Asia's demand for second-generation financial institutions and markets needs to be met in order for the region's further development to be sustained. This book provides a compelling, fact-based assessment of current practices and regulations in Asia's financial institutions and markets and carefully documents the exciting opportunities and challenges that lie ahead in the region's financial systems. This book differs in design from typical treatments of financial institutions and markets because its focus is on Asia rather than using the US model (in terms of market configurations or products) as a benchmark, and its takes a contemporary and forward-looking view of financial markets. Examples of practice from Asia are used to illustrate major accepted themes in finance and financial regulation. To the extent that Asia's main economies share characteristics that are distinct, for example, in the relationship between government and the banking sector, or in aspects of corporate governance, the book will discuss the consequences for market operation and intermediation. The book's carefully structured facts and rigorously argued analysis carry important implications both for students in business and law and for professionals new to financial markets in Asia. It will change the way that Asian financial markets and institutions is taught in universities as well as provide a valuable resource for professionals working in finance in Asia.

The Routledge Handbook of Banking and Finance in Asia brings together leading scholars, policymakers, and practitioners to provide a comprehensive and cutting-edge guide to Asia’s financial institutions, markets, and systems. Part I provides a country-by-country overview of banking and finance in East, Southeast, and South Asia, including examples from China, Japan, Hong Kong, India, and Singapore. Part II contains thematic chapters, covering topics such as commercial banking, development banking, infrastructure finance, stock markets, insurance, and sovereign wealth funds. It also includes examinations of banking regulation and supervision, and analyses of macroprudential regulation, capital flow management measures, and monetary policy. Finally, it provides new insights into topical issues such as SME, green, and Islamic finance. This handbook is an essential resource for scholars and students of Asian economics and finance and for professionals working in financial markets in Asia.

First, the book documents the evolution of Asia's infrastructure over the past half-century and reviews existing literature on the role of infrastructure investment in supporting growth and social development. It highlights the positive impact of mass transit investments on land and property values, and the possibility of taxing the increase in values to finance these investments. It then examines Asia's current practices and new solutions that can help meet the infrastructure gap. It discusses the role of institutions, how innovation can foster energy infrastructure investments, and the role of bond markets in infrastructure investments. The book explores ASEAN+3 efforts in developing local currency bond markets to provide long-term local financing for infrastructure investment while providing financial resilience. It also examines the use of green bonds to finance sustainable growth in Asia.

This book is a history of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), a multilateral development bank established 50 years ago to serve Asia and the Pacific. Focusing on the region’s economic development, the evolution of the international development agenda, and the story of ADB itself, this book raises several key questions: What are the outstanding features of regional development to which ADB had to respond? How has the bank grown and evolved in changing circumstances? How did ADB’s successive leaders promote reforms while preserving continuity with the efforts of their predecessors? ADB has played an important role in the transformation of Asia and the Pacific the past 50 years. As ADB continues to evolve and adapt to the region’s changing development landscape, the experiences highlighted in this book can provide valuable insight on how best to serve Asia and the Pacific in the future.

Governments throughout the Asia-Pacific region recognize the catalyzing role of infrastructure investment for sustainable growth. Yet, they are faced with the problem of financing new infrastructure. This book provides the latest evidence on the impact of infrastructure investment on economic and social indicators. Presenting several country studies, the book explains how infrastructure investment can increase output, taxes, trade, and firm productivity. Based on this evidence, the book proposes innovative modes of infrastructure financing. Written by leading international experts in economic analysis of infrastructure, the book is an invaluable source for policy makers to better design infrastructure projects.

The increased mobility and volume of international capital flows is a striking trend in international finance. While countries worldwide have engaged in financial deregulation, nowhere is this pattern more pronounced than in East Asia, where it has affected in unanticipated ways the behavior of exchange rates, interest rates, and capital flows. In these thirteen essays, American and Asian scholars analyze the effects of financial deregulation and integration on East Asian markets. Topics covered include the roles of the United States and Japan in trading with Asian countries, macroeconomic policy implications of export-led growth in Korea and Taiwan, the effects of foreign direct investment in China, and the impact of financial liberalization in Japan, Korea, and Singapore. Demonstrating the complexity of financial deregulation and the challenges it poses for policy makers, this volume provides an excellent picture of the overall status of East Asian financial markets for scholars in international finance and Asian economic development.

The World Bank considers financial inclusion to be an enabler for at least 7 of the 17 United Nation’s sustainable development goals (SDGs). Financial inclusion, with its associated policy implications, is an important issue for ASEAN. This book examines the economic effects of financial inclusion. It explores issues surrounding measurement and impact of financial inclusion. The book looks at various, salient topics including measurement of financial inclusion, the impact of (various indicators of) financial inclusion on development outcomes and macroeconomic volatility using aggregate data, as well as the effects of financial inclusion on poverty and development outcomes using micro data.

Peter Hoflich has written a book which gives a truly informative perspective of banking in Asia. Not only has he profi led a wide range of CEOs of varying background, nationality and ambition, but he has also given valuable insights into the banking infrastructure itself in many countries. Whether it is the astonishing growth story of HDFC under Aditya Puri, the bureaucrat turned banker focus of Guo Shuqing of CCB, the regulatory pressures under which Syed Ali Raza works at National Bank of Pakistan, the new frontier potential of internet-only banks such as Matsuo Taiichi’s eBank and Ishii Shigeru’s Sony Bank and more—there is something here for every observer of Asian banking. –Andrew Long Group General Manager & Head of Global Transaction Banking, HSBC If you want to get a good insight into the strategies and thinking that drive bankers in Asia, this is the book for you. It is not very often that you get a chance to know the personal philosophies of bank executives, but also something about their backgrounds and histories. This book gives great insights into where some of the most important banks in Asia are headed and what challenges they face. The scope is very broad, featuring banks and bank executives in Japan, China, Korea, India, Pakistan, Thailand and Sri Lanka. Not only are the largest banks covered but also the smaller ones, and one of the more interesting sections is about the executives that run the internet banks. A fascinating and well-written book. –Mark Mobius President, Templeton Emerging Markets This is an always interesting and often intriguing look behind the scenes at some of the Asian financial institutions that are helping to shape our future and the bankers who run them. Peter Hoflich has a provocatively edgy style that makes for a quick read. –Craig Weeks Managing Director, Global Trade Services, JPMorgan Whether you lived through the Asian financial crisis, are new to the region, or are a veteran global banker, this book is enlightening. Peter Hoflich captures the essence of some of the great leaders in Asian banking, their institutions and environments. He reveals how they formed or transformed institutions at lightning speed during the past decade resulting in some of the largest global banks and some of the most nimble. The personalities shine through with descriptions such as “a salty northerner” and “the grizzled demeanor of a chain smoker.” Most have passion and vision plus strong disciplines to liberate hidden potential both for their countries and for the global banking industry. An inspiring read. –Karen Fawcett Group Head of Transaction Banking, Standard Chartered Bank One of the best business books I have read in many years. It accurately describes our recent history in banking, especially in the fast-moving consumer banking world. It is also a book about strategy, management and innovation. But, more difficult, it is a unique gallery of portraits of leaders who made Asian fi nancial services what it is today, with managers who taught us many lessons and whose clarity of analysis, efficiency in action and contributions to the industry and society will continue to influence all of us and help us build the future of banking in our region. This book is a must. Reading it, you will discover banking in Asia. Studying it, you will understand its development. Reflecting on it, you will be able to learn even more about yourself, about your opportunities, and your own way to demonstrate your leadership. –Philippe Paillart Managing Partner, Sin Rong Investment and Advisory Group

This publication provides an overview of the “blue economy” and emphasizes its significance for protecting the biodiversity of natural resources in Southeast Asia. The “blue economy” is defined as the sustainable use of ocean and coastal resources to drive economic growth and improve livelihoods, while protecting and nurturing marine ecosystems. In this publication, investment approaches, opportunities, and finance mechanisms that can promote and catalyze funds for a sustainable ocean economy are discussed. Multilateral and bilateral funding sources, a market-based approach, incentives, and regulations, among others, are presented. Also considered is the need to align these elements with a cohesive development framework for the blue economy.

This study of Asia's financial crisis of 1997/98, its sources and history, suggests solutions for the rehabilitation of the financial systems for those countries in distress.