The European Commission reported that the EU and Ukraine have opened accession negotiations covering 17 chapters across the internal market and competitiveness clusters. These include financial services, capital movement, competition, taxation and economic and monetary policy, with benchmarks set for provisional closure.

Morocco’s Supervisory Authority of Insurance and Social Welfare launched a digital platform for submitting and tracking policyholder and beneficiary claims, with access optimized for computers and mobile devices. Existing claims will continue under standard procedures without action from claimants.

The Prudential Regulation Authority and Financial Conduct Authority have removed the lender-level 15% cap on mortgages at or above 4.5 times income while retaining the 15% aggregate market limit. Firm-level flows and any required reductions will be measured over four rolling quarters, while aggregate lending will be monitored quarterly. The framework takes effect on Oct. 28, 2026, replacing interim measures introduced in 2025.

The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority found that Zürcher Kantonalbank and Raiffeisen meet emergency planning requirements, while PostFinance must further develop options for a scenario in which restructuring and continued operations are not possible. It approved all three banks’ recovery plans under tightened criteria, but identified remaining gaps in crisis exercise documentation and communication plans.

A Bank for International Settlements paper argues that money depends on a hierarchy anchored by central bank money, par convertibility, disciplined credit and public backstops. It finds that stablecoins seek to join this system but currently lack its settlement access, elasticity and protections. Wider integration would require regulation and credible institutional support for redemption at par.

The European Securities and Markets Authority found that EU and European Economic Area cross-border retail investment clients rose 47% to 15.5 million in 2025, while the number of firms increased 2% to 379. Complaints remained broadly stable at 10,945, reducing the rate to 71 per 100,000 clients, though ESMA cautioned against drawing firm conclusions from that decline. Activity remained concentrated among a small number of home jurisdictions and firms.

A European Central Bank working paper finds that a one percentage point rate increase cuts new lending about one third more in fixed-rate banking systems than in variable-rate systems. Higher funding costs erode fixed-rate banks’ margins and capital, particularly for banks near minimum capital requirements. Capital buffer releases and more gradual tightening can reduce the resulting credit and financial stability effects.

The Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan has approved new payment system tariffs effective April 1, 2027, including lower fee caps for AZIPS and XÖHKS. The model introduces fixed fees based on transaction-value bands, lower charges for instant payments and revised tariffs for interbank card services and card transfer processing.

The Hong Kong Insurance Authority banned or suspended six individuals for six to 13 months over breaches of anti-money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism controls. They helped customers make false declarations concerning bank drafts totaling about HKD 7.3 million that were used to pay insurance premiums.

South Korea’s Securities and Futures Commission sanctioned Hanju ART for false accounting totaling KRW 25.855 billion from 2021 to 2023 and for obstructing external audits. The company faces three years of designated audits and criminal referrals, while monetary penalties remain subject to a final Financial Services Commission decision. Two audit firms and their responsible accountants also received audit restrictions and other measures for inadequate procedures.

The South Korea Financial Services Commission and Korea Development Bank selected seven managers for KRW 880 billion of ultra long term technology funds. The funds will invest in qualifying advanced technology companies for up to 16 years, with at least 40% of qualifying investments directed outside artificial intelligence and semiconductors. Fundraising and formation are expected by December, with investment potentially starting by year end.

Thailand’s Ministry of Finance announced Cabinet approval of a THB 50 billion Government Housing Bank program aimed primarily at helping low and middle income borrowers buy homes. Loans are capped at THB 3 million, offer initial annual rates of 2.6% or 2.8% for two years and may run for up to 40 years. Applications open on Oct. 15, 2026.