The companies say this will enable stock borrowing and lending participants in the UK to take advantage of the services offered by a CCP.

They say the introduction of a central counterparty to participants in the securities lending market offers numerous benefits including the elimination of capital allocation, balance sheet netting, reduced collateral requirement, cost efficiencies, anonymity, single counterparty and multiple clearing options.

Through the introduction of the CCP service, scheduled for release in the third quarter of 2009, market professionals dealing in UK equity securities will gain access to a central portal that offers near risk-free access and trade execution benefit to participating borrowers and participating lenders.

Diana Chan, chief executive of EuroCCP, says: 'We are extremely glad to have been selected by SecFinex to provide central counterparty services for securities lending and borrowing in the U.K., which is by far the largest market in Europe for this activity. The current turmoil in the financial services industry highlights the many benefits a central counterparty can bring in securities finance transactions."

Peter Fenichel, chief executive of SecFinex, adds: 'We are delighted to partner with EuroCCP in this very important market innovation which serves to enhance securities borrowing and lending market efficiency, transparency and transaction activity.

'The use of a CCP has been widely anticipated for several years in the securities lending industry and the current credit crisis has highlighted the importance and desirability of the central counterparty value proposition. SecFinex wishes to be a force for constructive change and through this initiative is well positioned to play a pivotal role in the further development of the global securities finance market.'