In Focus

The Mainland finally branches into Taiwan

Two of China’s top five banks are to establish branches on Taiwan, becoming the first Mainland lenders to bank on the island.

In Focus

Top 4 Aussie banks targeted for ratings downgrade

Soaring loan costs are about to cost Australia’s “Big Four Banks” dearly.

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Government-owned bank in Philippines’ biggest public issuance

Land Bank of the Philippines said it raised P10.5 billion from the sale of Tier-2 notes.

In Focus

ANZ leads Australia's growth drive in Asia

The ANZ Group is seeking a licence in Thailand as National Australia Bank opens its first branch in India. Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra met ANZ chief Mike Smith on Friday to discuss reducing the two-year waiting period for a licence so that ANZ could set up its wholly-owned subsidiary. ANZ only has a representative office in Thailand. An ANZ spokesman said the bank had been looking to turn its representative office into a full branch so it could better service trade and investment flows between Thailand, Australia and New Zealand and other Asian countries. “It’s not a strategic priority but it’s an important part of having a fully fledged Asian network,” the spokesman said. Meanwhile, NAB is following ANZ and Commonwealth Bank of Australia into India by opening a branch in Mumbai. In an interview with the Rupee Times, Rob Wright, chief of NAB’s Asian unit, said the branch opening followed demand from clients for the bank to do more in India.

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South Korean banks post record FX turnover

South Korean banks are riding the wave of the country’s first-ever trade volume of US$1 trillion.

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Japanese invade Aussie banking industry

Three of Japan’s largest banks have begun a campaign to conquer at least 10% of Australia’s lucrative banking industry.

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Philippines faces volatile banking crisis

The Philippines’ financial system isn’t as immune to the worsening Eurozone debt crisis as it thinks it is.

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India’s Corporation Bank pushes risky overseas expansion

Government-controlled Corporation Bank plans to establish 400 overseas branches in just two years.

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Malaysia's CIMB to break into Philippine banking by March

CIMB Group Holdings Bhd will finally achieve its bridgehead in the Philippine banking industry within the next two months.

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Vietnam’s central bank denies banking catastrophe

The State Bank of Vietnam, the central bank, resolutely denies the country’s banking system has fallen into a severe debt crisis.

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RHB Capital, OSK seek merger approval

RHB Capital Bhd and OSK Holdings Bhd have submitted an application to merge.

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Bank of China looks to Europe for more profits

Europe continues to be the happy hunting ground for leading Asian banks seeking growth through mergers and acquisitions.

In Focus

Japanese banks take IMF stress tests to counter future failure

Japan’s burgeoning debt, now equal to about twice the country's annual economic output, focuses sharp attention of the vulnerabilities of Japanese banks.

In Focus