Stricter VASP Entry and AML Rules

The Financial Services Commission of Korea proposed amendments to the Enforcement Decree of the Act on Reporting and Using Specified Financial Transaction Information to strengthen VASP registration requirements and AML duties. Key changes include expanded major shareholder scrutiny, new financial soundness requirements (200% debt ratio cap), and extension of the travel rule to transactions below KRW 1,000,000. The FSC seeks public comment on these proposals.

Scam Alert - Fraudulent Banking Websites

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority issued a scam alert warning the public about fraudulent websites and phishing scams targeting customers of four Hong Kong banks: The Bank of East Asia, Shanghai Commercial Bank, Chong Hing Bank, and OCBC Bank (Hong Kong). The HKMA reminded the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks requesting sensitive information such as login passwords or One-Time Passwords.

HKMA Bulletin on Hong Kong Bond Market

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority published Bulletin Issue 01/2026, which contains a statistical article titled 'The Hong Kong Bond Market in 2025'. The bulletin provides an overview and analysis of bond market activity in Hong Kong for 2025. This is an informational publication with no new regulatory requirements.

February 2026 Monetary Statistics - Deposit and Loan Growth

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority published February 2026 monetary statistics showing total deposits with authorized institutions increased 0.9% month-over-month. Hong Kong dollar deposits decreased 0.2% while foreign currency deposits increased 1.7%. Renminbi deposits rose 3.6% to RMB1,029.3 billion, with cross-border trade settlement remittances totaling RMB866.5 billion.

Residential Mortgage Survey Results - February 2026

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority released February 2026 residential mortgage survey results showing a 10.8% month-on-month decline in mortgage approvals to HK$29 billion. Applications decreased 7.5% to 8,125, while drawn loans fell 24.4% to HK$16.4 billion. The mortgage delinquency ratio remained low at 0.13% and outstanding mortgage loans increased 0.2% to HK$1,926.3 billion.

Foreign Currency Reserves Data Release

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority released monthly analytical data on Hong Kong SAR's foreign currency reserves and foreign currency liquidity as at end of February 2026. The data is published in the Template on International Reserves and Foreign Currency Liquidity under the IMF's Special Data Dissemination Standard. This is a routine monthly statistical release providing transparency on Hong Kong's reserve position.

Exchange Fund Abridged Balance Sheet and Currency Board Account

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority released February 2026 Exchange Fund data showing total assets of HK$4,293.5 billion as at 28 February 2026, an increase of HK$7.9 billion from January 2026. Foreign currency assets increased by HK$47.4 billion while Hong Kong dollar assets decreased by HK$39.5 billion. The Backing Ratio increased to 111.32%.

Exchange Fund Bills Tender Results

The HKMA announced results of two Exchange Fund Bills tenders conducted on 31 March 2026. Issue Q2613 attracted HK$133.6B in applications with HK$69.5B allotted at average yield of 1.90%. Issue H2642 attracted HK$55.5B in applications with HK$20B allotted at average yield of 2.11%. This is routine market data publication with no regulatory implications.

Field Safety Notices List

MHRA published its weekly list of Field Safety Notices (FSNs) covering 23-27 March 2026, listing 14 medical device safety notices from manufacturers. Devices affected include cochlear implant batteries, MRI systems, intraocular lenses, mammography systems, surgical staplers, ventilators, and X-ray imaging systems from manufacturers including Advanced Bionics, Canon Medical Systems, Philips, Hologic, and Intuitive Surgical. MHRA publishes these FSNs for information only—healthcare providers who receive notices directly from manufacturers must act on them.

Agroproductos De Nayarit v. Grubmarket et al - Agricultural Trade Dispute

Agroproductos De Nayarit S.P.R. De R.L., a Mexican agricultural cooperative, filed a civil complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California against Grubmarket, Inc., Best Oriental Produce LLC, and individuals Amnart A Charoensukvanich and Piyanuch Charoensukvanich. The case, filed March 31, 2026 under case number 3:26-cv-02805, is based on federal question jurisdiction under Agriculture Acts.