European bourses poised to join transparency deal

Stock exchanges in the European Union signed up November 2006 to a far-reaching agreement that should eventually slash the cost of trading shares between bourses in the 25 member states. They backed a code of conduct that will inject greater transparency and more competition into the market for clearing and settlement - the post-trade services that ensure shares are paid for and delivered to the right customer.

European Commission: DG Internal Market: Free Movement of Services: Financial Services: Infrastructure: Clearing and Settlement http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/financial-markets/clearing/index_en.htm

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