Banking & Finance

BaFin Administrative Act on Netting Agreements

BaFin issued a general administrative act to ensure legal certainty for netting agreements under German insolvency law. This act clarifies the settlement of contractual netting agreements for institutions and their counterparties, applying from June 10, 2016, until December 31, 2016.

BaFin General Administrative Act on Contracts for Differences (CFDs)

BaFin has issued a general administrative act concerning contracts for differences (CFDs) for retail clients, referencing EU Regulation No 600/2014 (MiFIR). This act outlines restrictions on the marketing, distribution, and sale of CFDs to retail clients, building upon previous BaFin and ESMA measures.

BaFin - Countercyclical Capital Buffer Rate Set to 0%

BaFin has issued a general administrative act setting the rate for the countercyclical capital buffer at 0% effective January 1, 2016. This decision is based on an analysis of the credit-to-GDP gap and other economic indicators, which indicated no need for an active buffer at this time.

BaFin Order on Insurance Undertaking Complaints Management

BaFin has issued an administrative act ordering primary insurers authorized to conduct cross-border business in Germany to establish a complaints management function. Insurers must also submit an annual report on complaints received, detailing complaint types, causes, and resolution status.

BaFin Hearing on Prohibition of Credit-Linked Notes to Retail Clients

BaFin has issued a hearing regarding a proposed administrative act to prohibit the marketing, distribution, and sale of credit-linked notes to retail clients. The comment period for this proposed prohibition closes on September 2, 2016.

HKMA Scam Alert Related to Banks

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has issued a scam alert regarding fraudulent websites and phishing attempts targeting bank customers. The alert specifically mentions OCBC Bank (Hong Kong) Limited and advises the public on how to protect themselves and report suspicious activity.

Banca d'Italia: January Bond Issues Total €4.4 Billion

The Banca d'Italia reported that net bond issues by resident sectors in January 2026 totaled €4.4 billion. General government net issues were positive at €3.0 billion, driven by BTPs and other central government securities, while BOTs contributed negatively. Other financial intermediaries, insurance corporations, and non-financial corporations also contributed positively to the remaining €1.3 billion in net issues.

Public Finances: Borrowing Requirement and Debt - January 2026

The Bank of Italy has published its report on public finances, detailing the borrowing requirement and debt for January 2026. The report includes statistical data on government debt holders and changes in debt levels.

BIS Appoints Hélène Rey as Economic Adviser and Department Head

The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) announced the appointment of Hélène Rey as its new Economic Adviser and Head of the Monetary and Economic Department. Ms Rey will serve a five-year term starting September 2026, succeeding Hyun Song Shin.

CFTC Names Jessica Harris as Director of Data and Chief Data Officer

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) announced the appointment of Jessica Harris as Director of the Division of Data and Chief Data Officer. This appointment aims to enhance the CFTC's data strategy amidst evolving derivatives markets.