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The Financial Stability Board (FSB) published a note on potential financial stability issues arising from recent trends in exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The note aims at improving understanding of the possible emerging issues for financial stability, and encouraging the financial industry, early in the product cycle, to adapt risk management practices, disclosure and transparency to the pace of innovation in this market.
The FSB is publishing this note as part of its role of monitoring market developments relevant to financial stability and advising on their implications for regulatory policy. In doing so, it seeks to identify potential vulnerabilities and the actions that may be needed to address them.
At its Plenary meeting in Rome earlier this month, the FSB noted that there are signs that the low interest rate environment, which has been necessary to support growth and financial sector recovery, may be leading investors to search for yield in more complex non-standard market segments that increase exposure to liquidity risks. Developments in some segments of the ETF market, but also of the commodities and high-yield markets, are examples that warrant closer surveillance by regulatory authorities.
Work is underway nationally and internationally to assess whether recent innovations and the related increase in complexity in some segments of the ETF market add to financial system risks, and whether regulatory actions are needed to address potential shortcomings in the management of counterparty, collateral and liquidity risks, and in market transparency.
Deadline for comments is 16 May 2011.
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