Banking & Finance

ASIC Extends Short Selling Relief for Precious Metal ETP Market Makers

ASIC has extended conditional short selling relief for appointed market makers in precious metal-backed exchange-traded products. This amendment, effective February 3, 2026, aims to support market liquidity and reduce settlement failure risk for specified structured products.

ASIC Refreshes Moneysmart Website for Young Australians

ASIC has refreshed its Moneysmart website to improve accessibility and relevance for young Australians seeking financial guidance. The update includes a new design, updated content, and fresh imagery to provide trusted, independent financial information.

BondAuction Europe B.V. Fined €10,125 for Capital Shortfall

De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) imposed an administrative fine of €10,125 on BondAuction Europe B.V. for repeatedly failing to maintain sufficient own funds. The firm experienced capital shortfalls on two occasions within a 25-month period, falling below the minimum requirement of €75,000.

DNB Payment Strategy 2026-2028: Broadening Options and Strengthening Resilience

De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) has released its Payment Strategy 2026-2028, aiming to enhance payment system resilience and autonomy by broadening options for consumers, retailers, and payment service providers. The strategy prioritizes reducing dependence on non-European entities and encouraging innovation, including the development of a digital euro and DLT solutions.

DNB Resilience Programme for Geopolitical Risks

De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) has launched a resilience programme to identify and strategize against geopolitical risks impacting the financial sector and its own operations. The programme assesses various scenarios, including cyber threats and operational disruptions, and aims to enhance organizational agility and efficiency.

Austrian Pension and Corporate Provision Companies Growth Q4 2025

The Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA) reported that pension companies and corporate provision companies experienced a 2.7% growth in assets under management in Q4 2025. Pension companies managed €30.4 billion, while corporate provision companies reached a record €23.6 billion.

FMA Guidance on Rapid Reduction of Problematic Lending for Banks

The Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA) has issued guidance urging banks to rapidly reduce non-performing loans (NPLs), particularly in commercial real estate financing. The guidance outlines expectations for clear objectives, honest cost appraisals, and robust implementation plans to strengthen banks' financial resilience and lending capacity.

Austrian FMA: Speedy Reduction of Non-Performing Loans

The Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA) has released a new publication in its 'Let's talk about supervision' series, focusing on the speedy reduction of non-performing loans (NPLs). This guidance highlights the importance of NPL reduction for banking sector resilience and economic functioning, particularly in commercial real estate financing.

FMA Warns of Fake Loans Impersonating Alpen Privatbank AG

The Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA) has issued a warning regarding fraudulent loan offers impersonating Alpen Privatbank AG. These scams target private individuals in German-speaking countries, soliciting advance payments by falsely promising loans.

AUSTRAC Website Updates for AML/CTF Reforms

AUSTRAC is updating its website starting March 30, 2026, to improve navigation and support for the implementation of AML/CTF reforms. These changes aim to make information easier to find for existing reporting entities and new tranche 2 entities.