#Italy #Milan #Equiduct #Banca Akros #Best Execution

Equiduct Welcomes Banca Akros as New Direct Member

In a significant development for the European financial markets, Equiduct has proudly announced that Banca Akros has joined its community as the latest direct exchange member. This partnership aims to enhance the Best Execution services available to retail investors, thereby expanding the accessibility and efficiency of capital markets.

Background on Banca Akros

Based in Milan, Banca Akros is recognized as the investment banking arm of Banco BPM Group. With over 25 years of experience, it has established itself as a pivotal player for mid-corporate clients and financial institutions. The bank is known for its commitment to offering transparent financial products and services tailored to meet the diverse needs of its clients.

Significance of Joining Equiduct

By becoming a direct member of Equiduct, Banca Akros gains access to commission-free Best Execution services across an impressive 12 European markets. This step not only enhances the competitiveness of its retail execution service but also facilitates improved execution quality through better pricing and increased liquidity.

This strategic alliance is a testament to Equiduct's ongoing commitment to the Italian retail brokerage community. The goal is to ensure that individual investors have access to the best possible execution for their transactions in both Italian and European equities and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

Insights from Leadership

Giuseppe Puccio, the General Manager at Banca Akros, expressed enthusiasm about this new venture, stating, "Joining Equiduct's Apex service enhances our ability to deliver best execution for our clients. The improvement in market variety and competitive pricing will significantly benefit our offerings. Additionally, the integration with our Sabe equity system, designed for dynamic best execution in European equity trading, allows us to better serve our customers."

Wail Azizi, Chief Strategy Officer at Equiduct, also commented on the collaboration, stating, "We are thrilled to welcome Banca Akros as a direct exchange member. Their improved execution capabilities via Apex will greatly enhance the quality of trading for end-investors and decrease overall costs, showcasing their role as a reputable leader in retail aggregation and execution innovation in Italy."

Equiduct: Revolutionizing Retail Trading

As a pioneering client-driven pan-European exchange, Equiduct continues to empower retail brokers and clients to achieve best execution across a diverse array of liquid and fragmented stocks and ETFs. This collective effort is in alignment with the stringent regulations outlined by MiFID II.

With a reported turnover of €79 billion in 2023, Equiduct has demonstrated its capacity to facilitate significant trading volumes, setting a benchmark in the retail financial landscape.

Looking Ahead

The integration of Banca Akros into the Equiduct ecosystem not only signifies a robust enhancement in trading capabilities but also represents a broader commitment to maximizing investor returns through quality execution and innovative services. As the financial landscape continues to evolve, partnerships like these are vital for fostering a more inclusive and efficient market environment.

For Banca Akros, this collaboration reaffirms its dedication to delivering innovative financial solutions and expands its role in the international equity markets. With this partnership, both firms look forward to setting new standards in best execution and retail investor services across Europe.