Sophis and AXA Investment Managers join forces on Credit Derivatives

Paris, December 16th 2004- Today Sophis announced the signature of a partnership with AXA Investment Managers. This initiative is devised to enhance Sophis cross-asset front-to-back office system with the most advanced capabilities in terms of pricing, risk management and processing of Credit Derivatives.

Commenting on the partnership, Hervé Vinciguerra, Chairman of Sophis said ‘This is not our first collaboration with AXA Investment Managers, as they have been our sponsor client for VALUE, when we started developing this solution three years ago. They are one of our major references in the investment management industry, with more than a hundred users on our system, and more than three hundred funds handled in VALUE. The Credit Derivatives market is very challenging for technology providers as it is very active and innovative, so we decided to team with a market leader to stay ahead in terms of legal requirements, technology, and new financial products. This partnership will provide a mutually beneficial framework to both parties by combining AXA Investment Managers’ expertise on credit derivatives instruments including CDS, CDS n-to-default, CDOs, asset swaps, bonds, bond baskets, Convertible bonds and Sophis’ technological proficiency. The module will also comply with ISDA specifications, in terms of pricing models and restructuring clauses. It’s an exciting partnership that will have immediate benefits for both our companies, but also for Sophis existing and future clients as the module will be integrated in Sophis software suite, including Sophis RISQUE and Sophis VALUE.’