Thailand’s Kasikornbank (KBANK) mulls Indonesia foray via M&A

Kasikornbank (KBANK), the fourth largest bank in Thailand, is working on its feasibility plan to tap into Indonesia through acquisitions next year.

KBANK president Pipit Aneaknithi told the media on Wednesday that it has partnered with two local banks in Indonesia currently, and proposed to set up its own footprint in the Indonesian market.

“We also want to expand into Vietnam and Myanmar in 2018, but Indonesia is our priority because its market size is three times larger than Thai market,” he said.

According to him, the main challenge was that the Indonesian regulators require foreign banks to acquire more than one local bank. Also, in a bid to keep the local banking sector competitive, Indonesia does not allow acquisitions of strong institutions.

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However, once the framework of Qualified Asean Banks (QAB) is launched, it can probably be another option for KBANK to enter Indonesian market.

KBank plans to open a physical branch in Cambodia next month and another in Vientiane later this year, he added.

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