NH Nonghyup Financial said on March 2 it has activated an emergency monitoring and response system as uncertainty related to the Middle East increases. The group launched a One-Firm consultative body on Feb. 28 and convened an emergency meeting of market-response managers. Participants reviewed exposure to Middle Eastern countries, assessed impacts on related industries, discussed risk management by category and considered support for affected companies. The group plans regular checks and coordination with government measures.

Korea Investment Securities said on Monday it signed a memorandum of understanding with China’s Guotai Haitong Securities covering cooperation in research, brokerage, mutual distribution of financial products and global investment banking. It plans to pursue exclusive research collaboration and expand the scope of China stock market investment information it provides. The two sides will also review brokerage cooperation to improve access and trading convenience for China and Hong Kong, and explore joint opportunities in ECM, DCM and M&A.