How digital banking drives regional connectivity
The Straits Times|November 07, 2024
It is doing so by enhancing financial inclusion, supporting cross-border trade and fostering regulatory harmonisation.
Henry Choi
How digital banking drives regional connectivity

Digital banking has been a transformative force across the globe, but nowhere is its impact more significant than in the Asean region. According to Deloitte, Asia-Pacific leads the world in digital payment adoption, contributing two-thirds of global digital wallet spend at US$9.8 trillion.

Beyond just facilitating simple day-to-day transactions, digital banking is a vital driver of regional connectivity, creating opportunities for greater financial inclusion, cross-border trade and economic integration.

GROWTH OF DIGITAL BANKING IN ASEAN The rapid adoption of digital banking in Asean can be attributed to several factors. First, the region's youthful population - around half of Asean's population are under 30 - is driving demand for digital-first banking experiences.

The region also has one of the highest rates of mobile phone penetration in the world at over 60 per cent. Countries such as Indonesia and the Philippines have more mobile connections than people, making mobile banking platforms a natural extension for millions of users.

Moreover, many of Asean's member countries have large unbanked or underbanked populations. According to a report by Bain & Company, Google and Temasek, over 70 per cent of consumers in South-east Asia are unbanked or underbanked, with limited access to formal financial services.

With a population of more than 675 million in South-east Asia, there is huge potential in the growing Asean digital economy, which generated more than US$100 billion in revenue in 2023.

Against this backdrop, digital banking provides an effective solution by reducing the barriers to entry for financial services, especially for segments of the Asean population who may not have easy access to traditional banks. ENHANCING FINANCIAL INCLUSION One of the most profound ways digital banking is driving regional connectivity is through enhancing financial inclusion.

Denne historien er fra November 07, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra November 07, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA THE STRAITS TIMESSe alt
TACKLE PLASTIC WASTE, ONE NAIL AT A TIME
The Straits Times

TACKLE PLASTIC WASTE, ONE NAIL AT A TIME

Before global leaders take the problem of plastic pollution into their hands in November, Japanese manicurist Naomi Arimoto is putting it on her fingernails.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 29, 2024
Unpacking Ireland's cultural and creative renaissance
The Straits Times

Unpacking Ireland's cultural and creative renaissance

From Sally Rooney's bestsellers to actor Paul Mescal, Ireland, which holds a general election on Nov 29, has been enjoying a cultural and creative renaissance.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 29, 2024
Jung Ho-yeon and Lee Dong-hwi split
The Straits Times

Jung Ho-yeon and Lee Dong-hwi split

Squid Game (2021 to present) star Jung Ho-yeon has split from her actor-boyfriend Lee Dong-hwi after a nine-year relationship.

time-read
1 min  |
November 29, 2024
The Straits Times

Dorothy's ruby slippers to go under the hammer

The ruby slippers worn by the late American actress Judy Garland in classic film The Wizard Of Oz (1939) will be sold at auction in December, nearly 20 years after they were stolen.

time-read
1 min  |
November 29, 2024
Artist Julie Mehretu opens solo Show in Sydney
The Straits Times

Artist Julie Mehretu opens solo Show in Sydney

Ethiopia-born New York artist Julie Mehretu (right), considered one of the most influential living painters, has opened her first solo show in the Southern Hemisphere in Sydney.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 29, 2024
Wicked's renowned costume designer returns to Oz
The Straits Times

Wicked's renowned costume designer returns to Oz

Tony Award-winning designer Paul Tazewell first created costumes for The Wizard Of Oz in a high-school production

time-read
4 mins  |
November 29, 2024
ULTIMATE SELF-CARE
The Straits Times

ULTIMATE SELF-CARE

'Tis the season to treat yourself at spas and salons, which have introduced a slew of treatments for head-to-toe pampering

time-read
2 mins  |
November 29, 2024
Fifa using $67m legacy fund for social initiatives
The Straits Times

Fifa using $67m legacy fund for social initiatives

LAUSANNE - Fifa launched a US$50 million (S$67 million) legacy fund for social programmes on Nov 27, in collaboration with 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar and the World Health Organisation (WHO), the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 29, 2024
THE MARATHON BIKER GUY
The Straits Times

THE MARATHON BIKER GUY

Veteran Aussie has cycled over 50 courses in 12 years to ensure the route is 42.195km

time-read
3 mins  |
November 29, 2024
Emery upbeat despite late drama against Juve
The Straits Times

Emery upbeat despite late drama against Juve

DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE

time-read
2 mins  |
November 29, 2024