Mark Johnston

    image

    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

    image

    Capital / Liquidity

    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.

    image

    Capital / Liquidity

    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.

    image

    Capital / Liquidity

    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.

    image

    Fintech / Regtech

    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.

    image

    ESG / Sustainability

    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.

    image

    Capital / Liquidity

    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.

    image

    Enforcement

    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.

    image

    Securities / Derivatives

    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.

    image

    Securities / Derivatives

    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.

    image

    ESG / Sustainability

    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.

    JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER

    A daily selection of top stories from the Regulation Asia editorial team