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 |
May 4, 2026-Webull HK today announced that, effective immediately, it will set zero commission and zero platform fees as standard pricing for US and Hong Kong stock trading, further solidifying its position as a provider of professional trading services with the lowest transaction costs in the Hong Kong market.
May 1, 2026-JPX may list crypto ETFs once Japan finalizes legal and tax treatment for digital assets.
CEO Hiroki Yamamichi said asset managers are showing interest in creating crypto-linked ETFs.
Bitcoin ETFs returned to inflows, while Ethereum ETFs extended their outflow streak.
April 30, 2026-Indian Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) recorded their highest-ever annual net inflows of over Rs 1.8 lakh crore in FY26, more than double the previous peak as commodity ETFs led by gold and silver emerged as the primary drivers, according to a study by Zerodha Fund House.
April 29, 2026-The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has developed a roadmap to revive Pakistan's underdeveloped Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) market by providing digital onboarding platforms, reducing cost and offering passive investment options to the investors.
April 24, 2026- Ping An of China Asset Management (Hong Kong) Company Limited ("PAAMC HK" or the "Company"), the offshore asset management platform of Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd., is pleased to announce that two of its exchange-traded funds (ETFs) - Ping An East‑West Select ETF (3477 / 9477) and Ping An Technology Select ETF (3406/9406) --will be included in the Southbound Stock Connect scheme, effective May 6, 2026.
April 24, 2026-Ping An of China Asset Management (Hong Kong) Company Limited ("PAAMC HK" or the "Company"), the offshore asset management platform of Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd., is pleased to announce that two of its exchange-traded funds (ETFs) - Ping An East-West Select ETF (3477 / 9477) and Ping An Technology Select ETF (3406/9406)- will be included in the Southbound Stock Connect scheme, effective May 6, 2026.
April 23, 2026- Thailand is moving to allow crypto firms to access derivatives licenses directly, easing entry into the market while tightening regulatory oversight.
According to the country's Securities and Exchange Commission,the proposed rule changes would allow licensed digital asset businesses to apply for derivatives licences within their existing entities, removing the need to set up separate companies.
April 22, 2026- FTSE Russell upgraded Viet Nam's stock market from "Frontier" to "Secondary Emerging Market," unlocking an estimated US$3-5 billion in portfolio flows in the near term and up to US$25 billion by 2030.
April 21, 2026-CSOP Gold ETF (3030.HK) has listed on HKEX today (21 April 2026) with an initial AUM size of about US$720 million (about HK$5.6 billion), making it Hong Kong's largest local physical gold ETF to date[1].
3030.HK seeks to provide investment results that, before deduction of fees and expenses, closely correspond to the performance of the LBMA Gold Price AM.
April 16, 2026-The region can best cope by protecting vulnerable people, letting prices adjust, anchoring inflation expectations, and accelerating structural reforms
Asia entered 2026 on a strong footing. Despite the region bearing the brunt of US tariffs last April and persistent trade policy uncertainty, growth was resilient in 2025 and trade remained robust.