Jawan Capital Company has fulfilled the requirements to begin Managing Investments in the securities business under its Saudi Arabia Capital Markets Authority licence, following a CMA resolution dated 04 November 2024.
Austria's Ministry of Finance and State Secretaries outlined plans for inflation response, focusing on energy-price relief, food pricing oversight, housing cost controls, and a VAT reduction on basic foodstuffs from July 2026. Key measures include an energy package reducing electricity levies, enhanced food sector transparency with penalties for misleading practices, and a rent package introducing caps and extended lease terms, with further steps involving VAT adjustments and regulatory interventions planned for 2026.
The Egypt Financial Regulatory Authority has issued rules for insurance operations under the government fund insuring against medical errors, setting annual premium rates for medical practitioners and establishments. Premiums vary by profession and establishment type, with discounts for newly graduated professionals. Subscription to the fund is mandatory for practising and licensing, and actuarial studies are required to support pricing.
The Egypt Financial Regulatory Authority approved the incorporation and licensing of nine entities for seven non-banking financial activities, including sukuk issuance, factoring, and consumer finance. Notable approvals include Aman for sukuk issuance, Sadara Holding for financial investments, and Square Forty Capital for securities promotion and underwriting. The Authority also granted in-principle approval for Commercial International for Finance to add financial leasing.
The European Commission outlined policy priorities for the euro area, emphasizing fiscal rule compliance, defense spending flexibility, and completion of recovery plans by August 2026. Additionally, Bulgaria's euro adoption was noted as smooth, and the Eurogroup agreed on Boris Vujcic's candidacy for European Central Bank Vice President.
The Chile Financial Market Commission granted Tenpo Bank Chile its Operating Authorisation, completing the bank's licensing process. This represents the final stage under the current framework, following the earlier Existence Authorisation. Under Article 31 of the General Banking Act, Tenpo Bank Chile has one year to commence operations.
The Chile Financial Market Commission (CMF) announced measures to aid those affected by fires in southern Chile in accessing insurance payments. The CMF is overseeing claims processes and has directed insurers to ensure timely client responses and prompt claims settlements. Additionally, the CMF enhanced its Citizen Services Office, expanded coordination with Chile Atiende, and provided online guidance for insurance inquiries.
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority published the "Project Cargox Recommendation Report," outlining 20 recommendations and a roadmap to modernize Hong Kong's trade finance landscape through data-driven, digitally enabled solutions. The report, developed by an Expert Panel, focuses on data integration, digital infrastructure, and international connectivity, with implementation via pilot trials under the HKMA's roadmap.
The IMF's World Economic Outlook projects global growth of 3.3% in 2026 and 3.2% in 2027, with inflation expected to decline, though US inflation may return to target more slowly. The report highlights technology investment and fiscal and monetary support as key growth drivers, while noting risks from potential technology expectation reassessments and geopolitical tensions. It emphasizes the need for fiscal buffer restoration, price and financial stability, uncertainty reduction, and structural reforms.
Norway's Financial Supervisory Authority has opened a new office in Hamar to combat economic crime, including targeting enablers of criminal activities. Inaugurated by Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg, it employs 14 staff focused on anti-money laundering, auditing, and fraud, with plans to expand to 20 employees by 2026. This initiative aligns with the government's focus on combating economic crime and aims to foster cooperation and data sharing with other authorities and the financial sector.
The Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten has launched two interactive dashboards for Monetary and Financial Statistics and External Sector Statistics to improve data accessibility and transparency. Users can analyze trends, export data, and access series at the monetary union level and separately for Curaçao and Sint Maarten, with plans to expand to real sector and public sector statistics and medium-term forecasts.
As of 1 January 2026, the Authority for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLA) has assumed all AML/CFT mandates from the European Banking Authority (EBA), centralizing EU AML/CFT supervision. AMLA will oversee the EU Single Rulebook, enhance supervisory convergence, and directly supervise 40 complex financial institutions, while the EBA continues addressing money laundering risks through prudential regulation.
The European Banking Authority (EBA) has transferred all anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) mandates to the Authority for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLA) as of 1 January 2026, in line with the EU AML/CFT package. AMLA now oversees the integrated European AML/CFT supervisory system, while the EBA addresses money laundering risks through prudential regulation under a new cooperation framework with AMLA.
The Joint Bank Reporting Committee, established by the European Banking Authority and the European Central Bank, released its 2026 Work Programme and recommendations for developing environmental, social, and governance reporting requirements. The programme prioritizes semantic integration and common standards across reporting frameworks to streamline banks' reporting obligations and enhance data consistency and efficiency.
Germany's Ministry of Finance and France's Ministry for Economy and Finance agreed on a Franco-German roadmap to enhance late-stage growth capital for European scale-ups, linking this to broader EU capital market integration. Initiatives include connecting institutional investors with venture capital, backing the European Tech Champions Initiative 2.0, harmonizing stock option tax treatment, and exploring digital finance advancements, with a report due in the second half of 2026.
The UAE's General Pension and Social Security Authority is hosting the 63rd meeting of the Permanent Technical Committee for Civil Retirement and Social Security Agencies of the GCC in Dubai. Key agenda items include the 2026-2030 Action Plan, potential system extensions for work-related injuries, and digital data integration between GCC agencies. The meeting will also address employer contribution delays, a unified awareness campaign, and various programmes and awards.
The Taiwan Financial Services Commission appointed Ku Kun-jung as Deputy Director-General of the Financial Examination Bureau, following Shang Kuang-chi's transfer to Chief Secretary on December 31, 2025.
The South Korea Financial Services Commission plans to revise regulations, exempting financial firms from the network separation rule when using cloud-based SaaS for internal networks, contingent on security compliance. The exemption, excluding personal data activities, includes strengthened information protection requirements and is open for public comment from January 20 to February 9, 2026.
The Central Bank of Peru announced that as of January 15, Peru's Net International Reserves reached USD 95.574 billion, marking an increase of USD 5.359 billion since the end of 2025. These reserves, equivalent to 30% of GDP, are the highest among major Latin American economies and serve to mitigate external shocks and exchange-rate volatility.
The Bank of Italy's study, “The Cyber Risk of Non-Financial Firms,” introduces an indicator for assessing cyber risk in Italian non-financial companies, advocating its inclusion in credit risk assessments. Using natural language processing and a large language model to analyze financial statements, news, and cyber reports, it reveals increased cyberattacks in Italy since 2019, with post-incident vulnerability often surpassing defensive benefits.
The Seychelles Financial Services Authority (FSA) issued a public alert regarding a fraudulent "warning document" falsely attributed to the FSA, advising caution and verification of authenticity for any documents claiming to be from the authority. The FSA clarified that the document's signatory, "Peter Eugenia Wallace," is not associated with the FSA, and the seal used is not genuine.
The European Central Bank has issued its February 2026 Survey of Monetary Analysts, soliciting forecasts on policy and market rates, Eurosystem bond holdings, and economic indicators such as GDP growth and inflation. The survey includes expectations for rates like the deposit facility rate and EURIBOR, as well as projections for bond yields and the potential activation of the Transmission Protection Instrument.
The European Central Bank's Working Paper No 3175 analyzes the inflation–output relationship and monetary policy transmission across business cycle phases, revealing asymmetries in the Phillips curve and monetary policy shocks. The study, based on a Bayesian three-equation threshold vector autoregression, finds that monetary policy shocks are larger when inflation exceeds the Federal Reserve's 2% target, with varying effects on the output gap and inflation depending on the regime.
The European Central Bank's blog post summarizes research showing that monetary policy messages from speakers sharing the audience's nationality receive more media coverage and influence beliefs, including inflation expectations. The study analyzed ECB-related tweets, newspaper articles, and press conferences, and conducted experiments in Germany, Spain, France, and Italy, highlighting that people adjust expectations more when forecasts are delivered by a messenger of their own nationality.
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority has appointed Jane Magill as Executive Director for Life Insurance, Private Health Insurance, and Superannuation, effective 16 February, replacing Carmen Beverley-Smith, and named Peter Diamond as acting Executive Director for General Insurance and Banking during the recruitment for a permanent role.
The Central Bank of the Dominican Republic marked the 40th anniversary of the Juan Pablo Duarte Library's Annual Economics Contest by awarding prizes to five papers by young Dominican economists and launching three publications contributing to the national economic debate. Governor Héctor Valdez Albizu emphasized the significance of these works, covering labor market transitions, tax reforms, territorial inequality, climate change, and mobile payments.
Lithuania’s Finance Minister Kristupas Vaitiekunas will attend Eurogroup and Economic and Financial Affairs Council meetings in Brussels on 19–20 January, focusing on Ukraine funding and the ECB Vice-President selection, with Lithuania nominating Rimantas Šadžius. Discussions will cover Bulgaria’s euro adoption, euro area recommendations for 2026, and a EUR 90 billion loan for Ukraine, while Lithuania supports accelerating work on the Savings and Investments Union and taxation issues.
The Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority will participate in the National Financial Services Week from 19 to 26 January 2026 in Tanga, offering education on various insurance types and promoting the use of formal financial services. The initiative, supported by public and private insurers, aims to enhance public understanding of insurance's role in protecting against risks.
The Central Bank of Cyprus, led by Governor Christodoulos Patsalides, emphasizes the importance of economic education and financial literacy for prosperity and stability, linking it to the European Union’s financial strategies. During Cyprus’s EU Council Presidency, initiatives will be launched to enhance financial literacy, supported by the Financial Literacy and Education Committee and aligned with the EU's Savings and Investment Union.
The China Securities Regulatory Commission has launched an investigation into Ningbo Rongbai New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. for potentially misleading statements in its recent announcement of major contracts, with the case to be processed legally after a thorough investigation.
The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) Governor Nguyen Thi Hong emphasized the importance of continuous learning for banking-sector managers, linking it to effective operation in a volatile global environment. The SBV has developed a training project for leadership and management, focusing on inflation control, prudent monetary policy, and identifying risks from global trends such as financial technology and green transformation.
The State Bank of Vietnam concluded its first comprehensive training programme for department-level planning officials, covering professional competence, management capacity, and thinking ability, with 128 participants and commendations for 25 outstanding trainees. Governor Nguyen Thi Hong outlined development strategies and challenges for the banking sector, while organisers plan to refine future programmes.
The State Bank of Vietnam introduced Governor Nguyen Thi Hong as a candidate for deputy to the XVI National Assembly for the 2026–2031 term, receiving unanimous support from workplace voters and the SBV's leadership. The process adhered to guidance from various political bodies, highlighting her career achievements in macroeconomic management, currency stability, and digital transformation.
The China Securities Regulatory Commission has opened an investigation into Ningbo Ronbay New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. over suspected misleading statements in its Jan. 14 major contract announcement. The regulator said it will handle the case according to law after completing a full investigation.
The Egypt Financial Regulatory Authority has licensed the Egyptian Exchange for futures exchange activity, paving the way for an onshore derivatives market. The rollout will occur in four phases, starting with futures on the EGX30 index in March 2026, followed by futures on the EGX70 index, single-stock futures, and options on equities and indices. The framework includes integrated risk management and clearing arrangements, with seven brokerage firms applying for licenses to intermediate futures contracts.
The Central Bank of the Philippines reported a USD 827 million balance of payments deficit for December 2025, resulting in a USD 5.7 billion deficit for the year, with gross international reserves at USD 110.8 billion, providing a 7.4-month import cover and 3.9 times short-term external debt coverage.
The Central Bank of the Philippines reiterated that it does not engage in personal financial transactions and urged the public to disregard claims from individuals or entities posing as its representatives. The alert highlights fraudulent activities involving falsified documents and impersonation attempts to extract confidential information and advance fees, emphasizing that the central bank will never request fund transfers or payments for fabricated charges.
The Palestine Capital Market Authority has issued new corporate governance instructions for companies listed on the Palestine Exchange, aligning with the new Companies Law and evolving standards. Key requirements include criteria for independent directors, mandatory gender representation on boards, and ESG disclosure. Optional governance rules will also be introduced to aid compliance progression.
The Central Bank of Peru reported a 4.8% year-on-year increase in formal employment from January to November 2025, with private-sector jobs rising 6.2% and public-sector jobs up 1.2%. November saw a 3.7% overall employment increase, with notable private-sector gains in services, commerce, and agriculture, and a 10.3% rise in mining jobs.
The Kuwait Capital Markets Authority issued Resolution No. 11 of 2026, amending conciliation provisions under Law No. 7 of 2010 by introducing Appendix No. 9 in Book III of its Executive Bylaws, detailing the conciliation request application form, submission conditions, required documents, and fee payment.
The Qatar Central Bank announced that Governor Sheikh Bandar bin Mohammed bin Saoud Al Thani met with Canada's Minister of Finance, Francois-Philippe Champagne, to discuss enhancing bilateral banking and finance cooperation.
Qatar Central Bank announced that Governor Sheikh Bandar bin Mohammed bin Saoud Al Thani met with Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney to discuss mutual interests and explore enhancing bilateral cooperation.
The Philippines Department of Finance, in collaboration with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, outlined its 2026 reform agenda focused on fiscal discipline, infrastructure investment, tourism and agriculture reforms, and digital transformation, while aiming to streamline regulatory processes across various agencies.
The Central Bank of Cyprus published an article by its Governor on the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the economy, highlighting potential productivity gains and job displacement risks. The article emphasizes the need for Cyprus to prioritize reskilling, business-model adaptation, and support for affected groups amid AI-driven changes.
The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) held its 14th Inspection and Case Handling Commendation and Award Conference, recognizing 25 collectives and 20 individuals for their enforcement efforts in major capital-market cases. CSRC Chairman Wu Qing emphasized improving investigation quality, enhancing law-enforcement reform, and strengthening cross-agency coordination.
The State Bank of Vietnam conducted a training course for planning officials to enhance policy formulation and international economic integration in banking, with Deputy Governors Doan Thai Son and Nguyen Ngoc Canh emphasizing digital transformation, green economy, and international standards. They highlighted Vietnam's strategic partnerships, participation in 17 free trade agreements, and adherence to over 330 international agreements.
The People's Bank of China and the State Administration of Financial Supervision and Administration have mandated a minimum down payment ratio of 30% for commercial housing purchase loans, with provincial branches setting city-level limits based on local policies.
The China Securities Regulatory Commission reviewed its recent enforcement work and honored 25 collectives and 20 individuals for major case handling over the past two years. It highlighted cases involving financial fraud, market manipulation and insider trading, while Chairman Wu Qing called for higher-quality investigations, deeper enforcement reform and stronger use of technology and interagency coordination.
The European Commission released a Q&A on the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement, detailing tariff reductions and regulatory provisions for EU exporters and investors, with projected EU-wide gains of nearly EUR 80 billion. It outlines additional measures, including agricultural safeguards, enhanced import controls, and a proposed EUR 6.3 billion "Unity Safety Net," with the agreement pending ratification by EU Member States and an Interim Trade Agreement requiring European Parliament consent.
The Central Bank of Peru reported a continued rise in the 12-month rolling goods trade surplus, reaching USD 32,143 million in November 2025, with a monthly surplus of USD 3,731 million. November exports increased by 10.1% year on year, driven by higher prices for mining products and increased coffee exports, while imports rose by 6.3%, reflecting higher purchases of capital and durable consumer goods.
The Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago is reviewing the Clico Commission of Enquiry Report, known as the Colman Report, and is considering its implications for ongoing litigation against CL Financial group officers. The Bank expressed concern over the protracted process and will provide further updates when appropriate.
The National Bank of Angola reported a decrease in inflation to 15.70% at the end of 2025 and projected further reduction to 13.5% in 2026, with GDP growth expected to rise to 3.5%, driven by non-oil sector expansion. International reserves increased slightly to USD 15,903.69 million, and domestic-currency credit grew by 22.55% to AOA 7.37 trillion.
The Reserve Bank of India has issued the Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of Goods and Services) Regulations, 2026, effective 1 October 2026, to streamline export and import transactions under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999. Authorised dealers must ensure compliance with these regulations and report any doubtful transactions to the Directorate of Enforcement via the PRAVAAH portal.
South Africa's National Treasury will attend the World Economic Forum in Davos from 19 to 23 January 2026, led by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, to showcase the country's improving economic position and investment appeal. The delegation will highlight electricity supply stabilization, removal from the Financial Action Task Force greylist, and an S&P Global credit rating upgrade, within a medium-term growth strategy focused on macroeconomic stability and infrastructure investment.
Mexico’s Ministry of Finance and Public Credit announced its co-leadership with the US Financial Crimes Enforcement Network in forming the Transnational Organized Crime Working Group to enhance financial intelligence sharing and disrupt transnational crime. The group's inaugural meeting in Washington, D.C. included financial intelligence units from 12 countries, focusing on money laundering typologies and strengthening international cooperation.
The Angola Capital Markets Commission announced that Etu Energias, S.A. completed the issuance, redemption, and settlement of its USD 15 million commercial paper, with Kyros – Sociedade Distribuidora de Valores Mobiliários, S.A. as the intermediary. The private offer, directed at institutional investors, did not require prior regulatory approval under the commercial paper legal framework.
The National Bank of Angola is presenting a review of its 2025 monetary and foreign exchange policy implementation and outlining its 2026 strategic orientations, amid a reported inflation decrease to 15.70% from 27.5% in 2024.
The National Bank of Angola's Monetary Policy Committee reduced the BNA policy rate by 100 basis points to 17.5% and the interest rate on the Permanent Liquidity Provision Facility to 18.5%, citing a sustained slowdown in inflation. Despite December inflation exceeding the 2025 target, the committee expects disinflation to continue, with 2025 GDP growth estimated at 2.6% and end-2026 inflation projected at 13.5%.
The Japan Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission released its medium-term activity policy for 2026–2028, focusing on enhanced market surveillance and enforcement amid increasing market complexity and technological advancement. Priorities include strengthening information collection, improving investigation efficiency, expanding international cooperation, and addressing investor harm with a focus on digital technology and new financial products.
The Bank of Italy's Economic Bulletin No. 1/2026 highlights ongoing global expansion with elevated uncertainty, projecting Italy's GDP growth at 0.6% in 2026 and inflation easing to 1.4%. The euro area's GDP growth is revised to 1.2% for 2026, with inflation expected to dip before returning to 2.0% by 2028, while Italy's modest growth is supported by exports, investment, and a services-driven recovery.
The Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market of the Republic of Kazakhstan has appointed Nurzhan Tursynkhanov as Deputy Chairman, following his tenure as head of the Department of Monetary Operations at the National Bank of Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan's Financial Market Agency announced a new banking law and amendments, concluding a five-year overhaul to enhance stability, competition, digitalisation, and consumer protection. Reforms include a proportionate licensing regime, digital asset frameworks, cryptocurrency regulation, Islamic banking provisions, a risk-based governance model, a Financial Ombudsman, and a three-regime bank insolvency framework.
The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic approved Sergey Ibragimov as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Timur Sergeevich Ibragimov as Chairman of the Management Board of Open Joint-Stock Company BAKAI BANK on 15 January 2026.
The Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo reported a decline in total assets and international reserves for December 2025, with total assets at EUR 1.73 billion, a decrease of EUR 342.65 million from November, primarily due to reduced deposits from the government, commercial banks, and pension funds. International reserves fell to EUR 1.29 billion, driven by a EUR 346.12 million drop in cash and deposits.
The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada's research brief reveals that consistent and intermittent budgeting correlate with stronger financial confidence, higher savings, and lower credit-related stress, while non-budgeters facing barriers report weaker outcomes. The study suggests reducing practical barriers may be more effective than general budgeting promotion and highlights the need for tailored financial literacy interventions and further research.
Bank of Italy Deputy Governor Chiara Scotti delivered a keynote speech titled “Support innovation to innovate finance” at the “Research and development in the financial sector” conference in Milan.
The European Central Bank has concluded its climate and nature plan for 2024-2025, embedding climate and nature-related risks into its operations, including monetary policy and banking supervision. It has set three priority areas: transitioning to a green economy, addressing the physical impacts of climate change, and managing nature-related risks, while continuing to enhance climate-related data, scenario methodologies, and policy discussions.
The Bank of Japan issued a warning about scams misusing its name or impersonating staff to fraudulently obtain money or personal financial information, emphasizing that it does not solicit investments or offer deposit accounts to individuals or corporations outside financial institutions. The public is advised to verify communications through official channels and report suspicious activities to law enforcement.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Financial Services Commission donated essential goods to the Mahala Wynns Empowerment Home in Grand Turk as part of its corporate social responsibility efforts to support vulnerable youth. The donation aims to enhance the daily needs and well-being of at-risk teenage girls residing in the government-operated safe house.
The Thailand SEC advises SABUY263A bondholders to review information and exercise rights before WSOL Public Company Limited’s Bondholders’ Meeting on 21 January 2026, where they will vote on changes to bond terms, including a one-year maturity extension and waivers related to collateral obligations. The SEC mandates Asia Plus Securities Company Limited to provide a detailed analysis of the proposals' implications for informed decision-making.
The Bank of Greece reported a central government cash surplus of EUR 973 million for January to December 2025, down from EUR 1,031 million in the same period of 2024, with ordinary budget revenue increasing to EUR 73,938 million and expenditure rising to EUR 65,875 million.
The Thailand Office of Insurance Commission reported that its Insure Mall Thailand 2025 project surpassed expectations in buyer numbers, generating THB 102.2 million during the Insure Week online expo. The platform, featuring new consumer tools and supported by over 50 partners, will continue to offer new products and an Insure Coin activity with over 120 prizes until June 2026.
The Thailand Office of Insurance Commission (OIC) has dispatched officials to Nakhon Ratchasima Province to expedite compensation payments following a crane collapse onto Express Train No. 21. The OIC is coordinating with insurers and has set up an insurance assistance centre at Maharaj Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital to support claimants and ensure timely claim processing.
The Bank of Botswana announced that Standard Chartered Bank PLC is exploring the sale of its entire Botswana business, including wealth, retail, corporate, and investment banking, with the process expected to take 12 to 15 months. The Bank of Botswana will oversee the transition to ensure regulatory compliance and customer protection, affirming that Standard Chartered Bank Botswana remains financially sound and compliant with requirements.
Croatia's Ministry of Finance reported that Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Marko Primorac met with US Ambassador Nicole McGraw to discuss Croatia’s economic outlook and priorities for enhancing bilateral cooperation. Key topics included macroeconomic stability, investment framework improvements, OECD accession, and the importance of the Croatia-US double taxation avoidance agreement.
The China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission expelled Wang Zeping, former Sichuan Banking Regulatory Bureau director, from the Communist Party and public office for serious violations. The investigation revealed misconduct, including resisting review, fabricating evidence, and accepting bribes, with the case referred for prosecution.
China's State Administration of Financial Supervision and Administration held its 2026 work conference, led by Party Committee Secretary Li Yunze, to review 2025's discipline efforts and set 2026 priorities, focusing on Party governance, anti-corruption, and strengthening financial oversight. The agenda emphasized political guidance, centralized leadership, and maintaining a high-pressure anti-corruption stance, with participation from key financial and audit bodies.
The Luxembourg Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier released findings from its enforcement work on 2024 financial and non-financial disclosures by issuers under the Transparency Law. The communiqué highlights issues related to IFRS and sustainability reporting, including the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. Results are accessible in a downloadable PDF.
Luxembourg's Government in Council has proposed Ms Pascale Toussing as Director of the Commission for the Supervision of the Financial Sector (CSSF). Toussing, an Adviser to the Minister of Finance since 2024, previously led the Inland Revenue and held strategic roles within the Ministry of Finance.
The National Bank of Serbia's latest Inflation Expectations Survey shows financial sector expectations within the 3 ± 1.5% target, with one-year-ahead expectations dropping to 3.1% in December. Medium-term expectations rose slightly, while business representatives' one-year-ahead expectations decreased to 5.0%.
Venezuela's Ministry of Economy and Finance announced a financing policy shift linking bank credit recovery to real-economy production, excluding speculative uses such as foreign-exchange arbitrage. The policy prioritizes lending to sectors like fishing, small-scale farming, agroindustry, and tourism to support food sovereignty and domestic industry development.
The Vietnam State Securities Commission conducted a training program on digital asset trading for officials, in collaboration with Crystal Intelligence Company, to support the Government's pilot digital asset market initiative. The course, held on 13-14 January 2026, focused on blockchain technology, transaction analysis, and identifying suspicious activities to enhance staff capability in managing the crypto asset market.
Sweden's Riksbank and several central banks issued a joint statement supporting the Federal Reserve System and Chair Jerome H. Powell, emphasizing central bank independence for stability. The statement highlights the need for independence while respecting the rule of law and democratic accountability, commending Powell's integrity and public interest commitment. Signatories include the European Central Bank, Bank of England, and others, with potential for more to join.
Riksbank Governor Erik Thedéen discussed high inflation's impact on Swedish households, noting weakened real disposable income and consumption due to subdued labour income growth and rising interest costs. He highlighted vulnerabilities from high mortgage debt and short interest-rate fixation periods, despite improved conditions with inflation near the 2% target and rising real wages. Thedéen emphasized maintaining clear rules on household indebtedness and the emerging "amortisation culture" for economic resilience.
The Central Bank of Poland released the minutes from the Monetary Policy Council meeting on 3 December 2025.
The Central Bank of Poland reported December 2025 core inflation indicators, with consumer price inflation at 2.4% year on year and inflation excluding food and energy at 2.7%. Inflation excluding administered prices decreased to 1.8%, while inflation excluding the most volatile prices and the 15% trimmed mean remained at 3.1% and 2.4%, respectively.
Governor Nguyen Thi Hong of the State Bank of Vietnam attended a Bank for International Settlements meeting, discussing AI's impacts on productivity, labour markets, and financial stability. She noted AI's growing role in Vietnam's banking sector, enhancing productivity and reducing costs, while emphasizing the need for balanced monetary policy to manage trade-offs between long-term growth and short-term investment demands.
Deputy Governor Pham Quang Dung of the State Bank of Vietnam attended the Military Commercial Joint Stock Bank's 2025 Military Conference, where MB was awarded the Third-class Labor Medal and reported meeting its 2025 targets with total assets of nearly VND 1.6 quadrillion. MB plans to focus on safe, sustainable development and digital transformation in 2026, while maintaining military discipline and enhancing risk management and human resources.
The State Bank of Vietnam's Region 10 branch reviewed 2025 monetary activities and set 2026 banking priorities, emphasizing stable operations, policy implementation, and support for priority sectors amid weather disruptions. By end-2025, regional deposits rose 16.75% to VND 414,608 billion, and loans increased 9.62% to VND 574,307 billion, with 2026 goals focusing on macroeconomic stability, inflation control, and digital transformation.
The Federal Reserve Board's FEDS Note reveals that automated credit card limit increases are predominantly bank-initiated, affecting around 12% of cards annually and adding approximately USD 160 billion in credit, with revolving balances rising post-increase. It also examines international policy approaches, suggesting that restricting bank-initiated increases for consumers in persistent revolving debt can yield positive welfare outcomes by curbing debt accumulation.
The Federal Reserve Board's FEDS Note uses Brexit to analyze trade regime shifts, comparing the 2016–2021 U.K. changes with the 2025 U.S. trade policy adjustments. It highlights Brexit's long-term macroeconomic impacts, noting increased U.K.–EU trade costs due to non-tariff barriers and contrasting with the U.S.'s rapid tariff increases, while both scenarios are linked to heightened economic uncertainty.
The Bulgarian National Bank reports that the exchange of lev banknotes and coins into euro is proceeding smoothly, with BGN 13.0 billion in cash circulation and over EUR 4.3 billion in euro cash distributed. Credit institutions will offer free exchanges for the first half of 2026, with prior notice required for amounts above BGN 30,000. Extended service hours are available at the Bulgarian National Bank and select banks to aid the transition.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners supports the McCarran-Ferguson Restoration Act, which seeks to reaffirm state primacy in US insurance regulation by abolishing the Federal Insurance Office and establishing a US Insurance Representative. The bill also proposes granting voting status on the Financial Stability Oversight Council to the state-based system’s representative.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners has opened registration for its 2026 Spring National Meeting in San Diego from March 22–25, offering both in-person and virtual attendance options at USD 950 each, with access to recordings and materials included. Hotel room blocks are available until February 23, but may sell out sooner.
The National Credit Union Administration placed People Trust Community Federal Credit Union into conservatorship due to unsafe practices, ensuring member services continue and deposits remain protected by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund. Members can access services through Arkansas Federal Credit Union's branch in Little Rock, with no drive-through service available.
Federal Reserve Board Vice Chair Philip N. Jefferson outlined his early-2026 economic outlook, highlighting a growing economy with inflation moving toward the FOMC's 2 percent target and a neutral federal funds rate range. He noted the FOMC's December 2025 halt of balance sheet runoff, initiation of reserve management purchases, and elimination of the aggregate limit on standing repo operations, with future rate adjustments contingent on data and market conditions.
The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis has appointed Curtis Braden, Jakeeva J. Lee, and Alex Stringfellow to its Real Estate Industry Council, which provides feedback on economic conditions in the Eighth District to inform monetary policy.
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission announced actions on market manipulation, misuse of confidential information, and investor fraud, including consent orders against former precious metals traders for spoofing and a trader and firm for fictitious trading, plus a complaint against an unregistered crypto commodity pool. Penalties include fines, trading bans, and cease-and-desist orders, with related criminal proceedings and advisories on customer protection and whistleblower awards.
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency Comptroller Jonathan V. Gould, in remarks at the American Bar Association Banking Law Committee Meeting, discussed post-2008 financial crisis resolution planning requirements, their merits, and advocated for dialogue on potential reforms.
The Federal Reserve Board has approved Banco Inter, S.A.'s application to establish a state-licensed branch in Miami, Florida.