South Africa's principal CSD
Who we are
Strate is South Africa’s principal central securities depository and central collateral platform. Our purpose is to serve the financial market through the safekeeping of the legal, digital record of securities ownership. We provide associated settlement and asset services while facilitating the reuse of securities to benefit the economy.
Safeguarding ownership rights
At the heart of what we do, is the safeguarding of ownership rights for public and private market securities in South Africa. These records, held digitally, represent the legal record of ownership for all equities, bonds, money markets and participatory notes in collective investment schemes (ETFs) entrusted to Strate for safekeeping. As the market trusts us to independently and accurately hold the legal record of securities ownership, we are able to safeguard investors’ rights and contribute to upholding financial market stability.
Reliable operations and world-class asset services
Strate’s central securities depository – to which issuers, other market participants and all South African exchanges connect – maintains accurate records through a reliable clearing and settlement function. Our world-class asset servicing capabilities support issuers with both standard and complex corporate activities that unlock significant benefits for issuers and investors.
A cornerstone of the financial market ecosystem
We play an important role in creating efficiencies and mitigating systemic risk thereby contributing to the integrity of the financial market ecosystem. We are independent robust, sound and credible.
As a self-regulatory organisation, mandated by the Financial Markets Act, we contribute to financial market stability by establishing, maintaining and monitoring standards that uphold confidence in the market.
We help to support broader economic activity
Building on the trust we have earned in safeguarding the legal ownership rights for securities, Strate has developed a platform to support the re-use of securities as collateral to promote economic activity. Our central collateral platform efficiently and seamlessly connects collateral givers, collateral receivers and intermediaries, to assist them in optimising capital and improving liquidity.
Trusted to deliver innovative, digital solutions
Strate is a pioneer in digitisation in South Africa, initially through our dematerialisation initiative to replace paper securities ownership records with secure digital records. Digital innovation has allowed us to integrate and connect critical players in the financial market ecosystem. This leads to integrity and trust in our markets, which ultimately supports market growth and the growth of the South African economy.
Our Integration Services offers cost-effective solutions to make it easy for entities to create, exchange and monitor digital messages. We adhere to ISO messaging standards ensuring seamless and secure communication between market participants.
How we do things is as important as what we do
We are guided by a core set of principles that directs how we operate as a business and work together as a team to serve clients.
We strive for a culture that creates mindfulness of our purpose, performance, people, leadership, and aspirations. Within Strate, our corporate behaviours define that ‘how we do things is as important as what we do’.
- We are great listeners – we are attentive, we seek clarification, and we keep an open mind
- We empower each other – by acknowledging individual contribution and progress
- We build trust – by being able, believable, connected and dependable
- We do the right thing – by maintaining integrity
- We take accountability – by taking ownership of client interactions and collaborating with stakeholders to find workable solutions to challenges
- We commit to excellence – by taking pride in serving the financial markets
Long-term
business sustainability
We follow an integrated approach to create value for all our stakeholders over the short, medium and long term.
Our strategic focus encompasses:
- Operational excellence and resilience
- Strong client relationships
- Long-term business sustainability
- High quality engaged talent
- Digital adoption
Seamless, digital market integration
As a South African central securities depository, Strate is a licensed independent provider of post-trade services for the financial markets.
Our services offering consists of CSD Services, Collateral Services and Integration Services.
We use global and industry leading technology platforms to enable our key services and enable market participants and clients to integrate seamlessly and digitally onto our platforms.
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1) Digital access to our core platforms irrespective of whether an issuer’s securities are traded in the public or private market and whether these trades happen on or off-market
2) Deliver the full functionality required by our core services
All Strate’s core business technology partners represent best-in-class offerings for the respective areas they service and help Strate achieve full digital adoption, enabling us to better serve the South African financial market.
Industry-wide digital market integration engagement
Strate engages with, or is represented on, a number of market associations and industry bodies with a view to exchanging information and experiences with others in a spirit of mutual cooperation.
Our aim is to promote best practice recommendations in services such as securities depository, clearance, settlement and risk management.
Useful links
The International Securities Services Association (ISSA)
The Americas’ Central Securities and Depository Association (ACSDA)
The Africa and Middle East Depository Association (AMEDA)
Thomas Murray
The Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (ASISA)
Payments Association of South Africa (PASA)
World Forum of CSDs
Our journey
UNEXCor created
CD Limited formed
UNEXCor appointed as clearing house
1st digital settlement in SA
Equities settlement reform initiated
Project “Strate” initiated
Enabling legislative changes introduced
Technology platform acquired
Strate created
SA Reserve Bank agrees to host the CSD settlement system
Strate successfully implements the SAFIRES settlement system
1st electronic equities settlement
Shareholder agreement concluded
Netting model agreed
Corporate actions automated
Money Market Forum established
Strate Charity Shares launched
UNEXCor and Strate merge
Securities Services Act implemented
Testing of phase 1 for money markets completed
1st electronic money market instrument
New money market Issues accommodated
New corporate actions approach implemented
Unlisted instruments accommodated
Money market settlements top R1 trillion
Market consultation to refresh bond settlement
Segregated depository accounts introduced
Phase 2 of money market settlement system
Clearstream and Strate establish relationship
Bonds reach 100% dematerialisation
Strate goes private
Collateral management integrated
TCS BaNCS MI acquired
IT roadmap rollout commences
New corporate actions model implemented
Strate becomes LOU for LEI
Decision to replace SAFE and MMFE
Money markets go live on BaNCS
ZAR X appoints Strate
Equities settlement moves to T+3
Debt Instrument Solution implemented
A2X goes live
ETP launched
Equities settlement migrates to BaNCS
e-Voting launched
Unlisted bonds
First virtual AGM
Strate hosts the first virtual AGM via the e-Voting platform.
Appointed money market publishing agent
Integration of the Intengo platform
Enable Cape Town Stock Exchange open market structure
Technical go-live of OTC derivatives solution
CSD Council established
Broadridge and Strate enhance proxy voting experience
Acquired 100% of Trustlink (Pty) Ltd
Launched the Afriverse
Strate Edge data platform launched
ISS GPD and Strate streamline proxy voting experience
Successfully settled EESE’s first bond issuance
Strate’s executive committee is responsible for the strategic direction of the company to ensure it serves the South African financial market and adds sustainable value to stakeholders and shareholders.
Strate’s Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the company’s adherence to sound corporate governance principles and ensuring it serves the financial market in the best interest of all stakeholders. The Board is accountable to Strate’s shareholders.
We have committed shareholders whose financial institutional strength, long-term commitment and market insights assist us in delivering value to all our stakeholders.