The Bank of Finland reported that Finnish card payments rose 6% by value to EUR 20.6 billion and 4% by number to 680 million in the second quarter of 2026. Remote payments reached EUR 6 billion, while contactless payments accounted for 47% of total card payment value.
The Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway found that BDO breached audit law in its 2025 audit of a public-interest entity. Deficiencies concerned revenue-completeness testing, evidence supporting the valuation of a material intangible asset and professional skepticism, with a related weakness in the engagement quality review.
The Algeria Market Authority published notice of a Banque de Développement Local SPA shareholder meeting scheduled for Sept. 7, 2026, at the bank’s headquarters in Staouéli, Algiers.
Mohand Bourai has taken office as governor of the Central Bank of Algeria following his appointment by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
The Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway identified shortcomings in Kredinor’s client money handling, claim specifications, default interest calculations and ICT controls. Kredinor has begun corrective work and plans an enterprise-level contingency exercise by the end of 2026.
The Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority is assessing financial firms’ use and management of AI, including the impact of the EU AI Act. A targeted survey of a broad range of supervised firms will address emerging uses and risks, including operational resilience and cybersecurity.
The Thailand Securities and Exchange Commission approved principles to strengthen oversight of stablecoin transactions through licensed digital asset operators and plans a public consultation in September 2026. The proposals would restrict transfers to verified customer-owned accounts or wallets and impose separate THB 5 million daily limits on inbound and outbound transfers, subject to an exception for qualifying transfers between supervised operators. They would also tighten standards for market makers, liquidity providers and off-platform transactions.
The National Bank of the Republic of Tajikistan discussed stronger banking and financial ties with Kuwait, including direct institutional links and correspondent banking relationships. The talks also covered cooperation on technology, cybersecurity, compliance, insurance, artificial intelligence and Islamic finance.
The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic fined a citizen KGS 17,500 for conducting unlicensed cash foreign currency exchange operations.
Dubai International Financial Centre announced that Carmignac has opened its first Middle East office after receiving authorization from the Dubai Financial Services Authority. Led by Christophe Younes, the office will develop the asset manager’s distribution and relationships with institutional and wealth investors across the United Arab Emirates and the wider region.
Bank Negara Malaysia held the Overnight Policy Rate at 2.75%, judging the stance consistent with price stability and sustainable growth. Malaysia’s economy is expected to grow around 5% in 2026, while headline and core inflation averaged 1.8% and 2.0%, respectively, in the first seven months.
The Central Bank of the Solomon Islands launched WG-CONNECT, an Alliance for Financial Inclusion alumni program for former working group members. It will preserve policy expertise and support continued participation through knowledge-sharing, mentoring and collaboration.
The Governor of the Central Bank of Solomon Islands has been appointed vice chair of the Pacific Islands Regional Initiative. The central bank will support regional work on financial inclusion while advancing domestic digital finance projects, including a unified QR code and preparations for the Bokolo Cash central bank digital currency.
The Council of Financial Regulators maintained that Australia’s financial system remains resilient despite elevated geopolitical, market and cyber risks, and backed unchanged macroprudential settings. Borrower stress remains limited, but authorities emphasized sound lending standards and stronger operational resilience. A payments cyber crisis coordination framework will be published shortly, alongside ongoing work on critical third-party and AI-enabled cyber risks.
The Reserve Bank of Australia designated Linfox Armaguard under the Cash Distribution Framework Act 2026, making it a regulated entity subject to the framework’s obligations and requirements.
The Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market of the Republic of Kazakhstan suspended Atyrau-Bolashak Credit Partnership’s microlending license for three months over regulatory breaches. The firm cannot enter into new agreements but must continue meeting its obligations under existing contracts.
The Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market of the Republic of Kazakhstan has proposed centralized disclosure of key OTC trade data and a consolidated view of exchange and OTC transactions under its draft 2026-2030 capital market program. Brokers and other professional participants would also apply a documented best execution standard based on the client’s overall result, with deferred reporting for large and block trades and a transition period for implementation.
A Bank of Korea study finds that Binance fiat-stablecoin pair listings reduce local stablecoin premiums and increase the transmission of stablecoin demand shocks to exchange rates. In Korea, where no Korean won pair is available, buying pressure mainly raises stablecoin premiums without a significant exchange-rate effect.
The Bank of Korea found that high-AI-exposure industries accounted for 268,000, or 94%, of Korea’s 285,000 decline in youth employment between June 2022 and June 2026. Losses were greater where AI was used for automation, while unemployment and employment exits also rose among highly exposed young workers. The note recommends apprenticeships, stronger support for workplace training and a better balance between technology and human capital incentives.
Samantha Barrass will leave her role as Chief Executive of the Financial Markets Authority immediately, with her suspension ending and Alastair Hercus becoming Acting Chief Executive. The separate investigation led by Paul Wicks KC will be folded into the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment investigation into workplace conduct and culture at the FMA.
The World Bank has outlined reforms to raise Thailand’s productivity and support its transition to high income status by 2037, requiring annual GDP per capita growth of 5.4 percent. Priorities include technology and skills, more competitive firms, five higher value industries and more productive cities.
The Reserve Bank of Australia is consulting on how RITS could support tokenised asset markets and private money, advancing wholesale settlement work identified through Project Acacia. A separate RBA-Treasury update reaffirmed that Australia’s retail payments system is working well and found no clear public interest case for a retail CBDC.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission reported that a former Beacon Minerals project manager received a 12-month insider trading sentence, with immediate release on an AUD 5,000 recognisance and a two-year good behavior requirement. He procured associates to buy 11 million shares while holding nonpublic drilling results that preceded a 33% share-price increase.
South Korea’s Ministry of Economy and Finance reviewed measures to contain the domestic economic and financial effects of continuing Middle East conflict risks. The response includes KRW 18.7 trillion in policy finance, KRW 10.5 trillion in market stabilization funding, energy supply measures and accelerated support for vulnerable households.
The Bank of Korea reported official foreign reserves of USD 442.3 billion at the end of August 2026, an increase of USD 14.3 billion from July. The rise largely reflected increases in securities and deposits.
The Indonesia Financial Services Authority and Indonesia’s Ministry of Health announced agreements linking five insurers with seven hospital networks or facilities. The arrangements advance health insurance coordination through standardized systems, faster administration and improved benefit delivery, complementing tighter requirements for health insurers introduced in 2026.
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority imposed licence conditions, higher liquidity requirements and an AUD 50 million capital add-on on ING Australia after reporting errors overstated its Liquidity Coverage Ratio. The bank’s actual ratio at times fell below the 100% minimum. The measures will remain until independent reviews and remediation are completed to APRA’s satisfaction.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission received 9,807 misconduct reports in the first half of 2026, with retail investor and governance issues accounting for more than four in five. Scams represented nearly one in five reports, while 170 reports directly assisted existing surveillance or investigations.
The Insurance Commission of The Bahamas trained police officers on insurance compliance, fraud detection and enforcement. The program covered investigative practices, financial crime controls, evidence preservation and coordination on insurance-related offenses.
The Insurance Commission of The Bahamas provided school supplies and recreational activities to more than 60 children. Participants came from the Diabetes Association of The Bahamas and All Saints Camp.
The Trinidad and Tobago Securities and Exchange Commission has launched an interactive online hub that centralizes financial and securities market statistics. It provides data on collective investment schemes, repurchase agreements, bond issues, market capitalization, over-the-counter transactions and private placements.
The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank has updated its economic reviews for all eight member countries and the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union. The reports incorporate revised 2025 data, first-quarter 2026 developments and updated projections for 2026 and 2027.
The Financial Superintendency of Colombia halted an unauthorized scheme through which Fundación FG – Administrador de Fideicomisos Civiles collected COP 9.49 billion from at least 318 people. Participants contributed at least COP 2.5 million and were offered annual returns of 18% to 28%, although the foundation was not authorized to manage collective investment funds. The matter was referred to the Superintendency of Companies and other authorities.
The Superintendency of Banks of Panama reported that International Banking Center deposits rose 7.37% year over year to USD 121.46 billion and net loans increased 4.88% to USD 104.33 billion through July 2026. External lending drove about 75% of loan growth, while legal liquidity of 58.48% and capital adequacy of 15.72% remained well above regulatory minimums.
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission granted no-action relief allowing ElectronX to file large trader reports for direct participants after it introduces intermediated trading. ElectronX must continue reporting for those participants and file clearing member reports for futures commission merchants serving non-direct participants. The relief expires upon the compliance date of any final commission action on the matter.
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network reissued its southwest border order requiring certain money services businesses in specified New Mexico and Texas ZIP codes to report and retain records of cash transactions from USD 1,000 to USD 10,000 and verify customer identities. The order runs from Sept. 3, 2026, through March 1, 2027, with an Oct. 3 compliance date for newly covered businesses.
Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets board member Jos Heuvelman was made an Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau at his farewell reception. The honor recognized more than 40 years of public service, including work on the pension transition and consumers’ financial resilience and literacy.
Mexico's National Commission for the Protection and Defense of Financial Services Users found that 72% of the population experiences high or moderate financial stress. High stress affects 42% of women, compared with 31% of men, and three-quarters of people earning up to one minimum wage report high or moderate stress.
The Qatar Financial Centre and AlRayan Bank agreed to expand banking and investment access for QFC firms and their employees. The partnership covers customized services, potential digital platform integration and cooperation on financial crime controls, Islamic finance and capital markets.
The Hellenic Capital Market Commission imposed administrative measures and EUR 47,000 in combined fines on Piraeus Asset Management Mutual AEDAK, Beta Securities and EKTER. The breaches concerned liquidity risk management, investment services and investor information, and compliance with IAS 24 and IFRS 11.
Peru's Superintendency of the Securities Market consolidated public offering registration requirements and reduced processing times across the general and advance regimes. The amendments clarify the automatic registration of nonfundamental variations and update issuer eligibility conditions for qualified entity status. The changes took effect on Aug. 29, 2026.
The Central Bank of Cuba has digitized the process for depositing capital to establish specified private businesses and nonagricultural cooperatives, removing the need to initiate applications at bank branches. Banks will automatically open deposit accounts after receiving online applications, while the framework also permits additional account types, including card-linked accounts. The rules take effect seven days after publication and replace the 2024 framework.
The Central Bank of Honduras clarified that some media figures for the lempira-US dollar exchange rate use an incorrect calculation of the depreciation rate. Its official selling rate rose by HNL 0.43 between Jan. 27 and Aug. 31, 2026, reaching HNL 27.0004 per US dollar.
Brazil Securities Commission Chair Otto Lobo discussed plans to modernize the regulator’s technology and strengthen supervisory and enforcement procedures against capital markets misconduct. The remarks formed part of an event on international cooperation and technology in combating financial crime.
The Reserve Bank of India has immediately ended two reporting requirements for Authorised Dealer Category-I banks. The changes cover annual branch lists for non-resident banks’ rupee accounts and certain temporary overdrafts by overseas branches or correspondents.
IFSCA reported that 20 GIFT IFSC banking units had sanctioned USD 54.02 billion under the RBI’s FCNR(B) swap facility by Aug. 31, 2026, with USD 52.82 billion disbursed. The units also disbursed USD 11.62 billion in external commercial borrowings from April through August, while Indian banks raised USD 11.12 billion through IFSC bond listings.
The Isle of Man Treasury is recruiting a new chair and board member for the Financial Services Authority, with terms expected to begin in early 2027. The appointees will help set the regulator’s strategic direction following the on-site phase of the Island’s MONEYVAL mutual evaluation.
The National Bank of the Republic of Tajikistan and UNICEF discussed joint financial skills initiatives for adolescents and young people, particularly those with physical disabilities. The cooperation could also support entrepreneurship, labor market readiness and broader financial inclusion.
The National Bank of Serbia hosted an EU expert mission reviewing legal and institutional safeguards for central bank independence. It has submitted draft legal amendments to the European Commission that are intended to support the bank’s full integration into the European System of Central Banks upon Serbia’s accession to the EU.
Central Bank of Iceland minutes detail the Monetary Policy Committee’s split decision to raise the key rate by 0.25 percentage points to 8% in August. The majority cited above-target inflation, elevated expectations and second-round risks, while one member favored holding rates given weakening demand and growing labor market slack.
The Bank of Albania assessed the banking sector as resilient in the first half of 2026, with controlled risks and positive but lower year-over-year profits. It also strengthened advance disclosure of foreign exchange charges for card and online transfer transactions and simplified documentation rules for current transfers between residents and nonresidents. Anti-money laundering and counterterrorist financing documentation requirements remain in force.
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission finalized changes replacing clearing requirements for Canadian dollar CDOR and Mexican peso TIIE swaps with requirements based on CORRA and the Overnight TIIE Funding Rate. Covered maturities will be seven days to 30 years for CORRA swaps and 28 days to 21 years for Mexican peso swaps. The changes take effect 30 days after Federal Register publication.
Giuseppe Sopranzetti has joined the Central Bank of the Republic of San Marino’s Executive Board, replacing Francesco Ielpo.
The National Bank of Moldova has proposed detailed amendments expanding its open banking standard to legal entities, decoupled authentication and recurring payments. The draft supports fixed and variable recurring payments, with a MDL 2,000 cap for each variable payment, and adds standardized consent, status and dashboard requirements. Providers would generally have 16 months to comply after the decision takes effect, with two specified requirements due within six months.
The Bank for International Settlements presented an XRPL-based proof of concept that cryptographically links SDMx statistics to their publisher and enables independent integrity checks without placing data on-chain. Prototype publication took three to five seconds and verification one to two seconds under controlled conditions. The approach supports batching and other structured data formats but requires additional operational safeguards for production use.
The Federal Reserve Banks of Dallas and New York issued FAQs on their forthcoming voluntary survey of the U.S. private credit direct lending market. The survey is expected to launch after the third quarter of 2026, with aggregate findings anticipated in the first quarter of 2027.
The Mauritius Financial Services Commission is recruiting for four analyst roles covering cybersecurity, IT and business analysis, enforcement, and legal and data protection. The one-year appointments may become permanent subject to satisfactory performance, and applications close on Sept. 18, 2026.
The U.S. House Financial Services Committee examined the economic effects of the Trump administration’s financial services policies and regulatory reforms. Chairman French Hill called for regulatory changes to be codified and highlighted recent legislation on housing, capital markets, community financial institutions and financial innovation.
The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario published its September summary of key activities and communications from the previous month.
The Central Bank of Nicaragua reported that public deposits grew 14.4% and gross credit rose 11.7% year over year through July 2026. Capital adequacy reached 19.2%, while the past-due loan ratio increased to 1.4% from 1.1% a year earlier.
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network and US federal banking agencies clarified that SAR confidentiality does not bar banks and credit unions from discussing suspicious transactions, account restrictions or closures with customers. Institutions may share underlying facts and explain account actions but must not reveal that a SAR exists. The statement creates no new legal requirements or supervisory expectations.
The Central Bank of Chile warned that online content depicting its president promoting investment products or platforms is fraudulent. It does not request payments, credentials, banking details or personal information through links sent by email, messaging applications or social media.
Departing Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets board member Jos Heuvelman was appointed an Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau. The honor recognizes his contributions to financial market confidence, the pension transition and consumers’ financial resilience and literacy.
The Central Bank of Peru reported that consumer credit growth accelerated to 11.5% year over year in July 2026 from 10.6% in June. Lending rose 1.4% during the month to PEN 115.842 billion, with annual growth strengthening across vehicle loans, credit cards and other consumer credit.
Latvia’s Ministry of Finance is consulting on amendments that would limit mandatory sustainability reporting to companies and parent companies with net turnover above EUR 450 million and more than 1,000 employees. The thresholds would also apply to disclosures on material intangible resources, while voluntary reporters using European Commission standards would have to identify that reporting in their management reports.
The Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission will update the Reference Form’s ownership-position table and complete report format from Oct. 3, 2026. Existing information will transfer automatically into the new structure when companies resubmit the form.
INTERPOL brought together MENA police chiefs to advance regional coordination through its new Operational Task Force Model and develop joint operations for 2027. Delegates also reviewed Operation Ramz, a 13-country cyber operation that led to 201 arrests and identified 382 additional suspects.
The National Bank of Denmark reported that foreign exchange reserves fell by DKK 6 billion to DKK 693.6 billion in August 2026, reflecting net foreign exchange sales of DKK 6.2 billion. Market intervention accounted for DKK 5.6 billion of those sales, while banks’ and mortgage credit institutions’ net position with the central bank declined by DKK 25.5 billion.
The Guernsey Financial Services Commission has reported amended details for four Russia sanctions listings, all of which remain in force. Businesses must screen for affected relationships, freeze relevant assets and submit required reports to the Policy & Resources Committee and, where applicable, the Commission.
The Thailand Securities and Exchange Commission imposed a THB 11.6 million payment, a six-month trading suspension and a 12-month management bar on Khajornkiat Ung-aram for manipulating MBAX shares. The regulator found that he used large, layered buy orders and dominant bids to mislead investors about demand and influence the share price.
European Central Bank Banking Supervision Chair Claudia Buch outlined further steps to simplify supervision and integrate EU banking markets without weakening capital safeguards. The ECB will discontinue around 40 guidance documents, halve data points in the next EU-wide stress test and apply more targeted supervisory processes. Buch also backed a European deposit insurance scheme and simpler macroprudential buffers while rejecting capital deregulation as a growth strategy.
The Superintendency of Banks of the Dominican Republic reported that financial system assets rose 12.6% year over year to DOP 4.47 trillion. The system maintained an 18.71% solvency ratio, while net profit increased 15.8% to DOP 49.71 billion. Nonperforming loans stood at 1.89%, with provision coverage of 168%.
The Bank of Mauritius, Mauritius Credit Information Bureau counters and the central bank’s museum will close at 2 p.m. on September 3, 2026. Customers should plan transactions accordingly.
The Central Bank of Kuwait announced the death of former Governor Hamza Abbas Hussein, who served from 1973 to 1983.
The Kuwait Capital Markets Authority authorized Kuwait Financial Centre Company to privately market 45,000 shares in Cayman Islands-based MKZ Development 61 Company. The shares may be offered only to professional clients at USD 1,000 each, under a one-year license commencing after certification and fee payment.
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe warned consumers against unlicensed remittance and other financial service providers, citing risks including fraud, loss of funds, criminal misuse and legal penalties. Consumers should verify licences, use registered ADLAs or banks and report suspected illegal operators.
The Bank of Canada held its overnight rate target at 2.25%, with the Bank Rate at 2.5% and deposit rate at 2.20%, as economic activity and inflation broadly matched its July outlook. It noted increased upside inflation risks and greater growth uncertainty from energy prices, new U.S. tariffs and Canadian countermeasures.
The Reserve Bank of India has allowed urban co-operative banks to acquire equity in the Indian Digital Payment Intelligence Corporation where required for membership. The amendments to UCB investment portfolio rules took effect upon issuance.
The Reserve Bank of India has replaced existing natural calamity relief reporting with a half-yearly return through the Centralised Information Management System portal for a broad range of regulated entities. Returns are due by October 30 and April 30, while the previous monthly return for specified scheduled commercial banks was discontinued effective July 1, 2026.
The Bank of Canada scheduled publication of Tiff Macklem's press conference opening statement for 9:45 a.m. ET, with no substantive content yet provided.
People's Bank of China Governor Pan Gongsheng discussed the global economic outlook and bilateral financial cooperation with international counterparts during the Group of 20 finance ministers and central bank governors meeting.
Angola's Ministry of Finance has detailed BDA agreements with eight commercial banks to trace funds disbursed for financed projects and verify their use for approved purposes. The arrangements also support stronger internal controls and financial crime safeguards, subject to data protection, bank secrecy and information security requirements.
Bank Indonesia announced the swearing-in of Destry Damayanti as governor, Aida S. Budiman as senior deputy governor and Solikin M. Juhro as deputy governor. Each appointment carries a five-year term.
Argentina plans to tender another 12,000 kilometers of national roads, beginning with 6,000 kilometers, and will propose eliminating national, provincial and municipal taxes on the projects. Economy Minister Luis Caputo also reiterated the government’s focus on fiscal and monetary discipline, competition and private investment.
The Central Bank of Luxembourg set the reserve requirement for July 29 to Sept. 15, 2026, at EUR 6.869 billion, EUR 48 million below the previous period.
The Central Bank of Luxembourg reported that banks’ aggregate balance sheet fell 1.52% in July 2026 to EUR 1.035 trillion, mainly because of lower interbank claims, but remained 5.83% higher year on year. Non-bank lending and resident non-bank deposits declined during the month while both increased over the preceding 12 months.
Uzbekistan's Ministry of Economy and Finance argued that pensions should better reflect official employment and social tax contributions across a person's working life. It highlighted fairness and manipulation risks under the current calculation based on the highest five consecutive salary years within the final 10 years, but did not propose a specific replacement formula.
The Central Bank of Russia reported faster lending growth and stronger-than-expected bank earnings in the second quarter of 2026. It raised its full-year net profit forecast to RUB 3.9–4.4 trillion and its client funds growth forecast to 7–12%, while leaving its business, mortgage and consumer credit forecasts unchanged.
The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic provided financial literacy training on banking, savings and the national currency, alongside guidance on preventing youth involvement in fraud and money mule activity and using Tunduk’s voluntary credit self-ban feature.
The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic’s Talas Regional Office held a men’s and women’s interbank volleyball tournament from Aug. 20 to 26, involving more than 150 employees from commercial bank branches and the regional office, with diplomas awarded to the winners.
The National Bank of the Republic of Tajikistan completed a TJS 4.14 billion securities auction. Bid yields ranged from 6% to 7%, with a weighted average of 6.5%.
The National Bank of the Republic of Tajikistan has issued commemorative Au 999 gold and Ag 925 silver coins marking 35 years of independence. Their designs feature the state emblem, the dates 1991-2026, the Independence Complex and representations of the country’s natural resources and infrastructure.
The National Bank of Serbia reported that online purchases increased 28.5% year over year to 34.2 million in the second quarter of 2026. Dinar payments represented 71.5% of the total, while the number of domestic online stores rose 21.4% to 6,278.
The Bank of Greece reported broadly stable average rates on new deposits and loans in July 2026 at 0.39% and 4.67%, leaving the spread unchanged at 4.28 percentage points. The average rate on outstanding loans rose to 4.81%, widening its spread over outstanding deposit rates to 4.44 percentage points.
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly appointed Tarek Seif as deputy chairman of the Financial Regulatory Authority for one year. Mohamed El-Sayyad was reappointed to the same role for a further one-year term.
Egypt's Financial Regulatory Authority ordered the Egyptian Compulsory Motor Insurance Pool to expedite compensation following a bus crash that killed 16 people and injured 28. Families are eligible for EGP 100,000 per death, while injury payments will be based on medically assessed disability and remain subject to policy validity and documentation requirements.
De Nederlandsche Bank has submitted a position paper on tax barriers affecting the housing market. Acting division director Sophie Steins Bisschop represented the central bank at a Dutch House of Representatives roundtable on the issue.
A National Bank of Belgium study finds that manufacturing energy use has fallen by about one-sixth since the turn of the century, mainly because activity shifted toward less energy-intensive sectors rather than through broad efficiency gains. Recent declines also reflect pressure on energy-intensive industries, while high electricity prices, grid constraints and conversion costs continue to impede electrification.
De Nederlandsche Bank has submitted a position paper on tax barriers affecting the housing market. The central bank is also participating in a Dutch House of Representatives roundtable on the issue.
De Nederlandsche Bank relocated about 86 tonnes of gold from New York and Ottawa to London to improve its tradability and crisis availability. The total reserve remains unchanged at 612.4 tonnes, while the United States and Canada now each hold 18.5%.