Leading the Way
Global Asset Servicing News and Commentary
Asset servicing news and commentary
Technology
Grant Thornton deploys Fenergo
04 March 2026 UK
Reporter: Zarah Choudhary
This move aims at providing Grant Thornton a solution to carry out thorough checks, manage risk consistently and meet regulatory requirements from the outset, while significantly reducing the time it takes to onboard new clients
Digital assets
Standard Chartered partners with TP ICAP
04 March 2026 UK, Singapore, Hong Kong
Reporter: Zarah Choudhary
According to the firm, the partnership will support the global markets infrastructure provider as it expands its matched principal trading activities
Industry
Qomply set to open office in Hong Kong
03 March 2026 Hong Kong
Reporter: Zarah Choudhary
The Hong Kong launch builds on Qomply’s expansion into the US last year to support Commodity Futures Trading Commission reporting obligations
People moves
Funds-Axis appoints Machin as COO
03 March 2026 UK
Reporter: Zarah Choudhary
As chief operating officer, Chris Machin will lead operational strategy, client delivery, platform scalability, and organisational development to support Funds-Axis’ expanding global footprint
Leading the Way
Global Asset Servicing News and Commentary
Beyond T+1
Kevin Wooldridge, co-founder and CEO of Message Labs, looks at why market transformation must become a durable, message-aware capability rather than a series of one-off programmes
Project Agorá
Led by the BIS, Project Agorá is exploring whether tokenised money and a unified ledger model can address the long-standing inefficiencies of wholesale cross-border payments
From experiment to infrastructure
Tahlia Kraefft examines how as the United Kingdom’s approach to cryptocurrency regulation shifts from minimal oversight to a comprehensive financial services framework regime, is the regulation a brake on innovation or structure for scale?
Data interoperability as a competitive edge
Tahlia Kraefft explores how the capability to seamlessly integrate, distribute, and use data across fragmented systems in asset servicing is no longer merely a mechanism for operational efficiency but a driver of innovation and a strategic advantage
Speed vs scrutiny
With payments settling in seconds and operating around the clock, traditional AML and CTF frameworks are being pushed to their limits, forcing institutions to rethink how financial crime controls operate in a real-time environment
From reclaim execution to reclaim enablement
Sarah French of TaxTec speaks with Justin Lawson about the parallels between CRS implementation and the forthcoming FASTER initiative, and what the shift towards digital-first tax relief means for financial intermediaries across Europe
Leading the Way
Global Asset Servicing News and Commentary
MUFG Investor Services
Daniel Trentacosta
Daniel Trentacosta, managing director and global head of Private Markets and Change at MUFG Investor Services, discusses automation, outsourcing decisions, and how fund administrators are adapting to growing complexity, data demands, and client expectations
JTC
Asma Kabbaj
Asma Kabbaj, assistant manager and accountant at JTC in Luxembourg, reflects on her journey into asset servicing, the importance of client relationships in a complex regulatory environment, and how curiosity, collaboration and trust are shaping her career in one of the world’s leading fund centres
StoneX
Antigoni Andreou
From compliance to relationship management and into prime services, Antigoni Andreou, a sales associate at StoneX discusses navigating a fast-paced trading environment, challenging outdated perceptions, and building a career by asking questions and taking ownership
SEB
Ann Magnusson
Ann Magnusson, Head of Investor Services at SEB, discusses with Tahlia Kraefft what sets the Nordic markets apart, and examines their reputation for efficiency and digital maturity
Ultumus
Yazz Butt
Yazz Butt, business development at Ultumus, discusses entering asset services straight from university, the value of learning on the job, and how combining data analysis with relationship-building has shaped her early career
Hawksford
Javiera Aguayo
As compliance manager at Hawksford, Javiera Aguayo reflects on a career shaped by curiosity, analytical thinking and a commitment to strengthening governance. From Swiss private banking to trust services in the Cayman Islands, she shares how early audit work, cross-functional collaboration and a passion for problem-solving continue to guide her path in asset servicing
Carne Group
Miles Garzke
Miles Garzke, senior manager of Business Development at Carne Group, reflects on early setbacks, steep learning curves and the value of humility in financial services
CSD
Maxim Neshcheret
From Pakistan’s Raast to Brunei and Vietnam’s CSDs, Maxim Neshcheret, regional director, APAC, at CMA Small Systems, explains how the firm’s DEPO/X RTS/X platforms are linking markets and advancing digital readiness
Leading the Way
Global Asset Servicing News and Commentary
News and people moves roundupSettlement
Kevin Wooldridge of Message Labs, looks at market transformation.Payments
Project Agorá is exploring addressing long-standing inefficiencies.Future Framework
The UK’s approach to crypto shifts from minimal oversight to a comprehensive regime.
