The loans scandal at Kabul Bank, which led to its collapse in 2010, hit not only Afghanistan's already fragile financial sector but also the country's political stability. But as those held responsible for the fraud have been brought to justice and more stringent legislation is put in place, the confidence of international backers is beginning to return.

Delegates at the annual Asian Development Bank meeting in Manila had their attention firmly focused upon another continent – Europe – and what the economic problems in the region may pose for its trade and financial activity in Asia. 

The Japanese Pro-Bond market, which was created in 2011, allows foreign issuers an easier route to Japan’s ample liquidity than through the traditional Samurai market. However, it needed a ground-breaking deal, and Dutch bank ING obliged.

The metals brokerage market is consolidating as regulatory costs rise, but the growth of Asian demand means this is still a valuable business for those with the right scale and organisation.

Emerging market growth is changing the strategy for the commodities business at the same time that tighter regulation is altering the relationship between banks, merchant traders and investment funds.

An increasing number of financial institutions from international banks to local specialist players are developing sharia-compliant structured products, offering investors limited downside risk and high returns. But as the uptake for such products increases, so does the pressure of ensuring that they are 100% sharia-friendly.

As Asia's population grows richer, the continent's wealth management industry is struggling to keep pace and meet the needs of the ever-expanding number of high-net-worth individuals. Gone are the days of simply poaching such staff, and many banks are now focusing on producing home-grown talent.

A Surendran, a general manager and head of international banking with Federal Bank of India, tells The Banker about the bank's innovative payments strategy designed to improve access to banking channels and boost the provision of electronic transactions.