Nasdaq Clearing Introduces Direct Clearing Client Model

• Enhanced model introduces direct relationship between client and CCP, designed to increase cost efficiency and client protection on both sell and buy sides.

Stockholm, October 17, 2017 — Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) Clearing today announced the launch of a direct clearing client model, designed to minimize client driven capital costs, especially for repo transactions, while clients receive increased protection in case of a clearing member’s default.

“The management of client risks and costs related to client clearing have become increasingly important for participants of the global financial markets ever since the financial crisis,” says Julia Haglind, president of Nasdaq Clearing. “With a transforming regulatory landscape as well as changing client needs, we see an opportunity in shaping the financial markets of tomorrow. Nasdaq Clearing always strives to provide best in class protection and cost efficiency for both buy and sell side clients, and the direct clearing client model is a step in line with this ambition.”

More than 100 clients in the Commodities and Financials sectors stand ready to be transitioned into the new model. Nasdaq Clearing is one of few clearing houses who provides clearing for multiple markets and asset classes, and the new direct clearing client model is designed to work across the board.

The enhanced clearing model transforms the legal relationship from client-clearing member into client- central counterparty clearing house, which means the client is responsible for Initial Margin and Variation Margin. In the enhanced model, the clearing agent remains an important entity responsible for the entire transaction chain, including position management, collateral management and settlement. The previous Nasdaq Direct Pledge model will be phased out during a three month period.

About Nasdaq Clearing: 
Nasdaq Clearing AB offers central counterparty clearing services for Nasdaq Commodities, Nasdaq Derivatives Markets, and Fish Pool. The offering includes clearing of both exchange traded and OTC contracts as well as a repo clearing service.

About Nasdaq: 
Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) is a leading global provider of trading, clearing, exchange technology, listing, information and public company services. Through its diverse portfolio of solutions, Nasdaq enables customers to plan, optimize and execute their business vision with confidence, using proven technologies that provide transparency and insight for navigating today's global capital markets. As the creator of the world's first electronic stock market, its technology powers more than 90 marketplaces in 50 countries, and 1 in 10 of the world's securities transactions. Nasdaq is home to approximately 3,900 total listings with a market value of approximately $12 trillion.

To learn more, visit: http://business.nasdaq.com