Calmer FX markets sees fewer US multinationals hedge
by Graham Buck
With currency volatility at a five-year low, more companies are taking the risk of going unhedged.
Region
Nordea extends we.trade blockchain platform to SMEs
by Graham Buck
Nordea is opening up the co-developed platform to smaller businesses after pilot customers used it for the first live trades last July.
China begins trading of defaulted corporate bonds
by Graham Buck
The first completed transactions could see the development of a future junk bond market in the country.
Hong Kong boosts sustainability credentials
by Graham Buck
New measures announced by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority will encourage sustainable banking and green finance.
Netherlands to issue green bond of up to €6bn on May 21
by Graham Buck
The country is the first with a triple-A credit rating to issue this type of security.
Chinese corporate defaults on an upward curve
by Graham Buck
This year will be by far the biggest for defaults in China’s $13 trillion bond market, predicts Bloomberg.
Hong Kong chooses Euroclear international ETF structure
by Graham Buck
Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing is Asia’s first stock market to adopt the ICSD exchange traded funds settlement model in Euroclear Bank.
Starbucks brews up blockchain solutions
by Graham Buck
The coffee chain is working with Microsoft to give consumers more information on each stage of its supply chain.
Thailand moves closer to central bank digital currency
by Graham Buck
The Bank of Thailand’s project prototype is being finalised by the R3 blockchain consortium and Wipro.
Federated Investors buys $14bn in fund assets from PNC
by Graham Buck
One of the biggest US providers of money market funds used for liquidity management is set to grow even bigger.
Federal Reserve warns on record US corporate debt
by Graham Buck
Leveraged loans grew by 20% in 2018 to reach $1.1 trillion and those going to riskier borrowers exceed previous peaks in 2007 and 2014.
BlackRock and HSBC launch Saudi investment funds
by Graham Buck
The two groups, both major asset managers, have launched exchange-traded funds focused on the Gulf state’s larger corporates.
US financial institutions anticipate faster payments demand
by Graham Buck
While most see demand for faster payments underway, only a minority have put a strategy in place a survey suggests.
Asia Development Bank pledges $5bn for cleaner oceans
by Graham Buck
The bank’s president says the region’s future prosperity rests on encouraging sustainable development.
Dutch group Volt offers single access point to open banking
by Graham Buck
The Netherlands-based open banking specialist promises access to more than 4,000 Europe banks via a single API.
Brazil moves a step closer to open banking
by Graham Buck
The Central Bank of Brazil has issued regulations which would see the country’s top 12 banks open up customer data to third parties.
Standard Bank acquires custody and derivatives business
by Graham Buck
Africa’s largest bank by assets is taking over the portfolio from Legae Peresec, South Africa’s largest securities trading firm.
Amazon joins the blockchain party
by Graham Buck
Amazon Web Services has released Amazon Managed Blockchain, a fully-managed Hyperledger Fabric service first announced in November.
Survey has Hong Kong favourite for regional treasury centres
by Graham Buck
China’s booming economy and HK’s proximity to the mainland have helped it achieve prominence, reports East & Partners.
Banks agree $2bn loan for Vietnam coal-fired power plant
by Graham Buck
JBIC leads the consortium that will fund a project that breaches international agreements to phase out fossil fuels.
Amazon Pay enters India’s P2P payments market
by Graham Buck
Despite an already crowded market, the online giant believes that the country still lacks an efficient money transfer service.
Stripe’s billing product makes debut in Europe
by Graham Buck
The US online payments platform provider says that Stripe Billing can help European businesses of all sizes get paid faster.
Equifax buys PayNet, pledges innovative solutions for SMEs
by Graham Buck
The US data analytics and tech company says the deal should produce better access to capital for small to medium-sized businesses.
Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank abandon merger talks
by Graham Buck
After nearly six weeks of negotiations, Germany’s two biggest banks decided the risks and costs of a union were excessive.