Lightspeed Acquires Irish Operations of Lime Brokerage

Lightspeed Financial said it acquired the Irish operations of Lime Brokerage International.

The acquisition of Lime Brokerage International (Ireland) by Lightspeed follows last week’s announcement that Wedbush, parent of Wedbush Securities, would be buying the main assets of Lime Brokerage, a provider of high-speed, high-volume trading technologies.

For Lightspeed, the acquisition represents its first move abroad. The supplier of high-speed direct market access trading technology, risk management solutions, and brokerage services said it would try to expand its reach throughout Europe.

Lightspeed said it would provide citizens of European Union countries access to U.S. equities markets through its flagship trading platform, Lightspeed Trader, along with its automated trading solution, Lightspeed Gateway.

"We see tremendous long-term growth opportunities for investors in Europe who want direct and immediate access to the liquid, vibrant U.S. equities markets," said Stephen Ehrlich, chief executive officer, Lightspeed Financial, Inc. " We believe there is a strong appetite from individuals in Europe.’’

The acquisition of Lime Brokerage International (Ireland) Limited is Lightspeed's sixth transaction since its inception in July 2006 an follows the acquistions of Terra Nova Financial, Schonfeld & Company, LLC, Integrity Trading Inc., and NobleTrading.