Banking & Fintech.
HSBC Doubles Hong Kong AI Team, Launches Digital Asset Products
The bank plans to establish a global AI institute in Hong Kong by early 2027, alongside introducing new stablecoin and tokenised deposit services.
Thunes, UnionPay Raise China Daily Payout Cap to US$10,000
The expanded service allows instant transfers for financial institutions and money operators to 79 major Chinese banks, including ICBC and Bank of China.
Singapore Banks UOB, DBS, OCBC See Wealth Fee Pressure Before Q3 Results
Analysts expect continued pressure on interest margins for the three Singaporean lenders, though asset quality and capital positions are forecast to remain stable.
Hong Kong banks reshape wealth management for global clients
Hong Kong banks are adapting their wealth operations as approximately 72% of affluent investors now hold assets outside their home market, driving investment in digital tools and specialist advisers.
Singapore Caps Private Hire Car Loans at 60-70 Percent
New regulations, effective 30 October 2026, align borrowing limits for individually owned private hire vehicles with those for regular passenger cars, capping financing at seven years.
XTransfer Seeks New Bank Partners at Asia Fintech Events
The cross-border payments firm aims to expand its global clearing network for small and medium-sized enterprises, building on over US$60 billion in payments processed last year.
BDO Unibank nine-month profit rises 0.8% to P63.6 billion
The Philippine lender's January to September net income reached P63.6 billion, a marginal increase from last year, driven by significant loan book expansion.
BOT to Regulate Stablecoins, BNPL, High-Value Gold Transactions
Thailand's central bank will introduce five new financial measures between November 2026 and March 2027, including cash payment limits for gold transactions exceeding THB 10 million.
Skyro expands Philippine merchant services beyond POS financing
The digital fintech firm now offers SkyroCredit, a reusable credit line with up to 45 days of 0% interest, to deepen customer engagement for its 12,000 partners.
SBI Card introduces new fees for high-value fuel, transport
From 1 December 2026, a 1% charge will apply to single transport transactions over ₹30,000 and total fuel spending exceeding ₹50,000 per billing cycle in India.
Singapore's OCBC Ranks Third Globally, Tops Asia-Pacific for Bank Strength
OCBC Bank achieved the third-strongest global ranking and first in Asia-Pacific in The Asian Banker's 2026 assessment, marking a first for a Singaporean lender in the global top three.
Singapore's OCBC: World's 3rd Strongest, Asia-Pacific's Top Bank
The Asian Banker's latest assessment places OCBC as the strongest lender in the Asia-Pacific region and third worldwide, marking a first for a Singaporean bank.
RBI Extends Lokapavani Bank Oversight to January 2027
India's central bank has prolonged its regulatory measures on the Mandya-based cooperative lender for an additional three months, effective from October 30, 2026.
Singapore Payments Network Names Derek Chan Inaugural CEO
The new entity, established by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and the Association of Banks in Singapore, will govern national payment schemes starting in early 2027.
JB Financial Group posts record nine-month profit
The South Korean banking group announced a record net profit of 595.7 billion won for the first nine months of the year, marking a 2.9 percent increase from 2025.
OCBC Ranks Asia-Pacific's Strongest Bank, Third Globally
The Singapore lender achieved its position in the TAB Global 1000 World’s Strongest Banks 2026, driven by diversified income and robust capital.
StraitsX, Visa Expand Stablecoin Card Issuing to 100 Markets
Singapore's StraitsX partners with Visa to launch stablecoin-backed card programmes in over 100 markets, building on US$6 billion in annualised Asian transaction volume.
UOB Targets S$900M AI Value by 2030, Expands ASEAN AI
Singapore's UOB aims to generate S$900 million in economic value from artificial intelligence initiatives by 2030, integrating advanced AI across its key Southeast Asian markets.
Singapore Gulf Bank Parent Adds Ex-Minister, Revolut Chair
Asia Gulf Holdings expands its advisory board with Maliki Osman and Martin Gilbert to strengthen regional government relations and global investment strategy, targeting Asia and MENA opportunities.
Kiatnakin Phatra Bank Q3 Profit Climbs 43% on Fee Income
Thailand's Kiatnakin Phatra Bank posted Q3 2026 net profit of $71.1 million, outperforming market forecasts due to strong fee income from wealth management.
TerraPay, Kinexys Partner to Enhance Global Payment Verification
The collaboration integrates TerraPay Verify into Kinexys Liink's Confirm application, enabling financial institutions to validate bank account and digital wallet details across diverse markets.
Mastercard, BVNK launch global fiat, stablecoin payments platform
The new Mastercard Global Money Platform, integrating BVNK's technology, offers a single API for banks and fintechs to manage diverse currencies and digital assets.
Episode Six Launches Verified Backing for Stablecoins, Deposits
The new "Verified Backing" feature helps banks confirm the authenticity and backing of stablecoins and tokenised deposits at issuance and redemption.
HSBC Private Bank, MIT Sloan Launch UHNW Digital Leadership Course
The six-week online programme aims to equip ultra-high-net-worth heirs aged 23 to 30 with skills for family business and wealth management, with its first global cohort starting on 3 November 2026.
HKMA, MAS advance AI frameworks for financial services
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority launched a framework for banking AI, while Singapore's central bank strengthened its own rules to attract investment in the sector.
Societe Generale names Lindsay Chu Apac financial sponsors head
Chu, based in Hong Kong, joins the French banking giant from DBS Asia Capital, where she served as CEO.
DBS Hong Kong Unveils First Visa Infinite Privilege Card
The DBS Vantage Card, launched on 21 October, integrates wealth, travel, and lifestyle benefits for globally-minded affluent customers in Hong Kong.
DBS PayLah! Connects Singapore Users to 250,000 Taiwan QR Merchants
The Singapore bank's mobile payment service now covers two-thirds of Taiwan's TWQR network, with full integration expected by 2027.
State Bank of India Investigates Dark Web Data Breach
India's largest lender, State Bank of India, launched a probe after 3,897 customer records, including personal and loan details, appeared online.
RBC Wealth Management: Soo to lead Singapore private banking, 7 hires
Royal Bank of Canada's wealth unit appointed Daniel Soo to lead its Singapore private banking, hiring five new bankers for the city-state and two for Hong Kong to target regional wealth growth.
MAS Unveils SFF Fintech Excellence Awards 2026 Finalists
Singapore's Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Singapore Fintech Association (SFA) have named 24 finalists for the 2026 SFF Fintech Excellence Awards, with eight winners to be chosen across six categories.
DBS, UOB Project Loan Growth Offsets Funding Costs in Q3
DBS and UOB project resilient net interest income for Singapore lenders in the third quarter, even as higher deposit expenses pressure margins and mortgage rates climb above 2%.
India’s Private Banks Report Varied Q2 FY27 Earnings
HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and Axis Bank recorded significant profit growth for the quarter ending 30 September 2026, while Yes Bank's profit surged and IDBI Bank saw a decline.
Hanwha Life expands youth financial literacy in Indonesia
South Korean insurer Hanwha Life launched a financial education programme in Bandung, Indonesia, with Save the Children, reaching 700 participants since its June start.
Krungsri, JCB Launch Ultimate Card in Thailand for Japan-Focused Consumers
The new premium credit card, debuting 1 November, offers five times Krungsri Points on Japanese retail and dining, alongside JAL mileage conversion.
KPay secures MAS Major Payment Institution licence
KPay Merchant Service (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. received a Major Payment Institution licence from MAS, allowing it to offer merchant acquisition and money transfers for over 10,000 local businesses.
DBS Favoured by Analysts Ahead of Q3 Earnings Amid Singapore Bank Slump
Singapore's three largest banks collectively shed over US$22 billion in market value last week, though analysts largely maintain positive outlooks for DBS.
RBC Wealth Management names Daniel Soo Singapore Private Banking Head
RBC Wealth Management Asia appointed Daniel Soo as its Singapore Private Banking Head, alongside seven new team members across its Singapore and Hong Kong operations.
Singapore's Partior, Bahrain's NBB to Study Dinar Blockchain Settlement
The Memorandum of Understanding aims to integrate Bahraini Dinar settlements into Partior's blockchain network, targeting more efficient cross-border payments.
GoTyme Bank expands remittance network, offers holiday flights
The Philippine digital bank GoTyme Bank now facilitates transfers to over 200 countries and territories, partnering with Cebu Pacific for a holiday travel raffle.
Deutsche Bank, BMW Join Singapore Forum on AI Auto Finance
The AIMCONNECT 2026 event last week gathered over 180 organisations, including major lenders and carmakers, to integrate artificial intelligence into vehicle financing processes.
Singapore Banks Shed $22bn; DBS Remains Analyst Pick
Singapore's three major banks collectively shed over US$22 billion in market value last week. Analysts remain divided on Q3 earnings prospects, though DBS retains favourable ratings.
Natixis CIB Appoints Dissescou to Lead APAC, Middle East Energy Transition
Based in Singapore, Cyril Dissescou will bolster Natixis CIB's financing and advisory services for natural resources across both the Asia Pacific and Middle East regions.
UOB Shares Rise 1.53% Ahead of Q3 FY26 Earnings
Singapore's United Overseas Bank (UOB) closed at SGD 41.69 on 15 October, bringing its intra-day market capitalisation to SGD 68.728 billion as it prepares for its Q3 FY26 results.
DBS Q3 Net Profit Forecast to Decline 3.2% to $2.86 Billion
The Singaporean lender's projected earnings drop is largely attributed to lower net interest income and increased provisions, according to CGSI analysis.
Singapore Police Flag S$185,000 Hotel Booking Scam Losses
The Singapore Police Force recorded 148 cases of hotel booking phishing scams since January 2026, where fraudsters impersonate legitimate businesses to steal card details.
OCBC 3QFY2026 Profit Forecast to Dip 0.6% on Year
CGS International analysts project Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation's net profit for the quarter ending September 30 at S$1.97 billion, an 11.5% quarter-on-quarter increase.
South Korea's FSC Probes Cyberattacks on 16 Financial Firms
The Financial Services Commission reported 100,000 data leaks and is investigating if artificial intelligence played a role in the breaches.
Salary Hero Raises US$7.6 Million for Malaysia Push
Thailand's Salary Hero, an earned wage access provider, secured US$7.6 million in Series A funding to support its expansion into Malaysia, targeting 50 corporate partners by late 2027.
UBS to hire 50 Singapore client advisers in 2024
Swiss banking giant UBS plans to add 100 client advisers across Asia-Pacific this year, with half designated for its Singapore operations.
AIWM Singapore Appoints Chiara Bartoletti President
The Association of Independent Wealth Managers (AIWM) Singapore has elected its new leadership committee, with Ms Bartoletti, Managing Partner at Eightstone, taking the top role.
Mastercard Extends APAC Dining Programme to 1,300 Restaurants
The Mastercard Collection: Dining now offers cardholders discounts up to US$200 across 15 Asia Pacific markets, effectively doubling its current restaurant network.
Hong Kong Private Banking Adapts to Client Shifts
Bank of East Asia's Jaye Chiu notes Hong Kong's private banking sector is evolving its client base and relationship manager roles, attracting more international investors.
Standard Chartered to Offer Digital Asset Custody in Singapore
Standard Chartered will launch digital asset custody services in Singapore for institutional clients, covering crypto, stablecoins, and tokenised assets. This expands its existing digital asset operations in Asia and the Middle East.
DBS, OCBC, UOB Shares Drop as Yield Surge Threatens Q3 Earnings
DBS, OCBC, and UOB saw falls of over 4%, with the Straits Times Index tumbling 3.5% in its worst performance since April 2025 amid analyst warnings.
India's central bank extends Sadbhav Nagrik Sahakari Bank curbs
The Reserve Bank of India prolonged its regulatory directives on the Madhya Pradesh-based cooperative lender for three months, now effective until January 07, 2027.
Eximbank Board Member Jason Ho Outlines Trust-First Strategy for Lender
Jason Ho joined Eximbank's board in 2026. He draws on four decades of international banking experience to guide the Vietnamese lender's strategic review.
UOB, AWS Partner for ASEAN Hybrid Cloud Banking, AI Skills
The collaboration will establish a dedicated Singapore cloud environment, enhancing UOB's operational resilience and regulatory compliance across five Southeast Asian markets.
Temasek’s Seviora to Merge Three Asset Managers by 2027
Seviora, a Temasek-owned firm, plans to consolidate Azalea Investment Management, SeaTown Holdings International, and Seviora Capital under a single platform by January 2027.
Swift names HSBC, Citi, JPMorgan execs to new supervisory board
The financial messaging cooperative establishes a two-tier governance structure, including a management board and a 25-member council, to guide future technology strategy.
Anchorage Digital Singapore, StanChart Launch 24/7 Institutional USD Accounts
The partnership offers eligible institutional clients round-the-clock US dollar accounts and SWIFT transfers, integrating fiat and digital asset management on a single platform.
Bakai Bank gains Hong Kong licence, first for Central Asia
The Kyrgyz Republic's fourth-largest lender received regulatory approval to establish a Hong Kong branch, becoming the first Central Asian bank to facilitate trade and capital flows with Asia-Pacific.
OCBC, Ant International Launch Tokenised Deposits for Cross-Border Treasury
The new service facilitates Singapore and US dollar liquidity transfers for corporate clients between Singapore and Malaysia, operating outside standard banking hours.
Mox Bank Tops HK Digital Apps, Ranks Fifth in Asia-Pacific
Sia Partners' annual study placed Mox Bank first among Hong Kong rivals and fifth regionally, while Bank of China (Hong Kong) secured seventh place.
DWS names Elke Schoeppl-Jost Asia Pacific Head from 2027
Elke Schoeppl-Jost will assume leadership of German asset manager DWS's Asia Pacific business in 2027, succeeding Vanessa Wang in the top regional role.
Tribe Payments appoints Alex Lim to lead APAC sales
Lim joins the payments processor from Euronet Worldwide's Pure Commerce, bringing 13 years of experience to drive regional business from Singapore.
WIDTH Named Pan Asian RegTech Provider at Singapore Awards
The compliance technology firm received the accolade at the ALB Pan Asian Regulatory Awards 2026, marking its 12th year in the industry.
South Korean Banks Hit by Cyberattacks, FSC Orders Security Checks
Seven financial firms, including Shinhan Bank and Yegaram Savings Bank, reported data breaches affecting tens of thousands of clients, prompting an emergency regulatory response.
HKMA Licenses Kyrgyzstan’s Bakai Bank for Hong Kong Operations
Kyrgyzstan's Bakai Bank will operate as Hong Kong's 17th restricted licence bank, targeting corporate and merchant clients with deposits starting at HK$500,000.
Philippine Banks' Bad Loan Ratio Steady at 3.35% in August
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas reported a stable non-performing loan ratio for August 2026, as the banking sector's overall lending growth outpaced new problem accounts.
Visa Sees Stablecoin Card Payments Grow Nearly 200%
Visa reported a significant increase in stablecoin-linked card payments, with business and commercial programmes making up 17% of volumes this fiscal year.
Citi Appoints New Japan M&A, Sponsor Coverage Heads
The US banking giant's investment banking division has named Hajime Higuchi to lead mergers and acquisitions, and Yoshinobu Agu for sponsor coverage in the Japanese market.
MB Bank, OceanBase partner for database upgrade in Vietnam
Vietnam's MB Bank signed a pact with OceanBase on 2 October 2026 to enhance its core database, aiming for greater system resilience and scalability for digital banking.
OCBC boosts 365 card cashback to 6%, simplifies tiers
Singapore's OCBC will raise cashback rates for everyday spending categories like dining and groceries from 1 November 2026, standardising its minimum spend requirement.
Fiserv Partners Trulioo for Global Business Verification
The collaboration aims to streamline client onboarding and underwriting processes, reducing manual effort and ensuring consistent risk decisions across diverse markets.
Ping An Bank adopts AI rules, setting China banking benchmark
The Shenzhen-listed lender's board approved new management measures for artificial intelligence, a first among mainland institutions, following regulatory pressure for oversight.
South Korea's FSC Mandates Bank Security Checks After Cyberattacks
The Financial Services Commission on Friday, October 2, directed all banks and credit card firms to review IT systems following data breaches at Shinhan Bank and KB Kookmin Bank affecting thousands of customers.
Trust Bank turns profitable in 3.5 years, CEO cites tech and referrals
Singapore's digital bank, a joint venture of Standard Chartered and FairPrice Group, reported $135 million in income for FY2025, achieving profitability earlier this year.
Kazakhstan fintech shifts to BaaS, AI, digital assets
Incumbent banks now lead consumer finance, but the sector focuses on infrastructure, with over 50 regulated digital asset providers operating under new May 2026 rules.
India UPI Transactions Dip 1.8% in September Amid MDR Rollout
The National Payments Corporation of India reported 24.07 billion transactions last month, a slight fall from August, as a new fee structure for merchants takes effect on October 15.
China Bank Savings supports 1,200 Philippine educators, offers P50,000 accounts
The Philippine thrift bank provided financial wellness training last month and will award vehicles, including two Mitsubishi Mirages, on October 5.
GXBank Targets 2028 Profit Amid Loan Growth, Asset Cap Review
The Malaysian digital bank reported a wider first-half net loss of RM122.1 million in 2026, while securing an IFC risk-sharing agreement for MSME lending.
Asian Embedded Finance: Platforms Buy Banks, Fintechs Seek Licences
A recent webinar highlighted how digital platforms are acquiring banking capabilities, while fintechs are pursuing their own licences, redefining competitive advantage across the region.
Deutsche Bank appoints Philippines country chief, corporate head
Vikas Arora assumes leadership as Philippines Chief Country Officer, succeeding Dino Siason in the Manila-based role for the German lender.
SFA, KPMG: Governance Slows Asia RegTech Cloud Adoption
A new report from the Singapore FinTech Association and KPMG reveals operational and accountability issues, not technology, slow financial institutions scaling cloud-based RegTech in Asia-Pacific.
HLB Private Bank, Lombard Odier Launch Multi-Asset Fund
The wholesale HLB Chief Investment Office Fund will serve as a core component for client portfolios, drawing on global research and regional client insights.
Wise Launches Multi-Currency Account, Card in Thailand
Wise has introduced its multi-currency account and debit card for Thai users, facilitating payments and currency conversion for over 40 denominations. The service integrates with PromptPay and regional QR networks.
DBS, Avaloq Boost Wealth Tech Partnership for S$1 Trillion Goal
Singapore's DBS Bank aims to reach S$1 trillion in retail and wealth assets by 2030, deepening its 18-year technology alliance with Avaloq to develop new capabilities.
SBI, HDFC Bank branches close today, open Sunday ahead of strike
Major Indian private lenders and public sector banks will see varied operations this weekend, with a nationwide labour action planned for next week that could disrupt services.
Pine Labs, Google Cloud Build AI Commerce for Indian Merchants
The collaboration uses Google Cloud’s Gemini technology to develop agentic infrastructure for merchant discovery, marketing, operations, and payments across India.
EBANX Targets Pakistan for Digital Payment Expansion by Mid-2027
The payment processor will support local digital wallets and Pakistan's national instant payment system, following recent market entries across Southeast Asia and Türkiye.
RBI Fines KLM Axiva Finvest ₹2.70 Lakh for Auction Rule Breach
India's central bank penalised the non-banking financial company (NBFC) for failing to return surplus funds to borrowers after auctioning pledged gold.
Futu Securities Leads Hong Kong Digital Firms' Branch Push
Online brokerages and digital banks are opening physical branches in Hong Kong, with Futu Securities International establishing a 42,000 square foot global headquarters in Pacific Place.
Hong Leong Bank unveils ceramic invitation-only Visa card
The HLB opus is Southeast Asia's first ceramic credit card, leveraging zirconia for its exclusive design and targeting ultra-high-net-worth individuals.
LexisNexis Risk Solutions AI Tool Doubles Dell's Fraud Capture
The Emailage Adaptive system, designed for real-time adaptation to evolving fraud schemes, also cut Dell's low-risk manual reviews by 83%.
StashAway First Investment Platform in yuu Rewards Club
Over two million yuu members in Singapore can now accrue points and vouchers for consistent investments through the platform.
Banking Circle expands OSL stablecoin payments with five currencies
Institutional clients of OSL Group can now use Australian, British, Hong Kong, Singapore, and US dollars for transactions, alongside existing euro support, through Banking Circle's infrastructure.
Deutsche Bank Private Bank to Grow Asia Wealth Teams
The German lender seeks experienced relationship managers and client teams across Asia to achieve double-digit growth in its high-net-worth segment.
DBS CEO Tan Su Shan Cites S$9.64 Million Pay Gap in Politics Refusal
Tan Su Shan, DBS's chief executive, earned S$9.64 million in 2025, a figure sharply contrasting with Singapore's new S$1.8 million annual ministerial salary for entry-level roles as the government seeks private sector talent.
OCBC, Bank of Ningbo Extend Alliance for 10 Years Amid Trade Growth
The Singaporean lender, a 20% shareholder in Bank of Ningbo, will continue a US$5 million training grant to support cross-border business between ASEAN and Greater China.