Driving World-Class Bank Transformation in Asia Pacific, a recent report by TABInsights and FIS, highlights how leading banks are rearchitecting core systems to compete in a digital-first, AI-driven world.

Krungsri aims to redefine customer loyalty with GIFT, a personalised, gamified rewards platform embedded within its mobile banking app. By aligning everyday digital transactions with real-time incentives, GIFT is driving measurable improvements in engagement, product adoption and behavioural change.

Techcombank has rebuilt its core technology and data architecture, expanded its ecosystem partnerships and redefined its talent model as part of a multi-year transformation. Under CEO Jens Lottner, the bank is repositioning itself as a platform player in Vietnam’s evolving digital economy.

Through its multi-brand ecosystem— heygoody.com, Shield Insurance and Areegator—TIDLOR aims to reshape Thailand’s insurance landscape with digital-first services, cash instalment innovations and a customer experience rooted in empathy and behavioural insights.

RHB Banking Group is translating internal transformation into regional execution under PROGRESS27. Singapore anchors this shift as the group aligns platforms, commercial delivery and operational discipline across ASEAN.

With 18 million consumer banking clients across ASEAN and 11 million digitally active, CIMB is rethinking how it delivers value at every life stage. From payroll-linked onboarding to AI-enhanced advisory, the bank is blending digital scale with local relevance to deepen trust and grow sustainably under its Forward30 transformation agenda.

In the wake of Thailand’s approval of virtual bank licences, leading business, operation, risk management and technology heads from incumbent and emerging financial institutions met to discuss the challenges and opportunities in embedding agility, innovation and resilience into the next phase of banking transformation.

At CIMB’s inaugural ASEAN Media Trip, Group CEO Novan Amirudin and his fellow group banking leaders elaborated on how the bank’s Forward30 strategy, EPICC values and performance indicators are driving a unified, purpose-led approach to growth, digitalisation and execution across its regional network.

At Finance Thailand 2025, senior bankers, policymakers and technologists converged to address how artificial intelligence, digitalisation and regulatory innovation are reshaping the country's financial and economic future.

Chief executive officer for Hong Kong and Greater China & North Asia at Standard Chartered, Mary Huen reflects on the deeper impact of leadership beyond strategy and performance. She finds her greatest energy not in numbers or accolades, but in shaping the next generation of leaders and embedding a culture of aspiration, accountability and adaptability.

Service consumption is key to China's economic transformation, but several challenges must be addressed to enhance household consumption propensity and stimulate demand.

Amid a sluggish auto market, Kasikorn Leasing expanded its leadership in auto financing and strengthened its digital capabilities, supported by synergy with Kasikornbank. Its comprehensive value chain coverage and digital innovations have delivered resilient profitability, and strong credit quality.

Following the successful integration of Citibank’s consumer banking business, UOB Thailand is reshaping its retail banking strategy by focusing on cross-product growth, digital engagement and SME lifecycle support.

Kasikornbank’s Home to Cash has emerged as one of the secured loan innovations in Thailand, combining term loans and overdraft features into a single, flexible facility. Backed by strong digital integration, real-time approvals and a clear customer-centric philosophy, it has driven record portfolio growth, increased market share and established the bank as a top-tier player in the home equity loan space.

Vietnam Maritime Commercial Joint Stock Bank has embraced core and engagement banking modernisation, open-source DevOps, and AI readiness to drive digital agility and competitiveness in one of Southeast Asia’s fastest growing banking markets.