Prime brokers are typically investment banks which are able to sell clients, often hedge funds, a 'one-stop shop' service.
These clients expect the banks to handle trades in securities that may be complex, illiquid and denominated in multiple currencies, quickly find counterparties that can lend stock so a hedge fund can 'sell short', manage 'margin' requirements for complex derivatives positions (handling the calculations and notifying the fund when more collateral is required) and assist with the regulatory reporting and accounting requirements that arise on a large, diverse portfolio.
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
-
Reducing cash ISA limit will make lending difficult and expensive, warn providersAn open letter from the Building Societies Association has urged the chancellor to keep the cash ISA limit at £20,000. We look at whether a smaller cash ISA allowance will make it harder to get a mortgage or loan
-
Nvidia becomes world's first $4 trillion companyThe AI boom has catapulted Nvidia’s share price to astronomic heights, becoming the world’s most valuable company and the first to pass the $4 trillion milestone
