Traders using Quadriserv’s AQS securities lending platform will be able to trade an increased number of financial instruments after the firm expanded its list of eligible securities.

The move comes after US financial regulator the Securities and Exchange Commission opted to include ‘covered securities’ in the list of available instruments that can be cleared through the Options Clearing Corporation (OCC).

These instruments include securities listed on the NYSE, AMEX and NASDAQ Global Market.

In the past, traders could only loan stocks which were either underlying securities for options, futures, or exchange-traded funds based on a stock index.

Bruce C Turner, Quadriserv CEO, suggested that the new rule would add almost 2,000 tradable securities to the marketplace.

He said: “Expanding the pool of eligible securities in the AQS marketplace represents another important step toward improved market liquidity and enhanced utility for participant firms.”

Joseph Pellegrini, vice president of OCC Business Operations Group, added: “We are pleased as the new rule broadens OCC’s ability to serve both AQS and the over-the-counter securities lending market. This measure will increase market efficiency while reducing clearing system risk.”