Risk has always been central to finance, and managing risk depends critically on information. As evidenced by recent events, the need has never been greater for skills, systems and methodologies to manage risk information in financial markets. Authored by leading figures in risk management and analysis, this handbook serves as a unique and comprehensive reference for the technical, operational, regulatory and political issues in collecting, measuring and managing financial data. It will appeal to a wide range of audiences, from financial industry practitioners and regulators responsible for implementing risk management systems, to system integrators and software firms helping to improve such systems. Volume I examines the business and regulatory context that makes risk information so important. A vast set of techniques and processes have grown up over time, and without an understanding of the broader forces at work, it is all too easy to get lost in the details.