United Kingdom (UK)
Tough Middle East sanctions put AML under spotlight
Banks' anti-money-laundering processes will come under scrutiny in the face of tougher sanctions in the Middle East
German CDS spreads level out after weak debt auction spooks markets
Cost of insuring against a German government default remains stable after yesterday’s lacklustre debt auction, but risk perceptions on German banks surge
UK power chiefs call for more clarity on UK’s Electricity Market Reform
With the UK's power sector estimated to need some £200 billion ($317 billion) worth of investment in the next 10-15 years, much is riding on the Electricity Market Reform, which so far lacks detail, say top power executives
Sweden will go beyond Basel III capital rules, says Ingves
Riksbank governor Stefan Ingves says Sweden will follow Switzerland and UK in implementing higher capital adequacy requirements than Basel III for largest banks; details to be released soon
RWE npower: Challenges to UK power sector could provide revenue source for end-users
A potential revenue stream will open up over the next few years for energy-intensive corporations in the UK to sell back-up power to fill supply gaps left by retired plants, says RWE npower
Asset allocation plays 'thin on the ground' as UK market continues to favour FTSE
Amid tougher market conditions and regulatory scrutiny, FTSE-only products remain the norm for UK investors, but adapting to stricter regulations could strengthen structured products’ position as an investment proposition, say market participants
Best in the UK
Best in the UK
The Structured Products Independent Financial Adviser survey
IFAs fight the flak
CDS spreads in holding pattern as row delays eurozone deal
Spreads flat or slightly tighter despite political squabbling over size of EFSF
Morgan Stanley offers inflation-linked income product
Inflation meets the FTSE
European bank spreads decline amid talk of recapitalisation plans
Risk perceptions on European banks fall as Merkel and Sarkozy agree to produce a recapitalisation plan within the month
BoE injects £75 billion to save stalling economy
Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee votes for further round of quantitative easing; increases size of asset purchase programme to £275 billion
ICB report: banks face higher costs, lower ratings
Ring-fence furore
Audio: Hedge funds face funding squeeze under Vickers report recommendation
UK-based hedge fund management companies could have problems accessing working capital if a provision in the ring-fencing chapter of the Independent Commission on Banking (Vickers report) stands
UK’s FPC changes tack on capital requirements
Loosely worded document does not clarify FPC’s demands on banks; new regulatory body asks for more powers in new legislation
Video: BBA gives first, exclusive views on the ICB report
In an exclusive interview, the BBA discusses whether the ICB should have looked more closely at other separation models for its final report on financial stability in the UK
Société Générale CDS spreads recover after shaky start
French banks see further spread widening, before disclosure by Société Générale on its eurozone sovereign exposure prompts a turnaround for that bank
Market fragmentation "inevitable" if CPI-linked gilts issued, says DMO chief
Key question is to what extent fragmentation could affect liquidity of new instrument, says chief executive of the UK’s Debt Management Office
Meteor offers protection and FTSE-linked income
Following the income trend
EDF Energy: effective op risk management at a nuclear power station
Powerful knowledge
German CDS spreads soar 80% in a month as crisis hits eurozone core
Credit spreads on core eurozone countries climb on market jitters
UK trio sentenced for phishing scam
Three men have been sentenced to a total of 13 years and six months for their part in a phishing scam that attempted to steal more than £1.3 million
UK structured products delivering impressive returns at maturity
Data from Structuredproductreview.com shows that products maturing over the past three months have performed extremely well overall, with the only losses arising from Lehman Brothers-backed plans
Editorial: Protecting privacy
Regulators have not produced a new code for private banking and wealth management. They have simply allowed new rules for retail products to creep into the wealth space