Commentary

What Singapore banks need to know to implement MAS Notice 643

The Monetary Authority of Singapore issued Notice 643 “Transactions with Related Parties” on 2 April 2013 which sets out the MAS requirements related to transactions between banks in Singapore and their Related Parties.

What Singapore banks need to know to implement MAS Notice 643

The Monetary Authority of Singapore issued Notice 643 “Transactions with Related Parties” on 2 April 2013 which sets out the MAS requirements related to transactions between banks in Singapore and their Related Parties.

Why Asia-Pac banks smile in the face of Basel III Liquidity Ratios

Bankers everywhere are very familiar, and in one or two cases possibly slightly apprehensive, about the new liquidity and funding requirements that are the new Basel III regime. The acronyms themselves encompass some relatively straightforward arithmetic.

Trends in the investment management industry for 2014

In 2013, the finance industry in Asia continued to drive global economic growth, with key markets China and India leading the charge. Moving forward into 2014, Asia Pacific is expected to continue growing as a financial hub with more investment opportunities.

Trade finance trends and risks in Singapore you should know about

The Financial Stability Review (FSR)(1) report provides financial institutions a good understanding of the global macro economy and its effect on Singapore-based banks.  In particular, the MAS highlights “the banking sector needs to guard against credit quality deterioration and liquidity risks”.

Why the clock is ticking for trade finance talents

Australia’s success as a trading nation is vitally dependent on the expertise of trade financiers and the quality of their products and services. But within the trade finance discipline is a “doomsday clock” which threatens to count down all the way to midnight.

What you should know about ADB and supply chain finance

Asian Development Bank (ADB) announced recently that it has partnered with Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) on supply chain finance program (SCFP) in the amount of USD 800m to support Asian SMEs facing payment pressure from the big domestic buyers. It is a good news but the structure is not innovative at all.

What you need to know about International Bank Account Numbers

Asian Banking and Finance fraternity has come a long way in Banking Journey but many more milestones are yet to be achieved. One such milestone which is now in the process of being adopted across the Asian banks is that of IBAN (International Bank Account Numbers).

Are mobiles in retail banking chaos or best practice?

The markets of the Asia Pacific region have been amongst the leaders in the adoption of the mobile phone. Andpropelled by the advent of the smartphone and ‘app’, the mobile handset has assumed a major role in the lifestyle of all segments of society.

Here are the biggest IT challenges in financial services industry

In the financial services industry, market opportunities grow faster than IT budgets. Beyond financial institutions, other industries are also faced with the same challenges brought about by technology trends such as big data and social media.

What you need to know about business foreign exchange

Banks across Asia are gearing up to fight for regional dominance of one of the most important and quickly growing products - Business Foreign Exchange. Spot FX, Forward FX and FX Options are the most ‘banked away’ products by customers seeking value for money and personalised customer service.

The real special thing about banks

Every once in a while it’s worth reminding ourselves what banks are here for. Worth it because since the crash there has been so much nonsense written by every type of commentator on just this subject.

Why Asia should zero in on demand management

Asia is a region of great promise; predicted to account for over half of global output by the middle of the century. Yet as volatility remains in global supply chains, competition intensifies and consumersare ever demanding, best practice demand management is an imperative.

Can your bank profit from the international trade boom in Asia?

Trade flows are shifting east. International trade to and from Asia has shown spectacular growth in recent years, a trend that is set to continue for the next decade.

How to capture demand in rapid-growth markets

As banks seek growth, rapid-growth markets (RGMs) are a natural draw. In many RGMs, retail banks are growing as increasing affluence drives demand for more financial products and services. Corporate and investment banks are expanding, as government programs that are aimed at improving infrastructure and public services, and attracting foreign investment, create the conditions for business growth.

What you don't know about Indian Rupee volatility

The purpose of the article is to draw attention on the recent volatility in Indian Rupee, various hedging options and effective hedging strategies.

Why bridging a bank’s systems is crucial to increasing cross-business trading efficiencies

In ever-changing market conditions, the sell side is under significant pressure to find revenue growth and cost savings in a time of great uncertainty for existing business models.

Hottest jobs in the Asian banking and finance sector

Staff movement is creating vacancy activity throughout the Asian finance and banking sector as people decide to change employers – giving us evidence that candidates are gaining confidence in the recovery of the banking industry as they explore their options and look for opportunities to develop their careers. Christine Wright, Operations Director for Hays in Asia, discusses the trends and current opportunities across the region from the latest Hays Quarterly Hotspots list.