Frequently Asked Questions 

Updated May 2021 

Does EquiLend have a documented Business Continuity Plan in place? 

Yes. We maintain a comprehensive written Business Continuity Plan (BCP) detailing EquiLend’s BCP program. The BCP includes a variety of potential facilities and service-related interruptions, and the subsequent actions to be taken for continuing our operations. For details on our BCP, please click here. 

Does EquiLend’s BCP account for instances of a widespread virus pandemic? 

Yes. Our BCP does account for instances of a widespread virus pandemic and includes plans for continuing to provide service to clients throughout such an instance.  

Does EquiLend test its BCP with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic specifically, or in general? 

Yes. EquiLend regularly tests its BCP process. All of our global office locations have been operating in BCP mode since March 2020. The activation of the BCP has demonstrated no disruption to our Business As Usual (BAU) operations, including platform uptime and client support. 

Does EquiLend’s BCP include a plan to continue to provide its services in the event of mass absenteeism? Does EquiLend’s BCP include the transfer of certain business functions? 

Yes. Our global staff predominantly reside in regions surrounding our global office locations. Our senior management team members are located in different locations around the globe. Similar or duplicative work responsibilities have been strategically assigned to staff across our global office locations to ensure sufficient resources are available should one or more locations become significantly impacted. 

Has EquiLend identified its critical business processes? If yes, does EquiLend have contingency plans to address each critical business process? 

Yes. Responsibilities relating to our critical operations are strategically distributed amongst global staff to ensure the knowledge of any one process is not limited to any one individual. EquiLend’s global senior management team are in close and regular communication with staff responsible for our critical processes to determine if needed to make any changes to ensure our continued service to clients. 

Has EquiLend reviewed the potential impact of EquiLend third parties (i.e., fourth parties of EquiLend’s clients) as it relates to their ability to continue to provide EquiLend their services? 

Yes. We are in regular communication with our critical third-party vendors (i.e., those deemed critical for providing services to our clients) to identify and mitigate any given potential business disruptors. 

We continually review and confirm with our critical vendors and subcontractors that each has a robust BCP in place, including sufficient arrangements needed to ensure uninterrupted service is provided to us should they activate their respective BCPs. 

In the event a significant business disruption affects our primary production data center facility in Carteret, New Jersey, USA, the operation of our securities lending platform will be transferred to our disaster recovery data center facility in Houston, Texas, USA. Disaster recovery testing is coordinated with global clients on a semiannual basis. 

Is EquiLend speaking with local market infrastructure in the relevant jurisdiction(s) for their BCP readiness (e.g., CSDs, CCPs)? 

Yes, we are currently engaged with local market infrastructures regarding their BCP readiness. 

How will EquiLend communicate to clients any updates on the COVID-19 pandemic? 

We will continue to provide communications relating to impact and implementation of our contingency plans to clients by email. 

Has EquiLend taken steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19? 

Yes. The health and safety of our employees, clients, contractors and third-party suppliers is our top priority. As such, we have been and will continue to closely monitor developments relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, including reviewing and following guidance from respected health organizations and government recommendations. All global staff are currently working remotely until further notice. 

We continue to actively track international travel of all staff. Prior to the closure of our offices, we had implemented a mandatory two-week work-from-home policy for staff returning from travel to any high-risk location. This policy will resume upon the reopening of our offices and will continue until further notice. 

We have been and are continuing to encourage staff to follow hygiene practices set forth by the World Health Organization. Prior to the closure of our offices, we had equipped staff with virus-fighting supplies, including hand sanitizers and surface sanitizing wipes, and had professional “deep cleaning” services completed in all offices. 

Does EquiLend’s BCP include plans for remote working arrangements? 

Yes. We are positioned to provide uninterrupted services to our clients should staff be unable to physically report to one or more of our global office locations. All global staff have the technical arrangements needed to enable work-from-home capabilities and have been working remotely since March 2020 or prior and will continue to do so until it is deemed safe to transition back to an office environment.  

Does EquiLend have plans to return to an office environment? 

Yes. Vaccinated staff will be welcomed back to the office beginning in July 2021. Later in 2021, we will implement a hybrid working arrangement, with staff rotating between working remotely and in office.