QED Platform Uses A.I. for Deeper Analysis Regulatory technology provider Evidology Systems reports that the company is using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to implement extensions of its core QED (Quality and Evidence Driven) platform to enable scenario analysis of its underlying model “inside third-party applications and workflows.” The QED platform is a “unique combination of… Read More >>
JPM Asset Management Taps JPM Securities Services
Following a two-year search, JPMorgan Asset Management (JPMAM) officials report that they will be outsourcing to JPMorgan’s Securities Services division an updated set of global operations that will encompass middle office services, collateral management, and risk analytics. The move means that there will be a definite swing to a more flexible model for services that… Read More >>
Westwood Outsources Trading to Northern Trust
Northern Trust to Manage Equity & Bond Trading Westwood Holdings Group, a Dallas, Texas-based investment management boutique and wealth management firm, will be outsourcing portions of its equity and fixed income trading, and middle-office trade settlement support to custodian and service provider Northern Trust, officials say. The firm is using Northern Trust’s services “to optimize… Read More >>
More Asset Managers Mulling Outsourcing Trading: Survey
A telling number of asset managers and asset owners are considering using a third-party provider to place and work orders in financial markets via brokers and trading venues, according to a survey on outsourcing conducted by custodian BNP Paribas Securities Services and consultancy Sionic. The survey of 30 investment managers, conducted in February and March… Read More >>
Buy-Side Firms Are Embracing Outsourced Trading: Report
Buy-side firms are warming up to the use of outsourced trading desks as a recent study via Greenwich Associates, a market research firm, is showing that more firms are turning to these services and reporting high levels of satisfaction. However, some firms are still resisting the charms of outsourced trading and want to retain control… Read More >>
Firms Want Scalability via Cloud-Based Ops: Q&A
(Some financial services firms are still reluctant to hand over control of key aspects of back-office operations, says Al Castillo, senior director, solutions management at SS&C Advent, in his recent interview with FTF News. However, the scalability that the cloud provides usually wins them over. Castillo is responsible for the North American cloud delivery and… Read More >>
Deutsche Bank Shifts Three Recs Services to SmartStream
Deutsche Bank has outsourced three reconciliation services to a SmartStream Technologies’ Center of Excellence (CoE) in an effort to streamline recs processing and make it more cost effective, according to bank and vendor officials. SmartStream’s CoE is now overseeing “three distinct managed services: reconciliations on-boarding, production support and operational reconciliation services,” officials say. Previously, the… 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 >>
Fidessa Picks ION Bid Over Temenos & SS&C Overtures
ION Capital U.K. Ltd., which is indirectly and wholly owned by ION Investment Group Ltd., has won a key round in the battle to buy Fidessa as its $2.3 billion (£1.5 billion) bid has gotten the approval of the Fidessa board, besting a bid from Temenos. “The boards of ION and Fidessa are pleased to… Read More >>
