In Focus

China to continue currency and banking reforms

Might also relax tight capital controls this year.

Philippine banks to sustain credit growth of 10-12% in 2013

The system’s ratio of credit to GDP is low at about 30%.

Japan asks India to relax tough banking rules

Formal Japanese request asks greater financial inclusion for Japanese banks.

China gets tougher on shadow banking

New rules intend to slow explosive growth of the gray market.

Mizuho hunts for assets in the USA

Japan's second-largest bank intends to acquire a US commercial bank in the next three years,

RBS to fire employees at Indian unit

Layoffs part of the bank’s plan to wind down its retail and commercial operations in India.

Bank lending to local government financing vehicles curbed

China urges local governments to abide by the rules to avert more bad loans.

BDO and BPI to be hit the hardest by policy reform in reserves on trust

Foregone trust income could range from a low of PHP20m to as high as PHP440m.

Nomura predicts slower profit growth for Philippine banks

Investors are urged to cut their holdings in Philippine banks.

India hopes for a stronger banking sector

China’s big banks benefit from the smallness of Indian banks.

Fitch predicts strong overseas expansion for Japanese megabanks

Growth up to 20% to come from M&As and organic growth.

Hang Seng Bank introduces gold-linked deposits

It’s the first gold-linked deposits since Hong Kong began requiring approvals for structured products in 2010.

Vietnam will not meet 2015 deadline for Basel II

Banking sector’s huge non-performing loans and inadequate credit risk framework are major stumbling blocks.

Chinese banks in massive rollover of local government debt

Extends repayment of three-fourths of RMB4 trillion.