Citigroup Global Markets Joins Spanish Stock Exchange as Non-Settling Member

Citigroup Global Markets Limited (Citigroup) has announced that it has formally joined Spain's main trading bourse, the Bolsas y Mercados Españoles (BME), as a trading member. The US-based banking giant joins amid difficult times for the European economy that suffered one of its most difficult economic periods in the modern era when unemployment topped 27%. The stock market on the other hand has been faring well as investors look for opportunities in desperate times.

Citigroup becomes the first international player to give Spain's main exchange enhanced Liquidity Liquidity The term liquidity refers to the process, speed, and ease of which a given asset or security can be converted into cash. Notably, liquidity surmises a retention in market price, with the most liquid assets representing cash.The most liquid asset of all is cash itself.· In economics, liquidity is defined by how efficiently and quickly an asset can be converted into usable cash without materially affecting its market price. · Nothing is more liquid than cash, while other assets represent The term liquidity refers to the process, speed, and ease of which a given asset or security can be converted into cash. Notably, liquidity surmises a retention in market price, with the most liquid assets representing cash.The most liquid asset of all is cash itself.· In economics, liquidity is defined by how efficiently and quickly an asset can be converted into usable cash without materially affecting its market price. · Nothing is more liquid than cash, while other assets represent Read this Term after new regulatory reforms meant participants can provide trade Execution Execution Execution is the process during which a client submits an order to the brokerage, which consequently executes it resulting in an open position in a given asset. The execution of the order occurs only when it is filled. There is typically a time delay between the placement of the order and the execution which is called latency.In the retail FX space, reliable brokers always strive to deliver best execution to their clients in order to maintain a solid business relationship with them. This is a co Execution is the process during which a client submits an order to the brokerage, which consequently executes it resulting in an open position in a given asset. The execution of the order occurs only when it is filled. There is typically a time delay between the placement of the order and the execution which is called latency.In the retail FX space, reliable brokers always strive to deliver best execution to their clients in order to maintain a solid business relationship with them. This is a co Read this Term as a non-settling member, and thus use an Iberclear clearing member for settlement. According to the notification; “The new status, approved by finance ministers, means Citi will hold an agreement with an Iberclear participant which will be responsible for the registration, clearing and settlement of Citi's trading activities. Iberclear is the Spanish central securities depository and subsidiary of BME.”

Under the reforms firms will no longer need to handle registration, clearing and settlement obligations thus making membership more flexible and simple. Jorge Yzaguirre, Director of the BME Equities unit spoke about the new membership in a statement to the media: "The addition of Citigroup is great news for the Spanish stock market. New opportunities open up for many brokers and foreign firms that wanted to operate in Spain. This new figure will allow a quick and easy connection to the market that will have a positive impact on the volumes and liquidity of all the securities listed".

The positive news come after BME announced strong operating metrics for the month of October, trading volumes were up 30%.