Compliance & Ethics

The CMA has appointed 12 new independent panel members, effective September and October 2026, bringing expertise in finance, economics, law, and technology to support merger inquiries, phase 2 market investigations, and regulatory appeals. For compliance teams at financial institutions, this expansion signals continued investment in the CMA's decision-making capacity and may influence the pace, rigor, and sectoral focus of future competition and merger reviews.

EIOPA has submitted technical advice to the European Commission proposing targeted harmonization of national insurance guarantee schemes (IGS) across the EU, covering eligible policies, activation triggers, claims timelines, funding, and coordination with resolution authorities. While not yet binding legislation, this advice will shape a future legislative proposal and signals a direction of travel that insurers and IGS administrators across the EU should begin monitoring closely.

The Deutsche Bundesbank has issued updated auction rules, effective September 1, 2026, governing the issuance of European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) Bonds and Bills via its ESM/EFSF Bidding System (EBS). Compliance teams at eligible credit institutions and investment firms must review membership eligibility criteria, minimum activity thresholds, and bidding mechanics to maintain or obtain "ESM/EFSF Market Group" status and ensure uninterrupted market access.

HKICL has identified multiple fraudulent websites impersonating its brand and Faster Payment System (FPS) services, using fake "Buyer Online Protection" schemes to steal personal data, banking credentials, and funds. Financial institutions should alert customers, strengthen fraud detection for FPS transactions, and ensure staff can direct affected customers to proper verification and reporting channels.

The Deutsche Bundesbank will reopen two existing Bubill lines on September 7, 2026, increasing the January 2026 issue (ISIN DE000BU0E378) by EUR 2 Billion and the June 2026 issue (ISIN DE000BU0E428) by EUR 3 Billion, for a combined EUR 5 Billion supplementary issuance. Compliance teams at institutions participating in the Federal Emissions Bidding Group must ensure bidding procedures, timelines, and minimum nominal amounts are strictly observed to avoid tender non-compliance.

In a speech marking Michael Weber's professorship inauguration, ECB Vice-President Boris Vujčić outlined how household expectations surveys, such as the ECB's Consumer Expectations Survey, inform monetary policy transmission, risk scenario analysis, and public communication strategy. While not a binding regulatory requirement, the speech signals the ECB's continued emphasis on behavioral and survey-based data in policy formation, which can affect how financial institutions interpret forward guidance and anticipate shifts in consumer sentiment-driven market conditions.

The Deutsche Bundesbank has published updated auction rules, effective September 1, 2026, governing the issuance of European Stability Mechanism (ESM) Bonds and Bills via its ESM/EFSF Bidding System (EBS). Compliance teams at eligible credit institutions and investment firms must ensure continued adherence to membership, bidding, and settlement requirements to maintain participation eligibility in the "ESM/EFSF Market Group."