News Roundup (March 2017)

Housing prices in Singapore are likely to continue falling even as the government may gradually ease the property cooling measures, Fitch Ratings said recently. The ratings agency noted that Singapore’s efforts to curb property speculation in an ... ( read original story ...)

Why banks might be causing flat mortgage growth

According to Jefferies, the mortgage growth is flat at ~4% despite the increased ... restrictions and liberalisation of shareholding policy for finance companies in Singapore announced in February is also intended to enhance financing to SMEs. ( read original story ...)

Malaysia seen retaining property cooling measures

COUNTRIES in the region that imposed property cooling measures at around the same time are not likely to be relaxing them almost simultaneously due to differing economic conditions. Singapore had slightly lowered the property seller’s stamp duty and ... ( read original story ...)

Mortgage prisoner victory: Bank of Scotland refunds reader £30k

After a six-year battle, a “mortgage prisoner” has secured a £29,000 refund from Bank of Scotland for overpayments it admits he should not have been forced to pay. Philip Pantelouris, 56, has been fighting the lender, which is part of Lloyds Banking ... ( read original story ...)

Singapore's Central Bank Seen Holding Fire as Growth Recovers

(Bloomberg) -- Singapore’s recovery from a contraction last year may give the central bank little incentive to adjust its policy stance next month as it monitors the impact of higher U.S. interest rates. The Monetary Authority of Singapore, which uses ... ( read original story ...)

Fed rate hike: Expect to pay more monthly on home loans

Home owners in Singapore can expect to pay a higher monthly instalment on their housing loans, on the back of a rate hike by the United States Federal Reserve. The US central bank raised its benchmark federal fund rate - the rate banks charge each other ... ( read original story ...)

The Largest Banks of Southeast Asia

With a total asset of $322.8 billion USD, the DBS Bank of Singapore is Southeast Asia's largest bank. A signboard outside the DBS Bank, the largest bank in Southeast Asia. The banking sector in Southeast Asia has outperformed the global banking sector ... ( read original story ...)

Singapore Beefing Up Cyber Defenses

In the wake of a recent breach of the Singapore Ministry of Defense's I-net system, which provides internet access to military personnel and other employees for their personal communications, the ministry has unveiled a cyber defense strategy to help guard ... ( read original story ...)

Michelle Wie shares lead at Bank of Hope Founders Cup

PHOENIX — This just in: Singapore was no fluke. Michelle Wie owns a share of the lead at the Bank of Hope Founders Cup after a smoking 7-under 65. The former prodigy and Nike fashionsta posted a couple late bogeys on her front nine and made the turn ... ( read original story ...)

Singapore's surprise property moves applauded by businesses

Singapore's largest listed property firm is broadly welcoming revisions to the city-state's property cooling measures after more than 3 years of sinking prices. "Together with the government's policies to support population and economic growth, such ... ( read original story ...)