Senator Elizabeth Warren, Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, stated that the December 2025 Consumer Price Index shows inflation remains elevated, with rising grocery and utility costs. She called for legislative action to cap credit card interest rates and reduce housing costs.
Senator Elizabeth Warren has requested U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirm that the Treasury will not use the Exchange Stabilization Fund to support hedge funds or financial institutions investing in Venezuela following President Trump's military action. Warren highlighted concerns over potential taxpayer guarantees for such investments and cited past ESF activities benefiting investors, requesting a response by January 20, 2026.
U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren announced a Spotlight Forum to examine the Trump Administration's alleged rollback of fair housing and civil rights enforcement at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, featuring testimony from former HUD civil rights attorneys and fair housing advocates. The session is scheduled for January 13, 2026, at the Dirksen Senate Office Building and will be livestreamed.
Senator Elizabeth Warren urged the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to pause its review of World Liberty Financial's bank charter application until President Trump divests from the company to avoid conflicts of interest. Warren emphasized that approving the application amid unresolved crypto market legislation could undermine trust in the financial system and requested a written commitment by January 20, 2026, to delay the review.
U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs’ Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren accused the Trump Administration of obstructing Fair Housing Act enforcement, citing whistleblower documents suggesting HUD's civil rights enforcement is undermined. Warren called for an independent investigation by HUD’s Office of the Inspector General and hearings on these claims, noting HUD Secretary Scott Turner's absence from the forum.
The U.S. House Financial Services Subcommittee on Digital Assets, Financial Technology, and AI held a hearing to assess fintech, with Chairman Bryan Steil advocating for regulation balancing innovation and consumer protection. Steil emphasized clear legal pathways for fintech products like earned wage access and "buy now, pay later," highlighting their coexistence with traditional financial institutions.
The Central Bank of Ecuador reported international reserves at USD 9.795 billion by the end of 2025, covering 100% of liabilities in the first and second balance-sheet systems and 57% of non-financial public sector deposits. Reserve growth was driven by private-sector flows and central bank operations, with contributions from net transfers, a non-oil trade surplus, and remittance inflows, despite negative public-sector flows and reduced oil sector net inflows due to production stoppages and pipeline disruptions.
Georgia’s Finance Minister, Lasha Khutsishvili, highlighted at a Central and Eastern Europe Forum in Vienna that Georgia achieved a five-year average annual GDP growth rate of 9.3% and reduced its budget deficit from 9% to 1.4%, attributing success to structural reforms and prudent fiscal policies. Key growth sectors include tourism, finance, and ICT, with significant foreign direct investment, notably a USD 6.6 billion investment by EMAAR Group.
Argentina's National Superintendency of Insurance requires creditors to submit the Timely Credit Verification for TPC Compañía de Seguros S.A. by 8 April 2026 via the Remote Procedures Platform. This process enables formal recognition of claims against the insurer in liquidation, overseen by the National Commercial Court of First Instance No. 12. A liquidation commission has been appointed by the Superintendency.
Republicans on the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs released fact sheets on the Digital Asset Market CLARITY Act, proposing a regulatory framework for digital assets with enhanced investor protection, clearer supervisory lines, and tools to combat illicit finance. The bill aims to delineate SEC and CFTC jurisdiction, establish a disclosure regime, and apply risk-management standards to intermediaries in decentralized finance.
The U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs released a "Myth vs. Fact" explainer on the CLARITY Act, a proposed digital asset market structure legislation aimed at establishing a unified federal regulatory framework. The bill seeks to clarify the distinction between digital asset securities and commodities, enforce SEC disclosure requirements, implement anti-evasion measures, outline jurisdictional roles for the SEC and CFTC, and address illicit finance and decentralized finance regulations.
The Central Bank of Taiwan authorized several banks and financial firms in December 2025 to expand foreign exchange activities, including Bank of China Taipei Branch, MUFG Bank Taipei Branch, Taiwan Life Insurance, and Uni-President Asset Management Corporation. As of the end of December 2025, there were 3,448 authorized banks, comprising 3,408 domestic banks, three Mainland banks, and 37 foreign banks.
The Ministry of Finance of Kazakhstan has amended the 2020 order on rules for calculating coefficients and determining financial stability classes, with materials available only in Kazakh and Russian.
The Astana Financial Services Authority has completed the transition to the new regulatory regime for money service providers with the final phase of the Astana International Financial Centre Providing Money Services framework, effective 13 January 2026. This phase introduces client protection and cyber and operational resilience requirements, following the initial phase that established definitions, capital requirements, and digital asset provisions.
The Central Bank of Estonia released its monthly flash estimate of the balance of payments for November, showing balanced exports and imports of goods and services. The estimate, based on limited data, will be adjusted with the release of the fourth quarter balance of payments on 11 March 2026.
At a workshop, Jordan Securities Commission Chairman Emad Abu Haltam outlined the 2026-2029 strategic vision focusing on capital market development, virtual asset regulation, and foreign exchange trading. Key measures include amendments to financial solvency instructions, a restricted trading mechanism with the Amman Stock Exchange, increased guarantees for foreign exchange firms, and a new virtual asset service provider licensing regime.
The Jordan Securities Commission's chairman, Imad Abu Haltam, attended the launch of the King Abdullah II Center for Excellence's 2026–2028 strategy, which aims to enhance government performance, institutional efficiency, and service quality as part of a broader modernization agenda.
The International Monetary Fund's Country Focus article on Nepal highlights economic stabilization and recovery under IMF support, with real GDP growth projected to rise from 2% in FY 2023 to 4.3% in FY 2025. The report emphasizes the need for continued reforms in fiscal transparency, bank supervision, and anti-money laundering, alongside priorities for faster budget execution and improved infrastructure to sustain growth.
The Bank for International Settlements reviewed the Basel III Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) a decade after implementation, noting its impact on banks' liquid assets and short-term funding, with trade-offs like weaker lending and higher risk-taking. The paper raises questions about deposit run-off rates, buffer usability, and liquidity regulation's interaction with central bank tools, especially after the 2023 banking turmoil prompted a Basel Committee re-examination.
The authority released its Quarterly Tables on Financial Markets for Q3 2025.
The authority released the "Quarterly Tables Real Sector Q3 2025," updating its real-sector statistical tables for the third quarter of 2025.
The British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission has warned that assurrityfund.com is falsely claiming to be licensed under the Securities and Investment Business Act and advised the public to avoid financial dealings with the entity. The Commission emphasized that assurrityfund.com is not a BVI Business Company and invited the public to report any suspicious activities.
The Central Bank of The Bahamas has initiated a 60-day consultation on draft regulations and guidelines to amend the large exposures framework for Supervised Financial Institutions, aiming to enhance prudential standards and align with international best practices. The consultation, which includes a focus group and a Quantitative Impact Study, concludes on 14 March 2026.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has disqualified directors Jimmy Yang and Freda Feng from managing corporations for five years due to their involvement in the collapse of agriculture businesses linked to a New South Wales corruption scandal. ASIC cited failures in compliance, improper fund use, and inadequate record-keeping, with the companies owing unsecured creditors AUD 56.8 million.
Central bank leaders and Bank for International Settlements officials issued a joint statement supporting the Federal Reserve System and Chair Jerome H. Powell, emphasizing the critical importance of central bank independence for stability. The statement, endorsed by major central banks including the European Central Bank and the Bank of England, highlights Powell's integrity and commitment to the public interest.
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has established a Financial Policy Committee to enhance financial stability policymaking, appointing Heidi Richards and Professor Prasanna Gai as external members. The committee, which includes Governor Anna Breman and other board members, will set prudential requirements and macroprudential tools, with its first meeting in February 2026.
The U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission appointed Paul H. Tzur and David M. Morrell as Deputy Directors of the Division of Enforcement, with Tzur overseeing the Chicago, Atlanta, and Miami offices, and Morrell overseeing the New York, Boston, and Philadelphia offices.
The Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA) announced the passing of Mr. Jean-Louis Duplat, Honorary Chairman of the Banking and Finance Commission, who led its transformation from 1989 to 2001.
The Bank of Israel, led by Governor Prof. Amir Yaron, held a quarterly meeting with private forecasters to discuss projections for inflation, interest rates, and exchange rates, with a focus on recent economic developments amid the ongoing war. The Bank's Research Department presented its assessment, published on January 5, 2026, which was followed by forecasters sharing their evaluations.
The Central Bank of Montenegro's Council, now with new external members, rejected Zeren Bank AD Podgorica's operating licence application due to unmet legal conditions and appointed Šuco Orahovac and Tamara Backovic to the Audit Committee to oversee internal controls and compliance.
The Reserve Bank of India issued the Foreign Exchange Management (Guarantees) Regulations, 2026, requiring Authorised Dealer Category I banks to follow new guidelines for guarantees involving non-residents, with comprehensive reporting via the GRN form. The regulations supersede certain circulars, discontinue quarterly reporting for Trade Credit from March 2026, and amend provisions in several Master Directions, with further instructions on submission formats forthcoming.
The State Bank of Vietnam’s Region 6 reviewed 2025 activities of People’s Credit Funds (PCFs) and set 2026 objectives, highlighting stable operations in Hai Phong and Quang Ninh, growth in funding and loans, and improvements in governance and digital banking. The conference emphasized risk control, digital transformation, and operational efficiency, with awards given for achievements in banking activities.
Governor Nguyen Thi Hong attended Vietnam’s National Steering Committee on Data's inaugural meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, to build a comprehensive data foundation for AI and the data economy. The committee will advise on national data strategies, focusing on database integration, data quality, connectivity, and balancing openness with security, impacting banking ecosystem connectivity and financial system safeguarding.
The Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market of the Republic of Kazakhstan has drafted a resolution amending its 31 July 2024 Resolution No. 47 to align the terms for granting permits to electronic trading platform operators with national legislation, including the Law on Public Services. The draft, available on the Open NCA portal and the Agency’s website, updates norms and includes editorial and technical changes.
The Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market of Kazakhstan reported on its November 2025 consumer protection and supervisory activities, highlighting borrower complaints, debt restructuring support, and mortgage loan refinancing progress. Enforcement actions included 11 supervisory measures, one written decision, and nine administrative fines totaling KZT 5.0 million, with significant mortgage loan refinancing under various tracks.
Kazakhstan's Financial Market Agency reported a 3.0% decline in equity market capitalisation to KZT 38.4 trillion in November 2025, with the KASE index down 4.4% to 6,818.9 points, while share trading volume surged 2.2 times to KZT 52.6 billion. Corporate debt on KASE rose by KZT 2.1 trillion to KZT 16.4 trillion, public debt increased to KZT 31.2 trillion, and Central Securities Depository accounts grew 2.8% to 4,945.2 thousand.
The Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market of the Republic of Kazakhstan reported continued growth in the insurance sector as of December 2025, with assets rising 1.4% in November to KZT 3.8 trillion and year-to-date premiums increasing 9.8% to KZT 1.5 trillion. Voluntary personal and property insurance premiums drove growth, while liabilities rose 2.6% to KZT 2.7 trillion, and equity capital decreased 1.6% to KZT 1.1 trillion due to dividends.
The Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market of the Republic of Kazakhstan reported moderate growth in second-tier banks' balance sheets as of December 2025, with sector assets rising 0.8% to KZT 68.3 trillion and stable asset quality. Lending to the economy increased 0.7% to KZT 39.4 trillion, driven by tenge lending, while foreign-currency loans decreased; household lending rose 1.2%, and banks' equity capital grew 4.6% to KZT 10.4 trillion.
The Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market of the Republic of Kazakhstan approved Mikhail Aleksandrovich Khasin as Deputy Chairman of the Board and Member of the Management Board at Halyk Bank of Kazakhstan JSC, overseeing information technology.
The Montenegro Capital Market Authority issued a public alert warning of unauthorized capital market activities and published a list of suspected unlicensed operators, urging caution and verification of counterparties' registration and authorization. The authority emphasized this as a preventive measure to protect investors and uphold market integrity and transparency.
Governor Óscar Santos and adviser Jéssica Sousa of the Bank of Cape Verde participated in the Africa Financial Summit in Casablanca, focusing on global economic challenges, sustainable financial sector development, and SME financing. Discussions included domestic capital mobilisation, financial inclusion through fintech and AI, and Cape Verde's renewable energy targets and economic stability.
The Bank of Italy published data on foreign workers' remittances for Q3 2025.
The Bank of Italy's research note, "What if Ether Goes to Zero? How Market Risk Becomes Infrastructure Risk in Crypto," discusses how crypto-asset price volatility can lead to availability and security risks for permissionless blockchains, as a significant loss in a native token's value may cause validators to halt operations, impacting transaction settlement and increasing cyberattack exposure.
The National Bank of Belgium released a podcast detailing the production of its economic projections for Belgium for 2025–2028, highlighting the impact of the recent federal budget agreement. The episode features an interview with Cédric Duprez, head of the Short-term Statistics, Prices and Costs group, and was recorded on 10 December.
The Dubai Financial Services Authority has updated the regulatory framework for Crypto Tokens in the Dubai International Financial Centre, shifting suitability assessments to firms and discontinuing the DFSA’s list of Recognised Crypto Tokens. Effective 12 January 2026, the new rules enhance investor safeguards, refine conduct and operational requirements, and introduce proportionate reporting obligations, following an October 2025 consultation.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Financial Services Commission appointed Courtney Robinson as Communications Advisor to enhance strategic communications, public engagement, and stakeholder relations. Robinson will focus on internal and external communications, public education, media relations, and building public confidence in the financial services regulatory framework.
The Thailand Securities and Exchange Commission is consulting on proposed amendments to short selling and securities borrowing and lending rules to align with current market conditions and enhance oversight. Key changes include clarifying short selling definitions, streamlining processes, and strengthening risk management for securities lending, with feedback open until 11 February 2026.
The Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador released initial results from the Fifth Agricultural Census and First Fisheries Census 2025, updating primary sector statistics for the first time in over 17 years. Findings highlight a predominance of small producers focused on local markets, with poultry and cattle as key activities. Fisheries data show extraction mainly in rivers and estuaries, with sales primarily through direct transactions.
The Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority issued a message commemorating the 62nd anniversary of the Zanzibar Revolution.
The Philippine SEC, with the Institute of Corporate Directors, completed a secondment programme with the Lao Securities Commission Office to exchange supervisory and corporate governance practices, focusing on the ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard. Held in December 2025, it included discussions on the scorecard's structure, the Philippine assessment process, and alignment with ASEAN and global standards.
The Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission extended discounted filing fees for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) for corporate and securities registration, maintaining a 20% discount for corporate registration until 31 March 2026 and a 50% discount for securities registration until 30 June 2026. These discounts apply to various sectors, and since July 2025, the SEC has granted about PHP34.5 million in fee discounts to 15,425 MSMEs.
The Guernsey Financial Services Commission clarified firms can choose between the Innovation Sandbox + Concierge or standard licensing routes, with no expectation for new virtual asset service providers to use the Sandbox. The Commission proposes removing specific application process references in guidance to rule 10.2 of the Lending Credit and Finance rules and encourages engagement with its consultation paper, Supporting Growth with Digital Finance.
The Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina met with UN Women to review and discuss future cooperation on enhancing gender perspectives in the financial sector, focusing on equal opportunities, women's leadership, financial literacy, and gender-disaggregated data. UN Women supported these initiatives and agreed on further collaboration to promote gender equality in financial institutions and the broader economy.
The Slovenia Securities Market Agency released an updated Issuer Handbook detailing obligations for companies offering securities and issuers on organised markets, incorporating legislative changes, new prospectus formats, and reporting requirements, with a focus on sustainability and digitalisation.
The National Bank of Serbia reported a decline in gross foreign exchange reserves to EUR 29,008.3 million at the end of December 2025, driven by net government deleveraging and foreign currency sales, while gold reserves increased to a record 52,507.6 kilograms. Despite the decrease, reserves still covered 155.8% of M1 money supply and 6.8 months of imports, with net foreign exchange reserves at EUR 24,636.1 million.
The National Bank of Serbia kept its monetary policy unchanged, with the reference interest rate at 5.75%, deposit facility rate at 4.5%, and credit facility rate at 7.0%, influenced by inflation trends and domestic and international factors. Inflation stabilized slightly below the target in late 2025, expected to stay within the 3 ± 1.5% target range through 2026, supported by systemic laws and easing external pressures, despite rising disposable income and a low base effect.
The National Bank of Serbia's Executive Board maintained the reference interest rate at 5.75%, with inflation stabilizing below the 3 ± 1.5% target band and expected to remain around the midpoint until March 2026. The Board highlighted potential disinflationary support from systemic laws and external factors, while noting risks from geopolitical tensions and market sensitivity to public debt sustainability.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has initiated a consultation on a UK equity consolidated tape to aggregate data from multiple trading venues, enhancing liquidity assessment. The proposed framework includes post-trade data and best bid and offer prices, aiming to improve market transparency and accessibility. The FCA also seeks expressions of interest from potential providers and notes a legal challenge concerning its bond tape framework.
The Central Bank of Nicaragua's Macroeconomic Outlook for 2025–2026 reports stronger-than-expected economic growth, revising the 2025 GDP growth projection to 4.5–5.0% and adjusting inflation to 2.5–3.0%, with a current account surplus forecast of 7.0–8.0% of GDP. For 2026, GDP growth is set at 3.5–4.5%, with inflation at 2.5–3.5%, supported by easing international inflation and favorable monetary and fiscal policies, though risks from trade shocks and climate remain.
The Central Bank of Nicaragua reported Gross International Reserves of USD 8,324.8 million as of 31 December 2025, marking a USD 2,219.7 million increase over the year, driven by monetary and fiscal policies. The bank anticipates continued reserve growth in 2026 to support the exchange rate regime and enhance macroeconomic stability.
Romania's Finance Minister Alexandru Nazare is leading a delegation to Paris for meetings related to Romania's OECD accession, including bilateral discussions on fiscal policy and economic governance, and an OECD Economic and Development Review Committee session to assess the draft OECD Economic Survey of Romania 2026.
The State Bank of Vietnam reported Deputy Governor Nguyen Ngoc Canh emphasized the approval of the Law on Unemployment Insurance 2025, effective 1 May 2026, to enhance Vietnam Deposit Insurance's role in restructuring weak credit institutions. He directed Vietnam Deposit Insurance to align with the Governor’s Directive 01 on banking priorities, focusing on implementing the new law and supporting legal frameworks for the Law on Credit Institutions 2024 and the Law on Insurance 2025.
Poland's Ministry of Finance has initiated legislative work to implement the EU Omnibus I package, proposing an optional exemption from sustainability reporting for certain "first-wave" entities for 2025 and 2026. The draft bill, aimed at reducing reporting burdens, is under inter-ministerial coordination and public consultation, with a two-stage implementation planned to align with the EU legislative timeline.
The Portuguese Securities Commission (CMVM) released its monthly securities investment fund benchmark figures for December 2025. Users are encouraged to subscribe to CMVM notifications for updates via the Institutional and Investor Portals.
The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission announced the dissolution and liquidation of Alternative Investment Fund Mega Ploutos AIF Variable Capital Investment Company Plc and its Multi-Strategy Investment Compartment, following a shareholders’ decision under the Alternative Investment Funds Law of 2018. The voluntary liquidation was communicated by the external manager, Mega Ploutos Fund Management Ltd.
The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) has issued two consultation papers proposing changes to its fee framework for supervised entities. The first paper suggests revising annual fee calculations for Investment Firms and Market Operators, while the second introduces annual fees for entities under Regulation (EU) 1286/2014 on PRIIPs. These changes aim to align fees with activity complexity and reduce reliance on public resources.
The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland announced board leadership designations and director appointments for its Cleveland head office and branch boards in Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, effective 1 January 2026. Key appointments include Richard J. Kramer as chair and Fred Hargett as deputy chair for the Cleveland Fed board, with various reappointments and new appointments across the branches.
The State Service for Regulation and Supervision of Financial Markets in Kyrgyzstan is conducting an open competitive selection to establish a personnel reserve for senior administrative civil service positions, requiring Kyrgyz citizenship, relevant education, and professional experience. Applications are accepted from 13 to 23 January 2026 in Bishkek, with selection involving computer-based testing and competency assessments.
The Mauritius Financial Services Commission has introduced a Known to the Commission framework for certain funds and investment adviser applicants and their relevant officers or beneficial owners. Eligible applicants can rely on existing information already held by the regulator, including a Personal Questionnaire that may remain valid for two years if unchanged. They must still submit a signed confirmation covering licensing history, regulatory standing, due diligence documents and screening checks.
The Federal Reserve Board, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency released the 2025 Shared National Credit Program report, indicating moderate credit risk in large syndicated bank loans due to borrowers' management of higher interest expenses and macroeconomic factors. The report noted a 6% increase in commitments to USD 6.9 trillion, with "non-pass" loans declining to 8.6% of total commitments, primarily due to new commitments rather than improved credit quality.
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission has launched the Innovation Advisory Committee, formerly the Technology Advisory Committee, to advise on technological innovation in financial services, derivatives, and commodity markets, with a focus on AI, blockchain, and cloud computing. Chaired by Michael S. Selig, the committee will include diverse industry viewpoints and is accepting nominations and topic suggestions until 31 January 2026.
The G7 Cyber Expert Group, co-chaired by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Bank of England, issued a roadmap to guide financial entities and authorities in transitioning to post-quantum cryptography, addressing cryptographic risks from advanced quantum computers with a flexible implementation timeline.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Department of Justice have withdrawn their joint statement on fair lending for noncitizen borrowers, reversing 2023 guidance on immigration status under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) and Regulation B. This aims to prevent conflicts with ECOA's language and clarify that creditors can consider immigration status for creditworthiness and compliance without new burdens.
The National Bank of the Republic of Tajikistan re-issued a licence to LLC deposit microcredit organisation “Doro Molia” for banking operations in national and foreign currency, in accordance with Tajikistan's laws on the National Bank, microfinance organisations, and the licensing system.
Mexico’s National Commission for the Protection and Defense of Financial Services Users (CONDUSEF) reported MXN 69 million in financial-services complaints in Zacatecas from January to November 2025, with MXN 19.7 million recovered. Of the concluded cases, 53.5% were resolved in favor of users, and 72.3% were managed electronically. Credit cards, special credit reports, and debit cards were the most complained about products, with commercial banks receiving most complaints.
The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario imposed conditions on Rahman Mohammed's mortgage broker licence and issued CAD 15,000 in penalties for non-compliance with the Mortgage Brokerages, Lenders and Administrators Act, 2006, including failures in borrower identity verification and mortgage suitability.
The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario issued a compliance order against Yashna Singh, imposing nine administrative penalties totaling CAD 75,000, after the Financial Services Tribunal found violations of the Mortgage Brokerages, Lenders and Administrators Act, 2006. Breaches included unauthorized remuneration, false information provision, unlicensed mortgage dealings, misuse of titles, and operating an unlicensed brokerage, based on the Tribunal's November 25, 2025 decision.
Payments Canada appointed Stephine Zee as Chief Product Officer to lead product management and enterprise-wide product strategy. Zee has over 20 years of experience in the Canadian payments ecosystem, including previous service as a Payments Canada Board member.
The Central Bank of Russia announced that Larisa Pavlova will retire on 30 January 2026, with Vladimir Egorov appointed as Acting Head of the Volga-Vyatka Main Branch. Pavlova, who has served for over 40 years, was praised by Governor Elvira Nabiullina for her leadership and talent development.
The Central Bank of Russia has removed the Bulgarian lev from its official exchange rate list against the Russian ruble, effective 12 January 2026, following Bulgaria's adoption of the euro on 1 January 2026.
The Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority is investigating Ica Banken and Medmera Bank for potentially inadequate credit assessments in consumer loans, focusing on repayment capacity and living standards post-loan. This review is part of a broader supervisory effort on creditworthiness, following nine investigations from 2023 to 2025, amid rising consumer payment issues.
The Gibraltar Financial Services Commission released a revised newsletter detailing euro exchange rates for the 12-month period starting 31 December 2025, accessible on its website under the Regulated Firms section.
The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) highlighted amendments to Switzerland’s Ordinance on Measures in Connection with the Situation in Ukraine, effective 12 January 2026, and reminded financial intermediaries to implement prohibitions, freeze assets of sanctioned persons, and report to the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), while also fulfilling obligations under the Anti-Money Laundering Act.
The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) issued guidance on managing risks in the custody of crypto-based assets, emphasizing the need for specialist expertise and robust infrastructure. The guidance addresses legal complexities in foreign custody, ensuring customer assets are protected from custodian insolvency, and underscores that responsibility remains with the authorized financial institution.
Taiwan's Ministry of Finance announced the National Financial Stabilization Fund will cease its market stabilization activities and revert to normal stock market mechanisms, following a decision at the Fund’s 127th Regular Committee Meeting. The committee concluded that intervention conditions are no longer present but will continue monitoring stock price volatility with the option to re-enter the market if necessary.
The Brazil Securities Commission (CVM) issued Resolution CVM 239 to amend its rules following Decree 12.787/2025, establishing two new superintendencies. The Superintendence for Intelligence Development will enhance supervision using advanced technologies, while the Superintendence for Market Supervision, Derivatives and Systemic Risks will focus on derivatives and systemic risks. The changes also create autonomous structures for the Ombudsman and Internal Affairs and increase technical advisory staff to expedite decision-making.
The Central Bank of Afghanistan reviewed plans with electronic money and payment institutions to implement the government’s electronic payments strategy and digitize revenue collection. An action plan has been developed, with coordinated implementation steps expected soon.
The Vietnam State Securities Commission announced updates to the Ministry of Finance’s Circular 115/2025/TT-BTC, amending Circular 118/2020/TT-BTC. The changes address public offerings, securities issuance, tender offers, share buybacks, and public company registration and status cancellation, effective 28 January 2026.
The Vietnam State Securities Commission announced a VND 1,000,000 fee for securities practising certificates, payable via bank transfer or directly at the Commission. The notice references Ministry of Finance Circular 25/2022/TT-BTC regarding fee management. Certificates will be canceled if the procedure is not completed within one year of the fee-payment notice.
The Vietnam State Securities Commission issued Notice 09/TB-UBCK mandating individuals on a specified list to pay VND 1,000,000 for securities practising certificates. Payment can be made via bank transfer to VietinBank or Vietcombank, or directly at the Commission. Failure to collect the certificate within one year will result in cancellation.
The Central Bank of Iceland issued a report to the Government after December 2025 inflation exceeded the 2.5% target by more than 1.5 percentage points, as required by their 2001 joint declaration. The report, published with a letter to the Prime Minister and related Monetary Policy Committee documents, outlines the reasons for the deviation and the Bank's response plan.
Bank of Indonesia's latest Retail Sales Survey forecasts continued growth in the Real Sales Index (RSI) for December 2025, with a 4.4% year-on-year and 4.0% month-on-month increase, driven by seasonal demand. November 2025 saw a 6.3% year-on-year RSI growth, with inflationary pressures expected to rise in the coming months, particularly ahead of Ramadan 1447 H.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore and the National University of Singapore appointed Professor Alan M. Taylor as the MAS Distinguished Term Professor in Economics and Finance from 12 to 16 January 2026, during which he will deliver a public lecture on global trade and engage with policymakers and economists.
The National Bank of Moldova released the 2026 regulatory reporting timetable for licensed banks, including links to previous years' submission schedules.
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka amended interest rate ceilings for finance companies on deposits and debt instruments, linking them to Treasury bill weighted average yield rates (WAYR) with fixed add-on margins. LKR time deposits are capped at varying margins above the WAYR depending on the tenor, while debt instruments have a ceiling of 364-day WAYR plus 1.50% for under 1 year and plus 3.75% for 1 to less than 2 years. These ceilings will be reviewed quarterly based on the average WAYR from the latest four Treasury bill auctions.
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority issued a scam alert regarding fraudulent websites, phishing emails, and other scams linked to six banks, including The Bank of East Asia and DBS Bank (Hong Kong). The HKMA emphasized that banks will not send communications with embedded hyperlinks or request sensitive information, advising affected individuals to contact their bank and report to the Hong Kong Police Force.
The Malta Financial Services Authority has implemented a revised regime for sponsors effective 1 January 2026, as part of its Capital Markets Strategy to enhance the regulatory framework. This framework introduces stricter requirements for sponsors, aiming to improve listing application quality, market discipline, investor confidence, and the sustainable development of Malta's capital markets.
The Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway and the Norwegian Data Protection Authority will host a seminar on 6 February to present final reports from regulatory sandbox projects focused on data sharing to combat economic crime. The event will feature discussions on legal assessments and proposals to expand information sharing, with contributions from DNB, Nordea, and other key stakeholders.
The German Bundesbank reported a November 2025 current account surplus of EUR 15.1 billion, with a shift to net capital exports of EUR 36.7 billion. Key changes included a reduction in the goods trade surplus, a swing to a surplus in "invisible" current transactions, and significant portfolio investment inflows driven by foreign purchases of German debt securities.
The German Bundesbank's November 2025 securities market statistics reveal a decrease in gross bond issuance but a significant rise in net domestic issuance, with public sector issuers leading the increase in capital market debt. Foreign investors were the primary buyers of German bonds, while domestic investment funds experienced substantial inflows, particularly in institutional Spezialfonds.