How are South Korea’s regional banks dealing with the low-interest-rate, low-growth environment? Stefania Palma looks at two banks that are using their strong links to the country’s real economy to outperform some of their bigger peers.

India's public sector banks remain the weakest link in the country's banking industry. How are the central bank's repo rate cut and the government's capital infusions affecting these lenders?

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.

Narrower scopes, smaller balance sheets and limited global footprints are not stopping smaller Japanese banks from reinventing themselves at a time when diversifying revenue sources is key. Stefania Palma assesses their progress.

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.