ISLA Insights News Feed
ISLA Americas names co-chairs for Miami conference
The International Securities Lending Association has named Kathleen Duggan of Morgan Stanley and Rebecca Goldenberg of JPMorgan as co-chairs for the Annual Securities Finance & Collateral Management Conference in Miami in October. Duggan heads sourcing and resource optimization for securities lending at Morgan Stanley, while Goldenberg leads Americas product for agency securities finance at JPMorgan. Securities Finance Times (20 May.) Read more
22 May 2025
SEC's Atkins open to wider access to private markets
In remarks at SEC Speaks, SEC Chair Paul Atkins has signaled support for expanding investor access to private investment products. Currently, closed-end funds with significant exposure to private funds, such as hedge funds and private-equity funds, are restricted to accredited investors. Atkins said he would direct SEC staff to revisit guidance that limits how much these funds can invest in private markets. He cited the sector's rapid growth, with assets rising to $30.8 trillion from $11.6 trillion over the past decade, as a key reason to reexamine the existing rules. Atkins also noted he has instructed staff to take a comprehensive look at the Consolidated Audit Trail, including reporting requirements. The Wall Street Journal (19 May.) Read more
22 May 2025
BoE considers modifying bank ringfencing rules
The Bank of England is reviewing potential changes to ring-fencing rules that require big banks to separate retail operations from riskier investment activities, aiming to reduce compliance costs while preserving financial stability. These modifications being examined include loosening restrictions on internal banking services and adjusting limitations on in-ringfence activities. Bloomberg (19 May.) Read more
22 May 2025
Retail participation reshapes US securities lending
Retail investors are increasingly participating in securities lending, raising important questions about the future roles of agent lenders and prime brokers, as discussed at the Finadium Investors in Securities Lending Conference. This trend could significantly impact the structure and dynamics of the securities finance market. Finadium (19 May.) Read more
22 May 2025
Short interest returns to pre-pandemic levels
Short interest in the US stock market has returned to pre-pandemic and pre-GameStop levels, with the median S&P 500 company seeing short interest above the long-term average, according to a Goldman Sachs report. Hedge funds have increased negative bets on individual companies and index-level ETFs, particularly against consumer staples, small-caps, Taiwanese stocks, semiconductors, regional banks and biotech. Financial Times (21 May.) Read more
22 May 2025
Clearstream GSF sees growth in April volume, custody
Clearstream has reported a 6% year-on-year increase in global securities financing volume to €750.96 billion for April and a 5% rise in assets under custody to €19.62 trillion. The investment fund services division saw an 8% increase in securities deposits and a 34% surge in transactions. Securities Finance Times (21 May.) Read more
22 May 2025
APAC sees dynamic innovation in sec finance
A recent report by Finadium highlights significant innovation in the Asia Pacific secured funding and financing markets, driven by new technology and Basel III Endgame requirements. The report notes that while Asian institutions face fewer legacy tech constraints than Western counterparts, the funding ecosystem remains uneven. Finadium (20 May.) Read more
22 May 2025
Vietnam exchange integrates new CSD solution
The Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange has implemented a next-generation trading system, including a central securities depository solution from CMA Small Systems AB. The DEPO/X platform at the Vietnam Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation now supports real-time settlement, corporate actions, and T+0 settlement, aligning with international standards. Securities Finance Times (15 May.) Read more
22 May 2025
Robinhood proposes SEC framework for tokenized assets
Robinhood has submitted a proposal to the Securities and Exchange Commission for a national framework to regulate tokenized real-world assets. The proposal includes creating the Real World Asset Exchange, which would offer off-chain trade matching and on-chain settlement. Robinhood seeks to make tokenized assets equivalent to traditional ones, aiming to streamline processes and reduce trading costs. Cointelegraph (20 May.) Read more
22 May 2025
Experts: Automation essential for sec finance competitiveness
Automation and AI are becoming essential for competitiveness in securities finance, experts said at the Securities Finance Symposium in Boston, with representatives from firms including OCC, Wematch.live and EquiLend discussing benefits such as operational efficiency and challenges such as system interoperability. Securities Finance Times (19 May.) Read more
22 May 2025
Automation vital for EU's T+1 shift, experts say
Automation is critical for the transition to a T+1 settlement cycle, experts said during TradeTech 2025. Panelists emphasized the need for firms to prepare for potential T+0 settlement by investing in middle- and back-office automation. The UK, EU and Switzerland plan to transition to T+1 on Oct. 11, 2027, and speakers urged firms to follow guidance and engage with regulators to ensure readiness. Securities Finance Times (16 May.) Read more
22 May 2025
Be strong, know who you are, no be shame, stand up, e ala e.
Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, singer, musician May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Read more
22 May 2025
