News
Freddie Mac set to issue more callable debt
Freddie Mac, the US government debt agency, is looking to issue another large callable bond in the next few months, following its record $2 billion, three-year callable issue with a one-year embedded option last month. The agency is seen as meeting…
WestLB derivatives head quits for the arts
WestLB has hired Ian Clifton as its new head of derivatives within its global financial markets (GFM) division, after the previous head, Dominic Palfreyman, quit to pursue a career in the performance arts.
Reliant restates 2001 earnings due to accounting changes
In a further sign of Enron’s impact on US accounting procedures, energy company Reliant Resources said it has discovered errors in its financial accounting that will cause it to raise 2001 earnings by between $100 million and $130 million.
Ritossa takes over as Barclays Capital forex head
Barclays Capital, the investment banking division of the UK's Barclays, has hired Ivan Ritossa as global head of foreign exchange. He joins from Lehman Brothers, where he gained a strong reputation for building up the Wall Street firm's forex operations…
Citibank and SSB integrate Asian derivatives sale
US financial conglomerate Citigroup will combine its Citibank and Salomon Smith Barney (SSB) Asia-Pacific regional sales unit for fixed-income derivatives and cash products.
Cargill signs up to patsystems
Chicago-based Cargill Investor Services (CIS) has signed up to a derivatives trading service supplied by patsystems, the London-based software vendor specialising in electronic exchange connectivity and front-end trading.
FT Interactive Data expands forex coverage
FT Interactive Data, a provider of securities prices, has expanded its coverage of spot and forward foreign exchange markets and reduced update times from every hour to every half hour.
Credit Lyonnais looks to boost Asian derivatives team
French bank Credit Lyonnais is planning to boost its Asian credit and interest rate derivatives teams in the coming months, as part of a drive to build the bank’s structured credit business, according to Frédéric Lainé, Hong Kong-based head of fixed…
Mitsui Sumitomo launches humidity derivatives
Japan’s Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance has developed weather derivatives based on a temperature/humidity index, called a ‘discomfort-index’. They allow corporates to hedge their exposure to the risk of cooler and less humid summers in Japan.
Integral acquires margin product
Integral, the California-based financial software and services provider, has acquired Dublin-based International Financial Systems (IFS), a provider of collateralised foreign exchange trading services.
OneChicago eyes 'narrow-narrow' indexes
OneChicago will follow up the launch of single-stock futures – slated for mid-April – with the creation of 'narrow-narrow' indexes, according to William Rainer, chairman of OneChicago.
SwapsWire claims ‘imminent’ launch after tech delays
SwapsWire, a consortium-owned interdealer interest rate derivatives trading system, says it has overcome a raft of technology problems that delayed its launch. It hopes to go live "imminently" with most of its 23 shareholders, but did not offer a…
Dealing with the flak
With the final Basel Accord proposals due to be published later this year, the Bank of International Settlements’ new Asian head, Shinichi Yoshikuni, does not have much time to settle into his new role, writes Nick Sawyer.
Weary recognition of gross income as Basel II op risk measure
LONDON - There was "weary recognition" among bankers that the use of gross income as a measure of operational risk was the least bad approach, said Richard Metcalfe, co-head of the European office of the International Swaps and Derivatives Association …