Regulation
Italy's Banca Akros adopts Corona CLS
MILAN – Banca Akros, the investment-banking arm of Italy's Banca Popolare di Milano group, has implemented SmartStream Technologies' Corona CLS to manage its confirmation matching process.
BoA hit by spate of forex departures
LONDON & NEW YORK – Gaps are widening within Bank of America's FX operations, with a flood of departures last week.
Mifid – a commercial opportunity
The commercial opportunities Mifid presents to the foreign exchange dealer are examined by Chris Pickles, chair of the directive's Joint Working Group in London
Where there's change, there's opportunity
The financial markets are exceptionally good at thinking up new and innovative ways of getting things done when hurdles emerge.
Carry on... with a difference
There are many ways to take advantage of uncorrelated carry trades, says Marios Maratheftis, FX strategist at standard chartered in London
Traders unmoved by BoJ interest rate rise
TOKYO – Traders shrugged off the Bank of Japan's decision to raise interest rates by 25 basis points last Wednesday (February 21), with the yen remaining weak in its wake.
Man Financial fined by CFTC for poor supervision
WASHINGTON DC – Man Financial is paying almost $316,000 in penalties for failing to effectively supervise staff.
FXall goes live with Accelor ECN
LONDON – FX trading portal FXall has launched Accelor, its new anonymous electronic communications network (ECN). The platform went live with a pilot group of 30 sell- and buy-side participants at the end of last month, and is now being rolled out more…
ETrade pilots platform for US retail investors
NEW YORK – Electronic broker ETrade Securities has begun piloting an electronic trading platform for US retail investors to trade FX and equities in international markets.
FXall adds benchmark fixings to QuickOMS
LONDON – FXall has added benchmark fixings from Citigroup, HSBC and the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) to its order management system, QuickOMS.
Further restructuring at Bank of America
LONDON – Ravi Mudan has been promoted to global head of FX proprietary trading at Bank of America (BoA) in London.
Texas court fines PIC $123 million
WASHINGTON DC – The Texas Federal Court has levied more than $123 million in fines and restitution, in a case filed against Premium Income Corp (PIC) and its affiliates, Inforex and Tri-Forex International.
Currenex set to move into new asset class
NEW YORK – Trading technology vendor Currenex is going multi-asset class, according to officials at the company in New York.
EIIB launches Islamic money-market instrument
LONDON – The European Islamic Investment Bank (EIIB) has begun accepting funds under Wakala placements, following approval by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) in the UK.
The importance of best execution
The biggest piece of news to come out of last week is the sale of Currenex to State Street for $564 million.
Mifid explained – an introduction
Chris Pickles, chair of the Mifid Joint Working Group in London, discusses the implications of the directive on foreign exchange
CFTC to adapt rules governing futures traders
WASHINGTON DC – The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) last week said futures traders will be required to become registered members of a self-regulatory trade association from February.
Parker Global launches investable forex index
STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT – Investment consultant Parker Global Strategies (PGS) has launched PGS FX Alpha Edge, an investable foreign exchange index.
Oregon state, CFTC fines Orion founder
OREGON – The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the District Court of Oregon have fined Russell Cline, founder of foreign currency trading firm, Orion International $33 million.
February 2006 - BoA builds algorithmic forex capabilities
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS – Bank of America (BoA) took a major step towards building up its algorithmic trading capabilities in the FX space, with the acquisition of algorithmic-driven pricing and trading specialist, Financial Labs.
Wooden Nickel scammers fined $25 million
NEW YORK – Individuals and companies involved in the Operation Wooden Nickel trading scam have been ordered to pay some $25 million by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).