NEW YORK, July 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- GFI Group (Nasdaq: GFIG) has named Jim Higgins head of North American credit brokerage. Mr Higgins is a former co-head of global credit trading at Citigroup in New York and will report to Colin Heffron, GFI’s president.

Also, GFI has appointed Scott Wilson as head of structured credit products, reporting to Mr Higgins. Mr Wilson has been at GFI for five years and was previously responsible for new business development in structured credit.

Michael Gooch, GFI’s chief executive and chairman of the board said, "GFI is pleased to recruit Jim Higgins, a well regarded professional in the global credit markets. Jim comes to GFI with a wealth of experience and high level relationships with the major credit market participants. I am equally pleased to announce the promotion of Scott Wilson, a GFI veteran, to oversee structured credit products and provide support to Jim Higgins. Scott’s promotion is a testament to the ’bench strength’ we have at the firm. GFI is the world’s top-ranked credit derivative broker and we intend to remain so, deploying our strategy of allying quality brokers with advanced and proven technology."

Since mid April, eleven experienced credit brokers, in addition to Mr Higgins, have contracted to join GFI’s credit brokerage operation in New York. Also, four senior GFI derivative brokers have transferred internally to GFI’s New York credit operation.

About GFI Group Inc. http://www.GFIgroup.com

GFI Group Inc. (http://www.GFIgroup.com) is a leading inter-dealer broker specializing in over-the-counter derivatives products and related securities. GFI Group Inc. provides brokerage services, market data and trading platform and analytics software to institutional clients in markets for a range of credit, financial, equity and commodity instruments.

Headquartered in New York, GFI was founded in 1987 and employs more than 1,700 people with additional offices in London, Paris, Dubai, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo, Singapore, Sydney, Seoul, Cape Town, Calgary, Englewood (NJ), and Sugar Land (TX). GFI provides services and products to over 2,200 institutional clients, including leading investment and commercial banks, corporations, insurance companies and hedge funds. Its brands include GFI(TM), GFInet(R), CreditMatch(R), GFI ForexMatch(TM), EnergyMatch(R), FENICS(R), Starsupply(R), Amerex(R) and Trayport(R).

Forward-looking statement

Certain matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this press release, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "may," "might," "intend," "expect" and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein. These forward-looking statements are based largely on the expectations of the Company and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with: economic, political and market factors affecting trading volumes; securities prices or demand for the Company’s brokerage services; competition from current and new competitors; the Company’s ability to attract and retain key personnel, including highly-qualified brokerage personnel; the Company’s ability to identify and develop new products and markets; changes in laws and regulations governing the Company’s business and operations or permissible activities; the Company’s ability to manage its international operations; financial difficulties experienced by the Company’s customers or key participants in the markets in which the Company focuses its brokerage services; the Company’s ability to keep up with technological changes; and uncertainties relating to litigation. Further information about factors that could affect the Company’s financial and other results is included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Alan Bright
    PR Manager
    GFI Group Inc.
    +44(0)20-7877-8049
    alan.bright@gfigroup.co.uk

SOURCE GFI Group Inc