Banking Nerd
Banking without borders—navigating the complexities of finance in a world of restrictions.

Latest

15
Apr
Why ABA Sets the Standard for Banking in Cambodia—But Doesn’t Get a Free Pass

Why ABA Sets the Standard for Banking in Cambodia—But Doesn’t Get a Free Pass

ABA is the most operationally competent bank in Cambodia. Fast onboarding, digital dominance, and QR ubiquity set it apart—but interbank friction and overstated cross-border promises mean it still deserves scrutiny.
4 min read
10
Apr
Broken at the Border: Why the Bakong Tourists App Fails Foreigners.

Broken at the Border: Why the Bakong Tourists App Fails Foreigners.

Cambodia’s Bakong QR system works well—unless you’re a tourist. The Bakong Tourists app is plagued by broken Visa integration, high fees, and forced currency conversion. Here’s why it fails foreigners and which alternatives actually work.
2 min read
07
Apr
Cambodia Public Bank Is Not Cambodian

Cambodia Public Bank Is Not Cambodian

What happens when a nation’s banking system is foreign-owned but locally branded? Cambodia’s financial sovereignty may be more illusion than reality.
2 min read
21
Feb
Banking Without Blind Spots: Mastering the Art of Due Diligence

Banking Without Blind Spots: Mastering the Art of Due Diligence

3 min read
10
Feb
The Deposit Insurance Illusion: Why It’s Mostly Marketing

The Deposit Insurance Illusion: Why It’s Mostly Marketing

Deposit insurance is marketed as a safeguard, but it rarely protects large depositors. Cambodia lacks a formal scheme, yet as Silicon Valley Bank showed, real security comes from government intervention, not coverage limits.
4 min read
31
Jan
Where the Smart Money Moves: The Banking Nerd Mission

Where the Smart Money Moves: The Banking Nerd Mission

Southeast Asia’s banking access is tightening, but Cambodia remains a rare opportunity. With 63 banks and deposit rates up to 8%, here’s where smart money moves.
3 min read