Banks in Asia boost electronic execution capabilities in race to get ahead

Banks in Asia are increasingly relying on the pricing and execution power of their electronic platforms to keep their structured products operations competitive. But as more strive towards the low costs and seamless processes that platforms can offer, some challenges await. Sarah Nowakowska reports

Gone are the days where aiming for mass market appeal was almost enough to get a slice of the action in Asia's structured products markets. The mounting pressure on cost efficiency has required an increasing number of product creators in Asia to reshape or adapt their strategy to remain competitive in the face of tougher market conditions. Tighter regulations have led to a stricter demarcation between retail and private banking investors and more stringent rules around product distribution in