Chinese wealth diversification continues to support demand for overseas investments, with around half of affluent mainland Chinese investors planning to increase allocations to Hong Kong and US markets during the next 12 months, according to a DBS survey. The poll of 1,617 investors across mainland China and Hong Kong found that 51% of mainland respondents intended to increase exposure to Hong Kong, while 41% favoured US assets. Domestic markets remained important, attracting

Singapore fund managers could face increasing competitive pressure unless tax incentives are strengthened, with the Alternative Investment Management Association warning that portfolio managers and investment professionals are actively considering relocating to Hong Kong and other lower-tax jurisdictions. In a letter to the Monetary Authority of Singapore, AIMA said the trend extended beyond isolated cases, with member firms holding active discussions about relocating staff w

Hong Kong family offices are attracting increasing interest from wealthy European families seeking a strategic base for investing across Asia, according to BNP Paribas, as two-way capital flows between Europe and mainland China continue to strengthen. Lemuel Lee, the bank's head of wealth management in Hong Kong, said affluent European clients are increasingly viewing the city as an ideal location for conducting due diligence, sourcing investment opportunities and negotiating

New South Korea leveraged ETFs are facing tighter regulatory controls after the Financial Supervisory Service ordered asset managers to halt advertising for domestically listed single-stock leveraged and inverse exchange-traded funds with immediate effect. The directive follows broader investor protection measures requiring buyers to deposit at least KRW30m (USD20,291), purchase a minimum of 20 shares and complete three hours of mandatory education before trading the products

Vietnam financial planning remains underdeveloped despite investors gradually diversifying their portfolios, according to a nationwide survey by Thien Viet Securities. The study of 1,000 investors holding at least VND500m (USD19,047) in assets found that bank deposits, property and gold still accounted for 87% of total household investments. While 55% of respondents used between two and three investment channels and 39% invested across four or five asset classes, equities, bo

The KWAP eFishery investment has prompted Malaysia's Retirement Fund Inc to pursue legal action and seek recovery of invested capital after the Finance Ministry described the Indonesian aquaculture company's collapse as the result of a "well-planned fraud". In a parliamentary reply, the ministry said KWAP and other investors had begun legal proceedings while reviewing governance, monitoring and investment oversight procedures. Officials stressed that the pension fund had foll

The Southeast Asia IPO market delivered stronger fundraising during the first half of 2026 despite a decline in new listings, as larger transactions in Malaysia and Singapore offset subdued activity elsewhere, according to EY. The region completed 35 initial public offerings that raised USD2.5bn, representing an 85% increase in proceeds despite deal volume falling 30% compared with a year earlier. Malaysia dominated activity with 28 IPOs raising USD1.4bn, while Singapore gene

The global faith-based investing market has grown to approximately USD169bn across 853 investment strategies, but these funds continue to trail conventional products in diversification, costs and long-term performance, according to Morningstar. As of 30 April 2026, Morningstar found that faith-based passive funds charged roughly twice the average asset-weighted fees of comparable conventional products, largely because of limited competition and fewer passive investment option

Deutsche Bank Southeast Asia has strengthened its private banking leadership by appointing veteran wealth manager Jennifer Tay as vice chairman for Southeast Asia, reinforcing the bank's regional expansion strategy amid rising demand for wealth management services. Tay will join on 3 August and report to Johanes Oeni, head of Southeast Asia for Deutsche Bank's Private Bank. She arrives from Citibank, where she spent more than 20 years, most recently serving as market executiv

The Hong Kong Investment Corporation generated a strong 14% net internal rate of return in 2025 as the government-owned investment fund expanded its portfolio across strategic sectors including artificial intelligence, biotechnology, fintech and green energy. Investment income rose 175% to HKD6.46bn (USD824m), while operating profit increased 181% to HKD6.3bn. Total assets reached HKD69.7bn as the sovereign investment fund continued deploying capital to support Hong Kong's in

Singapore wealth management firms are expanding recruitment beyond private bankers as rapid industry growth fuels demand for technology, investment, compliance and risk professionals. Recruiters said experienced relationship managers serving Greater China and Southeast Asia remain in short supply, prompting banks to broaden overseas hiring while investing in stronger operational capabilities. Russell Reynolds Associates reported that technology-related executive searches supp

The Malaysia IPO market led Southeast Asia during the first half of 2026 after recording 36 new listings that raised USD1.3bn, according to Deloitte. Across the region, 47 initial public offerings generated USD3.07bn, more than doubling the USD1.41bn raised from 53 listings during the corresponding period a year earlier. Average deal size increased significantly to USD65m from USD26m, reflecting stronger investor demand for larger and more established issuers. Three transacti

Schroders Wealth Management Asia has appointed former Coutts Chief Executive Peter Flavel as chair and independent non-executive director of Schroder & Co (Asia) Ltd, subject to regulatory approval, as the firm accelerates its expansion across one of its fastest-growing wealth markets. Flavel brings more than 30 years of experience in private banking and wealth management and will work closely with recently appointed Schroders Wealth Management Asia Chief Executive Evonne Tan

Family office digital assets are becoming an increasingly important component of investment portfolios, although regulatory compliance and reporting remain major obstacles for many wealth managers, according to a survey by Ocorian. The study covered 200 family members and senior executives representing family offices with combined assets of approximately USD119.37bn. The survey found that 86% of respondents already include cryptocurrencies and other digital assets within thei

GPIF asset allocation is unlikely to undergo a major overhaul despite recent government calls for Japan's state pension funds to increase investment in domestic assets, according to people familiar with the matter. The comments ease speculation that the Government Pension Investment Fund could significantly redirect capital into Japanese financial markets. Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama recently suggested pension funds should substantially increase investment in domestic a

GIC leadership is being strengthened through a series of senior investment appointments designed to improve coordination across private markets, portfolio strategy and multi-asset investing as global market conditions become increasingly complex. Singapore's sovereign wealth fund has appointed Choo Yong Cheen and Liew Tzu Mi as deputy group chief investment officers, effective 1 October 2026. Choo will continue serving as chief investment officer for private equity while assu

Hong Kong's position as a leading Hong Kong wealth centre has strengthened after the city overtook Switzerland to become the world's largest offshore asset management hub, supported by rising mainland Chinese capital and rapid expansion in family offices. According to Boston Consulting Group data cited by Nikkei, offshore assets under management reached USD2.95tr in 2025, an increase of 11% from a year earlier. Mainland Chinese investors accounted for 59% of total assets unde

Private markets data is set to become more transparent and standardised after MSCI and UBS announced a strategic partnership aimed at improving reporting quality, analytics and benchmarking across private assets. The collaboration responds to growing industry demand for more consistent performance measurement as private markets continue to expand. Under the agreement, UBS will adopt MSCI's artificial intelligence-powered private markets platform, contributing expertise from i

Asia-Pacific venture capital delivered the region's strongest private-market performance in 2025, although investors remain cautious about increasing allocations amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. Reports from MSCI and Coller Capital showed global venture capital generated returns of 22%, ahead of private equity's 13.3%, while Asia-Pacific venture capital produced regional returns of 15.3%. Globally, venture capital achieved a 19% internal rate of return, helped by its st

Asia wealth transfer is becoming a strategic priority for private banks as an estimated USD5.8tr in family wealth is expected to pass to the next generation across the region. Morgan Stanley is responding by expanding efforts to engage future wealth owners through a week-long programme in Hong Kong developed with the University of Hong Kong. The initiative combines education and networking to build long-term relationships with younger family members before they inherit signif