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Hong Kong banks showed moderate balance sheet growth amid global uncertainty in 2024, KPMG report finds

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Disciplined cost management, risk vigilance, and digital innovation underpin sector resilience

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 July 2025 – Hong Kong’s banking sector demonstrated steady growth and operational resilience in 2024, despite ongoing global economic headwinds. This is according to the newly launched KPMG Hong Kong Banking Report, which provides an in-depth analysis of the city’s banking performance in 2024 and explores the major trends shaping its future, ranging from geopolitical and credit risk to digital asset innovation and AI transformation.

The report reveals that the total assets of all surveyed licensed banks in Hong Kong rose by 4.5% to HK$24 trillion in 2024. Operating profit before impairment charges increased 7.8% to HK$318 billion, as banks continued to prioritise cost discipline and operational efficiency in the face of subdued loan demand and stable, but slightly compressed, net interest margins.

Paul McSheaffrey, Senior Banking Partner, Hong Kong SAR, KPMG China, commented: “Despite the challenging macroeconomic environment and the impact of US-China trade tensions, Hong Kong’s banks have remained resilient. The sector’s long-standing focus on prudent risk management, capital discipline, and ongoing investment in digital transformation has helped it adapt to volatility and maintain international competitiveness.”

While total loans and advances reduced by 2.3% in 2024, total customer deposits increased by 4.1%. Asset quality came under pressure, with the sector’s impaired loan ratio rising from 1.65% to 2.15%, reflecting the ongoing challenges in commercial real estate and the broader property sector. However, most banks have continued to exercise proactive risk management, including portfolio diversification and the adoption of digital tools to strengthen early risk detection.

In line with KPMG’s prediction in its 2024 Hong Kong Banking Report, the banking sector continued to navigate a challenging environment shaped by US monetary policy uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and economic strains in the Chinese Mainland.

Terence Fong, Head of Chinese Banks, Hong Kong SAR, KPMG China, says, “While Hong Kong’s economy showed resilience in 2024, recent developments highlight the importance of continued vigilance. The escalation of reciprocal tariffs between the US and China since April 2025 has heightened downside risks for Hong Kong’s trade-oriented economy and clouded the economic outlook. Continued vigilance will be crucial as banks navigate ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and macroeconomic challenges. Prudent capital management, agile pricing, and a renewed focus on emerging opportunities in Asia will be key to supporting sustainable growth.”

The report also highlights the sector’s progress in digital innovation. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has been at the forefront of applications of blockchain technology for banks, with Project Ensemble serving as a landmark initiative exploring the use of wholesale CBDC (wCBDC) to facilitate the settlement of tokenised assets. On the retail side, the e-HKD initiative is progressing into its second phase, with the HKMA testing real-world applications of a retail CBDC. The HKMA has also finalised a regulatory framework for stablecoins which will provide better protection for the general public and investors.

Banks in Hong Kong are also accelerating the adoption of artificial intelligence, particularly agentic AI, to enhance efficiency, risk management, and compliance.

Angel Mok, Partner, Financial Services Technology Consulting, Hong Kong SAR, KPMG China, says, “Agentic AI solutions have evolved faster than expected. While banks in Hong Kong remain cautious about potential risks, they are generally enthusiastic about Agentic AI and are adopting it at an increasing pace. Banks that take a strategic, data-driven approach to implementation will be well-positioned to lead in an increasingly competitive landscape.”

Jia Ning Song, Head of Banking and Capital Markets, Hong Kong SAR, KPMG China, says, “AI is already delivering tangible value for Hong Kong banks with quantifiable benefits. However, it is imperative that banks adequately address concerns around governance, risk, and trust. Building trusted AI systems is now essential for maintaining public confidence and ensuring the long-term sustainability of Hong Kong’s banking system. Institutions further along in their digital journeys may be better positioned, while others may need to address foundational gaps first before scaling their AI initiatives.”

Hashtag: #KPMG

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About KPMG

KPMG in China has offices located in 31 cities with over 14, 000 partners and staff, in Beijing, Changchun, Changsha, Chengdu, Chongqing, Dalian, Dongguan, Foshan, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Haikou, Hangzhou, Hefei, Jinan, Nanjing, Nantong, Ningbo, Qingdao, Shanghai, Shenyang, Shenzhen, Suzhou, Taiyuan, Tianjin, Wuhan, Wuxi, Xiamen, Xi’an, Zhengzhou, Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR. It started operations in Hong Kong in 1945. In 1992, KPMG became the first international accounting network to be granted a joint venture licence in the Chinese Mainland. In 2012, KPMG became the first among the “Big Four” in the Chinese Mainland to convert from a joint venture to a special general partnership.

KPMG is a global organisation of independent professional services firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services. KPMG is the brand under which the member firms of KPMG International Limited (“KPMG International”) operate and provide professional services. “KPMG” is used to refer to individual member firms within the KPMG organization or to one or more member firms collectively.

KPMG firms operate in 142 countries and territories with more than 275,000 partners and employees working in member firms around the world. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such. Each KPMG member firm is responsible for its own obligations and liabilities.

Celebrating 80 years in Hong Kong

In 2025, KPMG marks “80 Years of Trust” in Hong Kong. Established in 1945, we were the first international accounting firm to set up operations in the city. Over the past eight decades, we’ve woven ourselves into the fabric of Hong Kong, working closely with the government, regulators, and the business community to help establish Hong Kong as one of the world’s leading business and financial centres. This close collaboration has enabled us to build lasting trust with our clients and the local community – a core value celebrated in our anniversary theme: “80 Years of Trust”.

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Zoho Corporation Surpasses One Million Paying Organisations as Customers

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On its 30th Anniversary, Zoho Corporation exceeds milestone of 150 million users

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 March 2026 – Zoho Corporation, a global technology company, today marked its 30th anniversary with the announcement of two major company milestones. Zoho Corporation, consisting of Zoho, ManageEngine, Qntrl, and TrainerCentral, is now a trusted technology provider to more than one million paying customers and more than 150 million users globally. Today’s announcement follows significant YoY customer (32%) and revenue (20%) growth in 2025.

Zoho Corporation would foremost like to thank every one of its customers, big and small, whose loyalty and support has had an outsized impact on the company’s foundation, growth, and future success. To honor that commitment, Zoho Corporation is shining a light on a few dedicated customers, whose success it is proud to have helped support.

“‘What made us stick with Zoho for so long is consistency and trust. Zoho continues to invest in its platform with a clear long-term vision, not short-term trends. The products are stable, well integrated, and designed to support real business needs, which allows us to confidently recommend Zoho to our clients year after year,” said Alexon Garcia, Technical Delivery Manager, Devtac, Philippines. “As Zoho turns 30, we would like to thank the people building the products. Your focus on privacy, value, and practical innovation truly sets Zoho apart in the market. It shows that the company is built for the long run and not driven by hype.”

“For almost a decade of using Zoho Desk and Zoho SalesIQ, we have seen a huge improvement in the way we handle tickets and access reports, enabling our team to make faster, data-driven decisions. Over time, Zoho has naturally become an integral part of our daily operations because it is easy to use, reasonably priced, and continues to evolve based on real feedback from its users. A big thank you to the Zoho team for building such a powerful SaaS platform—we look forward to continuing to grow together in the years to come,” said Wildan Zubaidi, VP of Customer Experience, PT Biznet Gio Nusantara, Indonesia.

“During periods of rapid business expansion and operational complexity, particularly when organizations needed to move from fragmented systems to integrated digital platforms, Zoho played a critical role. Solutions such as Zoho CRM, Creator, Analytics, and Finance applications enabled faster decision-making, improved visibility, and operational resilience, especially during times of disruption and digital transformation. These moments reinforced Zoho’s value not just as a software provider, but as a strategic enabler,” said Henry Soo, Founder, DataDevelop Consulting Ltd., Hong Kong.

Recent customers to Zoho Corporation include: In the United States, Rapid Response Monitoring and Synergy Home Care; In India, Mercedes-Benz India, Force Motors, Joyalukkas and Union Bank of India; in the UK/European Union, Flora Food Group, Handl Tyrol and Atout France; in Middle East-Africa, Al-Ahli Saudi FC and Al Qadsiah FC; in LATAM, Grupo Gonher; and in Brazil, Creditas and Editora Globo.

“Being bootstrapped, private, and built entirely in-house makes Zoho an outlier among competitors,” says Sridhar Vembu, Co-founder and Chief Scientist, Zoho Corporation. “But vendors don’t need our help, businesses do, which is why delivering customer value has, for 30 years, been Zoho Corporation’s North Star. Before any innovation, strategy, or guiding principle becomes a product, pivot, or policy, it must first affirm the question, ‘Will this help businesses?’ We are incredibly grateful that companies around the world have responded so positively to our customer-first approach over the past three decades, and will continue to meet the evolving needs of businesses with powerful, scalable, and affordable solutions.”

To learn more about the unique growth stories of Zoho Corporation’s customers over 30 years, visit here.

Hashtag: #ZohoCorporation


The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Zoho Corporation

With 60+ apps in nearly every major business category, Zoho Corporation is one of the world’s most prolific technology companies. Zoho is privately held and profitable with more than 19,000 employees globally with headquarters in Austin, Texas and international headquarters in Chennai, India. Zoho APAC HQ is located in Singapore. For more information, please visit: www.zoho.com/

Zoho respects user privacy and does not have an ad-revenue model in any part of its business, including its free products. The company owns and operates its data centers, ensuring complete oversight of customer data, privacy, and security. More than 150 million users around the world, across hundreds of thousands of companies, rely on Zoho everyday to run their businesses, including Zoho itself. For more information, please visit: https://www.zoho.com/privacy-commitment.html

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Southco’s New Heavy-Duty Rotary Latch Simplifies Cab Access While Enhancing Operator Safety

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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 March 2026 – Southco has introduced a new heavy-duty rotary latch solution designed with dual triggers. This latest R4-50 Rotary Latches engineered to secure the reliability and robust for the heavy-duty equipment in challenging environments.

R4-50 Dual Actuator Rotary Latch

The new R4-50 Rotary Latch provides the heavy-duty performance that modern machinery demands, to tackles vibrations, safety-risking accidental releases, and complex access delays in rough environments.

Engineered for demanding conditions, the R4-50 delivers:

  • Independent interior and exterior actuation – making it easier and safer to enter and exit equipment cabs.
  • A pre-loaded interior hand lever – purpose-built for high-impact environments, reducing noise and vibration while ensuring smoother, more reliable operation.
  • Accidental actuation prevention – minimizing unintended movement to keep operators secure and equipment protected.
  • Flexible release options – including remote actuator connection via cable or rod, or direct push release, to meet different cab design needs.

Southco’s R4 Rotary Latch series is highly durable, and is available in a variety of configurations that meet customer needs with little to no modification, including compact mechanical and electromechanical designs made of durable materials suitable for any environment. R4-50 Rotary Latches with Dual Triggers are compliant with FMVSS 206 impact standards, IP65 dust and water intrusion standards, EN 45545-3 fire protection standards, as well as applicable vibration standards.

As a heavy-duty upgrade to Southco’s trusted R4 Rotary Latch line, the R4-50 with Dual Triggers combines operator safety, rugged durability, and simplified access in one cost-effective system. The latch is also compatible with Southco AC actuators, offering OEMs a low-investment, high-value option for enhancing their cab entry solutions.
Global Product Manager Cynthia Bart adds, “The new R4-50 Rotary Latch with Dual Triggers offers a complete, highly versatile cab door entry system for use in heavy-duty construction and agricultural vehicles. The latches are compatible with Southco AC Actuators, allowing designers to quickly and affordably upgrade their existing designs.”

For more information about the functionality of R4-50 Rotary Latches, please visit southco.com or email the 24/7 customer service department at in**@*****co.com
Hashtag: #Southco

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Southco

Southco, Inc. is the leading global designer and manufacturer of engineered access solutions. From quality and performance to aesthetics and ergonomics, we understand that first impressions are lasting impressions in product design. For over 75 years, Southco has helped the world’s most recognized brands create value for their customers with innovative access solutions designed to enhance the touch points of their products in transportation and industrial applications, medical equipment, data centers and more. With unrivalled engineering resources, innovative products and a dedicated global team, Southco delivers the broadest portfolio of premium access solutions available to equipment designers throughout the world.

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DBS Hong Kong collaborates with Know Your Customer Limited to further improve digital account opening for SMEs

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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 March 2026 – Know Your Customer Limited (“Know Your Customer”), a recognised expert in automated business verification solutions today announced its collaboration with DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited (“DBS Hong Kong”) to support its pioneering digital banking transformation, by address the rising need for automated, efficient onboarding and the often manual, cumbersome SME processes. This collaboration marks a big leap in SME onboarding automation by transforming DBS Hong Kong’s digital onboarding through simplifying and automating critical business KYC procedures.

DBS Hong Kong collaborates with Know Your Customer Limited to further improve digital account opening for SMEs

Leveraging Know Your Customer’s cutting-edge digital compliance platform, DBS Hong Kong will gain real-time access to comprehensive business verification data — including instant retrieval of official company documents and automatic identification of complex ultimate beneficial ownership (UBO) networks across more than 140 jurisdictions.

This AI-powered automation addresses the traditionally manual and cumbersome SME onboarding processes by streamlining the end-to-end business KYC process, efficiently verifying corporate structures and ownership, reducing manual effort and accelerating onboarding timelines. The result is significantly enhanced operational efficiency and a faster, more seamless onboarding experience for DBS Hong Kong’s business customers.

[Lareina Wang, Head of SME Banking, DBS Bank Hong Kong] said,

” At DBS Hong Kong, we are dedicated to reimagining the customer onboarding experience through continuous digital innovation. By engaging Know Your Customer, we leverage advanced technology to streamline CDD workflows, delivering faster service to our customers. This collaboration also represents a major advancement in automating SME onboarding processes that have historically been complicated and manual, solidifying SME banking position of DBS in the market of Hong Kong. “

Claus Christensen, CEO and Co-Founder of Know Your Customer, added,

“Our service provided to DBS Hong Kong exemplifies how financial technology can simplify complex onboarding challenges. With our global data coverage and AI-powered automation, we empower DBS Hong Kong to accelerate KYC processes and provide business customers with an unrivalled onboarding journey. Together, we are shaping the future of digital banking.”

In recognition of its visionary digital strategy, DBS Hong Kong was named Asia’s Best Digital Bank in 2025 by Euromoney. The bank also continues to lead digital innovation, evidenced by over 70% of Hong Kong SMEs already integrating or exploring AI and digital technologies as part of their operations, according to its recent SME survey.

This transformative collaboration underscores DBS Hong Kong’s unwavering commitment to innovation and delivering safe and trusted digital onboarding solutions in Asia’s rapidly evolving financial landscape.

Hashtag: #KnowYourCustomer

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited

DBS is a leading financial services group in Asia with a presence in 19 markets. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, DBS is in the three key Asian axes of growth: Greater China, Southeast Asia and South Asia. The bank’s “AA-” and “Aa1” credit ratings are among the highest in the world.

Recognised for its global leadership, DBS has been named “” by Global Finance, “” by Euromoney and “” by The Banker. The bank is at the forefront of leveraging digital technology to shape the future of banking, having been named “” by Euromoney and the world’s “” by The Banker. In addition, DBS has been accorded the “” award by Global Finance for 17 consecutive years from 2009 to 2025. In 2026, DBS won the “Triple A award – Best Digital Customer Onboarding Experience – Hong Kong”

DBS provides a full range of services in consumer, SME and corporate banking. As a bank born and bred in Asia, DBS understands the intricacies of doing business in the region’s most dynamic markets.

DBS is committed to building lasting relationships with customers, as it banks the Asian way. Through the DBS Foundation, the bank creates impact beyond banking by uplifting lives and livelihoods of those in need. It provides essential needs to the underprivileged, and fosters inclusion by equipping the underserved with financial and digital literacy skills. It also nurtures innovative social enterprises that create positive impact.

With its extensive network of operations in Asia and emphasis on engaging and empowering its staff, DBS presents exciting career opportunities. For more information, please visit .

About Know Your Customer Limited

Know Your Customer Limited is an award-winning RegTech company specialised in next-generation business verification solutions for financial institutions and regulated organisations worldwide. For teams struggling with inefficient client due diligence and onboarding processes, Know Your Customer offers an intuitive digital compliance workspace that combines unmatched real-time registry data, covering over 140 countries, seamless integrations, and AI-powered smart automation. This streamlined approach transforms the compliance function at its core, allowing customers to customise their solutions by selecting only the functionalities they need, all accessible via a robust REST API.

Founded in Hong Kong in 2015, with a local presence in Singapore, Dublin, London, and Shanghai, Know Your Customer has built a global customer base across 11 verticals and 18 jurisdictions. The company also maintains a wide network of technology and data partners, ensuring high-quality entity data and enhanced compliance processes for its customers.

For more information visit or follow Know Your Customer Limited on or .

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