GC Interview: Otto Vaisanen, Clearstream's New Head of GSF Europe Sales

Otto Vaisanen was recently named as Clearstream’s new head Global Securities Financing (GSF) Sales – Continental Europe. He takes over from Gösta Fiege, who joined Euroclear’s product management team in January. Vaisanen talks to Global Custodian about his new role the strategy for GSF.

GC: What is the new team structure in GSF?
OV: In the new structure, I will head Global Securities Financing (GSF) Sales for Continental Europe; Lotfi Bettahar is head of APAC, Middle-East and Africa and Richard Glen is Head of the UK, Ireland and the Americas.

GC: What is GSF’s strategy for this year?
OV: Our strategy is to provide our clients with easier access to collateral. This is the reason for some of the collateral partnerships we have entered into. We are seeing a lot of new customers, particularly corporates and it’s about providing a suite of services
to those corporates.

With the mandatory collateralization of initial margin for OTC derivatives there is a big challenge for financial companies due to the collateral structure to be put in place operationally. We want to help those clients by looking at their operational set up and innovate for them.

GC: How will you further engage the buy-side?
OV: In terms of our Deutsche Börse Group structure, Clearstream will provide more services with other businesses in the Group. Through our Group partner Eurex the buy-side can invest cash through a CCP.

Clearstream also provides easier access to the triparty repo market through our unique multilateral contract – the Clearstream Repurchase Conditions. This contract will give buy side clients faster access to counterparties with a significant reduction of time to market and legal cost.