May 11, 2012
European brokers facing surveillance cost hike - TABB
The growing number of
regulations designed prevent market abuse will require brokers to overhaul
their monitoring and surveillance systems, with an estimated €113 million being
spent this year.
The findings are part of new
research from consultancy TABB Group, ‘European market surveillance 2012: Under
starters’ orders’, which predicts spending for surveillance systems
covering equities and derivatives trading will increase 8% this year, and
further to €126 million by 2014.
“Regulations from Brussels may
be the trigger, but market surveillance is now morphing into optimal operation
control. Despite current budget constraints, firms are beginning to invest in
the necessary tools, but those who don’t may well be saddled with fines and a
damaged reputation,” said Rebecca Healy, senior analyst at TABB.
Guidelines from the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), which came into force at the beginning
of this month, require brokers and trading venue operators to have measures in
place to maintain fair and order markets. For brokers, this includes a governance process for developing or buying algorithms,
rolling out the live use of the algorithm in a cautious fashion and ensuring
staff have the necessary expertise to run and monitor the behaviour of algorithms.
There are also guidelines related to pre-trade risk controls for direct market
access. In addition, proposals in MiFID II and the Market Abuse Directive aim
to restrict high-frequency trading (HFT) activity by placing limits on the way
they interact with the market. TABB estimates that HFT currently represents
around 40% of equity order flow in Europe.
According to
Healey, legacy surveillance systems are in danger of being overwhelmed by the
sheer volume and complexity of algorithmic trading data. She added that the
rules also require systems that are flexible and adaptable so that algo
strategies can continue to work effectively.
“ESMA guidelines call for
monitoring cross-border trading in real time, not post trade,” said Healey. “Unfortunately,
necessary controls and procedures may prove inadequate ahead of further
regulation coming down the pipe. As such, investment firms need to appear
beyond reproach, uphold market integrity and avoid fines. This is why
reputational risk has quickly become the mantra of compliance officers and risk
managers alike.”
Anish Puaar
+44 (0)20 7397 3817
anish.puaar@thetrade.ltd.uk