In Focus

Sacombank is pondering about changing the operation method for its branch in Laos.

Earnings rise continue amid government moves to restrain 5.4% inflation in the second largest economy.

PBoC governor Zhou Xiaochuan said China’s FX exceeded US$3tn at end March, way above necessary levels.

China’s central bank had already hiked banks' reserve requirement ratio thrice as it steps up drive to tighten excess liquidity amid concerns about rising inflation.

The improving financials may be more cyclical than structural, said Fitch.

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97% of those said they would continue to pay bills online over the next six months.

67.4% of companies in China experienced overdue payment in domestic sales in 2010.

DBS would want to have 50 branches in China over the next three years and. It also intends to do the same in India by setting up a locally incorporated banking unit.

ICBC continues overseas expansion despite being slow to follow their traditional clients abroad.

The lender has achieved the 75% of loan-to-deposit ratio required by the Chinese regulator.

The currency has become more attractive since China ended a two-year peg to the dollar and investors bet on further gains.

The lender plans to expand in underwriting securities denominated in the Chinese currency and boost trading on behalf of clients in equities.

Japanese lenders’ woes to continue until end of March 2011 as its fragile market sentiment and economic conditions persist.

The outlook for the Thai banking system is stable over the next 12-18 months, according to Moody’s. Nonetheless, a host of challenges is evident, particularly if prolonged political disruptions pressure economic and financial fundamentals. "Our stable outlook is underpinned by our view that the banking system remains capable of managing any incremental losses stemming from the country's political turmoil without deeply compromising bank capitalization," says Karolyn Seet, a Moody's Assistant Vice President and Analyst. "However, while the political environment has become calmer in recent months and the economy is growing strongly, the potential for renewed political unrest remains a key concern," says Seet.

Maybank recorded a profit after tax and minority interest of US$328 million for the quarter ended September. It is up 16.6 per cent from the bank’s profit after tax of US$281 million in the same period last year.