Securities / Derivatives

SFC Provides Licensing Guidance for PE Firms, Family Offices

08/01/2020

The SFC has issued two circulars clarifying how licensing obligations apply to the activities of PE firms and family offices in Hong Kong.

Capital / Liquidity

Bangladesh Banks Given Final Deadline to Cut Lending, Deposit Rates

07/01/2020

Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal says banks have a final deadline of 1 April to bring down the maximum lending rate to 9% and the maximum deposit rate to 6%.

Fintech / Regtech

India’s NPCI Unveils DLT Based Platform to Further Streamline Payments

07/01/2020

The Vajra Platform will enhance data security and transparency, facilitate real-time transactions and reduce reconciliation challenges and processing errors, the NPCI said.

Sri Lanka to Penalise 8 Banks for Failing to Lower Lending Rates

07/01/2020

Eight banks will be penalised for failure to lower lending rates by a 27 December 2019 deadline set by the central bank in September last year, intended to ensure the public benefits from monetary policy decisions.

Market Infrastructure

SEBI Issues Revised Framework for Core Settlement Guarantee Fund

07/01/2020

If the core settlement guarantee fund is used up during a calendar month, non-defaulting members of clearing corporations shall immediately replenish the fund.

Securities / Derivatives

China Directs Local Gov’ts to Allow Bond Underwriting by Foreign Banks

07/01/2020

Local governments have been told to revise their procedures and remove restrictions to allow foreign-invested banks to participate in bond underwriting syndicates.

Securities / Derivatives

Taiwan Easing Rules to Encourage More Domestic Investment

07/01/2020

In March, the FSC will announce which banks qualify to issue new structured note products, after the regulator eased regulations on the investment targets they can be linked to.

BSP Revises Disqualification Rules for Bank Directors, Officers

07/01/2020

Bankers can be disqualified and placed on a watchlist for causing undue injury, material loss or damage to a bank, or for exposing it to higher risk or danger.

Securities / Derivatives

CFETS to Launch Interest Rate Options Pilot in February

07/01/2020

Market participants must demonstrate adequate internal operating procedures and risk management systems are in place, and apply by 7 February to become interest rate option market trading members.