Despite the international credit crunch, banks in the Philippines grew lending by 24% in the first half of 2008 and asset quality continues to improve, says the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) governor.
Asia-Pacific
Indonesia mines a rich seam
September 1, 2008Banks in Indonesia are looking to commodity plays as inflation hinders growth in the region. Writer Simon Montlake in Jakarta.
Big Four less dominant as smaller players rise
August 4, 2008China’s biggest banks have enjoyed another good year, but The Banker’s figures show that the steepest growth is among its other institutions. Stephen Timewell reports.
Born talker unfazed by politics
August 4, 2008State Bank of India chairman Om Prakash Bhatt tells Karina Robinson how the bank’s mission is more than delivering higher profits.
Kazakhstan Searches for pain relief
August 4, 2008When the credit crunch struck, Kazakhstan was first hit and worst hit among emerging markets. Philip Alexander looks for signs of recovery.
China listings delay tests foreign patience
July 1, 2008Despite talk of China allowing foreign companies to list on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, there has been little action. HSBC and others are getting frustrated by the wait, reports Michael Imeson.
Turn risk to opportunity
July 1, 2008Dennis Engbarth talks to opposition Democratic Progressive Party chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen about the challenges in negotiating with mainland China.
Hostilities thaw on Taiwan Strait
July 1, 2008Taiwan and China are once again looking to formally agree a financial relationship. Dennis Engbarth reports.
Drowning under the mainland wave
June 2, 2008Moves to make the renminbi freely convertible, combined with the growth of rival financial centres on the Chinese mainland such as Shanghai, are chipping away at Hong Kong’s importance to international investors. Karina Robinson reports.
A complex predicament
June 2, 2008With a growing financial industry and a host of new sectors set to develop, will Pakistan hold its own amid market slowdown and troubled domestic politics? Karina Robinson reports from Karachi.