Chicago-based OCC says its securities lending clearing volumes continued to pick up in September.

The firm, already the largest clearer of equity derivatives trades, said its stock loan CCP activity increased by 29% last month with 168,460 transactions.

Year-to-date, securities lending activity is up 39% on 2015.

Building up CCP services for borrowers and lenders was listed as a top priority by the group at the start of 2016.

Volumes look set to grow going forward following an announcement in August that New York-based securities finance company EquiLend had acquired AQS, a platform which facilitates clearing and settlement via OCC.

At the time, Brian Lamb, EquiLend's chief, said momentum has been building in the past two years in support of CCPs in the securities finance marketplace. 

"Balance sheet costs, risk weighting and tougher capital-adequacy requirements have highlighted to the industry the potential benefits of using central clearing services," he added.

In Europe, EquiLend has already linked up with Eurex Clearing which is also building a stock loan CCP solution.

Meanwhile, Craig Donohue recently agreed to stay on as executive chairman and chief executive officer at the OCC.

The former head of rival CME will remain at the helm for another three years.

Michael McClain has also been appointed chief operating officer and Scot Warren is now chief administrative officer.