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HANOI -- Economic activity in Vietnam contracted for the fourth consecutive month in August, as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continued to be felt. High frequency mobility data pointed to a deep slump in domestic demand.     

SINGAPORE - Banking major UOB today announced that it will invest up to $500 million in digital innovation initiatives as it seeks to double the retail customers it serves digitally to more than seven million across ASEAN by 2026.

SINGAPORE -- S&P Global Ratings has affirmed its 'AA+' long-term and 'A-1+' short-term issuer credit ratings on Hong Kong. The outlook remains stable, and the transfer and convertibility assessment is unchanged at 'AAA'.

BANGKOK -- The Bank of Thailand (BoT) today kept its policy rate unchanged at 0.50% in a unanimous decision, a shift from the previous meeting when there were two voters in favour of a cut.

GENEVA -- The International Air Transport Association (IATA) says the recovery in air travel decelerated in August compared to July as government actions in response to concerns over the COVID-19 Delta variant cut deeply into domestic travel demand. 

HONG KONG - Ratings agency Standard and Poors believes Asia-Pacific monetary authorities will likely continue to partner with commercial banks if, and when, they roll out central bank digital currencies (CBDCs)."Central banks will likely lean toward a model where banks and other financial intermediaries continue to play a strong intermediation role, rather than one where central banks alone manage their digital currencies," said S&P Global Ratings credit analyst Gavin Gunning.

HONG KONG - July real economic indicators further confirmed a continuing moderated growth momentum amid the recent regulation storms as well as the Delta variant virus flare-ups in mainland China, according to a research report from BBVA.