Global Custodian recently caught up with Rimes’ head of data products, Sam Barber, who discussed how a new age of digital services can help securities services providers overcome some of the complex challenges around data management.

Robin Bedford, CEO of Opus Fund Services, takes stock on the operational due diligence process within the funds industry, and assesses the evolving role of a fund administrator in the space.

Danny Green, Head of International Post-Trade at Broadridge sits down with Global Custodian to discuss the rapidly-approaching shift to T+1 in North America, the global scale of the impact and how the convergence of technology and collaboration will help to address the challenges.

BNP Paribas’ Securities Services picked up Global Custodian’s award for Best Agent Bank in Latin America at this year’s Industry Leaders event based on its survey results, in what has also proven to be a standout year for the asset servicer in the region through a culmination of developments.

Pardeep Cassells, head of buy-side customer experience at AccessFintech, looks beyond the 28 May implementation date, painting a picture of what life may look like in a T+1 world for market participants.

The impact of the move to T+1 for equities in North America reaches far beyond the region and into adjacent asset classes and functions. Meanwhile the rest of the global markets are being forced to consider their own settlement cycles. Here, a panel of industry experts look at market readiness for May 2024, discuss the unique difficulties across timezones, and the notion of fragmented settlement cycles between major markets.

While it was the landmark deal of the year for Crestbridge which earned Gen II an award at Global Custodian’s Industry Leaders this year, the acquisition was one of many developments throughout the year including 350 personnel additions, a new strategic & digital solutions group and the opening of a new state-of-the-art office in the Denver Tech Center.

UMB Fund Services thrived this year as investor demand for unlisted closed-end funds remains high. In fact, growth was so strong the firm launched a second turnkey platform for interval, tender-offer and other closed-end fund structures. UMB is known for its consultative approach – including helping private managers new to the registered-fund space get their products to market. Global Custodian spoke with Maureen Quill, executive vice president, executive director of registered funds, UMB Fund Services about the launch and a landmark 12 months.

With just over six months to go before the implementation of T+1, custodians and broker dealers play a critical role in guiding the industry through a seamless transition. It is important that custodians have the insights and strategies to effectively assist their buy-side clients in preparing for the implementation of the T+1 settlement cycle in the U.S., scheduled for May 28, 2024.

Greater transparency into the trading lifecycle – enabled through the unique transaction identifier and Swift Securities View – could help avoid costly settlement fails, especially as more markets move to T+1. Tracy Chou, senior securities expert at Swift, explains.