JFD Brokers has recently acquired a majority stake in the German-owned ACON Bank. The move marks an important strategic shift for the FX Broker, who will now be able to offer a wider array of services including investment banking, trading and brokerage, advisory as well as portfolio management.
JFD was established in 2011 and his quickly grown to become one of the leaders in the German market. JFD now has offices worldwide including Cyprus, Germany, Bulgaria and China, with clients from over 130 countries. JFD operates using a pure agency model with a clear focus on transparency for all of their clients.
JFD acquired 80% of ACON, with the potential to attain the rest of its shares in the future. The bank will now be controlled in majority by JFD while the existing management remains in charge. Once regulatory approval has been met in the coming months, ACON bank might potentially be rebranded to JFD Bank, however there will be no changes to the business lines of the bank.
Breaking New Ground
JFD Brokers CEO, Lars Gottwik, believes the acquisition of ACON Banks, will help the company continue to break new ground within the industry.
“The move will ultimately benefit all clients, as with this acquisition JFD will offer more services, including investment banking (capital markets, listings, equity and debt financing), trading and brokerage [execution (B2B and B2C), designated sponsoring], advisory (M&As, debt advisory and financing), as well as portfolio management,” said Mr Gottwik.
Many brokerage firms have entered into the banking world in the past and Mr Gottwick believes it will be the client who ultimately benefits.
“By entering the banking sector with the acquisition of ACON, I am confident about JFD’s future as a financial institution with its own capital markets, asset management and classic brokerage divisions,” he said.
The acquisition will also help JFD continue to expand on a global level and become an industry leader for MetaTrader 5 users.
“JFD will continue to break new grounds within the industry, with innovative services, products and developments, such as our new financial media publishing company Findilao, whose goal is to provide a way to help experts monetize their skills internationally.”
“As we continue to focus on our international growth, we are simultaneously focusing on what we believe to be the most comprehensive MetaTrader 5 out there, our superior MT5+ which offers the most asset classes including exchange-listed products, such as real stocks and ETFs,” he said.
Improving Transparency
Mr Gottwik believes that one of the companies core principles of transparency will only be enhanced by the acquisition.
“We were the first to introduce Post-Trade Transparency, setting a new industry benchmark. With regards to trust, we build solid relationships with our clients and partners, where they feel secure trading with us, as they know that we protect their interests,” said Mr Gottwik.
A Finance Magnates’ Quarterly Industry Report ranked JFD among the top 20 CFD & FX electronic brokerage firms and top 3 MT4 brokers worldwide. They have also been listed as a World Finance 100 company and have won a multitude of international awards since being founded in 2011.
