Asia-Pacific
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
Lifetime achievement: Zhou Xiaochuan
The former People’s Bank of China governor stands out for his high levels of integrity, intellectual rigour and bold reforms that have served the public interest in China and elsewhere
CBDC is mixed bag for financial stability – Bank of Korea
Central bank paper highlights stability concerns but says there are instances within which a CBDC could strengthen stability
Thai central bank warns of housing and debt risks
Central bank says macro-prudential policy should curb build-up of weaknesses
Thailand and Cambodia join forces on QR code network
Central banks to pilot QR code network for retail payments
PBoC continues with communications overhaul
Central bank aims to publish Chinese and English communications simultaneously in the future
Korea’s sluggish economy dampens growth prospects
Bank of Korea revises growth forecasts and leaves interest rates on hold
Philippines’ Espenilla on indefinite sick leave
Deputy governors will rotate to perform his duties, central bank says
Asset manager of the year: State Street Global Advisors
The US financial group used its global presence, and equity and fixed income expertise, to expand its central bank client base and assets under management in 2018
Bhutan strengthens relations with India through payment co-ordination
New proposals will limit the number of tourists having to bring cash into the countries as ATMs and POSs become interoperable with local cards
Rise of renminbi prompts central banks to open Asian offices
A total of nine central banks now have offices in Asia, but New York remains city of choice
Islamic finance is for everyone, Malaysia’s Zahid says
Bank Negara Malaysia assistant governor stresses inclusiveness of Islamic finance but says SMEs are still not taking advantage
Vietnam continues with payment card upgrades
Banks must phase out magnetic strip cards by 2021
Hong Kong’s new banknotes get design facelift
For the first time, the design of the notes will share a unified theme; the notes will not be printed on polymer due to security feature integration
EME central banks can counter the next downturn
Philip Turner urges central banks to consider a broad range of actions to tackle volatility stemming from currency mismatches
Mobile phones boost financial inclusivity in Cambodia – paper
Phone users more likely to open financial accounts and invest using microcredit
Book notes: The bank that lived a little, by Philip Augar
History of British commercial bank Barclays fails to address key questions, writes Michael Taylor
BoJ governor offers advice on domestic resilience to external shocks
Central bank co-operation and communication are crucial for domestic resilience, Kuroda explains
Regional financing bodies agree to deepen co-operation
All three major regional financing funds now linked by MoUs
Emerging market governors back targeted capital controls
Governors says capital flow measures can be important tools in some circumstances
Asia outlook positive despite growing risks, IMF reports
Sound policymaking should protect Asia’s prospects for staying at the forefront of global growth, IMF says
HKMA launches new faster payments system
New system will reduce transaction time and scrap interbank fees
PBoC launches first phase of blockchain trade financing platform
Platform could help increase access to finance for SMEs while improving trade networks between Macao and Hong Kong
Focus shifts to plumbing as crypto markets mature
Panellists at the 14th annual FX Week Asia conference say the institutionalisation of crypto markets is gaining momentum