Malaysian banks like Public Bank and Maybank are reaping good profits from their foray into Cambodia, including offering affordable housing loans that is strict in Malaysia at present. >>
2 – Shinhan Bank starts operation in Myanmar as first Korean bank
Shinhan said on Sept. 20 that it has opened its Yangon branch in Myanmar to start its operation for customers for the first time as a Korean Bank. >>
3 – Banks, telco regulator create five step m-banking security plan for Thailand
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) hosted a meeting with representatives from the Bank of Thailand, the Thai Bankers Association and the Telecommunications Association of Thailand. The participants have agreed on a five-step plan to tighten Know Your Customer (KYC) rules to increase confidence in eBanking and mobile banking in the run up to the launch of Thailand’s Promptpay national mobile payments system. >>
4 – How PH can keep up with Asean neighbors
The Philippines would need to improve infrastructure, facilitate ease of doing business, streamline government services, and cut red tape to attract more foreign investors into the country. >>
1 – Zara enters Vietnam with first store at Ho Chi Minh City’s Vincom Center
Zara opens its doors to its first store in Vietnam at Ho Chi Minh City’s Vincom Center. >>
2 – In Japan, department stores pin hopes on ‘around 50′ generation
Major department stores are focusing on fashion for customers who are around 50 years old, developing their own brands in the hope of boosting sluggish clothing sales. >>
3 – Mobile World Vietnam ousted from Big C
Vietnam’s largest phone retail chain, Mobile World has reportedly been asked to close its 22 outlets located inside Big C hypermarket stores. >>
4 – Final bids in for McDonald’s China business
Final bids are in from at least three groups bidding for the McDonald’s China and Hong Kong business. >>
1 – CIMB gets licence to start banking business in Vietnam
CIMB Group Holdings Bhd has been granted an operating licence to start a banking business in Vietnam. >>
2 – Partnering with fintech start-ups a win-win solution: UOB
Fintech start-up applications could efficiently fill gaps in financial services that banks were unable to work on, such as unbankable small and medium enterprises (SMEs). >>
3 – Indonesia : Integration scheme to ease e-payments
Consumers want to conduct daily payments cheaply and without hassle, presenting regulators with the task of ensuring that each player in the banking and IT sectors works together for the benefit of consumers. >>
4 – Japanese banks eye Africa
KYODO – THE three mega-banks said they will expand their businesses in Africa, following Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s pledge last weekend to bolster measures to boost investment in the resource-rich continent. >>
Yum! Brands has agreed with two partners to invest $460 million into Yum China, following its spinoff from the American fast-food giant. >>
2 – Mall of Korea plans more shopping malls in Thailand
THE MALL OF KOREA (MOK), a group of Korean entertainment companies, is set to expand its business in Thailand, beginning with a new shopping mall at Show DC, scheduled to open its doors in November. >>
3 – China’s V-Grass to buy Korean youth fashion brand Teenie Weenie for nearly $900 million
South Korea apparel and retail firm E-Land Group is selling a youth clothing brand to China’s V-Grass Fashion Co Ltd (603518.SS) for nearly $900 million, cashing in on a boom in Korean fashion and cosmetics China to raise funds to cut debt. >>
4 – HappyFresh slams door on Philippines
While announcing it has raised series-B funding for an undisclosed amount, Jakarta-based grocery delivery platform HappyFresh has revealed that it is pulling out of the Philippines and Taiwan. >>
Just one in five Africans have a bank account. This is an enormous opportunity for companies looking to bank the unbanked but it doesn’t come without a few challenges. >>
2 – 4 million unbanked Filipinos to benefit from credit scoring
Four million unbanked Filipinos are seen to benefit from the nascent credit scoring industry, a development that is seen to provide those at the bottom of the economy an easy access to credit once the service is available to the public. >>
3 – After rapid expansion, banks in Vietnam settle into stability
Many banks here have emerged much stronger from the NPLs(Non Performing Loans) crisis, with better risk management practices, improved systems, and stronger management. >>
4 – Krungsri committed to branch network growth
By assets, Krungsri is ranked the fifth-largest Thai bank, but its current number of branches, 644, is well behind the 1,100-1,200 at each of the top four banks: Bangkok Bank, Krungthai Bank, Siam Commercial Bank and Kasikornbank. >>
