On 6 October 2021, the Financial Stability Board (FSB) published a letter from its chair to G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors. The letter focuses on two key areas of the FSB’s work: Developing a more resilient NBFI sector The letter notes that following the market turmoil in March 2020, the FSB agreed on … Continue Reading
On 4 October 2021, the ISDA issued a product table for RFR conventions and IBOR fallbacks. The table is intended to help counterparties understand how the fallbacks would function in their legacy and new derivatives that reference IBORs. It sets out how fallbacks in ISDA’s amended documentation (without reference to the 2021 ISDA Interest Rate … Continue Reading
On 4 October 2021, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) published: A report ‘ESG investing and climate transition: Market practices, issues and policy considerations’. The report highlights the main findings from recent OECD research on ESG rating and investing. It offers policy considerations to strengthen ESG practices to foster global interoperability and comparability, … Continue Reading
On 30 September 2021, the Financial Stability Board (FSB) published a new Financial Stability Surveillance Framework. The new framework will support the comprehensive, methodical and disciplined review of vulnerabilities, helping to identify and address new and emerging risks to financial stability. The FSB will regularly communicate its view on vulnerabilities through its annual reports. John … Continue Reading
On 20 September 2021, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision issued a newsletter calling on banks to improve their resilience to cyber threats. In the newsletter the Basel Committee reminds firms and institutions that remote working arrangements and increased provision of financial services using digital channels have enlarged banks’ attack surfaces. The Basel Committee also … Continue Reading
Key takeaways The Singapore High Court recently confirmed in Mah Kiat Seng v Attorney-General [2021] SGHC 202 (Mah Kiat Seng) that the common law doctrine of public interest immunity remains part of Singapore law and was not superseded by the enactment of the Evidence Act (Cap. 97) (EA) in 1893. The Court also clarified how … Continue Reading
The widely anticipated Cross-boundary Wealth Management Connect Pilot Scheme (Wealth Management Connect), expected to create a combined funds flow of RMB 300 billion (US$46.5 billion) in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), has formally launched on 10 September 2021. Wealth Management Connect, which will come into operation in October 2021, consists of northbound and … Continue Reading
Introduction The use of special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) as an alternative route to access the equity capital markets in the United States of America (US) has fluctuated in popularity over the years as a result of changes in both market conditions and investor appetite. However, US SPAC activity has been buoyant during 2020 and … Continue Reading
On 10 July 2021, the G20 published a communiqué following the third Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting in Venice. Among other things the communiqué: Reiterates the commitment to a timely and effective implementation of the G20 Roadmap to enhance cross-border payments by relevant authorities. In particular, it looks forward to the Financial Stability … Continue Reading
On 7 July 2021, the Financial Stability Board (FSB) published a letter from its Chair, Randal K. Quarles, to G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors ahead of their 9 – 10 July 2021 meeting. Among other things the letter stresses the need for coordinated action to address financial risks posed by climate change, noting … Continue Reading
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) issued a consultation paper on 2 July 2021 seeking views on various proposals, including to introduce powers to enable the MAS to impose requirements on certain financial institutions conducting unregulated business. The MAS recognises that some of its regulated entities may be carrying on unregulated activities (e.g. trading bitcoin … Continue Reading
Uncertificated securities market regime On 11 June 2021, the Hong Kong Government gazetted the Securities and Futures and Companies Legislation (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 (SFCA Ordinance), marking a significant milestone in moving Hong Kong towards an uncertificated securities market (USM) where investors will have the option of holding securities in their own names and without paper … Continue Reading
On 14 June 2021, the Financial Stability Board (FSB) published a note which summarises the main issues raised by respondents to its discussion paper on regulatory and supervisory issues relating to outsourcing and third party relationships. In the FSB discussion paper financial institutions and third parties were invited to provide comments on: The key challenges … Continue Reading
On 7 June 2021, the Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS) announced the following new documents: A new set of climate scenarios. In this second vintage, the NGFS scenarios have been brought up to date, including by incorporating countries’ commitments to reach net-zero emissions. They have also been enriched with an expanded set of … Continue Reading
On 7 June 2021, the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) issued two documents for public comment: Proposed Guidance on Climate-related Metrics, Targets, and Transition Plans. When the TCFD issued its Final Recommendations in 2017, it was aware of the limitations of reporting certain metrics as well as the nascency of climate-related reporting at … Continue Reading
The Insurance Authority (IA) has taken its first disciplinary actions against two licensed insurance broker companies for failure to submit their audited financial statements and auditor’s reports within required timeframes. One of the broker companies has had its licence suspended, and both companies have been fined. The enforcement actions are the first of its kind … Continue Reading
On 13 May 2021, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) released its implementation plan for Phases III and IV of the Open API Framework (click here to read our previous blog on the launch of the Open API Framework in July 2018). The initial batch of API functions for Phases III and IV, covering deposit … Continue Reading
Following a 3-month consultation on the proposal to introduce a licensing regime for virtual assets services providers (VASPs) in Hong Kong under the amended Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (the AMLO) (see our previous blog here), the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) has now issued its consultation conclusions in a paper published … Continue Reading
The latest issue of our Global Asset Management Quarterly publication is now available. In this issue we cover: Europe European update EU/UK regulatory roundup United Kingdom Asset managers and the Task Force for Climate-related Financial Disclosures UK funds regime review Germany German Draft Fund Jurisdiction Promotion Act Australia Greenwashing: International initiatives taken to address the … Continue Reading
On 7 April 2021, there was published an official communique following the second meeting of G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors under the Italian G20 Presidency. During the meeting the discussion spanned from issues covering the global economy, efforts to push forward the economic recovery and promoting more sustainable growth, to supporting the most … Continue Reading
Throughout 2020 and 2021, financial services firms have had to respond and adapt to a number of regulatory challenges in an unprecedented fashion. Firms now have to navigate a diverging regulatory landscape as a result of Brexit, at the same time as continuing to respond to an array of pandemic-related risks that have arisen. Nevertheless, … Continue Reading
On 31 March 2021, the Financial Stability Board (FSB) published the final report on its evaluation of the effects of too-big-to-fail (TBTF) reforms for systemically important banks (SIBs). The evaluation examines the extent to which the reforms have reduced the systemic and moral hazard risks associated with SIBs, as well as their broader effects on … Continue Reading
On 31 March 2021, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision issued Principles for operational resilience, designed to make banks better able to withstand, adapt to and recover from severe adverse events. The Basel Committee has also issued revisions to its Principles for the sound management of operational risks reflecting the natural relationship between operational resilience … Continue Reading
On 22 March 2021, the International Islamic Financial Market (IIFM) issued a White Paper ‘Global Benchmark Rate Reforms and Implications of IBOR Transition for Islamic Finance’. The White Paper is based on contributions from leading financial institutions, accounting firms, law firms (including Norton Rose Fulbright) and other market participants. Its purpose is to create awareness … Continue Reading
