News
India lowers priority sector lending obligation of small finance banks
India lowers priority sector lending obligation of small finance banks
It is now just 60% overall, although flexible allocation is now just 20%.
Citi names Nathan Swami as head of markets for Singapore
Smith Smithangura is retiring by the end of June 2025.
Japan’s SMBC invests in biotechnology fund
ANV aims to create global biotech companies of Japanese origin.
Natixis CIB to establish banking branch in Japan
Its Tokyo branch had operated under a money lending license for three years.
Chongqing Rural Commercial Bank to hold steady through 2026
But formation of new bad loans remains a risk to its asset quality.
Thai banks’ earnings expected to drop 9% in Q2 on higher credit costs
Kiatnakin Phatra and SCB X will likely log an increase in credit costs.
ANZ’s group executive for Australia retail is retiring
Maile Carnegie will retire from the role on 1 July 2025.
Philippine Business Bank names new head of branch operations
The bank focuses on business clients in the Philippines.
Hong Kong credit card values up 8.4% to $34.91b in Q1
The number of debit card transactions fell although the value rose.
Thailand names three successful virtual bank applicants
They will need to begin business operations by June 2026.
Hong Kong, China launch Payment Connect for faster cross-border payments
Supported services include instant remittance services, amongst others.
dLocal gets green light to operate in three new markets
It has expanded its presence in the Philippines, Turkey, and the UAE.
SoKor, Taiwan, Thailand's banks face deteriorating outlook on trade exposures
These three have hig export exposure and sales to the US.
BEA property risks persist but capitalisation, funding offer buffers
Its impaired loan ratio is expected to remain high in 2025.
Shoko Chukin Bank face high problem loans but profitability improving
The higher problem loans ratio may be due to its focus on the SME segment.
HSBC names Ishan Sarkar as head of WPS, Singapore
He is tasked with driving a differentiated wealth strategy for Singapore.
Commentary
How alternative data lending is reaching Southeast Asia's unscored MSMEs
Asia is leading payments modernisation and banks can't afford to fall behind
Investing in an inefficient market
Platinum cards, paper-thin compliance?
Energy price volatility highlights structural gaps for managing FX risk in APAC