In this special edition, Eva-Maria Segur Cabanac, a partner in our Vienna office and global sustainability lead for financial institutions, and Jennifer Klass, a partner in our New York office and co-chair of the financial regulation and enforcement practice in North America, talk with Ying Yi Liew on how the COVID-19 pandemic led to the prioritization of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations among financial institutions (FIs).

A series of briefings that take a “bite-size” look at international trends in different jurisdictions, drawing on Baker McKenzie’s expert financial services practitioners.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) recently released a consultation (“Consultation”) on its “Proposed Amendments to MAS’ Investigative and Other Powers under the Various Acts.” The amendments, to be introduced through the Financial Institutions (“Miscellaneous Amendments”) Bill (“proposed provisions”), will expand the supervisory and enforcement powers of the MAS under the following acts: Banking Act (BA); Credit Bureau Act; Financial Advisers Act (FAA); Insurance Act (IA); Payment Services Act (PS Act); Securities and Futures Act (SFA); Trust Companies Act (TCA); and the upcoming new omnibus Act (“new Act”) for the financial sector (collectively, “relevant Acts”).

This report, the fourth in our Asia Pacific Business Renewal Series, explores how businesses are now fortifying their ESG efforts and pivoting from strategy to action.

COVID-19 represents one of the greatest ever shocks to our economies and, in consequence, to the business models of financial institutions and the way they do business. While many changes to business processes and operations were already taking place prior to the pandemic, COVID-19 has given many added impetus and urgency. Decision-makers must choose between adapting a wait-and-see approach or implementing more proactive strategies to safeguard and, if possible, grow their businesses.

This report, the third in our Asia Pacific Business Renewal Series, explores how digital transformation (DX) has become a driving force in business decision making, and how it will shape the business landscape over the decade to come. As companies respond to shifting demand patterns and propel their DX agenda, the conversation turns to areas such as managing emerging risks, creating value from new technologies and aligning DX efforts with business renewal.

The Global Financial Institutions Industry Podcast includes 13 episodes on the following topics: Operational Risk, Risk Management Guidelines, Fintech, Financial Institutions, Insurtech, Insurance and Financial Sponsors.

A COVID-19 represents one of the greatest ever shocks to our economies and, in consequence, to the business models of financial institutions and the way they do business. Decision-makers must choose between adapting a wait-and-see approach or implementing more proactive strategies to safeguard and, if possible, grow their businesses.

To provide greater clarity on the existing misconduct reporting requirements for representatives and broking staff, and enhance standards of investigations on misconduct, MAS will be revising the misconduct reporting regime. Further, to standardise industry practices on due diligence conducted on prospective representatives and broking staff, MAS will be mandating financial institutions to perform and respond to reference check requests, with a list of baseline mandatory information that must be obtained or provided in the reference check.

Episode 12: Singapore – MAS Revises Technology Risk Management Guidelines The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) recently revised its Technology Risk Management Guidelines 2021 after feedback from a 2019 public consultation and engaging with cyber security experts. In this episode, Stephanie Magnus, Ken Chia, and Ying Yi Liew take a closer look at compliance, regulator expectations, cyber threats, and other important considerations — taking into account that financial institutions encompass large multinational banks, insurance companies and small fintech startups.