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2026-05-20•South Korea•Ministry of Economy & Finance (South Korea)
South Korea’s Ministry of Economy & Finance said it remains fully prepared for foreign exchange market volatility linked to external uncertainties, including the Middle East war, and will act as needed while monitoring markets around the clock to curb speculative trading. It reiterated its commitment to align Korea’s foreign exchange and capital markets with global standards and support larger long-term allocations by major institutional and pension investors.
Policy & regulationGuidance & interpretationGeopolitical risk
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2026-05-20•United Kingdom•Financial Conduct Authority
The Financial Conduct Authority has warned drivers aged 17 to 25 about “ghost broking” scams selling fake or invalid motor insurance via social media and messaging platforms, which can leave buyers uninsured and exposed to prosecution, fines and vehicle seizure. Citing research that nearly half of young drivers have bought insurance through these channels and many struggle to spot fake policies, the FCA urges caution over unusually cheap offers, advises use of its Firm Checker to verify firms, and is working with influencers to raise awareness.
SupervisionAlertsFraud and scams
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2026-05-20•United Kingdom•Financial Conduct Authority
The Financial Conduct Authority has opened its Scale-up Unit to solo-regulated firms, extending tailored regulatory support to fast-growing and innovative financial services businesses. The unit offers a dedicated contact point and practical assistance on regulatory processes, product development and policy changes, building on a pilot with six dual-regulated firms and feeding insights into wider policy and process improvements.
Policy & regulationImplementation, projects & pilotsFintech and insurtech
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2026-05-20•Kuwait•Central Bank of Kuwait
The Central Bank of Kuwait will provide a temporary ATM service at four shopping malls to dispense new Kuwaiti dinar banknotes, particularly smaller denominations, ahead of Eid al-Adha. The central bank added that local banks have already received new notes and allocated 304 branches and 89 ATMs across Kuwait to meet customer demand.
Monetary policyMonetary policy instruments & operationsCurrency and cash management
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2026-05-20•Saudi Arabia•Saudi Arabia Insurance Authority
The Saudi Arabia Insurance Authority fined an insurance company SAR 875,000 for multiple anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing breaches. The deficiencies covered risk assessments, due diligence, monitoring, ongoing reviews and compliance management.
EnforcementInvestigations & enforcement actionsAML and CFTCompliance
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2026-05-20•Saudi Arabia•Saudi Arabia Insurance Authority
The Saudi Arabia Insurance Authority fined an insurance company SAR 250,000 for multiple AML and CTF compliance violations. The deficiencies involved risk assessment and the monitoring and ongoing review of transactions and activities.
EnforcementInvestigations & enforcement actionsAML and CFT
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2026-05-20•Saudi Arabia•Saudi Arabia Insurance Authority
The Saudi Arabia Insurance Authority and Ministry of Sport agreed to develop specialized coverage for sports facilities and athletes. Their work will include assessing potential mandatory insurance, improving products and facilitating policy verification through technical integration.
Policy & regulationCooperationRisk managementComplianceData management
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2026-05-20•Indonesia•OJK
The Indonesia Financial Services Authority has issued two capital markets regulations that overhaul the operating framework for securities firms and investment managers through tiered business categories, higher capital thresholds, and enhanced governance and risk management requirements. The new regime introduces three PEKU categories for underwriters and broker-dealers with minimum paid-up capital ranging from IDR 1 billion to IDR 110 billion and corresponding adjusted net working capital floors, and two MIKU categories for investment managers with higher capital and adjusted net working capital linked to assets under management.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsLicensing framework and process
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2026-05-20•Bahamas•Central Bank of the Bahamas
The Central Bank of the Bahamas is consulting on proposed Guidelines to Assess the Fitness and Propriety of Compliance Officers, adding role-specific requirements to its existing framework for regulated functions. The draft sets out authorisation requirements, outsourcing considerations, and an annual attestation by supervised financial institutions, and clarifies expectations for governance, oversight, independence and resourcing of the compliance function.
Policy & regulationGuidance & interpretationFitness and propriety
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2026-05-20•Singapore•Monetary Authority of Singapore
The Monetary Authority of Singapore outlined its sustainable finance agenda across blended finance under the Financing Asia’s Transition Partnership, market frameworks, and financing for carbon markets, adaptation and resilience. MAS reported expanded partnerships and an International Advisory Board under FAST-P, an ongoing review of the Singapore Asia-Taxonomy with the Singapore Sustainable Finance Association, and initiatives to grow carbon market financing, catastrophe risk solutions and adaptation and resilience guidance with regional and industry partners.
Policy & regulationImplementation, projects & pilotsClimate risk and sustainable financeCarbon markets
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2026-05-20•Singapore•Monetary Authority of Singapore
The Monetary Authority of Singapore has revoked the Major Payment Institution Licence of Bsquared Technology Pte Ltd with effect from 14 May 2026, prohibiting it from providing digital payment token services under the Payment Services Act 2019. MAS cited serious breaches identified in a 2025 onsite inspection, including significant weaknesses in risk management and conflicts of interest, failures to meet outsourcing guidelines, and the provision of false or misleading information. BSQ, which reported no outstanding customer monies or assets, must obtain an auditor-issued closure certificate, and MAS is reviewing the responsibilities of its key officers.
EnforcementInvestigations & enforcement actionsOutsourcing and third-party risk management
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2026-05-20•Sweden•Finansinspektionen
The Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority has launched a consultation on new regulations and guidelines for consumer credit to align with the new EU Consumer Credit Directive and proposed national legislation. The package would replace existing guidance on lending practice and creditworthiness assessments, introduce a new framework for mortgages and other consumer credits, and set detailed requirements for non-mortgage credit providers and intermediaries, including authorization and governance standards. The consultation also proposes amendments to the fit and proper regime and changes to rules on mortgage rate information and credit risk management.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsLending
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2026-05-20•Sweden•Finansinspektionen
The Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority has outlined how Sweden’s new consumer credit regime will bring ancillary credit intermediaries and creditors, including retailers offering credit as a secondary activity, under supervision from 20 November 2026, with oversight split between the Authority and the Swedish Consumer Agency. Allocation depends on firm size and product features, with larger ancillary intermediaries and certain ancillary creditors requiring authorisation under the new LVBK framework. The Authority has also consulted on proposed regulations and general guidelines for firms under its supervision ahead of LVBK’s expected entry into force.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsLicensing and supervisory fees
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2026-05-20•Philippines•Central Bank of the Philippines
The Central Bank of the Philippines has amended rules to recalibrate maximum exposure limits of Unit Investment Trust Funds (UITFs) to exchange-traded equity securities, allowing UITFs with equity exposures to invest up to 20% in a single entity and permitting equity index-tracking UITFs to follow actual index weights even if these exceed 20%. Any exposure above 15% and up to 20% must be solely in exchange-traded equity of the same issuer, with aggregate exposures to entities and related parties monitored under risk controls and breaches rectified within prescribed timeframes.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsPrudential risksMarket risk and volatility
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2026-05-20•Philippines•Central Bank of the Philippines
The Central Bank of the Philippines has amended its risk-based capital framework to introduce a positive neutral countercyclical capital buffer for universal, commercial and digital banks and to lower the minimum Common Equity Tier 1 ratio to 4.5% from 6%, while keeping the minimum Tier 1 ratio at 7.5% and total capital adequacy ratio at 10%. The Monetary Board will set a uniformly applicable buffer rate of up to 2.5% of risk-weighted assets, with quarterly reviews, and the circular also adjusts distribution restrictions, aligns Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process and capital planning rules, updates the domestic systemically important bank framework, and recalibrates prudential real estate exposure limits.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsCapital adequacy
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2026-05-20•Malaysia•Malaysia Securities Commission
The Malaysia Securities Commission has revised its Guidelines on Recognized Markets for Digital Asset Exchanges, streamlining product approvals while raising standards for accountability, client asset safeguards, governance, financial stability, shareholding and management proficiency. DAX operators must join the Financial Markets Ombudsman Service in 2026, and the Commission is increasing enforcement against unregistered DAXs, including administrative actions and cooperation with technology companies to restrict promotions. The amendments took effect on 20 May 2026 after benchmarking, stakeholder engagement and public consultation.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsFintech and insurtechMarket development
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2026-05-20•Tajikistan•National Bank of the Republic of Tajikistan
The National Bank of the Republic of Tajikistan clarified that its pilot special tax regime for individual entrepreneurs does not cover non-commercial money transfers between individuals, including family transfers, which will not be taxed. The pilot reduces the tax rate for individual entrepreneurs from 6 percent to 3 percent with automatic calculation, provides 1 percent cashback to buyers to promote non-cash payments, and reiterates that electronic wallets, bank cards and other modern payment instruments remain safe and subject to full bank secrecy.
Policy & regulationGuidance & interpretationOther
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2026-05-20•Netherlands•Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets
The Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets has asked investment firms, investment institutions, insurers and pension funds to complete national and European surveys on readiness for the move from T+2 to T+1 securities settlement on 11 October 2027. The AFM will use the national survey, shared with the European Securities and Markets Authority, to assess T+1 preparedness in the Netherlands, while the EU T+1 Industry Committee will use the European survey to track and publish anonymised, aggregated progress across the EU.
Policy & regulationImplementation, projects & pilotsMarket infrastructure
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2026-05-20•Estonia•Central Bank of Estonia
The Central Bank of Estonia has published the results of the 2024 Household Finance and Consumption Survey, providing updated statistics on the assets and liabilities of Estonian households. The release, produced under a harmonised European Central Bank methodology, covers household real estate, vehicles, business assets, financial investments, liabilities, income and consumption, and is presented separately from economic policy communications.
Data & statisticsFinancial and market indicatorsSupervisory data
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2026-05-20•Estonia•Central Bank of Estonia
The Central Bank of Estonia and Statistics Estonia reported that Estonian household net wealth rose by 16 percent in real terms between 2021 and 2024, with lower debt burdens, reduced financial fragility, and a shift from deposits toward shares and investment fund units. Median household net wealth reached EUR 103,300 in 2024, financial assets increased to 20 percent of total assets, bank deposits fell to 40 percent of financial assets, and household debt and wealth inequality remained broadly in line with euro area averages, though liquid assets stayed low.
Data & statisticsEconomic data and developmentsFinancial and market indicators
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2026-05-20•Kyrgyzstan•National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic
The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic reported that staff from its Batken regional office delivered a financial literacy lecture to students at Bokonbaev Secondary School in Batken. The session covered prudent budget management, sensible use of money, payment system modernisation through QR technology, and prevention of offences linked to money mule activity.
Financial literacy & educationFinancial literacy and education
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2026-05-20•United Arab Emirates•ADGM Financial Services Regulatory Authority
The ADGM Financial Services Regulatory Authority and the Hellenic Capital Market Commission have signed a memorandum of understanding establishing a formal framework for cooperation and mutual assistance in capital markets supervision. The MoU provides for structured information exchange, supports joint efforts to combat money laundering, terrorist and proliferation financing and sanctions evasion, and aims to enhance coordination on cross-border activity, investor protection and market integrity.
Policy & regulationCooperationCross-border cooperation
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2026-05-20•Rwanda•Rwanda Capital Markets Authority
The Rwanda Capital Markets Authority held an awareness session for market participants on Rwanda’s new virtual assets framework after Parliament approved the draft law on virtual assets business. The authority said the regime is designed to provide legal clarity, support safe innovation and protect investors while addressing money laundering and terrorism financing risks. Effective implementation will require technical capacity and coordination across regulators and other stakeholders.
Policy & regulationGuidance & interpretation
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2026-05-20•Jamaica•Bank of Jamaica
Bank of Jamaica’s Monetary Policy Committee kept the policy rate at 5.50 % on 20 May, judging it adequate to limit second-round inflation from conflict-driven oil shocks that could push headline inflation above the 4–6 % target in the June and September quarters. The Committee will maintain direct FX support to energy importers and pre-announced interventions, and signalled readiness to tighten if pressures persist ahead of its 29 June decision.
Monetary policyPolicy rate decisionsMonetary policy decisions and developments
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2026-05-20•Australia•Department of Treasury (Australia)
The Australian Treasury has released the communiqué from the fourth First Nations Economic Partnership meeting, outlining next steps on the First Nations Economic Framework, access to capital, Specialist Investment Vehicles and employment initiatives. Working groups will advise on how Specialist Investment Vehicles can better support First Nations economic empowerment, co-design a First Nations Investment and Finance Council model, and develop measures to expand jobs and economic inclusion, including in the community-controlled sector.
Policy & regulationImplementation, projects & pilotsOther
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2026-05-20•South Korea•Ministry of Economy & Finance (South Korea)
South Korea’s Ministry of Economy and Finance said Deputy Prime Minister Koo Yun-cheol joined the expanded G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in Paris as an invited-country delegate, marking South Korea’s first participation in the full programme. Koo urged simultaneous policy action by surplus and deficit countries to address global current account imbalances, outlined South Korea’s strategy to boost domestic demand and investment, and called on the G7 to prioritise AI capacity building for developing countries. He also discussed supply chains, critical minerals, energy security, defence and advanced industries cooperation in bilateral meetings with Germany and Canada, and agreed with the Bank of Korea Governor to coordinate on domestic financial market stability.
Policy & regulationCooperation
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2026-05-20•South Korea•South Korea Financial Supervisory Service
The South Korea Financial Supervisory Service published preliminary first quarter 2026 results for 20 domestic banks, reporting net income of KRW6.7 trillion, down 3.9 percent year-on-year as weaker non-interest income and lower profitability ratios offset higher interest income. Interest income rose 6.4 percent to KRW15.8 trillion on higher net interest margin and asset growth, while non-interest income fell 35.6 percent and return on equity declined to 8.68 percent. The Financial Supervisory Service said it will guide banks to strengthen loss-absorbing capacity and balance social responsibilities with sound profitability.
SupervisionRisk monitoring & watch pointsFinancial and market indicatorsActivity and performance reporting
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2026-05-20•South Korea•South Korea Financial Services Commission
The South Korea Financial Services Commission announced government approval of revisions to enforcement decrees under the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act and the Act on External Audit of Stock Companies, removing caps on whistleblower rewards and tightening penalties for accounting fraud. Rewards will be set at up to 30 percent of illicit gains or penalties and broadened to cover reports to other authorities and certain accomplices, while repeated accounting fraud will attract additional penalties and sanctions on individuals who benefited. The revisions take effect upon promulgation on May 26, with subordinate rules to be updated.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsWhistleblowing
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2026-05-20•El Salvador•Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador
The Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador marked the second anniversary of its Mi Viaje Financiero bus, an interactive financial education initiative for students aged 13 to 18 and a priority component of the National Financial Education Strategy. The programme has travelled across all 14 departments and 96 districts, reaching 58,147 people to date, and in 2026 alone has visited 27 districts and 11,297 beneficiaries, using interactive stations and VR to teach savings, everyday expenses and digital payment tools.
Financial literacy & educationFinancial literacy and education
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2026-05-20•Europe•European Securities and Markets Authority
The European Securities and Markets Authority has submitted to the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament a shortlist of candidates for its next Chair, with the incoming Chair envisaged to start on 1 November 2026. ESMA’s Board of Supervisors shortlisted Karen Dortea Abelskov and Carlo Comporti following an open, competitive process based on merit, skills, financial markets knowledge, and supervisory and regulatory experience.
Institutional developmentLeadership change & appointmentsLeadership change and appointments
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2026-05-20•Canada•Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions
The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions announced a media technical briefing on measures to be released in its second Quarterly Release Day of 2026, including draft prudential updates for deposit-taking institutions and banks on large exposure limits, liquidity, interest rate risk in the banking book, and crypto-asset exposures, plus an update to insurance Minimum Capital Test risk factors. OSFI will also provide status updates on an updated Guide to Intervention for Federally Regulated Deposit-Taking Institutions and on a crypto-asset exposure disclosure notice.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsCapital adequacyLiquidity riskPrudential risks
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2026-05-20•Brazil•Brazil Securities Commission (CVM)
The Brazil Securities Commission (CVM) has ordered the immediate suspension of four public offerings of Multiplike Plus FIDC quotas after identifying irregularities in the registration applications under CVM Resolutions 160 and 175. The suspension, which covers specified mezzanine and senior quota series of the fund’s first issuance, will remain in effect until 19 June 2026, after which the offerings will be withdrawn and registrations canceled if the issues are not remedied.
SupervisionInterventionsSecurities offerings and listings
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2026-05-20•Thailand•Thailand Office of Insurance Commission
The Thailand Office of Insurance Commission deployed senior representatives to support victims of the recent train–bus collision, focusing on insurance rights and claims. The Office is coordinating with insurers to verify coverage, facilitate access to benefits for injured victims and families of those killed, and expedite compensation in line with policy terms, and will continue hospital visits and coordination with relevant agencies.
SupervisionInterventionsOther
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2026-05-20•Australia•Australian Securities & Investments Commission
The Australian Securities & Investments Commission and the Australian Accounting Standards Board are providing three free webinars and eight e-learning modules to build introductory capability on new sustainability reporting requirements. The material targets smaller and mid-size companies preparing climate-related financial disclosures, but is also relevant to other reporting entities and stakeholders such as directors, advisers, employees and creditors.
Policy & regulationGuidance & interpretationClimate risk and sustainable financeDisclosures
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2026-05-20•United States•U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs
Senator Elizabeth Warren, Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, has urged Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman to revise the 2026 bank stress testing scenarios to incorporate a 140 percent oil price shock before results are released in June. She argues that the Federal Reserve weakened the oil shock and other elements of the stress testing framework under industry pressure, undermining the tests’ forward-looking nature and leaving banks and the public less prepared for crises.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsStress testing
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2026-05-20•United States•U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs
Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Elizabeth Warren sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent seeking an explanation for the Trump Administration’s decision to remove sanctions on Delcy Rodríguez, acting President of Venezuela. They question how this move advances U.S. national security given Rodríguez’s alleged role in repression and United Nations findings that Venezuela’s repressive structures remain intact. The senators urge the administration to keep individuals responsible for serious human rights abuses, corruption, or antidemocratic acts out of the U.S. financial system.
Policy & regulationOtherSanctions list update
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2026-05-20•Argentina•Argentina Securities Commission (CNV)
The Argentina Securities Commission used IFAC CONNECT LATAM 2026 to restate its capital market priorities, emphasizing deregulation, modernization and stronger international coordination. President Roberto E. Silva said the programme includes over 150 general resolutions on foreign exchange restrictions, private and automatic offerings, the Fiscal Innocence Regime, the Big Bang reform package, Labor Assistance Funds, and PSAV and tokenization rules. Vice President Sonia Salvatierra stressed cooperation with bodies such as IOSCO and the IFRS Foundation to enhance harmonization, transparency and information quality.
Policy & regulationReform agendas & prioritiesAccounting and financial reportingMarket development
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2026-05-19•Haiti•Bank of the Republic of Haiti
The Bank of the Republic of Haiti reported on the third cohort of seven projects financed by its BRH Research and Development Fund, with total funding of HTG 66,029,374 across initiatives in waste management, agriculture, health and climate education. All projects began on 23 September 2025, have received a first disbursement with rates of 30–35 percent, and show execution progress between 30 and 75 percent, with the smart-bin waste and school-based climate science projects most advanced.
Policy & regulationImplementation, projects & pilotsClimate risk and sustainable financeGreen taxonomy
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2026-05-19•Dominican Republic•Superintendencia del Mercado de Valores de la Republica Dominicana
The Superintendency of the Securities Market of the Dominican Republic reported on an executive training session on regulatory compliance and bribery prevention, after which its senior leadership signed an institutional declaration of commitment. The initiative, aligned with ISO 37001 and ISO 37301, included a diagnostic review of the anti-bribery compliance system, consideration of recent legal changes such as the new Criminal Code, and planning for certification focused on public offerings, offence prevention and investigation, and procurement.
Institutional developmentCooperation & capacity buildingBribery and corruptionCapacity building
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2026-05-19•Dominican Republic•Superintencencia de Bancos de la Republica Dominicana
The Superintendency of Banks of the Dominican Republic completed a seven-month training programme to help financial entities develop more inclusive offerings for underserved groups, focusing on women-led MSMEs, persons with disabilities, older adults and migrants. It highlighted a persistent gender credit gap, with women’s average outstanding balances at DOP 68,003 versus DOP 99,843 for men, and promoted greater use of data, sex-disaggregated metrics and performance management tools. The authority will continue supporting entities and identified the Financial Inclusion Ranking as a key instrument to track progress.
Policy & regulationImplementation, projects & pilotsFinancial inclusionFinancial literacy and education
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2026-05-19•Angola•Angola Capital Markets Commission
The Angola Capital Markets Commission held a workshop under its Financial Education Programme for 120 students at the Portuguese School of Luanda on how capital markets and the economy operate in everyday life. The session aimed to strengthen young people's understanding of Angola's financial market, the importance of money, saving and investment, and the commission's role as capital markets regulator and supervisor.
Financial literacy & educationFinancial literacy and education
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2026-05-19•Japan•Japan Financial Services Agency
The Japan Financial Services Agency has promulgated a partial amendment to the designation of sustainability disclosure standards under Article 19-9(5) of the Cabinet Office Ordinance on corporate disclosure and published the consultation outcome. The agency reported no substantive comments and stated that comments unrelated to the amendment would not be addressed.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsDisclosures
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2026-05-19•Japan•Japan Financial Services Agency
The Japan Financial Services Agency has finalized amendments to the Cabinet Office Ordinance on Electronic Payment Instruments and related guidelines to expand foreign trust beneficiary rights qualifying as electronic payment instruments and exclude them from treatment as securities under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act. The amendments clarify that business operators should assess foreign instruments by reference to the equivalence of the foreign legal framework with Japan’s regime, and the agency published a summary of consultation comments and responses.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsPayments and payment systems
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2026-05-19•Japan•Japan Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission
Japan’s Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission recommended that the Prime Minister and the Financial Services Agency Commissioner take administrative action against Kurosai Co., Ltd. for breaching its duty of loyalty and advertising rules under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act. An inspection found an adviser front‑ran client stock recommendations, internal controls over personal trading and conflicts of interest failed, and the firm used materially inaccurate website advertising about stock picks and investor gains.
EnforcementInvestigations & enforcement actions
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2026-05-19•Europe•European Parliament
The European Parliament has approved revised EU rules making foreign investment screening mandatory in all Member States for sensitive sectors such as defence, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, critical raw materials and financial services, including certain intra-EU transactions with non-EU ultimate owners. The framework streamlines national screening procedures, strengthens cooperation with the European Commission on cross-border security risks and commits the Commission to set conditions for foreign investment in specific strategic sectors. The regulation still requires Council approval before entering into force.
Policy & regulationRules & requirements
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2026-05-19•Europe•European Parliament
The European Parliament’s plenary agenda centres on a vote on an agreement with the Council to update EU rules on screening foreign investments in strategic sectors, including defence, semiconductors, artificial intelligence and critical raw materials. MEPs will also assess security implications of advanced AI models and question EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on the EU strategy for crises in the Middle East, alongside votes and debates on EU steel safeguards, the Commission’s fertiliser action plan, EU governance, the EU response to reduced US military deployment in Europe and public-space security.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsOther
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2026-05-19•United States•U.S. Financial Services Committee
The U.S. House Committee on Financial Services released a resolution to bring the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act to the House floor, including a House amendment to the Senate-passed version. The amended package restores community banking provisions, streamlines housing development and affordability, and adds measures to limit institutional investor competition with homebuyers, reform housing programs, support affordable and innovative housing, and strengthen renter and community protections.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsOther
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2026-05-19•Global•International Monetary Fund
The International Monetary Fund published a technical assistance report on two 2023 missions to the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic, finding the central bank’s core macroeconomic projection tool broadly adequate for its inflation-targeting framework and noting only marginal forecast accuracy gains from recalibration. The report highlights a new forecast quality monitoring tool to track errors and provide early warnings, and recommends continued human resource development and retention of expertise.
ResearchOther
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2026-05-19•Canada•Department of Finance (Canada)
The Department of Finance Canada reported that Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne attended the G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting in Paris and held bilateral meetings to promote economic partnerships, trade and investment, while highlighting financing needs for defence, security, critical minerals and the proposed Defence, Security and Resilience Bank. He also participated in the fifth No Money for Terror Ministerial Conference, where Canada reiterated measures from Budget 2025 and the Spring Economic Update 2026, including funding for a new Financial Crimes Agency via Bill C-29, new measures targeting criminal abuse of cryptocurrency ATMs and money services businesses, and additional resources for the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada.
OtherCross-border cooperation
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2026-05-19•Dominican Republic•Pensions Superintendency (SIPEN)
The Dominican Republic’s Pensions Superintendency (SIPEN) proposed amending the social security law to introduce a guaranteed minimum pension for workers who do not meet the 25-year contribution requirement, gradually increase mandatory contributions from the current 9.97% of salary, and diversify pension fund investments. Superintendent Francisco A. Torres said the International Labour Organization–based proposals could raise pensions by 25% to 50%, index the minimum pension to inflation every two years, and expand complementary pension plans for self-employed and variable-income workers with tax benefits and flexible use for housing, education and medical emergencies.
Policy & regulationReform agendas & priorities
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2026-05-19•United States•Commodity Futures Trading Commission
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission issued a staff advisory outlining the Division of Enforcement’s new cooperation policy, which replaces prior advisories and introduces a potential declination route for respondents that voluntarily self-report, fully cooperate, remediate, and provide restitution or disgorgement. The advisory details how the division will assess cooperation and self-reporting and clarifies the levels of cooperation credit available in enforcement matters involving insider trading, fraud, manipulation, and other market abuse.
EnforcementEnforcement frameworkMarket abuse
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2026-05-19•Moldova•National Commission for Financial Markets
Moldova’s National Commission for Financial Markets clarified that Beeyond Investments SA is the only firm specifically authorised as an investment consultant, but 12 other licensed investment firms may also provide investment advice, rejecting monopoly claims. It stressed that actions against Double-Case targeted banned promotion of leveraged financial instruments rather than financial education, and noted that a draft law under consultation would regulate leveraged instruments and firms dealing in them by transposing Directive 2014/65 on markets in financial instruments.
Policy & regulationGuidance & interpretationLicensing framework and process
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2026-05-19•Zimbabwe•Securities & Exchange Commission of Zimbabwe
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Zimbabwe has appointed Commissioner Tichaona Mushambadope as acting chief executive officer with effect from 1 May 2026. He has served on the SECZim board since July 2024, and the commission said governance arrangements will apply during the interim tenure.
Institutional developmentLeadership change & appointmentsLeadership change and appointments
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2026-05-19•Switzerland•Federal Department of Finance (Switzerland)
The Federal Department of Finance (Switzerland) announced that the fifth Point Zero Forum will be held in Zurich from 23 to 25 June 2026 as part of Swiss FinTech Week, focusing on how stablecoins, tokenisation, artificial intelligence and quantum technologies are reshaping financial infrastructure. Organised by the Swiss State Secretariat for International Finance and the Global Finance and Technology Network under the theme “A Financial System Rewired: Trust, Compliance and Protocols in a Shifting World”, the forum will examine regional models for next generation finance, control of new financial rails, Switzerland’s role in programmable finance and policy responses to monetary sovereignty.
Policy & regulationCooperationStablecoinsArtificial intelligenceQuantum computing
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2026-05-19•Colombia•Ministry of Finance & Public Credit (Colombia)
Colombia’s Ministry of Finance and Public Credit reported that the Council of State has provisionally suspended Decree 415 of 2026, halting the transfer of pension savings from private funds to Colpensiones and delaying resources for pension payments, with around 20,000 beneficiaries most immediately affected. The suspension stems from two court orders that together blocked more than COP 25 trillion in transfers for approximately 117,000 members, leaving Decree 415 fully suspended while the Council of State reviews its possible annulment.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsOther
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2026-05-19•Canada•Ontario Securities Commission
The Ontario Securities Commission warned that Aksia Elite Circle, Blue-Rock Wealth and FXTampa are not registered to deal or advise in securities in Ontario and may pose a risk to investors. The alert forms part of the OSC’s investor warnings and alerts program, and the commission urged investors to verify registration, including via its Check Before You Invest and Crypto businesses pages, and to contact the OSC if approached by these or other unregistered firms.
SupervisionAlertsUnlicensed or unauthorized activity
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2026-05-19•Zimbabwe•Zimbabwe Insurance and Pensions Commission
The Zimbabwe Insurance and Pensions Commission has launched a regulatory sandbox for insurance and pensions innovation and opened the Cohort Two application window from 15 May 2026 to 31 August 2026. The framework allows local and international applicants to test products, technologies and business models in a supervised environment before broader market rollout.
SupervisionInnovation & testingFintech and insurtechRegulatory sandbox
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2026-05-19•United States•U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has proposed two rule packages to ease capital raising in registered offerings and simplify public company reporting. The offering proposal would expand access to Form S-3, shelf and at-the-market offerings, certain research and communications safe harbors, and preempt state securities law registration for all registered offerings, with parallel changes for some funds and annuities. The reporting proposal would raise the large accelerated filer threshold to USD 2 billion and reclassify other issuers as non-accelerated filers with exemptions from auditor attestation of internal control over financial reporting and extended Form 10-K and Form 10-Q deadlines.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsSecurities offerings and listings
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2026-05-19•Serbia•National Bank of Serbia
The National Bank of Serbia warned citizens and businesses against intentionally damaging dinar banknotes, stating that notes with writing are unfit for circulation and that it will file a criminal complaint in a reported case. It reiterated that deliberate damage to banknotes may constitute the criminal offence of harming the reputation of the Republic of Serbia and called on authorities to act, stressing that such acts cannot be justified as freedom of expression or artistic creativity.
SupervisionAlertsFraud and scams
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2026-05-19•United States•U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission
The U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission has proposed amendments to ease access to public markets and reduce compliance burdens for issuers. The first proposal would modernize the registered offering framework, including eliminating the one-year seasoning requirement and the USD 75 million public float threshold for unrestricted Form S-3 use, and revising delaying amendments. The second would simplify filer status classifications and recalibrate the large accelerated filer threshold to reduce disclosure burdens for smaller companies.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsRegulatory burden
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2026-05-19•United States•U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has proposed two rulemakings to ease going public and post-listing capital raising, particularly for small and mid-sized issuers. One proposal would simplify filer status categories, expand scaled disclosure and accommodations, and create an expanded IPO on-ramp, while the other would broaden access to registered shelf offerings by tying eligibility mainly to timely reporting and extending most well-known seasoned issuer flexibilities to more exchange-listed domestic companies. The Commission is seeking feedback and signalled that further public company framework changes would build on these proposals.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsSecurities offerings and listings
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2026-05-19•Ukraine•Ministry of Finance (Ukraine)
The Ministry of Finance of Ukraine said talks with key partners at the Group of Seven meetings focused on Ukraine’s financing needs, with defense set to remain the top 2026 budget priority and external aid still needed for social and humanitarian spending. The ministry highlighted the European Union’s EUR 90 billion support package for 2026 to 2027, including an expected EUR 45 billion this year, and called for continued work on frozen Russian assets and structural reforms.
Policy & regulationImplementation, projects & pilotsOther
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2026-05-19•Congo•Congo Insurance Regulation and Control Authority
The Congo Insurance Regulation and Control Authority has provided SNECA CHECK computer terminals to the national police to support digital roadside checks of compulsory motor third party liability insurance. The authority outlined the compulsory insurance framework and demonstrated how the SNECA system operates, while the police indicated the tool should modernize control operations and ease congestion at checkpoints.
Policy & regulationImplementation, projects & pilotsSupervision process and methodologies
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2026-05-19•Belgium•National Bank of Belgium
The National Bank of Belgium’s Annual General Meeting re-elected three regents, elected five new regents, and reappointed KPMG Réviseurs d’entreprises Bedrijfsrevisoren, represented by Stephane Nolf, as auditor for a further three-year term. The Council of Regency now comprises the five members of the Board of Directors led by Governor Pierre Wunsch, five regents proposed by the social partners, and nine regents proposed by the minister of finance, with Bart Buysse joining the social partner nominees and the other four new regents joining the minister’s nominees.
Institutional developmentLeadership change & appointmentsLeadership change and appointments
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2026-05-19•United States•Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council
The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council has proposed revisions to the CAMELS supervisory rating system to better align ratings with institutions’ safety and soundness by focusing on material financial risks and improving transparency. The proposal retains the CAMELS framework but updates the definitions and evaluation factors for the composite rating and the six component ratings—capital adequacy, asset quality, management, earnings, liquidity, and sensitivity to market risk—marking the first comprehensive overhaul in 30 years.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsPrudential risksAsset quality
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2026-05-19•Ecuador•Superintendencia de Bancos de Ecuador
The Superintendency of Banks of Ecuador warned that 19 unauthorized entities have been detected taking funds from the public in breach of Article 254 of the Organic Monetary and Financial Code, which reserves such activities to the national financial system. It published the names of these entities, urged the public to verify providers against its register of authorized institutions, and noted that alerts and complaints are assessed under the applicable legal framework for further action.
SupervisionAlertsUnlicensed or unauthorized activity
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2026-05-19•Albania•Bank of Albania
At the 28th Annual Conference of the Microfinance Centre, the Bank of Albania’s Second Deputy Governor Natasha Ahmetaj highlighted recent regulatory and supervisory measures to strengthen transparency, consumer protection and credit quality in the non-bank and microfinance sector. She underscored microfinance’s role in supporting small enterprises and financially excluded groups, and stressed the need for robust risk management, public trust and balancing commercial objectives with social responsibility.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsFinancial inclusion
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2026-05-19•Argentina•Argentina Superintendency of Insurance
The Argentina Superintendency of Insurance published remarks by Superintendent Guillermo Plate outlining priorities to strengthen system solvency, improve regulatory efficiency and modernize supervisory mechanisms. Plate emphasized insurers’ role in long-term investment and economic development, and called for a more efficient, technology-enabled supervisory framework with stronger controls to protect policyholders and support market transparency.
SupervisionSupervision approach, priorities & toolkitOther
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2026-05-19•India•Securities & Exchange Board of India
The Securities and Exchange Board of India has revised the Monthly Cumulative Report format for mutual funds under its Master Circular, effective June 2026, to align with new scheme categories introduced under its mutual fund categorisation and rationalisation framework. The updated MCR and new MCR-SIF templates expand reporting across revised scheme categories while continuing to capture core monthly data on schemes, flows, assets under management, segregated portfolios and systematic investment plans, with other Master Circular conditions unchanged.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsRegulatory reporting
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2026-05-19•United States•U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs
Elizabeth Warren, Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, urged the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board to use its next five-year strategic plan to strengthen investor protection and audit quality, citing reduced Securities and Exchange Commission enforcement and political efforts to eliminate the PCAOB. Her letter calls for new standards on auditor independence, private equity ownership of accounting firms, complex data center arrangements, artificial intelligence in audit, and crypto-related “sham audits,” supported by more robust inspections and enforcement.
Policy & regulationReform agendas & prioritiesAuditing
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2026-05-19•United States•U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs
Elizabeth Warren, Ranking Member of the Senate Banking Committee, has written to Comptroller of the Currency Jonathan Gould challenging the OCC’s approval of national trust charters for crypto companies. She argues the approvals let firms that do not qualify under the National Bank Act operate like banks without equivalent safeguards, citing risks to consumers, the separation of banking and commerce, and overall safety and soundness. Warren also questions whether applicants’ business plans exceed permissible trust activities and requested the OCC’s charter applications, supporting legal analyses, and related communications with the White House or Trump family members.
Policy & regulationOtherLicence approval
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2026-05-19•United States•U.S. Department of the Treasury
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control designated more than 50 Iran-linked companies, individuals, vessels, and vessel owners or managers tied to Iran’s foreign exchange and petroleum trade under Executive Order 13902. The action targets Amin Exchange, its owner and senior officials, eight front companies in China, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates, 19 shipping companies, and 19 related vessels added to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List. Property and interests in property of the designated persons in the United States or under U.S. control must be blocked.
EnforcementSanctions & designationsNew sanctions designations
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2026-05-19•Libya•Central Bank of Libya
The Central Bank of Libya has invited commercial banks to subscribe to Issue No. 17-2026 of unrestricted Mudaraba Deposit Certificates. The subscription follows the procedures and controls used in earlier issuances and the tenors and maturity dates in the announcement.
Monetary policyMonetary policy instruments & operationsOther
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2026-05-19•Albania•Bank of Albania
The Bank of Albania published remarks by Second Deputy Governor Natasha Ahmetaj outlining recent regulatory and supervisory measures to strengthen transparency, consumer protection and credit quality in the non-bank and microfinance sector. She underscored microfinance’s role in financial inclusion for small enterprises and borrowers with limited bank access, and stressed that affordable, responsible lending and strong reputational trust should remain central as the sector navigates financial and technological change.
SupervisionSupervision approach, priorities & toolkitFinancial inclusion
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2026-05-19•United States•Commodity Futures Trading Commission
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission has sued the State of Minnesota and is seeking a preliminary injunction to block a new state law that would make operating or assisting in the operation of a prediction market a felony. The CFTC argues the law would criminalize activity in many CFTC-regulated markets, including weather-related event contracts used for hedging, and notes this action follows similar challenges to state gambling laws in Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, New York, and other jurisdictions.
EnforcementInvestigations & enforcement actions
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2026-05-19•Bermuda•Bermuda Monetary Authority
The Bermuda Monetary Authority has appointed Mesheiah Keane as Chief Operating Officer and Graham Collier as Chief Technology Officer to support technology transformation, streamline supervisory processes and strengthen operational resilience. Keane will oversee Finance and Currency Operations, Human Resources, Corporate Affairs and Business and Operations Support, while Collier will lead enhancements to the Authority’s technology capabilities, including artificial intelligence tools, within its digital transformation strategy.
Institutional developmentLeadership change & appointmentsLeadership change and appointments
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2026-05-19•Norway•Department of Finance (Norway)
The Norwegian Ministry of Finance has launched a consultation on changes to rules for hybrid occupational pensions, based on proposals from the Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway. The measures would expand investment choice, permit passive-consent mergers of pension certificates, remove the 12‑month service requirement to retain accrued rights, and allow conversion of paid-up policies into pension certificates, while not introducing personal pension accounts or provider choice for hybrid schemes.
Policy & regulationRules & requirements
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2026-05-19•Ireland•Central Bank of Ireland
The Central Bank of Ireland published a speech by Governor Gabriel Makhlouf warning that the EU’s Savings and Investments Union will fall short unless the Single Market for goods, services and capital is completed. He argued that a genuine single capital market requires a more complete regulatory architecture and a single European safe asset, and highlighted EU-level barriers and Irish demand-side constraints, including low household market participation despite EUR 172 billion of bank deposits. He said the Central Bank is promoting supervisory convergence and simplifying its regulatory framework through its Regulating and Supervising Well programme.
Policy & regulationReform agendas & prioritiesMarket development
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2026-05-19•Seychelles•Seychelles Financial Services Authority
The Seychelles Financial Services Authority rejected Angel Venture Partners Limited’s (Quickex) application for approval under the Virtual Asset Service Providers Act, 2024, effective 14 February 2025, and ordered the firm to cease or migrate virtual asset services out of Seychelles. The Authority said that although the company remains incorporated locally, all services covered by the Act’s First Schedule have been moved abroad and its Seychelles activities are now limited to holding and managing intellectual property, with virtual asset services provided by a separate foreign entity.
SupervisionAuthorisations & approvalsLicence withdrawal
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2026-05-19•Mexico•CONDUSEF
Mexico’s National Commission for the Protection and Defense of Users of Financial Services published results of its 2025 financial transparency supervision of six Electronic Payment Fund Institutions, finding only one fully compliant after remediation and an average score improvement from 2.6 to 5.0. Key deficiencies involved commission disclosures, customer consent for marketing, contract termination and complaints procedures, and inconsistencies between contractual terms and advertising or website content. Separately, Sylon Capital, S.A.P.I. de C.V., Institución de Fondos de Pago Electrónico was ordered to remove an adhesion contract from its website until its SIPRES register status is updated to “In operation.”
SupervisionReviews, inspections & stress testsSupervision process and methodologies
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2026-05-19•Mexico•CONDUSEF
Mexico’s National Commission for the Protection and Defense of Users of Financial Services published results of its 2025 financial transparency supervision of three crowdfunding institutions, finding one fully compliant and one partially compliant after corrective action. Average scores improved from 2.3 to 8.4 following a forced compliance programme, with breaches involving missing standalone consent for marketing use of user data, incomplete account or operation statements, and website omissions of the product trade name and RECA registration number. The authority noted that breaches do not exempt firms from sanctions or other measures.
SupervisionReviews, inspections & stress testsCrowdfunding
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2026-05-19•Global•World Bank
The World Bank Group’s Guarantee Platform, housed at the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, plans to more than double annual guarantee issuance in Africa to USD 6.4 billion by 2030, with new guarantees over the next four years expected to mobilize USD 23 billion in private capital. Targeting agribusiness, energy and infrastructure, health care, digital, finance and trade, it is projected by 2030 to expand access to electricity, finance, digital services, broadband, food security and sustainable transport for hundreds of millions of people. Launched in 2024, the platform also aims to raise the World Bank Group’s overall annual guarantee issuance to USD 20 billion by 2030.
Policy & regulationImplementation, projects & pilotsOther
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2026-05-19•Kosovo•Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo
The Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo held a workshop with the Kosovo Banking Association, commercial banks and international experts to coordinate implementation of the TIPS Clone fast payments platform, the new Law on Payment Services and future integration into the Single Euro Payments Area. Discussions focused on operational readiness, technical coordination, cybersecurity, interoperability, liquidity and fraud management, and alignment with European standards, with the central bank stressing continued cooperation among all payment sector stakeholders.
Policy & regulationImplementation, projects & pilotsPayments and payment systems
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2026-05-19•Global•Network for Greening the Financial System
The Network for Greening the Financial System has published a report on the macroeconomic and financial effects of extreme weather, drawing on 31 case studies across 28 countries. It finds such shocks can materially affect output, employment, prices and financial systems, with annual GDP impacts ranging from 0.03% to 57% and inflation effects up to 17 percentage points, and identifies spillovers through trade, supply chains and financial linkages. The report is described as a first step toward better measurement of these effects and stresses the need for forward-looking risk management as physical risks increase.
ResearchClimate risk and sustainable financeFinancial stability and systemic risk
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2026-05-19•Sweden•Ministry of Finance (Sweden)
Sweden’s Ministry of Finance proposes raising initial capital requirements for credit market companies to match bank limited companies and updating thresholds for inflation, setting both at EUR 7.5 million. The memorandum would also increase initial capital for savings banks, member banks and credit market associations from EUR 1 million to EUR 1.5 million, citing rapid growth in consumer credit and the restriction of such activities to credit institutions. The changes would enter into force on 1 January 2027.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsCapital adequacy
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2026-05-19•Global•Network for Greening the Financial System
The Network for Greening the Financial System has published a note, prepared at the invitation of the French G7 presidency, analysing the macroeconomic and financial impacts of extreme weather events, their transmission channels and international spillovers. The work draws on a cross-economy compilation of 31 events between 2015 and 2025 and existing literature to complement earlier G7 and G20 work.
ResearchClimate risk and sustainable financeFinancial stability and systemic risk
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2026-05-19•Sweden•Finansinspektionen
Sweden’s Financial Supervisory Authority has amended four rulebooks and one general guideline to align market venue, investment services and fund rules with the EU Listing Act, including updates linked to the Prospectus Regulation and MiFID. The changes revise requirements for registering SME growth markets, adjust language rules for prospectuses and substitute documents, repeal provisions on official listing, and modify conditions under which third-party investment research is not treated as a fee or benefit, with consequential changes for securities funds and alternative investment fund managers.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsSecurities offerings and listings
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2026-05-19•Portugal•Portuguese Securities Commission (CMVM)
Portugal’s financial and consumer authorities have established information-sharing, enforcement coordination and investigative cooperation to combat unauthorized financial services and related illicit advertising.
Policy & regulationCooperationUnlicensed or unauthorized activityConsumer and investor protection
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2026-05-19•Sweden•Riksbank
The Riksbank published a speech by First Deputy Governor Aino Bunge on how artificial intelligence could affect the labour market, macroeconomy and monetary policy, concluding that AI has not yet materially influenced productivity or policy but warrants close monitoring. Bunge highlighted a “no hire, no fire” pattern in AI‑exposed jobs and noted that firms’ AI use is widespread but operational effects remain limited. She also said the war in the Middle East has raised energy and fertiliser prices and will lift inflation relative to baseline, but argued against a pre‑emptive monetary policy response given low inflation and the credibility of the inflation target.
Monetary policyMonetary policy assessments & outlooksArtificial intelligence
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2026-05-19•Ireland•Central Bank of Ireland
The Central Bank of Ireland Governor, in a speech at the AFME Annual European Financial Integration conference, called for a more ambitious European Single Market, including deeper integration of goods, services and capital and creation of a single safe asset. He highlighted demand-side barriers such as uneven tax treatment, financial literacy and cultural norms, and outlined Ireland’s framework for Single Market implementation, pension auto-enrolment, a planned Personal Investment Account framework and a retail investment tax roadmap. He also urged more convergent, outcomes-focused supervision in Europe and prioritising better application of existing rules over new legislation.
Policy & regulationReform agendas & prioritiesMarket development
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2026-05-19•United States•Financial Industry Regulatory Authority
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority has launched a review of selected member firms’ practices for higher-risk structured products, focusing on non-principal protected worst-of structured notes. The review will assess supervision of customer concentrations and compliance with Regulation Best Interest and FINRA rules, after FINRA observed concentrated positions in complex, non-principal protected products leading to significant investor losses, and urged firms recommending these products to reassess their training, guidance, controls and supervision.
SupervisionReviews, inspections & stress testsSupervision process and methodologies
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2026-05-19•Europe•European Central Bank
The European Central Bank’s Working Paper No 3235 finds euro area corporate bond markets are as integrated as those in the United States, with issuer country effects explaining little of bond spread variation or monetary policy transmission. In contrast, euro area bank loan spreads remain strongly shaped by national factors and lending is predominantly domestic, highlighting structural differences between bank and market finance and raising questions about euro area firms’ lower use of corporate debt and the substitutability of bank and market funding.
ResearchMarket development
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2026-05-19•Europe•European Central Bank
The European Central Bank published a Working Paper on how private equity buyouts affect suppliers and competitors, using Belgian firm-level data from 2002 to 2021. It finds that suppliers of private-equity-backed firms grow faster in normal times but lose this advantage in downturns as investors intensify bargaining and reconfigure supply chains, with effects strongest where input dependence and long-standing relationships are higher. The paper also reports crowding-out effects on competitors that share suppliers with private-equity-backed firms.
ResearchMarket development
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2026-05-19•Thailand•Thailand Securities & Exchange Commission
The Thailand Securities and Exchange Commission has launched a public consultation to evaluate the Emergency Decree on Special Purpose Juristic Persons for Securitization B.E. 2540 (1997) and related regulations, assessing whether the framework remains appropriate and supports securitization as an alternative funding channel. Conducted under the Act on Legislative Drafting and Evaluation of Laws B.E. 2562 (2019), the review seeks feedback on enforcement issues, the law’s continuing necessity, and its alignment with current conditions to inform potential revisions that promote securitization while maintaining investor protection.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsSecuritization
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2026-05-19•Saudi Arabia•Saudi Arabia Capital Markets Authority
The Saudi Capital Markets Authority approved Almuneef Company’s capital increase from SAR 38 million to SAR 57 million via one bonus share for every two existing shares, funded by transferring SAR 19 million from retained earnings. Outstanding shares will rise from 38 million to 57 million, with eligibility for shareholders registered at the Securities Depository Center at the close of the second trading day after a due date set by the board, subject to an extraordinary general assembly within six months.
SupervisionAuthorisations & approvalsLicence approval
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2026-05-19•Spain•Bank of Spain
The Bank of Spain reported that Spanish general government debt under the Excessive Deficit Procedure stood at 101.6% of gross domestic product in March 2026, 1.7 percentage points lower than a year earlier, with the nominal stock rising 4.3% year on year to EUR 1.740 trillion. State debt reached EUR 1.590 trillion (92.9% of GDP), regional government debt EUR 347 billion (20.3% of GDP), local government debt fell to EUR 21 billion (1.2% of GDP), and Social Security debt rose to EUR 136 billion (8% of GDP), partly due to state loans.
Data & statisticsBalance of payments and other external statistics
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2026-05-19•Chile•Chile Financial Market Commission
The Chile Financial Market Commission has issued a Regulatory Compendium for External Auditing Firms that consolidates and updates sector rules in line with newer international standards and introduces proportionate suitability requirements, including a knowledge accreditation exam for audit teams of firms auditing specified supervised entities. The compendium removes the partnership-form requirement, updates internal regulation expectations on ethics and due diligence, and sets a differentiated framework for staff technical suitability, while an amendment to General Rule No. 30 clarifies that boards may propose shareholder ratification of an external auditing firm if the approved contract remains in force.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsAuditing
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2026-05-19•Ghana•Bank of Ghana
The Bank of Ghana, in partnership with Frontclear, opened a one-day training workshop on repo guidelines and Global Master Repurchase Agreement and International Swaps and Derivatives Association documentation to build capacity in Ghana’s fixed-income market. First Deputy Governor Dr. Zakari Mumuni highlighted the need for stronger understanding of legal and operational risks, including collateral management, legal enforceability, close-out netting and counterparty risk, and said the Bank will work with market stakeholders to strengthen infrastructure, deepen liquidity and align standards with international practice adapted to Ghana’s context.
Policy & regulationImplementation, projects & pilotsMarket infrastructure
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2026-05-19•Chile•Central Bank of Chile
The Central Bank of Chile has raised the countercyclical capital requirement to 1% of risk-weighted assets from 0.5% over 24 months and published its Financial Stability Report for the first half of 2026. The report highlights abrupt tightening in financing conditions as the main risk, notes elevated global vulnerabilities and changing fixed income market participation, and finds banks remain profitable, liquid and well capitalised under stress tests. The bank will also continue work on money market functioning and systemic liquidity management.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsFinancial stability and systemic riskMacroprudential policy and tools
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2026-05-19•Slovenia•Slovenia Insurance Supervision Agency
The Slovenia Insurance Supervision Agency published an article using the 1976 Friuli earthquake to assess the role of earthquake insurance in post-disaster recovery, based on a survey of public perceptions. Respondents primarily view earthquake insurance as a financial safeguard, with fast access to temporary accommodation rated the most important benefit, followed by cash compensation for repair and reconstruction and the sense of security provided by insurance.
ResearchOther