EFG Hermes is expanding its product offerings in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to include securities borrowing and lending (SBL) services. The services, set to launch in the third quarter this year, will provide institutional investors, asset managers, and family offices with enhanced portfolio efficiency, optimized trading strategies, and new revenue streams.
The investment bank aims to fortify market liquidity, support sophisticated trading strategies, and attract greater institutional participation in the Saudi financial market by facilitating securities lending and borrowing.
Saud Altassan, CEO of EFG Hermes KSA, said in a statement: “Adding SBL to our product offerings aligns with our commitment to providing investors with more flexibility and access to advanced trading strategies. As the Kingdom’s capital market continues to evolve, we aim to support liquidity, enhance market efficiency, and create new opportunities for institutional investors. Our focus remains on delivering innovative solutions that contribute to a more sophisticated and resilient financial ecosystem.”
Ahmed Waly, global head of Brokerage at EFG Hermes, said in a statement: “The newly introduced SBL services enhance market efficiency and investment flexibility for our clients. This service enables investors to lend and borrow securities, optimize trading strategies, and generate passive income. By facilitating regulated short-selling and increasing market liquidity, SBL supports more dynamic and sophisticated investment approaches. Aligning with global financial standards, this addition strengthens the firm’s position in the market and provides clients with new opportunities for growth.”
The SBL service enables hedge funds and institutional investors to effectively implement arbitrage and risk-hedging strategies. Institutional investors, pension funds, and asset managers can generate passive income by lending idle securities without liquidating their positions. The robust SBL framework will further bolster Saudi Arabia’s positioning in global financial markets, making it more appealing to international hedge funds and prime brokers.