Asia-Pacific
Banking and finance news from China, Japan, India, Australia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific
APRA and RBNZ find banks resilient in first joint stress test since 2017
The 2026 Trans-Tasman Stress Test found both banking systems would stay resilient through a severe downturn in both economies, while banks kept lending despite substantial losses.
Taiwan regulator approves Bank SinoPac merger to form NT$3.19 trillion-asset bank
The combined bank is expected to have NT$3.19 trillion in total assets, with Bank SinoPac paying for the deal in new shares to King's Town Bank shareholders and any remainder in cash.
HKMA unveils ART framework to guide responsible AI adoption by banks
The HKMA's guidance sets out nine principles across the three pillars of its ART Framework, and the regulator will also test agentic AI applications in its GenAI Sandbox++.
IDBI Bank shares fall 7% as government agrees $5.5 billion stake sale to Fairfax
IDBI Bank shares fell more than 7% after India's government announced the sale of a 60.7% stake to Fairfax, a deal that still needs a Reserve Bank of India fit and proper assessment.
Uzbekistan's central bank drafts 2026–2030 plan to widen SME access to credit
The Central Bank of Uzbekistan has drafted a 2026–2030 SME concept with 25 initiatives, setting targets for lenders on online microloans issued in about an hour and a smaller state-bank share of SME lending.
Uzbekistan's central bank fines eight banks for breaching financial requirements
The Central Bank of Uzbekistan fined eight banks for failing to meet financial requirements and breaking the law, after a September review of 37 issues by its committee.
Davr Bank puts rebranding and board overhaul to shareholders
Uzbekistan's Davr Bank, 51% controlled by the International Bank of Azerbaijan, will put a new brand name, a new Charter and a renewed Supervisory Board to its shareholders.
Azerbaijan plans Basel III capital rules from 2027 as bank capital reaches 7 billion manats
Sector capital has reached 7 billion manats, up 600 million manats from 1 July 2025, and banks must fully comply with the new requirements from 1 January 2027, the central bank said.
Standard Chartered appoints Ying Ying Tan as global head of securities services and digital assets
Tan succeeds Margaret Harwood-Jones, who is now CEO, UK & Europe, and takes on the digital assets role at the same time, both effective immediately, the bank said.
BOJ's Koeda says no need for undue caution on rate hikes, sees neutral rate above 1%
BOJ board member Junko Koeda says the neutral rate is likely considerably above 1%, with one estimate above 2%, and that the current 1.25% policy rate needs to rise further.
Taiwan's FSC approves Bank SinoPac and King's Town Bank merger, creating NT$3.19 trillion lender
Taiwan's Financial Supervisory Commission has approved the merger, which will give surviving Bank SinoPac NT$3.19 trillion in total assets, with the effective date still to be set.
ICBC, ABC and PICC disclose 1,358 penalties as 275 billion yuan placements clear inquiry
The three central financial enterprises disclosed 1,358 penalties for 1 January 2023 to 30 June 2026 and said none poses a substantive legal obstacle to placements of up to 275 billion yuan.