Redefining Basel II for III

In response to the financial crisis of 2008 the Basel committee for bank supervision which is composed of several central bank governors from the top G7 countries, indicated the overhaul of Basel II banking rules to Basel III. Some of new standards include redefining the criteria for Tier 1 capital in addition increasing the bank’s minimum common equity requirements from 2% to 4.5%. As well as creating a new non-risk based leverage ratio that will serve as a backstop to the risk-based measure surrounding common equity and a counter-cyclical capital buffers. While the Basel III requirements will be implemented in phases with the final phase occurring in 2015. If you would like to learn more about Basel III please use the following links:

http://www.economist.com/blogs/freeexchange/2010/09/basel_iii

http://www.bis.org/bcbs/basel3.htm

Interest Paid Could Be New Norm for Corporate Bank Accounts

In November's Payments AFP (Association for Financial Professionals) newsletter the question was raised on whether corporations should choose non-interest bearing but 100% FDIC coverage accounts or whether utilize interest bearing but not 100% coverage bank accounts. The new mandated Dodd-Frank Act has pushed aside the Regulation Q standpoint to consider whether higher interest returns justify risk-free non-interest bearing accounts.

http://www.afponline.org/pub/res/topics/news/news_pay.html

What the most powerful women do to reach the top of Wallstreet

On Oct 6th America's Banker Editor Barb Rehm talks with the world renowned Meredith Whitney who has raised to the top of the analyst world in Wall street. Here is a good candid interview with Meredith and her career. She talks about how she became to the top of her career in a world dominated by powerful men. Very interesting take from a smart woman.

http://www.americanbanker.com/wib_video/?id=1026970&page=1