Links

Institutional Risk Analytics (IRA) provides customized risk management solutions and advisory services to global enterprises.  A division of Lord, Whalen LLC, IRA was established in 2003 by Dennis Santiago and Christopher Whalen.  IRA publishes objective performance ratings on all US banks and provides financial advisory services to institutional investors.  IRA also provides bank ratings to thousands of consumers via the firm's www.irabankratings.com portal.

Tough Times for Lenders (www.toughtimesforlenders.com) is a blog dedicated to "news, information and commentary on important issues affecting troubled or problem commercial assets in the financial services industry."  Posts are supplied by attorneys at Winstead PC, a Texas-based law firm focusing on the legal needs of mid-market and larger businesses. 

 “The mission of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is to protect investors, maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets, and facilitate capital formation.”

A good free source of structured finance information from a variety of industry players.

SIFMA is “dedicated to representing more than 650 member firms of all sizes, in all financial markets in the U.S. and around the world … to enhancing the public’s trust and confidence in the markets, delivering an efficient, enhanced member network of access and forward-looking services, as well as premiere educational resources for the professionals in our industry and the investors whom they serve.”

“The Joint Center for Housing Studies is Harvard University's center for information and research on housing in the United States. The Joint Center analyzes the dynamic relationships between housing markets and economic, demographic, and social trends, providing leaders in government, business, and the non-profit sector with the knowledge needed to develop effective policies and strategies.”

The European Covered Bond Council is affiliated with the European Mortgage Federation.  Its important site offers resources including free downloads of its “European Covered Bond Fact Book” and “Essential Features of Covered Bonds.”

Founded in 1967, the European Mortgage Federation describes itself as “the voice of the mortgage industry at EU level.”  Since covered bonds are rooted so deeply in Europe, this is a “must visit” site.  It offers a wide array of publications that can be downloaded for free.

According to this website, AllReg’s original mission “was to provide a single location for mortgage professionals who needed to research GSE and Agency Guidelines. Over the years, we have expanded our publishing domain to include Federal and State Statutes and Regulations, Analysis and Commentary, interpretative practical 'How To' manuals and AllRegs Academy.”

 

The Association of Pfandbrief German Banks (vdp) currently comprises 35 member financial institutions.  “Pfandbriefs” refers to one of the oldest forms of covered bonds, which traces its heritage back to 1769.  This group of German banks has one of the largest outstanding portfolios of covered bonds.