Li Yunze, Director of China's National Financial Regulatory Administration, met with Maldives Monetary Authority Governor Ahmed Munawar to discuss international economic and financial issues. The two authorities signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance bilateral financial regulatory cooperation.
The Central Bank of Armenia announced Governor Martin Galstyan's participation in the signing of a loan agreement for the Firebird AI megaproject, involving six financial institutions. Galstyan highlighted the capacity of Armenia’s financial system to manage large-scale projects and emphasized the central bank's commitment to macroeconomic stability and a transparent regulatory environment. The event was attended by Armenia’s Minister of High-Tech Industry and the U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires.
The People's Bank of China held its 2026 Financial Stability Work Conference, reviewing 2025's financial stability and setting priorities for 2026. Key focuses include enhancing systemic risk prevention, advancing risk disposal, and strengthening technology in financial stability efforts. The agenda also emphasizes tighter risk monitoring, reforms of key financial institutions, and expanding capital replenishment to maintain financial stability.
People's Bank of China Deputy Governor Xuan Changneng met with International Monetary Fund Chief Economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas to discuss global and Chinese economic and financial conditions and China's cooperation with the IMF. Gourinchas delivered a keynote on China's economic growth impact on the global economy, followed by discussions with staff from the People's Bank of China and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange.
People's Bank of China Vice Governor Xuan Changneng and Maldives Monetary Authority Governor Ahmed Munawar discussed economic and financial conditions, financial cooperation, and mutual interests.
The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank will present its 2026-2031 Strategic Plan for the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union under the theme “The Big Push: Collective Action for Shared Prosperity in the ECCU”. The plan serves as a roadmap for the period and centres on a call to double the ECCU’s gross domestic product and citizens’ wealth in ten years through collective and transformative action and a focus on wealth creation.
The European Central Bank (ECB) outlined the design of the digital euro, emphasizing its role in digital retail payments with banks as core intermediaries. The ECB aims to reduce reliance on non-European payment schemes and ensure financial stability through features like non-remuneration and holding limits. Estimated bank investment costs range from EUR 4 billion to EUR 5.8 billion, with European standards expected by summer 2026 and a pilot exercise planned for 2027.
The European Central Bank's working paper shows that valuation losses on banks' securities portfolios can amplify monetary tightening by reducing pledgeable collateral value, affecting liquidity. A one-standard-deviation increase in securities losses results in a 3.76% decline in interbank credit and a 2.5% decline in corporate lending, with higher interest rates and shorter loan maturities. The impact is concentrated in secured funding, with internal capital markets partially mitigating effects for domestic subsidiaries, while foreign subsidiaries face similar lending cuts as stand-alone banks.
The European Central Bank published the Eurosystem’s weekly consolidated financial statement, reporting total assets and liabilities of EUR 6,162,122 million, an increase of EUR 6,816 million week-on-week driven mainly by higher monetary policy lending. Main refinancing operations rose by EUR 6,255 million to EUR 17,058 million, while securities held for monetary policy purposes declined by EUR 3,714 million and banknotes in circulation and the deposit facility increased.
The European Central Bank's Working Paper No 3210 examines synthetic risk transfers (SRTs) in euro area banks, highlighting rapid market growth and potential financial stability risks. It reveals that banks often transfer capital-expensive loans, exploiting regulatory thresholds, affecting their risk profiles and leverage ratios. SRTs are frequently sold to investors with existing credit ties, with significant funding sourced from bank credit, and discusses implications of thicker junior tranches for leveraged investors.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India has further extended the suspension of trading in derivative contracts for specified commodities on stock exchanges with a commodity derivatives segment through March 31, 2027. The ban covers paddy (non-basmati), wheat, chana, mustard seeds and its derivatives, soya bean and its derivatives, crude palm oil, and moong, and follows multiple prior extensions since the original December 20, 2022 end date.
The Reserve Bank of India has directed authorised dealers to cap their net open position involving the rupee (NOP-INR) in the onshore deliverable market at USD 100 million at the end of each business day. The limit is prescribed under the Master Direction on Risk Management and Inter-Bank Dealings for exchange rate management and is issued under sections 10(4), 11(1) and 11(2) of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999.
The Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets reported that the Accountants Chamber fully upheld its disciplinary complaint against the auditor of a scrap and gold trader, citing serious deficiencies in fraud risk assessment and a lack of professional scepticism. The Chamber found the auditor issued a disclaimer of opinion on the 2020 financial statements too quickly, failed to perform sufficient procedures on revenue from gold sales, and ordered the auditor’s removal from the registers with the option to seek re-registration after six months.
The Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina released its GDP nowcast, maintaining annual real GDP growth at 2.1% for Q4 2025 and projecting 1.9% for 2025, with Q1 2026 growth also at 2.1%. Services are driving Q1 2026 growth, while manufacturing faces challenges from weak external demand and higher costs. Headline inflation is estimated at 3.5% for Q1 2026, revised down from 3.8%, but expected to rise to 3.9% in Q2 2026 due to higher energy prices and geopolitical risks.
The Isle of Man Financial Services Authority has published its consolidated Financial Services Authority (Fees) Order 2026, implementing revised authority fees for 2026/27. The order, which is to be laid before the April 2026 sitting of Tynwald, reflects public consultation feedback and aims to achieve an appropriate balance of fees across regulated sectors.
The Ministry of Finance (Guernsey) reported on a visit by Lord Marland, Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, for high-level discussions with the Committee for Economic Development on strengthening international trade relationships to support the Finance Sector Growth Strategy and a more ambitious trade policy. The release highlights Guernsey’s focus on partners such as Canada, Australia, Singapore and Malaysia, alongside emerging markets including South Africa, Nigeria, Botswana and Kenya, and notes Guernsey’s participation in the UK–Canada Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Transpacific Partnership.
The Guernsey Financial Services Commission released its Motor Trade Thematic Review 2025, evaluating compliance with motor finance requirements under the Lending, Credit and Finance regime. While findings were generally positive, the review highlighted areas needing improvement, such as commission disclosure, advertising compliance, and customer information accessibility. The Commission plans to address these issues through continued supervision.
The Guernsey Financial Services Commission announced that the Court of Appeal upheld the Commission's appeal on five of six grounds regarding its authority to issue a public statement. This decision overturns the Royal Court's judgment and reinstates the Senior Decision Maker's original decision.
The National Bank of Georgia reported Governor Natia Turnava’s remarks at the 51st International Banking Conference, highlighting Georgia’s emergence as a regional financial centre. She cited strong macroeconomic performance with nearly double-digit real GDP growth in 2023–2024 and 7.5% average growth in 2025, plus robust banking indicators as of February 2026: return on equity of 22.4%, a non-performing loan ratio of 2.47%, and 14.3% annual credit portfolio growth driven mainly by national-currency lending and higher larization. Turnava also noted S&P Global Ratings’ view that Georgia’s banking regulation and asset quality are among the best in the region.
The National Bank of Georgia reported over 915,000 Open Banking transactions and more than 9.3 million total service usages from February 2025 to February 2026, highlighting the ecosystem's growth. Since its operational launch in 2021, Open Banking has expanded beyond banks, with non-bank entities participating since July 2024. Both supervised and previously unsupervised entities can join if they meet specific requirements, including offering Account Information Services and Payment Initiation Services.
At the 51st International Banking Conference, National Bank of Georgia Vice-Governor Nino Jeladze outlined new regulatory frameworks for registering digital banks and Virtual Asset Service Providers, and a new regime for stablecoin issuance. She said these measures aim to facilitate fintech market entry while enhancing consumer protection, risk management and alignment with international standards, noting that 33 VASPs currently operate in Georgia and that stablecoin issuance had previously been unregulated.
Staff from the Osh regional office of the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic delivered an off-site lecture to employees of the Osh City Internal Affairs Directorate on the central bank’s role, the history and security features of the national currency, and basic topics on loans, deposits and savings. The session focused on preventing youth involvement in financial fraud and money mule activity and included a demonstration of activating and removing a self-ban on obtaining credit via the Tunduk app.
The Central Bank of Russia's latest Russian Journal of Money and Finance explores drivers of Russian firms' price changes, inflation expectations, and housing market price differences. Research highlights include asymmetric price responses to economic factors, the impact of narratives on inflation expectations, and a zero price gap between new and existing housing in most regions.
The Danish Financial Supervisory Authority's 2026 survey of Danish financial firms highlights cyber threats and geopolitical conditions as the most significant risks to financial stability, with both rated equally for the first time. Firms noted increased vulnerability due to reliance on foreign IT suppliers and linked rising cyber risk to geopolitical tensions. Despite these concerns, firms expressed high confidence in the stability of the Danish financial system over the next three years.
Deputy Governor Doan Thai Son of the State Bank of Vietnam participated in a meeting to appraise the Government's updated socio-economic development plans for 2021-2025 and 2026-2030. The Ministry of Finance reported that all 2025 targets were met, with GDP growth at 8.02% and inflation at 3.31%. For 2026-2030, the Government aims for over 10% annual GDP growth, a digital economy comprising 30% of GDP, and Vietnam's business environment ranking in the global top 30 by 2028.
Deputy Governor Pham Quang Dung of the State Bank of Vietnam met with an IMF delegation to discuss Vietnam’s economic outlook and policy priorities. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized the importance of IMF assessments in shaping Vietnam’s monetary and fiscal policies and expressed readiness to deepen cooperation. The IMF mission head noted global economic spillovers from the Middle East conflict and provided recommendations on inflation control, financial and energy security, and policy reforms.
The Austria Financial Market Authority reported that assets managed by 2,109 Austrian investment funds reached a record EUR 246.4bn at the end of Q4 2025, driven by strong net inflows into equity and bond funds. Total assets increased by 6.8% from year-end 2024 and 2.5% from the previous quarter. Sustainability funds under SFDR Articles 8 and 9 comprised around half of the total assets, amounting to EUR 123.6bn.
Norges Bank submitted a report to Norway’s Ministry of Finance, affirming the effectiveness of flexible inflation targeting and recommending no changes to the current monetary policy mandate. The report emphasizes maintaining low and stable inflation through a Consumer Price Index target while considering output, employment, and financial imbalances. It advises a forward-looking approach to temporary supply shocks, noting alignment with international practices.
John C Williams, President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, has been reappointed as Chair of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) Markets Committee for a second three-year term. The reappointment was announced by central bank Governors of the Global Economy Meeting in Basel. The Markets Committee, established in 1962, includes senior officials from 27 central banks and discusses market conditions and central bank operations.
The Central Bank of the Philippines (BSP) issued a warning about a fraudulent online article misusing the name and likeness of BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. The article falsely claims an interview with television host Boy Abunda and uses AI-generated images. The BSP advises the public to verify messages using official BSP channels.
The Federal Court ordered Oztures Trading Pty Ltd, trading as Binance Australia Derivatives, to pay an AUD 10 million penalty for misclassifying over 85% of its Australian clients as wholesale investors. This exposed 524 retail investors to high-risk crypto derivatives without necessary protections, resulting in significant trading losses and fees. Binance admitted to compliance failures, including inadequate client onboarding and training, and has paid approximately AUD 13.1 million in compensation under ASIC oversight.
The Bank of Korea’s March 2026 Business Survey and Economic Sentiment Index show a slight weakening in sentiment, with the Composite Business Sentiment Index for all industries down 0.1 points to 94.1 and the outlook falling 4.5 points to 93.1. The Economic Sentiment Index declined 4.8 points to 94.0, although its cyclical component rose 0.4 points to 96.6, with manufacturing sentiment flat and non-manufacturing sentiment edging lower.
The Bank of Korea published preliminary February 2026 monetary and financial statistics showing small month-on-month increases in weighted average interest rates on newly agreed deposits and loans at commercial and specialized banks. The average rate on new deposits rose 5 basis points to 2.83%, while new loan rates increased 2 basis points to 4.26%, with corporate loan rates up to 4.20% and household loan rates down to 4.45%.
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority issued a scam alert about fraudulent websites, fake internet banking login screens, and phishing emails involving several banks, including The Bank of East Asia, Shanghai Commercial Bank, Chong Hing Bank, and OCBC Bank (Hong Kong). The HKMA emphasized that banks will not send SMS or emails with links for transactions or request sensitive information via phone, email, or SMS. Affected individuals are advised to contact their bank and report to the Hong Kong Police Force.
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation announced the winners of the Interbank Account Data Sharing Developer Hackathon, showcasing solutions for secure, customer-consented account data sharing. The event concluded a six-month programme aimed at fostering collaboration between banks and fintech firms. The HKMA plans to continue working with industry stakeholders to promote wider adoption of IADS.
Single Resolution Board Chair Dominique Laboureix calls for deeper Banking Union integration by removing internal capital and liquidity barriers in cross-border banking groups and reconsidering intragroup pre-positioning. The article notes progress in reducing fragmentation through the single rulebook but highlights gaps in harmonisation, particularly in insolvency laws and deposit guarantee schemes. Laboureix emphasizes the need for targeted legislative changes and a strengthened crisis management toolkit to address home-host frictions and enhance liquidity in resolution.
The European Central Bank released February 2026 Consumer Expectations Survey results, noting most responses were collected before the Middle East conflict began. Inflation expectations for the short and medium term decreased slightly, while spending growth expectations rose and economic growth and unemployment outlooks improved. Housing price expectations softened, and mortgage rate expectations remained unchanged.
South Korea’s Ministry of Economy and Finance reported outward direct investment in 2025 rose 8.7% year-on-year to USD 71.9bn after two years of decline. Growth was driven by financial and insurance (USD 37.9bn, +32.7%) and manufacturing (USD 17.1bn, +4.1%), with North America (USD 27.8bn) and Asia (USD 16.1bn) the main destinations and the United States the largest recipient at USD 25.3bn. The ministry cited easier global financial conditions and strong equity markets and said it will keep monitoring outward investment.
The Joint Committee of the European Supervisory Authorities published its spring 2026 cross-sectoral risk update, warning that geopolitical tensions and the continued expansion of private finance could amplify market and funding shocks despite the EU financial sector’s resilience. It highlights transmission channels including higher energy prices, inflationary pressures, higher-for-longer interest rates, cyber risks, multi-line insurance exposures, and data gaps and opaque interconnections in private markets, illustrated by recent redemption pressures in US private credit funds. Supervisors, financial institutions and investors are urged to strengthen geopolitical risk assessments, manage sovereign and energy-related exposures prudently, and enhance due diligence and oversight of private market exposures ahead of the 2027 Solvency II review.
The South Korea Financial Supervisory Service reported that in February 2026 foreign investors were net sellers of listed stocks by KRW19.5580 trillion and net buyers of listed bonds by KRW7.4320 trillion, extending a two-month trend of net stock selling and a four-month trend of net bond buying. Cumulative foreign holdings stood at KRW2,025.5 trillion in listed stocks and KRW337.3 trillion in listed bonds, with stock outflows led by investors from the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada, and bond inflows concentrated in Korean Treasury Bonds with 1–5 year and over 5 year maturities.
The Ukraine National Commission on Securities and Stock Market reported a February 2026 turnover of UAH 122.8bn on organised securities markets, primarily driven by domestic government bonds. PFTS and Perspektyva stock exchanges accounted for 70% and 30% of trading volumes, respectively. Commodity exchange turnover was UAH 26.2bn, with electricity dominating at UAH 19.5bn.
The National Bank of Denmark reports that the average administration margin on Danish households' mortgage loans, stable at 0.80% since 2022, is expected to decrease due to announced margin reductions by several mortgage credit institutions. Realkredit Danmark, Totalkredit, Jyske Realkredit, and Nordea Kredit have lowered margins for selected loan types, with Totalkredit and Nordea Kredit extending reductions to existing customers. The impact on the average margin will be evident from July 2026, influenced by loan type and characteristics.
Indonesia’s Financial Services Authority (OJK) acknowledged and respected the Business Competition Supervisory Commission tribunal ruling finding online lending providers guilty of price-fixing under Article 5 of Law No 5 of 1999. OJK reiterated it will strengthen governance, risk management and consumer protection in technology-based joint funding services under OJK Circular Letter No 19/2025, including limits on “economic benefit” charges, and will monitor industry developments to safeguard financial stability and public trust.
The National Bank of Denmark released securities statistics for February 2026, revealing that the insurance and pension sector holds DKK 275 billion, or 48%, of Danish government debt securities, primarily in long-term bonds. Foreign investors hold DKK 182 billion, representing 32% of the total. The dataset includes details on green government bonds and adjusts for indirect ownership through investment funds.
The Central Bank of the Solomon Islands has licensed Credit & Data Bureau Solomon Islands Limited (CDBSIL) to operate as a Credit Reporting Service Provider under the Solomon Islands Credit Reporting Regulations 2025. CDBSIL is authorized to collect and maintain credit information for lawful purposes, including credit assessment and fraud prevention, while adhering to consumer rights and data privacy standards. The framework mandates CDBSIL to comply with Central Bank oversight and reporting duties.
The Danish Financial Supervisory Authority reported 319 cases of suspected market abuse in 2025, up from 248 in previous years, with 204 cases involving insider dealing. The increase was attributed to large price swings in C25-index shares during major events, though overall breaches were consistent with normal levels. Additionally, nine actors were referred to the police, and seven reprimands and orders were issued for disclosure breaches.
The Liechtenstein Financial Market Authority has enforced measures against Nucleus Life AG, transferring its insurance portfolio to Quantum Life AG and revoking its licence to protect insured persons and the market's reputation. This decision follows findings that Nucleus Life AG and its shareholders failed to meet regulatory standards under the Insurance Supervision Act. Insurance contracts will remain unchanged, with Quantum Leben AG assuming administration as the new contractual counterparty.
Bank of Indonesia reported that broad money (M2) reached IDR10,089.9 trillion in February 2026, growing 8.7% year on year, down from 10.0% in January. M2 growth was driven by a 14.4% year-on-year increase in narrow money (M1) and 3.1% growth in quasi-money, with developments mainly reflecting a 25.6% rise in net claims on central government and an 8.9% increase in disbursed loans.
The Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority (Finansinspektionen) has warned about 104 unauthorised entities using fake online trading platforms to defraud consumers. These entities pose as trading firms offering investments in shares, foreign exchange, indices, or crypto-assets, often backed by fake reviews and AI-generated videos. FI also cautions against "recovery" firms that charge fees to retrieve funds and advises consumers to verify firm authorisation through FI's company register.
The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, the National Supervisory Commission, and the Taizhou Municipal Supervisory Commission concluded an investigation into former China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) official Guo Xudong for serious violations and suspected bribery. Guo, a former senior CSRC official, accepted bribes, abused regulatory authority, and engaged in misconduct post-office, leading to confiscation of illegal gains and referral for prosecution. The investigation revealed breaches of conduct rules, improper employment, and acceptance of private fund equity linked to his official position.
The Central Bank of the Philippines announced the authorization of Rizal Microbank, Inc.'s name change to RCBC Microbank – A Thrift Bank Inc. The Securities and Exchange Commission approved the amended articles of incorporation and by-laws reflecting this change.
The Central Bank of the Philippines reported a 1.6% year-on-year increase in residential property prices in Q4 2025, the slowest since Q1 2019. Price growth in the National Capital Region remained at 2.3%, while Areas Outside the NCR saw a record low increase of 1.0%. House prices rose by 0.1%, and condominium prices accelerated to 3.5%.
Hong Kong's Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau announced new appointments to the Resolvability Review Tribunal (RRT) and the Resolution Compensation Tribunal (RCT) for a two-year term starting April 2026. The RRT panel includes two new members, Mr Lam Chi-ki and Dr Lu Mengyu, while the RCT panel adds three new members, Mr Michael Li Shun-fai, Mr Jacky Lio Veng-hei, and Ms Sally Wan Yuen-wai. Both tribunals, under the Financial Institutions (Resolution) Ordinance, address appeals related to resolution authority decisions and compensation eligibility.
The Bank of Namibia has launched the National Payment System Vision and Strategy 2026–2030 with the Payments Association of Namibia and the wider industry. The plan is built on five pillars covering user focus, resilience, digital enablement, innovation and industry capability, with emphasis on interoperable and instant payments. It also ties into pilot programmes to shift selected government-to-person payments, including social transfers, onto Instant Payments Namibia.
The International Monetary Fund outlined a supervisory framework for prudent and consistent IFRS 9 implementation, with particular attention to capacity constraints in emerging market and developing economies. It supports clear supervisory expectations, rigorous review and corrective powers, alongside proportionate transition periods and temporary prudential backstops. Supervisors should also address procyclicality through timely loss recognition and adequate capital buffers.
The Thailand Office of Insurance Commission announced a shift to a "Health Partner" model for private health insurance, focusing on prevention and proactive health management. The policy aims to address high health-cost growth and premium cycles by expanding coverage to middle-income groups, promoting public hospital use, and developing a standard treatment-cost database. Additional measures include standardized prescriptions, allowing medicine purchases outside hospitals, and implementing copayment strategies to manage medical inflation.
Australia’s Treasury has issued draft regulations to enforce new Corporations Act restrictions on advertising superannuation products during employee onboarding. The regulations allow a limited exception for MySuper product advertising, requiring clear disclosure and ensuring advertisements are not more prominent than information on stapled or default funds. The draft mandates disclosures on advertisement nature, benefits received, and links to relevant tools, with implementation set for six months post-enactment of the Treasury Laws Amendment Act 2026.
Deputy Governor Nguyen Ngoc Canh attended a government conference where Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh set a goal of 10% average economic growth from 2026 to 2030. The Prime Minister emphasized a shift towards a growth model driven by science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation, with enterprises as central actors. He highlighted the need to address challenges like trade protectionism and climate change, while promoting green transformation, the circular economy, and leveraging the digital economy and free trade agreements.
The Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway published an on-site inspection report on Storebrand Bank ASA identifying significant, long-running weaknesses in internal control, particularly anti-money laundering compliance, and credit risk-taking misaligned with the board’s risk appetite. The report cites persistent failures in first- and second-line controls, risk reporting and governance, and material shortcomings in lending practices, including documentation, servicing-capacity assessments and monitoring of large exposures. The authority will assess the bank’s risk and capital needs in 2026, including the adequacy of its Pillar 2 requirement, and will follow up remediation measures across the lending portfolio, credit risk models, control functions and AML compliance.
The Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway published an inspection report on PricewaterhouseCoopers AS, finding that the firm’s cyclical internal inspections were not sufficiently extensive for its size and complexity and that multiple audits breached the Norwegian Auditor Act and EU audit regulation requirements. The most serious deficiencies related to a public interest entity audit, including undetected statutory breaches in engagements rated “approved”, shortcomings in continuance documentation and audit committee reporting, unapproved non-audit services, and insufficient audit evidence and professional scepticism.
The Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market of the Republic of Kazakhstan approved Irina Alexandrovna Pasternak as chief accountant at JSC Home Credit Bank, a subsidiary of JSC ForteBank, under protocol No. 22/БВУ/Т dated 19 March 2026.
The Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) has applied to the Supreme Court of New South Wales to wind up 12 companies linked to Christopher Malcolm Edwards, citing concerns over unclear use of investor funds and significant liabilities. ASIC seeks provisional liquidators to assess the companies' affairs and protect creditors and investors. Edwards was banned from providing financial services for 10 years in 2025, with the decision under review.
The Argentina Securities Commission reported that its vice president joined IOSCO’s Retail Investors Committee plenary in Bucharest, presenting its work on investor protection and financial education. Discussions covered investor resilience, AI in communications, and age-adapted education strategies, with CNV highlighting its Financial Education Program. CNV said participation in this global forum improves access to international practices, specialised working groups and institutional links on investor protection, education and fraud prevention.
The South Korea Financial Supervisory Service's February 2026 update reveals net equity outflows of KRW19.558 trillion and net bond inflows of KRW7.432 trillion by foreign investors in Korean listed securities. Equity outflows were primarily from the United States and the United Kingdom, while bond inflows were driven by Europe, Asia, and the Americas, focusing on Korean Treasury Bonds. Cumulative foreign holdings amounted to KRW2,025.5 trillion in stocks and KRW337.3 trillion in bonds.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore and the Singapore Bullion Market Association have outlined initiatives to enhance Singapore's role as a gold trading hub in the Asia-Pacific. The Gold Market Development Working Group, co-chaired by MAS and SBMA, is developing gold-related capital market products, international vaulting standards, and a clearing system for secure settlement. The group includes major banks and industry stakeholders and will provide updates on implementation throughout 2026.
The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission published a Chinese-language speech by Dr. Kelvin Wong, titled “Charting a New Course for Securities Market in New Year,” delivered at the Institute of Securities Dealers' Spring Dinner.
The Dubai Financial Services Authority has opened consultation on its “Miscellaneous Changes” proposals in Consultation Paper No. 171. The paper sets out various proposed amendments to the regulatory framework.
The Dubai Financial Services Authority issued Consultation Paper No. 170 on operational resilience for consultation. The paper sets out proposed requirements to enhance firms’ ability to withstand, adapt to and recover from operational disruptions.
The Central Bank of the Philippines has warned the public about a fake online article that misuses the name and photograph of Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr., including a fabricated interview with TV host Boy Abunda and false statements attributed to the Governor. The authority noted the use of AI-generated images to mislead the public and urged individuals not to share the article and to verify any messages using the names of the BSP or its officials through official BSP channels.
The National Reserve Bank of Tonga, with support from the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre and the Australian Federal Police, hosted a Financial Intelligence Analysis Course in Nuku’alofa. The course aimed to enhance national capacity to combat financial crimes by focusing on skills to identify suspicious transactions and support investigations. Participants included government agencies and financial institutions.
The Central Bank of Honduras reported that net international reserves increased by USD 730.5 million between 27 January and 26 March 2026. Over the same period, reserves coverage of imports of goods and services rose from 6.2 to 6.6 months, with the release also detailing weekly changes and cumulative variation in reserves since 27 January.
The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (Hong Kong) welcomed the appointment of Ms Rachael Siu Suk-yu as a non-official Director of the Financial Dispute Resolution Centre Board for a two-year term from 31 March 2026 to 30 March 2028, and thanked outgoing Director Professor William Wong Kam-fai for six years of service. Ms Siu, a legal professional with extensive consumer rights protection experience, joins the Board overseeing the FDRC’s independent “Mediation First, Arbitration Next” financial dispute resolution scheme.
The Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) has initiated a consultation on proposed updates to the ASIC Derivative Transaction Rules (Reporting) 2024, aiming to simplify derivatives trade reporting and reduce regulatory complexity. The updates seek to enhance data quality and align Australia's framework with international standards. Draft amendments and a summary of proposed changes are available on ASIC's consultation webpage.
The Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) has remade three legislative instruments providing financial reporting-related relief, extending their expiry to 1 April 2031. ASIC will withdraw Regulatory Guide 28 and repeal ASIC Corporations (Offer Information Statements) Instrument 2016/76. Amendments will be made to ASIC Corporations (Share and Interest Purchase Plans) Instrument 2019/547 and several regulatory guides in April 2026.
The Bulgaria Financial Supervision Commission imposed a final ban on Medical Consumables Ltd's corrected tender offer to purchase shares in Momina Krepost AD. It registered three Sopharma AD warrant issues for trading, with varying exercise periods and prices. Additionally, the Commission acknowledged Standard Capital Shareholdings Inc.'s acquisition notification and informed EEA authorities of Boleron Consulting Ltd's insurance intermediation plans.
The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic fined two Kyrgyz citizens KGS 17,500 each for conducting unlicensed cash foreign currency exchange transactions in Bishkek.
The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic fined a Kyrgyz citizen KGS 17,500 for unauthorized cash foreign currency exchange transactions in Bishkek.
The Angola Capital Markets Commission participated in the 51st Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group Senior Experts Meeting in Arusha, Tanzania, focusing on regional anti-money laundering efforts. The Commission, represented by Dr. Divaldo Silva, aims to align Angola’s regulatory framework with international standards and enhance institutional capacity and cooperation.
The Angola Capital Markets Commission (CMC) issued an alert about unauthorized misuse of registered real estate valuation experts' identities, leading to fraudulent reports. The CMC warned these practices threaten real estate and financial market security and are under criminal investigation. Investors and financial institutions should verify valuation report authenticity and report suspected misconduct to protect market integrity.
The National Bank of Ukraine revised international investment position indicators for 2014–2025, incorporating new data and methodologies reflecting the war's impact. The updated foreign direct investment (FDI) statistics increased the estimated stock by USD 1.1 billion for 2022, USD 1.0 billion for 2023, and USD 0.5 billion for 2024. Additionally, non-bank foreign-currency cash holdings were revised down by USD 24.6 billion to USD 117.6 billion due to exchange-rate effects and other adjustments.
The Spanish Securities Commission (CNMV) and Spain’s General Council of Notaries have renewed their cooperation agreement, granting CNMV access to notarial databases on beneficial ownership and public responsibility. This access supports investigations into market abuse, money laundering, and other supervisory actions. A joint monitoring committee will oversee the agreement, continuing cooperation initiated in 2011.
The Bank of Japan announced the 8th Conference on Nontraditional Data, Machine Learning, and Natural Language Processing in Macroeconomics (ECONDAT 2026 Fall Meeting) will be held in Tokyo on October 5-6, 2026. Co-organized with Banca d'Italia, the Federal Reserve Board, Sveriges Riksbank, the Bank of Canada, and CEBRA, the event will focus on macroeconomics and financial economics research using data science and AI techniques.
The Japan Financial Services Agency released a transcript of Finance Minister Katayama’s press conference, detailing preparations for an 11-day provisional budget for fiscal year Reiwa 8 and the allocation of JPY 800.7bn from the Reiwa 7 contingency reserve for energy price support. Katayama emphasized the provisional budget's role in covering essential expenses, rejected the idea of a supplementary provisional budget, and noted ongoing efforts to disclose documents related to the Moritomo Gakuen case.
The Central Bank of Cyprus reported February 2026 statistics showing a return to net deposit inflows and accelerated net lending growth. Total deposits increased by EUR 202.2 million, reversing January's EUR 851.2 million decrease, while total loans rose by EUR 326.2 million, up from EUR 76.4 million in January. The annual rate of change for deposits slowed to 4.7%, and for loans, it increased to 12.3%.
The Montenegro Capital Market Authority's president met with the UK's Financial Conduct Authority in London to discuss enhancing regulatory cooperation and EU capital market links. Key topics included VASP registration, AML rule application, and the UK's cryptoasset regulatory framework. The FCA may participate in Montenegro's financial conference and include the Montenegrin authority in the International Regulatory Practice Exchange programme.
The Montenegro Capital Market Authority's president met with European Bank for Reconstruction and Development representatives to discuss potential cooperation to advance Montenegro's financial system and capital market. Discussions included enhancing financial education, aligning regulations with European standards, and modernising market infrastructure. Both parties expressed readiness to intensify cooperation through technical assistance and expertise exchange.
The Bank of Japan's Research and Statistics Department has updated estimates of Japan's output gap and potential growth rate, reflecting GDP re-basing to the 2020 base year and economic structural changes. It has also initiated quarterly publication of labour market indicators to enhance output-gap monitoring and economic assessments. These updates aim to improve forecasting of wages and prices amid labour supply constraints.
The Bank of Japan's Research and Statistics Department has begun publishing a monthly estimate of consumer price inflation excluding "institutional factors" to better reflect underlying price trends. This new series, available on the Bank's Indicators for Core CPI webpage, adjusts the official CPI by removing effects such as tax changes and policy measures. The Bank notes that the definition of institutional factors may change without prior notice.
The Payment Systems Regulator's 2026/27 plan prioritizes addressing high card fees, maintaining protections against Authorised Push Payment fraud, and fostering innovation and competition in UK payments. Key initiatives include tackling cross-border interchange fees, implementing remedies for domestic scheme fees, and advancing open banking through a long-term regulatory framework. The plan also emphasizes oversight of critical payments infrastructure and alignment with the Financial Conduct Authority for consolidation efforts.
The Bank of Italy and the Guardia di Finanza have signed a cooperation and information-sharing agreement to enhance cybersecurity measures. The agreement aims to improve prevention and protection against cyberattacks by utilizing the expertise of both institutions.
The Japan Financial Services Agency released supplementary materials to its "Focus on Industry-specific Support" guidance, enhancing front-line staff's ability to assess business feasibility and provide management improvement support. These materials include management support examples, case studies, and a "reverse look-up perspective" for loan consultations. The agency also redirected users to its special webpage following the closure of the outsourcing contractor's project website.
The European Parliament reformed the EU bank crisis management and deposit insurance framework to enhance depositor protection and reduce taxpayer reliance by prioritizing losses on shareholders, creditors, and industry-funded safety nets. The reforms elevate deposit guarantee schemes in the creditor hierarchy and extend protection to certain real estate-linked deposits. The resolution framework now includes small and medium-sized banks, maintaining an 8% minimum loss absorption requirement before accessing external funds.
Indonesia's Financial Services Authority (OJK), in collaboration with the Indonesian National Police Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim), apprehended a suspect in a banking crime case involving PT BPR DCN in Malang, East Java. The operation, conducted from 9–10 March 2026, involved OJK investigators and police units, leading to the suspect's arrest at Gambir Station and subsequent detention in Surabaya. The joint team also sought to compel a witness's attendance under coercive measures.
HM Treasury convened major banks and UK Finance to address the Iran conflict's impact on households and small businesses, resulting in a commitment to contact 1.6 million customers with expiring fixed-rate mortgages. The Chancellor reaffirmed the Mortgage Charter, allowing borrowers to book new rates in advance and switch deals without fresh affordability checks. Temporary support includes interest-only payments for six months, with no credit score impact, while lending remains stable and arrears low.
Senior Deputy Governor Carolyn Rogers outlined the Bank of Canada's approach to renewing its monetary policy framework, maintaining the 2% consumer price index inflation target despite a more variable inflation environment. Key considerations include structural forces like global trade volatility, demographic shifts, and AI impacts, alongside lessons from recent inflation surges. The Bank will publish the framework review's conclusions and supporting research later in 2026.
The US Federal Reserve Board, in conjunction with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), has made the necessary findings for the OCC to approve Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A.'s exemption request under section 23A of the Federal Reserve Act. This exemption supports an internal corporate reorganization involving Morgan Stanley Europe SE. The announcement included an order and statements from key Federal Reserve officials.
The Financial Conduct Authority has published Consultation Paper CP26/11 on proposed regulatory fees and levies for 2026/27, covering FCA periodic, application and transaction fees, the Financial Ombudsman Service general levy, and statutory levies for government bodies. Proposals include an FCA Annual Funding Requirement of GBP 788.9m, a 1% rise in minimum and flat-rate fees, an estimated GBP 72.8m rebate from retained financial penalties, updated levies for the Money and Pensions Service and related schemes, and revised fees for certain market infrastructures. The FCA also proposes that cryptoasset firms applying simultaneously for Money Laundering Regulations registration and new Financial Services and Markets Act permissions pay only the highest applicable fee, and confirms direct debit as its preferred payment method.
France's Financial Markets Authority (AMF) has updated its supervisory doctrine for portfolio management companies, aligning it with regulatory developments and clarifying compliance with the EU Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA). The update includes guidance on staffing, authorisation withdrawals, life-insurance arbitration mandates, own funds calculations, and ancillary loan mandates. Firms must update their activity programmes within six months to comply with the new DORA documentation requirements.
The Securities & Exchange Commission of Zimbabwe's Q4 2025 market review shows regulated entities and collective investment schemes increasing to 229 and total funds under management rising 8.34% to ZWG 98.16 billion. Market capitalization increased to USD 5.68 billion, but Zimbabwe Stock Exchange equities turnover fell sharply to ZWG 1.12 billion. The Commission also reported generally adequate capital levels across intermediaries and rated overall sectoral ML/TF/PF risk as medium-low.
The Croatian Financial Services Supervisory Agency (Hanfa) issued decisions from its 65th Management Board meeting, including amendments to actuary knowledge requirements and reporting instructions for crypto-asset service providers. Hanfa mandated improvements to anti-money laundering systems for CROATIA osiguranje mirovinsko društvo and approved several management board appointments. Additionally, it authorised FEELSGOOD CAPITAL PARTNERS d.o.o. as a medium UAIF and adjusted various insurance distribution licences.