Opinion
Spreadsheets Still Rule, But for How Long?
Automation is good, but comfort can sometimes prove better. Anthony questions why Excel spreadsheets are still so prevalent on the buy side, especially at new firms that can choose their own path with new, advanced data management tools.
Are You Sure You Don't Need A Pre-LEI?
Some industry participants have fallen into the trap of assuming requirements to report pre-legal entity identifiers under EMIR will not affect them, and they are running out of time to put things right
Mifid II Makes Headlines Without News
Last week saw a flurry of activity from the trade press as European authorities announced that they had agreed, informally, on a package of deals that would cement the review of the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (Mifid II). But there wasn't…
Compliance Officers, I Feel Your Transcription Pain
As firms in the US gear up for Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC’s) communications recording rule 1.35(a), Anthony understands the headaches involved in converting voice recordings to text.
What Can Be Learned From LEI Board Nominations?
The nominations for the board of directors of the Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation includes some surprises and clues about the form the Central Operating Unit might take
Complexity or Simplicity - The Data Quality Question
Those seeking to increase data quality, cope with new identifier standards or meet the mandates laid out by Europe's new market infrastructure regulation, are looking at how to reduce the complexity of the methods designed to meet simple goals
Max Bowie: Cost, Regs, Volumes, Analytics to Drive Data Innovation in 2014
With economic woes hampering innovation in recent years, Max says the winds of change blowing from different directions may create a perfect storm of pressures that force the industry to consider new options in 2014.
Anthony Malakian: When the Love is Gone
In a world of new technologies—where evolution happens at breakneck speeds—Anthony says that buy-side firms need to employ new strategies when managing their third-party relationships. Perhaps they can learn a lesson or two from their sell-side brethren?
James Rundle: Imperfect Solutions
Most Western exchanges have implemented safety measures to mitigate share-price swings, but others are beginning to experience the algorithmic troubles that brought trading firms to their knees in recent years. Kill switches and circuit breakers don’t…
Michael Shashoua: The Way of the World
With respect to the spread of US and Euro-centric data management systems, as well as regulation to other regions, Michael points out that the difficulties in translating new standards and laws could highlight cultural differences that service providers…
January 2014: Do Algorithms Dream of Super-Fast Sheep?
While algorithms are far from sentient, Victor wonders what they would think about if they could.
Commoditizing Secret Sauce
Don't over-egg the omelet.
Basel Committee's Next Steps
Guidance on Basel III capital adequacy regulation issued last year focused on risk calculation methods, and sends a signal on what else the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision could address in fleshing out the rules
Teenage Sex and the Virtues of Being Nice
I have, over the last 12 years, had the opportunity of covering a wide variety of subjects while writing about financial technology, although I never anticipated stumbling across the issue of teenage sex during the course of my work. You’ll need to carry…
Season's Greetings from Inside Market Data
I remember Christmas as a child, being overpowered by the sights, smells and sounds, from bright tinsel and baubles on the tree to the aroma of sizzling turkey, and carol singers─and of course, a pile of presents beneath the tree.
Home Is Where the Hearth Is
I always think it’s interesting to see where people go for Christmas. Or perhaps, more accurately, where home is for them. My cousins, for instance, while they live and work in London, will probably never consider the city to be ‘home’, as such. For them…
A Look Into My Cloudy Crystal Ball
Anthony looks at some of the topics he expects to cover extensively in 2014.
World Wide Wedges
While service providers seem to be able to leverage clients with global footprints, the inter-governmental difficulties encountered with Fatca tax law implementation sound a note of caution for their efforts
'Snowden Effect' Should Thaw—Not Chill—New Ideas on Systems Intrusion, Detection
Data hacked and then leaked by National Security Administration (NSA) contractor Ed Snowden has already upended technology provision, in finance and elsewhere. But as it unfolds, what can firms learn from both sides of this lurid tale?