|
For immediate release: Tuesday, July 26, 2005 Associations and Corporation commission research to contribute to transparency debate in European bond markets The Association of British Insurers (ABI), the Corporation of London, the International Capital Market Association (ICMA), the Investment Management Association (IMA), and the London Investment Banking Association (LIBA), announced today that they have jointly commissioned independent research into European bond markets. This cross-market project will be used to inform the associations’ input into the European Commission’s review of bond market transparency, required by the MIFID (The Markets in Financial Instruments Directive). The Commission’s review is due to be completed by April 2007. The research will seek to answer a range of questions relevant to a comprehensive regulatory review of market transparency, including:
This research will take the form of two independent studies. One will concentrate on the corporate bond market; the second will cover sovereign debt. The Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR) has been commissioned to undertake both studies. Professor Bruno Biais of Toulouse University and CEPR will lead the study on European corporate debt markets. Professor Richard Portes of the London Business School and CEPR will lead the study on European sovereign debt markets. Both studies are expected to be published early in 2006. Heads of the associations and Corporation welcomed the launch of both projects. Sir Adam Ridley, Director General of LIBA, said “Regulators, including the Commission, are beginning to accept that before regulating they need to be clear that intervention is necessary and will produce a net economic benefit. We welcome this approach, and believe it should be applied to the Commission’s review of bond market transparency. This research will be an important contribution to a well founded debate on the role of regulators in European bond markets.”
Peter Montagnon, Director of Investment Affairs at the ABI said “Any decision about transparency needs to be made on the basis of full understanding so that the markets work in the interest of all their users. As investors, we are therefore happy to work with the sell-side, and other participants in commissioning this research.” John Langton, Chief Executive and Secretary General of ICMA, said “Our decision to commission the studies also reflects our view that there is not a great deal of up-to-date research published on European bond markets. Much of what is available looks at bond pricing and does not consider more fundamental issues such as the efficiency of the bond markets, including issues such as liquidity and the role of transparency. Moreover the research is heavily weighted towards the US markets, which do not operate on the same model as European bond markets.” Michael Snyder, Chairman of Policy and Resources, Corporation of London said “If regulation is to support rather than hinder the competitiveness of financial markets, it must be based on a clear understanding of market structures and dynamics. The Corporation of London sponsors a wide range of research to facilitate this sort of understanding, and sees these projects as a major component of its contribution to the move towards well-informed and market focussed regulation.” ENDS Notes for Editors 1. The Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MIFID) MIFID) is a major plank in the European Commission’s Financial Services Action Plan (FSAP). The purpose of the FSAP is to finalise the single market in financial services in Europe, thus contributing towards the EU’s goal of achieving a significant increase in economic growth by 2010. Thirty nine measures have been enacted, of which MIFID is one of the most important. Article 65(1) of MIFID requires the European Commission to submit a review to the European Parliament on the possible extension of the scope of the transparency provisions to markets other than equities. 2. Commissioning organisations Association of British Insurers (ABI) Corporation of London International Capital Market Association (ICMA) London Investment Banking Association (LIBA) 3. The Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR) The Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR) is a network of over 600 Research Fellows and Affiliates, based primarily in European universities. The Centre coordinates the research activities of its Fellows and Affiliates and communicates the results to the public and private sectors. CEPR is an entrepreneur, developing research initiatives with the producers, consumers and sponsors of research. Established in 1983, with headquarters in London, CEPR is a European economics research organisation with uniquely wide-ranging scope and activities; it is pluralist and non-partisan, bringing economic research to bear on the analysis of medium- and long-run policy questions. 4. Contacts ABI Corporation of London ICMA IMA LIBA CEPR |
