The Bank of the Lao hosted a courtesy visit from the International Bank for Economic Cooperation (IBEC) delegation, led by Management Board Chairman Denis Ivavnov. Discussions focused on strengthening cooperation and exploring potential areas for expanded collaboration between the two institutions.
The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis appointed Jacqueline Galligan as assistant vice president of Supervision, Regulation, and Credit. She will lead the People, Process, and Technology teams, oversee the Statistical and Structure Reporting business line, and manage the division's budget. Galligan joined the Bank in 2011 and has experience in organizational change management and product management support.
Peru's Superintendency of Banking, Insurance and Private Pension Funds (SBS) amended regulations to enhance consumer protections for credit life insurance linked to loans. The amendments restrict mandatory insurance to housing mortgage loans and require institutions to offer alternatives for other credit products, ensuring transparency in premium costs. Additionally, institutions must develop policies to support access for persons with disabilities.
The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis appointed Daniel From as assistant vice president of Federal Reserve Financial Services. In this System-wide role, he will oversee teams testing financial transaction products and services. From has 14 years of experience at the bank, focusing on IT strategy and cross-functional projects.
Peru's Superintendency of Banking, Insurance and Pension Fund Administrators (SBS) will host World Savings Week from 17 to 23 March, focusing on financial education under the theme “Be careful who you follow, protect your money.” The initiative emphasizes critical judgement and self-protection in digital finance, addressing fraud prevention and data safeguarding through over 300 activities nationwide.
The Austrian National Bank (OeNB) has launched a financial education challenge for school classes during Global Money Week 2025, encouraging students to create social media posts on financial literacy to win EUR 300. Aligned with the OECD's theme "Think before you follow, wise money tomorrow!", it focuses on evaluating digital financial offers and managing AI-related risks. Additionally, the OeNB will host events with Austria’s Federal Ministry of Finance, including workshops on inflation and a financial education day for upper secondary students.
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority has enhanced the Superannuation Data Transformation project resources by adding ten new and revising two existing frequently asked questions, along with publishing two new worked examples on its website.
The International Association of Deposit Insurers (IADI) has surpassed 100 members following the approval of five new memberships, including entities from Germany, Malta, Mauritania, North Macedonia, and the Virgin Islands. IADI highlights this milestone as reinforcing its role as a global standard-setter and a forum for cooperation on effective deposit insurance systems.
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority alerted about fraudulent websites and internet banking login screens reported by Shanghai Commercial Bank Limited. HKMA stressed that banks won't send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks for transactions or request sensitive personal information. Individuals who interacted with these sites should contact the bank and report to the Hong Kong Police Force’s Crime Wing Information Centre.
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) alerted about fraudulent websites and internet banking login screens reported by China Construction Bank (Asia) Corporation Limited. The HKMA stressed that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks for transactions or request sensitive information through these channels. Affected individuals should contact the bank and report to the Hong Kong Police Force’s Crime Wing Information Centre.
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) issued an alert about fraudulent websites and internet banking login screens related to The Bank of East Asia, Limited. The HKMA reminded customers that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks for transactions or request sensitive information by phone, email, or SMS. Affected individuals are advised to contact the bank and report to the Hong Kong Police Force.
The UK Parliament’s Treasury Committee endorsed the appointments of Andrea Enria and David Soanes to the Bank of England’s Prudential Regulation Committee, affirming their professional competence and personal independence. Enria will join following the Governor's appointment, and Soanes has been appointed by the Chancellor as an external member.
The Bank for International Settlements' paper analyzes geopolitics and major-central-bank monetary policy impacts on cross-border lending. Rising geopolitical tensions reduce lending and enhance monetary policy transmission, especially during policy tightening. UN voting disagreements and sanctions have the most significant effects, with geopolitical factors accounting for about half of the residual lending variation.
The European Central Bank's Working Paper No 3036 examines how physical climate risk affects banks’ residential mortgage rates, finding higher rates for properties in high-risk areas. Covering mortgages from 2010 to 2023 in eight euro area countries, the study reveals significant pricing differences based on banks' integration of climate risk into credit management. The paper suggests further embedding climate risk in credit processes and continued supervisory follow-up.
The European Central Bank updated its wage tracker for collective bargaining agreements, showing negotiated wage growth of 4.7% in 2024 and 3.3% in 2025, indicating easing wage pressures. Alternative measures show variations in growth rates depending on the treatment of one-off payments. The ECB emphasizes that the forward-looking component is not a forecast and may change with new agreements.
South Africa's Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) released a report on investment providers' integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations. It identifies challenges like regulatory uncertainty, inconsistent ESG ratings, and greenwashing risks. The FSCA is considering further measures, including enhanced transparency and refined ESG disclosure guidelines.
The Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina's 2024 annual report highlights growth in card transactions, with 2,585,419 active cards and a 13.76% increase in transaction value to BAM 18.43 billion. Debit cards dominate, accounting for 83.37% of active cards, and 68% of transactions occurred at ATMs. The report also notes a rise in acceptance infrastructure, with 1,767 ATMs and 35,035 POS terminals installed.
The Brazilian Pension Funds Authority (PREVIC) authorized EletrobrasPrev, a new closed supplementary pension entity sponsored by Centrais Elétricas Brasileiras S.A. (Eletrobras). EletrobrasPrev aims to consolidate five existing pension entities with a combined social patrimony exceeding BRL 40 billion. Future requests for mergers or migrations into EletrobrasPrev will be assessed separately, ensuring asset protection for participants and beneficiaries.
The Vietnam State Securities Commission's Securities Research and Training Center in Ho Chi Minh City is offering a corporate governance certificate course in April 2025 for managers of public companies in southern Vietnam. The course supports compliance with Decree 155/2020/ND-CP and covers general corporate governance, international standards, and Vietnam's legal framework. Tuition is VND 3,500,000 per participant, with registration via bank transfer.
The Vietnam State Securities Commission requires individuals listed in an attached notice to pay a VND 1,000,000 fee for re-issuance of a securities practising certificate, as per the Ministry of Finance’s Circular 25/2022/TT-BTC. Payments can be made via bank transfer to VietinBank or Vietcombank, or directly at the Commission. Failure to complete the procedure within one year will result in certificate cancellation.
The Vietnam State Securities Commission mandates individuals listed in an attached schedule to pay a VND 1,000,000 fee for re-issuance of a securities practising certificate, as per Ministry of Finance Circular 25/2022/TT-BTC. Payment can be made via bank transfer or directly to the Commission. Failure to complete the procedure within one year will result in certificate cancellation.
The Italian Institute for Insurance Supervision (IVASS) has ordered the cessation of unauthorized insurance intermediation by four websites and initiated their blocking in Italy. This action brings the total number of blocked sites to 216 since November 2023. IVASS advises consumers to verify the legitimacy of insurance offers and intermediaries through its registers before making payments.
The Brazil Securities Commission (CVM) reported fines totaling BRL 1,052,847,582.74 in 2024, marking the highest level in recent years. The CVM Board judged 94 Administrative Sanctioning Proceedings (PAS), sanctioning 176 individuals and acquitting 150, with 32 proceedings closed through Terms of Commitment. In Q4, the Board judged 35 proceedings, resulting in 60 fines, six bans, three warnings, and one disqualification, while preventive actions included 125 warning letters and two stop orders.
Brazil Securities Commission (CVM) announced its Global Money Week Brazil 2025 schedule, featuring free talks, workshops, and debates from 17 to 23 March under the theme “Think before you follow, your financial future will thank you for reflecting.” The programme includes webinars on financial behavior and risks, live sessions on memecoin offers, and discussions on engaging youth in financial education, emphasizing "finfluencers" and AI in evaluating information reliability.
The German Bundesbank has initiated a nationwide event series, "Bits & Bargeld – how will we pay tomorrow?", to discuss the future of payments amid digitalisation and changing consumer behavior. Executive Board member Burkhard Balz highlighted the European Central Bank's work on a digital euro as a complementary payment method to cash. The series begins with a panel discussion on 13 March 2025 in Heidelberg.
The Central Bank of Estonia reported net EUR 845 million in direct investment in 2024, with significant inflows from the Netherlands, Brazil, and Germany. Dividend payments to foreign owners surged as companies advanced distributions ahead of a dividend tax increase, with EUR 453 million paid in Q4. The current account posted a surplus of EUR 153.5 million, supported by strong foreign trade and a services account surplus of EUR 726 million.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore and the State Securities Commission of Viet Nam have exchanged a Letter of Intent to enhance regulatory collaboration on capital markets and digital asset frameworks. This includes information sharing, supervisory experience exchange, and mutual approaches to anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing. The exchange was witnessed by Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Communist Party of Vietnam General Secretary To Lam.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore, Singapore Police Force, and Cyber Security Agency issued a joint advisory on AI deepfake scams. These involve unsolicited WhatsApp messages leading to manipulated Zoom calls impersonating executives for fund transfers and personal information. Businesses should verify communications, confirm fund transfers through established channels, and report incidents to banks and police.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore and the State Bank of Viet Nam have upgraded their Memorandum of Understanding on Financial Innovation to enhance bilateral cooperation. The agreement includes joint digital innovation projects, promotion of payment connectivity, and support for FinTech operations. It also facilitates cross-border retail payment connectivity using QR codes.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) commented on Chocolate Finance's compliance with asset segregation requirements, following a joint statement by Chocolate Finance and Allfunds. MAS emphasized that digital advisors must keep customer assets separate and held by licensed custodians. Chocolate Finance and Allfunds confirmed adherence to these requirements, and MAS is actively ensuring orderly customer withdrawals.
The South Korea Financial Services Commission reported a KRW 4.3 trillion increase in household loans for February 2025, reversing a KRW 0.9 trillion decline from the previous month, driven by accelerated home mortgage lending. Banking-sector mortgages rose to KRW 3.5 trillion, while nonbank mortgage growth remained stable at KRW 1.5 trillion. The FSC attributed the rise to new credit issuance plans and increased housing transactions, while expressing concerns over potential housing price increases in Seoul and committing to monitor and manage household debt and market trends.
The Central Bank of Paraguay has launched its seventh student video competition, focused this year on “Savings as a healthy habit.” Entries from eligible third-year secondary students will be accepted from May 1 to July 31, 2025, and the contest offers PYG 22.8 million in cash prizes for students and teacher tutors.
The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) warned that Hero Life Insurance is not licensed in Ontario and advised against purchasing its products. Reports allege Hero Life Insurance is impersonating licensed agents and pressuring consumers for personal information. FSRA clarified that Hero Life Insurance is not affiliated with InsuranceHero.ca and urged potential fraud victims to contact police and verify credentials through FSRA and RIBO.
The International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) released a Consultation Report on AI in capital markets, detailing its deployment, risks, and supervisory challenges. The report identifies AI's growing role in decision-support and compliance, associated risks, and varying regulatory approaches. IOSCO seeks public feedback to inform potential regulatory tools and will continue international coordination on AI-related risks.
The Securities and Exchange Commission, Thailand, with the Stock Exchange of Thailand, the Australian Embassy, and UN Women, hosted the Ring the Bell for ALL Women and Girls event to promote gender equality. The SEC emphasized integrating environmental, social, and governance goals in business, highlighting workplace inclusion and women's leadership. By year-end 2024, 28% of listed companies had at least 30% women board members, with discussions on barriers to women-owned businesses and leadership opportunities for young women.
The Moroccan Capital Market Authority approved Itissalat Al Maghrib's prospectus for a share buyback programme, allowing up to 1,500,000 shares, or 0.17% of its share capital. The programme sets a maximum purchase price of MAD 145 and a minimum selling price of MAD 61 per share, running from 11 April 2025 to 9 October 2026. The prospectus will be published in a legal announcements newspaper and on relevant websites, pending authorisation at the ordinary general meeting on 27 March 2025.
The Bank of England appointed Sarah John as Chief Operating Officer, succeeding Ben Stimson, who will become CEO of Southern Coop. Victoria Cleland will assume the Chief Cashier role while continuing as Executive Director for Payments, a position she previously held from 2014 to 2018.
The U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs held a hearing on housing affordability. Chairman Tim Scott advocated for deregulation and increased state and local control to boost housing supply. Scott highlighted his ROAD to Housing Act, aiming to reduce regulatory barriers and streamline development. He emphasized bipartisan support, citing rising mortgage rates, increased rents, and record-high homelessness as critical issues.
The Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority stressed coordinated efforts to combat financial crime and money laundering, with potential regulatory tightening. Malin Alpen highlighted the priority of limiting illegal financial flows and the responsibility of firms to meet anti-money laundering requirements. EU negotiations on new rules and the forthcoming EU Anti-Money Laundering Authority are expected to enhance cross-border supervision and consumer protection.
The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) assessed the early implementation of its new regional branch model in SBV Region 4. Concerns were raised about reduced local presence and operational impacts, while Region 4 sought guidance on staffing, inspection authority, and coordination. Permanent Deputy Governor Dao Minh Tu emphasized clear internal procedures and continuous supervision, with the SBV Finance and Accounting Department reviewing facility and funding needs.
State Bank of Vietnam Governor Nguyen Thi Hong and Bank Indonesia Governor Perry Warjiyo signed a memorandum to enhance bilateral banking cooperation. The agreement focuses on monetary policy, financial stability, payment systems, and digital transformation through policy dialogue and technical cooperation. Both banks co-chair ASEAN's Senior Level Committee on Banking Integration and the 2024–2026 Task Force on Sustainable Finance.
The State Bank of Vietnam outlined progress and future priorities for the National Financial Inclusion Strategy, emphasizing digital transformation and non-cash payments. Five of nine targets are on track, with significant increases in non-cash transactions and expanded financial service access. The bank will coordinate the five-year review and develop the 2026-2030 strategy, focusing on digital platforms, fintech, and cybercrime prevention.
The Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority reprimanded the Swedish Pensions Agency after reviewing its investments in Heimstaden Bostad. Director General Daniel Barr recused himself due to a conflict of interest, having served as Director General during the period under review. Barr noted that lawyers reviewed the contract, reaching conclusions that differed from the Authority's decision.
The State Bank of Vietnam expressed interest in joining the European Investment Bank's Greening Financial Systems programme, which aims to integrate climate risk into regulatory frameworks. The EIB has a history of cooperation with Vietnam, including financing major metro projects and environmental initiatives.
The Central Bank of Eswatini hosted a seminar to discuss the National Budget, with Finance Minister Neal Rijkenberg emphasizing priorities such as taxes, the government wage bill, and capital projects. A panel highlighted geopolitical tensions and challenges in tertiary education, urging the government to focus on effective fiscal policies and revenue strategies without increasing taxes.
HM Treasury has informed the House of Commons Treasury Committee of plans to consolidate the Payment Systems Regulator into the Financial Conduct Authority to streamline payments regulation. The FCA would oversee innovation, competition, and consumer interests in the payments landscape. The PSR will maintain its current remit and statutory powers until legislation is enacted, with interim collaboration between the PSR and FCA.
The Financial and Consumer Services Commission of New Brunswick issued an investor alert regarding Stanford-Markets, which is not registered to deal or advise in securities in New Brunswick. The firm operates from Zurich, Switzerland, and uses names such as Stanford-M, Stanford Market, and Northern Markets. Investors are advised to use the National Registration Search tool to verify registration status.
ECB President Christine Lagarde, at the "ECB and Its Watchers" conference, emphasized adapting the monetary policy framework to geopolitical volatility while maintaining a 2% inflation target. She highlighted policy agility anchored by clear communication amid unpredictable shocks and potential inflation persistence. Lagarde stressed the limitations of detailed rate-path guidance, advocating for "framework guidance" based on scenario analysis and ECB decision inputs.
The European Central Bank's Working Paper shows concise communication on the digital euro can boost adoption by 12 percentage points after a short explainer video. However, the effect fades over time, and most consumers still prefer existing payment methods. Experiments on windfall allocation and holding limits show minimal impact on liquid-asset allocations.
The International Monetary Fund found that aggregate ETF ownership was associated with lower U.S. corporate bond volatility, but institutional ETF ownership was linked to higher volatility, particularly during market stress. Retail ETF ownership was associated with lower volatility, while open-ended mutual funds showed no comparable institutional-retail divide.
The Chile Financial Market Commission issued General Rule No. 533, detailing requirements for independent directors and director election policies for subsidiaries. It specifies conditions under which a person cannot be deemed independent and mandates minimum content for election policies, with alignment required by December 11, 2025. The rule becomes effective on November 11, 2026, with a deadline for current directors to address non-independence issues by May 10, 2025.
The Central Bank of Russia's Review of Key Indicators of Brokers for 2024 Q4 highlights a three-year high in stock market fund inflows, with retail investors depositing nearly RUB 1.8 trillion by year-end. Clients with assets rose to five million, and the average account size reached RUB 2.2 million. Retail investor portfolios grew to RUB 10.6 trillion, driven by demand for money market exchange-traded funds and an increased share of floating-rate bond instruments.
The Central Bank of Russia's Review highlights the 2024 growth of the floating-rate corporate bond market, driven by expectations of prolonged tight monetary conditions. It notes a shift in foreign exchange trading to over-the-counter venues due to sanctions against Moscow Exchange, a ninefold increase in the digital financial asset market, and uneven IPO activity. Floating-rate government bonds became the main funding instrument, with increased purchases by individuals and non-governmental pension funds, while overall market liquidity declined.
The Central Bank of Russia and the Russian Ministry of Finance announced Krasnoyarsk Territory and Nizhny Novgorod Region as winners of the first All-Russian Financial Culture Capital Competition. Recognized for projects enhancing financial literacy and scam protection, they will receive support for future initiatives. Approved by the Russian Government to be held annually, the competition involved 21 regional applications and culminated in awards at the National Centre RUSSIA.
The Central Bank of Russia proposes a three-year experimental regime for cryptocurrency transactions, limited to "especially qualified" investors meeting specific thresholds. This regime restricts transactions to these investors and qualified companies, with regulations based on risks. The central bank also plans to ban residents from settling cryptocurrency transactions outside this regime and permit qualified investors to invest in derivatives and securities linked to cryptocurrency values.
The Financial Action Task Force released a report on combating online child sexual exploitation, focusing on financing mechanisms and enhancing transaction identification. It examines live-streamed abuse and financial sexual extortion, recommending improved use of financial intelligence and investigative techniques to protect children.
The Bank of Canada's preliminary findings highlight the US-initiated trade conflict's impact on Canadian economic decisions. The unpredictable environment complicates pricing, hiring, and investment decisions for firms, while households express increased job security concerns. Businesses report reduced sales outlooks and scaled-back hiring and capital expenditure plans, with many planning price increases if tariffs are imposed.
The Argentina Securities Commission (CNV) is consulting on amendments to its regulatory framework to enhance the use of technological mechanisms by intermediaries for distributing open-end mutual fund units. The proposal clarifies placement modalities for third-party IT platforms and removes certain filing requirements, while improving reporting via the Financial Information Highway.
The Argentina Securities Commission (CNV) is consulting on General Resolution No. 1056 to introduce two new special public offering regimes for financial trusts, featuring expedited and automatic authorisation pathways. The proposal mandates an annual prospectus supplement and an abbreviated prospectus supplement, with authorisation linked to the number of previously authorised financial trusts. Fiduciaries remain subject to existing public offering obligations and disclosure requirements.
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) will hold virtual Office Hours on May 6-8, 2025, to discuss responsible innovation in the federal banking system with banks and fintech companies. Topics include bank-fintech partnerships and cryptocurrency activities. The OCC will provide feedback during 50-minute meetings, with additional Office Hours planned for later in 2025.
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority enhanced its Superannuation Data Transformation project guidance by adding 10 new frequently asked questions, revising two FAQs, and publishing two new worked examples.
The National Bank of Moldova's Q3 2024 financial stability assessment shows banking sector resilience, with a financial stress index of 0.44 and a vulnerability index of -0.64, both below thresholds. Interbank contagion risk is low, with most placements to foreign banks, and liquidity risk is low. The report notes a 10.8% increase in banks' exposure to non-bank financial institutions and significant growth in household lending, particularly in mortgages and consumer loans.
The National Bank of Moldova announced activities for International Financial Education Week from 17 to 23 March 2025, targeting pupils and university students. Events include sessions on monetary policy, SEPA, and online payment safety, alongside a women's leadership project and guided museum visits. Participation is limited to registered groups of up to 35 people aged over 9.
The National Bank of Moldova marked the first anniversary of its MIA instant payments system, noting rapid adoption with over 532,000 users and 5 million transactions totaling MDL 4.8 billion. MIA enables instant transfers using phone numbers, with free transactions up to MDL 10,000 monthly and capped fees above that. Future priorities include enhancing consumer payment convenience and expanding business sector acceptance, alongside Moldova's recent SEPA integration for low-cost euro transactions with the EU.
The Argentina Superintendency of Insurance initiated a forced liquidation process for Caledonia Cia. Argentina de Seguros S.A. The authority published the opening order, including details for creditor claim verification inquiries.
The Bank of Korea released a press statement titled “Financial Market Trends in February 2025,” highlighting bank lending data. The Financial Market Department provided attached files with detailed data and tables.
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India has advised insurers to keep branches open during normal working hours on 29, 30, and 31 March 2025 to prevent policyholder hardship. Insurers are also requested to adequately publicize this special arrangement.
The Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago issued a notice under Section 30(1) of the Financial Institutions Act, 2008, listing licensed institutions authorized to conduct banking and financial business in the country. The notice includes eight licensed banks and 16 licensed non-banks.
The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank released an ECCB Connects episode featuring Dr. Leah Sahely discussing the importance of statistics in decision-making and policy development. The episode highlights the use of statistics in various sectors, including health, education, and national security, and emphasizes the significance of public participation in surveys and censuses.
The Ghana National Insurance Commission (NIC) is collaborating with major transport unions to enhance insurance penetration, currently at about 1%. Representatives from the General Transport, Petroleum and Chemical Union and the Ghana Private Roads Transport Union will join a new Committee on Insurance Penetration. The initiative aims to involve stakeholders in product design and claims processes, with training sessions for union executives planned for Q2.
The Central Bank of Mexico announced its 2025 Internal Summer Researchers Programme, inviting PhD students to conduct short-term research on economic and financial education. Participants will focus on topics such as digital literacy, AI applications, and financial education in sustainable economies, with potential compensation up to USD 6,800.
The Central Bank of the Dominican Republic reported remittance inflows of USD 1,852.6 million for January–February 2025, an 8.3% increase year-on-year, with February alone seeing a 9.7% rise to USD 917.0 million. The bank attributed the performance partly to US economic indicators, with 83.6% of February remittances sourced from the US. The 2025 external-sector outlook projects tourism receipts of USD 11,400 million, remittances of USD 10,900 million, and total foreign-currency earnings over USD 45,600 million.
The Hong Kong Insurance Authority issued an alert warning about fraudulent websites and social media pages impersonating Bupa (Asia) Limited, an authorized insurer. Bupa confirmed no connection with these sites, and the alert lists seven specific URLs. The public is advised to contact Bupa and report to the Hong Kong Police Force if they have interacted with these channels.
The Financial Superintendence of Colombia shared Superintendent César Ferrari's remarks on the usury rate cap and credit access, emphasizing that lower interest rates enhance market credit and economic response. Ferrari advocated for a competitive market with transparent pricing and information symmetry, suggesting the usury rate cap limits lending by higher-cost institutions. He introduced an SFC tool for comparing savings and credit product costs to aid decision-making.
The Central Bank of Colombia released Board Bulletin 14 of 2025, detailing the Unidad de Valor Real (UVR) values for 16 March to 15 April 2025, in accordance with External Resolution No. 13 of 2000.
The Central Bank of Cyprus released comprehensive interest rate data for deposits and loans for each credit institution for January 2025, including supplementary related information.
The Montenegro Capital Market Authority conducted workshops using the "Kapital" board game at two primary schools to enhance financial literacy among students. Part of the 2023–2027 Financial Education Development Programme, the sessions introduced pupils to capital market fundamentals. The Authority plans to continue these educational initiatives.
Virgin Islands Premier Natalio D. Wheatley announced a government reshuffle to boost economic resilience, recommending Lorna Smith, OBE, as Minister of State for Financial Services and Economic Development. Smith's portfolio includes financial services, economic diversification, and climate finance, with oversight of key regulatory bodies. Karl Dawson will transition from Junior Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries to Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly.
The Governor of the Bank of Israel, at Israel’s National Energy Conference, outlined a macroeconomic outlook amid the war, noting inflation above target but expected to moderate by mid-year, with market confidence reliant on responsible fiscal and monetary policies. He emphasized the importance of approving the 2025 budget, which includes significant adjustments supporting market confidence, and expressed hope for the Deputy Governor’s appointment approval, highlighting central bank independence.
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand announced that Assistant Governor Kate Kolich will depart at the end of March 2025, with Greg Smith assuming her role on an interim basis. Kolich was credited for significant contributions in modernizing the bank's data and analytics platforms.
Mexico's National Banking and Securities Commission (CNBV) released its quarterly Financial Saving and Financing Report, detailing data through September 2024. The report shows total financial saving at MXN 32.4 trillion (94.4% of GDP) and total financing at MXN 33.1 trillion (96.5% of GDP). Domestic financing to the private sector was reported at 36.7% of GDP.
The Dominican Republic's Pensions Superintendency (SIPEN) highlighted initiatives in pension fund administration, including refunds for those not qualifying for pensions and plans for independent workers. Superintendent Francisco A. Torres noted employers contribute three pesos for every peso from workers, and DOP 53,345 million has been returned to individuals aged 60 without pension eligibility. SIPEN also reported increased financial education training and measures to mitigate exchange-rate effects by allowing up to 30% of pension fund portfolios in dollar investments.
The Ukraine National Commission on Securities and Stock Market announced the issuance of the first agrarian note in the Register of Agrarian Notes, marking its initial use in Ukraine's capital markets. Issued by AGROFIRMA-OBRIY LLC and acquired by AP IMPORT LLC, the note is supported by the National Depository of Ukraine and the International Finance Corporation. Agrarian notes are electronic non-issuance securities, enabling agricultural producers to secure financing with future products, though some elements require finalization for full functionality.
The Angola Insurance Authority (ARSEG) released its 2024 report on sanctioning proceedings.
The Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets assessed the European Digital Identity (EDI) wallet's impact on the financial sector, noting efficiency and innovation opportunities alongside risks of consumer harm and exclusion. The EDI wallet, a mobile app for storing digital data, is expected to streamline customer processes and enhance cross-border service access but may also lead to consumer misunderstandings and increased identity fraud risks. The AFM anticipates changes in its supervisory approach, including growth in digital firms and enhanced oversight of institutions' gatekeeper roles.
The Superintendence of Banks of Ecuador suspended Banco Amibank S.A.'s operations and appointed a temporary administrator due to severe administrative and financial deficiencies. The bank's delinquency ratio, accumulated losses, and solvency breaches have eroded equity, prompting liquidation triggers. In coordination with the Deposit Insurance Corporation, a plan is in place to reimburse insured depositors once a liquidator is appointed.
The Malta Financial Services Authority and the Andorran Financial Authority have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance mutual assistance and coordination in supervising the insurance sector. The agreement facilitates information exchange, technical assistance, and cooperation to strengthen oversight and financial system stability. The memorandum became effective on 10 March 2025.
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan registered 3,046 new companies in February 2025, bringing the total to 246,608, with 99.9% of registrations processed digitally. Private limited companies made up 58% of new registrations, while single-member companies accounted for 39%. The SECP plans to further enhance digital infrastructure and streamline business processes to support entrepreneurship and investment.
The Algeria Market Authority issued a notice on the second meeting of the financial market one stop shop.
The National Credit Union Administration reported a 2.3% year-on-year growth in total assets of federally insured credit unions to USD 2.31 trillion in Q4 2024, with insured shares and deposits rising 3.4% to USD 1.78 trillion. Asset quality weakened, with the delinquency rate increasing to 98 basis points, while net worth rose 5.9% to USD 255.3 billion. Despite higher interest and non-interest income, net income fell 3.6% to USD 14.4 billion, and the net charge-off ratio rose to 80 basis points.
Bank of Indonesia's latest Consumer Survey indicates robust consumer confidence in February 2025, with the Consumer Confidence Index at 126.4. The Current Economic Condition Index increased to 114.2, while the Consumer Expectation Index remained optimistic at 138.7, despite a slight decline.
Bermuda's Ministry of Economy and Labour highlighted the country's economic growth, with international business, real estate, and financial services comprising 58% of activity. The insurance and reinsurance sector contributes 29% to GDP, with 150 billion USD in gross premiums. Diversification efforts focus on InsurTech, fintech, digital assets, and the green and blue economy, supported by the Bermuda Monetary Authority and various initiatives.
The European Banking Authority released a revised list of validation rules for the Implementing Technical Standards on supervisory reporting, highlighting deactivated checks due to inaccuracies or IT issues. This update coincides with the introduction of Data Point Model 2.0 and Architecture 2.0, which include updates to validation-rule spreadsheets, DPMs, and the taxonomy package.
The Bank of the Lao PDR and the International Finance Corporation held a consultation on developing the Laos Green Finance Taxonomy as part of the 2023–2027 Green Finance Development Project. The taxonomy aims to align with ASEAN and international standards to guide financial institutions, private sector investments, and public policy in promoting green activities. Discussions covered sustainable finance trends and criteria for selecting priority sectors.
The Bank of the Lao PDR conducted a seminar on macroeconomic indicator assessment tools to enhance monetary policy implementation. Chaired by Deputy Governor Salisak Thanyavong, the event focused on a Kip currency index, monetary statistics, and macroeconomic assessment tools to support policy and economic growth.
The Central Bank of Colombia appointed Laura Carla Moisá-Elicabide and César Augusto Giraldo-Giraldo to its Board of Directors, replacing Roberto Steiner-Sampedro and Jaime Jaramillo-Vallejo. Moisá-Elicabide brings experience from the National University of Colombia, while Giraldo-Giraldo has served with CARF and Asobancaria. The bank acknowledged the outgoing members for enhancing internal processes and supporting monetary policy decisions.
The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has activated its significant event response plan following Cyclone Alfred's designation as a significant event by the Insurance Council of Australia, aiming to expedite complaint handling related to the cyclone and flooding. The plan facilitates early stakeholder communication and streamlined complaint resolution, with AFCA providing guidance on lodging claims and escalating issues.
The Authority for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLA) held its inaugural General Board meeting in Frankfurt, chaired by Bruna Szego. The meeting marked the adoption of the General Board's rules of procedure and initiated collaboration among Member State representatives, advancing AMLA's governance structure.
The Authority for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLA) convened its inaugural General Board meeting in Frankfurt, chaired by Bruna Szego, to adopt the Board’s rules of procedure. This meeting marked a step towards formalizing AMLA's governance structure with Member State representatives.
The Authority for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLA) held its inaugural General Board meeting in Frankfurt, chaired by Bruna Szego. The meeting marked the start of collaboration among Member State representatives and the adoption of the General Board’s rules of procedure, advancing the agency's governance structure.