Apex declares liftoff for new ACATS protocol

Apex declares liftoff for new ACATS protocol
Fintech hails landmark transaction’s potential to create ‘more efficient, flexible account transfer services’ as key deadline looms.
APR 15, 2024

Fintech firm Apex has announced a first-of-its-kind transaction: the successful completion of an account transfer using the latest messaging protocols from the National Securities Clearing Corp.’s Automated Customer Account Transfer Service.

This advance, facilitated by Apex’s innovative API-based account transfer service, marks a significant step in enhancing the exchange of information among broker-dealers, according to the firm.

It said the move is part of a broader effort to transition from NSCC’s legacy messaging systems, which it’s planning to decommission by October 2025.

Apex's service aims to support financial intermediaries and NSCC members during this period by providing features such as real-time testing capabilities, which can significantly reduce the time broker-dealers need to test their processes.

The fintech provider plays a central role as the custodian for over 21 million investors.

As the platform behind hundreds of thousands of account transfers annually, Apex emphasized its commitment to modernizing the account transfer process for its clients and the broader industry, making its institutional-grade account transfer service publicly available to support this initiative.

"At Apex, we are proud to have designed a seamless, API-based solution for our clearing clients and other NSCC members to help them adopt the new ACATS protocol," Lucille Mayer, chief solutions officer at Apex, said in a statement.

Calling the first account transfer on March 15 “an exciting milestone,” Mayer said the landmark transaction “paves a path for other firms towards more efficient, flexible account transfer services that reduce manual processes."

"We are pleased to see the completion of the first account transfer following the updated API protocol,” said Michele Hillery, managing director and general manager of NSCC Equity Clearing.

“We look forward to continuing this momentum and encourage other members to update messaging ahead of the deadline,” she said.

Apex’s Monday announcement is the latest among several significant wins in recent months, including its deal to snap up AdvisorArch and an integration partnership with Advyzon.

Strong fundamentals make munis a screaming buy, says Nuveen strategist

Latest News

Anthropic, OpenAI IPO paths diverge as firms sound alarm bells for civilization
Anthropic, OpenAI IPO paths diverge as firms sound alarm bells for civilization

Sam Altman says market debut would be ‘ill-advised’ but Anthropic chases a $2 trillion valuation despite calls for AI development pause.

Dell family office nears $7.7B Baldwin Insurance take-private deal
Dell family office nears $7.7B Baldwin Insurance take-private deal

DFO Management is in advanced talks to acquire the Tampa-based insurance brokerage at a premium to its current market value.

How AI search aided scam from phony NFL player, fake financial advisor
How AI search aided scam from phony NFL player, fake financial advisor

Daejon Love and Taylor Chan's $1.3 million romance fraud scheme exposes how AI search engines can be manipulated by fabricated online identities

Schwab ordered to pay clients $1.34 million in crypto dispute involving elderly client
Schwab ordered to pay clients $1.34 million in crypto dispute involving elderly client

“It was a third party scam,” said the attorney representing the claimants.

RIA moves: Mercer adds to Atlanta presence with veteran advisor from Northern Trust
RIA moves: Mercer adds to Atlanta presence with veteran advisor from Northern Trust

Meanwhile, &Partners draws another Commonwealth practice, and Wealthcare welcomes a $550 million planning practice in the Northeast.

SPONSORED Direct indexing webinar targets tax-loss harvesting amid market swings

Northern Trust’s Ken Lassner shows advisors how to convert volatility into after-tax portfolio gains

SPONSORED Who builds the income when the pension disappears?

Dan Biagini of American Equity says the steady decline of pensions, longer lifespans and a reset in interest rates are rewriting how advisors build retirement income