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This is a 1 day course introducing the EMEA Loan Markets

Tuesday 23rd June 2015

Introduction
This is a highly participative 1 day programme designed for those who are working in the world of international finance..

We start by looking at the structure of the EMEA Loan  Markets, and explore the various choices that are available to companies looking to expand, re-finance or issue debt....
This course will give participants a thorough background and understanding of the EMEA Loan Market with a step-by-step guide to the products, applications, risks and documentation.
All terminology will be fully explained, and new financial markets initiatives explored.
Objectives
Participants can expect to take away the following -
  A comprehensive understanding of the way EMEA Loan Markets operate, interact and link together.
  Fully understand how and why market participants operate, from both a buy-side and sell-side perspective.
  We will look at the EMEA Loan Markets from both the borrowers and lenders perspectives.
  Financial instruments are discussed along with their uses and practical applications.
  Hedging techniques and risk management will be fully explored.

THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE FIX: THE REALITY

Friday 27th June 2014

THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE FIX: THE REALITY
The coverage of the foreign exchange ‘fixing’ scandal has been rather predictable so far. Predictable media condemnation of bankers, predictable speculation about potential profits and bonuses amassed and a predictable failure to accurately portray exactly how the fixing system works and what really happens in it. This article focusses on the practicalities and realities of the fixing process, how traders approach it, and who, if anyone, are the winners and losers.

Key Points:

• Banks do not manipulate the fix, they manage it.
• Traders could collude, but they have to co-operate to manage risk.
• The fix favours clients not the banks’ traders because traders have to buy or sell currency on the open market – on which rates fluctuate.
• Clients chose to trade at a particular time, for certainty and predictability, not at a particular rate so it is fair to infer that they cannot be too concerned about any potential gain or loss.

Kevin Toomey is a barrister practising from 2 Bedford Row in London. He specialises in defending financial crime and regulatory proceedings. He worked in investment banking for 15 years with particular expertise in foreign exchange trading.
Email: Ktoomey2bedfordrow.co.uk

'This article was first published by Butterworths Journal of International Banking and Financial Law (JIBFL)and is reproduced with their permission'

Trade finance; anti money laundering, sanctions & fraud

Monday 24th March 2014

A two day interactive workshop aimed at financial institutions and auditors who require an understanding of trade based money laundering, sanctions and fraudulent activity which might occur in international trade and commodity finance transactions. The workshop will provide an introduction to trade finance, why trade finance is a target for abuse, regulatory expectations, due diligence, enhanced risk considerations on each of the most commonly used trade finance products, and the use of “red flags” to identify potentially suspicious trade transactions.

Collateral Management- current and future state

Friday 9th August 2013

The financial marketplace has seen rapid growth in the use of collateral, which for some time was associated with repo and securities lending transactions, but is now additionally of major importance in reducing exposure in other transactions, particularly OTC derivatives. 

The degree of complication within operations departments has consequently multiplied greatly.  Successful processing of collateral within an organisation requires knowledgeable staff that understand the component parts that lead to safe and secure processing, and awareness of the pitfalls that can result in unacceptable exposures.

Furthermore, the regulatory changes being introduced from January 2013 under EMIR in Europe and Dodd-Frank in the US, and in particular the introduction of central clearing for OTC derivatives will have major implications for both sell-side and buy-side firms, particularly in the area of collateral management.