In Focus

Islamic banking to be introduced into China

Islamic banking to be introduced into China

Malaysia’s Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd and Bank of Shizuishan will open an Islamic bank in Ningxia Province within two years.

CITIC to acquire CLSA Asia Pacific Markets

CITIC Securities Company Ltd is about to complete the acquisition of Credit Agricole’s Hong Kong-based brokerage for US$1.25 billion.

China still a gold mine for foreign banks

Foreign banks still look towards revenue growth of 20% in China despite the country’s unnerving economic slowdown.

Indonesia sets foreign ownership cap in local banks

Indonesia is limiting single ownership of domestic financial institutions to 40% under new rules but with certain exceptions.

WMP boom could hurt China’s weaker economy

Sales of wealth management products in China jumped 43% to US$1.90 trillion during the first half of the year.

Rich banks not lending enough money to real economy

The People's Bank of China insists that China’s cash-flush banks lend more money to productive sectors of the economy.

Indonesia expects slower lending growth

A slowdown in exports and a new lending rules will hobble lending growth by Indonesia's commercial banks in the second half of the year.

India banking sector slows on sputtering economy

Banks' credit grew just 1.2% in the first quarter of the fiscal year that began in April.

South Korea cuts key bank interest rate to fend-off recession

The Bank of Korea yesterday cut its benchmark seven-day repurchase rate by a quarter of a percentage point to 3%.

Surprise Chinese banking rate cut continues to backfire

Fears spread as the Chinese central bank recently reduced its main lending rate by 0.31 percentage points to 6%.

Japanese banks see growth in lending to Korean conglomerates

Japanese banks are targeting South Korean conglomerates seeking funds for global expansion.

Foreign banks with large deposits must incorporate in Singapore

Singapore takes an unusual step to protect its banking sector amidst the ongoing international financial crisis.

China considers DIS to mitigate coming bank failures

The souring economy is forcing China to hedge against bank bankruptcies.

Taiwan sees more business for its banks in China

China should facilitate the entry of more foreign banks into its restricted banking sector.

Singapore to force foreign banks to incorporate locally

Foreign banks in Singapore holding large deposits may be forced to incorporate their retail operations locally.

China’s Big Four converge on Australia

China’s big banks are doing their utmost to fill the vacuum left by the withdrawal of European bankers from Australia.

BoC becomes first mainland bank to open branch in Taiwan

The Bank of China became the first mainland bank to commercially operate in Taiwan with the opening of its Taipei branch.