Saxo Bank Acquires 25% Stake in Broker Solutions Provider Leverate to Extend Offering for Institutional and Retail Clients

COPENHAGEN, July 27, 2011 -

• The acquisition will enable Saxo Bank to provide banks and brokers with a wide array of non proprietary trading services such as MetaTrader4 (MT4) and other trading solutions, while Leverate will benefit from Saxo Bank‘s leading market presence, superior liquidity and industry know-how.

Saxo Bank and Leverate announced today that they have entered into a strategic partnership in which Saxo Bank has acquired 25% of Leverate. The broker solutions provider offers a full turn-key solution for brokerage companies looking to offer trading capabilities based on the online automated trading application MetaTrader or to complement their existing trading solutions.  

Through this acquisition, Saxo Bank and Leverate will continue to enhance their offerings towards institutional segments and retail brokers by adding new trading functionalities. Leverate’s complete solution provides brokers with the services needed to increase their conversions, trading volume and risk management capabilities by offering products integrated to the MT4 and other proprietary platforms. Since its release in 2005, MetaTrader has established itself as one of the most popular non proprietary Forex trading platforms. Offering advanced functionality, the system is regarded as one of the preferred auto-dealing systems on the market and it is widely used by FX traders.

Stig Pastwa, Chief Commercial Officer of Saxo Bank, commented on the acquisition:

“We have seen an increased demand among our institutional and retail clients for automated trading solutions, including MetaTrader. Leverate’s track record and ability to deliver a comprehensive and reliable trading environment has made them an obvious choice as a provider of technology supporting the MT4 universe, which lives up to Saxo Bank’s award winning standard of execution. As an extension to our important business for white-label and institutional clients, we wish to support Leverate with technology and liquidity. While keeping their independence, we hope to assist Leverate in their already impressive growth from which their customers will further benefit.”

In a joint statement, the co-CEOs of Leverate, Ran Strauss and Doron Cohen commented:

“Leverate had been approached on multiple occasions by other private equity funds eager to enter into a business relationship, but when we met Saxo Bank, we felt we had encountered the perfect partner.  Leverate will continue to provide innovative and comprehensive proprietary solutions for the FX market, and we are proud to be working together with Saxo Bank. Time and time again, Saxo Bank has been recognised as a leading force in the FX industry, and together we plan to continue Leverate’s R&D efforts in the area of technology solutions and related services for brokers and financial institutions.  This mutually beneficial partnership will allow our clients to benefit from enhanced top-tier liquidity sources, while Saxo Bank’s clients can have access to our Complete Broker Solution: MT4, Live Feed, Web & Mobile Traders, CRM and Risk Management, powered by Leverate, and fully integrated with Saxo Bank’s core liquidity and execution engine.  This partnership will in no way change the management or operations of Leverate and our clients can only benefit from it.”

About Leverate

Leverate offers cutting-edge solutions powered by breakthrough technology.  Market players receive sophisticated trading tools and services such as the full Private Label solution, including the Liquidity Bridge, live feeds and web & mobile applications. Dozens of brokers around the world rely on Leverate’s solutions and services to increase trading volumes, achieve maximum precision and accuracy with market feeds and prevent fraud. In line with its commitment to its growing customer base, Leverate continues to develop new solutions and innovative technologies that address evolving market trends and generate better value for their customers.  www.leverate.com

About Saxo Bank

Saxo Bank is a leading online trading and investment specialist. The three specialised and fully integrated trading platforms; the browser-based SaxoWebTrader, the downloadable SaxoTrader and the SaxoMobileTrader application are available in over 20 languages. Saxo Asset Management accommodates high-net worth private clients and institutional investors. In 2011 Saxo Bank continued the diversification of its business and launched Saxo Privatbank. The Saxo Bank Group is headquartered in Copenhagen with offices throughout Europe, Asia, Middle East and Australia. www.saxobank.com

For more information:

www.saxoleverate.com

Media enquiries: Kasper Elbjorn, Head of Group Public Relations, Saxo Bank, +45-3065-4300, press at saxobank.com;
Joanna Wayburn, Marketing Manager, Leverate,
+44-20-8816-8970, joanna.wayburn at leverate.com