China Eases Mortgage Rules to Boost Property Market

27/08/2023

The new measures will allow more individuals to be treated as first-time homebuyers, which means better mortgage rates and lower down payments.

Sanctions

New Zealand Joins US, UK in Sanctions over Treatment of Ukrainian Children

27/08/2023

The New Zealand and US sanctions coincided with Ukrainian Independence Day on 24 August.

AML / KYC

HK Police Arrest 11 in HK$124m Money Laundering Case

27/08/2023

Police believe the laundered funds could be tied to more than 20 fraud cases, including email and loan scams, and commercial and investment fraud.

Market Infrastructure

Vietnam to Launch New Securities Trading System in December

26/08/2023

The new system has already been delayed several years due to the Covid-19 pandemic and other factors. Securities firms are still behind schedule on testing.

ESG / Sustainability

Indonesia’s OJK Issues New Rules for Carbon Trading

26/08/2023

The rules set out how OJK will supervise carbon trading ahead of the planned launch of Indonesia’s first carbon exchange by end-September.

ESG / Sustainability

185 Countries Launch Global Biodiversity Framework Fund

25/08/2023

Canada and the UK are together providing about $160mn in seed money to set up the fund, which was first agreed in December 2022.

Enforcement

Indonesia OJK Issues New Regulations on Criminal Investigations

25/08/2023

The new regulations empower OJK to decide whether to pursue investigations, and agree to resolutions with the parties responsible for a criminal offence.

Market Infrastructure

Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand to Boost Cooperation on Local Currency Use

25/08/2023

Bank Indonesia, Bank Negara Malaysia, and Bank of Thailand will strengthen cooperation to promote the use of local currencies in bilateral transactions.

Enforcement

US Banks Agree to Settle Stock Lending Lawsuit for $500m

25/08/2023

Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley and UBS denied wrongdoing but agreed to settle the lawsuit to avoid further litigation.