Insight
January 2026
EquiLend & SSImple
Automating SSIs: Why the EquiLend-SSImple Offering Matters for T+1 and Beyond
As the securities finance industry prepares for the transition to T+1 settlement in the UK, Europe and Switzerland by October 2027, operational efficiency and accuracy are coming under increased scrutiny. One long-standing – and now more urgent – challenge is the reliable management and exchange of standing settlement instructions (SSIs).
SSIs are a leading cause of settlement failure – accounting for around 21% of all failures, according to Firebrand Research – a risk that will only intensify as settlement cycles shorten.
A Collaborative Solution
To help address this issue, EquiLend and SSImple have teamed up to deliver an integrated solution tailored specifically for the securities finance market. The collaboration combines SSImple’s digital ledger technology (DLT)-based SSI platform into EquiLend’s Post-Trade Suite, creating a shared infrastructure for managing both cash and security SSI data at scale.
The solution was recently shortlisted for “Best Partnership of the Year” at the Securities Finance Times Industry Excellence Awards, recognizing both its relevance to the market and early adoption by key market participants.
A Persistent Operational Challenge
The fragmented and largely manual management of SSIs across cash and security transactions continues to burden operations and billing teams. Delayed updates, inconsistent formats and data mismatches create unnecessary risk, cost and inefficiency – challenges that are magnified in a T+1 world.
SSImple’s DLT-based platform enables SSIs to be stored, validated and enriched in a secure, permissioned environment. Integration with EquiLend expands the reach of this infrastructure, providing an automated, real-time SSI solution accessible across the industry.
The result is an enhanced SSI repository – accessible via a user interface, Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) or Application Programming Interface (API) – that delivers greater consistency, accuracy and regulatory compliance for both provision and ingestion of SSI data across cash and security transactions.
Meeting The Demands Of T+1
In a T+2 environment, firms already operate within a tight window to identify and correct errors. Under T+1, that window is effectively halved, and, according to the Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME), this equates to an 83% reduction in the time available to resolve settlement issues. In such a compressed cycle, manual workflows are no longer viable.
Andrew Douglas, Chair of the UK Accelerated Settlement Taskforce, has underscored the importance of reliable data infrastructure in enabling a smooth transition:
“Achieving T+1 is not simply about reducing timelines; it’s about removing friction and failure. That starts with automating the basics – like SSIs – across the system.”
The EquiLend-SSImple solution directly addresses this need. SSIs are validated using a sophisticated ruleset based on the place of settlement (PSET) and security type, significantly reducing the risk of mismatches. Updates are managed and shared in real-time, supporting firms’ compliance with evolving requirements from the Financial Markets Standards Board (FMSB), European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), Swiss Securities Post-Trade Council (swissSPTC) and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Early Adoption and Results
Since launching, 26 clients have adopted the integrated solution. Early results are encouraging – including a 31% reduction in settlement failures linked to incorrect SSIs.
Additional benefits include:
- Reduced manual intervention through automated updates
- Improved compliance with ISO standards and regulatory requirements
- Greater transparency and operational control for custodians, brokers and asset managers
Next Steps: Logical SSI Enrichment
Looking ahead, EquiLend is developing functionality to support logical enrichment – matching SSIs per transaction to ensure both counterparties align at the trade level. This will further enhance data integrity, minimize breaks and penalties and align with broader industry goals for automation and standardization.
Trade by Trade SSI enrichment will be supported both at point of trade via NGT and pre-matching via EquiLend Settlement Monitor.
Supporting a Resilient Future
This collaboration is more than a technical integration – it represents a significant step forward in modernizing the post-trade ecosystem. As firms adapt to T+1 and prepare for future regulatory developments, automated SSI management will become a core operational necessity.
By working together, EquiLend and SSImple are driving efficiency, transparency and resiliency across the post-trade industry – helping firms meet the challenges of today and those yet to come.
To learn more about how SSImple and EquiLend are transforming SSI management, complete the form to contact us and learn more about the transformative power of SSI automation.
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