Financial Services

OCBC H1 profits up 6% to $2.45b

Higher banking profits offset lower income from Great Eastern Holdings.

UOB net profit up 8% to $2.2b in H1

Profit growth was boosted by wholesale banking as income rose 9% to $2.06b.

Grab and NTUC Income unveil pay-per-trip insurance plan for partner-drivers

Premium rates per trip can be paid at $0.10, $0.30, and $0.50.

Great Eastern profits up 31% to $511.7m for H1

Higher investment income offset lower premium sales.

Singapore benchmarks get go-ahead from European Union

Companies in the EU can continue trading derivative products linked to Singapore's benchmark rates.

OCBC enables cash withdrawals via QR code

Cash withdrawal at ATMs can be completed in under 45 seconds.

Chart of the Day: Virtual banks can't rely on the branchless advantage for long

Facilities costs as a proportion of incumbent lenders' assets is only 7bps compared to 103bps.

iFAST eyes virtual banking license

The move will expand its service scope to include e-payment and lending.

Beyond Japan: Sompo Holdings Asia's journey towards a sturdy retail platform

The insurer seeks to build and reinforce brand awareness for direct consumers in key Asia Pacific markets.

Singtel launches prepaid plan with medical insurance plan

The insurance enrollment process can be done through its hi!App or Singtel Dash app.

US dollar deposits accounted for a third of total bank deposits in March

USD deposits rose at a CAGR of 20% over the past nine years.

Only two in five companies have a digital transformation plan in place: DBS survey

CFOs cite the breakneck pace of change as the top factor hindering digital adoption.

Banks' loan growth could hit 5% by end-2019

A slew of enbloc and infrastructure projects will boost lending activities.

Daily Briefing: Cocoon Capital raises US$22m seed fund; Startup Trax becomes Singapore's second unicorn

And the number of babies born in Singapore fell to an eight-year low in 2018.