Thursday, November 3, 2011

Is the MF-type problem systemic? (Bruce Kasting)

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2011

On MF

The MF Global story gets more bizarre by the minute. At this point one has to ask if it could become a systemic problem. At first, I did not think so. I’m rethinking that. There is no definitive information as of yet. The CFTC is suggesting that the missing client money is $633mm. It might be larger than that (Zero Hedge Link). Some thoughts:

I was one of many who tried to stave off the bankruptcy of Drexel Burnham Lambert in 1989. Skadden Arps, (the same law firm who is advising MF today) was involved in the last month as the chess game played out. They were advisers. Their clear advice was to NOT commingle  custody accounts. To commingle funds is potential jail time for any involved. Drexel went down. But client money/assets were returned.

Of course Corzine and all the other seniors at MF knew this. Skadden was giving them the same advice as they gave to DBL 20 years ago. So how can it be that three days after a chapter filing there appears to be a very big hole?
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