Archive for June 2012
Thai Delegation Meets with ICC as Country Faces Risk of Renewed Hostilities
THE HAGUE, Netherlands, June 28, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ — This week a delegation of Thai citizens held preliminary meetings with prosecutors of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands to discuss the violent military crackdown against protesters in 2010 which led to more than 90 deaths.
Dr. Thongchai Winichakul, a professor of history based at the University of Wisconsin, led the delegation along with numerous witnesses and survivors to present before the ICC during this meeting. In a letter delivered to prosecutors ahead of the meeting, Dr. Winichakul emphasized the historical importance that the court could make in Thailand, where coups and violence against civilians by the military has occurred repeatedly throughout history.
“Among the subjects I study include the atrocities in 1973, 1976, and 1992, and the culture of impunity in Thailand. I have followed the political situation in Thailand closely since the coup in 2006, especially the bloodshed in April-May 2010 and its aftermath,” Dr. Winichakul wrote in his letter. “I would like to request that the ICC can help bring the end to this repeated impunity – thereby the repeated killings of civilians — by investigating into the 2010 killings and bringing the case to the International Criminal Court.”
The visit to The Hague follows upon a two-year campaign to raise awareness of the alleged crimes against humanity committed by the former government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. Although Thailand has not ratified the Rome Statute, it was proven that Prime Minister Abhisit is a British subject, and therefore is under the court’s jurisdiction, argues the legal team on behalf of the Red Shirt victims.
“The meetings held with the ICC were productive, and we will continue to comply with all normal protocol to move forward through the process,” said international lawyer Robert Amsterdam, of Amsterdam & Partners LLP, who serves as international defense counsel to the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), a group popularly known as the Red Shirts. “This crucial meeting takes place within a very tense context. Given the ongoing attempts by minority groups to yet again forcefully remove a democratically elected party in an upcoming constitutional court decision, the prospect of renewed violence and instability is a matter of grave concern for the international community, and makes more relevant our request before the ICC.”
Further information on this case, including a full copy of Dr. Winichakul’s letter, can be found at http://www.robertamsterdam.com/thailand.
SOURCE Amsterdam & Partners LLP
Avis Expands Asia Network, Launches Taiwan Operations
HSINCHU, June 28, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ — Leading car hire company, Avis, further expands its footprint in the global network by launching operations in another bustling country in the Asia region — Taiwan, with a press launch on June 28, 2012 at The Denwell, Taiwan.
(Photo: http://www.prnasia.com/sa/2012/06/27/20120627103917414445.html )
The event, entitled, “One World, One Avis”, brings together over 200 local and regional media delegates as well as top executives from Avis that include Avis Budget Group President for Latin America and Asia Pacific, Mr. Patric Siniscalchi, and Avis Director for Licensee Relations in Asia, Mr. Joerg Kossich, plus honoured guests from the commercial and travel industries.
Avis Taiwan aims to improve mobility within Taiwan, whose fast growing economy and strategic position has resulted to significant increase in domestic and international traffic for the travel industry. With the entry of Avis Taiwan, the growing demand for domestic car rental and leasing by both business and leisure travelers will be addressed. Avis Taiwan will serve as a “one-stop” mobility solution for the Taiwan community through their world-class services that include: short and long-term car rental (self-drive), personal or corporate car leasing, and chauffer-drive/transfer services using their new and state-of-the-art fleet.
Online and over the phone booking facilities are provided via the proprietary and global Avis “Wizard” online booking system, the upcoming Avis Taiwan website, as well as the Avis Taiwan Service Hotline: 0800 600 601. Customers can now experience the convenience of booking their mobility needs, whether domestic or international, with a reputable and global brand.
Starting June 28, Avis Taiwan will serve as the sole car rental company in the country with the widest global reach, having approximately 5,200 locations in more than 165 countries, plus extensive commercial partnerships that include major airlines, global hotel chains, banks and credit card companies, as well as other prestigious tourism and hospitality operators.
Avis will operate in three locations in Taiwan that include two city locations: 340-15 Chung-Hwa Road, Chu-Pei City, HsinChu County 30259; 175 Chung-Hwa Road Section 2 HsinChu City (downtown); and an airport location: TaoYuan International Airport 808 SanMin Road Section 1, DaYuan Township, Taoyuan County, Taiwan.
About Avis in Asia
In Asia, Avis is a leading provider of vehicle rental; vehicle leasing and limousine/chauffeur drive services operating in more than 300 locations through a network of wholly owned subsidiaries, joint ventures and licensee agreements in 22 markets. Avis opened its first operations in Asia in 1970 in Hong Kong. Throughout the 70’s Avis grew steadily in the region, with operations launched in Singapore, the Philippines, Pakistan, Malaysia and Indonesia. More recently, developments have included openings in India, Mainland China, Vietnam and Taiwan.
About Avis
Avis Car Rental operates one of the world’s best-known car rental brands with approximately 5,200 locations in more than 165 countries. Avis has a long history of innovation in the car rental industry and is one of the world’s top brands for customer loyalty. Avis is owned by Avis Budget Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CAR), which operates and licenses the brand throughout the world. For more information, visit http://www.avis.com.
SOURCE﹛Avis Asia
SunGard – Economist Intelligence Unit Survey Shows Institutions Need a Firmer Grasp on Volatility
SINGAPORE, June 27, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ — A majority of bankers, insurers and asset managers, as well as finance executives at non-financial companies, consider their organizations to be vulnerable to exceptional or sudden swings in volatility, according to a global survey( http://www.capitalize-on-change.com/resources/vulnerability-to-volatility-risk-sungard-eiu-research.aspx ) conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit for SunGard.
Following the 2008 financial crisis, regulators have made understanding and managing volatility risk a top priority. For example, the U.S. Federal Reserve and the European Banking Authority have introduced “stress tests” to analyze whether large bank holding companies and banks, respectively, would have sufficient capital in times of severe economic and financial stress, as well as to analyze risk across the financial system.
This scrutiny, in addition to other regulatory changes, economic uncertainty and weak market conditions, are creating concern about volatility risk in the business or the economic environment, as indicated by executives who responded to this survey, particularly those in North America and Western Europe.
The key findings of the survey include:
— More than two in five respondents feel their firms are under-investing in risk management tools that could help them cope with volatility.
— Despite regulatory pressure and a greater awareness of risk, more than half of the respondents say their company conducts stress tests or scenario analysis to check their ability to cope with volatility just once a year or every six months at best. That means the majority of organizations surveyed are exposed to fast-moving developments.
— Only 17 percent of respondents say their company proactively takes measures to protect their clients from volatility risk and nearly one in three say they either wait for instruction from their clients, or they do not have any system in place to specifically shield their clients.
— Since the onset of the crisis, chief financial officers (CFOs) and chief risk officers (CROs) have become more accountable for coping with volatility. This is particularly true in North America, where over a third of respondents say their CFO is currently accountable for managing volatility at their company.
Abhik Sen, managing editor at the Economist Intelligence Unit, said, “What is most striking about this survey is that despite the obvious need for improvements in risk management in today’s challenging economic and business environment, a majority of firms around the world do not seem to be conducting stress tests as frequently as they should be. Companies should also be worried that only two in five senior executives surveyed feel confident that the business model of their employers can cope with sharp swings in volatility.”
Jeffrey Wallis, managing partner at SunGard Global Services, said, “The SunGard-EIU survey shows that many organizations have taken steps to better handle volatility risk, such as increasing shared accountability for it internally. However, it also appears that many firms remain vulnerable, whether through irregular or non-existent exposure monitoring, inadequate investment or insufficiently robust business models. Overall, our findings suggest that there is still much to learn about the causes of volatility risk and the best methods for controlling it.”
The survey polled more than 500 executives at financial and non-financial firms around the world with influence over or responsibility for risk or compliance.
To download a copy of the survey report, and to listen to SunGard’s Jeffrey Wallis discuss aspects of the research with the Economist Intelligence Unit, click here( http://www.capitalize-on-change.com/resources/vulnerability-to-volatility-risk-sungard-eiu-research.aspx ).
About the Economist Intelligence Unit
The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) is the world’s leading resource for economic and business research, forecasting and analysis. It provides accurate and impartial intelligence for companies, government agencies, financial institutions and academic organisations around the globe, inspiring business leaders to act with confidence since 1946. The company also undertakes bespoke research and analysis projects on individual markets and business sectors. The EIU, headquartered in London with offices in more than 40 cities around the world, is part of The Economist Group, the leading source of analysis on international business and world affairs.
About SunGard
SunGard is one of the world’s leading software and technology services companies. SunGard has more than 17,000 employees and serves approximately 25,000 customers in more than 70 countries. SunGard provides software and processing solutions for financial services, education and the public sector. SunGard also provides disaster recovery services, managed IT services, information availability consulting services and business continuity management software. With annual revenue of about US$4.5 billion, SunGard is the largest privately held software and services company and was ranked 480 on the Fortune 500. For more information, please visit http://www.sungard.com.
Trademark Information: SunGard and the SunGard logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of SunGard Data Systems Inc. or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and other countries. All other trade names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
SOURCE﹛SunGard
Indian Business and Lawyers Overwhelmingly Back Liberalisation of India’s Legal Market
MUMBAI, June 28, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ — There is near unanimous agreement among leaders of India’s largest companies and top law firms that the country’s legal market should be liberalised, according to research published today by independent research agency YouGov in association with Allen & Overy.
The research sought the opinions of 301 major stakeholders in the liberalisation debate. Respondents included 100 C-suite executives and 100 general counsel from India’s largest companies, as well as 101 partners and associates from India’s top 50 law firms.
Key findings include: • 96% of respondents believe the India legal market should be liberalised, including 98% of Indian partners; • 90% either “Strongly Agree” or “Agree” that it will lead to easier access to international legal expertise; • Indian business leaders (71%) say that liberalisation will make their business more globally competitive; • 79% of respondents say foreign law firms should be allowed to employ and go into partnership with Indian lawyers, and merge with Indian law firms, to practise both Indian and foreign law; • 63% of respondents believe this should happen within two years; and • 89% “Strongly agree” or “Agree” that liberalisation will lead to more career opportunities for Indian lawyers.
The support for liberalisation is not, however, because of any perceived shortcomings in the local legal market itself – 89% of respondents believe the quality of legal services provided to large corporations by Indian law firms is either good (56%) or very good (33%).
Commenting, Jonathan Brayne, Chair of Allen & Overy’s India Group, said: “This research confirms that as India’s corporate champions continue to expand and compete globally, they see a need for greater choice of legal services at home to ensure their success overseas. It also shows that India’s leading lawyers welcome the opportunities that liberalisation would present for both their clients and their own careers.”
“The possibly surprising outcome of this research is the large level of agreement among the major stakeholders in the liberalisation debate in India. They believe liberalisation should happen, that it will have a positive impact and that it should happen sooner rather than later.”
Copies of the research report are available to download from www.allenovery.com .
For further information, please contact Campbell McIlroy, campbell.mcilroy@allenovery.com, on +44-(0)20-3088-2783 in London, or Amrit Singh Deo, amrit.singhdeo@fticonsulting.com, on +91-9167-429-020 at FTI Consulting in Mumbai.
Notes for Editors:
1. Allen & Overy is an international legal practice with approximately 5,000 people, including some 512 partners, working in 40 offices worldwide. 2. In this press release ‘Allen & Overy’ means Allen & Overy LLP and/or its affiliated undertakings. 3. The term ‘partner’ is used to refer to a member of Allen & Overy LLP or to an employee or consultant with equivalent standing and qualifications or to an individual with equivalent status in one of Allen & Overy LLP’s affiliated undertakings 4. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGovStone Ltd. Total sample size was 301 Indian legal and business professionals. Fieldwork was undertaken between 20 February 2012 and 11 April 2012.The survey was carried out by telephone. The figures have not been weighted in any way. Percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding.
SOURCE Allen & Overy
Advanced Markets and Fortex Launch UltiMT(TM) MetaTrader Solution
Unified System Enables Sub 10 Millisecond Trade Processing via MetaTrader Front Ends
CHARLOTTE, N.C. and REDWOOD CITY, Calif., June 26, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ — Advanced Markets, LLC, a leading provider of foreign exchange direct market access (DMA) and Fortex, Inc., a leading independent developer of real-time, multi-asset trading platforms, today announced the release of UltiMT, a technology, liquidity and credit offering that enables banks and brokers to provide MetaTrader front-end system traders with direct, high-speed access to multibank foreign exchange and precious metals pricing and trade executions.
The technology at the core of the new offering is a Fortex platform that supports all trading, credit, liquidity, risk management, reporting and other functionality in a single solution. UltiMT can process trades entered via MetaTrader front ends in under 10 milliseconds and delivers additional performance and operational benefits.
In contrast, competing solutions spread these functions across multiple, disparate platforms, bridges and applications, creating significant compatibility, operational complexity and integration issues to the detriment of system performance, stability and speed.
“UltiMT＊s unified system architecture is major leap forward that supports MetaTrader banks and brokers with extensive operational, risk management and trading advantages unrivalled by other offerings,” said Daniel Chen, Fortex＊s CEO and founder. “Moreover, the combination of this leading edge platform with Advanced Markets＊ multibank DMA liquidity pool creates powerful new opportunities for MetaTrader banks, brokers and their trading customers.”
UltiMT is an enterprise grade product that provides high performance, high availability and scalability. The solution accepts all MetaTrader order types, supports Expert Advisor and enables comprehensive order flow and position management through a streaming user interface and comprehensive back-office suite.
To complement this leading edge technology platform, Advanced Markets enables UltiMT traders to directly access live, executable FX and precious metals prices streamed by more than 10 leading foreign exchange banks. Advanced Markets＊ liquidity protocol enables traders to trade instantly on bank prices without the rates being spread, subject to fixed spreads or manipulated in any way.
To date, UltiMT has been extensively tested with select brokers and banks globally.
“After trying a number of the available MetaTrader bridge solutions, we＊ve been using UltiMT in live trading with remarkable success,” said Andrew J. Henderson, Director of Trading, One Financial Markets, a UK FSA-registered foreign exchange, CFD and commodities broker. “Our clients have experienced excellent trading performance on DMA liquidity and the system has not had a moment of down time or single out trade in over 10 months of live trading, which is fantastic from an operations perspective.”
UltiMT＊s robust technology reflects Fortex＊s experience working with MetaTrader and Advanced Markets. Fortex built the first MetaTrader bridge in 2003. In operation, the Fortex Bridge has consistenly processed more than $12 billion in average daily trading volume and more than 5.5 million tickets monthly. Fortex＊s Multibank Portal has been in use at Advanced Markets FX since 2009, providing low-latency trade executions and an ultra-low rejection rate (less than 0.05 per cent) with near-perfect uptime performance.
“We have worked closely with Fortex for years to deliver professional quality direct market access liquidity to spot FX brokers and traders,” said Anthony Brocco, CEO of Advanced Markets. “Our first-hand experience with their best-in-class technology and operating infrastructure as well as their deep experience building and operating MT solutions made Fortex the clear technology solution for UltiMT.”
UltiMT is a trade mark of Advanced Markets LLC. All rights reserved.
About Advanced Markets, LLC
Advanced Markets, LLC is a registered FCM and RFED with the CFTC and NFA. Advanced Markets FX provides direct market access (DMA) to one of the deepest, most transparent liquidity pools in the FX spot market. DMA goes beyond “no dealing desk” and STP models offered by other brokers, providing instant, unfiltered access to live spot FX prices without fixed spreads or other impediments to instant, best-price execution. (Live, executable bid/offer rates can be viewed at http://www.advancedmarketsfx.com.)
The firm is a wholesale provider of DMA and credit services to banks and brokers globally and offers accounts to hedge funds, commodity trading advisors (CTAs) as well as experienced, well capitalized individual traders.
The company is privately held. Investors include Macquarie Americas Corp Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Macquarie Bank, GFI Group Inc. and firm management.
For more information, please visit http://www.UltiMT.com and http://www.advancedmarketsfx.com.
About Fortex, Inc.
Fortex is the leader in developing and deploying world-class, multi-asset trading systems for foreign exchange, equities, options, and futures trading. Only Fortex delivers completely neutral, real-time platforms that provide direct access to all global exchanges and leading market makers through a single trading interface.
The company is privately held and headquartered in Silicon Valley. For more information, please visit http://www.fortex.com.
Industry Contact:
Steve Janjic
Advanced Markets LLC
Office: +1 704 544 9446 extension 210
Mobile: +1 704 993 7193
sjanjic@amifx.com
Johnson Chen
Fortex, Inc.
Office: +852 39653079
sales@fortex.com
Media Contact:
Peter Burton
Delta Markets Group
Office: +1 732 546 3700
Mobile: +1 917 589 9475
pburton@deltamarkets.com
SOURCE﹛Fortex, Inc.
Advanced Markets and Fortex Launch UltiMT(TM) MetaTrader Solution
Unified System Enables Sub 10 Millisecond Trade Processing via MetaTrader Front Ends
CHARLOTTE, N.C. and REDWOOD CITY, Calif., June 26, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ — Advanced Markets, LLC, a leading provider of foreign exchange direct market access (DMA) and Fortex, Inc., a leading independent developer of real-time, multi-asset trading platforms, today announced the release of UltiMT, a technology, liquidity and credit offering that enables banks and brokers to provide MetaTrader front-end system traders with direct, high-speed access to multibank foreign exchange and precious metals pricing and trade executions.
The technology at the core of the new offering is a Fortex platform that supports all trading, credit, liquidity, risk management, reporting and other functionality in a single solution. UltiMT can process trades entered via MetaTrader front ends in under 10 milliseconds and delivers additional performance and operational benefits.
In contrast, competing solutions spread these functions across multiple, disparate platforms, bridges and applications, creating significant compatibility, operational complexity and integration issues to the detriment of system performance, stability and speed.
“UltiMT＊s unified system architecture is major leap forward that supports MetaTrader banks and brokers with extensive operational, risk management and trading advantages unrivalled by other offerings,” said Daniel Chen, Fortex＊s CEO and founder. “Moreover, the combination of this leading edge platform with Advanced Markets＊ multibank DMA liquidity pool creates powerful new opportunities for MetaTrader banks, brokers and their trading customers.”
UltiMT is an enterprise grade product that provides high performance, high availability and scalability. The solution accepts all MetaTrader order types, supports Expert Advisor and enables comprehensive order flow and position management through a streaming user interface and comprehensive back-office suite.
To complement this leading edge technology platform, Advanced Markets enables UltiMT traders to directly access live, executable FX and precious metals prices streamed by more than 10 leading foreign exchange banks. Advanced Markets＊ liquidity protocol enables traders to trade instantly on bank prices without the rates being spread, subject to fixed spreads or manipulated in any way.
To date, UltiMT has been extensively tested with select brokers and banks globally.
“After trying a number of the available MetaTrader bridge solutions, we＊ve been using UltiMT in live trading with remarkable success,” said Andrew J. Henderson, Director of Trading, One Financial Markets, a UK FSA-registered foreign exchange, CFD and commodities broker. “Our clients have experienced excellent trading performance on DMA liquidity and the system has not had a moment of down time or single out trade in over 10 months of live trading, which is fantastic from an operations perspective.”
UltiMT＊s robust technology reflects Fortex＊s experience working with MetaTrader and Advanced Markets. Fortex built the first MetaTrader bridge in 2003. In operation, the Fortex Bridge has consistenly processed more than $12 billion in average daily trading volume and more than 5.5 million tickets monthly. Fortex＊s Multibank Portal has been in use at Advanced Markets FX since 2009, providing low-latency trade executions and an ultra-low rejection rate (less than 0.05 per cent) with near-perfect uptime performance.
“We have worked closely with Fortex for years to deliver professional quality direct market access liquidity to spot FX brokers and traders,” said Anthony Brocco, CEO of Advanced Markets. “Our first-hand experience with their best-in-class technology and operating infrastructure as well as their deep experience building and operating MT solutions made Fortex the clear technology solution for UltiMT.”
UltiMT is a trade mark of Advanced Markets LLC. All rights reserved.
About Advanced Markets, LLC
Advanced Markets, LLC is a registered FCM and RFED with the CFTC and NFA. Advanced Markets FX provides direct market access (DMA) to one of the deepest, most transparent liquidity pools in the FX spot market. DMA goes beyond “no dealing desk” and STP models offered by other brokers, providing instant, unfiltered access to live spot FX prices without fixed spreads or other impediments to instant, best-price execution. (Live, executable bid/offer rates can be viewed at http://www.advancedmarketsfx.com.)
The firm is a wholesale provider of DMA and credit services to banks and brokers globally and offers accounts to hedge funds, commodity trading advisors (CTAs) as well as experienced, well capitalized individual traders.
The company is privately held. Investors include Macquarie Americas Corp Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Macquarie Bank, GFI Group Inc. and firm management.
For more information, please visit http://www.UltiMT.com and http://www.advancedmarketsfx.com.
About Fortex, Inc.
Fortex is the leader in developing and deploying world-class, multi-asset trading systems for foreign exchange, equities, options, and futures trading. Only Fortex delivers completely neutral, real-time platforms that provide direct access to all global exchanges and leading market makers through a single trading interface.
The company is privately held and headquartered in Silicon Valley. For more information, please visit http://www.fortex.com.
Industry Contact:
Steve Janjic
Advanced Markets LLC
Office: +1 704 544 9446 extension 210
Mobile: +1 704 993 7193
sjanjic@amifx.com
Johnson Chen
Fortex, Inc.
Office: +852 39653079
sales@fortex.com
Media Contact:
Peter Burton
Delta Markets Group
Office: +1 732 546 3700
Mobile: +1 917 589 9475
pburton@deltamarkets.com
SOURCE﹛Fortex, Inc.
FINMA approves the purchase by Safra Group of Rabobank’s majority interest in Bank Sarasin; new composition of the Board of Directors
FINMA approves the purchase by Safra Group of Rabobank’s majority interest in Bank Sarasin; new composition of the Board of Directors
BASEL, Switzerland, June 25, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ — FINMA, the Swiss financial market supervisory authority, has approved the acquisition by the Safra Group of Rabobank’s majority interest in Bank Sarasin. The transaction is expected to close by the end of July 2012, pending remaining approvals by some international regulatory bodies. The Safra Group expects the new Board of Directors of Bank Sarasin & Co. Ltd to be composed of Mrs. Dagmar G. Woehrl, Messrs. Pierre-Alain Bracher, Philippe Dupont, Hans-Rudolf Hufschmid, Sergio Penchas, Jacob J. Safra, Sipko N. Schat and Marcelo Szerman.
Jacob Safra, Vice-Chairman of J. Safra Holding AG, stated, “Safra is highly confident in Sarasin’s long term potential, fully supports and has the highest regard for Sarasin’s management and employees. Sarasin’s business strategy, the Sarasin brand, and its successful relationships with clients are consistent with the Safra banking tradition and success.”
Joachim H. Straehle, CEO of Bank Sarasin & Co. Ltd, comments, “I am very happy about the FINMA approval. As majority shareholder, Safra Group will give us a strong capital base plus a firm commitment to our growth strategy and foresighted business model. This will reinforce our strong position as an independent Swiss private bank and our established Sarasin brand. With the completion of the transaction, we can look forward to an exciting future working with Safra and with our new Board.”
For Safra Group:
Kekst and Company
Robert Siegfried, (+1) 212-521-4832 / (+1) 917-842-1126 | e-mail: robert-siegfried@kekst.com
Jeremy Fielding, (+1) 212-521-4858 / (+1) 646-644-4825 | e-mail: jeremy-fielding@kekst.com
Mark Semer, (+1) 212-521-4802 / (+1) 917-439-3507 | e-mail: mark-semer@kekst.com
For Bank Sarasin:
Benedikt Gratzl | Head of Corporate Communications, Media Relations
T: +41 (0)61 277 70 88 | e-mail: benedikt.gratzl@sarasin.ch
Franziska Gumpfer-Keller | Deputy Head of Corporate Communications, Media Relations
T: +41 (0)44 213 97 35 | e-mail: franziska.gumpfer@sarasin.ch
Safra Group
The Safra Group is a highly regarded name in global private banking with a successful long standing history. Safra banks include Banco Safra, Banque J. Safra (Suisse), Banque J. Safra (Monaco), Banque Safra Luxembourg, Bank J. Safra (Gibraltar), Safra National Bank of New York and Safra International Bank and Trust, all built on strong financial foundations. As of June 2011, the Safra Group had aggregate stockholder equity of approximately USD 12.2 billion and total assets under management of USD 109 billion. The Safra banks are in 125 locations worldwide, and have over 6,500 employees.
Sarasin 每 Sustainable Swiss Private Banking since 1841. 每 http://www.sarasin.com The Sarasin Group has its roots as a leading Swiss private bank. As an international financial service provider committed to sustainability, the Group is now represented in more than 20 locations in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. By the end of December 2011 it managed total client assets of CHF 96.4 billion and employed approximately 1,700 staff. Bank Sarasin & Co. Ltd is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange.
SOURCE﹛Safra Group
cTrader (Spotware) Completes ISAE 3402 Type I Audit
LONDON, June 25, 2012/PRNewswire-Asia/ —
London based financial technology company,
cTrader( http://www.spotware.com ) (also known as Spotware) has announced that it has received a final report on its ISAE 3402 Type I audit, the best-practice standards report or assurance reporting on controls at a service organization.
With an unerring focus on safety and quality assurance, cTrader has completed an audit of its controls, putting in place mature internal controls and measures to further enhance its position as the leader in robust FX STP solutions.
Andrey Pavlov, CEO cTrader Ltd, said “We’re delighted to have achieved this recognition of the highest-standard controls we implement to safeguard our clients’ data for the range of Spotware products. This serves to further strengthen our reputation for secure operational practice, and is another example of cTrader’s commitment to respect the trust placed in us by our clients.”
The ISAE (formerly SAS 70) Type I report is granted to companies who demonstrate a level of “reasonable assurance” over the control integrity of the processing environment and embeds a strong control culture.
The report describes and formalizes the permanent control processes, their objectives and the procedures used when processing operations. Achieved under the guidance of Deloitte, ISAE 3402 Type I also offers an opinion that system controls are suitably designed and implemented.
Notes to Media
About Spotware Systems Ltd
Spotware Systems( http://www.spotware.com ) is a London based neutral financial technology provider focusing on e-FX STP solutions, offering comprehensive solutions for brokers, banks and their clients.
Spotware cTrader’s team of over 60 highly qualified financial and technology experts provide an easily integrated PaaS (Platform as a Service) solution to broker-dealers, banks, and other financial services firms looking to implement and offer manual( http://www.spotware.com/products/client-side-applications/ctrader ) and algorithmic( http://www.spotware.com/products/client-side-applications/calgo ) NDD eFX trading( http://www.spotware.com ) and a complete back-end management system( http://www.spotware.com/products/broker-automation/cbroker ).
For further information, please contact:
Brian Martin
cTrader Ltd( http://www.spotware.com )
Tel: +44(0)207-743-8805
Email: brian.martin@ctrader.com
SOURCE﹛Spotware Systems Ltd
LeBron James & NBA Champions The Miami Heat Celebrate Victory With Armand de Brignac Champagne
LeBron James & NBA Champions The Miami Heat Celebrate Victory With Armand de Brignac Champagne
NEW YORK, June 25, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ — NBA Finals MVP LeBron James and the Miami Heat celebrated their 2012 NBA Championship with the world’s number one rated Champagne, Armand de Brignac (“Ace of Spades”), on Thursday night at LIV Fontainebleau, Miami, FL. This is the team’s second NBA Championship title.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120622/NY29195-a )
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120622/NY29195-b )
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110824/NY57155 )
Fans and celebratory partygoers welcomed Miami Heat owner Micky Arison, Heat star and NBA Finals MVP LeBron James, All-Stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh and teammate Juwan Howard at the nightclub following their victorious championship game. Inside, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and teammates celebrated their new world championship title with dozens of bottles of Armand de Brignac Champagne valued in excess of $100,000 每 just like last year’s NBA Champions, the Dallas Mavericks, did after their championship win.
Electro-pop duo LMFAO also surprised the team with an impromptu celebration performance.
Armand de Brignac continues to serve as the celebratory choice for the world’s top athletes. Champions of the NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB and Grand Prix have made Armand de Brignac their preferred Champagne; we are thrilled to welcome LeBron, Dwyane, and the rest of the Miami Heat to that elite class.
Please join Armand de Brignac Champagne in congratulating the Miami Heat on their momentous second NBA Championship title and first with the celebrated “Big Three” lineup.
For more information about Armand de Brignac Champagne, please visit our website( http://www.armanddebrignac.com ) or follow us on Twitter( http://twitter.com/#!/ArmandDeBrignac ) or Facebook( https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Armand-de-Brignac-Champagne/101922598590 ).
About Armand de Brignac Champagne
Armand de Brignac Champagne, a prestige cuvee bearing dramatic pewter Ace of Spades insignias on its bottle, exemplifies unmatched winemaking expertise and a true passion for the art of Champagne. Armand de Brignac is produced using old-world techniques and a staff of only eight people by a family house established in 1763 in Chigny-les-Roses, France. The Champagne has been rated No. 1 in a blind-tasting of 1,000 Champagne brands, and counts among its other accolades a score of 98 (out of 100) points from world-renowned wine critic Jose Penin and a glowing review from UK critic Jancis Robinson. Armand de Brignac is currently available in more than 100 countries worldwide.
Contact:
Within the Americas & Caribbean:
Lauren Fernstrom
Director of Public Relations, The Americas & Caribbean
81 Greene Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10012, USA
T: 212.849.8254 / M: 412.600.8073
LaurenFernstrom@ArmandDeBrignac.com
Outside of the Americas & Caribbean:
Yvonne Lardner
Global Director of Public Relations and Brand Communications
6-11 rue Dom Perignon, 51500 Chigny-les-Roses, France
T: +44 (0) 7956 237 822
YvonneLardner@ArmandDeBrignac.com
SOURCE﹛Armand de Brignac Champagne﹛
Making the Spirit of Rio Actionable: New Tool for Strategic Carbon Planning in Metropolitan Regions
RIO DE JANEIRO, June 25, 2012/PRNewswire-Asia/ —
To Make the Green Economy Happen, reMAC Enables Metropolitan Regions and Cities to Take Informed Decisions on Energy & Carbon Reduction Strategies
Rio+20 provides much-needed momentum to international cooperation on sustainable development post global financial crisis. The question is how decision makers can translate goals into action in a cost-effective, fast and convergent manner.
Impact Economy is proud to announce its partnership with the Network of European Metropolitan Regions and Areas (METREX), leveraging the firm’s expertise in strategy, investment and sustainability advisory to advance the goal of a more sustainable and effective economy.
Producing roughly 70% of worldwide greenhouse gas, cities and metropolitan regions are in a unique position to address climate change. Given many governments’ ambition to achieve 80% emissions reductions by 2050, a decision and strategy tool such as Regenerative Energies for Metropolitan Areas and Cities (reMAC) is invaluable, covering the full spectrum of answers relating to financial viability, technical feasibility and carbon reduction.
As official partner and sole promoter and distributor outside the European Union, Impact Economy will support the rollout and implementation of reMAC to metropolitan administrations in cities ranging from 20,000 inhabitants upwards. Based on local data and potential mixes of energy sources and policy choices, reMAC models regional CO2 reduction and cost scenarios. This enables regional stakeholders to take smart decisions to efficiently achieve carbon reduction and profit from investments in renewables.
As member of the Clinton Global Initiative and strategy partner of R20 Regions of Climate Action, Impact Economy is actively seeking ways to maximize impact in fulfilling its mission to facilitate the transition towards sustainable capitalism.
Further information:
Dr. Maximilian Martin, Founder and Managing Director of Impact Economy maximilian.martin@impacteconomy.com or website: http://www.impacteconomy.com/remac, +41-78-698-98-56
SOURCE﹛Impact Economy SA
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