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• I would first like to thank His Highness Shaikh Sidman bin Hamad Al-Khalifs,
Crown Prince and Chairman of the Economic Development Board for hosting this
event. Thank you also to His Excellency, Rasheed bin Mohammed Al-Maraj,
Governor of the Central Bank of Bahrain, Mr. Mayank Malik, Chairman of the
Bahraini Association of Banks and Mr. Robert Ainey, its CEO, for inviting me to
be here with you this evening.
• I would also like to welcome all of our distinguished guests, including [names
TBD]
• It is an honor to be here tonight.
• Over the past eighteen months, we have experienced the most profound global
economic shock of our lifetimes. One year ago, we were in the midst of a crisis of
immeasurable proportions, with markets, prices and demand in free fall and
liquidity all but non-existent.
• Today, following aggressive actions by worldwide authorities the US. Federal
Reserve, and the U.S. Treasury with-ethersufberities-werldwider prifteipal-equity
emehnages-prices have riseintre-up, spreads and volatility have declined, and
credit is once again starting to fiow,ing-agein.
• If indeed; as some say. we are a quarter or two away from an economic recovery,
it is right-to-bow time to begin to focus on lessenffejhings that we may have
learned and what we should do may need to do differently negt-t-imedththeAtitug
• In this context, I would like to share with you some of my thoughts on topics that
are central to how at least . we intend need-to approach the enormous challenges
that lie ahead.
• These issues can be broken into three categories. -are Systemic Risk, Regulation,
and Reward.
.— Unfortunately mMest-any_of the world's citizens have learned ef-"Systemic
Rise the hard way. They have experienced first hand the financial devastation
that Systemic Risk can sowireal-eenseinenees-ef-persettal-fineneial-less-that-enft
himpen-quic4dndien-eonfftlenee4n-the-werld-finatieitektinrkets-fiitters;
•
—The near failure of our Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. followed by the strain,
bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers and the required intervention in MG, obliged
mest-magovernments around the world to support their own bank deposits
and money funds. Markets reacted with a devastating contraction in credits
•—aftd-a-drantatie-redeetien-in-the-appetite-fer-risk:
• We-Wee-en-the-yerge-of-a-systemie-heeekdevAt And jest-along with it being-elese
to the-pessibility-eithe-finatteialiserkets-failiag-restitted-itt-the worse recession in
our lifetimes., and for some, we came all to close to a lgpO's depression.
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• The economic impact of a possible systemic failure has been profound. "So
mueh-se, that many politicians, regulators, and pundits have now concluded that
the concept "Systemic Risk" needs to be eliminated altogether. While this may
ht-is an admirable goal, it is both impractical and illusory. In my
1I n li v h Haottau_ eliminate
systemic risk.
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• Systemic risk is aninievoidablen ever present threat tee-oll.o_ a
financial system that provides ow-the world economy with the capital and
liquidity necessary for its development. A healthy financial market supports
decisions on credit and duration risk that generate broad economic growth.
These risks can only be taken safely if all of us have confidence. If confidence
leaves us, then exposure to credit and funding risks, even if prudently managed.
will inevitably lead to a systemic failure.
• J believe tThe-tftlat-is, the only way to avoid a systemic failure is to have-a public
institutions that can step in when a failure is-eornitieseerns imminent and
provide a stabilizing amount of liquidity. Asa historical point, the United States
had chronic systemic failures until it created the Federal Reserve and FDIC in the
1930's, and we were late to the game. The UK figured this out in 1694, the French
in reco and Japan in 18z2. So while we all hope to avoid systemic failure, we
should recognize that finaneiel-failareeeltappenit always looms close by r and we
need the financial support alLsifsinref central banks to provide the ultimate he&
eIetksecillit/
• Another unfortunate wiry reality is that in all likelihood with the sued of
comnuters and the interconnectedness of the system. the inherent nature of
systemic risk is going to get more complicated, not less. -In-iny-eareeeeI have
bstuybdedeen-threegh three periods when the solvency of the U,S, banking
system was in question: The Latin American debt crises of r982, the U.S.
commercial real estate crises of uno and last year's events. What was unique
about -2008 was not that it happened, but its complexity and globality.
• It's ahriedantly-cmial_clear that future crises are likely to require more elaborate
and robust treatment as the world financial markets continue the trend towards
near instantaneous connection of companies, citizens and nations with their own
very diverse economic and political regimes.
• The global marketplace needs global banks that operate in extraordinary markets
24 hours a day. We need to address regulatory reform prospectively and not by
attempting to conform our industry and itls institutions to outdated regulations.
'I firmly believe digNusw regulations must conform to global finance as
practiced in the 21.51 century.
.—Evolution in complexity and connectivity is a reality of our global economy akin
to-the-teends-towerdweveretlyaneintspeeds4weompeteepreeessing:
•—The answer is not to suppress what banks can do. For if we do, all that will
happen is that-eewpther less regulated financial vehicles will develop-treseppos
theevolving-treed*of-finetteinknierkets:
• move in to fill the void
• The investment banks of 20 years ago did-net-seemed to pose little systemic risk.
But then the world embraced global capital markets and fti_tFed highly regulated
banks became handicapped in thiathe new environment. In short order,
investment banks, exploiting the loosely regulated capital marketsend-leesely
regulated. themselves became players with systemic risk. Merely attempted to
li miting-the creativity of regulated banks will not change the reality of evolving
global markets.
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• Thethitanswer to avoiding a systemic failure is perhaps found in the
extraordinary measures taken by the U.S. Treasury and Federal Reserve last year.
• Although many have questioned the appropriateness of actions taken by the Fed,
the FDIC and other agencies, in IIidsight their activities greatly reduced the
ultimate economic pain of this crisis. Mid what the Fed and other central banks
did was to extend their reach beyond commercial banks.
• Thelient-time
• lf there is a next time . thet-a poteatial-systemie-hrefteleof-thegkihel-fintineial • Formatted: Bullets and Numbering
system-tippet:merit is more likely that the appropriate countermeasures will need
policy backing and the collective balance sheets of the world's leading economies
in order to respond with a force commensurate to the magnitude of Systenrieaisk
in this new century.
• While I believe that the world banks showed an admirable level of cooperation
in facing this recent crisis, the next time will require an even mere
effieientereater collective global response. JPMorgan fully supports the Geo's
efforts to reform financial regulation so that governments have broader and
more coordinated authority.
• We have suggested that regulation be delineated by product (derivatives, for
example) and not necessarily by legal entity. We support the increased use of
clearing houses and the proposals regarding lending disclosures. Hedge funds,
private equity firms, and off balance sheet vehicles should be within the reach of
regulators, but, care should be taken not towithem etiniinatitig-thifilunti their
unique freedoms and positive attributes.
• Systemic regulators should have the freedom to seek out risk . I.—
anywhere and be able to do seinethinguheut4tagn.. In addition, procedures need
to be put into place to deal with problems that may develop in the largeIt of
global institutions that have previously beenare considered by at least some
some to be in-the4arge -Too Big to Fail."A4ftstittitiens Failure is fieescceptable
so long as it's both orderly, controlled, and leads to a more stable result
resolution. What we need is a resolution process that allows failure without
causing cascading damage.-to the-wholeemtene
• Leading up to last years' events, some markets, like parts of the mortgage
business, were unregulated; others were over-regulated or improperly regulated.
Reinsurance companies like MG, AMBAC and MBIA guaranteed trillions in
bonds and securitized loans with less than 1,5% of the capital ratios that applied to
the regulated banking sector. Broker-dealers like Lehman were freed-at
from the capital and regulatory framework applied to commercial banks.
Leverage ratios were in general too lax and virtually all policies were pro-cyclical.
• Many adopted a view that AAA securities were virtually riskless and immediately
liquid. This terrible mistake was made by the best and the brightest in both
governments ealsinets-and financial board rooms. This notion that AAA
securities waswere equal to cash led to false assumptions in quantitative models.
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These false assumptions beeemeconflicted with the market's reality, and the
rest is history.
• As you are aware Regulation and policy can both have profound and
unintended consequences. It's no surprise that two of the most highly regulated
US agencies, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, were at the epicenter ofetw-the_most
recent crisis. In order to satisfy political agendas, these entities were exempt
from existing bank accounting disclosure, and were even encouraged to make
high Loan-to-Value loans to scores of non-qualified buyers.
• The-I realize the meta- message is that-better and broader regulation.-is needed.
But we need-tede-this-wiremust proceed with great caution. Because poor
regulation may very well plant the seed of a distortion in the financial markets
that will-might itself catLreirew-into our next crisis.
• This brings me tot my third topic Reward . The always sensitive topic of
compensation—that is, how to measure, motivate and deliver rewards prudently
in the financial sector. In my experience — particularly over the last year — this
topic has become increasingly more critical, complex and fraught with
misunderstanding.
• Mismanaging compensation can eventually destroy an otherwise thriving
company. Improperly regulating compensation can destroy an industry. We
strive to hire, train and retain the best talent-smart, ethical, hardworking
entrepreneurial individuals—and getting their compensation right is criticaldu
our stliteSS..
• Why? We cannot ask our people to earn be satisfied with significantly less than
what their talents can ittylv_generate in &tea competitive market. We need to
ensure that we pepeople in accordance with the growing
complexities of the global market fitIt1-41-filigfiettitt-wit4t-the-grewiittptemmeters
aceystentie-risk,
• Simply put, we need talent,
• Talent to manage risk. Talent to make complex investments. talent and security • Formatted: Bullets and Numbering
If not, we will be forced to rely on less talented-experienced people to operate in
a far more complex environment than we had in the past...just as the Navy places
nuclear engineers in our nuclear submarines...we need the best and most
qualified employees in our nualsomplex businesses.
• At JPMorgan, our Asset Management division made some $2 billion for the firm
at a time when other parts of the firm were stugglingthat-vrewerein-thentidreof
the-fineneial-erises. We provided a counter balance to some of our leas fortunate
businesses in Morgan for example those tied 4ied-redireetly_credit. This was a
good thing.
• But we openly compete with many diverse and sophisticated players in the
financial world, from mutual fund companies like Fidelity, to private equity firms
like KKR. So when wc think about compensation we have to thin): about fairneco
foretw-peeple-iii-theeentent-ectite-mathet-plaee. We need to pay portfolio
managers competitively—or we will not be able to retain the necessary talent.
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Moreover, to-thieh-that-it should be apparent that a trader managing the complex
balance sheet of a global bank requires aaything-not ing less than the financial
skill, market insight, and understanding of ABM-that the best hedge hind
managercneedecisthething-shoft-of-dangereas.
• Wall Street and similar markets are their best and most productive when allowed
to function as meritocracies. We operate in a harsh and difficult industry and true
success should be rewarded.
•—That said, let me share with tell you a4itile-ahottian inside sun, pf some prudent
and important compensation practices we adopted early on at JPMorgan. -lleree
afreceroievo
•
1) First, we pay our people based on an assessment of their multiyear
performance and how they have helped to build long-term sustainable results.
Because of this approach, our compensation was not excessively exuberant in the
best of times, during which the rising tide frequently lifted all boats.
2) Also I want to make the point that performance for us is not a simple financial
measure. It includes a review of broader factors and contributions a person
brings to the company. otherktetorsouch as integrity a strong work ethic. -arid
compliance to policies and practices the commitment to recruiting, training. and
develop a diversgity team, as well as the ability to show creativity and
innovation.awarefteasc
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3) We have a bonus recoupment policy beyond thaegaes beyond that s required
by law Setbrittes-Omie!A
4) We de-net-have not provided executives with change-of-control agreements,
golden parachutes, special retirement plans, severance packages or merger
bonuses.
5) For quite some time, we have paid a significant portion of incentive
compensation in stock that vests over multiple years; roughly 5o% for our senior
management compensation is paid in stock.
6) Lastly, the most senior managers must retain 75% of all stock that they have
received from the Company.
• In our Asset Management division we have a policy that specifically prohibits the
granting of compensation guarantees. In my view, guaranteeing a bonus violates
the principle of pay for performance and puts one employee on a different risk
return scale than another employee. But compensation needs to be fair.
• Let me close by saying-that-we-harea-let-te-relleet-en-hererAifil, as business and
government leaders start to draw conclusions from events that unfolded during
the past year, it is my hope that they can respond constructively to put in place
appropriate safeguards and regulations for our increasingly complex financial
market.
• For me, the silver lining in last year's crises was how much the world has learned
about its interconnectedness. The impact of each of our actions isitet-isolatechk
felt almost instantaneously by others. We now have evidence that we arealL in
this together, and we will need to stand together to face the nett financial
challenges that are likely to be aleadotha-asemeinarket. To do so, we must
understand the ever more nuanced operating environment in which markets
function.
• My colleagues and I at JPMorgan would like to encourage all who are present
today to participate actively in the dialogue with their respective governments,
agencies, and businesses about the realities of Systemic Risk, the need for a more
global policy framework to be able to more readily respond to future crises, and
the importance of fair and just rewards for performance in our industry.
• But let's have that dialogue with the past lessons as prologue heelettr
understanding that we can't ge beck to th.. ...,,,:ae-after-learning-hew-te
hantess-nitelear-pewerr. I truly believe -Asthat as the world financial system
grows and evolves in complexityrieetrensureThat-we-keepree—beth
teehmelegieallyeed-phileeephieelly-teensure-that-we-ean„ our solutions will also
become more complex, but it is my hope that we will attempt to meet these
challenges together -etwititineteeneet-theehallenges-presented-by-theehanging
speetnntrof-systemierisk-and-tegulation.
Thank you.
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