The chief executive of Tullett Prebon, the interdealer broker, has underlined the importance of market turmoil to over-the-counter derivative brokers, claiming the volatility since last summer’s credit crisis has been "ideal" for his company.

Terry Smith, the chief executive of Tullett Prebon, said: “The short term outlook for financial markets continues be characterised by uncertainty, and the volatility that we experienced in the second half of 2007 has continued into the first two months of this year.