Just who are/were MFG’s customers. Based upon what little is heard of them I doubt they are individual investors (ALA Bernie Madoff). Large hedge funds? Banks?
Probably, but there were also a lot of retail customers. My PCP was one. I haven’t heard any recent estimates, but supposedly they’ll only see 60 to 70 cents on the dollar.
MF Global’s website (still up!) invites individual investors. There may have been a high minimum balance required, though.
Farmers, farm co-ops, grain elevators, individual traders/funds, hedge funds, regional banks, etc. Basically anyone involved with the commodities markets.
NPR had a story about a rancher who had hedged the price of cattle with MF Global.
http://www.npr.org/2011/12/14/143727507/rancher-discusses-losing-money-with-mf-global
One of my coworkers had a small (few $K) account invested with them. He’s an ordinary, if somewhat adventurous, retail investor. His investment didn’t have any job or industry connection.