Interbank messaging network Swift is to launch a fixed-income pilot programme for users of the new FIX version 4.4 trading protocol.
The pilot programme will be conducted using the SwiftNet FIX messaging hub and is open to new participants as well as to current SwiftNet FIX subscribers.
Matt Fox, programme manager for SwiftNet FIX, says the aim is to help advance market adoption of the latest release of the protocol within the fixed income community.
"SWIFT has a lot of relevant experience working with the financial community in promoting the use of new standards and making those standards available on a global basis," he says.
Implementation for pilot participants will commence during the third quarter of this year, with pilot testing scheduled for Q1 2004. As part of the programme, participants will test their implementation of FIX 4.4 with Swift's test facilities as well as with other participants of the programme.
Ignatius John, senior systems & technology analyst at Axa Rosenberg, says: "Axa Rosenberg welcomes the release of FIX 4.4, and we look forward to working with Swift as part of the pilot programme to test usage of FIX 4.4 for our trading and allocations activities."