Hydrocarbon resources account for more than 90% of exports and more than 50% of gross domestic product in Brunei. But, thanks to the country's historical surpluses and government's spending discipline, it has weathered the storm of falling oil prices relatively well, with local banks remaining in profit and even eyeing growth.
Global oil price volatility may be weighing heavily on Malaysia’s economy, but such events are not putting the country’s banking sector off its stride. Indeed, its lenders are increasingly looking to opportunities in the Asean region and Islamic banking to diversify their balance sheets.
The banking licences being granted to private companies in China look set to shake up the country's financial sector, with its 'big four' lenders coming under pressure from tech-savvy newcomers with a strong customer network, such as Alibaba and Tencent.
A steady, sustainable growth story; an underbanked population; a key player in the Asean region; solid financial regulation; an embracing of PPPs to tackle huge infrastructure needs; and a nascent asset management industry. The Philippines is awash with opportunity for lenders, but who will take advantage?
As the wealth of Asia-Pacific's high-net-worth individuals continues to swell, so too does the size and reputation of the region's private banking industry. This is leading to speculation about whether its two main hubs – Singapore and Hong Kong – may be growing to such status that one day they will replace Switzerland as the global private banking capital.
Taiwan’s banks may have performed perfectly adequately in recent years, but now with increasing internationalisation, consolidation in the market and new tools for managing the country’s excess liquidity, the sector is poised for a hike in growth.
South Korea's banks have enjoyed mixed fortunes in 2014, a year that has seen high-profile scandals rock the country's largest lenders and in which innovative hybrid funding has characterised a spirit of innovation and growth among the country's small and regional players.
Hong Kong’s banks are unfazed by the student protests that have captured the world’s attention. Bankers remain upbeat about prospects for the continuing internationalisation of the renminbi, the maturing dim sum market and Hong Kong’s inclusion in China’s growth plans.
Despite the plunge in the value of the renminbi earlier this year and growing concerns over China's long-term growth, the offshore renminbi bond market shows no signs of slowing down. Issuance volumes continue increasing annually, but most importantly the market is becoming more sophisticated.
The Chinese government and the People’s Bank of China are yet to disclose the formal details concerning China’s International Payment Platform, but there is little doubt that the new system will fundamentally change the renminbi clearing market as well as the future of offshore renminbi hubs.