Vietnam is on its way to becoming a heavyweight presence in south-east Asia, with the top ranking for asset growth, while Indonesia retains its crown as the most profitable country in the region.  

Indonesia's minister of finance discusses the country's efforts to achieve a sustainable growth path. Budget reforms and fiscal stimulus have already been pushed through. But to tackle the question of poor infrastructure, the government needs more than increased investment.

There might not be much movement among the top positions in this year’s Top 100 Association of South-East Asian Nations Banks ranking, but Filipino lenders are on the rise, while Indonesia’s banks boast the highest returns. 

Indonesia's banking sector holds much promise, thanks in large to the country's vast unbanked population. And with a new, business-friendly president in Joko Widodo, hopes are high that it can finally realise this vast potential.

With global expansion focused on the Asia-Pacific region, Citi is uniquely positioned to take advantage of this growth, with its long presence in the region. Its chief executive in the region talks to Stefania Palma.

The fourth most populous country in the world. A fast-growing economy. A rapidly rising middle class. A huge unbanked population. There is little wonder that domestic and international lenders are focusing on getting their Indonesia strategy just right given the potential rewards on offer, but penetrating this vast archipelago is no easy task.

If the early 2000s were all about the emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China, now attention is shifting to the up-and-coming countries of Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey – the MINTs. And with rapid economic growth predicted, retail banks in these countries will be under enormous pressure to keep up.