Ba Shusong Hong Kong developments have drawn attention after the former Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing managing director and chief China economist disappeared from public view, according to sources familiar with the matter. Mainland media speculated he had been detained for investigation, though no official confirmation was available. HKEX said Ba was no longer employed by the exchange operator and had left his part-time adviser role in late 2025. Ba, who frequently spoke o

Hong Kong eMPF complaints reached about 11,500 as of end-February, with 76% handled by the eMPF Platform Company in an average of 18 working days, Financial Services and the Treasury Secretary Christopher Hui said. He said some employers and Mandatory Provident Fund members encountered difficulties when schemes first migrated to the platform, including delays in payment tagging and in identifying voluntary contributions, which meant records were not updated promptly. Hui said

Bank of Korea governor Shin nomination marks a significant leadership change as policymakers confront inflation risks from the Iran conflict and uneven domestic growth. President Lee Jae Myung nominated South Korean economist Shin Hyun-song, currently head of the economic department at the Bank for International Settlements, to succeed Governor Rhee Chang-yong when his term ends on April 20. Shin is expected to face a parliamentary hearing but the nomination cannot be blocked

China outbound investment quotas QDII expansion is planned as regulators prepare to raise quotas under the Qualified Domestic Institutional Investor programme, allowing approved mainland institutions to channel more money into overseas assets. Zhu Hexin, head of China’s top currency regulator, said the move would better meet domestic institutions’ cross-border investment needs and support progress toward capital-account opening. He added that more than 90% of China’s capital-

Singapore MAS policy tightening inflation expectations are rising as economists increasingly expect the Monetary Authority of Singapore to raise its 2026 inflation forecasts and tighten policy in April. Core inflation accelerated to a 14-month high of 1.4% in February, while headline inflation eased to 1.2%, but MAS and the trade ministry warned imported cost pressures could rise as energy prices increase. Several banks, including Maybank, Bank of America and Standard Charter

Hong Kong SFC auditor controls review has urged tighter oversight of listed companies’ internal controls and auditor resignations. The regulator said issuers should fully resolve material control weaknesses before trading resumes and recommended stronger audit committee scrutiny. It also proposed measures to manage abrupt auditor exits, including earlier fee discussions and potential shareholder approval. The Hong Kong SFC auditor controls review reflects efforts to strengthe

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.

Singapore money laundering scandal banks have come under intensified scrutiny after authorities found more than SGD370m(USD274m) flowed through financial institutions linked to illegal gambling and unlicensed lending. Investigations uncovered assets including property, luxury goods and cryptocurrencies. The fallout led to tighter anti-money laundering enforcement, charges against former bankers and regulatory penalties. The Singapore money laundering scandal banks case unders

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

Hong Kong five-year plan finance strategy is being accelerated as the city prepares to complete its first blueprint this year, aligning with China’s 15th Five-Year Plan. Financial Secretary Paul Chan said Hong Kong will leverage strengths in finance and professional services to support technology innovation and cross-border integration in the Greater Bay Area. The Hong Kong five-year plan finance framework includes expanding full-chain financing, intellectual property service

Hong Kong money lending rules will be tightened to curb excessive borrowing, with new caps on debt-servicing ratios set at 35% for borrowers earning HKD6,000(USD770) or less monthly and 40% for those earning HKD6,001 to HKD12,000. Authorities will also ban loan referee requirements and mandate clearer risk warnings in contracts. From June next year, lenders must upload loan data every 30 days to the Credit Data Smart platform. Officials said the Hong Kong money lending rules

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

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

Hong Kong budget family offices initiatives aim to strengthen the city’s appeal to global investors through tax expansion, infrastructure upgrades and digital finance development, according to IQ-EQ managing director Clare Chang. She said widening eligibility to include funds-of-one and recognising assets such as digital tokens and precious metals reflects how wealthy families structure portfolios combining private equity, private credit, real assets and co-investments. The H

Hong Kong and Macau financial infrastructure cooperation has expanded after the two regions’ monetary authorities signed a revised memorandum of understanding covering broader collaboration. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority said the updated pact extends beyond banking supervision to include financial infrastructure linkages, information exchange on currency and statistics, and industry training. HKMA Chief Executive Eddie Yue said the agreement deepens collaboration as both c

Indonesia outlook negative Fitch decision reflects rising concerns about policy credibility and fiscal risks even as the rating agency affirmed the country’s BBB long-term foreign-currency rating. Fitch said increasing policy uncertainty and more centralised decision-making could weaken fiscal guardrails, including the 3% of GDP deficit cap. The agency also highlighted risks from a review of the State Finance Law in the government’s 2026 legislative priorities. The Indonesia

Hong Kong family office tax exemptions could widen as authorities seek to strengthen the city’s position as a global wealth hub. Financial Services and the Treasury Secretary Christopher Hui said the government plans to expand profits-tax exemptions for eligible family offices and funds to include assets such as private credit, gold and commodities, carbon credits, insurance-linked securities and certain digital assets. The Hong Kong family office tax exemptions proposal will

South Korea banks emergency support programmes were activated after escalating Middle East tensions increased risks for financial markets and companies. Hana Financial Group said it would provide KRW12tr (USD8.2bn) in assistance including emergency liquidity of up to KRW500m per firm, loan-maturity extensions, grace periods and rate reductions. Woori Financial also tightened monitoring and strengthened cybersecurity checks. Regulators said broader market stabilisation steps w