Bank Simpanan Nasional is pursuing a multi-pronged digital transformation programme to broaden financial inclusion, improve customer experience and enhance operational efficiency. By deploying mobile banking, generative AI and process automation, the bank is adapting its service model to meet rising customer expectations while maintaining its mandate as Malaysia’s national savings institution.
The opening day of the China AI Innovation Study Tour 2025 in Shanghai highlighted three dimensions of China’s digital transformation. Delegates visited CloudWalk Technology, Douyin and ZhongAn Insurance, gaining first-hand insight into how artificial intelligence underpins national infrastructure, drives platform-based commerce and reshapes financial services.
Agentic AI is reshaping lending by handling routine tasks and freeing bankers to focus on strategy, clients and growth.
As Sibos returns to Frankfurt from 29 September to 2 October 2025, under the theme “The next frontiers of global finance”, discussions on stablecoins and tokenised assets will shift from pilot projects to practical deployment. Deutsche Bank’s Chan Boon Hiong explained how tokenised finance is reshaping foreign exchange, collateral and settlement, why harmonisation will remain elusive, and why tokenised deposits, stablecoins and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) are set to coexist rather than converge.
As Sibos 2025 convenes in Frankfurt from late September to early October, Katja Lehr of JP Morgan and Akshika Gupta of Kinexys by JPMorgan laid out what banks and financial institutions could expect on payments evolution, interoperability, digital assets and tokenised deposits, and how the industry is bridging traditional finance with blockchain-based infrastructures.
As Sibos returns to Europe, Dhiraj Bajaj, global head of transaction banking FI sales at Standard Chartered, outlines what banks and financial institutions can expect in Frankfurt, from digital assets and AI to cross-border payments, ISO 20022, cybersecurity and the evolving role of Swift.
India and China sustained rapid expansion in small business bank loans, while Thailand and Indonesia faced stagnation or contraction amid rising credit risks, and financing constraints persisted in the Philippines.
Bridge, acquired by Stripe in 2025, is positioning stablecoins as an invisible but powerful settlement layer for global commerce. By integrating into Stripe’s financial accounts, powering Visa-backed cards, and handling compliance by design, Bridge is betting that programmable money will quietly transform cross-border payments, treasury management, and the next phase of internet commerce.
Standard Chartered has been at the forefront of bridging the world of crypto-native innovation and regulated finance. Rene Michau, group head of digital assets, explained the journey from early pilots to institutional-grade infrastructure, the challenges of regulation and scaling, and the opportunities digital assets present for mainstream banking.
At Finance Philippines 2025, Jose Teodoro Limcaoco, president and CEO of Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) and president of the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP), urged the industry to become smarter, more proactive and much bolder as it navigates rapid transformation.
Affluent investors across Asia are rebalancing portfolios, accelerating adoption of alternatives and embracing hybrid advisory models. HSBC’s 2025 Affluent Investor Snapshot reveals declining cash allocations, stronger appetite for private markets and gold, and a generational shift towards digital-first investing. Lavanya Chari, global head of wealth and premier solutions, explained how HSBC is adapting its platforms, products and cross-border hubs to serve the next wave of globally mobile clients.
Asia Pacific is at the heart of Stripe’s global growth plans. With localised infrastructure, stablecoin-based accounts, and AI embedded into payments, fraud detection and orchestration, Stripe is layering new rails onto one of the world’s most diverse financial ecosystems. Its goal is to reduce friction, build resilience, and prepare for an era where commerce is increasingly AI-native and cross-border.
Alliance Bank Malaysia has introduced virtual credit cards, dynamic card numbers and embedded personal financing into partner platforms, to grow market share, improve efficiency and integrate banking into customers’ daily digital activities.
Following its operational readiness and the April 2025 launch of its beta “PERINTIS” phase, KAF Digital Bank is steadily rolling out Shariah-compliant digital banking services anchored in feedback-led iteration, SME focus, embedded finance and ASEAN connectivity.
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