Weighing Tier-1 Prime Brokers' Competitiveness

Monday, 25/08/2014 | 00:04 GMT by Mitch Eaglstein
  • It is difficult for a tier-1 prime broker or bank to be competitive in the FX space because they do not cater to smaller market players.
Weighing Tier-1 Prime Brokers' Competitiveness
Photo: Bloomberg

It is difficult for a tier-1 prime broker or bank to be competitive in the FX space because they do not cater to smaller market players, essentially restricting themselves from that market flow. Therefore, regardless of the fact that major banks are able to take huge volume, they do not have the capability to provide Liquidity the way prime of prime, and exchanges do.

Economies of Scale

Only these market players have the incentive of aggregating prices into a best bid best offer feed, which provides quality in depth of market, and makes it easier to fill orders. The Tier 1 Prime brokers do have a major benefit though, which is cost savings through economies of scale; however, the benefits of these cost savings are typically only reaped by larger firms.

It is difficult for a tier-1 prime broker or bank to be competitive in the FX space because they do not cater to smaller market players, essentially restricting themselves from that market flow. Therefore, regardless of the fact that major banks are able to take huge volume, they do not have the capability to provide Liquidity the way prime of prime, and exchanges do.

Economies of Scale

Only these market players have the incentive of aggregating prices into a best bid best offer feed, which provides quality in depth of market, and makes it easier to fill orders. The Tier 1 Prime brokers do have a major benefit though, which is cost savings through economies of scale; however, the benefits of these cost savings are typically only reaped by larger firms.

About the Author: Mitch Eaglstein
Mitch Eaglstein
  • 7 Articles
  • 6 Followers
About the Author: Mitch Eaglstein
Mitch has extensive experience in Senior Level management of OTC related software and brokerage companies. Having worked previously as Managing Director at Boston Prime Ltd, Mitch was also CIO of FXCM Systems, LLC which was the result of a deal between FXCM Holdings and Avalon Capital Holdings, wholly owned subsidiary Traders Development. As part of this deal Mitch setup a software firm in Seoul, South Korea. While at Avalon he was the COO and was instrumental in the development and distribution of the proprietary Avalon FX Pro trading platform, now owned by FXCM. Prior to that, Mitch was the Chief Operating Officer at a California-based Futures Commission Merchant (a "FCM") registered with the National Futures Association. In that capacity, he performed numerous operational roles in the areas of Sales, Customer Service, Marketing, Trading and Compliance and Capital raising. Mitch has extensive experience in Senior Level management of OTC related software and brokerage companies. Having worked previously as Managing Director at Boston Prime Ltd, Mitch was also CIO of FXCM Systems, LLC which was the result of a deal between FXCM Holdings and Avalon Capital Holdings, wholly owned subsidiary Traders Development. As part of this deal Mitch setup a software firm in Seoul, South Korea. While at Avalon he was the COO and was instrumental in the development and distribution of the proprietary Avalon FX Pro trading platform, now owned by FXCM. Prior to that, Mitch was the Chief Operating Officer at a California-based Futures Commission Merchant (a "FCM") registered with the National Futures Association. In that capacity, he performed numerous operational roles in the areas of Sales, Customer Service, Marketing, Trading and Compliance and Capital raising.
  • 7 Articles
  • 6 Followers

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