News Centre

Finansinspektionen Will Hold A Press Conference Related To Swedbank

Date 18/03/2020

Finansinspektionen (FI) will hold a press conference on Thursday, 19 March, following the decision by FI’s Board of Directors regarding the investigation into Swedbank’s measures to combat money laundering.

Statement Of CFTC Commissioner Brian Quintenz On Current Market Dynamics And Commission Actions Related To COVID-19

Date 18/03/2020

The CFTC is closely monitoring markets, participants, intermediaries, and infrastructure in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The U.S. financial markets remain the deepest and most liquid in the world, and the U.S. derivatives markets have provided enormous opportunities for businesses and industries to manage and hedge many of their commercial, economic, and financial exposures during this critical time.  It is absolutely imperative that these markets continue to be open and function as normal as possible to perform their imperative risk transfer function.  In the past few weeks, we have witnessed the resiliency of the cleared futures and swaps markets, with record volumes and tens of billions of dollars in margin payments, dwarfing what was exchanged immediately after Brexit, completed without default or delay.

In Line With ‘Securities And Commodities Authority’ (SCA) Decision, Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) Reduces The Daily Maximum Decline Of Shares To 5%

Date 18/03/2020

The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) decided to reduce the maximum daily decline percentage for the shares of companies listed on ADX from 10% to 5%, from the previous closing price per session. This decision is effective as of Wednesday 18/3/2020 or until further notice from SCA.

Concurring Statement Of CFTC Commissioner Dan M. Berkovitz On Final Rule Extending Uncleared Swap Margin Deadline For Financial Entities With Small Swap Portfolios

Date 18/03/2020

I concur with issuing the final rule to extend by one year the initial swap margin compliance deadline for financial entities with smaller swap portfolios.

DIFC Confirms DEWS Supervisory Board Appointments To Oversee The DIFC Employee Workplace Savings Scheme

Date 18/03/2020

• Supervisory Board members will provide oversight of the governance and commercial aspects of DEWS
• Employer and employee interests are protected as part of DEWS through the newly appointed DEWS Supervisory Board
• Region-first employee workplace savings scheme highlights DIFC being at the forefront of driving the future of finance in the region and attracting world-class talent in line with UAE’s National Agenda and Dubai Plan 2021

Statement Of CFTC Commissioner Rostin Behnam On Margin Requirements For Uncleared Swaps For Swap Dealers And Major Swap Participants

Date 18/03/2020

I vote to approve the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (the “Commission” or “CFTC”) decision today to extend the compliance schedule for the posting and collection of initial margin (“IM”) by swap dealers (“SDs”) and major swap participants (“MSPs”) for which there is no prudential regulator (collectively, “covered swap entities”) under the CFTC Margin Rule, 17 CFR 23.160, which implements section 4s(e) of the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”).[1]  As a seminal part of the policy response following the 2008 financial crisis, Section 731 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act[2] added section 4s(e) requiring the adoption of rules establishing minimum initial and variation margin requirements for all uncleared swaps entered by covered swaps entities.   

Report From FINRA Board Of Governors Meeting – March 2020: Board Approves Allocations Of 2019 Fines And Proposed Trade-Reporting Fees Related To Treasury Securities

Date 18/03/2020

FINRA’s Board of Governors met on March 11 for the first time in 2020. During the meeting, held remotely in light of the coronavirus outbreak, the Board discussed a variety of topics, including FINRA’s long-term planning and financial sustainability. As is now customary for the first meeting of the year, the Board also approved the allocation of prior-year fine monies to various capital initiatives in accordance with FINRA’s Financial Guiding Principles, which the Board reaffirmed in December. FINRA plans to release details about the allocations in a forthcoming Report on the Use of 2019 Fine Monies.

Bahrain Bourse Announces Temporary Closure Of Its Trading Floor As Preventative Measure With Trading Activity Continuing As Usual

Date 18/03/2020

As part of the efforts of Bahrain’s government entities to combat the spread of Corona Virus (COVID 19), Bahrain Bourse announced today temporary closure of its trading floor to the public as a preventative measure effective Thursday 19th March and until further notice. Bahrain Bourse & Bahrain Clear consider the health and safety of its employees, investors and business partners as one of its top priorities. Hence, several precautionary measures have been instated.

ESMA Issues Positive Opinion On Short Selling Ban By French AMF

Date 18/03/2020

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has issued an official opinion agreeing to an emergency short selling prohibition, for a period of one month, by the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) of France on all transactions which might constitute or increase net short positions on shares admitted to trading on French trading venues (Euronext Paris, Euronext Growth Paris, Euronext Access Paris), for which the AMF is the relevant competent authority as well as to all related instruments relevant for the calculation of the net short position.

Statement Of CFTC Chairman Heath P. Tarbert In Support Of Extending Relief For Initial Margin Requirements For Uncleared Swaps

Date 18/03/2020

Last night, the Commission voted unanimously to finalize a one-year extension of the initial margin compliance deadline for market participants with the smallest uncleared swaps portfolios.