CAPITAL / LIQUIDITY

Securities / Derivatives

China Allows Direct Stock Investment with WMP Funds

By Garima Chitkara | 24/09/2018

The move is aimed at increasing investment into Chinese equities even as regulators take steps to reduce the risk posed by such products to bank balance sheets.

Fintech / Regtech

S. Korea Eyes Two More Internet-Only Banks in 2019

By Manesh Samtani | 24/09/2018

The FSC said it plans to approve two more Internet-only banks next year, a day after a bill passes allowing non-financial firms to boost their ownership stakes in such banks.

Capital / Liquidity

Majority of Banks Unprepared for FRTB’s 2022 Deadline – Report

By Manesh Samtani | 20/09/2018

An IHS Markit survey of 34 banks in North America, Europe and Australia suggests the industry needs to move more quickly to get their target risk architectures for FRTB in place by 2022.

Capital / Liquidity

India to Merge Three State Banks to Consolidate Weak Balance Sheets

By Garima Chitkara | 19/09/2018

India has begun the process to merge Dena Bank, Vijaya Bank and Bank of Baroda in a bid to support their weak balance sheets and consolidate the state-run banking sector.

Enforcement

Two ICBC Branches Under Investigation for Illegal Fundraising

By Manesh Samtani | 13/09/2018

The branches sold unregistered investment products to other banks to channel funds into companies beyond what regulatory lending caps allowed.

Market Infrastructure

Capital Regime a Key Impediment to Accessing Central Clearing

By Manesh Samtani | 13/09/2018

FIA, IFF and GFMA said in a consultative response that the current capital regime overstates the risks of client clearing and raises the costs of providing client clearing services.

Capital / Liquidity

CBIRC Fines Reach Unprecedented Levels in Financial Deleveraging Campaign

By Garima Chitkara | 12/09/2018

The regulator has levied fines of over 4 billion yuan in the past 20 months, four times the 1 billion yuan in fines it levied in the previous 14 years.

Capital / Liquidity

SFC Proposal to Restrict Margin Lending Threatens Brokers’ Survival – Report

By Garima Chitkara | 11/09/2018

LegCo member Christopher Cheung met with SFC chairman Carlson Tong to represent broker concerns on potential margin lending restrictions.

Capital / Liquidity

China Scraps Ceiling on Banks Investing in Local Govt Bonds

By Editors | 06/09/2018

A 20% ceiling was introduced in 2012 to prevent banks from buying up bonds issued by their own underwriting departments; banks can now buy any portion of a bond sale that is not fully subscribed.