MF Global hit by rogue trading
LONDON & BERMUDA - Another rogue trading scandal has taken place at futures broker MF Global. A US-based broker at the firm, headquarted in Bermuda, exceeded his personal account ceiling before losing $141.5 million on unauthorised wheat futures. Meanwhile, two London-based equity traders at investment bank Lehman Brothers have been suspended after irregularities were found in their valuations of complex equity derivatives.
Lehman Bros has said its investigation is not fraud-based and it is working with the Financial Services Authority (FSA) in connection with its internal investigation.
MF Global blamed the fraud on a failure of its retail order computer systems, allowing the broker to take on the excessive positions. The firm said it discovered the trade soon after it had taken place, in addition to shoring up risk controls and hiring an external consultancy to investigate the incident. MF has since fired the trader involved, although the business will have to cover the loss - 6% of its capital.
Only users who have a paid subscription or are part of a corporate subscription are able to print or copy content.
To access these options, along with all other subscription benefits, please contact info@risk.net or view our subscription options here: http://subscriptions.risk.net/subscribe
You are currently unable to print this content. Please contact info@risk.net to find out more.
You are currently unable to copy this content. Please contact info@risk.net to find out more.
Copyright Infopro Digital Limited. All rights reserved.
You may share this content using our article tools. Printing this content is for the sole use of the Authorised User (named subscriber), as outlined in our terms and conditions - https://www.infopro-insight.com/terms-conditions/insight-subscriptions/
If you would like to purchase additional rights please email info@risk.net
Copyright Infopro Digital Limited. All rights reserved.
You may share this content using our article tools. Copying this content is for the sole use of the Authorised User (named subscriber), as outlined in our terms and conditions - https://www.infopro-insight.com/terms-conditions/insight-subscriptions/
If you would like to purchase additional rights please email info@risk.net
More on Regulation
UK investment firms feeling the heat on prudential rules
Signs firms are falling behind FCA’s expectations on wind-down and liquidity risk management
The American way: a stress-test substitute for Basel’s IRRBB?
Bankers divided over new CCAR scenario designed to bridge supervisory gap exposed by SVB failure
Industry warns CFTC against rushing to regulate AI for trading
Vote on workplan pulled amid calls to avoid duplicating rules from other regulatory agencies
Bank of Communications moves early to meet TLAC requirements
China Construction Bank becomes sole remaining China G-Sib not to have released TLAC plans
Industry pushes to extend review for Emir active accounts rule
Fears that compressed timeframe leaves less than a year to test if controversial policy is working
Banks will not be frowned upon for discount window borrowing – Fed official
Risk Live: more banks have completed paperwork to access Fed lending facility than a year ago
Capital One puts OCC’s tough stance on mergers to the test
Proposed Discover deal should be approved but will go under the microscope, ex-regulators say
As FCMs dwindle, regulators fear systemic risk
Panellists highlight dangers of clearing membership becoming more concentrated
Most read
- Top 10 operational risks for 2024
- The American way: a stress-test substitute for Basel’s IRRBB?
- Filling gaps in market data with optimal transport