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Silicon Flat Irons June 5, 2009 Kimberly D. Krawiec
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The risk of loss from inadequate or failed internal processes, people, and systems or from external events Historically, a residual risk category i.e. not market or credit = operational New focus & importance, thanks to Basel II and market changes
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Bad – maybe worst of all alternatives Require capital cushion, but use internal models Limited effectiveness Banks w/ highest op risk levels are least likely to credibly assess
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High costs: Definition, modeling, and data problems Enforcement likely to be lacking Room for interest groups –lawyers, accountants, risk management experts – to capture definition and management Incentive to “manage the model,” rather than op risk
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Status quo Plausible deniability re: other limits Do it better Future: incentivize market-based solutions (e.g. insurance) Non-financial metrics Other proposals – compensation revisions
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Authorized to engage in client sales and arbitrage Not authorized to take directional positions Fraud = series of unauthorized directional positions in equities and equity futures Concealed by a series of fictitious transactions Note that subsequent investigation turned up numerous violations
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Entry then cancellation of fictitious trades 947 transactions “matched” trades – i.e. purchase/sale of equal quantities at different “off market” prices, thus generating gain or loss as needed 115 transactions Intra-monthly provisions 9 transactions
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28-year-old trader who never graduated from college Barings Bank desk at the Singapore International Monetary Exchange In charge of both trading and settlement
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Accused of losing $1.3 billion Charged with forgery and trading violations on December 1, 1995 Sentenced to six and a half years
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Short Straddles: Profitable (Premium) if Nikkei traded within or near strikes between 18,500 – 20,000
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4Q 1994 - January 1995 Nikkei in a range of 19,000 – 19,500 Recall that Leeson’s goal = 18,500-20,000 Nikkei 225 日経平均株価
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January 17, 1995 Kobe Earthquake Nikkei dropped sharply Leeson goes long
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January 20 – February, 1995 Leeson launched aggressive buying program: 55,206 March contracts and 5,650 June contracts
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Barings collapsed – could not meet huge trading obligations Outstanding futures positions of $27 billion (Barings’ capital was $615 million)
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1050023ST17 10 largest net Nikkei 225 futures positions 1050023ST.xls*Osaka Sec Ex?Chart 2
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Improbable profits Esp. in light of experience level and authorized trading strategy Unusual trades (real and/or fictitious) in terms of type and/or volume Back office issues Bully back office, evasive answers Ignored inquiries from regulators, exchanges, competitors, other employees
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