SmartStream Creates ‘Innovations Team’ SmartStream Technologies, which characterizes itself as a financial transaction lifecycle management provider, reports that its new “innovations team” is “working with financial institutions to optimise workflows, using Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) and blockchain technologies, in the areas of reconciliations, cash management and fees and expense management.” The new… Read More >>
Startup Dakota Wealth Management Picks Pershing Advisor Solutions
New Firm Taps Pershing Advisor Solutions BNY Mellon’s Pershing Advisor Solutions has been picked as a custody partner for Dakota Wealth Management, a newly launched investment management firm. Dakota, headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, currently manages $600 million in client assets, according to a statement, which notes that the average registered investment advisor… Read More >>
Spanish Firm Revamping Ops via IBOR
A major wealth and asset management firm in Spain, CaixaBank Asset Management, is revamping front-to-back office operations via an Investment Book of Record (IBOR) approach that uses one source of real-time data, delivered enterprise-wide for positions, cash and exposure. The firm will be using a SimCorp Dimension-based IBOR to address its data management issues, and… Read More >>
Federal Reserve Kicks Off Volcker Rule Revamp
The Federal Reserve at its May 30 meeting unveiled changes to the controversial Volcker Rule — which prohibits proprietary trading and banks from owning hedge funds or private equity funds — in a move widely seen as a response to industry pressure and is in keeping with the will of the Trump administration. Fed officials… Read More >>
Deutsche Börse’s ‘Roadmap 2020’ Will Require 350 Layoffs
Deutsche Börse executives are planning an overhaul that will result in 350 job losses, a new focus on organic growth, acquisitions, and new technologies, according to the German exchanges company’s “Roadmap 2020” strategy presentations at its annual Investor Day in London, May 30. In particular, Deutsche Börse officials want: To grow structural net revenue “by… Read More >>
Pushing for Post-Trade Reforms Across Europe
This is the season for pollen, Spring holidays and roadmaps from key industry players. Often the new roadmaps mean that some may no longer be on the journey. However, in this case, the Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME), a trade group for Europe’s wholesale financial markets, is pushing for a roadmap that will… Read More >>
FINRA, SEC Slam ICBCFS Over Allegedly Inadequate AML
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) reports that it has censured and fined Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Financial Services (ICBCFS) $5.3 million for systemic anti-money laundering compliance failures, including its failure to have a “reasonable” AML program in place to monitor and detect suspicious transactions, as well as other violations, including financial, record-keeping… Read More >>
Vestmark Launches Outsourced Service for Trading Models
Vestmark is unveiling its Model Trading Service (MTS), a way to outsource model management, trading, rebalancing and account administration and cut overhead costs, say officials at the portfolio management software and services vendor. Citing Cerulli Associates, Vestmark officials argue that firms using models and outsourcing model portfolios will find it easier “to streamline their practices… Read More >>
ICE Buys TMC Bonds for $685 Million
ICE to Offer TMC’s Services Alongside Its Own The Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), owner of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), will be expanding its electronic trading offerings for fixed income liquidity via its $685 million acquisition of TMC Bonds, ICE officials say. The cash transaction will close during the second half of 2018, “subject to… Read More >>
Fed to Mull Changes to the Volcker Rule
The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System will be considering changes to the controversial Volcker Rule on Wednesday, May 30, at its open meeting in the nation’s capital, and many in the financial services industry will be watching closely. The Volcker Rule, which is section 619 of the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and… Read More >>