The problems facing China's small, province-focused banks – the country's economic slowdown, deteriorating asset quality, increasing costs – are much the same as those facing the 'big four'. However, smaller banks are also having to contend with enormous debt problems run up by their provinces. Stefania Palma looks at how two of them – Bank of Nanjing and China Zheshang Bank – are faring.
The Postal Savings Bank of China has already stunned the market with its remarkable ascent since its establishment in 2007. Now, talks of an initial public offering, sustained growth and diversification of its business are making the bank's extraordinary rise even more impressive. Stefania Palma explores these new developments.
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank has the potential to reallocate both Chinese and Western savings into projects that will boost the global economy and satisfy China's aspirations for a leadership role.
The banking licences being granted to private companies in China look set to shake up the country's financial sector, with its 'big four' lenders coming under pressure from tech-savvy newcomers with a strong customer network, such as Alibaba and Tencent.
As the wealth of Asia-Pacific's high-net-worth individuals continues to swell, so too does the size and reputation of the region's private banking industry. This is leading to speculation about whether its two main hubs – Singapore and Hong Kong – may be growing to such status that one day they will replace Switzerland as the global private banking capital.
Hong Kong’s banks are unfazed by the student protests that have captured the world’s attention. Bankers remain upbeat about prospects for the continuing internationalisation of the renminbi, the maturing dim sum market and Hong Kong’s inclusion in China’s growth plans.
Despite the plunge in the value of the renminbi earlier this year and growing concerns over China's long-term growth, the offshore renminbi bond market shows no signs of slowing down. Issuance volumes continue increasing annually, but most importantly the market is becoming more sophisticated.
The Chinese government and the People’s Bank of China are yet to disclose the formal details concerning China’s International Payment Platform, but there is little doubt that the new system will fundamentally change the renminbi clearing market as well as the future of offshore renminbi hubs.