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Types of risk in foreign exchange

Types of risk in foreign exchange
1.   market risk or price risk
the risk arising out of the movement in rates of foreign exchange currencies is the market risk or pricing risk. This risk arise out of the open currency position which is unchanged. Given the magnitude of exchange rate fluctuation the possibilities of substantial losses highly exists.

2.   credit risk
the credit risk arise when counter party, whether a customer or a bank, fails to meet his obligation and the resulting open position has to be covered at the ongoing rate. If the rate has moved against, a loss can result and vise versa.

3. Operations risk
operations risk can arise because of failure of computer systems. A loss can also occure due to human error, fraud or lack of effective internal controls. Operative risk could also arise because most deals are done over the telephone and there could also arise because most deals are done over the telephone and there could be misunderstanding over what was agreed in terms of rate.

1.   liquidity risk
the risk arises when for whatever reason market turn illiquid and positions cannot be liquidated except at a huge price concession. In volatile markets, the bid-offer spread tends to widen.
Example ; usd ; inr market, in normal conditions, the inter bank bid-offer spread is 0.5 to 1 paise. But, when there is volatility or illiquidity due to demand-supply imbalance, the spread often widens to 5 paise or more.

2.   settlement risk

the risk is of the counter party failure during settlement, because of the time difference in the markets, in which cash flows in the currencies have to be paid and received.
This risk has made many banks impose a settlement limit on counter parties for aggregate settlements on any value date.

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