The global financial messaging service, SWIFT, has warned that cyber attackers continue to target the network, CNBC reports. In February, hackers were able to infiltrate a Bangladesh central bank account, via SWIFT, and steal US$81 million. In a letter sent to banks last month, SWIFT warned of an escalating threat to their systems. "The threat is very persistent, adaptive and sophisticated," the letter said. Banks and central banks using SWIFT have been hit with a "meaningful" number of attacks since the Bangladesh theft, with about 20 per cent of them resulting in losses. Moody's Investors Service says that the outlook for banks in Asia Pacific for 2017 is negative, because of the challenging operating conditions in the region, which will weigh on the banks' asset quality and profitability, as will the pressure from rising credit costs. Downside risks from changes in economic cycles are partly balanced by the banks' improving capital levels, as well as strong funding and liquidity profiles. Among emerging risks and opportunities for 2017, Moody's predicted that green bond issuance by banks in Asia Pacific is set to increase further; and the competition posed by financial technology firms would improve the banks' development and delivery of financial services. Of the 16 banking systems in Asia Pacific analysed by Moody's, six carry negative outlooks (one of these is Australia) versus three in early 2016.