News
Japan, the Philippines renew bilateral swap agreement
Japan, the Philippines renew bilateral swap agreement
The size of the BSA remains unchanged: $12b for the Philippines and $500m for Japan.
Over 3 in 4 Visa payments in Vietnam are contactless
Over 4 in 5 in Vietnam named mobile wallets as their preferred payment method.
Malaysian private sector loans rose by 5.4% in Nov
Corporate bonds grew whilst business loan growth was unchanged.
OCBC launches bespoke tokenised bonds for corporate investors
They can subscribe to tokens at S$1,000 denominations, for example.
BDO names Jeffrey Alejandro as chief audit executive and IAG head
He worked for ING Bank NV and Citibank NA previously.
UnionBank names Vivian Perez as financial risk and performance head
The appointment was effective 2 January 2025.
RBI lifts lending restrictions of Arohan Financial Services Limited, Kolkata
The company initiated remedial action and submitted its various compliances to the central bank.
Taiwan, Lithuania ink MOU for financial services innovation
They agree to exchange information on emerging market trends and relevant regulatory issues.
MUFG Bank reorganizes overseas securities subsidiaries
Three securities firms will now become direct subsidiaries of the bank.
Lawrence Goh is NETS’ newest UOB board representative
He is head of group technology and operations at UOB.
DBS Bank India names Rajat Verma as CEO
Verma will succeed Surojit Shome, who is retiring on 28 February.
Etiqa, Maybank launch Singapore's first Takaful in 10 years
The plan combines ethical investment options with flexible wealth accumulation.
OCBC Hong Kong sells 33% stake in Hong Kong Life
Yue Xiu Enterprises (Holdings) bought the stake from the bank.
Sri Lanka and Vietnam banks to boost 2025 financials
Sri Lanka’s political crises are receding; Vietnam will be lifted by higher loan growth
Philippine banks’ costs to rise; Singapore lenders face slower profit growth
Singapore banks’ net interest margins have already peaked in 2024.
What's in store for payments in 2025?
In emerging markets, digital wallets are evolving into bank account substitutes.
NRIC numbers alone cannot initiate payments, fund transfers: ABS
ABS advised customers to change their login passwords if they are using their NRIC number.
Commentary
From automation to agency: Asia’s wealth leaders can reinvent, not just streamline
Singapore aced its FATF evaluation — now comes the hard part
Are Asia’s digital banks prepared for the stablecoin era?
Why APAC is building home-currency stablecoins
Why Southeast Asian wealth managers must design the business before buying the technology
Why trust in Asian banking increasingly gets built off the record
Hong Kong cleared stablecoins for take-off. Getting them to work across Asia is the hard part
The financing challenge behind Asia’s wealth transfer