Singapore’s OCBC Bank has established a new division that is committed to providing loans against idle securities in customer accounts.
OCBC Bank has introduced a dedicated securities financing unit that will operate within the global markets division. This unit’s main function will be to activate lendable securities like equities and fixed income, which are held by customers of OCBC Bank and its affiliate businesses OCBC Securities, Bank of Singapore, and Great Eastern.
The financing unit will be under the leadership of Jansen Chua, the newly appointed head of securities finance. Chua, who officially joined the bank on January 2, will directly report to Kenneth Lai, the head of global markets.
Chua brings to the table 25 years of international experience spanning across the United States, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. His most recent role was at State Street Bank & Trust Company, where he was the senior managing director and head of financing solutions for the Asia Pacific region. He has led teams in trading, sales, customer management, and product development.
Globally, there has been a noticeable increase in the demand for securities financing. More and more buy-side firms are looking for ways to optimize liquidity, fulfill collateral requirements, and put in place hedging strategies in fluctuating markets.
In 2025, global securities lending revenues hit an all-time high of $15.3 billion, according to EquiLend Data & Analytics.
Accessing liquidity and effectively deploying capital has become crucial, especially given the current high market volatility. As a result, securities financing has become increasingly important, and there has been a correspondingly significant rise in demand from institutional customers, according to Lai.
With Chua’s leadership, the bank is well-positioned to assist its customers as they implement trading and hedging strategies, meet settlement obligations, and optimize capital usage.
What is the purpose of the new securities financing unit?
The new unit has been established to mobilize lendable securities such as equities and fixed income held by customers, allowing for lending against these idle securities.
Who will lead the new securities financing unit?
The unit will be under the leadership of Jansen Chua, the head of securities finance at OCBC.
What factors have contributed to the increased demand for securities financing?
The growing demand is largely due to buy-side firms seeking to optimize liquidity, meet collateral obligations, and implement effective hedging strategies amidst volatile market conditions.
