Penson GHCO, the futures and derivatives clearing subsidiary of Penson Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ: PNSN), announced today the launch of PFIX API, an advanced electronic trading capability based on the securities industry FIX standard protocol. PFIX API supports sophisticated customers trading in multiple asset classes via their own trading software who are seeking an execution venue around the clock for futures trading.

PFIX API supports order routing and execution, as well as direct market access (DMA) to the following futures exchanges:

• Chicago Board of Trade (eCBOT & Globex)
• Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME)
• COMEX (via Globex)
• Eurex
• ICE
• Euronext LIFFE
• NYBOT
• NYMEX (via Globex)

“With the convergence of asset classes, our new PFIX API aims at increasing Penson GHCO’s ability to support sophisticated customers who are coming from the equities world into futures, as well as firms looking for an execution venue for algorithmic and black box trading,” said Chris Hehmeyer, CEO of Penson GHCO.

Mike Meagher, Chief Operating Officer at Penson GHCO, said, “The PFIX API supports trading during all open exchange hours, as well as trading in all electronically-traded futures contracts on many of the key futures and derivatives exchanges around the world.” PFIX API will primarily be used by securities broker dealers/correspondents, futures commission merchants, asset management firms, funds and proprietary trading groups that have their own trading applications but require routing, execution assistance and direct market access.

“Our new PFIX API is a state-of-the-art capability designed, like all products offered by Penson Worldwide, Inc. companies, to offer maximum trading and clearing flexibility to our customers so that they can focus on their trading expertise with maximum confidence in the technology they utilize,” Meagher said.

About Penson Worldwide: www.penson.com

The Penson Worldwide group of companies provides execution, clearing, custody, settlement and technology infrastructure products and services to financial services firms and others servicing the global financial services industry. The Penson Worldwide group of companies includes Penson Financial Services, Inc., Penson Financial Services Canada Inc., Penson Financial Services Ltd., Nexa Technologies, Inc., Penson GHCO, First Capitol Group, LLC and Penson Asia Limited, among other companies. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Penson has served the clearing needs of all types of broker/dealers since 1995. Penson is the Flexible Choice in Global Financial Services.

Penson Financial Services, Inc. is a member of the American Stock Exchange, Chicago Stock Exchange, FINRA, the Chicago Board Options Exchange, OneChicago, the International Securities Exchange, the NYSE Arca Exchange, the Options Clearing Corp, the MSRB, NSCC, ICMA, DTC, Euroclear, SIPC and is a participant of the Boston Options Exchange (BOX). Penson Financial Services Canada, Inc. is a participating organization with the Toronto Stock Exchange, the Montreal Exchange, the CNQ Exchange and the TSX Venture Exchange, is regulated by the Investment Dealers Association of Canada, and is a member of the CIPF. Penson Financial Services, Ltd. is a member of the London Stock Exchange and is authorized and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Penson GHCO is a registered Futures Commission Merchant and clearing member at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Chicago Board of Trade, London International Financial Futures Exchange, and ICE Futures. First Capitol Group, LLC is a registered Futures Commission Merchant and a member of the National Futures Association.

About Penson GHCO: www.PensonGHCO.com

Penson GHCO is a futures commission merchant, registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and National Futures Association. Penson GHCO is a member of Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Chicago Board of Trade, Intercontinental Exchange, EUREX, London Clearing House, LIFFE, and the Minneapolis Grain Exchange. Penson GHCO offers futures execution, clearing, back-office support, and facilities management services to introducing brokers, professional traders, hedge funds, commodity trading advisors, proprietary trading groups, and non-clearing FCMs around the world.