Frances Gagua

Maybank Singapore gave out up to S$1,250 to junior employees

The one-time payment was given out in February.

Hong Kong’s mortgage demand rose 36.8% in January

Loans for brand new and resale residential properties registered double-digit increases.

Hong Kong’s total loans, deposits fall in January

This reflects fund outflows from corporates, says the Hong Kong Monetary Authority.

RHB Bank net profit rise in 2023; net credit costs to rise in 2024

Net interest margin is expected to be “flattish” in 2024 at 1.9%.

Loan rate cut weighs on Chinese banks’ interest margins, profits 

China Construction Bank, ICBC, and CITIC Bank will be most negatively affected.

South Korea’s interest rates for new deposits, loans fall in January

Average interest rate for new loans taken by large firms dropped 12 basis points.

Japan banks’ domestic assets at $9.4t in January

Banks hold an additional US$1.6t of assets in their overseas branches.

JCB offers 10% cashback to Skyliner ticket

Members with a JCB card issued outside of Japan can avail of the cashback.

South Koreans’ card spending up 32% to $19.22b in 2023: report

The number of Koreans who traveled overseas tripled in 2023.

Digido has served 1 million customers

Over 3 in 4 of the loans disbursed in 2023 were from repeat customers.

Number of fintechs in SEA to double by 2027

Singapore will have 867 fintechs for every 1 million people, UnaFinancial said.

CIMB net profit up 28.3% in 2024; special dividend proposed

The 7 sen special dividend is separate from the annual dividend of 36 sen per share.

Transition and Opportunity: Southeast Asia’s Share of US$7 Trillion Value

Banks globally are at the fulcrum of a changing world and face a dramatic need to refresh and reposition to address falling valuations whilst meeting core financial and societal needs. 

Tiger Brokers introduces debit card that gives fractional shares as rewards

It can be added to Apple Pay or Google Pay wallets for contactless payments. 

Indonesia’s Islamic financing to expand by 10% -12% in 2024: deputy gov

Indonesia’s sharia economy and finance maintained positive growth in 2023.