A-Team Insight Brief
Origin Connects to Clearstream API to Launch Instant-ISIN 2.0 for Eurobonds
Debt and capital markets fintech Origin has launched a new version of instant code allocation utility Instant-ISIN 2.0, which now offers both allocation and activation of ISINs for Eurobond issuance, while also providing CFI and FISN codes automatically. The new feature, which will be made available to Origin Dealer customers, will return an ISIN instantly upon request, while simultaneously communicating the transaction terms and details to other infrastructure providers within the Eurobond market. Instant-ISIN 2.0 is driven by connecting into Clearstream’s Primary Issuance API, which was developed using the latest version of the open source data standard Airbrush v3, designed and launched by Origin in 2021.
EDM Council Highlights Challenges to ESG Data Delivery
Data management industry group the EDM Council has outlined proposals it says will make delivering ESG data easier for rating providers and data aggregators (RPDAs). In the New York-based council’s second report into managing ESG data it said that RPDAs were experiencing specific challenges with ESG data that were not present in their other activities. In the report, the EDM Council identifies 11 challenges that need to be overcome, including a lack of harmonisation in reporting standards and gaps in the data record.
More Firms Submit Data for Bloomberg Gender Equality Index
A record number of companies offered data on gender equality for a key reference index, data giant Bloomberg said. The New York-based company’s Gender-Equality Index (GEI) now features 418 companies with a total market capitalisation of US$16 trillion. Constituents must file their data according to a GEI Framework, which scores companies on female leadership roles, equal pay, inclusivity, anti-sexual harassment policies and pro-women brands, Bloomberg said.
Arabesque Deal Seeks to Bring Sustainability to Property Sector
ABG Real Estate Group has bought a minority stake in data vendor and asset manager Arabesque as part of a strategy to create ESG solutions for the property market. Together the companies hope to introduce ESG measures and benchmarks for the construction and real estate sectors. Building firm Goldbeck has also invested into the partnership. By establishing criteria for sustainable projects, Germany-based ABG hopes to launch sector-based ESG funds, the company said.
Macrobond Achieves Record Sales Following Introduction of New Collaboration Tools
Macrobond, a provider of global economic, aggregate financial and sector data, increased sales by a record 62% in 2021, with average recurring revenue growth of 22%. The company attributes its growth to the introduction of new collaboration tools that support the needs of remote teams needing to work more effectively together. In 2021, Macrobond onboarded 120 organisations globally – including some of the world’s largest banks, asset managers and owners, research houses and government institutions – with Asia Pacific and the US seeing significant growth.
Eventus Wins First Canadian Deal with Bitbuy Implementation
Bitbuy Technologies – the first Canadian cryptocurrency trading platform to be regulated as a marketplace – has implemented Eventus Systems’ Validus platform to meet all of its trade surveillance needs. With more than 375,000 users and $4.4 billion transacted through its platform, Bitbuy is also the first organization that is both a registered digital asset marketplace and a restricted dealer for Canadians to invest in cryptocurrency assets. Its compliance department is using Validus to help ensure its market operates with integrity, monitoring client trading behaviour and identifying any potentially problematic activity that requires further investigation. The deal is Eventus’ first in Canada.
Kneip and Fondsdepot Bank Partner to Increase Data Accuracy of Fund Data
Kneip, a provider of fund data management, regulatory reporting and distribution support, and Fondsdepot Bank, a platform for trading and custody of funds in Germany, have partnered to increase data accuracy in the German fund distribution process by using Kneip’s Data Collection Service to power the bank’s Digital Frontend Tool. The data collection service simplifies collection of fund data and documents from source, and ensures data quality. Launching the service in Germany, Kneip will collect data and documents for Fondsdepot Bank’s front-end tool, which provides fund distributors and advisors with digital access to all required information during the advisory and distribution process. The partnership aims to increase the accuracy and reliability of fund data used for the distribution of funds in Germany.
LexisNexis Risk Solutions Offers Insurance Providers Ability to Identify ‘New’ from ‘Known’ Customers
LexisNexis Risk Solutions has extended the use of its proprietary identifier, LexID, to help Insurance providers identify genuinely ‘new’ from ‘known’ customers at the point of quote and start to build a single customer view to help support communication, pricing and retention strategies. While LexID for Insurance is already being used to build a single customer view of existing customers, this latest development ensures customers applying for a new business quote are quickly distinguished as being new to the business and are assigned a unique LexID number that can form the basis for building a more comprehensive single customer view.
Numis Extends Use of Torstone Platform for CSDR Compliance
UK investment bank Numis has extended its use of Torstone Technology’s Torstone Post Trade platform to manage its obligations under the Central Securities Depositories Regulation (CSDR). The Torstone Post Trade platform is a multi-asset, multi-entity cloud-based SaaS solution, covering electronic trade capture, allocation, confirmation, settlement, accounting, risk, corporate actions, reconciliation and regulatory reporting. Tim Valmas, Head of Technology at Numis says: “As CSDR implementation approaches, having a best-in-class solution that meets our obligations and gives us the flexibility to adapt to the regulation as it evolves is vital. As an existing user of Torstone Post-Trade, extending our use of the platform was a natural choice as it suits our needs, ensuring we are fully prepared for the incoming regulation.”
Horizon Software Partners with Business France to Expand in Poland
Electronic trading solutions and algorithmic technology provider Horizon Software has collaborated with Business France Poland, part of a French national agency that supports the international development of the French economy, to expand the company’s services in the region. Through the collaboration, the company aims for its technology to be deployed on a larger scale, to a wider range of clients. The partnership builds on Horizon’s experience with Business France Middle East, where the agency played a major role in strengthening client relationships and facilitating business opportunities for Horizon in the MENA region.