risk management
The Companies Act changes the rules on financial assistance
The procedure of 'whitewashing' has come under question as financial assistance rules have been changed in the Companies Act, which came into force this month. Robert Davidson and David Bevan (both corporate finance directors) from BDO Stoy Hayward LLP outline what the changes mean for corporate finance departments.
New problems facing corporate pensions as Lehman's goes down
Martin Johnson of P-Solve, looks at how investment strategies in pensions have changed with the demise of Lehman's. Company finance directors and treasurers have new operational issues to consider in pensions' investment. Lehman's default on counterparty risk in derivatives means trustees and companies face even more problems.
The investor perspective on bailouts
Jeff Diermeier, president of the CFA Institute gives his point of view on the current spate of bailouts, regulation and risk. Surprisingly a survey of his members found a substantial number thought the bailouts were either ill-advised, an over-reaction or inappropriate. On the other hand his Institute supports the concept of short-selling. Here he discusses where the future lies for the financial world.
Portfolio optimization via efficient frontier with the IMSL® Numerical Libraries
The ultimate goal of portfolio optimization is to build a portfolio with the proper proportion of its components that will balance minimum risk and maximum return. This document by Visual Numerics will travel through the discovery of that ideal portfolio by reviewing the necessary inputs, constraints on the solution, the computation and analysis of the efficient frontier, and how to select the optimal solution from the set of possible solutions.
Risk in insurance contract compliance
Paul Hopkin, technical director at AIRMIC takes a look at the issues of risk, tax and compliance for a company's international insurance policies. All is not as clear as some firms might suppose.
Take the stress out of your pension scheme
The details of a company pension scheme are often overlooked by the corporate finance department. Accounting rules should have put pension liabilities and returns at the heart of financing. Here, Danny Vassiliades examines asset strategies and benefit design in reducing risk.
Understanding cash management benefits for corporate finance
Corporate finance departments need their treasurers to understand the modern nature of cash management. David Rothon of Northern Trust explains how products have evolved and why being fully aware of risk can offer alternatives to traditional banking solutions.
Technology helps Lloyd's avoid the crooks
Anti-money laundering regulations are beginning to bite with more big names announcing action to stop running foul of them. In the light of research that some UK-high street banks and Companies House have suspicious clients, firms like Lloyd's of London are taking no chances. Gerry O'Kane speaks with its investigatory expert to find out which route he has taken.
A land of opportunity and risk - Russia is open for business
Charles Hecker gives a personal view on how Russia has changed since the economic crisis. While corruption is rife and strategic sectors will see repeats of the TNK-BP fiasco, there are opportunites, he believes.
Managing risk through better financial planning
To assist in delivering improved overall business performance, CFOs have reasserted their role as owners of both financialand management information and processes. A corporation with the right processes in place is able to turn its attention to added value finance: evaluating strategies, assessing how to drive top line growth, improve the bottom line, and using assetsmore effectively. This Whitepaper examines the issues involved in using better financial planning to minimise and mitigate risk.
The Bottom Line:If Mr Cable has his way...
"If Mr Cable had his way, all the big banks would be broken up and bonuses would be virtually eliminated - a sure-fire way in my view of guaranteeing an end to the UK’s ability to compete as an international financial centre. Let’s not forget that this is a man who is on record as saying that everyone who works in a bank has an ‘aristocratic lifestyle’ clearly demonstrating his lack of understanding of the sector." A tough line on bankers’ bonuses could make a brain drain of financial talent a distinct possibility, warns Paul Marsden. Read more