Saudi Arabia's Insurance Authority fined an insurance company SAR 500,000 for deficiencies in the monitoring and ongoing review of transactions and activities under anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing requirements.
Türkiye’s Insurance and Private Pension Regulation and Supervision Agency announced that its supervisory reports underpinned a criminal investigation by the Izmir Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, leading to an operation involving GRI Sigorta AŞ and the detention of 35 individuals. The action concerns an alleged scheme to obtain unjust benefits by disadvantaging citizens in claim-related repair and scrap vehicle value payments, and the agency said it will continue efforts to protect policyholders’ rights and interests.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore has amended the Securities and Futures Act 2001 to support the proposed Global Listing Board by Singapore Exchange Securities Trading and Nasdaq, enabling dual listings under a streamlined framework and similar arrangements with other overseas exchanges. A new Part 13A empowers MAS to designate “prescribed overseas exchanges” and “prescribed dual listing boards” and to adjust Act provisions for such boards, subject to safeguards on liquidity, investor access and regulatory alignment. The Bill also allows retail marketing using a preliminary prospectus under specified conditions and requires the issuer, rather than the depositary, to register the prospectus for offers of sponsored depositary receipts.
The United Arab Emirates General Pension and Social Security Authority published an explainer highlighting pensions as a legal entitlement based on employment and contributions, providing lifelong monthly income after retirement and in cases of death, disability, or other medical conditions that prevent work. It notes that benefits extend to eligible family members from the first contribution, pension value increases with length of service with additional bonuses beyond 35 years, coverage includes work-related and non-work-related incidents, and retirees may combine pensions with other income under certain conditions.
The French Financial Markets Authority’s 2025 perception study shows broadly stable, high satisfaction of 4.1/5 among 400+ supervised entities, with particularly strong scores for crowdfunding providers and weaker ones for digital asset providers. Respondents praised staff competence, dialogue quality, responsiveness and approval timelines, but sought clearer, more accessible guidance and support on complex rules such as DORA, ESG and MAR. The authority will use the findings to advance its IMPACT 2027 strategy and prioritise clarity, responsiveness and accessibility in 2026.
The European Central Bank’s Frank Elderson says Europe’s reliance on imported fossil fuels is a major macroeconomic vulnerability that complicates the ECB’s price stability mandate, and that meeting clean‑energy targets would weaken the impact of global energy shocks on domestic inflation. ECB staff projections show renewed geopolitical tensions could again raise inflation while weighing on growth. He stresses that the energy transition will require about EUR 660 billion in annual investment between 2026 and 2030, versus nearly EUR 400 billion now spent on fossil fuel imports, and calls for deeper capital markets, progress on the savings and investments union, policy certainty, delivery on decarbonisation targets and preservation of the Emissions Trading System.
The Maldives Monetary Authority has published the latest round of its survey on business conditions and expectations, providing an updated snapshot of current activity and the near-term outlook for 2026, with comparisons to the previous round. The survey received 91 responses from a sample of 160, representing a 61 percent response rate, and the full report is available on the authority’s website.
As part of Global Money Week 2026, the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic’s Jalal-Abad Regional Office delivered financial literacy lectures to university students and school pupils in the city of Manas. The sessions covered responsible money management, fraud schemes and money mule activity.
The Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan is conducting its “Households’ financial behaviour and intentions” survey for the first quarter of 2026 to gather data on consumption and saving behaviour, debt burdens and servicing capacity, and inflation expectations. The results are used to support macroeconomic and financial analysis, forecasting, and monetary policy and financial stability decisions, with the survey run quarterly in digital format on the central bank’s website since 2025.
The Norwegian Financial Supervisory Authority found a breach of Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 Article 15 on market manipulation and imposed an administrative fine of NOK 150,000. The decision concerns a systematic pattern of non-genuine orders in several less liquid shares between March 2024 and October 2025 that gave false or misleading signals on supply, demand or price, including intensive order activity and opposite-side trading in Eidesvik Offshore ASA. The authority rejected the trader’s claim that the activity was legitimate “scalping” influenced by algorithmic trading.
Kazakhstan’s financial regulator reported that as of 1 March 2026 equity market capitalisation rose 1.8% to KZT 44.7 trillion, the KASE Index edged up 0.1% to 7,711.15, and equity trading volume increased 0.5% to KZT 24.4 billion. Corporate debt on KASE grew 2.5% to KZT 16.7 trillion, with corporate bond turnover up 3.1 times to KZT 356.6 billion on sharply higher quasi-sovereign primary placements. Government debt rose 2.8% to KZT 32.9 trillion and government securities turnover increased 46.9% to KZT 0.8 trillion on new Ministry of Finance bond issues. The collective investment market comprised 58 unit investment funds with assets under management down 0.2% in February to KZT 345.3 billion.
The Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market of Kazakhstan issued its February 2026 supervisory update, highlighting 16.4 thousand consumer and corporate appeals, eight supervisory recommendations and 20 administrative fines totalling KZT 8.6 million, mainly involving banks and microfinance organisations. It also reported continued implementation of the mortgage refinancing programme, with banks refinancing or converting 49.3 thousand mortgage loans totalling KZT 326.7 billion and providing KZT 101.0 billion in additional support to 10.6 thousand vulnerable borrowers.
The Australian Securities & Investments Commission has banned Melbourne financial adviser David Lofthouse from providing financial services for three years after finding he inappropriately advised six clients to invest at least 75% of their superannuation in the High Growth or Growth class of the Shield Master Fund, which ASIC described as a new, conflicted product with no meaningful track record. The ban took effect on 30 March 2026 and is on ASIC’s Banned and Disqualified Register, with Lofthouse able to appeal. ASIC also cited prior actions involving Shield and MWL Financial Services, including halting new Shield offers, preserving scheme assets, cancelling MWL’s licence and commencing proceedings over alleged Shield advice failures.
The Australian Securities & Investments Commission has released a draft information sheet for feedback on its use of discretionary powers under the Corporations Act 2001 to appoint a reviewing liquidator to a company in external administration. The draft clarifies who can apply, how applications are assessed, the scope of matters that can be reviewed, circumstances where ASIC is less likely to appoint a reviewing liquidator, and expectations of external administrators.
Japan’s Ministry of Finance reported international reserves of USD 1,374,731 million at end-March 2026, a decrease of USD 35,968 million from end-February. The reserves comprised USD 1,161,816 million in foreign currency reserves, USD 11,137 million in International Monetary Fund reserve position, USD 60,447 million in Special Drawing Rights, USD 125,343 million in gold and USD 15,988 million in other reserve assets, with most holdings in Special Drawing Rights basket currencies.
Indonesia’s Financial Services Authority (OJK) hosted a Governance, Risk, and Compliance Forum ahead of the Risk and Governance Summit 2026, emphasizing integrity-based, sustainable GRC as a foundation for financial stability. Discussions highlighted key risks including cybersecurity, digital disruption such as artificial intelligence, business resilience, human resources, climate change, regulatory change, and beneficial ownership transparency in risk-based supervision and financial intelligence. The forum concluded with a collaboration commitment between OJK and professional associations.
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency issued a final rule codifying the removal of reputation risk from its supervisory programmes, ending its use as a basis for supervisory action. Comptroller Jonathan V. Gould said the change is intended to curb subjective supervision that has contributed to lawful businesses and individuals being denied banking services and is part of implementing the President’s fair banking Executive Order, with the OCC continuing to review alleged debanking and related complaints.
New Zealand’s Serious Fraud Office reported that the Court of Appeal has dismissed the Crown’s appeal in the prosecution of former CBL Insurance executives Peter Harris and Carden Mulholland, leaving in place the September 2023 not-guilty verdicts. The Court of Appeal found the High Court had not erred on two questions of law related to specific charges, in a case the Serious Fraud Office linked to CBL’s 2018 collapse and its focus on alleged corporate fraud affecting confidence in businesses and financial controls.
The Chile Financial Market Commission is consulting on amendments to Chapter 20-7 of the Updated Compilation of Banking Regulations to update requirements for the externalization of services and introduce an ongoing information requirement via a new regulatory file. The proposal would align the outsourcing framework for banks and other supervised entities with recent international guidance, strengthen third-party and outsourcing risk management, and establish periodic reporting on provider registries, activities, and incidents to support supervision.
The Chile Financial Market Commission has launched a consultation on amendments to its Updated Compilation of Banking Regulations on service externalization and on creating a new Regulatory File imposing ongoing information requirements on third-party providers. The proposal would update Chapter 20-7 to align with recent international guidance, strengthen third-party and externalization risk management, and introduce a Regulatory File in the Information Systems Manual to periodically capture data on provider registries, activities, and incidents for supervisory purposes.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission reported 456 enforcement actions and USD 17.9 billion in ordered monetary relief for fiscal 2025, but highlighted adjusted figures of USD 1.4 billion in disgorgement and prejudgment interest and USD 1.3 billion in civil penalties after excluding amounts tied to parallel orders and the Stanford litigation. It framed 2025 as a transition year, shifting from volume-driven actions toward fraud, market integrity and individual accountability, with about two-thirds of standalone actions charging individuals and 119 officer-and-director bars. It also reported USD 262 million returned to investors, USD 60 million in whistleblower awards, record tip volumes, and new initiatives including a Cross-Border Task Force and a Cyber and Emerging Technologies Unit, while criticising the prior Commission’s focus on off-channel communications and certain crypto cases.
The U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission Chairman outlined a “make IPOs great again” agenda to ease going and staying public by reducing regulatory friction while maintaining investor protections. The three-pillar plan focuses on streamlining periodic disclosures to material information, reaffirming state primacy over corporate governance, and permitting litigation alternatives for public companies while preserving shareholder access to meritorious claims, though no specific rule proposals were provided.
Federal Reserve Board Vice Chair Philip N. Jefferson said U.S. growth is near potential, the labor market roughly in balance but vulnerable to shocks, and inflation still above the 2 percent target. He cited resilient demand, high-tech investment, and geopolitical and energy-price risks, with PCE inflation at 2.8 percent and core PCE at 3.0 percent, and a cooling but stabilizing labor market. Jefferson backed the FOMC’s decision to keep the federal funds rate unchanged after 175 basis points of easing over 18 months, saying policy is near neutral and future moves will be data-dependent.
The Australian Securities & Investments Commission and the Australian Accounting Standards Board announced free, in-person workshops to help smaller and mid-size companies prepare for Australia’s new mandatory sustainability reporting requirements from 1 July 2026. The University of Technology Sydney–delivered sessions will cover climate science fundamentals, climate-related risks and opportunities, and build on ASIC’s Regulatory Guide 280 and eight ASIC–AASB educational modules, with ASIC signalling a pragmatic supervisory and enforcement approach as the regime is phased in.
The Argentina Securities Commission and the General Inspectorate of Justice are advancing a joint work agenda to enhance institutional coordination and simplify processes for a more efficient and predictable framework for market participants. Discussions focused on accelerating and improving access to administrative procedures, regulatory simplification, streamlined internal processes and digitisation of joint procedures, building on working groups launched in 2024.
The Argentina Securities Commission (CNV), together with the Secretariat of Education and the National Teacher Training Institute, held a nationwide teacher webinar on “Building financial citizenship from the State” under its Financial Education Program and the National Financial Literacy Program. The session presented financial education as a cross-cutting classroom topic, explained the CNV’s regulatory and investor protection role, and provided practical tools and fraud-prevention guidance based on investor queries.
France’s Ministry of Economics & Finance is launching a “Flash Fuel Loan” from 13 April to provide rapid cash-flow support to very small enterprises and SMEs in the transport, agriculture and fishing sectors facing higher fuel costs. Delivered with Bpifrance via an online platform, the unsecured loan ranges from EUR 5,000 to EUR 50,000 over 36 months at a 3.8% interest rate, with a 12‑month principal deferral, and targets firms with fuel expenses of at least 5% of turnover that meet specified criteria, including in overseas departments and regions.
The Central Bank of Brazil published retail payments statistics for the second half of 2025, showing 78.4 billion transactions worth BRL 68.2 trillion, up 12.9% in volume and 14.1% in value year on year. Pix accounted for 54.7% of transactions by count and 28.6% by value, while TED transfers remained the largest by value at 34.7%, and card usage grew amid declining merchant discount rates and stable regulated interchange fees. The data are now provided exclusively in open format on the Central Bank’s Open Data Portal, replacing the previous Excel distribution.
The International Monetary Fund published analysis on the renewed widening of global current account imbalances, concluding that durable rebalancing depends primarily on coordinated domestic macroeconomic policy adjustments rather than tariffs or industrial policy. The paper finds tariffs have modest, uncertain effects on current accounts, while industrial policies have heterogeneous, often limited impacts. Scenario analysis indicates imbalances could widen further under current trajectories in the United States, China and Europe, with escalating tariffs reducing output across regions, whereas domestic rebalancing would narrow imbalances and support global growth.
Peru’s Superintendency of Banking, Insurance and Private Pension Fund Administrators closed the 27th edition of its Extension Programme, a long-running initiative to train future financial supervisors, noting updated curriculum content on open finance and money laundering and terrorism financing risk management. The cohort of 27 young professionals was trained by SBS specialists and international institutions including the European Union’s Single Resolution Board, the World Bank and the US Federal Reserve, with SBS stating that the programme has contributed more than 400 professionals since launch.
The Central Bank of Cyprus published February 2026 data showing broad month-on-month declines in euro-denominated deposit and lending rates and higher net new loan flows, with total net new lending at EUR 328.7 million. Cyprus lending rates on outstanding balances were close to the euro area median, while deposit rates were the lowest in the euro area, which the Bank linked to high banking system liquidity. The share of new variable-rate lending fell to 53.4% across household and corporate loans, with variable-rate housing loans to households down to 15.7%, a trend the Bank said is relevant for banks’ risk management.
The Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan has convened an attestation for listed insurance intermediaries at its Baku premises. The notice specifies identity card requirements for admission and a schedule covering 10 candidates across two sittings.
Peru’s Superintendency of Banking, Insurance and Private Pension Fund Administrators concluded the 27th edition of its Extension Programme, training 27 nationally selected young professionals, 47% of them women, plus seven internal specialists. Running since 1998, it has fed over 400 professionals into the authority and now includes Open Finance and AML/CFT risk management, with input from the EU Single Resolution Board, World Bank and US Federal Reserve, and a Fed-led bank analysis and inspection course for Latin American officials.
The Ministry of Economy and Public Finance of Bolivia has reinstated the use of debit and credit cards for domestic and international transactions, affecting more than 2.7 million people and over 8 million cards. Credit cards may be used without restrictions subject to repayment capacity, while banks must make at least USD 500 available per month on debit cards, with higher limits at each institution’s discretion, and all card transactions will use the Central Bank of Bolivia exchange rate.
The IMF Executive Board discussed a staff paper on global imbalances linking domestic policies to current account outcomes via saving and investment, finding traditional macroeconomic policies are the main drivers while industrial and trade policies matter only in specific cases. Directors highlighted risks from large current account gaps beyond fundamentals, called for refining the External Balance Assessment to better capture policy interactions, capital flows, and stock imbalances, and emphasized improved data, transparency on trade and industrial policies, and integrating external sector analysis into surveillance.
The International Monetary Fund published the concluding statement of its staff mission to Haiti, noting that all targets under the Staff-Monitored Program were met at end-December 2025 despite a more challenging macroeconomic environment and a seventh consecutive year of real GDP contraction. The statement highlighted easing but still elevated inflation, adequate reserve buffers, weak FY2026 revenue performance and higher implicit fuel subsidy costs. Going forward, the program will prioritize governance reforms and strengthening the anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism framework to support Haiti’s exit from the Financial Action Task Force grey list.
The Argentina Superintendency of Insurance has issued Resolution 136/2026 amending general, standard and compulsory contractual terms for motor and towed vehicle insurance to reflect updated requirements from the National Directorate of National Registries of Motor Vehicle Property and Pledge Credits. The resolution clarifies documentation required from insureds for total loss due to damage, fire, theft or robbery, including proof of deregistration or registry status, ownership, debt-free certificates, assignment of rights to the insurer and delivery of keys.
The Central Bank of Russia has launched Coin Week, a nationwide campaign from 6 to 18 April 2026 enabling the public to exchange coins for banknotes or deposit them into bank accounts at participating bank offices and retail outlets. More than 16,000 stores and 4,000 bank offices are involved, and since its inception in 2023 the campaign has returned over 215 million coins worth almost RUB 956 million to circulation.
The National Bank of Moldova’s Q4 2025 Financial Stability Assessment Report finds no systemic vulnerabilities or excessive systemic risk, with supervised institutions having adequate shock-absorption capacity. The financial stress index and banking sector vulnerability measure remained below thresholds, direct contagion risk was low, and liquidity risk was mitigated by solid liquid-asset buffers, although credit risk remained the main concern, particularly in real estate and trade lending under adverse scenarios.
The Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission is consulting on tighter auditor accreditation standards and mandatory Group A audits for corporations with major government contracts. The proposal raises applicants’ experience thresholds and expands the grounds for outright denial of accreditation. Comments are due by May 15.
The Superintendency of the Securities Market of Panama issued Communiqué No. 7 announcing the execution of the second and third groups of dissolutions of legal entities. The action forms part of its ongoing enforcement activity in the securities market.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has designated The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation as a financial agent of the U.S. government to support implementation of the new Trump Accounts program, including managing initial accounts and helping develop a dedicated app. BNY has partnered with Robinhood, which will act as brokerage and initial trustee for Trump Accounts, with the app built as a custom white-label product by the National Design Studio and Robinhood, and Treasury emphasizing that its authority is grounded in longstanding statutory powers and subject to oversight and security controls.
The Reserve Bank of India has issued draft amendments to its branch authorisation directions for a wide range of banks to streamline and harmonise the use of Business Correspondents in last-mile delivery of financial services. The proposals define three types of delivery points, simplify eligibility criteria for engaging Business Correspondents, subsume Business Facilitators under the Business Correspondent model, and introduce uniform commission and remuneration norms across the ecosystem.
The National Bank of Serbia announced that its regular May 2026 professional exam for licensing natural persons to provide information on voluntary pension fund membership and operations, and distribute prospectuses, will be held at its Belgrade premises. Candidates must submit complete applications to the Insurance Supervision Sector, and individuals who failed in the previous period may reapply, with the list of candidates and exam timetable to be published on the National Bank of Serbia website.
The Reserve Bank of India has issued an updated circular setting foreign portfolio investor limits for Government Securities, State Government Securities, corporate bonds and credit default swaps for FY 2026-27, keeping percentage caps unchanged while revising absolute limits in two half-year tranches. From 1 April 2026, all existing and future investments under the Voluntary Retention Route will be brought within the investment limits applicable to the General Route, and the prior FY 2025-26 limits circular is withdrawn.
The National Bank of Ukraine published the Oversight Council’s fifth review of the UONIA money market indicator and key foreign exchange market indicators, confirming UONIA remains a representative benchmark but requires methodological improvements. The review found the official and reference UAH/USD exchange rate indicators continue to meet market needs without changes, with sufficient trading volumes and the US dollar remaining the dominant transaction currency despite a slight increase in the euro’s share.
The National Bank of Ukraine has launched a call for papers for its in-person Young Researcher Forum in Kyiv on 4 June 2026, focused on how central banks operate under high uncertainty, war, and structural economic change. Submissions may cover monetary policy and macroeconomic stability under severe shocks, financial stability and lending development, economic recovery and European integration, and digitalisation, emerging technologies, and artificial intelligence, with the best papers eligible for prizes and an internship at the National Bank of Ukraine.
The Central Bank of Morocco and the Moroccan Capital Market Authority have launched the institutional website of the Futures Market Coordination Body, as the country’s financial instruments futures market begins trading with the first “MASI 20 Future” contract on the MASI 20 index. Established under Law 42-12, the body coordinates joint oversight of the futures market, and the new portal provides information on its governance, regulatory framework, market participants and related resources.
The Spanish Securities Commission (CNMV) has published a guide on “Digital persuasion for investors” explaining how digital engagement practices on investment platforms, apps and websites can influence investor behaviour. The guide outlines common tactics such as drip pricing, sludge, framing and scarcity claims, and provides practical recommendations for more disciplined investing in digital environments as part of the CNMV’s broader investor education efforts.
Mexico's National Commission for the Protection and Defense of Users of Financial Services (CONDUSEF) reported 1,089 complaints handled in Michoacán in the first two months of 2026, representing 2.3% of national cases and MXN 7.8m recovered for users. Commercial banks accounted for 68.6% of complaints, with unrecognised purchases and electronic transfers prominent, 38.6% of cases were linked to possible fraud, and 40.7% of resolved cases had outcomes favourable to users.
The Central Bank of Chile published results from its Price Determinants and Expectations Survey for the rolling quarter to February 2026, indicating broadly unchanged selling prices, decelerating cost pressures and median inflation expectations of 3% at both 12 and 24 months, with the 12‑month median declining. Sales levels continued to weigh on prices, the exchange rate’s influence fell below neutral, costs pushed prices up less than in previous quarters, and fewer firms expect to raise prices over the next 12 months.
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia appointed Edward Lada Jr. and Juan Lopez to its Economic and Community Advisory Council. The council, established in 2008, convenes leaders from business, nonprofits, philanthropy, academia, the public sector, and organized labor to advise on emerging trends and market conditions in the Third Federal Reserve District and support inclusive regional economic growth.
The State Bank of Pakistan has introduced reforms to simplify export proceeds realization and reporting for IT exporters and freelancers, replacing transaction-level Form “R” submissions with a one-time service declaration and requiring banks to tag relevant service and purpose codes. The measures set a one working day maximum turnaround time for processing export receipts and remittances, standardize documentation, and require stronger complaint handling systems at banks. Separately, the State Bank has simplified service trade reporting by revising Form “R”, the Inward Remittance Voucher and Form “M”, raising the Form “R” threshold to above USD 25,000 and encouraging digitalization with auto-population of customer data.
The Ukraine National Commission on Securities and Stock Market and the National Depository of Ukraine will hold an online presentation on a new approach to registering share issuances that positions the Central Depository as a key element of capital market infrastructure. The session will outline international practice, streamlined “one-stop shop” processes, and proposed legislative changes under the Concept for a draft Law of Ukraine “On Financial Market Infrastructure,” including shorter timelines, fewer procedures, and greater digitisation.
Indonesia’s Financial Services Authority (OJK) has issued a Banking in Social Media Guideline for commercial banks, setting expectations for structured, professional and accountable social media use as part of digital governance and risk management. Built around governance, risk management, and compliance and monitoring, it introduces social media crisis management, a “social media stress test” tool, and requirements for partnerships with financial influencers, including transparency and conflict-of-interest disclosures.
Indonesia’s Financial Services Authority (OJK) reported that financial sector conditions remained stable in March 2026 despite global uncertainty, reinstated stock market stabilisation measures with the Indonesia Stock Exchange, and completed four capital-market transparency reforms, including a phased increase in the minimum free float to 15%. OJK detailed enforcement actions and signalled forthcoming rules on health ratings for non-bank financial institutions, periodic reporting for guarantee institutions, a revised insurance solvency and risk-based capital framework aligned with PSAK 117, and amendments to rules on digital asset and crypto-asset trading.
The Insurance State Supervision Service of Georgia held a continuing legal education session for lawyers on protecting consumer rights in the insurance sector. Led by senior legal and consumer protection officials, the session covered core consumer rights, insurers’ obligations during the insurance contract term, and the legislative framework for consumer rights protection, with participation available both in person and online.
Greece’s Ministry of National Economy and Finance outlined measures to cushion potential spillovers from the war in the Middle East, including a EUR 300 million support plan with a EUR 0.16 per litre diesel subsidy (EUR 0.20 including VAT), a digital fuel card, and a 15% fertiliser subsidy for farmers. Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis linked the measures to the European “toolbox” used in the 2022 energy crisis and highlighted improved fiscal resilience, including a primary surplus, projected 2.4% growth in 2026, and debt expected to fall below 120% of GDP by the end of the decade, adding that any further interventions would be targeted at households and businesses.
Bank Al-Maghrib and the Moroccan Capital Markets Authority launched the institutional website of the Futures Market Coordination Body (ICMAT) as the central reference platform for Morocco’s new financial instruments futures market, coinciding with the first listing of the “MASI 20 Future” on the MASI 20 index. Established under Law 42-12, ICMAT coordinates joint control of the futures market, and the portal provides information on its organisation, the legislative and regulatory framework, market companies and authorised members, plus a resource centre with publications and practical materials.
The Central Bank of Chile published its Determinants and Price Expectations Survey, showing broadly unchanged selling prices, decelerating perceived cost increases, and median 12- and 24-month inflation expectations at 3%. Based on data collected before the Middle East war and oil price impact, firms reported slightly lower sales volumes, unchanged profit margins, and moderating cost pressures, while the share expecting to raise selling prices over the next 12 months declined.
The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic reported that its Talas regional office delivered Global Money Week 2026 guest lectures to senior school students in four secondary schools in the Talas region. The sessions covered the history of the Kyrgyz som, financial planning, QR code payments, countering dropper activity, and managing self-imposed credit bans via the “Tunduk” state e-services mobile application.
The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic has adopted amendments to several normative legal acts on Islamic principles of financing, updating prudential requirements and supervisory approaches. The changes revise credit risk management requirements and approaches, enhance collateral monitoring mechanisms, and update capital requirements, among other related matters.
As part of Global Money Week 2026, the Naryn regional office of the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic delivered financial literacy lectures to staff of rural municipality administrations in At-Bashy, Baetovo, Kulanak and Zhan-Bulak. The sessions covered financial literacy, the Kyrgyz Republic’s payment system, the development of the national currency and financial fraud involving dropper (money mule) schemes.
The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic conducted financial literacy outreach in Osh and nearby districts during Global Money Week 2026, focusing on the national currency, personal finance and fraud prevention for young people. From 30 March to 3 April 2026, its Osh Regional Division hosted about 450 students and school pupils at museum open days and guest lectures covering currency development and security features, savings, loans, deposits and measures to prevent youth involvement in financial scams.
The UAE Securities and Commodities Authority announced the unanimous re-election of its CEO, Waleed Saeed Al Awadhi, as chair of the International Organization of Securities Commissions Africa and Middle East Regional Committee for the 2026-2028 term. He will continue to represent the 41-member committee on IOSCO’s Board, focusing on capital market growth, emerging risks, and workstreams on digital assets, market structures, investor awareness, sustainable finance, and capacity building.
The Central Bank of Egypt signed a cooperation protocol with the Supreme Council for Media Regulation to coordinate oversight of digital banking content and enhance electronic disclosure of banking and financial services. The protocol aims to support accurate public information, with the Central Bank of Egypt’s board determining mandatory website disclosures, publication methods and channels, and standards and permissions for banks and other licensed entities.
The Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan has launched a “Support programme for the development of economic journalism” at the Azerbaijan University of Languages to strengthen economics and finance knowledge among International Journalism students. The first session introduced participants to the central bank’s online resources and covered macroeconomics, monetary policy, macroeconomic forecasting and central bank communications, with further training to be delivered by central bank representatives.
The Oman Financial Services Authority has entered the final phase of its Jisr initiative, under which insurance sector firms will train and employ 20 Omani nationals following written and technical assessments. Implemented with Estidamah, the Ministry of Labour and the College of Banking and Financial Studies, the programme combines technical and behavioural interviews across multiple disciplines and aligns with the Authority’s in-country value objectives. The Authority also highlighted its Tamkeen initiative, which develops Omani nationals for administrative and technical roles at operational, middle and senior levels in the non-banking financial sector.
The Ukraine National Commission on Securities and Stock Market has expanded its list of dangerous investment instruments to include two online platforms, Liber Trade and xtp LTD, bringing the total number of flagged initiatives to 466. The Commission reiterates that all listed entities show signs of legal breaches or fraud and highlights common red flags such as lack of licences and founder information, missing official reporting, absence of state oversight, and aggressive high-return advertising that downplays risks.
The South Korea Financial Services Commission met with five major virtual asset exchanges and the Digital Asset Exchange Alliance to present inspection findings after Bithumb’s erroneous payout and to agree on stronger self-regulation and internal controls. Measures include near real-time ledger-to-wallet reconciliation, tighter controls and segregation for high-risk manual transactions, more frequent external verification, expanded disclosures, standardized internal control programs, semi-annual inspections and common risk governance standards. Separately, the Financial Supervisory Service found internal control deficiencies at Bithumb and plans sanctions procedures after legal review.
Mexico's National Commission for the Protection and Defence of Financial Services Users (CONDUSEF) reported 1,089 complaints in Michoacán in the first two months of 2026, down 3.3% year-on-year and representing 2.3% of national complaints, recovering MXN 7.8 million for users with 40.7% of outcomes favourable to complainants. Multiple banking generated 68.6% of complaints, mainly unrecognised purchases and electronic transfers, with 38.6% of cases linked to possible fraud, and most handled via the Gestión Electrónica channel. CONDUSEF reiterated that its procedures are free, online-accessible and do not require intermediaries.
The Central Bank of Brunei Darussalam published Brunei Darussalam’s Residential Property Price Index for Q4 2025, showing the index at 93.2 (Q1 2015 = 100), up 4.1% year on year and 5.1% quarter on quarter. Bank mortgage data recorded 128 private residential transactions, down 31.6% quarter on quarter and 12.9% year on year, with a median purchase price of BND 249,500. The authority noted the index uses median prices as a more stable measure and that the statistics are for general information purposes.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations announced that the Philippines, through the Department of Finance and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, will chair the 13th ASEAN Finance Ministers’ and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting and related meetings, to be held virtually from April 7 to 10, 2026. Discussions will focus on regional financial cooperation to support resilient growth, sustainable finance, capital markets development, regional payments connectivity, and review of the Roadmap for ASEAN Monetary and Financial Integration and the ASEAN Economic Community Strategic Plan 2026–2030.
The Ministry of Finance of Chile and BancoEstado announced that BancoEstado will eliminate the CLP 300 fee on electronic funds transfers from CuentaRUT to other banks, effective 15 April. The move extends BancoEstado’s modernization and digitalization strategy, under which a range of intra-bank transfers, withdrawals and branch transactions are already free of charge.
The Central Bank of the Philippines (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) has issued a memorandum on the calculation, notification, payment and dispute process for the 2026 Annual Supervision (Service) Fee for pawnshops and money service businesses. Pawnshops will be charged PHP 500 per office based on offices as at end-December 2025, while money service business fees vary by type, with amounts ranging from PHP 20,000 to PHP 300,000, and pawnshops with money service business registration must pay both fees. Recipients must validate billing notices and raise any documented exceptions within five working days.
The South Korea Financial Services Commission approved amendments to the Enforcement Decree of the Microfinance Support Act, increasing annual microfinance contributions by financial companies to the Korea Inclusive Finance Agency and establishing a legal basis for the agency to provide credit guarantees for Credit Counseling and Recovery Service (CCRS) microloans. The contribution rate on household loan balances will rise to 0.1% for banks and 0.045% for nonbanks, lifting annual contributions by an estimated KRW197.3 billion, while the new guarantee framework is expected to expand CCRS microloan supply from KRW120 billion to KRW420 billion.
The Central Bank of Honduras reported that net international reserves increased by USD 846.9 million between 27 January and 31 March 2026, raising import coverage from 6.2 to 6.7 months. Reserves rose from USD 10,305.8 million to USD 11,152.7 million over the period, with weekly changes ranging from USD 46.0 million to USD 219.1 million.
The Argentina Securities Commission issued General Resolution No. 1125 to permit crowdfunding-style placements within the automatic public offering regime for low and medium impact issuances, allowing non-qualified investors to participate subject to limits and safeguards. The rules enable smaller issuances to access capital markets without prior Commission intervention, raise the medium-impact cap for shares and corporate bonds from UVA 7 million to UVA 15 million, and update the “qualified investor” definition for resident individuals to include virtual asset holdings and assets held domestically or abroad, while leaving the existing Crowdfunding Platforms regime unchanged.
The Bank of Greece published Governor Yannis Stournaras’ speech presenting the 2025 Annual Report, which frames the Middle East conflict as a negative shock but highlights Greece’s stronger fundamentals, including 2025 growth of 2.1%, a 4.4% of GDP primary surplus, improved bank resilience and a 16-year high investment-to-GDP ratio. For 2026, it projects growth of 1.9%, a primary surplus of about 3.2% of GDP and a marginal general government surplus, while flagging the persistent current account deficit as the main vulnerability and calling for data-dependent ECB policy, targeted fiscal support and structural reforms.
The Central Bank of Cyprus published an article by its Governor titled “Resilience and Prudent Strategy in the Cyprus Banking Sector”. The piece appears to set out the Governor’s views on the sector’s resilience and strategic direction.
The Kuwait Capital Markets Authority has been elected to represent the International Organization of Securities Commissions Regional Committee for Africa and the Middle East on IOSCO’s board of directors, providing it with representation in the global capital markets standard-setting body. The authority noted it already participates in IOSCO’s Africa and Middle East Committee, Emerging Markets Committee, and policy committees on secondary markets, financial intermediaries, and derivatives.
The Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye issued a press release rejecting allegations that it shared undisclosed information or policy assessments with investors during technical briefings in London, reiterating that it does not disclose non-public information to external parties. It described the briefings as part of its transparency-focused communication policy, limited to publicly available monetary policy texts and macroeconomic data, and urged market participants to rely on its official communication channels.
The Central Bank of Iraq has announced two seven-day liquidity auctions for execution on 7 April 2026, comprising an Islamic certificate of deposit auction for Islamic banks and a central bank bill auction for conventional banks with a 5.25% interest rate. Eligible banks must have Iraqi dinar private sector deposits above IQD 50 billion and may subscribe between IQD 50 billion and IQD 500 billion, with the auctions recorded in the Central Securities Depository system as ICD811 and W503.
The Central Bank of Egypt reported that net international reserves stood at USD 52,830.6 million at end-March 2026.
The Oman Financial Services Authority has deregistered Maganlal Thacker & Co. from the register of accounting and auditing firms for violations of the Law Regulating the Accounting and Auditing Profession and International Standards on Auditing, a decision it upheld after reviewing the firm’s appeal. The authority cited non-compliance with registration conditions for foreign firms and multiple audit quality deficiencies, including improper signing of audit reports, inadequate evidence, failure to determine materiality, and missing procedures on inventory and related parties.
The Saudi Arabia Insurance Authority will replace the current solvency regime with a risk-based capital framework from Jan. 1, 2027. Insurers and reinsurers must calculate solvency under both frameworks during 2026 and may use the standard formula or an approved internal model. The framework also permits subordinated debt issuance to support capital requirements and growth.
South Korea’s Ministry of Economy and Finance said Deputy Prime Minister Koo Yoon-cheol met ambassadors of the six Gulf Cooperation Council states to assess the Middle East conflict’s economic impact and seek cooperation on global economic security and energy supply risks, given South Korea’s reliance on crude oil via the Strait of Hormuz. GCC ambassadors called South Korea a priority partner and pledged coordination on stable supplies and freedom of navigation, while the ministry outlined domestic measures including a maximum price system for petroleum products, fuel tax cuts, KRW 4 trillion in policy financing and swift execution of a KRW 26 trillion supplementary budget.
The Angola Capital Markets Commission delivered a lecture at the Instituto Superior Metropolitano de Angola on the dissemination of capital markets statistics as part of its market-promotion outreach. Targeted at students and faculty, the session highlighted the role of statistical data in analysing economic and financial information and provided a practical overview of key trends and indicators in Angolan and global capital markets, continuing an outreach series to multiple universities.
The Angola Capital Markets Commission participated in the IOSCO Committee 8 Plenary Meeting in Bucharest, which focused on investor education and emerging issues in capital markets supervision. Discussions covered preparations for World Investor Week 2026, artificial intelligence initiatives in capital markets, investor resilience and financial education tools, IOSCO’s 2026 strategic priorities, and analysis of new financial products and predictive markets.
The Central Bank of Iraq has published materials under its Banking Reform Project, including a detailed assessment guide for its 2025 standards for private commercial and Islamic banks, a standards booklet, a circular on reform pathways, an undertaking letter template, and a frequently asked questions document. The webpage currently displays technical PHP session warnings indicating storage constraints, which may affect access to these materials.
The People’s Bank of China reported that the inaugural meeting of the China–Canada Financial Working Group was held in Beijing, creating a new channel for dialogue on monetary and financial policy, markets, stability and supervision, anti-money laundering, cross-border capital flows and global financial governance. Senior representatives from key Chinese and Canadian financial authorities discussed the global macroeconomic outlook, monetary policy, financial regulation and market development, stressing that closer regulatory engagement can support a stable business environment and facilitate bilateral trade and investment.
The Thailand Office of Insurance Commission launched a coordinated Songkran festival campaign with insurers and other agencies to promote insurance for loss reduction and public protection, focusing on health, safer travel and longer-term financial planning. Measures include health screening and risk-awareness messaging, vehicle safety checks and promotion of compulsory and voluntary motor insurance, financial planning outreach and free credit checks, plus two low-cost 30-day microinsurance products and online engagement activities with insurance-related prizes.
The State Bank of Vietnam hosted the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office annual consultation mission, which reviewed Vietnam’s macroeconomic conditions and policy direction and agreed to deepen cooperation, including on the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralisation. AMRO assessed Vietnam’s 2025 growth at 8.02% with inflation at 3.31%, highlighted monetary and exchange rate management, and flagged external and energy-related risks. It recommended flexible monetary policy, targeted fiscal measures, and a focus on technology and human capital development.
The Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan has amended the rules for compulsory civil liability insurance for motor vehicle owners, revising how premiums are calculated for mandatory motor third-party liability cover. The changes introduce specific risk coefficients for vehicles used in passenger transport, including taxis, reflecting their higher incident frequency and aligning risk assessment more closely with actual third-party harm.
The Bank of Cape Verde has published its Summary of Risk Indicators for supervision of the Cape Verdean payment system for Q4 2025, covering service availability, concentration, and operational and financial risk. The vinti4 network, with 240 active ATMs, recorded a cash withdrawal availability ratio of 89.7%, while in the Deposit and Settlement Management System the three largest participants accounted for 86.18% of transaction values and 66.52% of operations, with no financial or operational risks deemed critical. The peak transaction value was recorded on 22 December at CVE 239,715.3 million.
The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas raised its Texas Employment Forecast, projecting 1.9 percent job growth in 2026 within an 80 percent confidence band of 1.1 to 2.7 percent, implying 278,400 jobs added and total employment of 14.6 million by December. The upward revision reflects stronger-than-expected employment gains in December and January, though the Dallas Fed highlighted downside risks from declining immigration, higher productivity, softer Texas Business Outlook Survey activity, and elevated geopolitical uncertainty.
The Moroccan Capital Markets Authority has approved the prospectus for Bel’s capital increase through an employee share offering of up to 2,403,751 new shares. In Morocco, the offer is open to employees of Fromageries Bel Maroc and Société d'Import Export de Produits Fromagers at a subscription price of EUR 29.36 (MAD 316.41) per share, with detailed documentation available via Bel’s Moroccan subsidiaries, Bel’s website, and the Moroccan Capital Markets Authority website.
The Federal Reserve Board issued a consent prohibition order against Mollie Morrow, a former employee of United Bank in Fairfax, Virginia. The action relates to the embezzlement of bank funds.
The IMF Executive Board concluded the 2025 Article IV consultation with Yemen, resuming surveillance after an 11-year hiatus, and noted tentative stabilization amid fragile macroeconomic and humanitarian conditions. Real GDP is estimated to have contracted by 0.5% in 2025, with a further 0.7% decline projected for 2026, while weak exports and higher imports are expected to pressure the external position. Executive Directors welcomed fiscal consolidation and backed plans for revenue mobilization, stronger public financial management, prudent monetary policy, a market-based exchange rate, and measures to reinforce financial stability and AML/CFT.
The International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva intends to appoint Zeine Zeidane as Director of the African Department, succeeding Abebe Aemro Selassie, who will retire on May 1, 2026. Zeidane, currently Deputy Director in the Middle East and Central Asia Department and a former Mauritanian Prime Minister and Central Bank Governor, has previously held senior roles in the African Department and contributed to key IMF policy initiatives.