Clearing And Settlement

Clearing and settlement is a comprehensive process that takes place on the stock exchange between a buyer and a seller that includes transferring funds and assets in the market. It is a structured and essential technique for safely and efficiently executing monetary transactions.

Efficient execution of the procedure is crucial for maintaining the stock market's authenticity and trust. It enhances transparency and reduces counterparty risk. Thus, it aids in adding to the overall stability and integrity of the financial system. The process is essential for establishing investor confidence and safeguarding seamless operations.

• Clearing and settlement is a method of exchange that takes place between a purchaser and a seller. The process involves transferring money and securities in the stock market exchange.
•  It holds great significance for managing the complex rules in stock market operations. The process must be performed efficiently in order for the stock market to remain authentic and credible.
• The process promotes openness and significantly reduces the risks associated with counterparty. These functions are vital in instilling trust among investors and enabling smooth operations in the marketplace.

The clearing and settlement process is a systematic and crucial mechanism in the stock market that facilitates the secure and effective execution of financial transactions. During the Clearing stage, conducted trades are reviewed, verified, and adjusted to ensure that they are appropriate. The Central Counterparties (CCPs) function as intermediaries between buyers and sellers, allowing them to ensure transaction compliance and reduce the threats of dealing with a counterparty.

After all transactions are satisfactorily cleared, the Settlement procedure starts, which entails the actual transfer of securities and funds. It ensures that assets get transmitted from seller to purchaser and funds are delivered. This process is essential for navigating the intricacies of stock market transactions. The mechanism significantly supports the secure transfer of assets and funds.

When one buys a share

• T-Day - Trade Day, also referred to as T-Day, is the day individuals buy shares. On this day, the broker gives the client the contract note for the exchange and all the associated costs.
• Trade Day +1 - Day two takes place the day after the individual makes the purchase. It is usually referred to as T + 1 Day or Trade Day + 1. On this day, the broker's fees and the market price of the procured shares are transferred to the stock exchange.

When one sells a share

• T-Day - On Day 1, or T-Day, the individuals sell the shares. The shares are immediately locked in the account. As a result, users are unable to sell identical shares on the precise same day.
• Trade Day +1 - On Day 02, or T+1 Day, the trading broker transfers the shares to the stock exchange, and the individual receives the funds in their bank accounts. This process takes place on the same day after all of the charges are deducted.

The entities involved in the clearing and settlement process are:

• Clearing Corporation: This is the organization affiliated with a stock exchange that is in charge of asset confirmation, settlement, and distribution. It serves as a buyer for the seller and a seller for the purchaser. The organization makes it easier to buy on one side of the transaction and sell on the other. It ensures that settlement periods are swift and regular. It also focuses on mitigating the risks associated with transactions and offering a counterparty security guarantee.
• Clearing Members and Custodians: The clearing company performs its function by passing each trade to a clearing member or custodian. Their primary duty is to ensure that the funds and securities are accessible on T+1 Day.

Let us go through the following examples to understand this process:

Example #1

Let us assume that Sam is an investor who wants to buy the shares of a company named Gentle Cosmetics. He employed a broker to carry out the transaction on his behalf. On the first day, the broker gave Sam the transaction's contract note and informed him about all the related expenses. On the second day, the company's share costs and broker charges were submitted to the stock exchange. This process concluded the clearing and settlement system in the transaction.

Example #2

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has proposed regulatory modifications to improve approaches to risk management for the central counterparties in the US Treasury market. It will also enable the further clearing of US Treasury securities transactions. The changes in the regulations include revising the membership requirements for covered clearing institutions in the US Treasury market, specifically the clearance and settlement of specified secondary market operations. As per the Commission, all of the initiatives have the goal of lowering the risks encountered by clearing agencies.

The differences between the two are as follows:

#1 - Clearing

• Clearing is the method of settling the obligations of one group of financial entities against the obligations of another.
• Clearing is the step that occurs between the execution of a trade and the settlement.
• When a trade is conducted or concluded in a financial market, the clearing agency is alerted, and then the procedure for clearing initiates.

#2 - Settlement

• Settlement is the final step in the process of purchasing assets.
• During settlement, the purchasing party will complete their part of the transaction by making any required payments to the seller. The seller will subsequently transmit the purchased assets to the purchaser.
• Settlement takes place when the clearing organization delivers ownership of the assets to the purchaser, and the funds are delivered to the seller.

This has been a guide to what is Clearing And Settlement. We explain its process, entities involved, examples, and differences between clearing & settlement. You may also have a look at the following articles -

• Automated Clearing House
• Clearinghouse
• Settlement Date