The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission reprimanded Luk Fook Securities and fined it HKD 2.1 million for cybersecurity failures linked to its vulnerability and delayed recovery from a ransomware attack. The deficiencies covered network security, software maintenance, access controls, staff training, backups and business continuity.
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority reported HKD 134.7 billion of Exchange Fund investment income for the first half of 2026, as gains on bonds, overseas equities and currency translation outweighed losses on Hong Kong equities. Total assets rose to HKD 4,463.6 billion at end-June, while accumulated surplus reached HKD 862.7 billion. The authority warned that market and exchange-rate volatility could weigh on second-half results.
Greece’s Ministry of National Economy and Finance outlined a proposal for a European Spectrum Union covering future strategic spectrum allocations under harmonized EU licensing, technical and security standards. Up to 75% of future revenue would support the EU budget, while 25% would capitalize a European Investment Bank mechanism for connectivity and technology investment.
The Belgium Financial Services and Markets Authority warned that Cédric Bergans and BC Edufin Academy are not authorized to offer regulated financial products or services in Belgium. Consumers should reject their offers, including apparent investment services and advice involving the collection of money.
The Central Bank of Estonia will end separate statistical releases on savings and loan associations from the third quarter of 2026. The underlying statistics on active associations will continue to be published monthly.
De Nederlandsche Bank reported that 34 pension funds had transferred accrued rights to the new system by June 30, 2026, four more than in the previous quarter. The funding ratio for non-transitioned funds rose by 6.6 percentage points to 131.4%, while EUR 589 billion of the sector’s EUR 1,720 billion in assets was held under the new system.
The South African Reserve Bank reported that the leading business cycle indicator fell a further 0.3% in May 2026, although it remained 4.2% higher year over year. Lower business confidence and residential building approvals were the main drags. The coincident indicator declined 0.4% in April, while the lagging indicator edged up 0.1%.
The Egypt Financial Regulatory Authority has preliminarily admitted two AI insurance projects to its regulatory sandbox for testing before commercial launch. The additions bring the sandbox’s first-year total to seven projects, with insurance the most represented sector.
The Bank of Finland reported that first-half holiday home loan drawdowns declined to EUR 355.9 million, mainly because of smaller average loan amounts. The average rate on new loans rose to 3.31% in June, while borrowers increasingly shifted from the 12-month Euribor to shorter reference rates.
European Central Bank analysis found that securities losses during the 2022-23 tightening cycle reduced banks’ secured interbank funding and corporate lending. A one standard deviation increase in losses was associated with an almost 4% decline in interbank borrowing and a 2.5% decline in corporate lending. Intragroup liquidity mitigated the effect for domestic subsidiaries but not foreign subsidiaries.
The National Bank of the Republic of Tajikistan reported a government recommendation to strengthen cashless settlements and digital banking infrastructure, with a focus on access to electronic payments in remote districts. The direction accompanied a first-half economic review showing 8.2% real GDP growth and 2.4% inflation.
The Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market of the Republic of Kazakhstan reported 1,300 fraudulently originated loans totaling KZT 2.1 billion since the start of 2026, compared with 5,100 worth KZT 4.6 billion in 2025. The framework combines credit opt-outs, cooling-off periods, biometric checks, victim debt relief and centralized transaction blocking. Since April 2026, banks have also been required to use real-time, risk-based session antifraud monitoring.
South Korea's Financial Services Commission and Korea Exchange proposed publicly identifying companies that remain in the bottom 25% of KOSPI or bottom 10% of KOSDAQ price-to-book rankings within their industry for three years. A qualifying value enhancement plan would provide a one-year exemption, except for companies below the threshold for six years. The first list is planned for Nov. 2, with an estimated 120 to 220 companies potentially covered.
The Bank of Korea reported that the average rate on new deposits rose 15 basis points to 3.08% in June 2026, while the rate on new loans increased 12 basis points to 4.31%. Rates on outstanding deposits and loans edged up to 2.07% and 4.34%, respectively.
The Financial Stability Board Secretary General said shifting consensus has changed, but not stopped, international financial regulatory cooperation. The FSB continues to prioritize nonbanks, digital innovation, cross-border payments and implementation monitoring, with 29 jurisdictions agreeing to develop voluntary cross-border payment action plans.
The Indonesia Financial Services Authority outlined potential uses of real-world asset tokenization to expand financing for MSMEs and commodity supply chains in eastern Indonesia. Several providers have graduated from its Regulatory Sandbox with tokenization, stablecoin and digital-asset custody models. The authority is linking these innovations to regional development and financial inclusion programs.
Bank Negara Malaysia launched iTEKAD Employment to provide vulnerable communities with training, financial education, job placement support and access to financial solutions. The central bank also outlined three aspirations for its forthcoming Financial Sector Blueprint 2027–2030, focused on societal resilience, prosperity and a future-proof financial system.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has obtained record combined penalties of AUD 55 million against Harvey Norman and Latitude Finance Australia over misleading interest-free advertising. The campaign obscured credit card requirements and associated fees, while the companies’ compliance processes were found to be wholly inadequate. Both must display corrective advertising on their website home pages for 90 days.
The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic reported that the banking sector remains stable and liquid following sanctions on one commercial bank and will take measures if needed to limit the impact on the financial system.
The South Korea Financial Services Commission called for rapid implementation of safeguards for single-stock leveraged products, including a KRW 30 million cash deposit requirement from July 31 and tighter premium and discount controls from Aug. 19. It also asked firms to spread rebalancing and manage liquidity, and may impose tougher eligibility rules or individual investment limits if demand remains elevated.
The Bank of Korea reported that consumer sentiment edged up 0.2 points to 106.8 in July 2026. One-year and three-year inflation expectations each declined by 0.1 percentage point, to 2.7% and 2.6%, respectively, while five-year expectations held at 2.6%.
Senate Banking Committee Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren criticized NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang for declining public testimony while meeting privately with Republican senators. She called for answers on NVIDIA’s position on advanced AI chip exports to China and Huang’s lobbying against related bipartisan legislation.
The Dominican Republic's Pensions Superintendency planted 1,200 native mahogany seedlings on land damaged by a recent illegal burn in Monseñor Nouel. The initiative involved 26 employees and was coordinated with provincial environmental authorities.
The Jamaica Financial Services Commission is consulting on unified fit and proper standards for people who control or materially influence regulated non-deposit-taking institutions. Firms would have to assess and continuously monitor these individuals, retain supporting records and report material changes within 21 days. Failure to meet the standards could result in appointment restrictions, removal, debarment or other enforcement action.
The Jamaica Financial Services Commission is consulting on binding corporate governance standards for all regulated securities, insurance, pensions, and trust and corporate services provider entities. The framework would centralize minimum expectations for oversight, management responsibilities, controls, conduct, reporting and transparency, with responses due by Aug. 5, 2026.
The Central Bank of Belize, Financial Intelligence Unit and Financial Services Commission have agreed on a governance framework for shared use of the Sanctions Registry System. The platform will support sanctions-related information management and more consistent, risk-based financial crime supervision while allowing each authority to use it independently.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission reported to Congress on participant recommendations for changes to the small-business capital-raising framework and provided its responses. The recommendations cover early-stage financing, growth-stage companies and smaller funds, and small-cap access to public markets.
The Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission has updated its financial reporting rules with the latest accounting and sustainability reporting pronouncements. These include IFRS S1 and IFRS S2, PFRS 18 and PFRS 19, financial instrument amendments and related implementation guidance.
The Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission has launched a framework for issuing Sukuk, expanding the route for companies to offer Shari’ah-compliant investment products. The guidelines cover registration, permissible structures, special purpose entities, and issuer reporting and disclosure.
The Financial Planning Standards Board will hold the 10th World Financial Planning Day on Oct. 7, 2026, alongside IOSCO’s World Investor Week. The campaign will promote informed financial planning and awareness of scams and digital deception, with events and programs to be published in September.
The Caribbean Development Bank approved USD 232,000 to strengthen at least 11 development finance institutions across its borrowing member countries. The initiative will provide specialist training to more than 300 professionals and access to a digital SME credit assessment platform.
Egypt's Financial Regulatory Authority denied claims that it had ordered widespread branch closures and suspensions in the nonbank finance sector, warning that those spreading the reports may face legal action.
Ireland’s Department of Finance welcomed credit unions’ retention of the highest emotional connection ranking among financial services brands in RED C’s 2026 index. Work on Ireland’s first Credit Union Sector Strategy continues, with consultations and workshops feeding into a strategy scheduled for completion in early 2027.
Ireland’s Department of Finance showcased work by Irish participants in Cohort 16 of the Lloyd’s Lab Accelerator Programme. The projects addressed flood and climate resilience, cyber and artificial intelligence risks, and risks related to exports and geopolitics.
The Brazil Securities and Exchange Commission outlined plans for a market-informed tokenization framework and greater use of AI in supervision. Stronger detection capabilities could eventually allow broader access to capital markets products.
The Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission will hear three enforcement cases on July 28, 2026. They concern alleged misuse of client credentials and falsified statements, possible trading on undisclosed material information and potential disclosure irregularities at IRB Brasil Resseguros.
The National Bank of Moldova has proposed EU-aligned requirements for euro instant transfers, including 24/7 availability, execution within 10 seconds and capped charges. The draft also introduces payee verification, sanctions screening and payment scheme interoperability rules, with most provisions taking effect upon Moldova’s EU accession.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation is providing regulatory relief to supervised institutions in Wisconsin areas affected by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding. It supports prudent assistance for borrowers, potential Community Reinvestment Act credit for recovery activities, flexibility for certain reporting and publishing requirements, and expedited temporary banking facility requests.
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency highlighted its existing digital financial literacy resources and the need to help consumers navigate technology-enabled financial services and scams. Comptroller Jonathan Gould also emphasized banks’ role in educating customers about saving, borrowing, investing and fraud prevention.
The US Financial Crimes Enforcement Network issued an enforcement policy statement supporting economic recovery and earthquake relief in Venezuela.
Senators Elizabeth Warren and Chuck Schumer requested FHFA Director Bill Pulte’s official calendars and details of how he is dividing his time while also serving as acting director of national intelligence. They also sought an update on FHFA’s work to reduce housing costs and implement the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.
The Financial Conduct Authority and Bank of England have appointed members to a taskforce on harmonising transaction and post-trade reporting under UK MiFIR, UK EMIR and UK SFTR. Its policy, strategy and architecture working groups bring together officials and industry representatives.
The UK Financial Conduct Authority secured a GBP 655,951.40 confiscation order against convicted investment fraudster John Burford. Together with earlier repayments, the recovery is expected to return an estimated 99% of the money invested by approximately 70 known victims.
HM Treasury published a record of its annual regulatory perimeter meeting with the FCA, including an agreement to assess the impact of AI. The FCA also raised potential oversight of investment consultants, wider application of the Senior Managers and Certification Regime, prediction market restrictions and stronger tools against fraudulent financial influencers.
Payments Canada has amended the Automated Clearing Settlement System rules to improve processing, expand membership provisions and clarify operational arrangements. Paper pre-authorized debits will be phased out from Dec. 1, 2028, while new biller-related notification requirements take effect Dec. 1, 2026.
The Bank of Canada scheduled eight policy interest rate announcements for 2027, with quarterly Monetary Policy Reports accompanying four of them. It also set release dates for its business and consumer surveys and the Financial Stability Report, while reconfirming the remaining 2026 rate announcement dates.
The Bank of Canada’s survey of market participants shows median expectations for the policy rate to remain at 2.25% through 2026 before rising to 2.75% in the third quarter of 2027. Respondents forecast GDP growth of 1.3% and inflation of 2.6% at the end of 2026, with trade tensions the dominant risk to the outlook.
The National Bank of Georgia published interactive data on resident banks’ loans and deposits as of June 2026.
The Czech National Bank’s July analyst survey kept average inflation expectations at 2.6% over one year and 2.2% over three years. Most respondents expected the two-week repo rate to remain at 3.75% in August, while the 2027 GDP growth forecast edged up to 2.4%.
The Central Bank of Peru reported that mortgage credit grew 7.4% year on year and 0.6% month on month in June 2026. Growth was driven by PEN-denominated lending, while the share of USD mortgages remained at 5.3%.
The Central Bank of Malta’s second-quarter business survey found improved current conditions and expectations, with net balances rising to 41% and 49%, respectively. Input cost pressures jumped to 86%, while selling-price increases were more limited and hiring expectations moderated.
The Isle of Man Treasury has established an interim Border Division as the first step toward a permanent Border Agency. About GBP 1.2 million has been allocated for 2026-27, including funding for 17 additional enforcement, investigation and specialist posts.
The Italian Institute for Insurance Supervision ordered the blocking of three websites offering unauthorized insurance services, bringing the total blocked since November 2023 to 385. Implementation is underway and may take several days.
The Bank of France has opened applications for its 2026 Young Researchers in Green Finance award, offering EUR 3,000 to each winner. Eligible researchers must have a French academic affiliation and apply by Oct. 9, 2026.
The Superintendency of Banks of the Dominican Republic launched a public portal covering the history of the authority and the country’s financial system. It provides banking statistics dating to 1947, interactive analysis tools, historical press records and an archive of regulatory and institutional documents.
The Central Bank of Seychelles Board agreed on a short- to long-term roadmap for the next phase of its 2024-2028 strategic plan, with stronger oversight of implementation. It also reviewed progress on payment infrastructure, climate risk supervision, market conduct and a regulatory sandbox framework.
The Jamaica Financial Services Commission is consulting on proportionate corporate governance standards for all regulated entities. The proposal sets governing body requirements covering strategy, risk and controls, independence, conflicts, remuneration, reporting and outsourcing, including a seven-day notification requirement for material substantive issues. The effective date has not yet been set.
The Trinidad and Tobago Securities and Exchange Commission said its latest industry dialogue brought together more than 70 regulators from 11 Caribbean jurisdictions to discuss regulation of virtual assets and Virtual Asset Service Providers. The discussions focused on cross-border supervision, AML/CFT, investor protection and emerging risks, and concluded that closer regional cooperation and stronger supervisory frameworks are needed. The forum followed Trinidad and Tobago's proclamation of virtual assets legislation last December.
The Jamaica Financial Services Commission is consulting on unified, principles-based fit and proper standards across all regulated sectors. The framework would cover directors, officers, controllers, beneficial owners and other covered persons, with comments due by Aug. 5, 2026.
The Jamaica Financial Services Commission is consulting on strengthened corporate governance standards for all regulated entities across its supervised sectors. The proposals set minimum expectations for boards, risk management, conflicts of interest, remuneration, and reporting, with comments due by Aug. 6, 2026.
The ADGM Financial Services Regulatory Authority has proposed a new business transfer regime that would reserve mandatory court sanctioning for most insurance transfers and create a lighter process for other transfers. Non-court transfers would still require FSRA notification, client notice and public notice, while banks and certain insurance transfers would also need an FSRA no-objection acknowledgement. The consultation closes on 21 September 2026.
The Reserve Bank of India has opened a consultation on draft amendments to its securitisation transaction directions for banks, small finance banks, non-banking financial companies and All India Financial Institutions. The changes are intended to improve efficiency, liquidity and transparency in the issuance and transfer of Securitisation Notes, with comments due by Aug. 27, 2026.
The Bank of Cape Verde has released provisional aggregated financial and prudential indicators for the banking system as of March 2026. The quarterly publication covers balance sheet, income statement and financial stability indicators.
The Board of Directors of the Bank of Central African States adopted a framework on delegation of powers for the central bank’s management and approved the revised 2026 budget. It also adopted the 2025 annual report, cleared new market counterparties and reviewed progress on wider reform and supervisory work, including updates to the payment services framework in the Central African Economic and Monetary Community.
The Ministerial Committee of the Central African Monetary Union reviewed progress on revising CEMAC rules for payment service providers and urged member states to complete steps to make regional banking mediation operational. It also approved 2025 reports for the Bank of Central African States and the Central African Financial Market Supervisory Commission, approved the central bank's 2026 amended budget and noted regional AML and counterterrorist financing recommendations.
The Central Bank of Eswatini’s January/February 2026 economic update showed inflation easing to 2.1 per cent in January and third-quarter 2025 gross domestic product growth accelerating to 5.8 per cent year on year. External buffers weakened, with reserves falling to E9.5 billion or 2.2 months of import cover, while private sector credit and broad money contracted month on month. Public debt rose to E38.8 billion, or 40.4 per cent of gross domestic product, and the trade surplus widened to E162.3 million in February.
The Central Bank of Eswatini’s February and March 2026 update showed headline inflation easing to 1.9 per cent in February as food and fuel prices fell, while private sector credit increased and broad money contracted. In March, reserves rose to E10.9 billion or 2.5 months of import cover, the Lilangeni depreciated against major currencies, public debt reached E41.0 billion or 42.7 per cent of GDP, and the trade surplus widened to E889.8 million.
The China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission used its 2026 mid-year work meeting to set second-half priorities for risk control, stricter supervision and financial sector reform. Key focuses are reform and risk resolution at small and medium-sized financial institutions, prevention of risks in key areas and stronger pressure on firms to transform and develop on a differentiated basis. The meeting also assigned near-term work on production safety and emergency financial services.
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority has issued a quantum preparedness whitepaper, launched the first Quantum Preparedness Index and set out support measures for banks. The index scored the sector at 2.3 out of 10, showing that readiness for quantum-related cyber risks and the shift to post-quantum cryptography remains at an early stage. The HKMA plans to support banks with a toolkit and workshops, with a goal of full sectoral readiness by 2030.
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority relayed an HKICL warning about several fraudulent websites impersonating HKICL and offering fake FPS-related buyer protection services. HKICL said the sites are unaffiliated with it, noted that it does not usually contact individuals proactively or provide FPS services directly to the public, and urged people to verify suspicious communications and report suspected fraud.
The Central Bank of Russia has proposed rules for organized trading in digital currencies and digital rights and for digital depositories. Depositories would face minimum equity requirements of RUB 50 million to RUB 250 million and rules covering liquid capital, recordkeeping, accounts and settlement activities.
The National Bank of the Republic of Tajikistan licensed Visa International Service Association to operate the Visa payment system, replacing its license issued under an April 16, 2021 board decision.
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka is inviting applications for a position at the regulator. Applications are due by Aug. 10, 2026.
The National Bank of the Republic of Tajikistan published the results of a foreign exchange purchase auction held on July 27. The auction drew 11 participants, with satisfied bids ranging from USD 216,000 to USD 10.6 million at a weighted average rate of 9.2581 USD/TJS.
The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic fined two individuals KGS 17,500 each for carrying out cash foreign currency exchange operations without a license.
The South African Reserve Bank has updated its policy on reproducing banknote and coin images, with the new version effective from 1 April 2026. Most reproductions require prior written approval, while specified news media benefit from deemed permission subject to strict conditions. Replica and movie money must be clearly distinguishable from legal tender and are subject to controls on design, identification, storage and destruction.
The South African Reserve Bank has introduced the Angolan kwanza as a settlement currency in the SADC-RTGS system, making it the second settlement currency after the South African rand. The change enables direct kwanza settlement, which is intended to reduce foreign exchange conversion costs and improve cross-border payment efficiency. The bank also indicated that additional regional currencies, including the Botswana pula, may be added later.
The Central Bank of Cyprus published June 2026 data showing stronger monthly growth in both deposits and loans. Deposits rose by a net EUR 601.2 million to EUR 58.7 billion, while loans increased by a net EUR 499.4 million to EUR 28.6 billion. Annual growth eased to 5.0% for deposits and 11.6% for loans.
The European Securities and Markets Authority has authorised EuroCTP B.V. to operate the consolidated tape for shares and ETFs under MiFIR. EuroCTP has until 30 September 2026 to complete operational and technical preparations, after which it will operate the service for five years under ESMA's direct supervision. Retail investors, academics, civil society organisations and regulators will receive the data free of charge.
The Bank of Greece reported faster growth in June 2026 for both bank credit and deposits, with total credit growth rising to 5.0% and total deposit growth to 8.8%. Private sector credit growth increased to 7.7%, led by corporate lending, while private sector deposits rose by EUR 8.575 billion, driven mainly by corporates. Total monthly net flows also strengthened, with credit at EUR 3.501 billion and deposits at EUR 8.756 billion.
The Central Bank of Egypt hosted two Bank of Ghana delegations to present its work on digital transformation, AI, data governance, digital payments and cybersecurity. The exchanges covered SupTech and RegTech, the Instant Payment Network, InstaPay, tokenization, eKYC and the operation of the financial sector computer emergency response team. Egypt also said it is preparing an updated second version of its comprehensive cybersecurity regulatory framework.
In an interview, the Ukraine National Commission on Securities and Stock Market said Ukraine’s capital market is sizable but structurally narrow, with about 85% concentrated in domestic government bonds, and set out priorities to broaden instruments and attract private capital. Chair Oleksii Semeniuk also said the virtual assets bill is nearing its final stage, with regulatory powers and taxation still to be settled. The Commission is also discussing gradual, safeguard-based easing of currency restrictions with the National Bank of Ukraine to support long-term foreign investment.
The European Central Bank said in a blog post that energy prices have risen less during the 2026 Iran war than after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, despite a much larger supply shock. It attributes the milder reaction to stronger pre-crisis oil and gas market conditions, higher inventories, weaker demand and less intense competition for LNG cargoes. The ECB added that renewed July strikes have kept the outlook volatile, with a prolonged Strait of Hormuz closure risking renewed price pressure.
The Spanish Securities Commission reviewed the advertising of 40 fund and closed-ended investment managers that market directly to retail investors, using a pilot artificial intelligence tool to identify advertising activity and assess content. It found issues in 10 entities and vehicles, mainly around the clear and balanced presentation of returns and risks, and required corrections and stronger controls. CNMV will follow up on the remedial measures and continue expanding AI-based monitoring.
Germany's Federal Financial Supervisory Authority said asset investments offered in Germany will generally not be treated as PRIIPs. Providers will therefore usually need a VIB approved and filed with BaFin. Individual products still require a case-by-case assessment, especially under the more flexible categories in Section 1(2) Nos. 7 and 8 of the Asset Investments Act.
The State Bank of Pakistan’s Monetary Policy Committee unanimously kept the policy rate at 11.5% on July 27, 2026, judging that moderating inflation, some pickup in activity and moderate external account pressures left the current stance appropriate to return inflation to the 5% to 7% target range over the medium term. Headline inflation eased to 11.1% in June but is expected to stay above target in coming months before stabilising near the upper bound by June 2027, while the committee flagged renewed Middle East conflict and higher global commodity price risks and said State Bank of Pakistan foreign exchange reserves are targeted to rise to USD 20.20 billion by end-December 2026.
The Central Bank of Estonia said banks' corporate and household loan portfolio rose by more than 8% year on year to EUR 30 billion by the end of June, with growth led by housing loans and outpacing the euro area average by more than twofold. First half net profit on the local market was EUR 356 million, about unchanged from a year earlier. Higher interest income from a larger loan book and Euribor was offset by rising administrative costs and higher loan write-downs.
The Central Bank of Estonia will publish its July 2026 statistics on banks and leasing companies at 08:00 on 27 August 2026, as a standalone statistical release separate from economic policy publications.
Morocco’s three financial sector authorities issued their thirteenth Annual Financial Stability Report, covering the state of the financial system, risks to stability and economic and financial developments in fiscal 2025.
The European Financial Reporting Advisory Group has responded to the ISSB’s proposed SASB amendments and related IFRS S2 industry guidance, backing the update but calling for less complexity and stronger interoperability with ESRS. Its recommendations focus on a clearer reporting architecture, systematic alignment checks and a sharper distinction between sector-agnostic and industry-specific disclosures. Feedback to the ISSB will feed into final amendments for the three affected SASB industry standards.
The Financial Conduct Authority has started a GBP 2 million national campaign to push motor finance customers toward its free complaint tools instead of paid claims firms or law firms. It follows FCA research showing many consumers still lack confidence to complain directly, even though a template complaint letter is available. The regulator also noted that its motor finance redress scheme, launched in March with expected compensation of GBP 7.5 billion, is partially suspended because of legal challenges.
The European Fund and Asset Management Association's May 2026 statistical release shows combined UCITS and AIF net inflows of EUR 94 billion, down from EUR 100 billion in April. UCITS inflows slowed as money market fund demand fell, but long-term UCITS stayed at EUR 70 billion and bond fund inflows rose to EUR 35 billion. AIFs returned to net inflows of EUR 15 billion and total net assets reached EUR 27.2 trillion.
The Oman Financial Services Authority highlighted serious deficiencies at accounting and auditing firms, including reports issued without audit procedures, standards breaches, unlicensed practice and compromised auditor independence. It also outlined plans to activate a trainee accountant register and launch a national professional capacity initiative in 2027.
The European Commission welcomed adoption of the EU's 21st sanctions package against Russia, which tightens measures on energy, banking, crypto, trade and the military-industrial complex. Financial changes expand transaction and messaging-service bans to more than 100 Russian banks, add new third-country crypto restrictions, and accompany 218 new listings. The package also lays the groundwork for a visa ban on Russian combatants, with further Council decisions and Commission assessments still pending on implementation and some LNG measures.
HM Treasury said major UK pension providers are exploring a UK Scale-up Fund of more than GBP 1 billion focused on high-growth British science and technology companies. The proposed vehicle would channel pension capital into UK scale-ups, with support from the British Business Bank and the Office for Investment. A process to explore appointing a fund manager will begin shortly.
The Kuwait Capital Markets Authority renewed Falah Awad Rashid Al-Mutairi's auditor registration for three years. The renewable term begins on Oct. 17, 2026.
The European Central Bank said euro area broad money growth strengthened in June, with annual M3 growth rising to 3.3% from a revised 3.0% in May. Adjusted lending growth was unchanged, with loans to households at 3.0% and loans to non-financial corporations at 4.0%. The increase in M3 was driven mainly by stronger growth in short-term deposits other than overnight deposits and in marketable instruments.
The European Central Bank has published a working paper finding that Eurosystem purchases of German government bonds pushed Bund repo rates down much more than Deutsche Finanzagentur purchases, intensifying collateral specialness. Deutsche Finanzagentur repo lending and targeted sales helped ease scarcity, including after a large October 2022 tap, but the paper says the effect was limited by strong hedge fund demand, dealer concentration and repo market segmentation.
The European Central Bank's updated euro area sector accounts for the first quarter of 2026 show net saving broadly unchanged at EUR 902 billion, lower net investment and higher net lending to the rest of the world at EUR 307 billion. Household net lending rose and household debt-to-income was stable at 81.0%, while non-financial corporations' consolidated debt-to-GDP ratio fell to 65.6%. The release also incorporates revisions, including changes linked to Bulgaria's inclusion in euro area aggregates and pension scheme conversions in the Netherlands.
An European Central Bank working paper finds that the 2022 energy price shock reduced bank credit to high-energy-intensive Danish manufacturing firms relative to similar peers, with credit growth 8.75 percentage points lower in the second quarter of 2022. Most of the decline reflected lower use of existing credit lines, especially by safer and more liquid firms. New loans to exposed firms also carried higher spreads and tighter terms, pointing to some bank supply tightening alongside weaker credit demand.