Bloomberg Leaders of the world’s most powerful central banks defended post-crisis reforms at their annual retreat in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, while discussing the causes and consequences of populist waves that have reshuffled the political order in the US and Europe. Monetary policy wasn’t a major focus during the three-day gathering. When it was discussed, the messages from the Federal Reserve …

Bloomberg The recent fallout from the Commonwealth Bank of Australia’s money-laundering scandal widened, with the banking regulator launching an inquiry into the lender’s culture and governance. The nation’s biggest lender is already facing a court case from the financial crime agency alleging it breached money-laundering and terrorism financing laws more than 50,000 times, an investigation into its disclosure practices by …

Bloomberg Stocks in Hong Kong and China led gains in Asian equity markets as rising money market rates on the mainland boosted sentiment on lenders. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index added 0.1 percent to 160.62 as of 4:19 p.m. in Hong Kong, after posting its biggest weekly gain in five weeks. The Philippines market is closed for a holiday. The …