Siew Chan Cheong, group chief strategy and transformation officer at Maybank, discussed how the bank leverages digital innovation and strategic partnerships to enhance customer experience and drive sustainable growth.

The Middle East and Africa lead in bank profitability, benefiting from considerable non-interest-bearing deposits and elevated oil prices in the Middle East, along with high interest rates and foreign exchange gains in Africa, according to the TAB Global 1000 Strongest Banks Ranking.

Banks in Asia’s mature markets beat rising costs, deteriorating credit quality and higher interest rates, focusing on digital experiences, GenAI, green finance and fraud prevention

Transaction banks in Asia are rapidly advancing through innovation, adopting sustainable practices, and leveraging technology such as APIs and AI to streamline treasury and trade finance processes

North America and Asia Pacific banks maintain overall balance sheet strength over those in other regions, with the Middle East showing some improvements. Profitability among all 1000 banks improved, driven by higher interest rates, while asset quality indicators stayed stable.

Six major consortiums, led by industry giants from tech, retail, and finance, are competing to secure Thailand's first digital bank licences. As the country prepares for a significant shift in its financial landscape, the stakes have never been higher.