Malaysia
Singapore fines two foreign banks for 1MDB-related breaches
Investigations continuing into Goldman Sachs’ role, the regulator says
Ringgit NDF market collapses after central bank curbs
“Implicit threat” to banks active onshore if they continue trading non-deliverable forwards
Malaysia has work to do to improve renminbi hub status – assistant governor
Adnan Zaylani Mohamad Zahid says deepening Malaysian renminbi markets is a priority, and the central bank has plans to offer support
Singaporean and Swiss regulators move against merchant bank in 1MDB scandal
Senior management pressured staff to ignore anti-money-laundering regulations, reports say
Malaysia’s Ibrahim proposes audit enhancements
Bank Negara Malaysia governor says audit faces new challenges and should cover broader risks, while expanding its scope to include “strategic auditing”
Islamic finance becoming ‘mainstream’ in Malaysia – BNM’s Ibrahim
Governor says Islamic finance has gone from a handful of firms to a quarter of the market in a matter of years; “pragmatic” approach may be part of success
Malaysia’s central bank toughens corporate governance standards
Boards must have a majority of independent members and promote ethical, prudent and professional behaviour, Bank Negara Malaysia says
MAS announces ‘firm regulatory actions’ against multiple banks
Monetary Authority of Singapore finds “control failings” at DBS, Standard Chartered and UBS as part of probe into 1MDB funds; US Department of Justice seeking to recover $1bn in assets
Malaysian governor warns of banks ‘falling short’ on basic services
Muhammad bin Ibrahim voices concerns about communications from some frontline staff; instructs banks to remove “prohibitive conditions” attached to basic accounts
Regulators sanction Swiss bank over links to Malaysian government fund
Swiss regulators impose range of measures on bank for breaching anti-money-laundering regulations; MAS will withdraw bank’s licence to act as merchant bank in Singapore
Malaysian governor explores sustainable finance tools
Muhammad bin Ibrahim sees potential for asset class backed by carbon credit-based solutions but structured using Islamic finance principles
Malaysian deputy picked to succeed Zeti
Muhammad bin Ibrahim will be handed five-year term effective May 1; analysts point to potential challenges from growth slowdown and capital outflows
Malaysian deputy tells companies to provide ‘more than just a payment solution’
Muhammad bin Ibrahim stresses importance of financial institutions providing “value-added services” to their customers if they are to remain competitive
Zeti stresses need to protect independence when central banks get broad mandates
Central banks in emerging economies often find themselves tackling difficult reforms as they are best equipped for the challenge, she says, but this can only work if certain conditions hold
Zeti stresses need for Asean ‘partnerships’
Malaysia governor outlines four foundations anchoring successful partnerships; trust is crucial, she says, but must be accompanied by accountability
Zeti considers central bank role in future Asian challenges
Malaysian governor encourages Asian policy-makers to look to future challenges; notes central banks may help address many issues on the horizon and ‘careful boundary management’ is needed
Zeti marks construction of new ‘central bank school’ campus
Retiring governor will continue to serve as co-chair of institution set up in 2015 that 'represents central bank's commitment to education'
New Bank Negara Malaysia website gets ‘trial run’
Malaysian central bank launches new website for a trial period, before it becomes fully operational by end of March; existing site will remain functional in the interim
Repeat of Asian crisis ‘unlikely’, say Singapore bank chiefs
Policy-makers are responding more proactively to risks than in 1997, they say, while economies are seen as much stronger
MAS takes step to facilitate capital sourcing across Asean jurisdictions
Singapore central bank issues implementation handbook with Thai and Malaysian regulators for firms looking to raise capital in other Asean countries
Zeti stresses need for good data in promoting financial inclusion
Bank Negara Malaysia governor says better data helps put pressure on countries to improve financial inclusion; offers guidance on how to improve performance
IMF economists release study on LTV and DTI limits in six countries
Working paper studies the implementation and effectiveness of loan-to-value and debt-service-to-income limits in Brazil, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Poland, Romania and South Korea
Bank Negara Malaysia personnel under police investigation over alleged leak
Alleged leakage of documents from high-level probe involving PM a potential violation of official secrets act; central bank personnel among staff from four institutions under investigation
Zeti sees ‘immense scope’ for greater financial integration in SE Asia
Bank Negara Malaysia governor tells SME conference that greater integration can help support small business growth; points to banking, insurance and capital markets as ‘next phase of development’