Tag: apac

In Asia-Pacific (APAC), corporate treasuries are navigating a uniquely dynamic environment, where cost control and growth remain top priorities. Our latest HSBC Treasury Pulse Survey reveal that 58% of APAC firms surveyed prioritise reducing finance costs — a figure notably 8 percentage points higher than the global average. APAC firms are also more focused on growth, trade environment and industry changes than their global peers.

In a volatile economic climate, corporates require a compelling proposition to persuade senior treasury professionals to move on from often comfortable and well-remunerated positions. Experts talked to CT about recruitment drivers in the region.

Despite a tentative US, China deal, uncertainty around tariffs has increased demand for trade finance products from Asian corporates, as firms look to reroute supply chains, derisk and improve working capital.

Corporates may be increasingly aware of how more efficient FX trading can impact liquidity management, but apathy remains a major obstacle to the better execution of trades; CT spoke with experts in the space.

A combination of alternative shipping routes, higher prices, less trade and reduced investments, are all expected, according to a trade survey; there is more uncertainty ahead as the end of the 90-day pause edges closer.

JP Morgan Payments' global head of treasury services discussed how Apac corporate payments are evolving, including the drive for real-time, digital wallets, APIs and blockchain.

Multiple payment fintechs have announced expanded offerings across Apac, reflecting a growing cross-border payment space that might challenge traditional players, especially for SMEs.

US inflation was lower than expected in February; the 2.8% read came as the US introduced global 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium imports; and then the EU and Canada retaliated; in Apac, Australian and Korean steelmakers are most at risk.

US president Donald Trump appears to be moving ahead with tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods, and additional tariffs on China. China has since placed retaliatory tariffs on many US products including soybeans, chicken and dairy products, of up to 15%.

Debt capital markets’ traditional resistance to change continues to hold back deployment of blockchain technology in terms of both bond issuance and post-trade processing.

Rising reserves could contribute to international tensions over exchange-rate policies as Donald Trump returns to the White House.

Veteran Matt Weir has been appointed as the UK firm's general manager for Asia Pacific.