Asia First

AF Website - New header AD 18 Nov 2024.jpg

TOP NEWS

Singapore Family Office Builds Multi-Strategy Trading Platform

A Singapore family office multi-strategy model is being developed by former Goldman Sachs and Vitol commodities trader Kelvin Chiu as he seeks to attract independent investment teams overlooked by larger hedge funds. Chiu’s SilverCape Investments now operates six trading pods alongside his own commodities strategy. They include a Japanese activist investing team that managed more than USD200m at the end of August. Chiu said his commodities strategy has generated a 78% compoun

FAMILY OFFICES

16 hours ago

FOCUS

28 September 2026

Two Rooms One Family and a Fight Over Who Decides

At a Tata Sons board meeting in September 2026, the two directors nominated by Tata Trusts took opposite sides on the chairman's future. One supported…

VIDEO RECAP
w/e

25th Sep 2026

China Economic Policy Support Strengthens as Growth Momentum Slows

China economic policy support is set to strengthen as the State Council seeks to sustain growth and achieve the government’s 4.5%-5% target amid signs of weakening momentum. The cabinet, chaired by Premier Li Qiang, called for more effective implementation of existing measures and faster issuance and deployment of government bonds, according to a state media readout. Authorities also want major infrastructure projects included in the 2026-2030 Five-Year Plan to begin construc

ECONOMY

16 hours ago

Hong Kong Economic Growth on Track for 3.5%-4.5% Target, Says Chan

Hong Kong economic growth remains on track to reach the government’s 3.5%-4.5% target for 2026, according to Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po, who highlighted strong exports and demand for artificial intelligence-related products. The economy expanded 5.1% during the first half, its strongest half-year performance in almost five years. Goods exports surged 53% year-on-year in August to HKD667.9bn (USD85.1bn), while exports during the first eight months increased 42.5%, put

ECONOMY

16 hours ago

Asia-Pacific Hotel Investment Rises 21% as Travel Demand Strengthens

Asia-Pacific hotel investment increased 21% year-on-year to USD8bn during the first half of 2026 as strong travel demand and constrained new supply supported investor interest, according to CBRE. Japan, mainland China and South Korea led activity, while investors increasingly targeted existing properties for repositioning and conversion as higher construction and financing costs restricted new development. Hotel supply across Asia-Pacific is expected to grow by around 2.3% an

ASSET MANAGEMENT

16 hours ago

Singapore AI Safeguards Proposal Calls for UN Framework Convention

Singapore AI safeguards proposals include exploring a United Nations framework convention to establish international principles and institutions governing rapidly developing artificial intelligence technologies. Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan told the UN General Assembly that attempts to pause AI development were unlikely to succeed given US-China competition and powerful commercial incentives, making international rules and institutions increasingly important. He propo

REGULATION

2 days ago

Family Office Cybersecurity Concerns Surge as AI Leads Investment Themes

Family office cybersecurity has emerged as the leading operational concern for wealthy families even as they remain optimistic about investment returns, according to a 2026 report from RBC Wealth Management and Campden Wealth. The survey of 155 single- and multi-family offices, representing average wealth of USD2.25bn, found 56% ranked cybersecurity and data breaches as their biggest near-term risk, up sharply from 16% a year earlier. Half reported experiencing phishing attem

FAMILY OFFICES

2 days ago

Philippines Structured Warrants Rules Open Market to New Investment Products

New Philippines structured warrants rules have established a regulatory framework allowing broker-dealers and investment houses to offer products linked to listed shares, bonds, indices and exchange-traded funds. Under Securities and Exchange Commission Memorandum Circular No. 27, Series of 2026, issuers and guarantors must maintain at least PHP400m (USD6.4m) in unimpaired paid-up capital while structured warrants remain outstanding. Non-collateralised warrants generally requ

REGULATION

2 days ago

China Wealthy Individuals Tax Enforcement Intensifies with Special Teams

China wealthy individuals tax enforcement is intensifying, with authorities establishing specialist teams to track and collect liabilities from some of the country’s richest people, Bloomberg reported. The teams reportedly include government officials, inspection specialists and regulators, with some assigned to individual billionaires. The initiative is intended to strengthen authorities’ ability to examine sophisticated financial structures established with assistance from

FAMILY OFFICES

2 days ago

APAC Family Office Returns Lead Global Peers, Says Citi

APAC family office returns are outperforming global peers, with 26% reporting year-to-date investment gains above 15%, double the worldwide proportion, according to Citi Wealth. Citi’s 2026 Global Family Office Report also found that 22% of Asia-Pacific family offices target annual returns exceeding 15%, almost twice the global average. Asia-Pacific family offices were particularly bullish on artificial intelligence. Some 80% identified AI as a primary sector for direct inves

FAMILY OFFICES

3 days ago

Hong Kong Digital Green Bonds Could Reach USD2.6bn in Record Deal

Hong Kong digital green bonds could reach HKD20bn (USD2.55bn) as the government prepares what could become the world’s largest digital green bond transaction, Bloomberg reported. The planned offering is expected to total between HKD15bn and HKD20bn and comprise US dollar, Hong Kong dollar, euro and offshore yuan tranches. The transaction could be priced as early as Monday, according to people familiar with the plans. The government has asked several banks to arrange fixed-inc

ASSET MANAGEMENT

3 days ago

ASEAN Next-Generation Wealth Clients Move Beyond Parents’ Banks

ASEAN next-generation wealth clients are increasingly choosing financial institutions independently of their parents, creating a challenge for private banks seeking to retain assets through intergenerational wealth transfers. A WealthSummit study of 1,049 clients across Southeast Asia found that 71% had their main banking relationship with a different institution from their parents. Some 68% maintained relationships with at least three banks, reflecting demand for investment

FAMILY OFFICES

3 days ago

Bank of Singapore Donor-Advised Funds Platform Targets Family Philanthropy

Bank of Singapore donor-advised funds are being offered through a new philanthropic platform designed to give wealthy families greater flexibility over how assets supporting charitable giving are invested. The OCBC private banking arm’s Legacy of Giving platform allows clients to shape the investment approach applied to their philanthropic capital, potentially increasing the assets available for future charitable grants. The model differs from many donor-advised fund arrangem

FAMILY OFFICES

3 days ago

EMEA Family Offices China Investment Plans Rise as Tensions Ease, Says Citi

EMEA family offices China investment plans are strengthening, with China emerging as the leading market where ultra-wealthy families in Europe, the Middle East and Africa intend to increase exposure, according to Citi. Citi’s 2026 Global Family Office Report found that 29% of EMEA respondents planned to increase investments in China. The rest of Asia-Pacific followed at 26%, with North America at 25%. The report surveyed 351 family offices across more than 40 countries. Conce

FAMILY OFFICES

6 days ago

EVENTS

INSIGHTS

PEOPLE MOVES

HSBC Asia Family Wealth Advisory Names Francesca Chan as Regional Head

6 days ago

Hong Kong Accounting Qualification Programme Gains Continued Government Backing

Sep 23

BNP Paribas Asia Transaction Banking Role Expands Under Beaufort

Sep 22

Citi Appoints Sophia Wang to Lead China Institutional Sales

Sep 16

HSBC Private Bank Hires Citi Veterans to Bolster Family Office Business

Sep 14

Amundi Strengthens Asia Investment Hub with Five Senior Appointments

Sep 14

Raffles Family Office Taps Ex-Rwanda Official to Lead Africa-Asia Push

Sep 11

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

HSBC Asia Family Wealth Advisory Names Francesca Chan as Regional Head

HSBC Asia family wealth advisory capabilities are being strengthened with the appointment of former UBS executive Francesca Chan as regional head of family and philanthropy advisory for Asia-Pacific. Chan will take up the Hong Kong-based position on Sept. 29 and report to Ann Ling, regional head of wealth planning and advisory. She will lead teams advising ultra-high-net-worth clients on succession planning, family office establishment, family governance and philanthropy. Cha

FAMILY OFFICES

6 days ago

Hong Kong Indonesia Cross-Border Payments Move Closer Under QR Code Agreement

Hong Kong Indonesia cross-border payments could become faster and cheaper under an agreement between the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and Bank Indonesia to explore interoperability between their QR code-based payment systems. The two authorities signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening cooperation on cross-border payments as digital payment adoption continues to expand across Asia. Under the agreement, the HKMA and Bank Indonesia will hold discussions cover

REGULATION

6 days ago

Singapore Listed Company Disclosure Rules Tighten from 2027

Singapore listed company disclosure rules will become more demanding from Jan. 1, 2027, as regulators seek greater transparency over executive remuneration, dividends and shareholder engagement. Under changes announced by Singapore Exchange Regulation, companies will have to explain the financial and non-financial indicators used to determine executive pay and how those measures support long-term value creation. Annual reports will also have to include dividend and investor-r

REGULATION

6 days ago

Hong Kong Family Business Succession Push Targets Asia’s Wealth Transfer

Hong Kong family business succession services are becoming a greater focus as the city seeks a larger role in Asia’s generational transfer of family wealth and cross-border assets. Financial Services Undersecretary Joseph Chan said Hong Kong’s legal system, capital mobility, low-tax regime and links with mainland China provide a strong base for wealthy families managing global portfolios. At a South China Morning Post conference, speakers said younger family members are incre

FAMILY OFFICES

7 days ago

Deutsche Bank Hong Kong Wealth Growth Accelerates on Chinese Flows

Deutsche Bank Hong Kong wealth business is recording strong growth as increasing Chinese client activity makes the city the private bank’s best-performing emerging-market region this year. Marco Pagliara, head of emerging markets at Deutsche Bank Private Bank, said activity had increased across trading, lending against physical assets and real estate. Chinese clients have been particularly active in trophy property transactions, reflecting broader demand for investment and fi

ASSET MANAGEMENT

7 days ago

Hong Kong Economic Growth Could Exceed 3% Under Five-Year Plan, Says Citi

Hong Kong economic growth could exceed 3% annually over the medium term if the city successfully strengthens its “super-connector” role under China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, according to Citi Research. Citi said the framework could reduce policy uncertainty and channel capital towards finance, trade, innovation and technology, with the Northern Metropolis providing an important platform for advanced industries. Rapid expansion of Hong Kong’s offshore yuan business was identified

ECONOMY

7 days ago

ALL NEWS

TOP NEWS

Singapore Family Office Builds Multi-Strategy Trading Platform

VIDEO RECAP w/e

25th Sep 2026

China Economic Policy Support Strengthens as Growth Momentum Slows

Hong Kong Economic Growth on Track for 3.5%-4.5% Target, Says Chan

Asia-Pacific Hotel Investment Rises 21% as Travel Demand Strengthens

Singapore AI Safeguards Proposal Calls for UN Framework Convention

Family Office Cybersecurity Concerns Surge as AI Leads Investment Themes

Philippines Structured Warrants Rules Open Market to New Investment Products

China Wealthy Individuals Tax Enforcement Intensifies with Special Teams

APAC Family Office Returns Lead Global Peers, Says Citi

Hong Kong Digital Green Bonds Could Reach USD2.6bn in Record Deal

ASEAN Next-Generation Wealth Clients Move Beyond Parents’ Banks

Bank of Singapore Donor-Advised Funds Platform Targets Family Philanthropy

EMEA Family Offices China Investment Plans Rise as Tensions Ease, Says Citi

EVENTS

INSIGHTS

PEOPLE MOVES

HSBC Asia Family Wealth Advisory Names Francesca Chan as Regional Head

Hong Kong Accounting Qualification Programme Gains Continued Government Backing

BNP Paribas Asia Transaction Banking Role Expands Under Beaufort

Citi Appoints Sophia Wang to Lead China Institutional Sales

HSBC Private Bank Hires Citi Veterans to Bolster Family Office Business

Amundi Strengthens Asia Investment Hub with Five Senior Appointments

Raffles Family Office Taps Ex-Rwanda Official to Lead Africa-Asia Push

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

HSBC Asia Family Wealth Advisory Names Francesca Chan as Regional Head

Hong Kong Indonesia Cross-Border Payments Move Closer Under QR Code Agreement

Singapore Listed Company Disclosure Rules Tighten from 2027

Hong Kong Family Business Succession Push Targets Asia’s Wealth Transfer

Deutsche Bank Hong Kong Wealth Growth Accelerates on Chinese Flows

Hong Kong Economic Growth Could Exceed 3% Under Five-Year Plan, Says Citi

VIDEO RECAP
w/e