Economy
Commercial banking dominates M&A with 179 deals worth $190b
Commercial banking dominates M&A with 179 deals worth $190b
The segment captured 38% of the 2025 value.
Singapore banks and insurers expect slower profits in 2026
Finance confidence slipped to 54.3 in Q4 2025, whilst the wider economy rose to 52.1
APAC dominates financial centre list but growth slows
Eight of 15 centres tipped to rise are based in the region.
Singapore banking sentiment slips in Q4 2025
Banking and insurance posted 55.7 whilst the wider business reading climbed to 53.4.
Financial-services M&A rises 40% as APAC recovery stays cautious
Average transaction size climbed to $815m as larger deals dominated the market.
Singapore finance hiring outlook drops to 11% in Q2 survey
Finance job demand weakens even as national hiring expectations climb to 24%.
How much salary should banking job seekers expect in 2026?
Front office recruitment rose slightly, but risk compliance and legal demand increased.
Singapore finance firms struggle as 72% face talent gap
Survey shows 94% are revising financial and operational plans to secure workers.
Finance Ministry raises idle fund bank cap to 60%
After that, the funds will remain in banks until maturity.
Retail banks complete rollout of Money Safe anti-scam service
Mandatory face-to-face verification adds new layer of deposit protection
HKMA launches IP financing sandbox for innovative SMEs
Sandbox aims to assist pilot sectors in leveraging IP assets
Malaysia’s central bank says FATF outcome supports financial system confidence
The upgrade reflects stronger compliance and effectiveness in tackling money laundering.
Tight credit conditions drive Asia-Pacific corporate insolvencies
Higher interest rates and weaker demand strain corporate balance sheets across the region.
Hong Kong banks race to hire AI-ready talent as skill gap widens
Software development will be the biggest talent shortfall by 2030.
Singapore vital in Southeast Asia’s digital economy: report
The city-state led in digital payments last year as the region’s economy is projected to reach $1.299t by 2030.
Philippine cybercrime cases triple as fintechs deploy AI to curb money mulling
Losses hit US$3.35m as regulators tighten controls.
Five takeaways from day 1 of the Singapore Fintech Festival
Tokenisation emerges as a key driver of future digital money systems.
Thought Leadership Centre
Most Read
1. HSBC unveils invitation-only Privé World Legend Mastercard 2. OCBC to acquire $6.6b HSBC Indonesia wealth, retail banking business 3. Standard Chartered sets up AI lab to test banking use cases 4. OCBC Q1 profit rises 5% to $1.97b on fee gains 5. MAS pilots cross-bank AI models to detect scam risksResource Center
Read Here
Advertise
Sign Up
Event News
CEO Phlaphongphanich said the industry is measuring the wrong things.
Commentary
Asia’s 20% advantage: The simplification strategy rewriting banking from Singapore to Shanghai
Perth is emerging as an unlikely testbed for the future of global finance