The Reserve Bank of Australia raised the cash rate by 25 basis points to 4.60%, citing persistent domestic capacity pressures and rising costs from the Middle East conflict and artificial intelligence investment boom. The Board may raise rates again if needed, although the full effect of its four 2026 increases could take 12 to 18 months to emerge. A recession is not its central scenario.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is consulting on Armaguard’s proposed undertaking covering interim prices, services, national coverage and access to cash centres. It is also considering interim directions to require specified cash distribution services or facility access while longer-term arrangements are assessed.
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority published intermediated general insurance statistics through June 2026, covering business placed with APRA authorized insurers, Lloyd’s underwriters and unauthorized foreign insurers. It also updated the associated database covering December 2010 to June 2026.
Uzbekistan's Ministry of Economy and Finance discussed pension reform options with the IMF, World Bank and ILO. Priorities included long term sustainability, wider coverage, funded pensions, individual accounts and stronger pension asset management.
South Korea Financial Services Commission Chairman Lee Eog-weon and Japan Financial Services Agency Commissioner Yutaka Ito agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation and exchanges on capital market policy. Further engagement is planned through Japan Weeks in October and the regular Korea-Japan financial supervisory meeting in December.
South Korea’s outbound direct investment rose 32.3% year over year to USD 20.52 billion in the second quarter of 2026, marking a fourth consecutive quarter of annual growth. Financial and insurance investment and information and communications technology investment drove the increase, with stronger flows to North America and Asia.
The Bank of Korea’s Composite Business Sentiment Index fell 0.5 points to 99.1 in September 2026 as a sharp manufacturing decline outweighed stronger non-manufacturing sentiment. The October outlook was unchanged at 99.6, while the broader Economic Sentiment Index rose 0.5 points to 99.9.
U.S. senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders asked the Department of Labor to address nearly 12,000 potentially fabricated comments supporting alternative asset investments in defined contribution plans. They requested answers by Oct. 8, 2026, on the agency’s response and safeguards for the rulemaking record.
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency Comptroller Jonathan V. Gould voted against a joint agency resolution plan letter to American Express, arguing that its unspecified concerns and uncertain consequences reflect persistent flaws in the Section 165(d) process. He called for the joint rule to exclude companies below USD 250 billion in total consolidated assets from resolution planning requirements.
The Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation found no shortcomings or deficiencies in the 2025 resolution plans of 15 banking organizations with more than USD 250 billion in assets. They also concluded that BNP Paribas had satisfactorily addressed the shortcoming identified in its 2021 plan.
The Australian Financial Complaints Authority has reminded digital asset businesses that many must become members by September 30, 2026, under ASIC requirements. Membership provides consumers with access to external dispute resolution, with AFCA having received more than 1,000 digital asset-related complaints over six years.
Argentina Securities Commission Chair Roberto E. Silva said the regulator is working on an omnibus bill to amend capital markets laws. The proposal builds on reforms that simplify issuance and regulation, channel more funds into the financial system and broaden access through exchange traded funds.
Uruguay’s Ministry of Economy and Finance outlined three OECD cooperation priorities covering the Global Minimum Tax, labor market policy and regulatory alignment. The domestic minimum tax qualification process is nearing completion, with formal integration into the global framework expected in 2027, while a two-year IDB-financed study will assess gaps with OECD standards.
The Office of the Commissioner of Financial Institutions of Puerto Rico has mandated phased regulatory reporting through its new FIRE System. The first institutions must begin using it October 1, 2026, while other regulated entities will transition under later schedules. Once onboarded, institutions must file assigned reports exclusively through FIRE, and submissions outside the platform will be treated as not filed.
The Office of the Commissioner of Financial Institutions of Puerto Rico has mandated phased use of the FIRE System for regulatory reporting. The first phase begins October 1, 2026, for specified banks and public-sector entities, while other regulated institutions will transition under a later schedule. Assigned reports are formal requests, and filings outside the system after onboarding will be treated as not filed.
The Central Bank of Uruguay will present a special exhibition of numismatic pieces and art exploring the country’s Indigenous heritage for the 2026 Heritage Day. Admission to its Numismatic Museum will be free.
The Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) unanimously raised its policy rate by 50 basis points to 6.0% from September 29, 2026, to limit second-round inflation effects amid elevated commodity and agricultural prices. Headline inflation reached 7.9% in August, above the 4.0%-6.0% target range for a third consecutive month, and is expected to return to target by mid-2027.
The White House announced a USD 15 billion Mesabi Metallics steel mill in Iowa, projected to create 1,750 permanent jobs and support up to 6,000 construction jobs. Initial annual capacity is planned at 7.5 million tons, later rising to about 10 million tons, using iron ore from the company’s newly opened Minnesota mine.
The White House nominated Carl Bednarski, John Grunewald II and James Russell Middleton to the Farm Credit Administration Board. Their respective terms would expire in 2034, 2032 and 2030.
Federal Reserve Board Governor Lisa D. Cook said AI investment is adding near-term inflation pressure that productivity gains are unlikely to offset later in 2026. She warned that deeper adoption could temporarily increase unemployment through skills mismatches, while reiterating that future rate adjustments will depend on inflation, labor data and the economy's response to recent tightening.
The US Securities and Exchange Commission fined Zoe Financial USD 450,000 for inadequate disclosures about conflicts in its adviser referral service. The firm had incentives to direct clients to advisers using its Zoe Wealth platform, while salespeople frequently recommended advisers outside its algorithm’s results. Zoe Financial also accepted a censure and cease-and-desist order without admitting the findings.
Comptroller of the Currency Jonathan V. Gould called for supervision that reflects the scale and role of military and community banks. He said the OCC’s broader community bank agenda must include institutions serving military personnel, veterans and their families, but announced no new regulatory measures.
The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Finance convened Arab finance leaders to discuss fiscal conditions, macroeconomic resilience, AI, sustainable finance and international tax standards. The UAE outlined plans to move 50% of federal operations and services to Agentic AI models within two years and reiterated its application of the domestic minimum top-up tax from 2025.
The Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority is participating in the 2026 CEO Forum in Arusha, which brings together more than 700 representatives from about 300 public bodies to discuss governance, institutional development and implementation of Vision 2050.
The Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority is educating mining stakeholders on insurance at the ninth Mining Technology Exhibition in Geita. The outreach covers major operational risks and encourages miners and mineral traders to understand policy coverage, terms and claims procedures.
The Moroccan Capital Market Authority registered SOFAC’s updated information dossier for its finance company bills program, raising the ceiling from MAD 9 billion to MAD 11 billion. The bills have a MAD 100,000 nominal value, maturities of two to seven years and fixed or variable interest rates.
The Moroccan Capital Markets Authority registered WAFASALAF’s annual information update for its finance company bills program. The dossier includes a reference document for the 2025 financial year and the program note registered on June 16, 2025.
The Central Bank of the Republic of Guinea and the International Finance Corporation reviewed a draft revision of the country’s leasing law with stakeholders. The reform would clarify the framework, correct identified shortcomings and improve legal certainty while supporting small and medium-sized enterprises’ access to equipment and productive investment.
The Banking Commission of the Central African Republic published a communiqué on an ordinary Monetary Policy Committee session, with no further details provided.
Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Superintendent Peter Routledge backed some form of preplanned resolution framework for insurers rendered non-viable by a catastrophic earthquake, with governments and Parliament responsible for any federal arrangement. He reiterated OSFI’s shift toward giving growth and competition greater weight while preserving resilience, citing targeted capital changes, the Domestic Stability Buffer reduction and recognition of catastrophe bonds. Institutions remain responsible for managing risks from artificial intelligence, climate exposures and new risk-transfer tools.
Ghana's Internal Audit Agency has inaugurated a new Audit Committee for the National Insurance Commission to strengthen oversight and ensure audit recommendations are implemented. Professor Emeritus James Baisie Ato Ghartey was elected chairman, with no outstanding audit observations reported at the handover.
Bank of Ghana Second Deputy Governor Matilda Asante-Asiedu urged banks to pair digital innovation with operational resilience, cybersecurity and effective controls. She said systemically important Absa Bank Ghana must maintain adequate capital, strong liquidity, regulatory compliance and responsible conduct.
The Ghana Securities and Exchange Commission has issued guidelines for offering, marketing and distributing foreign funds in Ghana. Schedule 1 identifies the eligible fund types, and the guidelines apply alongside other applicable laws.
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s Monetary Policy Committee cut the Bank policy rate by 250 basis points to 27.5% with immediate effect, describing the move as a realignment rather than monetary easing. It also lowered the Targeted Finance Facility rate to 12.5% and capped banks’ all-inclusive on-lending rate to productive sectors at 22.5%, while leaving statutory reserve requirements unchanged.
The Financial Markets Standards Board has made a minor industry feedback driven update to its January 2025 standard for sharing standard settlement instructions and published related FAQs and manual templates.
The Insurance Supervision Agency of Montenegro reported on its participation in an EERIA conference examining 10 years of Solvency II and the development of European insurance supervision. The program also covered Montenegro’s insurance market, climate and ESG risks, technology, data and other emerging risk management issues.
The National Bank of Poland published the results of its September 28, 2026 NBP bills sale auction, its main open market operation.
The Central Bank of Luxembourg has launched a new Generation €uro competition for students ages 16 to 19, with three stages running from October to March 2027. Five finalist teams will defend their monetary policy decisions before an expert jury, and the winners will receive a European Central Bank study trip and a Central Bank of Luxembourg internship.
The Central Bank of Luxembourg highlighted the value of household microdata for assessing consumption, savings and monetary policy transmission at its 11th Household Finance and Consumption Workshop. Governor Gaston Reinesch used artificial intelligence to show how uneven productivity gains and labor market adjustments can produce different household responses that affect demand and inflation. The next workshop is planned for 2027.
The National Bank of Moldova has published a draft approach for assessing risks across client groups and financial services using probability and impact ratings. It also addresses false positives arising from payment screening against lists of designated persons.
National Bank of Moldova First Deputy Governor Petru Rotaru said a stronger capital market should complement bank lending by expanding long-term funding and investment options. He linked the Moldova International Stock Exchange’s potential to modern financial infrastructure, gradual capital-flow liberalization, listing-ready issuers and predictable regulation.
In a National Bank of Moldova podcast, Governor Anca Dragu said the European Banking Authority equivalence assessment is about two-thirds complete and SEPA has saved users nearly EUR 15 million over 11 months. She cited capital and liquidity well above regulatory requirements as evidence that banks can support investment. Investment Agency Director Natalia Bejan said EU integration expands market access and lowers barriers, though investment decisions remain sector-specific.
A Federal Reserve Board FEDS Note finds that shifts in the mix of imported light vehicles can materially distort unit values and assessments of tariff pass-through. Composition effects differed across countries, but they did not fully explain the sharp decline in vehicle unit values after tariffs took effect in April 2025.
Federal Reserve Board staff estimate that the 2021-2022 semiconductor shortage reduced U.S. light vehicle production by more than 2 million units. Prioritizing higher-margin vehicles and deleting chip-intensive features may have prevented another 100,000 to 200,000 losses, but constrained affordable vehicle supply and may have reduced quality. Future risks are shifting toward advanced logic and memory chips as vehicles become more software-intensive.
The Saudi Arabia Insurance Authority is helping launch five specialized programs to prepare more than 125 recent graduates and health insurance technicians for priority roles. The initiative supports a national strategy targeting more than 38,000 insurance sector jobs by 2030.
The UK Financial Conduct Authority reported that InterestMe Financial Planning and its appointed representative, InterestMe Advisers, entered administration on Sept. 24, 2026. Kroll representatives were appointed joint administrators, and customers should contact them with questions and remain alert to scams.
The Financial Conduct Authority has secured confiscation orders totaling GBP 851,402.27 against two men convicted over a crypto investment fraud that cost at least 65 investors GBP 1,541,799. Recovered funds will be returned to victims, while failure to pay within three months could result in additional prison terms.
The UK Financial Conduct Authority has secured a bankruptcy order against Arthur Temlett of Abacus Insurance Consultants. A court-appointed trustee will assess his finances and seek to distribute recovered funds to creditors. The FCA barred Temlett from regulated activities in January 2025, and he is awaiting trial on embezzlement charges.
The Jamaica Financial Services Commission directed regulated entities to assess their exposure and strengthen controls under Jamaica’s DPRK sanctions regime. Firms should screen relevant parties, monitor transactions, restrict potential freezable assets, obtain required authorizations and maintain evidence of decisions. Boards and senior management are expected to oversee sanctions risks, control testing and remediation.
The World Bank estimates that USD 55 billion in infrastructure and enabling investment, combined with operational reforms, could quadruple Trans-Caspian trade volumes and cut travel times by two-thirds by 2040. Priorities include integrated digital processing, coordinated rail and shipping services, stronger corridor governance and modernization of state-owned transport operators.
The International Swaps and Derivatives Association is developing a proof of concept for exchanging tokenized collateral under its documentation, including potential updates to credit support documents and legal opinions. The work is intended to enable continuous margin movement for 24/7 trading, but requires regulatory and legal clarity on custody, capital treatment and cross-border recognition.
Angola's Ministry of Finance reported that the capital market has opened to nonresident investors after institutional and infrastructure reforms. The move is expected to increase secondary-market liquidity, diversify the investor base and support greater integration with international financial markets.
The Bank of Italy hosted a workshop on how firms, labor market institutions and public policies shape workers’ outcomes. Keynote research highlighted persistent real wage losses from sticky wage practices during unexpected inflation and evidence that workplaces directly affect employee mental health.
The Bank of Italy and European Central Bank examined the causes and global effects of China’s growing competition in sophisticated and strategic sectors. Bank of Italy research attributes around three quarters of China’s export growth since late 2023 to domestic factors, while discussions covered global trade shifts, supply chain price effects and potential EU policy responses.
The Bank of Spain has opened The Pliable Plane, an exhibition of nearly 50 works examining textiles across art, architecture and industry. Running through March 28, 2027, it is accompanied by a catalogue documenting almost 100 textiles from the bank’s collection.
Mexico's National Commission for the Protection and Defense of Financial Services Users recorded 6,891 complaints in Puebla from January through August 2026, a 13.3% annual increase. Multiple banking generated 70.3% of cases, and 35.1% of all complaints involved possible fraud. Concluded cases recovered MXN 76.1 million for users.
The Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway has warned against Eurkron Finans AS, which illegally offers and brokers loans and is most likely a fraudulent operation. The business provides no organization number or ownership information and is not listed in the relevant Norwegian registers.
Oman's Ministry of Finance participated in an Arab finance ministers' meeting covering fiscal policy, AI in tax administration, sustainable infrastructure finance and tax implementation. The Omani delegation will also attend a Sept. 29 workshop on macroeconomic resilience amid geopolitical disruptions.
The Caribbean Community Secretariat will host a Sept. 30 webinar on financing and de-risking mechanisms for renewable energy projects. It will examine blended finance, guarantees and risk-sharing instruments that could attract investment and improve project bankability across CARICOM member states.
The Bank for International Settlements finds that the leverage ratio and output floor perform distinct, complementary roles in the Basel III capital framework. The leverage ratio bound more than 55% of 29 global systemically important banks at end 2025, while a fully phased in 72.5% output floor would bind six of the 13 banks disclosing relevant data. For three of those banks, the leverage ratio would not replicate the output floor’s constraint.
Swift is developing a cross-border pay by alias capability that would allow consumers to send money internationally using mobile numbers, email addresses and other familiar identifiers. The initiative connects participants from domestic systems such as Bizum, PayID and Pix and builds on Swift’s consumer payments framework, which now involves more than 100 banks.
Swift is developing a cross-border pay by alias capability that would allow consumers to send money internationally using mobile numbers, email addresses and other identifiers registered with domestic payment systems. The initiative brings together participants linked to systems including Bizum, PayID and Pix and builds on Swift’s consumer payments framework, which now involves more than 100 banks.
The Central Bank of Cuba ordered all banking system units to investigate misconduct promptly and impose administrative, employment or criminal accountability where appropriate. The mandatory measures also require stronger internal controls, coordination with state bodies and protection for complainants against retaliation.
In remarks marking 60 years of Singapore-Japan diplomatic relations, the Monetary Authority of Singapore identified regional connectivity, technology and Asia’s energy transition as priorities for deeper cooperation. Financial institutions were urged to mobilize capital for supply-chain expansion, innovation and low-carbon projects, including through transition finance and blended-finance structures such as the Financing Asia’s Transition Partnership.
The Central Bank of Estonia reported that payment fraud losses rose 87.4% to EUR 25.3 million in 2025, with incidents increasing about 14% to 34,900. Business losses exceeded EUR 10 million as small firms faced more telephone scams, business email compromise and invoice fraud. Victims bore most losses because they often authorized transactions or disclosed security information.
The Seychelles Financial Services Authority warned that Fiduciary International Limited and its Fintxpert platform are not known to the authority in any capacity despite claims of Seychelles authorization.
The Bulgarian National Bank clarified that evaluating measures affecting banking, credit and financial stability is part of its institutional mandate and does not constitute political participation. Tax and budget decisions remain with the government and National Assembly, while the central bank must provide its assessments independently of political considerations.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India has consolidated its updated debenture trustee requirements into a new master circular, replacing the August 13, 2025 version. The framework covers trustees’ registration, due diligence, security and covenant monitoring, defaults and other operational obligations, including the October 27, 2026 deadline for segregating activities outside SEBI’s remit.
The Vietnam State Securities Commission has directed five individuals to pay a VND 1 million fee each to complete the securities practitioner certification process. Certificates not collected within one year of the fee notice will be canceled.
The Vietnam State Securities Commission published a HOSE warning about fraudulent investment documents using the exchange’s identity and counterfeit regulatory seals and signatures. Investors should not provide personal, account or one-time password information or transfer funds to unverified parties, and should report suspected fraud to the authorities.
Superintendent Peter Routledge backed a preplanned resolution framework for insurers that become non-viable after a catastrophic earthquake, with governments and Parliament responsible for any federal arrangement. He also reiterated OSFI’s shift toward giving growth and competition greater weight while preserving resilience, citing targeted capital changes, the Domestic Stability Buffer reduction and recognition of catastrophe bonds. Institutions remain responsible for managing risks from artificial intelligence, climate exposures and new risk transfer tools.
The People's Bank of China and seven other authorities issued 19 measures to increase financing for priority and underserved parts of the service sector. Financial institutions are expected to adapt lending to light asset businesses, expand credit and capital markets funding, and improve support for producer and consumer services. The framework also strengthens payments, credit reporting, cross-border settlement and fiscal incentives.
China's National Financial Regulatory Administration and other agencies set priorities for expanding science and technology insurance across the innovation lifecycle, with a focus on major national projects and technology-focused smaller businesses. Risk protection reached CNY 8.7 trillion from January through August 2026, up 66.9%, while more than 60 insurers now participate. Insurers are expected to improve risk services, data and pricing, and direct more long-term capital toward advanced technology.
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission staff reminded registrants and auditors to apply rigorous valuation, disclosure and audit practices to private assets, particularly private credit. Management should use market based assumptions, maintain robust calibration and provide tailored disclosures on valuation uncertainty and portfolio risks. The statement also calls for evidence based assessments of net asset value measurements and persuasive audit evidence.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has appointed David Zervos as a counselor in the Office of the Secretary. Zervos has 35 years of experience spanning global financial markets, macroeconomic analysis and roles at the Federal Reserve Board.
Mexico's Ministry of Finance and Public Credit has updated anti-money laundering registration and reporting forms to strengthen beneficial ownership data and cover new obliged entities and legal arrangements. Registration will be phased in from February 2027, and the new forms, including those for 24-hour notices, will become mandatory on June 1, 2027.
The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission urged brokers to strengthen cyber resilience and controls protecting clients’ assets from technology-enabled scams. More than 600 participants joined regulators, police and industry representatives to discuss emerging threats and prevention measures, against a backdrop of HKD 3.58 billion in online investment scam losses last year.
The Hong Kong Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority and eMPF Platform Company Limited have tightened checks on early MPF withdrawal applications using centralized records across schemes. Claimants may need to produce original documents, while incapacity and terminal illness claims require detailed medical diagnoses and practitioner verification. Suspicious applications will be reported to the police.
The Andorran government has approved a common accounting framework for all insurers domiciled in Andorra. The plan covers asset and liability valuation, annual accounts, reporting models and a sector-specific chart of accounts, and will first apply to the financial year ending Dec. 31, 2027.
CONDUSEF and the University of Guadalajara have launched the first university event leading to the 2026 National Financial Education Week, covering saving, credit, investment, insurance and financial protection. The initiative responds to low formal saving among young adults and high banking complaints in Jalisco. The national event will run from Oct. 15 to 18 in Mexico City, supported by a virtual platform available through March 31, 2027.
The Financial Conduct Authority will open a consultation on September 30 on changes to its Knowledge Base.
The National Bank of Georgia published its September macroeconomic and financial sector reviews, providing updated analytical data on the economy and financial system.
The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic fined four individuals KGS 17,500 each for unlicensed cash foreign currency exchange transactions in Bishkek.
The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic will allow commercial banks to export fit US dollar banknotes until April 1, 2027.
The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic held an event to promote wider professional use of the Kyrgyz language across the financial sector. Discussions emphasized its use in banking technology, digital services and recordkeeping.
The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic briefed senior students in Karakol on QR code payments, money muling and fraud.
The National Bank of Serbia reported that voluntary pension fund net assets rose 4.1% during the second quarter of 2026 to RSD 69.1 billion. Government bonds accounted for 69.8% of assets, while the three largest funds held 80.5% of the market. The sector recorded RSD 1.4 billion in net contributions and a one-year weighted average return of 6.1%.
The Algeria Market Authority’s financial market one stop shop reviewed Batteries ASSAD Algérie’s application to list on the Algiers Stock Exchange and clarified the applicable requirements. The company plans to increase annual production capacity from 400,000 to the equivalent of 1 million batteries through the listing and operational expansion.
South African Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago said tight monetary policy is needed to return inflation to 3% around the end of 2027. He warned that overlapping geopolitical, climate, AI and debt risks could intensify inflation and financial stability pressures. South Africa’s fiscal and market position has improved, but persistently weak growth remains a major constraint.
The National Bank of Ukraine reported that the Financial Stability Council approved revised lending and mortgage strategies focused on priority sectors, including defense, agriculture and energy infrastructure. The council warned that higher corporate income tax for banks reduces resilience and lending capacity, while work on virtual asset regulation continued.
Egyptian Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk called for an expanded AIIB role in financing climate resilient infrastructure tailored to member countries’ priorities. He advocated long term local currency funding, stronger risk sharing and guarantees, and greater private capital mobilization to lower financing and debt servicing costs.
Seven of the 10 National Bank of Ukraine Monetary Policy Committee members present backed raising the key policy rate from 15.5% to 16% as inflation risks shifted upward. Three favored holding the rate amid weakening economic activity, while views on the subsequent path ranged from another increase to possible easing by the end of 2026.
The Spanish National Securities Market Commission has designated the IBEX 35 as a significant benchmark under the revised EU Benchmarks Regulation, preserving enhanced oversight of the index and its administrator. AFI, SERFIEX, BBVA and MIBGAS will leave the European administrator register from Oct. 1, 2026, but supervised entities may continue using their indices.
The Portuguese Insurance and Pension Funds Supervisory Authority’s first insurance mediation report found that intermediaries accounted for more than 92% of premiums issued in 2025 and received EUR 1.475 billion in remuneration. Supervision identified weaknesses in training, submediator controls and the value offered by some credit protection products, while brokers’ aggregate prudential ratios remained above regulatory minimums.
The Italian Institute for Insurance Supervision ordered four websites offering insurance services without authorization to be blocked, taking the total since November 2023 to 403. Blocking may take several days, and consumers were warned against suspicious messaging contacts, prepaid card payments and websites absent from official registers.
The Danish Financial Supervisory Authority has strengthened supervision of highly leveraged mortgage bond funds and banks providing them with repo financing. Some funds have leverage above 20 times investor capital, while the largest funds held DKK 208 billion of mortgage bonds at the end of 2025. Scrutiny will focus on fund liquidity and leverage controls and banks’ management of repo related counterparty, concentration and market risks.
The Arab Monetary Fund convened Arab finance ministers to discuss fiscal policy, artificial intelligence, sustainable infrastructure finance and international tax developments. The meeting also reviewed preliminary findings from a new annual public finance report due in May 2027 and coordinated regional positions ahead of the IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings.
HM Treasury has launched a UK Export Finance pilot offering up to GBP 5 billion in loan guarantees to selected buyers in fast-growing overseas markets. Guarantees will cover up to 80% of a commercial loan, with flexible financing, supplier matchmaking and procurement support designed to increase purchases from British companies.
The French Ministry of the Economy and Finance reported that foreign investment screening filings rose to 418 in 2025, with 167 of 323 authorization decisions falling within the regime. Conditions applied to 49% of authorized investments, while only seven transactions were refused over the past four years. France plans to adapt its framework by the end of 2026 to the revised European Union screening regulation.
The Bank of France finds that rising Chinese imports create concentrated competitive pressure for French producers in automotive products, electrical equipment, metals, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and potentially aeronautics. Overall industrial exposure remains limited, while construction, automotive manufacturing, machinery and agriculture may benefit from lower-cost Chinese inputs.