Q&A: Marc Fontaine, head of commodity derivatives, Americas at BNP Paribas

Training for growth

Financial participants continue to grow their presence in physical energy markets partly in response to the regulatory regime change on the horizon under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, as well as renewed interest from hedge funds, private equity players and other investors.

BNP Paribas's acquisition of Fortis Energy Marketing & Trading in Houston and FB Energy Canada Corp in Calgary, completed in October 2010, has allowed the bank to boost its physical offering in