Retail Banking

AgBank eyes 45% surge in first half profit

Despite its lock-up period will begin expiring in July, none of the bank's key investors in its Hong Kong shares have hinted of selling their stake,

AgBank eyes 45% surge in first half profit

Despite its lock-up period will begin expiring in July, none of the bank's key investors in its Hong Kong shares have hinted of selling their stake,

Moody’s optimistic M&As beneficial to Taiwan’s banking sector

Yet mergers of key players might be postponed due to the coming presidential elections.

BNP Paribas inks deal to raise stake in OCB

BNP Paribas inked an agreement to raise its stake in Orient Commercial Bank from 15% to 20% after obtaining approval from the central bank. The...

ABBank posts VND300B pretax profit for first half

ABBank posted a pretax profit of VND 307.6 billion in the first six months, meeting 46.3% of the year target.

Hong Leong seeks M&A in emerging markets

The lender seeks growth opportunities abroad as banking competition increases in Malaysia.

Taiwanese financial companies post profit surge

Experts believe trend to continue amidst the possible signing of an insurance trade pact between Taiwan and China and Taiwan’s 2012 presidential...

StanChart to close 43 Korea branches amidst strike

Nearly half of the lenders’ 6,500 employees here had a walkout to protest against a proposed incentive-based compensation system.

CBA, UOB allowed to raise stakes in Vietnam's banks

Commonewealth Bank of Australian and Singapore's UOB can raise their staeks in two Vietanmese banks to the 20 % ceiling for foreign ownership...

Korean savings banks asked to take self-help steps

South Korea's financial watchdog  requested savings banks with substandard levels of capital to submit self-rescue measures as part of its efforts to...

Labor strike prompts SC First Bank to temporarily close

SC First Bank temporarily shut down operations at 43 branches in a bid to minimize the impact of a prolonged labor strike, according to Yonhapnews.

Hana and Lone Star slash KEB deal price by 6%

But analysts say contract extension is enough to convince investors that the two companies can close the deal.

SBI aims to raise $5bln via overseas debt

The move to fund loans in India after the lender suffered dip in its Q4 net profit.

RHB still seeks for merger partner

RHB maintains interest in M&A even after Maybank and CIMB dropped the plan.

Kookmin Bank divests $1.7bln of its KB shares

The lender offered 35mn shares at a price range of $48.8-$49.2 to meet regulations.

Bank Islam confident of maintaining growth momentum this year

Bank Islam expects to exceed the RM503 million profit growth recorded during the 18-month period ended Dec 31, 2010.

KEB sale price reduced, deal extended

Hana Financial Group has agreed to extend a deal with U.S. buyout fund Lone Star Funds to buy a controlling stake in Korea Exchange Bank.

KB Financial targets buying a life insurance company

The company says it is keen on buying a life insurer to lessen reliance on banking revenue.