UK banks face tougher rules on governance
By Huw Jones |
July 17, 2009, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
BANKS in Britain which don't comply with what would be the toughest remuneration regime in the world face being held to account by their regulators, the author of a United Kingdom government-sponsored review said yesterday.
The worst financial crisis since the 1930s forced Britain to tap 1.3 trillion pounds (US$2.13 trillion) of taxpayer money to nationalize two banks, Northern Rock and Bradford & Bingley, arrange a shotgun wedding of Lloyds and HBOS, and take a majority stake in RBS.
David Walker, a former chairman of Morgan Stanley bank's international unit, published 39 recommendations for changes in the way banks are run, from pay policies to selecting board members, in a bid to apply lessons from the credit crunch.
He noted widespread failures in bank governance but rejected the need for legislation despite critics who warn that when the boom times return, warnings about risk will be drowned out.
"Any bank which fails to conform with these recommendations if they are all adopted is going to be digging a big hole for itself," Walker told Reuters.
"Those who neither comply nor explain are going to have to go through the wringer with the Financial Services Authority. It's just daft to say this is voluntary. You comply or you are in deep trouble," Walker said.
British Bankers' Association Chief Executive Angela Knight said some banks have made the recommended changes and the next step was to get similar high standards adopted globally.
Walker said the recommendations should be taken in tandem with measures being taken by the FSA to stop banks betting the shop, such as far higher capital and liquidity requirements.
"In relation to remuneration, the combination with what the FSA is proposing gives the UK the toughest regime in the world," Walker said.
He recommends that the bank's remuneration committee report should state if any senior executive has the right or opportunity to receive enhanced pension benefits.
This follows public outrage regarding banks over Fred Goodwin, the former chief executive of RBS, who walked away with a huge pension despite the bank needing a government rescue.
The worst financial crisis since the 1930s forced Britain to tap 1.3 trillion pounds (US$2.13 trillion) of taxpayer money to nationalize two banks, Northern Rock and Bradford & Bingley, arrange a shotgun wedding of Lloyds and HBOS, and take a majority stake in RBS.
David Walker, a former chairman of Morgan Stanley bank's international unit, published 39 recommendations for changes in the way banks are run, from pay policies to selecting board members, in a bid to apply lessons from the credit crunch.
He noted widespread failures in bank governance but rejected the need for legislation despite critics who warn that when the boom times return, warnings about risk will be drowned out.
"Any bank which fails to conform with these recommendations if they are all adopted is going to be digging a big hole for itself," Walker told Reuters.
"Those who neither comply nor explain are going to have to go through the wringer with the Financial Services Authority. It's just daft to say this is voluntary. You comply or you are in deep trouble," Walker said.
British Bankers' Association Chief Executive Angela Knight said some banks have made the recommended changes and the next step was to get similar high standards adopted globally.
Walker said the recommendations should be taken in tandem with measures being taken by the FSA to stop banks betting the shop, such as far higher capital and liquidity requirements.
"In relation to remuneration, the combination with what the FSA is proposing gives the UK the toughest regime in the world," Walker said.
He recommends that the bank's remuneration committee report should state if any senior executive has the right or opportunity to receive enhanced pension benefits.
This follows public outrage regarding banks over Fred Goodwin, the former chief executive of RBS, who walked away with a huge pension despite the bank needing a government rescue.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
