Editing Pawnbroker (section)

==In Asia==
{{see also|Pawnbrokers in Hong Kong}}
[[File:Bonuspawnshop.JPG|thumb|A pawn shop in [[Changlun]], Malaysia]]
[[File:Hk wan chai tram ways 1.jpg|thumb|A pawn shop in [[Hong Kong]]]]
[[File:Hong Kong Pawn Shop Logo.jpg|thumb|A typical Hong Kong pawn shop sign, featuring a [[bat]] holding a [[coin]]]]
In [[Hong Kong]] the practice follows the Chinese tradition, and the counter of the shop is typically higher than the average person for security. A customer can only hold up his hand to offer belongings and there is a wooden screen between the door and the counter for customers' privacy. The symbol of a pawn shop in Hong Kong is a [[bat]] holding a [[coin]] ({{zh|蝠鼠吊金錢}}, [[Cantonese]]: ''fūk syú diu gām chín''). The bat signifies fortune and the coin signifies benefits. In Japan, the usual symbol for a pawn shop is a circled number seven because "shichi", the Japanese word for seven, sounds similar to the word for "pawn" ({{lang|ja|質}}).

The majority of pawnbrokers in Malaysia are [[Malaysian Chinese]], a group that makes up 25% of the population. In Malay, the word for pawn is "pajak gadai". A valid and licensed pawnshop in Malaysia must always declare itself as a "pajak gadai" or a pawn shop for its company registration. It must also fulfill the requirement of the [[Ministry of Housing and Local Government]] that the pawn counter be no higher than four feet and bulletproof, and have  stainless-steel counters/doors, strong rooms with automatic locks and safes, CCTV, alarms and pawnbroker insurance.

In the [[Philippines]], pawnshops are generally privately owned businesses regulated by the [[Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas]] (BSP). Pawnshops in the country traditionally have Spanish names beginning with "Agencia de Empeños" ("pawn agency"), contrary to "Casa de Empeños" in Spain and Latin America.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Official Gazette, Vol. 1|magazine=[[Official Gazette (Philippines)]]|year=1942|publisher=[[Philippine Executive Commission]]|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Mf4qAQAAMAAJ}}</ref> Most pawnshops accept jewelry, vehicles or electronic valuables as collateral. They also offer various forms of other finance-related services such as [[remittance]], bills payment and [[microfinance|microfinancing]]. Therefore, they serve as financial [[one stop shop]]s primarily to communities in which alternatives such as banks are not available. Recently, they have also started conducting services online and through mobile applications although this is yet subject to regulation by the BSP.

In India, the Marwari [[Jain]] community pioneered the pawnbroking business, but today others are involved; the work is done by many agents called "saudagar". Instead of working from a shop, they go to needy people's homes and motivate them to become involved in the business. Pawn shops are often run as part of jewelry stores. Gold, silver, and diamonds are frequently accepted as collateral.

Pawnbroking is also a traditional trade in [[Thailand]], where pawn shops are run both privately and by local governments.

In [[Sri Lanka]], pawnbroking is a lucrative business engaged in by specialized pawnbrokers as well as commercial banks and other finance companies.

In [[Indonesia]], there is a state-owned company called [[Pegadaian]] which provides a range of conventional and Sharia-compliant pawnbroking services across the archipelago. The company accepts high-value items such as gold, motor vehicles, and other expensive items as collateral. In addition to pawnbroking activities, the company provides a range of other services, such as a safe deposit box and gold trading services.
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