Market Infrastructure

China Mulls New Rules to Prevent Conflict of Interest at Ratings Agencies

09/01/2019

The new rules would prohibit firms from providing consulting services to companies they rate and require disclosures of any conflicts of interests.

Capital / Liquidity

New Zealand Banks Called Out for High Priority Amounts on Mortgages

09/01/2019

By setting mortgage priority amounts almost three times the home loan principal, banks are preventing borrowers from shopping around for a second mortgage.

Capital / Liquidity

SFC Fines FWD Life for Noncompliance with Key Personnel Requirements

09/01/2019

FWD Life also failed to maintain satisfactory internal controls and written compliance procedures as required under the SFC Code on MPF Products and the Fund Manager Code of Conduct.

Crypto / Digital Assets

UPDATED – Japan FSA Considers Approving Crypto ETFs

08/01/2019

The FSA is gauging industry interest in crypto ETFs, following its release of a new draft framework for the sector that could become law in 2020.

Enforcement

China Securities Regulator Breaks Record with 2018 Penalties

08/01/2019

The CSRC imposed fines of over $1.55bn in 2018, with the largest number of cases relating to insider trading, illegal disclosures and market manipulation.

Market Infrastructure

Hong Kong Lawmakers Push for Consumer Data Protections – Report

08/01/2019

Lawmakers are pushing for greater oversight of credit reference agencies following the discovery of security loopholes in TransUnion’s online service for credit reports.

Capital / Liquidity

PBOC Expected to Allow Banks More Flexibility in Setting Rates – Report

08/01/2019

The central bank is expected to allow financial institutions greater flexibility in setting interest rates for loans and deposits in the year ahead.

Market Infrastructure

Taiwan to Introduce Automatic Approval for Foreign Investments

08/01/2019

Pre-approval will mean that  most ordinary mergers and acquisitions, and start-ups originating from abroad will need to be reported only after the fact.

Fintech / Regtech

Malaysia Issues Policy Standards for Open Data APIs

08/01/2019

A new central bank policy document outlines recommendations for financial institutions developing and publishing Open Data APIs.