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By Joseph Neu
The August 24 announcement that FASB Chairman Robert Herz is retiring in October, 21 months before his term expires, has sparked renewed speculation on the fate of fair value accounting and international convergence. Helping to fuel this speculation is the fact that the Financial Accounting Foundation (FAF), the FASB’s governing body, announced concurrent with Herz’s retirement that it was returning to a seven-member board format. The FASB operated with a seven member board until 2008, when the FAF decided to shrink the number to five. In both instances the move was cited as a means to aid international convergence.
September 08, 2010 -
A harder line on securitization rules by EU would make US softening more difficult.
With so many European banks left holding the bag on asset-backed securities sourced from the US (principally, US home mortgages), it is hardly surprising that EU bank regulators would like to see stricter retention and disclosure requirements for issuers than seems likely in the US.
September 07, 2010 -
The NY Fed releases US FX and Swap turnover survey results; FinReg rulemakers should take notice.
The New York Fed’s survey of FX and interest rate derivatives use over the past three years should convince the SEC and CFTC that corporates should keep their derivatives end-user exemption. The results, part of the Fed’s contribution to the Bank for International Settlement’s triennial FX and derivatives survey, reveal that non-financial users were just a small portion of all derivatives users.
September 01, 2010 -
Basel Committee moves closer to harmonizing contingent capital rules; will make investors pay for any bailout.
In a bank bailout investors should be the first source of funding, not taxpayers. That’s the conclusion of the Basel Committee, as it recently issued a consultative document on the rules regarding contingent capital. The main thrust is that contingent capital rules will now focus the costs on bondholders.
August 26, 2010 -
Basel Committee and friends weigh in on the long-term economic impact of executing capital and liquidity proposals.
The Basel Committee and the Financial Stability Board recently released their assessments of what impact implementing Basel III would have on the global economy. As one would expect of such reports, they are supportive of the measures and feel that teased out over a four-year period, the rules will have minimal impact on GDP and lead to a workable increase in lending costs.That is, taken in isolation.
August 24, 2010 -
Will hedge accounting guidance update allow MNCs to continue a common practice?
Well-placed sources confirm that reported changes to FASB’s new guidance on hedge accounting will not include language to make anticipated intercompany FX hedges ineligible for hedge accounting. Though hailed as very good news for hedgers, they should remain vigilant as the new guidance works its way through the standard-setting process. Here's why.
August 13, 2010 -
Treasurers with a role in equity comp administration should monitor post-Dodd-Frank rulemaking.
While other provisions of Dodd-Frank have gotten the bulk of attention, the executive compensation elements are not insignificant and will impact all publicly-traded US companies of size.Given treasury’s role in helping to shape equity comp policy and execution, the rulemaking called for in the new law is worth following. Of particular interest may be the rulemaking for hedging equity compensation...
August 06, 2010 -
The Basel Committee’s Board of Governors recently agreed to changes in bank capital and liquidity requirements to be introduced in November under Basel III. At the time of the agreement, Germany opposed them as not easing up enough. It appears the US isn’t liking it either— for opposite reasons.
August 04, 2010 -
By Helen Kane, HedgeTrackers
The ED on hedge accounting would represent a game-changer for many corporate hedgers.
The ED on hedge accounting would represent a game-changer for many corporate hedgers. For those that have stubbornly clung to short-cut or matched-term accounting and tossed de minimis tests out to placate the auditors, the news in the exposure draft is devastating. Here’s why...
August 04, 2010 -
The SEC is likely charged with making the most rules for financial reform; they want to hear from you.
Tasked with writing probably the most rules for FinReg, the Securities and Exchange Commission has opened up a new channel for stakeholders to make themselves heard. So far, other regulators involved in the rule-making, such as the Commodities Futures Trading Commission, have not changed their public comments mechanism, although a spokesman said it may “tweak things” once the rule-making gets into full swing.
July 30, 2010 -
CEBS released its European bank stress test results. The main reaction is, “Really?”
The highly anticipated and quite positive results of the European bank stress tests have left many a market observer dubious at best. But in whatever way the results are interpreted, for US MNC treasurers the best strategy for now would be...
July 23, 2010 -
What regulators are left to determine regarding end-user exemption for derivatives.
With Dodd-Frank heading to the White House, the real fun now begins as treasurers watch what the regulators do—and perhaps try to convince them to avoid making adverse decisions. Take for instance the rulemaking on derivatives, which are still the major focus for corporates.
July 16, 2010 -
A recent article by PWC transfer pricing experts points to more and better-informed IRS scrutiny.
In an article appearing in the July/August edition of Corporate Taxation, PricewaterhouseCoopers tax experts Gregory Ossi and Mike Sheppard outline efforts underway at the IRS to improve its capabilities to challenge multinationals’ transfer pricing practices. As International Treasurer has also noted, increased scrutiny of transfer pricing is a global trend that is only picking up steam as tax authorities search for new sources of revenue.
July 09, 2010 -
What’s on the International Treasurer radar screen this week?
This week’s editorial meeting brought forth a number of key issues starting with a discussion going on amongst members of the Global Cash and Banking Group (GCBG) concerning intercompany lending rates.
July 08, 2010 -
Loose lips sink ships, as the old saying goes. This saying is alive and well for treasurers, judging from recent back-and-forth with The NeuGroup’s Treasurers’ Group of Thirty (T30) on IR compliance. One particular point of interest concerns policies and practices for meeting or speaking with investors during blackout or quiet periods.
July 07, 2010 -
What’s in the new finance rules for you? More costs and more documentation.
July 07, 2010 -
In financial reform aftermath, one thing's certain: more paperwork and higher hedging costs are coming.
What’s in the new finance rules for you? More costs and more documentation.
No, the news is likely not good for corporate hedgers: costs are going up and corporates with ISDAs governing derivatives across multiple asset classes (e.g., FX and commodities) might find themselves forced to renegotiate ISDAs with some or all their counterparties while also facing increased risk.
June 25, 2010 -
What’s on International Treasurer’s radar screen this week?
This week’s editorial meeting raised a number of issues starting with three related to the procurement of banking services.
June 24, 2010 -
Disclosure of stress testing results aims to curb bank fears.
It’s open kimono time for European banks. On Thursday the EU agreed to finally follow the US lead and disclose stress-test results for top banks. According to Herman Van Rompuy, EU president, the test results of 25 European banks would be published in the second half of July. Most national banking authorities are also seeking pledges of support for any bank that failed the tests, which would include the ability to draw on the EU’s recently created EUR750mn backstop facility.
June 18, 2010 -
CFTC supports position limits and more clarity in OTC markets; looks for more authority.
As one would expect, the US Commodities Futures Trading Commission supports all the pieces of the financial regulatory reform taking shape in Congress. But has taken a particular liking to two, according to CFTC Commissioner Bart Chilton: position size limits and derivatives oversight.
June 11, 2010