Regions

GLOBAL - Mercer is preparing to launch a web-based capital market modelling tool that will allow pension fund clients to self-generate strategic asset allocations and construct theoretical portfolios.

GLOBAL - As banks continue to post third quarter trading results, the picture that has emerged has been very mixed, with third quarter losses balanced by overall year-to-date profits and strong performances in other divisions.

PHILIPPINES - The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has awarded mandates for its $1bn Global Investment Program (GIP) to ING Investment Management and Credit Agricole Asset Management.

GLOBAL - UBS is understood to be reviewing the role of its director of transition management, Jody Windmiller, as part of a general restructure.

INCLUDING: UK - Barings launches 130-30 Fixed Income White Paper, ITALY - New staffers for Cordea Savills in Milan, UK - Gillespie leaves Watson Wyatt; UK - Property appointment at Hewitt

Including: AUSTRALIA - JPM appoints head of securities; DUBAI - Moody's moves into Middle East; UK - Barings appoints multi-manager head; UK - IAM appoints head of client relations; UK - New FD for Standard Life

GLOBAL - An ex-Morgan Stanley staffer has set up PensionsFirst, a company managing longevity exposure and market volatility risks for defined benefit (DB) pension schemes.

INCLUDING: US - LASERS board of trustees elected; UK - Close multi-manager division departure; CANADA - Union calls for better standards; UK - Aviary boosts sales team

GLOBAL - A tool to facilitate pension funds' Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) compliance has been launched today by BidRoute.

GLOBAL - Credit Suisse Group had a record net income of CHF7.2bn (US$6.2bn) for the first nine months of 2007, however, its asset management division suffered a sharp decline of assets under management (AuM).