Ready or not, the Consolidated Audit Trail is coming. What can we learn from the past regulatory compliance implementations such as MIFiD II or OATS? MIFid II kept the specifications in suspense until the last minute, while OATS haunts the reporters for data inaccuracies made many years prior. During this session, FIS will review lessons learned and discuss other ways to skin the CAT and potentially alleviate daily operational challenges for broker-dealers, upon the CAT launch.

The Next Decade of Investing

Michael Bodson will share his insights as CEO of the world’s largest market infrastructure on the top trends reshaping the post-trade environment – from how new technologies will transform financial services to why he’s disrupting DTCC by embracing the fintech revolution and the need to balance innovation and financial stability during this period of dynamic change.

As lead solo pilot of the Blue Angels, John Foley had to consistently perform as part of a team in an intense, high-stakes environment. Reaching that level of excellence required commitment, discipline, and trust. Using Blue Angel methodology as a model, Foley has developed a unique approach that equips others to make the same journey toward excellence. His message, delivered with contagious enthusiasm, emphasizes principles of trust, alignment, clarity, and commitment, positioning individuals and teams to achieve and sustain higher levels of excellence than they ever dreamed possible.

Traditional transformation efforts have been slow to deliver returns and unable to sustain initial gains for broker-dealers, banks and asset managers.  The cost of change and change control must be addressed to fully realize and sustain desired efficiencies. In this lab, we will discuss how Business Decision Management (BDM) and Model Driven Development (MDD) can dramatically lower the cost and risk of change in processing heavy environments by streamlining requirements development, testing and code release processes while strengthening change governance.

Stagnating revenue. Increased competition. Weak returns. How does your firm stay ahead of the curve? Join Accenture’s Wynn Davies as he reveals five technology design principles to prepare for digital capital markets in 2022 and beyond.

Payments are changing faster than ever due to a convergence of rising client expectations and new entrants and technologies. Shrinking settlement windows, bigger data demands, cybersecurity concerns, the need for transparency and the desire to lower costs are putting pressure on operations and technology and straining compliance and risk management teams to respond. New revenue opportunities are emerging by exploiting the same trends. This panel will discuss how financial services companies are responding with new capabilities to meet increased expectations.

Join operational subject matter experts for an informative discussion on buy-side perspectives.  Topics include fintech and what asset management ops are doing now to adopt emerging technologies; ,.  Panelists will also cover collateral, and any issues remaining from uncleared margin implementation, as well as implementing TBA margining and the upcoming initial margin process.

Operations professionals continue to focus on the mitigation of risk and enhancement of the customer experience driven by the evolving complexity and regulatory requirements in the corporate actions space. This session will highlight how firms are looking to manage regulatory and operational risk with fintech opportunities in robotics and artificial intelligence introduced into tax processing and the corporate actions operations. Panelists will also explore efforts for a global standard in the announcement of events, as well as questions surrounding emerging trends, including the Issuers’ use of cryptocurrency for dividends.

Cognitive and analytical technologies are poised to introduce widespread change in the financial services industry. From regulation to middle and back-office processes, panelists will explore what this means for operational professionals today, and how it may impact the landscape longer term. subject matter experts will also discuss how robotic process automation and machine learning may decrease the reliance upon human inputs and drive new efficiencies and work processes for financial services operations professionals.

The panel will discuss the industry 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).

Why are leading financial institutions using an innovative digital platform approach to drive operational excellence? Tackling complex global financial issues requires powerful and new approaches for creating more compelling and competitive customer outcomes. Also required is the ability to capitalize on data sources by integrating across data silos, while conforming to critical compliance requirements. Hear a first-hand success story from State Street Global Advisors about their digital transformation journey from strategy to results. With the support of a modern application platform, they achieved operational agility that extends from the back office through to the customer.

Location

Grand Saguaro East and West

Intelligent Automation is enabling a dramatic revolution in Capital Markets Operations driving increased efficiencies and business growth. In this session we will explore how Intelligent Automation can transform client interactions, solve the impossible collateral challenge and streamline the LIBOR transition.

Blockchain holds great promise to help transform securities markets and processes – but what does actual implementation of this technology look like? This panel will explore how the industry is actually applying distributed ledger technologies, and what the path to production looks like. How are exchanges and utilities using blockchain, and what lessons can the industry learn about realizing the potential of this technology – from selecting the right use cases to implementation to understanding the regulatory context?

Nearly 25% of all cyber incidents today are caused by malicious insiders or by employees unintentionally introducing malware into their environments through phishing attacks. Along with this, the number of data breaches, particularly among third-parties holding sensitive financial industry data, has increased substantially in the past ten years from hundreds to several thousand incidents per year. This panel will explore how firms should be preparing their organizations, employees and dependent third-parties to protect against this rising threat.

In a world of instantaneous information and high-speed transaction processing, the account transfer process – which moves accounts between brokerage firms and/or banks – must ensure that it takes the necessary steps to modernize its infrastructure from both operational efficiency and technology perspectives. This panel will review the ACATS evolution and the drive to improve the investor experience and reduce risk; the industry perspectives on the many upcoming ACATS process improvements; and the strategic view of the ACATS process and the multi-year roadmap of change and its impact on operations officers.

Join subject matter experts to better understand how firms are currently applying the DOL’s fiduciary rule and an update on the status of the SEC’s Development of a Best Interest Standard of Care. Panelists will also review the evolution occurring at the state level on expanding the scope of fiduciary activity and piece together how these various standards will work together.

Following the successful implementation of T+2, DTCC is looking to further modernize the settlement process in order to capture many of the benefits realized by compressing the settlement cycle. This panel will explore the concept of Settlement Optimization, which proposes a reengineering of DTC’s night cycle to drive a higher rate of settlement earlier in the processing day and creates the possibility of a morning settlement slice.

The successful wealth management firm of the future will have to use new technology platforms to be able to deliver personalized client service and experience to different target groups. To gain this competitive advantage early, firms should start thinking about four key areas now to differentiate themselves and identify technologies and innovations to leverage. Join Accenture’s Kendra Thompson and Scott Reddel as they paint a picture of tomorrow’s wealth management platform, from Wealthtech to Applied Intelligence, to help grow and retain client base.

Location

Grand Saguaro East and West

The adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) by financial services firms has accelerated in the last two years, driven by the explosion of data caused by the Internet of Things, advancement in computing power and maturing of algorithms. These technologies are expected to have a tangible impact on productivity within the next three to five years. Business leaders see AI in particular becoming a significant business advantage. Join Broadridge to hear how capital markets firms are transforming with AI. Our panel of industry leaders from financial institutions, analyst firms and fintech providers will share their perspectives on the AI market landscape, including where we are today, challenges and opportunities for banks, and what they are doing to take “Bots to Products.”

Location

Grand Saguaro North and South

Sponsored by Accenture 

Location

Exhibition Hall

Join members of the Corporate Actions Section (CAS), Credit & Margin Section (CMS), Customer Account Transfer Section (CAT) and Securities Operations Section (SOS) for a networking breakfast. This event is open to all current members of the society. Hear from all four section Presidents and a guest speaker. Invitations are non-transferrable and an RSVP is required. Please reach out to Meagan Prescott to reserve your seat.

Amazon’s inevitable entry into financial services reinforces the urgency for firms to explore technology to increase revenue and profitability while reimagining client experience. Amazon’s scale and customer data-centric focus positions them well to service a growing millennial customer base with personalized offerings and a differentiated digital experience. This session will examine Amazon’s success through an operational lens for insights on how data, trust, and scale can accelerate your business.

During the next two to five years, the financial services industry will continue to undergo a digital transformation, driven by blockchain and other emerging technologies. Ms. McNamara will discuss what this means for an Operations professional, including the recipe for success in the digital era.

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 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.

This panel will bring together regulators across multiple asset classes to share their views on the emerging regulatory landscape. Regulators will share their perspectives on agency priorities and discuss current and potential new regulatory initiatives in 2018 and beyond.

ART OF THE POSSIBLE IN FUTURE OF OPERATIONS -  Emerging technologies are re-shaping the operations function in financial services and other industries. These technologies present limitless possibilities for the broker dealer industry and have the potential to significantly transform, modernize and shape the future of work within Operations.  The Operations executives have a critical role in driving this transformation for their organization. Hear Deloitte’s perspective on the “Art of the Possible in Future of Operations”, and practical actions that can be taken today to help prosper and thrive in this disruptive environment.

Implementation of the Consolidated Audit Trail (“CAT”) will be one of the largest and most complex projects that operations professionals will be tasked with in 2018 and beyond.  This informative session will bring together key participants engaged in the development of the CAT, with a focus on timing, technical specifications, data security, PII, the elimination of duplicative systems and other issues critical to a successful launch.

The US Government Securities Market is going through many changes. The changes include post trade settlement, a greater need for clients to mobilize these high-quality assets around the globe and finally, the reversal of quantitative easing and the impact it will have on the secured financing market.  The panel will discuss the changing landscape of the Government Securities Market and the Industry trends that result.

Managing operational risk is a critical responsibility for operations leaders. This expert panel will share how operational risk management is evolving in response to new technologies, changing processes, and changing regulations are reshaping the discipline of operational risk management.  They will explore how operational risk fits into the broader enterprise and operations framework and share their perspectives on what makes risk management strategies effective.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are scheduled to implement the Single Security in Q2 2019. Will you be ready for this significant change impacting the to-be-announced (TBA) mortgage=backed security (MBS) market? Front-, middle-, and back-office operations departments all potentially have impacts from the associated new securities names and labeling, as well as planned exchanges of Freddie Mac’s mortgage-backed security, the Gold PC. Join us at this interactive workshop to hear more about key vendor plans and milestones, industry testing discussions, and how the exchange will work.

Location

Grand Saguaro East and West

The challenges facing institutional broker dealers and wealth management firms are familiar, but evolving. Senior leaders have long grappled with how best to optimize operational efficiencies, mitigate risk, and reduce costs and errors. As the technology evolves, so do the solutions to these longstanding questions. What once was considered to be the “answer” may no longer be innovative or forward-looking enough to meet the rigorous regulatory requirements or the ever increasing demand for differentiation. Our panel of distinguished leaders will discuss how they're preparing for the future by improving ease-of-use, enhancing functionality, and simplifying operations.

Location

Grand Saguaro North and South

Post-financial crisis, financial services firms have focused on the reduction and outsourcing of middle and back-office headcount.  The use of legacy systems continues to be the greatest middle and back-office pain point and represents the next major cost reduction opportunity.  This lab will discuss production proven innovation that has transformed the middle and back-office by taking full advantage of 21^st Century technology and its capabilities.

SIFMA is pleased to announce the inaugural Women’s Leadership Event at this year’s Operations Conference & Exhibition.  For 45 years, this event has gathered operations, technology and regulatory leaders from across the securities industry to collaborate, share information and address challenges.  Join our esteemed panelists for a lively discussion during which they will share their unique views about financial services operations. Co-Sponsored by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc, Deloitte, Donnelley  Financial Solutions/Mediant, Fidelity Clearing & Custody Solutions, PwC 

Sponsored by Fidelity Clearing & Custody Solutions 

Blockchain Chris Church of Digital Asset will describe how financial services firms can modernize their infrastructure using Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT). With FinTech powering the industry forward, this session will focus on driving innovation while maintaining secure, compliant and market transparent operations.

The transformation of middle and back office functions is well underway, driven by recent advances in fintech. Firms are tasked with selecting those products and services that will be most impactful to their firms. From robotics to artificial intelligence, big data to cyber, subject matter experts will share their vision of new initiatives geared towards driving greater efficiencies while reducing risk. Panelists will also explore how the industry and the role of the buy- and sell-side operations professional may evolve over the next five years.