Publications

FS Viewpoints
Our series of timely, thought-provoking and informative publications on current issues impacting the financial services industry.

Model risk mitigation and cost reduction through effective design
This paper offers ideas on how to combat model risk at an early stage of the model life cycle – the design phase. We provide practical recommendations on how to design model production systems in a manner that minimizes model risks and reduces model validation and maintenance costs.
Capitalizing on a climate of change
The issue of climate change is evolving from primarily a scientific and public policy concern to one of business risks and opportunities. Until recently, the impact of climate change on the deal market was barely on the radar of most businesses. However, national policy action on greenhouse gas emissions is requiring companies in virtually every industry to think about the impacts of energy and climate policies on their businesses.
Global Private Banking and Wealth Management Survey 2009 -- A new era: Redefining ways to deliver trusted advice
Established since 1993, this year's survey features data from 238 wealth managers in 40 countries. It includes input from senior management, with respondents ranging from global banks to specialists boutiques, family offices and high net worth individuals, providing significant insights into the global private banking and wealth management marketplace. Click to learn more about this year's key themes and findings.
Prime broker assurance Prime broker assurance: Responding to market changes and pressures for increased transparency and risk management
Increased market competition and client focus on risk management may require Prime Brokers to rethink how they provide assurance over their internal controls. Prime Brokers who are currently able to respond to requests for greater transparency will be in a position to differentiate and position themselves in the changing market landscape as a service provider able to meet the demands of their clients..
The custody business at a crossroads: Critical choices in a turbulent marketplace The custody business at a crossroads: Critical choices in a turbulent marketplace
The face of the custody business has changed as much as any other area of financial services over the last 10 years. In this context, custody providers face critical business decisions regarding business strategy and investment. The document provides our point of view and a framework for response.
Exchange and E-Trading system outages: How to successfully manage this risk Exchange and E-Trading system outages: How to successfully manage this risk
Today's trading environments are seeing large swings in market volatility and the accompanying trading volume. These changes present a challenge to organization's in ensuring their systems and related processes are both stable and resilient to handle the increasing demands placed on them and in those situations where an incident or outage may occur, and how the organization can effectively handles and respond such incidents. This document provides some examples of where problems can occur and how some organizations have built controls to mitigate such occurrences.
Financial Holding Company status Financial Holding Company status
A company that owns a bank is defined under federal banking law as a Bank Holding Company (BHC). In 1999, Congress amended the law governing BHCs to allow them to engage in a much broader range of activities through nonbank subsidiaries if they elected, with Fed approval, to become a Financial Holding Company (FHC). The current financial crisis is causing many large financial firms to pursue or at least consider becoming FHCs.
Achieving finance effectiveness and efficiency: Driving sustainable change within financial services Achieving finance effectiveness and efficiency: Driving sustainable change within financial services
Finance change initiatives, regardless of scope, should not focus on "transforming finance". Rather the focus should be on simplifying low-value activities and creating capacity to focus on higher-value activities.
Financial crisis of 2008 Financial crisis of 2008: Navigating and mitigating risks
Over the past year the financial markets have experienced unprecedented turmoil, uncertainty and change. What initially began as a decline in homes values and illiquidity in the subprime mortgage market, has now evolved into a broader capital markets crisis having far reaching global ramifications.
Doing more with less: Improving the anti-money laundering surveillance program Doing more with less: Improving the anti-money laundering surveillance program
Monitoring customer activity for money laundering and terrorist financing is one of the most daunting compliance challenges for financial institutions.
Intelligent risk management & compliance cost reduction Intelligent risk management & compliance cost reduction
Creating a sustainable risk and compliance organization while reducing inefficiency and improving effectiveness.
Intelligent cost reduction: Developing & executing a program to reduce cost & create a sustainable operating platform Intelligent cost reduction: Developing & executing a program to reduce cost & create a sustainable operating platform
Cost management is a key issue today and for the foreseeable future. Many institutions are in the midst of re-thinking their fundamental business strategies and focusing on operational costs only will not be sufficient. A well organized end to end program is needed.
Current challenges in counterparty collateral management Current challenges in counterparty collateral management
The recent turmoil in the credit markets has highlighted significant errors and shortfalls in collateral management operations. These errors have translated into material actual losses creating a risk management exposure but also a savings opportunity.
Accounting for change: Transparency in the midst of turmoil Accounting for change: Transparency in the midst of turmoil
This survey reviewed over 20 banks' financial statements around fair value, structured finance and risk management, analysing how well the current accounting and disclosure guidance stood up to the challenges of the recent market conditions. Also, making suggestions as to how certain disclosures could be improved upon to increase the level of transparency and consistency in bank's financial reporting.
Harvesting value while reducing costs: A rapid approach to organizational restructuring Harvesting value while reducing costs: A rapid approach to organizational restructuring
Financial services executives view access to key talent as a crucial source of competitive advantage. As CFOs carry out cost-cutting initiatives, they cannot afford to risk cutting the wrong people. Using a staged approach to cost reduction enables companies to build on quick wins and gradually create a culture of cost management. Value-based organizational restructuring, which quickly generates cost reductions without sacrificing valuable talent, can help fund subsequent reduction efforts, including sourcing, process reengineering, and technology automation, while optimizing the long-term value of the organization and its talent.
Rogue trading: How to successfully manage this risk Rogue trading: How to successfully manage this risk
Rogue trading been a problem since the beginning of organized trading but it can be managed in an acceptable manner similar to other types of risks. It is very difficult to design preventive controls absent real time monitoring, which is under discussion at a number of institutions.
Current cost challenges in the financial services industry Current cost challenges in the financial services industry
This discussion paper sets out the drivers of cost reduction and how a cost reduction plan can be implemented with improved results.
Building sustainable efficiencies Building sustainable efficiencies: Leveraging anti-money laundering investments
This viewpoint discusses how institutions can reframe AML by championing the effective transfer of knowledge through energized approaches to their people, processes and philosophies.
Bank Tax Digest Bank tax digest
The PwC bank tax digest is prepared monthly by the firm's Washington National Tax Services office, as a quick reference to key developments of potential interest to the industry.
How to discover ways to sustainable anti-money laundering operations. How to discover ways to sustainable anti-money laundering operations.
This viewpoint discusses how institutions can build a sustainable AML operation that enable them to properly balance cost with risk.
How credit market conditions expose challenges of securitization technology systems How credit market conditions expose challenges of securitization technology systems
This article discusses how organizations due to the ongoing liquidity crunch now rely more heavily on financial models to support valuation prices. Those issuers whose systems can provide granular data which can be analyzed objectively will garner the confidence of investors and rating agencies.
Key considerations in the financial services global privacy compliance Key considerations in the financial services global privacy compliance
This article focuses on key considerations in financial services global privacy compliance including the impact of globalization on privacy, the current privacy landscape, and information management.
Viewpoint: The challenge of keeping models up-to-date Viewpoint: The challenge of keeping models up-to-date
American Banker, January 2008. By Richard Pace, Principal, PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP.
A regulatory guide for foreign banks in the United States A regulatory guide for foreign banks in the United States 2007-2008
The 2007-2008 edition of PwC's regulatory guide for foreign banks in the United States is now available. The guide is intended for foreign banks operating in the United States and highlights issues that foreign banks must navigate in doing business here to ensure they meet regulatory expectations
American banker Viewpoint: Maximizing operating leverage at your bank
American Banker, July 2007. By John Garvey and Adam Dener, Partners, PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP.
Banking & capital markets issues Banking & capital markets issues: Spring 2007
This publication brings you insights into the trends, issues and opportunities shaping our industry.
Intelligent Cost Cuts Are The Only Option in This Market Intelligent cost cuts are the only option in this market
US Banker, January 2007. OpEd; By John Garvey & Miles Everson - Partners, PricewaterhouseCoopers


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