ESG / Sustainability

ICMA Publishes Compendium of Global Sustainable Finance Initiatives

24/02/2020

Key international initiatives identified are the Equator Principles, the FSB TCFD Recommendations, the G20 Sustainable Finance Study Group, the NGFS, and the UN SDGs.

Securities / Derivatives

China Reopens Treasury Bond Futures Market to State-run Banks

24/02/2020

The domestic treasury bond futures market was closed in 1995 following a panic sell-off and the collapse of China’s largest brokerage at the time.

Capital / Liquidity

APRA Asks ADIs to Review, Improve Stress Testing Processes

24/02/2020

Larger ADIs have better stress testing governance practices and scenario development processes, and make better use of stress test results, than smaller institutions.

Securities / Derivatives

Japan: New Foreign Investment Rule to Impact Up to 500 Listed Firms

24/02/2020

Proposed ministry orders currently being finalised will reportedly exempt a wide range of foreign financial institutions and hedge funds from the reporting requirement.

Securities / Derivatives

Malaysia to Allow Private Retirement Schemes to Invest Overseas

22/02/2020

Malaysia’s Securities Commission says it will allow conservative PRS funds to invest in foreign markets, providing them more flexibility in asset allocation.

ASIC Drafts Guidance on New Mortgage Broker Best Interests Duty

22/02/2020

ASIC proposes mortgage brokers be required to identify what interests they or their related parties have, and to not provide credit assistance where it is not possible to prioritise consumer interests.

Market Infrastructure

FSB Chair Sets Out Focus for Saudi G20 Presidency

21/02/2020

The focus areas include LIBOR transition, BigTechs in financial services, and the development of a cyber risk effective practices tookit.

Market Infrastructure

PBOC Cuts Benchmark Lending Rate As Economic Concerns Weigh

21/02/2020

The PBOC pledged to help companies by lowering lending rates, increasing credit support, and ensure banking system liquidity through RRR cuts and MLF loans.

Securities / Derivatives

Myanmar to Open Stock Market to Resident Foreigners in March

21/02/2020

Allowing foreigners to buy stocks is one of the ways Myanmar hopes to bolster its moribund stock market, which after four years still has only five stocks.