BNP Paribas Securities Services has teamed up with CLSA for its Multi Approved Partner Broker (MAP) model for the Stock Connect scheme. The MAP model allows investors to choose from a variety of brokers while benefiting from guaranteed real delivery versus payment (DvP) settlement through internalized settlement in the local custody book of BNP Paribas in Hong Kong.

The partnership seeks to strengthen the bridge between China and global buyside institutions via the MAP model. CLSA provides global investors with equity research on Asian companies, markets and themes. Clients also gain advantage from CLSA’s affiliation with CITIC Securities, China’s leading securities company and largest underwriter of Chinese debt and equity.

Julien Kasparian, head of BNP Paribas Securities Services in Hong Kong, says: “We are delighted to have CLSA join our MAP model as a partner broker. To support our clients and their cross-border ambitions, we are continually growing the list of approved broker partners to enable institutional investors to invest into China through Stock Connect in the most efficient ways.”

Edward Park, chief executive officer of institutional equities at CLSA, notes: “China’s onshore capital markets continue to expand and attract foreign investment, as global indices increase China's weighting in their equity and fixed-income benchmarks, and direct investment becomes more accessible. This partnership will enable BNP Paribas’ and CLSA’s clients to invest in Chinese equities based on our actionable and original research, with the security brought about by a market-leading custodian.”