HSBC is writing checks to the CFTC totaling $75 million via the resolution of two of the regulator’s orders — one involving alleged swaps transaction violations and a $45 million penalty, and the other based on charges of recordkeeping and supervisory failures that incurred a $30 million penalty. The swaps order encompasses allegations that HSBC… Read More >>
FTF Unveils Winners of the 2023 FTF Awards
With nods to established players and voter enthusiasm for other providers hitting their stride, Financial Technologies Forum (FTF) has unveiled the winners of the 2023 FTF News Technology Innovation Awards competition. The 30 winners of the FTF Awards competition — now in its 12th year — are being honored for achievements during 2022. “It’s not… Read More >>
Deutsche Bank Buys Numis for $511M & Other News
Acquisition Helps Deutsche Bank’s Global Strategy Deutsche Bank reports that it has agreed to an all-cash offer of $511 million for the acquisition of London-based corporate broking and advisory firm Numis Corp., and that the transaction will allow the German banking giant to advance its Global Hausbank strategy. Numis provides strategic advice and capital market… Read More >>
CFTC Approves 24th SEF & Other News
RTX Fintech & Research Launches a SEF Another swap execution facility (SEF) has gotten regulatory approval, raising the number of active SEFs to 24. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission last week issued an order of registration to RTX Fintech & Research LLC (RTX SEF) allowing RTX SEF to launch, according to the CFTC. The New York… Read More >>
Barclays Capital Fined $2.5M via LOPR Reporting Case
Barclays Capital Inc., a member of FINRA, the broker-dealer industry’s self-regulatory authority since 2007, has agreed to a censure and a $2.5 million fine for allegedly failing to report, or inaccurately reporting, over-the-counter (OTC) options positions to the Large Options Positions Reporting (LOPR) system. That alleged reporting hiccup happened approximately 4.3 million times from January… Read More >>
Derivatives Firms Take Ransomware More Seriously: Q&A
(Editor’s note: In late January, ION Cleared Derivatives, part of the ION Group, reported “a cybersecurity event,” which was a ransomware attack that set off a crisis for the global processing of cleared derivative instruments. The attack got the attention of the CFTC and the Futures Industry Association (FIA) as company officials worked to resolve… Read More >>
CFTC Charges Binance Founder With Evading U.S. Law
The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) reports it has “filed a civil enforcement action charging [Binance founder] Changpeng Zhao [CZ] and three entities that operate the Binance platform with numerous violations of the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) and CFTC regulations.” The CFTC complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of… Read More >>
CFTC Mandates UPIs for Swaps Records & Reporting
Without much fanfare, the CFTC in mid-February ordered registered entities and swap counterparties to use the unique product identifiers (UPIs) supplied by the Derivatives Service Bureau (DSB) for swaps in the credit, equity, foreign exchange, and interest rate asset classes to bolster transparency and compliance with CFTC swap recordkeeping and reporting requirements. In addition, the… Read More >>
BofA Securities Fined $5M via OTC Reporting Case
“Oops, I did it again” might work as an excuse once, maybe even twice, especially if accompanied by a twinkly smile. But 7.4 million times? It’s not that innocent, as Britney might say. Let’s all sing along with the verse: FINRA, the self-regulating authority for U.S. broker-dealers, which is overseen by the Securities and Exchange… Read More >>
Northern Trust Grows Digital Consulting Team & Other News
Northern Trust Adds Four to Digital Consulting Group Northern Trust has appointed Benjamin Bobroff to head its new digital solutions consulting group, which is in its asset-servicing business development division. Northern Trust also has made three other senior appointments intended to support the “continued strategic focus and investment in digital innovation,” according to a prepared statement. The three will… Read More >>
