BNP Paribas partners with NZX to boost capital flows

BNP Paribas partners with NZX to boost offshore capital flows


4 AUGUST 2020 –
BNP Paribas Securities Services (BNP Paribas) is intending to engage with the NZX
on a new initiative focused on boosting offshore capital flows into NZX to further develop the New
Zealand capital market.
NZX Chief Executive, Mark Peterson, said BNP Paribas Securities Services is working towards becoming
a General Clearing Participant and is expected to be completed within the first half of 2021 – fulfilling one
of the Exchange’s key strategic goals of ensuring the long-term health of New Zealand’s capital markets
eco-system.
“We see this as a hugely positive signal about the untapped potential in our markets. BNP Paribas is a
high-quality clearer and custodian, with an unparalleled regional clearing footprint and global credentials,
committing its innovation and expertise to New Zealand.”
BNP Paribas will bring technical expertise and further enhance operational efficiencies when bringing its
Third Party Clearing (TPC) model to New Zealand. This includes optionality for direct members, both with
a physical presence in New Zealand and as a remote broker, to use TPC.
NZX Executive Director for Markets Development & Clearing, Benjamin Phillips, described the move as
“an important endorsement of NZX’s markets development strategy and its success in attracting wider
participation by global Participants” – building greater resilience, increasing the choice, expanding
capacity and development of more direct connectivity to offshore capital flows.
Mr Phillips said this enhancement to the New Zealand market eco-system is expected to continue to drive
liquidity – a primary measure of market integrity and price transparency – and build on other strategic
initiatives that have seen on-market trading increase from 33% in 2015, reaching 70% in April 2020, with
an average year-to-date of 62.4%.
BNP Paribas has already brought innovation to New Zealand’s capital markets – as the first and only
global custodian to become a Depository Participant on the NZX Clearing and Settlement System* (NZX
Clearing), the first custodian to go live with STP announcements (ISO15022) on NZX, and the only
clearer on the NZX Dairy/NZX Equity derivatives markets.
“In BNP Paribas, we have a participant with a genuine commitment to the ongoing development of New
Zealand’s capital markets, now partnering with us to develop new models and processes to drive
operational efficiencies and mutual benefits for the market, investors and issuers,” Mr Phillips said.
Doug Cameron
, Head of Location for BNP Paribas Securities Services New Zealand, said: “We are
leveraging the NZX’s platform to offer streamlined, efficient, cost-effective and high quality operations at a
time of increasing global and regional infrastructure demands”.
TPC benefits brokers by:
•
streamlining the clearing and settlement process, with BNP Paribas managing the operational,
regulatory and IT requirements and allowing broking firms to focus on their core business, trade
management and execution
•
offering a cost-effective solution for managing large trading volumes

•
reducing capital outlay of connecting to NZX’s markets
•
assisting with the navigation of a dynamic landscape of regulations across Asia-Pacific markets
•
delivering significant cost savings related to capital adequacy requirement management, margin
costs and other risk management activity.

For further information, please contact:

Media – David Glendining +64 27 301 9248
Investors – Graham Law +64 29 494 2223

BNP Paribas Securities Services – Angela Nguyen
+61 (0) 426 592 475
angela.nguyen@au.bnpparibas.com

About NZX
For more than 150 years we have been creating opportunities for Kiwis to grow their personal wealth and
helping businesses prosper. As New Zealand’s Exchange, we are proud of our record in supporting the
growth and global ambitions of local companies.
NZX operates New Zealand's equity, debt, funds, derivatives and energy markets. To support the growth
of our markets, we provide trading, clearing, settlement, depository and data services for our customers.
We also own Smartshares, New Zealand's only issuer of listed Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), and
KiwiSaver provider SuperLife. NZX Wealth Technologies is a 100%-owned subsidiary delivering rich
online platform functionality to enable New Zealand investment advisors and providers to efficiently
manage, trade and administer their client's assets. Learn more about us at: www.nzx.com
About BNP Paribas Securities Services
BNP Paribas Securities Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of the BNP Paribas Group, is a leading
global custodian and securities services provider. Backed by the strength of the BNP Paribas Group, we
provide multi-asset post-trade and asset servicing solutions for buy and sell-side market participants,
corporates and issuers. With local expertise in 35 countries and a global reach covering 90+ markets, our
network is one of the most extensive in the industry, enabling clients to maximise their investment
opportunities worldwide.
*BNP Paribas Securities Services Australia branch has been accredited as a Depository Participant and
Legal Title Transfer Depository Participant.

BNP Paribas Fund Services Australasia Pty Ltd ABN 71 002 655 674 (BPFSA) is an Australian
incorporated company which is registered with the New Zealand Companies Office under registration
number 1010736. BPFSA is also registered under the Financial Service Providers (Registration and
Dispute Resolution) Act 2008. BPFSA is a wholly owned subsidiary of BNP Paribas Securities Services, a
French incorporated partnership limited by shares which is authorised and supervised by the ACPR
(Autorité de Contrôle Prudentiel et de Résolution) and the AMF (Autorité des Marchés Financiers). Learn
more about us at: https://securities.bnpparibas.com/insights/bnpp-australia-new-zealand.html
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