On 23 January 2026, the FCA imposed requirements on Sendsii Ltd which prevent them from carrying out any regulated activity. The FCA has issued a First Supervisory Notice to Sendsii Ltd after HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) suspended the firm’s registration on 9 October 2025. The suspension means that Sendsii Ltd no longer met the conditions required for its FCA authorisation under the Payment Services Regulations 2017. These requirements prevent Sendsii Ltd from carrying out

AUSTRAC has published guidance on its new compulsory examination powers, setting clear expectations for businesses and individuals about when and how the powers will be applied. The new section 172A powers were introduced in 2025 with the passing of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Amendment Act 2024 (AML/CTF Amendment Act). Section 172A notices require a person to attend an examination, answer questions and provide documents.  AUSTRAC CEO Brendan Th

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has fined Herold & Lantern Investments, Inc. $125,000 and issued a censure for failing to maintain an adequate anti-money laundering (AML) compliance program. This action stems from violations between November 2020 and May 2024, when the Melville, New York-based broker-dealer did not properly detect or investigate suspicious transactions in low-priced securities. The firm, a FINRA member since 1993 with 67 registered represe

The Insurance Authority (IA) has reprimanded and imposed a fine of HK$429,000 against three licensed insurance broker companies and reprimanded three related individuals for failure to comply with the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (Cap. 615) 1 . The contraventions of ASI-Union Global Assets Management Ltd. (FB1534), Macroscopica International Wealth Management Ltd. (FB1557) and Bay Union Insurance Brokers Limited (formerly known as Huize Hong

We are bringing forward a review of some aspects of the UK Listing Rules to consider how they apply to specific types of investment entities. As part of the Primary Markets Effectiveness Review we explored which types of investment entities could be eligible to be listed. Since introducing the new listing rules we have heard from stakeholders that these eligibility criteria, particularly regarding risk-spreading, may be unduly restrictive. We will use this review to assess if

John Wood Group PLC (Wood Group) has been fined £12,993,700 for publishing inaccurate information in its financial results. Following the poor performance of certain projects, Wood Group’s accounting judgements were inappropriately influenced by its desire to maintain previously stated financial results. Wood Group did not have adequate systems, controls or procedures to prevent this from happening. This resulted in Wood Group publishing inaccurate information in its full-yea

The latest report from the Office for Professional Body Anti-Money Laundering Supervision (OPBAS) finds there is still room for improvement.  The anti-money laundering supervisors of professional services firms are more effective than at any time since 2018. However, OPBAS remains concerned that their enforcement lacks the teeth to deter firms from falling short of minimum standards. OPBAS’s latest report found Professional Body Supervisors (PBSs) generally continue to demon

The Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show is being held at AsiaWorld-Expo from today (March 2) for five consecutive days. Hong Kong Customs reminds exhibitors that, according to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (Cap. 615), unless exempted, any person who is seeking to carry on a business of dealing in precious metals and stones and engage in any transaction(s) (whether making or receiving a payment) with a total value at or above

AUSTRAC has published guidance on its new compulsory examination powers, setting clear expectations for businesses and individuals about when and how the powers will be applied. The new section 172A powers were introduced in 2025 with the passing of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Amendment Act 2024 (AML/CTF Amendment Act). Section 172A notices require a person to attend an examination, answer questions and provide documents.  AUSTRAC CEO Brendan Th