Penson GHCO Announces Advanced Electronic Trading Capability for Sophisticated Customers

CHICAGO--(Business Wire)--Penson GHCO, the futures and derivatives clearing subsidiary of
Penson Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ: PNSN), announced today the launch of
PFIX API, an advanced electronic trading capability based on the
securities industry FIX standard protocol. PFIX API supports
sophisticated customers trading in multiple asset classes via their
own trading software who are seeking an execution venue around the
clock for futures trading.

PFIX API supports order routing and execution, as well as direct
market access (DMA) to the following futures exchanges:

-- Chicago Board of Trade (eCBOT & Globex)

-- Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME)

-- COMEX (via Globex)

-- Eurex

-- ICE

-- Euronext LIFFE

-- NYBOT

-- NYMEX (via Globex)

"With the convergence of asset classes, our new PFIX API aims at
increasing Penson GHCO's ability to support sophisticated customers
who are coming from the equities world into futures, as well as firms
looking for an execution venue for algorithmic and black box trading,"
said Chris Hehmeyer, CEO of Penson GHCO.

Mike Meagher, Chief Operating Officer at Penson GHCO, said, "The
PFIX API supports trading during all open exchange hours, as well as
trading in all electronically-traded futures contracts on many of the
key futures and derivatives exchanges around the world." PFIX API will
primarily be used by securities broker dealers/correspondents, futures
commission merchants, asset management firms, funds and proprietary
trading groups that have their own trading applications but require
routing, execution assistance and direct market access.

"Our new PFIX API is a state-of-the-art capability designed, like
all products offered by Penson Worldwide, Inc. companies, to offer
maximum trading and clearing flexibility to our customers so that they
can focus on their trading expertise with maximum confidence in the
technology they utilize," Meagher said.

About Penson Worldwide: www.penson.com

The Penson Worldwide group of companies provides execution,
clearing, custody, settlement and technology infrastructure products
and services to financial services firms and others servicing the
global financial services industry. The Penson Worldwide group of
companies includes Penson Financial Services, Inc., Penson Financial
Services Canada Inc., Penson Financial Services Ltd., Nexa
Technologies, Inc., Penson GHCO, First Capitol Group, LLC and Penson
Asia Limited, among other companies. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas,
Penson has served the clearing needs of all types of broker/dealers
since 1995. Penson is the Flexible Choice in Global Financial
Services.

Penson Financial Services, Inc. is a member of the American Stock
Exchange, Chicago Stock Exchange, FINRA, the Chicago Board Options
Exchange, OneChicago, the International Securities Exchange, the NYSE
Arca Exchange, the Options Clearing Corp, the MSRB, NSCC, ICMA, DTC,
Euroclear, SIPC and is a participant of the Boston Options Exchange
(BOX). Penson Financial Services Canada, Inc. is a participating
organization with the Toronto Stock Exchange, the Montreal Exchange,
the CNQ Exchange and the TSX Venture Exchange, is regulated by the
Investment Dealers Association of Canada, and is a member of the CIPF.
Penson Financial Services, Ltd. is a member of the London Stock
Exchange and is authorized and regulated by the Financial Services
Authority. Penson GHCO is a registered Futures Commission Merchant and
clearing member at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Chicago Board of
Trade, London International Financial Futures Exchange, and ICE
Futures. First Capitol Group, LLC is a registered Futures Commission
Merchant and a member of the National Futures Association.

About Penson GHCO: www.PensonGHCO.com

Penson GHCO is a futures commission merchant, registered with the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission and National Futures Association.
Penson GHCO is a member of Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Chicago Board
of Trade, Intercontinental Exchange, EUREX, London Clearing House,
LIFFE, and the Minneapolis Grain Exchange. Penson GHCO offers futures
execution, clearing, back-office support, and facilities management
services to introducing brokers, professional traders, hedge funds,
commodity trading advisors, proprietary trading groups, and
non-clearing FCMs around the world.

Penson Public Relations:
Intermarket Communications
Andy Yemma, 212-754-5450
ayemma@intermarket.com
or
Erica Fidel, 212-754-5448
efidel@intermarket.com
or
Penson Investor Relations:
Anreder & Company
Gary Fishman, 212-532-3232
gary.fishman@anreder.com
or
Steven Anreder, 212-532-3232
steven.anreder@anreder.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008