Despite the current tumult in the securitization market, the American Securitization Forum's (ASF) upcoming yearly gathering is set to be well-attended.
As of ASR's deadline last Thursday, total registration was over 3,500. The numbers included just under 600 issuers and more than 1,100 investors. Further boosting the numbers are the 100 regulators signed up for the event. According to ASF officials, with walk-ins included, upwards of 4,000 are expected to attend the conference.
"The most important takeaway from the conference registration numbers, which are impressive in their own right, is that everyone who is involved in this business will be there," said George Miller, executive director of the ASF. "Registrants include a large number of investors and issuers, who are the principal participants in the ABS transactions. Apart from the panels, there will be a lot of business networking opportunities for all the participants."
As seen from the growth in the number of policy makers in attendance, this year there will be significant focus on government's involvement in ABS. One of the general sessions is titled Global Policy Responses to Market Turmoil; the principal deficiencies identified by global policymakers regarding securitization market activities will be discussed, as well as how regulatory responses should be coordinated across a global market. Sheila Bair, chairman, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and James Lockhart, III, director, Federal Housing Finance Agency are also featured speakers.
Aside from this, Miller said that the ASF will also be discussing its advocacy initiatives such as the Project on Residential Securitization Transparency and Reporting, or Project RESTART, which was designed to restore investor confidence in MBS and ABS. ASF will also provide an update on the global markets group, a body focused on identifying positive ways to help the markets function and to respond to systemic threats to the securitization industry.
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