The Transaction Banking and the Impact of Regulatory Change ― Basel III and Other Challenges for the Global Economy

Transaction banking provides the backbone of the global economy, and is a key financial service offered by banks covering payments and cash management, trade finance, supply chain and securities services. Now with a wave of regulatory requirements such as Basel III the transaction banking business is being significantly impacted by both intended and unintended consequences.

In this book, Ruth Wandhofer presents an insider's guide to the impact of regulation on the transaction banking business, exploring regulatory reform and the role of transaction banking. It provides a deep dive into Basel I – III that enables the reader to understand how these rules impact a bank's balance sheet, followed by a critical analysis of European and US payments regulation. It covers areas such as prudential rules; liquidity/capital; specific product related legislations for payment services; trade finance; potential impacts on competition; and what it means for the end user. Ruth also shares practical suggestions to reduce the unintended consequences of these measures on transaction banking and proposes an alternative regulatory model for prudential regulation.

This book is essential reading for regulators, bankers, politicians, students and anyone with a curious mind.

Ruth Wandhofer is a regulatory expert in the field of banking and one of the foremost authorities on transaction banking regulatory matters. She is Global Head of Regulatory and Market Strategy for Citi's Treasury and Trade Solutions business. In this role Ruth's key responsibilities include driving regulatory and industry dialogue and developing product and market strategy in line with the evolving regulatory landscape. Ruth is also chair of the Global Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs Committee of BAFT (a global trade body that represents the particular interests of the transaction banking community); chair of the EU-wide banking industry Payments Regulatory Expert Group which plays a leading advocacy role on behalf of the banking industry in relation to all payments related legislative developments; chair of the European Payments Council Information Security Group; member of the European Commission Payment Systems Market Expert Group (PSMEG), a very small group of hand-picked industry experts and member of the ECB Contact Group on Euro Payments Strategy. Ruth was named as one of 2010s 'Rising Stars' by Financial News; named in Management Today's 2011 '35 Women under 35' list of women to watch (Sunday Times), and one of the 100 Most Influential People in Finance 2012 as named by Treasury Risk Magazine.