Financial Center News #176

I just returned from Tallinn, where the EU Financial Center Roundtable, one of our World Alliance regional chapters, had its second meeting this year. Roundtable members acknowledged improvements in European competitiveness, for instance in securitization. However, despite constructive discussions, issues related to the Savings and Investment Union remain largely unresolved. At the same time, additional issues such as fraud prevention and cyber resilience have become more urgent matters. Let me thank our Roundtable host, Finance Estonia, and our chair, Kaido Saar, for hosting us and moderating the discussions so well.

Furthermore, I am delighted to see the collaboration between the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management and our World Alliance member Kigali International Financial Center (KIFC). Frankfurt School organized a 3-day Executive Sustainable Finance Masterclass in Kigali as part of a broader capacity-building initiative.

The EU Financial Center Roundtable, a regional chapter of the World Alliance of International Financial Centers (WAIFC), met in Tallinn yesterday and today for its second gathering this year.

We discussed EU competitiveness, where members acknowledged some progress in a few specific areas, such as securitization. However, roundtable members flagged a widening competitiveness gap with other parts of the world, e.g., the United States. Despite constructive discussions, issues related to the Savings and Investment Union (SIU) largely remain unresolved. At the same time, additional issues such as fraud prevention and cyber resilience have become increasingly urgent.

A big thank you to our Chair, Kaido Saar, and the whole FinanceEstonia team for having us and organizing everything so excellently: Kaarel Ots, ANU MÜÜRSEPP, Katri Tomson.

And all participants for raising so many important issues: Lynn Robbroeckx, Andreas Glänzel, Gert Heynderickx, Simon Vervaet, Alejandro Utrera, Alessandra Guion - Gambrill, Nicola Watkinson (she/her), Scott Devine, Véronique Ormezzano, Nicolas Muschhammer, Robert J. Sultana, Karsten Wenzlaff, Enrique Velazquez, Emanuela Farris.

What makes a financial centre a place global institutions want to be?

His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADGM, highlighted during his address at ADIF in London that it starts with a clear legal foundation: the direct application of English Common Law, independent courts, and a regulatory framework built around transparency, fairness and the enforceability of commercial rights.

The numbers speak for themselves. In H1 2026, 14 major financial institutions managing over $5 trillion in assets worldwide announced plans to set up in ADGM.

H.E. Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, visited the Astana International Financial Centre.

The Prime Minister was welcomed by Bakhtiyar Tleubekov, Chairman of the Management Board of the AIFC Authority, who led a tour of the AIFC Museum.

Mr Tleubekov also delivered a presentation on the AIFC’s development and its value proposition for international businesses and investors, highlighting the Centre’s role in attracting capital and strengthening Kazakhstan’s financial sector.

The Centre’s legal and regulatory framework, financial infrastructure and international business ecosystem provide a platform for cross-border investment and support companies in establishing and expanding their presence in Kazakhstan and the wider region.

We are delighted to announce the Bahamas Financial Services Board's Executive Committee for the 2026-2028 term.

Bringing together an accomplished group of leaders from across The Bahamas' financial services sector, the Committee will help guide BFSB's efforts to strengthen The Bahamas' position as a leading international financial centre and support the continued growth, innovation and competitiveness of the industry.

Working alongside our CEO & Executive Director, Niekia Horton we are pleased to welcome:

▪️ Dwayne Whylly, Chair

▪️ Michael Clare MBA,MSc., Deputy Chair

▪️ Duke Bodie, Treasurer

▪️ Demarra Williams-Lockhart, Assistant Treasurer

▪️ April Turner, Secretary

▪️ Nia Rolle-Campbell, Assistant Secretary

We look forward to working together to advance the interests of The Bahamas' financial services industry and showcase the jurisdiction's strengths on the global stage.

Please join us in congratulating the Executive Committee on their appointments.

Who will capture the green momentum of Africa?

In her latest editorial for Africa News, Cécile Delique, Executive Director at NSI, the influence division of ADIT, looks at where the opportunities lie and who is best placed to structure them.

Swipe through the carousel for her analysis.

DIFC, in partnership with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), will host the Regional Economic Outlook for the Middle East and North Africa on Thursday 22 October at 11:30 am at the DIFC Atrium

Moderated by Abeer Abu Omar, the session will feature Jihad Azour, Hasan T. Alhasan, Monica Malik, Dr Carole Nakhle for a discussion on the economic outlook and key developments shaping the region.

Register here: https://cvent.me/0v5akx

If the unexpected happens, what financial protection do you have in place?

For many Nigerians, this is where the insurance conversation should begin, with the risks they face and the protection they need.

Reaching more people means understanding those concerns and making solutions accessible, including on the digital platforms young people already use.

Gboyega Lesi, Managing Director, Leadway, on why everyday problems should shape how insurance is designed, communicated and delivered.

At EnterpriseNGR, we bring together the leaders shaping Nigeria’s Financial and Professional Services sector to examine the challenges, opportunities and pathways to progress.

Watch the full conversation here: https://lnkd.in/e8Q9weWT

At PEVCA Malta’s State of Play Report 2026 Members’ Breakfast Meet-Up, our Chief Strategy Officer Dr Bernice Buttigieg joined Przemyslaw Koger and Gary Quin for a panel moderated by Dr Stephanie Farrugia.

The report and discussion put Malta’s private equity and venture capital opportunities in focus: attracting genuine investment activity, mobilising capital and developing a distinct position for emerging managers. FinanceMalta was pleased to support this important conversation on the sector’s next steps.

Thank you to PEVCA Malta and everyone who contributed to the report and the discussion.

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗞𝗼𝗻𝗴’𝘀 𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆

Our Vice-Chairman, Mr Daniel Fung, spoke at a panel during the Future-ready Economy 2026 event in Bangkok, a side event of the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and The World Bank Group.

Mr Fung shared how Hong Kong’s connectivity and market capabilities can strengthen resilience by reducing concentration risk through diversification put in place before stress emerges.

He also highlighted Hong Kong’s advantages as an interoperable, multi-currency, multi-asset capital formation hub: a trusted regulatory environment and reliable market infrastructure, alongside collaboration with partners, help broaden access to capital and risk-management tools. This supports more stable cross-border activity and gives investors greater confidence and more options.

At the FSDC, we engage with international stakeholders and share practical policy insights to support Hong Kong’s connectivity and capital-market development, and to encourage closer collaboration among financial centres across the ASEAN region for sustainable growth.

Team Germany meets Global Investors

During the IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Jeanette Schwamberger, Deputy Minister of Finance (BMF), Stefan B. Wintels (CEO KfW), Christian Sewing (CEO Deutsche Bank), Bettina Orlopp (CEO Commerzbank AG) and Oliver Behrens (President Frankfurt Main Finance) are joining forces to strengthen Germany’s appeal as an international investment destination.

At the Executive Investor Roundtable “Invest in Germany – Why, How and What”, we brought together policymakers, financial institutions, and leading international investors.

From infrastructure, energy, resilience, innovation and industrial transformation, Germany offers numerous opportunities.

Our shared ambition: Turning international interest into investment. And investment into growth.

What does it take for a bank to be beautiful, good and safe, all at once? 💫 Most banks promise great design, fair products and strong security. Few manage to deliver all three without trade-offs. Salt Bank, a digital bank built on Engine by Starling’s technology, made that promise the core of its customer offer.

🎤 At Future Finance Summit, Robert Anghel - CEO, Salt Bank and Sonia Vieira - Engine’s Regional Director, Europe, Starling will talk about how they turn that promise into everyday banking. They’ll cover what modern infrastructure makes possible, how to build trust from day one, and what European banks can learn from a challenger that put the customer experience first.

Join us for the fireside chat: “Beautiful, Good, and Safe: How Salt Bank Delivers on their Customer Promise” on November 4 👉 https://lnkd.in/dHhqC2ae

📅 Future Finance Summit | 4 November 2026

📍 CIC Warsaw

Part of Warsaw Finance Week | 3–5 November

Discuss. Connect. Act.

Sustainable finance integrates environmental, social, and governance priorities into each financing decision, aligning capital with measurable impact.

Türkiye Wealth Fund’s Sustainable Finance Framework channels capital into six green and one social project category, ensuring that financing supports projects with clear environmental or social benefits.

🗽What’s shaping the US financial landscape, and where does Jersey fit in?

In this edition of our US Newsletter, explore the latest developments in the US financial landscape, view photos from our recent Funds Focus event in San Francisco with Foley & Lardner LLP and CalALTs (The California Alternative Investments Association), discover how Jersey's structuring toolkit supports families with wealth protection, and learn how the evolving digital assets space is creating new opportunities for Jersey.

It was a pleasure to welcome a delegation from Frankfurt School of Finance & Management for a courtesy visit following three days of intensive on-site training under the Executive Sustainable Finance Masterclass.

The team was in Kigali as part of our ongoing collaboration to strengthen capacity in sustainable finance among senior executives in Rwanda’s financial and environmental sectors, in alignment with the Sustainable Finance Roadmap 2.0, launched at the Carbon Market Africa Summit in Kigali.

KIFC is committed to strengthening international partnerships that build local capacity, mobilise sustainable investment, and contribute to Rwanda’s long-term development. 🌱

UNDP Rwanda

In its latest FAQ on tokenisation, the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF) has clarified several key points for investment funds and DLT players.

A Luxembourg UCI can issue units directly on DLT infrastructure and combine traditional and tokenised units within the same fund, allowing managers to take a more gradual approach to tokenisation.

The FAQ also clarifies the roles of register agents and control agents, while reiterating the applicable DORA requirements.

Read the full article: https://lff.social/o1j

Our CEO, Daniel Mainda, will be speaking at the 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗔𝗩𝗣𝗔 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, taking place from 9–11th November 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa, themed; Beyond Aid: Financing Africa’s Future for Sustainable Impact.

As Africa explores innovative approaches to development financing, mobilising private capital, strengthening partnerships and unlocking new capital opportunities will be critical to driving sustainable economic and social impact.

We are advancing the ambition to position Nairobi as Africa’s Capital of Capital, connecting global capital with transformative opportunities across the continent.

Join our CEO and other leaders, investors and changemakers as they explore how capital can unlock Africa’s potential and finance a more sustainable and inclusive future.

Be in the room: www.avpaconference.africa

African Venture Philanthropy Alliance (AVPA) Frank Aswani

QFC and QNB Group have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance access to banking services for QFC-licensed firms and explore opportunities to advance Qatar’s capital markets. 📈

The partnership aims to streamline corporate account opening, improve digital banking access and explore tailored financing solutions to support businesses at every stage of growth.

Beyond banking services, the collaboration will explore opportunities in capital markets, treasury and liquidity management, tokenisation and digital assets, alongside joint industry initiatives to strengthen engagement with local and international market participants.

Together, QFC and QNB Group aim to foster a more connected financial ecosystem and reinforce Qatar’s position as a regional and international hub for business and investment.

Earlier this week, we hosted our latest Executive Assistant Dinner, welcoming Jessica Gardiner, Founder and CEO of The Assistant Room, as our guest speaker for a lively and thought-provoking conversation on ‘Commercialising your worth: from doing the job to proving the value’.

One small word sparked some of the evening’s most animated and enjoyable discussion: “just”...including the question: why do so many talented professionals still describe themselves as “'just' an assistant”? We explored why this phrase continues to be used, what excellence in the profession really looks like, and how assistants can move beyond listing tasks to confidently articulating the value and impact of their work.

A huge thank you to Jess for leading such an engaging conversation, to all our wonderful guests for sharing their perspectives, and to Legal & General and Alison Barsby for hosting us.