Regulation Asia

Mark Johnston, Regulation Asia

Based in Singapore, Mark is an experienced journalist and editor with over a decade of experience reporting on technology and business trends throughout Asia. Mark got his start as an engineer, graduating from the UK's Queen's University of Belfast with a Master's degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. As senior reporter for Regulation Asia, Mark focuses on regulatory changes impacting financial markets, with particular interest in fintech, cybersecurity and crypto markets.

Posts By Mark Johnston, Regulation Asia

265

Philippine SEC Reveals Establishment of Five ‘Bad Bank’ Entities
Mark Johnston, Regulation Asia January 27, 2022
Known as FISTCs, the five institutions are tasked with purchasing bad loans and NPAs from lenders accumulated during the pandemic.
362

Philippine SEC Issues Draft Rules for SRI Funds
Mark Johnston, Regulation Asia January 25, 2022
To qualify as an SRI fund, an investment company must have at least 70 percent of its NAV allotted to ESG investments.
480

Russian Central Bank Proposes to Impose Crypto Ban
Mark Johnston, Regulation Asia January 25, 2022
A proposed ban against investing in cryptocurrencies would also apply to institutional investors and mutual funds, the central bank says.
464

BNM to Open New Funding Facilities to Support SMEs
Mark Johnston, Regulation Asia January 24, 2022
The Business Recapitalisation Facility will support recovery and growth, while the Low Carbon Transition Facility will support the adoption of sustainable practices.
431

BSP Calls for Passage of New Financial Consumer Protection Act
Mark Johnston, Regulation Asia January 24, 2022
The Act establishes stronger protection standards for consumers, promotes transparent and responsible pricing, and give regulators more teeth.
767

OECD Examines Policy Implications of DeFi in New Report
Mark Johnston, Regulation Asia January 22, 2022
An increased use of stablecoins constitutes "one of the greatest points of vulnerability of the DeFi market" and a potential channel of risk transmission to the traditional financial markets.
541

New Zealand to Probe Lenders on Application of New Lending Rules
Mark Johnston, Regulation Asia January 21, 2022
The government has asked the Council of Financial Regulators to bring forward an investigation into whether lenders are implementing the new lending rules as intended.
399

BSP Evaluates Sustainable Finance Incentives for Banks
Mark Johnston, Regulation Asia January 19, 2022
The BSP is considering using preferential rediscount rates and providing high value loans to help banks finance green loans and sustainable investments.
610

Quantitative Easing Ineffective at Driving Firms to Invest
Mark Johnston, Regulation Asia January 19, 2022
Weaker firms respond to lower long-term yields by refinancing debt. Healthier firms tend to increase cash holdings and share buybacks.
314

NGFS Appoints Ravi Menon to Serve as New Chair
Mark Johnston, Regulation Asia January 18, 2022
Menon will serve a two-year term as chair of the NGFS, succeeding the ECB's Frank Elderson. Deutsche Bundesbank's Sabine Mauderer will serve as vice-chair.