Astana International Exchange CSD attains Thomas Murray A rating with a positive outlook
Thomas Murray, the global post-trade risk and custody specialists, has completed the first time CSD risk assessment of Astana International Exchange Central Securities Depository (AIX CSD) and assigned an overall risk assessment of A, which denotes a ‘Low Risk,’ the Astana International Financial Centre press service informs.
The overall assessment of ‘A’ reflects the weighted average of the eight individual risk components and indicates a low risk exposure profile with ‘A Positive Outlook.’ This grade places AIX CSD above the average for Eurasian CSDs (A-) and a notch below the average for Asia Pacific CSDs (A+) covered by Thomas Murray.
The market was launched in November 2018 within the jurisdiction of the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) and since then, the AIX CSD and its parent company Astana International Exchange (AIX) have been working on implementing a model that meets the needs of its participants through simple, innovative, and relatively secure and efficient practices.
“Thomas Murray is delighted to announce the first-time overall risk assessment of AIX CSD. The assessment recognises the accomplishment of AIX CSD in launching a secure and efficient post-trade infrastructure in a short space of time. We will monitor AIX CSD’s improvements as the market grows and they continue to adopt international best practices,” Jim Micklethwaite, Director, Head of Operations for Thomas Murray, said.
The CSD risk assessment reviews and assesses the risk exposures for investors associated with the processes the CSD has in place to facilitate the safekeeping and the clearing and settlement of securities, where applicable. It assesses eight key risks (assessment components).
“Thomas Murray’s very first assessment of the AIX CSD as A, equivalent to low risk, is highly encouraging for us given that the CSD had been in operation for less than one year when it was assessed. Considering that Thomas Murray is the unchallenged global benchmark provider for CSD assessments, we believe that this grade will act as a catalyst for Tier-1 custodians to join the AIX CSD. We also look forward to further collaboration with Thomas Murray in assessing the progress made by the AIX CSD over time,” Anna Kolesnichenko, CEO of AIX CSD, said.
The methodology considers the capabilities of the depository and the quality and effectiveness of its operational infrastructure. It also assesses the depository’s willingness and ability to protect its participants or clients from losses. As part of the assessment, the scope and quality of the depository’s services is assessed. The assessments are on a consistent global scale, using the familiar AAA to C grading scale. Once the grading is assigned there is an ongoing surveillance process to monitor the depository.
Thomas Murray maintains proprietary assessments of over 140 CSDs globally as part of the Thomas Murray Depository Risk Assessment services.
