The long winter has given us at Financial Technologies Forum the extra time we needed to pull together many projects such as the Winter/Spring edition of the digital FTF News magazine, officially debuting today. In the meantime, the FTF News website has been re-launched and we have hit a warp speed that Captain Kirk would love.
To cut to the chase, we have focused on the major Ops Battles underway in 2014 and have stolen a theme or two from the Winter Olympics.
Battle # 1: Facing the Derivatives Revolution: We provide some insight into the flood of operational issues that come with the new reality of over-the-counter derivatives processing reforms. After the smoke clears, much has to be done behind the scenes.
Battle #2: Knowing Your Customers Better: FATCA compliance, financial crime detection and the tax burdens of cost basis reporting are compelling firms will have to know thy customer as thy self. Let’s hope that KYC doesn’t mean know your criminals.
Battle #3: Automating the Impossible in Ops: The moving parts of reconciliation and exception management, investment fund services, performance measurement and corporate actions processing are enough to drive firms to a stupor of manual processing. When will these important disciplines get the automation they need?
Battle #4: Mastering the Nuts and Bolts of Operations: The fine print and new dynamics of cloud computing, the Financial Information eXchange (FIX) protocol and post-trade processing, underperforming IT infrastructures, a standard for private equity investment data, the new web of collateral and margin management, and new forms of voice communication will challenge firms to get control of the dirty details.
Battle #5: Getting Ready for the Age of Volcker: Love it or hate it, the Volcker Rule is here. Refinements will be coming but it’s becoming clear that the new rule will impact securities operations, business practices, regulatory reporting and auditing processes. Be prepared for a new landscape.
We also chronicle how JPMorgan has been streamlining its service provider role to compete more effectively in a tougher market. We will also offer a memoir from someone who was on the ground in Russia during the late 1990’s when the communist giant went back to capitalism. It’s a fascinating look back at a pivotal time and a stark contrast to current harsh realities and Putin’s invasion of Crimea, another pivotal moment that will change the world.
Last but not least, we also put together a white paper on how buy- and sell-side firms are reassessing their post-trade infrastructures and looking to the venerable FIX protocol for cost-effective ways to streamline operations. Firms are finding a new ally in their post-trade quest from the front office.
So, as the winter finally fades into spring, pop onto our sexy new website and download the Winter/Spring edition and get onboard as FTF News hits its stride.
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