The Basel Handbook: A Guide for Financial Practitioners

This work includes new chapters and topics, such as the asset classes required under Pillar 1, the new required elements for capital adequacy and the minimum capital requirements for securitization and operational risk, credit risk mitigation, supervisory review and market discipline. Through trial and error, the three pillars have evolved and some of the original ideas have proved to be impractical. This handbook methodically identifies the fundamental changes and recent additions to Basel II, such as increased flexibility, risk sensitivity and new OpRisk capital charge. It provides a clear rationale for the revised accord and even covers those elements that are still excluded such as liquidity risk, reputational risk and legal risk. It presents you with a unique opportunity to learn about every possible consequence of the Basel Accord from global thought leaders and fellow practitioners such as: Scott D. Aguais, Michael Pykhtin, Steven Zhu, and Ashish Dev amongst many others. You will find yourself referring to this handbook on a daily basis, with its clear guidelines proving essential for rolling out and implementing all systems affected by the Accord's various regulations. Looking at the challenges banks face in complying with the new requirements of Basel II, this title quantifies the potential downstream impact of Basel II on the financial industry. In addition, it assesses the degree of constraint the proposals are likely to impose on business and highlights the profound implications of Basel II on: rating agencies, financial industry, global and local competition, and, costs and capital. This book is essential reading for any financial practitioner affected by the Basel II accord, including chief financial officers, chief operating officers, chief investment officers, risk managers, credit risk managers, senior compliance officers, and also those working in the fields of operational risk, compliance, regulation, credit, and risk management.

About the Author :
Michael K. Ong is professor of finance and director of the finance program at The Stuart Graduate School of Business, Illinois Institute of Technology. He is also executive director of the Center for Financial Markets. Until recently, Dr Ong was executive vice president and chief risk officer for Credit Agricole Indosuez in New York. He had enterprise-wide responsibility for all risk management functions for corporate banking, merchant banking, asset management, capital markets activities, and the Carr Futures Group. Dr Ong received a BS degree in physics, MS degree in applied mathematics, and a PhD degree in applied mathematics from the State University of New York at Stony Brook.

Review :
"This book is essential reading for Bankers who are serious about reaping the rewards of the Basel II Accord. Michael has done a first-rate job of garnering considered and practical guidance from some of the leading authorities in this complex area." Shahram Sharifi, Credit Risk Director, UK Retail Bank, Lloyds TSB Bank Plc