Using radial basis functions to construct local volatility surfaces

This article presents a new method for constructing a volatility surface for use in local volatility option pricing models. It builds on previous work focussing on non-parametric regression approaches using a set of radial basis functions, specifically thin plate splines. Optimal parameters are found using a trust region optimisation approach. While there is still much work to be done, the results are encouraging and show that the method is relatively tractable, stable and accurate.