Singapore
Why Europe’s problems benefit Asian banks...for now
Why Europe’s problems benefit Asian banks...for now
Over the past couple of months, Europe has been at a crossroads. Ever since the fears among investors intensified in late 2010 regarding the financial stability of the southern European member countries, first and foremost Greece, European political leaders have implemented and applied a vast amount of tools to fend off the looming debt crisis. The current goal among Europe’s political elite is to prevent the debt crisis from spreading to bigger and too-big-too-bail-out economies in central and northern Europe and thereby to keep the Eurozone from breaking apart. These developments are closely watched by Europe’s economic partners, especially the US and Asia. Focusing on Asia in particular, the big question for Asian politicians, economists and market participants is now: how has or will the sovereign debt crisis in Europe affect Asia? Although the answer is everything but trivial, it is generally believed that Asia will most likely be affected in two ways: trade and finance.
Coping with sluggish bank lending in Asia
The year 2012 has not been good for the Asian banking industry. Credit growth is falling in most Asian countries. For instance, new lending by the four biggest Chinese state-owned banks was flat in April and May 2012. There are multiple reasons for this. The primary reason is the slowdown of real GDP growth in most Asian countries. Newly released macro data predict a slump in the economy in those countries. Due to the expectation of a weak economy, the demand for new credit is not as strong as in previous years. Weak exports to the Eurozone and the U.S. will likely cause damage to the manufacturing industry in export-oriented Asian countries and reduce their demand for bank loans. The slowdown in real GDP growth and trade growth predicts a likely surge in non-performing loans in the Asian banking industry.
SMEs still prefer conventional FX risk management
But bankers say that those with higher FX volumes could conduct such activity online.
How will foreign banks' local incorporation affect Singapore's banking industry?
Foreign banks are now forced to decide whether to further commit to the Singaporean market and compete with domestic banks neck-to-neck, says ADB.
Temasek in search of energy investments
Data from Temasek showed that resources and energy accounted for 6% of its portfolio as of the end of March.
China's ICBC takes controlling interest in US bank
ICBC became the first Chinese lender to take a controlling interest in a U.S. bank after completing its 80-percent purchase of BEA.
Singapore to grant Qualifying Full Bank privileges to 2 Chinese banks
Two Chinese banks will be granted Qualifying Full Bank privileges in Singapore wth one of them to be also authorized as a clearing bank for Renminbi.
SIBOS 2015 to be held in Singapore
The world's biggest banking show will be back in Singapore after 12 years and promises to be a showstopper at the Marina Bay Sands.
Foreign banks with large deposits must incorporate in Singapore
Singapore takes an unusual step to protect its banking sector amidst the ongoing international financial crisis.
Barclays should split into two
Barclays’ troubles and Bob Diamond’s resignation have not come as a surprise to experienced London bank-watchers. They have been brewing for years and came to a head last week when the LIBOR-fixing scandal broke. It was very clear which bank Sir Mervyn King had at the front of his mind when he called for leadership of an unusually high order and changes to the structure of the industry. He then went on to blast the banks for ‘excessive levels of compensation, shoddy treatment of customers, deceitful manipulation of one of the most important interest rates and… yet another mis-selling scandal’.
More hedging solutions for Asian banks revealed
As various services and products emerge across Asia and trade is settled in different currencies, we sought the insights of bankers and analysts for possible hedging solutions.
NFC accelerates toward its roadblock
We’ve heard a number of announcements lately about new mobile near-field communication (NFC) devices.
Banking in the New Age
Customer service in banking is one of the most important ways to keep customers coming back. It includes responding to customers’ questions and complaints in a thorough and timely manner.
Malaysia's Maybank ready to incorporate retail ops in Singapore
Maybank is prepared to locally incorporate its retail operations in Singapore according to the city state’s government requirement.
Singapore to force foreign banks to incorporate locally
Foreign banks in Singapore holding large deposits may be forced to incorporate their retail operations locally.
Operational leadership in retail banking – The last frontier for profits
Leadership, a clear and consistent message, and employee involvement are the keys to productivity in the workplace.
Are credit card rewards gambling too high?
With credit card profitability under continued intense pressure, surely launching new rewards programmes is ground that only ‘fools would dare to tread’?
Thought Leadership Centre
In Association with
In Association with
Resource Center
Read Here
Advertise
Sign Up
Event News
Lorem Ipsum Three
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry.
