Ranina Sanglap

A number of Asia-Pacific banks decreased their leverage ratios in the quarter ended Sept. 30 with some Indian banks seeing strong credit growth that led to their leverage ratios declining in the period.

India’s central bank designated State Bank of India, ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank as domestic systemically important banks and said the banking sector is capable of absorbing macroeconomic shocks even in the absence of any further capital infusion.

India’s biggest lender reported a rise in its net interest interest margin to 3.69% in the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2022, helping the lender to report its highest-ever net profit of 142.05 billion rupees for the quarter.

India’s biggest lenders, including State Bank of India, HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank grew earnings in the December quarter as they take advantage of credit growth, rising interest rates and improved asset quality.

A revival of tourism in Thailand could accelerate the resolution of stressed loans in the nation’s banking sector, as tourism-related borrowers could be in a better place to repay their loans.

Vietnam’s banking sector is expected to see more M&A in 2023 and 2024 as banks look for capital and the economy proves to be attractive to investors.

Global finance chiefs speaking at a summit organized by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority spoke about where the next crisis may emerge for the financial services industry after bank failures earlier in 2023 in the US and Europe.

Aggregate gross customer loans classified as stage 2 loans under the IFRS 9 standards at the big four Australian banks rose to 17.93% in the year ended Sept. 30, 2023, from 15.87% a year ago, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence data.

India’s largest lenders face slowing growth and shrinking margins as deposit gains fail to keep pace with credit demand, despite them posting year-over-year net income increases in the fiscal third quarter.

Singapore’s largest banks are likely to extend their profit run after posting better-than-expected results in the quarter ended March 31, as a continued recovery in fee income and stable net interest income bode well for further earnings growth.