Myanmar will initiate the first round of foreign bank licencing under Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s government, aimed at further opening up an industry that was formerly closed off to international players. The central bank announced that banks can apply for either a branch licence – which allows a range of wholesale banking activities – […]
Fighting against potential financial risks
February 6, 2018 by
Reading through the 7/2017 directive by the Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) on the implementation of the Asset Classification and Provisioning Regulation, the words and phrases that captured my attention were: “cash flow pattern of the borrower”, “credit risk analysis” and “term loans with up to a maximum maturity of three years.” These technical terms […]
CB issues Reminder on Currency use but Dollar Shortage Remains Issue for Banks
January 6, 2017 by
The Central Bank has reissued an instruction that the kyat should be used in all local transactions in an effort to help stabilise the exchange rate. But a senior official in the foreign exchange management department has said the regulator also wants to help route more foreign currency transactions through banks. The Central Bank […]
Central Bank Exchange Rate Reforms to Start From January Next Year
December 23, 2016 by
After years of complaints that its US dollar reference rate fails to reflect market reality, the Central Bank has announced a shift in how it determines the figure. In an effort to narrow the gap between the bank’s rate and that of the wider market, the regulator has announced it will start basing its […]
Foreign banks finish licence legwork
October 6, 2016 by
BRIEF: E.SUN Commercial Bank and State Bank of India – the last of the foreign lenders that won approval to open branches in Myanmar earlier this year – have finished the entry process and begin this week fully licensed. The Central Bank announced late last week that E.SUN Commercial Bank and State Bank of India […]
Banks mull taking shares as collateral
August 18, 2016 by
Investors in Yangon Stock Exchange-listed firms could soon be able to use their shares to access bank loans. The YSX is in discussions with listed companies and lenders about a system for posting stock as collateral, which shareholders are eager to see put in place. Tycoon Serge Pun – owner of listed firm First Myanmar […]
A 500 billion political land mine and Myanmar’s gaping budget
June 1, 2016 by
Growth retardation of the agricultural sector connects too many aspects of economy issues such as lack of investment, lack of industrialization, obstacles in producing and distribution of goods, high unemployment rates, etc. It is a high priority economic policy that the new government must endeavor to implement as the development of the agricultural sector directly […]
CBM buys dollars to ‘reduce panic’
March 14, 2016 by
The Central Bank has bought over US$40 million dollars from private lenders in just five days to “reduce panic and prevent volatility”, a Central Bank official told The Myanmar Times, while banks this week once again imposed limits on foreign exchange due to volatility. Private banks started their sudden net transfer of dollars to the […]
