Structural Regulation

ASIC Seeks Power to Ban Bank Products

12/03/2015

Australian Securities and Investments Commission is seeking additional powers to better regulate banks, and to intervene in the sale of products that harm consumers.

Trading & Investment

China Regulators Seek A-Share Investors in US

12/03/2015

China Securities Regulatory Commission is talking with at least 30 large global institutional investors in the US to invest in China-listed shares, while lobbying for mainland stocks’ inclusion in key global indices such as the MSCI and FTSE.

Trading & Investment

SGX Expands FX Footprint with RMB, Taiwan Dollar Futures

11/03/2015

Singapore Exchange (SGX) will add new Asian currency futures contracts to its foreign exchange (FX) futures offering, in line with the global G20 regulatory reforms in over-the-counter derivatives sector aimed at boosting trading on electronic platforms.

Capital Adequacy

Australia Regulator Mulls Financial System Inquiry Proposals

11/03/2015

Australia’s banking regulator is considering backing calls for banks to strengthen their balance sheets, saying it is also reviewing the impact bankers’ pay has on breeding work cultures that can potentially harm the stability of the country’s financial system.

Payments & Settlements

China’s International Payment System May Launch by End-2015

11/03/2015

China is expected to launch in the second half this year its much-awaited international payment system that can process cross-border yuan transactions, removing one of the biggest hurdles in internationalizing the Chinese currency, Reuters reported.

Credit Risk

China Allows Local Governments to Issue 1Trln Yuan of Debt

11/03/2015

China will allow local governments to convert up to 1 trillion yuan ($160 billion) in debt into low-interest municipal bonds in a bid to ease the country’s massive debt burden.

Trading & Investment

Shenzhen Stock Connect May Include ChiNext Shares

10/03/2015

Hong Kong’s upcoming cross-border stock trade with Shenzhen will include stocks on the high-growth small and medium enterprise (SME) board, and also possibly stocks listed on ChiNext, a NASDAQ-style board.

Emerging Prudential Risks

Philippine Central Bank Boosts Shadow Banking Monitoring

10/03/2015

Philippine central bank is increasing surveillance on shadow banking to ensure the stability of the financial system.

Trading & Investment

Thailand to Lure Foreign Companies as Bourse Opens

08/03/2015

Interest among potential foreign issuers in Thailand’s bourse builds up as the country inches towards releasing new rules allowing foreign firms to list in its stock market.