Regulation: Race to the bottom?

If rules are interpreted so 'flexibly' in the USA it will be interesting to see how 'Europe' reacts (if the sleepy bureaucrats there even notice or care). Apart from the problem that Brexit will soon loom over any regulation in 'Europe', the response could be either to loosen rules/interpretations as well or demand that US entities comply with stricter rules designed in Europe. And what if the UK goes for a laxer regulatory environment? Every bloc will try to help his financial firms or bloc those from the other blocs, interesting times indeed!
Who’s Watching Wall Street? The Feds Turn a Blind Eye to Goldman’s Game | The Fiscal Times

Swiss National Bank the "Greater Fool?

Amazing focus on biggest Momentum stocks shows lack of imagination in this bastion of Conformity.
"Mystery" Central Bank Buyer Revealed, Goes On Q1 Buying Spree | Zero Hedge

Risk Parity: Just another name for Portfolio Insurance?

Risk Parity - like Smart Beta or Factor Investing - is old wine in new bottles. A Bull market always needs a rationale to justify the irrational, Greed has overcome Fear. In reality all is backed by a tide of easy money.
Pondering The Real Perils Of Risk Parity Portfolios | Zero Hedge

Compliance hiring at fever-pitch!

My (pessimistic) prognosis of  'One Compliance Kommissar behind every productive Staffer' is soon (already?) sad reality. Wish the same could be said about politicians and civil servants! Did Ancient Rome not die after suffocationg on legal and bureaucratic overkill?
Deutsche Bank hiring in compliance - Business Insider

Deutsche Bank: Bye Bye London? but not because of Brexit

The track record of the bank is nothing to write home about. The huge build-up in London, from an insignificant commercial branch in the mid 1980s - has probably cost more than it ever earned the bank. So move back 'home' may be sensible, but not because of Brexit!
DEUTSCHE BANK EXEC: We may need to move 4,000 UK staff to Europe because of Brexit

EU markets rules are the 'worst piece of legislation'

No surprise! Anyone who ever had to read through the garbage produced by the FSA, FCA, Bafin etc would heartily agree. At least Brexit will cut out the ECB and EU scribblers!
The boss of one of the world's biggest exchange groups said EU markets rules are the 'worst piece of legislation' he's ever seen

SURVEY: 82% think more firms will set up in Europe because of Brexit

Nothing to worry about, if anything positive for UK as its firms will have to set their eyes on export markets in a more pro-active manner. Free of the cost of EU membership (mostly socialist redistribution to the unworthy) and regulation Britain should do well. Being ruled by one government rather than a committee of 27 should speed up decision making.
SURVEY: 82% of investors think more firms will set up in Europe because of Brexit

Softbank acquires Fortress - Marriage made in Heaven or Hell?

There could be no greater discrepancy between the business model of these two parties. Apart from the fact that Fortress alone already has its fingers in too many pies, this deal seems to increase the impact of 'diworsification' by the power of two. It will be interesting to see how this pans out over time. In the meantime, hats off to the Fortress Principals, it looks like an excellent deal for them!
The Fall of Fortress

Compensation: Excessive focus on individual performance dangerous

Compensation based on share price development? This is contrary to all sensible pay schemes and one of the main contributing factors to excessive executive pay. Maybe this works in the confines of a small investment boutique but even there it is not clear what the scheme could do to improve the performance produced for investment clients.
Excessive focus on individual performance is inherently dangerous, says Barry Olliff | City A.M.

ABarclays exec breaks silence over LIBOR-rigging

Anyone who has worked in a front-line trading/sales position will know that nothing is more tedious than giving out regular valuations to customers, esp if the relevant security trades infrequently. Apart from the tedium it is not clear why a trader should not give a LIBOR quote that reflects his position. He/She is no god, or impartial regulator, any quote reflects a view. A lot noise about nothing! Just to keep the jobsworth in government, media in clover!
A Barclays exec who went to prison for LIBOR-rigging breaks his silence: 'Traders have been served up as fall guys to protect these more powerful senior bankers'