TOPIC

Banking & finance

Related Topics:
Banking & finance
News about the global financial industry with a focus on developments in Hong Kong and China.
last updated:
19 September, 2024
M&A financing picked up in the fourth quarter of last year, with volumes almost doubling year on year to US$14 billion in Asia-Pacific excluding Japan. Photo: dpa
Mergers & Acquisitions

Asia-Pacific loans poised for strong rebound in 2025 with M&A surge

The region’s loan volumes reached US$164 billion in the final three months of 2024 – the strongest fourth-quarter performance in three years.

Yuan

China’s central bank rhetoric on yuan stability takes aim at depreciation risks

Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF)

Hong Kong’s 2024 pension gained 13% at best pace in 4 years

ChatGPT and other generative AIs

Hongkongers’ start-up eyes 100,000 investment pros as AI tool users

Arbor’s ‘reasoning’ chatbot analyses text and extracts investment ideas to enhance fundamental stock analysis, company says.

videocam
Cheney Cheng, co-founder and CEO of Arbor, poses at the Post’s office in Causeway Bay on January 3, 2025. Photo: Edmond So
IPO

Hong Kong exchange’s IPO reforms would draw more listings, bankers say

HKEX proposals on public float and allocation requirements would help city draw more listings, institutional investors, UBS says.

Thailand

Thailand moves to seize tycoon’s assets in US$350 million scam

Boon Vanasin, the founder of Thonburi Healthcare, is wanted on charges of fraud and money laundering after allegedly misleading hundreds of investors.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
China economy

Opinion | Why Trump’s return opens door for China to reform capital markets

If Beijing seizes this chance, it could transform a familiar cycle of confrontation into a foundation for long-term security and leadership.

An electronic screen displays the Shanghai Composite Index on October 8, 2024 in Shanghai, China. Photo: VCG via Getty Images
Switzerland

More records found linking Credit Suisse bank to Nazi accounts: US panel

Tens of thousands of documents are new proof of existence of account holders linked to the Nazis, Senate Budget Committee said on Saturday.

videocam
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong aims to cut costs as deficit expected to hit nearly HK$100 billion

Finance chief Paul Chan pledges to cut recurring expenses and focus on public works such as developing the Northern Metropolis.

55
AIIB

Macroscope | Rising ‘United States of Eurasia’ will need a development bank to support it

From Eurasia’s vast potential to growing new development banks, emerging market economies are carrying more weight in a global economy.

videocam
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) ninth annual conference in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Photo: AIIB
China stock market

Taking stock: global investment banks hedge their bets on China market next year

After a forgettable year, Morgan Stanley, UBS, Goldman Sachs and others make their predictions for Chinese equities in 2025.

videocam
4
Illustration: Brian Wang
Bonds

China hits record panda bond issuance in 2024, with analysts bullish for 2025

With more yuan-denominated panda bonds issued last year than any other, analysts expect even bigger numbers in 2025.

Hong Kong

Letters | A financial centre like Hong Kong must embrace digital evolution

Readers discuss outdated practices across the city’s financial institutions, the basics of promoting snooker, and the West’s ‘my way or the highway’ policy.

HKEX

As Hong Kong rings in 2025, 85 firms miss cutoff to install women in boards

Number of listed firms with all-male boards fell to 3 per cent from 40 per cent when rule was first announced in 2022, HKEX data shows.

People walk outside Exchange Square in Central, home to bourse operator Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing, on November 21, 2024. Photo: May Tse
Sovereign wealth fund

Middle East funds drive 21% surge in sovereign investments in China

US$10.3 billion from state-owned investors flowed into China last year, 62 per cent of it from Persian Gulf nations, says Global SWF.

People visit the Yuyuan Garden Lantern Festival at Yuyuan Garden Mall in Shanghai on January 1, 2025. Photo: Xinhua
Stocks

The View | Languishing wars, a stagnant China? Investors shouldn’t be so sure

While some forecast a 10 per cent rise for the S&P 500 and an underperforming China this year, key variables complicate such outcomes.

videocam
Yuan

China’s battered offshore yuan hits 2-year low against US dollar

And China’s ‘moderately loose’ monetary policy could further widen interest-rate differentials, straining the yuan more, analyst predicts.

9
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Blockchain

Bitcoin doubles in 2024, as analysts expect more gains in 2025

‘We remain convinced US$100,000 is not the final milestone,’ analysts at brokerage Bernstein say.

Bitcoin surged 120 per cent in 2024. Some analysts expect more gains this year. Photo: dpa
Business of climate change

Templewater builds Middle East ties to unlock energy transition potential

Private equity firm eyes opportunities for its entities in vehicle manufacturing and sales distribution in the Gulf Cooperation Council nations.

Hong Kong aviation

Editorial | China’s C919 aims to spread wings further after ‘historic’ Hong Kong service

Launch of first commercial route outside mainland China part of efforts to fly home-made passenger aircraft into global markets.

4
Hong Kong workers/labour rights

How Hong Kong-US ties will shift when Trump returns to power in 2025

Experts say human rights will be ‘far less of a concern’ while the city’s financial services could face increased scrutiny from Washington.

Donald Trump has threatened to slap 60 per cent tariffs on “Made in China” goods. Photo: Getty Images
Business of climate change

Citigroup, BofA join US lenders in leaving global climate-banking alliance

US banks are under pressure from Republican lawmakers to distance themselves from industry groups that support reducing carbon emissions.

Citigroup is the world’s No. 4 underwriter of green bonds since the start of the decade. Photo: Reuters
IPO

Chery adds JPMorgan to arrange US$1 billion Hong Kong listing

The company may seek a valuation of more than 100 billion yuan (US$14 billion ), people familiar with the matter have said.

IPO

Tencent-backed WeDoctor revives plan for Hong Kong fundraising

Earlier this month, sources said the company expected to raise US$400 million to US$500 million.

IPO

Better year expected for IPO bankers as Hong Kong reclaims top 10 global ranking

EV battery maker CATL and condiment producer Foshan Haitian are among mainland industry champions seeking a listing in Hong Kong in 2025.

The Exchange Square in Central, home of the city’s bourse operator Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing. Photo: Sam Tsang
Bonds

Hefty fines reflect resolve of China’s central bank as bond yields plunge

Three institutions are slapped with multimillion-dollar penalties for bypassing regulatory requirements – the first such action taken after PBOC warnings this year.

Amid declining returns from traditional assets such as stocks and real estate, investors are increasingly turning to low-risk options, such as government bonds. Photo: AFP
Cryptocurrency

China’s new forex rules require banks to tighten scrutiny on crypto trades

The State Administration of Foreign Exchange wants banks to monitor and report risky trades, including those involving cryptocurrencies.

Corruption in China

Naughty bankers: China’s financial crackdown saw dozens investigated in 2024

With hopes of becoming a ‘financial superpower’, China has been ramping up efforts to curb risks and keep malfeasance in check.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
loading