The China wealth transfer market is entering a new phase as regulators and local authorities encourage development of family trusts and family offices to support intergenerational succession. An action plan issued in June by the People’s Bank of China, NDRC, NFRA, CSRC, SAFE and Shanghai government called for studying the orderly development of family trusts and family office businesses. A report from the Hurun Research Institute and Bank of East Asia estimated that around RM

Younger family office investors are placing greater emphasis on liquidity and shorter investment horizons as changing careers, locations and markets reshape the priorities of the next generation. Rémi Casals, head of international wealth solutions at First Eagle Investments, said investors in their 20s and 30s remain comfortable committing capital for four to six years but are less inclined towards investments requiring 10- to 15-year commitments. Younger family members tend

The Hong Kong financial centre ranking remains first in Asia and third globally in the latest Global Financial Centres Index, reinforcing the city’s position among the world’s leading financial hubs. Hong Kong recorded a score of 756 in the index, produced by Z/Yen and the China Development Institute. The city retained its top global position for fintech offerings, while its ranking for financial sector development climbed to first worldwide. Hong Kong was also ranked second

ASEAN financial integration is set to deepen as regional central banks seek stronger cooperation and resilience against inflation, financial vulnerabilities, artificial intelligence-related disruption and fiscal pressures. The 32nd ASEAN Senior-Level Committee on Financial Integration, co-chaired by the State Bank of Vietnam and Bank Indonesia, reviewed progress across banking integration, capital markets, financial inclusion, payment systems and sustainable finance. Bank for

Asia-Pacific family office hedge funds allocations are increasing as wealthy investors redeploy gains from the region’s strong equity markets into alternative investment strategies, according to Cambridge Associates. Hedge fund allocations among some family office clients can reach between 20% and 25% of portfolios, while very few allocate less than 10%, Eugene Snyman, Cambridge Associates’ Asia-Pacific regional head, told The Business Times. Snyman said family offices are in

Hong Kong investor confidence remained resilient in August, with the Investor Confidence Index holding at 68 and 88% of respondents planning to maintain or increase investment allocations over the coming year. The Dah Sing Banking survey covered 608 investors and found the headline confidence reading was broadly unchanged from a year earlier. High-value investors holding more than HKD8m (USD1.02m) in liquid assets were the most optimistic group, recording an index reading of

Southeast Asia AI financial decisions are becoming increasingly common, with around four in five consumers having acted primarily on artificial intelligence advice or recommendations, according to UOB. The bank’s 2026 Asean Consumer Sentiment Study surveyed 5,000 consumers across Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. Consumers in Vietnam and Indonesia reported the highest rates of positive outcomes from AI-assisted financial decisions, while Singapore had the

Hong Kong SFC raid guidance has been outlined to investment banks as the securities regulator increases scrutiny of the city’s booming share-sales market, Reuters reported. Securities and Futures Commission enforcement chief Kenneth Luk told executives from around 10 brokers at an Aug. 17 industry meeting how firms should prepare for regulatory searches, according to two people familiar with the discussions. Front-desk staff should be trained to recognise search warrants, inv

Asian family offices institutional investing is becoming more sophisticated as wealthy families strengthen governance, expand direct investments and involve a broader range of family members, according to Citi Private Bank. Citi brought together more than 150 family office principals, next-generation leaders and investors in Hong Kong for its annual Asia Pacific Family Office Executive Forum. Held under the theme “The Intelligence Decade: AI, Capital and the New Asian Order”,

GXBank IFC MSME financing could support up to USD110m in lending to Malaysian businesses under a risk-sharing partnership designed to expand credit to underserved companies. The International Finance Corporation, the World Bank Group’s private-sector investment arm, will provide up to USD4.95m in unfunded first-loss coverage, according to GXBank. The facility will allow the Malaysian digital bank to increase lending to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, including comp

The Hong Kong business outlook remains broadly positive, with 63% of companies surveyed expecting positive or very positive conditions over the next 12 to 18 months, according to DBS Bank. The survey of 250 business owners and senior decision-makers found that product and service innovation was the leading strategic priority for the next three to five years, cited by 53% of respondents. Cost optimisation and improved efficiency followed at 46%, while 31% identified customer e

Citi China institutional sales will be led by veteran banker Sophia Wang as the US financial group seeks to expand its mainland capital-markets business despite continuing geopolitical tensions. Wang has been appointed managing director and head of China financial-institutional sales and senior relationship management and will be based in Shanghai, according to an internal staff memo. She will oversee institutional sales covering rates, spread products, foreign exchange, comm

Asia family office OCIO demand is growing as wealthy families seek investment partners that complement their internal expertise rather than take complete control of their portfolios. Franklin Templeton head of OCIO Rich Nuzum said Asian family offices often retain sophisticated investment capabilities internally while using outsourced chief investment officer providers for investment ideas, specialist capabilities and independent challenges to their existing thinking. In a Li

The UBS Shenzhen wealth unit covering fund distribution and the WE.UBS digital platform will close later this month as the Swiss bank adjusts its strategy for wealthy Chinese clients, Reuters reported. UBS confirmed the closure but said WE.UBS is expected to be renamed and integrated into its Chinese securities business. The bank’s other wealth management platforms in China will continue operating. Launched in October 2022, WE.UBS struggled to attract sufficient investors in

Hong Kong banks generative AI investment is accelerating as financial institutions make the technology and process automation their leading technology priority through 2030. A Hong Kong Association of Banks and Deloitte survey found that 53% of respondents ranked generative AI and process automation as their top technology investment priority, indicating a move towards broader adoption. The report found 52% of banks were optimistic about the industry’s development through 203

SGX crypto perpetual futures could soon become available to US institutional investors as Singapore Exchange expands its push into regulated cryptocurrency derivatives. SGX has filed with the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission to offer its Bitcoin and Ether perpetual futures to American institutions, Bloomberg reported. The contracts could become available if the regulator raises no objection within 10 days. SGX launched the products in November and has since recorded ar

HSBC family office business capabilities are being strengthened with two senior appointments from Citi Private Bank covering global family offices and US private banking. Hannes Hofmann will join as global head of family offices in a newly created London-based role, overseeing HSBC Private Bank’s family office offering worldwide. Hofmann has more than 25 years of private banking experience and was most recently global head of Citi Private Bank’s family office group. He previo

Amundi Asia investment hub capabilities have been strengthened through five senior appointments and relocations as Europe’s largest asset manager deepens its commitment to the region. John O’Toole has been appointed Asia chief investment officer, based in Hong Kong, while retaining his global position as head and CIO of Amundi’s Solutions platform. Other senior moves include Andriy Boychuk as global deputy head of emerging markets fixed income and Ray Jian as head of fixed in

South Korea economic recovery is becoming increasingly evident, with per capita gross national income expected to exceed USD40,000 this year, according to Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol. Koo said nominal gross domestic product in Asia’s fourth-largest economy recorded its fastest second-quarter growth in 47 years. Speaking at a meeting of economy-related ministers, he said the economy was moving more clearly towards recovery and growth despite challenging external and domesti

Hong Kong insurers partnerships with technology, healthcare and professional-services companies are expanding as providers respond to changing client requirements and tighter mainland Chinese taxation of offshore investments. Prudential has partnered with Alibaba Cloud to develop an artificial intelligence underwriting tool that can help financial consultants make preliminary decisions using clients’ financial and medical information. Manulife has also signed agreements with