Singapore
Singapore moves to curb private housing boom
Buyers have to pay higher taxes and face tougher loan-to-value limits
Singapore central bank aims to eliminate cheques but not go cashless
MAS board member reveals new details of scheme to allow payments by QR codes
Singapore and India launch fintech co-operation scheme
The countries plan to establish real-time payments links
BNM may reopen probe into alleged massive fraud at 1MDB
Malaysian central bank may face questions over its role in investigating alleged crimes
HKMA rolls out new initiatives to lure bond issuance
The three-year pilot promises to fund half of eligible bond issuance expense, up to a maximum of HK$2.5 million
People: BoE appoints chief cashier in senior reshuffle
BoE makes promotion following departure of Chris Salmon; Malaysia picks new assistant governors; MAS makes changes to senior management
Claims on offshore centres at record high – BIS data
Overall cross-border claims “gained momentum” in Q4 2017
SNB rejects idea of retail central bank digital currency
Governing board member Andrea Maechler says central bank digital currency would bring “incalculable risks”, and denies that crypto tokens are “comparable with” money
Crypto tokens not yet a ‘significant risk’ – MAS’s Menon
The MAS is monitoring the crypto world using “unconventional” data-gathering methods
MAS prepares new approach to data collection
MAS says it is moving towards “zero duplication” of data requests and machine-readable regulation
MAS steps in to calm job-poaching battle between insurers
Singaporean authority is concerned job-switching bonuses may be driving aggressive sales tactics
MAS mulls activity based approach to regulation for virtual currencies
Deputy director of Singapore's central bank says fintech regulations should be “right-sized”
MAS needs expanded resolution powers, FSB report says
Singapore's central bank should clarify oversight of macro-prudential policies, says peer review
MAS aims to move OTC derivatives trading to ‘organised market’
As much as 80% of interest rate swaps in Singapore would have to be executed on exchanges or other centralised trading facilities
Singapore seeks infrastructure investment boost
MAS and ministry of trade and industry to set up an infrastructure office to encourage local and international firms to build Asian infrastructure
Singapore to step up consumer protection on e-payments
Banks must offer users better protection measures, but users could also face fines for recklessness or carelessness
Asian property developers face tougher scrutiny amid house price boom
Hong Kong and Singapore are putting more scrutiny on loans to property developers, as their housing markets continue to heat up
Singapore and Malaysia to set up stock market link
The two markets have a combined market capitalisation of more than $1.2 trillion and 1,600 publicly listed companies
Menon warns of Singapore's ‘demographic trilemma’
MAS chief says Singapore “must accept” slower growth of the labour force, but should also face up to the need for solutions
‘Goldilocks economy’ implies bears may not be far away – Menon
Despite reasons for optimism, “three grumpy bears” may soon return, says MAS chief
HKMA launches consultation on open API framework
Open API enables personalised services for bank users but requires access to customer data
MAS expands consumer debt management toolkit
New measure caps “unsecured credit” that banks can offer indebted borrowers; it is a “pre-emptive measure”, says MAS official
Asian banks vulnerable to fintech disruption, report finds
Banks reliant on transaction fees will struggle to compete with fintech firms who will offer cheaper alternatives; banks in HK, Korea and Singapore all at risk
Singapore broadens push into e-payments
Singapore expands payments regulation frameworks and launches a common QR code for e-payments