2 paragraphs for each question

1. Derivatives were at the heart of our recent financial crisis. Have we done anything to prevent this from happening again?

2.Wall Street is always looking for a new way to impact the financial markets. Can regulators really stay a step ahead of Wall Street in trying to prevent future excesses? Consider that over a decade ago, Enron executives were viewed as "The Smartest Guys in the Room" (and were portrayed as such in the CNBC documentary that analyzed why Enron outsmarted regulators). Enron was continuously supported and aided by investment bankers. Who will bankers, investors and hedge funds try to outsmart next?

Week 5 Discussion 1: Costs and Benefits of Derivatives Due Date: Initial post by the end of Day Four; post feedback/comments to at least one classmate by the end of Day Seven Point Value: 10 1. Derivatives were at the heart of our recent financial crisis. Have we done anything to prevent this from happening again? The final report on Financial Regulatory Reform: A New Foundation and the brief summary of the DoddFrank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act can serve as your starting points. As background, the U.S. Senate Sub-committee's reports on Wall Street and the Financial Crisis and The JPMorgan Chase Whale Trades should prove of interest and relevance. Industry Analysis, Bank Data & Statistics: See http://www.fdic.gov Option 1: Statistics at a Glance accesses a site for two standard recurring reports and their archives. Option 2: Statistics on Banking accesses a site allowing you to customize reports in many different ways. Option 3: Regional Economic Conditions (RECON) accesses a site for timely information on the housing market state-by-state. Option 4: Historical Statistics on Banking accesses a site for longer-run perspectives on the industry. These can be customized by geographic region. As for regulatory reforms, how about a return to yesteryear (see Madura) and no more AATW (asleep at the wheel)? o Capital adequacy - Basel I, II and beyond o Asset quality o Management capabilities o Earnings potential o Liquidity o Sensitivity to financial market conditions - Systemic risk Eye-popping magnitudes: Statistics on Banking accesses the site allowing you to customize reports Choose Commercial Banks, National, Time Series and Assets and Liabilities then Run Report. Scroll to the bottom of the report to view and drill further down into the use of derivatives. 2. Wall Street is always looking for a new way to impact the financial markets. Can regulators really stay a step ahead of Wall Street in trying to prevent future excesses? Consider that over a decade ago, Enron executives were viewed as "The Smartest Guys in the Room" (and were portrayed as such in the CNBC documentary that analyzed why Enron outsmarted regulators). Enron was continuously supported and aided by investment bankers. Who will bankers, investors and hedge funds try to outsmart next