Australia Steps Up Foreign Bribery Prevention with New CFB Bill

The Combatting Corporate Crimes (CFB) Bill aims to reform Australia’s foreign bribery offences. It passed Federal Parliament on 29 February 2024 and will come into effect six months after the Governor-General formally accepts it and provides Royal Assent.

Read More

Preparing for Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA)

The Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) institutes uniform regulations for crypto-assets across the EU that are not currently regulated by existing financial services legislation.  With the Application of Rules for asset-referenced and e-money tokens expected in June of 2024, the countdown is on. 

Read More

How Technology Enables Best Practices in Policy & Procedure Management

If you work in the financial services industry, you know how important it is to have clear, consistent, and compliant policies and procedures. Policies and procedures enable firms to align operations with strategic objectives, meet regulatory requirements, and foster a culture of accountability and transparency.

But managing policies and procedures is often easier said than done. It can be a complex and challenging endeavor to create, update, communicate, and enforce policies and procedures across the firm—and to ensure policy stays up to date in times of flux and uncertainty.

Read More

SFC News: 2024-2026 Strategic Priorities and Takeaways for Your Firm

Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has detailed its strategic priorities to address changing market conditions. The SFC communication provides a comprehensive outline of how it plans to bolster Hong Kong’s securities markets while addressing evolving risks and protecting investors.

Read More

Fit for Purpose – Consumer Duty Compliance Remains a FCA Priority

It's been about six months since the Consumer Duty came into force, setting higher and clearer standards for consumer protection across the financial services industry.

How are firms doing with their implementations and delivery of the good customer outcomes that the FCA expects as the duty comes into force? The agency recently published guidance on lessons learned, including good practices and areas for improvement.

Read More