The poor state of Japan's farmland, fishing grounds and forests should spell bad news for the co-operative financial operation that traditionally caters to these fields – Norinchukin Bank. However, as its CEO explains, the lender's overseas activities and the country's thirst for innovation have seen it post record profits recently.
Aside from its three mega-banks, Japan has a financial network that includes shinkin banks, co-operative banks and city and regional institutions. Stefania Palma explores how each is responding to Japan’s economic slowdown given their different mandates, structures and resources.
The renminbi is now the world's fifth most popular international payment currency, and has the fourth placed Japanese yen in its sights. Financial policy reform and the introduction of new clearing centres have been crucial to this rise, but will the troubles the Chinese economy has experienced in the past few months derail its progress?
Japan's mega-banks – Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group and Mizuho Financial Group – have faced a number of challenges over the past few years, from the country's low-interest-rate environment to its ageing population. However, by diversifying their revenue sources and geographical portfolios, these lenders are managing to defy stagnant domestic conditions.
China's One Belt, One Road initiative – building a new Silk Road between western Europe and China's east coast as well as improving the Maritime Silk Road – will be a major game changer for international trade. Stefania Palma assesses its possible impact.
Tseng Ming-chung, chairman of Taiwan’s Financial Supervisory Commission, is seen by many as the bringer of long-awaited deregulation and reform. Two years into his mandate, Mr Tseng gives The Banker an update on his strategy, which is already bearing fruit.
Jiang Jianqing, the chairman of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, explains how the largest bank in the world in capital, profits and assets is dealing with China’s economic slowdown, structural reforms and new privately owned, tech-savvy entrants in the banking sector.
China's economic growth is slowing and its banking sector is having to adapt to new policies aimed at bringing the market closer to the final reform of liberalising interest rates. Even the largest banks in the country have had to reconsider their strategies to face this evolving environment. How will they reinvent themselves? Stefania Palma reports.
The problems facing China's small, province-focused banks – the country's economic slowdown, deteriorating asset quality, increasing costs – are much the same as those facing the 'big four'. However, smaller banks are also having to contend with enormous debt problems run up by their provinces. Stefania Palma looks at how two of them – Bank of Nanjing and China Zheshang Bank – are faring.
The Postal Savings Bank of China has already stunned the market with its remarkable ascent since its establishment in 2007. Now, talks of an initial public offering, sustained growth and diversification of its business are making the bank's extraordinary rise even more impressive. Stefania Palma explores these new developments.
Drops in oil prices have undeniably affected Malaysia’s economy. But minister of financial affairs Wahid Omar tells Stefania Palma how this was also a blessing to a country that is successfully diversifying its economy and government revenue sources through reforms such as the introduction of a goods and services tax.