GFI Group Launches First Electronic Matching of Mexican UDI Interest Rate Swaps

First broker to execute fully electronic trade in Mexican market

New York, April 13, 2011 – GFI Group (NYSE: “GFIG”) a leading provider of wholesale brokerage, clearing services, electronic execution and trading support products for global financial markets announced today it has conducted the first fully electronic Mexican Peso UDI/Libor Interest Rate Swap.

An UDI Swap is an interest rate swap where one leg of the trade is based on a Mexican Peso fixed rate set by reference to the UDI index, which is exchanged for a US Dollar floating interest rate (USD 6 month Libor).The UDI (Unidades de Inversion) is the Mexican inflation unit; published daily, based on the price changes in the Mexican economy set by the Central Bank.

Matching of UDI Interest Rate Swaps follows the success of GFI’s first electronic matching of Mexican TIIE IRS conducted in 2010.

Ron Levi, COO GFI Group said: “Mexico is a very important market for us. We are very pleased to be able to offer our clients in this market choice in their method of execution. The roll out of this new product follows the market’s embracing of our electronic matching sessions in US$ Interest Rate Options, Mexican TIIE IRS and of non deliverable forwards in Chile and Argentina.”

Mr. Levi added: “Technology is an integral component of the GFI hybrid business model where technology and brokers work together to provide clients with top quality service. Our investment in technology since our inception has allowed us to be at the forefront of providing innovative solutions to client demands.”

Matching is a process run on various GFI electronic trading platforms which allows traders to anonymously contribute and trade at mid-market levels on specific contracts during periodic sessions. Sessions are carried out during set times in the day and have short durations, approximately 5 minutes. GFI Matching sessions create concentrated and deep liquidity pools that allow large volume trades to be transacted at mid market levels.

GFI conducts Matching processes for multiple products on all of its electronic trading platforms: CreditMatch®, GFI ForexMatch® and EnergyMatch®.

CreditMatch® is GFI’s electronic trading platform for fixed income derivatives and bonds. It forms a key part of GFI’s hybrid brokerage model, serving the market from its operations in New York, London, Sydney, Tokyo, Singapore and Hong Kong and working alongside GFI’s brokers from each of these offices. CreditMatch® displays fixed income derivative and bond prices together on the same screen.

GFI ForexMatch® is GFI’s electronic system for FX derivatives trading. It supports GFI’s hybrid brokerage model, combining traditional voice brokerage services with sophisticated electronic trading technology. GFI ForexMatch® enhances price discovery and increases efficiency by enabling full electronic trade execution and processing of FX instruments.

EnergyMatch® is the next generation electronic OTC energy marketplace combining the liquidity pools of multiple brokerage firms, electronic trading participants along with multiple clearing options in an open access web based platform. EnergyMatch® brings together buyers and sellers of derivative and physical commodities contracts

 

About GFI Group Inc. www.GFIgroup.com

GFI Group Inc. (NYSE: “GFIG”) is a leading provider of wholesale brokerage, clearing services, electronic execution and trading support products for global financial markets. GFI Group Inc. provides brokerage services, market data, trading platform and analytics software products to institutional clients in markets for a range of fixed income, financial, equity and commodity instruments.

Headquartered in New York, GFI was founded in 1987 and employs more than 1,900 people with additional offices in London, Paris, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, Singapore, Sydney, Cape Town, Santiago, Dubai, Dublin, Tel Aviv, Calgary, Los Angeles, Englewood (NJ) and Sugar Land (TX). GFI Group Inc. provides services and products to over 2,400 institutional clients, including leading investment and commercial banks, corporations, insurance companies and hedge funds. Its brands include GFISM, GFInet®, CreditMatch®, GFI ForexMatch®, EnergyMatch®, FENICS®, Starsupply®, Amerex®, Trayport® and Kyte®.

 

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 GFI Group Inc. (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; uncertainties relating to litigation and the Company’s ability to assess and integrate acquisition prospects. 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.

 

For any queries or additional information please contact:

 Patricia Gutierrez
Vice President – Public Relations
GFI Group Inc.
55 Water Street, 28th Floor
New York, NY 10041
Tel: (212) 968 2964
Mob: (646) 717 4379
patricia.gutierrez@gfigroup.com