The overall assessment of ‘A+’ reflects the weighted average of eight individual risk components and indicates a low-risk exposure profile with ‘On Watch’ outlook. This grade places CEVALDOM above the average for the Americas CSDs (currently at A) covered by Thomas Murray.
At the time of the assessment in July 2022, market activity volume was dominated by over the counter (OTC) transactions and settlement was being conducted on a gross-gross basis through an efficient arrangement with around 140 batches. The settlement model used by CEVALDOM affords limited or almost zero asset commitment exposure for its participants during the settlement process. However, although fails are rare, the market was lacking settlement fails management arrangements to reduce participant exposure to liquidity constraints deriving from the late delivery or non-availability of assets. It is important to note that a new model addressing this issue to assure completion of settlement was implemented on 1 November 2022 and its performance is being monitored. Settlement is conducted using ‘central bank money’ and trading and settlement volumes are highly concentrated in a few participants. CEVALDOM operates in a legal environment strongly regulated in order to protect investors’ assets, where full segregation of securities holdings at the level of individual clients is required and the records of ownership kept by CEVALDOM prevail above those of their participants. However, international CSDs or global custodians are allowed to open omnibus accounts, even though the market does not fully recognise the nominee concept. Taking into consideration that the Dominican market is almost 100% fixed income driven and that the equities market is still to be developed, processing of corporate actions is not relevant and the CSD's processes and controls are focused on handling income payments.
CEVALDOM is financially a solid institution, with capitalisation ratios reasonably adequate for the size of the market, the turnover volumes and the total of assets under custody, potentially allowing it to face significative adverse shocks as a result of unexpected events. The CSD has no outstanding debt and has sufficient liquid net capital in the form of cash equivalent assets and its sources of revenue are stable and reliable. In addition, CEVALDOM has comprehensive insurance coverage protecting it against multiple potential threats that could affect its financial stability. Whilst the CSD currently does not have a recovery and resolution plan in place, one is under development and subject to the Board of Directors’ and the regulators’ approval. CEVALDOM has adequate internal control policies and procedures in place designed according to its Risk Management Process, which is based on ISO 31000:2018 standards. The CSD undertakes internal audits of operational controls and critical processes several times a year whilst the annual external audit follows the ISAE 3402 Type II standard. The CSD arrangements for its IT infrastructure, disaster recovery and business continuity plans are well structured and observe high standards reducing the probability of outages of its the services whilst increasing the security of the information. In terms of governance and transparency, the members of CEVALDOM’s board are all independent directors with wide experience in the industry whilst its administrative and risk management arrangements are well defined, structured and documented. Nevertheless, the CSD has some room for improvement in the “formal means” to communicate with its stakeholders (e.g., User Committee structure and meetings frequency) and to disclose information to the general public which is available in the local language only.
Jim Micklethwaite
Director, Head of Operations for Thomas Murray
Thomas Murray is delighted to announce the risk assessment upgrade of CEVALDOM. The strength of the assessment reflects CEVALDOM’s well developed risk control framework and sophisticated operating model which is in line with the best international standards. We will monitor CEVALDOM’s improvements as they further develop the CSD and the market
Freddy Rossi
CEO of CEVALDOM
As a financial market infrastructure and a systemically important entity, we are aware of the risks that arise in the constant evolution of the market we serve; so, our strategies are designed in accordance with best international practices and aimed at generating value for our stakeholders, through the fulfilment of our organisational purpose of bringing safety to the Dominican stock market thanks to adequate risk management, providing agility and efficiency to the market. The result of the risk assessment carried out by Thomas Murray fills us with pride, while challenging us to continue improving to support the growth of our market
The CSD risk assessment reviews and assesses the risk exposures for investors associated with the processes the CSD has in place to facilitate the safekeeping and the clearing and settlement of securities, where applicable. It assesses eight key risks (assessment components). The methodology considers the capabilities of the depository and the quality and effectiveness of its operational infrastructure. It also assesses the depository’s willingness and ability to protect its participants or clients from losses. As part of the assessment, the scope and quality of the depository’s services is assessed. The assessments are on a consistent global scale, using the familiar AAA to C grading scale. Once the grading is assigned there is an ongoing surveillance process to monitor the depository.
Thomas Murray maintains proprietary assessments of over 140 CSDs globally as part of the Thomas Murray Depository Risk Assessment services.
The full Thomas Murray report is available to interested parties upon request.
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Reference information:
CEVALDOM S.A. was founded in 2003 and is the financial market infrastructure that provides essential services to the Dominican stock market. As such, it contributes to maintaining the stability, resilience and transparency of said market, reducing systemic risks and safeguarding the property rights of investors over their securities. CEVALDOM operates in the market as centralised deposit of securities; administrator of a securities clearing and settlement system; and administrator of a securities operations registry system (OTC registration platform). The mission of CEVALDOM is to provide financial market infrastructure services and solutions in the Dominican Republic, complying with the highest security and risk management standards, being an essential strategic partner for its participants. More details: www.cevaldom.com
Thomas Murray is a specialist custody risk assessment, risk management and research firm specialising in the global securities services industry. Thomas Murray was established in 1994. The Company monitors and analyses over 320 custodians globally and evaluates the risk of over 140 CSDs, 30 CCPs and over 90 capital market infrastructures. The company has a strong position as a provider of public and private risk assessments on global custodians, domestic custodian banks and capital market infrastructures. More info: https://thomasmurray.com
