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ICAP Gets Wells Notice, SEC To Bring Enforcement Actions Against World's Largest Interdealer Broker

Tyler Durden's picture




Some bad news for ICAP today. As a reminder: "ICAP is the world’s premier voice and electronic interdealer broker and
provider of post-trade services. The Group is active in the wholesale
markets in interest rates, credit, commodities, FX, emerging markets,
equities and equity derivatives. ICAP has an average daily transaction
volume in excess of $2.3 trillion, more than 40% of which is
electronic."

ICAP plc announcement

On 22 October, 2009, the New York Regional Office Staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) provided ICAP Securities USA LLC (ICAP), a subsidiary of ICAP plc, with a "Wells" notice stating that the Staff intends to recommend that the Commission bring enforcement actions for possible violations of the federal securities laws. The notice relates to an existing SEC investigation into the market in certain fixed income securities which has been ongoing since 2005. The Wells notice is not a formal allegation nor a finding of wrongdoing. The company has discussed these matters with the SEC, has substantial disagreements with the SEC regarding how they should properly be viewed, and will vigorously put forth its position if and when any such charges are brought. Further statements will be made as appropriate.




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Fri, 10/23/2009 - 12:12 | Link to Comment Anonymous
Fri, 10/23/2009 - 12:16 | Link to Comment colonial
colonial's picture

Good Luck ICAP.  I'm surprised anyone pays attention to the Wells process.  Its not clear whether the SEC actually follows the procedure.   In a technical sense, the Wells process was never formally adopted by the Commission.  Therefore, strict adherence to Wells is not a necessary step in the investigative/legal process.  I would be interested to know how many Wells responses actually led to a dismissal of Enforcement action.  My bet is that its something approaching "zero."   

Fri, 10/23/2009 - 12:26 | Link to Comment Assetman
Assetman's picture

... yet is appears that Goldman's feces still do not possess that abhorrent olfactory quality.

Go figure.

Fri, 10/23/2009 - 12:27 | Link to Comment Anonymous
Fri, 10/23/2009 - 13:03 | Link to Comment Anonymous
Fri, 10/23/2009 - 14:38 | Link to Comment Cognitive Dissonance
Cognitive Dissonance's picture

Only when I see a "Wells" notice slapped on GS and select friends will I begin to even consider the thought that the SEC is doing its job.

Not before.

Sat, 10/24/2009 - 08:41 | Link to Comment Zippyin Annapolis
Zippyin Annapolis's picture

Fixed income trading is a license to steal--this is a suprise?

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