The London Metal Exchange considers settling some of its contracts in Chinese yuan rather than sterling. The World Bank makes a fairly predictable move and taps Jim Yong Kim as its next leader. Exchange execs continue to fret about the future of trade volume, given increased competition and commonality between OTC and listed derivatives. More banks report earnings; more concern flows from the Eurozone; and more unease is expressed at sightings of financial behavior that got us in trouble only a few years ago. In the top box, JLN Metals editor Nicole V. Rohr has another interview, this time with Jeffrey Christian of CPM Group on the challenge and rewards of analyzing gold with an eye toward cold numbers.

DB’s Reto Franconi says that even if the DB-NYSE merger fails, he’ll still be looking for ways to merge his exchange with others.  S&P’s downgrades of various countries, banks and funds creates a lot of attention, but not much immediate reaction from investors.  The World Bank sounds a grim note to emerging nations, warning them to prepare for financial trouble if the European crisis continues to worsen.  In the top box today, double commentary:  one from Doug Ashburn of JLN FX on Mario Draghi; and one from Jim Kharouf of JLN Managed Futures on the state of the managed futures sector for 2012.