Women in Securitisation

The ASF promotes diversity in securitisation and has a strong representation of women from various firms on its governing national committee. Through its WIS subcommittee, the ASF aims to provide women in the securitisation industry with:
• High-quality networking opportunities.
• Awareness of issues affecting their professional advancement.
• Engagement from different levels of seniority.
• Promotion of women in the securitisation industry.

The ASF launched WIS in 2012 with just 55 members. The number has grown to more than 900, indicative of the strong interest in and support for the initiative. WIS members are located Australia-wide with an international member base that includes New Zealand, Asia, Europe and the US.

ASF membership is corporate-based and a full list of members can be found on the ASF website. Membership of the ASF enables contribution to the development of the securitisation industry. ASF corporate membership also entitles all employees to complimentary entry to member events and briefings, and discounted member rates on professional development courses tailored to the securitisation market.

The ASF typically holds regular educational and networking events for its members, with WIS networking and social events featuring women in leadership and other inspirational speakers proving popular. During 2022, WIS has held webinars for its membership, including a fireside chat with Senator Jane Hume ahead of the Australian federal election in May and a panel discussion demystifying green securitisation, with a focus on New Zealand.

As pandemic rules loosened, WIS has been delighted to return to in-person events. In Sydney, more than 200 attended the WIS cocktail lunch, where attendees heard from Jessica Irvine, senior economics editor at The Sydney Morning Herald and author of Money with Jess. In Melbourne, attendees joined WIS at ACMI for a networking evening which featured a private viewing of the Light: Works from Tate’s Collection exhibition.

The ASF was formed in 1989 to promote the development of securitisation in Australia. As the peak industry body, the ASF focuses on promoting, protecting and strengthening the Australian and New Zealand securitisation and covered-bond markets. The ASF achieves this through advocacy, facilitating professional development and networking, building investor confidence and helping drive sustainable growth. The ASF has more than 150 corporate members, based in Australia and overseas. Members include issuers, investors, trustees, credit rating agencies, accountancy firms, law firms, data vendors and others involved in the securitisation value chain.

The main objectives of the ASF are:
• Representing the interests of the securitisation market to regulators, government, the media and other stakeholders to achieve an environment that supports a robust and growing securitisation market.
• Leading consensus-building within the industry on issues of importance to support the sustainability and growth of the securitisation market.
• Providing a forum to promote the market to domestic and global investors and other stakeholders through seminars, conferences and resources.
• Informing and increasing the knowledge and skills of the securitisation community through delivering high-quality conferences, workshops and professional development programmes.
• Developing and implementing appropriate market standards and practices to enhance efficient operation, transparency and investor confidence in Australia’s securitisation market.