China is expected to maintain a China 2026 growth target of around 5%, according to government advisers and analysts, a goal requiring continued fiscal and monetary support as authorities attempt to counter deflation pressures and a prolonged property slump. Most advisers surveyed by Reuters favoured a 5% target, though some suggested a 4.5%–5.0% range. The target is likely to be endorsed at the Central Economic Work Conference later this month, ahead of confirmation at the a

The global family office market reached USD19.09bn in 2024 and is projected to expand to USD42.76bn by 2037, reflecting a 6.4% compound annual growth rate from 2025, according to Research Nester. The report said ultra-wealthy families are increasing demand for investment management, governance structures and succession planning. North America is expected to account for 44% of the global family office market by 2037, while Asia Pacific is forecast to grow strongly as family of

The Cheng family Rosewood sale is being explored as Hong Kong tycoon Henry Cheng Kar-shun seeks potential buyers for selected assets within the family’s luxury Rosewood Hotel Group, Bloomberg reported. Representatives for the Chengs have approached prospective investors to gauge interest, though discussions remain preliminary and terms may shift. Rosewood is owned by the family’s private investment arm, Chow Tai Fook Enterprises, and is overseen by Cheng’s daughter, Sonia Che

China’s central bank has intensified concerns over China stablecoin AML risk, warning that stablecoins fail to meet mainland requirements on customer identification and anti-money-laundering controls. Following a multi-agency meeting, the People’s Bank of China reiterated that virtual-currency activity constitutes illegal financial conduct and can facilitate fraud, money laundering and unauthorised cross-border flows. The statement complicates Hong Kong’s efforts to build a r

Standard Chartered has lifted its China 2026 GDP forecast to 4.6% from 4.3%, citing resilient exports and ongoing productivity improvements, according to a research note dated 1 December. The bank said China’s export competitiveness has strengthened following easing trade tensions with the US after both sides reached a truce. It added that better total factor productivity should further support the China 2026 GDP forecast, with the government expected to set a growth target b

Southeast Asia family conglomerates remain central to the region’s economic landscape, particularly in Indonesia and the Philippines, but must adapt as returns weaken, Singapore’s Business Times reported, citing academics and advisers. Experts highlighted three urgent priorities: expanding into growth sectors, introducing professional leadership, and strengthening early succession planning. An EY-Parthenon analysis of 36 listed regional conglomerates showed that average annua

Analysts expect the Malaysia banking sector to maintain resilient earnings following the latest reporting season, although net interest margins declined sequentially for most lenders and may remain under pressure into the first half of fiscal 2026. Kenanga Research said system loans rose 5.4% year-on-year in October, aligning with its 2025 target of around 5.5%, while deposits grew 3.7% as customers shifted to shorter-tenure fixed deposits ahead of festive-season liquidity ne

Citigroup has appointed Yuko Nakayama as head of equity capital markets for its Japan investment banking franchise, strengthening its Japan equity capital markets franchise as competition intensifies for dealmaking talent. Effective immediately, Nakayama will lead the Japan ECM team and report to Taiji Nagasaka and Akira Kiyota, with matrix reporting to Harish Raman and Kenneth Chow. Nakayama previously worked at Citi from 2009 to 2015 before moving to Goldman Sachs and later

JPMorgan Chase & Co will discontinue Aumni’s services worldwide, with the Aumni shutdown affecting operations in the Philippines where the venture-capital analytics unit represents around 1% of the bank’s roughly 25,000 employees, according to local media and a bank statement. The shutdown also covers Aumni’s operations in the US, Britain and India, although JPMorgan emphasised that the Philippines remains a critical hub for its broader activities. People familiar with the ma

Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan met representatives from Hong Kong family offices across Europe, the Middle East and Asia in London this week, intensifying efforts to draw private wealth and fintech firms to the city. The discussions highlighted how Hong Kong family offices remain central to Hong Kong’s global outreach strategy. UK-based digital bank Revolut is among the companies preparing to establish operations in the city after meeting Chan, according to people fa

Investor and real estate developer Eldiyar Muratov said family offices will increasingly replace banks in the next market cycle, arguing that Hong Kong family offices and private syndicates can move faster than traditional institutions. He said compliance-heavy bank processes often require months of paperwork, while ultra-high-net-worth investors can act swiftly and directly. Muratov noted rising dealmaking in Dubai, Singapore and wider Asia, where two or three families pool

Malaysia’s fund management industry recorded MYR1.15tr (USD219.46bn) in assets under management at end-September, up from MYR1.07tr at end-2024, regulatory data showed. The increase was driven by a broad global equity rally. Equity funds climbed 11.3% to MYR566.84bn, while bond funds rose 5.7% to MYR261.62bn. Money market funds grew 2% to MYR147.1bn, and private equity funds increased 3% to MYR18.44bn. The performance came as major markets strengthened, with the Dow Jones Ind

Temasek-owned Seviora Group will fold in fellow Singapore subsidiary Pavilion Capital to form an integrated asset manager overseeing about USD72bn of assets. The combined platform will strengthen offerings across private equity, private credit, public markets and financing. Pavilion will retain its brand and pan-Asia strategy while marketing products under the Seviora umbrella. Seviora CEO Gabriel Lim said the integration will broaden capabilities and help attract third-party

Fears of an Asia third-generation wealth curse are prompting wealthy families across the region to overhaul succession plans, UOB Private Bank said. Angela Koh, head of wealth planning and family office advisory, noted that equal share distribution is falling out of favour due to risks of rival leadership and disputes, driving greater adoption of trusts that cast heirs as stewards. She said younger members are also reshaping philanthropy in response to the Asia third-generati

HKIFA investment flows are expected to shift toward equity, bond and mixed-asset funds next year as expectations of rate cuts lift risk appetite and cash leaves maturing high-interest deposits. The Hong Kong Investment Funds Association reported strong momentum, noting Hong Kong retail fund sales rose 35% year on year in the first three quarters to USD82.6bn, surpassing 2024’s full-year total. Net inflows hit a 10-year high at USD15.7bn. Equity funds posted USD16.8bn in sales

A UnaFinancial survey found Southeast Asia fintech trust remains strong, with more than 84% of consumers in Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia expressing confidence in digital financial platforms. Singapore topped the region with 91.8% trust, followed by the Philippines at 88.1%, while Vietnam recorded the highest share of strong trust at 37.2%. The Southeast Asia fintech trust study showed confidence is driven by data security, transparent fees, strong brand r

The HKMA local-currency payments initiative is gaining traction as Hong Kong seeks to expand regional use of local currencies in trade and financing to mitigate geopolitical risk. HKMA CEO Eddie Yue said tariff shocks, supply-chain disruptions and volatile markets highlight the urgency of deeper integration across Asia-Pacific. He urged expanded payments connectivity, broader local-currency settlement, stronger regional bond markets and better hedging tools to reinforce the H

Singapore wealth longevity is becoming a major concern, with two‑thirds of high‑net‑worth individuals fearing their wealth will not outlive their children, a Sun Life survey found. About 75% said heirs are not financially prepared to manage inherited assets, while 59% worry about family disputes and 53% fear volatility eroding valuations. Only around half are confident heirs will follow instructions on transferring or preserving assets. The survey of 316 Singapore residents w

Citi FX hires Asia continue to increase, with seven senior sales and trading specialists joining since September as the bank targets rising FX flows and deeper client engagement. New hires include Manoj Goel to lead corporate FX sales for the India sub‑continent; Cassalynne Lou in Singapore corporate FX; Yusuke Aita in Tokyo and Renee Gao in Hong Kong for institutional coverage; Matthew Lim in Singapore for institutional FX; and traders Nicky Lam and Jonathan Chua for G10 opt

Malaysia capital markets sandbox efforts moved forward as the Securities Commission selected six firms for its first Regulatory Sandbox cohort, enabling 12 months of real‑world testing. Firms include Wahed X and Urban NX for alternative real‑estate investments; Kapital DX and Pitch Platforms for secondary‑market initiatives; and Virtual Economy Technology and PeerHive for alternative financing. Testing will start in January or July 2026 depending on readiness. Chairman Mohamm