LoginSubscribe
Current Publication Online
Read | Subscribe | Past Issues  
Other Commentators
We Follow
We follow bloggers who provide alternative, meaningful, serious and sometimes irreverent insights into the industry
News, Interviews and Analysis on Current Developments

JPMorgan hit by $2 billion trading loss
JPMorgan shocking trade loss looks set to spur regulators and lawmakers to seek details on those trades in an attempt to better establish the Volcker rule.
Deutsche Bank launches new Autobahn App Market for Asia Pacific region
DB banks on new application to offer better access to its range of online sales and research expertise, as well as transaction banking services.
Leading regulators and risk practitioners gather at Risk & Regulation Conference 2012
This year’s conference offered insightful discussions and debates addressing key risk and regulation issues including the implementation of Basel III, banks' stress-testing efforts, and the importance of identifying one's risk appetite and management
Compliance for the sake of compliance: Basel III in Asia
The challenges faced in Basel III’s implementation in Asia are significant, as regulators play the important role of adapting Basel III within their respective environments, to the needs of their respective local banks.
Significant benefits for Singapore banks with Europay, Mastercard and VISA initiative
Singapore’s migration to chip based technology adopting the EMV standard unlikely to pose technical challenge to banks, offering benefits in reducing fraud levels and supporting plans for new debit based payment programs.
The Asian Banker Summit 2012: A time of change, turbulence and renewal
The Asian Banker Summit 2012 held in Bangkok covered a wide range of issues touching on transaction banking, technology, risk, regulation, as well as financial integration in the region.
Myanmar undergoes financial reform in bid to attract foreign investment
After a 25-year isolation period that left a shattered economy, the now civilian government’s moves to revamp the economy has drawn much outside interest.
Visa dumps Global Payments over breach affecting 1.5 million cards
Visa removes payment processor from list of approved service providers but still may stand a chance of reinstatement.
The Asian Banker’s CIBC 2012 explores in depth domestic issues
CIBC 2012 held in Beijing covered a wide range of issues touching on liquidity, risk, customer centricity, as well as gaining an edge in SME banking in China.
Strategies to minimalize risk among topics headlined for CIBC 2012
Joint stock and commercial banks are focusing on profitable and innovative products to acquire a piece of the growing middle class in China, CIBC 2012 discussions to touch on strategies to minimize risk, and retain customers.
Product, network and management key to developing supply chain
Economic volatility, cross-border barriers and emerging opportunities underpin the uneven landscape financial institutions face in providing transaction banking services.
DBS to acquire Danamon to boost regional franchise
Date: Apr 04, 2012
Author: Wong Wei Han
Categories: Mergers and Acquisitions, Retail Banking
Keywords: DBS, Bank Danamon, Peter Seah, Piyush Gupta
DBS’ acquisition of Bank Danamon will be Southeast Asia’s biggest yet, one which will help it build a wider Asian presence after years of expansion outside of its backyard.
Top retail bankers honoured by the Asian Banker
The Asian Banker’s Retail Financial Services Innovation Conference and Awards ceremony returned this year in a one-day event that attracted top industry experts from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
The agenda and speakers for this year’s Technology and Innovation Conference is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet
Technology advances persist at a rapid pace and innovation through the use of technology continues to change the face of the banking industry.
Dealing with legacy systems: A new approach
New development environment helps banks move mainframe applications programmed in COBOL to lower cost platforms without major changes to the source code and design, whilst also creating the cost-saving opportunities.
Chinese importers and exporters allowed to settle foreign trade in Rmb
David Sear, chief operating officer of Western Union Business Solutions, feels that the move underlines the Chinese government’s increasingly flexible attitude towards the Rmb and is a significant step in the internationalization of the currency.
Beijing cautious on EFSF bonds, focuses on buying European businesses
China has been burned in the past investing in Western financial businesses and prudence now leads to purchasing real assets that will benefit their own businesses.
Hong Kong banks use mobile applications to target and maintain high net worth individuals
Innovative banking mobile features such as trading online, transferring money in different currencies, and opening accounts on smart phones used to target and acquire wealthy clients.
Greece gets second bailout, faces years of economic stagnancy
European Union allies bolster Greece with $172 billion rescue package, but possibly cripple Greek economy for years to come.
Contenders for OJK board seats unveiled
Indonesia has come a step closer to setting up a financial service authority with the candidate selection for commissioner posts at the Otoritas Jasa Keuangan now underway.
Citibank becomes first non Asian bank allowed to issue credit cards in China
Citibank obtains the approval of China’s banking regulator to offer credit cards in their own name to local customers.
Burmese banks launch overseas exchange services
Four private banks in Myanmar are launching money exchange services in three ASEAN countries, creating secured channels for remittances from Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.
Agricultural Bank of China and China Construction Bank appoint new chairmen: Status quo unchanged
ABC and CCB appoint Jiang Choliang and Wang Hongzhang as respective chairmen, but internal monetary and financial issues likely to force Chinese banks to stay on course.
BBVA and Google agreement herald a shift to web based enterprise services
Date: Jan 20, 2012
Author: Aldo Joson
Categories: Innovation, Technology & Operations
Keywords: BBVA, Google, Cloud Computing, Jose Olalla, Amazon, Microsoft
Internet search giant may see a turnaround for its cloud computing app takeup from usually conservative banks.
Competition for wealth management pushes innovation
Taiwanese banks are attracting High Net-Worth Individuals (HNWIs) by creating new technologies that make VIPs waste less time in the banks.
Nomura loses wholesale banking chief
Nomura Holdings’ top ex-Lehman executive Jesse Bhattal has stepped down from his position, raising questions of whether the top Japanese brokerage is on the verge of revamping its global strategies.
Rmb moving to next level with massive dim sum bond
Dim sum bond to be auctioned on January 13 2012 valued at $3.6 billion will be the largest ever by far, and also the longest-tenured.
DBS hit by $400,000 ATM scam
Unauthorised transactions at ATMs in Malaysia cause panic among customers.
CBRC delays capital regulations, but reform still necessary
Rules to impose higher CAR requirements for Chinese banks have been delayed to support growth, but regulatory reform remains unavoidable as the country seeks balance between growth and sustainability.
Attacks on Stratfor expose private data of nearly 1 million clients
Weaknesses in Stratfor’s security systems increased the organisation’s operational risk allowing it to be easy target of hackers.
US consumers gravitate towards online purchases
Post-Thanksgiving online shopping hits $2 billion mark, figure is expected to rise in coming years.
Are Australian banks turning away from innovation?
Date: Dec 21, 2011
Author: Aldo Joson
Categories: Innovation, Technology & Operations
Keywords: Australia, CIO, CEO, NAB, CBA, ANZ, Westpac, IT Upgrade
With the recent CIO shakeup, analysts and customers fear an end or slowdown in IT upgrades.
Santander chairman Emilio Botín wins prestigious recognition from leaders of Asian financial institutions
Asian bankers associate with Spanish banker’s emphasis on a strong domestic liabilities base, closeness to customers and a continued commitment to shareholder value and sustainable growth.
Dutch lender ABN AMRO pushing into Asia with three business focus
Gerrit Zalm, ABN AMRO’s chairman and former finance minister of the Netherlands, says that the government-owned bank is focusing on private banking, clearing and commodities services.
Oversight remains key challenge to sustainable government financing
Municipal bonds and private-public partnerships are common alternatives of government financing to avoid excessive borrowing, but fiscal prudence remains crucial for budgetary balance.
EU summit sees leaders move towards fiscal union
Investors may not be convinced that measures drawn up during the summit are sufficient to combat the region wide deficit.
New capital rules will speed up European bank withdrawal from Asia
The European Banking Authority order for banks to raise $153 billion will speed up their asset sales outside of Europe, as will a downgrade of European sovereign ratings.
Barclays quits India retail to focus on wealth management and investment banking
British lender exits India consumer lending and scales back retail globally with an aim to streamline operations and focus on strengths.
GE Capital face long battle in raising deposits with new direct model
The financing unit of GE is bigger than most banks in the world, but its heavy reliance on wholesale financing badly needs updating.
Thai banks in no danger despite damage due to flood and global uncertainties
Strong fundamentals and political stability helped Thai banks to perform well in the first half of 2011, and the same factors will enable the sector to overcome challenges in subsequent quarters.
Eastward shift in global banking strength indicated in revised ratings
With 15 large US lenders downgraded and Asian banks upgraded or maintained, S&P shows its confidence in Asian banking; Moody’s and Fitch maintain negative outlooks on American banks.
Massive bank layoffs signal risk and opportunity for outsourcing
Banks will have to address the issue of service level deterioration and regulatory concerns as they move to low-cost centres.
PBOC cuts reserve requirement of rural lenders, major easing unlikely
China’s central bank reduces credit restrictions of rural banks to ease pressure on SMEs in a bid to maintain growth against recessional pressure.
Chief marketing officer study reveals they are not prepared to face big data challenge
Participants representing organisations from 64 countries and 19 industries detailed their biggest challenges over the past decade.
Tokyo, Osaka exchanges merger to improve Japan’s equity market competitiveness
Tokyo Stock Exchange will acquire a majority stake in Osaka Securities Exchange, consolidating the stocks and derivatives trading platform in Japan as it competes globally for emerging market investors.
Online banking platforms adopting more from social media and online shopping sites
Sophisticated in-house developments are challenging smaller banks to keep pace in giving clients familiar tools and navigability.
Rmb cross border trade settlement stumbles
China’s manufacturing sector looks to be heading towards contraction to trigger economic hard-landing, but experts believe the country is well-positioned against domestic and global volatilities.
Bank of China draws surprise spot on list of globally systemically important banks
Higher regulatory guidelines a small price to pay for what could translate into more foreign investment.
Banking sector in need of a more vigorous framework as it undergoes transformation
Standard & Poor’s report finds potential shift in the power balance of global banking, a developing regulatory backdrop and change in government support for FIs warrants a new ratings criteria.
Policymakers to focus on growth over inflation
World Bank report predicts further slowdown in developing East Asia, but with opportunities for local banks as European lenders consolidate credit to boost capital.
Asian banks can learn from MF Global disaster
Directors of boards to play the ‘devil’s advocate’ in counteracting the influence of the CEO and overseeing the company.
Islamic dim sum bonds must overcome structuring issues to take off
The launch of Khazanah Nasional’s renminbi-denominated Sukuk in Hong Kong is the latest innovation for the offshore renminbi markets, but structuring issues cast doubt on its further development.
Chinese banks under pressure from investment withdrawals, NPLs
China’s ‘big four’ banks see stormy skies amidst the pull-outs of foreign investors while facing rising levels of Non-Performing Loans possibly by as much as 60% of their equity capital.
Japanese banks enter dark patch
July to September profits at Japanese banks shows distinct slide, principally at Mizuho which is laying off 5% of its staff.
SWIFT push into infrastructure gaining traction in corporate actions
Demand for better information distribution coming from custodians, regulators, and exchanges, which want to boost investor confidence.
HSBC’s Q3 dip temporary setback
HSBC continues to suffer from its US and European portfolio, but its prospects are secured by the ongoing strategic shift away from the low-growth regions to focus on emerging markets.
Leveraging capabilities across business units key to serving HNWIs in the Asia Pacific region
Date: Nov 14, 2011
Author: Lalitha Sivanesan
Categories: Asia Pacific, Retail Banking, Wealth Management
Keywords: HNWI, UHNWI, GDP, Capgemini, Merrill Lynch
Capgemini and Merrill Lynch wealth report finds that the region has the second largest HNWI wealth and population in the world.
$178b Greek default may not prevent bailout
Leaders outside the Eurozone are not willing to bail the country out, which may lead to its default.
ICBC dim sum sub debt leads the waves of offshore renminbi activities
The launch of several offshore renminbi products and services underlines sustained demand for access to the currency and related businesses despite global market fluctuations and domestic concerns in China.
Breakthrough at Brussels summit set to reduce Greek debt, beef up EFSF
Eurozone leaders and financial regulators have reached an agreement to resolve Greek sovereign debt crisis on several fronts, including a 50% private holding write-down of Greek bonds.
Philippine banks address obstacles in the growing of domestic franchises
Even as banks weather the international crisis, the local industry discussed leveraging their strong points to build world-class institutions at the first Philippine International Banking Convention.
Asian financial services merger and acquisition activity will grow into 2012
Financial services M&A across has picked up pace again in the first half of 2011 after the decline in 2010, but potential dealers must overcome regulatory and human capital issues to reap the full benefits.
Singapore Banking Corporation using IT to pioneer financial services in Cambodia
The Singapore Banking Corporation, one of Cambodia’s oldest commercial banks, stays competitive against larger industry players through a strong focus on retail businesses and banking technologies.
Citi pushes for branch-free banking era with mobile banking JV in Latin America
Date: Oct 17, 2011
Author: Aldo Joson
Categories: Mobile Banking, Technology & Operations
Keywords: Citibank, Mexico, Joint Venture
The $50m initiative to be rolled out by Banamex and Telcel seeks 35 million users in three years.
Basel III likely to give early compliers short term pain, mid term benefit
As banking sectors conform to Basel III changes, pricing hurdles and increased borrowing costs resulting from higher regulatory requirements will define the competition between banks.
ANZ’s CIO dispels cloud illusions, paints a much more sobering picture
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group CIO Anne Weatherston says that cloud computing needs at least five years to mature and convince everyone that their services are safe and helpful.
Market makers boxed in by Volcker Rule
Consultation paper shows clear impacts for banks that have not been able to prove proprietary trading does not pose significant risks to large institutions.
China announces new measures to regulate sales of wealth management products
Commercial banks in China will now face tighter operational and management restrictions on their wealth management businesses following the announcement of new control measures.
Moody’s downgrades 12 UK financial institutions highlighting weakening systemic support
Moody’s announced rating downgrades for 12 financial institutions in the UK, reflecting growing uncertainties over the government’s willingness to prop up failing banks.
Lone Star loses key case in Korea
Korea Exchange Bank, an albatross of an investment for private equity player Lone Star, may now see its sale controlled by the state, at the cost of finance Hana Financial’s future.
OCBC Bank minimizes outage fallout with swift and clear communication to customers
Singapore bank CEO apologises on the day of the disruption and identifies the error after a week.
Citic Securities raises $1.7b through HK IPO but markets remain volatile
Citic Securities' $1.7 billion HK IPO marks market’s largest deal since June, standing out in an otherwise cool IPO market as companies across the world delay or cancel their offering plans.
Downgrade of three major U.S. banks bodes ill for chances of help in stormy waters
Moody’s announced rating downgrades for Bank of America, Citigroup and Wells Fargo may lower possibility of government bail-outs for major financial institutions amid changing regulatory landscape
Switzerland’s UBS reports billion loss from unidentified rogue trades
Date: Sep 16, 2011
Author: Tiah Wen Li
Categories: Operational Risk, Risk and Regulation
Keywords: UBS, Switzerland, Rogue Trade
Investors and Swiss politicians call for downgrade, or closure of UBS’s investment banking activities following rogue trades that may force the bank to declare a Q3 loss.
Greece seeks another bailout, chance of default soars to high of 98%
Greece is pestering the European Union and International Monetary Fund for another bailout, failing which, the country may default on its sovereign debt, as prime minister Papandreou fails to instil confidence in investors.
UK Independent Commission on Banking unveils final report to improve financial stability
Key recommendations include isolation of retail operations, higher equity capital requirement and divestiture of Lloyds’ assets.




Calendar of Activities
For more updates, kindly contact editor@theasianbanker.com
About us | Jobs and Internships with us | Contact us | Advertise with Us | Site Map | Privacy Policy | Copyrights Requests | Legal Notice |Feedback
RSS Feed | Follow us on
Copyright 2012, The Asian Banker. All Rights Reserved.