Other Asia Pacific

AML / KYC

Pakistan Senate Passes Amendments to Anti-Terrorism, UNSC Laws

By Editors | 31/07/2020

The amendments raise the maximum penalties for violating anti-terrorism laws, and empower the government to implement UN Security Council resolutions.

Securities / Derivatives

BSP Excludes Market-making Activities from Single Borrower Limit

By Editors | 29/07/2020

Debt securities acquired by banks from market-making activities will be excluded from the single borrower’s limit computation for 90 calendar days from the time of acquisition.

Crypto / Digital Assets

Philippines Launches DLT-based Distribution of Retail Treasury Bonds

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 29/07/2020

The launch of ‘Bonds.PH’ paves the way for the unbanked to affordably and easily invest in retail treasury bonds, said National Treasurer Rosalia V. De Leon.

AML / KYC

Sri Lanka Fines 2 Banks, 3 Finance Firms for AML Failures

By Duruthu E Chandrasekera | 29/07/2020

Sri Lanka’s FIU has revealed that two banks and one finance company were penalised in 2019, and two other finance companies in 2020.

Bangladesh Relaxes Rules on Obtaining Credit for Foreign Firms

By Duruthu E Chandrasekera | 29/07/2020

Foreign-owned and controlled companies in Bangladesh will be able to obtain local currency loans using guarantees from overseas entities, the latest in a string of relaxations.

Capital / Liquidity

Bangladesh Bank Spares No Effort to Boost CMSME Lending

By Editors | 27/07/2020

In the past week, the central bank has sharply eased loan classification and provisioning rules, and offered credit guarantees, to try and address an unwillingness among banks to lend to small businesses.

Market Infrastructure

Data: Fault Lines Criss-crossing Asia’s Capital Markets

By Matthew Chan | 27/07/2020

Global harmonisation and progressive thinking are needed to support data connectivity between markets, says Matthew Chan at ASIFMA.

AML / KYC

BOT Green-lights Use of Facial Recognition Tech at Five Banks

By Editors | 26/07/2020

BOT has issued new guidelines on the use of biometric technology in financial services, and granted approval to five banks to use facial recognition in account opening.

Securities / Derivatives

BSEC Needs to Step Up Its Game, say Market Participants

By Duruthu E Chandrasekera | 25/07/2020

BSEC is working to speed up the IPO process and barriers to listing, amid calls for more diversified products and better transparency and governance in the capital market.