Market Chatter: Japanese Banks Expand Overseas Payment Services to Support Global Operations of Domestic Firms
Japan's major banks are strengthening cross-border payment services to support the global operations of domestic firms, Nikkei Asia reported on Thursday.Mitsubishi UFJ Financial's (TYO:8306) MUFG Bank launched MUFG Unity for instant remittances in four Southeast Asian countries, allowing corporate clients to settle directly with local partners without opening foreign accounts, the publication said.Sumitomo Mitsui Financial's (TYO:8316) Sumitomo Mitsui Banking aims to accumulate $60 billion in foreign currency deposits within three years and plans to launch its SMBC Connect payment brand soon, the news agency said.Mizuho Financial's (TYO:8411) Mizuho Bank is expanding its Asian transaction banking team to 180 specialists and acquiring Avendus Capital to tap into non-Japanese client demand, the report said.With foreign-currency loans surging 160% since 2010 to $926 billion, Japanese banks are prioritizing dollar procurement amid geopolitical uncertainty and past low domestic interest rates, it added.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)