Southeast Asia
SEA fintechs’ funding drops 22% to $776m in H1 2025
SEA fintechs’ funding drops 22% to $776m in H1 2025
Late-stage investments rose but seed stage and early-stage funding both fell.
Malaysia and Thailand to strengthen joint efforts in cybersecurity
They aim to enable more effective information sharing and capacity building.
Local, Belmoney partner to expand cross-border payments in Asia
Belomey will leverage local and alternative payment methods across 6 markets.
Singapore and Vietnam expand MOU on financial innovation
It enables cross-border retail payment connectivity using QR codes.
JCB now available in Google Play of Hong Kong and 4 SEA markets
JCB said it will continue to provide its cardmembers expanded accessibility.
Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia harmonise local currency transaction framework
Portfolio investments are now part of the eligible cross-border transactions.
Southeast Asian countries' credit growth diverges
Thailand has been hit with weak economic growth, whilst
Southeast Asian banks’ face mixed outcomes from shallower rate decline
Philippine and Singapore banks will be key beneficiaries if rates are higher.
SeABank exceeds target with 31% YoY profit surge
The bank aims to record a 10% profit increase this year.
SEA fintech funding drop 23% to $1.6b in 2024
This is 75% lower than the funding it got in 2022.
Sri Lanka and Vietnam banks to boost 2025 financials
Sri Lanka’s political crises are receding; Vietnam will be lifted by higher loan growth
Philippine banks’ costs to rise; Singapore lenders face slower profit growth
Singapore banks’ net interest margins have already peaked in 2024.
Vietnam, Cambodia to strengthen ties in central bank management
Both parties also reaffirmed their commitment to connect retail payments using QR codes.
Southeast Asia’s BNPL market to reach $53.2b by 2027
Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia are the most promising markets.\
Southeast Asia’s digital banks – the road from good to great
Experts from McKinsey share five principles digital banks need to practice.
Maybank rolls out green financial advisory service to SEA SMEs
Small and medium enterprises will receive funding to aid in their sustainability reporting.
Evercomm, CTBC Bank to develop AI-powered green financing platform
The platform aims to advance green financing.
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