Straight Through Processing

In trading, the term straight through processing or STP refers to a system in which all processes involved in the transaction and settlement of a trade are automated.

Straight through processing reduces the administrative efforts and costs related to transactions. Instead of a transaction having to be booked and forwarded by each individual stakeholder in the transaction process (such as the investors, brokers, clearing houses, exchanges, central securities depositories, custodian banks), the transaction is automatically booked and forwarded between stakeholders.

Today, straight through processing is primarily accomplished with the aid of electronic settlement systems and clearing houses.

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