Regulation
CME widens footprint and connectivity
CHICAGO – The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) has outlined plans to broaden its global FX footprint and improve international connectivity.
Reuters develops Mifid data solutions
LONDON – Reuters is developing a series of tools aimed at meeting data requirements under Europe's Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (Mifid).
A quick fix for Mifid
Sell-side firms must adopt the FIX protocol or lose out, warns Chris Pickles , chair of the directive's Joint Working Group in London
CFTC stings Pioneer for record-keeping lapses
WASHINGTON, DC – The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission has fined futures commission merchant Pioneer Futures $25,000 in civil penalties, for failing to keep up-to-date records.
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.
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.