Basel II is a key driver for real-time info

Speakers at the Cable & Wireless roundtable on real-time information in mid-September all agreed that real-time information (RTI) would help banks manage liquidity, minimise risk and improve operational efficiencies. They also agreed that one of the key drivers towards an increased use of RTI and recognition of its benefits is Basel II.

"A bog plank of Basel II is operational risk," said Richard Pattinson, senior director, settlement strategy and systemic risk at Barclays Bank. "Part of operational risk is managing liquidity. As banks must prove three years of managing operational risk for Basel II, the sooner they get a platform designed the better. Cutting out settlement risk will play a key part in the calculation of capital requirements."

At present in the UK and Europe, assets held for regulatory purposes can be used to