The Egypt Financial Regulatory Authority has barred consumer finance companies from financing gold, silver, platinum and other precious metal bars and jewelry, classifying them as investment instruments. Companies must also report quarterly data on bank funding costs and the average rates and administrative fees charged to customers, starting with 2025 data.
The Egypt Financial Regulatory Authority and the Supreme Council for Media Regulation have established prior review of digital applications and platforms linked to nonbank financial markets. The authority will provide a technical opinion within 15 days to help prevent unauthorized use of regulated entities’ identities and misleading claims of affiliation or licensing.
An European Central Bank paper finds that GDP data and potential growth revisions are the main drivers of changes to euro area output gap estimates. About half of GDP data revisions and more than one-third of two-year-ahead forecast errors were reflected in revised potential growth in the balanced sample. The paper recommends using broader indicators to cross-check real-time estimates of economic slack.
Japan's Ministry of Finance promulgated rules implementing amendments to the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act. They will take effect on January 4, 2027, and become fully applicable on February 3, 2027.
The India International Financial Services Centres Authority has brought broad GIFT IFSC fund management reforms into effect, combining operational relief with stronger disclosures and governance. Changes include raising the qualifying manager and associate contribution cap from 10% to 25%, easing valuation and reporting requirements, and expanding flexibility for venture capital and retail fund structures. Retail offer documents must provide additional information on net asset value methodology and conflicts of interest.
The Kuwait Capital Markets Authority renewed Kuwait Financial Centre’s securities activities license for three years from Dec. 18, 2026. The license covers portfolio management, collective investment scheme management and brokerage outside a securities exchange registration.
The Kuwait Capital Markets Authority has licensed Boubyan Capital to privately market 14.5 million shares in a Cayman Islands fund to professional clients in Kuwait at USD 10 per share. The one-year license takes effect upon issuance of the license certificate after the required fees are paid.
The Federal Reserve Board and Federal Open Market Committee released participants’ economic projections from the September 15-16 meeting.
The Brunei Darussalam Central Bank issued fair treatment requirements for banks and financial institutions, effective March 1, 2027. Firms must strengthen conduct risk governance, disclosures, suitability and contractual fairness, with particular attention to vulnerable consumers.
Ceres found that most of 50 major North American institutional investors continued to integrate climate considerations into core investment practices. Of those assessed, 74% evaluated climate-related portfolio risks and invested in climate solutions, while 72% engaged portfolio companies on climate issues.
De Nederlandsche Bank's Bas ter Weel outlined how central banks can support the safety and stability of a tokenized financial system as distributed ledger technology transforms financial markets.
Ukraine’s Parliament has adopted legislation creating a legal framework for securitization and covered bonds, the National Securities and Stock Market Commission reported. The framework enables asset pooling and protected covered bond issuance to attract long-term funding, while setting risk, disclosure and investor protection requirements. It also allocates oversight responsibilities between the commission and the National Bank of Ukraine and aligns the market more closely with EU rules.
The Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets found that internal audit functions are becoming more professional across large banks, insurers and financial services providers. Banks and insurers generally have strong arrangements, while providers are adopting proportionate forms of independent review despite having no direct legal obligation to establish an internal audit function. The authority highlighted customer focused audit planning, data analysis and overall assessments of internal controls as good practices.
The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic has approved a SupTech concept and roadmap for 2026–2031, covering automated supervision and digital tools using artificial intelligence, machine learning and big data. The program includes electronic licensing, stronger data governance and common standards for integrating supervised entities with the central bank’s infrastructure.
The Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan revoked Parvin Sehran Huseynov's insurance agent license following his voluntary request.
The World Bank identified job creation, the return of internally displaced people, remittance volatility and export market access as Haiti’s four main economic challenges. It recommended macroeconomic, fiscal and governance reforms, investment in the Northern and Southern corridors and reconnection of the capital. Agriculture employs nearly half of the workforce but receives less than 1% of formal credit.
The Bank of Cape Verde is surveying citizens’ payment habits to support implementation of its Instant and Inclusive Transfer System. The findings will assess demand for instant payments, cash use and opportunities to expand digital payment services.
The European Fund and Asset Management Association and four industry groups have urged EU lawmakers to reject MISP rules that would direct trading toward particular venues, arguing they would restrict investor choice and raise costs. They instead seek stronger market data rules, clearing interoperability and post-trade competition. The groups also back venue attribution and five levels of order book depth in the equity consolidated tape.
A World Bank-supported facility will finance private sector tourism development across eight protected areas in Laos. The World Bank estimates that nature tourism could provide about 10% of national output and jobs, while the project targets employment opportunities for 75,000 women.
The European Banking Federation and four industry groups have called for targeted, evidence based EU equity market changes under MISP, warning against rules that steer trading toward particular venues. They prioritize investor choice, a Consolidated Tape with venue attribution and five levels of order book depth, lower market data costs and greater choice in clearing and settlement.
The Bank of Albania reviewed annual private-sector credit growth of 14.3% in the first half of 2026 and urged banks to preserve prudent lending and risk management standards. Governor Gent Sejko said existing housing loan limits were producing the intended effects amid 16.1% mortgage growth. He also called for wider use of the ALL 25 billion MSME Financing Program, which runs through the end of 2027.
The Financial Markets Standards Board has renewed its Consultation Agreement with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission until September 2029. The three-year extension continues their cooperation on standards for fair and effective wholesale financial markets.
The Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority has briefed Tabora cooperative leaders on opportunities for cooperatives to register to provide insurance services to members. Forthcoming meetings will extend the outreach to farmers and promote the use of registered providers over fraudulent agricultural insurance.
The Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority reinforced compliance requirements for NMB bancassurance staff in Lindi, Mtwara and Ruvuma. Staff must meet professional standards, ensure insurance officers are present at relevant branches, maintain complaints and claims registers, and comply with minimum premium rates and other legal requirements.
The Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission cleared Arthaland Corporation’s rental pool program covering 166 consolidated leasing agreements, subject to remaining requirements. The program combines commercial units in Cebu City and Taguig City into leasable spaces, with participating owners receiving pro rata shares of net rental income.
Qatar Central Bank has raised its key interest rates by 25 basis points, effective Sept. 17, 2026.
The Bank for International Settlements has invited member central banks to nominate economists for research fellowships of up to three months. Selection will reflect policy relevance, research credentials and potential collaboration with BIS economists, with annual nominations closing March 31.
The Bank for International Settlements has invited leading academics in economics and finance to submit proposals for its Research Fellowship Programme. Selected fellows may conduct policy relevant research with BIS economists during visits of up to one month in Basel, Hong Kong SAR or Mexico City.
The Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority and the Personal Data Protection Commission are strengthening cooperation on personal data protection in the insurance sector. Their work will focus on the secure and lawful handling of data collected and processed by the insurance regulator.
The Central Bank of the Dominican Republic invited bids to supply textiles and produce corporate uniforms for its female technical staff, with offers due on Nov. 2, 2026.
The Central Bank of Cuba outlined 20 gradual reforms spanning bank capitalization, credit and savings, digital finance, and foreign exchange. The framework would admit supervised state, private and foreign participants, give banks more flexibility over savings rates and expand sector-specific lending. Fintech and cryptocurrency rules, private exchange houses, digital remittances and a foreign currency auction platform are also being developed.
The Angola Capital Markets Commission has published its complaints and reports management review for 2025.
The Bank of Mauritius has reduced the bid validity period for its procurement of 110 laptops from 90 to 60 days. Bids must meet the stated specifications, and suppliers must prove that Windows 11 Pro licenses are genuine.
The Financial Superintendency of Colombia launched RelatorÍA Inteligente, an AI platform providing structured, traceable access to jurisdictional rulings and related case law. It initially covers decisions from January through June 2026 and will progressively add earlier rulings through 2022, with outputs validated against original decisions before publication.
The Dominican Republic's Pensions Superintendency certified AFP APS after 100% of its employees completed education on the Dominican Pension System, exceeding the 70% participation requirement. The certification coincides with AFP APS becoming a regulated and supervised entity.
The Central Bank of Chile has launched a nationwide campaign encouraging consumers and merchants to check cash security features as Independence Day holiday demand rises by up to 50%. Suspected counterfeits should not be recirculated and may be surrendered for authentication, with reimbursement provided if the cash is genuine.
The Bahamas outlined energy, water and aviation infrastructure opportunities at CARIF 2026, with private capital to be attracted through power purchase agreements, independent power producer structures and public-private partnerships. Projects include major solar, natural gas and battery installations in Abaco and New Providence, alongside continued airport development across the Family Islands.
The Central Bank of the Bahamas published secondary market prices for Bahamas Registered Stock in its portfolio, with quoted yields ranging from 3.53% to 6.36%. The prices exclude accrued interest, and floating-rate coupons reset every six months at the prevailing six-month market rate.
The Brazil Securities Commission imposed more than BRL 203 million in fines across three enforcement cases, chiefly for the fraudulent issuance and distribution of Brazil Realty FII units. It also penalized related disclosure and supervisory obstruction violations, sanctioned a former Ybyrá Capital director and acquitted two defendants in a separate market manipulation case.
The Brazil Securities Commission accepted two settlement agreements totaling BRL 588,000. The cases concern alleged share sales before the release of financial statements and potential price manipulation involving real estate investment fund units.
The Brazil Securities Commission’s Tokenization Working Group submitted a draft resolution proposing a DLT pilot covering the securities lifecycle from issuance through settlement. The tests would assess the technology’s viability, interoperability and risks under direct CVM monitoring. They would run for 60 days, extendable by up to 30 days, and inform possible regulatory or legislative changes.
The Argentina Securities Commission finalized rules for Labor Assistance Fund collective investment products offered through mutual funds or financial trusts in single-employer and multi-company forms. The regime provides for automatic public offering authorization, portability and default allocation, while capping annual ordinary management costs at 1% of assets. Vehicles must publish monthly information on performance and portfolio composition.
The Central Bank of West African States has approved participant business APIs for integrated services through the PI-SPI regional instant payment platform. The APIs support interoperable payments, bulk requests, automated operations and real-time transaction monitoring across the West African Economic and Monetary Union.
The Isle of Man Financial Services Authority found improving sanctions compliance and no systemic failings, but identified isolated weaknesses in screening evidence, customer risk assessments and the operation of documented controls. Questionnaire results showed fewer firms lacking required procedures or screening, although 115 respondents reported no controls for notifying relevant functions of screening failures. Firms should test and document their sanctions controls and keep risk assessments and training current.
The Ghana Securities and Exchange Commission has issued guidelines for licensed securities registrars and issuers on regulated markets. The rules also cover other persons specified by the commission that conduct registrar business or must maintain registers of interests in securities.
The Maldives Monetary Authority announced that the Maldivian rufiyaa symbol has been included in Unicode 18.0 under code point U+20C2. The change enables consistent use of the symbol across digital platforms.
The Ghana Securities and Exchange Commission has issued guidelines for sukuk offered in Ghana or listed on an approved domestic exchange. The framework covers issuance structure and documentation, supervision, obligations after issuance and minimum disclosure standards, while requiring alignment with recognized non-interest finance principles.
The Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan held its policy rate at 14% as inflation eased to 6.2% in August, while persistent domestic and external price risks warranted continued tight monetary conditions. It aims to reduce inflation to its 5% target by end-2027.
The World Federation of Exchanges found that transition finance is now exchanges’ leading product development priority, with five respondents already offering transition designations and 20 planning to do so. Among 58 exchange groups surveyed, 93% reported investor demand for sustainability related products, while unreliable data and political and regulatory uncertainty remained the main challenges.
The Network for Greening the Financial System’s 2025 Annual Report highlights greater support for central banks and supervisors implementing climate and nature risk analysis. Its work included short-term climate scenarios and adaptation in transition plans, while membership and observers reached 170 across five continents.
The National Bank of Ukraine has extended the settlement deadline for imports of specified industrial equipment from 180 to 270 days, effective Sept. 17, 2026. The measure covers designated rolling mills, metalworking machinery and related equipment, while the general 180-day deadline remains unchanged.
The National Bank of Ukraine has expanded the foreign exchange transactions permitted through hryvnia accounts offered by non-bank payment service providers. The changes allow overseas purchases of up to UAH 200,000 a month, incoming transfers from abroad after currency conversion and specified payments to Ukrainian businesses. They take effect on September 17, 2026.
The Bank of Italy published research finding that large language model sentiment indicators derived from financial news improve its credit assessment system’s ability to distinguish solvent firms from insolvent ones. The approach adds structured analysis of qualitative information to the statistical and expert judgment components of the system.
Sharon Donnery, a member of the European Central Bank’s Supervisory Board, called for deeper banking integration to reduce regulatory complexity and allow banks to operate at European scale. She proposed more directly applicable EU regulations, fewer restrictions on capital and liquidity within banking groups, completion of the banking union and a common reporting framework. Simplification should preserve prudential requirements rather than lower them.
Sharon Donnery, member of the European Central Bank’s Supervisory Board, backed replacing the EU’s multiple macroprudential buffers with one non-releasable and one releasable buffer while preserving existing capital resilience. She also proposed stronger coordination through the existing Macroprudential Forum, with Single Resolution Board involvement, to improve calibration and address overlaps among supervisory, macroprudential and resolution requirements.
The European Central Bank has published the September 2026 membership of its Rulebook Development Group, chaired by Patrick Papsdorf. The group comprises European retail payments market and Eurosystem representatives, with EU institutions and the Irish Council presidency participating as observers.
The National Bank of Poland reported that inflation excluding food and energy increased to 3.3% year over year in August 2026 from 3.1% in July. Headline inflation was 3.4%, while the 15% trimmed mean held at 2.8%.
The Central Bank of Luxembourg reported lower variable lending rates and higher new credit volumes in July 2026. The household variable mortgage rate fell to 3.17%, while variable corporate loan rates declined to 3.50% for loans of up to EUR 1 million and 2.84% for larger loans. Deposit rates decreased slightly for households but rose for nonfinancial corporations.
Kazakhstan’s financial regulator revoked Otyrarauylnesie Credit Partnership’s microfinance license for repeated noncompliance with written directives. The firm must re-register, reorganize or liquidate within 30 calendar days, while clients remain liable for outstanding obligations.
South Korea's Financial Services Commission will accept second-round Youth Future Savings Account applications from Oct. 7 to 16, 2026, with account openings from Nov. 16. The round adds another switching opportunity for Youth Leap Account holders and strengthens eligibility checks and applicant support. Proposed 2027 changes would broaden eligibility and raise preferential government matching rates, subject to National Assembly approval.
The South Korea Financial Services Commission reviewed payment gateway cybersecurity and incident response following a recent breach, including growing AI enabled threats. It called for stronger controls across providers and connected merchants, data minimization and rapid information sharing to prevent fraud and protect affected consumers. The commission will also consider regulatory improvements to strengthen security and consumer protection.
The European Financial Reporting Advisory Group will open its September 18 meeting to registered observers via live webcast and on-demand recording, while retaining the option to hold closed sessions.
The South Korea Financial Services Commission has launched a five-part national financial crime strategy comprising 12 tasks ahead of the FATF mutual evaluation starting in March 2028. Priorities include beneficial ownership transparency, phased anti-money laundering duties for designated nonfinancial businesses and professions, AI and virtual asset analysis, risk-based supervision, stronger asset recovery and tighter targeted financial sanctions. Eight working groups will monitor government-wide implementation.
The Central Bank of Comoros has launched a competitive tender to withdraw liquidity from the money market.
South Korea's Securities and Futures Commission referred or reported suspects to prosecutors in four separate cases involving alleged trading on material nonpublic information. It also penalized second and third-level tippees for market disruption, with the cases covering tender offers, capital raising and corporate acquisition information.
The National Bank of Romania is urging selected households to participate in the country’s first Household Finance and Consumption Survey, running from May to December 2026. The survey covers more than 12,000 households in 1,309 localities and will generate confidential, internationally comparable data on household finances.
The National Bank of Moldova is supporting the second Romania-Moldova Economic Forum in Chișinău on Sept. 17, 2026. Discussions will cover financing, cross-border investment, small and medium-sized enterprises and economic cooperation linked to Moldova’s European integration.
Moldova’s government approved a national information system to centralize data on irregularities, fraud and related risks and support secure information exchange among competent authorities. The interoperable system will be managed by the State Financial Control Inspectorate, with access through the government’s MPass service.
The National Securities and Stock Market Commission of Ukraine is recruiting authorized officers for case review, investigations and support, with applications due by Sept. 23. Candidates need relevant professional experience and the ability to assess evidence, apply legislation and justify decisions affecting market participants.
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority warned the public about reported bank-related phishing and online scams. Customers should not follow transaction links or disclose passwords or one-time passwords through phone calls, emails or SMS messages.
Hong Kong Interbank Clearing Limited warned of a fraudulent website impersonating its Faster Payment System services to obtain identity and bank account information. The company does not provide these services directly to individuals and urged the public to report suspected fraud.
The Bank of Italy will join European Researchers' Night 2026 with public talks on the energy transition and climate-related economic and financial risks. Its Donato Menichella Centre will also host free exhibitions, seminars and tours on Sept. 24, with advance registration required.
Sveriges Riksbank’s Business Survey found large companies’ assessment of economic conditions above its historical average for the first time since September 2022, supported by stronger consumer demand and investment in defence, data centers and the energy transition. War-related cost pressures remain manageable, with most companies not planning price increases beyond their usual practice. Fewer companies expect to cut staff, but recruitment remains cautious.
A National Bank of Denmark working paper finds that 2023 AI adopters recorded employment growth 11% below trend relative to non-adopters by late 2025. The shortfall was concentrated in firms with fewer than 100 employees and resulted from lower hiring, particularly in AI-exposed occupations. Economy-wide employment and wages remained relatively unaffected.
The National Bank of Denmark finds that AI adopting firms have reduced employment growth mainly through fewer hires, particularly among younger and more highly educated workers. Total employment and wages show no clear effects, suggesting displaced hiring has been absorbed elsewhere. The central bank’s baseline projection assumes no aggregate employment impact over the next two to three years, although risks run in both directions.
The National Bank of Denmark found that firms beginning to use AI subsequently hire fewer workers than comparable firms, particularly affecting younger and more highly educated employees. It found no wage impact or clear effect on overall Danish employment, although the longer-term consequences remain uncertain.
The Central Bank of Russia clarified that qualified investor-only fund units and promotional information about them must not be offered or disseminated to non-qualified investors through any channel. It recommends the same approach for other securities and derivatives reserved for qualified investors.
The Central Bank of Ireland raised its modified domestic demand growth forecasts to 3.8% for 2026 and 3.4% for 2027, supported by consumer spending and multinational investment. Inflation is projected at 3.4% in 2026, with energy prices creating further upside risk. Housing output should rise through 2028, but four-year delivery times strengthen the case for timely reform and fiscal restraint.
National Bank of Hungary Governor Mihály Varga launched the Budapest Financial Summit as a platform for central bank cooperation and knowledge sharing. He emphasized price and financial stability amid persistent global uncertainty and called for the benefits of artificial intelligence to be balanced against its risks.
The Bank of France found that average perceived inflation remained at 9.5% at the end of 2025, compared with a measured rate of 0.8%. More than eight in 10 households believed their purchasing power had fallen, and 63% reported changing their spending behavior following the 2022-23 inflation shock.
The Bank of Albania reviewed private-sector credit growth of 14.3% in the first half of 2026 and urged banks to preserve sound lending and risk management standards. Governor Gent Sejko said housing lending limits were having the intended effect and called for wider use of the ALL 25 billion MSME Financing Program, under which about ALL 2.2 billion has been injected.
The Thailand Securities and Exchange Commission and the Stock Exchange of Thailand held their first joint investor forum to discuss regulatory developments and market reforms. Topics included trading supervision, listed company quality, enforcement and progress on the Thailand Individual Savings Account scheme. The agencies expect to continue the events with alternating hosts.
The Thailand Securities and Exchange Commission is consulting on allowing specified government research and innovation bodies and university holding companies to invest in private equity trusts as institutional investors. The targeted change would expand the investor base for startups, innovation driven businesses and other companies seeking funding outside the stock exchange.
The Thailand Securities and Exchange Commission imposed THB 4.89 million in civil penalties and investigation expense reimbursements on three individuals for manipulating NCL shares. The sanctions also include trading suspensions of up to 14 months and director or executive bans of up to 28 months.
A European Central Bank working paper finds that Austria’s corporate loan moratoria increased investment and profitability without raising defaults after repayments resumed. Take-up was 44%, and firms invested EUR 0.47 per euro of postponed payments while reducing shareholder payouts. The study links these outcomes to monitoring by relationship lenders that continued to bear the credit risk.
The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission announced the appointment of George Karatzias as chair, Loukas Lagoudis as vice chair and Andrea Moundis Savvides as a board member. Karatzias will prioritize modern supervision, investor protection, market transparency and sustainable capital market development.
The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic delivered a regional financial literacy lecture covering savings, voluntary credit bans, money mule activity and fraud.
The Dubai International Financial Centre reported that Dubai ranked first globally for FinTech and second for Professional Services in the latest Global Financial Centres Index. It retained first place for future potential and rose to sixth in the global reputation ranking.
The Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission reported that the FSCC considers the financial system resilient, supported by sound capital, liquidity and stable asset quality. The council is strengthening non-bank monitoring, data sharing and analysis of interconnected risks. Geopolitical tensions, cyberattacks and global supply chain disruptions remain key concerns.
The Central Bank of Samoa has warned that counterfeit 100 tala notes with serial numbers JD1276962, JD1276966 and JD1276969 remain in circulation. The public should verify security features, avoid using suspicious notes and report them to the Central Bank or police.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has extended its Consultation Agreement with the Financial Markets Standards Board to Sept. 25, 2029. The arrangement supports consultation on global wholesale market standards, but does not represent ASIC endorsement or replace Australian legal obligations.
The ADGM Financial Services Regulatory Authority has finalized streamlined regimes for managers of smaller funds and funds targeting only institutional investors. The rules also address employee investment in employer-managed private funds and revise requirements for foreign fund managers, with transition arrangements for Venture Capital Fund Managers and Foreign Fund Managers through March 31, 2027.
Kazakhstan’s financial market regulator outlined plans under its draft 2030 insurance program for a Central Actuary and a shared anonymized dataset to improve risk and liability assessments. The program would also advance risk based supervision, digitalization and professional training through a planned Insurance Competency Development Center.
The South Korea Financial Supervisory Service reported that insurers’ K-ICS ratio with transitional measures edged down to 215.2% at the end of June 2026, while the ratio excluding those measures rose to 203.6%. A stock market rally increased both available capital through other comprehensive income and required capital through higher equity risk. The FSS will press insurers with weak capital positions to strengthen capital quality and risk management.
People's Bank of China Deputy Governor Xuan Changneng and FTSE Russell CEO Fiona Bassett discussed global market trends, China’s financial market opening and the index provider’s operations in the country.
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network convened global financial institutions to share information on Iranian revenue, procurement and illicit finance networks. The exchange addressed access to US correspondent banking, money laundering, weapons procurement and terrorist financing, building on a similar public-private event held in April 2025.
The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario has appointed Paul Martiniello as Executive Vice-President, Pensions, effective in September. Martiniello currently leads prudential supervision for single-employer and multi-employer pension plans and has more than 20 years of pension sector experience.
The British Columbia Securities Commission imposed a CAD 60,000 penalty on Michael Derek Townsend for failing to report 528 insider transactions on time. The transactions involved securities valued at almost CAD 1.6 million between October 2020 and June 2024.
South Korea's Ministry of Economy and Finance introduced the RFI-K regime, allowing registered foreign financial institutions to provide offshore KRW services and settle through domestic omnibus accounts and the Bank of Korea’s international KRW network. The rules ease settlement funding and capital transaction reporting while requiring customer verification, monthly transaction reports and compliance with prudential controls.
The South Korea Financial Services Commission and Kazakhstan’s financial regulator discussed deeper policy cooperation and support for financial institutions entering each other’s markets. A bilateral seminar covered banking regulation, financial stability, nonperforming loan resolution and capital markets infrastructure.