In Focus

Small Chinese banks struggle to strike balance between curbing risk and lending

Megabanks have easier access to funding and have more stable asset quality.

Small Chinese banks struggle to strike balance between curbing risk and lending

Megabanks have easier access to funding and have more stable asset quality.

Banks are putting up a fight against China's tech titans

Although the amount of nonbank third-party payment skyrocketed 480% from 2014-2017, mobile payments by banks rose by 798% over the same period.

Singapore still beats Hong Kong over Asia's open banking readiness crown

DBS and OCBC are regional leaders in fintech and innovation.

Hong Kong makes huge headway in realising smart banking ambitions

It rolled out a real-time fund transfer system, open API guidelines, virtual banks authorisation in 2018 alone.

How Bank Muamalat Indonesia used smart mapping technology to optimise its branch and ATM network

The bank enhanced 64% of its ATM's cost and acquired 10% more customers with 40% less branches.

Vietnamese banks' war against bad debt pays off

Lower credit costs lifted average operating profit/risk weighted assets from 1.6% in 2017 to 2.2% in H1 2018.

Can South Korea's web-only banks break out of beginner's rut to ensure sustainability?

The two players have been booking losses as they ramp up IT spending.

Which Asian banks will lose steam amidst the silver population takeover?

India, Indonesia, and the Philippines will benefit from a favourable demographic shift whilst Korea and Japan will flounder.

Banks in emerging Asia wrestle for e-payments market share against telcos and online upstarts

Indonesian and Philippine banks may lose up to $3.8b and $1.3b respectively as they fail to hold on to their dominance.

Are Hong Kong lenders under threat as virtual banks zero in on their market?

The HKMA has received 29 applications in the first round of screening ending August 31.

The full-fledged recovery of India's banks hinges on privatisation and mergers

Overseeing 21 public sector banks has proven too difficult a task for the government.

Could Australia's sharp housing downturn be a blessing in disguise for embattled banks?

Much has been said about slower credit growth but banks could also look forward to improving asset quality.

The worst is almost over for worn out Indian banks

An earnings turnaround is in sight by 2020 as banks start shedding off bad loans.

Can Thai banks keep their bad loan woes at bay?

Lending to SME operators will keep NPL formation levels elevated.

China dominates world's largest banks even as Europe flexes financial muscle

Chinese lenders held the top four places in overall ranking based on Tier 1 capital.

Chinese banks brace as more reserve cuts loom to boost credit-short SMEs

Easing monetary policy will ease credit crunch firms face as part of the shadow banking crackdown.