Nomura today announces that it has been approved as a credit default swaps (CDS) clearing member of ICE Trust US (ICE Trust), an affiliated company of IntercontinentalExchange® (ICE), a leading operator of regulated futures exchanges and over-the-counter markets for agricultural, credit, currency, emissions, energy and equity index contracts.
"Nomura has focused on strengthening its international credit derivatives business and this development is further validation of our global growth strategy," said Georges Assi, Global Head of Credit. "Nomura is one of the fastest growing global investment banks and we see our appointment as a clearing member of ICE Trust US as the next step to establishing the firm as the house of choice for fixed income investors."
Nomura is the first member of ICE Trust with its headquarters in Asia and one of 14 financial institutions to gain membership to date. By clearing credit derivatives through ICE Trust, Nomura's clients benefit from reduced counterparty credit and operational risk and more secure collateral handling procedures.
"Nomura's partnership with ICE Trust US demonstrates its commitment to creating more efficient markets, enabling greater liquidity and providing transparency for all," said Arang Varadhachary and Jock Jones, co-heads of Global Credit Products Americas. "This represents another significant milestone in Nomura's mission to become a dominant force in the global credit derivatives market," they added.
Nomura gained membership to ICE Clear Europe in December 2009 and aims to clear 95% of eligible CDS through central clearing counterparties, confirming to the market that it is fully focused on the growth and global reach of its Fixed Income franchise.
Nomura is committed to increasing depth in its existing businesses while strategically broadening its franchise into new markets as it achieves its goal of becoming the next generation investment bank.