Briefs: Meares takes helm at BNP custody, Woolworths CU links with SendFX 24 July 2020 6:12AM Banking Day staff Briefs, Appointments, Remittance networks BNP Paribas Securities Services has appointed Sam Meares to head up its banking services operations for Australia and New Zealand. This new role will be based in Sydney, reporting to David Banks, chief operating officer for BNP Paribas Securities Services in Australia and New Zealand. Meares, with over 20 years’ experience in the securities services industry, will be responsible for managing the operations teams of the bank’s services to banks and brokers, including custody and settlement. He was most recently director of operations at HSBC. This appointment implies that BNP Paribas Securities Services, the fifth largest custodian in the Australian market, sees potential for growth in its custody, clearing and cash business. Woolworths Employees Credit Union has signed up international money transfer provider SendFX Pty Ltd to provide its members access to its FX platform. The emerging fintech promises "no fees, market leading exchange rates and access to friendly FX experts" for its users. WECU, with total assets approaching A$130 million, provides a broad range of financial products and services including savings and investment accounts, loans, insurance and financial planning. SendFX was granted AFSL and AUSTRAC licenses in May last year, and its first customer transaction was completed that month.