In Focus
Digital wallets, agentic AI to speed up payments
Digital wallets, agentic AI to speed up payments
The focus is on agentic systems that can act on behalf of users.
Vietnam banks to weather risks with 16% credit growth target 'reasonable'
Actual loan growth may exceed previous years even as it does not hit the official target.
SME loan 4.1% slump weighs on Thai bank earnings
Overall credit outstanding fell 1.1% year on year across licensed banks and subsidiaries.
Singapore banks lead pay as hiring access ranks low
DBS and OCBC were at the bottom 20% for job opportunities to non-degree holders and less experienced workers.
APAC private banking to grow 9.43% CAGR
The market is forecast to expand from $44.3b in 2025 to $76.05b by 2031.
How will agentic AI change online payments?
It’s unclear who’s liable if it over‑orders or pays the wrong merchant.
Philippine rural banks face merger pressure with tighter capital rules
Many lenders in the countryside have little capital buffer.
Why Asian banks struggle to embed AI in compliance
Institutions cite fragmented infrastructure, manual workflows and skills gaps as barriers.
Banks to pursue smaller and more strategic M&As in 2026: McKinsey
Smaller banks are prone to getting acquired as they struggle with funding and tech costs.
Filipinos outside capital favour loan apps and microloans over credit cards
The majority expressed willingness to access educational materials to improve their finances.
Asia-Pacific fintech to hit $348.1b by 2031
The market will be driven by mobile-first usage and open API payment rails.
Financial services M&A deal value rise 40% on improved bank profitability
Postal Savings Bank of China’s $18.1b deal with China Mobile is the year’s top deal.
Indian banks’ deposits and loans log double digit growth on sustained demand
Banks continued to see demand for auto loans and MSME loans.
E-wallet use jumps to 65% amongst Malaysia’s 25- to 34-year-olds
Older users logged a 14% rise year on year but still trail younger groups on this method.
How can Asia-Pacific fintechs survive this year’s funding slowdown?
Hong Kong could emerge as a bright spot.
Chinese banks slash USD bond exposure to 85%
Banks are increasing bond investments in the Euro and likely the AUD, said BofA.
Fintech expands SME credit as 72.9% see growth impact
SMEs make up over 90% of businesses across Asia yet face constrained traditional financing.
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Monitor Deloitte's Prashant Krishnan urged banks to transform their relationship models to meet these demands.
Commentary
Asian firms need to get ready for digital assets and currencies
AI can build your plan, but can it hold you to it?
Built to last: How Japan is approaching the cross-border payments challenge