3 April – 3 May 2026
ESG is changing the landscape for financial institutions as stakeholders, including investors, increasingly expect them to make their operations more sustainable.
Financial services regulators also view ESG as a priority, embedding the principles of climate-related financial risks into their supervisory frameworks and dealing with greenwashing issues.
There is
A decade ago, “silent cyber” forced the market to confront unintended, unpriced coverage lurking among traditional policy lines. The same dynamic is now playing out with artificial intelligence, and it is accelerating faster than policy language, underwriting questionnaires or claims protocols can adapt. The result is a growing category of “silent AI” exposure, being AI-related
A decade ago, “silent cyber” forced the market to confront unintended, unpriced coverage lurking among traditional policy lines. The same dynamic is now playing out with artificial intelligence, and it is accelerating faster than policy language, underwriting questionnaires or claims protocols can adapt. The result is a growing category of “silent AI” exposure, being AI-related
On 18 May 2026, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) shared its observations on the first sustainability reports prepared under Chapter 2M of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Corporations Act). ASIC is sharing these observations to help other reporting entities as they approach the 30 June 2026 reporting season. ASIC’s
On 13 May 2026, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) released for consultation a new draft licensing framework for locally-incorporated Authorised Deposit-taking Institutions (ADIs). Aside from the consultation paper, APRA has also released the draft ADI licensing framework for feedback, which comprises the ADI Licensing Criteria and ADI Licensing Guidelines.
Background
On 8 May 2026, the Australian Securities and Investments Commissions (ASIC) issued an open letter to industry calling on all licensees and market participants to urgently strengthen their cyber resilience measures, as frontier artificial intelligence (AI) intensifies the global cyber risk environment.
The letter emphasises the need for urgent, focused action
On 4 May 2026, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) reminded providers of financial services involved in digital assets to decide whether they require an Australian Financial Services (AFS) licence (or variation to their existing AFS licence) by 30 June 2026. After this date, ASIC’s no-action position expires.
Key deadline
On 6 May 2026, the Financial Stability Board (FSB) issued a report on vulnerabilities in private credit.
The report forms part of the FSB’s work programme to enhance resilience in non-bank financial intermediation.
Private credit activity has grown rapidly, to an estimated $1.5 to 2.0 trillion in assets at end-2024 and is heavily