Financial Markets Operations Management

Preface

I have been involved in Operations for over forty years as a practitioner, an executive education trainer and university lecturer. In my practitioner days, there was very little by way of reference books that addressed Operations; in addition, the Internet had yet to enter our collective consciousness. As a consequence, it was difficult for those working in Operations to find any literature that dealt with their topic.

Today, we can research any topic we choose, including Operations, by accessing the Internet, clicking through websites managed by exchanges, depositories, custodians, regulators and various trade associations. In spite of this, and with one or two notable exceptions, there is a dearth of books that enable Operations professionals to navigate the settlement and post-settlement environment for securities and derivatives.

This book, Financial Markets Operations Management, fills that information gap.

The intended audience is fourfold. Firstly, the text may be used in a teaching context as a course reader for staff already working in an operational environment. Secondly, as a reference guide for students taking a financially focused first degree or Masters course. Thirdly, for staff working in non-operational areas that are interested in what happens “after the trade has been executed”. Finally, for those who are about to enter the financial world or who simply have a passing interest in the subject, this book is for those readers.

The text covers the trade ...