Asia Banking
India's private credit market set to grow as domestic funds expand footprint
The trend was evident in the first half of 2026, when private credit transactions tracked by EY reached $3.5bn, up slightly from $3.4bn in H2 2025. Domestic private credit funds accounted for 74% of deal value and about 79% of transaction volume.
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China pumps $53.6bn into state banks and insurers
The capital injection, organised by the Ministry of Finance, targets three major state lenders and five insurance firms.
Pakistan seeks to expand SME financing through cluster-based lending
SMEDA and the State Bank of Pakistan held a seminar bringing together financial institutions, industry representatives and other stakeholders to discuss the findings of cluster-based lending studies.
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South Korean bank lending falls as credit rules bite
Household borrowing at South Korea's major commercial banks fell for the first time in six months in September, as strict self-imposed lending restrictions by financial institutions curbed credit expansion
US swings sanctions stick at Turkish bank accused of smuggling Chinese oil payments to Iran in gold
American ambassador to Ankara at great pains to describe move as aimed at “one entity”, not at a nation, banking system or ally.
India’s ICICI Bank completes overseas bond issuance
According to a filing by the bank with India’s stock exchanges, the notes are senior unsecured fixed-rate securities issued through its IFSC Banking Unit, dated September 3, 2026.
South Korea expands loan limits for small banks
Regulators are trying to revive credit access for riskier borrowers while preventing default spikes at major lenders. Steering extra capacity to smaller institutions lets them offset non-performing debts from high-risk loans.
Bank Negara Malaysia expected to hold OPR at 2.75%
BNM has maintained the 2.75% benchmark since delivering a preemptive 25 basis point rate cut in July 2025 to shield domestic growth from US trade tariff headwinds.
India bank unions announce strikes over five-day week, PLI scheme
The forum, which represents more than 90% of India's banking workforce, has called a one-day strike on September 11, followed by a three-day strike from September 28-30. It has threatened an indefinite strike from October 26.
Bank DBS Indonesia acquires 99% stake in DBS Vickers Sekuritas
Under the revised corporate structure, DBSI acquires 99.0% of DBSVI shares, while the remaining 1.0% equity stake is retained by DBS Vickers Securities Holdings Pte Ltd.
Indonesia, MAS launch Indonesia-Singapore local currency transaction
Central banks in Indonesia and Singapore have operationalised their bilateral settlement system, which highlights a step toward regional financial integration and currency diversification within ASEAN.
Board-CEO differences emerge as Indian private banks face leadership churn
Differences between boards and senior management over business priorities, strategy and the pace of transformation are emerging as a factor behind a number of chief executives at India’s private-sector banks choosing not to seek reappointment.
Turkey’s Halkbank has bagged $1.1bn from foreign markets since US ended Iran sanctions-busting case
Resolution of legal saga triggered “rapid increase in number of counterparties” willing to extend credit.
Rwanda diversifies sovereign borrowing with debut yen facility, raising $190mn
Blended financing backed by multilateral guarantees is central to Rwanda’s strategy of containing borrowing costs, smoothing repayments and protecting debt sustainability.
Citi leads South Korea IB rankings after SK hynix IPO
According to data, CGMK leads the South Korea Investment Banking Wallet League table with a 16% market share.
India’s Yes Bank withdraws planned $500mn US dollar bond issue amid higher yield demands
Investors were seeking yields 30-40 basis points higher than normal after the Reserve Bank of India brought forward the closure of its dollar deposit window.
South Korean bank targets tech growth with $720mn loan
The joint deal targets small and medium-sized enterprises and venture firms in semiconductors, physical artificial intelligence and AI data centres.
India's bank credit growth hits four-year high at 20%, deposit growth lags
Credit growth in India’s banking system accelerated to about 20% year-on-year in the June 2026 quarter, its strongest pace in more than four years, while deposit mobilisation remained weaker.
Higher-than-expected July 2026 inflation in Australia raises RBA rate hike risks
Facing unexpected pressure from fuel price spikes and travel costs, Australia’s consumer price dynamics have complicated the Reserve Bank of Australia’s monetary policy outlook.
India's regional rural banks post record profit
India's regional rural banks reported record consolidated net profit of INR101.76bn in FY2025-26, up sharply from INR68.2bn in FY2024-25, as asset quality strengthened and lending expanded.