Wealth is rising rapidly across Asia, in both the number of affluent consumers and the value they hold. In this episode of Banking Uncovered, Charles Green speaks to Stefano Colombu, Managing Director of Asia at RFI Global, about the surge in mass affluent consumers across APAC, what drives their financial decisions, and how their money moves across borders.

From the booming China–Hong Kong corridor to the growing importance of Singapore and the UAE, they unpack how affluent and high-net-worth consumers are reshaping the regional banking landscape, and what banks must do to attract and retain them. They explore the rise of digital-only banks, the evolving role of relationship managers, and how regulations and AI are influencing investor behaviour and expectations.

These insights are fuelled by RFI Global’s data from over 40,000 interviews across 8 APAC markets and 50 cross-border wealth corridors.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The growth in affluence in Asia: The demographic and economic forces behind the rise of affluent consumers across the region.
• The rise of emerging affluents: Why banks should pay attention to this growing segment and how their behaviours differ.
• Cross-border banking motivations: They explore what is driving the trends in cross-border corridors and the behaviour of affluent consumers.
• Wealth hub dynamics: The importance of China, and how Singapore and UAE are gaining ground on the US as preferred destinations for Asian investors. 
• Share of wallet trends: Why consumers look beyond local players to global banks as their wealth increases, and how fintechs and digital-only banks perform.
• The future of AI in banking: Asian consumers’ expectations and experiences with AI and how to gain their trust.
• Balancing digital and human touch: How to get the balance right. Mass affluent consumers want seamless digital experiences but still value proactive relationship managers.

In this episode of Banking Uncovered, host Charles Green is joined by Rishi Lalwani, currently Global Head of Lending for SME Banking at Standard Chartered, to explore the evolving landscape of SME banking across Asia and the Middle East.

With over 17 years of experience in business banking and a focus on digital transformation, Rishi discusses his views on why now is a pivotal moment for SME bankers and how banks can better serve this dynamic segment.

• SME credit cards: Why 40% of SME owners use retail credit cards instead of business credit cards and the benefits of switching.
• The pain points for SMEs in APAC: From digitization to cybersecurity, to accessing finance, and how banks can help solve them.
• Digital-first solutions: Why digital innovation is the main driver for switching banks and how to meet the rising demand for digital offers at all stages of delivery, including onboarding, online banking and using alternate data for credit assessment.
• The future of bank branches: Rishi speculates on the future of bank branches in a digital economy, envisioning virtual and digital branches with personalised services.
• Foreign Exchange (FX): The role of FX in SME banking, highlighting the importance of a client-led approach, transparency and security.

And much more.

Join us for an insightful conversation as we uncover the intricacies of SME banking and the digital transformation shaping the future of the industry.

In this episode of Banking Uncovered, we explore how Square is transforming the payments landscape for merchants and small businesses and redefining the future of banking. As digital transactions become increasingly prevalent, what implications does this have for traditional banking models and financial accessibility?

Banking Uncovered host Chloe James speaks to Jess Aloi, Australian Go-to-Market Lead at Square, winner of the prestigious Most Recommended Merchant Services Award at the RFI Global Australian Banking and Finance Awards 2025. They discuss how the needs of small businesses, technological advancements and regulatory developments are influencing the banking industry, as well as a central theme around customer-centricity and a passion for supporting businesses.

Topics discussed include:

• Banking & Finance Awards: Jess’s thoughts on how Square achieved the Most Recommended Merchant Services Award, and the importance of putting customer-centricity at the heart of everything they do.
• Net Promoter Score (NPS): How Square achieved a high NPS of +42.5 in March 2025, up from +23.8 in May 2024, driven by simplicity, peer recommendations and strong customer advocacy.
• Achieving customer-centricity: How Square builds its tools and services around seller feedback, ensuring that every product update is designed to make business easier and more successful for its users.
• Technology and innovation: How Square’s innovations are shaping the way consumers and businesses handle transactions, and leading the charge in innovation. The importance of adapting global products for specific local market needs.
• Company culture: The team culture is collaborative, mission-driven, and seller-obsessed, with many employees bringing firsthand small business experience.
• The future: Predictions on how digital systems will continue to evolve and their potential impact on the global financial ecosystem.

And much more.

Tune in to this Banking Uncovered episode for valuable insights into the world of merchant banking and stay ahead of the curve in this rapidly evolving industry.