Asia-Pacific
Banking and finance news from China, Japan, India, Australia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific
Bank of Thailand Cuts Policy Rate to 1.25% in Unanimous December Decision
The Bank of Thailand cut its benchmark rate to 1.25% by unanimous vote, projecting the Thai economy to expand 2.2% in 2025.
KB Financial Group recommends Kang Jin-doo as KB Securities co-CEO in affiliate reshuffle
KB Financial Group's recommendation committee named two new affiliate chief executives, for KB Securities' investment banking division and KB Savings Bank, and put forward five incumbents for reappointment.
Japan's MUFG Appoints Junichi Hanzawa as President and Group CEO from April 2026
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group has named Junichi Hanzawa as its next President and Group CEO from April 2026, with incumbent Hironori Kamezawa moving to Chairman.
Hong Kong Monetary Authority Cuts Base Rate by 25 Basis Points to 4.00%
The HKMA lowered its Base Rate to 4.00%, the third reduction in 2025 and the lowest level since October 2022, following the US Federal Reserve's December cut.
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Cuts Target RRP Rate by 25 Basis Points to 4.50%
The BSP cut its target reverse repurchase rate to 4.50%, a three-year low, in what officials signalled may be among the final moves in the current easing cycle.
SFC Reprimands and Fines EFG Bank AG Hong Kong Branch HK$10.85 Million for Regulatory Failures
Hong Kong's SFC has fined EFG Bank AG's Hong Kong Branch HK$10.85 million for product due diligence, record-keeping, and late reporting failures spanning 2015 to 2020.
Reserve Bank of Australia Holds Cash Rate at 3.60% at Final December 2025 Meeting
The RBA unanimously held its cash rate at 3.60% in December 2025, closing a year that saw three cuts and five holds totalling 75 basis points of easing.
RBI Imposes ₹99.3 Lakh Penalty on Jammu and Kashmir Bank for KYC and Ombudsman Compliance Failures
The Reserve Bank of India fined Jammu and Kashmir Bank ₹99.3 lakh on 5 December 2025 for breaches related to the Ombudsman Scheme, customer service, and video-based KYC requirements.
Reserve Bank of India Cuts Repo Rate by 25 Basis Points to 5.25% in Fourth Reduction of 2025
The RBI reduced its repo rate to 5.25% on 5 December 2025, the fourth cut of the year, bringing total 2025 easing to 125 basis points while maintaining a neutral policy stance.
RBI issues final amendment directions on businesses banks and their group entities may undertake
The final rules let a bank group run the same business in more than one entity with a Board-approved rationale, apply Upper Layer NBFC rules to lending group entities and set a 31 March 2028 deadline on investment limits.
Indonesia's OJK issues Regulation 23/2025 to bring crypto derivatives under its oversight
Indonesia's Financial Services Authority has amended its digital financial asset trading rules to cover derivatives, requiring exchanges to obtain approval and consumers to pass a knowledge test before trading.
South Korea's Shinhan Financial Group Recommends Jin Ok-dong for Second Chairmanship Term
Shinhan Financial Group has nominated Jin Ok-dong as its candidate for a second three-year chairmanship term beginning March 2026, pending shareholder approval at the March 2026 annual general meeting.