Jefferies proves that ultra transparency will work

David Reilly ran a follow-up Wall Street Journal Heard on the Street column on Jefferies.

Regular readers will recall the Jefferies attempted to restore investor confidence by disclosing its individual exposures.

David describes how that worked out.

Jefferies Group has to show it has gotten back to business. 

For much of November, the midtier investment bank was in crisis mode, trying to quell fears about exposure to Europe and its balance sheet. This led Chief Executive Richard Handler to engage in a spirited defense, publishing information about individual positions while also reducing some holdings to prove the firm was nimble. 

While extreme, the approach seems to have reassured investors and customers.