Algo FIRST is a repository of over 8,000 case studies which include in-depth analysis of operational, credit, market, and strategic risk events, in addition to coverage of compliance-related and corporate governance events.

Primary enhancements of the new 4.2 version include email alerts of new case studies or updates that match criteria established through saved searches. The latest user defined reporting allows for the creation of customized reports and .pdf downloads which can be used for the generation of presentation quality output.

Also, Algorithmics' analysts have been covering the present credit crisis from its onset and Algo FIRST now contains 130 related case studies and additional analysis of bank failures that occurred during the past year as a result of contracting credit markets.

Penny Cagan, Managing Director, Credit & Operational Risk Content, Algorithmics, said: "Our clients are telling us that the current environment has changed the way they are using the case studies in Algo FIRST. In addition to looking at the operational risks, they are now developing scenarios that are multi-disciplinary and include a variety of complex risks. For many of these clients, the information has become an essential part of their holistic risk assessment."

Dr Michael Zerbs, President and COO of Algorithmics, commented: "Our content businesses, which include Algo FIRST, are an important differentiator for Algorithmics, which, in addition to state-of-the-art software solutions, offers market leading content that adds breadth to our overall business mix and is unmatched by our competitors."

Almost 100 financial institutions from a variety of sectors, including global and regional banks, asset managers and insurance companies, currently subscribe to Algo FIRST. They use the case studies heavily in their risk assessments, educational, risk awareness, and training programs. In addition, global regulators have targeted robust, cross-disciplinary and imaginative scenarios as an important component of effective risk management programs. The case studies in Algo FIRST provide robust and unique content for such initiatives.