Risk.net

Nationwide: ABS markets need more than warm words

New European liquidity rules reinforce the ‘halo effect’ for covered bonds, but the treasurer of the UK’s biggest building society, Nationwide, says more effort must be put into reviving securitisation

andy-townsend-web
Andy Townsend, Nationwide

At first glance, the European version of Basel III's liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) makes happy reading for bank treasury departments with covered bond programmes. The rules upgraded covered bonds to level 1 assets, meaning they can comprise up to 70% of a bank's liquid asset buffer, which should guarantee healthy demand.

Andy Townsend, group treasurer at Nationwide in Swindon, however, is conflicted. As a covered bond issuer, it's great news as these products are the building society's cheapest

Only users who have a paid subscription or are part of a corporate subscription are able to print or copy content.

To access these options, along with all other subscription benefits, please contact info@risk.net or view our subscription options here: http://subscriptions.risk.net/subscribe

You are currently unable to copy this content. Please contact info@risk.net to find out more.

Sorry, our subscription options are not loading right now

Please try again later. Get in touch with our customer services team if this issue persists.

New to Risk.net? View our subscription options

Register

Want to know what’s included in our free membership? Click here

This address will be used to create your account

You need to sign in to use this feature. If you don’t have a Risk.net account, please register for a trial.

Sign in
You are currently on corporate access.

To use this feature you will need an individual account. If you have one already please sign in.

Sign in.

Alternatively you can request an individual account here