R.J. O'Brien Limited Joins LCH's EquityClear as Clearing Member

Move Enhances Firm's Equity CFD Offering for Professional Market Participants

CHICAGO and LONDON, July 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- R.J. O'Brien & Associates (RJO), the oldest and largest independent futures brokerage and clearing firm in the United States, today announced that its London-based affiliate, R.J. O'Brien Limited (RJO Limited), is now approved as a general clearing member of EquityClear, the UK-based equities clearing service of LCH Limited, a leading global clearing house.

EquityClear enables members and their clients to clear cash equities and equity derivatives on exchanges and trading venues located throughout Europe.  Compliant with the UK client asset segregation rules, EquityClear has an over-the-counter (OTC) equities contracts for difference (CFD) offering that strengthens transaction flow by bringing these traditionally bilateral OTC products onto a central clearing house.

Thomas Texier, Managing Director of RJO Limited, said: "This clearing membership further enhances our existing equities CFD offering for professional market participants.  We can now offer our clients a broader array of choices and a centrally cleared option for these, with EquityClear's extensive coverage of all the major single name equity markets. The equity products are a growing area for RJO in London and a source of additional diversification in the UK and the EMEA region. We are delighted to continue building upon the breadth of asset classes available to our clients."

Bruce Kellaway, Global Head of RepoClear, EquityClear and Collateral, LCH, said: "We're pleased that RJO Limited has chosen to become a clearing member of our EquityClear service. As part of our efforts to increase efficiencies and drive down risk for customers, we look forward to continuing to support the firm in its CFD clearing business."

RJO Limited serves as a matched principal broker for professional and institutional market participants; the firm does not run a proprietary trading book.

In addition to equity CFDs, RJO Limited offers anonymous electronic and voice access to markets across multiple asset classes, including futures and options on all major global exchanges and over-the-counter cleared commodities. It also provides services beyond clearing and execution, including real-time risk management across asset classes; tailored post-trade services; and state-of-the-art front-, middle- and back-office solutions for sell-side clients wanting to outsource technology and facilities management.

About R.J. O'Brien Limited and R.J. O'Brien & Associates

R.J. O'Brien Limited provides clearing and settlement services to professional and eligible counterparty clients who transact business on the world's leading futures and options exchanges. It offers clearing and execution-only services, risk management and electronic trading access to exchange-listed financial and commodity derivatives worldwide, as well as proximity and colocation services. RJO Limited is the UK affiliate of R.J. O'Brien & Associates, the oldest and largest independent futures brokerage and clearing firm in the United States. Founded in 1914, RJO offers state-of-the-art electronic trading and 24-hour trade execution on all major futures exchanges worldwide, as well as a full range of clearing services to more than 80,000 clients in Europe, Asia and the Americas.

R.J. O'Brien Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 114120).

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/363183/r_j__obrien___associates_logo.jpg