Management of collateral received: an effective lever to reduce operational and financial risks

Since the financial crisis, banks are facing a major phenomenon: the rise of non-payment of their customers. These faults are both on home loans granted to individuals and businesses as the credits distributed through credit cards for individuals.

In this context, the management process guarantees received has become a key process, acting at the heart of risk management for banks.

MEPs adjust taxation of real estate gains

MEPs adopted the amendment proposed by Gilles Carrez (UMP, Val de Marne), as amended, by the government, which is developing the new tax regime for real estate gains. He recovers, according to the general reporter the owners selling a principal residence and tenants selling their principal residence for the first time a property.

The amendment exempts from taxation of capital gains to the first transfer of a dwelling that is not a principal residence where the vendor is tenant's principal residence, as was the case before the 2004 reform. It aims in particular, according to Mr. Carr, to avoid the criminalization of young households, the Paris region or in dense urban areas, can not afford their homes because of the explosion in property prices.

Officials face unequal "one of two"

Staffing, the state officials are far from being housed in the same boat. A Defence and the Ministry of Agriculture, the rate of non-replacement of retiring workers should reach 79% and 73% in 2012. It would be only 31% for culture and bordered by an average 55%, the highest rate ever considered since 2008.

This is reflected in the general report of Gilles Carrez (UMP, Val de Marne) on the draft budget law for 2012. "The effort required to national education should be further emphasized: with 14,000 FTE (full time equivalent) less in 2012, after 16 000 FTE under the initial budget act for 2011, this ministry reaches The objective of non-replacement of an officer retiring on two "set by President Nicolas Sarkozy, to observe the general rapporteur.

New measures to support the American economy

The U.S. Federal Reserve, Central Bank of the United States (EDF) announced Wednesday that it would take further measures to support the U.S. economy, saying the resumption of the latter remained "slow". Among the measures: the sale by the end of June 2012 the equivalent of $ 400 billion in Treasury bills.


Subsequently, the Fed plans to buy an equivalent amount with a longer maturity in an attempt to lower interest rates and long-term power purchase real estate securities without increasing the size of its portfolio, the objective to support the mortgage market. The Fed also said it would keep its key interest rate near zero until mid-2013 if necessary.

On Tuesday, investors had taken for granted that the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) announced shortly measures to resume, background likely to increase demand for raw materials. While opening the meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Fed, investors are already betting on a new "Operation Twist", which is to lower interest rates in the long term to boost the activity without act on interest rates in the short term.

In fact, such an operation is to extend the maturity of securities held in the balance sheet, ten years and over, to reduce rates, evidence to boost business investment and household on the housing market. Such a measure Devit also have an immediate impact on prices by devaluing the dollar and increasing demand in emerging markets.

Great Recession - 1930

The Great Depression of the 1930s is probably the most studied topic in American economic history. Contrary to some persistent myths conveyed by the opponents of the market economy, there is not yet consensus on its causes and its exceptional duration. So today begins our collaborator in the first two columns, to present another vision of the crisis as it was developed by Friedrich Hayek, Murray Rothbard, Milton Friedman, Robert Higgs and other liberal authors.

The Depression of the 1930s is invariably presented as the logical outcome of capitalism. Victim of its own contradictions that led to a crisis of overproduction and concentration of wealth in the hands of some exploiters, the market economy would have been saved by judicious intervention of the New Deal of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. This scenario, however, one big problem: it is supported by no historical data. We will therefore examine in this column a different view of the Great Depression, arguing that its severity can be explained largely by the policies of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board and the subsequent actions of Republican President Herbert Hoover, a man who is usually presents as an uncompromising liberal.

Still bad news for U.S. economy

The U.S. economy suffered further bad news. First, the Commerce Department left unchanged its estimate for growth in the fourth quarter, to 0.6% only. However, analysts expected a 0.8% enhancement.

These figures are 2.2% growth over the whole year, from 2.9% in 2006, which is the lowest rate since 2002. Household consumption fell sharply in the last quarter (+1.9% instead of 2% estimated earlier, and after 2.8% in the third quarter) and investment in the stone has indeed fallen by 25, 2% (instead of -23.9%), the largest decline recorded since 1981. Business investment grew by only 6.9% (instead of 7.5%).

Inflation is well above normal

The index measuring prices related to consumption expenditures (PCE) increased 4.1% (instead of 3.9%), and the PCE core index (excluding food and energy) increased 2.7 %, as in the first estimate. Now the Fed wants to keep it normally from 1% to 2%.
Finally, the weekly claims for unemployment benefits rose 19,000 to 373,000 in the United States during the week ended Feb. 23. Analysts had forecast 350,000 jobless.

The Private Equity, a market with strong growth driver - part IV

This dynamic cache, however, concerns related to the evolution of the activity. One of the first consequences of market development of private equity buyout is the generalization of so-called secondary, tertiary and even quaternary view, consisting of leveraged acquisitions of companies already owned by one or more other funds. In 2006, the third type of LBO acquisitions was made through these resale between funds. This type of assembly raises serious concerns particularly related to the high level of debt in these successive operations, which raised fears of a bubble bursting. Indeed, the succession of holding recovery strengthens the total weight of debt in financing the acquisition. But a classic LBO average 70% funded by debt. We can now understand the anxieties expressed about the level of debt when several successive LBOs are made on the same entity.

On the other hand, in a context of rising interest rates, the sector should experience difficulties, but still far from an economic downturn. Indeed, this market should continue to grow in the coming years, particularly in France where many companies are to sell, LBO funds have gained credibility recognized, will no doubt key players in the market.

The number of mega deals (ie acquisitions exceeding the one billion Euros) is more important, the private equity funds have no choice but to raise more funds. This requires, of course, on the one hand by increasing the resources collected from traditional capital providers. But also, for the sake of being less dependent on suppliers of capital and at the same time less sensitive to changes (particularly increased) interest rates on financial markets, the alternative "fund raising" on the stock market seems obvious. The money, usually so discrete and whose activity is based on the original financing of non hand, may now be found in the coast!

The Private Equity, a market with strong growth driver - part III

Then, the low cost of debt, due to low interest rates, gives montages leveraged a significant advantage over other types of acquisition financing transactions. They are based mainly on debt financing of target companies, the current environment when they are particularly favorable to more easily identify a margin between the cost of debt and the return on assets under management. However, this cannot alone suffice to explain the strong growth in activity. Private equity has above all recognition in the governance model in place in companies come under LBO financing. These companies are generally better managed and better valued, and even if some failures can be reported (ten more than 200 annual operations in France), we must recognize that the default rate of the sector is quite low and few are examples of clashes in the area of corporate governance.

Governance is indeed one of the key parameters of a company came under LBO financing. To repay debt must quickly generate cash flow. However, it is recognized that improving the economic value of a target company depends, in large part by the optimization model that will be applied. Therefore, LBO funds agree, from acquisition, to establish a mode of corporate governance more efficient and take the form of a greater focus, accountability of management (generally a shareholder as a result of the operation) and optimization of financial assets.

Country Risk Part.III

During the introduction of the Cooke ratio, depending on whether the country was a member of the OECD or not, the commitments to residents of foreign countries were weighted at 0% or 100%. A debt security issued by a government could therefore not return in the calculation of the Cooke ratio, which consequently gave an advantage to OECD countries until 1994 and the opening of the more "modest”.

As part of the Basel II regulations, the IRB approach (Internal Rating Based) implies the existence of a probability of default for counterparties. But is it really possible to speak of "default" for the country? The S & P introduced the notion moreover SD (Default Selected) to report that states do not honor their debts, since technically they cannot be made bankrupt and businesses. Of default of a country therefore requires analysis of the creditworthiness of the state. It is thus necessary to understand properly the impact of the fiscal capacity of the State concerned on its ability to repay and to define an acceptable level of debt for sovereign debt. However, these problems are more related to the concept of sovereign risk than that of country risk as a whole; demonstrate once again that the concepts are very similar.

Investing in emerging high growth is an important trend as evidenced by the proliferation of funds BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China). However, although the results are quite encouraging, these investments are not safe because these countries are not immune to political tensions, as their market is very volatile at times and finally as a big part of the investment is located in the energy. That's why the rating agencies are requested by the fund managers to reassure investors, the country risk analysis and must rest.

Country Risk Part.II

Country risk is actually a combination of a multitude of risks influenced by three types of factors:

* Economic and financial factors (banking systems failing, unstable tax system, poor management of public finances ...)
* The political (legitimacy of governments, political repression, censorship, ...)
* (Socio-cultural attitudes and traditions, unequal access to resources ...)

The diagram below provides a framework for country risk analysis, the aim being to understand that country risk can be approached through a large and varied risk factors (both domestic and international).


What are the measurement tools available to risk such a company wishing to conduct an operation of setting up abroad? Two main tools are characteristic of the analytical framework for country risk:


The rating is the most used tool in the evaluation of country risk faced by business entities that have concluded a contract on an international scale. The ratings are mechanical projection of reality on a scale of one-dimensional notation. Rating procedures use criteria (economic, financial, political, social ...) very objective to make the mechanics 'scientific'.

These are essentially specialized agencies that are responsible for developing the ratings. These institutions are in most of the rating agencies (Fitch Ratings, Political Risk Services, Moody's and Standard & Poor's), but also specialized firms (Business Environment Risk Intelligence and Economic Intelligence Unit) and financial newspapers (Institutional Investor). In Europe, such as credit insurers Coface (French Insurance Company for Foreign Trade) have a role in that country risk analysis. Indeed, COFACE is often the preferred partner of SME exporters who lack the internal resources of country risk analysis.

Anticipation instruments par excellence, the risk scenarios is another essential procedure in the analysis of country risk. They aim to make combinations of multiple risk factors (economic, political ...) in "stressful" varying characteristics and for different time horizons (short, medium and long term). Scenario results then allow investors or bankers to have a more comprehensive range of their potential gains and losses, which will influence their choice whether to launch the operation.

Country Risk Part.I

The Mexican debt crisis in 1982 which forced the country to introduce a moratorium is one of the first and most contemporary manifestations of country risk. The concept also takes full extent over the 90 years with the crisis countries. Emerging from 1997 Asian crisis, Russian crisis in 1998 etc. Indeed, given the globalization of the economy and the succession of crises due to the expansion of capital movements in the world, economic agents and financial choices for their particular investment and acquisitions, need accurate information on the assessment of risk profiles of the countries covered.

A single definition of country risk is difficult to provide to the extent that it is a composite concept. Country risk encompasses all actual future events that may affect a financial investor in the conduct of its operations in relation to a country called "at risk". The risks mentioned are related to the state of the country, regardless of the quality of the debtor or the project.

However, if the concept is difficult to define exhaustively, his analysis is far from insurmountable. Many tools and procedures are available for players to understand this risk.

First, the concept of country risk and sovereign risk are often confused. Sovereign risk is the risk for financial institutions to see the sovereign (central government, ministries, local governments and regional ...) which they have granted loans, unwilling or unable to meet its payment obligations to them. Country risk in turn has a much broader scope because there is no concept of "sovereign", the entity in question is the entire country. The two concepts are nevertheless closely related. Indeed, as part of a scoring, note the Sovereign cannot be too far from the rating of the country, the quality of the first depends on the country's environment and the decisions of the Supreme rarely without consequence on the functioning economy.

China raising up ...

China is emerging as both leading markets and rising economic power, and meeting with impressive rates of double-digit growth for several years. China's financial sector also benefits from good economic policy. countries, also following the path of openness and market liberalization in accordance with agreements signed by China to the WTO in January 2001 emerging well.

Historically, between the restructuring of agriculture, industry and the banking sector, the government, in the early 1980 gives priority to primary and secondary sectors to the detriment of the banking sector which will bear the cost of the transition economy. This position has resulted in delaying the development of banks in China and weighed on the accounts of the major institutions with bad debt rates sometimes exceeding 40%. Faced with the need for modernization of the Chinese banking, the government changed tack and have signed the WTO agreement to liberalize the banking market in 2001.
Since then, many international banks, anxious to find alternatives to growing their domestic market less dynamic, investing heavily in emerging countries and primarily in the "Middle Kingdom" which presents serious advantages …

Since January 2007, the news is full of examples of foreign investment through equity, joint ventures or acquisitions in the Chinese banks. We made especially Citigroup, which won the "Guangdong Development Bank" in front of the SG, Bank Of China 10% owned by RBS or the Construction Bank of China 9.1% owned by Bank Of America. Overall, although the role of foreign banks is negligible - they represent less than 2% of Chinese assets - their position continues to grow.

Chinese and foreigners have much to gain from the recent opening of the market (2001). Indeed, the Chinese banking sector needs foreign players to upgrade the profession and make a transfer of skills; foreign players in turn reap the benefits of Chinese growth.

However, prudential Chinese are real barriers to entry for foreign banks: capitalization of at least 1bn Yuan, exposure to a single client must not exceed 10% stake in the subsidiary and the ratio of loans / deposits do not exceed 75%.

But the stakes are: market access abysmal savings of Chinese households is worth the investment for many banks and foreign insurers. Candidates rush to the office of the CBRC (China Banking Regulatory Commission) and the Chinese newspapers that tell of six banks, want to establish subsidiaries of Chinese law. Several big names such as HSBC, Citigroup, Deutsche Bank or JP Morgan have also applied. It's a safe bet that the list will grow as and regulatory developments and market opening...

Dubai Crisis- Is it the end or the tip of the Iceberg?

Dubai Crisis- Is it the end or the tip of the Iceberg



We all know that the financial crisis in Dubai World is due to heavy exposure in Real Estate Investments and the fall of property prices, and a very little demand for the already completed projects.


Money is locked in declining assets. The same scenario was seen in 2008 in US with large Investment Banks collapsing under their weight by holding huge exposure in real estate market. The ripples of that effect was heard in Asian and European Countries also.


But at that time, the asian countries some what remained insulated from that effect. In India also, those effects can be seen by the fall of property prices and lack of demand.


Now the million dollar question is whether the worst is over or the worst is yet to come. Normally, when a financial bubble is burst, its effect can be seen for 5 to 10 years. For example, the dot com burst had it effect for another 10 years. The same is going to happen now also.


In India, large number of IPO are coming in Infra, Power and Reality sector. This indicates people are still confident of this sector. It does apply that the worst is yet to come. We are likely to see Dubai Crisis scenario in coming months in some Asian and European Countries.


What I feel is that the Dubai crisis is just a tip of the Iceberg. When the whole Iceberg is known to the world, I don’t know how it is going to affect our career and living.

Economy and Stock Markets

Economy and Stock Markets

Are Economic growth and Stock Markets are interrelated. Half of the economists will say ‘Yes’ and half of them will say ‘No’.
According to me it is ‘Yes’. Stock Markets and Economic growth are interrelated because the rise of Stock Markets would attract small investors into the Market which will propel the stock Markets further, which in turn fuel the start of new companies and projects, which in turn help grow Economy.
A rising Stock Market would invite retail Investors and Foreign Investors to invest in the Stock Markets through secondary Markets and also through Initial Public offerrings. This process will infuse huge amount of idle money into the system
The money that came for circulation would be used by the companies to expand, backwared integrate and forward integrate. Thus the production capacities of all companies increases, so they produce more end products.
These end products has to be sold and this will be done by exploring new Markets locally or internationly. Thus the earnings of the companies will increase, which in turn means increased tax for Governments.
Thus a rising stock Market will surely propel a Economic growth.

Is the Bear Market over Worldover?

January 2008 saw the start of a bloody decline in stock markets World over and it terminated the bull run in the stock markets that started on 2003. The decline continued till  october2008 in most of the Asian Markets and the decline terminated around february in US and European Markets.



People ranging from ordinary men to investors in the stock market panicked and the period saw many layoffs in all sectors of the Economy. Unemployment rose in US and world over. The severely affected country was USA.


Many Banks and Financial Institutions in USA went bankrupt mainly because of sub prime crisis which is due to the burst of real estate bubble and Stock Market decline. The tremors are felt heavily in European countries and it is felt mildly in Asian Economies. It was said at that time, that World was going to face the worst bear market.


Ever since that, Governments offered stimulus packages to boost their respective countries economies. The stock Market were recovered from the lows very quickly. Now, everybody saying that the bear market is over. The stimulus packages given by their governments boosted the economy and everything is normal today.


But My opinion is, even though Stock Markets have rallied for the past 9 months, the present rally seems to be temprory.


No bear market completes its term in just 9 months. So, the real and the worst bear market is yet to come. It may take another five or six years to complete. Hisotry will always repeat itself.


Be prepared for it.

Market Cycles

I have observed that any free markets in the world are behaving cyclically. Careful examination of the time period taken by the market in each legs reveal that they are behaving rythematically.



It seems world Equity markets are moving in 33 year cycle. A new bull market is started in Dow Jones Index in 1950 and it continued for 1983 and the current leg is likely to terminate 2016.


Whenever equity markets are in last phase of a cycle, Bullion markets are behaving in opposite direction of the equity Market. So, Equit Markets are in bull phase if Gold Markets are in bear phase and Gold marekts are in bull phase, when Equity Markets are in bear Phase.


The 1970s Bull Market in the International Equity Markets were lead by Japan. The 1980s and 1990s Bull Market in Equity Markets are lead by south East Asian Countries. The 2000s Bull Market is lead by India and China. So the next bull market is likley to be lead by some other new countries.


The smart Investors should always look for the right Market to invest and the right marktet to withdraw their funds. It will not be profitable for anyone to hold on to their same investments in all period.


Market cycles will help you to time the market at appropriate time. So do study the Market cylces and take investment decisions based on the study for profitable Investments.

Is a Bubble building in Gold?

In Financial Markets, herd mentality is in work. Investors always go by the herd.
Last year, they chased real estate and property prices shoot up world over and investors bought properties as though there is no tomorrow.

So, this effectively set up a stage for impending financial Bubble and that happened. Property prices fell all over the world. Many caught in the melee. Banks went bankrupt. Companies went bankrupt. Individual went bankrupt.

But still, herd mentality is in work. Now, the people are chasing Gold assets and it has effectively set the stage for the next financial Bubble, that is ‘Gold Bubble’.


Financial Bubbles are created when all of the investors who are interested in a particular asset want to get hold of it. Once the buying potential recedes, then a huge selling potential is created. Once prices start coming down, panic selling by all the investors push down the prices beyond its intrinsic value. This is how financial bubbles are burst.


The present price rise in gold reminds me of bubble is being built in it. It is likely to burst in another six months. The same story will happen again. Banks will go bankrupt. Companies will go bankrupt. And individuals will go bankrupt.

Let us see, if this happens shortly.