In Thailand’s financial landscape, where depositors grapple with low interest rates from commercial banks and borrowers lament over the higher lending costs, the advent of virtual banks promises a transformative shift. Virtual banks, operating solely on digital platforms without any physical branches, stand at the forefront of a banking revolution, potentially offering more competitive interest rates for both depositors and borrowers. The country’s net interest rate spread remains significantly wider than that of neighboring nations like Malaysia and Singapore, highlighting a ripe opportunity for change.
Virtual banks, by eschewing physical branches, aim to leverage their operational cost savings into better rates for customers. The digital-first approach promises reduced overheads, particularly in staffing, potentially enabling these entities to offer more attractive terms. However, this model’s primary drawback is its impersonal nature, which may not suit large corporations accustomed to traditional banking relationships. Consequently, virtual banking is poised to revolutionize consumer lending rather than corporate banking.
The Bank of Thailand (BOT) has opened the floor to applicants wishing to establish virtual banks, initially capping the number at three but later, in conjunction with the Finance Ministry, deciding against limiting the number. Applicants must meet seven stringent criteria, encompassing operational competence, technological proficiency, security, and financial stability, among others. The application window spans from March 20 to September 19, attracting interest from various conglomerates, including Gulf Energy Development Pcl in partnership with AIS and Krungthai Bank, SCB X Pcl alongside international digital banks WeBank and KaKoaBank, and possibly the Charoen Pokphand Group.
This potential surge in virtual banking is expected to disrupt the traditional banking sector profoundly. Anusorn Tamajai, an economics lecturer at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and former BOT board member, predicts significant implications for commercial banks, including job cuts and branch closures. The competitive pressure from virtual banks would likely narrow interest rate margins, compelling traditional banks to offer more competitive rates and lower fees. “Bank customers, especially SMEs and retail clients, would benefit from a wider array of choices,” Tamajai remarks, foreseeing a long-term impact on banks’ revenues and a push towards a more decentralized banking system in Thailand.
Virtual banks internationally present a varied landscape of success and challenges. Notable achievements include China’s WeBank serving over 100 million customers, and in the UK, Starling Bank and Atom Bank have attracted millions. In the U.S., financial technology firms like Current and Vora Bank have secured substantial funding for lending. Germany’s N26 and South Korea’s Kakao Bank have also made significant inroads in offering innovative financial services to millions. These developments, coupled with tech giants like Apple venturing into financial services in collaboration with Goldman Sachs, underscore a global trend towards digital banking.
Tamajai envisions a future where financial decentralization becomes more pronounced, with digital currencies and private monetary systems gaining traction alongside traditional fiat money. This shift could dilute the central banks’ influence, prompting them to explore issuing digital currencies.
Yet, as virtual banks carve out their niche, cybersecurity emerges as a critical success factor. The confidence of virtual bank customers will heavily depend on the institutions’ ability to safeguard against financial fraud and cyber threats, marking a pivotal challenge in the era of digital banking.