News
Westpac profit surges 33% to US$1.44 bn
Westpac profit surges 33% to US$1.44 bn
Reduction of bad debts resulting from improving global financial climate caused the US$1.44bn cash profit.
Punjab National Bank mulls Indonesia operations
The lender capitalises on robust trade between India and Indonesia.
Reserved Bank of India backs ANZ Mumbai opening
Committee members approving foreign bank’s proposals for branch installation in the country unanimously favored ANZ's return.
CIMB Thai eyes selling unit stake to parent
100% stake in Sathorn Asset Management with $90.38mln NPL planned to be sold to CIMB Group.
Shinsei plunges after news on Aozora merger collapse
Misery loves company, with Shinsei Bank continuing its slump as it fell to its lowest in two months in Tokyo trading after news went around on the supposed collapse of merger talks with equally beleaguered Aozora Bank.
Singapore lifts ban on sales of structured notes by DBS, Maybank and RBS
The ban was lifted after accounting firms KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers said they were satisfied with the banks' plans and implementation.
Bocom International to raise $500M for China private-equity fund
Bocom International is seeking to raise as much as $500 million in its first private-equity fund focusing on Hong Kong and China.
Kookmin Bank Q4 net grows by $291.23mln
Lender’s profit back to green despite KB Financial’s Q4 net slid by 59.4%.
HSBC Malaysia forecasts strong growth in SME unit
Optimism attributed to expanding branch network coupled with SME owners’ 24-point Q4 confidence level.
Profits of Indonesian banks up 47.7% on lending margins
Surge attributed to bank’s preference to maintain high lending margins despite low 10% lending growth.
BEA earns US$339.7M on operating income growth
Bank of East Asia's consolidated profit after taxation reached US$339.7 million for 2009.
Asia Pacific banking systems exhibit stability
Twelve of Asia Pacific’s banking systems were given improved stable outlooks by Moody’s Investors Service.
CSFI/PwC report warns of Asian banking risks
Over-reaction of regulators ranked as the biggest fear of Asian bankers.
India cancels plan for bank mergers and acquisitions
Central bank's aversion for consolidation of lenders spurs government to shelve moves to discuss M&As.
Moody's lowers Singaporean banks' hybrid securities ratings
Moody's Investors Service downgraded its ratings on certain Singaporean banks' hybrid securities in line with its revised guidelines.
Maybank Q2 net profits up by 35%
Loans growth and higher non-interest income aided net profit boom to $289.52mln.
China Construction and Banco Santander JV talks ongoing
CCB would provide 60 percent for the venture while Banco Santander will fill in the rest.
Commentary
Why APAC banks must rethink their approach to the cost reduction challenge
Thailand backs major conglomerates for digital banks but risks stifling innovation