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

Growing Asian wealth diversification is prompting wealthy families, founders and private investors to rebalance portfolios across multiple financial centres as geopolitical tensions in the Gulf encourage broader geographic risk management. Bankers and advisers said some high-net-worth families are reviewing Middle East exposure following renewed regional instability, travel disruptions and security concerns. However, industry executives stressed that the trend reflects pruden

Japan cryptocurrency regulation is entering a new phase after parliament approved legislation recognising cryptocurrencies as financial assets and bringing them under a stricter regulatory framework. Previously governed primarily under the Payment Services Act, crypto assets will now become subject to broader financial market rules, including restrictions on insider trading and significantly stronger penalties for unregistered operators. Public broadcaster NHK reported that t

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

A successful Malaysia family office hub will depend on far more than generous tax incentives, with economists arguing that regulatory quality, infrastructure and investor confidence will ultimately determine whether Forest City can emerge as a regional wealth management centre. The initiative offers qualifying single family offices tax concessions for up to 20 years and positions Forest City, within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, as a lower-cost alternative to Sin

The outlook for Hong Kong wealth management remains positive as the Financial Services Development Council (FSDC) expects compliant mainland Chinese capital inflows and increasing listing activity from emerging markets to reinforce the city's position as a leading international financial centre. Board member Amy Lo said tighter controls on illicit capital outflows from mainland China could encourage more investment to flow through legitimate Hong Kong channels. The FSDC is al

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

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

Lighthouse Canton wealth management is accelerating its regional expansion after appointing Angela Saik as managing director of wealth management to support the firm's ambition of doubling assets under management to USD10bn by 2027. The appointment strengthens the Singapore-based independent wealth manager's presence across Southeast Asia. Saik brings more than two decades of experience advising wealthy Asian families and previously held senior positions at Royal Bank of Cana

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

The family chat is where relationships stay alive. A durable family office also needs a clear moment when conversation ends—and an accountable decision begins. Family group chats are excellent at arranging dinner, sharing photographs and locating the cousin who is late to the airport. Increasingly, they also carry questions about family businesses, philanthropy, staffing and succession. That is convenient—until a thumbs-up emoji starts functioning as a board resolution. When

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

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