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Criticism of Malaysia’s central bank has given way to praise – and its long-term policies could help see the country through turbulent times. Bank chief Zeti Akhtar Aziz reflects

Finance chief confirms imminent move to shore up balance of payments

Singapore is using its national reserves to shore up its faltering economy. But new questions are being raised about its sovereign wealth strategy

The economic crisis has led to a bout of outward regional coordination among Asean nations. But the short-term need to boost growth may conflict with long-term visions of economic integration for the region

Thailand’s new government is scrambling to stimulate the economy, as the global storm takes its toll. Reuniting the country, however, will prove less straightforward

Asia’s food supply security will be boosted significantly if, as expected, India lifts its rice and wheat export ban after the election, UN officials believe.

Asian central banks are being urged to stay vigilant on the medium-term threat of inflation as they are locked in a prolonged period of loose monetary policy.

Several UK financial institutions are exploring ways to stave off downgrades of their covered bonds or find alternative sources of liquidity after Moody’s last week threatened to strip the issues of their triple-A ratings, thereby restricting their access to the Bank of England’s Special Liquidity Scheme.

Kookmin Bank, the Korean lender, is to give international investors their first glimpse of an Asian covered bond next week, taking a step closer to launching its long-awaited deal.

Rating agency Fitch cautioned CLO investors this week of the potential risks involved in allowing managers to scrap the discounted security threshold.

Two bids wanted in competition on portfolios totaling a little more than $200 million in assets hit the market this week amid a larger rally.

Only a short while ago, forward starts were viewed with disdain by much of the loan market — an instrument that many believed let borrowers get away with murder. But perceptions have changed as the instrument has been standardised to suit the needs of lenders as well as borrowers.