Press
Karen Laureano-Rikardsen
+1 212 829 4975
First Electronic Secondary Market Platform for Tax Receivables
New York, November 22, 2010 – GFI Group Inc. (NYSE “GFIG”) announced today the launch of the GFI Distressed Asset Receivable Trading (GFI DARTSM) Platform, the first electronic platform designed to enhance the purchase and sale of tax receivables in the secondary market.
GFI DARTSM allows investors to anonymously list, view and submit bids for pools of tax liens and tax deeds. This breakthrough in technology provides structure to the increasingly liquid secondary market for this popular investment vehicle. We believe sellers of tax receivables will be able to maximize the value of their pools through GFI’s large buyer base, and buyers will gain access to unique investment opportunities.
GFI DARTSM provides investors with the tools to find pools of tax receivables that fit their particular investment criteria. Furthermore, the platform provides dynamic offer prices and price history for each pool, updated by the GFI Tax Receivables Brokerage Desk.
Tom McOsker, head of GFI’s Tax Receivables Brokerage Group, said “At GFI, technology and people are our core strengths. We are excited to introduce GFI DARTSM as the cutting edge electronic platform to support our successful voice brokered business for tax liens. By combining talented people with intelligent tools, we are dynamically changing this marketplace.”
The issuance of tax receivables is one of the oldest financing models in America. Currently 29 states, the District of Columbia and 2 territories participate in some form of tax auction.
Prior to the launch of GFI DARTSM, there was no centralized platform to provide information to the secondary marketplace for these assets. By compiling information about tax receivables from an otherwise fragmented and geographically diverse network, GFI DARTSM delivers crucial information to investors in this sector that we believe will enable the development of an active and liquid secondary market.
The GFI Tax Receivables Desk applies specific market knowledge to locate bids and offers and aggregates pools of liquidity. The desk provides brokerage services to all forms of tax lien investors; including global financial institutions, hedge funds, private equity firms, regional lien pools, venture capital investors, local and state taxing authorities, corporations and family offices.
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 statements
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.
Disclaimer
This press release does not constitute an offering of securities, tax liens, tax deeds, or other products. The services described herein are provided by GFI Brokers LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of GFI Group Inc.( together with its affiliates, “GFI”) In providing such services, GFI acts solely as a name give-up broker, and at no time assumes principal positions in any trade.
GFI and its employees are not in the business of providing tax or legal advice and do not provide any such advice to any person outside of GFI. This promotion is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used or relied upon, for the purpose of avoiding tax penalties. You should seek advice based on your particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor.
The lien or tax certificate is a lien for the taxes due only. The lien or tax certificate does not transfer title to the parcel upon which the lien was purchased or assigned. Due diligence or pre-purchase research is advised to identify any other liens, which may apply against the property. A lien does not allow for trespass upon the property or right of eviction proceedings against the delinquent property owner if occupied. Tax lien purchase does not allow for initiating demolition or making improvements on the property. Federal bankruptcy filed against a property will freeze all activity including redemption on the parcel(s) involved. Funds invested cannot be refunded until the bankruptcy is released. Payment of interest on tax liens against properties in a bankruptcy can and will be determined by the federal bankruptcy court. Caveat Emptor “Let the buyer beware” applies in all tax lien, tax certificate and tax deed foreclosure transactions.