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ESMA Guidelines on Crypto Company Staff Competence Requirements Under MiCA

Finantsinspektsioon has adopted ESMA's Guidelines for the criteria on the assessment of knowledge and competence under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) as advisory guidelines. Providers of crypto asset services must ensure staff handling clients have appropriate qualifications and experience. Staff giving advice face higher knowledge requirements than those issuing information. Annual competency assessments and regular additional training are mandatory. The guidelines enter into force on 28 July 2026.

Mandatory AML/CFT/CPF Checks for Financial Institutions and DNFBPs

The Financial Services Regulatory Commission (FSRC) of St. Kitts and Nevis has issued its January 2026 newsletter (Issue No. 139) reiterating that Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism/Countering Proliferation Financing (AML/CFT/CPF) checks are mandatory for regulated Financial Institutions (FIs) and Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs). The FSRC signals that by 2026, regulatory expectations will require firms to replace manual processes with automated, AI-driven systems for sanctions screening, PEP identification, adverse media checks, and transaction monitoring. Non-compliance with AML/CFT/CPF requirements can result in massive fines, suspension, or revocation of licences.

Occasional Conversation Podcast: Finfluencers, Scams, and Red Flags

The Financial Markets Authority of New Zealand published a podcast episode discussing finfluencers (financial influencers) who provide money advice on social media. The episode identifies red flags including guaranteed returns, urgency pressure, vague sponsorships, overseas platform promotions, and flashy lifestyle marketing. Listeners are advised to report misleading content to the FMA and social media platforms.

SEC Staff Guidance on Broker-Dealer Registration for Crypto Covered User Interfaces

The SEC Division of Trading and Markets issued a staff statement on April 13 providing its views on when providers of crypto asset securities interfaces must register as broker-dealers under Section 15(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The statement defines 'Covered User Interfaces' as software that assists users in initiating self-custodial crypto asset securities transactions on blockchain protocols, and identifies six conditions under which such interface providers would not require broker-dealer registration. The statement requires compliant interfaces to disclose their role, fee structure, cybersecurity practices, conflicts of interest, and fraud/fee-manipulation policies, and to implement appropriate policies and controls.

ESMA Guidelines on Financial Information Supervision Translation

ESMA published guidelines on financial information supervision under the Transparency Directive, establishing 18 supervisory guidelines covering scope, supervision objectives, European Supervisory Authorities' roles, pre-clearance procedures, selection methods, analysis procedures, supervisory actions, European coordination, emerging issues, and reporting. These guidelines apply to all EU member state competent authorities responsible for supervising financial information disclosures by issuers whose securities are admitted to trading on regulated markets. The guidelines enter into force two months after publication in all EU official languages.

NFRA Auditor-Audit Committee Interaction Series 5: Audit of Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets

NFRA published Series 5 of its Auditor-Audit Committee Interaction Series, providing guidance on dealing with the audit of provisions, contingent liabilities, and contingent assets. The document addresses requirements under Indian Accounting Standard Ind AS 37, along with Standards on Auditing SA 540 and SA 501. The guidance is intended to assist auditors and audit committees in strengthening oversight and audit quality in these areas.

Updated Model Risk Management Guidance for OCC-Supervised Institutions

The OCC, in coordination with the Federal Reserve Board and FDIC, issued updated model risk management guidance for OCC-supervised institutions, rescinding three prior OCC bulletins and the Model Risk Management booklet of the Comptroller's Handbook. The guidance is non-enforceable and establishes risk-based, tailored principles commensurate with an institution's size and complexity. It applies most directly to banking organizations with over $30 billion in total assets and explicitly excludes generative AI and agentic AI models from its scope.

Agencies Issue Revised Model Risk Management Guidance

The FDIC, OCC, and Federal Reserve jointly issued revised model risk management guidance for banking organizations. The guidance clarifies that model risk management should be tailored to the size, complexity, and model risk profile of each organization, covering model development and use, validation, monitoring, governance, and third-party/vendor product considerations. The agencies explicitly state the guidance does not create enforceable standards or prescriptive requirements, and non-compliance will not result in supervisory criticism. FDIC simultaneously rescinded two prior guidance letters: FIL-22-2017 and FIL-27-2021.

Agencies Revise Interagency Model Risk Management Guidance

The FDIC, OCC, and Federal Reserve Board jointly issued revised interagency model risk management guidance and rescinded the existing guidance on the same topic. The revision applies to all FDIC-supervised financial institutions and reflects updated supervisory expectations for model risk governance, model validation, and model inventory practices.

National Payments System Vision and Strategy Framework 2026-2030

The Reserve Bank of Malawi has published the National Payments System Vision and Strategy Framework for 2026 to 2030, establishing five strategic objectives: strengthening regulatory oversight, modernising payment infrastructure, mitigating cyber and fraud risks, fostering digital adoption, and embracing emerging financial technologies including central bank digital currency and virtual assets. The Framework addresses ongoing challenges including high transaction costs, cybersecurity threats, infrastructure gaps, and cash dominance while seeking to align Malawi's payments ecosystem with regional integration in SADC and COMESA.

Agencies Revise Interagency Model Risk Management Guidance, Rescind Prior FILs

The FDIC, OCC, and Federal Reserve issued revised interagency model risk management guidance on April 17, 2026, replacing prior guidance (FIL-22-2017 and FIL-27-2021). The guidance establishes a risk-based approach to model risk management tailored to a banking organization's model risk profile, size, and operational complexity. The document explicitly does not create enforceable standards—non-compliance alone will not result in supervisory criticism.

Mortgage Call Report Version 7 (MCR FV7) Guidance for Q1 2026 Implementation

The Texas Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending (SML) has issued guidance on implementing Mortgage Call Report Form Version 7 (MCR FV7), effective for the Q1 2026 reporting period. Submissions open April 1, 2026 with a May 15, 2026 deadline. SML will not pursue enforcement for late Q1 2026 filings on a case-by-case basis but requires licensees and registrants to make good faith efforts to submit accurate data, as placeholder filings are not acceptable.

Revised Guidance on Model Risk Management

The Federal Reserve, OCC, and FDIC jointly issued revised interagency guidance on model risk management, superseding SR letter 11-7 and SR letter 21-8. The guidance updates model risk management principles based on 15 years of supervisory experience and industry feedback, emphasizing a risk-based approach tailored to each banking organization's model risk profile and operational complexity. The revised guidance applies to banking organizations with over $30 billion in total assets regulated by the Federal Reserve.

FDIC OCC Federal Reserve Issue Revised Model Risk Management Guidance

The FDIC, OCC, and Federal Reserve Board issued revised model risk management guidance for banking organizations. The guidance clarifies that model risk management should be tailored to each organization's size, complexity, and model risk profile, highlighting principles for effective model development, validation, monitoring, and governance. The document rescinds two prior FDIC Financial Institution Letters. The guidance explicitly states it does not create enforceable standards and non-compliance will not result in supervisory criticism.

OCC Issues Updated Model Risk Management Guidance Rescinding Prior Bulletins

The OCC, in coordination with the Federal Reserve and FDIC, issued updated model risk management guidance for OCC-supervised institutions. The guidance rescinds prior OCC bulletins including OCC Bulletin 2011-12, OCC Bulletin 2021-19, OCC Bulletin 1997-24, and the Model Risk Management booklet of the Comptroller's Handbook. The updated guidance emphasizes that model risk management practices should be risk-based, tailored, and commensurate with a banking organization's size, complexity, and extent of model use. The guidance explicitly states it does not set forth enforceable standards and non-compliance will not result in supervisory criticism.

OCC Revises Model Risk Management Guidance for Banks

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) issued Bulletin 2026-13, revising its Model Risk Management guidance for nationally chartered banks and federal savings associations. The updated guidance addresses the development, validation, implementation, and monitoring of models used in bank decision-making processes. Banks are expected to incorporate the revised standards into their model risk management frameworks.

AIFMD Guidance: Additional Marketing Disclosure Requirements for AIFs v3.1

The CSSF has published updated guidance (Version 3.1) on additional disclosures required under Article 23(1) AIFMD for alternative investment funds the AIFM intends to market. The guidance addresses paragraph (f) of Annex IV of AIFMD, specifying information requirements for marketing materials. This applies to Alternative Investment Fund Managers (AIFMs) operating in or marketing funds to Luxembourg.

EBA Guidelines on Environmental Scenario Analysis for Financial Institutions

The National Bank of Belgium published Circular NBB_2026_03 transmitting EBA Guidelines EBA/GL/2025/04 of 5 November 2025 on environmental scenario analysis. The guidelines establish how financial institutions should conduct scenario analysis to assess environmental risks, including climate-related and nature-related factors. Credit institutions and financial services groups supervised by the NBB must consider these guidelines in their risk management frameworks.

NBB Circular on ICT Incident Reporting and Cyber Threat Notification Under DORA

The National Bank of Belgium issued Circular NBB_2026_04 establishing procedures for financial institutions to report major ICT-related incidents and voluntarily notify significant cyber threats under the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA). The circular applies to credit institutions, stockbroking firms, insurance and reinsurance companies, market infrastructures, payment institutions, e-money institutions, and institutions authorized to hold dematerialised securities. Affected entities must use NBB-specified procedures and timelines for incident reporting and may voluntarily submit notifications regarding significant cyber threats.

DORA Register Submission Circular NBB_2026_05

The National Bank of Belgium issued Circular NBB_2026_05 on April 2, 2026, establishing requirements for financial institutions to submit registers of information as required under the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA). The circular applies to credit institutions, insurance and reinsurance companies, stockbroking firms, market infrastructures, payment institutions, and e-money institutions. Institutions falling within scope must compile and submit registers containing ICT risk management, ICT-related incidents, and third-party ICT service provider information.

UK Financial Sanctions Strategy 2026-2029

HM Treasury and OFSI published the UK Financial Sanctions Strategy for 2026-2029, setting out a three-year plan to ensure financial sanctions remain effective, resilient and impactful. The strategy outlines four pillars: Promote, Enable, Respond, and Change. Key outcomes include enhanced threat understanding based on data, high-quality licensing and enforcement, and strengthened partnerships with industry, government, and international bodies.