Trade execution is central to not only liquidity but also the efficiency of investment markets. In some areas, it is easy to draw the subjects together, but when considered in isolation this gives you the broader picture. In its simplest form, trade execution is simply the completion of a buy/sell order between two parties. How a trade is executed will directly impact market liquidity and market efficiency.
It is safe to say that trading systems worldwide have changed dramatically over the last 50 years or so. The Internet has been critical to these changes prompting a period of minimal human intervention and ever-quicker trading systems, but these have often encouraged more volatile markets. So, what are the pros and cons of low-touch execution and leveraging technology?
Wealth management incorporates an array of different services, with asset management prominent. Over the years, we have seen an increase in the use of technology in the field of asset management, which is making a monumental difference in investment strategies. Unfortunately, many online technology-based services we see today are taken for granted, although they have taken years and a considerable amount of investment to shape.
While we take clearing services for granted, the first modern bank clearinghouse in London can be traced back to the 1700s. However, in reality, clearing services were already in use hundreds of years earlier, with particular emphasis on trade in the Far East. In essence, a clearing service adds stability to any financial system and efficiency to any market. A clearing house effectively guarantees settlement by holding collateral and funds to cover both sides of a transaction.
Wealth management companies will currently be looking atadjustments to client investments for the current tax year and the start of the next tax year. Asset management is a critical element of wealth management, allowing customers to use tax-efficient investment vehicles and maximise their allowances where applicable. What are your options as we approach the end of the tax year?
With a new overseas office planned for Dubai this year, we thought now would be an interesting time to interview John William Gunn, the founder of brokerage Global Investment Strategy Ltd (GIS). The company was founded back in 2004 and continues to go from strength to strength. This interview gives an insight into John Gunn’s early years, the crucial broker/client relationship, his view on changing markets and plans for the future.
As a group, GIS UK Ltd offers a range of prime broking services with a high degree of personalisation to accommodate individual client requirements. In many ways, this is the public face of the company, but like a swan gliding across a lake, there is a lot of unseen work required to create our seamless trade to settlement service.
Strong financial understanding is a prerequisite for an organisation’s leadership team. Corporate financing is a broad term. In brief, it’s the division of finance that covers how companies approach different funding sources, investment decisions and their overall capital structure.
Moving funds quickly, securely and efficiently is essential for investors. Payment services have to be agile and adaptable in order to fully meet the needs of a varied group of clients. The term “Payment Institution” refers to a category of payment service providers which came into being as a result of the enactment of the Payment Services Directive (PSD) which was enacted across the EU in 2009. The payment institution sector is active in each EU member state as well as other non-EU European countries.
The UK is a world leader when it comes to fintech innovation. This leading role can be seen particularly in relation to payment innovations. As a result, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of UK-authorised payment services providers. These provide direct competition to banks to provide a range of payment services to individuals and businesses.