Asia-Pacific
Banking and finance news from China, Japan, India, Australia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific
Nium secures Brazilian central bank authorisation to operate as a payment institution
The Singapore-based cross-border payments firm said the licence will let it offer locally regulated accounts and services in Brazil, including PIX, TED transfers, boletos and prepaid cards, once operational.
Bangladesh Bank fines Bank Asia Tk 30 lakh over foreign currency account breaches
Bangladesh Bank fined Bank Asia Tk 30 lakh after an inspection found kerb-market dollars were deposited into two resident foreign currency accounts and spent abroad.
Reserve Bank of India Proposes Framework Allowing Commercial Banks to Finance Corporate M&A
The RBI has released draft directions that would allow Indian commercial banks to finance corporate acquisitions, lifting a long-standing bar on funding domestic takeovers.
Bank of Korea holds base rate at 2.50% for third consecutive meeting
The Bank of Korea left its base rate at 2.50% for a third straight meeting, citing the need to assess property measures, household debt and won volatility, while keeping its easing stance.
Victoria Power Networks Issues Australia's First Green Bond Under Dual Taxonomies with Westpac as Adviser
Victoria Power Networks completed Australia's first green bond aligned with both the Australian Sustainable Finance Taxonomy and the EU taxonomy, with Westpac acting as Green Structuring Adviser.
Emirates NBD Agrees $3 Billion Deal for 60% Stake in India's RBL Bank
Emirates NBD's $3 billion investment in RBL Bank is described as the largest ever FDI in Indian financial services and the largest equity raise in Indian banking history.
APRA Lifts Westpac's $500 Million Capital Add-On After Bank Completes Multi-Year CORE Risk Programme
Australia's APRA confirmed on 15 October 2025 that Westpac completed its CORE risk transformation programme, removing the remaining $500 million of the capital add-ons it had imposed in 2019.
RBI Governor Malhotra Urges Central Banks to Back CBDCs Over Private Stablecoins at IMF Meetings
Reserve Bank of India Governor Sanjay Malhotra told central banks at the IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings that CBDCs are superior to private stablecoins for cross-border payments.
Commonwealth Bank of Australia's Matt Comyn Confirmed at Helm Until at Least 2028
CBA Chair Paul O'Malley confirmed at the bank's annual general meeting in Brisbane that CEO Matt Comyn will remain in post until at least 2028.
Reserve Bank of New Zealand Cuts OCR by 50 Basis Points to 2.50%
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand reduced its Official Cash Rate by 50 basis points to 2.50% in October 2025, citing weakening economic growth.
Bank of Thailand Holds Rate at 1.50% Under New Governor
The Bank of Thailand kept its policy rate at 1.50% in a 5-2 vote at the first meeting under Governor Vitai Ratanakorn, against market expectations of a 25 bp cut.
Bangladesh Bank Rejects Fine Waivers on Trio of Lenders
Bangladesh Bank's board has upheld fines totalling Tk15 lakh against Sonali Bank, Islami Bank, and Standard Bank for inaccurate classified loan reporting to the Credit Information Bureau.