Australia

Monthly Global FinTech regulatory updater

Every month we provide the Global Blockchain Business Council’s Post-Trade Distributed Ledger group with a global regulatory FinTech updater, the latest version of which can be found here. Post Trade Distributed Ledger (PTDL) Group is composed of over 40 prominent market infrastructure stakeholders whose shared vision of the use of distributed ledger technology has brought them … Continue Reading

Basel Committee consults on an amendment to the process for reviewing the G-SIB methodology

On 20 July 2021, the Basel Committee of Banking Supervision published a consultation document setting out a technical amendment to the Basel framework. The amendment sets out a new process that will be used by the Committee to review the assessment methodology for global systemically important banks (G-SIBs). The Committee plans to replace the existing … Continue Reading

GFXC updates FX Global Code, publishes new templates for disclosures and guidance paper on Pre-hedging

On 15 July 2021, the Global Foreign Exchange Committee (GFXC) completed its review of the FX Global Code, updating its principles of good practice in the foreign exchange market in several key areas. The GFXC also published templates for industry participants to use in improving disclosures and assisting with transaction cost analysis. The GFXC is … Continue Reading

Episode 9 of the Regulation Tomorrow Podcast – out now

By Jonathan Herbst (UK), Samuel Ramer (US), Jon Ireland and Sun Hong on July 15, 2021 Posted in Asia, Australia, Seminars, webinars and podcasts, United Kingdom, United States

Episode 9 of the Regulation Tomorrow Podcast is available to stream and download on your usual podcast platform. In this month’s podcast we speak to Jonathan Herbst about the future of financial services in the UK and also the HMT Wholesale Markets Review. We are joined by Sam Ramer from our US practice, who explains … Continue Reading

FSB interim report on lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic from a financial stability perspective

On 13 July 2021, the Financial Stability Board (FSB) published an interim report on the lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic from a financial stability perspective. Among other things the interim report notes that: So far, the global financial system has weathered the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to greater resilience, supported by the G20 reforms, and … Continue Reading

Report on CBDCs

On 9 July 2021, there was published a report on central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). The report was released by the Committee on Payments and Market Infrastructures, the Bank for International Settlements Innovation Hub, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. The report looks at how CBDCs could facilitate enhanced cross-border payments, and how … Continue Reading

G20 communiqué – third Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting

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

Treasury drops-off products from add-on insurance reforms

By Ray Giblett (AU), Timothy Chan (AU) and Caterina Presutti on July 13, 2021 Posted in Australia, General, Insurance

We previously wrote on the upcoming implementation of the 2021 insurance regulatory reforms, including the deferred sales model for add-on insurance products. On 8 July 2021, the Treasurer announced which insurance products will be exempt from the deferred sales model. What is the Deferred Sales Model? The Government passed the Financial Sector Reform (Hayne Royal … Continue Reading

Update: Treasury consultation on FFSP relief

By Jon Ireland and Laura Taylor on July 9, 2021 Posted in Australia, General, Regulatory Compliance

As anticipated in our previous update, today Treasury released a consultation paper on options to restore previously well-established regulatory relief for Foreign Financial Services Providers (FFSPs), and options to create a fast-tracked licensing process for those that wish to establish a more permanent operation in Australia. Stakeholder feedback is sought on the following three options … Continue Reading

FSB publishes three climate-related reports

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

Basel Committee’s reforms helped cushion the impact of COVID-19 shock on banks

On 6 July 2021, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision published a report that gives a preliminary assessment of the impact of the implemented Basel reforms during the COVID-19 pandemic as part of a broader review of their effectiveness. Overall, the report finds that the increased quality and higher levels of capital and liquidity in … Continue Reading

FSB urges action to complete the transition away from LIBOR by end-2021

By Hannah Meakin (UK) on July 7, 2021 Posted in Africa, Asia, Australia, Benchmarks – IBOR transition, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States

On 6 July 2021, the Financial Stability Board (FSB) published a progress report to the G20 on LIBOR transition and remaining issues. The progress report to the G20 is structured in four parts: Section 2 sets the scene on issues and risks associated with LIBOR transition. Section 3 presents observations and key themes from the … Continue Reading

Latest FATF papers

By Simon Lovegrove (UK) on July 6, 2021 Posted in Africa, Asia, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Money laundering, Money laundering, Money laundering, Money laundering, Money laundering, Money laundering, The Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States

On 1 July 2021, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) published: A stocktake report that examines commercially available or emerging technologies that facilitate advanced anti-money laundering / countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) analytics within regulated entities or collaborative analytics between financial institutions, while respecting data privacy and protection. A report that highlights the necessary … Continue Reading

Basel Committee – technical amendments to the calculation of minimum haircut floors for securities financing transactions

On 1 July 2021, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision published two technical amendments to the standard on minimum haircut floors for securities financing transactions (SFTs). The first technical amendment addresses an interpretative issue relating to collateral upgrade transactions and the second corrects for a misstatement of the formula used to calculate haircut floors for … Continue Reading

ASIC consults on crypto-asset based listed funds and other investment products

By Jon Ireland and Laura Taylor on July 1, 2021 Posted in Australia, General, Investment, Regulators, Uncategorized

On 30 June 2021, ASIC released its consultation paper 343: Crypto-assets as underlying assets for ETPs and other investment products (CP343). The consultation has a broad remit and potentially significant consequences for trading in and investment exposure to crypto-assets. ASIC is seeking feedback on proposals about exchange-traded products (ETPs) and other investment products that provide … Continue Reading

FSB consults on MMF resilience

On 30 June 2021, the Financial Stability Board issued a consultation report setting out policy proposals to enhance money market fund (MMF) resilience, including with respect to the appropriate structure of the sector and of underlying short-term funding markets. The report considers the likely effects of a broad range of policy options to address MMF … Continue Reading

IOSCO consults on sustainability-related regulatory and supervisory expectations in asset management

By Simon Lovegrove (UK) on July 1, 2021 Posted in Africa, Asia, Australia, Canada, ESG, ESG, ESG, ESG, ESG, ESG, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States

On 30 June 2021, the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) issued a consultation report on recommendations for sustainability-related practices, policies, procedures and disclosure in asset management. The consultation report focuses on investor protection issues and proposes that securities regulators consider setting regulatory and supervisory expectations for asset managers regarding sustainability-related risks and opportunities. The … Continue Reading

New papers from FATF and Wolfsberg Group

On 30 June 2021, there was published: Report from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on ethnically or racially motivated terrorism financing. The report, which is based on inputs from around 30 jurisdictions, focuses on the funding behind ethnically or racially motivated terrorism, also referred to as extreme right-wing terrorism. The report highlights the challenges … Continue Reading

FATF guidance on proliferation financing risk assessment and mitigation

By Simon Lovegrove (UK) on June 30, 2021 Posted in Africa, Asia, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Money laundering, Money laundering, Money laundering, Money laundering, Money laundering, Money laundering, The Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States

On 29 June 2021, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) published guidance on proliferation financing risk assessment and mitigation. The guidance seeks to develop a common understanding about the impact of the changes that FATF made in October last year to Recommendation 1 and its Interpretative Note to require countries and private sector entities to … Continue Reading

Recent FATF papers

By Simon Lovegrove (UK) on June 29, 2021 Posted in Africa, Asia, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Money laundering, Money laundering, Money laundering, Money laundering, Money laundering, Money laundering, The Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States

On 28 June 2021, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) published: A press release concerning the outcomes of the FATF Plenary held on 20-25 June 2021. The press release for the plenary reports that delegates finalised work in a number of important areas. These include a report that details the financial flows linked to environmental … Continue Reading

IOSCO report on issuers’ sustainability-related disclosures

By Daniel Nevzat (UK) on June 29, 2021 Posted in Africa, Asia, Australia, Canada, ESG, ESG, ESG, ESG, ESG, ESG, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States

On 28 June 2021, the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) issued a report on issuers’ sustainability-related disclosures. The report: Provides background and context to IOSCO’s work in the area of sustainability disclosures. Summarises the work that IOSCO has done to develop its vision for an International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) under the International Financial … Continue Reading

High Court clears the air on Quarantine Act 1908 (Cth) exclusions

By Ray Giblett (AU) and Timothy Chan (AU) on June 29, 2021 Posted in Insurance, Insurance

The High Court of Australia has denied special leave to appeal the decision of the New South Wales Supreme Court of Appeal in HDI Global Speciality SE v Wonkana No 3 Pty Ltd [2020] NSWCA 296, bringing to an end at least one element of confusion which has gripped policyholders and insurers since last year. … Continue Reading

Outsourcing and third-party risk – Overview of responses to FSB public consultation

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

Financial services monthly wrap-up – May 2021

By Jon Ireland, Ray Giblett (AU), Stephen Putnins, Angus Jamieson (AU), Timothy Chan (AU) and Remy Michelson on June 15, 2021 Posted in Australia, Budget, Financial advice, General

In May 2021, the Federal Budget for the 2021-2022 financial year was handed down which included a number of proposed legislative reforms which will affect the Australian funds management and superannuation industries. Most notably, the Budget Papers included a commitment to the implementation of the Corporate Collective Investment Vehicle regime and also flagged changes to … Continue Reading