Deutsche Boerse : Vontobel chooses Clearstream as partner for hedge funds business

Vontobel has chosen Clearstream Banking as strategic partner to streamline and consolidate its third-party hedge fund processing activities. Clearstream's investment funds processing infrastructure Vestima enables processing of all types of funds from mutual funds to hedge funds on a single platform.

The current regulatory agenda has made asset safety a key concern for financial institutions and the asset management industry. The fifth Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities (UCITS V) directive and the Alternative Investment Fund Manager Directive (AIFMD) are reshaping the operational landscape of the European investment funds market, leading to a growing need for transparency and efficiency in investment funds processing.

Centralised solutions, such as Clearstream's Vestima platform support market participants to comply with the regulatory requirements and new rules on risk mitigation. As an International Central Securities Depository (ICSD), Clearstream is highly regulated and publicly discloses its risk management principles.

Peter Camenzind, Head of Transaction Banking at Vontobel, said: 'We want to deliver the edge for our clients and embrace opportunities that make a difference. By moving our third-party hedge fund business to the industry market leader, we achieve a higher STP-rate in the hedge fund processing and we offer our clients a new level of service quality based on Clearstream's expertise.'

Philippe Seyll, Co-CEO and Head of Investment Fund Services at Clearstream Banking, said: 'We are delighted to extend our relationship with Vontobel and to start delivering services to this customer in the Swiss market. Switzerland has a high importance for us and is considered as one of our key markets.'

About Vontobel

Vontobel's mission is to protect and build the wealth clients have entrusted to the bank over the long term. Specializing in active asset management and tailor-made investment solutions, Vontobel provides responsible and forward-looking advice. In doing so, the bank is committed to Swiss quality and performance standards. With their good name, their owner families have stood by these principles for generations. As of 31 December 2016, Vontobel held over CHF 195 billion of client assets. Around 1,700 employees worldwide provide first-rate, customized services for clients with an international focus. The registered shares of Vontobel Holding AG are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. The Vontobel families and the Vontobel Foundation hold the majority of shares and votes in the company. www.vontobel.com

About Clearstream

As an international central securities depository (ICSD) headquartered in Luxembourg, Clearstream provides the post-trade infrastructure for the Eurobond market and services for securities from 56 domestic markets worldwide. With 13 trillion Euros in assets under custody, Clearstream is one of the world's largest settlement and custody firms for domestic and international securities. www.clearstream.com