With increasingly complex interdependencies between industry participants across the end-to-end securities finance value chain, coupled with greater capital requirements, scarcity of resource and increasing costs of doing business, we invite leading industry representatives to share their insights on the current landscape, how the market is evolving, and their perspectives on the road ahead.

The pursuit of capital optimisation, increasing trading costs, digital innovation, as well as the laser focus on commerciality, are all leading to strategic divergence, which could result in greater fragmentation across our markets. This session will compare and contrast the expanding toolkit of financing solutions including central clearing, security interest collateral arrangements (such as pledge and pledge back), greater use of derivatives (e.g. Total Return Swaps (TRS)), and direct peer-to-peer financing models.

Set against a backdrop of different regulatory and business priorities of their members, representatives across adjacent market associations will discuss key developments within their markets, and how greater cross-collaboration for standardisation, regulatory engagement and advocacy, can drive efficiencies and help meet common objectives.

Following a day of formal keynotes, panels and presentations, we will be hosting a networking reception at the Fairmont Hotel for all registered conference delegates, whereby we will also be showing the live UEFA 2024 Germany Vs. Hungary football match.

In April 2023, ISLA published a Digital Assets in Technology paper entitled, ‘Commercial Opportunities & Practical Considerations for Tokenisation for the Securities Financing Market‘. A year on and drawing upon some of the themes of the digital discussion stream, this year’s technology panel will focus on adoption – the true litmus test of whether firms and the broader industry are aligned on the wider benefits and value proposition. Amongst other things, the session will look at the current landscape – investment, who is actively involved, current volumes, and opportunities – the motivations that are driving this move, including unlocking marooned assets and improving collateral mobility.

Against the backdrop of many factors, including technological innovation and regulation, the role of the securities financing business is continuing to evolve. This session will consider this from the perspective of hiring, and the skill sets which will be critical to the success of the business as we look to the future. Amongst other things, the panellists will consider the impact of technology and the increased use of platforms and Artificial Intelligence (AI), as well as the adoption of distributed ledger technology (DLT) and digital assets. For a business that has been traditionally driven by relationships – will those skills be less relevant in the future, or do those human skills become more sought after than ever in the age of AI? Finally, how are firms changing their approach to talent acquisition and retention, to ensure the diverse set of skills necessary to future-proof their businesses?

Developing jurisdictions and the emergence of new liquidity pools, such as retail aggregators, are changing the face of traditional supply within our markets. What does this mean for market participants today, how accessible are they in terms of their development, and what are the new regulatory considerations around these opportunities?