News
Funding to SEA fintechs drop 44% in Q1 but early-stage fintechs fly high
Funding to SEA fintechs drop 44% in Q1 but early-stage fintechs fly high
Funding to crypto firms more than tripled compared to Q4 2023.
Philippine National Bank’s profitability to improve on more SME loans
Liquidity is expected to decline as it accelerates lending in 2024.
Superapps to help drive BNPL userbase to 670 million by 2028
Superapps like WeChat and Grab are adopting and offering BNPL services to users.
Overseas Filipinos’ remittances up 3% to $2.95b in Feb
A total of $2.65b in remittances coursed through banks, the central bank said.
Personal remittances from Overseas Filipinos (OFs) grew by 3% to $2.95b in February, according to central bank data.
APAC fintech investment declines, AI funding soars
AI emerges as a leading sector for venture capital, while traditional fintech areas in Asia see reduced funding.
APAC payments gateway market to rise 30% as cashless economy expands
The market is expected to grow by over 11% between 2023-2027.
Trading platform Banxso secures Australian license
It will offer real-time data, analytics tools, and educational resources.
Payment firm Nium now a registered financial service provider in New Zealand
It plans to offer virtual accounts, and debit and prepaid cards, amongst other services.
Bangkok Bank bookmarked $1.09b in cash for Songkran 2024
The cash was expected to have served over 8,000 ATMs and branches.
Revised rules bolster car loans but with influx of lower quality borrowers
The asset quality of auto finance companies will be tested.
Thailand’s SCB, SCG offers green loans for net zero buildings
The loan will help entrepreneurs transition their buildings to net zero structures.
Financial firms lead LinkedIn’s top companies in Singapore
LinkedIn unveils companies list where professionals advance the most.
Citi revenue up 49% to $1.7b in 2023 as corporate lending grew
Both equity and debt underwriting fees rose.
ZA Bank unveils business loan for Global Payments merchants
The virtual bank examines credit health based on business activities, amongst others.
India rejects 2 applicants for a small finance bank licence
Two other applications remain under examination.
Philippine central bank simplifies FX policy for foreign investment registration
Foreign investments can now be registered upon registering at any authorized agent bank.
Philippine bank lending up 8.6% in Feb on higher motor and card loans
Consumer loans grew 25.2% partly due to demand for motor vehicle loans rising.
Commentary
APAC has mastered domestic payments. The next challenge is connecting them.
Why fragmented communications are becoming a hidden governance risk for Asia Pacific banks
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