Credit derivatives innovations essential for health of credit market

Product structurers must continue to develop innovative credit derivatives products to keep people interested in credit, according to Bob Janjuah, ABN Amro’s global head of credit strategy.

Janjuah, speaking at a credit media briefing in London today, said he was pessimistic about the prospects for the credit markets in 2004, after the “golden year” of 2003, which saw debt in the US rise to the highest levels ever – 300% of GDP.

William Ross, global head of asset-backed securities research at the Dutch bank, also speaking at the event, said structured products were crucial in such times of transition, as they can be designed to flourish in any given conditions. He said collaterised debt obligations would continue to be favoured by banks, as they tend to make money, but added that the demand for these products still falls well short of supply.

He also sounded a note of caution on rising interest rates, further developments in Basel II and mounting CDO liabilities posing significant challenges in the coming year.