Markets & Infrastructure

Structural Regulation

Virtualisation in Banking Sector: A Major Step Forward for Hong Kong

By Philip Keller | 27/06/2018

Hong Kong may have been slow to the game in finalising its framework for virtual banks, but digitisation in the city is now on the move. This is good news and critics should recognise this as a major step forward for Hong Kong.

Trading & Investment

Sri Lanka Bourse To Launch New Board for SMEs

By Garima Chitkara | 27/06/2018

The Colombo Stock Exchange and the securities regulator are launching an SME board next week to encourage equity financing by small firms and boost growth and corporate governance in the sector.

Trading & Investment

Capital Markets Industry Groups Call For Transition Away from IBORs

By Garima Chitkara | 27/06/2018

Joint report from ISDA, AFME, ICMA and SIFMA shows almost 90% of respondents concerned about exposure to interbank offer rates; close to 80% looking to transition away in the next four years.

Payments & Settlements

Laos Scraps Restrictions on Foreign Currency Loans

By Manesh Samtani | 26/06/2018

The 2016 restriction on lending in foreign currencies has been removed in order to allow banks to inject overseas-sourced funding into the country’s economy.

Trading & Investment

Philippine Bourse to Introduce Short Selling

By Manesh Samtani | 26/06/2018

Only members of PSE index and ETFs are eligible for short selling, up to a maximum of 10% of outstanding shares; naked short selling not permitted.

Structural Regulation

India Proposes LEI Rules For All Financial Transactions

By Garima Chitkara | 25/06/2018

RBI releases draft rules which would require the use of LEIs for non-derivatives transactions, having already announced a phasing in for OTC derivatives markets.

Conduct, Culture & Accountability

S. Korea Banks Face Loan Rate Manipulation Probe

By Manesh Samtani | 25/06/2018

FSS found thousands of irregularities in lending rate calculations including omission about income or collateral in credit evaluations, resulting in unfairly high lending rates.

Resolution & Recovery

The Greek Tragedy of Financial Regulation

By Peter Guy | 25/06/2018

The latest Eurozone bailout has effectively sentenced the country to a generation of vassalage, creating a financial serfdom. Weak growth and regulatory shortcomings will only invite the next crisis.

Structural Regulation

LEI Transition Period For MiFID II To End In July – ESMA

By Garima Chitkara | 21/06/2018

The six month transition period put in place in December 2017 to allow firms to obtain LEIs to comply with MIFID will end on 2 July 2018, as ESMA rules out any extensions in a new statement.