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Axiss Australia a2a Newsletter Issue 145, 17 October 2006

Date 17/10/2006

a2a e-newsletter is a the fortnightly bulletin compiled by Axiss Australia. a2a provides a summary of key events in Australia's financial services industry and their implications for Australia's position as a global financial services centre. Axiss Australia is a division of Invest Australia, the national inward investment agency.

NZX Announces Sky TV Bonds On The NZDX

Date 17/10/2006

New Zealand Exchange Limited (NZX) announced today the issue of $200 million debt securities for Sky Network Television Limited on the NZDX Market.

Tokyo Stock Exchange Board Report - September 2006

Date 17/10/2006

1. Outline of Plan for Constructing Next-Generation System

FIA Appoints Dr. Foo-shiung Ho As Managing Director Of FIA Asia

Date 17/10/2006

The Futures Industry Association is pleased to announce that Dr. Foo-shiung Ho, a highly experienced and widely respected derivatives exchange executive, has agreed to serve as the managing director of FIA Asia, a newly created organization that will seek to provide a forum for derivatives market participants in the Asia-Pacific region. Dr. Ho, who most recently was the chief executive of the Taiwan Futures Exchange, will spearhead FIA Asia’s efforts to promote the further development of the

NYBOT Announces Synthetic Prices Used To Margin FCOJ Positions

Date 16/10/2006

The New York Board of Trade® (NYBOT®), the world’s leading “soft” commodity exchange, announced today that in accordance with its New York Clearing Corporation (NYCC) rules, it will utilize an alternate price for purposes of margining outstanding positions at the clearing member level for October 16, 2006.

The NYSE Exchange Composite Index® Sets New Closing High

Date 16/10/2006

The NYSE Composite Index® (NYA) closed today at a new high of  8,692.46.  The previous closing high for the NYA was 8646.96 on May 9.

NYBOT FCOJ Futures Price Limits For Back Months Now Eight Cents

Date 16/10/2006

The New York Board of Trade® (NYBOT®), the world’s leading “soft” commodity exchange, announced today that commencing with the start of trading on Tuesday, October 17, 2006, and pursuant to exchange rules, the daily price limit for FCOJ “Back Months” futures contracts will expand from 5 cents above and below the prior day settlement price to 8 cents above and below the prior day settlement price. As of October 17, Back Months for FCOJ futures are all contract months from the March 2007 through

Standard & Poor's Announces Changes In The S&P/TSX Venture Composite Index

Date 16/10/2006

Standard & Poor's will make the following changes in the S&P/TSX Venture Composite Index after the close of trading on Monday, October 16, 2006: Forsys Metals Corp. (TSXVN:FSY) will be removed from the index. The company will graduate to the TSX to trade under the same ticker symbol.

NYSE Group Names Brian Gimlett, Senior Vice President, Security

Date 16/10/2006

NYSE Group, Inc. (NYSE: NYX) has appointed Brian Gimlett to the position of Senior Vice President, Security. Mr. Gimlett, who will join the NYSE Group on October 23, will be responsible for the security and fire safety of the NYSE Group’s worldwide facilities while also serving as the Exchange’s primary liaison with local, state, federal and international law enforcement agencies.

NASD Fines Citizens Bank Affiliate, CCO Investment Services Corp., $850,000 For Supervisory, Recordkeeping, Telemarketing, Other Violations - Firm Failed To Implement Procedures Relating To Variable Annuity Sales To Elderly

Date 16/10/2006

NASD announced today that it has fined CCO Investment Services Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Citizens Bank of Rhode Island, a total of $850,000 for failing to establish, maintain and enforce a reasonably designed supervisory system and written procedures relating to a series of issues - including customer suitability reviews, telemarketing compliance, internal inspections, review of written correspondence, registration of offices, and review and approval of 529 Plan business.