Achieving true front-to-back integration: Simplifying the trade life cycle

Capital markets firms’ post-trade operations are now under increased scrutiny due to shortening settlement cycles, more stringent regulatory mandates and growing data volumes. They continue to be hamstrung by proprietary and legacy systems at a time when scale, flexibility and nimbleness are more crucial than ever.

This feature explores how front-to-back-office integration of the full trade life cycle is now a strategic imperative for firms rather than just another cost-cutting exercise. By automating post-trade processes, firms stand to increase levels of transparency, reduce unnecessary reconciliation breaks and improve their all-round operational robustness, allowing them to adapt swiftly to market changes.

The article outlines how mutualized, integrated platforms allow firms to optimize their operations, while also delivering crucial functionality, including artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. It provides examples and benchmarks about how streamlining and shared infrastructure can enhance firms’ operational resilience, bolster their growth and future proof their post-trade operations.