Nomura : Instinet launches RQ Connect(PDF 80KB)

Offers open connectivity to third party data for research distribution, monitoring and evaluations; creates a provider-neutral hub for MiFID II research payments

New York and London, May 24, 2017 - Instinet Incorporated (Instinet) today announced the launch of RQ Connect (Research Quality Connect), a provider-neutral application within its research payment and commission management

platform, Plazma®. RQ Connect enables Research Procurement Management (RPM) systems to transfer research quality

assessment data to Plazma. Investment managers can review, edit and confirm this information on their desktops, and seamlessly authorize payments, notably through Instinet Europe Limited's (Instinet Europe) certified Payment Institution license in Europe. RQ Connect unifies outside evaluation and budgeting processes with the established payment facilities of Plazma.

"Instinet is committed to innovating and adding value for clients, which means giving them options. RQ Connect offers clients the flexibility and optionality to choose which research management tools best suit their needs," said Patrick Gill, Head of Commission Management for Instinet Europe.

Instinet Europe was authorized by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as a Payment Institution in August 2015. This registration enables the firm to actively manage research payments on behalf of clients in a way that prepares the parties for the expected MiFID II framework. Instinet's Research Payment Account (RPA) based models incorporate a regulated 'safeguarding' of cash balances, which is anticipated to be a core requirement of MiFID II in Europe.

Instinet's Plazma platform supports client commission credit (soft dollar) and commission sharing accounts for North American and Asia-Pacific clients who accrue credits in accordance with applicable local regulations.

"Creating open access to Plazma on a vendor-neutral basis solves workflow challenges the buyside faces as they construct their MiFID II response strategy. RQ Connect allows our clients to choose the research management tools best suited to their needs, and plug into Instinet's global research payment capabilities," said Luke Mauro, Global Head of Operations, Instinet Incorporated. "Instinet is uniquely able to do this as an agency model firm and an innovator in the research payment space."

In April 2017, Integrity Research released a report on MiFID II Research Solution Providers. Commenting on the report, Michael Mayhew, Founder of Integrity, said: "We analyzed ten firms that currently provide or are developing research solutions for asset managers subject to MiFID II proposed rules. Instinet offered the most comprehensive Commission Management and RPA administration solution we reviewed."

A number of third party firms are already integrating their data feeds into RQ Connect, including Alphametry, Castine, Commcise, CorpAxe, Dealogic, FactSet, ResearchPool, RSRCHXchange and Visible Alpha/ONEaccess.

Instinet expects to further expand the list of connected providers over the course of the next few months. Learn more about Instinet's RQ Connect >

-ENDS-

Jennifer Will

Global Communications Phone: +1 (212) 667-9971

As the equity execution services arm of the Nomura Group, Instinet Incorporated's subsidiaries provide independent, agency-model brokerage services to clients throughout the world. Through its advanced suite of electronic trading tools, experienced high-touch trading group and unparalleled access to insightful content and liquidity, Instinet helps institutions lower overall trading costs and ultimately improve investment performance. Over the course of its 45+ year history, Instinet has introduced a range of now industry-standard trading technologies as well as the world's first major electronic trading venue, one of the first U.S. ECNs and the Chi- X businesses. For more information, please visit instinet.com.

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