A former banking magnate and 50 others went on trial in Vietnam Monday over a multi-million dollar fraud at a major private bank, as the communist nation cracks down on corruption in the sector.Authorities have vowed to clean up an industry plagued by favouritism and dodgy loans -- part of a broader drive against corruption in the country.In the latest trial, the ex-chairman of Ocean Bank, Ha Van Tham, is accused of illegally approving loans worth $23 million in 2012, ultimately leading to th

Vietnam's economy has been performing remarkably well in recent years. Unemployment is just 2.3 percent. Growth is expected to exceed 6 percent annually until 2019.

Asia Pacific Exchange Pte, has received in-principle approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore to start a third derivatives exchange in the city, according to people with knowledge of the matter.Apex is now working on getting final approval from the city’s regulator, according to the people, who asked not be identified because the information is confidential. The company, which has about 40 staff, plans to open its exchange with refined palm oil contracts, the people said.

Even as Hong Kong shares are holding on to their eighth straight monthly gain, recent derivatives activity shows investors are getting jittery about Asia’s best-performing market this year. Bearish options volume on the Hang Seng Index is heading for its highest level since August 2011 this month, with the ratio of outstanding puts versus bullish calls near a 10-year peak. The hedging is happening as the benchmark gauge surged 25 percent since January, reaching a more than two-year high Aug.

Donald Trump grabbed investors’ attention in an otherwise listless Asian trading session, with the yen rising and S&P 500 Index futures slipping with the Mexican peso as the U.S. president said he may end the North American Free-Trade Agreement.Some of the earlier risk-on trade was unwound, with the dollar pulling back after Trump also threatened to shut down the U.S. government if he is unable to get funds to build a wall along the Mexican border.

Banking consolidation in Malaysia is proving to be fiendishly tough. Blame it on a runaway bride, but leave room to lament the country's fraught racial relations.Start with the Julia Roberts character. RHB Bank Bhd., Malaysia's fourth largest by assets, has now been involved in two failed marriage discussions. The first, a three-way merger with CIMB Group Holdings Bhd. and Malaysia Building Society Bhd. collapsed in early 2015.