International Organization of Securities Commissions
International Organization of Securities Commissions | |
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Founded | 1983 |
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Headquarters | Madrid, Spain |
Key People | David Wright, Secretary General |
Products | Trade organization |
Website | http://www.iosco.org/ |
The International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) was formed in 1983 as the international "standard setter" for securities markets. While it is without actual authority over its national regulator members, IOSCO has enunciated basic principles that should form the basis for financial market regulation globally. Despite the fact that it is inherently a consensus-seeking organization, IOSCO is currently contemplating whether implementation of IOSCO principles should be a condition for membership.[1] IOSCO's membership regulates more than 90 percent of the world's securities markets. In some circles, IOSCO is considered the world's most important international cooperative forum for securities regulatory agencies. IOSCO members regulate more than 100 jurisdictions.
Along with the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and the International Association of Insurance Supervisors, it makes up the Joint Forum of International Financial Regulators.
History[edit]
- In September 2012, an IOSCO discussion paper revealed that fewer than half of the interest rates surveyed in the U.S., Europe and Asia were calculated by methods other than by actual transactions in the market. This lack of oversight was previously identified as having allowed traders to manipulate the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). IOSCO referred to such methodologies as "unclear, not transparent and only rarely subject to specific regulatory standards or obligations."[2] According to the report, up to 80 percent of interest rate benchmarks were compiled by either associations or private entities.
- In April 2012, IOSCO, along with the Committee on Payment and Settlement Systems (CPSS) published a report on the principles for financial market infrastructures (FMIs). The report contained newer and more demanding international standards for payment, clearing and settlement systems, including central counterparties.
- On March 5, 2012, David Wright began his tenure as secretary-general.
- On January 17, 2012, the Committee on Payment and Settlement Systems (CPSS) and the Technical Committee of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) published their final report on the OTC derivatives data that should be collected, stored and disseminated by trade repositories.
- In November 2011, Greg Tanzer resigned as secretary-general to join the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) as one of its commissioners.[3]
- In 2009, the World Federation of Exchanges said that as part of its priorities it would look to help IOSCO set best practices for short selling and securities lending.[4]
- In 2005 IOSCO endorsed the IOSCO MOU as the benchmark for international cooperation among securities regulators and set out strategic objectives to expand the network of IOSCO MOU signatories by 2010. IOSCO provides comprehensive technical assistance to its members, in particular those which regulate emerging securities markets.
- In 2003 the organization endorsed a comprehensive methodology (IOSCO Principles Assessment Methodology) that enabled an objective assessment of the level of implementation of the IOSCO Principles in the jurisdictions of its members and the development of practical action plans to correct deficiencies.
- In 2002 IOSCO adopted a multilateral memorandum of understanding (IOSCO MOU) designed to facilitate cross-border enforcement and exchange of information among the international community of securities regulators.
- In 1998, IOSCO adopted a comprehensive set of objectives and principles of securities regulation (IOSCO Principles).
Key People[edit]
- David Wright, Secretary General
- Maria Helena Santana, Executive Committee Chair
- Tajinder Singh, Deputy Secretary General
- Isabel Pastor, Senior Advisor
- Mohamed Ben Salem, Senior Policy Advisor
References[edit]
- ↑ "NYSE Euronext Comment Letter - Nov. 26, 2007”. NYSE Euronext.
- ↑ Libor-Like Manipulation Possible in Other Benchmarks, Iosco Says. Bloomberg.
- ↑ Changing hats, March 2012. Risk.net.
- ↑ World Federation of Exchanges States Priorities for 2009. FinanceTech.