The torrent of disturbing information arising from the implosion of futures commission merchange MF Global, Inc. continued today when it was revealed that MF Global was “not in compliance” with rules that prohibit brokerage firms from commingling client funds with their own monies. The head of the Chicago Mercantile exchange said Tuesday confirmed that MF Global was not in compliance and stated as follows: “While we are unable to determine the precise scope of the firm’s violation at this time, we are investigating the circumstances of the firm’s failure.”
This new disturbing information has given rise to rampant speculation that MF Global diverted customer funds in order to meet margin calls arising from its own losing proprietary trades in European debt instruments.
This news came only one day after the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) initiated the liquidation of MF Global Inc., under the Securities Investor Protection Act (SIPA) and filed an application with the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York for a declaration that the customers of MF Global Inc. are in need of the protections available under the SIPA.