Asia Roundup
India Regulator Mulls Supervision Revamp for Banks to Curb Risks
India’s financial regulator is considering a revamp of how it supervises lenders, shifting from a traditional box-checking exercise to a deeper examination of banks’ business models, Bloomberg reported.
The Reserve Bank of India plans to examine in greater depth how banks conduct their business instead of analyzing ratios in isolation at every inspection.
Vietnam Gives Foreign Investors Easier Access to Stock Market
Vietnam has moved to allow foreign investors to buy shares of local companies through international brokerages, removing a major hurdle to accessing the fast-growing Asian market, AFP reported via The Star.
The easing of investment restrictions comes ahead of Vietnam’s expected upgrade to emerging market status by FTSE Russell, enabling the index provider to start including Vietnamese equities by September.
Hong Kong Property Bets Grow as Private Credit Fund Plans to Double Investment
A Hong Kong–based private credit fund aims to double its lending into distressed opportunities in the city, adding to a growing list of money managers positioning for further recovery after the deepest property slump in decades, Bloomberg reported.
Blue Mountain Bridge Capital Opportunities Fund expects to increase its invested capital from USD 75 million to USD 150 million by the end of 2026. The fund is run by Raymond Chan, who was previously co-head of Oaktree Capital Management’s Asia distressed debt business.
Indonesia Roundup
Indonesia Posts Fastest Economic Growth Rate in Three Years
Indonesia reported its best economic expansion in three years in 2025 as growth accelerated more than expected in the fourth quarter on robust household spending and strong investment, Reuters reported, citing official data.
Some economists questioned the veracity of the GDP data, pointing to declining 2025 tax revenues and other indicators, including flat growth in foreign direct investment, according to Reuters.
"One may wonder whether the (household spending) growth rate is still too high, given the sluggish labour market and reports of lower-than-usual tourism activities on top of the low tax collection," said Rizki Siregar, an economist at the University of Indonesia.
MSCI Pressure Mounts on Billionaire-Held Indonesia Shares
Last week’s worst tumble in nearly three decades drew attention to a major problem at the heart of Southeast Asia’s biggest equity market: a handful of billionaires own so much of their listed companies that barely any of those companies’ shares are left to trade, Bloomberg reported.
At least three billionaires directly control 85% or more of three listed companies, according to data compiled by the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
Southeast Asia’s richest person has a more than two-thirds indirect stake in Barito Renewables Energy. And about seven billionaires own more than 50% of shares in at least 13 companies.
IFC Proposes $350 Million Loan to Back Link Net’s Expansion in Indonesia
The IFC is proposing to invest up to USD 350 million-equivalent in Indonesian fixed broadband provider Link Net, DealStreetAsia reported.
The nine-year unsecured senior loan will help refinance debt and fund the internet provider’s nationwide fibre expansion.
Link Net is controlled by Malaysia’s Axiata Group, which is said to be nearing the sale of the company, according to DealStreetAsia.