Asia-Pacific

Thailand's SEC and LuxSE have discussed cooperation to promote sustainable finance, while also agreeing to explore the creation of a trading link between the two countries.

Vietcombank and Vietinbank will each receive government funds to bolster their capital. Agribank will be allowed to retain its earnings rather than contribute to the state budget.

The MOU aims to provide a framework for closer cooperation between the Philippine and Indonesian central banks to achieve enhance their payment systems and promote digital financial innovation.

The new payment system expected to launch in the coming months has the support of 11 banks so far, and will operate using a quasi-CBDC known as 'Bakong'.

Under draft rules, universal and commercial banks that are part of conglomerates will have to report information on all entities and assets in the conglomerate structure.

A new public asset management company will reportedly be formed to help remove defaulted loans from banks' books, allowing them to limit bad loan provisioning.

The QR code payment standard will minimise the use of cash, drive Laos towards a digital economy,  and boost socio-economic development.

While Hong Kong and Korea are scheduled to undergo the assessment, as required every five years, the Philippines has voluntarily requested its assessment.

The global exposure to financial derivatives must not exceed 20% of the qualifying fund's net assets, up from 10% previously.

Increasingly aggressive US sanctions policies highlight the need for financial institutions to adopt and implement a sophisticated risk-based approach to compliance.