Australia

Emerging Prudential Risks

New Zealand Central Bank Consults on Efficiency of Regulatory Regime

By Editors | 24/07/2015

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand is proposing changes to its regulatory requirements in a bid to improve the efficiency of bank supervision and reduce banks’ costs.

Capital Adequacy

Aussie Banks Required to Hold More Capital against Mortgages

By Editors | 21/07/2015

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority has increased the average risk weights for Australian residential mortgage exposures from 16 percent to 25 percent.

Capital Adequacy

Australian Banks Make Progress on Capital-Raising

By Editors | 18/07/2015

Major Australian banks have been preparing for higher capital requirements, with National Australia Bank (NAB) now possessing the sector’s highest capital ratio.

Anti-Money Laundering

Australia and Bangladesh Sign Information Exchange Deal

By Editors | 17/07/2015

Australia has signed a memorandum of understanding with Bangladesh establishing a framework for the exchange of financial intelligence related to money laundering and terrorism financing and other serious offences.

Capital Adequacy

High Capital Requirements May Not Affect Regional Aussie Banks

By Editors | 17/07/2015

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority is focusing on the major banks in its response to the Murray inquiry’s call for ‘unquestionably strong’ capital, appearing to let regional banks off the hook.

Structural Regulation

ASIC Releases Evidence Metrics for Self-Assessment of Regulator Performance

By Editors | 15/07/2015

The Australian Securities and Investment Commission has released the evidence metrics it will use to report against the Federal Government’s Regulator Performance Framework, which aims to reduce the regulatory burden while achieving the same regulatory outcomes.

Capital Adequacy

Australian Regulator Mulls Increase of Bank Capital

By Editors | 13/07/2015

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority expects major banks will need to increase capital ratios by at least 2 percent to achieve the capital standards recommended by the Financial System Inquiry (FSI).

Clearing & Post-Trade

Australia Regulators Push to Allow Super Funds to Pledge Assets as Collateral

By Editors | 12/07/2015

The Australian Investments & Securities Commission is pushing to reform laws to allow super funds to pledge their assets as collateral, in a bid to help them reduce dealing costs associated with currency hedging.

Market Abuse

Banks Uncooperative in Australia Rate-Setting Probe

By Editors | 11/07/2015

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission says banks have been slow in providing information on possible manipulation of Australia’s interest-rate benchmark.