EquiLend Expands Automation with Trading Apps Acquisition
Deal News | Jul 29, 2025 | Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe
EquiLend, a portfolio company of Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe (WCAS), has strengthened its position in the global securities finance market by acquiring Trading Apps. This strategic acquisition aims to enhance EquiLend's automation capabilities by integrating Trading Apps' advanced front-office technologies into its platforms. Trading Apps is renowned for its innovative automation tools and modular trading solutions that accelerate trading workflows and optimize returns, which align with EquiLend’s goal to streamline the entire securities finance process from front-office to post-trade. TA.Link, a trade messaging service from Trading Apps, will also be incorporated as a redundancy solution for EquiLend’s NGT platform to enable operational stability. Rich Grossi, CEO of EquiLend, highlighted the value creation potential for clients by embedding these systems into EquiLend's offerings, while Matthew Harrison, CEO of Trading Apps, anticipates a synergistic integration that defines the next generation of securities finance technology.
Sectors
- Securities Finance
- Financial Technology (FinTech)
Geography
- United States – EquiLend and Trading Apps are based in the US, and WCAS, the private equity firm involved, operates from New York.
Industry
- Securities Finance – This industry is relevant because it involves the trading and lending of securities, which is the primary focus of EquiLend and Trading Apps.
- Financial Technology (FinTech) – The acquisition focuses on enhancing technology and automation in securities finance, thereby situating it in the FinTech sector.
Financials
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EquiLend | Acquirer | Company | EquiLend is a securities finance service provider and a portfolio company of WCAS, leading efforts to enhance trade lifecycle management. |
| Trading Apps | Target | Company | Trading Apps provides front-office technology solutions for securities finance, focusing on automation and efficient trading workflows. |
| Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe (WCAS) | Investor/Owner | Company | A private equity firm that invests in tech and healthcare companies. |
| Rich Grossi | CEO of EquiLend | Person | CEO of EquiLend, overseeing integration and innovation in securities finance services. |
| Matthew Harrison | CEO of Trading Apps | Person | CEO of Trading Apps, focusing on development and integration of trading tools with EquiLend. |
| Nick Delikaris | Chief Product Officer at EquiLend | Person | CPO of EquiLend, responsible for product strategies aligning with business expansion. |