Asia Banking
Towards a cashless Bangladesh
Bangladesh’s transition toward a cashless economy presents what the Foreign Investors’ Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) describes as a dual reality, marked by both clear opportunity and persistent structural constraints.
Boom in India’s credit card spending
India’s credit card spending soared to a record in September 2025, marking a 23% year-on-year rise and a 13% sequential increase.
Indonesia's $12bn stimulus play
The coordination between the Finance Ministry and the presidency signals tighter executive cohesion under President Prabowo’s leadership, contrasting with the cautious fiscal stance of prior administrations.
Indian bank deposits to grow steadily in FY26 amid liquidity boost
Deposit growth at Indian banks is projected to remain adequate in FY2025-26, supported by an improved liquidity environment and regulatory measures that are expected to sustain credit expansion of 11–12%
India’s retail payment revolution
India’s payments landscape has reached a pivotal stage, with digital transactions now accounting for 99.8% of all retail payments.
India is not looking to dethrone the US dollar
The Reserve Bank of India, is reducing its US dollar exposure, repatriating gold from overseas vaults, and strengthening domestic control of its bullion reserves.
Indonesia’s World Bank debt and the price of a green transition
Indonesia is routinely listed among the World Bank’s largest borrowers, second only to India in some recent tallies, reflecting an outstanding balance with the Bank running into the tens of billions and placing Indonesia among the top 10 debtors
Why India tops the World Bank debtors list in 2025
Through decades of external borrowing, fiscal crises and ambitious development programmes, India has emerged as a case study of both regional vulnerability and the complex promise of sustainable growth.
Bank Indonesia’s credibility at risk as markets watch and wait
Indonesia’s central bank is finding itself under sharper investor scrutiny after Governor Perry Warjiyo confirmed a new “burden-sharing” arrangement with the government.