In Focus

Philippines flags financial gaps as 48% lack emergency buffer

Philippines flags financial gaps as 48% lack emergency buffer

The majority claim financial awareness, yet many show a disconnect in capability.

In Focus

How can HSBC and StanChart-backed stablecoins change HKD payments?

Different target users may determine whether bank-led tokens gain everyday traction.

Expert Opinion

APAC banks face additional $180b losses as oil shock hits credit

Currently, Middle East exposures are low and indirect exposures are manageable, said S&P.

In Focus

Why Asian borrowing rises as lower rates lift demand

CareEdge says liquidity support is helping domestic activity and loan expansion across select markets

In Focus

Chinese banks grow earnings 2.3% in 2025 as margin pressures ease

State-owned enterprises outperformed joint stock banks in revenue, net profit, and fee income growth.

In Focus

Indonesia card payments to reach $61.3b in 2026

Inclusion and policy support fuel growth.

In Focus

Where do Malaysians spend their e-money the most?

Spending at dining outlets posts the fastest climb, gaining 15 percentage points year on year.

In Focus

High fuel costs and supply chain disruptions weigh on South Asia and SEA banks

The Philippines, India, and Thailand would see increased pressure from a prolonged conflict.

In Focus

Why APAC cross-border payments lag revenue despite $400b flows

Region delivers 18% of global volume but only 14% of earnings in 2025.

In Focus

Cambodia’s bank runs expose fragile depositor confidence

The exit of these weak small banks is unlikely to improve sector resilience, S&P said.

In Focus

Stablecoin volumes may hit $719t by 2035 on wealth transfer and POS adoption

Up to $100t will be transferred to Gen Z and Millennials over the coming decades.

In Focus

APAC fintech market locks 76.6% share in mobile apps

Merchants shift to smartphone terminals in hawker centres and wet markets to cut hardware costs.

In Focus

Foreign owners scale digital credit via Philippine rural banks

Digital lending models are stretching the rural banking mandate.

Exclusive

Vietnam banks face tight liquidity as deposit growth lags

Banks have turned to the interbank market and bond issuance but it leaves them exposed to interest rates.

In Focus

APAC leads global embedded finance race as North American interest stalls

Nearly all APAC firms plan to invest in APIs and embedded payments throughout 2026.

In Focus

Thai banks face asset stress on risky borrower exposure

Over a fifth of Thai loans are exposed to highly leveraged large corporations.

In Focus

Mega deal slump drags APAC deal value down 6.3%

Only four deals above $5b were logged in Q1 after 6 in the same 2025 period.

In Focus