About ISLA Americas
Incorporated in May 2024, ISLA Americas is a non-profit industry association, presently representing the common interests of securities lending firms in the Americas region, namely institutional investors, and asset managers, and custodial banks.
ISLA Americas is an affiliate entity of the long-established International Securities Lending Association (ISLA) – the leading trade association for securities financing market participants across Europe, Middle East, and Africa (focusing primarily on securities lending and borrowing (SLB) activity). Its geographically diverse membership of over 180 firms includes institutional investors, asset managers, custodial banks, prime brokers and service providers.
Overtime, ISLA Americas will look to serve regional members across the Americas, together with current members operating global businesses, where ISLA has seen a notable increase in demand to produce a more cohesive output, reflecting multi-jurisdictional operating models and a growing desire to provide one global advocacy voice across both regions.
ISLA Americas works with the industry, as well as national, regional, and global regulators and policy makers, to advocate for, amongst other things, the importance of securities lending to the broader financial services industry. Through its flagship, industry leading ‘Securities Finance Conference’, the Association brings together securities lending and financing market participants from across the Americas to collaborate and shape the future of the industry.
For more information, read the full press release: here
ISLA Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM)
To achieve this expansion in a cohesive manner, ensuring strategic alignment between ISLA EMEA and ISLA Americas, ISLA held an EGM on 2 May 2024, where members were asked to vote on two key resolutions. The passing of these resolutions were integral to the expansion, and to shaping the long-term strategy of ISLA.
ISLA members voted strongly in favour of the two proposed resolutions, paving the way for the cohesive expansion of activities into the US through the incorporation of ISLA Americas.
ISLA Americas Incorporation and Board of Directors Announced
Following the EGM, ISLA Americas was incorporated on 10 May 2024. On 17 May 2024, the first appointed Directors of the newly formed ISLA Americas Board of Directors were announced. Chaired by Mark Whipple, Global Head of Securities Lending, Invesco, the Officers and Directors will work with the ISLA Americas’ senior management team to deliver the aims and objectives of the affiliate entity, whilst ensuring alignment with the wider Association’s overall strategy.
The current list of confirmed Directors includes:
- Mark Whipple, Invesco
- Ina Budh-Raja, BNY Mellon
- Philip Winter, Citi
- Anthony Toscano, MUFG
- Jason Strofs, BlackRock
- Christel Carroll, Goldman Sachs Agency Lending
- Tom Poppey, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
- Justin Aldridge, Fidelity Agency Lending
- Tamela Merriweather, Northern Trust
- George Rennick, JP Morgan Chase
- Michael McAuley, BNY Mellon
For more information, read the full press release here.
ISLA Americas Announces the Appointment of Fran Garritt as Executive Director, Head of Business, ISLA Americas
On 5 June 2024, ISLA Americas announced the appointment of Fran Garritt as Executive Director, Head of Business, ISLA Americas.
Reporting to the ISLA Americas’ Board, chaired by Mark Whipple, Global Head of Securities Lending, Invesco, Fran will be responsible for the overall management of the ISLA Americas’ business. He will, amongst other things, oversee all day-to-day operational activities and functions, including events, infrastructure, facilities management, and membership, while working with relevant counterpart(s) across EMEA and the US, to ensure overall strategic alignment with ISLA’s broader aims and objectives.
For more information, read the full press release here.
ISLA Americas Annual Securities Finance Conference
Under the ISLA Americas brand and working closely with the Risk Management Association (RMA) to ensure a smooth transition, we are delighted to confirm that the ISLA Americas Annual Securities Finance Conference is set to take place at the Ritz Carlton in Naples, Florida, between 14-17 October 2024. Information on sponsorship packages, delegates rates, as well as registration will be released in due course, with queries relating to the conference directed to fran.garritt@islaamericas.org
To keep up to date with ISLA Americas developments including the ISLA Americas Annual Securities Finance Conference, please visit www.islaamericas.org.
