NEWS of Malaysian Industrial Development Finance Bhd (MIDF) possibly merging with MBSB Bank Bhd has reignited interest in consolidation within the local banking industry.
After being low for many years, global key interest rates have started trending higher, goaded on by inflationary pressure. For banks, generally, this is a good thing as higher interest rates tend to translate into higher earnings. However, there is also the issue of a higher cost of funding for lenders as interest rates move north.
THE digital banking scene in Indonesia is heating up, and both financial technology (fintech) and technology firms in Southeast Asia, particularly Singapore, are making a beeline for the region’s most populous nation, keen to participate in its growth. The country released long-awaited digital banking guidelines in August, which are set to take effect at the end of this month.
KUALA LUMPUR: The banking sector has reacted positively to the initiatives included in Budget 2022, which has been lauded as expansionary and with the rakyat's well-being in mind.