The National Bank of Moldova reported MDL 5,254 million in new loans for January 2026, with 64.5% allocated to businesses and 35.5% to individuals. The update includes data on loan volumes and nominal interest rates, highlighting that individuals primarily borrowed in Moldovan lei. Statistics are compiled under Instruction No. 331/2016.
The National Bank of Moldova reported that new deposits in January 2026 totalled MDL 24,746 million, with 68.2% from businesses and 31.8% from individuals. MDL time deposits constituted 73% of total time deposits. The data is based on bank reporting under Instruction No. 331/2016.
The National Bank of Moldova reported that in January 2026, cash receipts at banks exceeded disbursements by MDL 96 million. Total cash receipts were MDL 13,079 million, a 6.8% decrease from the previous year, with consumer goods sales comprising 57% of receipts. Cash disbursements totalled MDL 12,983 million, down 3.1% year on year.
The Isle of Man Financial Services Authority issued a warning about fraudulent emails and documents falsely claiming to be from its Enforcement Division, using the @iomfsa.com domain. The scam involves forged Isle of Man High Court documents and fake enforcement actions, with no funds received by victims. The Authority advises recipients to report the fraud to local police and the Isle of Man Cyber Security Centre.
The Central Bank of the Dominican Republic will introduce 2025-series DOP 2,000 banknotes into circulation from 24 February 2026, with existing DOP 2,000 notes remaining legal tender. The new series, procured via an international public tender, maintains the current security features, including watermark, tactile marks, latent image, security thread, microprinting, and the Central Bank’s visual identity logo, and is issued under constitutional and Monetary and Financial Law provisions.
The Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) has published Consultation 01/2026 on a draft circular xx/2026 (WA) outlining its administrative practice on takeover law. The draft circular is intended to clarify how BaFin applies and interprets takeover law requirements.
The Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) has launched a written consultation on a draft circular consolidating its administrative practice under takeover law to simplify procedures and increase transparency, without introducing new requirements for market participants. The circular compiles recurring questions and BaFin’s established positions, including its interpretation of section 35(3) WpÜG, and BaFin plans to publish consultation submissions unless respondents object.
The Central Bank of Brazil announced that BC PROTEGE+, a free tool to prevent identity fraud in account openings, has reached 1 million activations. Available via the Meu BC portal, it allows users to block unauthorized account openings by logging in with a gov.br account at silver or gold level. This initiative enhances control over personal data use in the financial system.
The World Federation of Exchanges published research on extending exchange trading hours, noting benefits depend on coordinated changes in trading, clearing, settlement, and regulatory arrangements. The study maps trading hours across 60 exchanges, noting regional variations and evolving session designs, and reviews US proposals by NYSE Arca, Nasdaq, and Cboe Global Markets. It emphasizes that 24/7 trading is feasible but poses risks like lower liquidity and higher volatility, requiring significant post-trade ecosystem transformations.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced a staff-level agreement with Nepal to complete the final review under the Extended Credit Facility, pending Executive Board approval, unlocking SDR 31.32 million (USD 43.2 million). The review highlighted satisfactory program performance, with most targets met, and emphasized the need for legislative amendments and financial sector reforms. The statement projects FY2025/26 growth at 3 to 3.5 percent, low inflation, and a strengthening external position, while noting financial-sector vulnerabilities, including rising non-performing loans.
The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario appointed Russell White as Chief Information Officer, effective 25 February 2026, to enhance its digital transformation and technology foundation. White, with over 20 years of senior leadership experience, previously served as CIO at the Ontario Securities Commission, focusing on digital transformation and IT modernization.
The Prudential Regulation Authority has issued its final policy on Credit Union Service Organisations, amending the Credit Unions Part of the PRA Rulebook and Supervisory Statement SS2/23 to permit and supervise credit union investments in, and use of, CUSOs. The policy broadens permissible CUSOs, allows joint ownership with non-credit unions, and raises the maximum investment limit from 5% to 7.5% of capital, while setting expectations on due diligence, governance, conflict management, and legal and operational separation to manage prudential risks. SS2/23 is also updated to remove outdated references without altering existing risk management expectations.
India's International Financial Services Centres Authority signed a memorandum of understanding with the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs to cooperate on corporate law, sustainable finance, ESG, and cross-border transactions. The collaboration will include training, knowledge initiatives, and advocacy events to enhance regulatory processes and governance within the International Financial Services Centre.
The Liechtenstein Financial Market Authority has authorized Wyden Capital AG to offer portfolio management services for crypto assets under Article 60(3) of Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 on markets in crypto-assets (MiCAR), effective 12 February 2026.
The Liechtenstein Financial Market Authority (FMA) requires firms to submit the information register under Article 28(3) of the Digital Operational Resilience Act via the FMA’s e‑Service Portal, reflecting data as of 31 December 2025. During submission, the FMA will provide implementation instructions and solutions for validation errors. Post-submission, data quality tests by the European Supervisory Authorities and the FMA may result in cancellations and resubmission requests in April 2026.
Moldova's National Commission for Financial Markets warned about fraudulent online ads misusing public figures' names to promote fake investment platforms like “Harmony Bitspire” and “Nexura AI”. These schemes use misleading marketing and psychological pressure, promising unrealistic returns without proper authorisation. The Commission advises verifying platform authenticity, avoiding sharing personal data, and reporting suspected fraud.
The National Bank of Moldova released a practical guide for the public on safeguarding against scams and enhancing payment card safety. The guide offers recommendations for protection against financial fraud and fraudulent schemes.
The National Bank of Moldova warned against unauthorized use of public institution names, urging reliance on official channels for verification before financial actions. The alert cautions against investment offers promising rapid returns, often on social media, and emphasizes avoiding disclosure of sensitive data. The bank clarified it does not engage in investment proposals or financial transactions and reiterated that cryptocurrency investments are unregulated in Moldova.
The National Bank of Moldova's January 2026 foreign exchange market statistics reveal that net foreign currency supply from individuals covered 90.3% of the demand from economic agents, with both flows declining month on month. The central bank intervened by selling EUR 2.0 million in the interbank market. The EUR/MDL exchange rate increased slightly to 19.8771, with euros comprising 71.9% of individuals' net supply.
The Bank of Greece reported that the December 2025 current account deficit widened by EUR 129.2 million year-on-year to EUR 3.9 billion, while the full-year 2025 deficit narrowed by EUR 2.8 billion to EUR 14.1 billion. The goods deficit increased in December due to rising imports, and the services surplus decreased, though travel receipts improved. Greece's reserve assets rose to EUR 20.3 billion at the end of December 2025, up from EUR 14.6 billion the previous year.
The Banking Agency of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina issued supervisory expectations for banks' conduct in 2026 to support its supervisory measures. The guidance encourages banks to adopt socially responsible policies to bolster economic development and banking sector stability. Further details are available in the document on the agency's website.
The Austria Financial Market Authority (FMA) has introduced a true-crime format, "Cash & Crime," in its "Reden wir über Geld" podcast, debuting with an episode on a WhatsApp investment scam. The episode features FMA investigator Bibiane Kaufmann discussing anonymized fraud cases, highlighting tactics used by scammers and significant financial losses.
The Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority (TIRA) conducted a capacity-building programme for staff to support the implementation of its Quality Management System, aiming for ISO 9001:2015 certification. The training, facilitated by the Tanzania Bureau of Standards, included a self-assessment exam, with successful participants advancing to further audit training.
The Brazilian Pension Funds Authority (PREVIC) clarified media misinterpretations about deficits in Brazil’s closed complementary pension system, reporting a BRL 10.4 billion actuarial surplus for 2025. PREVIC emphasized the cyclical nature of deficits and surpluses, advocating for portfolio diversification and improved investment capabilities in a lower interest-rate environment. It also urged modernizing solvency rules to distinguish between structural and cyclical imbalances, with a proposal under review by the National Council of Complementary Pensions.
The Malaysia Securities Commission announced that the Kuala Lumpur High Court dismissed appeals by Su Eng Kooi and Yap Choong Seong against their convictions and sentences for unlicensed trading in futures contracts and dealing in derivatives. The High Court upheld the Sessions Court's decision, finding no errors and agreeing the sentences were appropriate. A stay of execution was granted pending a final appeal to the Court of Appeal.
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) issued a scam alert about fraudulent websites, fake internet banking login screens, and phishing emails involving The Bank of East Asia, Chong Hing Bank, and Bank Julius Baer. The HKMA stressed that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks for transactions or request sensitive information via phone, email, or SMS. Affected individuals should contact the relevant bank and report to the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force.
The National Bank of Moldova has approved functional and technical requirements for interfaces used by payment service providers offering account management services, as per Executive Committee Decision No. 33. These requirements will take effect on 20 March 2026.
The Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission issued Memorandum Circular No. 9, Series of 2026, detailing the 2026 filing schedule for annual financial statements (AFS) and general information sheets (GIS). Corporations with a 31 December fiscal year-end must file AFS by 29 May via the Electronic Filing and Submission Tool (eFAST), while other fiscal year-ends have a 120-day deadline. GIS must be filed within 30 days of the annual meeting or SEC license anniversary, with specific requirements for different corporation types.
The Philippine SEC issued a cease and desist order against Umeta Credit Lending Corp. for unauthorized platforms and unfair debt collection practices. The order affects the company, its affiliates, and online platforms like Meta Cash and Cash Twig, due to SEC Memorandum Circular violations. Over 300 complaints were received, with some escalated to formal proceedings, framing the order as an interim measure to prevent further borrower harm.
The Central Bank of Brunei Darussalam released the Business Sentiment Index for December 2025, showing a slight rise in business confidence with the Current Business Conditions sub-index at 50.3. Investment expectations are positive, while employment remains slightly negative due to turnover and contract expirations. Transport & Communication and Oil & Gas Related sectors showed the strongest confidence, whereas Health & Education and Other Private Services were weaker.
The Albania Financial Services Authority and the World Bank’s new Country Manager for Albania discussed European integration and financial supervision modernization. Key topics included insurance and pensions sector reforms, IFRS implementation, and supervisory system upgrades. Both parties emphasized aligning Albania's financial legal framework with EU standards and international best practices.
Thailand's SEC filed criminal complaints against Bitazza International, Bitazza Co., and two executives for allegedly operating a digital asset exchange without a licence. The SEC is blocking access to Bitazza Global and issued an investor alert, advising users to secure assets before public access ends on 22 March 2026. The SEC is cooperating with relevant agencies during the investigation and prosecution.
The Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan hosted an event on open banking, highlighting its role in digital transformation and secure data exchange between banks and fintechs. The session reviewed progress, challenges, and opportunities in open banking, with insights from international practices shared by the International Finance Corporation. Participants collaborated on product ideas and use cases with expert guidance.
The Central Bank of Paraguay has published official corporate bond yield curves for Paraguay as a new benchmark for the local capital market. The curves cover zero-coupon and par-yield measures by rating, currency and maturities from six months to 10 years. They will initially be updated monthly.
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan has approved a second phase of reforms to digitise share ownership in unlisted companies by mandating conversion of physical share certificates into electronic holdings in the Central Depository System operated by the Central Depository Company. Unlisted companies must convert physical shares into book-entry form before any share-related transaction, with all subsequent transfers, allotments and corporate actions executed through the Central Depository System under newly approved eligibility, documentation, verification and tariff procedures.
The Central Bank of Russia is consulting on draft rules to let companies make bulk digital ruble payments, including payroll, supplier and contractor disbursements, and related tax payments. The draft also adds a legal framework for cross-border settlements in central bank digital currencies. Pilot participants would test the service first, ahead of broader digital ruble rollout from September 2026.
The Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye (CBRT) will publish a new Household Expectations Survey (HES) to gauge household expectations on inflation, exchange rates, housing prices, and investment tendencies. The HES will replace the Consumer Tendency Survey data for the household 12-month-ahead consumer inflation expectations in the CBRT’s Sectoral Inflation Expectations. Results will be released monthly on the CBRT website.
The Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye will take over publishing Türkiye’s External Debt Statistics from the Ministry of Treasury and Finance, aligning with the residency principle. This involves compiling securities-related external liabilities based on securities holders' residency and discontinuing the "Outstanding Loans Received from Abroad by Private Sector" series. A related revision will affect Balance of Payments Statistics, with interest payments from securities liabilities calculated using a security-based method.
The Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority (Finansinspektionen) is investigating Swedbank's compliance with anti-money laundering requirements, focusing on customer due diligence from December 2023 to November 2025. The authority has highlighted the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing as a supervisory priority for 2026.
Sweden's Finansinspektionen released Q&A guidance on underwriting and placing financial instruments on a firm-commitment basis. The guidance clarifies the characteristics of underwriting activities requiring authorisation, particularly in relation to issuances.
The International Monetary Fund recommends integrating material climate-related risks into existing supervisory frameworks and core financial stability and market integrity mandates. Regulators should align with international standards but avoid using supervisory tools to direct green investment. Emerging market authorities should base priorities and resource allocation on evidence of risk materiality.
Norway's Financial Supervisory Authority's report on KNIF Trygghet Forsikring AS highlights risk management deficiencies as the firm expands into Sweden. It criticizes operational risk assessment, strategic alignment, reliance on deferred tax for capital requirements, and outsourcing governance weaknesses. The authority has requested more documentation and will address payment protection insurance issues separately.
The National Bank of Hungary's Trends in Lending update for 2025 Q4 shows a significant increase in lending, with household loans rising 14.7% and corporate loans up 7.5% year on year. The Home Start loan programme drove a 130% increase in housing loan disbursements, while corporate loan demand improved, particularly for forint and short-term lending. Despite a challenging economic and regulatory environment, banks anticipate increased consumer-loan demand and continued corporate-loan growth, especially among SMEs.
The Argentina Securities Commission (CNV) issued General Resolution No. 1110 to streamline the process for issuers changing their public offering regime, following a public consultation under General Resolution No. 1104. The resolution introduces a simplified application procedure and differentiated requirements to reduce regulatory burdens while maintaining CNV oversight. It mandates compliance with the new regime's requirements and a public tender offer for equity issuers, ensuring transparency and investor protection.
The Argentina Superintendency of Insurance has revoked GALENO ASEGURADORA DE RIESGOS DEL TRABAJO S.A.'s authorization due to a capital deficit exceeding ARS 12.9bn, initiating its dissolution and forced judicial liquidation. The insurer failed to submit a recovery plan after acknowledging its financial incapacity. A general asset freeze is in place, and the Reserve Fund will ensure benefits for workers once judicial liquidation is ordered.
The Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Paraguay unanimously cut the monetary policy rate by 25 basis points to 5.50% on 20 February, bringing cumulative easing since January to 50 basis points, citing moderating inflation, inflation expectations anchored at the 3.5% target, and still-strong economic activity. The Committee said annual inflation was 2.7% in January, projected 2026 GDP growth at 4.2%, and reiterated that the monetary policy stance remains neutral while it monitors domestic and external developments to ensure compliance with the 3.5% target.
The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) released a video explaining the roles of AFCA, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), and the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort (CSLR) for consumers affected by the Shield and First Guardian Master Funds collapse. AFCA handles complaints, assessing if firms acted fairly and complied with obligations, with compensation possible if the firm is solvent. If insolvent, consumers may claim up to AUD 150,000 under the CSLR, while ASIC investigates misconduct and supports consumer guidance initiatives.
The Thailand SEC has filed criminal complaints against Bitazza International Limited, Bitazza Co., Ltd., and their executives for allegedly operating a digital asset exchange without a license. The SEC found Bitazza Global facilitated unlicensed trading and solicited Thai users, leading to executive liability. Measures to block public access to Bitazza Global have been initiated, and users are advised to manage their assets accordingly.
The Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation released “A working woman’s guide to financial wellness,” outlining steps for women to create financial plans and safeguard savings. The guide emphasizes setting clear goals, utilizing tax-advantaged accounts like the First Home Savings Account and Registered Education Savings Plan, and highlights CDIC's protection of eligible deposits up to CAD 100,000 per category. It also advises simplifying money management through automatic transfers and financial planning tools.
The Financial Superintendency of Colombia, with the Superintendence of Companies and the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce, will host the first 2026 "Me informo y cuido mi dinero" event in Ibagué on 26–27 February. The initiative aims to equip the public with tools to prevent fraud, featuring sessions for businesses, students, and the general public. Since 2022, the campaign has engaged nearly 5,000 individuals through events and media outreach.
The British Columbia Securities Commission announced that Critical Reagent Processing Corp. will pay CAD 30,000 for breaching Canadian disclosure standards for mineral projects. The violation involved a 2018 news release on its Lac Aux Bouleaux property in Quebec, omitting essential data verification and quality control details. The company, formerly Graphite Energy Corporation, has no prior regulatory infractions, and current management was not involved at the time.
The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic has proposed amendments to regulatory acts to harmonize the legal framework for traditional and Islamic banking. The draft aims to update credit risk management, collateral monitoring, and capital requirements.
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) fined trade repository REGIS-TR, S.A. EUR 1,374,000 for seven infringements of the European Market Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR) and the Securities Financing Transactions Regulation (SFTR), marking ESMA's first enforcement action involving SFTR breaches. The infringements included serious issues affecting services, such as compromised data confidentiality and inadequate governance and risk management. ESMA ordered REGIS-TR to address ongoing breaches and highlighted negligence as a factor.
The Central Bank of Montenegro (CBCG) is facilitating the implementation of the Law on Consumer Credits, effective since November 2025, through meetings with commercial banks. Key changes include a cap on effective interest rates, elimination of certain fees, stricter creditworthiness assessments, and enhanced consumer protection measures. The CBCG plans ongoing support to ensure consistent application and harmonized market practices.
South Africa's National Treasury has extended the deadline for public comments on the draft General Laws (Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Terrorism Financing) Amendment Bill, 2025 to 2 March 2026. The draft was initially published for a 30-day comment period starting 14 January 2026.
The European Central Bank fined J.P. Morgan SE EUR 12.18 million for misreporting risk-weighted assets, affecting capital ratios and risk assessments. The bank misclassified corporate exposures and excluded certain transactions from credit valuation adjustment risk calculations over several years. The ECB cited serious negligence and deficiencies in internal controls, classifying the breaches as severe and moderately severe.
The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic approved the appointments of Ainura Turdugulova as chief accountant and Gulnara Esenbekovna Sydygalieva as deputy chief accountant at Open Joint Stock Company Capital Bank of Central Asia.
The Angola Capital Markets Commission released the final report from Direct Public Consultation Process No. 1/2024 on draft regulations for the chart of accounts for non-bank financial institutions and collective investment undertakings.
The European Central Bank (ECB) reports broad compliance from banks in managing climate and nature-related risks, with 108 of 110 banks meeting expectations without penalties. Executive Board member Frank Elderson highlighted supervisory simplifications, including streamlined inspections and reports, but noted insufficient progress in risk data aggregation. The ECB is also monitoring synthetic risk transfers and seeks clarity on implementing the Fundamental Review of the Trading Book.
Japan's Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission filed a criminal complaint alleging insider trading in Makino Milling Co., Ltd. shares, involving three suspects from Mita Securities Co., Ltd. The suspects allegedly purchased 329,100 shares using non-public information about a tender offer, violating the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act, with potential penalties of up to five years' imprisonment or a JPY 5 million fine.
The European Securities and Markets Authority and National Competent Authorities have agreed on deferrals to the Markets in Financial Instruments Regulation for sovereign bonds, allowing delayed volume disclosure for certain trades. Excluding the National Bank of Slovakia, this permits omission of traded volume publication for medium-sized trades on liquid sovereign bonds in Group 1 until the end of the trading day. The deferrals start on 4 May 2026, with concerns about the short lead time for trading venues and firms.
The Central Bank of Cyprus is launching a public outreach initiative to gather citizens' views on savings and investment, culminating in a roundtable event titled “Financial Literacy for Life – European Citizens’ Dialogue” on 26 March 2026. A short survey will be conducted at selected sites and online to inform targeted financial education actions. Key figures, including the Commissioner for Financial Services and the Central Bank Governor, will feature, and the event will be livestreamed on YouTube.
Mexico’s Ministry of Finance, with US authorities, expanded account-blocking measures for a timeshare fraud linked to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. The Financial Intelligence Unit added six individuals and one entity to Mexico’s Blocked Persons List, complementing the US Office of Foreign Assets Control's designation of 24 subjects. Complaints were filed for alleged money laundering, aligning with Mexico’s legal framework and Financial Action Task Force standards.
The Central Bank of Brazil detailed its approach to virtual assets, distinguishing between cryptoassets and virtual assets per Brazilian law. The framework, based on BCB Resolutions 519 and 520, aligns with Financial Action Task Force recommendations, assigning regulatory authority over virtual assets to the Central Bank, while tokenised transactions under specific laws fall under the Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Kuwait Capital Markets Authority has referred a case to the Attorney General concerning a company's non-compliance with a final disciplinary decision under Article 127 of Law No. 7 of 2010. The case involves a listed company on Boursa Kuwait and its board directors failing to pay a fine prescribed by Decision No. 36/2025, despite being notified on 12 November 2025.
The Ministry of National Economy and Finance (Greece) launched an electronic platform for issuing a "Certificate of classification of borrowers with performing debts in Swiss francs" to facilitate conversion into EUR under Law 5264/2025. Borrowers are classified into four categories, each offering different conversion rates and fixed interest terms, with special provisions for those with disabilities. Applications are submitted online, and the ministry provides support through the myEGDIXlive service and a Q&A guide on the debt settlement framework.
The Angola Capital Markets Commission participated in a financial inclusion workshop in Luanda, focusing on responsible investment and investor protection for former combatants and veterans. The event, themed “Bongo, Kukole, Kuvanga e Vuluza: Dinheiro é Poupar, Investir e Proteger”, aimed to enhance financial literacy and access to formal financial services.
The Angola Capital Markets Commission joined a financial literacy workshop in Bengo province on 13 February 2026, focusing on business creation and management for young entrepreneurs. Contributions from the Angola Financial Literacy Academy and Banco de Comércio e Indústria emphasized financial inclusion and digital payment expansion. The event involved 309 young entrepreneurs and featured banks and payment service providers.
The Payment Systems Regulator fined Bank of Ireland UK plc GBP 3,779,300 for failing to implement Confirmation of Payee by the deadline for Group 1 payment service providers. BOIUK's delay resulted in over 1.14 million transactions without CoP checks, totaling approximately GBP 6.9bn. The bank settled early, receiving a 30% discount on the original GBP 5.4m penalty.
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) is consulting on amendments to its Market Abuse Regulation guidelines to align with the Listing Act's revised disclosure regime. Key proposals include removing immediate disclosure requirements for protracted processes and adding legitimate interests for delay, such as public authority requests and the need for more information. ESMA also suggests deleting the guideline on the "no misleading the public" condition.
ECB Executive Board member Piero Cipollone advocated for a digital euro to complement cash and reduce reliance on non-European payment providers, emphasizing the need for a robust legal framework. The digital euro would feature universal acceptance, free basic use, and privacy safeguards, with banks distributing it and holding limits applied. Cipollone noted the ECB's plans for a pilot exercise and highlighted ongoing work on wholesale and cross-border payments, including the Pontes initiative.
The European Central Bank released research titled “Consumption and saving amid uncertainty: recent insights from the CES”, examining consumption and saving behaviour in uncertain conditions.
The European Central Bank published a research paper analyzing the temporal variability of reserve elasticity in euro area money market rates.
The Bank of Italy published updated statistics on the Balance of Payments and International Investment Position, reflecting data as of December 2025.
France's Financial Markets Authority (AMF) has instructed Euronext to suspend trading in RAPID NUTRITION shares due to potential price manipulation linked to a "pump and dump" scheme. The suspension is effective from 19 February to 13 March 2026, pending further market information. The AMF advises investors to retain evidence of transactions and submit it via the Epargne Info Service channel.
The Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) has released Information Sheet 295 detailing its regulatory approach for employee entitlement schemes under the Corporations Act 2001, effective 1 April 2026, including a transition to Australian financial services (AFS) licensing. The sheet outlines transitional relief, the AFS licence application process, and ongoing obligations. ASIC plans to introduce a new legislative instrument in March 2026, providing further relief and will consult with scheme operators before finalization.
The Cyprus Ministry of Finance announced legislation to privatize the Cyprus Stock Exchange and transfer Central Depository and Securities Registry duties to a strategic investor. The law ensures operational continuity and public interest protection during the transition, as part of broader capital market modernization. It includes provisions for CSE staff transfers or compensation under an early retirement plan, safeguarding labor rights.
The Central Bank of Peru reported a trade balance surplus of USD 34,573 million in 2025, an increase of USD 10,271 million from 2024, driven by a 21.8% rise in exports. Export prices rose 16.7%, with significant increases in gold and copper prices, while export volumes grew 4.4% due to higher outputs in fruits, cocoa, fishing, and metals. In December 2025, the trade balance surplus was USD 3,999 million, with exports up 33.5% and imports up 16.4% year-on-year.
The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario reported a rise in workplace pension plan membership by approximately 200,000 in 2025, with defined contribution plan participation increasing by 9%. Despite this growth, FSRA research indicates many Ontarians are not adequately preparing for retirement, with 80% lacking a fully developed retirement plan and 50% not reading their annual pension statements. FSRA encourages reviewing pension statements, using online tools, consulting financial professionals, and updating retirement plans.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury released an Artificial Intelligence Lexicon and the Financial Services AI Risk Management Framework to guide AI use in the financial sector, supporting the President’s AI Action Plan. The Lexicon standardizes AI terminology, while the Framework adapts the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s AI Risk Management Framework for financial services. These resources are part of broader efforts by the Artificial Intelligence Executive Oversight Group to address AI-related issues like identity, fraud, and data practices.
The U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission's Division of Trading and Markets issued an FAQ on the treatment of payment stablecoins under the broker-dealer net capital rule, allowing a 2% haircut on proprietary positions. Commissioner Hester M. Peirce supported this approach, noting it aligns with reserve-backed stablecoins and invited feedback on potential rule modifications for SEC-registered entities.
The Federal Reserve Board will conduct a hybrid public outreach meeting on March 26, 2026, as part of its Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act review. The meeting will gather stakeholder input on regulations affecting Board-supervised institutions, covering areas such as consumer protection, money laundering, and the Community Reinvestment Act. The session will be held in Washington, D.C., and livestreamed.
MONEYVAL published its evaluation of Latvia's AML/CFT/CPF system, noting strong performance and progress since the last review, but highlighting gaps in risk-based supervision of the non-financial sector. The report commends Latvia's understanding of money laundering and terrorist financing risks, effective international cooperation, and robust beneficial ownership transparency. However, it calls for improved risk assessment by the State Revenue Service and the Latvian Council of Sworn Advocates, and notes delays in asset recovery processes.
The Bank of Uganda has named Absa Bank Uganda the best performing primary dealer market maker in Uganda Government Securities for October 2024 to September 2025. It cited the bank’s performance in primary auctions, secondary market quoting, interbank trading, and support for market liquidity and price discovery.
The Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) issued an alert about market communications on Dubai’s Real Estate Tokenisation Pilot, emphasizing that tokenised real estate offerings need regulatory approval. The pilot is in a controlled testing phase, focusing on secondary-market mechanisms and future expansion. VARA warned against unauthorized promotional claims and advised relying on official communications and verification through VARA’s Public Register.
Senate Banking Committee Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren urged Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to confirm they won't use taxpayer-backed tools to support Bitcoin or crypto intermediaries after Bitcoin's crash. Warren highlighted potential misuse of the Treasury’s Exchange Stabilization Fund and the Federal Reserve’s Section 13(3) facilities, emphasizing intervention would benefit wealthy crypto investors and called for stronger protections for retail investors amid significant crypto scam losses.
The Bermuda Monetary Authority has launched an initiative to streamline insurance supervision by reducing cost, duplication and administrative friction in reporting, filings and supervisory interactions, while maintaining prudential standards and supervisory effectiveness. Measures include consolidating regulatory returns, harmonising definitions, expanding use of a common data dictionary, enhancing pre-submission validation and making its secure electronic portal the primary channel for applications, notifications, document uploads and supervisory communications.
The British Columbia Financial Services Authority (BCFSA) issued a release for Pension Awareness Day, urging young and new employees to engage with workplace pension plans and maximize employer matching. The release highlights practical steps for optimizing pensions and refers to the 2025 Report on Pension Plans Key Highlights for further information. BCFSA regulates over 600 pension plans in British Columbia.
The Canadian Securities Administrators have finalized amendments to Multilateral Instrument 25-102 to enhance assurance report requirements for designated benchmarks. The changes specify the level and timing of assurance reports and introduce new requirements for non-commodity, non-critical, and non-interest rate benchmarks. These amendments are set to take effect on May 5, 2026, pending ministerial approvals.
The Luxembourg Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier reported a 0.32% monthly increase in total net assets for Luxembourg UCIs, reaching EUR 6,199.370 billion by end-December 2025. The increase was driven by net capital investment despite a negative financial market impact. The report also noted changes in UCI listings and highlighted market trends, including US Federal Reserve rate cuts and stable European Central Bank rates.
The Thailand Office of Insurance Commission conducted a hybrid "OIC Cyber Awareness 2026" training to enhance cybersecurity and personal data protection awareness among staff. The program addressed recent online-crime losses exceeding THB 95 billion, prevalent scam types, and strategies to counter AI-driven threats, including "human in the loop" checks to mitigate deepfake risks.
The British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission commenced its 2026 "Meet the Regulator" forums, with over 200 participants attending the initial session in Tortola. Key discussions focused on beneficial ownership implementation, economic substance filings, and upcoming regulatory reforms. Additional sessions are scheduled in Panama, London, and Hong Kong.
Bermuda’s Ministry of Finance summarized the Financial Policy Council’s thirtieth meeting, focusing on economic performance, financial stability risks, and resilience in the international life (re)insurance sector. Discussions included the 2025 Fiscal Responsibility Panel assessment, GDP, Balance of Payments, employment data, and stress test results showing resilience to a 2008-like crisis. Efforts to improve recovery and resolution planning for banking and insurance, and preparations for an AML/CFT assessment by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force, were also reviewed.
The National Bank of Moldova hosted a workshop with regulators and financial-sector participants to enhance risk-based customer due diligence in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing. The event aimed to align AML/CFT measures with EU directives and Financial Action Task Force principles, ensuring financial integrity while maintaining access for legitimate customers. This initiative is part of the EU and Council of Europe Partnership for Good Governance programme.
Latvia's Finance Minister Arvils Ašeradens will visit Warsaw for discussions with Polish counterparts on bilateral economic cooperation, financial-sector development, and regional security. Meetings will focus on financial innovation, digital services, energy independence, and macroeconomic challenges, including strategic conditions for Polish banks' expansion in the Baltic region.
Sweden's Riksbank has made operational changes to help banks manage liquidity as the system's surplus declines due to reduced securities holdings. The Riksbank will increase transparency by shortening the resale notification window for Riksbank certificates and promptly publishing resale information. It will also provide data on expected central bank liquidity for long-term planning, with updated loan terms for Riksbank Certificates effective 24 February 2026.
The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission's quarterly bulletin for Q3 2025 shows a 7.5% increase in assets under management (AUM) to EUR 11.4bn, despite a decrease in the number of supervised entities to 312. AUM was primarily managed by alternative investment fund managers (63%), with significant investments in private equity and real estate.
Frank Elderson, Vice-Chair of the ECB’s Supervisory Board, stated that ECB Banking Supervision has enabled banks to manage climate and nature-related risks without penalties, while maintaining an "escalation ladder" for those lagging in risk data aggregation and reporting. He highlighted a supervisory process starting in 2020, with most banks meeting the 2024 risk management milestone. Elderson also noted ongoing supervisory simplification efforts and flagged concerns over synthetic risk transfers and the implementation of the Fundamental Review of the Trading Book in Europe.
The European Central Bank Banking Supervision fined J.P. Morgan SE EUR 12.18 million for incorrectly reporting risk-weighted assets, leading to misstated capital requirements and ratios. The bank misclassified corporate exposures, applied incorrect credit risk weights over 15 quarters, and excluded certain transactions in credit valuation adjustment risk calculations over 21 quarters. The breaches, linked to serious negligence in internal processes, are classified as "severe" and "moderately severe." J.P. Morgan SE may appeal the decision.
The Central Bank of Brazil released the December 2025 Economic Activity Index (IBC-Br), offering updated insights into Brazil's economic activity.