Asian markets braced for banking turmoil on Friday after a volatile week of trading. Bond yields plunged and market participants sharply lowered expectations of future interest rate hikes in Western economies. The European Central Bank delivered an inflation-fighting 50 basis point rate hike in line with oft-repeated guidance. This was followed by the Swiss National Bank's massive support for Credit Suisse Group AG, sending the troubled lender's shares soaring. The news sent a wave of optimism through the markets, with Asian stocks rising as investors took advantage of the positive sentiment. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 index closed up 0.5%, while in Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index rose 1.3%. However, analysts warned that the banking turmoil could have a lasting impact on the markets, with some predicting that the situation could worsen. "We could be seeing the start of a banking crisis in the West," said analyst Stephen Lee. "The ECB's rate hike could be the beginning of a series of moves that will lead to a more volatile environment for Asian markets." Lee warned that the current rally could be short-lived, and that investors should be prepared for further turbulence in the weeks ahead. "It's important to remember that the markets are still fragile, and that any further shocks could send them into a tailspin," he said. The markets will be closely watching the situation in the coming days, with investors hoping for some stability in the banking sector.