China's banking goliath: from growth engine to economic drag
you are currently viewing:China's banking goliath: from growth engine to economic dragMarch 6, 2026-China's banking system has long been utilised as a quasi-government tool to channel China’s huge household savings towards the government's objectives. This has been instrumental to the country's economic miracle, yet the support it provides is diminishing as banks face rapidly falling profitability and stretched balance sheets. This will have important consequences for the Chinese economy. Thirty years ago, China lacked a functional financial sector. By 1998, banks were saddled with 50% non-performing loans, prompting a massive recapitalisation. The rebuilt system, centred around four giant, state-owned banks, amassed deposits from a thrifty population who could not move their money abroad due to capital controls. Source: Bruegel |
February 27, 2026--Harvest International Asset Management Limited ("Harvest International") recently launched the "Harvest China-US Technology 50 ETF" (fund code: 3169). This fund aims to provide investors with a convenient and efficient investment tool, offering a one-stop investment strategy to access core assets in China and the United States, two major global technology innovation centers, and capitalize on the opportunities presented by the new round of global technology cycle driven by artificial intelligence (AI).
February 18, 2026--More forceful macroeconomic stimulus,stronger social protection,and fiscal support for the property sector can help boost domestic demand,especially consumption
China’s economy has proved resilient in the face of multiple shocks,boosted by robust exports and fiscal stimulus,and it remains a major driver of global growth.
February 17, 2026--The Japanese economy has displayed impressive resilience in the face of global shocks and is experiencing a sustained period of output growing above potential. Domestic demand has been robust and unemployment remains low. After three decades of near-zero inflation, prices have been growing faster than the BOJ's 2-percent target for three and a half years. While nominal wages are rising at a historic pace, there are persistent concerns about the cost of living as high inflation erodes household purchasing power.
February 9, 2026-Bloomberg today announced that ETF Shares, an emerging Australian ETF issuer has adopted BSKT, Bloomberg's ETF creation and redemption tool to help automate ETF primary markets workflows, increasing operational efficiency and the ability to better manage risk.
February 6, 2026--Monthly Purchases of overseas listed ETFs by Korean retail investors showed consistently strong demand throughout 2025. The number of ETFs purchased each month ranged between 19 and 32, with the year beginning at 22 ETFs in January, rising to a peak of 32 ETFs in April, and ending with 27 ETFs in December, up from 26 in December 2024.
February 2, 2026-Solactive is pleased to announce its collaboration with Mirae Asset Global Investments on the launch of the TIGER China Securities ETF, which tracks the Solactive China Securities Index. The ETF is designed to track the performance of China's leading securities firms and online financial platforms-amid recent policy and market developments in the Chinese capital markets.
February 2, 2026-First ETF Linked to JPX Prime 150 Index
Since the auction of the following 3 issues closed at the upper (lower) price on the TSE, the upper daily price limit (lower price limit) will be broadened on the next business day (February 3) as follows.
February 2, 2026-The following issue has fallen under the following (1) or (2) for two consecutive business days. As such, TSE wishes to bring to your attention that it will broaden only the upper (or lower) daily price limit on the next business day (February 3) as follows.
February 2, 2026-Tokyo Stock Exchange, Inc. (TSE) has announced that we will change the trading unit for 4 ETFs and will start trading in the new trading unit from February 16, 2026 as follows. In addition, in line with the change in the trading unit, the tick size will be changed from the same day.
January 29, 2026-Hong Kong's First ETF Offering Physical Gold Redemption Through the Bank
Low Entry Threshold and Diverse Unit Classes to Meet Diverse Investor Needs
Hang Seng Investment Management Limited ('Hang Seng Investment') launched the Hang
Seng Gold ETF (Stock code: 3170),which commenced trading on the Hong Kong Stock
Exchange today.