Bank of America
Insights and perspectives
14 October 2026
ISLA co-chair Lauren Northrop sits down with Carmella Haswell ahead of the conference to review the week ahead, what attendees should look forward to, and central themes in the current market
Image: Lauren Northrop
Taking place in Key Biscayne, the ISLA Americas’ Annual Securities Finance & Collateral Management Conference is back for a third year. What are you most looking forward to? What new concepts will be explored?
I am really looking forward to bringing the industry together and hearing different perspectives on where we go next.
I think the Shark Tank sessions will be a highlight. Technology providers will put forward practical solutions and have their ideas challenged by market participants. We will explore how market structure, AI, and digital infrastructure could reshape securities finance, moving beyond the headlines to ask what will actually work in practice.
The programme for the event is rooted in the industry’s most pressing challenges and opportunities. From your perspective, what key moments or movements in 2026 are shaping the securities finance market?
Regulation, capital, and collateral remain central themes, particularly Basel III, increasing transparency within securities, and optimising how equities can be used as collateral. These are themes with real impact on how a firm can continue to provide best in class services to their clients. The International Securities Lending Association (ISLA) Americas aims to reflect these industry trends through its working groups, comment letters, and direct engagement with regulators.
What are your thoughts on the next evolution of securities finance and what will actually change it?
The next evolution in securities finance will be shaped by how well firms adapt to longer trading hours, growing participation, and changing market infrastructure. I think the biggest changes will come from making the market work more efficiently: better information, greater automation, and more effective use of collateral. Technology will be an important enabler, but real progress also requires greater alignment around standards and processes
Which panels would you consider a must-see?
Two must-sees for me, aside from Shark Tank, are ‘Digital Assets and Securities Finance’ and ‘Who Will Run This Market in 2035?’. One looks at the future of our talent and how we need to evolve as leaders to inspire the next generation. The other is particularly interesting from my product remit, where I see growing interest in how firms are preparing for a more digital future and what that means for securities finance.
What market are your firms building towards, and who or what will run the market in 2035?
I expect the market in 2035 to be more connected, more automated, and open to a broader range of participants. The firms that succeed will be those that proactively reimagine their processes and create a simpler, more seamless experience for clients
