Global Scans · Financial Services · Weekly Summary

• [New] South Korea's Financial Services Commission has approved changes to insurance business supervisory regulations that will gradually extend the payout period for insurance sales commissions to as long as seven years and link a larger share of remuneration to policy maintenance. Insurance Business
• [New] Australian financial services licence (AFSL) holders are under continued scrutiny regarding cyber security and operational risk, including obligations linked to operational resilience. Insurance Business
• [New] Looking ahead to 2026, we can expect steps forward in several key areas, notably in the global stitching of instant payments and the maturation of digital currencies and AI, converging to redefine what is possible in financial services. FinExtra
• [New] In financial services, the EU Digital Operational Resilience Act will trigger its first oversight cycle for critical ICT providers in 2026, adding scrutiny on cloud and tech dependencies amid rising concerns over concentration and sovereignty. Connect On Tech
• [New] Concerns have been raised that submitting to EU rules on financial services could see Brussels steer its regulatory framework in a direction that could be harmful to London, risking sacrificing its crown as Europe's biggest financial center. City AM
• [New] The technology underlying digital assets will evolve into a foundational infrastructure layer for the financial services industry in 2026. Decrypt
• [New] 2026 will be make-or-break for many financial services providers. FinTech Strategy
• [New] Global fraud losses in financial services are expected to surpass $58 billion by 2030, a 150% increase driven by AI-generated identities, real-time payments, and the blurred line between what's real and what's not. worldline
• [New] In 2026, digital identity wallets and verified digital credentials will help people prove who they are more quickly and securely - whether accessing financial services, confirming age or conducting higher-value transactions - while also helping platforms verify who they are dealing with. Financial IT
• [New] Fraud and financial crime will continue to evolve as digital services expand and businesses that invest in intelligence-led, multi-layered strategies will be better placed to protect customers, reduce exposure and maintain trust as they move through 2026. FinExtra
• [New] By reclassifying cryptocurrencies as financial products under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act, Japan's Financial Services Agency (FSA) is aligning crypto with traditional assets like stocks and bonds, while introducing safeguards that mitigate risks and foster institutional confidence. Ainvest
• [New] Predictions for EU's Digital Operational Resilience Act As we look ahead to 2026, the European Union's Digital Operational Resilience Act will fundamentally reshape how financial services firms think about operational risk. Gresham
• [New] UKPI is backed by 31 payment and financial services firms, with first live commercial VRP payments expected in Q1 2026. Finexer Open Banking Blogs
• [New] Saudi Arabia's FinTech sector is undergoing rapid transformation, fueled by Vision 2030's ambitious digital economy goals, strong regulatory support, and a booming demand for digital financial services. SDK.finance - White-Label Digital Banking Software
• [New] In 2026 and beyond, the Canadian financial services industry will need to navigate an increasingly complex regulatory landscape marked by intensified enforcement, evolving compliance requirements and the integration of new technologies. Osler Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
• [New] 2026 will see increased compliance and enforcement in Canada's financial services, focusing on anti-money laundering measures and new regulations. Osler Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
• The mobile wallet industry is projected to experience explosive growth through 2026 and beyond, driven by increasing smartphone adoption, digital payment penetration, and consumer demand for convenient financial services. NASSCOM | The Official Community of Indian IT Industry
• By 2026, investment in AI by financial services companies is expected to reach record levels, moving from experimental use cases to mission-critical production implementations. Rootstack
• AI Safety and Hallucinations: As Meta integrates AI agents into transactional services (like WhatsApp shopping), the legal liability of an AI agent making a mistake (e.g., booking the wrong flight or providing incorrect financial advice) remains an unresolved risk. FinancialContent
• The biggest shift in 2026 will be a re-balancing of the financial services model away from growth at any cost and back towards trust, resilience and credibility. FinTech Profile
• In 2026 is going to accelerate the usage of AI for nefarious purposes, and the financial services industry is going to have to ramp up its adoption and use cases at unprecedented levels to not fall further behind in the financial crime battle. FinTech Profile
• By 2026, over half of under-50 consumers seeking financial advice will turn to Gen AI tools like ChatGPT, forcing banks to experiment with AI-driven advisory services within strict risk limits. Vega IT

Last updated: 19 January 2026