Central bank Governors welcome global code of conduct for currency markets

The Governors of the Global Economy Meeting welcome the publication of the FX Global Code, a single global code for the wholesale foreign exchange market, as well as the establishment of the Global Foreign Exchange Committee to maintain the Code in the future.

This represents the culmination of a two-year collaborative initiative between central banks and private sector market participants from across the globe. The Code is voluntary and covers important areas including ethics, governance, execution, information-sharing, risk management and compliance as well as confirmation and settlement.¹

"The FX Global Code sets good practices for market participants to follow and will support a robust, fair and transparent market, underpinned by high ethical standards," said GEM Chair Agustín Carstens, Governor of the Bank of Mexico.

Central banks are strongly committed to supporting and promoting adherence to the Code. They confirm that they intend to adhere to the principles of the Code, and will expect the same of their regular FX counterparties, except where this would inhibit the discharge of their policy functions. Additionally, members of central bank sponsored foreign exchange committees will be expected to adhere to the Code.

Governors encourage market participants to evolve their practices to be consistent with the principles of the Code and to demonstrate their commitment by using the Statement of Commitment that was also published today. They also encourage the private sector, including associations and infrastructure providers, to raise awareness of the Code and to develop and establish mechanisms to support its adoption.

¹ The Code does not impose legal or regulatory obligations on market participants or substitute for regulation, but rather is intended to supplement local laws, rules and regulation by identifying global good practices and processes.