Retail Banking News Updates, January 18th 2012

Thai bank delays purchase of HSBC’s Thai retail unit
Thailand’s Bank of Ayudhya will delay plans to sign a deal to buy HSBC's Thai credit card and retail business, due to paperwork issues. HSBC's retail business has a loan portfolio of about $942 million to $1.26 billion and about 500,000 credit card customers. The deal is subject to regulatory approval.

SBP and PTA sign MoU to promote mobile banking
State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop an appropriate technology and regulatory framework to promote mobile banking in the country. The main objective of the MoU is to create the framework through a consultative process to strengthen mobile banking to support the provision of banking services as authorised by SBP.

Egyptian bank launches ‘card-less’ bill payment
Egypt’s Crédit Agricole Egypt (CAE), has launched its latest bill payment service to both customers and non-customers which does not require a CAE debit or credit card. This allows their customers to pay their bills using cash, debit cards or credit cards through convenient and secure channels that are available 24/7.

Bank Mandiri and BCA connect via ATMs
Indonesia’s Bank Mandiri and Bank Central Asia (BCA) have officially connected their ATM systems on Monday. Bank Mandiri signed a deal in October 2011 with Prima ATM network service provider Rintis Sejahtera, which carries 48 banks, including BCA, to allow customers under the network to transfer money, check balances and withdraw funds.

Re-disseminated by The Asian Banker