The wisdom of crowds

The idea that financial markets are efficient is fascinating. A compelling story about market efficiency is the one about the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. The Challenger broke apart within minutes after its launch on 28 January 1986. I remember it very well. It was a cold day, I was in Groningen, the Netherlands. I cycled back home… Read More The wisdom of crowds

EBA publishes leverage ratio disclosure templates

The European Banking Authority published its final draft Implementing Technical Standards (ITS) on disclosure for the leverage ratio. These draft ITS include all the items that are relevant for leverage ratio disclosure under EU bank rules, in line with the Basel disclosure framework. The disclosure framework offers four templates: a template reconciling the figures of the… Read More EBA publishes leverage ratio disclosure templates

Bank of America, nothing complex, it’s noblesse oblige!

What surprised me this week about the capital calculation cock-up of Bank of America Meryll Linch were the reactions of the press. The financial press responded to this gaffe by highlighting the difficulties of calculating capital. Reuters, for example wrote: “The announcement illustrates how difficult it is to determine appropriate capital levels for the biggest banks.” Capital… Read More Bank of America, nothing complex, it’s noblesse oblige!