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Recommended Legal Action Plan for Transition from EONIA to €STR
07/16/2019
Following its consultation earlier this year, the working group charged with implementing the European market's move away from EONIA, has published a recommended legal action plan for new and legacy contracts referencing EONIA. The implementation of the recommended legal measures is intended to address issues arising from the transition from EONIA to the euro short-term rate (known as €STR). €STR is a risk-free rate and, with a fixed spread, will replace EONIA as a reference rate in a variety of euro-denominated financial contracts, including derivatives, collateral remuneration for derivatives and cash products such as commercial paper, repurchase agreements and default interest payable under syndicated loans.
Read more. -
European Commission Highlights Areas for Further Analysis in Basel III Reforms
07/15/2019
The Director General for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union of the European Commission has written to the European Banking Authority highlighting areas where further analysis is required on the impact and implementation of the Basel III reforms in the EU. The EBA is in the process of finalizing its advice to the European Commission on the impact within the EU of the implementation of the Basel III reforms to credit risk, operational risk, output floor and securities financing transactions.
Read more.Topic: Prudential Regulation -
EU Consultation on Guidelines on Compliance Function Requirements under MiFID II
07/15/2019
The European Securities and Markets Authority has published a consultation paper on proposed guidelines on the compliance function requirements that are set out in the revised Markets in Financial Instruments package. The consultation closes on October 15, 2019 and ESMA intends to publish its final guidelines in Q2 2020. The final guidelines will replace ESMA's guidelines that were issued in 2012 under MiFID I because some of the 2012 guidelines are now set out in MiFID II or its secondary legislation and so reflect the enhanced role of the compliance function under MiFID II.
Read more.Topic: MiFID II -
European Banking Authority Provides Guidance to Aide Convergent Implementation of the Liquidity Coverage Ratio in the EU
07/12/2019
The European Banking Authority has published its first report on its monitoring of the Liquidity Coverage Ratio implementation in the EU. The LCR has applied as a 100% minimum binding standard across the EU since January 1, 2018, ahead of the Basel implementation date of January 1, 2019. The LCR requirements are set out in the Capital Requirements Regulation and the Capital Requirements Directive, supplemented by the LCR Delegated Regulation (Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/61). The LCR Delegated Regulation allows national regulators some discretion when implementing the LCR requirements. The EBA's report sets out its observations on the implementation of the LCR, focusing on the level of divergence of implementation of the LCR across the EU. To enhance a more convergent implementation of the LCR, the EBA also provides some guidance for national regulators and banks on operational deposits, retail deposits excluded from outflows and notifications on additional liquidity outflows.
The EBA intends to continue monitoring implementation of the LCR, including the extent to which national regulators and banks apply its guidance incorporated in the report and will assess whether any more formal guidance is needed.
View the EBA's report.Topic: Prudential Regulation -
European Securities and Markets Authority Publishes Report on the Licensing of FinTech Business Models
07/12/2019
Fulfilling its mandate under the European Commission's FinTech Action Plan to map the current authorization and licensing approaches for innovative FinTech business models in Europe, the European Securities and Markets Authority has published a report on the licensing of FinTech business models. The report sets out the key conclusions identified from the information collected from national regulators through two surveys that ESMA conducted in the last two years, and some of the actions that have been taken to address the emerging challenges. The report does not make any recommendations, but instead refers to previous advice and reports that make recommendations for an EU-level response to the issues.
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EU Legislative Package for Cross-Border Distribution of Investment Funds Published
07/12/2019
A Regulation and a Directive aimed at facilitating the cross-border distribution of investment funds have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union. The Directive amends the Directive on Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities and the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive by introducing new provisions and amending certain existing provisions of those pieces of legislation. The new Regulation aims to increase transparency on the rules and procedures applicable to cross-border marketing of investment funds and regulatory fees and charges levied by national regulators. Member states are required to transpose the Directive into national laws by, and apply those laws from, August 2, 2021. Certain provisions of the Regulation will apply directly across the EU from 1 August 2019, with the remaining provisions applying from August 2, 2021.
Read more.Topic: Fund Regulation -
European Securities and Markets Authority Launches Consultation on Disclosure Guidelines Under EU Prospectus Regulation
07/12/2019
The European Securities and Markets Authority has launched a consultation on its proposed guidelines on compliance with disclosure requirements under the new EU Prospectus Regulation. The Consultation Paper may be of particular interest to investors, issuers, offerors or persons asking for admission to trading on a regulated market and any market participant who is affected by the new Prospectus Regulation. Responses to the consultation should be submitted by October 4, 2019. ESMA intends to publish a final summary of all consultation responses and a final version of the guidelines in Q2 2020.
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EU Evaluates MiFID II's Success in Improving Trade Data Quality, Availability and Costs
07/12/2019
The European Securities and Markets Authority has launched a consultation on the development of pre- and post-trade transparency data and the functioning of the consolidated tape for equity instruments under the revised Markets in Financial Instruments package. The consultation paper sets out ESMA's initial views, taking into account feedback received during earlier roundtables and questionnaires. Responses to the consultation should be provided by September 6, 2019. ESMA will consider the feedback it receives in preparing its final report, which it intends to submit to the European Commission in December 2019. The final report will assist the Commission in preparing its review reports to the European Parliament and Council of the European Union, which are expected to be published in 2020.
Read more.Topic: MiFID II -
EMIR Refit: EU Clarification on Derivatives Trading and Clearing Obligations
07/12/2019
The European Securities and Markets Authority has issued a Statement clarifying the application and interaction of the EU derivatives clearing and trading obligations following the entry into force of the revised European Market Infrastructure Regulation, known as EMIR Refit.
EMIR Refit has, subject to limited exceptions, applied directly across the EU since June 17, 2019. EMIR Refit amended the definition of a Financial Counterparty, bringing central securities depositories authorized under the EU Central Securities Depositories Regulation within scope and categorizing all Alternative Investment Funds as FCs (or, for non-EU funds, as third-country entities equivalent to FCs). It also introduced a clearing threshold for FCs, meaning that small FCs are exempt from the clearing obligation. In addition, Non-Financial Counterparties that meet the clearing threshold no longer must clear all derivatives that they enter that are subject to the clearing obligation, but only those derivatives in the asset class for which they have exceeded the threshold.
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UK Payment Systems Regulator Launches Consultation on Supply of Card-Acquiring Services
07/11/2019
The U.K. Payment Systems Regulator has launched a consultation on the PSR's proposed approach to assessing the profitability of card-acquiring service providers for U.K. merchants and consumers. The Consultation Paper may be of particular interest to providers of card-acquiring services, merchant trade bodies and merchants, as well as card scheme operators and issuers. Responses to the consultation should be submitted by August 1, 2019. Following the consultation, the PSR intends to publish a report setting out its interim conclusions on the supply of card-acquiring services.
Read more. -
Firms Criticized for Non-Compliance with the EU Contracts For Difference Product Intervention Measures
07/11/2019
The European Securities and Markets Authority has published a Statement cautioning contracts for difference providers to comply with its temporary product intervention measure restricting the marketing, distribution or sale of CfDs to retail clients. The measure is due to expire at the end of the day on July 31, 2019, unless ESMA again renews it.
In its Statement, ESMA states that it has noticed and is concerned that certain firms are not complying with the temporary CfD restriction or any similar permanent national measure. ESMA reminds firms that the temporary CfD restriction does not apply to eligible counterparties or professional clients, including to retail clients who opt to being treated as professional clients, as defined in the revised Markets in Financial Instruments Directive. However, firms must comply with the MiFID II requirements when dealing with a retail client that requests to opt up to being treated as a professional client, including by alerting clients to the loss of protection afforded by the temporary CfD restriction. ESMA also reminds firms that they should not incentivize a retail client to become a professional client by using language that promotes the status or benefits of professional clients.
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UK Conduct Regulator Publishes Final Prospectus Regulation Rules
07/11/2019
The Prospectus Regulation Rules Instrument 2019 has been published, setting out the new FCA Prospectus Regulation Rules sourcebook. The Instrument also makes amendments to certain other sections of the FCA Handbook as well as to the FCA's Enforcement Guide and Perimeter Guidance manual. The new rules aim to align the U.K. rules with the EU Prospectus Regulation and will take effect from July 21, 2019.
Any prospectus approved by the FCA before July 21, 2019 will be governed by national law under the old Prospectus Directive regime until either: (i) the end of the prospectus' validity; or (ii) July 21, 2020. Prospectuses submitted for approval on or after July 21, 2019 must be in line with the EU Prospectus Regulation and the FCA's new Prospectus Regulation Rules sourcebook.
View the Prospectus Regulation Rules Instrument 2019.
View details of the FCA Policy Statement on the Prospectus Regulation Rules sourcebook. -
UK Conduct Regulator Publishes New Measure of Market Cleanliness
07/09/2019
The U.K.'s Financial Conduct Authority has published details of its Abnormal Trading Volume ratio, a new metric by which the FCA intends to measure "market cleanliness". Market cleanliness refers to the level of market abuse activities, such as insider dealing or market manipulation, affecting transactions in the market. The FCA currently monitors market abuse using a variety of tools, including the mandatory submission of suspicious transaction and order reports by those involved in executing certain types of financial market transactions.
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UK Conduct Regulator Publishes Annual Report
07/09/2019
The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority has published its Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended March 31, 2019. The report considers topics including: (i) key highlights from 2018/2019; (ii) the U.K.'s withdrawal from the EU and the FCA's proposed approach to regulation in the wake of Brexit; (iii) the FCA's cross-sector and sector priorities; and (iv) perimeter issues. The report follows the publication of the FCA's first Annual Perimeter Report in June 2019, which provides a review of the FCA's regulatory perimeter.
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European Banking Authority Publishes Progress Report on Repair of Internal Ratings Based Models
07/08/2019
The European Banking Authority has published a progress report on its 2016 roadmap designed to address concerns about the variability of own funds requirements arising from the internal models that firms use to calculate their minimum credit risk capital requirements under the Capital Requirements Regulation.
Read more.
Topic: Prudential Regulation -
US Regulators Clarify Position on Broker-Dealer Custody of Digital Asset Securities
07/08/2019
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority have issued a joint statement clarifying how their traditional regulatory approaches would apply to how broker-dealers handle their customers' digital asset securities and transactions. Specifically, the statement focuses on how certain SEC and FINRA rules apply to broker-dealers that wish to take custody of digital asset securities or perform other noncustodial activities involving such assets.
The SEC and FINRA staffs (collectively, the "Staffs") said that a number of firms have applied to FINRA to engage in broker-activities involving digital asset securities, and a number of registered broker-dealers have also submitted applications to expand their businesses to include digital asset securities services. Many of these applications cover proposed business models that would involve the applicant taking custody of digital asset securities, while others would involve certain noncustodial activities.
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European Banking Authority Publishes Report on FinTech's Impact on Payment and Electronic Money Institutions' Business Models
07/08/2019
The European Banking Authority has published a report on the impact of financial technology on the business models of payment and electronic money institutions. The report aims to provide an overview of the current FinTech landscape and raise awareness of the main trends affecting business models. It follows major developments in the industry including the introduction of the revised Payment Services Directive (known as PSD2), the emergence of new market entrants offering innovative products and the growth of instant and mobile payment methods.
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HM Treasury Publishes Report on Activities of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Supervisory Bodies
07/08/2019
HM Treasury has published a report on the activities undertaken by the U.K.'s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing supervisory bodies in 2017-2018. The report follows the publication of the Financial Action Task Force's Mutual Evaluation Report, published in December 2018. The Mutual Evaluation Report found that the U.K.'s AML/CTF regime was the strongest of all the countries assessed by the FATF. However, the report still identified shortcomings in regulated firms' compliance with the Money Laundering Regulations 2017 and the performance of supervisory bodies responsible for overseeing AML/CTF activity.
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UK Conduct Regulator Presses Non-Bank Payment Service Providers for Compliance with Safeguarding of Customer Funds Requirements
07/04/2019
The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority has published the outcome of its multi-firm review into the safeguarding arrangements of customer funds by non-bank payment service providers. The FCA assessed how 11 non-bank PSPs complied with the requirements for safekeeping of customer funds under the U.K.'s Payment Services Regulations 2017 and Electronic Money Regulations 2011. These Regulations require authorized payment institutions and e-money institutions to take measures to safeguard their customers' funds, including segregating relevant funds and performing reconciliations, to ensure that in the event of the insolvency of the firm, the client's funds can be returned in a timely and orderly way. The FCA has provided guidance on complying with the requirements in the relevant Approach Document. Customer funds held by these types of institutions are not protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
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EU Seeks Feedback on Taxonomy for Sustainable Economic Activities
07/04/2019
The European Commission's Technical Expert Group on sustainable finance has launched a call for feedback on the taxonomy for sustainable economic activities. The TEG's Report on Taxonomy was published on June 18, 2019, alongside the Commission's Guidelines on reporting climate-related information, an interim TEG report on EU climate benchmarks and a TEG report on an EU green bond standard. The Report on Taxonomy links to the EU's proposed Regulation on the establishment of a framework to facilitate sustainable investment.
Feedback on the TEG's Report on Taxonomy should be submitted by September 13, 2019.
View the Report on Taxonomy.
View further details on the call for feedback.
View the Commission's Guidelines on reporting climate-related information. -
Eurozone Resolution Board Publishes Approach to Public Interest Assessment
07/03/2019
The Single Resolution Board has published a paper setting out its approach to the Public Interest Assessment under the resolution framework for Eurozone banks. The SRB is the resolution authority for all banking groups and entities as well as cross-border groups that are subject to direct prudential supervision by the European Central Bank (i.e., for banks within the Eurozone Banking Union). Under the resolution framework, an assessment is undertaken as to whether it would be in the public interest for a failing bank or a bank that is likely to fail to be resolved. The assessment is based on the objectives of maintaining financial stability, protecting covered depositors and safeguarding public funds. Where resolution is not appropriate, a bank would instead be subject to national insolvency procedures.
The SRB's paper outlines the factors that it would take into account when carrying out the public interest assessment and how it applies the legal criteria. The paper also includes examples of how the SRB has conducted the assessment in practice by reference to recent resolutions involving banks such as Banco Popular Español S.A., Banca Popolare di Vicenza S.p.A, Veneto Banca S.p.A. and ABLV Group.
View the SRB paper.Topic: Recovery and Resolution -
UK Conduct Regulator Proposes Banning the Sale to Retail Clients of Derivatives Referencing Crypto-Assets
07/03/2019
The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority has launched a consultation proposing to restrict the sale, marketing and distribution of derivatives and exchange-traded notes that reference certain types of unregulated, transferable crypto-asset to all retail clients by firms in, or from, the U.K. The FCA consultation follows the final report of the U.K. Crypto-Assets Task Force in October 2018. The FCA's view is that although the U.K.'s market in crypto-assets is relatively small, there is still a consumer protection issue that needs to be addressed.
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European Central Bank Requests Benchmark Transition Plans from Large Eurozone Banks
07/03/2019
The Chair of the Supervisory Board of the European Central Bank, Andrea Enria, has written a "Dear CEO" letter to the larger Eurozone banks on their preparation for the transition from interest rate benchmarks to risk-free-rates. The ECB is responsible for direct prudential supervision of certain significant banks based in the Eurozone as part of the Single Supervisory Mechanism. The ECB is seeking assurance from these banks that they have plans in place to address the transition from interest rate benchmarks to risk-free-rates, focusing on the transition from the Euro overnight index average, EONIA, to the Euro short-term rate - €STR - as a euro risk-free rate. EONIA will be calculated as €STR plus a fixed spread, from October 2, 2019, which is when €STR will be launched. EONIA is due to cease entirely from the beginning of 2022.
The ECB is requesting the significant Eurozone banks to provide: (i) a summary of the key risks to the reform of benchmarks; (ii) a detailed action plan on how to address those risks and pricing issues as well as implement process changes; and (iii) contact details for those at the firm overseeing the transition.
View the letter.
View details of the new EONIA methodology. -
UK Regulator Justifies Ignoring EU Opinion on CfD Rules
07/02/2019
The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority has published a statement setting out its reasons for failing to act in accordance with the European Securities and Markets Authority's Opinion on the FCA's measures restricting the sale of Contracts for Difference and CfD-like options to retail customers. Where a national regulator takes product intervention measures under the Markets in Financial Instruments Regulation, ESMA must adopt an opinion on whether those measures are justified and proportionate. If ESMA's opinion states that the measures are not justified and proportionate and a national regulator declines to take action on the basis of ESMA's opinion, the national regulator must immediately publish a statement on its website explaining why it has adopted that course of action.
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UK Conduct Regulator Publishes Arrangements for Sharing Personal Data with Non-EEA Authorities
07/02/2019
The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority has published its signed Administrative Arrangement agreement dictating the circumstances in which it, as an EEA authority, may share the personal data that it holds with non-EEA authorities. The agreement is a standard form of agreement which will be signed by relevant EEA and non-EEA authorities and is designed to safeguard personal data transfers between authorities in light of new requirements imposed by the General Data Protection Regulation. The agreement includes, among other things, provisions restricting the circumstances in which relevant authorities may transfer data (including that it may only be transferred for the purpose of assisting the authority to fulfil its regulatory mandate and that it will only transfer data that are adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary for the purposes for which they are transferred) and the processes the authority will establish to review their own policies and procedures on transfers of personal data.
View the FCA's signed Administrative Agreement.Topic: Consumer / Retail -
Financial Stability Board Reports on Implementation of the TLAC Standard
07/02/2019
The Financial Stability Board has published a report on the Review of the Technical Implementation of the Total Loss-Absorbing Capacity (TLAC) Standard. The FSB conducted a review of implementation of the TLAC Standard by jurisdictions that covered the Global Systemically Important Banks to which the TLAC Standard applied as at January 1, 2019 and the home and material host jurisdictions of those G-SIBs. The focus of the review was assessing whether implementation aligns with the timelines and objectives set out in the TLAC Standard.
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UK Government Publishes Green Finance Strategy
07/02/2019
The U.K. Government has published a Green Finance Strategy for transforming finance for a greener future. The Green Finance Strategy has two objectives: to align private sector financial flows with clean, environmentally sustainable and resilient growth, supported by Government action and to strengthen the competitiveness of the U.K. financial sector. The Strategy document states that these objectives will be met by:
- Greening finance: ensuring current and future financial risks and opportunities from climate and environmental factors are integrated into mainstream financial decision-making, and that markets for green financial products are robust in nature. Some of the action committed to by the Government includes: (i) announcing an expectation for all listed companies and large asset owners to disclose by 2022 (as per the recommendations of the Financial Stability Board's Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures); (ii) establishing a joint taskforce with U.K. regulators, chaired by Government, to examine the most effective way to approach disclosure and exploring the appropriateness of mandatory reporting; (iii) clarifying responsibilities for the Prudential Regulation Authority, the Financial Conduct Authority and the Financial Policy Committee to have regard to the Paris Agreement when carrying out their duties. The Government states that it will publish an interim report by the end of 2020, which will include an assessment of these steps.
Topic: Sustainable Finance -
UK Competition Authority To Review Retail Banking Market Investigation Rules
07/01/2019
The U.K. Competition and Markets Authority has announced its decision to review Part 6 of the Retail Banking Market Investigation Order 2017. Part 6 requires providers of personal current account services to establish a system of alerts to their customers notifying them of specified information, including that the customer's account has exceeded a pre-agreed credit limit.
Read more.Topic: Competition -
EU to Lift Temporary Ban on the Sale of Binary Options to Retail Clients in Wake of National Measures
07/01/2019
The European Securities and Markets Authority has ended its temporary prohibition on the marketing, distribution or sale of binary options to retail clients. ESMA's product intervention powers under the Markets in Financial Instruments Regulation allow it to impose temporary prohibitions or restrictions on certain financial instruments, financial activities or practices to address a significant investor protection concern in the EU.
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UK Regulator Publishes Rules Restricting Sale of Contracts for Difference and Related Options
07/01/2019
The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority has published the Conduct of Business (Contracts for Difference) Instrument 2019, implementing product intervention measures designed to restrict the sale, marketing and distribution of contracts for difference and contract for difference-like options to retail consumers. The rules will affect: (i) retail clients who invest, or may invest, in CFDs and CFD-like options; (ii) investment firms caught by the provisions of the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (including those caught by the Capital Requirements Directive, where appropriate) that are involved in marketing, distributing or selling CFDs and CFD-like options in, or from, the U.K. to retail clients; and (iii) U.K. branches of third-country investment firms that are involved in marketing, distributing or selling CFDs or CFD-like options to retail clients.
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Bank for International Settlements to Establish Innovation Hub for Central Bank Financial Technology
06/30/2019
The Bank for International Settlements has announced it will establish an innovation Hub to encourage international collaboration on innovative financial technology for central banks. The Hub's purpose will be to: (i) identify trends in technology affecting central banks; (ii) develop "public goods" in the technology space aimed at improving the functioning of the global financial system; and (iii) act as a focal point for central bank innovation.
Read more.Topic: FinTech -
UK Financial Conduct Authority Issues Response to EU Opinion on Strong Customer Authentication
06/28/2019
The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority has issued a statement confirming its intended approach to enforcing firms' compliance with EU "strong customer authentication" rules that will apply across the EU from September 14, 2019.
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Global Financial Innovation Network Publishes Progress Report
06/28/2019
The Global Financial Innovation Network, the group of financial regulators established in 2018 to support international financial innovation, has published a report on the progress made during its first year. The group is made up of 35 global regulators from 21 jurisdictions that work together to share knowledge and market experiences and enable innovative firms to interact with a network of regulators.
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Commodity Futures Trading Commission Launches LabCFTC Accelerator
06/27/2019
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission has announced two new programs as part of its LabCFTC initiative. The first is LabCFTC Accelerator, which will provide the agency with a number of tools to drive its understanding and potential adoption of emerging technologies. The second is the CFTC's second annual FinTech Forward conference, which will take place on October 24, 2019 and bring together a variety of stakeholders in the FinTech ecosystem to explore the latest developments in the space.
As part of the LabCFTC Accelerator program, the agency seeks to better understand emerging technologies through the use of tools such as internal pilots and tests, market research and innovation competitions. The topic for the upcoming innovation competition will be announced at the FinTech Forward 2019 conference.
FinTech Forward 2019 will bring together innovators, regulators, market participants, thought-leaders and the general public to cover a number of areas in the FinTech space, including digital assets, commodities and platforms, machine learning and AI, RegTech and algorithmic trading. The agency also said it expects there to be a greater focus on international FinTech, as the event will coincide with the CFTC's Office of International Affairs' International Regulators Symposium. Registration for the FinTech Forward 2019 conference will be open to the public early this fall.
View the CFTC's announcement.
View details of the CFTC LabCFTC initiative.Topic: FinTech -
UK Payment Systems Regulator Publishes Progress Report on Access to and Governance of Payment Systems
06/27/2019
The U.K. Payment Systems Regulator has published its fourth report on developments in access to payment systems and the governance of those systems.
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UK Regulator Secures Insider Dealing Conviction
06/27/2019
The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority has secured convictions against two individuals accused of insider dealing. Fabiana Abdel-Malek, a former senior compliance officer at the London office of a major European headquartered bank, and Walid Anis Choucair, her family friend, were both sentenced to three years' imprisonment for insider dealing.
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Basel Committee on Banking Supervision Publishes Revisions to Leverage Ratio Requirements
06/26/2019
The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision has published revisions to its standards for leverage ratio capital requirements. The revisions relate to: (i) calculations of leverage ratios for "client-cleared" derivatives; and (ii) disclosure requirements for leverage ratios.
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UK Conduct Regulator Publishes Consultation on Regulation of Proxy Advisors under Revised Shareholder Rights Directive
06/26/2019
The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority has published a consultation on proposed changes to its Decision Making and Penalties Manual and Enforcement Guide to incorporate its new responsibility for regulation of proxy advisors. The proposals will be of interest to those falling within the Proxy Advisors (Shareholders' Rights) Regulations 2019 and anyone who uses the services of proxy advisors. Responses to the consultation should be submitted by July 26, 2019.
Read more. -
UK Secondary Legislation Published to Implement the Prospectus Regulation
06/25/2019
The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Prospectus) Regulations 2019 have been formally published and will come into force on July 21, 2019.
Read more.Topic: Securities -
Eurozone Single Resolution Board Publishes Update to MREL Policy
06/25/2019
The Eurozone Single Resolution Board has published an addendum to its 2018 policy statement on minimum requirements for own funds and eligible liabilities. The addendum takes into account changes made as part of the EU’s “Banking Package”, published in the Official Journal of the European Union on June 7, 2019, in particular the EU’s implementation of the Total Loss Absorbing Capacity (TLAC) standard by changes made under the revised Capital Requirements Regulation (CRR2).
Read more. -
UK Prudential Regulator Launches Consultation on Revisions to Pillar 2 Liquidity Reporting Frequency
06/25/2019
The U.K. Prudential Regulatory Authority has launched a consultation on amending the frequency with which firms must submit reports using the PRA’s liquidity reporting template. The obligation to make a report using the "PRA 110" template comes into force on July 1, 2019 and obliges firms with total assets equal to or greater than €30bn to report details of their liquidity on a monthly basis, or, in the event of specific liquidity or market stress, on a weekly basis.
Read more.Topic: Prudential Regulation -
Financial Stability Board Publishes Progress Report on G20 Financial Regulatory Reforms
06/25/2019
The Financial Stability Board has published a progress report summarizing FSB member jurisdictions’ progress in implementation of the G20’s recommended financial reforms. The G20’s program of financial reforms was launched in 2009 to mend the weaknesses that led to the global financial crisis. The FSB is the body responsible for delivering the G20’s proposed changes and its latest report sets out progress made since the FSB’s last report in November 2018, as well as areas where further work is required.
Read more.Topic: Prudential Regulation -
European Banking Authority Publishes Draft Methodology for 2020 EU-Wide Stress Tests
06/25/2019
The European Banking Authority has published its draft methodology, templates and template guidance for the 2020 EU-wide stress tests that will be carried out to assess EU banks' resilience to an adverse economic shock. The final methodology will be published by the end of 2019. The stress test will be launched in January 2020 and the results will be published by the end of July 2020.
Read more.Topic: Prudential Regulation -
European Securities and Markets Authority Issues Survey on Short-Term Pressure Imposed by the Financial Sector
06/24/2019
The European Securities and Markets Authority is seeking responses to its survey examining short-term pressure on corporations from the financial sector. The survey forms part of an investigation prompted by the European Commission into how short-termism in market practices may be inhibiting the EU’s progress towards a sustainable economy. ESMA’s survey is aimed at investors, issuers, management companies of undertakings for the collective investment in transferable securities, self-managed UCITS investment companies, alternative investment fund managers and the trade associations of financial market participants. Responses to the questionnaire must be submitted by July 29, 2019.
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US and UK Regulators Issue Joint Statement on Credit Derivatives Markets
06/24/2019
The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority have issued a joint statement regarding the use of "opportunistic strategies" in the credit derivatives markets, including but not limited to so-called "manufactured credit events." The agencies expressed concern that the use of such strategies could adversely affect the integrity and confidence of these markets, as well as markets more generally, due to issues related to securities, derivatives conduct and antifraud laws, along with public policy concerns.
Read more.Topic: Derivatives -
Basel Committee on Banking Supervision Publishes Overview of Pillar 2 Practices and Approaches
06/21/2019
The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision has published an overview report on the Pillar 2 supervisory review process and on the different practices that regulators and legislators in Basel member jurisdictions have adopted in relation to it.
Read more.Topic: Prudential Regulation -
International Organization for Securities Commissions Publishes Report on Liquidity in Corporate Bond Markets Under Stressed Conditions
06/21/2019
The International Organization for Securities Commissions has published a report studying the effect of stressed market conditions on liquidity in corporate bond markets. The report arose out of concerns about liquidity in the corporate bond market in the years since the global financial crisis and, in particular, the possibility that a significant sell-off could trigger price volatility and temporarily depress prices. The report is based upon a review of existing studies of corporate bond markets, an examination of historic periods of market stress and discussions with industry stakeholders.
Read more.Topic: Securities -
Final EU Secondary Legislation Under the Prospectus Regulation Published
06/21/2019
Two Commission Delegated Regulations supplementing the EU Prospectus Regulation have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union. The first Regulation is on the format, content, scrutiny and approval of the prospectus to be published when securities are offered to the public or admitted to trading on a regulated market. It will supplement the requirements in the Prospectus Regulation on: (i) the review, approval and filing of the universal registration document and any amendments; (ii) the format of the prospectus, the base prospectus and the final terms; (iii) the specific information to be included in a prospectus, the minimum information to be included in the universal registration document and the reduced information to be included under the simplified disclosure regime for secondary issuances; (iv) the reduced content, standardized format and the sequence of the EU Growth prospectus; (v) the reduced content and standardized format of the specific summary; and (vi) the review and approval of prospectuses by national regulators. The Regulation also repeals, from July 21, 2019, the existing Implementing Regulation under the existing Prospectus Directive on the form and content of prospectuses.
Read more.Topic: Securities -
European Banking Authority Publishes Opinion on Strong Customer Authentication Under Payment Services Directive
06/21/2019
The European Banking Authority has published an Opinion on market approaches to payment authentication that will be deemed compliant with the new rules on strong customer authentication coming into force later this year.
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Financial Action Task Force Publishes Guidance for a Risk-Based Approach to Virtual Assets and Virtual Asset Service Providers
06/21/2019
The Financial Action Task Force has published the outcomes of its third and last Plenary meeting under the U.S. Presidency in Orlando on June 19-21, 2019. The FATF considered key issues such as strategic initiatives, mutual evaluations and the upcoming focus areas under the Chinese Presidency.
Read more.
The following posts provide a snapshot of selected UK, EU and global financial regulatory developments of interest to banks, investment firms, broker-dealers, market infrastructures, asset managers and corporates.
