Google Cloud expands collaboration with Commerzbank

Google Cloud and German bank Commerzbank have announced that they are extending their collaboration by entering into a five-year strategic partnership. With the help of Google Cloud, Commerzbank will move a significant number of its banking applications to the cloud, a continuation of a digital transformation strategy under way since 2017. 

Commerzbank aims to run 85% of its decentralized applications in the cloud by 2024. 

Google Cloud has been providing Commerzbank with cloud technologies and expertise since 2017. With this expanded agreement, Google will now offer the bank a deeper set of platform services to enable its digital transformation. Using Google Cloud will allow Commerzbank developers to follow a continuous integration and delivery approach.

SmartStream launches rebuilt AI platform for managing complex data

SmartStream Technologies has announced the launch of its Transaction Lifecycle Management Aurora Universal Data Control, a solution for matching reconciliations data by enabling AI, machine learning and cloud-native technology.

Banks are under pressure to carry out changes to their core systems due to ISO 20022 standards and the impact of the shift to remote working. To meet this demand, SmartStream has completely re-engineered TLM Aurora Universal Data Control, leveraging AI and machine learning technologies from its Innovation Lab, and working with the managed services team to ensure that the solution is accessible and cloud-native.

“The discussions we are having with banks right now revolve around ISO 20022, which is the biggest driver—where financial institutions are having to upgrade legacy systems for data remediation and improved channel and back-office processing. We decided to completely rebuild a solution, developing a new environment to meet today’s business needs,” says Roland Brandli, strategic product manager at SmartStream.

TLM Aurora Universal Data Control connects to different types of data in the transaction lifecycle. It can be consumed via the cloud or deployed on-premise or as a managed service. 

Anna DSB seeks UPI reference data provider

The Derivatives Service Bureau has opened a request for information process to identify a reference data provider for provision of underlier identifiers for the Unique Product Identifier (UPI).

Interested parties must seek clarifications by April 9, with the closing deadline for respondents being April 23. The DSB aims to finalize the selection process by the middle of the year. Details of the RFI are available on request. Interested parties can email data-survey@anna-dsb.com.

The DSB was founded by the Association of National Numbering Agencies (Anna) to facilitate the allocation and maintenance of International Securities Identification Numbers (Isins) and other identifiers. The UPI will be available from the DSB from Q3 2022. A requirement of the UPI is to support the use of multiple underlier identifiers and reference data elements. For the UPI service to support the use of a range of underlier identifiers, it is necessary for the DSB to identify a suitable provider of reference data.

Luxembourg bank selects Gresham’s Clareti for OMS

Software provider Gresham Technologies has announced a new client win, as its Clareti platform is contracted with Spuerkeess, the largest national financial firm in Luxembourg.

Spuerkeess selected Clareti to support its implementation of a new order management system. Clareti Control will be used to ensure the accuracy of trading data and create automated controls across the business, as well as helping Spuerkeess teams become more self-sufficient in onboarding new reconciliations and making updates.

Equiduct selects EOSE to expand data assets

Pan-European exchange Equiduct has selected market data specialist EOSE to strengthen distribution of its market data products, offering a real-time view of pre-trade and post-trade data.

The relationship enables Equiducts to concentrate resources on its core business strategies, while exploring new data products and routes to market.

EOSE provides an approach to commoditizing data assets, with a team experienced in data product and business development, data sales and managing the data business within organizations, working across exchanges, brokers and other financial institutions. Equiduct is a venue designed to enable retail brokers and institutional clients to achieve best execution in the most liquid and fragmented cash equities and ETFs. Equiduct is a market segment of Borse Berlin, a regulated market operator. 

Haitong International joins SGX

Haitong International Securities Group has announced that its subsidiary Haitong International Singapore has been admitted as a securities and derivatives clearing member of the Singapore Exchange and as a depository agent of the central depository.

Haitong International Singapore has now obtained the full suite of memberships at the SGX, which allows it to further expand its current service scope and provide infrastructure services to clients in China and worldwide, integrating settlement, clearing, and custody services.

Since its incorporation in 2014, Haitong International Singapore has positioned itself as the strategic regional hub of the group in South East Asia. It has completed over 20 deals in the Singapore market, including an SGD bond issuance for Chongqing Banan Economic Park, a Chinese local government financing vehicle.

Colt establishes ultra-low latency connectivity in Thailand

Colt Technology Services has introduced ultra-low latency connectivity routes, market data, and managed services in Thailand for low speeds between Bangkok and other capital cities in Asia.

Colt now offers connectivity between the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, and between SET and the Singapore Exchange. It has also launched its suite of MarketPrizm services to capital markets clients wishing to set up low-latency trading infrastructure within the SET in Bangkok.

Colt also recently opened a new point of presence for its PrizmNet infrastructure in Sydney, expanding its market data services in Australia.