The Bank of Italy reported that private sector lending grew 3.3% year over year in June 2026, while private sector deposits rose 2.8% and bond funding increased 6.0%. Mortgage and consumer credit rates edged down to 3.95% and 10.33%, respectively, while rates on new corporate lending rose to 3.70%.
The Bank of Italy updated its international tourism statistics with data through May 2026.
The Bank of France launched a public index that distinguishes transportation disruptions from critical input shortages. Its analysis finds that input production shocks have more persistent effects on manufacturing and inflation, while transportation shocks are shorter lived. The index shows both forms of tension strengthening amid the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The Central Bank of Russia will combine the Cybersecurity in Finance Forum and FINOPOLIS in a new-format event from Feb. 17 to 19, 2027. Discussions and demonstrations will cover infrastructure protection, antifraud tools and domestic financial-sector innovations.
Moldova has launched a pilot digital module that allows consumers to submit complaints directly to merchants through the government’s eDemocracy platform. Unresolved cases can be escalated to the competent authority through electronically signed individual or collective petitions.
The Isle of Man Financial Services Authority has highlighted sanctions list updates covering global anti-corruption, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Libya, Afghanistan and Russia. Licenseholders should consult the current Treasury notices and maintain processes for receiving sanctions alerts.
Ireland's Department of Finance has created a time-bound working group to improve insurance access for households and businesses in areas at risk of flooding. A one-year update on the 2025–2029 insurance reform plan also highlighted completed transparency, mortgage protection, personal injuries and insolvency measures, alongside nine consecutive months of falling motor premiums.
The Central Bank of Jordan has opened applications for 12 recruitment-linked undergraduate scholarships, with one allocated to each governorate. The scholarships cover four finance-related disciplines at official Jordanian universities, and eligible 2026 school graduates must generally have an average of at least 95%. Applications close at 4 p.m. on Aug. 25, 2026.
The Central Bank of Estonia will publish third-quarter 2026 investment and pension fund statistics at 08:00 on November 10.
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand is consulting on a proposed industry levy to recover about NZD 70 million annually in prudential costs from deposit takers, insurers and financial market infrastructure operators. The proposed sector shares are 54%, 39% and 7%, respectively, with hybrid fixed and size-based charges preferred for deposit takers and insurers. Final Cabinet decisions are expected in early 2027, with the levy proposed to cover the 2027-28 financial year.
The Financial Conduct Authority found that many motor finance redress plans remained too high level to demonstrate operational readiness, despite firms generally understanding the scheme’s requirements. Firms should strengthen population identification, workflows, decision controls, redress calculations, quality assurance and oversight of third parties and multiple representatives. The FCA may seek further detail from firms whose plans do not show sufficient readiness.
European Central Bank Banking Supervision has updated Volume I of its digital compilation of the Single Supervisory Mechanism’s foundational legal framework. The publication is a reference tool with no legal effect, and authoritative versions remain those published in the Official Journal of the European Union and available through EUR-Lex.
European Central Bank Banking Supervision has updated the second volume of its banking supervision legal framework compilation with acts through 2026. The reference includes recent measures on non-performing exposure coverage and delegated decisions for mergers, divisions and acquisitions of material holdings. It is a documentation tool without legal effect.
European Central Bank Banking Supervision has updated Volume III of its banking supervision legal framework compilation. It consolidates acts on supervisory governance, ethics, transparency and related operational rules but has no legal effect.
The European Central Bank’s review finds that monetary policy implementation remained smooth during 200 basis points of rate cuts and continued balance sheet contraction in 2024 and 2025. Excess liquidity fell to EUR 2.5 trillion, but money market transmission remained effective and there were no signs of fragmentation. Banks are expected to use Eurosystem refinancing operations more as reserves decline.
The European Central Bank will co-host a free open-air concert in Frankfurt on Aug. 20, 2026. Its event stand will showcase ten shortlisted future euro banknote designs and allow visitors to participate in the ECB’s public survey.
Kazakhstan’s financial market regulator has warned that fake agency documents are being used to promote purported fund recovery and transaction-checking services. The agency does not recover lost funds or endorse third-party recovery providers and advised recipients not to pay requested charges or disclose confidential information.
The Taiwan Financial Services Commission reported 4.604 billion noncash transactions worth NT$5.15 trillion in the first half of 2026. June credit card retail sales rose to NT$788.7 billion and outstanding installment balances reached NT$266 billion, while the credit card delinquency ratio declined to 0.16%.
The Central Bank of Taiwan reported that average reserve money fell by TWD 6.8 billion in July to TWD 7,547.3 billion. Annual growth slowed to 6.98%, while growth averaged 7.16% in the first seven months of 2026.
The South Korea Financial Services Commission plans to raise the lower-income investor priority allocation in the second Public Participation Growth Fund from 20% to 50% to expand access for young people. Young investors accounted for 12.4% of subscribers and 8.0% of invested funds in the first fund, and about 61% of them met the lower-income criteria.
The Bank of Russia reported that OFZ yields rose in July and retail deposit rates stopped declining in June, while market-based corporate loan rates continued to fall. Annual M2X growth slowed in June, with preliminary data showing the trend persisted in July.
The Central Bank of Cyprus examined how internal audit and thematic requirements can support governance, transparency and trust across European financial authorities.
The Central Bank of Nigeria has launched the second cohort of its regulatory sandbox, with separate tracks for virtual asset services and data-enabled financial services. Selected participants will conduct supervised live testing under defined consumer protection, cybersecurity and reporting safeguards, but sandbox participation will not confer a licence. Applications are open from Aug. 12 through Aug. 31, 2026.
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission invoked emergency authority to direct KalshiEX to continue operating under its normal practices and statutory Core Principles. It found that New York’s lawsuit and proposed restrictions could shut down the exchange, force liquidation of positions and disrupt event contract and broader derivatives markets.
The Kazakh regulator approved Togzhan Tuleubekovna Abisheva and Eldar Rinatovich Shamsutdinov as independent directors of the Unified Accumulative Pension Fund.
Costa Rica’s economic activity grew 3 percent year over year in June 2026, slowing by 2.2 percentage points from a year earlier. Special-regime growth decelerated sharply to 2.9 percent, while the definitive regime expanded 3.1 percent.
The Reserve Bank of Fiji’s 2025 financial inclusion report records gains in women’s access to accounts, formal credit and mobile money, alongside rapid growth in digital financial services. Providers processed 116.4 million mobile wallet transactions worth FJD 7.3 billion, while the bank also advanced sustainable finance, entrepreneurship and financial literacy initiatives. Further work will focus on payment and digital identity reforms, consumer protection and access to finance for underserved groups.
South Korea's Financial Services Commission will apply preferential card fees from Aug. 14 to about 5.26 million small merchants, payment gateway sub-merchants and taxi operators. Nearly 297,000 newly established businesses will receive retrospective fee refunds by Sept. 28, including an estimated KRW 61.47 billion for 159,000 credit card merchants.
The South Korea Financial Services Commission announced tighter registration and anti-money laundering rules for virtual asset service providers. The changes extend the travel rule to all transfers, introduce risk-based restrictions for overseas-provider and personal-wallet transactions, and strengthen financial, ownership and operational eligibility standards. Registration provisions take effect on Aug. 20, 2026, with most other measures applying six months after promulgation.
The Thailand Office of Insurance Commission examined Russian practices in data-driven supervision, compulsory motor insurance, fraud detection and large-risk management. It also discussed cashless healthcare for Russian tourists and how emerging medicines and oncology vaccines could affect Thailand’s health insurance market.
The Central Bank of the Philippines trained more than 170 existing and prospective suppliers on its competitive bidding and compliance requirements. Participants also received an overview of its indicative procurement needs for 2027.
Bank Indonesia’s survey forecasts annual retail sales growth of 0.9% in July 2026, with the Real Sales Index at 224.4. Sales are expected to contract 0.3% from June as holiday demand normalizes, while price pressures are forecast to ease in September before increasing in December.
The Reserve Bank of Australia unanimously held the cash rate target at 4.35% in August, citing restrictive policy, slowing growth and persistently high inflation. Inflation is not expected to return near the midpoint of the 2–3% target until late 2027, and the Board may raise rates further if upside risks materialise.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission is consulting on extending eight legislative instruments due to expire in 2027, with no other changes proposed. The measures span markets, financial services disclosure, retail derivatives, superannuation and employee share schemes, and responses are due by Sept. 8, 2026.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has published a public reprimand of registered liquidator Simon John Thorn for failing to verify the validity of his appointment as an administrator and promptly seek a court ruling. Thorn will remain registered, with the committee noting his clean disciplinary record and the absence of alleged dishonesty.
South Korea's Financial Services Commission reported that 1.385 million people completed enrollment in the Youth Future Savings Account, from 2.343 million initial applicants. The commission is considering an additional enrollment period in September 2026, including reassessment for applicants who previously failed to complete household consent or documentation requirements.
Indonesia’s 2026 financial literacy and inclusion indices rose to 69.57 percent and 93.61 percent, exceeding the government’s 2029 targets. The expanded national survey identified continuing gaps among rural, younger, older and less-educated groups, as well as low Islamic finance and policyholder protection awareness. Future programs will prioritize these segments and use more targeted education.
Indonesia's Financial Services Authority plans a cross-agency working group to coordinate MSME financing policies and address regulatory barriers. Cross-sector MSME financing reached IDR 1,948.72 trillion in June 2026, up 2.18% year over year. The authority also signed a cooperation agreement with the Ministry of MSMEs and is developing an integrated financing data system.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network has permanently exempted U.S. companies and persons from Corporate Transparency Act beneficial ownership reporting. FinCEN will delete previously reported information that it reasonably believes concerns U.S. persons. Foreign reporting companies must continue reporting beneficial ownership information for foreign individuals.
The U.S. Financial Crimes Enforcement Network permanently exempted U.S. companies and persons from beneficial ownership reporting and will delete their previously submitted information, while maintaining reporting requirements for foreign reporting companies covering foreign individuals.
The Australian Financial Complaints Authority has published submissions on two insurance industry codes, emphasizing their role in raising conduct and accountability standards beyond legal requirements.
CONDUSEF recognized MetLife's renewal of its Service Badge for Older Adults and called for a broader cultural shift in how financial institutions serve older customers. It also urged insurers to adopt the Universal Insurance Format to present essential policy information clearly in one document.
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority has brought civil penalty proceedings against Bendigo Bank over admitted accountability, cyber control and testing failures linked to a 2023 attack on its Alliance Bank business. The parties propose an AUD 8 million penalty, subject to court approval. The historical weaknesses have been remediated, and APRA has no current concerns about the bank’s information security controls.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission found that none of the five car insurers reviewed clearly explained premium calculations or price changes in quote and renewal documents. It called for clearer disclosure of pricing factors, policy changes and instalment costs, which can be up to 20% higher than annual payments. ASIC will give insurers individual feedback, monitor practices and act against inaccurate or misleading disclosures.
The Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador reported that industrial production increased 4.3% year over year in June 2026, extending positive growth to six consecutive months. Manufacturing and electricity led the expansion, while mining and quarrying was the only sector to contract.
The Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission suspended Golden Alliance Credit Corporation’s lending license for 60 days over three annual fee violations. The company must halt lending operations during the suspension and pay PHP 110,100 in fines, with further breaches potentially resulting in license revocation.
Mexico’s National Commission for the Protection and Defense of Financial Services Users renewed Afore XXI Banorte’s badge for serving older adults, recognizing improvements across its offices, digital channels, contracts and personalized assistance. The authority also called for regulation to incorporate accessibility, inclusion and behavioral science so older customers can understand information and make financial decisions autonomously.
Mexico's Ministry of Finance and Public Credit introduced risk-based anti-money laundering rules for persons conducting vulnerable activities. The rules strengthen due diligence, beneficial owner identification, controls, recordkeeping and reporting, while applying compliance and supervision proportionately to risk. Implementation will be gradual.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation will use a two-phase process for deposit insurance applications received after August 15, 2026. It will target contingent authorization within 120 days and final approval within a further 12 months while applicants complete organizational requirements. The FDIC will coordinate with chartering authorities and generally permit concurrent filings.
Mexico's National Commission for the Protection and Defense of Users of Financial Services handled 4,896 complaints in Veracruz in the first half of 2026, up 8.6% year over year. Concluded cases recovered MXN 45.9 million for users, with multiple banking accounting for 62.9% of complaints and possible fraud for 34.7%.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has adopted a two-phase review for de novo deposit insurance applications, offering qualifying applicants contingent authorization within 120 days. Final approval is targeted within 12 months or less after contingent authorization, subject to completion of organizational steps and submission of final materials. The process includes coordination with chartering authorities and a pre-opening examination.
The Superintendency of Banks of the Dominican Republic issued guidelines on fair and transparent debt collection by financial institutions and third-party agents. The measures cover contact limits, customer notification when debts are assigned, staff training, internal controls and contractual safeguards for personal data and confidentiality.
The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission will hold the inaugural Innovation Advisory Committee meeting on Aug. 20 in Washington. The committee will advise the commission on technology, law, policy and finance as they relate to financial innovation.
The Bank of Russia recommends that lenders restructure loans and microloans for small and medium-sized enterprises affected by terrorist attacks, irrespective of eligibility for statutory repayment holidays. Lenders should avoid penalties and early repayment demands, provide revised payment schedules promptly and ensure restructuring does not harm borrowers’ credit histories.
The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland reported that US business leaders expect consumer prices to rise 3.3% over the next 12 months. The third-quarter forecast fell from 3.7% in the April survey.
Annual urban headline inflation rose to 14.9% in July 2026, while core inflation increased to 14.7%. Both measures recorded zero monthly inflation, and the Central Bank of Egypt will publish its detailed analysis on Aug. 15.
The Kuwait Capital Markets Authority has licensed KFH Capital Investment Company to privately market 150,000 units of an Ireland-established private credit fund to professional clients in Kuwait. Units are priced at USD 1,000, with a subscription fee of up to 2%, and the marketing license will run for one year after certification and payment of the required fees.
The Kuwait Capital Markets Authority authorized KFH Capital Investment Company to market privately up to 120,000 units of Guernsey-based UK Real Estate Fund VII LP to professional clients in Kuwait. The offering is capped at KWD 50 million or its equivalent in British pounds and carries a 2% subscription commission.
The Kuwait Capital Markets Authority has renewed Gulf Capital Investment Company’s license for seven securities activities for three years from Nov. 19, 2026. The authorization covers portfolio and collective investment management, advisory, custody, investment control, subscription agency and non-exchange-registered brokerage services.
The Financial Stability Board appointed Saudi Central Bank Governor Ayman M. Al-Sayari as Regional Engagement Chair for a two-year term beginning Aug. 10, 2026. He will advise on using the FSB’s Regional Consultative Groups to engage nonmember jurisdictions, including in work on crypto-assets, stablecoins and cross-border payments.
Certain agencies ceased to hold registration certificates for insurance agency business during the quarter ended June 30, 2026.
The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis has appointed Cara Kolb as senior vice president of Risk and Compliance, with responsibility for risk management, compliance, data privacy and records management. Kolb, the Bank’s chief information officer since 2024, fills the vacancy created by Rick Thornton’s retirement.
Girija Subramanian joined the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India as Whole-time Member for Distribution on Aug. 10, 2026.
The People's Bank of China issued its 15th Five-Year reform and development plan with nine supporting action plans. Priorities include modernizing monetary and macroprudential frameworks, supporting strategic sectors, opening financial markets, advancing renminbi internationalization and strengthening financial infrastructure and central bank services.
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority alerted the public to reported fraudulent banking websites, login screens, phishing emails and other scams. Customers should not follow transaction links or disclose login credentials or one-time passwords, and affected individuals should contact their bank and the police.
Hong Kong Interbank Clearing Limited has warned of a fraudulent website offering purported buyer protection services for Faster Payment System transactions. The website has no affiliation with the organization, which does not directly provide FPS services to individuals or ordinarily contact them proactively.
The National Bank of Romania (NBR) held its monetary policy rate at 6.50% amid elevated inflation, weak economic activity and high uncertainty, while forecasting a substantial inflation correction in the third quarter. The NBR expects inflation to re-enter its target variation band by end-2027 and kept its lending and deposit facility rates at 7.50% and 5.50%, respectively.
The National Bank of Serbia reported that voluntary pension fund assets fell 0.4% in the first quarter of 2026 to RSD 66.4 billion. Government bonds represented 66.4% of assets, while the three largest funds controlled 80.5% of the market. Net contributions totaled RSD 1.3 billion and withdrawals reached RSD 940.7 million.
The Croatian National Bank warned that frozenspirety.info is an impersonation website promoting a fictitious government programme backed by a purported EUR 2 billion fund. Citizens should not access the site, provide personal information or make the requested minimum deposit of EUR 250.
Egypt's Financial Regulatory Authority has cut review fees by 50% for public and private offerings of sustainability-related securities. The reduction expands beyond green bonds to instruments including social, climate, transition, women’s empowerment and sustainability-linked bonds.
The National Bank of Ukraine has eased foreign exchange restrictions for households, businesses and financial institutions, with most changes effective August 11, 2026. Key measures raise the household noncash foreign currency purchase limit to UAH 200,000, expand business payment and withdrawal capacity, and broaden qualifying cross-border transactions. Revised bank foreign exchange position calculations take effect on September 1, 2026.
The National Bank of Moldova reported savings of about EUR 13.2 million in the first 10 months of the country’s operational connection to SEPA. Nearly eight in 10 transactions now use SEPA, while the average cost of a cross-border euro transfer has fallen to EUR 1.09.
The National Securities and Stock Market Commission of Ukraine outlined its investor protection framework, including licensing checks, ongoing supervision, disclosure rules and fraud warnings. It also reviewed work on housing and pension safeguards, EU-aligned virtual asset and corporate governance rules, and new capital market instruments.
The Reserve Bank of Australia reported that official reserve assets rose to AUD 106.65 billion at the end of July 2026, equivalent to USD 74.98 billion. The increase was driven by foreign exchange holdings, which climbed to AUD 65.69 billion.
The Financial Conduct Authority has admitted five solo-regulated firms to its Scale-up Unit for tailored support with innovation, regulatory change and rapid growth. Findings from a separate 15-firm pilot emphasized early investment in governance, risk management and controls.
The Oman Financial Services Authority clarified that its Board Nomination Form applies when public joint-stock firms form a new board or fill board vacancies. Existing boards are unaffected, while new appointees must meet the prescribed qualification and independence requirements.
The Isle of Man Financial Services Authority will hold its 2026 Countering Financial Crime Conference on Aug. 12 for more than 500 professionals. Discussions will cover cyber-enabled fraud, sanctions evasion, trafficking, the National Risk Assessment and preparations for the MONEYVAL mutual evaluation.
Saudi Arabia's Insurance Authority has launched the first phase of its Innovation Lab and opened regulatory sandbox applications. Startups and innovators can test insurance products and services under the authority’s supervision and access advisory and training support.
The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic briefed local government employees in the Talas region on financial planning, money mule activity and managing voluntary credit bans through the Tunduk application.
The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic fined nine individuals KGS 17,500 each for unlicensed cash foreign currency exchange operations in Osh.
The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic approved three senior appointments across Bank of Asia, Commercial Bank KSB and Bank Kompanion.
A European Central Bank working paper finds that contractionary monetary policy surprises cause German firms to cut employment plans immediately, with the effect lasting about a year and feeding into lower employment growth. Financial constraints and minimum-wage exposure amplify the response, while collective bargaining coverage moderates it.
The Central Bank of the Philippines recognized 14 institutional partners for supporting financial inclusion, digital payments, retirement savings and secure currency circulation. Their work also covered financial literacy, policy development and efforts against counterfeiting, fraud and money laundering.
The Reserve Bank of India assigned State Bank of India lead bank responsibility for Ladakh’s five new districts of Sham, Nubra, Changthang, Zanskar and Drass. Assignments for the union territory’s other districts remain unchanged.
The Central Bank of Russia reported that individuals made RUB 24.4 billion in net stock purchases in July, while their net corporate bond purchases reached RUB 90 billion. Market volatility generally declined or held steady, the ruble’s depreciation slowed and government bond yields moved differently across maturities.
The National Bank of Serbia said DinaCard users can pay the third 2026 property tax installment free of charge at Treasury Administration counters by August 14, alongside certain other taxes and farmers’ mandatory social insurance contributions.
The People’s Bank of China authorized Deutsche Bank AG to serve as the renminbi clearing bank in Frankfurt under an agreement with the Deutsche Bundesbank.
The Central Bank of the Philippines reported lower foreign direct investment net inflows in January-May 2026 as weaker debt investment and reinvested earnings outweighed higher equity capital investment. Equity placements came mainly from Japan, the United States and Singapore and were concentrated in manufacturing, financial and insurance, and real estate activities.
The Court of Appeal dismissed challenges to an injunction obtained by Securities Commission Malaysia freezing up to MYR 169.2 million of the appellants’ assets. The freeze supports an ongoing securities fraud civil suit involving Bright Packaging Industry Berhad, with the trial due to continue on Sept. 1, 2026.
The Securities Commission of The Bahamas is consulting on stronger financial crime rules for financial and corporate service providers. The proposals add proliferation financing and targeted financial sanctions requirements while strengthening risk assessments, due diligence, politically exposed person controls and treatment of digital asset risks.
The Securities Commission of The Bahamas is consulting on tighter anti-financial crime rules for all regulated digital asset businesses. The proposals require continuous real-time transaction monitoring, enhanced controls for unhosted wallets and sanctions, and stronger oversight of outsourced technology providers. Registrants would remain legally responsible for outsourced compliance functions.
The Securities Commission of The Bahamas is consulting on expanded financial crime rules for all persons regulated under the Securities Industry Act, 2024. The proposals add proliferation financing and targeted sanctions requirements while strengthening risk assessments, customer due diligence and politically exposed person controls. They also address digital asset risks including travel rule compliance, self-hosted wallets and blockchain monitoring.
The Securities Commission of The Bahamas has proposed standalone anti-money laundering, counterterrorist financing and proliferation financing rules for regulated investment funds. The framework would cover risk assessments, internal controls, customer due diligence, sanctions, suspicious transaction reporting and seven-year record retention.
The State Bank of Pakistan reported that workers’ remittances reached USD 3.6 billion in July 2026, rising 13 percent year over year and 4.5 percent month over month.
The Reserve Bank of Fiji will demonetise old flora and fauna banknotes from Jan. 1, 2027, and businesses will not be required to accept them after Dec. 31, 2026. The central bank had recalled 72.3% of the old notes by July 31 and will remain the only institution providing value for them after the deadline.
The New Zealand Financial Markets Authority has obtained a seven-year ban against Peter Huljich and accepted an enforceable undertaking from Sarah Huljich, concluding insider conduct proceedings involving Pushpay shares. Sarah Huljich paid NZD 50,000 in lieu of a pecuniary penalty, while Peter Huljich is barred from specified management and governance roles involving financial markets participants unless the High Court grants leave.
Bank Indonesia reported that the Consumer Confidence Index remained optimistic at 116.8 in July 2026. Its current conditions and expectations components stayed above 100, although both declined from June.
Indonesia's Ministry of Finance urged faster capital market deepening to help supply IDR 7,973 trillion, or about 91%, of Indonesia's 2027 investment financing needs from private sources. It called for a broader investor base, more instruments, stronger liquidity and better governance, while emphasizing robust safeguards for the newly launched physical gold-backed exchange-traded fund.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission suspended Central Accord Pty Ltd’s financial services licence until Feb. 4, 2027, because it is no longer carrying on a financial services business. Central Accord may request early revocation if it is ready to resume operations and may seek administrative review.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission reported that former Equitable Financial Solutions director Usman Siddiqui was sentenced to 6 years and 6 months in prison, with a 3-year and 3-month non-parole period. He dishonestly transferred about AUD 1.75 million from the financially distressed company to personal and overseas accounts.