Wall Street, Main Street and Global Competitiveness

TradingScreen, the leading independent provider of electronic trading solutions, and a group of 15 of the largest long-only asset managers in Europe have launched TradeCross,the first buy side-designed crossing platform for fixed income corporate bonds.

CHAPS Co. (CHAPS), the UK’s same day high-value electronic payment system, has announced the addition of BNP Paribas as a Direct Participant onto its system.

As a Direct Participant, BNP Paribas can now directly send and receive irrevocable, guaranteed sterling payments with same day finality, rather than through a third-party. Its customers will also benefit from enhanced payment security and mitigation of settlement risk.

 Huddle, the leader in secure collaboration tools for enterprise and government, today announced general availability of its desktop app, Huddle Desktop.

Lloyds Bank has today launched My Life Insurance; its first online protection service which offers customers life cover up to the value of £500,000. Customers can meet their protection needs by going through just six simple steps, with the innovation removing the time consuming barriers that can discourage customers from accessing quality products they so vitally need.

A simple, online service

Misys, the leading financial software company, has received the highest SWIFT Certification for its SWIFTNet Service Bureau, being recognised as a Premier Operating Practice.

Numerix (www.numerix.com), the leading provider of cross-asset analytics for derivatives valuations and risk management, announces today its plans to expand into Ireland with the opening of a new office.

While the introduction of Apple Pay in the UK offers an exciting new payments functionality for UK consumers, Apple faces several challenges if it is to meet a similar level of consumer adoption to that in the US.

Equiniti, the leading provider of technology and solutions to some of the best known brands and public sector organisations in the UK, has exchanged contracts to acquire TransGlobal Payment Solutions (“TransGlobal”).  TransGlobal is the technology company that powers the platform for the Group’s foreign exchange payments business, Equiniti International Payments.  The acquisition is subject to certain procedural matters that are expected to be concluded in the next six weeks.