CME Group, the world's leading and most diverse derivatives marketplace, announced the company was named 'International Exchange of the Year for Asia' by Futures & Options World (FOW) at the 4th FOW Awards for Asia 2015. The awards ceremony held in Singapore today recognized CME Group's excellence in the launch of products and services for the Asian market in the past year.
"We are honored to receive this award for the fourth year in a row since its inauguration," said Terry Duffy, Executive Chairman and President of CME Group. "The client is always at the center of what we do at CME Group, and today's win is recognition of the value that this approach brings to our customers in Asia."
"Asia is a key pillar to our international growth strategy, and we remain committed in helping our Asian customers with their evolving risk management needs," said William Knottenbelt, Senior Managing Director, International, CME Group. "Our investments continue to gain traction, with 22 percent volume growth in Asia this year, and we thank our customers for their business."
"Our commitment to our clients revolves around hiring dedicated people, innovating regionally-relevant products, developing our platform and growing partnerships throughout the region," said Christopher Fix, Managing Director and Head of Asia Pacific, CME Group. "We will continue to look at ways to better serve the needs of our clients, as we further grow our business in the region."
"Winning International Exchange for Asia for the fourth year running is an unprecedented achievement," said William Mitting, Publisher and Editor of FOW. "Judges praised CME Group for its continuing innovation in the launch of Asian related products and how it works with local institutions to build knowledge."
The FOW Awards for Asia is held annually to recognize the best of the Asian derivatives industry, where entries and nominations for the Awards are evaluated by FOW's judging panel.
In the past 12 months, CME Group has grown its Asia Pacific work force by about 50 percent. Currently CME Group has about 90 employees in the region, across five offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, Seoul, Singapore and Tokyo. CME Group also introduced several new Asia-centric products, including the USD-denominated Malaysian Palm Olein Calendar Swap (based on prices from Thomson Reuters), the Iron Ore 58% FE Low Alumina CFR China (TSI) Futures contract, and physically-delivered Gold Kilo Futures contract since 2014.
CME Group also signed Memorandums of Understanding on partnership with various institutions, including Shanghai Clearing House, Shanghai Gold Exchange, Multi Commodity Exchange of India; a Letter of Intent on collaboration with Taiwan Futures Exchange, a market data provision agreement with China Financial Futures Exchange and an exclusive license agreement for DES Japan LNG with Rim Intelligence. On the clearing front, CME Group received a clearing and settlement services license from Australian regulators, which allows it to clear OTC interest rate swaps and certain non-Australian dollar denominated interest rate derivatives traded on CME Group. In addition, CME Group also welcomed UOBBF Clearing Limited as the company's sixth and newest Asia-based clearing member last year.
