Active Stocks
Thu Mar 28 2024 15:59:33
  1. Tata Steel share price
  2. 155.90 2.00%
  1. ICICI Bank share price
  2. 1,095.75 1.08%
  1. HDFC Bank share price
  2. 1,448.20 0.52%
  1. ITC share price
  2. 428.55 0.13%
  1. Power Grid Corporation Of India share price
  2. 277.05 2.21%
Business News/ Politics / News/  World business leaders back more regulation: survey
BackBack

World business leaders back more regulation: survey

World business leaders back more regulation: survey

Premium

London: Business leaders around the world back greater regulation in response to the global financial crisis, a survey showed on Wednesday, with support strongest for curbs on credit rating firms, hedge funds and structured finance.

Responses from more than 700 chief executives, chairmen, partners and directors across Asia, Europe and the United States were received between 4 November and 6.

The survey, conducted by international law firm Allen & Overy, was timed ahead of this weekend’s Washington DC summit on the deepening crisis between the leaders of the Group of 20 leading world economies.

More than three-quarters of those polled agreed that more regulation of credit rating agencies was necessary, while two thirds supported greater regulation of hedge funds.

Some 67% said more complex instruments used in global finance - such as securitisations and other forms of structured credit - required better regulation, more restrictions and more disclosure.

Even more, 77%, said derivative products that provided exposure to shares should be made more transparent.

However, more than two thirds of executives surveyed did not support bans on short selling, a practice typically employed by hedge funds and involving the sale of borrowed shares or securities in the hope of repaying the loan with cheaper stock.

Many authorities in Europe and the United States have prohibited short selling of financial stocks in particular during the worst moments of the recent crisis.

Senior partners at Allen & Overy said the survey showed sometimes conflicting and confused views on what new regulation was needed and there were some regional disparities.

But they said it was important G20 leaders listened to business rather than regulating across the board or raising barriers like currency and capital controls.

Doubts about global regulator

The survey showed no consensus for a global financial regulator to bring all these changes into line.

While a majority of U.S. and UK respondents - 56% and 55% respectively - were against a global regulator, some 58% of continental European business leaders backed its creation. Asia was split.

There was overwhelming support for a consolidation of domestic regulators, however, and almost 80% of all surveyed backed local restructuring of existing national frameworks.

That came in tandem with calls for government agencies to be funded with better pay and more high quality staff.

Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!

Catch all the Politics News and Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.
More Less
Published: 12 Nov 2008, 10:02 AM IST
Next Story footLogo
Recommended For You
Switch to the Mint app for fast and personalized news - Get App