Leveraging distributed ledger technology and cloud services, BBVA and BBVA Bancomer are piloting an FX matching application developed by Calypso Technology, a leading provider of cloud-based cross-asset trading software solutions for the financial markets, and enterprise software firm R3.
The application, which runs on R3’s Corda platform and is facilitated by Calypso’s Cloud Services, has already been used by the two banks to match a test FX trade.
Following a successful proof-of-concept earlier this year, the pilot was developed by BBVA, R3, and Calypso to enable seamless, real-time FX confirmation matching between banks and their counterparties, providing an alternative to the slow and costly systems and processes used for FX trade matching today. Currently, financial institutions rely on systems that often struggle to communicate with each other, frequently causing errors in the matching process. Fixing these errors requires manual intervention, which has significant cost and resource implications.
Ramon Martinez Sobrado, Global Head of CIB Operations at BBVA stated:
“BBVA is very excited about this initiative for two reasons. Firstly, it gives us the opportunity to assess the impact of a disruptive technology such as DLT, to generate efficiencies in one of our strategic business lines. Secondly, it has the potential to set a new standard in customer experience on the servicing ground.”
Mayank Shah, Head of Strategy, Marketing and Alliances said:
“Calypso sees Distributed Ledger Technology as an important component of our innovative offerings to transform post-trade processing operations. We are excited that after successful completion of the initial PoC, BBVA, BBVA Bancomer and our strategic blockchain partner R3, have engaged in the next phase of Calypso FX Matching Distributed Ledger Technology service supported by our Cloud services.”
Todd McDonald, Co-Founder at R3 last but not least, said:
“Reconciliation is a major issue for banks when trading FX, with whole departments often dedicated to resolving the issues that occur during the matching process. Corda removes this issue entirely by creating a single, undisputable record of each trade. We are pleased to be working with our members BBVA and BBVA Bancomer on this pilot with Calypso and look forward to extending the initiative to other industry participants in the coming weeks.”
