Despite various extensions of rental relief, up to half of mall operators reported significant difficulties collecting rents from their tenants in the first half of 2021 (1H21), according to Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).

Pressure on office and retail rents to remain as vacancy rates rise — BNM

The impact on insurers’ and takaful operators’ earnings from premium deferrals as well as Covid-19 claims is expected to remain manageable, with insurers and takaful operators assessed to be resilient against stressed scenarios assuming higher claims than observed thus far, according to Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).

Insurers’ and takaful operators’ capital adequacy ratio well above regulatory minimum — BNM

Last year, close to seven million individual medical reimbursement policies/certificates were written by life insurers and family takaful operators, accounting for 68% of total protection insurance and takaful claims.

How has Covid-19 impacted medical claims trend?

First-time buyers of affordable residential property continued to support house prices in Malaysia in the first half of 2021 (1H21) despite the housing market reversing improvements observed in 2H20 as the effects of the positive response to various homeownership incentives introduced by the government subsided.

First-time buyers continued to support house prices in 1H21 — BNM

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) said banks in the country expect to continue bolstering loan-loss provisions in the second half of 2021 (2H21) given renewed stress faced by some borrowers.

BNM: Higher provisions seen in banks as borrowers face renewed stress

The application for the latest loan moratorium peaked in the first half of July, said Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).

Nevertheless, the weekly applications declined steeply thereafter.

Application for latest loan moratorium peaked in first half of July

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) said that while recovery prospects for the Malaysian economy remain subjected to some degree of Covid-19 pandemic-driven uncertainty, the domestic financial system is expected to remain resilient against potential economic and financial shocks as banks and insurers continue to have sufficient financial buffers to absorb potential losses under severe macroeconomic and financial conditions while sustaining support for economic recovery.

BNM: Malaysia's financial system to remain resilient against economic, financial shocks

Malaysia’s banking system total deposit annual growth slowed to 3.9% in June 2021 from 6% in March 2021, but remained supported by precautionary savings by households and businesses, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) said.

Banking system deposit growth slows; preference grows for liquid assets

The business sector could suffer a setback in its financial recovery from the reimposition of nationwide movement restrictions towards the end of the second quarter of 2021 (2Q21).

Renewed pressure on business sector’s debt-servicing capacity seen

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia saw their portion of bank loans under repayment assistance spike to 21.6% in June 2021 from below 8% in September 2020, according to Bank Negara Malaysia's (BNM) Financial Stability Review report for the first half of 2021 (1H21).

One-fifth of SME loans underwent repayment assistance — BNM report

Malaysia’s overall household debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio improved to 89.6% at end-June 2021 from 93.2% at end-December last year, but remained elevated amid the sluggish recovery in nominal GDP, said Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).

Malaysia’s household debt-to-GDP ratio improves to 89.6% at end-June

Long queues were spotted at Sports Toto Bhd's (KL:SPTOTO) outlets across Malaysia on Saturday, as eager punters lined up for a chance to strike it rich with the record-breaking RM100 million Supreme 6/58 jackpot.

Nationwide frenzy: Long queues at Sports Toto outlets as punters hope to win RM100m jackpot

Malaysia’s Energy Commission (EC) will conduct an open tender for the large-scale solar (LSS) Petra 5+ programme, offering opportunities to develop solar plants with capacities ranging from 10MW to 500MW, scheduled for operation in 2027.

Malaysia calls for second LSS5 bid, target 2GW

The US Federal Trade Commision (FTC) said on Friday it had approved a consent order to resolve antitrust issues concerning Chevron's US$53 billion (RM238.71 billion) takeover of Hess.

US FTC finalises consent order for US$53b Chevron-Hess merger

Donald Trump's incoming US presidential administration plans to intensify immigration enforcement nationwide soon after he takes office on Monday, a person with knowledge of the plans said.

Trump plans to intensify immigration enforcement soon after inauguration, Reuters reports

US President-elect Donald Trump’s policies risk stunting global growth and weakening demand for Malaysian chips, according to Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

US trade war threatens demand for Malaysian chips, says Zafrul

There has been endless speculation about the chaos that may (or may not) await America and the world following US President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20. No one knows how much of Trump’s stated agenda is “for real,” and how much of it is political posturing for his base, a show...

Unconventional Economic Wisdom: Trump Is on a Collision Course With the US Budget

TikTok said it will be forced to “go dark” in the US on Sunday unless there is a clear statement from the Biden administration to service providers that are maintaining its availability.

TikTok says to ‘go dark’ in US on Sunday without White House clarity

The US Federal Reserve (Fed) has withdrawn from the Network of Central Banks and Supervisors for Greening the Financial System (NGFS), a global coalition of central banks engaged in the study of climate risk that was launched in 2017.

Fed withdraws from global climate coalition

Bitcoin appears to be back on track towards record highs with the second presidential inauguration of pro-crypto Donald Trump just days away. 

The largest cryptocurrency by market value has climbed as much as 13% since Sunday, putting it on pace for the biggest weekly gain since election week in November. Bitcoin, which reached a record US$108,315 (RM487,851) in December, had declined in three of the prior four weeks. It was up about 4.9% to US$105,076 as of 3.44pm in New York.

Bitcoin jumps to high for year ahead of Trump inauguration

Bank of America Corp is divvying up a roughly US$1 billion (RM4.5 billion) pool of restricted stock among the majority of its staff, lifting compensation to retain employees as the lender seeks to boost earnings while keeping a lid on expenses.

Bank of America staff to share about US$1b of stock awards

In a last-minute move by the Biden-Harris administration, a new Interim Final Rule on Artificial Intelligence Diffusion was announced on Monday (Jan 13), imposing stricter export controls on US-developed AI chips.

Is Malaysia’s chip sector prepared for the storm?

US President-elect Donald Trump’s policies risk stunting global growth and weakening demand for Malaysian chips, according to Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

TikTok said it will be forced to “go dark” in the US on Sunday unless there is a clear statement from the Biden administration to service providers that are maintaining its availability.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to the UK has successfully attracted&nbsp;RM11 billion in potential investments across various sectors, including renewable energy and the digital economy.

PM's UK visit attracts potential investments worth RM11b

Outgoing Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said her department will start taking special accounting manoeuvres as of Jan&nbsp;21 to avoid breaching the US debt limit, and urged lawmakers again to take steps to increase or suspend the statutory ceiling.

US to take extraordinary steps to avert default, Yellen says

Long queues were spotted at Sports Toto Bhd's (KL:SPTOTO) outlets across Malaysia on Saturday, as eager punters lined up for a chance to strike it rich with the record-breaking RM100 million Supreme 6/58 jackpot.

Malaysia’s Energy Commission (EC) will conduct an open tender for the large-scale solar (LSS) Petra 5+ programme, offering opportunities to develop solar plants with capacities ranging from 10MW to 500MW, scheduled for operation in 2027.

MSCI's&nbsp;global&nbsp;equities index rose on Friday, while US&nbsp;Treasury yields turned higher with the dollar, as upbeat economic data and earnings appeared to help investors shrug off any jitters ahead of the US&nbsp;presidential inauguration.

Global shares rise with dollar, US bond yields turn higher

Donald&nbsp;Trump's&nbsp;incoming US&nbsp;presidential administration plans to intensify immigration enforcement nationwide soon after he takes office on Monday, a person with knowledge of the plans said.

Intel Corp&nbsp;shares jumped as much as 9.5% on Friday morning after a report on a technology news site said the beleaguered chipmaker is an acquisition target.

Intel shares jump on report it’s an acquisition target

With US President-elect Donald Trump due to be sworn in on Monday, Jan&nbsp;20, Malaysia believes it can navigate any&nbsp;political or economic&nbsp;uncertainties arising from his second term in the White House.

Malaysia confident of navigating possible challenges from Trump's presidency, says Anwar

Malaysians abroad should not underestimate the technological advancement, expertise and talent available back home, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Don’t underestimate technological advancement and talent back home, says Anwar

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has denied recent claims in local media reports that the state government plans to increase hotel accommodation fees by up to 50% this year.

Penang has no plans to raise hotel fees, says CM

Bitcoin appears to be back on track towards record highs with the second presidential inauguration of pro-crypto Donald Trump just days away.&nbsp;

The largest cryptocurrency by market value has climbed as much as 13% since Sunday, putting it on pace for the biggest weekly gain since election week in November. Bitcoin, which reached a record US$108,315 (RM487,851) in December, had declined in three of the prior four weeks. It was up about 4.9% to US$105,076 as of 3.44pm&nbsp;in New York.

Starbucks Corp&nbsp;said it will eliminate some corporate positions, the latest chapter of chief executive officer Brian Niccol’s plan to rebuild the company.

The announcement will come in early March and “will not affect our in-store teams or the investments we are making in store hours,” Niccol wrote in a memo to workers that was included in a regulatory filing. The company declined to say how many positions will be eliminated and in what areas.

Starbucks in US to cut corporate jobs as part of turnaround

Bank of America Corp&nbsp;is divvying up a roughly US$1 billion (RM4.5&nbsp;billion) pool of restricted stock among the majority of its staff, lifting compensation to retain employees as the lender seeks to boost earnings while keeping a lid on expenses.

The US Federal Reserve (Fed) has withdrawn from the Network of Central Banks and Supervisors for Greening the Financial System (NGFS), a global coalition of central banks engaged in the study of climate risk that was launched in 2017.

The US&nbsp;Federal Trade Commision (FTC) said on Friday it had approved a consent order to resolve antitrust issues concerning&nbsp;Chevron's US$53 billion (RM238.71 billion) takeover of Hess.

Israel’s full Cabinet approved a ceasefire and hostage-prisoner exchange deal with Hamas, clearing the way for a six-week pause from Sunday to the 15 months of war in Gaza.

BNM Financial Stability Review 1H2021

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BNM Financial Stability Review 1H2021

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