CCData Partners ANNA and DTIF to Ease Adoption of Digital Token Identifier

CCData, an FCA authorised benchmark administrator and provider of digital asset data and index solutions, has made a strategic partnership with the Association of National Numbering Agencies (ANNA) and the Digital Token Identifier Foundation (DTIF) to introduce Digital Token Identifiers (DTIs) and International Securities Identification Numbers (ISINs) into its Asset Metadata product.

The integration of the identifiers means stakeholders in both parties can access metadata for more than 7,000 digital assets and respective ISO identifiers via CCData’s REST API. This should enhance transparency in the digital asset market by distinguishing between the ISIN-identified asset itself and its blockchain-based implementation identified by the DTI.

Microsoft Azure Marketplace Adds Xceptor Data Automation Solutions

Xceptor, an automation platform for financial markets, has moved into the Microsoft Azure Marketplace where clients, partners, and prospects can quickly identify Xceptor solutions and services to meet their data automation needs and benefits from a built in streamlined procurement and payment process. Xceptor offers its clients and prospects the option to either select pre-packaged solutions or collaborate on tailored options that are then integrated via Azure Marketplace.

“Joining forces with Microsoft Azure Marketplace brings us closer to our clients who want convenient, accessible tools to manage their intricate data management and automation needs. This platform simplifies the purchasing process and expedites onboarding,” says Josh Monroe, chief revenue officer at Xceptor.

ICE Benchmark Administration Offers Update on Cessation of Final LIBOR Settings

Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) has confirmed that ICE Benchmark Administration (IBA), the FCA authorised and regulated administrator of LIBOR, has provided an update on the cessation of sterling LIBOR.

In line with feedback from its June 2022 consultation and previous statements, the FCA has used its powers under UK Benchmarks Regulation (UK BMR) to require IBA to publish the 3-Month sterling LIBOR setting using an unrepresentative synthetic methodology until 28 March 2024. The FCA has stated that it has no intention to require publication beyond then and that this setting will cease after publication on that date.

IBA is also required by the FCA to continue to publish the 1-, 3- and 6-Month synthetic US dollar LIBOR settings. The FCA has stated that it intends to require IBA to publish these settings until 30 September 2024, but not beyond that date, when it expects publication to cease.

All other LIBOR settings have ceased to be published.

Nature-linked Indexes Added to S&P Sustainability Benchmarks

S&P Dow Jones Indices has added another set of ESG-themed benchmarks to its roster, this time providing a gauge for nature-focused investors.

The S&P 500 Biodiversity Index and the S&P Global LargeMidCap Biodiversity Index are intended to provide broad views of the impacts companies are having on nature and vice versa.

The new suite follows the creation of a set of indexes that track corporate alignment with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The nature-linked indexes are calibrated to the COP15 Montreal biodiversity protection targets and built on S&P’s nature, biodiversity and carbon datasets as well as its SDG metrics.

“Research shows that 85 per cent of the world’s largest companies have a significant dependency on nature and biodiversity. This makes access to nature- and biodiversity-focused data, insights, and analytics essential in the support of market participants understanding, managing, and mitigating exposure of nature-related risks and impacts,” said Steven Bullock, global head of research and methodology at S&P Global Sustainable1, S&P’s ESG business unit.

Investors See Relevance in Double Materiality Ratings: ISS ESG Survey

Institutional investors believe that ESG ratings built on a double materiality methodology are “very relevant” to them, according to an ISS ESG survey of client needs.

The analysis also found that investors consider the reporting standards of International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), UN Global Compact (UNGC) and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) most relevant to their needs.

The findings were contained in the company’s ESG Corporate Rating Survey, in which it sought to gauge client responses to the methodologies it uses to create its sustainability research.

The survey results, which will be discussed in a webinar next month, also show that investors’ most relevant ESG theme is addressing climate change.

SIX Adds to ESG Products With SME Assessment Tool

Swiss financial giant SIX has launched a tool that will enable banking clients to make assessments on the sustainability performance of small- and medium-sized enterprises on their loan books.

The service is backed by Greenomy, an ESG assessment and reporting company that the Swiss company acquired late last year. With Greenomy’s software-as-a-service platform, the solution will help banks comply with regulations such as the EU’s new Banking Book Taxonomy Alignment Ratio (EU BTAR).

Further, banking clients will be able to gauge their debtors’ sustainability risk trajectories.

“The importance of gaining a clearer insight into the climate credentials of small and medium-sized enterprises cannot be overstated,” said SIX head of financial information Marion Leslie. “After all, SMEs represent 90 per cent of businesses worldwide, not to mention 99 per cent of the EU’s economy.”

The SME Sustainability Assessment Solution is the latest tool to be released by SIX this year. The Zurich-based operator of the stock exchanges of Switzerland and Spain unveiled a climate-specific data tool last month. That was the first in a programme of product releases that SIX head of ESG product strategy Martina McPherson said would create a one-stop-shop of sustainability data services.

Mirae Asset Global Investments and Bloomberg Plan Strategic Collaboration

Mirae Asset Global Investments and Bloomberg are planning a global strategic data and technology collaboration to support Mirae Asset, an asset manager headquartered in South Korea and operating in 16 markets, in its global business expansion and digital transformation. Bloomberg will offer solutions tailored to Mirae Asset in support of the asset manager’s mission to provide exceptional investment offerings for global investors. Both parties will also actively explore additional areas for collaboration, particularly in the realms of digital transformation, data solutions and innovation. This is Bloomberg’s first MOU in South Korea.

Bloomberg Adds to Mobile Apps with Bloomberg Pro for Vision

Bloomberg has released Bloomberg Pro for Vision, an application based on Apple Vision Pro that gives Bloomberg Anywhere subscribers access to functionality including News, Bloomberg Television, Instant Bloomberg, Bloomberg Message, Markets, Worksheets, Securities Data, and Research on the move or in the office.

“This is a new way to help financial professionals take full advantage of Apple Vision Pro and maintain productivity, expand desktop real estate and access private information in the office or on the go, all while reducing monitor footprints,” says Len Welter, head of mobile infrastructure and technology in Bloomberg’s Office of the CTO. “We will continue to invest in our mobile apps like Bloomberg Pro for Vision to deliver the news, data and analytics our clients need, wherever they may be working.

”Bloomberg Pro for Vision is available immediately in the App Store on Apple Vision Pro and is accessible to Bloomberg Terminal customers with a Bloomberg Anywhere subscription.

EU Approves Proposal to Regulate ESG Ratings Providers

European Union leaders have agreed on a proposal to regulate ESG ratings providers, requiring them to be registered and monitored by financial authorities.
Under the planned framework jointly backed by the EU’s executive, the European Council, and its parliament, ESG ratings providers must abide by transparency rules that will oblige them to publish the data and methodologies behind their calculations.

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) will keep check of the companies.

The regulation is hoped to bring harmony to the fragmented ESG ratings sector, which has been frequently blamed for paving the way for greenwashing. The EU also expects that eventually there will be providers of separate E, S and G ratings.

When the proposal is passed, the EU is be the first major financial authority to bring ESG ratings firms within the orbit of regulators, a move that is also being considered in the UK and US.

Digital Onboarding Sets Plans Following $58 million Volition Capital Investment

Boston-based Digital Onboarding, a SaaS solution provider helping more than 100 financial institutions deepen their customer relationships, has closed a $58 million investment from growth equity firm Volition Capital. Digital Onboarding provides a digital engagement platform built to grow and service existing customer relationships and designed to enable financial institutions to engage with customers via targeted, journey-based communication and action-oriented microsites.

The investment will support Digital Onboarding’s goals to accelerate its product roadmap, improve support for existing customers, drive awareness among target prospects, and expand its headcount.