Contributed by Susie Potier
A rumor was circulating around the Futures Industry Association (FIA) Expo last month when the largest futures exchange did not exhibit at the conference. The question on the tip of everyone’s tongue was “why wasn’t the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) at the FIA show?” It was the talk of the convention as futures traders from all over the country gathered in Chicago to discuss the changing futures trading landscape. As the CME is one of the original members of the Futures Industry Association, it is worrisome they did not sponsor this year’s event.
The FIA was established in 1955 as the national trade organization for the futures industry. According to their website, their mission is to provide a forum to discuss issues within the futures industry, work with the exchanges and represent the public customer. They also study ways to reduce transaction costs, eliminate credit fraud as well as coordinate educational and networking seminars, including those held at the FIA Expo, FIA Boca in May and the International Derivatives Expo in June.
Their members include over 40 of the largest futures commission merchants. The FIA also estimates that their members are responsible for 80 percent of customer business transactions executed on U.S. futures exchanges.
John Lothian, a futures broker who writes a daily newsletter, pointed out the absence of the CME at the FIA Expo on November 16, 2007. In his newsletter, he questioned the Exchange’s motives for not exhibiting at the show and said that “the spiteful posture sends a chilling message to the rest of the futures industry about how the CME group may be willing to treat those who have disagreed with them in the past or may disagree with them in the future.”
After reading Mr. Lothian’s comments and watching the FIA keep the CME’s booth space at the expo, it can only make one wonder if there is more to this story…
Read more
Where was the Chicago Mercantile Exchange at the FIA Expo?
NewsContributed by Susie Potier
A rumor was circulating around the Futures Industry Association (FIA) Expo last month when the largest futures exchange did not exhibit at the conference. The question on the tip of everyone’s tongue was “why wasn’t the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) at the FIA show?” It was the talk of the convention as futures traders from all over the country gathered in Chicago to discuss the changing futures trading landscape. As the CME is one of the original members of the Futures Industry Association, it is worrisome they did not sponsor this year’s event.
The FIA was established in 1955 as the national trade organization for the futures industry. According to their website, their mission is to provide a forum to discuss issues within the futures industry, work with the exchanges and represent the public customer. They also study ways to reduce transaction costs, eliminate credit fraud as well as coordinate educational and networking seminars, including those held at the FIA Expo, FIA Boca in May and the International Derivatives Expo in June.
Their members include over 40 of the largest futures commission merchants. The FIA also estimates that their members are responsible for 80 percent of customer business transactions executed on U.S. futures exchanges.
John Lothian, a futures broker who writes a daily newsletter, pointed out the absence of the CME at the FIA Expo on November 16, 2007. In his newsletter, he questioned the Exchange’s motives for not exhibiting at the show and said that “the spiteful posture sends a chilling message to the rest of the futures industry about how the CME group may be willing to treat those who have disagreed with them in the past or may disagree with them in the future.”
After reading Mr. Lothian’s comments and watching the FIA keep the CME’s booth space at the expo, it can only make one wonder if there is more to this story…
Read more
Advice for Entrepreneurs -Building a Managed Funds Business
Money TalksWith more women becoming entrepreneurs than ever before, there is a high demand for information about how to start a business. At the Futures Industry Association Expo in Chicago last week, one of the panel discussions included advice on building a managed funds business. The broad-based suggestions given to the audience were applicable to a range of organizations, especially the tips about how to execute start-up strategies.
The session was moderated by Paul Olin of the alternative investments group at Union Bancaire Privée. He was joined by speakers Arthur Bell of Arthur Bell Certified Public Accountants; Jim Little of Campbell & Company and David Matteson, partner at the law firm DrinkerBiddle.
In the discussion, Mr. Matteson drew a parallel between starting a business and getting married. He emphasized the importance of a pre-nuptial agreement. He advised that declaring ownership before the business takes off is essential and explained that things get complicated after the money has already been invested.
Read more
FWA NJ Holiday Get Together
NewsFWA Members can catch up, network and reflect on the past year. For prospective members it represents a chance to learn more about the FWA and meet FWA leaders who shape the NJ agenda, serve as board members, and volunteer for many programs.
The New Rules of M&A: Succeeding After The Froth
NewsNetwork and listen to a variety of speakers who have survived previous dips in the market share their tips and tricks for turning downturns into opportunities. Visit the website.
Sub-Saharan Africa Project & Trade Finance Forum
NewsA two-day speaker programme of senior executives with experience in the region is lined up for delegates, including a keynote address by the Tanzanian minister for energy and mineral resources, The Hon Nazir Karamagi.
Having a Mom Meltdown
Breaking the Glass CeilingTonight I cried.
I shouldn’t have. It’s been a fantastic week, at least work-wise. I pulled a huge rabbit out of a hat and should have been resting on my laurels with a glass of bubbly, contemplating my glorious future with an exhilarated (but exhausted) team around me…
So why did I burst into tears? (Especially when I’m not big on crying. I avoid it when I can. My eyes go all piggy and red and it makes me look really not-put-together and also leaves me feeling lousy for days).
Some things get your eyes leaking and the voice wobbling, and tonight was one of those times. I was riding high on my journey home from my last assignment after an amazing week, thinking about how the future was looking rosy (and lucrative), when my daughter’s schoolteacher called my cell-phone and interrupted my reverie:
”Your daughter has failed to submit a major assignment on time; she tells us that it is because her excessive household duties prevent her from being able to perform her homework tasks effectively. She tells us that you are absent from the home so she can’t talk to you about it. We are concerned about you as a parent and your daughter’s performance because this is an important exam year…”
Read more
2007 FWA Holiday Benefit Gala
NewsThe Financial Women’s Association is having their annual Holiday Benefit Gala. Thomson Financial is also underwriting this event. There will be benefit raffles for a number of prizes including :
– Two Coach Class Tickets to Asia or Europe on Continental Airlines
– Large Hamptons vintage Leather Carryall from Coach, $1,450 Value
– NARS Cosmetics Gift Basket of Skincare and Color Products, $1,000 Value
– Arbonne Skincare Basket and Skincare Party for 20 Friends, $1,000 Value
WITI Los Angeles Regional Network Event
NewsWITI Los Angeles is hosting their holiday mixer for networking.
Working Mother Loses her £1.3 Million Claim Against Bank
NewsContributed by Philippa Robbins, Rooks Rider Solicitors Employment Group, with contributions by Chloe Magri.
In June 2007, Katharina Tofeji, a working mother, lost her claim against the British branch of the French bank BNP Paribas for sex discrimination, victimization and constructive dismissal. Mrs Tofeji claimed that she received unfair treatment after she announced she was pregnant in November 2004 and again when she returned to work after her one-year maternity leave. Mrs Tofeji asked for a four-day work week to accommodate her childcare requirements but this request was denied.
She claimed that she received a ‘hostile reception’ on her return to work and that her client lists were not restored to her even though, prior to her maternity leave, she had consistently outperformed all other sales traders in her team.
Despite this, the London Central Employment Tribunal dismissed her claims and ruled that she was not wrongfully dismissed nor treated less favourably than her male colleagues.
Read more
How to Market a Liberal Arts Education
Expert AnswersI graduated from New York University in 1984 with three things:
Nonetheless, ten years after I graduated, I loved my work and was earning over $100,000 (remember this was the early 1990s) and four years later I was making over $200,000 and a couple of years after that, just under $300,000.
If you have a Liberal Arts education, it’s my goal help you slice years off of your quest to have both a rewarding career and to earn the income you want. In fact I’ve recently started a consulting firm (with two friends) called SixFigureStart to do exactly that, give you the information and the power to springboard into a career that excites you and is financially rewarding. Here are some tips for how to leverage your liberal arts education into a successful career in the private sector:
Read more