The Central Bank of Russia reported that product prices fell in two-thirds of regions in August, while service prices declined in a majority. Nonfood prices continued to rise in most regions, though more slowly, with ruble depreciation lifting electronics prices as motor fuel price growth decelerated.
The Capital Markets Board of Türkiye has detailed the systemic risk concerns behind its Aug. 28 investment fund guide changes, including unsecured related party borrowing and unusual share price movements involving certain funds. Supporting measures raised the qualified investor threshold to TRY 10 million, revised fund platform settlement rules and introduced net asset value requirements for specified holdings. Transition periods apply, with compliance to be monitored by firm and across the sector.
The Liechtenstein Financial Market Authority’s Appeals Commission granted TGI AG limited suspensive relief concerning the retention of deposits linked to three products. The orders requiring TGI AG to stop distributing and publicly offering those products remain in force, while the underlying proceedings continue.
The Athens Stock Exchange has officially returned to developed market status after 13 years, Greece’s Ministry of National Economy and Finance announced. The upgrade broadens the potential investor base and could support international capital inflows and wider financing options for businesses.
Fernando Restoy, Chair of the Bank for International Settlements’ Financial Stability Institute, called for bank supervision to extend beyond AI governance to operational and strategic resilience. Supervisors should update model risk management expectations, test faster cyber response and recovery, and assess how AI-driven economic change could affect borrowers, portfolios and bank business models.
HM Treasury has opened the UK's 250th banking hub in Chepstow, maintaining cash and face-to-face services ahead of the closure of the town's last bank branch. The hub advances the government's target of at least 350 locations by the end of this parliament.
The Thailand Securities and Exchange Commission is consulting on draft rules for mutual fund side pockets and suspensions of dealing, following broad support for principles proposed earlier in 2026. The rules would expand repayment options for side pocket assets, regulate related expenses and valuation, and strengthen investor notifications and regulatory reporting when dealing is suspended.
Bank of England research finds substantial dealer-level dispersion in synthetic dollar funding prices, with near-identical FX forwards differing by about 7 basis points between the 10th and 90th percentiles. Dealers charged 2.5 basis points more when buying dollars forward than when selling them, rising to 11.8 basis points at maturities under one month. Clientele and dealer pricing power explained more of the variation than underlying funding costs.
The Indonesia Financial Services Authority has issued transition and operating rules for the Strategic Minerals and Commodities Exchange. Supervisory responsibility will transfer from the Commodity Futures Trading Regulatory Agency when the exchange starts operating on Jan. 1, 2027. The framework covers trading, clearing, settlement, governance, risk management, market integrity and user protection.
The Bank of Cape Verde held its benchmark rate at 2.50%, its standing facility rates at 2.75% and 2.25%, and the minimum reserve requirement at 12%. The decision balances rising external inflation risks against domestic growth, declining average inflation and reserves covering about nine months of projected imports.
The Moroccan Capital Market Authority approved the preliminary prospectus for Capgemini SE’s employee offering of up to 3 million new shares. Eligible employees at three Moroccan subsidiaries may reserve shares from Sept. 19 through Sept. 30, 2026, with the subscription price to be set on Nov. 5.
The Moroccan Capital Market Authority approved AXA’s preliminary prospectus for an employee-only capital increase involving up to 58,951,965 shares. Eligible employees in Morocco may reserve shares from Sept. 19 through Sept. 24, 2026, with the reference price to be set on Oct. 30.
The Reserve Bank of India has extended the alternative overseas KYC document certification process at small finance banks to foreign portfolio investors with immediate effect. Documents may be certified by specified overseas bank officials, notarial or judicial authorities, or Indian diplomatic missions.
The Thailand Securities and Exchange Commission has introduced rules for transition bonds and Thailand amber bonds, effective Sept. 16, 2026, with proceeds tied to recognized transition standards or amber activities under the Thailand Taxonomy. Fee waivers apply through May 31, 2028, while all ESG bonds must now have a disclosed bond framework and an independent external review.
The Reserve Bank of India has extended an alternative overseas KYC document certification process at local area banks to foreign portfolio investors with immediate effect. Documents may be certified by specified overseas bank officials, notarial or judicial authorities, or Indian diplomatic missions.
The Reserve Bank of India has extended an alternative overseas KYC document certification process at regional rural banks to foreign portfolio investors with immediate effect. Eligible investors may provide copies certified by specified bank officials, judicial or notarial authorities, or Indian diplomatic missions.
The Reserve Bank of India has extended an alternative overseas KYC document certification process at urban cooperative banks to foreign portfolio investors with immediate effect. Eligible investors may submit copies certified by specified bank officials, judicial or notarial authorities, or Indian diplomatic missions.
The Reserve Bank of India has extended an alternative overseas certification process for KYC documents at rural cooperative banks to foreign portfolio investors. The facility, already available to nonresident Indians and persons of Indian origin, takes effect immediately.
The People's Bank of China and the Bank of the Lao PDR have launched cross-border digital payment interoperability between the two countries. The initiative follows their June 2026 memorandum on financial innovation, digital payments and central bank digital currency cooperation.
The Vietnam State Securities Commission is seeking quotations from qualified providers for the cost of valuing assets for liquidation by Sept. 25, 2026.
The China Securities Regulatory Commission has opened whistleblower reward registration for 17 cases involving disclosure, insider trading, audit, private fund and illegal securities business violations. Claims must be registered by Dec. 18, 2026, with anonymous and internal whistleblowers required to provide specified identity and supporting documents.
The Bank of Cape Verde (BCV) held its policy rate at 2.50%, standing lending and deposit facility rates at 2.75% and 2.25%, and minimum reserve requirement at 12%, citing resilient domestic activity and rising global inflation pressures. BCV will remain prudent and data-driven to safeguard price stability, financial-system soundness and the exchange-rate regime.
The Ministry of Economy and Finance of Uzbekistan reviewed an updated industrial decarbonization investment plan with the Climate Investment Funds, development banks, companies and financial institutions. The mission assessed investment priorities, concessional financing, implementation barriers and social considerations, and agreed on steps to finalize the plan for submission.
The Bank of the Lao advocated wider kip-yuan settlement and highlighted Laos-China retail payment connectivity through the digital yuan in 2026. Deputy Governor Soulisack Thamnouvong also emphasized AI’s role in cross-border payments, risk management and cybersecurity at a China-ASEAN financial conference.
The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic revoked Interpay LLC’s registration as an international electronic money system operator effective Sept. 16, 2026.
The United Arab Emirates' General Pension and Social Security Authority reported 19,808 employees registered under the GCC Insurance Protection Extension System, including 8,572 in the UAE. The system provides cross-border pension and social insurance coverage under employees’ home-country rules, with employer contributions, pension or gratuity benefits, and the option to merge previous service periods.
The National Securities and Stock Market Commission of Ukraine is accepting applications through September 23 for authorized officers in case review, investigations and case support. Candidates should have relevant legal, financial, compliance, supervisory, control or investigative experience and be able to assess complex evidence and risks objectively.
The Bank of Italy reported that Italy’s 12-month current account surplus rose to EUR 29.9 billion, or 1.3% of GDP, in July 2026, supported by goods and primary income. Net acquisitions of foreign assets fell to EUR 8.9 billion over the period, while July foreign purchases of Italian debt securities totaled EUR 7.5 billion and consisted entirely of government securities. The data series will be revised from 2018 on Sept. 30.
The Spanish National Securities Market Commission is consulting on trading frequency and volume thresholds for the potential delisting of equity instruments. The draft omits an ongoing distribution requirement and seeks views on how issuers could halt a delisting procedure and how subsequent observation periods should be assessed.
The Administrative Review Tribunal reduced Australian Securities and Investments Commission’s permanent ban on Noel Northcott to 10 years and allowed him to work as a supervised employee. The tribunal upheld ASIC’s findings of dishonest and misleading conduct but considered Northcott’s regulatory training and remorse. He may provide financial services independently from April 27, 2035.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has sued Clark Family Pty Ltd, alleging that up to 70 loan and insurance websites falsely offered product comparisons and tailored recommendations. ASIC claims consumer inquiries were instead sold to the highest bidding broker and is seeking penalties and other court orders.
Norges Bank concludes that the proposed streamlined monetary policy provision will not change how it conducts policy. It retains a 2% inflation target over time alongside considerations of sustainable output, employment and financial imbalances. The removed provisions largely duplicate existing statutory requirements on independence and reporting.
The Norwegian Ministry of Finance announced that the Council of State has decided to retain the key provisions of the monetary policy regulation.
Riksbank Governor Erik Thedéen called for appropriate regulation of new payment solutions, closer public-private cooperation and more resilient payment systems. He said central banks must actively manage risks from digitalization and decentralized technology while allowing innovations such as stablecoins and tokenized deposits to improve competition and efficiency.
Financial Conduct Authority Director Lucy Castledine outlined a retail investment agenda centered on broader support, clearer disclosures and stronger action against scams. Nine firms have been authorized under the targeted support regime, while Monzo reported that recipients of an investment recommendation were 33% more likely to open an investment account. The FCA expects further rules on disclosures and ongoing advice services by the end of the year.
INTERPOL identified 126 foreign terrorist fighters through an AI-assisted operation analyzing images published by jihadist groups. AI tools reduced 108,076 extracted facial images to 6,362 unique, high-quality images for officer-reviewed facial recognition checks. Further comparisons are ongoing, and cryptocurrency tracing also prompted three urgent customer data requests to a virtual asset service provider.
The European Commission’s first evaluation of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office found strong growth in its cross-border enforcement activity, with investigations rising from 515 in 2021 to 3,602 in 2025. However, legal ambiguities, divergent national implementation, information-sharing difficulties and uneven member-state support continue to limit its effectiveness. The findings will feed into the wider review of the EU anti-fraud architecture.
Central Bank of Ireland Governor Gabriel Makhlouf identified infrastructure modernization, provider resilience and responsible innovation as the main priorities for the future payments system. New research estimates that payments cost Irish merchants close to EUR 1 billion annually, while rapid adoption of mobile wallets and digital banks coexists with continued cash use. Consumers rank security, reliability, trust and fraud safeguards above speed, convenience and cost.
The European Banking Authority has finalized DORA-aligned Guidelines for managing third-party risk involving non-ICT services, replacing its narrower 2019 outsourcing framework. Stricter governance, contracting, monitoring and exit requirements focus on arrangements supporting critical or important functions. Financial entities have a two-year transitional period to review and document those existing arrangements.
European Central Bank Banking Supervision has replaced its 2019 licence application guide with updated, nonbinding guidance for new and extended credit institution authorizations. The guide clarifies licensing triggers and assessments of business plans, governance, shareholders, operational arrangements, prudential money laundering risks and capital adequacy over the first 36 months. Capital needed for the first 12 months must generally be paid up before authorization.
The European Central Bank reported that the euro area current account surplus fell to EUR 28 billion in July 2026 from EUR 35 billion in June. The 12-month surplus declined to EUR 282 billion, or 1.7% of GDP, mainly because of a smaller goods surplus and a wider secondary income deficit.
A European Central Bank working paper finds that competition is associated with lower subsequent credit risk mainly at banks with stronger capital positions. The effect is most robust for Tier 1 and total capital ratios and for capital headroom above supervisory requirements. The authors argue that competition and prudential capital conditions should be assessed jointly.
A European Central Bank working paper finds that firms borrowing from banks brought under direct Single Supervisory Mechanism supervision reduced their share of intangible assets by as much as 2.7% relative to other firms. The shift was strongest among small and young firms and appears linked to lower short-term lending and persistently tighter collateral requirements.
The Philippines Insurance Commission reported the Financial Stability Coordination Council’s assessment that the financial system remains resilient, supported by sound capital, liquidity and stable asset quality. The council is strengthening nonbank monitoring, data sharing and analysis of financial-sector interconnectedness. Geopolitical tensions, cyberattacks and supply-chain disruptions were identified as key risks.
The Malta Financial Services Authority found shortcomings in fund managers’ due diligence, classification and oversight of outsourced critical functions. Firms must retain sufficient internal substance, strengthen conflict controls and board reporting, and maintain independent contingency arrangements. All fund managers are expected to document a gap analysis and address identified weaknesses.
The Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina estimates annual real GDP growth of 2.2% in the second quarter and 2.3% in the third quarter of 2026. It cut its third quarter inflation nowcast to 3.7% for headline inflation and 4.2% for core inflation, but expects both measures to reach 4.1% in the fourth quarter.
The Central Bank of Comoros absorbed KMF 8 billion through a competitive term deposit auction, against a KMF 15 billion ceiling. The accepted bids had a weighted average rate of 1.96% and a marginal rate of 2.00%.
The Madagascar Ministry of Economy and Finance signed four agreements to enable operational use of the Central Register of Beneficial Owners. The partnerships will support data cross-checking, identification of beneficial owners and detection of inconsistencies for anti-money laundering, tax compliance and international information exchange purposes.
The National Bank of Moldova reviewed cooperation priorities with the EBRD, focusing on its bid for European Banking Authority recognition of Moldova’s prudential equivalence with the EU. It also assessed the banking sector as resilient, well capitalized and supported by solid liquidity.
The Central Bank of Cyprus has launched an open tender for building cleaning services and related supplies, valued at EUR 1.13 million excluding value-added tax. The three-year contract may be extended by 18 months, and bids are due by noon Cyprus time on Oct. 23, 2026.
Bank of Ghana Governor Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama launched the Central Securities Depository’s investorConnect platform, giving investors direct digital access to account opening, securities holdings and transaction histories. The platform uses real-time Ghana Card verification and complements rather than replaces licensed intermediaries. The depository is expected to maintain strong data security, service reliability and investor protection.
Kyriakos Pierrakakis, Greece’s minister of national economy and finance and Eurogroup president, called for rapid Banking Union reform to remove cross-border barriers, strengthen common safety nets and simplify regulation. He argued that greater integration and scale are needed to mobilize European savings and finance EUR 800 billion in additional annual investment needs while preserving strong regional and local banks.
The Capital Markets Board of Türkiye has detailed the systemic risk concerns and preparatory work behind its Aug. 28 investment fund guide changes. The guide targets unsecured related party borrowing, unusual stock price movements and fictitious valuations involving certain funds. Supporting measures include a higher qualified investor threshold, revised fund platform settlement rules and net asset value requirements for specified fund holdings.
The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission has secured an extension of worldwide freezing orders covering up to HKD 146,859,320 in assets held by Lo Kai Bong and Major Success Group Limited. The court found a real risk of asset dissipation linked to a February 2026 restructuring, and the freezes will remain pending final determination of the regulator’s proceedings or a further court order.
Hong Kong credit cards in circulation reached 31.03 million in the second quarter of 2026, up 36.1% year over year. Credit card transaction volume rose, but transaction value fell 8.0% from the previous quarter to HKD 286.5 billion. Debit card retail and bill payment value declined both quarterly and annually.
Hong Kong stored value facility accounts reached 90.38 million in the second quarter of 2026, up 9.2% year on year, while transaction volumes rose 3.6% to about 2.2 billion. Transaction value totaled HKD 264.7 billion, down 7.4% year on year, and deposits and float increased 7.3% to HKD 21.8 billion.
Austria's Ministry of Finance reported nearly 13,500 anti-fraud inspections in the first half of 2026, generating about EUR 26 million in additional revenue and EUR 23.4 million in financial penalties. Enforcement included 132 premises searches and the initial assessment of about 17,600 potential financial offenses, while 189 companies were legally confirmed as sham businesses.
The Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway recommends retaining risk weight floors of 25% for residential mortgages and 35% for commercial real estate loans after year-end. It assesses property market risks as still high, citing commercial real estate loss potential and persistently elevated household debt.
Cash disbursements from Moldovan banks exceeded receipts by MDL 20 million in August 2026. Receipts totaled MDL 16.988 billion, while disbursements declined 2% year over year to MDL 17.008 billion.
Moldova’s monetary base rose 2 percent in August 2026 to MDL 86.337 billion, while broad money M3 increased 0.4 percent. Bank deposits grew 0.6 percent and claims on the economy increased 1.5 percent.
Moldovan banks extended MDL 7.241 billion in new loans in August 2026. Businesses accounted for 64.4% of lending and individuals for 35.6%, with household loans predominantly denominated in Moldovan lei.
Moldovan banks attracted MDL 27.085 billion in new deposits in August 2026, with businesses contributing 68.5% and individuals 31.5%. MDL term deposits accounted for 72.8% of total term deposits.
The Central Bank of Honduras has received a portrait and family correspondence connected to artist Pablo Zelaya Sierra. The bank will preserve and study the materials, incorporate them into its collection and potentially display them at its cultural centers.
Greece’s Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance Nikos Papathanasis described announcements by Moody’s and Scope Ratings as recognition of the economy’s resilience and established investment grade position. He said the government would accelerate reforms and deploy national and EU resources to support households, businesses, investment and employment.
European Central Bank Vice-President Boris Vujčić backed gradual, meeting-by-meeting tightening as elevated energy prices increase uncertainty for inflation and growth. He said the ECB would consider broader economic data rather than energy prices alone and projected food inflation to peak at 3.4% in the third quarter of 2027. Vujčić also favored minimum reserve requirements to absorb excess liquidity and called for deeper EU financial integration rather than deregulation.
The Bank of the Lao has launched a retail e-CNY payment link that initially allows Chinese users to pay Lao QR merchants with digital yuan wallets. It also initiated a Cross-Border e-CNY Transfer System pilot for trade and investment transfers involving selected Chinese companies in Laos.
The Reserve Bank of Australia’s balance sheet declined by AUD 373 million to AUD 356.713 billion at Sept. 16. Lower gold and foreign exchange assets and Australian dollar investments outweighed an increase in other assets, while Exchange Settlement balances rose by AUD 1.547 billion.
The Australian Securities & Investments Commission has consolidated 17 financial and sustainability reporting and auditing relief instruments into two, following consultation. The new framework makes no substantial policy changes but removes duplicative stapled entity relief, omits one provision from the former audit relief instrument and improves clarity and consistency. ASIC will update relevant forms and guidance.
The South Korea Financial Services Commission’s Korea Financial Intelligence Unit signed an agreement with Tajikistan’s financial intelligence authority to exchange information on suspicious cross-border fund flows. The cooperation will support investigations and prosecutions involving money laundering, organized crime, tax evasion and drug trafficking, while extending South Korea’s wider push for stronger international financial crime controls.
The Bank of the Lao has launched a retail e-CNY payment link that initially allows Chinese users to pay Lao QR merchants with digital yuan wallets. It also initiated a Cross-Border e-CNY Transfer System pilot for trade and investment transfers involving selected Chinese companies in Laos.
The Bank of Korea reported that the public sector deficit widened to KRW 83.1 trillion in 2025 from KRW 69.1 trillion a year earlier. Expenditure increased 5.5% to KRW 1,275.2 trillion, exceeding the 4.7% rise in revenue to KRW 1,192.1 trillion.
Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission Chairman Dr Kelvin Wong called on boards to retain human accountability for AI and treat its use as a governance duty rather than an IT project. Directors should build AI literacy, establish firmwide controls and ownership, and scrutinize investment returns, risks, performance and incidents. He highlighted a wide gap between issuers’ AI disclosures and the adoption of structured governance frameworks.
The Central Bank of the Solomon Islands has directed merchants to stop imposing unauthorized card payment surcharges and to absorb international card service fees as a business expense. Merchants must use consistent, transparent pricing across payment methods, with the central bank and commercial banks monitoring compliance.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has secured interim court orders restricting Star Investment Group Australia, Gondal Holdings and director Ijaz Ahmad from dissipating assets during an investigation into an investment scheme linked to the Lake Narracan Resort development. The court will consider on Sept. 23, 2026, whether to continue the orders or grant further relief, including appointing receivers.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore and the People’s Bank of China advanced joint work on transition taxonomy interoperability, green panda bonds and technology-enabled sustainable finance. The task force also examined biodiversity credits, climate resilience insurance, carbon market connectivity and ways to attract commercial capital to adaptation projects.
The Bank of Japan has capped its climate response facility at JPY 50 trillion, with a JPY 10 trillion ceiling for each counterparty, and revised interest rate setting across several funding operations. From May 31, 2027, disaster support will move from the East Japan earthquake-specific framework to case by case Policy Board decisions on eligible disasters and lending limits.
The Bank of Japan voted 7-2 to raise its uncollateralized overnight call rate target by 25 basis points to around 1.25%, citing underlying inflation approaching its 2% target and upside risks. It said it would continue raising the policy rate and adjusting accommodation based on economic activity, prices and financial conditions.
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s 2026 snapshot shows Māori businesses requested debt more often than non-Māori businesses in 2023 but obtained it on acceptable terms at a lower rate. Eight participating banks reported on Māori strategy, representation and lending support, with five offering Māori land lending products and two reporting initiatives targeted to Māori small and medium businesses.
The Bank of Korea's preliminary Producer Price Index rose 0.2% month on month and 7.9% year on year in August 2026, led by agricultural products and utilities. Domestic supply and total output prices fell 1.3% and 1.2% from July, respectively, but remained substantially higher than a year earlier.
Foreign investors bought a net KRW 344 billion of listed stocks in August 2026, their first net buying in eight months. They sold a net KRW 4.736 trillion of listed bonds, with outflows concentrated in Korean Treasury bonds and securities maturing within one year.
The White House extended for 12 months the restriction requiring a USD 100,000 payment for petitions covering certain H-1B workers entering the United States, subject to limited national interest exceptions. The administration cited persistent labor market concerns despite a 92% decline in registrations from the largest IT staffing and outsourcing firms and a shift toward higher-skilled, higher-paid applicants.
The president signed legislation expanding sanctions, tariffs and prohibitions on Russia and extending existing sanctions on Iran.
U.S. Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden criticized the newly enacted Russia and Iran sanctions law for expanding Donald Trump’s tariff authority. He argued that the law could raise living costs while allowing the administration to avoid meaningful sanctions against Russia and its supporters.
The U.S. Department of Justice is returning USD 2.5 million from a forfeited Maryland property to The Gambia. The funds must be used under the Gambian Victims Reparations Act of 2023 to compensate eligible victims of former President Yahya Jammeh’s corruption and abuse of office.
The Reserve Bank of Fiji transferred FJD 118 million to the government after earning a net profit of FJD 120.6 million in 2025/26. It was the bank’s fourth consecutive annual profit above FJD 100 million and its third-highest profit on record.
Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Michele Bullock said upside inflation risks appear to be materializing after 75 basis points of rate increases in 2026, with inflation around or slightly above 3.5 per cent. The board will assess whether tightening to date is sufficient to return inflation to target. Card surcharging remains set to end on Oct. 1, while the RBA will publish broader payments regulatory priorities by the end of 2026.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission reported that 149 of 220 candidates, or 67.73%, passed the August 2026 Financial Advisers Exam. The pass rate among first time candidates was 72.3%, and the next exam will be held on Nov. 5, 2026.
The Central Bank of Cuba detailed its new CUP 10,000 and CUP 20,000 banknotes, designed to simplify cash transactions amid inflation and reduce handling and logistics costs. The notes retain the security features used in the CUP 2,000 and CUP 5,000 denominations.
The Uruguay Ministry of Economy and Finance announced an agreement to establish a rice sector financing instrument expected to mobilize about USD 50 million for approximately 400 producers. Voluntary loans will run for up to 10 years and provide up to USD 500 per hectare, supported by three complementary guarantee mechanisms. Technical and banking arrangements are being finalized before launch.
The Central Bank of Uruguay held a financial education event in Mercedes for students from across Soriano. Interactive activities covered money management, saving, credit, investment, payments, planning and financial security.
The Securities Commission of The Bahamas reported that financial regulators will coordinate an industry session ahead of the country’s upcoming CFATF mutual evaluation. The group also reviewed planned Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework legislation, sanctions reporting work and cooperation on financial literacy, cyber risk and artificial intelligence.
The Central Bank of the Bahamas reported progress on financial stability analysis of links between gaming flows and banks. The Financial Stability Council also agreed to develop sectorwide cyber preparedness plans focused on incident reporting, management and harmonized regulatory guidance. Its 2025 assessment found resilience across banks, securities and insurance, while identifying geopolitical tensions and oil prices as external risks.
U.S. Senate Banking Committee ranking member Elizabeth Warren backed reauthorization of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act program while calling for future reforms covering cyber, nuclear and biological risks and taxpayer protections. She said she would oppose all four Trump administration nominees before the committee, including Consumer Financial Protection Bureau director nominee Brian Johnson.
The Bank of Israel reported that Israel’s net foreign asset surplus increased 20 percent in the second quarter of 2026 to about USD 316 billion. Residents’ assets abroad reached USD 1.013 trillion, while external liabilities rose to USD 697 billion.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation proposed applying host state laws to out-of-state state banks on the same basis as national banks, regardless of whether services are provided through a branch. Chartering state law would apply when host state law does not apply, while loan interest rate rules would remain unchanged.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation proposed a faster, more predictable Bank Merger Act review framework with deemed approvals for qualifying de minimis transactions and fixed timelines for expedited and standard filings. It would modernize competition analysis by including credit unions and centrally booked deposits, codify statutory factor reviews, and establish clearer thresholds for mergers in substance and significant asset transfers.
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Finance led the Kingdom's delegation at a GCC finance deputies meeting that prepared recommendations for the upcoming Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee ministerial meeting.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned BitBank, its software developer and three associates of Iranian financier Babak Zanjani over digital asset transactions supporting Iran. BitBank allegedly facilitated hundreds of millions of dollars in Bitcoin transfers to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps between June and July 2026. The action blocks affected property and generally prohibits U.S.-linked transactions with the designated parties.
The Senate Banking Committee considered bipartisan terrorism insurance reauthorization and four Trump administration nominees. Chairman Tim Scott urged action before the insurance program expires at the end of 2027 and supported advancing the nominees to the full Senate.
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency prohibited two former bank employees from participating in the affairs of covered financial institutions. The cases involved approximately USD 329,088 in embezzlement from U.S. Bank and unauthorized customer account debits that caused PNC Bank losses of at least USD 74,550.