Feb, 10 2009
GFI Launches Asian Equity Business Tue, 10 Feb 2009 17:14:16

New Octagon Division Formed

New York, February 10, 2009 – GFI Group Inc. (GFIG on Nasdaq) – has formed a new Asian equity division, Octagon, which will be a division of GFI Securities LLC in New York and GFI (HK) Securities LLC in Hong Kong. GFI’s Octagon division will provide brokerage services in Asia and other emerging equity markets.

The new division will be staffed by a team of newly hired Asian equity professionals to be led by Michael Conway, previously a Senior Managing Director and Global Head of Asian Sales and Trading at Bear Stearns. Thanh Nguyen, also a former Senior Managing Director at Bear Stearns, will be Head of Sales.

Also joining are Ron Wexler, Andrew Lee, Jay Kim, Charles Lee, Betty Cheng and Simon Tsang. “This team has worked together for over ten years and we intend to continue to bring our clients value-added service with insightful opinion,” said Michael Conway. “We also look forward to attracting further industry professionals by providing them with unique opportunities.”

“GFI is delighted to launch its Octagon division with such an experienced and knowledgeable team” said Ron Levi, GFI’s Chief Operating Officer, “We believe the Asia-Pacific region continues to be of increased importance and we look forward to further serving our clients.”

About GFI Group Inc.

GFI Group Inc. (www.GFIgroup.com) is a leading inter-dealer broker specializing in over-the-counter derivatives products and related securities. GFI Group Inc. provides brokerage services, market data and trading platform and analytics software to institutional clients in markets for a range of credit, financial, equity and commodity instruments.

Headquartered in New York, GFI was founded in 1987 and employs more than 1,700 people with additional offices in London, Paris, Tel Aviv, Dublin, Dubai, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo, Singapore, Sydney, Seoul, Cape Town, Calgary, Englewood (NJ), and Sugar Land (TX). GFI provides services and products to over 2,200 institutional clients, including leading banks, corporations, insurance companies and hedge funds. Its brands include GFI™, GFInet®, CreditMatch®, GFI ForexMatch®, EnergyMatch®, FENICS®, Starsupply®, Amerex® and Trayport®.

Forward-looking statement

Certain matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this press release, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “may,” “might,” “intend,” “expect” and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein. These forward-looking statements are based largely on the expectations of the Company and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with: economic, political and market factors affecting trading volumes; securities prices or demand for the Company’s brokerage services; competition from current and new competitors; the Company’s ability to attract and retain key personnel, including highly-qualified brokerage personnel; the Company’s ability to identify and develop new products and markets; changes in laws and regulations governing the Company’s business and operations or permissible activities; the Company’s ability to manage its international operations; financial difficulties experienced by the Company’s customers or key participants in the markets in which the Company focuses its brokerage services; the Company’s ability to keep up with technological changes; and uncertainties relating to litigation. Further information about factors that could affect the Company’s financial and other results is included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contact

Alan Bright
PR Manager
GFI Group Inc.
+ 44 (0)20 7877 8049
alan.bright@gfigroup.co.uk