Northern Metropolis financing is advancing as the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the Hong Kong Association of Banks establish a joint taskforce to support one of the city’s largest development projects. The Northern Metropolis Financial Advisory Taskforce includes representatives from the HKMA, HKAB and 15 banks with expertise in large-scale infrastructure finance, while the Chinese Banking Association of Hong Kong will participate as an observer. Following a site visit to

Malaysia capital market growth reached 2.4% in 2025, bringing total size to MYR4.3tr (USD1.09tr), supported by stronger corporate bond issuance and rising assets in the fund management sector, according to the Securities Commission Malaysia. Corporate bond issuance increased to 26 deals worth MYR64.33bn, up from 23 issues valued at MYR48.8bn in 2024, while assets under management rose 6.9% to MYR1.14tr. The Malaysia capital market remained resilient despite global volatility,

Asia investment flows are strengthening as global investors increasingly turn to the region amid geopolitical uncertainty, according to Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing. Chief Executive Bonnie Chan said global investment in Asia doubled to around USD6tr between 2014 and 2024, underscoring the region’s growing importance in global portfolios. She added that Asia’s capital markets have expanded fourfold since 2000 to exceed USD34tr by the end of 2024. The rise in Asia investmen

South Korea financial groups are reshaping headquarters strategies as they seek to improve operational efficiency and strengthen capital positions. Hana Financial is set to relocate later this year to a new integrated headquarters in Cheongna, Incheon, bringing together around 2,800 employees from various affiliates currently spread across Seoul. Shinhan Financial is pursuing a similar consolidation strategy, with plans for a centralised headquarters in Seoul targeted for com

Hong Kong safe haven appeal is strengthening as international investors seek stability amid geopolitical tensions, according to the Financial Services Development Council. Chairman Benjamin Hung said investors are increasingly exploring office openings, capital allocation and investment opportunities in the city. The Hong Kong safe haven trend is reflected in IPO activity, where major cornerstone investors last year were largely from Western countries, indicating capital real

HNWI Asia investments remain resilient as wealthy individuals continue allocating capital despite a broader global shift by retail investors into cash. Schroders said the divergence emerged after Middle East tensions pushed oil prices above USD100 per barrel, triggering risk aversion among retail investors. In contrast, HNWI Asia investments are focused on long-term opportunities including private credit, digital assets and alternative strategies. Schroders also highlighted g

Active ETFs China expansion is gaining momentum as JPMorgan seeks regulatory approval to launch fully active exchange-traded funds in mainland China. The move would mark the firm’s first entry into the segment, which remains restricted to enhanced index strategies with limited benchmark deviation. JPMorgan Asset Management currently manages about USD257bn in active ETF assets globally and sees strong growth potential in the region. The active ETFs China initiative aligns with

Tokenised gold fund adoption is increasing as OCBC, Lion Global Investors and DigiFT launched Southeast Asia’s first on-chain gold investment product. The GOLDX token tracks the LionGlobal Singapore Physical Gold Fund and is issued on Ethereum and Solana blockchains. Investors can subscribe using fiat or stablecoins, with tokens delivered to digital wallets and redeemable in cash or stablecoins. The tokenised gold fund had USD669.4m in assets under management as of April 16,

China ASEAN investment platform activity is accelerating as a USD1bn private equity initiative backed by sovereign investors reached a first close of USD520m. The Galaxy Orientis platform, supported by China Investment Corporation, Indonesia Investment Authority and the State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan, targets opportunities across the China–ASEAN corridor. The China ASEAN investment platform will focus on industrials, healthcare, consumer, business services and technology sector

Philippines finance growth is set to accelerate as Salmon Group raised USD100m in fresh funding to expand its consumer finance business. The funding comprises USD60m in equity and USD40m in public bonds issued under its USD150m Nordic bond programme at a 13.7% yield. Investors include Spice Expeditions, Washington University Investment Management Company, Moore Strategic Ventures and FJ Labs. Salmon said the proceeds will support product expansion, distribution growth, capita

Hang Seng options are set for expansion as Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing plans to introduce contracts that expire within a day by the first quarter of 2027. The products, known as zero-days-to-expiry or 0DTE contracts, allow traders to take short-term positions on intraday market movements, volatility and economic data. HKEX declined to comment on the plans. The Hang Seng options initiative follows the exchange’s expansion of weekly options in 2024 and reflects efforts to

Family office technology demand is rising as Addepar opens a Singapore office to strengthen its Asia-Pacific presence, targeting growing needs among family offices and investment firms. The new hub at Marina Bay Financial Centre will house research and development alongside go-to-market teams, the wealth technology firm said. Addepar noted its regional client base has grown more than 130% over the past two years, reflecting strong adoption of family office technology solution

Asia private equity fund activity reached a record as EQT closed its BPEA Private Equity Fund IX at USD15.6bn, marking the largest Asia-Pacific-focused fund raised to date. The oversubscribed Asia private equity fund, with USD14.9bn in fee-generating assets under management, will target control investments across technology, healthcare, industrial technology and services. The close comes despite fundraising for Asian funds hitting a 12-year low in 2025 after four consecutive

Family office demand is rising sharply as wealthy clients reposition portfolios, jurisdictions and governance frameworks in response to a fragmented global order. According to deVere Group, increased activity in family office demand reflects a strategic overhaul of cross-border holdings amid higher oil prices, inflation risks, currency volatility and tighter capital controls. Chief Executive Nigel Green said ultra-high-net-worth families are shifting sizeable portions of port

Family offices are increasingly turning to Asia as market volatility and geopolitical tension drive demand for stability. DBS said rising interest in family offices Asia reflects a shift by European and US clients seeking diversification and wealth management services. Private banking head Joseph Poon noted some clients are acquiring stakes in Asian businesses while others consider setting up secondary structures in the region. The growing appeal of family offices Asia is rei

Family offices are expected to play a key role in Singapore property investment growth in 2026 as Savills raised its forecast to SGD35bn–SGD40bn (USD25.9bn–USD29.6bn). The outlook reflects strong demand from family offices and private capital seeking stable returns and capital preservation. Singapore property investment continues to benefit from safe-haven status, transparent regulations and sustained capital inflows. While developers are expected to remain selective, office,

Hong Kong family offices are central to the city’s ambition to strengthen its global financial hub status, Financial Secretary Paul Chan said. He outlined plans for Hong Kong to become at least the world’s second-largest international financial centre within 10 to 15 years. The expansion of Hong Kong family offices is expected to support diversification beyond equities into fixed income, currencies, green finance and sustainable investments. Chan also highlighted rising mainl

The Hong Kong IPO market is showing renewed momentum as more than 10 international firms prepare to list, according to HKEX Chief Executive Bonnie Chan. IPO activity has reached 40% of last year’s total, with a record pipeline of listings. The rebound in the Hong Kong IPO market highlights the city’s role as a capital-raising hub, particularly for Southeast Asian firms, which have raised over USD4.3bn. Chan said HKEX would take a cautious approach to extending trading hours,

Hong Kong family office incentives are becoming a central pillar of the city’s wealth strategy as it seeks to attract global capital and strengthen its asset management industry. Financial Services and the Treasury Secretary Christopher Hui said enhanced tax regimes for funds, single-family offices and carried interest will be expanded to include funds-of-one and a broader range of investments from the 2025/26 assessment year. The New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme, launch

Singapore family offices AI investment interest is rising, but many struggle to access attractive private deals due to limited opportunities and lack of technical expertise, industry executives said. JPMorgan Private Bank reported that 65% of family offices globally plan to prioritise AI investments, yet more than half lack exposure to venture and growth-stage firms driving the sector. Interest has been fuelled by strong valuations and potential listings from companies such a