LIBA - About

LIBA is the principal trade association in the United Kingdom for firms which are active in the investment banking and wholesale securities industry. LIBA represents the London offices of investment banks from around the world.

Investment banking forms an essential part of the City of London's financial services industry. It includes:

corporate finance and other forms of structured finance and advice, particularly in connection with new issues of securities, mergers and takeovers
securities trading and broking in equities, bonds, and derivatives
banking services for companies and public authorities
treasury dealing and financial engineering to protect corporate clients from interest rate and currency risks
investment management for institutions and private clients.

LIBA represents the interests of its members on all aspects of their business. It promotes Members' views authoritatively to legislators, regulators, and opinion-formers, in the UK, in Europe, and worldwide - the ability to represent investment banks' views collectively adds significantly to the weight which the industry's opinions carry, and as a result leverages the resources and expertise which Members possess individually.

LIBA works with other trade associations, particularly those which represent other sectors of the financial services industry, on particular issues where common views carry more weight, or where joint activity is an efficient use of resources.

LIBA provides a forum for Members to exchange views informally on matters which are of common interest or concern.

LIBA is also a means for Members to liaise collectively with the outside world on administrative matters. An example of this is our provision of careers information

LIBA's work is supervised by a number of Committees, each of which determines LIBA's policy in relation to its areas of specialisation.

The Committees establish Working Parties to carry forward detailed work on particular issues as the need arises.

Committees and Working Parties are recruited direct from senior personnel in Member firms. LIBA thus ensures that the views which it expresses are the authoritative opinion of the investment banking community as a whole, and that the issues which it examines are directly relevant to Members' business.

The work of each Committee is coordinated and administered by a member of LIBA's staff. The Committee chairmen and LIBA staff liaise regularly to ensure that LIBA's policy and activities are carried forward in a coherent and structured way.