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Securities Regulators Amend Benchmark Assurance Report Requirements

Canadian securities regulators have adopted final amendments to Multilateral Instrument 25-102, strengthening assurance report requirements for designated benchmarks. These changes clarify the scope, timing, and level of assurance for reports submitted by independent public accountants, effective May 5, 2026.

ASC Investor Alert: BG Wealth Sharing Suspected Investment Scheme

The Alberta Securities Commission (ASC) has issued an investor alert warning the public about BG Wealth Sharing, a suspected investment scheme promoted via social media and messaging apps. The scheme, linked to DSJ Exchange, claims to use AI for guaranteed returns and is not registered in Alberta.

BaFin Warns Consumers About Unauthorized Trading Platforms

BaFin has issued a warning to consumers regarding a series of unauthorized trading platforms operating under the slogan 'Smarter trading with zero spreads.' These platforms are suspected of conducting banking business and/or providing financial services without the necessary authorization from BaFin.

BaFin Warns Consumers About Gainorex Investment App

BaFin, the German financial regulator, has issued a warning to consumers regarding the Gainorex Investment app, suspected of operating without authorization. The app is being promoted through a WhatsApp group, and BaFin suspects its operators are offering unauthorized banking and financial services.

BaFin Warns Equity Research Ventures Over Prospectus

Germany's BaFin has issued a warning regarding Equity Research Ventures PTE. LTD. for allegedly offering capital investments without a required prospectus. The company is accused of soliciting public investments in Germany for a product named 'Co-Investment AlleAktien Wealth x SpaceX' without BaFin's approval.

BaFin Warns Consumers About Identity Fraud on alijz(.)com

Germany's BaFin has issued a warning regarding the website alijz(.)com, the app alijzspro, and associated WhatsApp groups. The authority suspects unknown operators are offering financial services without authorization and engaging in identity fraud, falsely linking their services to AL Konzept GmbH & Co. KG.

BaFin Warns Consumers About Unauthorized MBS Point Website

The German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) has issued a warning to consumers regarding the website mbspoint(.)com. BaFin suspects the operators of offering unauthorized financial, investment, and cryptoasset services in Germany.

Westfield Specialty International Registration for Cross-Border Services

BaFin has registered Westfield Specialty International (Europe) S.A. to conduct cross-border insurance services in Germany. The registration covers various insurance lines, including accident, sickness, and liability. This notice confirms the company's authorization to operate in the German market.

BaFin Warns About Hightaurus.io Trading Platform

The German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) has issued a warning regarding the trading platform Hightaurus.io. BaFin states that the platform is offering financial services and crypto-asset services without the required authorization, which is a violation of German law.

Bookmakers reminded of licence responsibilities at Cheltenham Festival

The UK Gambling Commission has reminded on-course bookmakers at the Cheltenham Festival of their operating licence responsibilities, particularly concerning anti-money laundering and cash handling. Licensees must adhere to policies and report suspicious activities.

Gambling Commission Operator Data on Market Impact

The UK Gambling Commission has published operator data on gambling behaviour covering March 2020 to December 2025. The data compares Q3 2025-26 with Q3 2024-25, showing shifts in Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) and betting activity across online and in-person gambling.

Gambling Commission Chief Executive Andrew Rhodes to Depart

Andrew Rhodes, Chief Executive of the UK Gambling Commission, has announced his departure effective April 30, 2026. His tenure oversaw significant reforms, including consumer safeguards and the implementation of the Gambling Act Review. The Commission will begin recruiting a new Chief Executive.

Consultation on Regulatory Settlements Destination Update

The UK Gambling Commission is consulting on updating the destination of regulatory settlements, proposing to direct them to the Consolidated Fund. This change aligns with the new statutory levy and the wind-down of GambleAware.

Gambling Commission Speech on Industry Changes and Future Relationship

Tim Miller, Executive Director of the UK Gambling Commission, delivered a speech at the BGC AGM on February 26, 2026, discussing industry changes, the departure of the Chief Executive, and the Commission's future relationship with the gambling sector. The speech highlighted ongoing efforts to combat illegal gambling and foster collaboration.

ECB Speech: Dual Mandate and Supply Shocks

ECB Executive Board member Isabel Schnabel delivered a speech discussing the challenges of inflation and employment in an era of supply shocks and AI. She argued that a dual mandate for central banks often leads to similar policy prescriptions as a single mandate, especially when facing supply-side challenges.

Lagarde discusses women's empowerment, digital euro, leadership

ECB President Christine Lagarde discussed women's economic empowerment, financial education initiatives, and the digital euro in an interview with ELLE Magazine. The interview highlighted the ECB's new app promoting financial literacy through a step count challenge.

ECB: Nature Risks Impact Economy, International Cooperation Vital

The European Central Bank (ECB) highlights the significant impact of nature-related risks on the economy and financial system. It emphasizes the critical need for international cooperation among supervisors to manage these risks, citing that a substantial portion of corporate lending is to firms highly dependent on ecosystem services.

Eurosystem Appia Roadmap for Tokenised Finance Ecosystem

The Eurosystem has published the Appia roadmap, a strategic initiative to shape Europe's tokenised financial ecosystem. The roadmap outlines objectives and approaches for developing integrated, innovative, and resilient tokenised wholesale financial markets, with a blueprint expected in 2028. This initiative aims to ensure central bank money remains the anchor of the financial system amid digital transformation.

ECB Welcomes New Site for European School Frankfurt

The European Central Bank (ECB) has welcomed the City of Frankfurt's decision to select the former Bundesbank headquarters as the new site for the European School Frankfurt (ESF). The ECB expressed hope for swift progress on the new school site and requested a reliable interim solution.

Bank of England Inflation Attitudes Survey Results

The Bank of England has published the results of its latest quarterly Inflation Attitudes Survey for February 2026. The survey assesses public perceptions of inflation, the Bank's work, and economic expectations, with key figures showing a slight decrease in current and expected inflation rates compared to November 2025.

BEEDS UAT Environment for Statistical Taxonomy v1.3.1

The Bank of England has made a User Acceptance Testing (UAT) environment available for statistical reporting firms and software houses to test Statistical Taxonomy v1.3.1. This UAT window is open from March 30 to April 17, 2026, and is the final UAT before live submissions for end-May 2026 data.

Bank of England AI Roundtables Summary

The Bank of England published a summary of its AI roundtables held with regulated firms in February 2026. The discussions focused on the responsible adoption of AI and ML, with participants generally supporting the existing regulatory framework and not seeing an immediate need for new AI-specific guidance.

Bank of England: New Deputy Governor for Prudential Regulation Appointed

The Bank of England has announced the appointment of Katharine Braddick as the next Deputy Governor for Prudential Regulation and Chief Executive of the Prudential Regulation Authority, effective July 2026. This appointment follows a review of the PRA's existing initiatives to support lending and reduce business burdens.

HKMA Exchange Fund Analytical Accounts - Feb 2026

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) released the analytical accounts of the Exchange Fund for February 2026. The report details foreign assets, monetary base, claims on the private sector, and foreign liabilities as per IMF SDDS standards.

HKMA Alerts Public to Bank Scam Alerts

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has alerted the public to recent scam alerts issued by several banks. These alerts detail fraudulent websites, phishing attempts, and fraudulent mobile applications targeting bank customers. The HKMA reminds the public of security protocols and advises those affected to contact their banks and the police.

HKMA Releases Anti-Fraud AI Music Video

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) released an AI-generated anti-fraud music video titled "Confronting Lachachu" on March 13, 2026. This initiative aims to educate the public on fraud prevention and has received international recognition for its innovative approach.

PCAOB Announces Audit Practitioner Fellowship Program

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) has launched a new Audit Practitioner Fellowship Program to bring experienced auditors to the PCAOB for two-year terms. The application deadline for this program is May 15, 2026.

Federal Reserve Approves Home BancShares Merger with Mountain Commerce

The Federal Reserve Board has approved the application by Home BancShares to acquire Mountain Commerce Bancorp, Inc. This approval also allows Centennial Bank to merge with Mountain Commerce Bank and establish a branch at its current location.

Federal Reserve Enforcement Actions Against Former Bank Employees

The Federal Reserve Board has issued consent prohibition orders against two former bank employees for embezzlement and misappropriation of customer funds. Cassandra Grayson, formerly of Equity Bank, and Sandra Adams, formerly of First State Bank of Dongola, are subject to these enforcement actions.

GASB Fair Value Standard Post-Implementation Review Report Published

The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) has published a Post-Implementation Review (PIR) report on its fair value standard, GASB Statement No. 72. The report concludes that the standard met its objectives, was operational, and provided decision-useful information.

GASB Proposes Guidance for Statement 103 Financial Reporting

The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) has proposed new guidance to assist stakeholders in applying Statement No. 103, which addresses financial reporting model improvements. This proposal is open for public comment.

GASB Issues Guidance on Subsequent Events

The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) has issued Statement No. 105, 'Subsequent Events,' to improve financial reporting requirements for subsequent events. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2026.

GASB Seeks Input on Financial Stress and Dissolution Disclosures

The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) is seeking public comment on a Preliminary Views document regarding disclosures for severe financial stress and probable dissolution. The document aims to clarify and improve existing guidance on going concern uncertainties and establish new disclosure requirements for governments facing significant financial distress or dissolution.

GASB Issues Implementation Guide 2025-1 with Q&As

The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) has issued Implementation Guide No. 2025-1, providing 12 new questions and answers to clarify GASB standards on various topics including leases, accounting changes, and cash flows. This guidance is intended to assist state and local governments in applying generally accepted accounting principles.

Hedge Fund Participation in Cleared Repo and SEC Rule Readiness

The Office of Financial Research published a brief examining hedge fund participation in the cleared repo market and their readiness for the SEC Treasury clearing rule. The brief indicates hedge funds are largely operationally prepared, with balance sheet benefits for dealers being a key motivator for central clearing.

OFR Brief: Private Credit Exposures to Banks

The Office of Financial Research (OFR) published a brief on March 12, 2026, analyzing counterparty exposures between banks and private credit funds. The brief highlights that while the private credit sector's vulnerabilities appear contained, the linkages with traditional financial institutions through counterparty exposures are a key channel for risk transmission that warrants monitoring.

Cyber Outages Disrupt Repo Market, Costing $100B

A working paper published by the Office of Financial Research indicates that cyber-induced operational outages can disrupt the U.S. repurchase agreements (repo) market, potentially costing over $100 billion in funding and raising rates by over 50 basis points. The study highlights the importance of cybersecurity preparedness and institutional resilience.

Working Paper on Client Clearing, Netting Efficiency, and Pricing

The Office of Financial Research published a working paper analyzing client clearing services in centrally cleared markets. The paper, based on confidential data, demonstrates how client clearing improves netting efficiency for dealers and offers pricing advantages to clients, enhancing market access and competition.

Central Counterparty Management of Liquid and Prefunded Resources

The Office of Financial Research published a working paper analyzing central counterparty (CCP) resource demands. The paper presents a framework for understanding aggregate CCP resource demands, integrating various dimensions of CCP heterogeneity and empirical data. It offers reflections on CCP liquidity management, particularly concerning physically settled contracts and the implications of insufficient liquid resources.

FFIEC Publishes 2024 Mortgage Lending Data

The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) has published the 2024 data on mortgage lending transactions reported under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA). The data includes information from 4,908 U.S. financial institutions and is available through various datasets and tools.

Federal Agencies Release 2024 Small Business and Farm Lending Data

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Federal Reserve Board, and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency have released 2024 data on small business, small farm, and community development lending. This annual disclosure is required by Community Reinvestment Act regulations.

Changes to Uniform Bank Performance Report Peer Group Definitions

The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) announced changes to the Uniform Bank Performance Report (UBPR) commercial bank peer group definitions, effective shortly after February 26, 2026. These updates are part of an ongoing review of commercial bank peer groups initiated in 2025.

FFIEC UBPR Interest Rate Risk Analysis Page Split

The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) is splitting the Interest Rate Risk Analysis page of the Uniform Bank Performance Report (UBPR) into two pages (9 and 9A) on or shortly after March 2, 2026. This change aims to improve readability following updates made in February 2025.

UBPR Liquidity Pages Content Changes

The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) is updating the content of the Uniform Bank Performance Report's (UBPR) Liquidity & Funding and Liquidity & Investment Portfolio pages. These changes are scheduled to take effect on or shortly after February 17, 2026, as part of an ongoing review of UBPR content.

OCC Announces Enforcement Actions Terminations

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) announced the termination of five formal agreements with banks in February 2026. These terminations indicate that the banks have met compliance requirements or that the terms of the agreements are no longer relevant.

OCC Enforcement Action Types

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has published a guide detailing the types of formal enforcement actions it can take against supervised financial institutions and their affiliated parties. The document outlines various actions including Capital Directives, Cease & Desist Orders, and Civil Money Penalties.

OCC Enforcement Actions Search Tool

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) provides a search tool for its enforcement actions, penalties, and orders. An update in January 2025 added subject matter filtering for actions issued since 2012.

OCC Announces Enforcement Action Terminations

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) announced the termination of several enforcement actions in December 2025. These terminations occur when banks demonstrate compliance with all articles of an enforcement action or when specific conditions are met.

OCC Announces Enforcement Actions for January 2026

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) announced its January 2026 enforcement actions, including an order of prohibition against an individual for embezzlement and falsifying records. The OCC also released orders terminating previous enforcement actions against several banks.

Community Bank Licensing Amendments Final Rule

The OCC issued a final rule amending community bank licensing requirements. The rule simplifies licensing for national banks and federal savings associations with less than $30 billion in assets, providing them access to expedited filing procedures. This aims to reduce regulatory burden for these institutions.