In December 2017, ADS Securities incorporated a new subsidiary called ADS Investment Solutions Limited (ADSI) in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). After immediately applying, by the end of the year ADSI had been granted a Financial Services Permission (FSP) by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of the ADGM. With the new entity out of the ADGM and fully licensed by the appropriate authority, this means the incorporated ADSI can now pursue various investment activities.

What is ADS Securities?

Established in 2011, ADS Securities began life as a specialist forex and commodities brokerage. Over the past few years it has emerged to become an international finance company with global reach. Based in Abu Dhabi, it has expanded and opened offices in financial powerhouses such as London, Singapore and Hong Kong.

Not only does ADS Securities offer commodities and currency brokerage, with a wider reach across the world they now provide investment management activities and product creation as well. The incorporation of the new ADSI subsidiary will further help ADS Securities grow and expand its financial expertise offering, especially now it is out of the ADGM.

What Does the Licence Mean?

The new licence which has been granted for the ADSI subsidiary means that it can now take a wide range of actions. These include the ability to manage assets, arrange custody, credit and deals in investment, advise on investments or credit and manage collective investment funds.

These will all help ADS Securities to expand its offering and potentially delve into new markets. With strong demand in the Abu Dhabi region and further afield, the firm hopes to be able to improve its current high-quality services and roll them out to other regions.  

What has been the Reaction?

So far, the reaction has mostly been positive. The Senior Executive Officer in charge of ADS Investment Solutions, Dr Ryan Lemand said about the incorporation: “We are already in discussions around a number of high profile projects which we will now be able to take forward and implement through the new entity. ADSI is the logical extension of the work we already undertake. It will be responsible for our asset management business which is growing alongside our highly regarded ADSS’ Wealth Management offering.”

Only time will tell how important and successful this new entity will be. Yet with a lot of work and planning and some negotiations already underway, it looks like a positive move for the firm.