The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic reported that its Jalal-Abad regional office conducted an off-site financial literacy lecture on 27 April 2026 in Shamaldy-Sai for state and municipal employees and senior secondary school students. The session covered responsible money management, examples of fraud schemes, and issues related to money mules.
The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic reported that its Osh Regional Office delivered an outreach lecture to employees of the Kara-Suu District Internal Affairs Department on the central bank’s role, the national currency, and basic lending and deposit products. The session also addressed measures to prevent youth involvement in financial fraud and money mule schemes, and explained how to activate or remove a self-ban on obtaining credit via the Tunduk app.
The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic held an event under the National Spirit, Global Heights doctrine to highlight the role of the state language, promotion of national values and access to banking services. The bank outlined initiatives to expand ATM, QR payment and POS terminal networks, promote digital payment instruments, improve financial literacy, strengthen environmental responsibility and ensure the use of the state language in client contracts and internal administration.
The Brazil Securities Commission’s Q1 2026 Economic Bulletin reports securities issuance of BRL 207.6 billion, up 19.8% year on year, a rebound in share offerings, and 92,929 regulated participants. It estimates the regulated market at BRL 52.91 trillion (BRL 19.20 trillion excluding derivatives), with notable growth in crowdfunding under CVM Resolution 88, equity market capitalization, and the investment fund industry. The CVM risk map shows quarter-on-quarter changes across all main indicators, with market risk rising to 2.7 points on a 1–5 scale amid higher fixed income and equity volatility.
The Bank for International Settlements has published a working paper using data from the 2025 Triennial Survey of global foreign exchange turnover which finds that financial links with China, rather than trade-related factors, are the main drivers of renminbi internationalisation. The study shows that cross-border banking links and policy-linked financial variables such as qualified investor licences and clearing-bank arrangements explain most of the growth and geographical distribution of renminbi trading, with trade effects more pronounced in cross-border and spot markets than in foreign exchange swaps.
The Monetary Board of the Bank of Guatemala unanimously kept the monetary policy rate at 3.50% on 29 April 2026, citing still-low inflation despite higher imported fuel price pressures and domestic activity consistent with projected growth of 3.1% to 5.1% in 2026 and 3.0% to 5.0% in 2027. Headline inflation rose to 2.50% in March but remained below the lower bound of the 4.0% +/- 1 percentage point target, with forecasts still placing inflation within target in 2026 and 2027, although the Board flagged Middle East-related energy shocks and trade protectionism as upside inflation and downside growth risks.
The Norwegian Finanstilsynet published an inspection report on Haugen & Haugen AS, finding that although some earlier deficiencies had been corrected, material shortcomings persisted in risk management, client accounting assignments and the firm’s own bookkeeping, breaching the Bookkeeping Act and Companies Act. Across three client engagements, the authority identified outdated or missing agreements and documentation, incomplete reconciliations, weak client reporting and communication, and risk assessments misaligned with the firm’s risk profile. A preliminary 2025 annual account showed a significant loss and loss of equity, prompting Finanstilsynet to request the final 2025 accounts and an interim balance sheet as of 30 June 2026 with the auditor’s statement.
The Belgium Financial Services and Markets Authority has suspended trading in the financial instruments of Sequana Medical, ISIN BE0974340722, on Euronext Brussels at the company’s request. The suspension is effective from 29 April 2026 at 9:00 CET and will remain in place until a press release is published.
Norges Bank, in a consultation on a new anti-money laundering law and amendments to the Financial Contracts Act, supports strengthening Norway’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing framework but seeks clarification on whether the new European Economic Area-based regime applies to its core central banking tasks, arguing these should fall outside the scope of obliged entities. It proposes amending the Central Bank Act to allow information sharing with Økokrim where money laundering is suspected and supports extending anti-money laundering cash thresholds to services, considering a reduction from NOK 40,000 to NOK 20,000 defensible.
Norges Bank has responded to the Ministry of Finance’s request on banknote denominations by retaining the NOK 1000 banknote as legal tender while stopping banks from ordering new NOK 1000 notes, leading to a gradual decline in circulation. The central bank cited cash’s role in payment preparedness, resilience in electronic payment failures, and inclusion of people with limited digital skills, and noted that the NOK 1000 note could be reintroduced if needed and that the denomination mix will be reviewed regularly.
Norges Bank has issued new guidelines on eligible collateral and borrowing capacity for central bank loans, replacing circular 4/2024. The rules set eligibility, concentration and valuation criteria for securities and fund units, including currency and minimum issue size thresholds, caps on pledged amounts, and exclusions for most bank and financial institution securities. Borrowing capacity is determined via four haircut categories from 1% to 30%, with additional haircuts for foreign currency exposures, asset backed securities and affiliated covered bonds.
Norges Bank has launched new webpages for central bank certificates and confirmed that the programme, announced in autumn 2025 as a new liquidity management instrument, will start on 5 May 2026. Certificates will be sold via approved primary dealers in weekly Tuesday auctions in two ISINs, are eligible as collateral for loans from Norges Bank with no haircut and no pledging limit per ISIN, and are reflected in an updated structural liquidity forecast assuming full allotment.
The Austrian National Bank’s 2025 payments study finds cash remains the dominant means of payment in Austrian physical retail, even as digital payments and online shopping grow. The bank stressed that consumers should retain a choice between cash and digital payments, highlighted Europe’s dependence on non-European payment providers, and advocated a strict EU-wide cash acceptance obligation alongside a fee-free digital euro as public digital central bank money with equal legal tender status to cash.
The World Bank’s latest Western Balkans Regular Economic Report projects regional growth of 2.8% in 2026, 0.3 percentage points below previous forecasts, rising to 3.2% in 2027, reflecting spillovers from the Middle East conflict, persistent inflation, and heightened uncertainty. It highlights rapid population aging, emigration of working-age people, and underused labor among women and youth, estimating that convergence with EU participation rates could add over 2.8 million workers and higher female employment could lift annual growth by about 0.35 percentage points. The report recommends revising tax and benefit rules that make formal work financially risky, expanding affordable childcare and eldercare, improving job training, and promoting more flexible and decent working conditions, including for online platform workers.
The State Securities Commission of Vietnam, marking World Creativity and Innovation Day, framed public-sector innovation as practical improvements in management, processes and technology use rather than solely new inventions. It urged officials to prioritise citizens and businesses, streamline and digitise administrative procedures, enhance inter-agency data connectivity, and support mechanisms that encourage and protect staff who implement new approaches.
The Montenegro Capital Market Authority has published draft rules on approvals for the election or appointment of board members and executive directors of market operators, investment firms and the Central Clearing Depository Company, specifying required application content and supporting documentation. For investment firms, the same framework will apply as appropriate to managers of authorized credit institutions in relation to appointment approval procedures and supporting documents.
The Montenegro Capital Market Authority has published draft rules to standardize the content, timing, and methods for regulatory reporting by investment firms and authorised credit institutions under the Capital Market Law. The proposal would centralize submissions through the authority’s reporting system as a single delivery point, aiming to strengthen capital market supervision, digitalise reporting, reduce administrative burden, enhance legal certainty, and align with EU MiFID II reporting standards.
The Montenegro Capital Market Authority has published three draft rules under the Law on Alternative Investment Funds, setting core implementing requirements for record-keeping, investor disclosure, and supervisory reporting. The drafts specify the content and maintenance of registers of licensed alternative investment fund management companies and funds, standards for the content and frequency of investor reports, and the content and schedule of management company reporting to support supervision and regulatory compliance.
The Reserve Bank of India has amended its Credit Risk Management Directions for All India Financial Institutions to require credit assessments to factor in the possible impact of calamities on affected borrowers. The change, which inserts a new Chapter II-A on Credit Risk Evaluation and follows a related amendment to the framework for resolution of stressed assets, will take effect on July 1, 2026.
The Reserve Bank of India has amended income recognition, asset classification and provisioning norms for All India Financial Institutions to align them with resolution plans under Chapter VI-A of its stressed asset resolution framework. Standard classification may be retained or restored for eligible restructured accounts, while additional specific provisions of 5 percent per Chapter VI-A restructuring, including repeats, are required, with defined conditions for reversal once repayment or performance thresholds are met.
The Reserve Bank of India has amended the concentration risk management framework for urban co-operative banks, tightening the definition and prudential treatment of unsecured lending and revising rules for lending to nominal members. Aggregate unsecured loans and advances are capped at 20 per cent of total loans and advances, with limited exclusions for small priority sector loans. Lending to nominal members is restricted to by-law permitted products, including capped consumer durable loans and loans against specified collateral.
The Reserve Bank of India has amended its directions for All India Financial Institutions to permit them, at their discretion, to waive or reduce various customer fees and charges for up to one year in areas where a calamity has been declared. The change inserts a new Part B, “Measures in case of declaration of calamity”, into Chapter IV on miscellaneous instructions and follows the Reserve Bank of India’s All India Financial Institutions Resolution of Stressed Assets Amendment Directions, 2026.
The Reserve Bank of India has issued Second Amendment Directions to its credit risk management framework for regional rural banks, introducing a new chapter on credit risk evaluation that requires credit assessments to factor in the possible impact of calamities on affected borrowers. The change, linked to earlier amendments on resolution of stressed assets for regional rural banks, is issued under sections 21 and 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 and will take effect on July 1, 2026.
The Reserve Bank of India has amended its 2025 credit facilities directions for urban co-operative banks, revising rules on housing finance, credit against deposits and unsecured lending limits. Key changes include a 20-year cap on housing loan tenor for Tier 1 and Tier 2 banks, Board-set tenors for Tier 3 and Tier 4 banks, a prohibition on lending against other banks’ deposits, and new unsecured advance limits per borrower of INR 500,000 for Tier 1, INR 750,000 for Tier 2, and INR 1 million for Tier 3 and Tier 4. The amendments also require Board-approved policies on housing loan risk management and lending against deposits and must be implemented no later than October 1, 2026.
The Reserve Bank of India has amended its financial statement presentation and disclosure directions for urban co-operative banks to introduce new notes-to-accounts disclosures on unsecured advances and lending to nominal members. Banks must now report detailed breakdowns of unsecured advances, including priority sector loans up to INR 50,000, related asset quality and provisions, as well as quantitative information on loans to nominal members and their share relative to regular members.
The Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina reported moderate economic growth, easing but persistent inflation risks, and stable monetary policy under the currency board, with foreign currency reserves at BAM 18.21 billion and net profit of BAM 307.37 million. Net foreign assets rose to BAM 1.65 billion, reserves fully covered monetary liabilities with a 110 percent coverage ratio, and the required reserve rate stayed at 10 percent amid growing cash in circulation. The bank highlighted progress on the TIPS Clone instant payment system, work towards Single Euro Payments Area accession, continued alignment with international standards, and enhanced focus on climate and operational risks, with indicators showing stable bank liquidity.
The Saudi Central Bank has revoked Marta Financial Company’s licence to provide payment services as a micro payment institution after finding it did not meet licensing requirements under the Implementing Regulations of the Payments and Payment Services Law. The decision was taken under subparagraph (d) of paragraph (1) of article 21 due to non-compliance with article 17(4), and the central bank reiterated that customers should deal only with authorized financial institutions listed on its official website.
The Central Bank of Cyprus reported stronger net increases in deposits and loans in March 2026, with total deposits up EUR 426.8 million and total loans up EUR 528.1 million, lifting annual growth to 5.6 percent and 12.6 percent respectively. The outstanding stock of deposits reached EUR 57.8 billion and loans EUR 27.9 billion, with resident deposits rising EUR 344.1 million and resident loans EUR 72.3 million, driven mainly by higher lending to households and non-financial corporations.
The Financial Conduct Authority has announced that LCM Family Limited, formerly LCM Wealth Management Limited, entered administration on 28 April 2026, with joint administrators from BTG Begbies Traynor (Central) LLP. The firm, authorised by the FCA for financial advice and investment services and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority for legal services, had agreed a voluntary restriction on its activities on 14 April 2026. The FCA will continue to supervise the firm and has published customer information on complaints, potential Financial Services Compensation Scheme coverage and fraud risks.
The Ukraine National Commission on Securities and Stock Market held a working meeting with the UK Embassy to discuss capital market reform priorities for 2026–2027, with a strategic horizon to 2030. They agreed to continue cooperation, with the UK confirming support for the reform agenda. Discussions focused on deregulation, individual investment accounts, development of financial instruments and market infrastructure, corporate governance, regulation of virtual assets, legislative alignment with EU standards, enhanced transparency, engagement with global financial institutions, and preparation for accession to IOSCO.
The Central Bank of Ireland used a speech at the European Anti-Financial Crime Summit to warn that financial crime risks are “significant to severe” and to set supervisory priorities across money laundering, terrorist financing, sanctions evasion, fraud and market abuse, with banking, payments and e-money, investment funds and crypto-assets as key focus sectors. It signalled deeper scrutiny of governance, systems and controls in newer payments and e-money firms, continued close oversight of funds, and targeted attention to AML and fraud controls in crypto-assets. The Bank will use targeted inspections, an enhanced Risk Evaluation Questionnaire, a 2026 thematic review of suspicious transaction reporting in funds and a cross-sectoral review of fraud controls and treatment of fraud victims, against EUR 160m in payment fraud in Ireland in 2024.
The Central Bank of Montenegro reminded businesses, entrepreneurs, institutions and other users that its ePortal enables electronic submission of requests and issuance of certificates, extracts, overviews and reports from the Enforced Collection System and the Central Register of Transaction Accounts, without visiting a counter. Available services include certificates on account blocking days, judgment debtors’ outstanding liabilities and blocking orders, and judgment creditors’ claim priority, with electronic documents priced at EUR 1.00 and access requiring a qualified digital certificate.
The Saudi Arabia Capital Market Authority approved Saudi Fisheries Company’s request to raise SAR 334,930,200 in capital via a rights issue, limited to shareholders registered at the Security Depository Center on the second trading day after the extraordinary general assembly meeting. The company will set the offering price and number of shares after market close on the meeting day, and the authority stressed that approval confirms compliance with the Capital Market Law and Implementing Regulations but is not an investment recommendation.
Lithuania’s Ministry of Finance used Vice-Minister Januš Kizenevic’s remarks at New York Fintech Week to promote the country as a gateway for U.S. financial technology firms to access the EU market, citing a transparent, efficient licensing regime covering up to 450 million users. He highlighted Lithuania’s status as the EU’s largest fintech hub by number of licences, its early implementation of the IMF and World Bank Financial Technology Agenda, and its growing cybersecurity ecosystem.
The Central Bank of Latvia’s Supervision Committee has granted NorthernTech SIA an electronic money institution licence, authorising it to issue electronic money, execute payment transactions and issue payment instruments to serve online sellers in EUR. Latvia now has 11 licensed and one registered electronic money institutions and five licensed payment institutions, with two electronic money institution licences and one payment institution licence issued in 2026 following three electronic money institution licences in 2025.
The Central Bank of Latvia, the Central Bank of Lithuania, the OECD and the European Commission are developing an action plan under an EU Technical Support Instrument project to raise digital financial literacy in Latvia and Lithuania and strengthen resilience to financial fraud. Project research shows that 27% of Latvian adults and 44% of Lithuanian adults experienced financial fraud in the preceding two years, with Latvia’s digital financial literacy score rising to 58 out of 100 in 2024, up 10 points from 2023.
The National Bank of Denmark has published an analysis of risky corporate customers switching banks, concluding that current lending volumes to such borrowers do not pose a threat to financial stability but warrant ongoing monitoring. The study finds that medium-sized banks disproportionately take on customers with prior credit-impairment indicators or high probability of default, and that these customers exhibit significantly higher subsequent bankruptcy rates than non-risky customers.
China's State Council has appointed Liu Haoling as vice chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission. The Central Organization Department has also named him a member of the commission's Party committee.
The Slovenia Securities Market Agency announced that its Council adopted a general act in the area of ZISDU-3 and reviewed draft general acts in the area of ZPIZ-2. No further details on the content or scope of these acts were provided.
The Egypt Financial Regulatory Authority has expanded its professional training framework for the non-bank financial sector via new cooperation protocols between the Financial Services Institute and four Egyptian industry federations for mortgage finance, financial leasing, consumer finance, and factoring. The protocols introduce flexible, market-aligned training plans, incentives for member firms, and pathways for distinguished staff to become accredited lecturers, supporting improved governance, risk management, innovation, and digital transformation across non-bank financial activities.
The National Bank of Hungary’s Savings Report shows Hungarian households’ net financial savings moderated to 4.6 percent of GDP in 2025 but stayed above regional and EU averages, while net financial wealth rose to 117 percent of GDP. Growth in financial assets was driven by deposits, investment fund units and foreign assets, with government securities becoming less attractive, and forint-denominated assets generally outperforming foreign currency assets. The report stresses that household savings are important for achieving the inflation target, maintaining financial stability and supporting sustainable growth.
The Qatar Financial Markets Authority announced that the Court of Cassation has upheld a Court of Appeal ruling confirming the QFMA Appeal Committee’s decision to censure a market trader. The trader was fined QAR 150,000 for entering and cancelling large-volume purchase orders in several shares with the intent of creating a misleading market impression.
The National Commission for Financial Markets of Moldova hosted a technical assistance session on modernising consumer protection legislation for financial services, focusing on draft laws on credit agreements for residential immovable property and consumer credit agreements. The initiative aims to correctly transpose EU rules, including Directive 2014/17/EU on mortgage credit and Directive 2023/2225 on consumer credit, and to strengthen protections for citizens accessing housing or consumer loans.
The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission has commenced Court of First Instance proceedings under section 214 of the Securities and Futures Ordinance against former China Automotive Interior Decoration Holdings Limited director Wong Ho Yin and former Giant Faith Holdings Limited general manager So Lung Ying over alleged fiduciary breaches involving purported fictitious transactions and wrongful payments. The regulator seeks disqualification orders against both and a compensation order of HKD 14.6 million against Wong for alleged misappropriation of corporate funds.
The European Central Bank reported that annual growth in the broad monetary aggregate M3 rose to 3.2% in March 2026, with lending to the private sector firming. Adjusted loans to households were 3.0%, loans to non-financial corporations increased to 3.2%, and loans to the private sector overall rose 3.5%. Within M3, annual M1 growth eased to 4.6%, household deposit growth slowed to 2.9%, and deposits by non-financial corporations accelerated to 4.6%, with claims on the private sector and net external assets the main positive contributors.
The Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission is consulting on a framework for registering, listing and trading structured warrants. Eligible broker-dealers and investment houses would face a PHP 400 million capital requirement, collateral or credit safeguards, investor suitability checks and ongoing disclosure and reporting duties. Comments are due by May 13, 2026.
The Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan kept its policy rate at 14 percent, underscoring that headline inflation remains elevated at 7.1 percent year-on-year against a 5 percent target and warning of rising external price pressures; the rate has been unchanged since a 50 bp increase in March 2025. The board will preserve a “sufficiently restrictive” stance and is prepared to tighten further if inflation or expectations threaten the projected decline to about 6.5 percent by end-2026.
Bank of Thailand’s Monetary Policy Committee left the policy rate unchanged at 1.00 % on 29 April, following February’s 25 bp cut, citing a need to support slowing growth while current inflation pressures are supply-driven and seen averaging 2.9 % in 2026 before easing. The committee flagged heightened risks from the Middle East conflict, including potential Strait of Hormuz disruptions, and will closely watch war-related developments, inflation dynamics and credit conditions.
The Dubai International Financial Centre reported a 62 percent year-on-year increase in new company registrations in the first quarter of 2026 to 775, alongside a 21 percent rise in financial services authorisations, underscoring continued demand from regulated institutions. Family wealth activity also grew sharply, with 158 foundations registered in the quarter, up 108 percent year on year. To accommodate this growth, DIFC completed DIFC Square at full occupancy and is progressing expansion plans, including over 1.6 million square feet of additional commercial and innovation space such as an AI Campus.
The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission has launched an official account on Rednote (Xiaohongshu) to expand digital communication of regulatory updates and investor alerts, particularly anti-scam messaging using its “Shui Yu” “Don’t Be Sucker” campaign. The move comes amid rising investment scam complaints, with 898 reports in 2025, up 39% from 2024, 222 complaints in the first quarter of 2026, and a single-case loss exceeding USD 20 million, complementing the SFC’s existing social media channels.
The Central Bank of the Philippines has notified authorized agent banks and subsidiary or affiliate foreign exchange corporations that the Bangko Sentral Registration Document dated 12 May 2017 covering CAPASIA ASEAN WIND HOLDINGS COOPERATIEF U.A.’s foreign direct investment in 5,140,400 common shares of Petrowind Energy Inc. has been reported lost and a replacement requested. The authority instructed that the lost document must not be honored if presented for foreign exchange purchases for capital repatriation or remittance of earnings under Section 38 of the Manual of Regulations on Foreign Exchange Transactions.
Kazakhstan’s Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market reminded borrowers that missed loan payments can trigger fines, penalty interest, negative credit reporting, transfer to collectors, court proceedings and compulsory recovery measures such as account and property freezes, income deductions and travel restrictions. The notice outlines a unified pre-trial settlement framework under which borrowers may request free restructuring from banks or microfinance organizations and, if refused, escalate to the bank or microfinance ombudsman.
The Rwanda Capital Markets Authority said at a listing ceremony that BRD Plc's third sustainability-linked bond has listed on the Rwanda Stock Exchange, following a primary offer that was 126.2% subscribed. The issuance raised more than FRW 29 billion against a FRW 23 billion target under BRD's FRW 150 billion Medium-Term Note Programme.
The Andorran Financial Authority has issued Technical Communication CT35-2025/A ter establishing information reporting obligations for supervisory, statistical and accounting purposes for insurance entities domiciled in Andorra. The publication includes a guide for completing the FINREP template and an Andorran FINREP spreadsheet template.
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority has published Life Insurance Claims and Disputes Statistics for 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025, providing industry-level and insurer-level outcomes for 13 Australian life insurers writing direct business. The data have been incorporated into the Australian Securities and Investments Commission’s MoneySmart life insurance claims comparison tool and APRA has also released a database covering June 2018 to December 2025.
The Argentina Securities Commission reported that its President Roberto E. Silva and Vice President Sonia Salvatierra participated in the Argentine Economic Congress at the 13th Expo Argentina of Economy, Finance and Investments in Buenos Aires. Silva said the authority’s involvement forms part of its efforts to strengthen the institutional framework for the capital market and promote greater coordination and integration between public and private sector participants.
The Central Bank of Madagascar has inaugurated its Antsirabe agency. The ceremony also launched celebrations for the 100th anniversary of Malagasy banknotes. The central bank framed the move as supporting closer access to financial services and recognizing the history of the national currency.
The Central Bank of Madagascar has launched the centenary celebration of Malagasy banknotes. It also published a historical review covering the evolution of Madagascar’s monetary system from barter and coinage to colonial-era banknotes, the Institut d’Emission Malgache and the creation of the central bank in 1973.
The Central Bank of Madagascar announced a three-part strategic agreement on environmental protection and sustainable development in Madagascar.
The Egypt Financial Regulatory Authority held a specialized cybersecurity awareness session for supervised companies and regulatory sandbox participants, focusing on chief information security officers and digital transformation in non-bank financial activities. The session covered Egypt’s cybersecurity regulatory landscape, requirements under Decision No. 139 of 2023, international best practices, and a practical implementation roadmap, and reiterated that the FinTech framework includes rules on outsourcing, cloud computing, digital identity, data management, governance, and cybersecurity.
The Monetary Authority of Macao and Portugal’s Insurance and Pension Funds Supervisory Authority co-organised the two-week 2026 training programme of the Association of Lusophone Insurance Supervisors, combining a conference, technical training and a study visit on insurance supervision. The programme covered modern international financial supervision, implementation of International Financial Reporting Standard 17 Insurance Contracts and actuarial supervision, and concluded with certificates awarded to 18 supervisors from seven jurisdictions.
The Reserve Bank of India has amended its 2025 Directions on resolution of stressed assets for all India financial institutions, introducing a framework for borrower exposures affected by natural calamities and external events disrupting economic activity. The new chapter sets eligibility criteria, timelines, permissible relief measures, and governance and reporting requirements, with related changes to credit risk, income recognition, asset classification, provisioning, and responsible business conduct. Existing reliefs remain under current prudential norms, while new resolutions after the effective date must follow the new framework, which excludes AIFI refinance portfolios.
The Reserve Bank of India has repealed its 2018 standalone directions on relief measures by banks in areas affected by natural calamities, with the subject now addressed through four amended directions on resolution of stressed assets, income recognition, asset classification and provisioning, responsible business conduct, and credit risk management from July 1, 2026. Existing actions, approvals and acknowledgments under the 2018 framework, as well as accrued rights, obligations, liabilities and related enforcement or legal proceedings, remain preserved.
The International Monetary Fund, drawing on its April 2026 World Economic Outlook, warns that maritime and air transport disruptions from the Middle East war are causing lasting economic damage, especially to tourism-dependent and import-reliant economies and lower-income households. Red Sea shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb strait remains about half its pre-attack level more than two years after rerouting began, and uncertainty over the Strait of Hormuz and regional air travel could prolong the drag on growth. The Fund says strengthening transport-network resilience is now central to sustaining growth and protecting livelihoods.
The World Federation of Exchanges has published a research paper arguing that financial market innovation and investor protection are complementary objectives, noting that equity markets have expanded participation and technological sophistication while maintaining regulatory standards. Drawing on historical market evolution, the paper concludes that durable innovation emerges within frameworks that support trust and resilience, and finds that tokenisation and distributed ledger technology are most likely to add value in post-trade processes rather than core trading.
The U.S. Department of Justice unsealed federal charges in the Southern District of California against six alleged participants in overseas “pig-butchering” cryptocurrency investment fraud schemes that caused millions in losses to U.S. victims. The charges, arising from an FBI San Diego investigation, target individuals linked to three alleged scam organizations and follow an international operation with law enforcement in Dubai, China and Thailand that arrested at least 276 people and dismantled at least nine scam centers.
The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario has initiated enforcement action against Sukhraj Atwal, Baiju Vijayaraghavan and Balwinder Chouhan for alleged breaches of the Mortgage Brokerages, Lenders and Administrators Act, 2006, seeking a compliance order and administrative penalties of CAD 50,000, CAD 30,000 and CAD 10,000. FSRA alleges unlicensed mortgage dealing, misrepresentation of licensing status, providing false or deceptive information and documents, dealing in mortgages outside an authorized brokerage, and failure to cooperate with an investigation. All three have requested hearings before the Financial Services Tribunal.
The Ministry of Economy and Finance of South Korea reported continued foreign inflows into Korean Treasury bonds following the country’s inclusion in the World Government Bond Index, with foreign investors net buying KRW 10.0 trillion on a trade-date basis between 30 March and 27 April. The ministry highlighted increased participation by long-term investors and stronger demand for medium- and long-dated bonds, and expects further inflows ahead of a higher index weight in May while maintaining monitoring and investor outreach.
The Ministry of Economy and Finance of South Korea is advancing plans to establish a sovereign wealth fund as a long-term equity investor in strategic-industry companies, following its 2026 economic growth strategy. Background plans envisage initial capital of KRW 20 trillion via in-kind contributions of government-owned shares, with a structure designed to preserve government majority ownership in relevant public institutions, ensure independent investment decision-making, and complement existing policy finance in supporting strategic industries and supply chain stability.
The Department of Finance Canada announced the conclusion of multilateral negotiations in Montréal on the Charter of the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank, a planned multilateral lender providing long-term, low-cost financing for defence, security and resilience initiatives, including supply chains and small and medium-sized enterprises. Participating countries unanimously backed Canada as host for the bank’s headquarters, with Isabelle Hudon, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Business Development Bank of Canada, serving as Canada’s lead negotiator.
The South Korea Financial Supervisory Service reported that March 2026 corporate financing rose 3.8% month on month to KRW19.9832 trillion, driven by increases in both debt and equity issuance and a 25.6% rise in commercial paper and short-term bond issuance to KRW200.4738 trillion. Corporate bond issuance fell 6.5% to KRW4.7810 trillion, while financial debentures and asset-backed securities increased, and the outstanding balance of total debt declined to KRW747.3152 trillion as commercial paper outstandings fell and short-term bond outstandings rose.
Brazil’s Monetary Policy Committee cut the Selic rate by 25 bp to 14.50 % p.a., its second straight reduction after last year’s peak at 15 %. Copom cites persistent above-target inflation, elevated two-sided risks and geopolitical uncertainty, and stresses that any further easing will be cautious and data-dependent.
The Central Bank of Qatar’s Monetary Policy Committee kept the QCB Deposit Rate at 3.85 %, Lending Rate at 4.35 % and Repo Rate at 4.10 %. The hold follows a cumulative 75 bp reduction via three 25 bp cuts between September and December 2025.
South Korea’s Financial Services Commission outlined plans to overhaul its fintech support framework to focus more on artificial intelligence, data, regional enterprises and young entrepreneurs, alongside regulatory changes to establish a legal basis for stablecoins and ease data-use rules. The initiative will introduce performance-based incentives, strengthen AI and overseas expansion programs, create regional public-private governance networks, and establish an integrated one-stop fintech support information platform.
The Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador’s 2025 report shows a solvent, liquid, well-capitalized financial system, deposit growth of 16.8 percent to USD 23,542.6 million, and implementation of the Law for the Stability of the Financial System and Deposit Guarantee. The bank highlighted regulatory activity, strong growth and dominance of the Transfer365 instant payments platform, increased use of real-time gross settlement, and a 19.0 percent rise in its capital base to support further financial digitalization, inclusion and statistical development.
The New Zealand Financial Markets Authority has published its second annual analysis of regulatory returns from licensed financial advice providers, highlighting sector growth, a sharp rise in digital advice, and uneven market structure. The report notes fewer complaints at provider level but more escalations to dispute resolution schemes, with most resolved within three months and fewer upheld. The authority also identified inaccurate and incomplete regulatory returns from some providers and reiterated that accurate submissions are a regulatory requirement.
Uruguay’s Economy and Finance Minister Gabriel Oddone said the Mercosur-EU agreement, due to enter into force on 1 May, should expand market access, attract European FDI and reinforce the government’s agenda for clear, durable and non-excessive regulation, while supporting competitiveness. He noted that Mercosur quota allocations are still under negotiation and warned that a first come first served approach may apply initially. Uruguay must eliminate its consular levy on foreign trade, which raises about USD 350 million annually, over three years. Oddone added that the ministry will submit a Competitiveness and Innovation bill to Parliament at the end of May to introduce microeconomic reforms to facilitate trade, reduce bureaucracy and promote innovation.
The Egmont Group published a readout of Chair Elżbieta Franków-Jaśkiewicz’s keynote at the European Anti-Financial Crime Summit 2026, outlining a Financial Intelligence Unit perspective on adapting international cooperation to faster, more complex criminal threats. The speech underscored the need for trusted, rapid cross-border information sharing, highlighted the Egmont CEF Rapid Response Program for cross-border fraud, and noted growing use of advanced analytics and artificial intelligence by FIUs within secure, transparent and legally compliant frameworks.
The Central Bank of Nicaragua’s April Financial Stability Report deems the financial system stable, citing continued economic growth, low unemployment, stable formal employment and expectations of low inflation under balanced monetary and fiscal policy, while noting global risks from geopolitical tensions, inflation pressures, tighter financial conditions and non-bank vulnerabilities. Credit growth, higher public deposits and adequate asset quality, profitability, liquidity and solvency support this, alongside stable markets, declining dollarization, moderating private indebtedness and a fourth annual fall in public debt to 48.1 percent of GDP. Stress tests show resilience to a potential slowdown in global growth.
Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Finance reported on a three-day visit by World Bank Group Executive Directors, during which the government outlined its economic conditions, reform agenda and priority programmes, and the delegation reviewed World Bank-backed projects. Discussions covered development needs in agriculture, energy, education, health and infrastructure, with the ministry noting that Sierra Leone’s World Bank portfolio is about USD 1 billion. Field visits included a USD 30 million onion farm, the more than USD 52 million RESPITE energy project, the more than USD 30 million Manowa Bridge project and the USD 257 million Jojoima health centre investment.
The Angola Capital Markets Commission has published its Capital Market Report for February 2026.
The Japan Financial Services Agency has established a public-private working group on financial sector cybersecurity, described as a Japanese version of “Project Glasswing”, to coordinate responses to AI-driven cyber risks. The initiative aims to accelerate information sharing on vulnerabilities, shorten the time from identification to patch application, and strengthen preparedness for incidents in the highly interconnected, real-time financial system, with potential expansion to include IT firms, online finance participants, and engagement with international counterparts through G7 and G20 forums.
The Japan Financial Services Agency summarized Finance Minister Katayama’s post-Cabinet press conference, where he welcomed the Nikkei Stock Average temporarily exceeding JPY 60,000, reaffirmed the government’s “responsible and proactive” fiscal stance, and attributed the yen’s move toward JPY 160 to speculative activity driven by geopolitical and oil-market factors. He cited a Japan-U.S. joint statement allowing “resolute and strong” action against speculative FX moves, noted close coordination with counterparts, and outlined tougher measures against gold smuggling amid a rise in the 2025 gold export surplus from JPY 2.6 trillion to JPY 3.6 trillion. He said discussions continue on boosting inspection capacity and that there is no movement or discussion on a U.S. currency swap line.
The Japan Financial Services Agency published a press conference summary in which Japan’s Finance Minister confirmed a government recommendation to suspend Foreign Exchange Act notification for MBK’s acquisition of Makino Milling Works on national security grounds. The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry concluded the investment could undermine security-related production and technology bases and risk leakage of sensitive technology or information. The minister reiterated that sound foreign investment remains important for Japan’s economic development.
The European Parliament’s plenary agenda includes a vote on its position for the EU’s 2028-2034 multiannual financial framework, setting preferred allocations for each funding programme and preparing for negotiations with the Council. Members will also hold a joint debate on management of the 2024 EU budget and vote on discharge, Parliament’s priorities for the 2027 budget, reports on protecting the EU’s financial interests and on the European Investment Bank’s 2024 activities, and an own-initiative report on minimum standards for financial influencers.
The UK Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee has published a report on the Bank of England’s modernisation of the Real-Time Gross Settlement System, calling it a rare example of successful public sector digital transformation and directing recommendations to government. The report credits strong leadership, stable governance, detailed planning, specialist input, industry consultation and innovative procurement, and urges government to apply these lessons to future programmes. It notes that the Bank must now deliver on maintenance and further enhancements as the payments landscape evolves, with estimated annual running costs almost doubling to GBP 41 m.
The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has designated 35 entities and individuals involved in Iran’s shadow banking network that it says move tens of billions of dollars to support sanctions evasion, illicit oil sales, procurement of sensitive missile and weapons components, and funding for Iran’s terrorist proxies. Acting under Executive Orders 13902 and 13224 (as amended), OFAC targeted rahbar companies and front firms linked to sanctioned Iranian banks Shahr Bank, Bank Melli, Bank Sina, and Bank Sepah, as well as UK-based Shuqun LTD, Fratello Carbone Trading Limited, Nix Energy Limited, and Tai Lung Trading Limited. All property of designated persons in U.S. jurisdiction is blocked, U.S. persons are generally barred from dealings, and OFAC warned that toll payments to Iran or the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for passage through the Strait of Hormuz may create sanctions exposure for U.S. and non-U.S. persons, including financial institutions.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued an alert warning financial institutions of sanctions risks linked to Chinese “teapot” oil refineries in Shandong Province for importing and refining Iranian crude. The alert urges risk-based controls, enhanced due diligence on China-based refinery transactions, and clear sanctions compliance expectations for correspondent banks, and details evasion methods including front companies, intermediary brokers, and a shadow fleet. Treasury notes that multiple China-based teapot refineries processing billions of USD of Iranian-origin oil have been designated since March 2025 and warns that foreign financial institutions may face secondary sanctions for continued support of Iran’s activities.
The Superintendent of the Financial Superintendency of Colombia said the housing sector’s recovery will be gradual and depends on macroeconomic stability, stronger domestic savings and better financing conditions, noting that low credit depth and weak savings constrain household financing and real estate activity. He said the housing deficit has fallen mainly through better quality of existing units and access to basic services, stressing the need for policies supporting both new construction and housing improvement. The Superintendency emphasized technical analysis, close monitoring of the financial system and support for a sustainable housing market.
Chile’s Ministry of Finance announced that the Capital Markets Advisory Council and the Financial Stability Council have held their first meetings under the current administration, launching a coordination agenda for development of the national financial system. The advisory council will serve as a technical public-private dialogue forum, while the stability council will coordinate oversight to safeguard system integrity and soundness, supporting an agenda to strengthen institutional arrangements and deepen capital markets.
The Turks & Caicos Financial Services Commission is overseeing Scotiabank (Turks & Caicos) Limited’s response to delayed posting of certain Visa debit point-of-sale transactions arising from a processing issue linked to a card service provider system change. The Commission is monitoring remediation, assessing impacts, seeking assurance on client funds and data security, and may require further corrective measures or take supervisory action to protect depositors and uphold regulatory standards.
The Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo participated in the Kosovo Finance Forum 2026, organizing a regional high-level panel on institutional capacity and convergence with the European Union and reiterating its priorities on financial stability, inclusion, innovation and regional cooperation. Governor Ahmet Ismaili underscored European financial integration as a strategic pillar for stability, institutional development and alignment with EU regulatory and supervisory frameworks, while discussions focused on human capital, institutional efficiency, structural reforms, legislative harmonisation and the role of international financial institutions in supporting regional integration.
The Italian Institute for Insurance Supervision has ordered Italian providers to block five unauthorized insurance websites, bringing the total number of abusive sites blocked since November 2023 to 367. IVASS also warned consumers to be cautious of policy offers via instant messaging, requests for payment through prepaid credit cards, and websites not listed on its official registers of intermediaries and supervised undertakings.
Greece’s Ministry of National Economy and Finance said Deputy Minister George Kotsiras backed a bill to ratify the 24 February 2026 state lottery concession agreement, highlighting continuity of operations, modernised distribution channels and a stable, predictable market framework. He said concerns over the legality of the process, the choice of contracting company and the level of consideration had been addressed by the Superfund, the Court of Audit and other bodies, and noted forthcoming legislation to strengthen prevention and suppression of illegal gambling, including expanded powers for the Gaming Supervision and Control Commission.
The Dominican Republic’s Pensions Superintendency used a presentation at the AIOS General Assembly to outline recent regulatory and pension system developments, including progress on complementary pension plans, implementation of risk-based supervision, and outcomes from its education and communications plan. Superintendent Francisco A. Torres also moderated an international seminar on risk-based supervision in the decumulation phase and technology-related risks, where it was announced the Dominican Republic will host the XXXV AIOS General Assembly and International Seminar in 2027.
The Ontario Securities Commission has issued an investor alert stating that 13 named firms are not registered to deal or advise in securities in Ontario and may pose a risk to investors. The warning forms part of the Commission’s process for flagging possible harmful or illegal activity and maintaining a public warning list. The OSC urges investors contacted by these or other unregistered entities to verify registration and consult its “Check Before You Invest” and crypto business resources.
The European Financial Reporting Advisory Group is collecting feedback on its draft comment letter to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol’s Request for Information on the Actions and Market Instruments Phase 1 White Paper, which explores how companies should account for real-world impacts of climate actions beyond existing Scope 1, 2 and 3 inventories. EFRAG is seeking input from a wide range of climate reporting and carbon accounting stakeholders via online workshops and a consultation survey to inform its final response.
The Canadian Bankers Association has responded to the Department of Finance’s National Anti-Fraud Strategy discussion paper, backing a multi-sector framework covering financial services, telecommunications providers and digital platforms coordinated by a central regulator, with sector regulators retaining supervision of sector-specific rules. It supports baseline cross-sector anti-fraud controls, expanded scope to a wide range of entities, enhanced legal permissions and data standards for intelligence sharing, a commercial reasonableness standard for complaints and liability, and a single escalation pathway for cross-party disputes. The association also calls for the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre to remain the national fraud hub, for the proposed Financial Crimes Agency’s mandate to be clearly defined to avoid overlap, and for continued engagement as the framework is developed.
The National Bank of Serbia governor highlighted demographic change as a key structural challenge, noting that ageing, low fertility and a shrinking workforce can weigh on potential GDP growth and strain pension, social and health systems. While demographic policy lies outside its mandate, the bank supports it via monetary and financial stability. The speech stressed investment in technology and AI, labour market measures, migration management and human capital reforms, and cited improving fertility trends versus the EU and new government initiatives, including a Council for Family and Demography, a 2026–2036 Demographic Development Strategy and targeted family support.
The National Bank of Serbia published an overview of global financial market developments for 20–24 April 2026, highlighting Middle East tensions as the main driver of moves in currencies, rates and commodities, including a weaker euro against the US dollar, a sharp rise in Brent crude and lower gold prices. The review notes higher US and German government bond yields amid higher oil prices, geopolitical uncertainty, stronger US data and weaker euro area PMIs, and reports that the Central Bank of Russia cut its key rate to 14.50%, the Central Bank of Turkey held its policy rate at 37.00%, and political tensions in Romania were linked to higher sovereign yields.