FT Guide to Banking

18

Banking in Asia and Australasia

Over the past three decades the sophistication and size of the financial systems of Asia and Australasia have grown tremendously. From almost a standing start, now 31 of the world’s largest 100 banks are from this region; with China alone having 13 in the top 100, and one-fifth in the top 20. In many cases the sector is dominated by state-controlled banks, which has led to some fairly inefficient lending as money is allocated based on political judgements of the economic need, or simply political need. However, there is a gradual movement toward more commercial banking.

China

While China’s banks are increasingly behaving more like western banks it has to be said that they remain largely in the control of ...