In Focus

China's banks snubbing IMF, World Bank events in Japan

China's banks snubbing IMF, World Bank events in Japan

China did not hesitate to use its clout in the financial sector to voice out protests over the diplomatic row with Japan concerning the Senkaku Islands.

Hong Kong banks on their own in Basel III

Hong Kong banks will have to turn to local fund-raising strategies to meet Basel III’s tougher liquidity requirements.

Islamic financing growing stronger in Malaysia

Malaysia’s Islamic banks accounted for 24.2% of Malaysia’s total banking industry assets during the first seven months of 2012.

Weak Vietnamese banks force Moody’s rate cut

Moody's Investors Service has downgraded Vietnam's credit rating on growing concerns over its weakening banks and its rapidly cooling economy.

Top Philippine banks post 19% rise in net earnings

The Philippines’ 38 universal and commercial banks reported net earnings of US$1.3 billion in the first six months despite growing turmoil in world financial markets.

Indian banks doing more consumer lending

The recent reduction in bank's reserve ratios has increased consumer financing by India's largest banks.

China's 12th five-year financial plan seeks more financial controls

China has released its 12th Five-Year Plan for the Development and Reform of the Financial Industry it hopes will promote the continued healthy development of its battered financial industry.

Thai banks eye bigger share of Myanmar market

Thai banks are hopeful that they would get a sizable share of business in Myanmar, as the latter liberalises its financial sector.

ICICI Bank to raise RMB500 million

ICICI Bank Ltd, India's largest private sector bank, has turned to using the renminbi to tap Asia's rich bond market.

CCB launches massive international expansion

China's second largest bank expects to complete an M&A this year and will accelerate its foreign expansion in succeeding years.

Urgent Chinese financial sector reforms needed

Dangerously high levels of corporate debt and a continuing economic deceleration make it imperative that China implement urgent financial sector reforms.

Vietnam govt pledges to clean up banking system

The Government of Vietnam will take drastic actions in dealing with violations in the banking sector.

PDIC backs foreign ownership of Philippine rural banks

The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation is supporting separate bills pending in the Philippine Congress that will permit foreign ownership of rural banks.

Siam Commercial Bank to issue bonds overseas

Siam Commercial Bank will issue Bt40 billion in subordinated debentures in the second and third quarters.

Philippine banks awash in too much cash

The Philippines’ central bank warns that the mountain of cash held by Philippine banks could trigger rampant inflation.

Chinese and French banks in SME investment alliance

Chinese and French state-owned banks have established a US$189 million fund to support each other's small and medium sized enterprises.

Fitch warns of bad debt tsunami overwhelming China’s banks

Fitch Ratings Ltd expects the balance sheets of Chinese banks to deteriorate until the first-half of 2013.