Data Explorers, eSecLending host two-day Australian securities lending summit; stress lending as “investment decision”

Data Explorers and eSecLending have held a forum on securities lending in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia, which brought together industry experts and beneficial owners.

The two-day conference, in partnership with the Melbourne Centre for Financial Studies, aimed to “demystify” the topic and, in the words of Australian Securities Lending Association chairman Peter Martin, helped to explain securities lending to beneficial owners as an “investment decision for the fund the same as any other part of its asset management”.

Like many countries worldwide, Australia introduced a ban on short selling in September 2008, with the ban on covered short selling lifted in May 2009.

Last week, a review of the Australian superannuation system called for “better disclosure” by trustees engaged in securities lending, although the report stopped short of calling for restrictions on the practice.

Speaking after the conference, Data Explorers founder Mark Faulkner commented: “The credit crisis has had a profound impact on the lender community globally and particularly in Australia.

“Access to comprehensive market research, data and insight has become even more critical to enabling efficient and informed decision making.”