Regulation
Forex firm fined record $100m for fraud
NEW YORK – A US federal court ruled in favour of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) last week, as it found a foreign exchange futures firm liable for the illegal sale of futures contracts. The $100 million restitution and penalty charges…
ACI Congress debates future
LONDON – The European forex community gathered in London last week for the ACI European Congress hosted by ACI UK. Among the contentious issues discussed during the three-day event were operational risk, the future of the European Union and trading in…
Raising the standard for London
ACI’s European Congress in London this week has been two years in preparation. Robin Poynder, chairman of the organising committee, describes the agonies and ecstasies of staging the forex industry event in the UK capital
Dealers dismiss UK euro entry
LONDON – More than a quarter of forex dealers interviewed for an exclusive poll for FX Week think sterling will never become part of the single European currency. Another 10% believe the UK’s entry into the euro is at least another 10 years away – with…
Advanced IRB Basel II approach delayed
BASEL – The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision has said that implementation of the advanced internal ratings-based approach (IRB) for credit risk and the advanced measurement approach (AMA) for operational risk will be delayed until the end of 2007…
BIS reports FX options surge
BASEL – FX options business increased by a massive 77% year-on-year in the second half of last year, according to Bank for International Settlements (BIS) statistics released last week.
Banks compete for e-FX talent
LONDON – Dealers combining technological and sales expertise are in short supply as banks compete to secure staff that can aid their success in the growing online FX market.
NAB options desk "open again"
MELBOURNE – National Australia Bank (NAB) has resumed limited trading in currency options, as an April 30 deadline to amend its shortcomings passed last week.
Corporates and banks still behind on IAS 39
LONDON – With the January 2005 implementation date for accounting standard IAS 39 fast approaching, corporates and financial institutions are still behind in their preparation, according to a recent survey carried out by Reuters and FX Week ’s sister…
ACI expects 1,200 delegates in London
LONDON – Forex industry body ACI is expecting 1,200 attendees for the European congress in London later this month, said Robin Poynder, chairman of the congress organising committee.
Banks draw EU25 battle plans
LONDON – Euro convergence may yet be years away for the 10 new member states joining the European Union (EU) this weekend, but far-sighted banks and brokers are already drawing up their FX battle plans for the new Europe.
FX profits soar as funds up risk
NEW YORK -- Citigroup and State Street both reported surges in Q1 FX revenue last week on the back of increased activity from fund managers, senior officials told FX Week .
MAS move could pre-empt peg changes
SINGAPORE -- The Monetary Authority of Singapore’s surprise move last week towards a "policy of modest and gradual appreciation" for the Singapore dollar may be a pre-emptive move to counter Asian peg revaluations.
UK banks advised to delay Basel compliance
LONDON -- UK banks could make substantial savings by delaying full compliance with the Basel II Capital Accord until after it is implemented in 2007, according to new research.
BoA revenues dwarf merger partner’s
CHARLOTTE -- Bank of America’s purchase of FleetBoston Financial in late March is unlikely to bring much to its FX revenues, according to financial results published last week.
Japan’s FSA issues action against JPMC
TOKYO -- Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) has issued an administrative action against the Tokyo branch of JP Morgan Chase, requesting it improve its compliance and internal controls. JP Morgan Chase is requested to "submit the Business Improvement…
Polish brokers struggle with new regulations
WARSAW -- Foreign exchange brokers in Poland are set to be in breach of forex law as a result of changes required before Poland accedes to the European Union next month. From May 1, all firms offering any foreign exchange trading services, across spot,…
Richmond launches currency fund for Asia
HONG KONG -- Richmond Asset Management is set to launch a new fund in Hong Kong this month, to capitalise on increased opportunities to profit from currency strengthening, officials said last week. The Bermuda-based Currency Optimiser fund will be…
IAS39 amended for macro hedging
LONDON -- The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) last week announced an amendment to IAS39 to aid the use of macro hedging.
ScotPower’s £400m dollar hedging boon
Glasgow -- International energy firm ScottishPower has made £400 million ($728 million) from hedging its US dollar revenues, it said last week.
ACI issues reminder on funds
PARIS -- Industry body ACI last week issued a reminder of its recommendations on overpaid funds.
The zero-cost double KO/KI forward
A double knock-out/knock-in forward may provide a Mexican manufacturer with an effective zero-cost hedge, say Vincent Lee and Richard Stang, vice-presidents in FX sales at TD Securities in Toronto
Banks unclear on new research rules
LONDON -- The UK’s FX Joint Standing Committee is to host a meeting with UK regulator the Financial Services Authority (FSA) to clarify the forex implications of FSA rules on research that were released last week.
Watchdog savages NAB
MELBOURNE -- National Australia Bank’s currency options desk will remain closed until it has satisfied requirements issued by its regulator in a damning report released last week.