Thailand is laying the foundations for standalone digital banks because it strives to meet up with different Asian markets which can be permitting such modifications, in keeping with its central financial institution governor.
“At this stage, Thailand may not have the ecosystem prepared like in Singapore or Hong Kong, the place the digital banking system is in higher form,” the Financial institution of Thailand’s Veerathai Santiprabhob stated in an interview.
Veerathai stated three key pillars are wanted to construct digital banks: information from non-financial sources, an digital identification system, and an acceptable regulatory framework. Thailand is stepping up its efforts to make sure these attain worldwide requirements, he stated.
Authorities in Thailand are attempting to maintain tempo with the digital banking transformation in Asia, the place new entrants are rising to compete with established banks equivalent to HSBC Holdings Plc. For Thailand, digitization is seen as a solution to unfold banking providers extra extensively in addition to enhance competitors.
“After we discuss digital banking licenses, we wish to have a brand new monetary providers supplier that may serve the at the moment underserved, which means that you’ve got to have the ability to meet the wants of individuals on the road, individuals from far, far-off,” Veerathai stated.
Singapore is about to present as many as 5 digital banking licenses to non-banks in June, whereas eight digital lenders are beginning in Hong Kong this 12 months. Each cities have attracted expertise heavyweights together with billionaire Jack Ma’s Ant Monetary and cell phone maker Xiaomi Corp.
Whereas Thailand lacks impartial digital banks, native and overseas lenders do provide varied digital providers within the nation, together with funds. Singapore’s United Abroad Financial institution Ltd. began its first mobile-only financial institution, referred to as TMRW, in Thailand final 12 months.
Nonetheless, extra digital banking providers are wanted in Thailand, Veerathai stated. Present ones are restricted principally to fund transfers, and lending is “an enormous problem” resulting from inadequate information to assist banks consider shoppers’ creditworthiness, he stated.
“This may come from when prospects use cellphones, the way in which they conduct their enterprise utilizing the digital footprint ecosystem,” he stated.
The Financial institution of Thailand is working with varied events to introduce digital lending and different monetary providers this 12 months, Veerathai stated, with out giving particulars. Extra collaboration between authorities businesses is essential, the governor stated.
“It can’t be the central financial institution alone,” he stated.
