Michael Hartweg of EFG Financial Products describes the benefits such as flexibility and transparency of using structured products.

David Schmid of EFG Bank’s EFG Financial Products Division explains the nature and development of EFG Financial Products, outlining the approach that has been taken to building an innovative product platform.

Switzerland's Vontobel Group has made its established issue platform deritrade® accessible to other issuers of structured products.

Jan Schoch, chief executive officer of EFG Financial Products Group, talks to Hubbis about the firm’s ambitions to fill the gap it sees in smaller-ticket yet tailor-made investment products in Asia – helping to address investors’ concerns about what they buy while at the same time growing its presence across the region.

Marc Lansonneur of Societe Generale Private Banking explains some of the products and strategies – as well as considerations – for investors to enhance yield and generate income for their portfolios.

Standard Chartered Bank has appointed Steven Phan as managing director, global head of structured equity, based in Hong Kong.

Maggie Tsui, deputy head of investment services for BNP Paribas Wealth Management in Asia, talks to Hubbis about some of the ways that investors can tackle choppy and uncertain markets via the use of income-enhancing and alternative investment strategies.

Fabian DePrey of RBC Capital Markets discusses how to use structured products to get capital protection, and looks at some of the issues and risks for investors to consider.

Fabian DePrey of RBC Capital Markets explains some of the current trends in structured products in Asia, including what private banks now expect from product manufacturers, and how to ensure suitability.

Amid today’s challenging and volatile markets, Bryan Henning, managing director and head of global research and investments for Barclays Wealth in Asia, talks to Hubbis about trends, opportunities and challenges in structured products, and looks at how investors can use them most effectively.

John A. Prestbo of Dow Jones Indexes looks at some of the trends, opportunities, challenges and misconceptions in relation to using indexes as underlyings for structured products.

The UK’s Financial Services Authority has fined Credit Suisse the equivalent of around US$9.5 million for systems and controls failings in relation to sales by its private bank of structured capital at risk products.

Paul Thind of RBS looks at the uses of custom index products, explaining their value in volatile markets, as well as the product development phase and how to discuss the products with clients.

Hong Kong’s securities watchdogs have issued a reminder to investors in light of recent market volatility about the credit risks associated with structured product issuers.

Australia’s securities regulator has imposed licence conditions on investment firm JB Global concerning the advice it provided on a number of capital protected and structured products.

Singapore Exchange is introducing new product disclosure templates to enhance the readability of term sheets for structured warrants, debentures and funds.

Legislative developments which take effect in Hong Kong next week will transfer the regulation of public offers of structured products in the form of shares or debentures from the prospectus regime of Companies Ordinance to the regime for public offers of investments under the Securities and Futures Ordinance.

Percy Chan of Bank of East Asia explains the various investment products available to wealthy individuals in China, and looks at the process and regulatory approvals involved in developing and launching new products.

Calvin Tso of HSBC reveals some of the key developments and changes underway in Taiwan’s wealth management industry – especially regulatory trends and their implications for products and sales practices.

Roman Scott of The Calamander Group discusses some of the structural, personnel and product issues which caused so many problems for Asia’s private banking industry in the financial crisis.

In the final part of this product briefing, market practitioners look at key issues and considerations in terms of how to sell equity derivatives appropriately to end-clients – focusing on suitability and addressing some of the common misunderstandings, plus a look at market changes since the financial crisis.

In Part 2 of this three-part product briefing, experienced market practitioners explain some of the ways that the equity derivatives market works – including key developments in Asia, the role of product manufacturers, factors affecting option pricing, and risks and issues to consider when buying options.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has lifted the bank on the sale of structured notes for six local distributors following its investigation into the sale and marketing of structured notes linked to Lehman Brothers.

In Part 1 of this three-part product briefing, experienced market practitioners talk about the basics of equity derivatives – including their key features, different types and applications of options, common ways that equity derivatives are used, and the characteristics, uses and risks of capital protection.

Nobody doubts that a more robust and effective suitability and disclosure regime in Hong Kong would have helped structured products issuers and distributors avoid many of the problems they have faced over the last two years. But there are aspects of the new regulations designed to address the shortcomings and protect the investing public which might not be in the best interests of the people they are intended to benefit.

Public offers of structured products in Hong Kong will be governed under a different set of rules going forward, as part of proposals to enhance regulation.

Mark Wightman of SuperDerivatives discusses various trends related to the low volatility environment in the wake of the financial crisis, and looks at the impact on product appetite, structuring and sales.

Peter Hu of Barclays Capital explains the shift towards simplicity, liquidity and transparency in structured products, amid changes in the approaches of regulators, issuers, distributors and investors post-financial crisis.