International

PEPs & Sanctions

US Panel Urges Sanctions Scrutiny for Hong Kong

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 24/11/2025

A congressional advisory body has recommended secondary sanctions on Hong Kong financial institutions, alleging the city is a hub for sanctions evasion.

Anti-Money Laundering

Japan FSA to Step Up AML Dialogue with FIs Ahead of 2028 FATF On-Site Review

By Manesh Samtani | 24/11/2025

The regulator is shifting focus from technical compliance to proven outcomes, requiring firms to establish robust verification and improvement cycles.

Data Privacy

Policymakers Face 'Trilemma' in Big Tech Credit and Payments: BIS Paper

By Manesh Samtani | 24/11/2025

New paper highlights unavoidable trade-offs between expanding credit access, limiting bigtech profits, and protecting user privacy.

AI Risk & Governance

World Bank, ICMA Detail Work on New AI Tool to Streamline Bond Issuance

By Manesh Samtani | 24/11/2025

Project SHASTRA uses generative AI and ICMA's Bond Data Taxonomy to tackle post-trade inefficiencies and create a 'single source of truth'.

Sustainable Finance

Thailand Amends Rules to Boost Sustainability-Linked Bond Market

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 24/11/2025

The new regulations provide issuers with greater flexibility on financial returns and instrument structures, aiming to align with international standards.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

BIS Paper Says Payment Pre-validation is Key to Reducing Fraud

By Nithya Subramanian | 24/11/2025

A BIS paper warns that global adoption of payment pre-validation remains slow despite its strong potential to cut errors and curb fraud in international transactions.

PEPs & Sanctions

HKMA Issues Guidance to Curb 'Overly Cautious' AML Checks on PEPs

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 24/11/2025

The HKMA’s new 'Smart Tips' guidance clarifies rules for domestic and former PEPs, urging banks to adopt a more proportionate, risk-based approach.

Anti-Money Laundering

AML/CFT Officials Discuss FATF Work to Promote Financial Inclusion

By Manesh Samtani | 24/11/2025

The FATF is encouraging simplified measures for low-risk customers and clarifying that over-compliance is counterproductive.

Liquidity Risk

Central Bank Liquidity Support Can Exacerbate Crises: BIS Paper

By Manesh Samtani | 24/11/2025

Researchers find the prospect of underpriced public backstops crowds out private insurance markets and encourages risky overinvestment by banks.