Market Infrastructure

China Issues Implementing Regulation for New Foreign Investment Law

03/01/2020

Effective from 1 January, the regulation emphasises legal protections for foreign investors, prohibits forced technology transfers, and promises equal treatment for foreign-invested enterprises.

Capital / Liquidity

PBOC Announces First Reserve Requirement Cut of 2020

03/01/2020

The RRR cut will release about 800bn yuan of ‘long-term funds’ for financial institutions to lend to the real economy.

Enforcement

SFC Fines RHB Securities for Internal Control Failures

02/01/2020

RHB Securities failed to effectively implement its policy for avoiding conflicts of interest between its research reports and investment banking relationships, among other compliance issues.

SEBI Directs Investment Advisers to Improve Conduct

02/01/2020

SEBI has observed that some investment advisers have been providing advice on a ‘free trial basis’, without performing client risk profiling and product suitability assessments.

China to Move All Floating-Rate Loans to LPR by August

02/01/2020

Banks and borrowers have until 31 August to renegotiate new contracts to convert existing floating-rate loans to either an LPR-based loan or a fixed interest rate.

Securities / Derivatives

SGX RegCo Launches Review of Regulatory Framework for Retail Bonds

02/01/2020

The working group tasked with recommending changes to the framework comprises representatives from the Securities Investors Association Singapore, DBS, OCBC, and UOB, among others.

Market Infrastructure

Risks to Hong Kong Outlook Tilted to Downside: IMF

02/01/2020

However, robust policy frameworks and ample buffers will help the Hong Kong economy weather the challenges ahead.

Enforcement

CLSA, CITIC Securities Censured for Breaching Share Buyback Rules

02/01/2020

CLSA and CITIC Securities carried out pre-arranged trades on the SEHK to allow Beijing Enterprises Holdings to buyback its shares without regulatory or shareholder approval.

ESG / Sustainability

BNM Publishes Draft Taxonomy to Help FIs Classify Climate Risks

02/01/2020

Supervised institutions are expected to integrate climate-related risks and considerations into their business strategies and risk management practices, BNM says.