ESG / Sustainability

Hong Kong, Thailand Set to Sign Cross-Border Funds Agreement

17/01/2020

Hong Kong’s SFC and Thailand’s SEC plan to sign a mutual recognition of funds agreement within the second quarter of this year.

ESG / Sustainability

HKMA Urges Family Offices to Set Up in Hong Kong

17/01/2020

The HKMA has been working to enhance Hong Kong’s competitiveness as a family office hub by developing talent, enhancing investment opportunities, and outreach.

Securities / Derivatives

CBIRC to Impose New Rules on Cash Management Products

16/01/2020

The rules will require banks’ cash management products to invest in shorter duration assets and limit leverage to 120%, among other requirements.

AML / KYC

MAS Publishes Responses to VCC Consultation Papers

16/01/2020

VCCs are required to engage an Eligible Financial Institution, or EFI, to perform necessary AML/CFT checks and maintain the register of controllers, nominee directors and beneficial owners.

Securities / Derivatives

SGX Proposes Tighter Auditing, Property Valuation Standards

16/01/2020

Foreign issuers may appoint foreign auditors, but an ACRA-registered firm must also serve as a joint auditor. Standards for property valuations by issuers are also being raised.

Crypto / Digital Assets

Malaysia Issues New Guidelines on Digital Assets

16/01/2020

The guidelines require platform operators to carry out due diligence on prospective issuers of digital tokens, and issuers to satisfy governance and capital requirements.

Securities / Derivatives

Hang Seng Index Operator Seeks Views on Constituent Eligibility

16/01/2020

The operator of the Hang Seng Index is soliciting market views on the eligibility of weighted voting rights and secondary-listed companies for inclusion in the benchmark.

Fintech / Regtech

EBA Details Roll-out Challenges of Big Data, Advanced Analytics

16/01/2020

The EBA has identified four key pillars necessary to support the rollout of advanced analytics in the banking sector, along with a set of ‘elements of trust’.

Securities / Derivatives

SEBI Grants Two-Year Reprieve for Separation of Chairman, MD Roles

15/01/2020

The top 500 listed companies by market cap have two additional years to comply with a requirement to separate the roles of chairman and managing director.