The summer holidays mark a definite slowdown in financial activity. It is particularly frustrating for treasury departments that want to make rapid progress on projects only to find that key people are away from their offices. For governments and the financial authorities across Europe nothing much happens in August, but the corollary is that officials clear their desks at the end of July and announce all manner of ideas and consultations, before heading off to the beach. For that reason this month’s Technical Update is distinctly overweight on a host of changes that might affect a corporate treasurer.