Exchanges Ring The Bell Globally to Support Investor Education & Protection

PRESS RELEASE

Exchanges Ring The Bell Globally to Support Investor Education & Protection

 

London, 05 October 2023 – The World Federation of Exchanges (“WFE”), the global industry group for exchanges and CCPs, is organising the annual Ring the Bell for Financial Literacy, to promote awareness of the role and importance of investor education and protection – both fundamental priorities for regulated public markets.

A global network of exchanges around the world is coming together to demonstrate their support for this cause, and to ring the bell for financial literacy. Many exchanges are holding virtual bell ringing ceremonies, workshops and events this week to drive awareness of the importance of financial literacy in enabling the development of an inclusive market infrastructure and the opportunities that brings.

The WFE’s monthly Focus magazine for October is a Special Edition which shines a light on Financial Literacy initiatives around the world.

The WFE’s annual campaign supports World Investor Week (WIW) which is a global program to raise awareness about the importance of investor education and protection. This year the WIW programme, which is backed by the International Organization of Securities Commissions (“IOSCO”) and runs 2^nd - 8^th October, is focused on three main themes: Investor Resilience, Crypto Assets, and Sustainable Finance. The 2023 WIW also has other themes such as Frauds and Scams Prevention, Basics of Investing, Technology and Digital Finance. These have come to the fore given the rise in retail investor participation in financial markets in recent years.

Nandini Sukumar, CEO of the WFE: “As an industry, Exchanges and CCPs recognise that to thrive and expand, we must prioritise the improvement of financial education and literacy globally. Our ongoing dedication to these efforts stems from our belief in inclusive growth and the role that market-based financing plays in fostering sustainable economic expansion. Education is a significant factor in developing both emerging and mature markets, and by ringing the bell today, participants are exemplifying their commitment to this cause and are recognising the opportunity it presents.”

You can follow up on the latest articles, photos and videos from WFE members ringing the bell here.

The exchanges participating in the Ring the Bell for Financial Literacy 2023 initiative are:

Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange

Amman Stock Exchange

Athens Stock Exchange (ATHEX)

Australian Securities Exchange

B3 - Brasil Bolsa Balcão

Bahrain Bourse

Baku Stock Exchange

BIVA - Bolsa Institucional de Valores

Bolsa Mexicana de Valores

Borsa Istanbul

Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières S.A.

Bursa Malaysia Bhd

Cboe Global Markets

Chittagong Stock Exchange PLC

Colombo Stock Exchange

FMDQ Group PLC

Ghana Stock Exchange

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited

Johannesburg Stock Exchange

Kazakhstan Stock Exchange

KDPW_CCP

Latinex - Latin American Stock Exchange

London Stock Exchange Group

Luxembourg Stock Exchange

Macedonia Stock Exchange

Malta Stock Exchange

Muscat Stock Exchange

Nasdaq Copenhagen

Nasdaq Helsinki

Nasdaq Iceland

National Stock Exchange of India Limited

Nigerian Exchange Group

NZX Limited

Pakistan Stock Exchange

Palestine Exchange

The Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc.

Qatar Stock Exchange

SIX Swiss Exchange (SIX Group)

Taipei Exchange

Taiwan Futures Exchange

Taiwan Stock Exchange

The Egyptian Exchange

The Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc.

The Stock Exchange of Thailand

Ulaanbaatar Securities Exchange

For more information please contact:

Cally Billimore 

Communications Manager 

+44 7391 204 007

[email protected]

About the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE):

Established in 1961, the WFE is the global industry association for exchanges and clearing houses. Headquartered in London, it represents over 250 market infrastructure providers, including standalone CCPs that are not part of exchange groups. Of our members, 34% are in Asia-Pacific, 45% in EMEA and 21% in the Americas. WFE’s 90 member CCPs and clearing services collectively ensure that risk takers post some $1.3 trillion (equivalent) of resources to back their positions, in the form of initial margin and default fund requirements. WFE exchanges, together with other exchanges feeding into our database, are home to over 50,000 listed companies, and the market capitalisation of these entities is over $100 trillion; around $140 trillion (EOB) in trading annually passes through WFE members (at end 2022).

The WFE is the definitive source for exchange-traded statistics and publishes over 350 market data indicators. Its free statistics database stretches back more than 40 years and provides information and insight into developments on global exchanges. The WFE works with standard-setters, policy makers, regulators and government organisations around the world to support and promote the development of fair, transparent, stable and efficient markets. The WFE shares regulatory authorities’ goals of ensuring the safety and soundness of the global financial system.

With extensive experience of developing and enforcing high standards of conduct, the WFE and its members support an orderly, secure, fair and transparent environment for investors; for companies that raise capital; and for all who deal with financial risk. We seek outcomes that maximise the common good, consumer confidence and economic growth. And we engage with policy makers and regulators in an open, collaborative way, reflecting the central, public role that exchanges and CCPs play in a globally integrated financial system.

Website: www.world-exchanges.org

Twitter: @TheWFE

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