Asia
MAS launches new regtech grant
S$42 million fund will help firms test new digital products before full deployment
Singapore’s SWF starts work on cross-border payment network
JP Morgan, DBS Bank and Temasek say project will build on collaboration with MAS
MAS and Bank of Thailand connect retail real-time payments
Transaction times will be reduced to minutes as opposed to one to two days, central banks say
MAS proposes ‘unbundling digital currency stack’
Layers of governance could allow single common settlement platform for CBDCs
Green instruments added as collateral for lending facilities – PBoC governor
China’s central bank will launch tools to encourage emission reductions
Emerging-market central banks lead on women’s empowerment
EME central banks have more women at staff level and in senior positions, but there are deep disparities worldwide
Regulating big tech and non-bank financial services in the digital era
Experiences from China highlight potential benefits of digital-bank and holding-company approaches
HKMA and BoJ launch new securities settlement framework
New “delivery versus payment link” aims to reduce settlement risk
Payment innovation is top fintech research priority for central banks
CBDC ranked second as central banks explore wider implications of fintech for payments
IMF adjusts growth forecasts upward
Fund warns of uneven and unequal recovery, but is more optimistic than it was in October
Large economy central banks more likely to employ CTO
Slight majority of central banks employ CTO, but differences are clearer when sorted by GDP
People: Erdoğan fires deputy governor
IMF hires new finance director; new deputy governors at Nepal central bank; and more
Bank of Thailand reinforces stablecoin regulation
Firms wishing to issue baht-backed stablecoins must consult with the central bank
Website: Central Bank of the Philippines
BSP says its website’s mobile-friendly design and chatbot has boosted effectiveness of communication
Bank of Thailand plans overseas PromptPay connections
Central bank aims to connect to retail instant payment systems in other countries
Reserve manager of the year: Bank Indonesia
Asian central bank stabilised rupiah’s fall during Covid-19 pandemic in large part due to new macro-factor strategic asset allocation framework
Pandemic payout freeze increased lending - BIS paper
Research finds restrictions depressed equities but augmented capital buffers and boosted loans
‘Do bank supervisors wear too many hats?’ asks BIS paper
Many countries require array of mandates beyond “safety and soundness”, authors say
Corporate Services Benchmarks 2021 report – trends in financial reporting and administration
Insights on staffing and salaries, technological automation, data security, rule compliance, gender equality and green office spaces in accounting, audit, HR and administration
BIS paper contrasts firm financing in US and Asia
Authors argue market segmentation drives different patterns of bond and loan financing
Bank Indonesia resumes monetary easing
Central bank commits to further government bond purchases on the primary market
Thai interbank platform starts ‘bulk payments’
Upgrade will increase operability between systems, company says
MAS explores need for domestic green taxonomy
Taxonomy could help steer capital towards the region’s green priorities, deputy governor says
Guy Debelle on the future of the FX Global Code
Code’s creators considering updates to sections on last look and pre-hedging