The European Securities and Markets Authority’s 2027 work program moves major initiatives into delivery, including expanded direct supervision, regulatory simplification and the EU’s Oct. 11, 2027 transition to T+1 settlement. ESMA will advance integrated reporting, investor protection and risk-based supervision while overseeing new entities and strengthening crypto-asset, operational resilience and clearing work. It will also expand its use of data and artificial intelligence in supervision.

The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority has reported reporting-template cuts of up to 44% and a roughly one-third reduction in the length of 25 sets of guidelines. It plans to make simplification a continuous principle, supported by proportionality, integrated digital reporting, better-sequenced legislation and more consistent supervision across the EU.

The European Central Bank has adopted revised Eurosystem collateral haircuts for application from Nov. 30, 2026. The framework introduces dedicated schedules for own use covered bonds and retained asset backed securities, while imposing higher haircuts on non-amortising credit claims. It also updates general marketable asset haircuts, issuer categorisation and foreign currency valuation markdowns.

The European Central Bank is inviting a broad range of stakeholders to develop and explore digital euro innovations. Work in 2027 will cover payment features such as integrated receipts and conditional payments, as well as artificial intelligence and public-sector uses. Any decision to issue a digital euro remains contingent on the adoption of relevant EU legislation.

The South Korea Financial Services Commission and Korea Exchange have opened the inaugural three-week Korea Premium Weeks 2026 program, with about 400 participants attending the launch. Events through Oct. 16 will cover market reforms, corporate governance, trading and settlement infrastructure, growth markets and investor meetings.

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the Hong Kong Association of Banks have extended credit support for individuals affected by the Tai Po fire. All 28 retail banks will provide an additional six-month grace period on principal and interest for existing loans through May 2027, while Wang Fuk Court mortgage lenders will offer extended and flexible relief linked to affected borrowers’ housing arrangements.

Moldova’s National Commission for Financial Markets reported that primary securities issuance rose 71.8% to MDL 733.76 million in the first half of 2026, led by corporate bonds. Secondary trading value fell 6.9% to MDL 756.16 million, while transaction numbers declined 33.2%. More than 91% of secondary market value was traded outside the regulated market and multilateral trading facility.

The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Union of Banks of Kyrgyzstan have signed a charter governing national implementation of the WE Finance Code. The framework covers coordination, accession, data and reporting, with 24 banks, microfinance organizations and industry bodies participating.

The National Securities and Stock Market Commission of Ukraine reviewed financial supervision models across nine jurisdictions and identified common regulatory functions despite differing institutional structures. It also highlighted that it began its first international investigations in August under the IOSCO information sharing framework signed on July 14, 2026.

The Central Bank of Kuwait has launched a national platform to process and monitor private sector wage payments through local banks. The ISO 20022 aligned system supports electronic tracking and early detection of employer noncompliance, with the Public Authority for Manpower responsible for regulatory oversight.

The Thailand Office of Insurance Commission has directed insurers to accelerate flood damage assessments and claims, with clearly verifiable claims expected to be paid within seven days. It also allows premium relief of up to 180 days and calls for initial property payments ranging from THB 10,000 to THB 30,000. Insurers must maintain adequate claims, towing and repair capacity and proactively contact affected policyholders.

The Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority supports targeted simplification of financial regulation where it does not weaken solvency, risk resilience or financial stability. It wants any new competitiveness objective clearly aligned with its supervisory mandate and calls for close monitoring of recent housing finance easing given Finland’s still-high household indebtedness.