Forex Today: Advanced PMIs in the limelight, but what about the UN General Assembly? The US Dollar (USD) has extended its recovery on Tuesday, climbing to new multi-week highs on the back of steady bets for extra Fed tightening, while increasing hopes of a potential deal to unlock the US-Iran-Hormuz conflict seem to have been ignored by market participants.
Here is what you need to know on Wednesday, September 23:
The US Dollar Index (DXY) climbed further north of its psychological 100.00 barrier, hitting new two-month tops amid the mixed tone in US Treasury yields across the curve. The preliminary S&P Global Manufacturing and Services PMIs for the current month will be the salient data release, seconded by the weekly MBA Mortgage Applications, the EIA’s weekly report on US crude oil inventories and the speech by the Fed’s Barr. https://t.co/uKehAMZGcI
Ghanaian Pastor on the Run After National Security Uncovers Counterfeit Currency Operation The National Security Council Secretariat disclosed that counterfeit currency syndicates used churches and religious offices to hide their printing operations across Greater Accra A raid on a Klagon church allegedly uncovered a major production and storage facility, with its administrative offices and residential quarters used to run the counterfeiting scheme Rev. Emmanuel Boakye-Danquah, the man of God linked to the church, is reportedly on the run as authorities continue efforts to track down suspects still at large The National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) disclosed that counterfeit currency syndicates deliberately exploited churches and religious administrative offices to conceal their printing operations, using the premises to mask the noise and vibration from printing machines while also storing materials and finished notes. https://t.co/K2JonsrvXq
🚨 BEHIND THE SCENES WITH @FLOTUS This is pretty incredible.
On the sidelines of the UN, @FLOTUS is bringing together first ladies from around the world and some of the biggest names in technology for Fostering the Future Together.
The goal is simple: expand children’s access to technology and educational tools, strengthen their digital skills, and help protect them online.
t’order Stay Signs MOU with Mongolia’s AKT MN Pilot Launch with UG Group to Roll Out Table-Order Service in Ulaanbaatar
t’order Stay, a subsidiary of t’order, South Korea’s No. 1 table-order company, is moving to expand into Central Asia by introducing its table-order solution to the Mongolian market.t’order Stay announced on Sept. 21, that it had signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Mongolian company AKT MN LLC for cooperation in the local table-order business.
In Mongolia and the broader Central Asian region, table-order services have not yet become widespread, making this partnership particularly significant as an early introduction of a proven Korean solution to a market with high growth potential.
AKT will oversee local operations. AKT MN LLC is a company that operates digital business and hospitality solutions in Mongolia, including Talon POS, and has a strong understanding of the Mongolian market and operational capabilities. In Mongolia, it will be responsible for overall execution, including product handling and sales, customer communication, hardware procurement, on-site installation, and first-line operational support. t’order Stay will support stable service adoption by providing the solution environment, remote technical support, and operational consulting. https://t.co/flSFXvubhs
Mongolian Stock Market Main Indices Show Positive Movement MONGOLIAN STOCK EXCHANGE
Last week, 5.9 million securities worth a total of MNT 4.3 billion were traded on the Mongolian Stock Exchange (MSE). By trading value, Khan Bank JSC, Golomt Bank JSC, Ard Insurance JSC, Ard Financial Group JSC, and Mongolian Stock Exchange JSC were the most active stocks. During this period, one block trade was executed. Specifically:
Ard Insurance JSC (AIC) traded 492,000 shares at MNT 680 per share, totaling MNT 334.9 million. https://t.co/3V7mgyPRn1
AI widely adopted in Vietnam’s businesses, but only 15% see revenue growth AI is currently delivering much stronger improvements in individual productivity than measurable impacts on costs, revenue, or business models — and this is a challenge now facing business leaders. https://t.co/WkBo5w8m8P
Vietnam Reinforcing the foundations for economic growth Given the eight-month results, economic management should focus on ensuring existing drivers are as effective as possible over the closing months of 2026 rather than on creating new drivers. The first eight months of 2026 painted a brighter economic picture overall than the opening months of the year. But behind these positive figures lies a more important question: To what extent is growth creating new capacity for the economy?
Therefore, in assessing the economic picture for the first eight months, the key issue is not simply how much the economy has grown, but how that growth has been achieved, what new capacity it is creating, and how broadly its benefits are spreading across the domestic economy. These are the issues that should be placed at the center of economic policymaking in the closing months of the year and throughout the 2026-2030 period.
Industry accelerates
If one had to identify the most prominent positive signal from the first eight months of 2026 it would be the clear acceleration in industrial production capacity. The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) rose 1.5 per cent month-on-month in August and 14.4 per cent year-on-year. For the first eight months as a whole, the IIP for the manufacturing and processing sector increased 12.5 per cent, or 2.5 percentage points higher than in the same period last year, indicating a significant strengthening of production capacity. https://t.co/sWMRRbU6HF
Business Appetite Still Weak, Rp2,548 Trillion in Credit Still Pending Credit of Rp2,548 trillion has not been withdrawn because business actors are holding back expansion due to funding costs, purchasing power, exchange rates, and global economic uncertainty.
https://t.co/yn0m7WAU6A
LPEM UI Projects BI to Maintain Interest Rate at 5.75%, Remains Open for Increases LPEM UI projects that BI will maintain the interest rate at 5.75% at the September 2026 RDG, but an increase remains possible if external pressures worsen.
https://t.co/Mmok6JSZCM
Mahfud MD's BLBI Task Force Disbands, Here's How the Ministry of Finance Is Pursuing State Assets from Defaulters
The Ministry of Finance will continue to pursue BLBI-related assets even though the BLBI Task Force has been disbanded, with an active collection strategy including asset seizure. The government is involving law enforcement officials and other institutions to follow up on BLBI assets, as well as to mark assets to clarify the status of obligations to the state. Handling of state receivables following the dissolution of the BLBI Task Force is carried out through the Ministry of Finance's structures, including the State Receivables Affairs Committee (PUPN), in accordance with Government Regulation Number 4 of 2024.
https://t.co/ogOUCXJ5B8
Indonesia's Superbank rides Grab ties, high deposit rates to take on rivals
CEO Siahaan expects major consolidation in banking industry as competition intensifies https://t.co/iMWUDZInqL
LDR Rises, OJK Ensures Bank Liquidity Remains Adequate Banking liquidity is still adequate, although liquid assets tend to decline in banks with high credit growth.
The LDR as of July 2026 reached 88.38 percent, increasing as credit grew 13.58 percent year-on-year, higher than the 11.21 percent year-on-year growth in third-party funds (DPK).
Liquidity buffers remain strong, as reflected in the LCR of 187.50 percent, AL/NCD of 102.45 percent, and AL/DPK of 23.10 percent, all above the minimum requirements.
Jakarta – The Financial Services Authority (OJK) assesses that the banking industry's liquidity remains adequate. However, liquid assets tend to decline, particularly at banks with relatively high credit growth.
Dian Ediana Rae, Chief Executive of Banking Supervision at the Financial Services Authority (OJK), stated that the banking Loan-to-Deposit Ratio (LDR) stood at 88.38 percent as of July 2026, increasing both monthly and annually. This is in line with higher credit growth than third-party funds (DPK).
"The increase in the LDR needs to be viewed proportionally as part of the banking intermediation function, although at the same time, it reflects a decrease in liquidity as a consequence of credit distribution growing faster than its funding sources," Dian said in a written response, quoted on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. https://t.co/hta2YCPXCb
15 Banks Compete for Natural Resource DHE, OJK Warns of Cost of Funds Risks DHE SDA expands the choice of placement banks to five state-owned banks and 10 non-state-owned banks
Competition to attract DHE must be healthy, because high yields can increase the cost of foreign exchange funds.
Bank foreign exchange liquidity remains stable, while the impact of the new policy will be visible in a few months.
Jakarta – The Financial Services Authority (OJK) assesses that the Foreign Exchange from Natural Resource Exports (DHE SDA) policy provides greater leeway for certain mining exporters in choosing banks to place their funds.
Under this policy, exporters can choose from five state-owned banks and 10 non-state-owned banks as placement banks. This policy has the potential to positively impact the liquidity of the banks designated to manage DHE SDA.
"However, the impact on each bank will depend heavily on the bank's ability to attract and retain these funds and manage them productively," said Dian Ediana Rae, Chief Executive of Banking Supervision at the Financial Services Authority (OJK), in a written response, quoted on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. https://t.co/85EEmVUJx7
Himbara Credit Grows 16.95 Percent, These Are the Debtors Supporting It Himbara credit grew 16.95 percent yoy in July 2026, a significant increase from 7.63 percent yoy in July 2025.
Himbara's credit growth was not solely supported by state-owned enterprises (BUMN/BUMD). Loans to non-financial private companies rose 23.87 percent year-on-year, with the largest nominal increase reaching Rp346.6 trillion.
The Financial Services Authority (OJK) ensures that Himbara's credit expansion remains under scrutiny, particularly regarding the BMPK (Limited Liability Limit), credit concentration, prudential principles, and risk management.
Jakarta – The Financial Services Authority (OJK) recorded that credit disbursement by state-owned bank associations (Himbara) grew by 16.95 percent year-on-year (yoy) in July 2026, up from 7.63 percent (yoy) in July 2025.
Chief Executive of Banking Supervision Dian Ediana Rae said the growth was supported by increased credit distribution to several debtor groups and was not solely concentrated in state-owned enterprises.
Meanwhile, credit to state-owned enterprises (BUMN/BUMD) recorded quite high growth of 57.79 percent (yoy) in July 2026. However, high growth was also recorded in credit to private financial institutions (FIs) at 70.71 percent (yoy), while credit to private non-FIs grew 23.87 percent (yoy). https://t.co/iv5Az4ppJo
A Peek at the Condition of Regional Development Bank (BPD) Industry DPK Amid News of Civil Servant Payroll Switching to Himbara BPD fundraising in June 2026 fell 1.70 percent year-on-year to Rp766.11 trillion, a decrease of Rp13.22 trillion compared to June 2025.
BPD savings contracted 6.96 percent yoy to Rp326.07 trillion, while current accounts grew 1.83 percent and time deposits 3.21 percent.
Although the government has confirmed that there are no plans to transfer regional ASN payrolls to Himbara, the potential transfer of payroll funds could impact DPK, the customer base, and BPD transactions. Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has emphasized that the central government has no policy or plan to transfer the distribution of regional civil servant salaries from the Regional Development Bank (BPD) to Himbara.
According to him, the mechanism for transferring and distributing central government funds to the regions is still running as usual.
Although the government has confirmed that there is no such policy, the issue of ASN payroll remains interesting to examine from the fundamental perspective of BPD funding.
This is because ASN payroll funds have been a source of low-cost funding while also supporting the customer base and transaction activities of regional banks. https://t.co/v5cVQX9Mlw
Indonesia and China discuss Whoosh debt repayment mechanism BEIJING — Chairman of the National Economic Council (DEN), Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, discussed the debt repayment mechanism for the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway, or Whoosh, with China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) during his visit to China this week.
As quoted by Antara, Luhut said the discussions needed to be followed up immediately to prevent the Whoosh debt issue from dragging on.
He made the remarks after meeting NDRC Chairman Zheng Shanjie on Friday (18/9).
“We cannot allow this issue to drag on because ultimately it will harm us. Therefore, there needs to be technical follow-up,” Luhut said.
https://t.co/wkwOsDutAb
Rupiah weakens against US dollar, JCI slides 1.69% JAKARTA – The Jakarta Composite Index (JCI) closed 1.69% lower at 6,277.04 in Tuesday’s trading (22/9), as the rupiah weakened against the US dollar.
Total trading value on the stock market reached IDR 14.45 trillion, involving 33.71 billion shares and 2.16 million transactions. A total of 533 stocks fell, while only 139 stocks gained.
PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (BBRI) and PT Bumi Resources Tbk (BUMI) recorded the highest trading values, at IDR 875.45 billion and IDR 714.09 billion, respectively. However, BUMI’s share price fell 3.64%, while BUMI fell 4.17%.
https://t.co/tczRoOCt2g
South Korea backs Texas power project, weighs U.S. nuclear investment SEOUL - South Korea has selected a gas-fired power plant project in Texas as the first project it will pursue under a US$350 billion investment agreement with the United States.
As quoted by Reuters, South Korean lawmaker Chung Chin-ook said Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan presented the plan during a closed-door meeting with lawmakers on Tuesday (22/9).
In addition to the Texas power plant project, Seoul is also considering two other projects.
One is an investment in a nuclear project involving two South Korean-made APR1400 reactors.
https://t.co/s81D5iDtuk