Malaysia economic growth is expected to remain near the upper end of the central bank’s 4% to 5% forecast range despite higher energy costs linked to conflict in the Middle East. Bank Negara Malaysia Governor Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour said domestic momentum remained resilient and inflation was manageable, although global uncertainty and elevated fuel prices continued to create risks. The central bank kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2.75% in July for a sixth consecu

FinEx Club AI governance was a central theme at the organisation's Strategic Advisory Board reception in Hong Kong, where members reviewed a year of initiatives spanning financial markets, tokenisation, artificial intelligence and executive development. The event brought together founder and chairman Morris Hui, senior adviser Jonathan Watkin, chief executive of Asia First Financial Insights, and other advisory board members. Lawrence Au introduced the FinEx Club Research Cen

Thailand business closures increased sharply during the first half of 2026 as rising operating costs, subdued consumer demand and intensifying competition forced more companies to cease operations, according to the Department of Business Development. A total of 7,024 businesses closed during the six-month period, an increase of 12.5% from a year earlier. Registered capital associated with those closures surged to THB98.9bn (USD3.02bn), up 224%, indicating that larger business

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

China global reputation has improved significantly, with the country now viewed more favourably than the United States across most surveyed markets, according to a new Pew Research Center study. Among 20 countries with comparable historical data, a median 48% of respondents expressed favourable views of China in 2026, compared with 36% for the United States. This represents a sharp reversal from 2023, when the corresponding figures were 32% and 58%, respectively. China achiev

LEAP East Hong Kong has secured a long-term future in the city after organisers confirmed a three-year partnership that will keep the technology and innovation summit in Hong Kong through 2029. The inaugural three-day event attracted approximately 25,000 participants, including 600 investors overseeing more than USD6.5tr in assets, alongside 340 speakers, 450 exhibitors and 300 startups. Organiser Tahaluf, together with the Hong Kong Tourism Board and the Innovation, Technolo

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

Singapore expat wealth continues to grow despite higher living costs and currency volatility, with most expatriates saying overseas employment has accelerated both their financial independence and retirement plans. According to a survey by St James's Place Asia, 93% of respondents believed relocating abroad had brought financial freedom closer, while 83% said it had helped them retire sooner than expected. The study found that 96% earned more than they would in their home cou

Chinese banks continue to dominate the global banking industry, occupying seven of the world's top 10 positions by Tier 1 capital in The Banker magazine's 2026 Top 1000 World Banks ranking. Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, China Construction Bank, Agricultural Bank of China and Bank of China retained the top four positions globally, while Postal Savings Bank of China entered the top 10 for the first time. JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America and Citi were the only non-Chin

Singapore supply chain resilience is stronger than in other major developed markets, with local businesses better prepared to withstand prolonged disruptions, according to Proxima's 2026 Global Supply Chain Resilience Outlook. The findings highlight Singapore's continued focus on operational resilience and business continuity amid increasing geopolitical and technology-related risks. The survey found that 23% of Singapore companies could continue operating for between four an

Taiwan's financial sector is set for further consolidation after the Financial Supervisory Commission approved two significant transactions involving banking and insurance groups. The approvals cover the merger of Bank SinoPac and King's Town Bank, together with E.Sun Financial Holding's acquisition of Mercuries Life Insurance. Bank SinoPac will become the surviving entity when the merger takes effect on 1 January next year, creating a lender with 189 branches, the second-lar

Hong Kong overseas expansion remains a strategic priority for local companies despite weaker business confidence, according to UOB's Business Outlook Study 2026. The survey found that nearly four in five businesses intend to expand internationally during the next three years as they strengthen resilience and pursue long-term growth opportunities. Business sentiment declined to 63% in 2025 from 73% a year earlier, reflecting a more challenging economic environment. Nevertheles

The South Korea growth outlook has strengthened after major global investment banks raised their average 2026 economic growth forecast to 3%, supported by booming semiconductor exports driven by artificial intelligence demand. The revised projections reflect growing confidence in the country's export-led recovery. Data from the Korea Center for International Finance showed the average forecast from eight investment banks, including JP Morgan and Citi, increased from 2.8% in M

The Hong Kong business outlook remains resilient despite increased economic uncertainty, with companies continuing to prioritise overseas expansion, digital transformation and supply-chain resilience, according to UOB's Business Outlook Study 2026. The survey suggests businesses remain cautiously optimistic about future growth despite softer current sentiment. Among 255 business owners and senior executives surveyed, 63% viewed current business conditions positively, compared

State Street has renewed its long-standing mandate to provide asset servicing for South Korea's National Pension Service (NPS), reinforcing its role as a strategic partner to one of the world's largest institutional investors. The renewed State Street NPS agreement supports the pension fund's expanding international investment programme as overseas allocations continue to increase. The mandate covers a comprehensive range of back- and middle-office services, including custody

Hong Kong family office services are continuing to expand as law firm Oldham, Li & Nie (OLN) launches a dedicated practice to support the growing needs of international families using the city as a base for wealth planning and succession. The new multidisciplinary offering reflects rising demand for integrated legal, tax and governance advice as Hong Kong strengthens its position as a regional wealth management hub. OLN said the practice will advise clients on family office e

The Philippines upper-middle income classification has been restored by the World Bank after the country's gross national income per capita increased to a record USD4,850, reflecting several years of sustained economic expansion. The milestone is expected to enhance the country's international investment profile while strengthening confidence among foreign investors and financial institutions. The Philippines had remained in the lower middle-income category since 1987 and nar

Wiki Finance Expo Hong Kong 2026 will bring together global investors, technology companies and financial institutions when it takes place at Hong Kong's Hopewell Hotel on July 23-24. Organisers describe the event as Asia's largest conference dedicated to financial technology, foreign exchange and cryptocurrency, reinforcing Hong Kong's position as a regional hub for digital finance and innovation. The event is expected to attract more than 12,000 participants from over 120 c

Hong Kong billionaire Dickson Poon is exploring strategic options for luxury department store Harvey Nichols, including a possible sale or fresh investment, potentially ending more than three decades of ownership. The Harvey Nichols sale review comes as the UK luxury retailer continues to face a challenging trading environment. According to the Financial Times, Poon has appointed FTI Consulting to evaluate strategic alternatives and has begun preliminary discussions with seve

Southeast Asia has become the leading international expansion destination for Chinese companies, with finance executives increasingly viewing the region as the primary engine for future growth, according to new research from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. The Southeast Asia growth outlook reflects changing global supply chains and rising cross-border investment opportunities. ACCA’s CFO Leadership in Globalisation study found that 57% of Chinese finance l