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TOP NEWS

Janus Henderson and Sun Hung Kai Target Asia Family Office Demand With Alternatives Push

Janus Henderson Group has partnered with Hong Kong’s Sun Hung Kai & Co. to expand alternative investment offerings across Asia Pacific amid rising demand from family offices, ultra-high-net-worth investors and institutions. The family office investments partnership will involve SHKCP, SHK & Co.’s alternative solutions arm, and focus on product co-development, strategic seeding and direct investment opportunities across public and private markets globally. SHKCP also provides

FAMILY OFFICES

4 hours ago

Longevity as a Generational Investment Theme & the Rise of Governance 2.0

In This Issue: Why longevity ranks among the decade's most significant structural investment opportunities. The meaning of Governance 2.0 and its implications for modern family office management. A Transformational Innovation Opportunity - Longevity In recent family office publications, UBS has identified longevity as one of three primary Transformational Innovation Opportunities — known as TRIOs — alongside Artificial Intelligence and Power and Resources. These TRIOs represe

FOCUS

May 1

Malaysia Armed Forces Fund Prepares First Private Credit Investment Strategy

Malaysia’s Armed Forces Fund Board, or LTAT, is preparing its first move into private credit as it seeks defensive investments with high-single-digit returns. LTAT managed more than MYR13bn (USD3.29bn) at the end of 2025. Chief investment officer Ahmad Farouk said the Malaysia private credit strategy remains at the governance and manager-selection stage, with the pension fund prioritising capital preservation. Farouk said institutional investors should support SMEs that strug

PRIVATE EQUITY

4 hours ago

Singapore Retains Top FATF Rating Despite Major Money Laundering Scandal

Singapore has retained the Financial Action Task Force’s highest monitoring rating despite the SGD3bn (USD2.2bn) money laundering scandal uncovered in 2023. The Singapore FATF rating review covered the period from 2020 to July 2025 and placed the city-state on regular follow-up, the watchdog’s most favourable category. FATF said Singapore achieved seven substantially effective ratings across 11 measures and was compliant or largely compliant on 38 of 40 technical recommendati

REGULATION

4 hours ago

Hong Kong SME Credit Conditions Remain Stable in First Quarter

Hong Kong SME credit conditions remained broadly stable during the first quarter of 2026, according to the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. Around 73% of SMEs said banks’ credit approval stance was similar or easier than six months earlier, compared with 70% in the previous quarter. Only 27% perceived approvals as more difficult, down from 30%. Among SMEs with existing credit lines, none reported a tighter bank stance. Of firms applying for new credit, 91% reported fully or part

ECONOMY

4 hours ago

Ascend Asia Expands Wealth Platform with Acquisitions

Asia wealth consolidation is accelerating as Ascend Asia Financial Services Group acquires three Singapore advisory firms—Infinity Financial Advisory, SG Alliance and PromiseLand Financial Advisory. The deals, executed through Ascend Asia Singapore Advisory, have received approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore, though financial terms were not disclosed. The acquisitions remain subject to regulatory and transaction conditions. Following completion, Ascend Asia will

ASSET MANAGEMENT

1 day ago

OCBC to Acquire HSBC Indonesia Wealth Portfolio

Southeast Asia wealth expansion is gathering pace as OCBC’s Indonesian unit agrees to acquire HSBC Indonesia’s wealth and premier banking portfolio. The transaction will transfer 336,000 customers, SGD6.6bn (USD4.88bn) in assets under management and around 1,300 staff to PT Bank OCBC NISP. The portfolio includes SGD4.3bn(USD3.18bn) in investments, SGD2.3bn(USD1.70bn) in deposits and SGD0.3bn(USD0.22bn) in retail loans, based on unaudited end-2025 figures. OCBC said the deal w

ASSET MANAGEMENT

1 day ago

Thailand Pushes Trust Framework to Attract Global Wealth

Thailand private trust reforms are being proposed to attract up to THB1tr (USD27bn) in global wealth within two years. The Association of Investment Management Companies said the framework is designed to position Thailand as a regional asset management hub, drawing inspiration from Singapore’s model while adapting it locally. Private trusts are widely used by high-net-worth individuals, family offices and institutions for cross-border investment, succession planning and asset

FAMILY OFFICES

1 day ago

Singapore Indonesia Courts Strengthen Insolvency Cooperation

Cross-border insolvency cooperation is strengthening as Singapore and Indonesia’s supreme courts sign a memorandum of understanding to coordinate restructuring and insolvency cases. The agreement establishes formal communication channels between courts, helping reduce inconsistent rulings, fragmented proceedings and higher costs. Signed in Bali, the framework builds on the UNCITRAL Model Law and outlines processes including liaison officers and language protocols. It will app

REGULATION

1 day ago

Family Office Philanthropy Gains Momentum in Singapore

Family office philanthropy is helping position Singapore as a leading regional hub for structured giving, as wealthy families increasingly establish foundations and formal charitable vehicles. The city had more than 2,000 family offices at end-2024, nearly ten times the number five years earlier, while registered charities rose to 2,406 from 2,321 in 2020. Industry participants said next-generation wealth holders are moving beyond ad hoc donations toward more structured appro

FAMILY OFFICES

2 days ago

HKMA Survey Shows Improving SME Credit Access

Hong Kong SME credit conditions remained broadly stable in the first quarter, with 27% of firms reporting difficulties securing credit-line approvals, down from 30% in the previous quarter, according to the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. The survey of about 2,500 SMEs showed 73% viewed banks’ credit stance as similar or easier, compared with 70% previously. Among companies with existing credit lines, none reported tighter conditions, improving from 1% in the prior quarter. Aro

REGULATION

2 days ago

Banks Strengthen Hong Kong Corporate Banking Leadership

Hong Kong corporate banking leadership is being reshaped as Citi and UOB appoint new heads to strengthen client coverage in the financial hub. Citi named Anita Li as head of corporate banking for Hong Kong, effective July 2026. She joins from Standard Chartered, where she led investor coverage across Greater China and North Asia. Separately, UOB appointed Cliff Law as head of corporate banking in Hong Kong, effective immediately, succeeding Anthony Tse. Law brings over 20 yea

PEOPLE MOVES

2 days ago

Chinese Capital Flows into Singapore Property

Singapore safe-haven property demand is rising as Chinese developers increase investment in the city-state’s residential market. Mainland Chinese firms were the second-largest investors in Singapore in 2025, accounting for 21% of SGD14.16bn (USD10.48b) in fixed-asset investment, up sharply from 2.5% a year earlier. Recent deals include a SGD951m (USD703.74m) site at Dover Drive acquired by CNQC Realty, Forsea Residence and Jianan Realty Investments, as well as Kingsford Group

ASSET MANAGEMENT

2 days ago

AI Financial Crime Detection Advances as MAS Leads Bank Collaboration

AI financial crime detection is advancing as the Monetary Authority of Singapore works with local banks, GovTech and the police to strengthen scam detection capabilities. MAS said it is running a proof-of-value exercise using data from five banks to develop machine learning models that can identify higher-risk transactions and suspicious accounts earlier, enabling faster intervention and potentially reducing customer losses. The project operates within a secure data-sharing e

REGULATION

3 days ago

VIDEO RECAP
w/e

8th May 2026

EVENTS

INSIGHTS

INTERVIEW: Shield Xiao Dun | 17EdTech

Wealth Office

PEOPLE MOVES

Banks Strengthen Hong Kong Corporate Banking Leadership

2 days ago

Southeast Asia Private Banking Expansion Strengthens as Lombard Odier Hires DBS Veteran

May 1

Family Office Advisory Demand Rises as Bank of Singapore Expands Team

Apr 30

Asia Investment Banking Expansion Continues as Citi Adds Senior Bankers

Apr 29

Praxis Strengthens Asia Leadership With Hong Kong Appointments

Apr 15

Ba Shusong Hong Kong Absence Raises Questions Around Former HKEX Economist

Mar 30

Singapore Family Offices Face Talent Risks as Pay Opacity Persists

Mar 26

Hong Kong Wealth Legacy Academy Adds Board Members to Deepen Family Office Push

Mar 24

SMBC Names New Philippines Corporate Banking Head Amid Growth Push

Mar 18

FNZ Appoints Peter Hiom as Asia Pacific Head to Drive Wealth Platform Growth

Mar 16

HKEX Gold Futures Relaunch Plans Signal Push into Commodities Trading

HKEX gold futures are set for a comeback as Hong Kong moves to strengthen its commodities and precious metals trading ecosystem. Acting financial services secretary Joseph Chan said the exchange plans to relaunch gold futures in the coming months, with improvements to contract design and delivery mechanisms. HKEX is consulting market participants and stepping up investor education efforts ahead of the launch. Chan added that preparations for a central gold clearing system are

ASSET MANAGEMENT

3 days ago

Singapore Banking Fraud Case Highlights Risks in Wealth Advisory Misconduct

Singapore banking fraud risks have come into focus after a former DBS wealth planning manager admitted cheating seven victims of nearly SGD1.4m (USD1.1m), with funds largely used for online gambling, his wedding and home renovations. Benjamin Chung Hiang Wee, 32, pleaded guilty in April to six cheating charges involving more than SGD1m from five victims. Prosecutors said he persuaded clients to transfer money into supposed fixed deposit and loan schemes that did not exist. On

REGULATION

3 days ago

Thailand Virtual Banks Granted Flexibility Ahead of Digital Lending Launch

Thailand virtual banks are being given greater flexibility as the central bank allows successful applicants more time to meet pre-licensing requirements. Governor Vitai Ratanakorn said the three approved groups may delay operations by two to three months beyond the initial June target as they work to comply with regulatory conditions. The applicants include consortiums led by Charoen Pokphand, Krungthai Bank and SCB X. Regulators require firms to consolidate financial busines

REGULATION

3 days ago

Family Office Footprint Shifts as Tetra Pak-Linked Firm Exits Hong Kong

Family office footprint strategies are shifting as Alta Advisers, the London family office managing wealth for the UK branch of the Rausing family behind Tetra Pak, winds down its Hong Kong presence, Bloomberg reported, citing regulatory filings. The firm ceased investment operations in the city last year and is removing its Hong Kong entity from the business registry, while retaining an Asia presence through its Singapore unit, Maywood Asset Management. The move reflects a b

FAMILY OFFICES

4 days ago

Malaysia Family Office Scheme Gains Traction as Censuria Engages AFFIN

Malaysia family office scheme activity is gaining traction as Censuria Family Office engages AFFIN Group’s wealth management and financial advisory arm to formulate its strategy ahead of registration under the Single Family Office Incentive Scheme. Led by capital markets investor Datuk Marco Yap, Censuria invests mainly in listed equities, pre-IPO opportunities and fixed-income securities. The firm also plans to explore co-investments, strategic growth initiatives and cross-b

FAMILY OFFICES

4 days ago

South Korea Financial Stability Holds as Firms Pass Crisis Scenarios

South Korea financial stability remains intact as the country’s financial institutions have sufficient capacity to withstand crisis scenarios despite volatility in financial and foreign exchange markets, Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said. Koo made the remarks after a macroeconomic policy meeting with Bank of Korea Governor Shin Hyun-song and the heads of financial regulators. He said volatility in government bond yields and the won-dollar exchange rate has persisted as the

ECONOMY

4 days ago

ALL NEWS

TOP NEWS

Janus Henderson and Sun Hung Kai Target Asia Family Office Demand With Alternatives Push

Longevity as a Generational Investment Theme & the Rise of Governance 2.0

Malaysia Armed Forces Fund Prepares First Private Credit Investment Strategy

Singapore Retains Top FATF Rating Despite Major Money Laundering Scandal

Hong Kong SME Credit Conditions Remain Stable in First Quarter

Ascend Asia Expands Wealth Platform with Acquisitions

OCBC to Acquire HSBC Indonesia Wealth Portfolio

Thailand Pushes Trust Framework to Attract Global Wealth

Singapore Indonesia Courts Strengthen Insolvency Cooperation

Family Office Philanthropy Gains Momentum in Singapore

HKMA Survey Shows Improving SME Credit Access

Banks Strengthen Hong Kong Corporate Banking Leadership

Chinese Capital Flows into Singapore Property

AI Financial Crime Detection Advances as MAS Leads Bank Collaboration

VIDEO RECAP w/e

8th May 2026

EVENTS

INSIGHTS

PEOPLE MOVES

Banks Strengthen Hong Kong Corporate Banking Leadership

Southeast Asia Private Banking Expansion Strengthens as Lombard Odier Hires DBS Veteran

Family Office Advisory Demand Rises as Bank of Singapore Expands Team

Asia Investment Banking Expansion Continues as Citi Adds Senior Bankers

Praxis Strengthens Asia Leadership With Hong Kong Appointments

Ba Shusong Hong Kong Absence Raises Questions Around Former HKEX Economist

Singapore Family Offices Face Talent Risks as Pay Opacity Persists

Hong Kong Wealth Legacy Academy Adds Board Members to Deepen Family Office Push

SMBC Names New Philippines Corporate Banking Head Amid Growth Push

FNZ Appoints Peter Hiom as Asia Pacific Head to Drive Wealth Platform Growth

HKEX Gold Futures Relaunch Plans Signal Push into Commodities Trading

Singapore Banking Fraud Case Highlights Risks in Wealth Advisory Misconduct

Thailand Virtual Banks Granted Flexibility Ahead of Digital Lending Launch

Family Office Footprint Shifts as Tetra Pak-Linked Firm Exits Hong Kong

Malaysia Family Office Scheme Gains Traction as Censuria Engages AFFIN

South Korea Financial Stability Holds as Firms Pass Crisis Scenarios

VIDEO RECAP
w/e