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A new instrument linking financial returns to environmental or social goals could thrive. But securities law conditions need to be met first

A Global Financial Markets Association (GFMA) report has highlighted risks stemming from post-crisis Basel reforms, suggesting a cost-benefit analysis of existing and proposed bank regulation.

A Commission non-paper seen by IFLR, which sets out a framework whereby contingent convertibles (CoCos) would be given greater protection, has been heralded as a welcome clarification for investors. Under the plan, CoCos are given priority if a bank's maximum distributable amount (MDA), including dividends and bonuses, is under pressure.

Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong Cheaper labour and long-working hours are advantages for developing countries wishing to attract foreign investment. Vietnam is one Asian country which has these advantages. According to Labor Code 2012, a normal working day is eight hours-long, which amounts to 48 hours a week. The current minimum wage for low-skilled employees in private companies ranges from VND2,400,000 to VND 3,500,000 ($109 – $159).

Islamic bonds benefit buyside and issuers but are hard to find in western capital markets. Several things need to be done to kickstart the global market

Diego Alejos Bill 4895 (the Factoring Agreement and Discount Law) and Bill 4896 (the Leasing Agreement Law) have been thoroughly discussed in Congress recently. Both aim to help the development of the nation's economy, by providing individuals with new financing methods. Both bills also introduce some interesting concepts which, if applied, could be beneficial to the contracting parties.

Maiko Shimoda On June 3 2016, the Reform Act of the Banking Act, etc (the Reform Act), which includes amendments to the Banking Act, was enacted. Its aim is to respond to the diversification of the form of business management in financial groups and the rapid rate of innovation in information technology (IT). The details of the new regulation will remain unclear until the amendments to the relevant cabinet orders are announced. However, the Reform Act concerning the amendments to the Banking Act has already revealed the new regulatory framework for the banking group.

Radka Sláviková Geržová Martin Ilavský The new Code of Civil Contentious Procedure entered into force on July 1 2016. It aims to speed up the litigation process. Previously, cases would often drag on for several years because the parties to the dispute had submitted their allegations and offered evidence to the court in small bits at a time. This may have been for tactical reasons, or because the facts and evidence did not arise all at once.

Russel Rodriguez John Christian Joy Regalado The Financial Rehabilitation and Insolvency Act of 2010 (FRIA) provides more transparent, effective and efficient dealings between creditors and financially-struggling debtors. According to FRIA, a debtor or creditor may initiate rehabilitation proceedings to restore an insolvent debtor to solvency when (1) this is economically feasible, and (2) the projected recovery under the rehabilitation plan would be greater if the debtor was allowed to continue its business than if it was constrained to cease operations and liquidate its assets.

James Sattin While this summer's grand inauguration of the expanded Panama Canal has rightfully taken centre stage in the conversation on Panama's role in facilitating international trade, other more subtle efforts by the government are also beginning to produce noteworthy results. In particular, in April Panama's legislature passed Law 8 of 2016, which, among other things, restructured the Colon Free Zone. This is a long-standing international free trade zone located in the city of Colon on the Atlantic side of the Panama Canal. Law 8 replaced the 68 year-old Law 18 of 1948, which was understandably in need of modernisation.