HSBC announced Tuesday that Ann Godbehere, the bank’s senior independent director, will retire from the board at the group’s annual general meeting in 2026. Brendan Nelson, HSBC’s group chair, thanked Godbehere for her “considerable contribution” and said he fully respected her decision to step down for personal and lifestyle reasons.  He noted the timing follows the completion of the bank’s chair search. Godbehere stated that it had been a privilege to serve on the board and praised the colleagues she had worked with during her tenure.  She added that she wished the board and management “every success” as the bank continues executing its strategy. The post HSBC Senior Independent Director to Step Down in 2026 appeared first on LeapRate.

The Financial Conduct Authority has cancelled the registration of First Money Services, a Small Payment Institution, after finding the firm failed to meet key regulatory requirements under the Payment Services Regulations 2017. In a Final Notice dated 22 December, the regulator said the company did not provide payment services within 12 months of being registered and had failed to remain compliant with anti-money laundering obligations under the Money Laundering Regulations.  The FCA also found the firm had reported providing payment services after its HMRC registration had ended. The decision follows a previous notice issued to the business, which did not challenge the move within the 28-day referral window. As a result, the cancellation took effect immediately. The regulator noted that the action was necessary to support its consumer protection and market integrity objectives.  Small Payment Institutions must meet specific conditions to operate legally, including maintaining up-to-date AML registrations and demonstrating active provision of payment services. The cancellation means First Money Services is no longer authorised to undertake regulated payment activities in the UK, and the FCA reminded firms of the importance of maintaining full compliance throughout their registration period. The post FCA Cancels Registration of First Money Services Over Compliance Failures appeared first on LeapRate.

Equiti Group has appointed Dhanesh Chandrashekhar Arole as its new Head of Data and AI, strengthening the fintech firm’s capability in advanced analytics as it pursues growth across global markets. Arole joins from senior roles in high-growth technology companies and major international platforms, including Meta.  Equiti said his background in software architecture, system design and engineering leadership will support its strategy to build a more intelligent, insight-driven trading ecosystem. The appointment aligns with Equiti’s Q4 2025 focus on expanding data and AI capabilities as online trading activity rises across the MENA region and the UAE positions itself as a global investment hub.  Sartaj Singh, Equiti’s chief technology officer, stated that the firm had already established “a strong data backbone,” and Arole would help accelerate the development of data products and AI applications.  Arole remarked that data-driven tools were reshaping the speed and transparency of financial markets, adding that he aims to deliver “smarter decisions, deeper insights and truly transformative products.” The post Equiti Appoints New Head of Data and AI appeared first on LeapRate.

Alfa Financial Software has announced that Duncan Magrath, its chief financial officer and an executive director, plans to retire at the end of 2026 after more than six years with the company. The asset-finance software specialist said its board would begin the search for a successor immediately.  Magrath joined Alfa in March 2020 and has overseen the firm’s shift towards a software-as-a-service model, helping establish new internal processes and building out the finance team. Chief executive Andrew Denton thanked Magrath for his contribution, saying he had played a “huge” role as the company evolved into a SaaS-focused organisation.  Denton added that Magrath had provided guidance and support to colleagues and helped create a platform for future growth. Magrath commented that he had “thoroughly enjoyed” his time at Alfa and highlighted the company’s culture as a defining feature of his experience.  He said he remains enthusiastic about the final year of his tenure and intends to pursue interests outside full-time executive work following his retirement. Alfa stated the transition would be managed carefully to ensure continuity across its finance and operational functions. The post Alfa Financial Confirms CFO to Retire at the End of 2026 appeared first on LeapRate.

Fiserv announced a strategic collaboration with Visa on Monday, aimed at accelerating the rollout of agentic commerce, where AI-driven agents perform tasks such as product discovery and purchasing on behalf of consumers. The partnership will integrate Visa Intelligent Commerce and the Trusted Agent Protocol across Fiserv’s merchant ecosystem, giving businesses access to authentication tools designed to distinguish legitimate automated agents from malicious bots.  Fiserv believes the collaboration will help merchants adapt to an increasingly automated retail environment. Sanjay Saraf, Fiserv’s global chief product officer for merchant solutions, remarked that the two companies were “simplifying entry into the Agentic Commerce ecosystem” for merchants, independent software vendors and partners.  Visa’s Rubail Birwadker said the Trusted Agent Protocol embeds “trust into every layer” of agent-driven transactions. The protocol will be deployed across Fiserv’s acceptance network to authenticate, validate and process agent-initiated payments.  It is intended to ensure that all interactions come from verified consumer-authorised agents and that payment data remains secure throughout a transaction. Beyond payments, the companies said they aim to enable the broader development of intelligent-commerce infrastructure.  This will include tools and frameworks that allow merchants to embed AI-driven experiences into existing systems without disrupting day-to-day operations. Fiserv added that it would provide secure connectivity to authenticate agents, scalable integration options for businesses adopting automated experiences, and real-time operational intelligence to improve routing and dispute resolution.  The post Fiserv Partners with Visa to Advance Agentic Commerce Capabilities appeared first on LeapRate.

Coinbase announced Monday that it has agreed a deal to acquire The Clearing Company as the U.S. crypto exchange seeks to expand its newly launched prediction markets offering and advance its ambition to become what it calls the “Everything Exchange.” The deal brings in a specialist team led by founder Toni Gemayel, who has been closely involved in shaping the modern prediction-market sector.  Coinbase said the group’s experience would help scale trading in event-based contracts, which the company introduced to users last week through a regulated venue. Coinbase stated that integrating the capability directly into its platform would let people access event contracts alongside crypto, equities, cash and derivatives. The company believes the acquisition fits into its broader plan to create a single marketplace for multiple asset classes.  “The Clearing Co. adds the specialised talent needed to take this category further,” Coinbase said, adding that prediction markets are a natural component of its long-term roadmap. The deal is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to be completed in January. Coinbase noted that it has already implemented a familiar trading interface for prediction markets and believes combining regulated access with The Clearing Company’s expertise will support future growth. The post Coinbase to Acquire The Clearing Company appeared first on LeapRate.

Nanhua Singapore has become an exchange and clearing member of ICE Futures Singapore and ICE Clear Singapore, marking a step forward in its efforts to expand trading and clearing capabilities across international markets. Intercontinental Exchange stated that the appointments allow Nanhua Singapore to trade and clear both its own business and that of its clients directly on ICE’s Singapore-based platforms.  The move is expected to strengthen the firm’s access to global derivatives markets and enhance the services it offers to customers seeking exposure beyond Asia. Zheng Peiyuan, chief executive of Nanhua Singapore, said the membership would enable the company to deepen its global clearing capabilities while providing clients with broader opportunities in international markets.  He added that joining ICE in Singapore underlined Nanhua’s commitment to delivering reliable and efficient trading services as client needs evolve. ICE noted that the addition of Nanhua reflects continued engagement with regional market participants as it seeks to connect Asian firms with global risk management tools.  Maria Levanti, president and chief operating officer of ICE Futures Singapore and ICE Clear Singapore, said the group remains focused on linking local and international participants with access to global markets. ICE has operated in Singapore for more than 20 years and has positioned the city-state as a hub for its Asian derivatives business.  ICE Futures Singapore offers contracts across energy, foreign exchange, equity derivatives and digital assets, including mini and micro-sized products designed to support more flexible hedging strategies. The post Nanhua Singapore Becomes ICE Futures and Clearing Member in Singapore appeared first on LeapRate.

CME Group’s New York Mercantile Exchange said Friday that it has fined Telesto Sciences $30,000.  According to a disciplinary notice, the firm failed to adequately supervise its trading systems, leading to excessive and erroneous messaging activity in energy futures markets. A panel of the NYMEX Business Conduct Committee found that between February and September 2024, an automated trading system controlled by Telesto repeatedly retransmitted network packets before the pre-open security status message in crude oil and natural gas trading-at-settlement futures. The panel said the system sent unusually high volumes of packet retransmissions, including packets with larger-than-normal sizes and numerous symbol errors.  This activity also reportedly occurred in non-TAS products and continued even after Telesto attempted to address the issue following notification from the exchange. NYMEX found that Telesto was initially unaware of the unintended excessive messaging, the symbol errors introduced by its system and the abnormal packet sizes.  After efforts to correct the problem, the automated trading system continued to retransmit smaller packets containing symbol errors during the trading day. The conduct was deemed a breach of NYMEX Rule 432.W, which requires firms to diligently supervise employees and agents in business related to the exchange. Telesto agreed to the settlement without admitting or denying the findings. The post CME Group Fines Telesto Sciences appeared first on LeapRate.

LME Clear announced the appointment of Julie Carruthers as interim chair of the board on Friday, effective 1 January 2026, following the planned retirement of current chair David Warren at the end of this year. Carruthers, who currently serves as senior independent director, joined the LME Clear board in 2022 and brings more than 30 years of experience in financial services.  Her background includes senior roles at TP ICAP and UK Finance, with particular expertise in market infrastructure, post-trade operations and regulatory engagement. The appointment comes as LME Clear continues to advance its clearing modernisation strategy and respond to evolving customer demand across the global metals market.  Chief executive Michael Carty said Carruthers is “extremely well-positioned” to lead the business, citing her experience in electronic trading and clearing operations. Warren, who joined LME Clear in 2023, oversaw a period of growth and led the delivery of an action plan aimed at strengthening the organisation’s resilience and strategic direction.  Carty thanked him for his leadership, saying the business had made “huge progress” under his stewardship. Carruthers stated that she was honoured to take on the interim role at a “pivotal time” for the metals industry, adding that the company is now ready to accelerate innovation and broaden its offering following the successful completion of its resilience programme. The post LME Clear Appoints Julie Carruthers as Interim Chair appeared first on LeapRate.

US regulator FINRA has censured and fined Mundial Financial Group $100,000 after finding compliance failures, including allowing an unregistered individual to conduct securities business and operating an inadequate anti-money laundering programme. According to a letter of acceptance, waiver and consent, Mundial permitted its indirect owner to engage in securities activities requiring registration from January 2018 to at least January 2024, despite knowing he was not registered with FINRA in any capacity.  The individual acted in both a principal and representative role, soliciting customers, directing business strategy and exercising control over the firm’s finances. FINRA found this conduct breached registration rules and standards requiring firms to observe high standards of commercial honour. In addition, Mundial failed to develop and implement an AML compliance programme reasonably designed to meet Bank Secrecy Act requirements. The regulator stated that the firm’s customer identification procedures were not appropriately tailored to its risk profile, which included overseas clients and trading in low-priced securities.  Mundial is said to have approved accounts despite discrepancies in customer information and failed to adequately monitor or investigate red flags of suspicious activity. FINRA also cited failures to detect or report potentially manipulative trading and weaknesses in monitoring accounts linked to corporate insiders. As a result, suspicious transactions went undetected, including large share transfers and coordinated account openings. Alongside the fine and censure, Mundial has agreed to a series of undertakings, including retaining a third-party consultant to review its compliance framework and certifying that no unregistered individuals are performing regulated roles. The post FINRA Fines Mundial Financial $100,000 appeared first on LeapRate.

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On Friday, it was announced that Australia and New Zealand Banking Group has been ordered by the Australian Federal Court to pay $250m in combined penalties after admitting to widespread misconduct and systemic risk failures affecting government bodies and tens of thousands of customers. The penalties, secured by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, are the largest ever imposed on a single entity by the regulator.  The judgment covers four separate proceedings spanning ANZ’s institutional and retail divisions. Justice Jonathan Beach increased the penalty for ANZ’s inaccurate reporting of secondary bond market turnover data to $50m, describing the conduct as “inexcusable” and lacking “any redeeming feature whatsoever”.  The court found ANZ overstated bond trading volumes by billions of dollars over nearly two years, exposing the Australian Government to significant risk. The bank was also fined $135m for misconduct linked to a $14bn government bond deal and misleading reporting, including a record $80m penalty for unconscionable conduct.  Additional penalties include $40m for failures in handling customer hardship notices, $40m for false and misleading statements about savings interest rates, and $35m for failing to refund fees charged to deceased customers’ accounts. ASIC chair Joe Longo said the scale of the penalties underscored the seriousness of the misconduct and its far-reaching consequences, adding that ANZ “must do better” given its central role in the banking system. ANZ admitted to the misconduct in September and cooperated with ASIC, which the court acknowledged in determining the final penalties.  Justice Beach said the sanctions were not to be treated as a cost of doing business and were intended to deter future misconduct across the sector. The post ANZ Hit With $250m Combined Penalties Over Widespread Misconduct and Systemic Failures appeared first on LeapRate.

Europe has taken a step towards in greater equity market transparency after the European Securities and Markets Authority selected EuroCTP as the first consolidated tape provider for shares and exchange-traded funds. ESMA said the decision marks a milestone for EU capital markets, as the consolidated tape will provide a single, comprehensive view of trading activity in shares and ETFs for both retail and institutional investors across Europe. Natasha Cazenave, ESMA’s executive director, expects the move to improve the attractiveness of EU equity markets and support the bloc’s Savings and Investment Union.  “The CTP will provide a consolidated view of market activity in shares and ETFs for retail and institutional investors across Europe,” she commented, adding that it would benefit all market participants. The regulator selected EuroCTP following an in-depth assessment against the criteria set out in the Markets in Financial Instruments Regulation.  ESMA said EuroCTP met all requirements and demonstrated a robust approach aligned with its expectations. EuroCTP is a Netherlands-based joint venture backed by 15 European exchange groups, reflecting broad industry support for the initiative.  The consolidated tape is intended to address long-standing concerns about fragmented market data across EU trading venues. ESMA has now invited EuroCTP to apply for authorisation.  The post ESMA Selects EuroCTP as First EU Consolidated Tape Provider for Shares and ETFs appeared first on LeapRate.

Metro Bank has been reclassified as a transfer firm under the UK’s minimum requirement for own funds and eligible liabilities (MREL) regime, a move the lender said would provide greater capital flexibility. The bank said it has received formal confirmation from the Bank of England that the reclassification will take effect from 1 January 2026. As a transfer firm, Metro Bank’s MREL will be set at its existing minimum capital requirements, equal to 13.7% including buffers and 9.2% excluding buffers. The change follows an announcement by the Bank of England in July and had been anticipated by the group.  Chief executive Daniel Frumkin said the decision was “a positive development which affords us more capital flexibility, enhancing our ability to lend into the UK economy and creating further value for our shareholders”. Metro Bank said it will provide a further update in its full-year results, which are scheduled for 4 March 2026. The post Metro Bank to be Reclassified as Transfer Firm Under the MREL Regime appeared first on LeapRate.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) said Friday that Macquarie Securities admitted it failed to correctly report at least 73 million short sales between December 2009 and February 2024, with estimates suggesting between 298 million and 1.5 billion short sales were misreported over the period. The errors were reportedly caused by repeated systems and process failures, many of which went undetected for more than a decade. ASIC stated that the firm also admitted to incorrectly reporting regulatory data for more than 633,000 market orders between November 2022 and March 2023.  In addition, Macquarie Securities acknowledged it lacked appropriate supervisory procedures, organisational and technical resources, and adequate risk management systems to ensure compliance with its reporting obligations. ASIC chair Joe Longo commented that accurate short-sale and regulatory data were critical to maintaining confidence in financial markets, particularly during periods of volatility.  He added that unreliable data undermines transparency and hampers regulators’ ability to understand market activity and make informed decisions. The regulator’s action marks ASIC’s first civil case focused on short-sale reporting failures. ASIC said the proceedings form part of a broader effort to address misconduct and compliance failures at large Australian financial institutions. The post Macquarie Securities Australia Admits Misleading Conduct in Short-Sale Reporting Case appeared first on LeapRate.

By integrating StoneCastle’s institutional deposit network into the Fiserv ecosystem, the payments and financial technology group aims to offer banks new technology-driven funding options while helping merchants access enhanced cash management and liquidity solutions. Fiserv said financial institutions will be able to optimise balance sheets through a broader range of insured deposit products, including managing reserves linked to digital assets and issuance of the FIUSD stablecoin.  For merchants, the combined offering is expected to introduce new ways to manage operating cash, offset acquiring costs and improve financial flexibility. Existing StoneCastle clients, including wealth managers, will gain access to Fiserv’s extensive banking relationships and technology platforms, broadening distribution and reach.  The company said the integration strengthens its position at the intersection of banking and commerce. Takis Georgakopoulos, co-president of Fiserv, said the acquisition provides banks with a stable deposit source while offering merchant clients a safe, potentially higher-yielding alternative for managing cash.  He added that StoneCastle also brings liquidity benefits to Fiserv’s FIUSD stablecoin strategy. The post Fiserv Completes StoneCastle Deal to Expand Deposit and Digital Asset Capabilities appeared first on LeapRate.

The firm explained that the new stablecoin is designed to serve as infrastructure for banks, fintechs and enterprise partners seeking faster, more efficient money movement.  SoFi said SoFiUSD allows near-instant, 24/7 settlement at low cost while maintaining bank-grade oversight and regulatory safeguards. SoFiUSD is fully backed one-for-one by cash held at the bank, enabling immediate redemption.  As an OCC-regulated insured depository institution, SoFi said it can hold reserves at its Federal Reserve account, eliminating liquidity and credit risk. The infrastructure will also support white-label stablecoins and integration into partners’ settlement flows. Chief executive Anthony Noto stated that blockchain represents a “technology super cycle” for finance, with stablecoins addressing long-standing issues such as slow settlement, fragmented providers and opaque reserve models.  He added that SoFiUSD combines traditional banking regulation with on-chain transparency to deliver safer and more efficient payments. The stablecoin will initially be used for internal settlement, including SoFi’s crypto trading business, and is expected to become available to SoFi members in the coming months.  SoFi said it could also support card networks, retailers, remittances and point-of-sale payments, as well as provide a dollar-denominated option in countries with volatile currencies. The post SoFi Launches Fully Reserved Dollar Stablecoin for Banks and Fintechs appeared first on LeapRate.

Osborne will lead the council’s expanded strategic remit. Coinbase said his experience at the intersection of global finance, politics and regulation would support its ambition to help modernise the financial system and promote clearer regulatory frameworks for digital assets. During his time in government, Osborne played a prominent role at G7 and G20 level and later moved into global banking and advisory roles, working with major corporations and governments.  Coinbase believes this background equips him to guide the company as it navigates regulatory complexity while seeking to broaden access to financial services. The Global Advisory Council provides strategic advice on policy, regulation and market structure as Coinbase seeks to expand internationally and engage more closely with governments.  The company said effective regulation and standards were critical to unlocking the potential of crypto technology while ensuring market integrity. Coinbase added that Osborne’s appointment reflects its focus on building trusted infrastructure for the future of finance, balancing innovation with oversight. As chair, he will work with Coinbase leadership and council members to support the firm’s policy engagement and long-term strategic direction. The post George Osborne Appointed Chair of Coinbase Global Advisory Council appeared first on LeapRate.

The initiative forms part of Euronext’s Innovate for Growth 2027 strategy and supports the European Union’s ambition to create a genuine Savings and Investment Union.  Euronext Securities is working with issuing agents, including Uptevia, ABN AMRO Bank, Rabobank, and Banque Internationale à Luxembourg, to develop a European-wide issuance model. Euronext said the model will give issuers greater choice, enhance liquidity, broaden access to cross-border investors and improve shareholder engagement and governance.  For market participants, the platform is expected to simplify settlement and custody by offering a consolidated solution across multiple EU markets, reducing operational complexity and costs. Pierre Davoust, head of Euronext Securities, said the expansion marked a “major milestone” in building a more unified and competitive European capital market. Partner institutions said the initiative would help address long-standing inefficiencies in issuance and post-trade services. From September 2026, Euronext Securities is set to become the CSD of reference for equities and exchange-traded products in France, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands. Client onboarding and testing will begin in the first half of 2026, with regulatory coordination and working groups already underway. Euronext said the move represents the first phase of a longer-term vision to centralise post-trade operations across the EU. The post Euronext Pushes Ahead With European CSD Expansion appeared first on LeapRate.

The transaction gives the South Korean broker-dealer full economic exposure to a digitally native note issued by a well-rated financial institution, without requiring any changes to its existing operational or settlement infrastructure.  Hana said the deal aligns with its long-term strategy to participate in technology-led capital markets innovation. The digitally native note is listed on the London Stock Exchange’s International Securities Market and settles on a T+0 basis via Euroclear’s Digital Financial Market Infrastructure, which uses distributed ledger technology to enable fully digital issuance, distribution and settlement. Standard Chartered acted as the total return swap provider, leading the structuring and execution of what the parties described as a pioneering transaction tied to a digital asset.  The deal allows Hana to participate in a digital product through a synthetic structure, lowering operational barriers while accessing new investment opportunities. Hana said the transaction positions the firm among leading Korean participants in the digital bond space, supporting its ambition to develop next-generation capital markets products and new digital funding channels. Chief executive Seong Muk Kang said the trade reflected growing investor appetite for technologically advanced financial instruments, while Standard Chartered highlighted rising demand for digitally native notes as a source of tangible efficiency gains in financial markets. The post Hana Securities Enters Digital Bond Market Through Swap With Standard Chartered appeared first on LeapRate.