Displaying items by tag: custodians

(New York)

We became concerned for our advisor readers today when we read an article in the FT warning that many trading platforms are at serious risk of hacking. The article says that many trading platforms, such Charles Schwab, TD Ameritrade, and Interactive Brokers, secure data in an unencrypted or partially unencrypted format, leaving them highly vulnerable to hacking. If a hacker got your password, they would be able to do anything you could on the platform. Generally speaking larger brokers had safer platforms than smaller ones, and both Schwab and TD Ameritrade emphasize that they are making progress on the issue.

FINSUM: This seems like a major risk that has gone ignored. We wanted to make sure to warn our readers as we are aware that many of you use Charles Schwab and TD Ameritrade.

(Washington)

In a new bill to help small US banks, some of the biggest beneficiaries are exactly the opposite. The new bill is set to raise the threshold for strict oversight from regulators to $250bn in assets (up from $50 bn). However, three huge custody banks—BNY Mellon, State Street, and Northern Trust—will also see a major benefit. Because of their custodial structure they will be able to exclude some deposits, pushing their total deposits down under the $250 bn threshold. This development seems likely to boost earnings per share at the custodial banks by 8%.

FINSUM: Talk about regulation going right for these banks.