Singapore

All thanks to steady growth.

Will the fixed deposit war continue?

Here's what boosted this growth.

Loan growth was impressive at 16.8%.

Profit shrank 7% in 4Q13.

Numbers are just slightly above expectations.

Your guess is as good as ours.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore issued Notice 643 “Transactions with Related Parties” on 2 April 2013 which sets out the MAS requirements related to transactions between banks in Singapore and their Related Parties.

Clue: asset quality deterioration.

And earnings will shrink 6%.

Bankers everywhere are very familiar, and in one or two cases possibly slightly apprehensive, about the new liquidity and funding requirements that are the new Basel III regime. The acronyms themselves encompass some relatively straightforward arithmetic.

Share price weakness likely to persist.

Brand value jumped to $4b.

In 2013, the finance industry in Asia continued to drive global economic growth, with key markets China and India leading the charge. Moving forward into 2014, Asia Pacific is expected to continue growing as a financial hub with more investment opportunities.

It's also eyeing 15% fee income growth.

The Financial Stability Review (FSR)(1) report provides financial institutions a good understanding of the global macro economy and its effect on Singapore-based banks.  In particular, the MAS highlights “the banking sector needs to guard against credit quality deterioration and liquidity risks”.