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2026-05-04•Europe•European Central Bank
The European Central Bank has published a working paper on how income inequality shapes the international transmission of US monetary policy, using data for 87 countries from 1966 to 2020. It finds that foreign GDP falls more after US monetary tightening when inequality is higher, with output contracting up to one and a half times more when inequality is above average. Inequality amplifies spillovers in advanced economies but mitigates them in emerging markets. Using a three-country open economy Two-Agent New Keynesian model, the authors attribute this divergence to differences in households’ access to international financial markets and find similar cross-country patterns for consumption.
Research
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2026-05-04•Europe•European Central Bank
The European Central Bank’s 2025 Annual Report to the European Parliament’s ECON Committee noted euro area growth of 1.4%, average inflation of 2.1%, and a cumulative 100 basis point cut in the deposit facility rate to 2.0% by mid-2025, with rates then kept unchanged amid uncertainty. It reaffirmed its symmetric 2% medium-term inflation target and outlined broader work including the digital euro’s shift to a technical readiness and legislative phase, a pilot envisaged for 2027 and potential issuance in 2029, plus initiatives on cash and banknotes, DLT-based wholesale settlement, capital markets and banking union, and simplification of prudential, supervisory and reporting frameworks.
Monetary policyMonetary policy assessments & outlooksMonetary policy decisions and developments
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2026-05-04•Romania•National Bank of Romania
The National Bank of Romania, together with the Financial Supervisory Authority and the Romanian Banks Association, will host the spring semiannual meeting of the OECD International Network on Financial Education in Bucharest in May 2026, culminating in a conference on financial literacy and inclusion. Linked by the central bank to Romania’s OECD accession efforts and broader cooperation with OECD member states, the event will gather more than 200 participants from 65 countries and builds on OECD/INFE support for Romania’s National Strategy for Financial Education 2024-2030.
Financial literacy & educationFinancial literacy and education
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2026-05-04•Romania•National Bank of Romania
The National Bank of Romania reported that foreign exchange reserves declined to EUR 64.836 billion at end-April 2026 from EUR 67.032 billion a month earlier, with total international reserves, including gold, falling to EUR 78.007 billion from EUR 80.278 billion. Gold holdings remained unchanged at 103.6 tonnes, valued at EUR 13.171 billion, while April saw EUR 1.800 billion of inflows and EUR 3.996 billion of outflows, and public debt payments due in May on foreign currency-denominated debt total EUR 1.417 billion.
Data & statisticsBalance of payments and other external statistics
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2026-05-04•Norway•Norwegian Finanstilsynet
The Norwegian Financial Supervisory Authority’s 2026 risk and vulnerability analysis finds Norway’s financial infrastructure remains robust, with satisfactory operational stability and payment service availability. However, it assesses the digital threat level as high, driven by organised criminal groups, state actors, wider use of artificial intelligence and heightened geopolitical tensions, and highlights supplier and value chain risk as a critical vulnerability. The authority notes new rules requiring firms to manage third-party risk, identify critical suppliers and maintain exit options.
SupervisionRisk monitoring & watch pointsCyber resilienceOperational risk and resilience
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2026-05-04•Norway•Norwegian Finanstilsynet
The Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway reported NOK 558 million in gross fraud in the second half of 2025, up NOK 154 million from the first half, driven mainly by a NOK 146 million rise in account transfer fraud to NOK 384 million. For 2025 overall, reported gross fraud totaled NOK 962 million, NOK 265 million lower than in 2024, with actual losses expected to be lower due to not-yet-quantified recoveries. The figures are based on mandatory fraud reporting by banks, credit institutions, electronic money institutions, payment institutions, and relevant branches under payment service systems rules and PSD2 guidelines.
Data & statisticsFraud and scams
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2026-05-04•Angola•Ministry of Finance (Angola)
Angola’s Ministry of Finance published Banco de Poupança e Crédito figures showing a return on equity of 1.6 percent, a regulatory capital ratio of 26.7 percent and total deposits of AOA 1.211 trillion, with capital well above prudential and SREP thresholds and deposits up more than 11.5 percent from 2024. The update also reported strong growth in remote channels and payments, with ATM transaction volume rising 15.8 percent year-on-year to AOA 1.442 trillion and automatic payment transactions increasing 154.6 percent to about AOA 701 billion.
Data & statisticsActivity and performance reporting
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2026-05-04•Global•International Monetary Fund
The IMF Executive Board’s Article IV consultation for Andorra found the economy remains strong but entering slower growth, with real GDP projected to decelerate from 3.9 percent in 2025 to 2.1 percent in 2026 and 1.5 percent by 2030, and inflation expected to return to 2 percent by end-2027. Directors deemed the looser 2026 fiscal stance broadly appropriate but urged readiness to tighten if inflation persists, welcomed fiscal surpluses and declining public debt, and stressed pension and healthcare reforms plus structural measures to boost productivity, housing affordability, diversification, and manage EU Association Agreement transition costs. They assessed the financial sector as strong, highlighted progress in risk-based AML/CFT supervision, and noted the upcoming Financial Sector Assessment Program to review vulnerabilities and resilience.
Policy & regulationGuidance & interpretationEconomic data and developments
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2026-05-04•Moldova•National Bank of Moldova
The National Bank of Moldova published remarks by Governor Anca Dragu at the Bucharest Leaders’ Summit highlighting Moldova’s progress in financial modernisation, European integration and macroeconomic stabilisation, without announcing new policy measures. She cited integration into the Single Euro Payments Area, rollout of the MIA Instant Payments system, strengthened financial supervision, inflation returning to the 5% target range in 2026, and a cumulative three-notch sovereign rating upgrade over two years as key outcomes.
Monetary policyMonetary policy assessments & outlooksDomestic cooperation
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2026-05-04•Japan•Ministry of Finance (Japan)
Japan’s Ministry of Finance published remarks by ADB Governor for Japan Satsuki Katayama outlining Japan’s priorities for the Asian Development Bank, including resilience, regional integration, private sector development, ADB capacity and multilateral development bank cooperation. Japan confirmed a USD 20 million contribution to ADB’s Critical Minerals-to-Manufacturing Financing Partnership Facility, highlighted energy and supply-chain resilience initiatives and additional funding for regional facilities, and announced it will host the 2027 ADB Annual Meeting in Aichi-Nagoya.
Policy & regulationReform agendas & prioritiesOther
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2026-05-04•Maldives•Maldives Monetary Authority
The Maldives Monetary Authority will host the Maldives Financial Expo in Hulhumalé to promote financial inclusion and literacy by providing a single venue for public engagement with financial service providers and regulators. Participating institutions will showcase new products and services, and the authority will introduce seven Maldives Financial Sector Awards aligned with its strategic priorities, including digital finance, SME finance, and green and sustainable finance.
Financial literacy & educationFinancial inclusionFinancial literacy and education
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2026-05-04•Indonesia•OJK
The Indonesia Financial Services Authority has introduced QR codes on registration certificates for insurance and reinsurance brokers to enable real-time verification of identity and registration status, aiming to reduce dealings with unregistered parties and strengthen supervision and consumer protection. The authority has also streamlined broker registration through its Integrated Licensing and Registration System (SPRINT), which automates issuance of registration numbers and aligns with Law No. 4 of 2023 and OJK Regulation 24/2023.
Policy & regulationImplementation, projects & pilotsLicensing framework and process
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2026-05-04•Hong Kong•Hong Kong Monetary Authority
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority published first quarter 2026 survey results indicating that small and medium-sized enterprises’ access to bank credit remained broadly stable, with 73% of respondents perceiving banks’ credit approval stance as similar or easier than six months earlier. Among SMEs with existing credit lines, none reported a tighter bank stance, while only 2% of all respondents applied for new credit and 91% of those with known outcomes reported fully or partially successful applications, though the authority cautioned that these sub-samples are small and may not reflect actual credit supply.
Data & statisticsFinancial and market indicatorsSupervisory data
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2026-05-04•Vietnam•Vietnam State Securities Commission
The Vietnam State Securities Commission has notified seven individuals to pay a VND 1,000,000 fee per person for issuance of a securities practice certificate, in line with the Ministry of Finance fee schedule. Payment may be made by bank transfer or directly at the Commission, and certificates will be cancelled if not collected within one year of the fee notice.
SupervisionAuthorisations & approvalsLicensing and supervisory fees
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2026-05-04•Congo•Congo Insurance Regulation and Control Authority
The Congo Insurance Regulation and Control Authority joined the launch of a World Bank–supported disaster risk financing diagnostic at the Forum on Financing Resilience in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, underscoring the need for pre-arranged financing and positioning insurance and microinsurance within a broader resilience framework. Director General Alain Kaninda highlighted priorities including compensation for material damage, protection of citizens’ assets, financial market stability, and development of locally adapted microinsurance products to address rising climate risks and reduce reliance on post-disaster budget support.
ResearchNature-related riskClimate risk and sustainable finance
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2026-05-04•Taiwan•Central Bank of Taiwan
The Central Bank of Taiwan reported that banks’ outstanding derivatives notional amounts reached TWD 99,473.3 billion at end-March 2026, up 4.95 percent from end-December 2025, driven by a TWD 3,002.7 billion increase in over-the-counter swap contracts. Over-the-counter instruments accounted for 99.80 percent of the total, with interest rate and foreign exchange contracts representing 55.18 percent and 44.65 percent respectively, and the five largest banks holding 50.33 percent of outstanding amounts.
Data & statisticsFinancial and market indicators
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2026-05-04•Europe•European Central Bank
European Central Bank Executive Board member Piero Cipollone outlined the Eurosystem’s approach to tokenisation, confirming that tokenised central bank money settlement for distributed ledger technology-based transactions will be offered from September via the Pontes project. He noted that since March the Eurosystem has accepted marketable assets issued in central securities depositories using distributed ledger technology as eligible collateral and is considering extending eligibility to other distributed ledger technology-issued assets, and highlighted the Appia roadmap on architecture and standards to avoid market fragmentation and reliance on private settlement assets such as stablecoins.
Policy & regulationImplementation, projects & pilotsCBDCPayments and payment systems
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2026-05-04•Saudi Arabia•Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority
The Saudi Central Bank has licensed Lite Advanced Financial to provide e-wallet solutions, bringing the number of licensed payment service providers in Saudi Arabia to 32. The authority reiterated that customers should deal only with authorized financial institutions listed on its website.
SupervisionAuthorisations & approvalsLicence approval
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2026-05-04•Global•Institute of International Bankers
The Institute of International Bankers submitted a comment letter on the OCC’s proposed rule to implement the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act, urging that foreign bank groups and their U.S. operations be allowed to participate in the payment stablecoin market on terms comparable to domestic institutions. It recommends permitting stablecoin reserve holdings and operational backstops at U.S. branches of foreign banking organizations, ensuring parity in licensing, custody and regulatory treatment, limiting supervision to U.S. stablecoin activities, allowing non-USD reserve assets for non-USD stablecoins, and publishing application and reporting forms for public comment.
Policy & regulationOtherStablecoins
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2026-05-04•Saudi Arabia•Saudi Arabia Capital Markets Authority
The Saudi Arabia Capital Markets Authority approved Future Vision for Health Training Company’s capital increase from SAR 10,000,000 to SAR 20,000,000 through one bonus share for every existing share, funded by transferring SAR 10,000,000 from the share premium account. Outstanding shares will rise from 10,000,000 to 20,000,000, with eligibility based on shareholders registered at the Securities Depository Center at the close of the second trading day after the due date set by the board, subject to an extraordinary general assembly within six months and all regulatory requirements being met.
SupervisionAuthorisations & approvalsLicence approval
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2026-05-04•Kuwait•Kuwait Capital Markets Authority
The Kuwait Capital Markets Authority has granted Al-Ruwaih & Partners Financial and Administrative Consulting preliminary approval to undertake the securities activity of investment adviser. The six-month renewable approval, effective from 4 May 2026 to 3 November 2026, allows the firm to meet regulatory requirements and pay the prescribed fee, after which it will receive a three-year renewable licence from the date of licence issuance.
SupervisionAuthorisations & approvalsLicence approval
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2026-05-04•Lithuania•Ministry of Finance (Lithuania)
Lithuania’s Finance Minister Kristupas Vaitiekunas will use ECOFIN and Eurogroup meetings in Brussels to support stronger EU cooperation against VAT fraud, including giving the European Public Prosecutor’s Office and the European Anti-Fraud Office direct, centralised access to VAT data. ECOFIN will also review a EUR 90 billion EU support loan for Ukraine for 2026-2027 and discuss the Commission’s Market Integration and Supervision Package, including possible direct ESMA supervision of major cross-border market infrastructures and all crypto asset service providers, plus changes to ESMA’s governance and funding.
Policy & regulationCooperationCross-border cooperation
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2026-05-04•Denmark•National Bank of Denmark
The National Bank of Denmark’s 2025 oversight report finds that core Danish payment and securities systems remained secure, efficient and generally stable, with central systems highly compliant with international standards and supporting average daily payment flows of DKK 838 billion, although cyber and hybrid threats are increasingly complex. The report notes rare operational disruptions but highlights major incidents in TARGET Services and card payments, urging stronger contingency planning for extreme scenarios. The bank will monitor in 2026 how firms implement its recommendations and flags forthcoming infrastructure changes, including Finance Denmark’s STEP2 DKK project with EBA CLEARING and ES-CPH’s convergence to the Euronext platform.
SupervisionReviews, inspections & stress testsFinancial and market indicatorsSupervisory data
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2026-05-04•United Arab Emirates•Ministry of Finance (United Arab Emirates)
The UAE Ministry of Finance joined the annual meetings of Arab financial institutions, where Minister of State for Financial Affairs Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini called for stronger Arab financial and institutional cooperation amid current regional and global conditions. He emphasised flexible financial tools, closer policy integration, and cooperation on governance, efficiency, knowledge exchange, and investment in infrastructure, supply chains and the digital economy, while the meetings reviewed performance and approved financial statements.
Policy & regulationCooperationDomestic cooperation
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2026-05-04•Ukraine•National Bank of Ukraine
The National Bank of Ukraine has approved the methodology for the 2026 bank stress test, the third stage of its resilience assessment, covering 26 banks representing over 90% of sector assets. The three-year exercise will assess capital adequacy under a baseline macroeconomic forecast and a severe adverse scenario, capturing credit, interest rate, foreign-exchange and operational risks. Banks falling short of required capital ratios must submit capitalization or restructuring plans, and bank-specific results will be published by end-2026.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsStress testing
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2026-05-04•Greece•Ministry of National Economy and Finance (Greece)
Greece's Ministry of National Economy and Finance published the Brussels agenda for Eurogroup President Kyriakos Pierrakakis, highlighting Eurogroup, ECOFIN and related appearances focused on the macroeconomic impact of the Middle East crisis, euro area banking stability, further banking union work and the EU Savings and Investments Union strategy. Eurogroup ministers will discuss the crisis impact with an IMF assessment, hear from the Single Supervisory Mechanism and Single Resolution Board, and consider FIVE Report proposals to deepen capital markets and private financing. At ECOFIN, ministers will examine a draft Council regulation on EPPO and OLAF access to EU VAT data and the market completion and supervision package, while Pierrakakis will also appear before the European Parliament and an IE Competitiveness Hub event.
Policy & regulationReform agendas & prioritiesOther
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2026-05-04•Oman•Ministry of Finance (Oman)
The Ministry of Finance (Oman) participated by videoconference in the 2026 annual joint meetings of Arab financial institutions, which focused on global economic challenges amid geopolitical pressures and the role of Arab institutions in supporting growth, stability, and sustainable development in the region. Oman was represented by Minister of Finance Sultan bin Salem Al Habsi, accompanied by the Governor of the Central Bank of Oman and other officials.
Policy & regulationCooperationCross-border cooperation
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2026-05-04•Europe•European Central Bank
The European Central Bank published a summary of staff contacts with 67 leading euro area non-financial companies, indicating solid first-quarter business momentum led by services, with manufacturing and construction also improving and investment supported by strong artificial intelligence and defence-related demand. Contacts reported broadly stable employment, steady but expected-to-soften consumer spending, and moderate selling price growth before the Middle East war, with the subsequent oil price spike feeding into double-digit increases in oil-intensive sectors. Wage growth expectations moderated to 3.5 percent in 2025, 2.9 percent in 2026 and 2.8 percent in 2027, though a prolonged conflict was seen as a risk to inflation and demand.
Monetary policyMonetary policy assessments & outlooks
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2026-05-04•Europe•European Central Bank
The European Central Bank published its Q1 2026 euro short-term rate (€STR) transparency on errors report. No errors with an absolute impact greater than 0.1 basis points, or 0.001 percentage points, were identified for the quarter based on data with a 15 April 2026 cut-off.
Data & statisticsActivity and performance reporting
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2026-05-04•Uzbekistan•Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan
The Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan held its first open roundtable with real estate market representatives, establishing a quarterly dialogue on market conditions, trends and development prospects. Discussions covered price dynamics and drivers, supply-demand balance, mortgage lending and interest rates, transparency and disclosure, the escrow system and risk management, with the central bank aiming to improve communication, reduce information asymmetry and support more informed, stability-oriented housing market policy.
Policy & regulationImplementation, projects & pilotsMarket development
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2026-05-04•Singapore•Monetary Authority of Singapore
The Monetary Authority of Singapore is conducting a proof of value with five banks, the Government Technology Agency and the Singapore Police Force to test artificial intelligence and machine learning for pre-emptive scam detection using combined banking data. MAS has established a secure data-sharing environment with cryptographic protections, hashed account identifiers, restricted access and data deletion at the end of the exercise, and may later expand the models’ scope and datasets to cover additional financial crime use cases.
SupervisionInnovation & testingAML and CFTArtificial intelligence
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2026-05-04•Hong Kong•Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (Hong Kong)
The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau reported that Secretary Christopher Hui attended the 59th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank in Samarkand and affirmed Hong Kong’s readiness to support the bank’s mission amid heightened volatility from Middle East tensions. Hui highlighted Hong Kong’s role in providing diversified funding channels and risk management services, including green and catastrophe bonds, risk tools, and gold reserves and delivery, to support greener economies and more diversified global value chains.
Policy & regulationCooperationMarket risk and volatilityGeopolitical risk
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2026-05-04•United Arab Emirates•Dubai International Financial Centre
The Dubai International Financial Centre highlighted Sarwa’s surpassing of USD 1bn in client assets as the first such milestone by a UAE-founded FinTech platform, attributing part of its growth to DIFC’s FinTech support ecosystem. DIFC underscored Sarwa’s participation in its accelerator, graduation from the Dubai Financial Services Authority regulatory sandbox, and backing from the DIFC FinTech Fund as examples of how financial centres provide frameworks for FinTech scaling in the UAE and wider region.
Policy & regulationImplementation, projects & pilotsFintech and insurtechRegulatory sandbox
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2026-05-04•Thailand•Thailand Office of Insurance Commission
The Thailand Office of Insurance Commission joined the Siam Square Walking Street For All: May Day 2026 event to promote its “insurance for all, easy to access, close to home” message, highlighting insurance as a practical risk management tool for workers and lower-income groups, with a focus on microinsurance and consumer protection. The Office operated its first activity booth, showcasing insurance innovation via the Center for Insurance Technology, providing information on insurance benefits and its supervisory role, and reporting strong public interest in the microinsurance policies.
Financial literacy & educationOther
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2026-05-04•New Zealand•Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (New Zealand)
The New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has published an independent review into Financial Markets Authority Chair Craig Stobo, which found no impropriety in his personal relationships, travel applications or management of a governance-related interest, although it criticised delays in his resignation from that interest and aspects of his public commentary that fell short of expected political neutrality. Following the review, Minister Brewer accepted Stobo’s resignation, with Steven Bardy to continue as Acting Chair pending appointment of a permanent Chair.
Institutional developmentLeadership change & appointmentsLeadership change and appointments
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2026-05-04•Ireland•Department of Finance (Ireland)
The Department of Finance (Ireland) outlined Tánaiste Simon Harris’s agenda for Eurogroup and ECOFIN meetings in Brussels, where EU finance ministers will review the economic impact of the Middle East conflict, advance the Savings and Investment Union, and debate the Market Integration and Supervision Package. Key items include a Eurogroup presentation on the Kukies-Noyer report on financing innovative ventures, updates on Banking Union and digital finance, and discussion of a regulation granting the European Public Prosecutor’s Office and OLAF access to EU-level VAT information. Harris will also use Ireland’s incoming Council Presidency for bilateral meetings, including on a proposed new Investment Account for 2027, and to continue work on tracking EU regulatory costs.
Policy & regulationReform agendas & prioritiesCross-border cooperation
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2026-05-04•Middle East•Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF)
The Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force has convened Working Group, Committee and Forum meetings ahead of its 42nd Plenary. Experts from member countries, observers and international organizations will review progress in developing national anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing systems and discuss current trends, typologies and risks, including those related to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
Policy & regulationCooperationAML and CFT
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2026-05-04•Japan•Ministry of Finance (Japan)
Japan’s Ministry of Finance released the co-chairs’ summary of the 3rd Japan–Pacific Islands Finance Ministers’ Meeting, noting agreement with 13 Pacific Island Countries to deepen cooperation on cross-border payments, disaster risk financing, domestic resource mobilization, and economic resilience, and support for Japan’s USD 10 billion Partnership for Strengthening Energy and Resource Resilience in Asia. Ministers backed work on a Pacific Payment Mechanism under the World Bank’s correspondent banking project and Japan’s support for maintaining correspondent banking relationships, strengthening AML/CFT and counter-proliferation financing, and contributing to IMF work on digital money. The summary also highlights Japan’s pilot Climate Resilient Debt Clause in new ODA loans, a planned Solomon Islands loan as the first to use it, and contributions to ADB’s Pacific PREPARE trust fund and tax and customs capacity building.
Policy & regulationCooperationCross-border cooperationClimate risk and sustainable finance
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2026-05-04•Honduras•Central Bank of Honduras
The Central Bank of Honduras reported that net international reserves increased by USD 1,290.2 million between 27 January and 30 April 2026 to USD 11,596.0 million. Over the same period, coverage of imports of goods and services improved from 6.0 to 6.7 months.
Data & statisticsBalance of payments and other external statistics
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2026-05-04•Canada•Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario
The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario has suspended the life insurance and accident and sickness benefits insurance agent licence of Reditha Abila Castillejos for failing to facilitate an FSRA examination and to provide requested information, contrary to sections 443(1) and 442.3(3) of the Insurance Act. The order followed Castillejos’ decision not to request a hearing before the Financial Services Tribunal and not to contest FSRA’s proposal.
EnforcementSanctions & designationsUnlicensed or unauthorized activity
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2026-05-04•Canada•Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario
The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario has appointed Dino DiMarco and Meseret Haileyesus to two-year terms on its Consumer Advisory Panel and named long-serving member Julie Kuzmic as co-chair alongside Harvey Naglie. The panel provides consumer perspectives to inform FSRA policies and initiatives affecting Ontarians, and the regulator acknowledged outgoing co-chair Lucy Becker and departing members Ellen Bessner, Leeann Corbeil, and Peter D’Iorio.
Institutional developmentLeadership change & appointmentsLeadership change and appointments
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2026-05-04•China•Central Bank of the Republic of China
The People's Bank of China reported that Deputy Governor Zhu Hexin attended the ASEAN Plus Three Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors' Meeting in Uzbekistan, where participants discussed the impact of the Middle East situation on global and regional macroeconomic conditions. The meeting also addressed enhancements to the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralisation and the ASEAN Plus Three Macroeconomic Research Office, and included the first ASEAN Plus Three central bank dialogue on regional cross-border payment cooperation.
Policy & regulationCooperationCross-border cooperation
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2026-05-04•United States•U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission
SEC staff in the Divisions of Investment Management and Corporation Finance issued guidance on how federal securities laws apply to pooled employer plans, clarifying when they may rely on exclusions and exemptions used by single-employer retirement plans. Certain ERISA-governed pooled employer plans may treat themselves as single-employer plans for Investment Company Act and Securities Act purposes. The guidance explains how participating employers can register offerings of their own securities through a pooled employer plan using Form S-8, reiterates that Securities Act anti-fraud provisions continue to apply, and notes the Investment Management statement reflects staff views rather than Commission action.
Policy & regulationGuidance & interpretationSecurities offerings and listings
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2026-05-04•Uruguay•Ministry of Economy & Finance (Uruguay)
The Ministry of Economy and Finance of Uruguay and the Office of Planning and Budget have launched a formal work agenda with pension savings fund administrators to review the organization, operation and regulation of the mandatory individual retirement savings regime. The review will focus on improving net returns, reducing costs, enhancing operational efficiency, strengthening competition and investment portfolio rules, and supporting development and liquidity of the domestic securities market in line with the objectives of the Ministry and the Central Bank of Uruguay.
Policy & regulationCooperation
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2026-05-04•United States•U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission
Staff of the SEC’s Division of Investment Management clarified how federal securities laws apply to pooled employer plans under the SECURE Act. The staff will not object if these plans treat themselves as single employer plans for the Investment Company Act’s single trust exclusion and if bank collective investment trusts rely on Securities Act rule 180 to issue interests to them, provided the plans are ERISA-covered and meet Internal Revenue Code and rule 180 conditions. The non-binding guidance confirms that rule 180’s financial sophistication analysis may be applied at the pooled plan provider level and that interests relying on rule 180 remain subject to Securities Act anti-fraud provisions.
Policy & regulationGuidance & interpretationOther
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2026-05-04•Panama•Panama Superintendencia del Mercado de Valores
The Panama Superintendency of the Securities Market issued a resolution concluding the forced liquidation of SEAGATE CAPITAL CORP. under the consolidated text of Decree Law No. 1 of 8 July 1999. The authority also cancelled the firm’s licenses.
SupervisionInterventionsLicence withdrawal
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2026-05-04•Australia•Australian Securities & Investments Commission
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has reminded providers of digital asset financial products to promptly assess their licensing needs ahead of the expiry of its sector-wide no-action position, warning that unlicensed conduct may attract civil and criminal penalties of up to 10% of annual turnover. Updated Information Sheet 225 clarifies which digital asset products are financial products and outlines licensing pathways, while certain relief for stablecoins and wrapped tokens remains. The guidance supports implementation of the Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Act 2026, under which digital asset and tokenised custody platforms will enter the financial services licensing regime after an 18‑month transition, with ASIC signalling further consultations.
Policy & regulationGuidance & interpretationLicensing framework and process
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2026-05-04•United States•U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs
Senator Elizabeth Warren, ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, issued a statement on a new Department of Justice filing that she argues could restart a criminal investigation of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell by seeking to vacate an order blocking criminal subpoenas. She said the filing, following comments by U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro, is inconsistent with closing the case and urged the Senate not to vote next week to confirm Kevin Warsh.
EnforcementInvestigations & enforcement actionsOther
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2026-05-04•Australia•Australian Prudential Regulation Authority
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority has revoked in1Bank Limited’s authorised deposit-taking institution licence under the Banking Act 1959 after the bank completed the return of deposits process and exited the banking industry. APRA monitored the transfer of more than AUD 15.9 million in deposits, with the final 14 accounts, totalling approximately AUD 14,500, voluntarily transferred to Commonwealth Bank of Australia under an APRA-approved transfer.
SupervisionAuthorisations & approvalsLicence withdrawal
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2026-05-03•Slovenia•Slovenia Securities Market Agency
The Slovenia Securities Market Agency reported that supervisory proceedings continue to identify breaches of rules on the marketing of alternative investment fund units by some registered alternative investment fund managers. The breaches relate to prohibited business practices.
SupervisionRisk monitoring & watch pointsSales and distribution
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2026-05-03•Egypt•Central Bank of Egypt
The Central Bank of Egypt reported on Governor Hassan Abdalla’s meeting with African Development Bank Group President Sidi Ould Tah, focused on expanding cooperation, strengthening their development partnership, and reviewing progress on bank-financed projects in Egypt. Discussions addressed financial stability and economic reform across Africa, increasing investment flows, and financing priority projects, with Egypt signalling its intention to broaden coordination on sustainable development and African economic integration. The bank noted that Egypt is its second-largest regional shareholder and third-largest overall, with cumulative operations exceeding USD 8 billion.
Policy & regulationCooperationCross-border cooperation
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2026-05-03•Israel•Bank of Israel
The Bank of Israel’s Banking Supervision Department held a professional conference positioning fairness in banks’ dealings with customers as a guiding principle of supervision and the modern financial system. Supervisor of Banks Daniel Hahiashvili said fairness is fundamental in banking, noted that some existing processes should be preserved while others require improvement, and emphasized that supervision will continue to monitor and act on banking fairness as part of a broader effort to strengthen fairness in the banking system.
SupervisionSupervision approach, priorities & toolkitCorporate governance
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2026-05-03•Japan•Ministry of Finance (Japan)
Japan’s Ministry of Finance released the joint statement from the 29th ASEAN+3 Finance Ministers’ and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting, which endorsed an updated strategic direction for the ASEAN+3 Finance Process and measures on regional financial safety nets, market development and disaster risk financing, while warning that Middle East tensions pose downside risks to the regional outlook. Key decisions include advancing reforms to the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralisation, evolving the Asian Bond Markets Initiative into the Asian Bond and Financial Markets Initiative, endorsing the Disaster Risk Financing Initiative Roadmap 2026–2028 with the Asian Development Bank as permanent secretariat, and tasking Deputies to develop modalities for deeper cooperation on cross-border digital payments, including potential work on stablecoin.
Policy & regulationReform agendas & prioritiesCross-border cooperationFinancial stability and systemic risk
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2026-05-03•Maldives•Maldives Capital Market Development Authority
The Maldives Capital Market Development Authority announced the retirement of Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Hussain Maniku effective 30 April 2026. Deputy Chief Executive Officer Fathimath Abdulla Kamaaluddeen will assume responsibility for and oversee the Authority’s operations on an interim basis.
Institutional developmentLeadership change & appointmentsLeadership change and appointments
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2026-05-03•Jordan•Jordan Securities Commission
The Jordan Securities Commission, in cooperation with experts from the National Cybersecurity Center, held a cybersecurity awareness workshop for its staff and employees of capital market institutions. The workshop covered key cyber risks, prevention methods, workplace information security best practices, compliance with security standards, and users’ responsibilities in mitigating cyber threats.
Institutional developmentCooperation & capacity buildingCyber resilience
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2026-05-03•Egypt•Egypt Financial Regulatory Authority
The Egypt Financial Regulatory Authority agreed with UN Women on joint programmes and events to support women’s economic empowerment and expand non-bank financial services for low-income women and microfinance beneficiaries, focusing on financial literacy, capacity building, cyber security awareness and financial technology. Activities include workshops, training and seminars to improve access to microinsurance, micro leasing and microfinance, particularly in underserved regions, building on an existing framework under which 1.9 million women received about EGP 36 billion in enterprise financing and non-bank financial institutions are subject to gender-related governance and non-discrimination requirements.
Policy & regulationCooperation
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2026-05-03•Saudi Arabia•Saudi Arabia Capital Markets Authority
The Saudi Arabia Capital Markets Authority approved Al-Rajhi Company for Cooperative Insurance’s capital increase from SAR 1,000,000,000 to SAR 2,000,000,000 via one bonus share per existing share, funded by transferring SAR 1,000,000,000 from retained earnings. Outstanding shares will rise from 100,000,000 to 200,000,000, with entitlement for shareholders registered at the Securities Depository Center at the close of the second trading day after a due date set by the board, subject to an extraordinary general assembly within six months.
SupervisionAuthorisations & approvalsLicence approval
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2026-05-03•Europe•European Central Bank
European Central Bank Vice-President Luis de Guindos backed the Governing Council’s decision to wait before further rate changes, citing a materially different and highly uncertain environment from the post-pandemic inflation shock. He noted euro area inflation has fallen from 10% to 2% and said strong bank capital and liquidity are supporting lending and financial stability, warning against easing regulatory standards. De Guindos also reiterated support for cross-border bank consolidation and said the euro area should function as a single banking jurisdiction, with capital and liquidity moving freely across borders.
Monetary policyMonetary policy assessments & outlooksMonetary policy decisions and developments
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2026-05-03•Iraq•Central Bank of Iraq
The Central Bank of Iraq reported that its Basra branch sponsored Financial Inclusion Week activities focused on financial health as a path to sustainable and more stable financial inclusion, with plans to expand awareness efforts in 2026. Events organised with the Iraqi Private Banks League and the Association of Islamic Banks featured fairs at Basra shopping centres, bringing together 36 public and private banks and 9 electronic payment companies to promote banking services to residents.
Financial literacy & educationFinancial inclusion
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2026-05-03•Uzbekistan•Ministry of Finance (Republic of Uzbekistan)
The Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan held talks with the Japan Bank for International Cooperation on the sidelines of the Asian Development Bank Annual Meeting to review ongoing jointly financed projects and expand and enhance cooperation. Discussions focused on public-private partnership infrastructure projects in healthcare, energy including renewable energy, and transport and logistics, as well as attracting Japanese companies and refining project financing arrangements.
Policy & regulationCooperationCross-border cooperation
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2026-05-03•Bahrain•Ministry of Finance & National Economy (Bahrain)
Bahrain’s Ministry of Finance and National Economy reported that Financial Affairs Undersecretary Yusuf Abdullah Al Hammoud led Bahrain’s delegation to the 2026 annual joint meetings of Arab financial institutions, held virtually and hosted by the United Arab Emirates. Participants reviewed institutional programmes, annual reports and financial statements, and discussed support for economic and social development, enhanced Arab financial and investment cooperation, and regional and international economic developments.
Policy & regulationCooperationOther
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2026-05-03•South Korea•Ministry of Economy & Finance (South Korea)
South Korea’s Ministry of Economy and Finance reported that the 26th China-Japan-Korea Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting focused on strengthening trilateral cooperation to support regional financial stability amid heightened uncertainty from the Middle East conflict. Deputy Prime Minister Koo Yun-cheol called for enhanced information sharing, joint responses to structural challenges, and improving the effectiveness of the USD 240 billion Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralisation and the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office.
Policy & regulationCooperationCross-border cooperationFinancial stability and systemic risk
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2026-05-03•South Korea•Ministry of Economy & Finance (South Korea)
The Ministry of Economy and Finance reported that a cross-government task force has identified more than KRW 600 billion in suspected illegal foreign exchange transactions, including hundi schemes and unlawful overseas remittances, with two major cases referred to prosecutors and further investigations into export under-invoicing and tax evasion. The update highlights coordinated enforcement by the Financial Supervisory Service, Korea Customs Service, National Tax Service, National Intelligence Service and the Bank of Korea, and notes that the Ministry and the Bank of Korea are pursuing reforms to enhance foreign exchange information sharing and address investigation bottlenecks.
EnforcementInvestigations & enforcement actionsUnlicensed or unauthorized activity
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2026-05-02•Kuwait•Kuwait Capital Markets Authority
The Kuwait Capital Markets Authority has referred four reports to the Attorney General regarding a former licensed company’s failure to implement final Disciplinary Board decisions requiring payment of fines under resolutions No. 64/2024, 65/2024, 66/2024 and 67/2024. The authority stated that the resolutions were duly notified to the company on 11 February 2026, but remained unimplemented as of 2 April 2026, constituting the crime set out in item 2 of article 127 of Law No. 7 of 2010.
EnforcementInvestigations & enforcement actionsWhistleblowing
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2026-05-02•Iraq•Central Bank of Iraq
The Central Bank of Iraq published remarks by Governor Ali Mohsen Al-Alaq affirming that the bank is maintaining economic and financial stability, with salary payments secured and ongoing, despite the country’s challenges. He highlighted a “working silently” policy to preserve reserves and manage crises, noted that the current financial situation is less acute than in 2014, and said external transfers and cash sales to travelers are proceeding smoothly under strict compliance standards.
Monetary policyMonetary policy assessments & outlooksFinancial stability and systemic risk
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2026-05-02•Venezuela•Central Bank of Venezuela
The Central Bank of Venezuela endorsed the strategic agreement between Heeney Capital and the Venezuelan Mining Corporation as part of the country’s productive diversification strategy and a source of foreign currency income beyond oil. The bank said mineral-related foreign exchange should diversify external revenues, strengthen the balance of payments and increase foreign currency supply for imports, and it will coordinate with the national executive to ensure this income is efficiently incorporated into the exchange and financial system.
Policy & regulationImplementation, projects & pilotsForeign exchange policy and markets
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2026-05-02•Egypt•Egypt Financial Regulatory Authority
The Egypt Financial Regulatory Authority has issued rules for registering and regulating insurance risk assessment, inspection and damage estimation experts, creating registers for firms and individuals and setting professional, governance and conduct standards under Unified Insurance Law 155 of 2024. Requirements include Egyptian joint stock company status with minimum paid-in capital of EGP 3 million for firms, fit and proper criteria, examinations and training for individuals, professional liability insurance, and strict integrity, independence and documentation obligations, with sanctions up to removal from the register for serious breaches.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsLicensing framework and process
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2026-05-02•Egypt•Egypt Financial Regulatory Authority
The Egypt Financial Regulatory Authority and the Central Bank of Egypt held a workshop for non-bank finance companies to strengthen integration with credit databases and improve customer data reporting, particularly for credit facilities of around EGP 300,000. The workshop provided training on the Central Bank’s information network and procedures manual to enhance data quality and support sounder credit decisions and risk reduction. Both authorities will continue joint efforts to improve credit market efficiency and expand training across non-bank financial activities.
Policy & regulationGuidance & interpretationCredit riskAccounting and financial reporting
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2026-05-02•Tajikistan•National Bank of the Republic of Tajikistan
The National Bank of Tajikistan met with an IMF delegation, which congratulated the country on completing the Policy Coordination Instrument program and the removal of three financial institutions from the EU sanctions list. They reviewed macroeconomic developments, noted stable growth with low inflation and a stronger external position, and expressed readiness to deepen cooperation through technical assistance and structural reform programs with international financial institutions.
Policy & regulationCooperationCross-border cooperation
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2026-05-01•Japan•Japan Financial Services Agency
The Japan Financial Services Agency has published draft amendments to its notices on recognised corporate accounting standards for financial and consolidated financial statements, and opened a public consultation. The proposal would add Accounting Standards Board of Japan standards issued on January 9, 2026, including Accounting Standards No. 41 and No. 42, to those treated as generally accepted fair and reasonable corporate accounting standards, with related revisions to the Financial Statements Rules to follow.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsAccounting and financial reporting
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2026-05-01•Japan•Japan Financial Services Agency
The Japan Financial Services Agency has proposed a draft partial amendment to the list of countries and regions designated under the Enforcement Decree of the Act on Prevention of Transfer of Proceeds of Crime. The revision would adjust designated jurisdictions based on whether their local laws provide notification obligations corresponding to Articles 10-3 and 10-5 of the Act, with accompanying materials identifying the affected jurisdictions and outlining the travel rule background.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsNew sanctions designations
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2026-05-01•Japan•Japan Financial Services Agency
The Japan Financial Services Agency has revised its comprehensive supervision guidelines for financial instruments business operators and related sectors to align with cabinet orders implementing amendments to the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act and the Act on Investment Trusts and Investment Corporations, and to reflect changes in administrative procedures. The technical and procedural updates apply to guidelines for financial instruments business operators, trust companies, money lenders and financial services intermediaries, and were treated as consequential legal adjustments not requiring a public comment process.
Policy & regulationGuidance & interpretationSupervision process and methodologies
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2026-05-01•Japan•Japan Financial Services Agency
The Japan Financial Services Agency released an English summary of a post-Cabinet press conference where the minister detailed a joint request with other ministries and the National Police Agency on real estate transactions using crypto assets, warning such deals may be abused for money laundering and could constitute unregistered crypto asset exchange business under the Funds Settlement Act. The request, sent via industry associations, urges full anti-money laundering controls, clearer visibility of these transactions, and wider communication of Foreign Exchange Act reporting obligations for non-resident real estate acquisitions.
Policy & regulationGuidance & interpretationAML and CFT
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2026-05-01•Japan•Japan Financial Services Agency
The Japan Financial Services Agency has established the Management Guarantee Information Network at the Time of M&A and Business Succession to facilitate consultation and information sharing where management guarantee agreements may hinder business sales or succession. The network connects managers, successors, financial institutions and credit guarantee associations to discuss the necessity and handling of guarantee agreements, but will not mediate individual cases or guarantee outcomes.
Policy & regulationImplementation, projects & pilotsMandate change
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2026-05-01•United States•U.S. Department of the Treasury
The U.S. Department of the Treasury hosted a summit with Liberty University on artificial intelligence, energy and emerging technologies, focusing on their impact on the economy and public sector delivery, without announcing new policy measures. Four panels addressed frontier AI, energy, workforce productivity and financial literacy, with participation from senior U.S. government officials and industry representatives.
Financial literacy & educationArtificial intelligenceFinancial literacy and education
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2026-05-01•United States•Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Commodity Futures Trading Commission Chairman Michael S. Selig, in a Wall Street Journal letter, defended the agency’s authority over prediction markets under the Commodity Exchange Act and rejected calls to classify them as gambling, warning this could push activity offshore. He disputed claims of widespread insider trading and weak controls, stating the agency will prosecute misconduct and has strengthened enforcement, and emphasized that prediction market platforms operate as federally regulated exchanges with clearinghouses and investor protections comparable to other derivatives markets.
Policy & regulationGuidance & interpretationOther
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2026-05-01•United States•Federal Reserve Board
The Federal Reserve Board published a research note arguing that banks typically respond to disintermediation threats from financial innovation by adapting products and funding structures rather than ceding market share, with stablecoins likely to alter the composition and pricing of bank funding rather than cause a one-for-one loss of deposits. Drawing on money market funds, online payment platforms and stablecoin activity, it highlights banks’ defensive responses, including bank-backed stablecoins, tokenized deposits, and reserve, custody and wallet services, and reports that roughly half of banks in the September 2025 Senior Financial Officer Survey plan growth in at least one stablecoin or digital asset area. It also flags run-risk concerns from 24/7 redemptions and notes that the GENIUS Act created a federal framework for payment stablecoins.
ResearchStablecoinsPayments and payment systems
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2026-05-01•United States•Federal Reserve Board
The Federal Reserve Board analyzed commercial real estate lending at regional and small banks, finding that a subset of high-growth institutions with assets below USD 100 billion has become a major source of new CRE credit and relies heavily on deposits raised in the same local markets as the financed properties, increasing vulnerability to region-specific deposit shocks. Using 2015–2024 loan-level data, the note shows CRE originations by banks under USD 100 billion rose seven-fold to a 2022 peak, with high-growth banks accounting for almost 40 percent of sample originations by 2024 and shifting strongly into construction lending. These banks exhibited slightly lower Tier 1 capital ratios and net interest margins but lower delinquency ratios than peers; the relationships are correlational, not necessarily causal.
ResearchLendingPrudential risks
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2026-05-01•United States•Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas projects Texas employment will grow 1.8 percent in 2026, implying about 260,100 jobs added and total employment of 14.6 million by December, with an 80 percent confidence band of 1.2 percent to 2.4 percent. The forecast, based on four models using national GDP, oil futures and leading indexes, is tempered by headwinds including declining immigration, higher productivity, weak survey signals, geopolitical uncertainty and dependence on high oil prices, while unemployment held at 4.3 percent in March.
ResearchEconomic data and developments
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2026-05-01•United States•Commodity Futures Trading Commission
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission announced that the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan entered a consent order against Andrew Middlebrooks and EIA All Weather Alpha Fund I Partners LLC for operating a fraudulent commodity pool in violation of the Commodity Exchange Act and CFTC regulations. The order permanently bars them from trading for others, soliciting or accepting funds for trading, and registering with the CFTC, and resolves all CFTC claims brought in August 2022. The court also recognized Middlebrooks’ related criminal sentence of eight years and four months in prison and USD 34,346,948 in restitution for wire fraud.
EnforcementInvestigations & enforcement actionsFraud and scams
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2026-05-01•United States•The White House
The White House announced that President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act broadening sanctions on Cuba and adding new restrictions. The order targets entities, persons and affiliates that support the Cuban regime’s security apparatus, are complicit in corruption or serious human rights violations, or act as agents, officials or material supporters of the government, and authorizes sanctions on covered persons, entities and financial institutions that conduct or facilitate transactions with sanctioned parties. The measure responds to national security threats linked to Cuba’s support for hostile actors, terrorism and regional instability, including foreign adversary facilities, ties with Iran and Hezbollah, and migration pressures.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsNew sanctions designations
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2026-05-01•United States•Federal Reserve Board
The Federal Reserve Board published remarks by Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman outlining a supervisory approach to banks’ use of artificial intelligence that focuses on material financial risk while avoiding unnecessary impediments to innovation. She noted that the Federal Reserve, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation have amended model risk management guidance to exclude generative and agentic AI, with these tools instead covered by broader governance and risk-management expectations. Bowman also said the Financial Stability Board’s Standing Committee on Supervisory and Regulatory Cooperation is preparing a consultation report on sound practices for AI adoption, including potential needs for greater international consistency in expectations for cybersecurity and critical infrastructure.
SupervisionSupervision approach, priorities & toolkitArtificial intelligenceSupervision process and methodologies
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2026-05-01•Peru•Central Bank of Peru
The Central Bank of Peru reported that private sector liquidity grew 15.7 percent year on year in March 2026, up from 13.7 percent in February, reaching PEN 563,847 million, driven by faster growth in both PEN- and USD-denominated liquidity. Currency in circulation increased 19.2 percent to PEN 97,951 million, while private sector deposits rose 15.7 percent, led by demand deposits and savings deposits at 22.9 percent and 19.6 percent respectively, with time deposits up 4.7 percent and compensation for time of service deposits up 1.1 percent.
Data & statisticsMonetary data
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2026-05-01•Panama•Panama Superintendencia del Mercado de Valores
The Panama Superintendency of the Securities Market reminded issuers of registered securities that the annual 2025 supervision fee must be paid in accordance with Agreement 3-2017, and that the obligation to submit the RP form for fee payment has been repealed under Agreement 2-2025. Supervision fees are billed based on 2025 financial statements submitted through SERI, and may be paid by certified or cashier’s check, bank transfer, or via the point of sale terminal at the authority’s offices.
SupervisionRegulatory reportingLicensing and supervisory fees
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2026-05-01•United States•Commodity Futures Trading Commission
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s Division of Market Oversight and Division of Clearing and Risk issued a no-action letter providing relief to Gemini Titan, LLC and Gemini Olympus, LLC, and their participants, for certain swap-related recordkeeping and swap data reporting failures. The relief applies to data for binary and variable payout contracts executed on or subject to Titan’s rules and cleared through Olympus, and supplements CFTC Letter No. 25-44 by extending coverage to transactions cleared through Olympus.
EnforcementInvestigations & enforcement actionsRegulatory reporting
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2026-05-01•Georgia•Insurance State Supervision Service of Georgia
The Insurance State Supervision Service of Georgia outlined priorities for raising insurance awareness, expanding insurance use and improving citizens’ understanding of their rights, and signed a cooperation memorandum with the Georgian Bar Association. It reported premium volume of GEL 1.4 billion in 2025, with the market more than tripling over the past decade and medical insurance accounting for 43% of premiums, followed by motor (21%), property (11%) and life (9%). The authority highlighted further growth potential from forthcoming compulsory motor third-party liability insurance and rising demand for property, cargo, marine, aviation and life insurance linked to large projects.
Policy & regulationReform agendas & prioritiesOther
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2026-05-01•Azerbaijan•Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan
The Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan said the Effective Governance and Macroeconomic Indicators working group reviewed implementation of its 2026 action plan and discussed further measures to improve governance and macroeconomic indicators. Reports covered budget transparency, public debt sustainability, regulatory burden, monetary freedom, innovation, inflation, regulatory quality, the investment environment, and natural resource management, with participation from key state bodies and a non-governmental organization. The working group’s head stressed the need to continue implementing agreed measures.
Policy & regulationCooperationOther
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2026-05-01•United Kingdom•Financial Conduct Authority
The Financial Conduct Authority has arrested three individuals as part of an ongoing investigation into suspected unlawful financial promotions, conducted with the Eastern Regional Special Operations Unit and involving searches of homes in Chelmsford and Romford. The authority highlighted its powers under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and the Financial Services Act 2012 to investigate and prosecute unauthorised business and false or misleading statements, which can attract fines and custodial sentences of up to 10 years.
EnforcementInvestigations & enforcement actionsFraud and scams
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2026-05-01•United States•U.S. Department of the Treasury
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has designated three Iranian foreign currency exchange houses, five individuals and 15 companies for operating in Iran’s shadow banking network that converts oil-sale proceeds, often received in CNY, into other currencies for sanctioned Iranian banks, the Central Bank of Iran, exporters and the Iranian military and its partners and proxies. The designations, under Executive Order 13902, block all U.S.-linked property, generally prohibit U.S. persons from dealings with the listed parties, and extend to entities 50 percent or more owned by blocked persons.
EnforcementSanctions & designationsNew sanctions designations
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2026-05-01•United States•U.S. Department of Justice
The U.S. Department of Justice has launched the West Coast Health Care Fraud Strike Force to expand health care fraud prosecutions in California, Arizona, and Nevada, deploying at least 10 additional federal prosecutors with other federal agencies. The department also reported a guilty plea in a USD 5.6 million pharmacy fraud case, seizure of about USD 2 million from a California clinic accused of USD 46.6 million in fraudulent Medicare claims, a scam center takedown with at least 276 arrests, and multiple cases involving SNAP fraud, Paycheck Protection Program loan fraud, payroll tax violations, and embezzlement from a nonprofit medical organization.
EnforcementInvestigations & enforcement actionsFraud and scams
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2026-05-01•United States•Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council
The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council’s State Liaison Committee has re-elected Charles G. Cooper, Commissioner of the Texas Department of Banking, as its chair for a one-year term beginning May 1. Cooper, who has chaired the committee since 2023, leads the five-member body representing state banking and credit union agencies and serves as one of the FFIEC’s six voting members.
Institutional developmentLeadership change & appointmentsLeadership change and appointments
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2026-05-01•United States•Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council
The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council has reselected Greg Gonzales, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions, to its five-member State Liaison Committee for a second consecutive two-year term from May 1, 2026, through April 30, 2028. The committee, representing state banking and credit union supervisors and whose chair is one of the council’s six voting members, is currently chaired by Charles G. Cooper and also includes Katherine M.R. Bosken, Polly Klyce Pennoyer, and Aaron Luetzow.
Institutional developmentLeadership change & appointmentsLeadership change and appointments
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2026-05-01•Canada•Ontario Securities Commission
The Ontario Securities Commission announced that Jimmy Delinis pleaded guilty to fraud under Ontario securities law in relation to Azura Futures and Currencies, after raising about CAD 1.3 million from 15 investors in Canada and the United States between October 2021 and July 2024, most of whom lost their entire investment. Investor statements falsely portrayed the fund as significantly outperforming major stock market indexes, while about 81% of deposited funds were lost through option trading and some investor money was used to repay others.
EnforcementInvestigations & enforcement actionsFraud and scams
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2026-05-01•Barbados•Central Bank of Barbados
The Central Bank of Barbados’ 2026 outlook projects real GDP growth of 2–3%, inflation of 2–2.6%, a stable external position and continued financial stability, driven by tourism, construction, services and investment. It expects infrastructure upgrades, renewable energy and tourism projects, plus FY2026/27 Budget measures, to boost jobs, private investment, finance access and activity in green tech, digital services and advanced manufacturing. Risks include weaker global growth, geopolitical tensions, higher energy prices and trade uncertainty, but reserves should stay above the 12‑week import benchmark, with fiscal policy anchored by a 4.1% of GDP primary surplus target and a 60% debt‑to‑GDP goal by FY2035/36.
Monetary policyMonetary policy assessments & outlooksEconomic data and developments
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2026-05-01•Georgia•National Bank of Georgia
The National Bank of Georgia reported that Governor Natia Turnava met BNY’s Managing Director for Eastern Europe and Eurasia Sergei Kotov to discuss expanding cooperation with the Georgian financial sector, including foreign exchange reserve management, custody services, and liquidity management solutions. The meeting also covered broader collaboration with major Georgian banks, Georgia’s macroeconomic outlook and financial sector developments, with both sides agreeing to continue cooperation and explore further integration with global markets.
Policy & regulationCooperationCross-border cooperation
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2026-05-01•Global•International Monetary Fund
The International Monetary Fund announced that Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas will step down as Economic Counsellor and Director of the Research Department and return to the University of California, Berkeley, effective 1 July 2026. Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva highlighted his leadership of the Fund’s analytical work during the post-pandemic period, including on global inflation, geo-economic fragmentation, global imbalances and tools such as the AI Preparedness Index, Structural Reforms Impact Tool, RES DataHub and next-generation macroeconomic models.
Institutional developmentLeadership change & appointmentsLeadership change and appointments
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2026-05-01•Global•International Monetary Fund
The International Monetary Fund published a technical assistance report on Georgia’s state-owned enterprise reform, noting substantial progress in financial oversight, transparency, and fiscal risk management but highlighting the need for further reforms to strengthen ownership, governance, and accountability. The report credits reforms led by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, and identifies remaining priorities including more consistent oversight, formalization of public service obligations, professionalization of boards, and completion of the legislative framework to reduce fiscal risks and political interference and improve performance.
Policy & regulationReform agendas & prioritiesCorporate governance
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2026-05-01•United States•Federal Reserve Board
The Federal Reserve Board, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency have jointly issued updated host state loan-to-deposit ratios, replacing the ratios published in May 2025. The ratios are used to assess compliance with statutory restrictions on establishing or acquiring interstate branches primarily for deposit gathering, and the agencies also released additional information on how the ratios are applied in that assessment.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsLiquidity risk
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2026-05-01•Europe•Single Resolution Board
The Single Resolution Board will hold a technical meeting on 12 June 2026 to present and clarify its draft operational guidance for banks on liquidity and funding in resolution, currently under public consultation. The non-binding draft consolidates and replaces previous guidance on three liquidity-related resolvability principles, setting expectations for identifying key liquidity entities, estimating liquidity and funding needs, measuring and reporting liquidity, and mobilising collateral, including less liquid and cross-border assets.
Policy & regulationGuidance & interpretationRecovery and resolution
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2026-05-01•Europe•European Central Bank
The European Central Bank’s weekly balance sheet data show total assets and liabilities at EUR 6,196,001 million, down EUR 19,650 million week-on-week, mainly reflecting a EUR 25,335 million decline in securities of euro area residents in euro, including a EUR 24,709 million fall in monetary policy portfolios. Lending to euro area credit institutions related to monetary policy operations in euro increased by EUR 6,049 million, while euro-denominated liabilities to euro area credit institutions fell by EUR 59,373 million, driven by a sharp drop in the deposit facility partly offset by higher current accounts.
Data & statisticsBalance of payments and other external statistics