In Focus
ISO 20022 and agentic AI to drive payment unification in 2026
ISO 20022 and agentic AI to drive payment unification in 2026
But financial institutions (FIs) and tech providers must integrate new real-time systems with legacy rails.
1 day ago
4 in 10 APAC firms prefer instant payments for cross border transfers
72% of instant payment use is currently tied to standard customer purchases.
1 day ago
Interoperability vital as 24/7 push hits 'fragmented' Philippine payments
Fragmented ecosystems and limited wallet acceptance will cause abandoned transactions.
2 days ago
Singapore finance firms struggle as 72% face talent gap
Survey shows 94% are revising financial and operational plans to secure workers.
2 days ago
Digital wallets, agentic AI to speed up payments
The focus is on agentic systems that can act on behalf of users.
3 days ago
Vietnam banks to weather risks with 16% credit growth target 'reasonable'
Actual loan growth may exceed previous years even as it does not hit the official target.
3 days ago
SME loan 4.1% slump weighs on Thai bank earnings
Overall credit outstanding fell 1.1% year on year across licensed banks and subsidiaries.
3 days ago
Singapore banks lead pay as hiring access ranks low
DBS and OCBC were at the bottom 20% for job opportunities to non-degree holders and less experienced workers.
4 days ago
APAC private banking to grow 9.43% CAGR
The market is forecast to expand from $44.3b in 2025 to $76.05b by 2031.
4 days ago
How will agentic AI change online payments?
It’s unclear who’s liable if it over‑orders or pays the wrong merchant.
4 days ago
Philippine rural banks face merger pressure with tighter capital rules
Many lenders in the countryside have little capital buffer.
5 days ago
Why Asian banks struggle to embed AI in compliance
Institutions cite fragmented infrastructure, manual workflows and skills gaps as barriers.
5 days ago
Banks to pursue smaller and more strategic M&As in 2026: McKinsey
Smaller banks are prone to getting acquired as they struggle with funding and tech costs.
Filipinos outside capital favour loan apps and microloans over credit cards
The majority expressed willingness to access educational materials to improve their finances.
Asia-Pacific fintech to hit $348.1b by 2031
The market will be driven by mobile-first usage and open API payment rails.
Financial services M&A deal value rise 40% on improved bank profitability
Postal Savings Bank of China’s $18.1b deal with China Mobile is the year’s top deal.
Indian banks’ deposits and loans log double digit growth on sustained demand
Banks continued to see demand for auto loans and MSME loans.
Commentary
Asia’s banks hold the mandate to innovate. Now they must earn it.
Why Asia's banks are rebuilding their credit infrastructure in 2026
Banks retreat, private credit advances: Asia Pacific’s quiet lending revolution
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