The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission has launched a multiyear action plan covering renminbi markets, cross-border connectivity, market infrastructure, digital assets and financial security. Near-term measures include a renminbi counter for southbound Stock Connect, work on REIT Connect, T+1 settlement and new digital asset licensing regimes. Longer-term plans would broaden renminbi products, tokenized investments and technology-enabled supervision.

Hong Kong Monetary Authority Chief Executive Eddie Yue outlined priorities to expand bond issuance and participation, deepen offshore renminbi liquidity and modernize market infrastructure. The agenda is intended to support digital and cross-border fixed-income activity and strengthen Hong Kong’s bond market.

The Norwegian Financial Supervisory Authority has updated its Harmonised Transparency Template reporting guidance for covered bond entities, including reporting scope, completion requirements, deadlines and the required Altinn submission form.

The Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway found shortcomings in DNB’s mortgage underwriting, risk controls and treatment of customers. It assessed that the bank’s interest rate stress testing does not meet regulatory and statutory requirements and called for improvements to debt calculations, automated lending controls, complaints and arrears management. DNB must report its remediation status as of March 31, 2027.

The Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway found that Sparebanken Norge’s governance arrangements are suited to its business, but its new risk management framework was only partly implemented. It called for broader risk coverage, stronger scenario analysis and stress testing, more independent risk reporting and an expanded internal audit function. The bank is implementing corrective measures.

The Danish Financial Supervisory Authority has set a technology agenda through 2030 covering AI, quantum technology, tokenization and financial innovation. It will assess emerging risks, clarify existing requirements and consider expanding its FT Lab regulatory sandbox, with the aim of supporting innovation without adding unnecessary rules or weakening financial stability and customer protections.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has blocked IAG’s proposed acquisition of RAC Insurance, finding it would likely substantially lessen competition in Western Australia’s motor vehicle and home and contents insurance markets. The deal would give IAG estimated market shares of 55% to 65% and 50% to 60%, respectively, while other insurers would be unlikely to provide sufficient competitive constraint.

Kazakhstan’s financial market regulator plans to develop Islamic insurance windows that would let existing insurers offer takaful products without creating separate companies. The operations would require segregated accounts, Sharia compliant investment and governance, and regulatory oversight. Products could be introduced progressively, beginning with core family and general takaful coverage.

The Reserve Bank of Australia found that ASX’s clearing and settlement facilities still partly observed standards covering governance, comprehensive risk management, credit risk and operational risk. It upgraded ASX Clear and ASX Settlement from not observed to partly observed for operational risk after specific CHESS improvements, but said this did not indicate broader progress in ASX’s operational risk management.

The South Korea Financial Services Commission unveiled eight measures to expand P2P credit for individuals and sole proprietors with low and medium credit scores. The plan raises investment limits for qualifying platforms, financial institutions and general investors, while improving maturity extensions and small-business credit assessment. It also strengthens audits, disclosures, advertising controls and arrangements for closing failed platforms.