Copenhagen based multi-asset broker Saxo Bank has released a fairly interesting document called Enhanced Disclosures, which provides insight into Broker Incentive, Broker stability, Client Leverage and Performance. Saxo Bank released the document as part of the company signing up formally to the FX Global Code of Conduct.
Some of the interesting insights from Saxo Bank’s disclosure document (which can be downloaded here, pdf) include:
Average tenure of Saxo Bank client – 5 years.
Hedging – 97.7% of average notional FX exposure, and 99.5% of CFD exposure, is hedged at any point of time at Saxo Bank.
Proprietary trading – Saxo Bank does not engage in proprietary trading.
Forced close-outs – represented just 0.1% of client trades on margin products. Forced close-outs are automated position closures resulting from account exposure exceeding the required maintenance margin.
Percent of Client Assets used as margin – 29.3%.
The FX Global Code of Conduct is aimed at improving industry standards and promoting best practice among FX market participants. The Code is a result of an industry-wide initiative developed over two years through a partnership between central banks and FX market participants from 16 jurisdictions around the world.
The initiative aims to promote the integrity, trust and effective functioning of the global wholesale FX market which has suffered as a result of trader misconduct, breaches of client confidentiality, failure to manage conflicts of interest and inappropriate order handling.
Kim Fournais, Saxo Bank
Kim Fournais, CEO and co-founder of Saxo Bank, said:
We are proud to have been given the opportunity to participate as a member of the Bank of England’s FX Joint Standing Committee in reviewing and drafting this important and unprecedented industry-wide initiative.
We take pride in being at the forefront driving transparency and signing the Code as well as publishing the Enhanced Disclosure as a proof of the full alignment of interest between Saxo Bank and our clients. It is a means of promoting integrity and trust and is a point of orientation for clients when choosing a facilitator.
The Code, which has been developed around six core principles crucial to the FX ecosystem, will ensure that trading of FX instruments is supported by appropriate elements of integrity and transparency. Furthermore, by placing proportionate levels of responsibility among market participants and providing a robust structure for future review and collaboration, the Code will engender greater confidence in the FX market and be crucial to re-building the trust between market participants and end clients.
Commenting on the Code, Kurt vom Scheidt, Global Head of FX, Saxo Bank, said:
One of the unique aspects of the Code is the fact that it covers the entire FX industry –sell-side firms, buy-side firms, trading platforms and venues – and that it is global in nature. This will ensure that standards are consistently applied across the industry, levelling the playing field among segments of market participants and restoring competition based on principles of transparency and integrity.
Saxo Bank stated that it believes that a well-functioning FX market is in the interest of all participants. The Code sets out the principles and best practices which provide a common set of guidance to the market, including areas where there recently have been degrees of uncertainty about which practices are deemed acceptable.
“While other markets have attempted similar self-regulating initiatives, we have never seen this level of co-ordination and commitment among market participants. Public adherence to the code is essential in ensuring that market participants can continue to scrutinise their peers’ practices and therefore ensure that bad practices and market abuse are rooted out. The fact that evolution of the Code was driven by input from a healthy cross-section of market participants makes it well rounded and considered,” added vom Scheidt.