COVID-19

TOKYO (AFP) - The Bank of Japan on Monday ramped up its emergency monetary easing and cut growth forecasts for the world's third largest economy, as the coronavirus pandemic ravages the globe. After a meeting shortened from two days to one, the central bank said it would shift to unlimited government bond buying and more than double its capacity to purchase corporate bonds and commercial papers - a move to support Japan Inc's financing as the country grapples with fallout from the virus. The announcement comes as central banks around the world revert to extr...

The bank has approved three times more loans in March compared to January. United Overseas Bank (UOB) today announced that it will be offering pre-approved loans of up to $200,000 to help ease the short-term liquidity woes of small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the bank announced. The collateral-free loan is intended to help small businesses, which make up two in three of all small- and medium-sized enterprises in Singapore, especially those from hard-hit sectors such as retail and food and beverage, said UOB. The bank has approved three t...