Alibaba, Alipay, Ant Financial – by now everyone in banking knows the triumvirate of brands that have transformed financial services in China, and the domestic story is only the start. Going global will be Ant Financial’s biggest-ever test, with tougher markets, tighter regulation and a whole new world of risk management. But it is nothing if not ambitious.

Asian green bond initiatives are supporting an unprecedented global surge in issuance, with many markets taking a leaf out of China’s regulator-led book.

Credit Suisse switches to outperform rating; Santander expected to quickly close the profitability gap with its peers.

Ant Financial really wants MoneyGram, and has increased its bid by 36% – it’s a whole new style for the company, but getting it over the line will need more than money: it will mean convincing CFIUS… and Trump.

Airline IPO finally takes off on fourth attempt; optimism immediately tempered by renewed political risk.

Banco Macro seeks equity sale to finance Patagonia acquisition; outlook for banking consolidation heating up.

Its HQ has to leave London – why not go to Warsaw?

Sri Lanka debate: Sri Lanka seeks to be the centre of Asia

The island’s geographical position has always given it a natural advantage as a trading centre. Now the country is keen to boost its private sector and draw in foreign investment.

The Philippines has perhaps the only president in the world more confrontational than Donald Trump. Yet business is good for banks and their customers. The political volatility trade-off will need progress on infrastructure to be a success.

The emir of Kuwait has revealed a grand plan to transform the country into a regional financial centre by 2035. The country’s bankers and businessmen say they’ve heard it all before. Can Kuwait finally deliver on its promises?

Its 50th anniversary should be a cause for celebration at the Asian Development Bank. But president Takehiko Nakao knows the ADB needs to move forward, not look back. For all its achievements, the bank has struggled to help Asia cope with its infrastructure and environmental issues. And, increasingly, its governance is called into question.

The Chinese brokerage’s fixed-price IPO in Hong Kong is being hailed as a step forward for a mainland-distorted market. But is it?

Bank maintaining momentum from its IPO and international bond; acquisitions not planned given size of organic opportunity.

President focused on quality not quantity of lending; China prepared to give up effective veto to new members.

New counter-structural rules were planned for next government; aversion to higher government debt could impact infrastructure.

Senior bankers hail acceleration of digitization; impact felt across financial services industry.

The country needs constructive criticism to pull it out of its stasis. But who will speak up?

Emirate last in GCC to issue bond debut; Kuwaiti issuers to follow the sovereign.

The headline news in Brazil is always dramatic, often shocking, but never dull. Unlike its financial sector, which does little to excite international interest. Could that be about to change?

Recent IFC deal for Banco Daycoval outperformed initial expectations; IFC sees changing role in Brazil as interest rates fall.

Subsidiary Corficolombiana minority shareholder in cancelled toll road PPP; Sarmiento says impairment charge already taken and losses manageable.

Malaysia is proud to be IOSCO’s first non-Madrid hub, but the deeper significance will be if it spurs long-delayed regional market integration.

Credit Suisse books Brazilian profits and switches to Malaysia; crowded trade hints at heated valuations.

Leading Russian investment bank adds Israel to coverage list; India next target after Essar sell-side mandate wins admirers.

Enforcement on the mainland remains a huge issue for the Hong Kong SFC, but its CEO claims things are changing.

Cost of equity (COE) dips under return on equity (ROE) as outperformance forecast; long decline in ROE since 2007 seen to have ‘bottomed-out’.

Euromoney’s survey experts continue to downgrade the borrower, disagreeing with the president’s claims there is no justification for it.

Fintechs in Africa are developing along different lines to their counterparts in Europe and the US, sourcing funding and support away from the banks.

A recent settlement between Citibank and the South African Competition Commission relating to FX manipulation could portend further lawsuits in several other jurisdictions, including the US and UK, but the prospects for potential claimants rely heavily on the outcome of the European Commission’s own investigation.