Category: Regulation

March 27, 2024 BY Simon Mugo

Bank of England Probes Bank Valuations and the Private Equity Industry

In its March quarterly meeting notes, the Committee acknowledged the vital role of private equity in facilitating finance to the UK's real economy. However, it pointed out the challenges in evaluating asset values and leverage within this sector, which complicates the assessment of potential risks to financial stability, investment, and employment. It was also noted…

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CLS
March 21, 2024 BY Simon Mugo

Upcoming US Stock Settlement Changes To Affect International Funds

This adjustment, set to take effect on May 28, contrasts with the T+2 cycle common in most other parts of the world. It will prompt industry participants to revisit their operational strategies to mitigate transaction failures and elevated trading costs. Ben Springett from Jefferies highlighted that adapting to this new cycle could necessitate higher cash…

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Bank of Japan
March 18, 2024 BY Simon Mugo

Japanese Bank Starts Training Staff on Positive Interest Rates

About 3,300 employees of the Bank of Kyoto are being educated on the significance of interest rates, the process of determining lending rates, and the implications of rising interest rates for both the bank and its clientele through this program. The curriculum includes insights from veteran executives familiar with handling business in a positive interest…

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Doo Financial
March 15, 2024 BY Simon Mugo

Doo Financial Acquires Hong Kong SFC License To Trade Securities

The acquisition of the Type 1 license came after a thorough review of Doo Financial's operational framework, financial health, corporate governance practices, and the qualifications of its team, highlighting the firm's dedication to maintaining stringent compliance with regulatory standards. Armed with this new license, Doo Financial HK Limited is now equipped to carry out a…

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Hong Kong SFC
March 14, 2024 BY Simon Mugo

Hong Kong’s SFC Warns Investors Against ByBit, a Crypto Broker

The regulatory body specifically pointed out various offerings from Bybit, such as futures contracts, options, leveraged tokens, and other cryptocurrency-related services. These offerings have been promoted to Hong Kong's investors without the necessary regulatory approval, which could subject them to considerable financial jeopardy. In Hong Kong, transactions involving crypto-related products are classified as regulated activities…

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Raiffeisen Bank International
February 22, 2024 BY Simon Mugo

Raiffeisen, an Austrian Bank, Is Being Probed for Money Laundering

The investigation focuses on adherence to the critical "know-your-customer" (KYC) regulations, which serve as a fundamental measure against money laundering activities. This development occurs amidst additional investigations by the United States Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), making Raiffeisen, the leading Western bank operating in Russia, a subject of international regulatory attention. According…

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Santander bank
February 14, 2024 BY Simon Mugo

Santander Says It Did Not Violate US Sanctions on Iran

An internal communication, initially disclosed by Bloomberg News and subsequently verified by Reuters, revealed that Santander's global head of communications announced the bank had undertaken an extensive examination of connections to entities and individuals mentioned in the FT report. The investigation concluded that there were no sanctions breaches within any segment of Santander's international operations.…

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Westpac bank logo
January 31, 2024 BY Simon Mugo

Westpac Bank Fined $1.8M for Unconscionable $12Bn Swap Deal

The Court identified Westpac's approach in the pre-hedging phase of the interest rate swap as unconscionable. The verdict underscores the importance of maintaining ethical standards in financial dealings, particularly high-value transactions. Sarah Court, the Deputy Chairwoman of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), stressed the global necessity of proper conduct in pre-hedging activities. She…

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January 29, 2024 BY Simon Mugo

EU Reiterates Tough Limits on Crypto Firms Without a Base in the Bloc

The EU established the first extensive crypto market regulations globally last year, known as the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA), a significant step in regulating an online sector where enforcing national boundaries has been challenging. The latest EU guidelines detail how non-EU crypto firms and regulators should adhere to MiCA when seeking to provide services directly…

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Finma Logo
January 24, 2024 BY Simon Mugo

Swiss FINMA Appoints Ex-ECB Director Stefan Walter As Its New CEO

A German national, 59-year-old Walter's extensive background in the financial sector is marked by significant roles at global financial institutions. His stint at the ECB, which began in 2014, saw him supervising major banks within the eurozone. In 2020, he transitioned to a role that entailed overseeing risk supervision, focusing on diverse risk categories, including…

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