Societe Generale resigns as London gold and silver market maker

London (April 30) The London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) said Societe Generale had resigned as a market maker for gold and silver, as France's third-largest bank pushes ahead with a downsizing of its commodities business.

SocGen said this month it would cut 1,600 jobs to boost profits after poor performance last year and will exit over-the-counter commodities trading. SocGen declined to comment.

In over-the-counter trading deals are done bilaterally between banks and brokers rather than on a financial exchange. London is the world's largest over-the-counter gold trading hub, overseen by the LBMA.

Market makers commit to provide liquidity to the market. SocGen's exit leaves 12 LBMA market making banks including JPMorgan, HSBC and BNP Paribas.

Reuters