The Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan's Chairman, Timur Ishmetov, engaged in a dialogue with entrepreneurs in Karakalpakstan to address banking and financial-sector challenges, including financial service shortcomings. A roadmap will be developed to address the proposals and issues raised.
The Czech National Bank (CNB) issued the first six authorizations for crypto-asset service providers under the EU Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) from 248 applications, with further applications to be processed within statutory deadlines. Acting as the competent authority since February 2025, the CNB emphasizes that authorization does not guarantee investment safety and focuses on risk management, internal controls, and organizational arrangements, utilizing AI tools to manage high application volumes.
The Central Bank of Brazil launched the Geotec project, funded by Germany–Brazil Cooperation, to enhance monitoring of rural credit operations and the Agricultural Activity Guarantee Programme using geotechnologies and satellite imagery. It aims to improve risk assessment and oversight efficiency by employing remote sensing and cross-referencing financial and territorial data.
The Angola Capital Markets Commission approved the registration of ALPHA 1, a private-subscription venture capital fund managed by KASSAI CAPITAL – SGOIC, S.A., with Banco de Negócios Internacional, S.A. as the depositary. The fund will invest in equity and debt instruments, provide shareholder loans, and engage in financial operations related to its investment activities.
The Bank of Italy released updated statistics on international tourism in Italy, incorporating data up to November 2025 from surveys of resident and non-resident travelers at various border crossings and international ports and airports.
Ireland's Department of Finance enacted the Credit Review Bill, establishing the Credit Review Service as an independent body for SMEs and farmers denied bank credit. The Act allows future extension to non-bank lenders, with the Service reviewing declined credit applications up to EUR 3 million and issuing non-binding recommendations to banks.
The Central Bank of Cyprus released January 2026 statistics for the Central Information Repository.
The European Central Bank published an interview with Supervisory Board member George Ioannou on Cyprus's banking recovery since the 2013 crisis, highlighting improved asset quality and efforts to tighten non-performing loan (NPL) supervisory frameworks. It notes the Central Bank of Cyprus's pioneering LSI provisioning calendar and emphasizes the need for robust cross-border cooperation and completion of the banking union amid increased merger and acquisition activity.
The European Central Bank's working paper highlights that higher catastrophe insurance coverage mitigates GDP impacts from climate-related disasters, warning that declining coverage could exacerbate future losses. It underscores a significant climate insurance protection gap in the European Union and suggests policy measures to enhance insurance penetration and resilience solutions.
The European Central Bank's working paper highlights that EU economies invest less in high-tech sectors than the U.S. due to institutional governance and regulatory burdens, suggesting reforms could narrow this gap. The study uses indices to measure institutional and regulatory quality, estimating potential increases in high-tech and AI-intensive sector investments if EU countries improve their indicators to the EU frontier.
The Belgium Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA) has issued a warning about 40 unauthorized lenders promoting fraudulent credit schemes online, often involving unsolicited offers with unusually favorable terms and upfront fees, which result in financial loss for consumers. The FSMA advises verifying lender authorization and being cautious of offers that require payments before credit is granted.
The European Central Bank updated its wage tracker, indicating negotiated wage growth should level off below 3% by end-2026, with a revised headline reading of 3.2% for 2025 and 2.4% for 2026. The tracker, which smooths one-off payments, shows less cross-country wage pressure dispersion in 2026, and the forward-looking horizon will extend to Q1 2027 in the July 2026 release.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) released PS26/1, detailing final rules to regulate Deferred Payment Credit (DPC) products under the FCA consumer credit regime from 15 July 2026. The framework includes conduct, creditworthiness, and reporting requirements for DPC lenders, while merchants brokering DPC agreements remain exempt. Firms must register for the Temporary Permissions Regime by 1 July 2026 to continue offering DPC post-Regulation Day.
The European Central Bank has appointed Thomas Broeng Jorgensen as Director General for Specialised Institutions and Less Significant Institutions, effective 1 March 2026, succeeding Patrick Amis. Jorgensen, who joined the ECB in 2014, has been Deputy Director General for the supervision of systemic and international banks since 2021.
The British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission published its Q4 2025 Statistical Bulletin and announced in-person events for February 2026, including "Meet The Regulator" sessions in the British Virgin Islands and Panama, and a roundtable in London.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has banned Melbourne-based financial adviser Neil McPherson for four years, effective 5 February 2026, for providing inappropriate advice and recommending high-risk investments. ASIC found him not fit and proper, and clients of MWL Financial Services Pty Ltd are advised to lodge complaints with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority by 25 August 2026.
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) is intensifying supervision across banking, insurance, and superannuation due to geopolitical, cyber, and operational risks, and household leverage concerns. Key actions include a cap on high debt-to-income home lending, targeted cybersecurity measures for superannuation trustees, and enforcement actions in superannuation and banking, with further steps planned in climate vulnerability assessment and bank prudential framework consultations.
The Ontario Securities Commission appointed Jeff Allsop, Rick Byers, Deborah Starkman, and Georgia Woods to its Board of Directors for two-year terms, emphasizing their diverse expertise in financial services, capital markets, technology, and digital transformation. Board Chair Kevan Cowan and CEO Grant Vingoe highlighted the importance of their backgrounds and strong corporate governance amid global economic challenges.
The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) proposed a rule to establish an approval framework for applicants to become permitted payment stablecoin issuers under the GENIUS Act, aiming to meet the July 18 congressional deadline. The proposal is open for public comment until April 13, 2026, and further details are available on NCUA's Financial Technology and Digital Assets Resource Page.
The Oklahoma City Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City reports a historic hiring slowdown in Oklahoma, driven by demand-related constraints and economic uncertainty, while unemployment remains low. The analysis attributes the slowdown to business cycle factors rather than structural changes, with limited use of artificial intelligence as a hiring substitute.
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York's updated report on the Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) sector reveals a 3% asset decline and a 6% reduction in the number of institutions from Q4 2023 to Q2 2025, primarily due to fewer CDFI-certified credit unions. As of Q2 2025, 1,378 certified CDFIs held USD 446 billion in assets, with credit unions comprising 62% of this total.
The Securities & Exchange Commission of Zimbabwe cancelled the investment adviser licences of Nolands Advisory Services Private Limited and Pax Prosperitas Advisory Private Limited following voluntary surrender. Both cancellations took effect on Jan. 13, 2026.
The U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs minority released a statement from Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren and responses from Lieutenant General Joshua Rudd, nominee to lead U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency, highlighting concerns over China's pursuit of advanced American AI chips for military use. Warren emphasized efforts to tighten export controls, including the bipartisan GAIN AI Act and oversight actions under the Export Control Reform Act, to prioritize U.S. buyers and restrict exports.
The National Futures Association (NFA) has ordered Spartan Asset Group LLC to withdraw from membership following allegations of using deficient promotional material, violating NFA Compliance Rules 2-29 and 2-4. The order was issued by an NFA Hearing Panel after a complaint by the Business Conduct Committee and a settlement offer from Spartan.
The New York State Department of Financial Services outlined Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposals to lower auto insurance costs in New York, focusing on anti-fraud measures, liability reforms, and litigation threshold adjustments. Key initiatives include enhancing fraud prevention, expanding prosecutorial powers, revising damages and liability rules, and requiring insurers to notify policyholders of rate changes and offer discounts for safe driving.
The European Banking Federation has urged European Council President António Costa to expedite financial sector simplification, emphasizing the need for a coherent regulatory framework to enhance banks' capital deployment and support strategic growth. The letter, sent ahead of the EU leaders’ retreat, highlights the role of Europe’s bank-financed economy in funding innovation, sustainability, and security, while maintaining financial stability.
The Central Bank of Libya said its 2025 polymer 20-dinar banknote won the regional award for Best Banknote Designed and Printed in 2025 at the High-Security Printing Forum in Rabat.
Payments Canada released its 2026 Q1 update on the Real-Time Rail (RTR) project, highlighting progress in real-time payments and ongoing testing phases, including user acceptance, performance, security, and resilience testing. The update also notes the onboarding of new payment service providers and the expansion of an always-on environment with centralized fraud capabilities.
The Luxembourg CSSF has issued instructions for the 2026 submission of the DORA register, covering ICT service arrangements for entities not under ECB supervision. Third-country branches must submit their register by 31 December 2025 via the CSSF’s eDesk Portal, with validation checks on additional data fields. Entities are advised to submit early for corrections.
SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins, in testimony before the U.S. House Financial Services Committee, outlined plans to streamline public-company reporting, develop a federal framework for crypto markets, and refocus enforcement on fraud and investor harm. He highlighted a comprehensive review of the Consolidated Audit Trail, supported the CLARITY Act for digital assets, and noted significant cost reductions in the CAT and PCAOB budgets.
The Bank of the Lao co-chaired the 51st ASEAN Working Committee on Capital Account Liberalization meeting with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in Bohol, Philippines. Representatives from 11 ASEAN countries discussed regional capital flow conditions, regulatory updates to facilitate cross-border movements, and promoting local currencies for intra-ASEAN trade. The meeting's outcomes aim to enhance regional cooperation.
The National Bank of Moldova has outlined its supervisory priorities for 2026–2027 for the non-bank lending sector, focusing on regulatory compliance, risk management, data quality, and anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CFT) controls. The programme emphasizes responsible lending, governance, credit and liquidity risk, and enhanced AML/CFT measures, with potential adjustments based on the sector's evolving risk profile.
The European Systemic Risk Board published a paper on borrower-based measures (BBMs) for commercial real estate (CRE) lending to mitigate systemic risk. It suggests firm-level constraints on debt service and interest coverage ratios, aggregate indebtedness, and loan-to-value limits, alongside capital-based tools, to limit high-risk borrowing and reduce regulatory leakage. The paper aligns with ESRB Recommendation ESRB/2022/9 D, emphasizing national authorities' role in defining and activating measures.
The Treasury of the Isle of Man corrected an entry on the UK Sanctions List under the Russia sanctions regime, specifically regarding the vessel LUNAR TIDE, which remains under shipping sanctions. The update involved removing a "current believed flag" entry and updating the "last updated" field to 10 February 2026, while reiterating compliance expectations for sanctions list matches.
The National Bank of Ethiopia revised its Foreign Exchange Directive (FXD/04/2026), easing current account restrictions and expanding foreign exchange account usage. Amendments allow service exporters to retain 100% of export proceeds indefinitely, enable banks to issue internationally recognized cards for outbound retail payments, and permit various personal and institutional foreign exchange transactions. Additional measures ease requirements for foreign exchange bureaus, outbound investments, and remittances, shifting certain approvals to authorized banks.
The Ukraine National Commission on Securities and Stock Market issued decisions affecting capital market participants, including sanctions on FREEDOM FINANCE UKRAINE LLC, a financial recovery plan for AMC TERSIN, and registration outcomes for issuers. Key actions involved bond decisions, termination of LLC MUNICIPAL FUND's license, and acquisition approval for LLC AMC INVESTMENT GROUP PROMETEY.
The Ukraine National Commission on Securities and Stock Market outlined its 2026–2027 priorities to enhance domestic capital markets, focusing on diversifying exchange-traded instruments, improving liquidity, and attracting new issuers. Key initiatives include developing a municipal bond market, advancing virtual assets legislation, introducing a funded pension system, and creating an infrastructure holding company, with collaboration with national and international stakeholders.
Sweden's Riksbank, via a 25-year SIDA-funded programme, aids developing countries' central banks in electronic payments, inflation-targeting, and financial stability. Current projects involve Ethiopia, Rwanda, Ukraine, and the Palestinian Monetary Authority. The programme stresses independent, transparent central banks for low inflation and economic stability.
The Angola Insurance Authority (ARSEG) and the Angolan Venture Capital Fund (FACRA) signed a cooperation protocol to support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and increase insurance penetration. The agreement establishes a strategic framework to promote insurance culture among MSMEs, ensure compliance with Decree No. 53/05, and enhance policyholder protection through coordinated awareness, information sharing, and cooperation.
The Central Bank of Colombia released its Credit Situation Report for December 2025, detailing lenders' perceptions of credit supply, demand, and access, with a focus on microcredit outside the main supervised perimeter. The report includes an analysis of microcredit among unsupervised entities, portfolio quality, financial risks, and recent loan modification trends.
ECB Supervisory Board Chair Claudia Buch stressed improved cooperation with the European Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) to integrate money laundering and terrorist financing risks into prudential supervision. The ECB will focus on coordinated planning and information exchange, with AMLA taking direct supervisory roles for higher-risk institutions from 2028. The ECB's reform agenda aims to enhance supervision effectiveness, including developing suptech tools and aligning with IMF recommendations.
The European Central Bank Banking Supervision updated its benchmarking report on non-executive directors' time commitment across the Single Supervisory Mechanism, based on assessments from 2022 to 2025. The report highlights increased declared time spent on roles and board meetings compared to 2019, with persistent concerns about overstretched directors. It does not set new requirements but emphasizes ongoing scrutiny of time commitments in governance supervision.
The Czech National Bank (CNB) has issued its first six authorisations to crypto-asset service providers under the EU Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), from 248 applications. MiCA licensing, under CNB's remit since February 2025, requires applicants to be legal entities and assesses risk management and internal controls. Authorised entities will be added to the CNB's regulated list once decisions are final.
The Bank for International Settlements Financial Stability Institute released FSI Insights No 72, highlighting intensified resourcing challenges for insurance supervision as mandates expand and become more risk-based and technology-driven. Based on a survey of 23 insurance supervisors, the report emphasizes the need for stable funding models and addresses public sector constraints, noting that most authorities foresee increased headcount and budget requirements over the next three years.
The Bank of Albania reported on a meeting led by the Ministry of Finance to assess Albania’s Sovereign Guarantee Scheme and MSME Financing Programme, focusing on enhancing access to finance for farmers and agricultural businesses. Discussions addressed credit transmission, operational challenges, and financial stability. Governor Gent Sejko emphasized the central bank's role, while banks noted increased uptake and ongoing application assessments.
The U.S. Financial Services Committee held an oversight hearing with SEC Chairman Paul Atkins, focusing on the SEC's recent direction and alignment with its statutory mission. Chairman French Hill criticized previous SEC leadership for increasing compliance burdens and praised Atkins for reversing rulemakings that hindered capital formation, while also discussing digital asset regulation and internal reforms.
The International Monetary Fund released a South Africa "Selected Issues" report addressing employment, unemployment, wages, income inequality, labour, and national accounts.
The IMF's Executive Board concluded its 2025 Article IV consultation with South Africa, noting resilience despite structural constraints and rising public debt, with GDP growth projected at 1.3% in 2025 and 1.4% in 2026. The Board emphasized coordinated policies for fiscal sustainability, inflation control, and financial stability, highlighting fiscal consolidation, a new 3% inflation target, financial stability reforms, and structural reforms in electricity, logistics, and governance.
The International Monetary Fund's 2025 Article IV consultation with South Africa highlights the economy's resilience amid global turbulence, supported by natural resources and strong institutions, but notes persistent challenges such as structural rigidities, inadequate infrastructure, governance issues, and rising public debt.
The International Association of Insurance Supervisors and the Bank for International Settlements’ Financial Stability Institute released a joint note on insurance supervisory resources, highlighting the importance of adequate human and financial resources for effective supervision amid evolving market conditions. Based on a survey of 23 insurance supervisory authorities, the note stresses efficient resource deployment and anticipates future pressures as supervisory mandates expand.
The Bank for International Settlements released a working paper on lending to financially vulnerable Korean households, noting "zombie borrowers" with high debt service ratios show persistent borrowing and weaker consumption growth, especially when interest rates rise. Non-bank financial institutions contribute to evergreen-like dynamics, with zombie borrowers showing limited responsiveness to house price gains and significantly lower future consumption growth at the city level.
The European Banking Federation responded to the European Banking Authority's consultation on revised Guidelines for the supervisory review and evaluation process and stress testing, supporting streamlined supervision but criticizing the draft for focusing too much on process over risk materiality. The federation advocated for risk-based assessments tailored to banks' business models, reduced supervisory burdens, and greater transparency in determining Pillar 2 requirements relative to Pillar 1.
The UK Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee released a report on benefit fraud and error for 2024-25, criticizing the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for not detailing its use of expanded powers to obtain bank information and recover funds. The report highlights persistent carer’s allowance overpayments and challenges the DWP's target to reduce benefit overpayments, totaling GBP 9.5bn, to 2.8% by 2028-29. It calls for action on rising underpayments and overpayments due to errors and urges the DWP to improve claimant reporting of changes in circumstances.
Dubai International Financial Centre announced that payments infrastructure provider Juspay has established its regional headquarters in DIFC to expand into the Middle East, focusing on enterprise merchants, banks, and financial institutions. Juspay aims to address payment complexities in the GCC with its unified payments platform, leveraging DIFC's regulatory environment and infrastructure.
The Central Bank of Bolivia has revoked four powers of attorney, nullifying the related notarial documents under its authorised signatures framework, in accordance with Article 16(II) of the Regulation on Authorised Signatures and Article 76(II) of Supreme Decree No. 2189.
The Bank of Israel's 2025 Household Satisfaction Survey reveals stable willingness to recommend banks at 56%, but a decline in perceived fairness to 58% from 61%. Digital channel usage remains high, with 91% of respondents using them primarily, while satisfaction with bank apps and websites is at 89%. The survey also notes stable satisfaction with credit card companies, though perceived fairness fell to 59% from 61%.
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan approved Jazz International Holding Limited's acquisition of a controlling stake in TPL Insurance Limited, highlighting the transaction as a boost for foreign direct investment and insurance penetration. The SECP emphasized adherence to corporate governance and management standards, aligning the approval with structural reforms and its new regulatory framework for digital insurers.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India issued a circular establishing a capacity planning and real-time performance monitoring framework for the commodity derivatives segment, requiring stock exchanges and clearing corporations to submit an approved policy within three months. The framework mandates immediate action if capacity utilization exceeds 75% and supersedes previous guidelines, with requirements effective three months from issuance.
The Slovenia Insurance Supervision Agency released an explainer on the second pension pillar, emphasizing its growing importance as a complement to the first pillar due to demographic challenges. It outlines the structure and incentives of the second pillar, including mandatory and voluntary pension insurance options, tax reliefs, and diversified investment strategies, highlighting the need for funded savings to sustain retirement income.
The National Bank of Serbia reported an increase in gross foreign reserve assets to EUR 29,396.7 million at the end of January, covering 167.6% of the M1 money supply and 6.8 months of imports. Net foreign exchange reserves rose to EUR 24,954.6 million, with positive net market effects driven by a 15.6% rise in the dollar gold price, while interbank FX trading volume decreased, and the dinar depreciated by 0.1% against the euro.
The Luxembourg Insurance Commission published its fourth quarter 2025 press communiqué detailing quarterly indicators for the insurance sector.
The Isle of Man Financial Services Authority published its quarterly Funds Bulletin, offering aggregate data on the Isle of Man funds sector as of 31 December 2025.
The Isle of Man Financial Services Authority announced a sanctions update, directing firms to new information on Sudan and Russia sanctions regimes from the Isle of Man Treasury, Customs and Immigration Division, and provided resources for ongoing updates.
The Isle of Man Financial Services Authority announced two industry events to enhance engagement on financial crime, including a March forum on the updated National Risk Assessment and an August Countering Financial Crime Conference. These events aim to guide firms in aligning their risk assessments with the NRA findings and will feature presentations and discussions on best practices for combating financial crime.
The Guernsey Financial Services Commission issued a Myanmar sanctions notice confirming a correction to the UK sanctions list entry for Sky One Construction Company Ltd, which remains under an asset freeze and Director Disqualification Sanction. Businesses must check for relationships with designated entities, freeze relevant assets, and report to the States of Guernsey Policy & Resources Committee and the Commission, as per the Sanctions (Implementation of UK Regimes) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Brexit) Regulations, 2020.
The Guernsey Financial Services Commission issued a Russia sanctions notice updating the specification for the ship LUNAR TIDE, which remains under UK shipping sanctions, and emphasized compliance with the UK Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 as applied in Guernsey. Businesses must review connections to the vessel, adhere to reporting obligations, and notify the Commission of any affected relationships.
The Hellenic Capital Market Commission issued licensing and authorization decisions, including a partial revocation of Orilina Properties REIC's Alternative Investment Fund Manager (AIFM) authorization, an extension for Infinity Asset Management to provide portfolio management, and approval for EOS Global Investors AIFM to market its fund to professional investors.
Georgia’s National Bank Monetary Policy Committee on 11 February 2026 kept the refinancing rate at 8.0 percent, judging the current “moderately tight” stance appropriate as January headline inflation was 4.8 percent, core 2.1 percent, and demand pressures are easing. The NBG expects inflation to average 3.7 percent this year and return to its 3 percent target from Q2, projects GDP growth around 5 percent, and stressed data-dependent policy with readiness to tighten if global commodity shocks lift prices.
Iceland's Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs is consulting on amending legal provisions to ease investment limits for pension funds, while maintaining the 2016 framework and emphasizing the "prudent person" rule in Article 36 of Act No. 129/1997. Proposed amendments also address pension fund operations, internal control, and internal audit.
The Central Bank of Russia recommended credit institutions facilitate the process for individuals to refuse fraudulent fund transfers and return money to victims, enhancing interaction with customers in the regulator’s fraud database. Banks should accept refusal applications through various channels and return fraudulent amounts to the payer’s bank, which will credit the victim’s account and report to the Central Bank.
The Brazilian Superintendence of Private Insurance (SUSEP) has released its 2026 Regulatory Plan, detailing priorities for the insurance and reinsurance sector. Key areas include catastrophe insurance studies, universal life insurance rules, mutualistic property protection regulation, and a new sanctioning regime. The plan also emphasizes reviewing the Regulatory Sandbox and Open Insurance, developing an Operations Registration System, and supporting integrity programs under the Brazil Pact for Integrity.
The Central Bank of the Philippines (BSP) issued Circular No. 1229, amending reserve requirement rules for banks and non-bank financial institutions with quasi-banking functions. Key changes include reducing reserves for Trust and Other Fiduciary Accounts to zero percent and consolidating reserve-related reports into a single Weekly Reserve Report. The circular updates reserve computation mechanics and penalties, with specific provisions for thrift banks and chronic deficiencies.
Ghana's Ministry of Finance plans to establish an Independent Fiscal Council to enhance fiscal oversight and decision-making post-IMF programme exit, with locally appointed members providing advisory support. Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem confirmed IMF targets are on track and inflation has decreased to 3.8%.
Bank of Zambia cut its policy rate 75 bp to 13.5 % after inflation fell to 9.4 % in January and forecasts showed a return to the 6–8 % target band by Q2 2026. The committee, following last November’s 25 bp trim, said future actions will hinge on inflation and financial-stability risks.
Bank of Mauritius’ Monetary Policy Committee on 11 February kept the Key Rate at 4.50 %, maintaining a “prudent wait-and-see” stance amid easing inflation and persistent growth and geopolitical uncertainties. It forecasts 3.3 % GDP growth and year-end inflation of 3.6 % (target 2–5 %) for 2026 and will continue liquidity operations to anchor short-term market rates to the policy rate.
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority issued an alert regarding scams involving fraudulent websites, phishing emails, and fake banking login screens affecting five banks, including The Bank of East Asia and OCBC Bank (Hong Kong). The HKMA reminded the public that banks will not request sensitive information via SMS, email, or phone and advised those affected to contact their bank and report to the Hong Kong Police.
The Central Bank of Oman, with the World Bank Group, is hosting the Fifth Conference of the Regional Network of Central Banks on 11–12 February. The event aims to enhance scientific research in economic and financial policy and build research capacity in the region. Key topics include economic resilience, fiscal and monetary policy redesign, and the impact of technological advancements like AI and big data on macroeconomic strategies.
The Central Bank of Nepal is hosting a two-day international conference in Kathmandu on anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT), emphasizing a coordinated approach to strengthen Nepal’s AML/CFT framework while on the Financial Action Task Force "grey list". The event features discussions on current risks, regulatory perspectives, and capacity building, with contributions from regional experts and Nepalese authorities.
The Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan has lowered the Single Minimum Lending Rate (MLR) to 5.72% from 6.11% for the period from March to August 2026. This adjustment aligns with the MLR Guidelines stipulating a six-month effective period.
The Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan has amended banking regulatory acts to enhance sustainability and green finance frameworks, effective 9 February 2026. The updates expand ESG approaches in banks, integrate ESG factors into governance and risk management, and reinforce transparency. Key changes include clearer governance standards, ESG integration into audit and remuneration policies, and new disclosure obligations for sustainability metrics.
The Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the State Oil Fund participated in a roundtable during the US Chamber of Commerce’s business mission. Central bank chair Taleh Kazimov emphasized priorities for economic and financial cooperation, discussing reforms in macroeconomic stability, banking resilience, fintech, sustainable finance, and cross-border payments, highlighting collaboration with US companies. The session concluded with discussions on further cooperation opportunities.
The India International Financial Services Centres Authority and the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority have formalized regulatory cooperation through an Exchange of Letters to enhance information sharing on regulatory developments, financial technology, and best practices.
The Brazil Securities Commission (CVM) recommends limiting order internalization to exchange-based procedures like the Retail Liquidity Provider mechanism, with increased flexibility. The report advises against internalization in organized OTC environments, suggests removing asset limits and volume caps, and introduces standardized transparency reports. A Regulatory Outcome Evaluation is proposed within five years to assess retail benefits and market effects.
The Brazil Securities Commission (CVM) issued guidance clarifying that nonresident legal-entity investors trading agribusiness derivatives, known as INR Agro, are exempt from CVM registration and local representation requirements. This exemption applies when transactions are conducted through overseas accounts, as per Joint Resolution BCB/CVM 13. Registration obligations remain for other financial and capital market products.
The Brazil Securities Commission (CVM) issued a market alert and ordered the immediate suspension of public offers of securities intermediation services by Trading Point Group. The group, including XM International MU Limited, XM (SC) Limited, XM Global Limited, and Trading Point of Financial Instruments Limited, is not authorized by the CVM to operate in Brazil. The suspension was enacted through CVM Declaratory Act 24.769.
The Brazil Securities Commission (CVM) approved four settlement agreements totaling BRL 3,429,650, resolving or preventing sanctioning proceedings involving executives at Vulcabras S.A., Banco Santander (Brasil) S.A., Gol Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A., and Construtora Adolpho Lindenberg S.A. The settlements address issues such as disclosure failures, trading during restricted periods, and potential breaches of governance laws.
ISDA General Counsel Katherine Tew Darras, at ISDA’s Annual Legal Forum, emphasized priorities on tokenized assets as margin collateral for non-cleared derivatives and the upcoming 2026 FX Definitions. ISDA is advancing tokenized collateral models and collaborating with Global Digital Finance, while the 2026 FX Definitions will be published in March 2026, with a two-year market implementation period.
The Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation and AEOTrade (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd. signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance global digital trade infrastructure by integrating verifiable organizational identity, focusing on electronic bills of lading. The collaboration aims to promote interoperability between global digital identity standards and digital trade protocols, with AEOTrade planning to integrate the verifiable Legal Entity Identifier into its blockchain platform to improve security and efficiency in trade processes.
The Angola Insurance Authority has signed a cooperation agreement with the Independent University of Angola to integrate insurance and regulatory content into academic programs and to develop joint training and research. The partnership also involves lecturers, researchers and students in technical and scientific activities to support applied knowledge and the insurance sector’s development.
The Central Bank of Cyprus released an interview with George Ioannou, Head of its Supervision Division, in the February 2026 edition of the Single Supervisory Mechanism’s Supervision Newsletter. The interview is titled “Cyprus: From crisis to growth.”
The Central Bank of Estonia reported that foreign tourists spent nearly EUR 1.5 billion in Estonia last year, contributing to the balance of payments data on travel services exports and imports. The bank will release the fourth quarter balance of payments on 11 March and first quarter 2026 foreign travel statistics on 11 May 2026.
The Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority, in collaboration with Sveriges Riksbank and the Swedish National Debt Office, has launched FTPOS, a new structure for preparedness cooperation between public authorities and private firms in the financial sector to enhance crisis and war scenario coordination. This model consolidates two previous collaboration tracks into one, with voluntary participation open to relevant authorities, firms, and industry bodies.
The Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority has initiated test reporting for the new version of its standard report (stnd_v4) in the reporting portal, in preparation for its implementation from the first quarter of 2026.
The European Central Bank (ECB) released a report showing increased time commitments by non-executive directors at supervised banks, with averages rising to 28 days per year from 22 in 2019, and chairs to 64 days from 42. The report links higher figures to larger institutions and committee work, and flags concerns over directors with insufficient time or excessive external positions. The ECB will continue to focus on time commitment in its "fit and proper" assessments.
The ECB Banking Supervision highlighted rising credit risk from extreme weather and insurance gaps for property collateral. It emphasized banks' need for adequate insurance coverage and monitoring, citing mismatched insurance terms and data issues. Proposed solutions include centralized data systems, enhanced bank-insurer collaboration, and borrower education to improve insurance monitoring and property resilience.
The European Central Bank Banking Supervision will enhance its oversight of non-performing exposures (NPEs) with a more agile, risk-based approach as NPL levels decline. From 2026, NPE coverage expectations will be set in a multi-year operational act rather than annual recommendations, with reduced reporting requirements for banks with immaterial older NPE stocks. The ECB will extend its harmonised NPL approach to less significant institutions and emphasize sound lending practices to maintain low NPL levels.
The ECB Banking Supervision issued guidance on mergers and divisions, aligning with the amended CRD VI to standardize supervisory standards across EU Member States. It emphasizes prudential compliance and early supervisor engagement, especially for qualifying holdings or banking license changes. CRD VI rules, effective January 2026, allow a risk-based approach and potential waivers for intra-group mergers, with ECB non-opposition confirmations within 60 working days post-application.
The Kenya Capital Markets Authority approved several licence applications, including licensing Rock Advisors Limited as an investment bank and Green Margin Capital Limited as a stockbroker. Investment adviser licences were granted to Zamara Actuaries, Administrators and Consultants Limited, Arion Capital Limited, and Horizon Africa Capital Limited. I&M Capital Limited received an intermediary service platform provider licence to enhance its wealth management services.
The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission issued guidance expanding virtual asset market options, allowing licensed brokers to offer virtual asset financing to securities margin clients and setting a framework for virtual asset trading platforms to develop leveraged products for professional investors. The guidance emphasizes robust investor safeguards, transparent product design, and operational controls, with the SFC monitoring implementation and engaging stakeholders.
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority's latest Complaints Watch reports a 16% increase in banking complaints in 2025, primarily due to a 38% rise in issues related to banking account operations, urging Authorized Institutions to enhance customer communication. The publication also highlights good practices for service upgrades and emphasizes the importance of clearly displaying account balances.