CBDC momentum slows The development of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) has been a priority for central banks across the globe over the last few years. Recently, however, momentum has stalled. Apart from China’s digital yuan, CBDCs across major economies are yet to be launched, with some at more advanced stages of development
Toward a “new normal” for bonds? Global bonds markets appear to be in a state of structural volatility. While inflationary pressures and fiscal concerns are the most oft-cited factors, the apparent failure of the markets to adapt their expectations could be just as significant. In September 2024, the Fed embarked
The Trade Life Cycle: 5 Key Stages For many, a trade simply refers to the moment that two counterparties engage in a transaction, such as the exchange of cash for a bond in a securities trade or the exchange of two currencies in an FX trade. In reality, for a trade to take place,
What is corporate governance? Corporate governance is concerned with optimizing and improving how companies are managed and monitored, with the goal of benefiting all stakeholders and minimizing downside risks. Shareholders, the board of directors, management, employees, and other stakeholders all have a role to play in ensuring that companies adhere to the highest
What is operational risk? Unlike most other industries, banks earn income by taking risks, primarily by accepting exposures to credit and market risk. Banks are, however, exposed to a range of other risks. Operational risk, for instance, can be found in all banking products, activities, processes, and systems. The Basel Committee on Banking
What is PSD2? The second EU Payment Services Directive (PSD2) builds on the first such Directive (PSD1) by providing for the further development of a better-integrated internal market for electronic payments across the EU. PSD2 puts in place a comprehensive framework for payment services, with the objective of making payments within the EU
Know-How spotlight: Climate risk, crypto, compliance, and more Know-How is the go-to learning platform for anyone looking to deepen their knowledge of finance and stay ahead of the curve. With quarterly updated content written by financial experts, Know-How offers everything you need to stay informed, no matter where you are in your financial
Financial services: Industry trends shaping 2025 The financial services industry is constantly evolving with new technologies, shifting global market dynamics, and evolving consumer priorities. From the adoption of decentralized finance to the surge in sustainable investing, these developments are poised to reshape how value is created and exchanged, in a
“Trump 2” – beyond deregulation, who can say? The election of Donald Trump to a second term as US President has been cheered by financial markets and beneficiaries of Trump’s policy pronouncements. However, with plenty of uncertainty looming around policy implementation, the only things we can be reasonably certain of are deregulation and
Heavy stock concentration poses indexing problems The relentless secular bull market in tech stocks has led to structurally high index concentration. While this is an age-old market phenomenon, it still poses a challenge for fund managers and index designers, particularly with passive investing having added fuel to the debate around index concentration.
