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British Bankers' Association Response To Walker Review

Date 16/07/2009

BBA chief executive Angela Knight said:

"The Walker Review is about strong governance: It is about ensuring leadership by boards and proper risk controls across the business in both banks and other financial institutions, and it is also about getting the debate on pay packages into the right place by ensuring reward structures look to the long term. It is also about addressing thee responsibilities of the major investors to look at long-term strategies and not just short term returns. They are owners, not just investors.

"These recommendations stem from the actions that a number of banks and other financial institutions have already put in place: we have already seen many of the Walker proposals in action and bringing benefits. These proposals would effectively bring all firms’ governance up to the standards of the best and are therefore to be welcomed.

"These proposals added together make very substantial changes to the rules. The next step – and the key step – will be to get similar high standards adopted internationally."