Trading and investing platform eToro has rolled out itsstock lending programme in the UK, allowing eligible users to earn passiveincome by lending out fully paid stocks. The programme follows earlier rolloutsin Europe and the UAE and forms part of eToro’s plan to expand stock lendingaccess to retail investors globally.The initiative, announced in April, expandseToro’s partnership with BNY, which acts as custodian and clearingprovider, while stock lending platform EquiLend identifies borrowers andfacilitates the lending process. UK Retail Investors Gain Stock LendingeToro said it is bringing a practice long dominated by largefinancial institutions to UK retail investors. “Launching stock lending in theUK is a key step in our mission to make passive income opportunities availableto every investor,” said Yossi Brandes, VP Execution Services at eToro.The programme also expands eToro’s clearing and custodyrelationship with BNY, which provides the infrastructure for its fully fundedstock and ETF offering across 19 global exchanges. Victor O’Laughlen, ExecutivePlatform Owner – Global Clearing at BNY, said the collaboration combines thecapabilities of eToro and EquiLend with BNY’s clearing services to “equipretail investors with an institutional-grade solution to support theirinvesting journey.”BNY, Canada Bank Launch EquiLend PlatformBNY and the National Bank of Canada have gone live withEquiLend’s 1Source platform, a blockchain-based system that reducesmanual reconciliation in securities lending by maintaining synchronizedtransaction records and automating lifecycle events such as recalls andrate adjustments. The platform currently covers North American equities, withplans to expand to corporate bonds and European markets. eToro has usedEquiLend for six months to support its UK and European stock lending programme.The system could save the industry hundreds of millions annually throughimproved efficiency and fewer settlement failures.This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.