BASEL, Switzerland – Global regulators fear many countries may not meet the end-2012 deadline set for regulating over-the-counter (OTC), or private, trading in derivative contracts that supervisors believe represent a potential threat to financial stability.

WASHINGTON – Incomplete policy actions and inadequate reforms of the banking sector have left segments of the global banking system vulnerable to further shocks, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the multinational economic policy watchdog. Many institutions – particularly weaker European banks – are caught in a maelstrom of interlinked pressures that are intensifying risks for the system as a whole, it says in its latest Global Financial Stability Report (GFSR).

The EU insurance industry vents its ire as timetable problems strike again. Monitoring group meets to review concerns By David Keefe

In this opinion feature, Swiss Re chief Stefan Lippe (pictured below) argues that classifying insurers and reinsurers, as systemically risky could have damaging economic consequences

Global insurance regulators expect shortly to provide an update on their work on developing ways of assessing the systemic relevance of insurers and on the timelines involved, the world’s insurance industry was told in early April.

The joint proposal on loan impairment was hailed as a breakthrough, but different stances are evident on technical details

BASEL, Switzerland, April 12 – Group of Twenty (G20) supervisors exploring the possibility of regulating so-called shadow banking said today that a definition should cover all non-bank credit activities from which risks might arise.

LONDON, April II (Global Risk Regulator) – The final independent report on Britain’s banking system will be stronger than the interim one issued today because comment and argument will make it more concrete and solid, according to a member of the commission that published today’s document.

ROME, April 5 (Global Risk Regulator) - Global regulators have yet to agree how many of the world’s top banks could face extra capital requirements because of their size despite a looming November deadline.

NANJING, China, March 31 (Global Risk Regulator) - China pushed back today against pressure from Paris and Washington for swift reform of a global monetary system that French President Nicolas Sarkozy said is so unstable it could tip the world economy back into crisis.