S&P Global backs SSImple to improve SSI data governance

S&P Global has made a strategic investment in SSImple, the companies announced in a joint statement, to improve governance, quality and automation of Standing Settlement Instructions (SSIs) used in post-trade processing. The firms said the work aims to help market participants reduce settlement risk as the industry accelerates automation and shortens settlement cycles.

The investment pairs SSImple’s SSI management technology with S&P Global’s distribution and market capabilities. The partnership will focus on improving data accuracy and governance, automating manual processes around SSIs and supporting clients adapting post-trade workflows. The companies described the investment as part of an ongoing collaboration.

Standing Settlement Instructions store counterparties’ settlement details and preferences that custodians, brokers and clearing agents use to settle trades. Incorrect or poorly governed SSIs can cause failed settlements, require manual interventions and raise operational risk. Market participants have stepped up efforts to clean and automate SSI workflows as they prepare for faster settlement timelines such as T+1.

Planned work includes applying SSImple’s validation and management tools together with S&P Global’s client reach to encourage wider adoption of standardised, governed SSI data across the post-trade ecosystem. The firms expect the combination to reduce operational friction and support clients through changes in post-trade operations.

In a statement, SSImple wrote: “This marks an important milestone in our collaboration and reflects a shared commitment to addressing one of the capital markets industry’s longstanding operational challenges: improving the quality, governance, and automation of Standing Settlement Instructions.” The company thanked S&P Global for its support and added it will continue to work with clients on post-trade transformation.

SSImple offers technology and services for SSI management and validation. S&P Global provides financial information, analytics and market infrastructure used by banks, asset managers and other capital markets firms. The investment follows broader industry emphasis on data quality and automation in back-office operations.