BZW under scrutiny by SEC
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Your support makes all the difference.The American division of BZW, the investment banking division of Barclays, is under investigation by the US Securities and Exchange Commission regarding allegations that it improperly absorbed trading losses caused by client errors in return for future business.
BZW confirmed yesterday that it had sacked four traders in its New York office in January and February after discovering errors made in the first half of 1996. The bank said: "This is an isolated incident and as far as we are concerned the matter is closed." The bank said there was no evidence of personal gain or loss. The bank's losses on the errors are thought to be less than $100,000.
It is understood that there were two separate incidents where traders incorrectly completed error slips. These are forms which traders complete when there has been a dispute between the bank and the client about a particular trade.
A BZW spokesman stated yesterday that "BZW under no circumstances has or will take trading losses on behalf of clients." However, with banks needing to maintain good relationships with key clients it is thought to be reasonably common City practice to complete an error form in a clients favour when disputes arise. The incidents were picked up by BZW's compliance procedures and passed to the regulatory authorities.
SEC is specifically examining whether BZW covered certain losses in exchange for future business from favoured customers. The allegations have been made in a confidential testimony by Kate Evans, a former senior BZW trader.
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