Adding greater accuracy and efficiency to Corporate Actions processing for its clients, The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) announced today that it received its first inbound electronic message using ISO 20022, the global industry standard for financial messaging.
This first automated instruction message was received from Interactive Brokers through DTCC's Depository Trust Company (DTC) subsidiary.
DTC is the first financial market infrastructure to adopt the ISO 20022 format for corporate actions processing.
"DTCC is working collaboratively with clients to test electronic instructions for distribution event types," said Rob Epstein, DTCC vice president, Asset Services. "In response to client feedback, DTCC developed the automated messaging process to help mitigate risks and reduce costs in corporate actions processing."
Reducing Cost and Risk
Automating the instruction process by using ISO 20022 messaging will bring greater efficiency to corporate actions processing as it eliminates the manual touch points and the opportunity for error. In 2014, DTCC will also be introducing instruction statement reporting via ISO 20022. The instruction statement reporting message, known as the 'CAST' message, will allow firms to automate the tracking process for outstanding election balances.
Transitioning to ISO 20022 Messaging
Standardized messaging with a new browser-based user interface is part of DTCC's overall Corporate Actions Transformation Initiative. The goal of the initiative is to transform corporate actions processing for the financial services industry and will be implemented in phases over the next three years.
Using the ISO 20022 messaging format helps firms reduce risks, enhance efficiencies and drive down costs related to corporate actions processing.