Rethinking Regional Banking: Asia’s Shifting Role in Global Finance
Amid intensifying geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty, the pan-Asian banking ecosystem remains a powerhouse of financial innovation and rapid growth. However, as customer expectations evolve, digitally native disruptors pose an existential challenge to incumbents against rising US-China tensions and new risks brought about by the Trump administration.
AI, digital payments, and neobanks have fundamentally reshaped banking and financial services, creating a hypercompetitive market where institutions must aggressively deploy emerging technologies to stay ahead. Meanwhile, China’s dominance continues to shape trade, capital flows, and regulatory frameworks across the region. Yet, the extent of China’s long-term influence on Asian banking remains uncertain, particularly as US-China tensions escalate. Tariffs, economic decoupling, and the legacy of Trump-era policies continue to strain financial ties, forcing banks to recalibrate their strategies. The recent strategic restructuring of a major global bank—driven by the widening East-West divide—has underscored the challenges financial institutions face in navigating Asia’s evolving economic landscape.
Journalists from The Banker and Financial Times discussed the forces shaping Asia’s banking landscape. This webinar explored AI’s transformative role in the banking value chain, the real impact of China’s financial influence, and the disruptive rise of neobanks, and offered a critical analysis of the region’s future amid global fragmentation.
Discussion points included
How can banks protect profitability and maintain competitive edge amid Trump-era tariffs and escalating trade tensions?
Which emerging technologies should banks prioritise to strengthen market position as economic fragmentation accelerates?
As US-China tensions reshape capital flows and market access, how will China’s role in Asian banking evolve?
How can banks scale digital operations while safeguarding regulatory compliance and mitigating cybersecurity threats in a volatile geopolitical climate?
See what's next at the
Global Banking Summit: Asia Edition
10-11 September, Hong Kong and online
The Global Banking Summit Asia makes its debut in Hong Kong in 2025, bringing together a pan-Asian community of CEOs and CXOs, to explore and debate the latest challenges and opportunities driving banking forward in the region.
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