Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) says another step has been taken in the unfolding evolution of the Treasury marketplace, with JP Morgan completing the first cleared repo transaction under the new Category 2 Sponsoring Member classification.
This important milestone comes immediately following the recent Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approval for DTCC subsidiary Fixed Income Clearing Corporation (FICC) to expand its Sponsored Service.
Through the expanded Sponsored Service, a broader category of market participants can participate in the service as sponsors, including Dealers, non-US Banks and Prime Brokers (all referred to as Category 2 Sponsoring Members). The expansion also changed how the service can be used, with sponsors now able to let their clients trade with counterparties other than themselves, providing sponsored members with the same execution flexibility they have in the bi-lateral market today.
“JP Morgan is a leader in providing innovative solutions to our clients,” says Brian Connell, JP Morgan Managing Director, Fixed Income Financing. “We were excited to participate in the original Sponsored Repo program and we believe the expansion of the program will continue to streamline dealer balance sheets and further enhance repo market liquidity.”
In addition to JP Morgan, there are now over a dozen Category 2 Sponsoring Members approved, or in the process of approval, to leverage the new service.
“We are pleased by the early interest we have had from market participants as it is a tremendous indication of the positive impact this expansion will have for the Treasury marketplace,” says Murray Pozmanter, DTCC Managing Director and Head of Clearing Agency Services. “The increased participation, particularly from the buyside, will yield significant benefits in reducing systemic risk and creating market capacity.”
