Asia dealmaking 2025 rebounded strongly as transaction volumes across the region reached about USD1.3tr, up 21% year on year, according to Bloomberg-compiled data cited by bankers. Advisers said renewed momentum in China and record activity in Japan are setting the stage for a robust start to 2026, led by consumer, healthcare, TMT and sponsor-driven transactions. Citigroup’s Jan Metzger said the M&A pipeline is among the strongest he has seen. In China, multinationals are in

Hong Kong accounting firms hiring plans are set to continue into 2026 as major firms expand headcount while accelerating the use of artificial intelligence. KPMG China’s Andrew Wong said the firm has not cut recruitment and sees AI as complementary to staff, improving audit quality and enabling new roles. Deloitte China said it plans to hire about 1,000 people in Hong Kong and invest HKD500m (USD64m) over four years in fintech, capital-markets operations and AI capabilities.

Singapore SFO tax incentive reforms are likely to move ahead as the Monetary Authority of Singapore seeks to keep the city competitive as a global wealth hub despite heightened scrutiny, industry observers said. Singapore has strengthened its reputation through swift and transparent handling of a SGD3bn (USD2.2bn) money-laundering case in 2023 and scrutiny linked to Cambodia’s Prince Group, reinforcing confidence in governance standards. MAS has proposed streamlining document

Taiwan family office services are expanding after Uni-President Asset Management became the first local manager licensed to provide investment, succession and financial planning to family offices and wealthy clients. The licence, granted by the Financial Supervisory Commission on Dec 23, forms part of a strategy to more than double Taiwan’s asset-management industry to NTD60tr (USD1.9tr) by 2030. Uni-President said tax planning and wealth sustainability have become priorities

Hong Kong offshore renminbi funding capacity has increased after the Hong Kong Monetary Authority doubled the quota of its yuan business facility to CNY100bn (USD14bn) and expanded participation to 40 banks. Phase two of the scheme, launched on Dec 1, allows banks to draw yuan funding within assigned quotas to lend to local and overseas corporates, with allocations based on existing business pipelines and overseas networks. HKMA chief executive Eddie Yue said authorities, wit

South Korea corporate reform is entering what the Korea Enterprises Federation chairman Sohn Kyung-shik described as a “golden time” for economic transformation, as he urged policymakers to push structural changes to revive innovation and risk-taking. In a New Year address, Sohn called for easing rigid labour regulations, arguing that inflexible rules undermine productivity and slow adaptation to industrial change. He said labour-market reform could also help address debates

Singapore fintech expansion Asia is accelerating as Fingular opened a new operations hub in Kuala Lumpur to support its growth across Southeast Asia. The company said the Malaysia office will function as a shared workspace for local staff and rotating teams from other markets, combining remote work with in-person collaboration. Chief executive Maxim Chernushchenko said the hub is part of a broader strategy to keep teams connected while establishing a physical presence in key

Singapore family office private equity activity is in focus after Far East Capital, the family office of Far East Organization, acquired preference shares in oat-milk maker Oatside in a late-November secondary transaction, according to people familiar with the deal. The stake was bought from early backer Mugi Capital, which has supported Oatside since 2021 and has transferred more than half its holdings to existing shareholders. Based on DealStreetAsia’s August 2025 valuation

Hong Kong economic outlook 2025 has strengthened after Financial Secretary Paul Chan raised the city’s growth forecast to 3.2%, saying momentum should carry into 2026 even as risks from global uncertainty persist. Writing in a blog post, Chan cited resilient exports, solid fixed-asset investment and a recovery in consumption, adding that expected US rate cuts would also support activity. He said Hong Kong’s stock and property markets have improved, with the Hang Seng Index up

Southeast Asia equity inflows picked up in December as global funds bought about USD337m of regional stocks, marking the largest monthly inflow since September 2024, according to Bloomberg-compiled data cited by local media. Indonesia and Thailand led the rebound, though net outflows for 2025 still total around USD15bn. Strategists said the region’s relatively low exposure to artificial intelligence-linked stocks has weighed on performance but also makes Southeast Asia an alt

Hong Kong insolvency surge 2025 risks are expected to intensify, with the city forecast to post the world’s largest year-on-year increase in business failures, rising 44%, according to an Allianz Trade outlook. The report said elevated insolvency levels remain widespread, with its headline indicator showing global insolvencies up 6% year to date in the third quarter of 2025. Around two-thirds of countries, representing about 70% of global GDP, are expected to see failures ris

Taiwan wealth management hub ambitions are advancing faster than planned, with assets under management rising by more than TWD4tr (USD127bn) to meet a two-year target ahead of schedule, Financial Supervisory Commission chairman Peng Jin-lung said. Speaking at a forum in Taipei, Peng said Taiwan now has the capital base, industrial depth and talent pool to support a six-year roadmap aimed at building a regional wealth and asset-management centre that complements, rather than c

Thailand virtual banks 2026 are expected to begin operations by mid-year, with three approved consortiums preparing to roll out services by June 2026, and potentially earlier if ready, a Bank of Thailand assistant governor said. The central bank requires successful applicants to start business within one year of finance ministry approval granted on June 19, 2025. The winning groups include ACM Holding and Ascend Money’s TrueMoney backed by CP Group; a Krungthai Bank-led conso

Amova Asset Management Malaysia expansion is under way after the Japanese firm, formerly Nikko Asset Management, agreed to lift its stake in AHAM Asset Management Bhd to 97.7% from 20% by acquiring shares from CVC Capital Partners and other investors, subject to regulatory approvals. AHAM Capital said assets under management at the group, including Islamic unit AIIMAN, exceeded RM100bn (USD22.7bn) as of Nov 30, placing it among Malaysia’s top three managers. Amova, part of Su

Family offices private markets 2026 strategies are set to tilt further toward private markets and overseas assets, while next-generation leaders push for greater technology adoption, tighter risk controls and improved transparency, according to a Crain Currency report. People familiar with the discussions said family offices private markets 2026 allocations will remain active in public equities but become more selective in private credit and direct deals, favouring stronger u

Japan government bond issuance 2026 plans call for about JPY29.6tr (USD189.6bn) of new debt to fund a record JPY122.3tr fiscal budget, according to a draft seen by Reuters, underscoring Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s expansionary fiscal stance. The planned Japan government bond issuance 2026 would exceed this year’s JPY28.6tr and confirms an earlier NHK report. Tax revenue is forecast to rise to a record JPY83.7tr but remain insufficient as spending on social welfare, defenc

China shadow banking scandal concerns have escalated after police in Zhejiang detained Yu Faxiang, chairman and chief executive of Hong Kong-listed Haichang Ocean Park Holdings, as authorities probe alleged wrongdoing tied to delayed repayments on multibillion-yuan wealth management products issued by Sunriver Holding Group, a firm he controls. Haichang said it was informed by Yu’s family that police had imposed criminal compulsory measures and opened an investigation, adding

South Korea economic security reforms are set to accelerate as the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources undertakes its biggest reorganisation in 12 years, creating a new Industry Resources Security Office to act as a control tower for supply-chain and trade security. The Cabinet-approved plan adds one office-level unit, a director-level post, four divisions and 36 staff, the ministry said. South Korea economic security initiatives will also include appointing an industr

Nine in ten family offices around the world now make ESG —that's environmental, social, and governance factors—a key part of their everyday investing. This means putting money into companies that care about the planet, people, and good business practices, while still aiming for strong returns. A recent survey of 144 family offices in 15 countries shows 20% have half or more of their money in these "green" investments. In Hong Kong, with over 200 family offices already here an

Asia family offices 2026 are set to become a major growth engine as expanding regional wealth drives higher allocations to private markets, according to a new outlook report. The report said private equity, venture capital and real assets are expected to remain core holdings, while Asia family offices 2026 will place greater emphasis on governance, risk management and reporting amid tougher market conditions and rising regulatory scrutiny. The United Arab Emirates is forecast