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2026-02-18•Philippines•Central Bank of the Philippines
The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas have signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance financial and economic cooperation, prioritising faster and easier cross-border payments through linking instant payment platforms. The agreement also envisages future connections of card switches and messaging systems and provides for knowledge sharing on central bank digital currencies, open finance, digital assets, and Islamic banking, including potential CBDC use for remittances from Filipinos in the UAE.
Policy & regulationCooperationCross-border cooperationCross-border paymentsPayments and payment systems
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2026-02-18•New Zealand•Reserve Bank of New Zealand
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s Monetary Policy Committee left the Official Cash Rate unchanged at 2.25 % on 18 February 2026, saying ample spare capacity and subdued wages should return Q4’s 3.1 % inflation to the 2 % midpoint within a year. After 150 bp of 2025 cuts, the Committee signalled policy will remain accommodative until the recovery firms and inflation is sustainably on target.
Monetary policyPolicy rate decisionsMonetary policy decisions and developments
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2026-02-18•Philippines•Philippines Insurance Commission
The Philippines Insurance Commission reported that HMO benefits and claims rose 19.35% to PHP 74.64 billion in 2025. Revenue increased 24.84% to PHP 101.56 billion, while net income quadrupled to PHP 3.99 billion.
Data & statisticsActivity and performance reporting
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2026-02-18•Egypt•Egypt Financial Regulatory Authority
The Egypt Financial Regulatory Authority has introduced a framework for establishing, registering, and supervising auxiliary bodies supporting the insurance sector, like training centres and IT facilities. These entities cannot engage in insurance or reinsurance activities and must meet specific registration and operational requirements, including maintaining records and submitting annual reports. Existing auxiliary bodies have six months from the framework's effective date to comply.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsLicensing and supervisory fees
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2026-02-18•Egypt•Egypt Financial Regulatory Authority
The Egypt Financial Regulatory Authority's Establishment and Licensing Committee approved licensing for six entities in non-banking financial activities, including securities-related corporate formation, insurance brokerage, and bond dealing. Approved entities are Olive Egypt Holding, Taqa Financial Investments, Fawry Holding, Tharaa, Beltone Securities Trading, and Emirates NBD Bank. The committee, formed under FRA Chairman’s Decision No. 3060 of 2023, oversees company establishment and licensing.
SupervisionAuthorisations & approvalsLicence approval
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2026-02-18•Egypt•Central Bank of Egypt
The Central Bank of Egypt reported its NilePreneurs initiative's Business Development Service Hubs delivered over 1.16 million non-financial and advisory services to approximately 502,000 youth, entrepreneurs, startups, and MSMEs, including 210,000 women. The Hubs facilitated EGP 19 billion in financing for over 14,000 projects with 18 banks participating. The network of 132 Hubs across 25 governorates recorded average annual growth of 135% in services delivered and 125% in clients served from 2020 to 2025.
Policy & regulationImplementation, projects & pilotsFinancial inclusion
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2026-02-18•Philippines•Central Bank of the Philippines
The Central Bank of the Philippines announced a balance of payments deficit of USD 373 million for January 2026, with gross international reserves rising to USD 112.6 billion. These reserves cover 7.5 months of imports and 4.1 times the short-term external debt on a residual-maturity basis.
Data & statisticsBalance of payments and other external statistics
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2026-02-18•Canada•British Columbia Securities Commission
The British Columbia Securities Commission has alleged that Dawson Ignatieff and his companies, VHLA Media Inc. and Black Swan Solutions Inc., violated investor relations disclosure requirements by failing to clearly disclose sponsorship of promotional content. Despite warnings, the companies allegedly continued non-compliant promotions from 2023 to 2025. The allegations remain unproven, and a hearing is pending.
EnforcementInvestigations & enforcement actionsCorporate governance
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2026-02-18•Australia•Reserve Bank of Australia
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) issued guidance on the clearing and settlement facility resolution regime, detailing its resolution powers. This non-binding guidance clarifies potential stakeholder impacts and is part of RBA's co-regulation with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. The Treasury Laws Amendment Act 2024 amended the Corporations Act 2001, granting the RBA crisis resolution powers for domestic CS facilities to ensure financial system stability.
Policy & regulationGuidance & interpretationRecovery and resolution
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2026-02-18•United States•U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs
Senator Elizabeth Warren has raised concerns about Neptune Flood's private insurance model, particularly its AI use for underwriting and pricing. In a letter, Warren questions Neptune's proposal to halt new policies under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and highlights transparency and consumer understanding issues related to its AI platform, Triton. The letter also notes Neptune's role as a managing general agent and its alignment with Project 2025's call to end NFIP.
OtherFintech and insurtechSupervision process and methodologies
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2026-02-18•United States•U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs
The U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs released a letter from Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren to JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, urging support for legislation allowing states to enforce credit card interest rate caps. Warren highlighted Dimon's comments at Davos and the need for federal legislation due to a 1978 Supreme Court ruling. She referenced the Empowering States’ Rights to Protect Consumers Act, which would amend the Truth in Lending Act to align with state limits.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsConsumer and investor protection
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2026-02-17•Belgium•Belgium Financial Services and Markets Authority
The Belgium Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA) settled with Mr. Elie Bechelany, mandating a payment of EUR 12,500 and the publication of his name on the FSMA website for three months.
EnforcementInvestigations & enforcement actions
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2026-02-17•Morocco•Central Bank of Morocco
The Central Bank of Morocco has signed a framework cooperation agreement with Archives of Morocco to enhance its archives management programme. This agreement includes technical assistance and institutional support to advance the central bank's archives system. The convention was signed in Rabat by Bank Al‑Maghrib Governor Abdellatif Jouahri and Archives of Morocco Director Latifa Moftaqir.
Institutional developmentCooperation & capacity buildingDomestic cooperation
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2026-02-17•Cape Verde•Bank of Cape Verde
The Bank of Cape Verde appointed Soeli Santos and Paulo Santos to its Board of Directors and confirmed new members of its Fiscal Council. Governor Óscar Santos emphasized the bank's focus on price and financial stability and its crisis management efforts. Finance Minister Olavo Correia highlighted the importance of efficient digital governance and the implementation of inclusive digital payment systems.
Institutional developmentLeadership change & appointmentsLeadership change and appointments
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2026-02-17•Cape Verde•Bank of Cape Verde
The Bank of Cape Verde signed a Guarantees Protocol with Pró-Garante, Sociedade de Garantia, S.A. to facilitate microfinance institutions' access to the Emergency Assistance Program (PAE). This agreement allows access to central bank financing under the PAE, established to provide credit on special terms to entities affected by Storm Erin and subsequent rains. The PAE offers funding at 0.75% interest up to CVE 10 billion, with a maturity of up to five years.
Policy & regulationImplementation, projects & pilotsLiquidity riskPrudential risks
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2026-02-17•India•Reserve Bank of India
The Reserve Bank of India has released draft Directions on foreign exchange dealings for authorised persons, inviting public consultation. The draft aims to provide Authorised Dealers with greater flexibility in using foreign exchange products, risk management, and platforms. This initiative follows the Reserve Bank's recent Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsForeign exchange policy and markets
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2026-02-17•Greece•Ministry of National Economy and Finance (Greece)
Greece's Ministry of National Economy and Finance reported on Eurogroup and ECOFIN meetings, where Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis emphasized enhancing the euro's international role and EU monetary sovereignty. Euro area finance ministers agreed to adopt the European Commission’s 2026 economic policy recommendations and advance the Savings and Investment Union. Discussions also focused on making the Pan-European Personal Pension Product accessible to all Europeans, with Pierrakakis advocating for a simplified, cost-effective, and secure PEPP Regulation.
Policy & regulationInternational standards & recommendationsCross-border cooperation
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2026-02-17•Belgium•Belgium Financial Services and Markets Authority
The Belgium Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA) will conduct the 2026 update of the DORA Register of Information (ROI) on a limited basis, requiring submissions from only a select number of firms. Firms can confirm unchanged information or update last year’s data, with the FiMiS survey's technical specifications remaining the same.
Policy & regulationImplementation, projects & pilotsRegulatory reporting
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2026-02-17•Kyrgyzstan•National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic
The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic fined two exchange offices in the Jalal-Abad region KGS 55,000 for violating national legislation and central bank regulations following inspections by its Jalal-Abad regional department.
EnforcementSanctions & designationsUnlicensed or unauthorized activity
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2026-02-17•Kyrgyzstan•National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic
The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic has suspended the exchange bureau licence of Nurullo LLC from 17 to 19 February 2026 due to violations of national legislation and bank regulations. The suspension affects the bureau in Bek-Abad village, Suzak district, Jalal-Abad region.
EnforcementInvestigations & enforcement actionsUnlicensed or unauthorized activity
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2026-02-17•Italy•Bank of Italy
The Bank of Italy, in collaboration with the University of Turin and Collegio Carlo Alberto, has announced a call for papers for the "ToDeFi - Torino Decentralized Finance 2026" conference. The event will focus on research in Decentralized Finance and its connections to the crypto-asset ecosystem, taking place in Rome on 24-25 June 2026.
ResearchDeFi
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2026-02-17•Japan•Japan Financial Services Agency
The Japan Financial Services Agency will support experiments by major securities firms and megabanks to enhance securities settlement using blockchain under its Payment Advancement Project. The model involves recording and managing transfers of rights for various securities on a blockchain and using stablecoins for trade payments. The agency will provide guidance on legal and regulatory interpretations and is also backing a similar initiative by SBI.
Policy & regulationImplementation, projects & pilotsBlockchain and distributed ledger technology
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2026-02-17•Japan•Japan Financial Services Agency
The Japan Financial Services Agency summarized the Minister of Finance’s post-Cabinet press conference, noting delays in Diet deliberations on budget and tax bills, and the ruling party's pledge for a temporary zero consumption tax on food and beverages. The minister stated implementation would not involve deficit-financing bonds, with funding from subsidy reviews and non-tax revenues. Additionally, the agency will ensure Prudential Life conducts thorough fact-finding and implements measures to prevent recurrence in an inappropriate funds-handling case.
Policy & regulationReform agendas & prioritiesOther
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2026-02-17•Europe•European Central Bank
The European Central Bank announced that the Council of the European Union has extended Frank Elderson's mandate as Vice-Chair of the ECB’s Supervisory Board until the end of his Executive Board term on 14 December 2028. This follows a proposal by the ECB’s Governing Council and approval by the European Parliament.
Institutional developmentLeadership change & appointmentsLeadership change and appointments
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2026-02-17•Europe•European Central Bank
The European Central Bank released a research note analyzing the key drivers of recent trends in euro area housing investment.
ResearchOther
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2026-02-17•Greece•Ministry of National Economy and Finance (Greece)
Greece's Ministry of National Economy and Finance, led by Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis, supports the EU Savings and Investment Union reforms, emphasizing swift implementation with governance and consumer protection. Greece advocates for minimum harmonization in the Occupational Pension Funds Directive, stressing governance and transparency, and calls for simplification in the Pan-European Personal Pension Product Regulation to boost commercial viability, highlighting clear responsibilities, strong safeguards, and continued consumer protection.
Policy & regulationReform agendas & prioritiesOther
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2026-02-17•Belgium•National Bank of Belgium
The National Bank of Belgium’s Central Balance Sheet Office has updated its statistics on annual account filings and released the revised dataset in XLSX format.
Data & statisticsRegulatory reporting
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2026-02-17•Italy•Bank of Italy
The Bank of Italy will host a conference in Rome on 24–25 September 2026 titled “Macroeconomic Modelling in Times of Uncertainty,” focusing on new modelling approaches amid rising uncertainty. The agenda includes the impact of uncertainty on economic decisions, policy transmission, and macroeconomic forecasting.
Research
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2026-02-17•Europe•European Central Bank
The European Central Bank's Working Paper No 3189 addresses issues with Bayesian and frequentist inference in instrumental variables regressions with weak instruments. It proposes an uninformative prior on the concentration parameter to enhance inference robustness, yielding conservative Bayesian credible intervals that align with frequentist methods. A reanalysis of Angrist and Krueger’s returns-to-schooling specification demonstrates the method's effectiveness in avoiding false significance with artificial instruments.
ResearchOther
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2026-02-17•Europe•European Central Bank
The European Central Bank released research analyzing the factors influencing electricity prices for households and energy-intensive industries, highlighting their significance for the European Union's decarbonisation goals.
ResearchClimate risk and sustainable finance
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2026-02-17•Australia•Australian Securities & Investments Commission
The Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) has cancelled the Australian financial services licence of Superfast AM Pty Ltd, effective 13 February 2026, as the firm ceased its financial services business. The licence remains valid until 13 February 2027 to maintain membership with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) for client protection. ASIC's decision, part of an ongoing investigation, allows Superfast to seek a review by the Administrative Review Tribunal.
SupervisionAuthorisations & approvalsLicence withdrawal
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2026-02-17•Denmark•National Bank of Denmark
The National Bank of Denmark released new monthly statistics on sustainable bonds, showing Danish entities issued DKK 405 billion, representing 7.9% of the Danish bond market. Green bonds accounted for DKK 368 billion, with financial companies as the largest issuers. Foreign investors held DKK 266 billion of Danish sustainable bonds, while Danish investors' holdings totaled DKK 383 billion, primarily in domestic and euro area issues.
Data & statisticsClimate risk and sustainable finance
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2026-02-17•Global•International Monetary Fund
The IMF's 2026 Article IV mission to Japan notes above-potential growth and inflation exceeding the Bank of Japan's 2% target. Recommendations include gradual withdrawal of monetary accommodation, cautious fiscal policy, and reforms to sustain real wage gains. The IMF advises against untargeted consumption tax cuts and stresses the need for a credible medium-term fiscal framework and enhanced systemic risk monitoring.
Policy & regulationInternational standards & recommendationsEconomic data and developments
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2026-02-17•Netherlands•De Nederlandsche Bank
De Nederlandsche Bank released a speech by Olaf Sleijpen on economic resilience amid uncertainty, with a focus on implications for Europe and the Netherlands. The speech was delivered at the University of Amsterdam's annual EB NEXT! event.
Monetary policyOtherFinancial stability and systemic risk
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2026-02-17•Canada•Bank of Canada
The Bank of Canada issued a temporary order under the Retail Payment Activities Act requiring XTM Inc. and its affiliates to cease all retail payment activities and transactions related to the AnyDay platform. This action follows concerns over XTM's failure to safeguard client funds, posing a potential risk to the public interest.
EnforcementInvestigations & enforcement actionsUnlicensed or unauthorized activity
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2026-02-17•United States•Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
The Council of Economic Advisers estimates the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s approach has raised consumer finance costs and reduced credit availability, with total consumer costs of USD 237–369 billion (2025 USD) from 2011–2024. It attributes at least USD 222–350 billion to higher borrowing costs, based on a mortgage-market estimate around the 43% debt-to-income cutoff in the 2013 Ability-to-Repay and Qualified Mortgage framework that is extrapolated to auto loans and credit cards.
ResearchConsumer and investor protection
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2026-02-17•United States•Council of Economic Advisers
The Council of Economic Advisers estimates the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s approach has raised consumer finance costs and reduced credit availability, with total consumer costs of USD 237–369 billion (2025 USD) from 2011–2024. It attributes at least USD 222–350 billion to higher borrowing costs, based on a mortgage-market estimate around the 43% debt-to-income cutoff in the 2013 Ability-to-Repay and Qualified Mortgage framework that is extrapolated to auto loans and credit cards.
ResearchRegulatory burden
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2026-02-17•Liberia•Central Bank of Liberia
At a signing ceremony, the Central Bank of Liberia confirmed a memorandum of understanding with the Bank of Ghana on capacity building and technical cooperation for Central Bank of Liberia staff. The agreement provides for training, technical attachments, joint research and knowledge sharing across supervision, payments, monetary policy, financial stability, cybersecurity and central bank operations. The Central Bank of Liberia said it will implement the memorandum’s provisions.
Institutional developmentCooperation & capacity buildingCapacity buildingCross-border cooperation
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2026-02-17•Europe•Authority for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism
AMLA Chair Bruna Szego outlined plans for the Authority to implement a single risk analysis model and conduct a data collection exercise in March to prepare for direct supervision of 40 financial institutions by 2028. The model will differentiate between money laundering and terrorist financing, covering both financial and non-financial sectors. Milestones include increasing staff to 432 by 2027, producing regulatory products, and developing a Single Rulebook through EU regulation and AMLA guidelines.
SupervisionSupervision approach, priorities & toolkitAML and CFT
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2026-02-17•Peru•Central Bank of Peru
The Central Bank of Peru reported a 73% increase in non-traditional fisheries exports, totaling USD 2.277 billion in 2025, driven by higher volumes and prices. Non-traditional agricultural exports rose 13.7% to USD 12.631 billion, with significant growth in fruit and cocoa shipments. Textile exports increased 5.8% to USD 1.732 billion, supported by higher cotton and alpaca fibre shipments.
Data & statisticsBalance of payments and other external statistics
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2026-02-17•Bermuda•Bermuda Monetary Authority
The Bermuda Monetary Authority has republished the 2025 year-end Bermuda Solvency Capital Requirement models for specified insurer classes and Insurance Groups, following stakeholder feedback on a new data validation feature in the Capital and Solvency Return declaration signatory page. For 2025 year-end filings, firms may use either the original models with the validation feature or the republished models without it, with use of the validation feature remaining optional and subject to further feedback.
Policy & regulationImplementation, projects & pilotsRegulatory reporting
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2026-02-17•Canada•New Brunswick Financial & Consumer Services Commission
The New Brunswick Financial and Consumer Services Commission has issued a Notice and Request for Comment on eight proposed rules under the Consumer Protection Act. The consultation documents are available on the Commission’s website.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsConsumer and investor protection
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2026-02-17•Canada•Alberta Securities Commission
The Alberta Securities Commission (ASC) warned about BG Wealth Sharing and DSJ Exchange, an unregistered investment scheme promoted via social media, claiming AI-generated trading signals and guaranteed returns. Participants deposit cryptocurrency on DSJ EX, facing withdrawal difficulties and fraud indicators like unrealistic returns and MLM-style recruitment. The ASC advises using CheckFirst.ca and other resources to verify registration and assess risks before investing.
SupervisionAlertsFraud and scamsUnlicensed or unauthorized activity
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2026-02-17•Canada•Alberta Securities Commission
The Alberta Securities Commission reported that the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta dismissed Ronald James Aitkens' appeal against his conviction and sentence under the Alberta Securities Act. Aitkens was convicted in 2020 for fraud and making false statements in an offering memorandum related to Legacy Communities Inc., resulting in a four-year jail sentence.
EnforcementInvestigations & enforcement actionsFraud and scamsSecurities offerings and listings
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2026-02-17•Canada•Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization
The Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) released its Annual Compliance Report 2026, highlighting compliance challenges and examination findings to guide dealers. Key issues include increased cybersecurity incidents from third-party providers, onboarding of Crypto Asset Trading Platforms, and guidance on a Digital Assets Custody Framework. The report also addresses deficiencies in compliance frameworks, such as inadequate policies, supervisory gaps, and weaknesses in conflict of interest management.
SupervisionRisk monitoring & watch pointsCompliance
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2026-02-17•Luxembourg•Luxembourg Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier
The Luxembourg CSSF updated its FAQ on the Law of 17 December 2010, revising guidance on UCITS ETF portfolio transparency and conditions for holding ancillary liquid assets. UCITS ETFs must now publish detailed portfolio holdings quarterly to all investors, with a maximum lag of 30 business days. Additionally, UCITS may hold e-money tokens for processing subscriptions or redemptions, provided they are promptly converted to bank deposits or invested in eligible assets.
Policy & regulationGuidance & interpretationRegulatory reporting
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2026-02-17•United States•U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission
SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins, at Texas A&M's Corporate Law Symposium, discussed Texas as an alternative to Delaware and proposed SEC corporate disclosure reforms. He highlighted Texas's 2025 legislative changes, including Senate Bill 29, and the SEC's decision to allow mandatory arbitration provisions. Atkins also instructed SEC staff to explore changes to executive compensation and risk factor disclosures, inviting public comments.
Policy & regulationReform agendas & prioritiesCorporate governance
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2026-02-17•Russia•Central Bank of Russia
The Central Bank of Russia issued a consultation paper on regulating financial influencers, exploring a formal register and qualification requirements. It highlights concerns over social media's impact on retail financial decisions and potential stock price manipulation via Telegram. Proposed measures include content labelling to distinguish advertising and criteria for influencer activity, with considerations for liability regarding content quality and subscriber harm.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsConsumer and investor protection
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2026-02-17•Netherlands•Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets
The Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) released a report outlining four pillars for enhancing assurance on sustainability reporting under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). The report highlights improvements in quality management, capacity, and expertise by audit firms following AFM's 2023 exploratory work. AFM emphasizes the distinct nature of CSRD assurance, focusing on non-financial information and value chains, preparing for broader application from 2027.
Policy & regulationGuidance & interpretationAccounting and financial reporting
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2026-02-17•Romania•National Bank of Romania
The National Bank of Romania left its policy rate unchanged at 6.50% on 17 February, keeping the overnight lending/deposit facility at 7.50%/5.50% and reserve ratios steady, citing weak demand (GDP −1.9% q/q in Q4; 2025 growth 0.6%) and still-high but easing CPI (9.62% in January). It foresees gradual disinflation—with a Q2 bump and a sharper Q3 drop—bringing inflation inside target from mid-2027, but flagged fiscal, geopolitical and external-policy uncertainties.
Monetary policyPolicy rate decisionsMonetary policy decisions and developments
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2026-02-17•Sweden•Riksbank
The Riksbank's General Council allocated the 2025 profit of SEK 5,297 million, with SEK 973 million to the reserve fund and SEK 4,324 million to retained earnings. No distribution to the state will occur as equity remains below the statutory target of SEK 63,300 million, reaching SEK 28,342 million post-allocation. The decision awaits Swedish Parliament approval, with compliance verified by the Swedish National Audit Office.
Institutional developmentGovernanceAccounting and financial reporting
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2026-02-17•Sweden•Riksbank
Sweden's Riksbank reported on an external evaluation of its monetary policy from 2015 to 2024, highlighting lessons for future unconventional measures, data use, and interest-rate decision preparation. The Riksbank aims to enhance its asset purchase framework, improve micro data analysis, and broaden perspectives to avoid groupthink. The Executive Board supports increased fiscal-monetary information exchange and plans to publish a joint comment on the evaluation report in March.
Policy & regulationReform agendas & prioritiesMonetary policy decisions and developments
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2026-02-17•Tanzania•Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority
The Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority's Lake Zone office trained Heritage Insurance agents in Mwanza, urging them to boost insurance awareness and uptake. Acting Lake Zone manager Oyuke Phostine emphasized the sector's role in economic growth and social welfare, highlighting the need for professionalism and integrity among agents. He noted many residents remain unreached due to limited education and misinformation.
Financial literacy & educationFinancial inclusion
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2026-02-17•Jordan•Jordan Securities Commission
The Jordan Securities Commission held a workshop with the National Library on the 2025 Information and Document Indexing and Classification Regulation. The session addressed obligations under the amended Law on Guaranteeing the Right to Access Information, focusing on indexing, classification, and confidentiality requirements. Participants reviewed the regulation's provisions, including establishing an indexing and classification committee and related procedures.
Institutional developmentCooperation & capacity buildingOther
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2026-02-17•France•Bank of France
The Bank of France has joined the Services Publics+ programme to enhance its public services through eight service standards, focusing on simplicity, user proximity, transparency, and efficiency. It will utilize the "Je donne mon avis" channel for citizen feedback. This initiative complements the Bank's financial inclusion efforts, which assisted 2.1 million people in 2025, with a 93% satisfaction rate.
Policy & regulationImplementation, projects & pilotsOperational excellence
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2026-02-17•Colombia•Central Bank of Colombia
The Central Bank of Colombia released a paper analyzing natural resource funds' impact on subnational finances, focusing on the Price Savings and Stabilisation Fund (FAEP) and municipal data from 2000 to 2010. The study found that while extraordinary natural resource revenues increased municipalities' gross capital formation spending, this effect was mitigated for those in the FAEP. No significant effects were observed on operating expenditures or tax revenues.
ResearchMonetary policy decisions and developments
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2026-02-17•United States•New York State Department of Financial Services
The New York State Department of Financial Services settled with House of Prayer and Life, Inc. (Jericho Share), requiring it to cease unlicensed insurance operations in New York. Jericho must pay a USD 250,000 penalty, issue over USD 35,000 in refunds, and cancel all active contracts with New York members by March 19, 2026. The investigation revealed Jericho's products lacked comprehensive coverage and failed to meet financial reserve requirements, allocating only 10.6% to 12.5% of membership fees to medical costs, far below the 82% required by law.
EnforcementInvestigations & enforcement actionsUnlicensed or unauthorized activity
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2026-02-17•Global•International Monetary Fund
The IMF Executive Board concluded its 2025 Article IV consultation with Mozambique, noting subdued growth, fiscal and external imbalances, and elevated debt pressures. Directors endorsed a reform package focused on fiscal consolidation, exchange rate flexibility, and financial sector risk oversight. They recommended measures such as wage bill containment, tax base broadening, and improved debt management while protecting vulnerable groups.
Policy & regulationReform agendas & prioritiesEconomic data and developments
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2026-02-17•Global•Bank for International Settlements
BIS Bulletin No 121 examines AI's impact on productivity, growth, and labor markets in emerging economies. Advanced economies are better positioned for near-term gains, while emerging markets may see smaller benefits due to sectoral composition and uneven AI readiness. AI could boost productivity, but employment effects are uncertain, with potential negative impacts on low-skill jobs.
ResearchArtificial intelligence
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2026-02-17•Canada•Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario
The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario imposed administrative penalties of CAD 30,000 on Sabine Quattrociocchi and CAD 20,000 on Diamond Capital Investments Inc. for violations of Ontario’s mortgage brokering and administration licensing requirements. Quattrociocchi was penalized for unlicensed mortgage dealings and providing false information, while Diamond Capital was fined for administering mortgages without a licence.
EnforcementInvestigations & enforcement actionsUnlicensed or unauthorized activity
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2026-02-17•Oman•Oman Financial Services Authority
The Oman Financial Services Authority conducted a workshop with the Said Al Shahry Legal Training Center to enhance legal capabilities in alignment with regional and international standards. The program addressed legislative alignment, legal expertise deployment, and knowledge transfer methodologies. Discussions highlighted challenges in legislation drafting, legal opinions, contract review, and representation before judicial bodies.
Institutional developmentCooperation & capacity buildingCapacity building
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2026-02-17•Zambia•Zambia Securities & Exchange Commission
The Zambia Securities & Exchange Commission has issued Circular No. 1/2026/DMSD detailing the 2026 statutory submission deadlines for Capital Markets Operators under the Securities Act. The circular outlines due dates for various reports and returns, with potential supervisory action for non-compliance. Filing expectations are categorized by operator type, including specific requirements for dealers, investment advisers, and issuers.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsRegulatory reporting
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2026-02-17•Canada•Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions
The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) confirmed the continuation of the uninsured mortgage minimum qualifying rate stress test under Guideline B-20 and outlined its regulatory modernization agenda. Superintendent Peter Routledge highlighted the LTI flow limit as a backstop for new uninsured mortgages and discussed ongoing consultations on credit risk management and bank capital rules. OSFI is streamlining processes for Small and Medium-Sized Deposit-Taking Institutions and revising Capital Adequacy Requirements for various lending exposures.
Policy & regulationReform agendas & priorities
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2026-02-17•Saudi Arabia•Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority
The Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA) is accepting applications for the Saudi Economists Track under its SAMA Professional Program, offering scholarships for Saudis to pursue advanced economics degrees abroad. Eligibility requires Saudi citizenship, specific academic qualifications, and English proficiency, with age limits of 25 for bachelor's and 29 for master's degree holders. Selected candidates must complete a SAMA qualification programme in their first employment year.
Institutional developmentWorkforce & recruitmentLicence approval
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2026-02-17•Saudi Arabia•Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority
The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) has initiated a public consultation on draft Rules Regulating Cash Center Management and Operation, aiming to establish a framework of controls and standards for compliance. The consultation is hosted on the National Competitiveness Center’s Istitlaa platform.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsCurrency and cash management
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2026-02-17•India•Securities & Exchange Board of India
SEBI issued a circular detailing new application forms and certificates for stock broker and clearing member registration under the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Stock Brokers) Regulations, 2026. These forms replace those from the repealed 1992 regulations and require detailed member information, financials, and compliance undertakings. Effective from 7 January 2026, the circular mandates exchanges and clearing corporations to update their rules and notify members.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsLicence approval
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2026-02-17•San Marino•Central Bank of San Marino
The Central Bank of the Republic of San Marino (CBSM) refuted claims by San Marino Group S.r.l. (SMG) about its role in SMG's attempted acquisition of Banca di San Marino, denying involvement in creating an acquisition vehicle and rejecting assertions about contract submissions. CBSM clarified that its review of SMG's documentation was comprehensive and not influenced by media pressure, emphasizing that reputational requirements were unmet, leading to non-approval. CBSM dismissed allegations of liquidity issues at Banca di San Marino and reserved the right to seek legal recourse.
SupervisionOther
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2026-02-17•San Marino•Central Bank of San Marino
The Central Bank of San Marino has initiated a public consultation on a draft circular to update supervisory provisions on consolidated financial statements and the prudential regime for system securitization. The proposal aims to streamline disclosure requirements and introduce a minimum capital coverage backstop for originator banks exposed to junior and mezzanine asset-backed securities. Key amendments include changes to financial reporting templates and revisions to securitization capital coverage requirements.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsAccounting and financial reporting
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2026-02-17•Isle of Man•The Treasury (Isle of Man)
The Isle of Man Treasury has unveiled the 2026 Budget and a five-year financial plan, setting a revenue spending budget of GBP 1.47 billion for 2026/27. Key measures include a GBP 2,250 increase in personal tax allowance, a 4.8% uplift in Class 1 National Insurance thresholds, and an additional GBP 83 million investment in public services. The Treasury anticipates GBP 31 million in revenue from the 15% Domestic Top-up Tax on large multinational enterprises by March 2027.
Policy & regulationRules & requirements
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2026-02-17•Greece•Hellenic Capital Market Commission
The Hellenic Capital Market Commission and the Advertising Self-Regulation Council have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance investor protection against misleading commercial practices and improve advertising transparency in capital markets, particularly online. The cooperation includes joint initiatives, events, and ethical rule exploration, with a focus on influencer marketing and "finfluencers." The agreement is set for five years.
Policy & regulationCooperationConsumer and investor protection
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2026-02-17•Guernsey•Guernsey Financial Services Commission
The Guernsey Financial Services Commission has registered the island's first Natural Capital Fund under its regime for investment schemes benefiting the natural world. This fund will focus on habitat creation and ecological restoration projects, aligning with England's 2024 biodiversity net gain regulations. The regime is part of the Guernsey Sustainable Funds framework, alongside the Guernsey Green Fund.
SupervisionAuthorisations & approvalsLicence approval
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2026-02-17•Greece•Bank of Greece
The Bank of Greece reported a cash balance surplus of EUR 1,904 million for the central government's net borrowing requirement in January 2026, compared to EUR 560 million in January 2025. Ordinary budget revenue decreased to EUR 5,387 million from EUR 5,698 million, while expenditure dropped to EUR 4,064 million from EUR 5,488 million year-on-year.
Data & statisticsFinancial and market indicators
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2026-02-17•Gibraltar•Gibraltar Financial Services Commission
The Gibraltar Financial Services Commission has initiated a thematic review to evaluate compliance with Targeted Financial Sanctions requirements among regulated entities. The review aims to assess current frameworks, identify best practices, and enhance defences against financial crime. Phase 1 involves a comprehensive questionnaire, while Phase 2 will include onsite assessments of selected firms.
SupervisionReviews, inspections & stress testsAML and CFT
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2026-02-17•Georgia•National Bank of Georgia
The National Bank of Georgia's Governor, Natia Turnava, attended a high-level conference in Brussels on global economic trends and financial stability. Turnava highlighted Georgia's strong economic growth, stable inflation, and increased international reserves, with net foreign exchange purchases exceeding USD 2.4 billion in 2025 and reserves reaching USD 6.3 billion. She also noted the financial sector's resilience and the expanding use of innovative technologies by banks.
Monetary policyMonetary policy assessments & outlooksMonetary policy decisions and developments
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2026-02-17•Russia•Central Bank of Russia
The Central Bank of Russia proposes streamlining securities issuance by limiting its registration role to potentially risky instruments, while maintaining issuer disclosure and investor protection. Key proposals include exempting certain non-public share issues and "plain vanilla" bonds from registration, with exchanges verifying compliance. The initiative aims to reduce issuance costs and time, enhancing companies' access to capital markets.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsSecurities offerings and listings
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2026-02-17•Türkiye•Insurance and Private Pension Regulation and Supervision Agency of Türkiye
The Insurance and Private Pension Regulation and Supervision Agency of Türkiye is advancing its action programme to prevent exploitation in traffic accident claims by entities posing as "claims consultants" or "claims intermediaries." The initiative includes the Smart Expert Assignment System to streamline value loss compensation and planned amendments to traffic insurance terms for fairer, quicker compensation aligned with judicial precedents.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsFraud and scams
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2026-02-17•Liberia•Central Bank of Liberia
The Central Bank of Liberia, in remarks at a signing ceremony, announced a memorandum of understanding with the Bank of Ghana on capacity building and technical cooperation for its staff. The agreement covers training, technical attachments, joint research and knowledge sharing in areas including supervision, payments, monetary policy, financial stability, cybersecurity and central bank operations. The bank said it will now implement the memorandum’s provisions.
Institutional developmentCooperation & capacity buildingCapacity buildingDomestic cooperation
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2026-02-17•Sweden•Finansinspektionen
The Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority announced a new law criminalizing financial activities conducted without required authorization or registration, effective 1 March 2026. Penalties include fines and imprisonment up to six years for gross intentional offences. The Authority is mandated to report suspected offences to prosecutors, though the law does not alter existing authorization or registration requirements.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsLicensing framework and process
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2026-02-17•Spain•Bank of Spain
The Bank of Spain reported a decrease in the Spanish general government debt ratio to 100.8% of GDP in December 2025, down 0.9 percentage points from the previous year, with nominal EDP debt rising 4.8% to EUR 1.699 trillion. State debt increased by 5.1% to EUR 1.549 trillion, while Social Security debt rose 7.9% to EUR 136 billion, attributed to State loans to the General Treasury of Social Security. Figures are preliminary and subject to revision.
Data & statisticsBalance of payments and other external statistics
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2026-02-17•Spain•Bank of Spain
Bank of Spain Governor José Luis Escrivá emphasized institutional quality's importance for economic growth and social well-being, announcing a Global Trends and Institutions Analysis Office. He highlighted a strong link between government effectiveness and GDP per capita in Europe, noting no correlation with government size. The speech underscored governance principles like management autonomy, long-term orientation, and meritocracy, citing examples like the National Transplant Organization and the Catalan scientific ecosystem.
Institutional developmentMandate & organizational structureOther
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2026-02-17•United Kingdom•Financial Conduct Authority
The Financial Conduct Authority issued Consultation Paper CP26/6 to reform the UK securitisation conduct framework, shifting from prescriptive requirements to a principles-based regime to ease compliance for investors and manufacturers. Key proposals include removing investor obligations to verify manufacturers' compliance, simplifying reporting templates, and introducing L-shaped risk retention. The consultation closes on 18 May 2026, with final rules expected in H2 2026.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsSecuritization
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2026-02-17•Maldives•Maldives Monetary Authority
The Maldives Monetary Authority will issue new MVR 100 notes from the Ran Dhihafaheh series and a new print run of the MVR 20 note starting 17 February 2026 to address increased cash demand and replace damaged notes. Both denominations, signed by Governor Ahmed Munawar, feature the Maldivian rufiyaa symbol and will circulate alongside existing notes.
Monetary policyMonetary policy instruments & operationsCurrency and cash management
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2026-02-17•Kazakhstan•Astana Financial Services Authority
The Astana Financial Services Authority has introduced a Class Modification for FinTech Lab applicants, moving from a two-stage to a single-stage authorisation process to expedite regulatory sandbox admission. The new approach assesses business model eligibility, proposed candidates, and resources, while requiring submission of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing policies. Participants can offer services after establishing satisfactory internal controls.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsRegulatory sandbox
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2026-02-17•Global•Bank for International Settlements
The BIS Innovation Hub, Deutsche Bundesbank, and ECB released a Project Spectrum report on using generative AI for inflation nowcasting by automating product classification in high-frequency price data. The embedding-based approach significantly reduces processing time and costs compared to direct GPT-5 prompting. Future steps involve testing on additional datasets and languages and conducting historical back-tests against official inflation series.
ResearchArtificial intelligence
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2026-02-17•Sweden•Finansinspektionen
The Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority (Finansinspektionen, FI) is contacting licensed consumer credit institutions about their plans following a law change eliminating the consumer credit institution category. Effective July 2025, only banks and credit market companies can grant or intermediate consumer credit, with existing institutions required to transition by 31 July 2026. FI will use responses to manage processing capacity and ensure non-compliant firms cease operations.
SupervisionAuthorisations & approvalsLicensing framework and process
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2026-02-17•Morocco•Moroccan Capital Markets Authority
The Moroccan Capital Markets Authority issued a registration notice for CFG Bank's update to its certificates of deposit programme information dossier.
SupervisionRegulatory reportingOther
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2026-02-17•Global•Bank for International Settlements - Innovation Hub
The Bank for International Settlements Innovation Hub, Deutsche Bundesbank, and European Central Bank released a report on Project Spectrum, showcasing an embedding-based approach for classifying high-frequency product descriptions for inflation analysis. This method significantly reduces compute time and cost compared to large language models, achieving comparable accuracy. Future steps involve testing on diverse datasets and benchmarking CPI indices against official inflation series.
ResearchArtificial intelligence
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2026-02-17•Egypt•Egypt Financial Regulatory Authority
The Egypt Financial Regulatory Authority has set licensing requirements for futures contracts brokerage, including financial resources, governance, technical readiness, risk management, and client-protection controls. Applicants need a minimum issued and fully paid-up cash capital of EGP 50 million, must follow ownership structure rules, and meet operational and governance criteria. Existing licensed firms have three months to comply, with possible extensions subject to approval.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsLicensing framework and process
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2026-02-17•Egypt•Egypt Financial Regulatory Authority
Egypt's Prime Minister appointed Hamdy Mahmoud Badawy as Assistant Chairman of the Egypt Financial Regulatory Authority. Badawy brings over 26 years of experience in financial crime investigation, including leadership roles in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing. He has also served as Deputy Assistant Chairman and is an accredited lecturer at the authority's Financial Services Institute.
Institutional developmentLeadership change & appointmentsLeadership change and appointments
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2026-02-17•Chile•Chile Financial Market Commission
The Chile Financial Market Commission sanctioned Banco Security, now Banco Bice, with a UF 234 fine for breaching the General Banking Act and reserve requirements. The bank operated with a USD 830,303 foreign exchange reserve deficit from March 9 to April 8, 2025, without taking timely corrective measures. The CMF emphasized the importance of maintaining required reserves to meet client obligations.
EnforcementInvestigations & enforcement actionsLiquidity risk
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2026-02-17•Chile•Chile Financial Market Commission
The Chile Financial Market Commission has launched a second public consultation on rules for savings and credit cooperatives to reimburse affiliates' participation shares under exceptional conditions. The proposal requires cooperatives to meet criteria, including a solvency index above 21% and no losses in the previous fiscal year, and excludes those using Central Bank of Chile financing. The draft also introduces fast-track authorisation elements and mandates monthly financial reporting.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsAccounting and financial reporting
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2026-02-17•Chile•Chile Financial Market Commission
The Chile Financial Market Commission sanctioned Seguros Generales Suramericana S.A. for using unregistered sales agents to market insurance policies. A UF 100 fine was imposed under Resolution No. 1,771 for breaching Article 57 of the Insurance Law and General Rule No. 471, involving at least 5,349 policies sold by 155 unregistered agents between July 2023 and June 2025.
EnforcementInvestigations & enforcement actionsSales and distribution
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2026-02-17•United States•Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
The United States Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) seeks comments on a proposed rule to revise appeals procedures for OCC-supervised entities. Key changes include establishing an appeals board, expanding the Ombudsman’s role, adopting a de novo review standard, and enhancing anti-retaliation measures.
Policy & regulationRules & requirementsComplaints and dispute resolution
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2026-02-17•United States•Federal Reserve Board
The Federal Reserve Board's FEDS Note extends the FLARE stress testing model to simulate a system-wide funding shock from higher uninsured deposit costs, using 2024 stagflation and severely adverse scenarios. Profitability and capital are most affected in high interest rate environments, with moderate impacts on aggregate regulatory capital ratios. Banks with market-adjusted Common Equity Tier 1 (MACET1) ratios of 7% or less face increased costs, with sensitivity tests indicating significant impacts on banking system CET1 and MACET1 ratios.
SupervisionReviews, inspections & stress testsLiquidity riskStress testing
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2026-02-17•Kuwait•Kuwait Capital Markets Authority
The Kuwait Capital Markets Authority granted National Investments Company a private marketing licence for Islamic Leasing and Finance Fund 12 KD Ltd, a Cayman Islands investment scheme. The licence allows marketing 500,000 shares at KWD 100 each, with a subscription commission up to 2.25%. The offering is limited to professional clients in Kuwait, with subscriptions handled by National Investments Company and National Bank of Kuwait.
SupervisionAuthorisations & approvalsSecurities offerings and listings
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2026-02-17•Kuwait•Kuwait Capital Markets Authority
The Kuwait Capital Markets Authority has renewed Kuwait Financial Centre Company's licence to operate as a securities custodian for three years, effective from 15 May 2026. This decision follows the firm's application and references its existing licence and relevant regulations. The renewal will be published in the Official Gazette.
SupervisionAuthorisations & approvals
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2026-02-17•United States•Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Commodity Futures Trading Commission Chair Michael S. Selig stated in an op-ed that prediction markets, or "event contracts," fall under the CFTC's exclusive jurisdiction. The agency plans to support Crypto.com in appealing state lawsuits classifying these contracts as gambling, potentially restricting access to federally regulated markets. Selig emphasized that event contracts are "swaps" under the Commodity Exchange Act, with the CFTC holding comprehensive authority and enforcing federal safeguards.
Policy & regulationGuidance & interpretationOther
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2026-02-17•Global•Network for Greening the Financial System
The Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS) issued a notice on its Phase V long-term climate scenarios, highlighting the retraction of the Kotz et al. (2024) paper, affecting certain physical risk estimates. The notice clarifies that other Phase V variables and earlier scenarios remain unaffected and emphasizes the importance of firms' own risk management. NGFS plans to update its methodology for the next scenario release in late 2026.
Policy & regulationGuidance & interpretationClimate risk and sustainable finance
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2026-02-17•Norway•Norwegian Finanstilsynet
The Norwegian Financial Supervisory Authority imposed a NOK 500,000 penalty on an individual for breaching the Market Abuse Regulation's prohibition on market manipulation. The individual was found to have manipulated stock prices of Nordic Unmanned ASA and Questerre Energy Corporation by publishing favorable articles and selling shares shortly after. The decision has been appealed to the Financial Supervisory Authority Appeals Board.
EnforcementInvestigations & enforcement actionsMarket abuse
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2026-02-17•Norway•Norwegian Finanstilsynet
The Norwegian Financial Supervisory Authority has imposed a NOK 3 million penalty for breaching the prohibition on market manipulation under Article 15 of the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The decision cites manipulative transaction patterns and the absence of "accepted market practices" in Norway. The penalty has been appealed to the Financial Supervisory Authority’s Complaints Board.
EnforcementInvestigations & enforcement actionsMarket abuse