In a first for New Zealand’s finance sector, BNZ has launched a community and social hub – BNZ Community – where New Zealanders can give, and get, guidance on all things banking and money-related.

Coinciding with the start of Money Week, BNZ’s director, retail and marketing Craig Herbison says that BNZ Community will help make it easier for New Zealanders to talk about money and banking.

The International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (ISDA) has announced that 18 major global banks (G-18) have agreed to sign a new ISDA Resolution Stay Protocol, which has been developed in coordination with the Financial Stability Board to support cross-border resolution and reduce systemic risk. This represents a major step in strengthening systemic stability and reducing the risk that banks are considered ‘too big to fail’.

Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) announced at GITEX 2014 the launch of its first smart mobile app.  The Mobile Application provides investors with enhanced services and the opportunity to experience the latest technologies ADX offers with real-time quotes, news & announcements and tools that keep investors up-to-date with market activities.

Trayport, a leading provider of energy trading solutions to traders, brokers and exchanges worldwide,has announced that Links Commodities are now using Trayport's GlobalVision Broker Trading SystemSM (BTS) for the FOB Dutch Mill NOFOTA rapeseed oil paper contract and to aid some physical trading.

To think of BCBS 239 as just another regulation is to misunderstand its end game. Solving the challenges it lays down requires a strategic approach. Risk data aggregation needs executive sponsorship for a start – after all executives will now be responsible for approving the risk data aggregation and risk reporting framework.

A strategic approach will require a holistic mapping out of the risk data universe and this will be no small challenge. Given the pressing deadline in January 2016 for BCBS 239, the focus needs to be on accessing data, not moving data.

Few industries have faced sterner criticism over culture and conduct than financial services. Unfortunately, the growing regulatory burden means this challenge is more complex than ever.The Libor scandal, for instance, highlighted the nuanced difference between regulatory non-compliance and poor conduct; between breaking rules and breaking the spirit of the rules. But a change could be on the cards.

Linedata (NYSE Euronext: LIN), the global solutions provider dedicated to the investment management and credit industries, has announced the introduction of Linedata Disclosure Manager, an automated compliance monitoring service.

On Monday this week the Chancellor, George Osborne, announced at the Tory Party Conference further changes to the UK pensions landscape. This follows the radical pension freedom reforms announced in the March 2014 budget. The new move to scrap the 55% ‘pension death tax’ on pension funds in drawdown could allow individuals to pass on their unused defined contribution (DC) pension to any nominated beneficiary, completely tax free.

Any change that can promote the expansion of the global economy is change for the good. Taking into account common sense, economic theory and, indeed, the very raison d’être of the World Trade Organization (WTO), such change would include a move towards freer trade in goods and services between nations. Freer trade is promoted when the costs and risks – to all parties involved - are reduced.This is a central theme of this edition of Financial IT. Many of the contributed articles focus on the technology and infrastructure governing payments – especially between corporates.