Financing for priority sectors still modest despite policy ambitions, says BNM Governor
KUALA LUMPUR: Financing for catalytic priority sectors has remained relatively modest despite strong policy ambitions in national master plans, with lending approvals continuing to be concentrated in services, said Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) governor Datuk Seri Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour.
Affin Bank unveils new debit card
Affin Bank Bhd has unveiled its new AFFIN LuminouSITI Visa Debit Card, offering customers a range of lifestyle, entertainment, shopping and dining privileges.
Indonesia's central bank holds rates steady, as expected
JAKARTA: Indonesia's central bank on Wednesday held interest rates steady at its first meeting after Destry Damayanti's appointment as governor earlier this month, in line with market expectations.
HLB Islamic channels RM138,600 to SURI entrepreneurs under iTEKAD
KUALA LUMPUR: HLB Islamic has channelled RM138,600 in social financing to social enterprise SURI Inspirasi under Bank Negara Malaysia's (BNM) iTEKAD framework.
Rising bond yield poser for banks
A rising bond yield environment following the recent 25 basis points (bps) hike in the United States' interest rate may be a dampener on local banks' profit outlook in the short to medium term.
Bank Indonesia to intervene in forex, bond markets to stabilise rupiah, official says
JAKARTA: Bank Indonesia said on Monday it will intervene in the foreign exchange market to ensure it operates smoothly, and will use offshore non-deliverable forwards, domestic non-deliverable forwards, spot foreign exchange and purchases of bonds in the secondary market.
Global rate-hike cycle expected to be muted
FRANKFURT: The prospect of a new global interest rate-tightening cycle is coming into view as some of the world's top central banks raise rates and signal more may be needed to tame inflation fuelled by the Iran war.
Banking sector tailwinds forecast to fade past 2027
PETALING JAYA: Tailwinds persist within the banking sector but some will not last indefinitely, with the main threat to growth prospects being current levels of loan demand not sustaining past 2027, and wealth management still being in its "low-hanging fruit" phase.
Indonesia retains US$17bil standby funds
JAKARTA: Indonesia's new finance minister will retain the policy of his predecessor of keeping about US$17bil in the government's standby funds with state lenders to boost borrowing and economic activity.
A difficult balancing act looms for Bank of Japan
TOKYO: Nobody likes a back-seat driver. Bank of Japan (BoJ) Governor Kazuo Ueda now has two – and they want to move at different speeds.
