are having to consider carefully what to do with excess capital, since cross-border acquisitions are proving tricky.
Accession is just the beginning
April 5, 2004Hard work awaits the eight countries joining the EU in May if they are to live up to European standards.
Schism on Basel II a possibility as US ploughs its own furrow
April 5, 2004Congress’s insistence on more time not only threatens the June 2004 deadline but may lead to tandem versions of the accord appearing.
When negotiations turn into blackmail
April 5, 2004Argentina’s negotiating strategy of threatening to default on its loans to get its own way has underlined the case for greater IMF independence.
Pan-European M&A unlikely but Germany in need of consolidation
April 5, 2004Despite the kickstart to merger and acquisition (M&A) given by two high-profile US deals, a report from Fitch Ratings last month stated that a growth in cross-border consolidation among financial institutions in Europe is unlikely. The report said that Europe was still fraught with regulatory, fiscal and cultural barriers, “not to mention a lack of any realistically achievable synergies”.
Improved Pfandbrief given a mixed reception by agencies
April 5, 2004International rating agencies have reacted with mixed feelings to new improvements made to the Pfandbrief, Germany’s well known investment-gradecovered bond.
South Korea moves into consolidation mode as foreign interest intensifies
April 5, 2004Citigroup’s agreement to purchase KorAm Bank in late February has sparked a round of consolidation, reflecting a keen interest by foreign investors in South Korea’s retail banking sector, the third-largest in Asia after Japan and China.
Bahraini banks buck global trend with impressive rise in profits
April 5, 2004Profits at Bahrain’s locally incorporated banks more than doubled during 2003, compared with 2002.