Mark Johnston
Based in Singapore, Mark is an experienced journalist and editor with over a decade of experience reporting on technology and business trends throughout Asia. Mark got his start as an engineer, graduating from the UK's Queen's University of Belfast with a Master's degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. As senior reporter for Regulation Asia, Mark focuses on regulatory changes impacting financial markets, with particular interest in fintech, cybersecurity and crypto markets.
Articles by Mark Johnston
Trading & Investment
Korea to Improve Interest Rate Fairness in Securities Industry
24/01/2024
The new interest rate calculation system will enhance transparency, fairness and convenience for investors, the FSS said.
Capital Adequacy
Taiwan Loosens Rules for Cash Dividend Payouts by FHCs
24/01/2024
Financial holding companies can use their statutory surplus reserves or capital reserves to pay cash dividends, subject to meeting certain requirements.
Credit Risk
South Korea to Introduce “Stress DSR System” for Loan Products
24/01/2024
Lenders will apply an additional “stress interest rate” when calculating the debt service ratio for variable rate loan products from 26 February.
Payments & Settlements
Hong Kong to Phase Out Cheques Amid Digital Payments Boom
23/01/2024
The Hong Kong Association of Banks will set up a task force to explore options for encouraging cheque users to shift to digital payments.
Reporting & Disclosures
IFRS Foundation and GRI Publish GHG Emissions Reporting Guide
23/01/2024
The reporting guide shows how to report Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 GHG emissions using both the GRI and ISSB standards.
Liquidity Risk
Bangladesh Restricts Onshore Lending to Offshore Banking Units
23/01/2024
Banks will have to repatriate funds from their offshore units by the end of 2024 and only rely on foreign funding sources for these units moving forward.
Anti-Bribery & Corruption
Former ICBC Official Expelled from Communist Party for Corruption
23/01/2024
Liu Lixian will have his illegal gains confiscated and his case transferred to prosecutors for further review.
Structural Regulation
Taiwan to Lower Shareholding Disclosure Threshold to Five Percent
21/01/2024
The reporting and announcement procedures will also be streamlined so that only three pieces of information must be reported.
Sustainable Finance
SET Unveils Three-Year Plan to Boost Thai Capital Market
21/01/2024
The plan includes support for ESG initiatives and the introduction of new products such as small size Thai shares and inverse ETFs.
Reporting & Disclosures
Taiwan Proposes New Internal Control Rules on ESG Disclosure
19/01/2024
Listed companies, securities and futures firms, and related service enterprises should include the management of ESG information in their internal control systems.
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