More NewsEvolving Risk, Transparency and Regulatory Considerations Shifts Securities Lending Model

Evolving Risk, Transparency and Regulatory Considerations Shifts Securities Lending Model

The business of securities lending is evolving towards a new paradigm, according to a new BNY Mellon Asset Servicing research paper. In particular, fresh dynamics are emerging around inventory and collateral management, while the role of the agent lender is being recast.

The new study, Re-setting the Roadmap: Managing in a New Securities Lending Environment for Beneficial Asset Holders, draws a number of conclusions:

  • The role of the agent lender: A greater attention to risk will translate into closer working relationships between asset holders and agent lenders, with the agent in some ways becoming more like an equity agency brokerage and less a utilisation manager. This process is already occurring, as brokers can no longer commit large portions of their balance sheet to general collateral borrowing.
  • Regulation: Regulators are moving forward to place securities lending in a more clearly defined category within financial markets. There is recognition of the liquidity benefits of lending and short-selling, but regulators are also beginning to think that securities lending is both a market to be regulated and a means of identifying trading patterns in underlying products.
  • Transparency: Regulators have also begun to shift their attention towards increasing transparency in the securities lending market, a trend that may be accelerated with the advent of electronic securities lending marketplaces and central counterparties.
  • Distinct opportunities and risks for both cash and non-cash collateral: An increased use of non-cash collateral has resulted in benefits arising from portfolio diversification but has heightened concerns around loan pricing. While most institutions have already migrated towards a conservative portfolio or are moving in that direction, this has not meant a wholesale retreat from the market – only 31% of funds surveyed changed their securities lending behaviour as a result of collateral losses.
  • The re-emergence of the ‘intrinsic value’ model of securities lending: An older industry standard, this model produces returns based upon the securities loan itself, with little incremental benefit from collateral reinvestments. However, the study notes that “intrinsic value is not for everyone” and utilising a portfolio with a view to maximising collateral returns “continues to be appropriate for some lenders”.

Comments are closed.

Subscribe to get your daily business insights

Whitepapers & Resources

2021 Transaction Banking Services Survey
Banking

2021 Transaction Banking Services Survey

2y
CGI Transaction Banking Survey 2020

CGI Transaction Banking Survey 2020

4y
TIS Sanction Screening Survey Report
Payments

TIS Sanction Screening Survey Report

5y
Enhancing your strategic position: Digitalization in Treasury
Payments

Enhancing your strategic position: Digitalization in Treasury

5y
Netting: An Immersive Guide to Global Reconciliation

Netting: An Immersive Guide to Global Reconciliation

5y