Jul, 01 2008
Korean CDS market taking off Tue, 01 Jul 2008 21:55:25

First interdealer broker involvement

London – July 1 2008 – GFI Group, Inc. (‘GFIG’ on Nasdaq), has brokered an interbank single-name Korean Won denominated credit default swap (CDS). The counterparties were major international banks and the trade comprised a three-year swap on 10bn KRW notional of a quasi-sovereign name.

This marks the entrance of an inter-dealer broker to the Korean-Won denominated CDS market and GFI is already quoting prices on other names.

The emergence of an inter-dealer CDS market is a natural development for the growing and liquid local market in Korean corporate bonds said Timothy Mariano, GFI’s head of Asia-Pacific credit brokerage, Basel II will spur this even more with its sophisticated risk management requirements, along with new regulations allowing financial institutions to invest in CDSs.

About GFI Group Inc. www.GFIgroup.com

GFI Group Inc. (www.GFIgroup.com) is a leading inter-dealer broker specializing in over-the-counter derivatives products and related securities. GFI Group Inc. provides brokerage services, market data and analytics software products to institutional clients in markets for a range of credit, financial, equity and commodity instruments.

Headquartered in New York, GFI was founded in 1987 and employs more than 1,700 people with additional offices in London, Paris, Dubai, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo, Singapore, Sydney, Seoul, Cape Town, Calgary, Englewood (NJ), and Sugar Land (TX). GFI provides services and products to over 2,200 institutional clients, including leading investment and commercial banks, corporations, insurance companies and hedge funds. Its brands include GFI™, GFInet®, CreditMatch®, GFI ForexMatch™, EnergyMatch®, FENICS®, Starsupply®, Amerex® and Trayport®.

Forward-looking statement

Certain matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this press release, the words anticipate, believe, estimate, may, might, intend, expect and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein. These forward-looking statements are based largely on the expectations of the Company and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with: economic, political and market factors affecting trading volumes; securities prices or demand for the Company’s brokerage services; competition from current and new competitors; the Company’s ability to attract and retain key personnel, including highly-qualified brokerage personnel; the Company’s ability to identify and develop new products and markets; changes in laws and regulations governing the Company’s business and operations or permissible activities; the Company’s ability to manage its international operations; financial difficulties experienced by the Company’s customers or key participants in the markets in which the Company focuses its brokerage services; the Company’s ability to keep up with technological changes; and uncertainties relating to litigation. Further information about factors that could affect the Company’s financial and other results is included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise
 

Contact:
Alan Bright
PR Manager
GFI Group Inc.
+ 44 (0)20 7877 8049
alan.bright@gfigroup.co.uk