Hong Kong remains the leading offshore renminbi (RMB) centre, while London has emerged as a key player, leveraging its position as the world’s largest foreign exchange (forex) trading hub and its extensive access to Chinese capital markets.

China and the United Kingdom (UK) have significant potential to enhance connectivity between their bond markets, with key areas of cooperation in collateral recognition and green finance.

HSBC Singapore’s Live+ credit card focuses on the emerging affluent segment, offering high cashback and curated rewards in dining, shopping and entertainment. Regina Lee, head of cards and unsecured loans at HSBC Singapore, explains how the card combines customer insights with HSBC’s international network to create a differentiated lifestyle proposition.

HSBC Singapore’s Live+ credit card, which was recognised as the Best Cash Back Card in Asia Pacific, stands out for its lifestyle benefits, high cashback rates, overseas advantages and strong market uptake.

The financial industry is undergoing a rapid transformation, with banks and fintechs integrating artificial intelligence (AI) to improve efficiency and customer experience. While some firms merely add AI-driven features, Klarna is taking a far more radical approach—restructuring its entire organisation around AI to become the most efficient AI-driven bank.

Postal Savings Bank of China leverages big data and comprehensive financial services, together with tech partner NorthKing, to better support China’s rural revitalisation strategy through its ‘One County, One Product’ initiative, promoting agricultural brands and empowering rural communities.

Kuang Wenchuan, President of GienTech Research Institute, explored how artificial intelligence and next-generation digital infrastructure like its ORIGIEN support financial institutions worldwide in their digital transformation efforts.

Vietcombank, VietinBank, Cake, BIDV and TPBank were recognised at The TAB Global Excellence in Retail Finance and Technology Innovation Vietnam Awards 2025 in Hanoi.

Vietnam’s banking sector is entering a new phase of transformation, fuelled by robust economic growth, demographic tailwinds, supportive regulation and a deepening commitment to technology, trust and transparency. The Asian Banker Vietnam Awards 2025 spotlighted the banks that exemplify leadership in applying innovation to real-world impact across AI, personalisation, SME banking, embedded finance, ESG, cybersecurity and industry consolidation in Vietnam in 2024.

Tokenisation and blockchain are rapidly becoming transformative forces in finance, with the potential to enhance security, transparency and efficiency. Industry experts explored how these technologies can reshape asset management and pave the way for a new era of digital trust.

Indonesia’s Kata.ai evolves from a personal assistant app into a leading B2B conversational AI platform, offering multilingual voice, chat and digital avatar solutions to banks and businesses across Indonesia and beyond.

Quantum computing promises unparalleled speed and power in risk modelling, data analysis and security. As this technology transitions to practical applications, leading experts discussed how financial institutions can proactively embrace its benefits.

China's technological capabilities have been gaining attention, with noteworthy developments taking place at a rapid pace. As the third sessions of the 14th National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee begin, they highlight how innovation drives holistic progress for China and beyond.‬‬‬

As the banking industry shifts to high-frequency interactions, AI, open banking and embedded finance drive real-time services, requiring financial institutions to rethink speed, integration and user experience.

Under CEO Sanath Manatunge, Commercial Bank of Ceylon has maintained its position at the forefront of Sri Lanka’s banking sector, focusing on asset quality, digital transformation and support for SMEs amid ongoing economic challenges.