LONDON – Proposals for advancing the cause of transatlantic regulatory convergence are expected to emerge in June from an alliance of European and US trade bodies hoping to capitalise on what they see as a propitious moment to make their voice heard.

US regulation of credit ratings agencies has ignited a fierce row between the “big two” and smaller rivals. Investment firms are split By Melvyn Westlake

New report calls for tighter rules on hedge funds and private equity. EU Commission and FSA urge balanced approach

Europe’s commodities industry makes a powerful case against the imposition of capital charges, but victory is not assured By David KeefeEurope’s regulators should resolve the thorny question of how best to assess the solvency of specialist commodity firms in a single European Union financial services market by using their considerable oversight powers, rather than by imposing so-called pillar 1 minimum capital charges on the firms, an industry task force plans to argue in a forthcoming paper.

Britain will have a hard job getting approval for additional rules. Commission fears opening floodgates, imperilling single market By Melvyn Westlake

BRUSSELS, April 24 (Global Risk Regulator) – Europe’s top financial regulator warned today that most European Union countries face legal action for their failure to transpose sweeping new securities market rules into national law on time.

FRANKFURT-am-Main, Germany, April 2 (Global Risk Regulator) – Europe’s regulators are urging smaller insurance firms in particular to take part in a key, three-month test that begins today of the complex Solvency II project for improving the safety and soundness of the European Union’s insurance industry.

WASHINGTON, March 26 (Global Risk Regulator) – US banking regulators face a challenge to meet their June target for issuing a final rule on implementing the controversial Basel II bank safety rules in America, according to Federal Reserve Board chairman Ben Bernanke.

WASHINGTON, March 23 (Global Risk Regulator) – US banks reiterated their concerns about controversial plans for reforming the capital requirements and safety rules governing their industry as the deadline for comment on the proposals approached.

WASHINGTON – The first set of principles and guidelines for hedge funds in the US for eight years has mostly been given a warm reception. There was relief among some representatives of the hedge fund industry who earlier feared that new regulation was in the offing, and some criticism that the guidelines are “vague” and “unenforceable.”