The mobile-savvy customer is king at United Bank Limited. Having created Pakistan’s top banking app following a radical digital revamp, the bank now leads adoption of cutting edge tech, such as AI and machine learning, to create services that fit seamlessly into digitally literate people’s lives.

The significant acceleration in the digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) – the engine of the global and Southeast Asian economies – in recent years is expected to drive higher revenues and increase productivity, supporting economic growth and development in the region. Christie Chu, head of emerging business and commercial banking cash, global commercial banking at OCBC Bank, explores how SMEs are navigating the opportunities and challenges in digitalisation, and how the bank is supporting them in their efforts.

Earlier this year Standard Chartered opened its Greater Bay Area Centre in Guangzhou, strengthening the bank’s on-the-ground presence and commitment to the economic region. Serving the cross-border needs of clients across consumer, private, business, corporate, commercial, and institutional banking, the centre is at the vanguard of the bank’s push in China, says Anthony Lin, CEO, the Greater Bay Area at Standard Chartered.