Derivatives Industry Joins Forces to Launch Futuresfundamentals.org Education Resource

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Oct 18, 2017, 09:00 ET

CHICAGO, Oct. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today at FIA Expo, the largest gathering of futures market participants in the world, futuresfundamentals.org was launched to provide information and curriculum for learners of all levels to understand the role that derivatives markets play in the global economy and our everyday lives.

With initial support from the FIA, CME Group, NFA, the Institute for Financial Markets (IFM) and CME Group Foundation, futuresfundamentals.org will be a leading online resource for derivatives education, providing interactive tools, a trading simulator and curriculum for a wide variety of audiences.

"With futuresfundamentals.org, we now have a resource for market users, policy makers, educators and students, as well as the general public, to better understand how risk management markets work and why they matter to all of us, every day," said Walt Lukken, President and CEO of FIA, the leading global trade organization for the futures, options and centrally cleared derivatives markets. "We are making this investment, along with the Institute for Financial Markets, to help tell that story, generate understanding of the impact we have and develop the next generation of market users. We hope other industry participants will join this effort."

"We are very pleased to partner with the industry to help a broad range of audiences understand the beneficial role these markets play in the global economy, and to ensure that futures markets are a part of economic education from an early level," said Terry Duffy, Chairman and CEO of CME Group, the world's leading and most diverse derivatives marketplace.

"Market users have long asked for educational resources to explain to the public how futures markets work," said Tom Sexton, President and CEO of NFA, the industrywide, self-regulatory organization for the U.S. derivatives industry. "Through this partnership, we intend to expand the content already in place on futuresfundamentals.org, so we can break down seemingly complex topics into interactive, accessible content for all levels."

Futuresfundamentals.org is available now and provides the following tools:

Get the Basics: An introductory unit that helps professionals and students learn Futures 101 – how the marketplace, futures and options work. This covers topics such as the relationship between supply and demand and the concept of risk.
See the Impact: Tools to discover how familiar tasks like buying food or gas, or obtaining a mortgage, are affected by futures markets. The section also provides a brief introduction of hedging and speculating.
Explore the Marketplace: A closer look at what makes futures markets tick – from participants and key processes to policies and protections facilitated through clearing houses.
EconEssentials: A resource for educators that provides free materials that integrate seamlessly into the classroom, including online modules and coursework to understand managing risk when buying a car, getting a student loan or starting a part-time job.

To access Futures Fundamentals please visit http://www.futuresfundamentals.org.

About FIA
FIA is the leading global trade organization for the futures, options and centrally cleared derivatives markets, with offices in London, Singapore and Washington, D.C. FIA's membership includes clearing firms, exchanges, clearinghouses, trading firms and commodities specialists from more than 48 countries as well as technology vendors, lawyers and other professionals serving the industry. FIA's mission is to support open, transparent and competitive markets, protect and enhance the integrity of the financial system, and promote high standards of professional conduct. As the principal members of derivatives clearinghouses worldwide, FIA's member firms play a critical role in the reduction of systemic risk in global financial markets.

About CME Group
As the world's leading and most diverse derivatives marketplace, CME Group (www.cmegroup.com) is where the world comes to manage risk. CME Group exchanges offer the widest range of global benchmark products across all major asset classes, including futures and options based on interest rates, equity indexes, foreign exchange, energy, agricultural products and metals. Around the world, CME Group brings buyers and sellers together through its CME Globex® electronic trading platform. CME Group also operates one of the world's leading central counterparty clearing providers through CME Clearing, which offers clearing and settlement services across asset classes for exchange-traded and over-the-counter derivatives. CME Group's products and services ensure that businesses around the world can effectively manage risk and achieve growth.

CME Group is a trademark of CME Group Inc. The Globe Logo, CME, Globex and Chicago Mercantile Exchange are trademarks of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. CBOT, the Chicago Board of Trade, KCBOT, KCBT and Kansas City Board of Trade are trademarks of the Board of Trade of the City of Chicago, Inc. NYMEX, New York Mercantile Exchange and ClearPort are registered trademarks of New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc. COMEX is a trademark of Commodity Exchange, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Further information about CME Group (NASDAQ: CME) and its products can be found at www.cmegroup.com.

About NFA
NFA is the industrywide, self-regulatory organization for the U.S. derivatives industry, providing innovative and effective regulatory programs.

Designated by the CFTC as a registered futures association, NFA strives every day to safeguard the integrity of the derivatives markets, protect investors and ensure Members meet their regulatory responsibilities. Further information about NFA can be found at www.nfa.futures.org.

About IFM
The Institute for Financial Markets (IFM), founded in 1989, is a nonprofit educational foundation. The purpose of the IFM is to increase public awareness and understanding of the importance of financial markets and the financial service industry to the global economy, and to improve the technical competence of those in the industry who deal with the public. As such, the Institute engages in activities such as research, data, ethics and anti-money compliance laundering training, publications dissemination, course development, workshops, and conferences.

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