IMPORTANT FOREIGN EXCHANGE LINKS
CENTRAL BANKS:
Federal Reserve Board (FED) - The
Federal Reserve, the central bank of the United
States, was founded by Congress in 1913 to
provide the nation with a safer, flexible and
stable monetary and financial system. The Twelve
Regional Reserve Banks which, together with the
Board of Governors in Washington, D.C., make up
the Federal Reserve System.
http://www.federalreserve.gov
European Central Bank (ECB) - The
European Central Bank frames and implements
European monetary policy; it conducts foreign
exchange operations and ensures the smooth
operation of payment systems.
The European Central Bank (ECB) and the national
central banks of the European Union member
states make up the Eurosystem, whose primary
task is to maintain price stability. The ECB is
made up of three parts - governing council,
executive board, and general council.
http://www.ecb.int
Bank Of Japan (BOJ) - The Bank of
Japan's missions are to maintain price stability
and to ensure the stability of the financial
system, thereby laying the foundations for sound
economic development. The Bank conducts the
following activities: Issuance and Management of
Banknotes; The Conduct of Monetary Policy;
Providing Settlement Services and Ensuring the
Stability of the Financial System; Treasury and
Government Securities; International Activities;
Compilation of Data, Economic Analyses and
Research Activities.
http://www.boj.or.jp/en/index.htm
Bank Of England (BOE) - The Bank of
England is the central bank of the United
Kingdom. Sometimes known as the 'Old Lady' of
Threadneedle Street, the Bank was founded in
1694, nationalised in 1946, and gained
operational independence in 1997. Standing at
the centre of the UK's financial system, the
Bank is committed to promoting and maintaining a
stable and efficient monetary and financial
framework as its contribution to a healthy
economy.
http://www.bankofengland.co.uk
Swiss National Bank (SNB) - The Swiss National Bank
conducts the country's monetary policy as an independent
central bank. Main responsibilities include: Price
stability; Promoting the efficiency of the payment system;
Ensuring the supply of money; Cashless payment transactions;
Investment of currency reserves; Stability of the financial
system; Statistical task; and Tasks on behalf of the
Confederation.
http://www.snb.ch/en
Bank of Canada (BOC) - The Bank of Canada's
responsibilities focus on the goals of low and stable
inflation, a safe and secure, financial stability, and the
efficient management of government funds and public debt.
The Bank of Canada promotes the economic and financial
welfare of Canada, by conducting monetary policy, supplying
quality bank notes, promoting the safety and efficiency of
Canada's financial system, providing efficient and effective
funds-management services.
http://www.bank-banque-canada.ca
Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) - The
Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) main function is monetary
policy. Policy decisions are made by the Board, with the
objective of achieving low and stable inflation over the
medium term. Other major roles are maintaining financial
system stability and promoting the safety and efficiency of
the payments system. Manages Australia's foreign reserves,
issues Australian currency notes and serves as banker to the
Commonwealth Government.
http://www.rba.gov.au
Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) - The
Reserve Bank of New Zealand has three main functions. These
are: operating monetary policy to maintain price stability;
promoting the maintenance of a sound and efficient financial
system; and meeting the currency needs of the public.
http://www.rbnz.govt.nz
FOREX REGULATORS:
UNITED STATES
Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)
- CFTC was created by United States Congress in 1974 as an
independent agency with the mandate to regulate commodity
futures and option markets in the United States. The agency
protects market participants against manipulation, abusive
trade practices and fraud. Through effective oversight and
regulation, the CFTC enables the markets to serve better
their important functions in the nation's economy by
providing a mechanism for price discovery and a means of
offsetting price risk.
http://www.cftc.gov
National Futures Association ( NFA) - NFA is a
congressionally authorized self-regulatory organization for
the U.S. futures industry, provides innovative regulatory
programs and services that ensure futures industry
integrity, protect market participants and help its Members
meet their regulatory responsibilities.
http://www.nfa.futures.org
Capital Markets Compliance LLC (CMC) - CMC
specializes in providing regulatory guidance for firms that
offer securities products as well as banks requiring market
risk management reviews. Clients range from one-person
retail broker-dealer operations to full-scale multi
registered representative broker-dealers, investment
advisers, investment bankers, bank affiliated
broker-dealers, state and national chartered banks, and
financial holding companies.
http://www.capitalmarketscompliance.com
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) - SEC
administers federal securities laws to protect investors
from fraud and abuse. Includes the EDGAR database of
corporate financial filings. The primary mission of the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is to protect
investors and maintain the integrity of the securities
markets.
http://www.sec.gov
EUROPE
The Committee of European Securities Regulators
(CESR)
- CESR was established by the European Commission Decision
of June 2001. CESR is an independent Committee regrouping
senior representatives from national public authorities
competent in the field of securities. CESR submits an Annual
Report to the European Commission, which is also sent to the
European Parliament and the Council.
http://www.europefesco.org
JAPAN
Ministry of Finance (MOF) - The Ministry of
Finance is responsible for the country's fiscal and monetary
matters. It consists of the Prime Minister's secretariat and
seven bureaus. In addition to formulating the national
budget, which is central to fiscal policy, the MOF monitors
and guides banks and securities companies as to current
monetary policy, adjusts the current balance of payments,
and determines and maintains what MOF considers to be an
appropriate level in foreign exchange rates.
http://www.mof.go.jp/english/
Financial Supervisory Agency (FSA) - FSA was
established as an administrative organ responsible for the
inspection and supervision of private sector financial
institutions and surveillance of securities transaction.
With the establishment of the Financial Reconstruction
Commission, the FSA became an organization under the
jurisdiction of the said Commission.
http://www.fsa.go.jp/en
UNITED KINGDOM
Financial Services Authority (FSA) - FSA is
an independent non-governmental body, given statutory powers
by the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. It is a
company limited by guarantee and financed by the financial
services industry. The Financial Services and Markets Act
gives FSA statutory objectives: market confidence:
maintaining confidence in the financial system; public
awareness: promoting public understanding of the financial
system; consumer protection: securing the appropriate degree
of protection for consumers; and reduction of financial
crime.
http://www.fsa.gov.uk
SWITZERLAND
Swiss Federal Banking Commission (SFBC) -
SFBC supervisory authority of wide areas of the financial
sector in Switzerland. Following are its tasks: supervision
of: banks, investment funds, mortgage bond business, stock
exchanges and securities dealers, disclosure of
shareholdings and public takeover bids. It is in constant
contact with the Swiss Federal Department of Finance and the
Swiss National Bank. In addition, maintains regular contact
with various associations, primarily the Swiss Bankers
Association, the Swiss Funds Association and the Swiss
Institute of Certified Accountants and Tax Consultants.
http://www.ebk.admin.ch/e
Money Laundering Control Authority (MLCA) - MLCA is
one of the supervisory authorities responsible for
implementing the Money laundering Act. It is responsible for
the supervision of all financial intermediaries in the
non-banking sector that are subject to the Money Laundering
Act. These in particular include all those financial
intermediaries who, on a professional basis, accept, or hold
in custody, assets belonging to third parties, or assist in
investing or transferring such assets.
http://www.gwg.admin.ch/e
CANADA
Canadian Derivatives Clearing Corporation (CDDC)
- CDDC is the issuer, clearinghouse, and guarantor of
equity, index and interest rate financial derivative
contracts traded on the Montréal Exchange. CDCC also
provides clearing, settlement and administrative services to
the Winnipeg Commodity Exchange and the WCE Clearing
Corporation.
http://www.cdcc.ca
Other include:
Alberta Securities Commission (ASC)
http://www.albertasecurities.com
British Columbia Securities Commission
http://www.bcsc.bc.ca
Commission des valeurs mobilieres du Quebec
http://www.cvmq.com
Manitoba Securities Commission
http://www.msc.gov.mb.ca
Ontario Securities Commission
http://www.osc.gov.on.ca
Prince Edward Island Securities Office
http://www.gov.pe.ca/securities
Saskatchewan Financial Services Commission (SFSC)
http://www.sfsc.gov.sk.ca
AUSTRALIA
Australian Securities and Investments Commission
(ASIC)
- ASIC enforces company and financial services laws to
protect consumers, investors and creditors. It regulates and
informs the public about Australian companies, financial
markets, financial services organisations and professionals
who deal and advise in investments, superannuation,
insurance, deposit taking and credit. ASIC works with other
financial, consumer and law enforcement bodies in Australia
and internationally. It is an independent Commonwealth
government body.
http://www.asic.gov.au
NEW ZEALAND
Securities Commission of New Zealand
(SEC)
- SEC is a statutory corporation which, in all matters other
than funding and the appointment of Members, is expected to
act independently of the New Zealand Government and
others.Its purpose is to strengthen confidence in New
Zealand's capital markets, both in New Zealand and overseas,
by promoting the efficiency, integrity and cost-effective
regulation of these markets and thereby fostering capital
investment in New Zealand.
http://www.sec-com.govt.nz
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:
Bank of International Settlements (BIS) - BIS is an
international organisation which fosters cooperation among
central banks and other agencies in pursuit of monetary and
financial stability. It is based in Basel Switzerland.
http://www.bis.org
International Monetary Fund (IMF) - IMF is an
international organization of 184 member countries. It was
established to promote international monetary cooperation,
exchange stability, and orderly exchange arrangements; to
foster economic growth and high levels of employment; and to
provide temporary financial assistance to countries to help
ease balance of payments adjustment.
http://www.imf.org
The World Bank (WB) - The World Bank is one of the
world’s largest sources of development assistance. Its
primary focus is on helping the poorest people and the
poorest countries.
http://www.worldbank.org
World Economic Forum (WEF) - The World Economic
Forum is an independent international organization committed
to improving the state of the world. The Forum provides a
collaborative framework for the world's leaders to address
global issues, engaging particularly its corporate members
in global citizenship.
http://www.weforum.org
International Finance Corporation (IFC) - IFC is
the largest multilateral source of loan and equity financing
for private sector projects in the developing world. It
promotes sustainable private sector development primarily
by: Financing private sector projects located in the
developing world; Helping private companies in the
developing world mobilize financing in international
financial markets; Providing advice and technical assistance
to businesses and governments.
http://www.ifc.org
Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)
- OPEC is an international Organization of eleven developing
countries which are heavily reliant on oil revenues as their
main source of income. Membership is open to any country
which is a substantial net exporter of oil and which shares
the ideals of the Organization. The current members are
Algeria, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria,
Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Venezuela.
http://www.opec.org
International Energy Agency (IEA) - is based in
Paris and is an autonomous agency linked with the
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
(OECD). The IEA is the energy forum for 26 Member countries.
IEA Member governments are committed to taking joint
measures to meet oil supply emergencies.
http://www.iea.org