by Ryan Lucs

The Justice Department announced charges against two alleged hackers suspected of working on the orders of the Chinese government as part what the U.S. alleges is a long-running effort to steal American intellectual property. The charges were part of a broader move by the Trump administration to push back against what U.S. officials describe as China’s relentless drive to steal American business secrets. The two men, Zhu Hua and Zhang Shilong, are part of a “hacking group” known as Advanced Persistent Threat 10, according to an indictment unsealed in the Southern District of New York.
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At the High-Level Forum Africa-Europe in Vienna, hosted jointly by the Austrian Presidency of the EU, notably by Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, and Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda and the Chairman of the African Union for 2018, President Jean-Claude Juncker reiterated Europe’s ambition for a true and fair partnership among equals between Africa and Europe. President Juncker presented the first results of the Africa–Europe Alliance for Sustainable Investment and Jobs, just three months after its launch. The Alliance aims to deepen the economic and trade relations between the two continents, in order to create sustainable jobs and growth.
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Santander did not transfer funds totalling over £183m to beneficiaries when it should have done. 40,428 customers were directly affected. Santander also failed to disclose information relating to the issues with the probate and bereavement process to the FCA after it became aware of them. Santander breached Principle 3 and Principle 6 between 1 January 2013 and 11 July 2016 by failing to take reasonable care to organise and control its probate and bereavement process responsibly and effectively, with adequate risk management systems, and by failing to treat its customers and those who represented them on their death fairly.
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The European Banking Authority (EBA) published its annual report on risks and vulnerabilities in the EU banking sector. The report is accompanied by the results of the EBA’s 2018 EU-wide transparency exercise, which provide detailed information, in a comparable and accessible format, for 130 banks across the EU. Overall, the EU banking sector has continued to benefit from the positive macroeconomic developments in most European countries, which contributed to the increase in lending, further strengthening of banks’ capital ratios and improvements in asset quality. Profitability remains low on average and has not yet reached sustainable levels.
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European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker participated in the European Council where EU leaders, in a spirit of solidarity and responsibility, made progress on key issues such as the next Multiannual Financial Framework, strengthening the Economic and Monetary Union and tackling challenges related to migration and disinformation.
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The Financial Stability Board (FSB) Regional Consultative Group (RCG) for Sub-Saharan Africa discussed global and regional macroeconomic and financial market developments and their potential impact on economies in the region. Members highlighted potential financial stability risks against the backdrop of tightening global financing conditions, market and exchange rate volatility and the decline in commodity prices, and exchanged views on possible policy responses.
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The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has proposed changes to further enable retail investors to invest in patient capital through unit-linked funds. The FCA is also exploring how UK authorised funds can be used to invest in patient capital. These proposals follow the 2018 Budget when the Chancellor announced a package of measures designed to increase investment in patient capital, a term for a broad range of alternative investment assets intended to deliver long-term returns; for example, infrastructure, real estate, private equity/debt, and venture capital.
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The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is proposing rules to address harm to retail consumers from the sale of certain complex derivative products with the publication of two consultation papers. The rules would apply to firms acting in or from the UK and: ban the sale, marketing and distribution of binary options to retail consumers and restrict the sale, marketing and distribution of contracts for difference (CFDs) and similar products to retail customers.
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The Financial Stability Board (FSB) Regional Consultative Group (RCG) for the Americas met in the Cayman Islands. Members of the FSB RCG for Americas discussed of global and regional macroeconomic and financial market developments. The financial system is substantially more resilient in the region as a result of regulatory reforms, with large banks less leveraged and more liquid than before the global financial crisis. Nevertheless supervisors are closely monitoring current potential vulnerabilities, including the growth of leveraged loans. More generally, the FSB will continue to monitor financial stability risks relating to high sovereign, corporate and household debt levels and to assess the resilience of evolving market structures and the impact of technological innovation.
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Delivering on its strategy on artificial intelligence adopted in April 2018, the Commission presented a coordinated plan prepared with Member States to foster the development and use of artificial intelligence in Europe. This plan proposes joint actions for closer and more efficient cooperation between Member States, Norway, Switzerland and the Commission in four key areas: increasing investment, making more data available, fostering talent and ensuring trust. Stronger coordination is essential for Europe to become the world-leading region for developing and deploying cutting-edge, ethical and secure artificial intelligence.
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