BAFT-IFSA's Annual Meeting to Focus on Changing Global Banking Landscape

03 Jan 12
BAFT-IFSA, the association for organisations engaged in international transaction banking, will hold its global annual meeting outside the US for the first time since its inception, putting into practice one further element of its strategy in the establishment of this global commercial banking association. The 2012 Global Annual Meeting Conference will be held at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel in London on 23-24 January.

Under the theme of 'Transaction Banking in a Changing Global Landscape', the conference is designed to provide insight into the business implications of the wide-ranging regulatory and market changes being experienced by the global transaction banking industry today. Sessions will feature chief economists, bankers, banking clients and regulators, giving attendees exposure and access to a cross-section of the international banking industry. This is a gathering of industry practitioners organised by the industry and focused on their needs.

In an interview with gtnews, Jeremy Wilson, chairman, BAFT-IFSA board of directors and co-chair Europe Council, and vice chairman at Barclays Corporate, says: "The timing of this conference could hardly be better. Europe is in a state of flux, which makes this the best possible time to gather together transaction bankers from around the world to understand the issues and the way that the evolving structure of Europe will affect them and their clients going forward.

"The banking industry is facing major change in an environment where the regulators around the world are seeking to secure the safety of the banking system. Those changes include the Basel Committee's work on trade, liquidity and leverage. There is an acute need within the industry to understand the consequences of these measures and to work with regulators in ensuring that the wider interests and health of trade finance around the world are protected," he explains.

Wilson adds: "Another area under scrutiny is in the world of payments. There is increasing interest in the security and safety of the payments infrastructure, not least to ensure that it doesn't collapse due to lack of investment at a time when there is such significant demand for investment elsewhere across the industry as a whole."

Over 225 industry leaders and executives will be in attendance for the two-day event, which will feature a wide variety of keynote speakers, panel discussions, and evening networking reception. Confirmed speakers include Sir Philip Hampton, chairman, the Royal Bank of Scotland Group, and Chris Salmon, executive director of banking services, the Bank of England (BoE).

For complete programme details click here.

First published on www.gtnews.com