Tag: Faster Forward

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Project Acacia and Tokenized Markets with Justin Chapman and Paul Abraham

Project Acacia and Tokenized Markets with Justin Chapman and Paul Abraham

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As tokenized assets move into real-world testing, institutional investors need to understand how they could affect existing payment systems, settlement processes, risk controls, and operating models.

What can real-world testing teach financial institutions about the next stage of digital markets?

In this episode, Paul Fahey speaks with Justin Chapman, Group Head of Strategic Partnerships, Digital Assets and Financial Markets at Northern Trust, and Paul Abraham, Chief of Investment Services at Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation, about Project Acacia. They cover a live use case connecting a tokenized carbon credit with traditional cash settlement, what institutional investors are learning about tokenized assets and digital cash, and why hybrid infrastructure may remain part of financial markets as adoption develops.

Key points:

  • How Project Acacia tested tokenized assets alongside traditional payment infrastructure and settlement processes
  • Why institutional investors are studying tokenization before broader adoption reaches their operating models
  • How digital cash, tokenized equities, and different settlement models may develop across jurisdictions
  • Where tokenization may improve liquidity, collateral use, operational efficiency, and risk visibility
  • Why trust, liquidity, security, and regulatory clarity remain central to wider institutional participation
  • And more!

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About Paul Abraham:

Paul Abraham is Chief of Investment Services at Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation (CSC), which provides superannuation products and services to Australian Government and Australian Defense Force employees. He joined CSC in 2005 and brings more than 30 years of financial services experience, with previous roles spanning chartered accountancy, asset management, and financial planning across Australia, London, Tokyo, and Singapore. Paul is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia and holds a Master of Financial Management from Australian National University and a Bachelor of Business (Accountancy) from Charles Sturt University.

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Institutional Investing in a Changing Global Market

Institutional Investing in a Changing Global Market

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Institutional investors are balancing rapid market change with the need to make disciplined, long-term investment decisions.

As regulations evolve, technology advances, and geopolitical events influence capital flows, investors are balancing opportunity with operational discipline.

In this episode, Paul Fahey speaks with Gerard Walsh, Global Head of Market Solutions, Banking and Markets at Northern Trust, about the forces shaping institutional investing today. They explore how geopolitical developments are influencing investment decisions, why operational resilience has become a growing priority, what organizations should consider as more markets move toward T+1 settlement, and how artificial intelligence is being applied to risk management, cybersecurity, and decision support. 

Gerard also shares why strategy, thoughtful execution, and experienced human judgment continue to play an essential role alongside advancing technology.

Key takeaways:

  • How geopolitical events are influencing institutional investment decisions and capital allocation worldwide
  • Why operational resilience and risk management have become priorities for large investment organizations
  • What investors should prepare for as more global markets transition toward T+1 settlement cycles
  • Practical examples of artificial intelligence improving cybersecurity, risk monitoring, and operations
  • Why experienced human judgment remains essential alongside AI-driven decision support
  • And more!

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Digital Assets, Tokenization, and the Future of Institutional Investing

Digital Assets, Tokenization, and the Future of Institutional Investing

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Financial markets continue to evolve as institutions evaluate new ways to move assets, improve settlement processes, and expand investment opportunities.

What role will digital assets play in the future of investing? And how are institutions balancing innovation with regulation, governance, and risk management?

In this episode, Paul Fahey speaks with Andrew Czupek, Head of Digital Assets and Innovation, North America at Northern Trust, about the findings from Northern Trust’s 2026 Global Asset Owner Peer Study. They explore growing institutional adoption of digital assets, the rise of tokenized funds, the importance of interoperability between traditional and digital systems, and how regulatory developments are influencing participation.

Andrew also shares why utility, mobility, and infrastructure development are becoming key drivers of long-term institutional interest.

Key takeaways:

  • Growing institutional participation reflects increasing interest in digital assets beyond cryptocurrency exposure
  • Digital cash and settlement rails are helping address twenty-four-hour market activity needs
  • Tokenized assets create new opportunities for collateral mobility and operational efficiency
  • Regulatory frameworks are shaping institutional confidence and participation decisions
  • Interoperability between traditional and digital systems remains critical for broader adoption

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Scaling ETF Services for Growth and Innovation

Scaling ETF Services for Growth and Innovation

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Are you keeping up with the rapid shifts in Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) markets? 

The strategies driving innovation are reshaping how investment products are delivered and managed.

In this episode, Paul Fahey speaks with Phil Nanof, Head of ETF Services, Americas at Northern Trust, about the evolution of ETFs, particularly in the US. They explore the growth of active strategies, the impact of regulatory changes like SEC Rule 6c-11, and how automation and technology are shaping scalable operations. 

Phil also highlights key operational strategies for supporting institutional clients and their evolving investment needs.

Phil highlights:

  • The rise of active ETFs capturing significant net new money each month
  • How SEC Rule 6c-11 simplified ETF launches and adoption of active strategies
  • Operational demands increasing with product innovation and market growth
  • Importance of automation for efficiency, transparency, and error reduction
  • Integration of ETF services into existing client platforms for seamless experience
  • And more!

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Private Markets, Climate Risk, and AI: Inside Canada’s Investment Model with Katie Pries

Private Markets, Climate Risk, and AI: Inside Canada’s Investment Model with Katie Pries

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Long-term investing is shifting, but what actually separates disciplined investors from the rest?

How are leading institutions balancing performance, risk, and innovation while managing growing complexity?

In this episode, host Paul Fahey speaks with Katie Pries, Country Executive for Northern Trust Asset Servicing in Canada, about how Canadian asset owners approach private markets, governance, and emerging technologies. They explore how the Maple Eight have shaped global investing practices, why climate risk is now embedded in decision-making, and how data challenges are evolving. Katie also shares how AI is being applied to improve efficiency without replacing human judgment, and why execution and governance are now the real differentiators.

Key takeaways:

  • Private markets treated as core portfolio building blocks tied to long-term liabilities and cash flow stability
  • Data challenges shifting from scarcity to overload, with a focus on timely, decision-ready information
  • Climate risk is integrated into governance frameworks and viewed as a financial and execution risk
  • AI is improving data processing, risk monitoring, and workflow efficiency without replacing human oversight
  • The Canadian model stands out for disciplined execution, governance, and a long-term investment mindset
  • And more!

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Tariffs, Technology, and Tension Points Shaping the 2026 Outlook with Carl Tannenbaum

Tariffs, Technology, and Tension Points Shaping the 2026 Outlook with Carl Tannenbaum

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Economic pressure rarely comes from a single source. It builds through policy shifts, innovation waves, and global relationships that test long-held assumptions.

In this episode, host Paul Fahey speaks with Carl Tannenbaum, Chief Economist at Northern Trust, to reflect on the forces that defined 2025 and what they signal for the year ahead. They examine trade policy shifts, geopolitical strain, and the unwinding of global supply chains. The conversation also explores fiscal pressure across advanced economies, inflation expectations, and the evolving role of central banks. Together, they look at how artificial intelligence is influencing productivity, labor markets, and long-term investment decisions heading into 2026.

Key takeaways:

  • Why trade policy changes and tariffs reshape investment decisions and supply chain planning
  • Global security concerns are influencing fiscal priorities and cross-border cooperation
  • AI-driven productivity gains alongside labor market disruption for early career workers
  • How the rising debt burdens and interest costs are pressuring government budgets
  • How inflation trends, wage pressures, and central bank independence shape market outlooks
  • And more!

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The New Era of OCIO with Anwiti Bahuguna

The New Era of OCIO with Anwiti Bahuguna

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The world of institutional investing continues to grow more complex, and many organizations are turning to outsourced chief investment officer (OCIO) partnerships to help them navigate that complexity.

In this episode, host Paul Fahey is joined by Anwiti Bahuguna, Global Co-Chief Investment Officer Asset Management & CIO Multi-Asset Investment, to explore how the OCIO model is evolving and why it’s becoming an essential component of modern investment governance. Drawing on her deep experience in multi-asset management, Anwiti explains how institutions can balance transparency, technology, and tailored strategy in an increasingly dynamic market environment.

Here’s what you can expect from the episode:

  • The evolution of the OCIO model from smaller mandates to billion-dollar portfolios
  • How technology, data, and transparency are redefining investment oversight
  • What distinguishes an effective OCIO partnership in today’s market
  • Where the OCIO model is heading over the next decade
  • And more!

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Making Factor Models Work for Investment Teams with Sandeep Varma

Making Factor Models Work for Investment Teams with Sandeep Varma

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Factor models can seem intimidating, but when applied effectively, they transform how investment teams understand risk and return.

In this episode, host Paul Fahey interviews Sandeep Varma, Co-Founder and CEO of Equity Data Science (EDS). Paul and Sandeep discuss how factor modeling reshapes decision-making, performance analysis, and collaboration for managers. Sandeep shares his journey from quant to entrepreneur, why visualization and artificial intelligence (AI) matter, and how EDS empowers firms to integrate research and risk seamlessly.

Sandeep discusses:

  • His journey from Wall Street quantitative analyst to founding Equity Data Science (EDS)
  • How EDS combines research and risk tools to enhance investment management
  • The evolution from simple alpha/beta models to advanced multi-factor frameworks
  • The role of visualization, AI, and real-time collaboration in turning data into insights
  • Why managers should embrace factors as tools for consistency and better communication with investors

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About Sandeep Varma:

Sandeep Varma co-founded Equity Data Science in 2017 and serves as the company’s Chairman and CEO.  His unique experience includes computer science, fundamental analysis, and data science. Prior to founding EDS, Sandeep was a quantitative analyst at Bridger Capital and a quantitative and fundamental analyst at Herring Creek Capital, a hedge fund founded by Steve Galbraith, where he developed a proprietary quantitative platform for idea generation and risk management. Prior to that, he was a quantitative analyst at Credit Suisse, where his responsibilities included portfolio and risk analysis and quantitative modeling for the Prime Brokerage and Securities desks. Before joining Credit Suisse in 2008, Sandeep developed and managed trading and risk management systems at Lehman Brothers and UBS. Sandeep received his Master of Engineering in Computer Science from Cornell University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.

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The OCIO Evolution and What’s Next with Katherine McCabe (Video)

The OCIO Evolution and What’s Next with Katherine McCabe (Video)

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In this episode of Faster Forward by Northern Trust Asset Servicing, host Grant Johnsey, Head of Market Solutions at Northern Trust, sits down with Kate McCabe, Head of Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO) Solutions at Northern Trust, to explore the dynamic growth and transformation of the OCIO space. From the rise of multibillion-dollar plans to the increasing demand for transparency, technology, and global expansion, Kate shares insights from decades of experience and Northern Trust’s recent “Asset Owners in Focus” global peer study.

Tune in to hear more about:

  • Why OCIOs are scaling rapidly and attracting larger, more sophisticated asset owners
  • How consolidation is reshaping the provider landscape
  • What asset owners are demanding in terms of data, governance, and investment access
  • How Northern Trust is evolving its service model to meet the needs of both OCIOs and asset owners

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The OCIO Evolution and What’s Next with Katherine McCabe

The OCIO Evolution and What’s Next with Katherine McCabe

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In this episode of Faster Forward by Northern Trust Asset Servicing, host Grant Johnsey, Head of Market Solutions at Northern Trust, sits down with Kate McCabe, Head of Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO) Solutions at Northern Trust, to explore the dynamic growth and transformation of the OCIO space. From the rise of multibillion-dollar plans to the increasing demand for transparency, technology, and global expansion, Kate shares insights from decades of experience and Northern Trust’s recent “Asset Owners in Focus” global peer study.

Tune in to hear more about:

  • Why OCIOs are scaling rapidly and attracting larger, more sophisticated asset owners
  • How consolidation is reshaping the provider landscape
  • What asset owners are demanding in terms of data, governance, and investment access
  • How Northern Trust is evolving its service model to meet the needs of both OCIOs and asset owners

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