LONDON - There are going to be big winners and losers among the world\'s banks as a result of the Basel II capital accord, due to take full effect in under four years time.

As the US debate over Basel II reignites, agencies wrestle with a key remaining issue. A tough timetable could be blown off course By David Keefe

A new proposal for guarding against abuse of the fair value option seems not to have impressed regulators. Accountants\' paper moots moving to principles-based approach.

Global banking regulators are asking national supervisors to consider excluding unrealised gains and losses on loans designated as available-for-sale from the definition of Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital.

BASEL, Switzerland - Regulators must pay increasing attention to the incentives for regulatory arbitrage between different sectors of the financial industry created by credit risk transfer (CRT) techniques, such as financial guarantees and credit insurance, a study by a central bank forum said in January.

A report by the Government Accountability Office offers four options to streamline the fragmented US regulatory structure By Melvyn Westlake

Reforms in 1990s created sophisticated banks. Most will adopt advanced risk measurement. Capital cuts likely for some.

LONDON - Credit risk transfer (CRT) techniques can help spread risk across the financial system, but they can also lead to greater concentration of risks, the Financial Services Authority (FSA), the UK\'s chief financial watchdog, said in January.

Latin America\'s readiness for Basel II is doubted. But some advocate a centralised ratings-based approach to credit risk as the best way forward for many emerging economies. By David Keefe

NEW YORK - Much of the hedge fund industry in the US seems resigned to being regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), following the majority vote among commissioners in late October to push ahead with mandatory registration of fund advisors, and the publication of the final rule in early December.