Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) has put a spotlight on the importance of continuously validating the effectiveness of Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) frameworks within financial institutions (FIs). The agency’s latest publication comes with a crucial message that AML/CFT framework are only as strong as its ongoing evaluation.
The European Parliament recently voted in favor of giving businesses a little more breathing room when it comes to complying with the new sustainability and due diligence rules. With an overwhelming vote of 531 for, 69 against, and 17 abstentions, MEPs backed the European Commission's proposal to delay the deadlines for these significant regulations. The intended goal? To simplify the process for businesses and help the EU stay competitive on the global stage. It’s part of the broader “Omnibus I” simplification package, which aims to reduce the red tape businesses face while still driving progress on important issues like human rights and environmental impact.
It’s been a long time coming, but the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has finally taken a step in holding Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) accountable for its ongoing struggles with non-financial risk management. APRA has accepted a Court Enforceable Undertaking (CEU) from the bank and increased its capital add-on to $1 billion.
The latest report from the International Forum of Independent Audit Regulators (IFIAR) is out, and it doesn’t pull any punches. Released on March 17, 2025, the 2024 Survey of Inspection Findings paints a picture of the state of global audit quality, and it’s not as pretty as many might hope.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has recently dropped a new set of guidelines that will help companies navigate the complexities of climate-related financial reporting. The release of Regulatory Guide 280 comes after a deep dive into industry feedback and offers a clearer picture of how companies, superannuation funds, and investment vehicles should approach sustainability disclosures under the Corporations Act 2001.
DWS Group, Deutsche Bank’s asset-management arm, is paying the price for overstating its green credentials. The firm has agreed to settle an investigation by German prosecutors, paying €25 million ($27 million) over allegations of greenwashing—essentially, overhyping its sustainability efforts. According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, German authorities found that between mid-2020 and January 2023, DWS made inflated claims about the environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) characteristics of its investment products.
When you think about the equipment that keeps our military running smoothly, you might imagine high-tech gear, advanced weaponry, and well-oiled machinery. What’s often less visible, though, are the parts that make all of this work—like electrical relays and sockets. DRI Relays Inc. (DRI), a subsidiary of TE Connectivity Corporation (TEC), has found itself in the spotlight over a failure to meet the very standards that keep those parts dependable for our armed forces. The company has agreed to pay $15.7 million to settle allegations under the False Claims Act, after it was accused of selling military parts that didn’t meet the required specifications.