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The EU has fined banks, including Barclays, NatWest and HSBC, a total of €344m (£293m) for roles in a foreign exchange spot trading cartel via a chatroom named “Sterling Lads”.
The European Commission said the UK-based banks agreed to settle the case, alongside UBS which avoided a penalty because it had blown the whistle on the activity.
HSBC’s fine was the largest at €174.3m (£148m) while its Canary Wharf-headquartered neighbour Barclays was to pay €54.3m (£46m).
NatWest – which was known by its former RBS Group name at the time – faces a €32.5m (£28m) bill.
It responded to the fine by explaining that “serious misconduct” took place in a chatroom involving a former employee a decade ago.
Credit Suisse was the other bank to be handed a fine – of €83m (£71m).
The EU’s competition regulator said the cartel had focused on forex spot trading of G10 currencies, which include the US dollar, euro and UK pound.
It found traders had exchanged sensitive information and trading plans and occasionally coordinated their trading strategies via the chatroom.
The action followed penalties for similar practices that were imposed against banks in 2019.
UK and US regulators had taken earlier action against them.
The Commission’s competition chief, Margrethe Vestager, said: “Our cartel decisions to fine UBS, Barclays, RBS, HSBC and Credit Suisse send a clear message that the Commission remains committed to ensure a sound and competitive financial sector that is essential for investment and growth.
“Foreign exchange spot trading activities are one of the largest financial markets in the world. The collusive behaviour of the five banks undermined the integrity of the financial sector at the expense of the European economy and consumers”.
Margrethe Vestager is the…
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Source : skynews
