OpenLink

OpenLink Expands Efforts in Financial Markets Business

Mark Sappol Joins OpenLink as Global Director of Findur

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, /March 13, 2007/ — OpenLink, a leading provider of cross-asset trading, risk management and operations processing software solutions – announced today their plans to expand and accelerate all business objectives relating to its capital markets franchise with the appointment of Mark Sappol.

Mark Sappol joins OpenLink with a wealth of senior management experience within the capital markets arena. Having spent five years at Misys plc, Sappol was responsible for the direction of customer support and consulting services. Sappol’s executive management experience also includes previous positions as the head of pre-sales at Smartstream Technologies Ltd., and managing director at entory (UK) Ltd., where he was responsible for providing business and IT solutions to the banking and brokerage marketplace. Mark Sappol is now the Global Director of Findur, OpenLink’s cross-asset, front-, middle-, and back-office solution for capital markets.

Commenting on his appointment, Sappol mentioned, “OpenLink is so well known as the premium energy solution vendor – with its Endur suite – that I was in fact a little skeptical about the opportunity initially. But after I had a chance to review the product, I was shocked at Findur’s capabilities, from its comprehensive instrument coverage, including many leading-edge products like advanced credit derivatives, cross-market hybrid/structured products, insurance bonds, etc.; TraderDesktop, a new, adaptable trade capture facility; Active Position Manager, an interactive, near real-time position management tool; OpenComponent, a Java-based development tool for clients; Trade Processing Management (TPM), a new workflow/STP framework that is years ahead of the competition; to its Grid back-end that supports dynamic resource allocation and runs all client-developed OpenComponent Java applications and many others! Not to mention the technology investment the company is making, which is heads and shoulders above others. Well, the decision turned out to be very easy for me, and I look forward to unlocking this ‘best-kept secret’ that is Findur.”

“OpenLink is focused and consistent. We focus primarily on our customers’ requirements and the fast-changing market developments. And we are very consistent in our investment/development approach. We have never lost focus on the capital markets business, despite our success in the commodities space, and we have leveraged this success to provide needed investment in our Findur solution team which has grown significantly over the years,” commented Kevin Hesselbirg, OpenLink’s COO. He continued, “Expanding our leadership team with Mark’s expertise and experience will further refine our focus on this important business line.”

“OpenLink has grown rapidly over the last few years and we have clearly established ourselves as the leading energy solution vendor and getting stronger, we would like to execute a similar strategy for our Findur franchise. Since our focus on and investment in capital markets have grown accordingly, we are very confident that Findur is well positioned for new market opportunities and the up-and-coming replacement cycle in capital markets,” said Coleman Fung, OpenLink’s CEO. “And we are very excited to work with Mark on this strategic effort!”

About OpenLink

Founded in 1992, OpenLink is a leading developer of cross asset trading, risk management, and operations processing software solutions. The company's Next Generation eXtensible (NGX 2.0) platform supports the most rigorous business requirements of firms trading in virtually all asset classes including crude products, natural gas, electricity, interest rate derivatives, fixed income securities, foreign exchange, money markets, metals, soft, and other commodities. OpenLink's global client base includes 70+ clients such as Austin Energy, HESS Corporation, Banco Central de Costa Rica, Banco de Mexico, Bank of America, Bank for International Settlements, Bank of Canada, HBOS Treasury Services, Bridgeline Holdings, Calyon, Coral Energy, Citigroup Global Market, Inc., Deutsche Bank, Enbridge, Energy Transfer Partners, Nexen, Shell, Statoil and Vattenfall Europe Trading. Headquartered in Long Island, New York, and with offices in London, Houston, New York City, Berlin, Vienna, Sydney, and São Paulo, OpenLink employs 480 professionals worldwide.

Editorial Contact

e-mail: Dorianne Landolphi
OpenLink
Marketing Communications Manager
Direct phone: +1 516 394 1115
Fax number: +1 516 394 1197