AML / KYC

US DOJ Unseals Indictment Against North Korea Money Launderers

03/06/2020

The indictment names 28 North Korean and 5 Chinese nationals who were charged for operating a network of over 250 shell companies around the world to procure goods for North Korea.

Enforcement

SEBI Orders Special Audit of Shuttered Franklin Templeton Funds

03/06/2020

A forensic audit firm has reportedly been tasked with determining whether Franklin Templeton colluded with bond issuers and if conflicts of interest were present at the firm.

Securities / Derivatives

China to Launch Low Sulfur Fuel Oil Futures from 22 June

03/06/2020

The CSRC has granted approval for the Shanghai International Energy Trading Center to launch low-sulfur fuel oil futures trading, including for foreign investors.

Capital / Liquidity

China’s Banks Poses Growing Risks for US Investors: Report

03/06/2020

US savers are increasingly likely to have exposure Chinese banks and their “large volumes of NPLs”, says a report from a US Congressional advisory body.

Market Infrastructure

Navigating Private Credit Markets Risks with Better Data

03/06/2020

Data has never been more essential to making informed decisions, particularly in private markets where internal data at financial institutions is typically thin.

ESG / Sustainability

China: Clean Coal Projects No Longer Eligible for Green Bond Financing

02/06/2020

The removal of clean coal from the list of eligible projects will make it easier for foreign investors to play a greater role in China’s sustainable debt market.

Enforcement

Singapore Authorities Commence Joint Investigation Into Hyflux

02/06/2020

Water treatment firm Hyflux entered the limelight in 2018 when it tried to restructure nearly S$3bn in debt. The company is suspected of breaching disclosure and accounting rules.

Capital / Liquidity

PBOC to Buy Bank Loans Under Zero Interest Repo Terms

02/06/2020

The move is aimed at freeing up liquidity at smaller banks in the hope of spurring an additional 1tr yuan in lending to small and micro enterprises.

Securities / Derivatives

SGX to Launch Single Stock Futures on 15 June

02/06/2020

SGX has observed greater synchronisation and correlation between the price of futures and the underlying stocks, indicating growing institutional participation across both markets.