Mobile money, including banking and payments, is encroaching into the everyday life of the consumer. Monetising the business is still proving difficult, but thanks to the abundance of products available already, tangible business models are slowly emerging.
Asia-Pacific
Latest articles from South Korea

What does the future hold for South Korea's leading lights
January 2, 2013As South Korea's economy has developed in recent decades, its major companies have grown in tandem. However, as questions are raised about these companies' lack of contribution to Korean 'society' and concerns are aired over their over-importance to the country's economy, what does the future hold for the likes of Samsung?
Eastern presence keeps growing
July 2, 2012The Banker's Top 1000 new entrants list is dominated by Asia-Pacific-based institutions, with the largest new entrant coming from South Korea and 13 Chinese institutions entering the rankings.

Asia weighs euro impact as global economy rebalances
June 1, 2012Delegates 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.
Australia dominates 'other' Asia-Pacific ranking
April 2, 2012While the Asia-Pacific region's growth story over the past few decades has been powered by Japan and then China, at least as far as banking is concerned, when these two countries are removed from The Banker's Asia-Pacific rankings, it is Australia's banks that come to the fore.

Emerging markets face currency conundrum
April 2, 2012A combination of policy intervention in emerging markets and high residual risks in developed markets means volatility in emerging market currencies looks set to continue.

South Korea makes life difficult for foreign investors
November 1, 2011From drawn-out court cases to labour union strikes, the trials and tribulations of the multinational banks that have tried to invest in South Korea have left many observers with the impression that the country is hostile to foreign capital.

South Korea's shifting economic focus
September 1, 2011South Korea has the second highest debt-to-disposable income ratio in the world, but Choongsoo Kim, governor of the Bank of Korea, insists that the country’s financial system is not at risk, and suggests that balancing the focus between export and domestic demand will lead to sustainable economic growth.

South Korean banks look beyond their borders
September 1, 2011While South Korean manufacturers have achieved global success, the country’s banks have struggled to break out of the domestic market. The government is now looking to introduce new regulations aimed at boosting the international competitiveness of its financial institutions.

Mutual saving bank problems hit South Korea's finance sector
March 23, 2011While South Korea's commercial banks have just enjoyed a record year for earnings, any joy within the country's banking sector has been quelled by problems within its debt-saddled mutual savings banks.