A $350 Trillion problem

ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/bd913acc-071e-11e2-92ef-00144feabdc0.html#axzz27a7AqFXM">Looks like the BBA is ready to relinquish its LIBOR setting responsibilities.

This opens up an interesting discussion about what might replace it and who will be responsible for overseeing LIBOR. Will the UK government regulate it? Will they follow the European example with how EURIBOR is set?

For some background on what the Libor manipulation scandal is about check out some of the earlier threads on WSO here. It's the usual Monkey Business. In a nutshell the banks have been manipulating the rate so they can profit from trades on the index. (LIBOR underpins billions of dollars in loans and trillions in derivative contracts globally).

"We're clean, but we're dirty-clean, rather than clean-clean," the executive told an unnamed BBA manager, who responded, "No one's clean-clean." -- Quote from the Reuters article

Barclays have recently paid GBP 290 million to settle a case against them in this regard. Maybe there will be more fines for other banks.

It will be interesting to see how Lie-Bor will be reformed or if it will be replaced by a new index. Some have suggested that a transactions index based on actual lending rather than quotes would avoid manipulations. Will the government regulate it to avoid fraud and provide transparency? Should it?

3 Comments
 
Best Response
RelinquisLooks like the BBA is ready to relinquish its LIBOR setting responsibilities.

This opens up an interesting discussion about what might replace it and who will be responsible for overseeing LIBOR. Will the UK government regulate it? Will they follow the European example with how EURIBOR is set?

For some background on what the Libor manipulation scandal is about check out some of the earlier threads on WSO here. It's the usual monkey business. In a nutshell the banks have been manipulating the rate so they can profit from trades on the index. (LIBOR underpins billions of dollars in loans and trillions in derivative contracts globally).

"We're clean, but we're dirty-clean, rather than clean-clean," the executive told an unnamed BBA manager, who responded, "No one's clean-clean." -- Quote from the Reuters article

Barclays have recently paid GBP 290 million to settle a case against them in this regard. Maybe there will be more fines for other banks.

It will be interesting to see how Lie-Bor will be reformed or if it will be replaced by a new index. Some have suggested that a transactions index based on actual lending rather than quotes would avoid manipulations. Will the government regulate it to avoid fraud and provide transparency? Should it?

Have you noticed the 1 month LIBOR forward curve has been getting flatter and flatter? Pretty soon it will just be a straight line.

I don't feel confident that replacing LIBOR with whatever index will necessarily make the financial system any more transparent or any less corrupt. I honestly have run out of energy to even give a fuck nowadays.

Man made money, money never made the man
 
RE Capital Markets I honestly have run out of energy to even give a fuck nowadays.
^This.

It is all about some people within institutions (banks, or whatever) gaming whatever set of rules exist to make a profit out of greed. It is tiresome and demoralising. Try explaining to your clients all about these scandals, while making a statement that you are working honestly for his best interest in whatever transaction you are proposing...

 

Illum dolor architecto aperiam consequatur ut. Id laboriosam et possimus velit. Earum inventore fugiat sapiente ut totam quisquam ea.

Omnis id eaque quibusdam sit aperiam temporibus et. Omnis expedita quod dolor ab.

Ex debitis repellendus ad vel ullam placeat. Nemo sed voluptatem doloremque ea iure qui harum sunt. Amet eius consequuntur deleniti ea ut. Quos veniam et iure distinctio voluptatibus magnam. Et modi voluptatem veritatis provident.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”