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TOP NEWS

Hong Kong Eyes Kazakhstan as Gateway for Investment into Central Asia

Hong Kong Kazakhstan investment ties are set to deepen as the two markets pursue a “hub-to-hub” model designed to connect Asian capital with Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Under the proposed approach, Hong Kong would provide Kazakh businesses with greater access to mainland China and wider Asian markets, while Kazakhstan would act as a gateway for Hong Kong investors seeking opportunities across Central Asia. The two sides are also pursuing institutional arrangements to sup

ECONOMY

14 hours ago

FOCUS

4 September 2026

A Billion-Dollar Sale Can Still Leave the Family Short of Cash

The deal headline is not the usable bank balance. A liquidity waterfall shows what has arrived, what remains restricted and what is already promised.

VIDEO RECAP
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04th Sep 2026

Xi Plans Rare CEO Delegation for Washington Summit

A Xi Washington CEO delegation is being prepared for the Chinese president’s Sept. 24 summit as Beijing seeks to signal support for commercial and investment ties with the United States, Reuters reported. Xi Jinping rarely travels overseas with large groups of corporate executives, and Reuters said it had not determined which business leaders would participate. His last sizeable corporate delegation to the US was in 2015 and included Alibaba founder Jack Ma and Tencent founde

ECONOMY

14 hours ago

Singapore Younger Wealthy Clients Drive Banks’ Next-Generation Push

Singapore younger wealthy clients are becoming an increasingly important target for banks as millennials and Generation Z investors start investing earlier and progress more quickly into higher wealth segments. DBS said the number of millennial retail customers entering its Treasures segment, which covers clients with SGD350,000 (USD277,000) to SGD1.5m in investible assets, tripled in the first half of 2026 from a year earlier. OCBC recorded an almost 50% increase in customer

FAMILY OFFICES

14 hours ago

Wang Jianjun Life Sentence Follows Bribery Conviction of Former China Securities Regulator

Wang Jianjun life sentence proceedings have ended with the former China Securities Regulatory Commission vice chairman receiving life imprisonment for accepting more than RMB93m (USD13m) in bribes. State broadcaster CCTV reported that the court found Wang had used his positions between 2005 and 2019 to secure benefits for companies and individuals. The benefits involved company listings, corporate financing and business contracts, with Wang accepting money and property in ret

REGULATION

14 hours ago

Singapore Accounting Body Opens Regional Pathway for Smaller Firms

Singapore accounting firms Asia expansion could become easier under a regional professional-services network being developed by the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants. ISCA’s Professional Services Centre network allows smaller Singapore firms to work with local providers for regulated services, market expertise and business connections without incurring the full cost of establishing overseas offices. A newly launched Jakarta centre joins existing locations in Singap

ECONOMY

2 days ago

Singapore and Hong Kong Banks Set to Gain as Asian Wealth Shifts to Markets

Asian wealth management growth could increasingly favour banks in Singapore and Hong Kong as household assets shift from deposits and property towards equities, bonds, funds and alternative investments, according to Morgan Stanley. The trend is expected to increase demand for private banking, investment management and advisory services as household wealth across Asia continues to expand. Morgan Stanley said Singapore should benefit from its position as a centre for family off

FAMILY OFFICES

2 days ago

Philippine CEOs Stay Upbeat Despite Mounting Business Risks

Philippine CEO confidence remains strong despite growing concerns over regulatory uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, climate change and technological disruption. A PwC Philippines and Management Association of the Philippines survey of 176 CEOs and business leaders found that 83% were confident about their industry prospects over the next 12 months, while 81% expected company revenues to grow. Domestic consumption was the most frequently cited growth driver, followed by infr

ECONOMY

2 days ago

Japan’s Stronger Q2 Growth Keeps BOJ Tightening on Track

Japan Q2 GDP growth was stronger than initially estimated, reinforcing expectations that the Bank of Japan will continue raising interest rates. Gross domestic product expanded at an annualised 1.4% in April-June from the previous quarter, revised up from an initial 1.1% estimate. Non-annualised quarterly growth was 0.4%, government data showed. Capital expenditure fell 0.9%, a smaller decline than the previously estimated 1.2%, while private consumption was unchanged. Separa

ECONOMY

2 days ago

UBS Targets Family Offices with USD5m Institutional Funds Programme

The UBS family office funds programme is giving wealthy Asian investors access to strategies typically reserved for institutions, with a minimum overall commitment of USD5m. The Exclusive Manager Access Fund Program will initially launch in Singapore and Hong Kong before expanding to Taiwan, targeting high-net-worth individuals, ultra-high-net-worth investors and family offices. Clients must allocate at least USD500,000 to each underlying fund. The programme will begin with s

FAMILY OFFICES

2 days ago

OCBC Rally Lifts Lee Family Fortune to USD13.8bn

The OCBC Lee family fortune has risen to USD13.8bn as shares in the Singapore bank nearly doubled over the past year, supported partly by expansion of its wealth-management business. The family, whose largest asset is its OCBC holding, ranked fourth among Singapore’s wealthiest and recorded the largest increase in both absolute and percentage terms. OCBC’s wealth-management business grew 11% in the first quarter and accounted for 39% of total revenue. The bank has been expand

FAMILY OFFICES

2 days ago

Barclays Targets Family Offices with Singapore Private Bank Booking Centre

Barclays Singapore private bank capabilities are expanding with the launch of a new booking centre aimed at family offices and ultra-high-net-worth clients across Asia. The move marks Barclays’ return to an onshore private banking booking model in Singapore, around a decade after the British lender sold its regional private banking business to OCBC. The centre combines local booking capabilities with Barclays’ international network, giving clients access to banking, lending,

FAMILY OFFICES

2 days ago

Standard Chartered Raises Taiwan Growth Forecast to 11.5%

The Taiwan growth forecast 2026 has been raised by Standard Chartered to 11.5% from 9.5% after stronger-than-expected second-quarter expansion, robust AI-related exports and improving domestic demand. The bank also lifted its 2027 growth estimate to 6.5% from 5%, above government forecasts of 11.05% and 6.04%, respectively. Senior economist Tommy Wu said growth was likely to slow sharply from the fourth quarter as high base effects weighed on export comparisons. However, a su

ECONOMY

2 days ago

Hong Kong Ranks Fifth in Asia-Pacific Living Investment

Hong Kong living investment ranked fifth among Asia-Pacific markets after attracting 24 student-housing conversion deals worth USD1.63bn since 2021, according to Cushman & Wakefield. Ten transactions valued at USD739.9m were completed during the first seven months of 2026, supported by accommodation shortages and continued growth in the student population. The APAC Living Investor Survey 2026 found that 90% of respondents were considering repositioning or change-of-use invest

ASSET MANAGEMENT

5 days ago

EVENTS

INSIGHTS

PEOPLE MOVES

Raffles Family Office Names Ken Peng as First CIO

Sep 1

Singapore Family Office Legal Services Expand with New Boutique Firm

Aug 28

B2C2 Family Office Expansion Strengthened by Jason Lai Appointment

Aug 18

Hong Kong Finance Talent Returns as Capital Markets Recover

Aug 17

China Market Regulator Chief Luo Wen Removed After Hebei Appointment

Aug 12

AI Skills in Finance Overtake MBAs in Hiring Value, PwC Finds

Aug 5

Paragon Family Office Coverage Expands with Senior Partner Appointment

Aug 4

Societe Generale Strengthens Asia Transaction Banking with Joseph Chia Appointment

Jul 31

HSBC Singapore Hiring Adds 200 AI and Wealth Management Roles

Jul 29

RBC Wealth Management Asia Expands with Six Senior Private Banking Hires

Jul 29

Japan Pension Funds Increase Interest in Domestic Bonds as Rates Rise

Japan pension funds domestic bonds allocations are drawing renewed interest as defined-benefit schemes prepare for faster interest-rate increases by the Bank of Japan. A J.P. Morgan Asset Management survey of 82 funds conducted between April and June found that 10% planned to increase domestic bond holdings, representing the strongest appetite for the asset class since 2008. Overall domestic bond allocations remained broadly stable at 14.3%, although 62% of respondents were r

ASSET MANAGEMENT

5 days ago

South Korea Finance Nominee Backs Stronger Capital Market Discipline

South Korea capital market reform will be a priority for finance minister nominee Lee Hyung-il as he seeks to address the “Korea discount” and strengthen corporate governance. Lee, currently first vice finance minister, outlined plans to revive potential growth, reduce economic inequality and advance market reforms ahead of his parliamentary confirmation hearing. He said the government would accelerate three national projects, promote regional growth hubs and increase investm

ECONOMY

5 days ago

Singapore Directors Told to Account for Climate-Related Financial Risks

Singapore climate financial risks must be reflected in company accounts where they are material, despite extended timelines for some sustainability disclosures, according to guidance from the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority. Directors remain responsible under the Companies Act for ensuring financial statements provide a true and fair view of a company’s financial position and performance. Climate-related factors could affect asset valuations, useful lives, depre

REGULATION

5 days ago

Asia-Pacific Family Offices Deepen Sustainable Investment Exposure

Asia-Pacific family office sustainable investment exposure is increasing as more wealthy families and asset owners allocate substantial portions of portfolios to impact and environmental, social and governance strategies. A Sustainable Finance Initiative survey found that 27% of respondents allocated more than half of their assets to impact and ESG investments in 2026, up from 17% in 2025. The Hong Kong-based organisation surveyed 121 family office representatives and princip

FAMILY OFFICES

6 days ago

Hong Kong Remains Asia’s Leading Billionaire Hub

Hong Kong billionaire hub status remains firmly established after the city retained its position as the world’s second-largest billionaire centre in 2025, according to Altrata’s Billionaire Census 2026. Hong Kong had 106 billionaires, two fewer than a year earlier, but their combined wealth continued rising to USD319bn. Property-sector weakness and relatively limited exposure to artificial intelligence-related gains weighed on the city’s billionaire population. New York remai

FAMILY OFFICES

6 days ago

Malaysia Forest City Offers 5% Tax Rate to Fintech Firms

The Forest City fintech tax incentive will give eligible financial technology companies and related service providers access to a 5% corporate tax rate in Malaysia’s Forest City Special Financial Zone. The incentive is available for 10 years and may be extended for a further decade, subject to approval and continued compliance. Eligible businesses include fintech companies, financial global business services providers and foreign payment system operators. Qualifying activitie

REGULATION

6 days ago

ALL NEWS

TOP NEWS

Hong Kong Eyes Kazakhstan as Gateway for Investment into Central Asia

VIDEO RECAP w/e

04th Sep 2026

Xi Plans Rare CEO Delegation for Washington Summit

Singapore Younger Wealthy Clients Drive Banks’ Next-Generation Push

Wang Jianjun Life Sentence Follows Bribery Conviction of Former China Securities Regulator

Singapore Accounting Body Opens Regional Pathway for Smaller Firms

Singapore and Hong Kong Banks Set to Gain as Asian Wealth Shifts to Markets

Philippine CEOs Stay Upbeat Despite Mounting Business Risks

Japan’s Stronger Q2 Growth Keeps BOJ Tightening on Track

UBS Targets Family Offices with USD5m Institutional Funds Programme

OCBC Rally Lifts Lee Family Fortune to USD13.8bn

Barclays Targets Family Offices with Singapore Private Bank Booking Centre

Standard Chartered Raises Taiwan Growth Forecast to 11.5%

Hong Kong Ranks Fifth in Asia-Pacific Living Investment

EVENTS

INSIGHTS

PEOPLE MOVES

Raffles Family Office Names Ken Peng as First CIO

Singapore Family Office Legal Services Expand with New Boutique Firm

B2C2 Family Office Expansion Strengthened by Jason Lai Appointment

Hong Kong Finance Talent Returns as Capital Markets Recover

China Market Regulator Chief Luo Wen Removed After Hebei Appointment

AI Skills in Finance Overtake MBAs in Hiring Value, PwC Finds

Paragon Family Office Coverage Expands with Senior Partner Appointment

Societe Generale Strengthens Asia Transaction Banking with Joseph Chia Appointment

HSBC Singapore Hiring Adds 200 AI and Wealth Management Roles

RBC Wealth Management Asia Expands with Six Senior Private Banking Hires

Japan Pension Funds Increase Interest in Domestic Bonds as Rates Rise

South Korea Finance Nominee Backs Stronger Capital Market Discipline

Singapore Directors Told to Account for Climate-Related Financial Risks

Asia-Pacific Family Offices Deepen Sustainable Investment Exposure

Hong Kong Remains Asia’s Leading Billionaire Hub

Malaysia Forest City Offers 5% Tax Rate to Fintech Firms

VIDEO RECAP
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