Other Asia Pacific

Fintech / Regtech

Vietnam Scraps Proposed Foreign Ownership Cap for Payments Firms

By Editors | 14/02/2020

The SBV says the 49% foreign ownership limit proposed last November would hamper foreign investment in payments and fintech, and present difficulties for existing players.

BOT Prepares Guidance for Banks on Service Fee Calculations

By Editors | 14/02/2020

The guidance will cover fees for corporate, SME and retail banking customers, as part of a broader push for fairer fee structures.

Capital / Liquidity

BSP Extends Prudential Loan Cap Transition Period for Foreign Banks

By Editors | 14/02/2020

The extended transitory period is aimed at ensure continued financing support for public sector initiatives under the ‘Build, Build, Build’ programme by foreign bank branches.

Securities / Derivatives

BSP Bars Bank Affiliates from Holding Bank-Issued Debt

By Editors | 12/02/2020

The prohibition is aimed at preventing related parties from obtaining undue advantage when transacting in debt instruments issued by affiliated banks.

Securities / Derivatives

Bangladesh to Float Shares of State Banks to Prop Up Market

By Editors | 12/02/2020

Sonali Bank, Agrani Bank, Janata Bank, Rupali Bank and Bangladesh Development Bank will each have 25% of their shares listed on the stock market by end-October.

Market Infrastructure

Sri Lanka Should Start LIBOR Transition ‘Immediately’ – ICRA

By Editors | 11/02/2020

The central bank, financial institutions, and companies must assess the impact, and the LIBOR transition should start “immediately”, says ICRA Lanka, a Moody’s group company.

AML / KYC

BOT Launches Digital Account Opening Tests at Six Banks

By Editors | 07/02/2020

Six banks will open online deposit accounts digitally, using facial recognition to verify customer identities against information held in the new National Digital ID platform.

BOT Launches Phase Three of ‘Debt Clinic’ Scheme

By Editors | 05/02/2020

Phase 3 will expand the scope of covered personal debt to include cases involving a single debtor. The Debt Clinic has so far helped over 3,000 borrowers refinance bad debt.

Securities / Derivatives

Thailand, Luxembourg Explore Financial Market Cooperation

By Editors | 04/02/2020

Thailand’s SEC and LuxSE have discussed cooperation to promote sustainable finance, while also agreeing to explore the creation of a trading link between the two countries.