ASEAN’s QR Payment Interoperability Expands Cross Border Transactions Ahead of Project Nexus 2026

ASEAN countries including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia now have integrated domestic QR payment systems. Full interoperability is expected under Project Nexus—due by 2026—to enable cross-border transactions in local currencies. 1. P

Ant International Eyes Stablecoin Licensing to Streamline Global Payments

Ant International, Ant Group’s overseas arm based in Singapore, is exploring stablecoin license applications globally to support efficient cross-border payments—and emphasizes non-crypto transactions as its focus. 1. Vision for Stablecoins Kelvin

RHB Singapore Aims 12% ROE by 2027 as Profits Surge Nearly 96% in 2024

RHB Bank’s Singapore unit delivered pretax profits of S$98.7 million in 2024—a 95.6% increase year-on-year—and aims to achieve a 12% return on equity by 2027, underscoring its growing role in Southeast Asian financial services. 1. Strong Growth

Singapore Cuts Family Office Setup Time to Three Months to Enhance Competitiveness

Singapore is now reducing the timeframe for opening private bank accounts and accessing family office tax incentives to around three months, down from as long as one year, as part of efforts to preserve its appeal to global wealth clients. 1. Reform

Singapore Penalizes Nine Institutions S$27.45M Over AML Failures in 2023

Singapore’s regulators fined nine banks and financial entities a total of S$27.45 million in connection with deficiencies uncovered during the 2023 money laundering scandal. The enforcement represents the highest cumulative fine since the 1MDB epis

OCBC Sees Q2 Profit Dip on Net Interest Income Revises 2025 Outlook Downwards

OCBC reported a 7% year-on-year drop in its second-quarter net profit to S$1.82 billion, driven by softer net interest income amid global economic uncertainty and trade tensions. The bank also trimmed its 2025 net interest income forecast due to tigh

Analysts Predict MAS Will Delay Further Easing as Front Loaded Export Gains Stabilize

Following MAS’s unchanged policy stance, economists expressed divided views. While some flag diminishing export acceleration, others argue MAS is rightly pausing to assess the impact of earlier easing measures. 1. Survey of Economists According to

MAS Maintains S$NEER Band Setting as Growth Outpaces Disinflation Risks

During its July 2025 policy meeting, the Monetary Authority of Singapore retained the current slope, center, and width of its exchange-rate based policy band (S$NEER), citing stronger-than-expected Q2 GDP and easing trade tensions as justification. 1

Singapore Allocates S$1.1 Billion via EQDP to Bolster Equity Liquidity Beyond Blue‑Chips

Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has designated S$1.1 billion to three fund managers under its S$5 billion Equity Market Development Plan (EQDP), aiming to energize Singapore Exchange liquidity — particularly in small- and mid-cap stocks — a

MAS Holds Monetary Policy Steady Amid Easing Trade Pressures

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has maintained its current exchange rate-centered monetary stance, reflecting cautious optimism as global trade conditions stabilize and domestic inflation remains in check. 1. MAS Decision Snapshot During it