ESG / Sustainability

HKMA Issues Guideline on Green & Sustainable Finance Grant Scheme

05/05/2021

The grant amount for each bond issue will be half of the eligible expenses, capped at HK$2.5mn for rated bonds and HK$1.25mn  for unrated bonds.

Fintech / Regtech

Regulatory Reporting Lessons from Singapore and Australia

04/05/2021

MAS and APRA are among the regulators that have wholeheartedly endorsed the use of technology to improve the quality, accuracy and speed of reporting.

Securities / Derivatives

China: Policy Banks Pilot Direct Bidding Mechanism for Bond Issuance

04/05/2021

The pilot could mark a significant revamp in how bond issuance is carried out in China, and is seen as another step by the government to attract foreign capital.

BOT Creates Database to Guard Against Factoring Fraud

04/05/2021

The database acts as a centralised repository of factoring-related transactions to guard against counterfeiting, double financing and fraud.

Market Infrastructure

Canada Establishes Regulatory Regime for Financial Benchmarks

03/05/2021

Once the regime is implemented, CDOR will become a designated benchmark with Refinitiv Benchmarks Services formally designated as its administrator.

Securities / Derivatives

PBOC Approves Deutsche Bank as Qualified Primary Dealer

03/05/2021

Deutsche Bank has become the first Eurozone bank to be approved as a qualified primary dealer in China.

RBI to Require Banks, NBFCs to Seek Annual Auditor Approval

03/05/2021

Banks and NBFCs will be required to obtain approval for the appointment and reappointment of their statutory auditors on an annual basis.

Enforcement

SG Police Lays 23 Forgery Charges Against Hin Leong Founder

03/05/2021

Lim Oon Kuin now faces a total of 25 charges – 14 counts of abetment of forgery for the purpose of cheating, and 11 counts of abetment of forgery simpliciter.

AML / KYC

AUSTRAC Issues Guidance on Filing More Effective SMRs

02/05/2021

The new resources include a reference guide and checklist, and feature guidance on how to write succinct, accurate and clear grounds for suspicion.