Client updates /  Financial Regulation

For the first time, Israel’s Supreme Court has established a clear test for calculating financial sanctions under the Consumer Protection Law, depending on whether the conduct constitutes a single act or multiple separate acts.

At the end of April 2026, the Israel Securities Authority (ISA) published a new draft directive regulating the activities of licensed investment advisors and marketers when providing one-off services and services in relation to alternative assets. The purpose of the directive is to reduce information asymmetries and mitigate potential conflicts of interest identified during ISA audits that, in some instances, even resulted in enforcement proceedings.

The Banking Supervision Department has published for public comment a draft Proper Conduct of Banking Business Directive titled “Supervisory Framework for Small and New Banks.” The purpose of the draft directive is to adapt regulatory and supervisory requirements to the size and complexity of small and new banking corporations’ operations, in accordance with the Basel Committee’s principle of proportionality, while maintaining banking system stability and protecting customers.

The Bank of Israel recently issued its decision to expand the identification code used by banking corporations and nonbank entities to connect to payment systems from two digits to three digits. While ostensibly only a technical change, in practice it is a significant step that will enable financial entities to hold accounts and transfer funds for customers directly and independently, without relying on existing banks.

ISA staff confirmed that activities of foreign research firms publishing “sponsored analyses” to investors abroad are not subject to the Israeli Advice Law. This determination provides certainty for foreign entities covering Israeli companies, provided they carry out and distribute the activity exclusively outside Israel.

In August 2025, after receiving the recommendations of the Simhon Committee, the Bank of Israel published new guidelines for banking corporations. Banks providing financing for residential construction projects will now be prohibited from including stipulations in their financing agreements that relate to the price of an individual apartment.

The United States President recently announced the imposition of new 25% to 100% tariffs on pharmaceuticals, heavy-duty trucks, upholstered furniture, and kitchen and bathroom cabinets. The move is rocking markets and is likely to impact shipping costs, the furniture industry, and trade relations with various trading partners. It could also affect Israeli companies in various sectors.

On the eve of Rosh Hashanah, a joint task force from the Bank of Israel, the Ministry of Finance, and the Israel Securities Authority published an interim report for public comments, proposing a major reform in the way financial institutions (mainly banks, TASE members, and other players) are paid for securities services and investment advice.

Prediction markets have experienced rapid growth in recent years, thanks to the emergence of platforms attracting millions of users, such as Kalshi and Polymarket. These platforms have proven successful in predicting the outcomes of diverse events.

The US Federal Court of Appeals ruled recently that most of the tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump as part of the trade wars are unlawful. However, the court decided that, for the time being, these tariffs will remain in effect. This is a landmark decision with potentially wide-ranging implications for the US and global economies, as well as for the balance of powers within the US federal government.