PETER LEWIS' MONEY TALK - Thursday 12 March 2026

On Thursday’s Money Talk, host Peter Lewis and guests highlighted Vietnam’s decision to draw from its emergency fund to subsidise gasoline, a move not seen in three years. The subsidy aims to calm public anger and curb inflationary spikes caused by global oil price volatility. Analysts noted that while the short‑term relief eases consumer pressure, it adds fiscal strain to an already delicate emerging‑market budget. The discussion placed Vietnam’s action within a broader regional trend where governments balance price stability against sovereign debt risks.

Turning to the fintech frontier, the episode featured Yanan Wu of Surfin Group, which now serves 90 million users across ten Asian markets. Wu explained how the company leverages mobile‑first platforms to deliver credit, payments and wealth‑management services, accelerating digital adoption among previously unbanked populations. The conversation underscored that Asia’s fintech surge is fueled by supportive regulation, high smartphone penetration, and a youthful consumer base eager for convenient financial solutions. As traditional banks scramble to modernise, agile players like Surfin are reshaping competitive dynamics and opening new revenue streams.

Insights from Andrew Freris of Ecognosis Advisory and Nick Marro, EIU’s principal economist for Asia, added depth to the macro view. Freris warned that lingering supply‑chain bottlenecks and volatile commodity prices could prolong inflationary pressures in many emerging economies, despite localized subsidies. Marro highlighted that investors should monitor policy credibility, fiscal buffers, and the pace of digital financial inclusion when assessing risk‑adjusted returns. Together, the panel argued that a nuanced understanding of both fiscal interventions and fintech innovation is essential for capital allocation decisions in a rapidly evolving Asian landscape.