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Depositories and clearing corporations (e.g., Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC), Options Clearing Corporation (OCC))

Depositories and clearing corporations ensure the efficient and secure settlement of securities transactions, promoting liquidity and reducing risk in financial markets.

1. Depositories

  • Jurisdiction: Depositories are institutions that hold securities in electronic form, ensuring the safe transfer and record-keeping of assets. They eliminate the need for physical certificates, allowing faster and more efficient settlement.
  • Example: The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) is a major U.S. depository that electronically holds securities like stocks and bonds. When an investor buys shares of Microsoft, the transaction is settled electronically through DTCC, ensuring ownership is updated without the need for physical certificates.

2. Clearing Corporations

  • Jurisdiction: Clearing corporations act as intermediaries between buyers and sellers in securities transactions, guaranteeing the completion of trades even if one party defaults. They ensure that both parties fulfill their obligations and that trades settle on time.
  • Example: The Options Clearing Corporation (OCC) clears options contracts in the U.S. When an investor buys a call option on Tesla stock, the OCC ensures that the trade is properly settled by managing the delivery of the underlying stock and ensuring both parties meet their financial obligations.

3. Key Functions

  • Depositories: Safeguard securities and facilitate their transfer in electronic form.
  • Clearing Corporations: Ensure the completion of trades by guaranteeing settlement, even in case of default.

4. Risk Management

  • Jurisdiction: Both depositories and clearing corporations help manage financial risk by providing collateral requirements and ensuring that settlement occurs even if one party defaults on the trade.
  • Example: DTCC's central counterparty (CCP) model protects market participants by stepping in as the buyer to the seller and vice versa, ensuring the trade is fulfilled.

In summary, depositories securely hold and transfer securities, while clearing corporations manage trade settlement and mitigate risks, ensuring that transactions are completed smoothly and reliably.

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