News/Regulation
Chan welcomes code of conduct for Hong Kong bankers
HKMA chief executive praises stricter code of conduct, which seeks to improve banking culture, promote competition and protect consumers
Fed’s Tarullo casts doubt on counter-cyclical tools
Daniel Tarullo questions ability of macro-prudential tools to temper booms and busts, and calls for a new ‘prudential market regulation’ to tackle shadow banking risks
Oman central bank toughens rules for systemic banks
Central Bank of Oman unveils framework for regulating domestic systemically important banks, including capital surcharges, stress testing, crisis management and resolution planning
Treasury Committee attacks FCA’s use of media as ‘tool of regulation’
UK conduct regulator defends use of press to disseminate its policies, but MPs call the process ‘bizarre’ and a ‘colossal risk’
Basel III helps Russian banks handle economic turmoil, says Yudaeva
Russia’s adoption of international banking rules has given its banks partial protection from a plunging currency and soaring interest rates
Davis Report reveals extent of FCA communications blunder
Report uncovers misguided comms strategy, poor supervision by senior managers and sluggish response as FCA ‘taken by surprise’
Basel Committee: US and EU capital rules still falling short
Basel Committee’s second assessment of compliance with Basel framework finds both EU and US are not complying in all areas, but both argue deviations are justified
Bank of Portugal gets new powers to assess bank directors
Bankers’ current court cases and their personal business conduct are now also part of the Bank of Portugal's assessment of the banking system
UK bank reforms may be ‘diluted’, warns parliamentary commission
Former members of the Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards warn regulations are at risk of being misinterpreted, diluted by lobbying, or applied incorrectly
BoE deputies suggest refinements to EU law-making
Andrew Bailey and Jon Cunliffe say the European Union has room for improvement when it comes to efficient, effective legislation
Basel Committee adds final plank to Basel III
Committee unveils final version of the net stable funding ratio, bringing to a close the core of the Basel III standard-setting process
Bulgaria hits back at EBA deposit insurance demands
Bulgarian National Bank says Bulgarian law does not give it the power to comply with EBA demands to release deposits at failed backs; EBA chair criticises apparent deceleration in process
Bank of England seeks global consensus on ‘fair and effective’ markets
Review aims to fix outstanding issues with market structure and conduct; Minouche Shafik says the central bank is working with others globally to build a consensus
BoE researchers flag potential flaws in CCP default funds
Paper asks whether ‘cover two’ standard for central counterparties is tough enough to prevent ‘disaster’; some distributions of risk give cause for concern
Constâncio says ECB needs new tools to tackle shadow banking risks
Vice-president says central bank will need a broader arsenal to cope with risks in the shadow banking sector, suggesting the US and UK both have powers that could be useful
BoE’s Bailey slams European bonus caps
Deputy governor expresses ‘dismay’ at debate that misses what he sees as key points in designing appropriate incentives; points to flaws in Basel capital standards
Top regulators seek to dispel myth of global regulatory harmonisation
Officials from IMF, Bank of England and US Treasury say perfect harmonisation is next to impossible; key now is a shift from design of standards to implementation
European Banking Authority unveils framework for classifying high-quality securitisations
Consultation proposes system for classifying securitisations that are ‘simple, standard and transparent’ and therefore may benefit from more lenient regulation
FSB moves to tackle shadow-banking risks from SFTs
Final framework for setting haircuts on certain securities financing transactions seeks to control leverage outside the banking system and reduce procyclicality
IMF launches consultation with external advisors on Islamic finance
Fund working group looks to publish ‘staff discussion note’ on Islamic finance before the end of the year and organise a ‘high-level’ conference in 2015
BoE unveils draft rules for ring-fencing UK banks
Prudential regulator issues consultation on rules relating to legal structure, governance and maintaining core operations; Andrew Tyrie welcomes structural recommendations
Bank of England asks for new tools to curb mortgage lending
Financial Policy Committee recommends it be equipped with controls on loan-to-value and debt-to-income ratios; Mark Carney says Help to Buy scheme does not pose ‘material risks’
Financial Stability Board prepares to publish FX benchmark reforms
Recommendations due to be published within days; broad consensus among market participants, but questions hang over certain elements
EBA zeroes in on recovery and resolution trigger conditions
European Banking Authority publishes final guidelines on testing for bank failure and launches consultation on what conditions could trigger a resolution process