Financial Services Bulletin April 2026

28 April 2026

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Capital Markets

Securities and Futures (Amendment) Bill introduced to enable implementation of proposed regulatory regime for the Global Listing Board

Competition & Foreign Investment Review

Revised CCS Merger Procedure Guidelines in effect 1 May 2026

Corporate & M&A

MAS consults on proposed dematerialisation regime for shares of listed companies and regulatory framework for central securities depositories

Dispute Resolution

English Commercial Court upholds jurisdictional challenge to arbitral award in part and sets aside arbitral award partially

Employment, Health & Safety

Retirement and re‑employment ages to be raised to 64 and 69 from 1 July 2026

ESG & Public Policy

Singapore and Japan sign Energy, Sustainability and Climate Change Cooperation Framework

Singapore and Thailand launch applications for carbon credit projects under bilateral Implementation Agreement

Singapore launches new S$250 million SPEED programme to support low-carbon technology pilots and deployments

Financial Regulatory & Compliance

MAS consults on notice and guidelines for recovery and resolution planning and enhancement of resolution powers for capital market infrastructures

MAS consults on prudential treatment of cryptoassets on permissionless blockchains

MAS launches AI risk management toolkit for financial services sector

Investment Funds

Provisions in Variable Capital Companies (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2019 amending insolvency provisions in force

Maritime & Aviation

Singapore Court of Appeal rules against bill of lading holder in conversion claim

Tax

Enhancements to the corporate income tax rebate and cash grant for YA 2026

Technology, Media & Telecommunications

Sixty-six WTO members adopt WTO Agreement on E-Commerce with interim arrangements

Regional News

China

Singapore and Shandong reaffirm economic ties; good progress in trade and connectivity, green economy, and modern services

China issues Administrative Measures for Overseas Lending by Domestic Enterprises

Indonesia

New Indonesia regulation on foreign employment and knowledge transfer programmes in commercial banks in force

Malaysia

Malaysia’s Director General of Inland Revenue clarifies definitions of Labuan trading and non-trading activities

Securities Commission Malaysia launches ICM Innovation Lab to advance Maqasid al-Shariah-driven Islamic capital market innovation

Myanmar

Myanmar recognises Chinese yuan as investment currency

Myanmar Investment Commission tightens eligibility threshold for tax incentives

Vietnam

Vietnam’s new Law on Artificial Intelligence: Risk-based regulatory framework in force 1 March 2026

Publications

Chambers Global Practice Guide: Fintech 2026

Practical Law: Key Agency and Distribution Considerations (2026)

Practical Law: Lending and Taking Security in Singapore (2026)

Practical Law: Public Mergers and Acquisitions in Singapore (2025)

Practical Law: Services Contracts quick compare charts (2025)

Lexology In-Depth: Banking Regulation (17th Ed, 2026)

Lexology In-Depth: Cartels and Leniency (14th Ed, 2026)

Lexology In-Depth: Fintech Law (9th Ed, 2025)

The Legal Industry Reviews: China & Hong Kong (Edition 9, March 2026)

Deals

S$1.9 billion Islamic term financing facility to South Beach Consortium Pte. Ltd.

Issue of S$925 million fixed rate notes by Housing and Development Board

S$760 million term and revolving loan facilities to Horizon Residential Pte. Ltd.

US$350 million term and revolving credit facilities to Full Grace Enterprises Limited

S$10 million Series C investment in Biobot Surgical co-led by ClavystBio

Investment in ServAuto by Openspace Capital

Awards & Rankings

Allen & Gledhill recognised among world’s top international arbitration practices