In Focus
India moves against rising restructured debt risk
                                                                                 
                    
                    	Orders banks to boost reserves to 5% from 2.75%.
                
                                
            India moves against rising restructured debt risk
                                                                                                                 
                            
                            	Orders banks to boost reserves to 5% from 2.75%.
                        
                                                
                        
    
                    Islamic trade finance predicted to be the preferred choice in emerging markets
                                                                                                 
                        
                        	These markets include Indonesia and Malaysia.
                    
                                        
                    
                New law allows 60% ownership in Philippine rural banks
                                                                                                 
                        
                        	President Benigno Simeon Aquino signs Republic Act 1057 into law.
                    
                                        
                    
                Indonesia gets e-money payment system
                                                                                                 
                        
                        	Bank Indonesia will introduce e-money in June.
                    
                                        
                    
                New rules dampen demand for WMPs
                                                                                                 
                        
                        	These also threaten banks’ profits, however.
                    
                                        
                    
                Japan to extend RE loans to Costa Rica
                                                                                                 
                        
                        	Loans to help Costa Rica become carbon neutral by 2021.
                    
                                        
                    
                Local government debt remains grave challenge to China’s banking system
                                                                                                 
                        
                        	Debts are a heavy burden on public finance.
                    
                                        
                    
                Indian banking sector to spend 13% more on IT in 2013
                                                                                                 
                        
                        	Gartner, Inc. estimates spend at US$7.6 billion.
                    
                                        
                    
                HSBC developing tailor-made financial services
                                                                                                 
                        
                        	Targets are Chinese companies planning overseas ventures in Europe.
                    
                                        
                    
                Bank’s access to SDAs curbed by Philippine government
                                                                                                 
                        
                        	Total cuts now more than 200 basis points since July 2012.
                    
                                        
                    
                Fitch affirms ratings of four top Philippine banks
                                                                                                 
                        
                        	Gives them a stable rating.
                    
                                        
                    
                Japanese megabanks predict lower profits this year
                                                                                                 
                        
                        	Says monetary easing made loans less profitable.
                    
                                        
                    
                Chinese banks should do more online business
                                                                                                 
                        
                        	Ernst & Young also recommends they develop their intermediary business.
                    
                                        
                    
                BOC Hong Kong backs SME financing
                                                                                                 
                        
                        	Launches privileged guarantee fee subsidy.
                    
                                        
                    
                Philippine banking system deposits rise 10.7%
                                                                                                 
                        
                        	Government says it highlights ability of banks to provide credit to the economy.
                    
                                        
                    
                China pledges to forge ahead with banking reform
                                                                                                 
                        
                        	Also promises increased flexibility in managing exchange and interest rates.
                    
                                        
                    
                China’s shadow banking sector now valued at over U$5.8t
                                                                                                 
                        
                        	It's 69% of China's GDP.