In response to recent outages impacting the financial sector and growing cyber concerns, the Bank of England in the Summer of 2018 released a discussion paper titled “Building the UK financial sector’s operational resilience.” Important to any financial institution in today’s environment of rapid digital change, operational resilience continues to be top of mind for industry executives and supervisory authorities around the world.

Join Protiviti’s Ron Lefferts, Andrew Retrum, Doug Wilbert and Jordan Moss for a session on how financial services firms, and the sector as a whole, can prevent, adapt and respond to, recover and learn from operational disruption through:

• Guiding principles and best practices
• Understanding firm-wide and macro-economic impact
• The Protiviti Resilience Framework: Considerations firms should undertake when designing, implementing, or assessing their resilience practices

Clients First: A Conversation About SIFMA Priorities with SIFMA Board Chair James R. Allen and SIFMA President and CEO Kenneth E. Bentsen, Jr.

One-on-One with Bank of America Chief Operations and Technology Officer Catherine Bessant on the evolving role technology holds in financial services.

Sponsored by Google Cloud 

The transformative impacts of emerging technologies are not limited to new ways of interacting with customers, but have the potential to reshape the operations, systems, and processes that drive the securities industry.  This panel brings together operations leaders to explore looking how new technologies and industry initiatives can drive greater efficiency and reduce risk, and how the industry and the role of the operations professional may evolve over the next five years.

Operations Transformation – The Journey Continues

As the 4th Industrial Revolution continues to evolve through advances in technology, the financial services industry is beginning to drive business transformation through technology enablement. Operational functionsare being reimagined, redesigned and fundamentally transformed. Last year, we led a discussion on “What If” and we set the challenge to think big and to be the catalyst for change in your organization. In this session, Bob Walley will continue the journey and discuss the ”Operations Transformation”, reflect on some of the lessons learned and provide a perspective on where we see the industry is headed.

Automation technologies, such as Robotic Process Automation (RPA), present opportunities to reduce cost and improve quality, leveraging existing legacy platforms. However, firms have struggled to gain significant scale with RPA using centralized, top-down efforts.  This struggle is often caused by ineffective opportunity identification mechanisms and ROI hurdles that only allow for large implementations.  PWC and UIPath will introduce the concept of Citizen Led automation, allowing users to drive both ideation and implementation of big and small automation projects, surrounded by the appropriate crowd sourcing mechanisms, change management processes, and control framework.  This approach and framework provide the starting point for key considerations in Digital Upskilling of the workforce and provide a way to engage your staff in framing the Operations analyst of the future.

Blockchain and Distributed ledger technology has everybody talking about the golden source of truth.  Given that, the state of a singular dataset has been extremely difficult to achieve in practice, what constitutes a “golden copy” as it applies to data and how data is actually ensured to be this golden source.  Does DLT truly enhance the notion of Golden source of data and how can we leverage it for production scale applications.

• Understand applications of single trusted & verifiable representation of data or “golden source” in Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technology
• Introduces the field of golden source of data, including information systems design for DLT, data normalization & canonicalization.
• Reviews how a golden source is achieved and its applications in DLT.

Robotics Process Automation (RPA) is a powerful technological tool that firms can use to transform their operations to build greater efficiency and accuracy, and better understand and manage risk.  As the industry increasingly adopts RPA, this expert panel will explore what you need to do to successfully implement this technology – from identifying the right use cases and applying the technology to building it into risk management and governance frameworks.

• What it is, what does it require, and what challenges does it present?
• Timing and implementation period for the final rule?
• Fiduciary proliferation – Nevada, other States, CFP Board, who else?
• Practical implications for complying with multiple standards?

Operations professionals continue to focus on the enhancement of the customer experience while at the same time mitigating risk created by the complexity and regulatory requirements in the corporate actions space.  This session will highlight how firms and financial service providers are looking to manage regulatory and operational risk in corporate actions.  Panelists will explore challenges and financial risks associated with voluntary elections, claims processing, and proxy shareholder services, while looking at ways automation and technology solutions can reduce risk and improve customer experience.

With Consolidated Audit Trail (CAT) testing quickly approaching in December 2019 and the CAT’s go-live date set for April 2020, firms are working through this complex implementation project to ensure they meet their reporting obligations. The industry – in conjunction with the Exchanges, FINRA, and the SEC – has been preparing for this milestone over the last several years given that the CAT is one of the industry’s most significant builds in recent memory.  During this session, subject matter experts will discuss various aspects of CAT reporting and what should be top of mind for firms as this critical reporting date approaches.

As highlighted in the recent Treasury Markets Practice Group (TMPG) White Paper, clearing is a critical component of the past, present and future of the financial ecosystem. Benefit from the panelists’ diverse perspectives and gain insights into what’s next for clearing across three key areas: capital management, risk management and product development.

A deeper dive discussion and demonstration on some of the tools and technologies that underpin the “Operations Transformation” initiative. The team of hands-on solution providers will share their insights and lessons from the field in designing and implementing next generation of technology in Operations functions.

The challenges facing institutional broker dealers and wealth management firms continue to evolve. Firms strive to optimize operational efficiencies, mitigate risk, and reduce costs and errors, while at the same time maximizing revenue. Expansion into global market opportunities provides an untapped revenue potential for firms as the sophistication of advisors and investors grows. With the evolution of technology, solutions evolve as well. Innovation, integration and strategic partnerships are critical to success. Our panel of distinguished leaders will discuss how they’re preparing for this increasing future expansion by improving usability, enhancing functionality, and simplifying operations and accessibility to global markets processing.

Sponsored by Google Cloud 

Personal financial data is an increasingly valuable asset in today’s global economy. Improving data quality to enhance the customer experience is critical to business success but protecting data from improper use is paramount. Discover the best practices to collect, store and use data while also safeguarding it from internal and external threats in an evolving environment.

The panel will discuss the Bulk Transfer initiative, a collaboration among regulators and the industry to create a common data and regulatory architecture for the efficient and speedy ‘bulk transfer’ of customer accounts, from a carrying broker dealer experiencing financial difficulties to a new carrying broker dealer(s). Subject matter experts and regulators will discuss the recently published Bulk Transfer Playbook, and the ongoing effort to standardize Bulk Transfer conversion files with the assistance of Sheltered Harbor.

As Firms are getting ready for the brave new world of the Consolidated Audit Trail (CAT), what are the CAT challenges and solutions they should consider?  During this session, subject matter experts will discuss the operational, technical and governance aspects of CAT implementation including data sourcing, control frameworks, vendor readiness, customer information, industry testing, regulatory operations, and more.

While buy-side is driving operational transformation to an ideal end-to-end automation, we still currently need to deal with the reality of working with archaic structures and processes across counter-parties and custodians. As the operational complexity and business environment are getting ever more challenging, join buy-side operational leaders and subject matter experts for an informative discussion on today’s solutions.

This panel of experts will focus on the business environment, political backdrop, and the implementation challenges of Brexit for financial service participants.  The audience will learn how participants are dealing with key issues like market infrastructure, clearing, regulatory and client’s considerations.

Disruptive technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Robotic Process Automation (RPA), and Smart Process Automation (SPA)are no longer the stuff of science fiction, nor the “next big thing”. Successful firms are leveraging these technologies *today* in many facets of their operations: from trade analytics to advisor insights to smarter processes. This workshop will highlight current successes and observation on innovation from industry-leading financial institutions and service providers.

Intelligent Automation is enabling a dramatic evolution in Capital Markets, enabling increased efficiencies and creating new ways of working and adding value for clients, employees and other stakeholders across the organization. The maturing of the underlying technologies creates new opportunities to help human employees to consider new strategies and approaches, expand product and service offerings, make informed decisions and create a new level of client interactions.

In this industry panel discussion, we will explore how Intelligent Automation is being adopted today and how it is transforming the way we interact with clients, streamline operations and allows us to create value across the organization in entirely new ways.

Sponsored by Google Cloud 

Throughout the industry, firms are looking to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning technologies to optimize their business. Text analytics uses AI, ML, and Natural Language Processing to unlock data from documents, filings, forms, agreements, and other unstructured formats. From risk monitoring and corporate actions processing to client on-boarding and data management, this Learning Lab explains text analytics and provides practical applications of text analytics for capital markets leaders.

Industry Insights, Tech Transformation and the Power of Partnership

With a broad view across financial services, Timothy C. Gokey, President and CEO of Broadridge Financial Solutions, shares his unique view and perspective on the latest industry trends. Tim will provide a different approach to the challenges facing investors and institutions. He will discuss how innovation can drive technology transformation to enhance the business value of technology and operations.

This panel of regulatory and industry leaders will address key priorities and emerging regulatory issues facing financial services operations professionals.  Regulators will share their perspectives on agency priorities and discuss current and potential regulatory initiatives for 2019 and beyond.

Sponsored by Verizon Enterprise Solutions 

Join industry leaders as they discuss the importance of leadership and innovation in our industry given changing consumer expectations, a changing workforce, industry consolidation and transformation.  Panelists will share their views on the skills and attributes required for future leaders and what their firms are doing to take their leadership development programs to the next level.  The session will include a discussion on diversity and firms’ approach for both short and long term with a specific focus on adding more diversity in senior leadership roles.  Panelists will also opine on how digital has transformed and is transforming the entire value chain in financial services and provide views on fintech issues and disruptive technologies are your firms grappling with now.

This panel will address the critical role of the DTCC in managing risk, clearing operations and capital on behalf of the industry. You will hear from the senior leaders of the DTCC who are shaping important capital and cyber risk management efforts and leading innovation as the industry’s largest financial markets utility. The panel will also discuss DTCC led projects for 2019 and beyond including Settlement Optimization and others.

LIBOR is the most widely used reference rate in the world, referenced in trillions of dollars of bond and swap transactions. However, its future is uncertain. Global regulators have directed market participants to develop alternatives to LIBOR, and it is unclear whether LIBOR will exist after 2021.  In the US, the Alternative Reference Rates Steering Committee has developed an alternative – SOFR – and trading has commenced in futures, swaps, and bonds referencing this new, more robust rate.

During this session, subject matter experts will discuss open issues and the roadmap. Many issues remain to be addressed, and much work still needs to be done across the industry to prepare for a broader transition to new rates. LIBOR is not just about bonds and swaps – it is also used in internal models, agreements, systems and other areas. Panelists will discuss where we are, where we are going, and what the industry needs to focus on to enhance resiliency and the robustness of our financial markets as we move towards new reference rates.

The role of the operations professional continues to evolve – driving the securities industry’s efforts to adopt new technologies, innovate processes and products, and expand the role to understanding and managing risk. As operations changes and evolves, this panel will explore the new skills, responsibilities and the place in the firm that ops professionals will take on.

The Customer Account Transfer (CAT) Forum, with their partner DTCC have identified opportunities to modernize the transfer process. This panel of industry experts will continue to explore the industry’s efforts to expedite the movement of assets, including the impact that interacting systems and processes have on our ability to significantly shorten the ACAT cycle.

This panel of industry experts will discuss the techniques and tools that firms are employing to increase resilience and reduce the probability of operational failure. Many failures were the result of poor technology change management processes, prompting more awareness operational, cyber and technology resilience. How do you manage towards production stability and achieve recovery time objectives including the use of software and other tools without compromising client experience?

This workshop reviews the upcoming changes to the “to-be-announced” (TBA) mortgage market with the implementation of the Single Security Initiative going live on June 3^rd this year. Representatives from the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs), both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, will present valuable information to any firm that participates in the TBA market or invests in single-family mortgage-backed securities (MBS). Workshop attendees have the opportunity to delve into the intricacies of the optional PC Exchange and the new “uniform MBS,” (UMBS) commingled securities. The GSEs are here to answer questions and assist firms in getting to the finish line.

5G is the next generation of mobile broadband technology that promises not only immense changes  in speed, throughput, connectivity and cost but changes in the way we do business and our daily lives. This session will educate the audience on what 5G is, time frames for deployment and examples and use cases of how it will effect the financial services community.

Leaders from The Bancorp will outline how they used Doxim’s Client Onboarding solution to help transform the Securities Backed Lending (SBL) process, so clients can meet liquidity needs quickly, without selling holdings. They will share how they addressed pain points during SBLOC origination, used digitization to re-envision and streamline the process, and ensured their new tool was adopted across the organization. By incorporating liability management into their asset management conversations, The Bancorp’s advisors respond to lending needs as part of a broader investment strategy. They can do so knowing the technology is in place to deliver SBLOCs quickly and easily.

Join industry leaders for a lively conversation on the challenges and opportunities in the financial services sector. SIFMA’s second annual Women’s Leadership Event is open to all attendees and will be immediately followed by a reception.

Sponsored by Deloitte , Fidelity Clearing & Custody Solutions , MarketAxess Corporation , Protiviti and  PwC 

Sponsored by Fidelity Clearing & Custody Solutions 

Advanced AI for People in a Hurry- What if we could re-imagine and connect science, math, physics, biology, chemistry, and systems techniques that Einstein used for his theory of relativity work over 100 years ago? At Google, we do just that. We use the universal approximation theorem that, when applied correctly, improves processing time by 10^5-10^6, with double digit improvement in quality. Learn how yesterday’s innovations are still shaping today’s operations, specifically for capital markets firms.

The Future of the Capital Markets: How technology is disrupting the ecosystem that serves Issuers and Investors and the implications for the current participants.

Technology has impacted virtually all aspects of the capital markets and the pace of change is accelerating. We will examine how these changes are impacting the roles and functions of the organizations that make up the ecosystem function and the value they are able to create.

The Future is Now – Innovative developments and disruptive technologies continue to morph the world we live in today. The gadgets and technologies we once thought were so “far-fetched” and “out of this world”…. are part of our now. It’s a very exciting time for technology!

Recent advances in Fintech have driven a transformation of middle- and back-office functions. As firms evaluate new products and services, which will be most impactful to their firms? With new offerings in robotics to artificial intelligence, big data to cyber, panelists will share how these new initiatives can reduce risk while driving greater efficiencies.