Hong Kong SME financing support is expanding as the banking sector raises dedicated lending funds to more than HKD450bn (USD57.7bn) from HKD370bn in October 2024, amid oil price volatility and a weaker external environment. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority said 18 banks in its SME taskforce will provide credit relief measures including flexible repayment terms, loan tenor extensions and trade facility extensions, with particular focus on transport, logistics and manufacturing

South Korea financial stability remains intact as the country’s financial institutions have sufficient capacity to withstand crisis scenarios despite volatility in financial and foreign exchange markets, Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said. Koo made the remarks after a macroeconomic policy meeting with Bank of Korea Governor Shin Hyun-song and the heads of financial regulators. He said volatility in government bond yields and the won-dollar exchange rate has persisted as the

In This Issue: Why longevity ranks among the decade's most significant structural investment opportunities. The meaning of Governance 2.0 and its implications for modern family office management. A Transformational Innovation Opportunity - Longevity In recent family office publications, UBS has identified longevity as one of three primary Transformational Innovation Opportunities — known as TRIOs — alongside Artificial Intelligence and Power and Resources. These TRIOs represe

Taiwan family wealth reached a record NTD183.7tr (USD5.82tr) at the end of 2024, rising 7.35% from a year earlier as gains in equities and property lifted household balance sheets, government data showed. Securities holdings surged 21.76% to NTD37.28tr, supported by a 28% jump in the TAIEX and strong demand for AI-related technology stocks. Housing assets reached NTD55.03tr, representing about 30% of household net worth, while financial assets accounted for around 67%, reflec

AI access restrictions are emerging inside global financial institutions as Goldman Sachs bars its Hong Kong bankers from using Anthropic’s Claude models, according to the Financial Times. The restriction prevents staff in the city from accessing Claude directly or through Goldman’s internal AI platforms, although it does not apply to other providers including OpenAI. The move followed a strict reading of the bank’s contractual arrangements with Anthropic, whose models are no

China financial regulator Li Yunze has been demoted over a suspected disciplinary violation, Reuters reported, citing people familiar with the matter, in the latest sign of Beijing’s widening crackdown on the financial sector. Li, 55, headed the National Financial Regulatory Administration, which oversees banks, insurers and trust firms across China’s USD79tr financial industry. Reuters said his name and photo were removed from the regulator’s leadership page. Li was appointe

Southeast Asia private banking expansion is accelerating as Lombard Odier appoints Edwin Tan as market head for the region, effective July 13, 2026, as the Swiss private bank strengthens its regional leadership. Based in Singapore, Tan will report to Asia private clients head Omar Shokur and will be responsible for launching and leading a new Southeast Asia team, including hiring relationship managers and specialists to serve clients across key markets. Tan joins from DBS, wh

Family office advisory demand is rising as Bank of Singapore strengthens its leadership team to support ultra-high-net-worth clients facing increasingly complex wealth planning needs. The OCBC private banking arm said its family office advisory team recorded its highest number of global client engagements in 2025, with further growth expected. The bank appointed Elvin Ho as head of family office and structuring solutions, alongside new senior roles across Singapore, Hong Kong

Taiwan equity funds are set to gain greater flexibility as regulators raise the single-stock holding limit to 25% from 10% for domestic funds. The Financial Supervisory Commission said the change applies to equity funds and active ETFs, although holdings cannot exceed a company’s weighting in the benchmark index. The adjustment reflects the growing dominance of technology stocks in Taiwan’s market and rising concentration among large-cap firms. Regulators said the reform will

ASEAN equity fund offerings are expanding as BlackRock launches a new quantitative strategy under Singapore’s Equity Market Development Programme. The fund will invest across 100 to 300 securities in markets including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam, with around half allocated to Singapore equities. The ASEAN equity fund focuses on small and mid-cap companies, where inefficiencies may offer stronger return potential. BlackRock said the st

Vietnam forex rules are set for overhaul as the central bank proposes easing procedures for foreign investors while strengthening oversight of capital flows. The draft circular would allow eligible investors to open investment capital accounts before receiving registration approval, although usage would initially be limited. Investors may also open multiple foreign-currency accounts for different currencies. The revised Vietnam forex rules aim to align with recent legal chang

Hong Kong IPO market activity remains strong, with listings raising more than HKD140bn (USD18bn) so far this year, maintaining the city’s position as the world’s top fundraising venue. Financial Secretary Paul Chan said average daily turnover has exceeded HKD280bn since last month, reflecting renewed market momentum after volumes reached a four-year high in 2025. The rebound in the Hong Kong IPO market is boosting investment banks and intensifying competition for dealmakers,

Middle East family offices are increasingly shifting capital toward Hong Kong and broader Asia as geopolitical tensions drive diversification away from the conflict zone. HSBC Private Bank said some affluent Middle Eastern families are using Asia as part of global portfolio diversification, with Hong Kong benefiting from its role as a gateway to mainland China. HSBC’s wealth balances in Asia rose 16.3% to USD1.05tr last year, reflecting sustained inflows. Market participants

China offshore financing conditions are tightening as regulators lengthen approval timelines for bonds and loan quotas with maturities of one year or more. Reviews now take four to six months, with some extending up to nine months, as authorities increase scrutiny on repayment plans and use of proceeds. The shift comes as companies face around USD100bn in offshore bond maturities this year. To avoid delays, some firms are turning to shorter-term issuance below 12 months, whic

Asia investment banking activity remains resilient as Citigroup plans to add senior bankers in Japan and China to strengthen its regional deal pipeline. The hiring push follows a global restructuring and reflects continued demand for cross-border mergers and acquisitions despite geopolitical uncertainty. Citi said Japan offers strong opportunities as governance reforms, restructuring and activism drive deal activity, while in China the bank is targeting high-growth sectors as

Family office succession dynamics are shifting as younger heirs take a more active role in shaping investment strategies, according to a global study by Ocorian. The survey found that 79% of respondents reported increased next-generation involvement, while 97% said heirs’ priorities differ from founders. Key areas of divergence include private markets, digital assets, physical assets, risk appetite, geopolitics and even office location. The study covered 200 family office mem

China bond futures access is expanding as regulators allow qualified foreign investors to trade government bond futures, widening participation in the country’s capital markets. The China Securities Regulatory Commission said approved QFII investors may trade the contracts strictly for hedging purposes, providing additional tools to manage interest-rate risk. The move comes as global investors seek refuge in yuan-denominated assets amid geopolitical tensions, with the currenc

Japan shareholder rules are set to tighten as policymakers respond to growing pressure from activist investors. Lawmakers from the ruling party plan to propose higher thresholds and limits on shareholder proposals involving business execution, with recommendations expected to be submitted next month. Currently, investors can submit proposals after holding either 1% of voting rights or 300 voting units for six months, a requirement critics say has become easier to meet due to

Singapore brokerage expansion is advancing as Robinhood receives in-principle approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore to offer a range of investment services. The approval allows the US fintech firm to potentially provide trading in securities, exchange-traded derivatives, custody, product financing and collective investment schemes once conditions are met. Robinhood said Singapore brokerage expansion will position the city as its Asia-Pacific headquarters, supporte

Hong Kong family offices are seeing strong momentum, with around 160 firms preparing to establish or expand operations in the city, according to Financial Services and the Treasury Secretary Christopher Hui. He pointed to a rise in enquiries and site visits from overseas investors as evidence of sustained global interest. The growth in Hong Kong family offices is supported by the city’s strong connectivity, regulatory framework and established role as a regional wealth manage