The Trans-Tasman Council on Banking Supervision said after its meeting in Wellington that it has agreed priorities for deeper Australia-New Zealand regulatory coordination in 2026. The work will focus on reform of payment systems, licensing frameworks and digital assets, stronger collaboration on non-financial risk management requirements for banks, and more proportionate tiering of banking regulation. The council also said its agencies are monitoring the effects of developments in the Middle East on financial markets and financial stability, while noting that financial institutions in both countries remain sound and hold strong capital and liquidity buffers. To advance the agenda, the council endorsed a series of working-level workshops through 2026 to progress and monitor the initiatives. It also reaffirmed support for cash as an accessible means of payment, linking this to payments system resilience, and noted ongoing work in each jurisdiction to keep cash viable. The Australian Treasury will assume chairing responsibility for the council for the remainder of 2026.
Council of Financial Regulators2026-03-23
Trans-Tasman Council on Banking Supervision sets 2026 priorities for payments digital assets and bank regulation alignment
The Trans-Tasman Council on Banking Supervision has set 2026 priorities for closer Australia-New Zealand regulatory alignment, centered on payments and digital asset reforms, non-financial risk management for banks, and more proportionate banking regulation. It will use working-level workshops to advance the agenda, while continuing to monitor Middle East-related market risks and support cash as a resilient payment option.