Profile of Asian Banking

Asian countries vary widely in the size and development of their banking systems relative to their populations, but none has nearly as many banks per capita as the U.S. This is an indicator of government’s historically tight control over the sector. Market deregulation should bring about more choices for consumers. Asia’s banks are also accustomed to paying comparatively low rates for deposits and charging high rates on loans—only Japan has a narrower spread than the U.S. between savings and lending rates. Increased competition is starting to redress this disparity.

Sources: Matthews, HK Monetary Authority, MAS, CBRC, RBI, Government of India, U.S. Federal Rerserve,
Merrill Lynch, Daiwa, Bloomberg, Census Bureau, company annual reports, asianbanks.net

In This Isssue

Front Page

Banking on Asia
Banks across Asia are undergoing a profound transformation - cultural as well as operational - in an effort to capitalize on the region's growth.

China: Setting the Pace
Nowhere are the changes in Asian banking practices more evident - or more sweeping - than in China.

How Asia's Banks are Changing
Cleaning up bad debt, tightening credit controls and learning to cater to consumers.

Profile of Asian Banking
Asian countries vary widely in the size and development of their banking systems relative to their populations, but none has nearly as many banks per capita as the U.S.

AsiaNow is a series of special reports produced by Matthews. with your questions, comments or feedback.

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