Here's how the process typically works:
- Lender: The lender is usually an institutional investor such as a mutual fund, pension fund, insurance company, or individual investor who owns securities and is willing to lend them out for a fee to earn additional income on their holdings.
- Borrower: The borrower is typically a financial institution such as a broker-dealer, hedge fund, or another investor who needs to borrow securities for various purposes, such as covering short sales, arbitrage opportunities, or meeting delivery obligations.
- Terms: The terms of the securities lending agreement include details such as the type and quantity of securities being lent, the duration of the loan, the fee or interest rate charged for borrowing the securities, and the type and amount of collateral required to secure the loan.
- Collateral: The borrower is required to provide collateral to the lender to mitigate the risk of default. The collateral is usually in the form of cash, government securities, or other high-quality liquid assets with a value equal to or greater than the value of the borrowed securities.
- Fee: The borrower pays a fee to the lender for borrowing the securities. The fee can be fixed or variable and is typically based on factors such as the demand for the securities, the liquidity of the market, and the creditworthiness of the borrower.
- Benefits: Securities lending can benefit both parties involved. The lender earns additional income on their securities holdings through lending fees, while the borrower gains access to the securities they need for various trading strategies or operational purposes.
- Risks: Although securities lending can be a profitable activity, it also involves risks. The main risks include counterparty risk (the risk that the borrower may default), market risk (fluctuations in the value of the securities), and operational risk (errors or delays in the settlement process).
Overall, securities lending and borrowing is a common practice in the financial markets that allows investors to optimize their returns, facilitate short selling, and improve market liquidity. It is important for both lenders and borrowers to carefully evaluate the terms of the agreement and manage risks effectively to ensure a successful outcome.
Why to choose SLB-
1. Increased profits and bonus to lender-You can earn lending fee on your existing holdings. Also, Dividends/Bonus are transferred to Lender.
2. Increased liquidity for trader-If you’re borrowing securities, you’ll have increased liquidity, and can protect other investments and portfolio, especially during a downturn.
3. Reduced tax liability- Lending does not incur short term capital gain tax.