Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean)
Laos and Brunei join Asian cross-border payments initiative
Laotian and Thai central banks also launch new cross-border payments link
Asean publishes first green taxonomy for financial instruments
“Multi-tier” taxonomy aims to create realistic goals for both rich and middle-income nations
Thailand and Malaysia invite banks to operate across borders
Banks can operate in host country with greater access and flexibility under Asean initiative
Asean central banks call for joint action on climate risk
Asean policy-makers have work to do if they are to catch up with climate leaders, report says
Initiative of the year: Bank of Thailand
The Thai central bank has used two-way communications to support the delivery of major initiatives, including an instant payment system
Trade tensions could ripple among South-east Asian nations – Menon
Rising leverage ratios a key risk for EM Asia, but the region is more resilient
Singapore and Malaysia to set up stock market link
The two markets have a combined market capitalisation of more than $1.2 trillion and 1,600 publicly listed companies
Low volatility challenges central banks – BSP deputy governor
BSP deputy governor examines the correlation between volatility and uncertainty, and the calibration of monetary policy and macro-prudential policy in the Asean region
Tougher action needed on China debts – research body
Asean research office says corporate debt needs close monitoring, even if immediate crisis is unlikely
Are central banks allowing markets to get a bad name?
Dispute over the role of offshore derivatives trading in Asia raises important questions about the role of financial markets in a world increasingly dominated by short-term trading
No Asean pan-regional regulator in near future – panellists
Divergent stages of development, a desire for sovereignty and the limited business case are hampering further integration, speakers say
Zeti stresses need for Asean ‘partnerships’
Malaysia governor outlines four foundations anchoring successful partnerships; trust is crucial, she says, but must be accompanied by accountability
Lifetime achievement award: Zeti Akhtar Aziz
Zeti has played a crucial role in efforts to modernise Malaysia’s financial system, and has worked tirelessly to promote Islamic finance, financial inclusion and South-east Asian integration.
Asia’s Basel III woes
New bank capital rules are bridling Association of Southeast Asian Nations banks with regulations tailored to European and American risk profiles, and may be contributing to a slowdown in growth
Repeat of Asian crisis ‘unlikely’, say Singapore bank chiefs
Policy-makers are responding more proactively to risks than in 1997, they say, while economies are seen as much stronger
MAS takes step to facilitate capital sourcing across Asean jurisdictions
Singapore central bank issues implementation handbook with Thai and Malaysian regulators for firms looking to raise capital in other Asean countries
Zeti stresses need for good data in promoting financial inclusion
Bank Negara Malaysia governor says better data helps put pressure on countries to improve financial inclusion; offers guidance on how to improve performance
Central bank business school will foster Malaysia's future leaders, says Zeti
Bank Negara governor talks to Central Banking about the joint initiative with MIT to set up a school on its premises; says other central banks have shown interest
Singapore MD imagines gleaming future for island state
Ravi Menon delivers a speech looking back from an imagined 2065, highlighting the potential of both Singapore and the wider South-east Asian economy
Zeti urges central banks to ‘call the shots' on financial regulation
Bank Negara Malaysia governor makes the case for giving central banks regulatory powers over financial markets during Central Banking interview
Top Thai regulator advises Asean neighbours to open markets slowly
Bank of Thailand regulatory policy director warns Laos and Vietnam liberalisation could cripple their banks if conducted too quickly