News

Bank Indonesia to keep policy rate at 6.75% till year-end

DBS expects monetary tightening to kick-start again in Q1 2012.

Bank Indonesia to keep policy rate at 6.75% till year-end

DBS expects monetary tightening to kick-start again in Q1 2012.

China's August lending tops market expectations

China's bank lending quickened to 548.5 billion yuan or $86 billion in August, topping market expectations of 500 billion yuan and rebounding from July's seven-month low.

Scotiabank buys into Guangzhou Bank for $722M

Bank of Nova Scotia will buy close to 20 percent stake in Bank of Guangzhou for about C$719 million or $722 million.

China's bankcard transactions total $27.9T in first half

Bankcard transactions in China during the first half of 2011 reached 178.6 trillion yuan or US$27.9 trillion U.S. dollars.

Asian central banks take a pause from interest rate increases

But BBVA Research expects gradual tightening to resume if and when the global environment stabilizes.

“Hong Kong’s banks are well capitalized”: Nelson Man

He said there is no immediate need for Hong Kong’s banks to raise capital amidst the debt crisis in Europe.

Woori seeks licence to operate in India

The Reserve Bank of India has to allow at least 12 foreign banks to open local branches every year.

Indonesia’s ownership limit plan seen to affect Malaysian banks

An analyst said earnings contribution and the growth strategy of banks would be affected because of the proposed measure.

ICBC gains foothold in India market

The lender is the first of China’s Big Four to secure license from India’s central bank.

China consortium biggest buyer of 13bn CCB shares of BofA

China asked American bank to sell only half its holdings in CCB.

CIMB Islamic to boost group loans by contributing 19%

The lender believes global economic uncertainties would have lesser impact on Malaysia’s economy as it was largely driven by local demand.

DBS expects Bank of Japan's looming monetary easing in Q4

The bank did not further expand the the asset purchase program or lending program at the latest monetary policy meeting.

Bank Negara Malaysia to keep overnight policy rate steady at 3%

DBS expects this given that the central bank has initiated its interest rate normalisation process earlier than many central banks in the region.

RHB delays pursuit of Bank Mestika

RHB Capital has put on hold its application to acquire Indonesia's PT Bank Mestika Dharma amid Bank Indonesia's plans to limit single-party ownership in commercial banks to not more than 50%.

Banks in Singapore warned against illegitimate funds

Singapore alerted banks from the risk of receiving assets of tax evaders or the proceeds of criminal activities.

Moody’s says outlook for Vietnamese banks remain negative

It is concerned that the profitability and capital buffers of the banks will fall.

Mizuho to venture into Islamic Banking in Malaysia

Malaysia is giving out financial services licenses to foreign companies to boost banking industry competition.