Week of July 6 - 12, 2026

🗓️ July 6, 2026

• SEC Names Paul Knight as Chief Operating Officer. Washington D.C. - The Securities and Exchange Commission announced that Paul Knight has been appointed as the agency’s Chief Operating Officer (COO). In this role, Mr. Knight will oversee various operational and administrative functions, including the Office of Human Resources and the Office of Financial Management. He joins the SEC from JPMorgan Chase and has previously served at the SEC from 2008 to 2012, bringing extensive experience in both the public and private sectors. 🔗 Read more
• SEC Obtains Final Consent Judgment as to Las Vegas Financial Education Company and Three Las Vegas Residents for Allegedly Acting as Unregistered Brokers. The United States District Court for the District of Nevada entered a final consent judgment against Quest Education L.L.C., its principal Daniel Blue, and former employees David Christopher White and Keitoh Jordan Spears for allegedly acting as unregistered securities brokers and selling unregistered securities. The SEC’s complaint stated that Quest, which marketed itself as an investor education company, earned approximately $2.5 million in commissions from third parties for soliciting investments in unregistered securities between October 2019 and April 2023. Without admitting the allegations, the defendants consented to the judgment, which permanently enjoins them from violating certain securities laws and orders Blue and Spears to pay civil penalties of $11,823 each. 🔗 Read more
• The EBA publishes 2025 loss data for immovable property markets under Article 430a of the Capital Requirements Regulation. The European Banking Authority (EBA) published its annual dataset on losses and exposures for residential and commercial immovable property across the EU/EEA for 2025, as required by Article 430a(3) of the Capital Requirements Regulation (CRR). This data supports the application of certain CRR provisions, such as the loan-splitting approach for income-producing real estate and the recognition of property as eligible collateral, while aiming to improve transparency and facilitate consistent application. The publication does not amend CRR legal conditions or serve as a supervisory decision on individual exposures. 🔗 Read more
• ESMA selects Etrading Software (Netherlands) B.V. as Consolidated Tape Provider for OTC derivatives. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has chosen Etrading Software (Netherlands) B.V. as the Consolidated Tape Provider (CTP) for over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives, marking a significant step towards enhancing transparency in these markets under the Markets in Financial Instruments Regulation (MiFIR). Natasha Cazenave, ESMA’s Executive Director, highlighted this decision as a milestone in establishing consolidated tapes in the EU, benefiting investors and market participants. Etrading Software was selected after a thorough assessment of its application, demonstrating its capability to meet ESMA’s expectations regarding data quality, resilience, and data dissemination. 🔗 Read more
• bet365 to overhaul AML systems under AUSTRAC enforceable undertaking. AUSTRAC has required bet365 to enhance its anti-money laundering controls due to significant gaps in risk management and suspicious activity reporting. Bet365 must establish a robust risk assessment approach and improve its detection and reporting of suspicious transactions as risks evolve, under a legally binding enforceable undertaking. This action is part of AUSTRAC’s broader scrutiny of the gambling sector, which poses inherent money laundering risks due to its handling of large volumes of fast-moving, often anonymous transactions. 🔗 Read more
  

🗓️ July 7, 2026

• Federal Reserve Board requests comment on a proposal to amend its requirements for banks to maintain anti-money laundering programs. The Federal Reserve Board has requested comments on a proposal to amend its anti-money laundering program requirements for banks, aiming to align with changes proposed by four other agencies. The amendments would require banks to allocate resources based on risk, focusing on higher-risk customers and activities, and incorporate the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network’s priorities into risk assessments. Additionally, the Federal Reserve would concentrate supervision and enforcement on significant failures in program implementation. 🔗 Read more
• SEC Forms New Retail Fraud Working Group. Washington D.C. - The Securities and Exchange Commission announced the creation of the Retail Fraud Working Group to enhance efforts in identifying and combating fraud targeting everyday investors. The group will utilize resources across the Commission to address frauds like offering frauds, pump-and-dump schemes, and market manipulation, while also coordinating with regulatory partners and engaging in educational outreach. Led by Kate Zoladz and Kim Frederick, the initiative aims to protect retail investors by generating cases and leveraging data and technology. 🔗 Read more
• CFTC Charges North Carolina Commodity Pool Operator and His Company with Fraud. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission filed a complaint against Trevor L. Vernon and Argent Capital Management LLC for operating a fraudulent commodity pool from March 2022 to February 2026, soliciting over $14 million from at least 60 participants. The defendants allegedly falsely claimed Vernon was a successful trader, misappropriated funds in a Ponzi-like scheme, and violated multiple registration provisions, leading the CFTC to seek restitution, disgorgement, penalties, and bans. 🔗 Read more
• The EBA publishes final Guidelines on the authorisation of third-country branches under the Capital Requirements Directive. The European Banking Authority (EBA) has published its final Guidelines on authorising third-country credit institutions to establish a branch in a Member State, as mandated by the Capital Requirements Directive (CRD6). These Guidelines detail the required information, assessment criteria, application templates, and the process for authorisation, addressing both competent authorities and third-country head undertakings. To ensure the safety and soundness of TCB establishments, a non-opposition statement from the competent authority of the third-country head undertaking is necessary. 🔗 Read more
• The ESAs support ESRB warning on systemic cyber risks from frontier AI models. The European Supervisory Authorities (EBA, EIOPA, and ESMA) support the European Systemic Risk Board’s warning about systemic cyber risks from frontier AI models, which can quickly exploit IT vulnerabilities. They emphasize the need for financial entities to enhance cybersecurity measures and encourage competent authorities to incorporate these developments into supervisory activities. The ESAs are collaborating with the EU supervisory community to ensure financial entities proactively address these risks, aligning with the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA). 🔗 Read more
• ESMA publishes preliminary findings on the Active Account Requirement and the first Annual Report of the Joint Monitoring Mechanism. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has published the Interim Report on the Active Account Requirement (AAR) and the First Annual Report of the Joint Monitoring Mechanism (JMM). The Interim Report indicates that as of February 2026, around 500 entities have notified ESMA of their AAR obligations, representing a significant portion of EU derivatives market activity, with early signs of increased clearing activity at EU central counterparties (EU CCPs). The JMM’s Annual Report highlights cross-border dependencies, particularly with the United States, and assesses trends affecting EU CCPs, emphasizing their capacity to adapt to evolving conditions. 🔗 Read more
  

🗓️ July 8, 2026

• Minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee, June 16-17, 2026. The Federal Reserve released the minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee meeting held on June 16–17, 2026. These minutes, typically published three weeks after the meeting, describe economic and financial conditions based on the information available at that time. 🔗 Read more
• SEC to Host Virtual Roundtable on Modernizing IPOs and Expanding Access to Public Markets. Washington D.C. - The Securities and Exchange Commission’s Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation and the Division of Corporation Finance will co-host a livestreamed discussion on Monday, July 13, 2026, at 2 p.m. to re-examine the IPO process and reassess the framework for how companies of all sizes access public capital. The event will bring together innovative practitioners and seasoned professionals to challenge conventional approaches, propose regulatory solutions, and share insights into recent proposed rule changes, focusing on strategies to support companies in accessing the public capital markets and maintaining their public company status. 🔗 Read more
• SEC Small Business Advisory Committee to Explore Modernizing Market Access. Washington D.C. - The Securities and Exchange Commission’s Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting on July 21, 2026, at 10 a.m. to discuss modernizing public market access and encouraging IPOs and small public company capital formation. The meeting will include discussions on potential regulatory reforms and feature insights from SEC staff, Daniel Zinn of OTC Markets Group, and Sue Washer, a biotechnology consultant. The committee advises the SEC on rules and policies related to small businesses. 🔗 Read more
• The EBA issues Opinion on the implementation of IFRS 18 in supervisory financial reporting to support consistency with IFRS requirements. The European Banking Authority (EBA) has issued an Opinion to guide institutions on reporting profit or loss information during the interim period between the first application date of IFRS 18 and the amending Implementing Technical Standards (ITS) on supervisory financial reporting (FINREP). The Opinion supports institutions by allowing them to voluntarily use IFRS 18‑aligned FINREP templates to avoid maintaining two different profit or loss formats, aligning with the EBA’s efforts to simplify the EU supervisory reporting framework. This approach helps ensure consistency with IFRS requirements and facilitates the efficient implementation of the new accounting standard. 🔗 Read more
• EIOPA launches consultation on IRRD draft technical standards covering the valuation of (re)insurers in the context of resolution. The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) has launched two consultations on policy instruments related to the European Union’s Insurance Recovery and Resolution Directive (IRRD), which will become operational in January 2027. The consultations propose draft technical standards for the valuation of (re)insurers and groups for resolution, focusing on pre-emptive planning, effective crisis management, and maintaining the stability of Europe’s insurance sector. The IRRD aims to make insurance failures less likely and limit their impact, ensuring more effective and cost-efficient management. 🔗 Read more
• EIOPA publishes seven guidelines and draft technical standards related to the IRRD. The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) has published seven instruments related to the Insurance Recovery and Resolution Directive (IRRD), which will become operational in 2027. These include four guidelines and three draft regulatory technical standards (RTS) that cover areas such as stress scenarios for recovery planning and the independence of valuers. EIOPA is tasked with developing 19 technical standards and guidelines, and today’s publication brings the total finalized instruments to 15, with four more to be consulted on soon. 🔗 Read more
• ESMA publishes technical standards on CCP admission criteria elements. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has published its Final Report on the Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS) concerning the central counterparties’ (CCPs) admission criteria elements, following the review of the European Market Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR 3). EMIR 3 introduces amendments to the provisions on participation requirements in CCPs, including for non-financial counterparties (NFCs). The RTS specify the elements which CCPs should consider when establishing their admission criteria for clearing members, but do not set the actual admission criteria. 🔗 Read more
• ESMA launches Common Supervisory Action on CASPs’ digital operational resilience for custody. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) is initiating a Common Supervisory Action (CSA) to evaluate the digital operational resilience of Crypto-Asset Service Providers (CASPs), particularly in custody services. This exercise, conducted by National Competent Authorities (NCAs) on a risk-based sample of authorized CASPs, will assess frameworks related to governance, key management, transaction controls, incident response, smart contract risks, and third-party dependencies from the second half of 2026 to the first half of 2027. The initiative aligns with ESMA’s priorities to enhance supervisory convergence in the digital operational resilience of CASPs. 🔗 Read more‍
  

🗓️ July 9, 2026

• Federal Reserve announces the leadership and objectives of its task forces to advance the conduct of monetary policy. The Federal Reserve announced the leadership and objectives of its task forces to enhance monetary policy conduct, emphasizing a commitment to price stability and maximum employment. The five task forces, co-led by external experts, will independently evaluate areas such as communications, balance sheet policy, data, productivity and jobs, and inflation frameworks to provide rigorous findings for the Federal Open Market Committee. Each task force aims to improve the Fed’s performance in a rapidly changing economic landscape. 🔗 Read more
• Federal Reserve Board issues enforcement action with TS Banking Group, Inc. and TS Contrarian Bancshares, Inc. The Federal Reserve Board announced an enforcement action involving TS Banking Group, Inc. and TS Contrarian Bancshares, Inc., both located in Treynor, Iowa. A Written Agreement was dated July 6, 2026. 🔗 Read more
• SEC Files Settled Action Charging a Former Biopharmaceutical Company Employee and Due Diligence Team Member for Insider Trading. The Securities and Exchange Commission filed settled insider trading charges against Maryland resident Weiguo Zhai for illegally trading securities before the December 12, 2023, public announcement of AstraZeneca PLC’s acquisition of Icosavax Inc. Zhai, who worked at AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, misappropriated confidential information to purchase Icosavax stock, realizing illicit profits of $10,006. He has consented to a final judgment that would enjoin him from future violations and require him to pay $10,006 in disgorgement, $1,535 in prejudgment interest, and a $10,006 civil penalty. 🔗 Read more
• CFTC to Stay Self-Certified Contract on 24/7 Trading for Crude Oil Futures. Washington - The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) will stay the listing of a contract by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) that would have allowed 24/7 trading on crude oil futures, as the Commission is examining whether such trading aligns with its statutory Core Principles. Despite a public comment period and known risks, CME attempted to self-certify the contract on July 8, prompting the CFTC to take action under 17 C.F.R. 40.2(c). Chairman Michael S. Selig emphasized the need for a reasoned analysis and encouraged exchanges to address legal issues with agency staff before listing new contracts. 🔗 Read more
• The EBA releases the final technical package for its 4.3 reporting framework to support Third-Country Branches reporting and AML Authority risk assessment data collection. The European Banking Authority (EBA) has published the final technical package for version 4.3 of its reporting framework, which includes new reporting requirements for Third-Country Branches (TCBs) under the Capital Requirements Directive (CRD) and supports the Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) in a risk assessment data collection exercise. The package provides standard specifications such as validation rules, the data point model (DPM), and XBRL taxonomies, with the first reference dates set for 31 March 2027 for TCBs and 31 December 2026 for AMLA reporting. Additionally, the EBA has released a new Glossary Usage Exploration file to enhance the usability and understanding of the reporting framework by offering a structured view of glossary content and its relationships within the DPM. 🔗 Read more
• IAIS mid-year Global Insurance Market Report 2026 reflects insurance sector stability amid global uncertainty. Interim data analysis from the 2026 Global Monitoring Exercise indicates stable solvency, liquidity, and profitability in the global insurance sector at year-end 2025, though systemic risk scores slightly increased compared to 2024. Geopolitical tensions, inflationary pressures, and elevated sovereign debt levels pose challenges for insurers in 2026, necessitating effective risk management and adaptable business models. The International Association of Insurance Supervisors has identified three key themes for deeper analysis in the 2026 GME: the impact of macroeconomic risks on life insurers, the transmission channels of geopolitical risks in non-life insurance, and the impact of AI advancements on cyber resilience. 🔗 Read more
• Financial firms keep EU carbon markets moving. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) published its third annual market report on EU carbon markets, highlighting the central role of financial intermediaries, which accounted for around 62% of trading volumes in 2025. Despite a 29% price drop in early 2026, the market remains resilient with no major concerns on transparency or integrity, and the annual average price of EU emission allowances increased by 13% from 2024. ESMA also recommends making Legal Entity Identifiers (LEIs) mandatory for all trading accounts, including the upcoming ETS2. 🔗 Read more‍
  

🗓️ July 10, 2026

• SEC Office of Municipal Securities Updates FAQs for Registration of Municipal Advisors. Washington D.C. - The Securities and Exchange Commission’s Office of Municipal Securities has updated its Registration of Municipal Advisors FAQs webpage to provide more clarity on municipal advisor registration and recordkeeping requirements. This update aims to assist public-private partnership market participants, Form MA and MA-I filers, and municipal advisors in understanding their obligations, including the disclosure of remote work locations and recordkeeping for new municipal securities issues. Additionally, it includes a new FAQ on registration, directing individuals to existing resources for guidance. 🔗 Read more
• SEC Settles Litigation with Individual Charged in Microcap Fraud Scheme. The Securities and Exchange Commission filed a consent and proposed final judgment against Steve Bajic in a fraudulent microcap scheme involving 15 defendants. Bajic, a Canadian and Croatian citizen, allegedly conspired with Rajesh Taneja to help insiders sell microcap stock secretly, using foreign companies to conceal ownership. Bajic consented to a judgment enjoining him from securities violations, ordering him to pay $837,734 in disgorgement, which will be satisfied by a forfeiture judgment in a parallel criminal case, and imposing a penny stock bar. 🔗 Read more
• SEC Files Proposed Final Judgments Against Former Investor Relations Executive and Two Friends Charged with Insider Trading. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed proposed final consent judgments against Robert Alan Yedid, Andrew Kaufman, and Mark Jacobs for insider trading that allegedly resulted in over $500,000 in illegal profits. Yedid, Kaufman, and Jacobs each pled guilty in a parallel criminal case, receiving various sentences, including incarceration, fines, and community service, with their forfeiture orders deemed to satisfy the disgorgement amounts ordered in the final judgments. The SEC’s investigation was conducted by Jason Anthony, Nancy C. Iheanacho, and Margaret Vizzi, and supervised by Paul H. Pashkoff and Pei Y. Chung, while the litigation was led by Daniel Maher and supervised by David A. Nasse. 🔗 Read more
• Kentland Bank Assumes All Deposits of Kentland Federal Savings and Loan Association. Washington - Kentland Federal Savings and Loan Association of Kentland, Indiana, was closed by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, with the FDIC appointed as receiver. The FDIC agreed with Kentland Bank of Kentland, Indiana, to purchase all assets and assume all deposits of the closed association. As of March 31, 2026, Kentland Federal Savings and Loan Association had total assets of $3.73 million and total deposits of $3.65 million, making it the smallest standalone bank in the U.S. The sole branch will close, but depositors will automatically become customers of Kentland Bank, with deposits insured by the FDIC, and the FDIC estimates a cost of approximately $1.2 million to the Deposit Insurance Fund. 🔗 Read more
• ESMA launches data collection under the first phase of ESAP. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has initiated the collection of information from Officially Appointed Mechanisms (OAMs) and National Competent Authorities (NCAs) for the first phase of the European Single Access Point (ESAP) implementation. This marks the first step towards the public launch of the ESAP platform, which is set to be accessible by July 2027, offering free, easy, and centralized access to financial and sustainability information about entities and their products. 🔗 Read more‍
• ESMA publishes first market capitalisation data for EU Member States. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has released the annual market capitalisation and market capitalisation ratios for EU Member States for 2024 and 2025, marking the first implementation of its mandate under the FASTER Directive. This publication provides clarity on Member States’ market positions and assists authorities and market participants in preparing for specific withholding tax relief requirements for countries exceeding 1.5% of the total EU market capitalisation for four consecutive years. 🔗 Read more