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HomeWhat Wall Street Secrets Will FCIC Reveal?
Posted by Larry Doyle on September 2nd, 2010 10:06 AM |
Information is everything.
There is no doubt that the development of the internet and a wide array of websites has led to a significant increase in the amount and quality of information accessed and processed by many. That said, there is also no doubt that there is an equally aggressive, if not public, effort to protect information, privileged or otherwise. Industry and company specific trade secrets can often be the key to developing and maintaining a hard earned competitive edge in the marketplace. I fully support and appreciate those ‘secrets.’ On the other side of this coin, though, there are ‘secrets’ which can often be the key to unlocking bad practices, if not much worse.
On this note, after a day’s worth of travel yesterday, I was particularly intrigued to read the Financial Times’ Probe Chief to Issue Wall Street Data. A few comments. Why is it that the FT’s electronic delivery entitles this article as such, while the hard copy entitled it, Probe Chief to Issue ‘Secret’ Wall Street Data? That one little word, ‘secret,’ is exceptionally powerful. What is Wall Street hiding? Why are they hiding it? Who specifically is hiding it? Do the secrets entail illicit and fraudulent activities? So many questions. (more…)
Afternoon Cartoon
Posted by Larry Doyle on September 1st, 2010 1:08 PM |
JP Morgan Shuts Proprietary Trading
Posted by Larry Doyle on September 1st, 2010 5:11 AM |
Two weeks ago on an afternoon visit to New York City, I was struck by the changed tone, atmosphere, and demeanor during the meetings I had with a number of Wall Street professionals. The fact that the tone has changed does not necessarily mean that the industry as a whole is entirely chastened by the failings—if not worse—both going into and coming out of the crisis. Without deeply meaningful efforts and accompanying results to promote real transparency and increased disclosures, the industry will continue to fight to maintain ‘business as usual.’ It is an uphill battle.
Further evidence of this reality is provided today with the news that JP Morgan is shutting down its proprietary trading operations. Bloomberg reports, JP Morgan Said to End Proprietary Trading to Meet Volcker Rule:
JPMorgan Chase & Co. told traders who bet on commodities for the firm’s account that their unit will be closed as the company, the second-biggest U.S. bank by assets, starts to shut down all proprietary trading, according to a person briefed on the matter.
The bank eventually will close all in-house trading to comply with new U.S. curbs on investment banks, said the person, who asked not to be identified because New York-based JPMorgan’s decision hasn’t been made public. (more…)
