LONDON, October 27 (Global Risk Regulator) – Some European banks will face a major challenge in getting their top quality capital levels to the 9% agreed by European Union leaders at their crisis meeting in Brussels, according to financial regulation experts. The EU target is two percentage points above the international minimum of 7% wanted by global banking regulators.

LONDON, October 20 (Global Risk Regulator) – Europe’s stance announced today on organised trading of over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives goes well beyond the spirit of the 2009 G20 commitment to reform, according to the leading derivatives industry trade body.

BASEL, Switzerland, October 18 (Global Risk Regulator) – As global regulators today set out a framework for monitoring the implementation of the G20 financial reforms, a progress report on the Basel III bank measures indicated foot-dragging by some countries.

Global regulatory news summary: G20 ministers back surcharge; Dangers seen as Basel III implementation begins; EU urged to top bank capital targets; Further efforts needed on Pillar 3; Volcker rule unworkable; US insurers pleased at systemic risk plans; Aggressive push urged on OTC reforms LONDON, October 17 (Global Risk Regulator)

Plans for a capital surcharge will be submitted to Cannes G20 summit for approval. Fierce opposition shown in response to consultation By Melvyn Westlake

Reports fail to back up Nicolas Sarkozy’s theory that speculators cause commodity price mayhem; plain vanilla regulation preferredBy David Keefe

Third-country access to EU market is hotly disputed part of directive, along with new category of regulated trading venue By Melvyn Westlake

A selection of news items generated by the American regulatory reform agenda

The capital surcharge to be imposed on the world’s biggest banks is likely to have, at most, only a modest impact on aggregate economic output, according to a new study undertaken by regulators. This conclusion sharply contradicts the drumbeat of dire predictions from top bankers, who fear the additional capital that global systemically important banks (G-SIBs) will be required to hold by 2019 will hinder their lending and undermine the recover from recession.

LUXEMBOURG – A last ditch stand by Britain on controversial elements of the European Markets and Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR), produced some concessions in a compromise deal between EU finance ministers in early October.