December 8, 2008 Issue Abstract

Market Realignment: Financial Crisis Creates Key 2009 Business Drivers: Risk Control, Regulatory Compliance, Restructuring. The global financial crisis that came to a head in September with the collapse of Lehman Brothers has dramatically reshaped business drivers for the securities and investment industry in 2009, according to projections by consultancy TowerGroup.

Industry Alert: Task Force Nails Causes of Crisis, Issues Recommendations. The Global Joint Initiative to Restore Confidence in the Securitization Markets has identified multiple factors which contributed to the current market crisis, and issues recommendations concerning disclosure and transparency for action by the industry.

Spotlight: Harold S. Bradley, Chief Investment Officer, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. The foundation, which manages about $2 billion in assets, pursues a mission of encouraging entrepreneurship to promote economic growth. Bradley joined in 2007 from American Century Investments, where he was among leading voices calling for changes in US market structure and exchange practices.

Technology Spending Trends: IT Spending in 2009 Is Aimed at Greater Efficiency. Major changes in IT priorities and spending are likely to occur in 2009 and 2010, according to an industry assessment by consultancy Celent, a unit of Oliver Wyman.

Asian Markets Monitor: Korean Depository Partners With Omgeo for Efficiency. The Korean Securities Depository (KSD), the central securities depository for South Korea, and Omgeo Ltd., provider of trade processing, risk mitigation and operational services, have formed a partnership to improve operational efficiency and automation for trade processing in the Korean investment community.

New Product Watch: Algorithmic Trading Innovations Leading the Way. Financial services firms and technology vendors have introduced several new solutions and product upgrades in the final quarter of the year.