BoE Rate Watch: Sunnov Investment says the Bank of England held Bank Rate at 3.75% despite a 6-3 split, with inflation near 3.1% and energy pressures keeping investors focused on whether borrowing costs could rise soon. Banking Policy & Labor: India’s bank unions are pushing for a five-day work week and plan a strike starting Sept. 28, but government sources say the Finance Ministry never committed to the change. Fed Oversight Shift: Reports say the U.S. Fed plans to raise thresholds that trigger stricter bank oversight, a move that could reshape compliance burdens for mid-tier lenders. Cross-Border Market Plumbing: Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange joined the SWIFT network, upgrading post-trade messaging to support smoother international access. Latin America Fintech Expansion: Revolut won Argentina Central Bank approval to acquire Banco Cetelem Argentina, clearing the way for a 2027 launch as a regulated bank. Capital Markets & Funding: Runway Growth Finance priced $45m of 7.75% notes due 2031; Mufin Green Finance listed $6m USD bonds on India INX. Regional Investment Push: Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan signed multiple projects worth $389m, while the Middle Corridor is pitched as a regional processing and finance hub. Defense Sanctions Evasion: A7 allegedly used shell companies and forged documents to move funds for Russia’s defense supply chain, per a New York Times report. Tech Funding Trend: India’s tech funding hit $10.3b in 9M 2026, but with fewer rounds and more selective, larger deals—especially in AI infrastructure.