Smaller lenders gain approval to increase investment in financial lending firms
This is one of several recent approvals given by local regulators to smaller lenders to increase their investments in financial leasing firms. The approval gives the SRCB the right to …
Aviva to retain China and Singapore operations
Financial media had previously reported that MS&AD and Manulife were both considering a bid for Aviva’s Singapore business, but neither company was able to …
Small bank restructurings get underway
Moves like this make it clear that for many of China’s smaller banks, run-of-the-mill capital raising will not be enough to …
OneConnect files for IPO via New York listing
More broadly, OneConnect’s IPO may serve as an important bellwether for the future development of – and investor appetite toward – the Chinese fintech industry. It bears …
Foreign financial institutions continue to obtain new licenses and approvals
Of the above approvals, Allianz, in particular, is the latest in a spate of “firsts” in which foreign financial companies have received regulatory approval to …
CMB and JD Digits prepare to launch direct online bank
After getting the final approval from regulators, Zhaodong will join the ranks of the other online lenders that have been established by China’s tech giants …
Regulators reassure on banking system stability
Financial officials continue to go to great lengths to send a message of confidence in their ability to manage the growing risks emanating from the financial system. Indeed, many of the liquidity, capital, and solvency risks that small banks in China are facing …
AXA China has no plans to establish wholly-owned life insurance entity
Veyry also said the company has no plans to increase AXA’s stake in its joint venture with …
CBIRC issues implementation measures for administrative licensing of foreign banks
These measures are in line with the PBoC’s recent administrative reforms. They are meant both to streamline the administrative process governing the establishment – and broader operations – of foreign-funded banks and to create …
PBoC looks to update approval procedures
In the past few months, Chinese regulators have sought to clarify and standardize administrative procedures in a bid to …
CBIRC looks to strengthen consumer protection
Regulators recently increased emphasis on enhancing protection for consumer rights and interests across the financial industry is indicative of their attempts to create …
CBIRC refutes reports of sweeping bank mergers
We believe that authorities will continue to take a gradual, piece-meal approach to the challenges facing the banking sector in the short term. However, we consider a significant consolidation in the banking sector to be …
MofCom outlines reporting requirements for foreign-invested business
As China continues its financial opening, efforts are also being made to ensure that foreign-invested companies are properly monitored and regulated. MNCs have always been expected to report to …
MSCI to increase weighting of China stocks
The controversy surrounding MSCI’s decision is largely manufactured. Mainland stocks have long been underrepresented in global indexes, and we expect a number of global indexes – tracking both equities and bonds – to continue to …
State Council to ease foreign investment concerns
China’s accelerated market opening is as much about allaying the concerns of foreign investors and MNCs as it is about the country’s own financial and economic calculus. This document explicitly addresses some of the areas that …
Beijing municipality to partner with JD.com to establish new AMC
The establishment of a second AMC in Beijing is indicative of ongoing, and accelerating, efforts to clean up bad assets in the financial system. The presence of JD Digits in this partnership is of particular note – as it underscores …
Hong Kong-mainland wealth management connect in the works
The recent emphasis on cross-border financial products within the GBA provides some insight into the thought process of top planners. Financial connectivity looks to be one of the key areas where officials are trying to …
Top leaders lay out new measures for GBA integration
These measures, while seemingly piecemeal, give an indication of how the GBA is likely to take shape. Regulators are approaching the integration of the region from …
US-China “financial war” update
At present, Chinese authorities do not appear to be overly concerned about the short-term effects of this bill. However, as we have covered in previously, Chinese officials are …
China Pacific to take stake in Swiss Re
Some industry analysts have pointed out that China Pacific’s interest in Swiss Re may have to do with the former’s recent decision to issue GDRs via the Shanghai-London Stock Connect. There is speculation that the support of an established European investor like …