News
Bank Negara launches upgraded RTGS system for continuous payments
Bank Negara launches upgraded RTGS system for continuous payments
Since 2024, Malaysia’s daily retail payment volume and value have grown by 49% and 22%.
CIMB and Principal expand regional fund offerings for investors
The funds are launched in Malaysia and Thailand.
HKMA warns public of online scams targeting local banks
The Bank of East Asia reported fake websites and internet banking login screens.
Hang Seng Bank upscales sustainability fund by 50% to HK$120b
Since launching in 2024, it has already used over two-thirds of the original HK$80b fund.
ASB Bank agrees to pay $78.89m to settle lawsuit
The bank maintains that “it makes no admission of liability.”
Philippine banks’ outstanding loans expand by 11.2% in August
Loans to non-residents narrowed its decline during the month.
Chinese banks’ interest margins to compress up to 18 basis points in 2025
State-owned banks’ fee income growth is likely to be steady through 2029.
Chinese state banks’ loan growth slows as policy loans lose steam
Growth in policy loans fell below 15% in June 2025, noted by Morningstar.
Rate cuts heighten reinvestment risk for wealthy clients
Investors are seeking growth in equities, crypto, and diversified strategies.
Singapore banks introduce safeguard for large digital withdrawals
Accounts losing over 50% of balance may enter a 24-hour cool-off period.
CIMB unveils new wealth management platform in Malaysia
This is reportedly the first CIO domiciled in Malaysia to serve affluent customers.
SMBC Group establishes offshoring hub in Chennai, India
The offshore hub will ensure stable systems development and operations, the bank said.
NAB has given out $2b in new green business loans
Demand has surged from businesses related to energy, EVs, property, and agriculture.
MUFG sets up equity fund to invest in middle, late-stage startups in Japan
Japanese startups struggle to achieve sufficient growth due to lack of support.
Private lenders step in as Hong Kong banks cut real estate loan growth
Knight Frank expects Hong Kong to remain a distressed-refinancing rather than growth-lending market.
Malaysian banks earnings to grow 3% in 2025 on stable interest rate metrics
The sector’s loan growth was 5.4% in 2025.
Citi poaches BofA banker for vice chair of tech investment banking
Ric Spencer was global co-head of technology investment banking in BofA.
Commentary
Fighting fraud in the digital banking age