Week of  April 13 - 19, 2026

🗓️ April 13, 2026

• CFTC Secures Court Order Against Florida Resident to Pay Over $1.3 Million in Restitution, Penalties for Commodity Pool Fraud. Washington D.C. - The Commodity Futures Trading Commission announced a consent order against Emir Jesus Matos Camargo for futures fraud and related regulatory violations, including misrepresentations and misappropriation of funds. Matos was ordered to pay $666,038.67 in restitution and civil monetary penalties, and was permanently enjoined from further violations, with trading and registration bans imposed. The consent order resolves all claims against Matos, but the enforcement action against Aureus remains pending. 🔗 Read more
• FDIC Announces Four Senior Leadership Appointments. Washington - The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has announced several key appointments to senior leadership positions. Benjamin Olson has been named Director of the FDIC’s Division of Depositor and Consumer Protection, bringing over 24 years of experience from roles at the Federal Reserve, Capital One, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Shawn Khani will serve as Director of the FDIC’s Division of Resolutions and Receiverships, with a background in fixed income trading and previous leadership at CarVal Investors and The Winter Group. Trey Maust has been appointed Chief Innovation Officer to advance innovative technologies within the FDIC and the financial services sector, having held executive roles at Lewis & Clark Bank and Bankevo LLC. Sam Lupas will be the Deputy Chief of Staff, advising the Chairman and Chief of Staff, with prior experience at HUD and roles in the U.S. Senate and House Committee on Financial Services. 🔗 Read more
• The EBA publishes Report on banks’ dry run testing of their recovery plans. The European Banking Authority (EBA) published a Report comparing how banks test their recovery plans through “dry runs,” confirming their effectiveness in enhancing crisis readiness. The analysis shows that while most institutions recognize the value of dry runs, their effectiveness varies, with more advanced practices embedding them within broader risk management frameworks. The EBA emphasizes the importance of maintaining regular, high-quality testing and suggests stronger synergies across recovery and resolution activities for better crisis management. 🔗 Read more
• ESMA releases reporting templates and instructions for the Active Account Requirement. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU’s financial markets regulator and supervisor, has published the reporting templates and instructions for the Active Account Requirement (AAR) reporting under European Market Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR 3). The new templates set out in detail how entities subject to the AAR should report the required information to their competent authorities. Through this development, ESMA aims to ensure a harmonised and efficient approach to AAR reporting across the EU, providing standardised templates and clear instructions while facilitating consistent supervisory practices. 🔗 Read more

‍🗓️ April 14, 2026

• Minutes of the Board’s discount rate meetings on February 9 and March 18, 2026. The Federal Reserve Board released the minutes from its meetings on February 9 and March 18, 2026, to review and determine the discount rates for depository institutions. The process for setting the discount rate is different from the Federal Open Market Committee’s process for setting the federal funds rate target range. 🔗 Read more
• Principals of U.S., European Banking Union, and U.K. Financial Authorities To Meet for Regular Coordination Exercise on Cross-Border Resolution Planning. Washington - The heads of resolution and regulatory authorities, central banks, and finance ministries from the United States, the European Banking Union, and the United Kingdom will participate in a Trilateral Principal Level Exercise (TPLE) on Saturday, April 18, 2026. This exercise aims to enhance understanding of each jurisdiction’s resolution regime for global systemically important banks (G-SIBs), strengthen coordination on cross-border resolution, and promote confidence in the orderly resolution of G-SIBs. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) will host the TPLE, coinciding with the spring meetings in Washington, D.C. sponsored by the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund. 🔗 Read more
• The Joint Bank Reporting Committee launches call to join the Reporting Contact Group. The Joint Bank Reporting Committee (JBRC), jointly set up by the European Banking Authority (EBA) and the European Central Bank (ECB), today launched a public call for expressions of interest to join its Reporting Contact Group (RCG). The RCG brings together stakeholders with expertise in banks’ regulatory reporting and serves as a regular forum for cooperation, exchange of views and sharing of best practices with authorities. The call is open to candidates representing stakeholders across the European Economic Area (EEA). The deadline for applications is 28 April 2026 (23:59 CEST). 🔗 Read more
• ECB Governing Council urges Single Market boost to strengthen bank competitiveness. The European Central Bank (ECB) has published proposals to enhance banks and financial infrastructure to better support the economy, endorsed by all euro area central banks. These proposals, building on those from December 2025, aim to simplify EU banking rules and address unnecessary complexity and fragmentation, advocating for a single banking market with free cross-border capital and liquidity flow and a European Deposit Insurance Scheme. The ECB emphasizes that resilient banks are crucial for long-term growth and competitiveness, and reforms should maintain financial stability while allowing banks to benefit from economies of scale and diversification. 🔗 Read more
• Banks step up to disrupt illicit tobacco profits. Banks have taken significant steps to disrupt the financial flows supporting Australia’s illicit tobacco trade by strengthening oversight and monitoring under their AML/CTF obligations. In response to warnings from AUSTRAC and the ITEC Commissioner, many banks have implemented tighter controls, increased reporting, and exited high-risk customers, leading to 337 suspicious matter reports and 76 referrals to partner agencies. This collaboration between government and industry aims to cut off the financial lifeblood of organized crime and protect Australia’s financial system. 🔗 Read more‍

🗓️ April 15, 2026

• SEC Approves Exemptive Order and Proposed Rule Change to Permit Customer Cross-Margining in the U.S. Treasury Market. Washington D.C. - The Securities and Exchange Commission issued a conditional exemptive order allowing customer cross-margining of cash market and futures positions in U.S. Treasury securities for dually-registered broker-dealers. Additionally, the SEC approved a proposed rule change by the Fixed Income Clearing Corporation to enter into a Third Amended and Restated Cross-Margining Agreement with the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, extending cross-margining availability to common members of FICC and CME. These actions aim to enhance liquidity and market resilience for U.S. Treasury securities. 🔗 Read more
• CFTC Approves Order to Further Strengthen U.S. Treasury Market Liquidity. Washington - The Commodity Futures Trading Commission approved an order granting a limited exemption for the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and the Fixed Income Clearing Corporation to extend their cross-margining arrangement to certain customers with safeguards. This allows joint clearing members registered with both the SEC and the Commission to hold futures customer funds in a commingled account at FICC, enhancing risk management and market resilience. The exemptive order will be available on CFTC.gov and SEC.gov, and published in the Federal Register. 🔗 Read more
• CFTC Secures Court Order Requiring Florida Resident to Pay Over $1.3 Million in Disgorgement and Imposes Trading Ban for Commodity Pool Fraud. Washington - The Commodity Futures Trading Commission announced a consent order against John Fortini for retail fraud and related regulatory violations while serving as an executive with Algo Capital LLC. Fortini misappropriated customer funds, made false assurances about fund withdrawals, and misled customers about a proprietary trading algorithm, while ignoring red flags about Traders Domain FX Ltd.’s fraudulent activities. The court ordered Fortini to pay $1,347,867.56 in disgorgement, imposed permanent trading and registration bans, and resolved all claims against him, though the CFTC cautions that victims may not recover their losses. 🔗 Read more
• EIOPA seeks input on the proposed shortening of 13 sets of Guidelines to further streamline the revised Solvency II framework. The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) has launched a public consultation on its proposal to shorten 13 sets of Guidelines under Solvency II to simplify regulation and reduce administrative burdens in the EU. The consultation focuses on shortening industry-relevant Guidelines, which together contain 294 individual guidelines, aiming to reduce their length by at least 25% where possible. While no major gaps were identified for immediate intervention, EIOPA may review Guidelines in the future as part of the ongoing fitness check of the rulebook’s effectiveness and consistency. 🔗 Read more
  

🗓️ April 16, 2026

• Federal Reserve Board issues enforcement action with Community Bankshares, Inc. The Federal Reserve Board announced an enforcement action against Community Bankshares, Inc., located in LaGrange, Georgia. A Cease and Desist Order was issued, dated April 14, 2026. 🔗 Read more
• Chairman Atkins Launches 'Material Matters' Podcast. Washington D.C. - The Securities and Exchange Commission announced the launch of Material Matters With SEC Chairman Paul Atkins, a new podcast offering exclusive interviews and insights into the agency’s policy and rulemaking agenda. The first episode features interviews with Commissioners Mark T. Uyeda and Hester M. Peirce, discussing their careers and future work. Episodes will be available on SEC.gov, YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. 🔗 Read more
• SEC Small Business Advisory Committee to Explore Ways to Encourage More IPOs. Washington D.C. - The Securities and Exchange Commission’s Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting on April 28, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the SEC’s headquarters in Washington D.C., with a live stream available on SEC.gov. The meeting will focus on exploring ways to encourage more companies to go public, featuring insights from Edwin O’Connor of Goodwin Procter LLP and Beau Bohm of Cantor Fitzgerald on the IPO market. The committee advises the SEC on rules and policies affecting small businesses. 🔗 Read more
• SEC Seeks Public Comment on the Consolidated Audit Trail and Other Audit Trails and Data Sources. Washington D.C. - The Securities and Exchange Commission has issued a concept release seeking public comment on a comprehensive review of the Consolidated Audit Trail (CAT) and other audit trails used in U.S. securities markets. The release covers topics such as CAT funding, regulatory purpose, governance, design, cybersecurity, and data privacy, aiming to balance privacy, civil liberties, and regulatory needs. SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins highlighted past reforms that reduced CAT costs and eliminated personal identifiable information reporting, while emphasizing the need for further improvements through public input. 🔗 Read more
• The EBA seeks feedback on 4.3 draft technical package of its reporting framework. The European Banking Authority (EBA) has published a draft technical package for version 4.3 of its reporting framework, focusing on anti-money laundering (AML) and third country branches (TCB) reporting, to help entities prepare for changes before the final publication in June 2026. The draft includes new Implementing Technical Standards (ITS) for third-country branches and a Data Point Model (DPM) for identifying obliged entities under the Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA), with reference dates of 31 March 2027 and 31 December 2026, respectively. Stakeholders are invited to provide feedback on the draft and the accompanying glossary. 🔗 Read more
• The EBA observes an increase of high earners in the EU in 2024. The European Banking Authority’s 2024 Dashboard reveals an increase in the number of individuals in EU banks earning over EUR 1 million, with a total rise of 2,554 from 2023. Credit institutions saw a 7% increase, while investment firms experienced a 30% rise, driven by strong profitability, favorable economic conditions, and competitive pay adjustments. The weighted average ratio of variable to fixed remuneration for high earners in credit institutions increased to 98%, and in investment firms, it rose to 359%, with the CRD cap not applying to investment firms since 2021. 🔗 Read more
• CPMI-IOSCO assesses that the United Kingdom has implemented the Principles for Financial Market Infrastructures (FMI) for two FMI types, but recommends some improvements.The UK’s framework for systemically important payment systems and central securities depositories/securities settlement systems is complete and consistent with the CPMIIOSCO Principles for Financial Market Infrastructures (PFMI) in most aspects. The CPMI-IOSCO assessment identified some areas for improvement where implementation was broadly or partly consistent or not consistent with the PFMI. The assessment reflects the status of implementation as of September 2023. 🔗 Read more
• ESMA launches a call for evidence on restricted subscription and private credit ratings. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has launched a call for evidence to gather stakeholder views on restricted subscription and private credit ratings, focusing on their purposes, market practices, needs, and risks. ESMA encourages stakeholders to share data and analysis on the characteristics, use cases, and benefits of these ratings compared to publicly disclosed ones, as well as the parties involved and the comparability of analytical processes and governance arrangements. Responses, including quantitative information and market practice examples, are invited and will be considered by 31 May 2026. 🔗 Read more
  

🗓️ April 17, 2026

• CFTC and Kansas State University Announce Return of AgCon Conference. Washington D.C. - The Commodity Futures Trading Commission and Kansas State University will host the fourth Agricultural Commodity Futures Conference, AgCon, from October 22-23 at the Marriott Overland Park Hotel in Kansas. The event will bring together government officials, agribusiness leaders, and academia to discuss critical issues affecting America’s agricultural futures markets. CFTC Chairman Michael S. Selig emphasized the importance of the event in helping the agency hear directly from agricultural leaders, while Dan Moser from KSU highlighted the conference’s role in ensuring effective price risk management tools for the agricultural sector. 🔗 Read more
• Agencies Issue Revised Model Risk Guidance. Washington - The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), along with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, issued revised model risk management guidance. The guidance emphasizes tailoring model risk management to the size, complexity, and model risk profile of banking organizations, highlighting principles for effective model risk management, including model validation, monitoring, and governance. It also addresses considerations for vendor and third-party products but does not set enforceable standards or prescriptive requirements. 🔗 Read more
• The EBA responds to the European Commission’s consultation on EU banking sector competitiveness. The European Banking Authority (EBA) has published its response to the European Commission’s consultation on strengthening the competitiveness of the EU banking sector, emphasizing the importance of completing the Single Market for financial services. The EBA highlights the resilience of EU banks post-financial crisis and addresses challenges such as geopolitical risks and digital transformation, while advocating for targeted simplification of the banking rulebook to enhance competitiveness. The response aligns with the EBA’s October 2025 Report, which recommended 21 measures to simplify regulations, and stresses maintaining resilience, benefiting from the Single Market, and ensuring an EU-level playing field. 🔗 Read more
• The EBA launches the recruitment of its Executive Director. The European Banking Authority (EBA) has launched an open selection procedure to recruit a new Executive Director to complete its leadership team, following François‑Louis Michaud’s appointment as Chair on 16 April. The Executive Director will work directly with the Chairperson, managing the Authority’s operations, work programme, and Management Board meetings, with selection based on merit, skills, and experience in financial supervision and regulation. The successful candidate will be chosen by the EBA Board of Supervisors and appointed after confirmation by the European Parliament, with the vacancy notice available in all EU official languages on the EBA website. 🔗 Read more