Thailand pension fund reform risk breach has intensified after the USD88bn Social Security Fund exceeded its value-at-risk limit for the first time in two years. The breach was driven by exposure to Thai equities amid market volatility linked to Middle East tensions. Executives said governance issues and limited global diversification have constrained returns. The fund aims to shift toward a 50-50 asset mix by 2027. The Thailand pension fund reform risk breach highlights stru

South Korea split listing ban Kosdaq reform aims to address the Korea discount and improve shareholder value. The Financial Services Commission said duplicate listings would be restricted and the Kosdaq market split into premium and standard tiers. Authorities will also push companies with low price-to-book ratios to improve valuations and introduce new indices and ETFs. The South Korea split listing ban Kosdaq reform signals efforts to strengthen market competitiveness.

Sumitomo Life private credit allocation is set to increase as the insurer considers investing about JPY300bn(USD2bn) in the asset class in the fiscal year starting April. The company already holds about JPY1.6tr in private credit, including CLOs, and sees the asset class as attractive due to higher spreads and long-duration matching with liabilities. It is also targeting about JPY700bn in ESG-related investments over three years. The Sumitomo Life private credit allocation hi

Ant Group Hong Kong brokerage acquisition has secured mainland regulatory approval, allowing the fintech firm to proceed with its purchase of a 50.55% stake in Bright Smart Securities & Commodities Group for HKD2.81bn(USD360m). The deal marks Ant’s expansion into Hong Kong’s brokerage sector. Bright Smart, founded in 1995 and listed in 2010, built its business on low-cost online trading. The Ant Group Hong Kong brokerage acquisition is expected to complete on March 30 after c

China HK AI spending finance gap persists as more than 61% of financial institutions in mainland China and Hong Kong allocate 10% or less of their technology budgets to artificial intelligence, according to PwC. The survey of 201 professionals and 20 interviews found firms are using AI mainly to augment staff rather than cut jobs, with applications across anti-money laundering, compliance, customer service and portfolio management. Talent shortages and organisational rigidity

Asia private credit stress is prompting private bankers in Hong Kong and Singapore to manage client concerns as redemption pressures rise. The USD2tr US private credit market has seen curbs from major firms, unsettling investors. Asian regulators are increasing scrutiny, with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority assessing exposure. Industry group AIMA said clients are encountering redemption queues for the first time, exposing liquidity risks. Asia private credit stress is testin

Thailand banking profitability outlook is weakening as lenders face slower growth, high household debt and deleveraging trends. TMBThanachart Bank expects loan growth of just 0%-2% in 2026 and targets return on equity of around 10%, down from higher historical levels. Banks are unlikely to achieve previous ROE levels of 17%-18% and must rely more on fee-based income and advisory services. The Thailand banking profitability outlook reflects structural shifts in the sector.

Asia investors active funds shift is accelerating as investors move capital from money market funds into actively managed strategies, fixed income and alternatives, according to Wellington Management. The firm said the shift reflects growing appetite for opportunity amid market volatility. It also warned of concentration risks in passive investing, with the Magnificent Seven accounting for over 30% of the S&P 500. The Asia investors active funds shift highlights changing allo

SMBC Philippines corporate banking head appointment sees Maria Angelica Balangue take leadership of the unit, subject to regulatory approval. Based in Manila, she will report to country head Hiroyasu Kanda and Asia Pacific corporate banking head Joyce Tee. Balangue joins from BDO Unibank and has more than 20 years of experience across corporate banking and capital markets. The SMBC Philippines corporate banking head move supports the bank’s expansion strategy in a growing Sou

Philippine overseas listings trend is gaining traction as companies seek deeper capital pools and higher valuations outside the domestic market. Analysts said weak liquidity and risk appetite are limiting fundraising prospects locally. Jollibee Foods plans to spin off and list its international business in the United States by 2027, while fintech firm Maya is pursuing a dual listing strategy. Experts said the Philippine overseas listings trend reflects both global ambitions a

Hong Kong family office allocations are expected to increase toward private equity and digital assets over the next three years, according to a report by the Hong Kong Institute for Monetary and Financial Research. The study found rising interest in private credit and venture capital as family offices expand alternative investment exposure. Based on a survey of 101 family offices conducted between October 2024 and April 2025, 44% of respondents managed at least USD1bn. Hong K

Hong Kong stablecoin licence regime could include Standard Chartered, HSBC and crypto exchange OSL in the first batch of issuers under new digital‑asset rules. Local media reported the licences could be announced as early as next week under a framework introduced in August 2025. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority has said only a limited number of licences will initially be granted. Reuters previously reported Standard Chartered’s Hong Kong unit was preparing a joint venture wit

Hong Kong IPO pipeline growth has prompted Morgan Stanley to hire contract staff to manage increased listing activity while keeping costs flexible. Reuters reported the bank recruited one‑year contractors for IPO due diligence work, with the support team numbering around 10 people. The hiring comes as Hong Kong’s listings market rebounds strongly, raising about USD37.4bn across 119 IPOs in 2025 to reclaim the global top ranking. Exchange data also showed a pipeline of 530 mai

FNZ APAC leadership appointment sees Peter Hiom named group head of Asia Pacific while retaining his role as group head of markets at the wealth technology platform. In the expanded position, Hiom will oversee strategy, growth and client delivery across the region. FNZ said the appointment forms part of a broader leadership reshuffle alongside Anthony Habis as group head of North America and Alasdair Munro as chief communications officer. The FNZ APAC leadership appointment s

KKR Asia infrastructure investing remains attractive despite infrastructure not acting as a traditional crisis safe haven, according to the firm’s global head of real assets Raj Agrawal. Investors suffered losses during both the global financial crisis and the COVID‑19 pandemic as assets such as toll roads, ports and airports were closely linked to economic cycles. KKR has since shifted its strategy toward assets with contracted cash flows and stronger downside protection, in

Deutsche Bank Asia wealth strategy is targeting affluent clients in mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Philippines as investors diversify away from heavy US asset exposure. Senior executive Claudio de Sanctis said the shift creates strong opportunities for the lender’s private banking business, particularly in Hong Kong which he described as the region’s most dynamic wealth hub. Hong Kong and North Asian markets are expected to account for most of Deutsche Bank’s plann

HSBC Hong Kong work policy will require customer‑facing employees including traders and sales personnel to return to the office five days a week from April 1, ending pandemic‑era work‑from‑home flexibility. Managing directors and senior staff with direct reports must attend at least four days weekly, while other Hong Kong employees must attend three days. HSBC employs more than 20,000 people in Hong Kong. The updated HSBC Hong Kong work policy reflects a broader industry tren

Malaysia capital market master plan aims to expand the country’s financial market to between RM5.8tr and RM6.3tr(USD1.23tr–USD1.33tr) by 2030 from RM4.3tr in 2025. Securities Commission Malaysia said the fourth master plan focuses on market vibrancy, inclusivity, sustainability financing and regional opportunities. Measures include expanding retail participation, promoting ASEAN‑focused exchange‑traded funds and addressing sustainability financing needs. The Malaysia capital

Singapore Capital Asia investigation has resulted in the arrest of two directors of fund manager Capital Asia Investments as authorities intensify financial‑sector enforcement. Police and the Monetary Authority of Singapore seized more than SGD160m(USD119m) in assets during the probe into suspected money laundering and regulatory breaches. MAS said it identified serious control failings in the firm’s anti‑money laundering compliance. The Singapore Capital Asia investigation h

Hong Kong MPF contribution review is under way for the first time in more than a decade as authorities assess whether current income thresholds still reflect economic realities. MPF Schemes Authority chairwoman Ayesha Macpherson Lau said the minimum monthly income level of HKD7,100(USD910) and maximum threshold of HKD30,000(USD3,840) no longer reflect rising wages and living costs. The authority has consulted more than 30 stakeholder groups and plans to submit recommendations