Regulations
Regulatory developments, compliance updates, and policy changes in global finance.
BCEAO's 15 New Instructions on External Financial Relations Enter Force Across WAEMU
The West African Central Bank's 15 implementing instructions for Regulation No. 06/2024/CM/UEMOA took effect on 1 August 2025.
CBUAE Imposes AED 10.7 Million Sanction on UAE Exchange House for AML/CFT Failures
The Central Bank of the UAE fined an unnamed exchange house AED 10.7 million on 1 August 2025 for failing to comply with AML/CFT policies and sanctions obligations.
Malaysia's BNM Fines Bank Islam, Bank Rakyat, and BSN Over RM7 Million for System Failures and AML Breaches
Bank Negara Malaysia imposed over RM7m in penalties on Bank Islam, Bank Rakyat, and Bank Simpanan Nasional for prolonged service outages and AML/CFT screening failures.
Central Bank of Kuwait Imposes KD 20,000 Fine, Written Warning and Order on Local Bank for AML/CTF Violations
The Central Bank of Kuwait imposed a KD 20,000 financial penalty, a written warning and an order on a local bank for repeated AML/CTF compliance failures.
HKMA Fines Indian Overseas Bank and Bank of Communications HKD 16.2 Million for AML Failures
Hong Kong's HKMA imposed combined penalties of HKD 16.2m on Indian Overseas Bank HK and two Bank of Communications entities for transaction monitoring system failures.
HKMA reprimands and fines 33 Financial Services HK$1.6 million for AML control failures
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority reprimanded stored value facility licensee 33 Financial Services and fined it HK$1.6m over inadequate anti-money laundering controls between December 2019 and August 2023.
CFPB Terminates 2022 Consent Order Against US Regions Bank After Penalty and Redress Payments
The CFPB has terminated its 2022 consent order against Regions Bank after the lender paid a $50 million penalty and refunded at least $141 million to customers for illegal surprise overdraft fees.
US GENIUS Act Signed Into Law, Establishing First Federal Framework for Payment Stablecoins
President Trump signed the GENIUS Act on 18 July 2025, creating the first US federal regulatory framework for payment stablecoins following a 308–122 House vote.
ECB Fines Belgium's Belfius Bank €6.94 Million for IRB Model Implementation Delays
The European Central Bank fined Belfius Bank €6.94 million for failing to implement updated internal credit risk models on schedule, a breach it classified as severe.
FCA Fines Barclays Bank UK £3.1 Million for Client Money Account Opening Control Failures
The FCA fined Barclays Bank UK plc £3,093,600, announced on 16 July 2025, for failing to assess money-laundering risk properly before opening a client money account for wealth manager WealthTek.
Mexico's CNBV Fines CIBanco, Intercam and Vector MXN 185.2 Million Following US Sanctions
Mexico's CNBV published combined fines of MXN 185.2m on Intercam, CIBanco and Vector Casa de Bolsa on 15 July 2025, weeks after the three firms were named by US FinCEN.
Banque du Liban Issues Circular 170 Banning Banks from Dealings with Unlicensed Money Transfer Entities
BdL's Circular 170 prohibits Lebanese banks and financial institutions from engaging with unlicensed money exchange and transfer companies.