News Centre

£1700 Per Hour Raised Through Crowdfunding In The UK

Date 05/03/2014

New statistics have revealed more than £1,700 per hour is being raised via crowdfunding in the UK.

ICE Reports February Daily Volumes

Date 05/03/2014

IntercontinentalExchange Group (NYSE: ICE), the leading global network of exchanges and clearing houses, today reported exchange traded volumes for February 2014.

Expert Comment From Warwick Business School Dean Professor Mark Taylor On Bank Of England Suspending A Staff Member In Investigation Over Foreign Exchange Rigging

Date 05/03/2014

The Bank of England have suspended a member of staff after investigating potential rigging of the foreign exchange market.

Bank Of England: Foreign Exchange Market Review

Date 05/03/2014

It is a matter of public record that the Bank of England has been conducting an internal review into allegations that Bank of England officials condoned or were informed of manipulation in the foreign exchange market or the sharing of confidential client information.  This extensive review of documents, emails and other records has to date found no evidence that Bank of England staff colluded in any way in manipulating the foreign exchange market or in sharing confidential client information.  However, the Bank requires its staff to follow rigorous internal control processes and has today suspended a member of staff, pending investigation by the Bank into compliance with those processes.

Statement On The Decision Of The European Commission Closing The Case Involving EPEX SPOT

Date 05/03/2014

The European Commission closed on 5 March 2014 the antitrust procedure involving EPEX SPOT SE. EPEX SPOT has been subject to an on-site inspection by the Commission in February 2012. This inspection was triggered by alleged anticompetitive outcomes of the cooperation with Nord Pool Spot in the context of the integration of the European energy market by 2014. The Commission has rendered a settlement decision resulting in a fine imposed on EPEX SPOT.

Antitrust: European Commission Fines Two Power Exchanges € 5.9 Million In Cartel Settlement

Date 05/03/2014

The European Commission has imposed fines totalling € 5 979 000 on the two leading European spot power exchanges, EPEX Spot ("EPEX") and Nord Pool Spot (NPS) for having agreed not to compete with one another for their spot electricity trading services in the European Economic Area (EEA). Such behaviour breaches EU antitrust rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive practices. Power exchanges are organised markets for trading electricity. Spot trading means trading in the short run, such as within the same day or for the next day. NPS and EPEX received a fine reduction of 10% each for agreeing to settle the case with the Commission.

Antitrust: European Commission Fines Romanian Power Exchange OPCOM For Discriminating Against EU Electricity Traders

Date 05/03/2014

The European Commission has imposed a fine of just over € 1 million on S.C. OPCOM S.A. for abusing its dominant position in the Romanian market for facilitating electricity spot trading, in breach of EU antitrust rules. OPCOM operates the only power exchange in Romania. Power exchanges are organised markets for trading electricity. Spot trading means trading in the short run (e.g. within the same day or for the next day). The Commission found that OPCOM discriminated against EU-based electricity traders from outside Romania for over five years.

Joaquín Almunia, Commission Vice President in charge of competition policy, said: "Power exchanges are key to the efficient functioning of energy markets, in the best interest of consumers. OPCOM’sabusive behaviour prevented EU traders from joining the Romanian power exchange's spot markets, creating an artificial barrier to entry in breach of EU competition rules. National barriers of this type do not only hamper the completion of a Single Market in energy, but also stand in the way of the development of efficient, liquid markets." (see also the statement)

Statement By European Commission Vice-President Joaquín Almunia On Antitrust Decisions On Power Exchanges

Date 05/03/2014

Today the Commission adopted two antitrust decisions related to power exchanges - the platforms where electricity is traded.

Insurance Services Provider REG (UK) Selects DataArt As Sole Technology Partner For Regulatory Compliance Platform - DataArt And REG (UK) Cut Insurance Industry’s 1-4 Week Business Agreement Processes (TOBA) To 24 Hours Or Less

Date 05/03/2014

DataArt, a custom software development partner for the financial services and other industries, today announced it has completed the development of Regulatory Efficiency Gains (“REG”)’s digital platform. The online tool, which went “live” in early February, will help FCA-approved and global insurance intermediaries streamline their compliance processes, cut costs and facilitate business dealings between counterparties. The solution is a standalone online network and compliance platform which requires no further IT integration with Members.

Warsaw Stock Exchange Derivatives Market In February 2014

Date 05/03/2014

• The volume of trading in all derivatives was 0.87 million instruments in February 2014
• The number of open interest was 323.3 thousand at the end of February 2014
• The volume of trading in mWIG40 futures was 10.1 thousand contracts in February 2014, an increase of 594%  year on year.