In an efforts to modernize its banking sector, the Central Bank of Myanmar has made the following announcements on 7th November 2019: ANNOUNCEMENT New round of Foreign Bank Licensing in the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Over the past years the Central Bank of Myanmar has initiated a process to open the domestic […]
Myanmar Central Bank on the verge of opening up the whole banking sector to foreign investors
November 8, 2019 by
German firm to advise central bank of Myanmar on licensing foreign lenders
August 27, 2019 by
Amid the ongoing liberalization of Myanmar’s financial sector, the central bank has hired a German consulting firm to provide advisory services on the process of awarding licenses to foreign banks looking to do business here. The Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) announced on Tuesday that Germany’s Roland Berger Company Limited was chosen from among four […]
Consolidation expected in banking industry as competition heats up
June 10, 2019 by
The Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) believes that allowing foreign banks into the retail-banking sector will drive consolidation in the local banking industry and make available a larger pool of funds for growth. “Inevitably, foreign banks will win market share from local banks and we see more mergers of local banks in response to a […]
How banking will affect foreign equity in Myanmar
April 4, 2019 by
As part of ongoing efforts to liberalise the financial services industry and increase credit to the private sector, the Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) has introduced regulations to facilitate foreign investment in domestic lenders. On January 29 the CBM issued Regulation No 1/2019, allowing foreign banks and financial institutions to hold equity of up to […]
Five business sectors that are looking interesting in 2019
January 14, 2019 by
Businesses did not have a positive outlook on the Myanmar business sector last year with falling confidence and firms pulling out of Myanmar. However, with the arrival of a new year, things seem to be looking more optimistic for some sectors. Our reporters have interviewed insiders and experts from five business sectors on their views […]
MAB launches wealth banking service as competition rises
January 9, 2019 by
Myanmar Apex Bank (MAB) has launched a special wealth banking and rewards programme – MAB Gold Wealth Banking – for high net worth individuals in Myanmar. For now, the platform is targeting those who have the cash to place a minimum fixed deposit of K300 million as potential clients. Interest rates for fixed deposits are […]
EU’s threat to scrap trade preferences spurs Myanmar’s reforms
December 19, 2018 by
Economic reform is getting a second wind in Myanmar as the government tries to lure back foreign investors scared away by reports of human rights abuses against the country’s Rohingya Muslim minority. The government has announced the easing of restrictions on foreign banks and the creation of a new ministry to oversee foreign investment in […]
Foreign banks allowed to set foreign currency loan interest rate
December 11, 2018 by
The Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) said foreign banks are free to set their own interest rate as long as those loans are in foreign currencies. Foreign banks with branches in the country are now allowed to do wholesale banking services and other financial services, according to the latest Directive issued by the CBM last […]
Central Bank provides new details on foreign-bank directive
November 28, 2018 by
Foreign banks will be allowed to expand their branch networks in Myanmar next year, according to two senior officials of the Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) yesterday. “More foreign bank branches will be allowed next year. Foreign banks can no longer be blocked from doing business in Myanmar because the local banks are not developed […]
Laxer Rules of Foreign Banks to Spur Trade, Central Bank Says
November 19, 2018 by
The Central Bank of Myanmar said its decision last week to let foreign banks operating in the country lend and provide other services to domestic companies will help exporters limited by local lenders finance their trade with the rest of the world. “We expect that they [foreign banks] will mainly provide foreign currency to the […]
