Latest articles from James King

South Korea flag and currency

The pending transformation of South Korea’s banking industry

March 29, 2023

South Korea’s financial regulators are exploring ways to increase competition in the sector and break the dominance of the biggest lenders.

An array of CCTV cameras trained on an empty office chair.

Challenges ahead for Nigeria and South Africa as they join FATF grey list

March 16, 2023

FATF’s greylisting of Africa’s two biggest economies will deepen existing economic troubles in both markets.

An extreme close-up of a Turkish Lira coin.

Turkey’s controversial monetary policy continues

March 3, 2023

The central bank of Turkey’s macroprudential adjustments has made the operating environment for the country’s banks increasingly complex.

A woman sitting in a branch of NBB, pointing to a leaflet.

Bahraini lenders eye mortgage boost

February 27, 2023

Having benefited from high government spending during the pandemic, Bahrain’s banks are looking to the retail sector to support growth in the coming year.

A busy Bahraini market street, with stalls selling a variety of foodstuffs.

Bahrain’s economy enjoys respite despite long-term challenges

February 20, 2023

The country faces an uphill battle to prepare for a future beyond oil.

The US, UK and EU flags overlaid on one another.

Basel III reforms go-live aimed at 2025

February 16, 2023

The delayed Basel III reforms are poised for progress in 2023, but there are signs of divergence between EU, UK and US implementation.

Asia on globe

Multi-currency will define the ‘Asian century’

December 9, 2022

As the centre of the world seems to shift eastwards, the region is turning away from the US dollar and towards bilateral local currency settlement.

World map graph

The year ahead: reconfiguring business as usual

November 29, 2022

The global economy is at an inflection point, as governments unwind their Covid-19 relief programmes, political tensions ratchet up and inflation hits double-digits in many countries. Is there a crisis in the making?

Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia initiative targets capital market growth

November 24, 2022

The country’s capital market regulator aims to bolster digitisation and SME access to finance, but it is failing to address fundamental problems.

Singapore green skyline

Singapore-China green finance agreement signals regional trend

November 17, 2022

A set of new sustainable development initiatives is establishing Singapore as a green finance hub and hints at Beijing’s broader intentions in the region.

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