Euro contingency planning

The possibility of Euro break-up is now being discussed openly.

The negative consequences of some scenarios are so severe that we sincerely hope that such final outcomes will be avoided – there is a strong imperative on Europe to find a solution to avoid the worst outcomes. Even so it behoves treasurers to be briefing themselves on the issues and possibilities.

Working together the ACT and Deloitte have produced a briefing note on Euro contingency planning. Planning for unprecedented possible outcomes is not easy but steps can be taken right away and this briefing will serve as a checklist of aspects to review and consider.

Were some sort of break up to occur many of the risk arising are routine treasury management issues but taken to the extreme. The wider consequence is likely to be a general downturn and in that context the ACT has also updated its briefing note on Contingency planning for a downturn in the economy: a treasurer’s checklist.

• Click here to access the ACT / Deloitte briefing on Euro contingency planning

To help provide a range of views along with specific legal and economic information the ACT has collected together some weblinks to provide further relevant commentary and technical briefings.

• Slaughter and May:

• A selection of Slaughter and May briefings related to the Euro crisis
• We draw particular attention to an earlier ACT briefing that goes into more detail on some of the business issues. ACT - Contingency planning for a downturn in the economy
• Herbert Smith: Eurozone crisis publications including "Issues for corporates", 14.6.212
• FRC, Responding to increased country and currency risk in financial reports, 17.1.12
• Wolfson prize shortlist:3.4.12; five plans for a break-up of the Eurozone
• PWC: Potential break-up of the Eurozone: overview of tax implications, 20.1.12
• Clifford chance: The Eurozone crisis and derivatives, 12.1.12
• pwc: Blog - Managing Eurozone risk outcomes, 14 12.11
• pwc: What next for Eurozone? Potential outcomes for 2012, December 2011
• UBS Investment Research: Euro break-up – the consequences, 6.9.11 and Euro break-up – the consequences: Reprise, 5.12.11. Available only directly from UBSBusinesses plan for possible end of euro
• FT 29.11.11: Business and eurozone: Looking for the exit
• FT 29.11.11: Thinking the unthinkable on a euro break-up, Gavyn Davies
• Nomura: Currency risk in a Eurozone break-up – Legal aspects, 18.11.11
• Clifford Chance: The Eurozone Crisis and Eurobond Documentation