Yuan investment continues to gain acceptance among institutional investors, with 87% of portfolios now including yuan-denominated assets, according to an HSBC survey covering more than 120 Asia-Pacific investors. The findings highlight growing confidence in China's financial markets and the expanding role of the yuan in global portfolio diversification. The survey found that 63% of respondents primarily accessed offshore yuan markets, while 54% invested through Connect progra

The South Korea growth outlook has strengthened after major global investment banks raised their average 2026 economic growth forecast to 3%, supported by booming semiconductor exports driven by artificial intelligence demand. The revised projections reflect growing confidence in the country's export-led recovery. Data from the Korea Center for International Finance showed the average forecast from eight investment banks, including JP Morgan and Citi, increased from 2.8% in M

Singapore wealthy individuals continue to face the world's highest cost of living, with the city retaining its position as the most expensive location globally for high-net-worth individuals for a fourth consecutive year, according to Julius Baer's latest Global Wealth and Lifestyle Report. The Swiss private bank ranked Singapore ahead of Zurich and Monaco, while Hong Kong placed fourth, Shanghai sixth, Sydney eighth and Bangkok tenth. Asia-Pacific cities accounted for five o

The Hong Kong wealth hub is reinforcing its position as one of the world's leading centres for offshore wealth management, supported by rapid growth in family offices, recovering capital markets and stronger cross-border investment flows. According to Boston Consulting Group, Hong Kong managed USD2.95tr in offshore assets at the end of 2025, overtaking Switzerland to become the world's largest offshore wealth centre. Government figures showed the number of family offices incr

Indonesia is considering sweeping tax incentives to support a proposed international financial centre as the government seeks to attract global capital, financial institutions and family offices. The Indonesia financial hub proposal includes extensive fiscal incentives aimed at strengthening the country's competitiveness as a regional investment destination. Lawmakers discussed legislation that would provide a 100% corporate income tax reduction for qualifying businesses and

The Hong Kong business outlook remains resilient despite increased economic uncertainty, with companies continuing to prioritise overseas expansion, digital transformation and supply-chain resilience, according to UOB's Business Outlook Study 2026. The survey suggests businesses remain cautiously optimistic about future growth despite softer current sentiment. Among 255 business owners and senior executives surveyed, 63% viewed current business conditions positively, compared

Bond Connect will receive significant policy support after China's central bank announced measures to increase mainland investment into Hong Kong's bond market and broaden the programme's product offering. The Bond Connect enhancements form part of Beijing's continuing efforts to strengthen Hong Kong's role as an international financial centre. People's Bank of China Governor Pan Gongsheng said the annual net investment quota for the southbound segment will increase to RMB800

State Street has renewed its long-standing mandate to provide asset servicing for South Korea's National Pension Service (NPS), reinforcing its role as a strategic partner to one of the world's largest institutional investors. The renewed State Street NPS agreement supports the pension fund's expanding international investment programme as overseas allocations continue to increase. The mandate covers a comprehensive range of back- and middle-office services, including custody

Hong Kong family office services are continuing to expand as law firm Oldham, Li & Nie (OLN) launches a dedicated practice to support the growing needs of international families using the city as a base for wealth planning and succession. The new multidisciplinary offering reflects rising demand for integrated legal, tax and governance advice as Hong Kong strengthens its position as a regional wealth management hub. OLN said the practice will advise clients on family office e

China refinancing rules could become more flexible after the China Securities Regulatory Commission proposed changes designed to help listed companies raise capital more efficiently while strengthening investor protection. The proposed reforms form part of Beijing's broader efforts to improve financing channels for high-quality companies pursuing innovation and business expansion. Under the draft measures, eligible companies would be allowed to conduct multiple share issuance

APAC private credit fundraising is expected to slow during the next 12 to 18 months as higher interest rates, geopolitical uncertainty and macroeconomic pressures reduce investor appetite for illiquid assets, according to Moody's Ratings. Despite the softer outlook, the agency believes long-term demand for private credit across Asia-Pacific will remain supported by economic growth and structural financing needs. Moody's said increased redemption requests affecting global priv

Singapore family offices are attracting growing inflows of wealth from Taiwan as high-net-worth families diversify assets in response to rising geopolitical tensions across the Taiwan Strait, according to advisers and wealthy investors interviewed by Bloomberg News. The trend reflects increasing demand for politically stable jurisdictions offering sophisticated wealth management, succession planning and cross-border investment capabilities. An E.Sun Bank and KPMG Taiwan repor

HP Wealth Management has strengthened its Singapore family office business by appointing veteran private bankers Michael Sutter and Alex Grindley as senior relationship managers. Both executives join the independent wealth manager and multi-family office from UBS Singapore, bringing extensive experience advising affluent individuals and family office clients across Asia. Sutter spent more than 25 years at UBS and said HP Wealth Management's fee-based, bank-agnostic model offe

Hong Kong wealth remains among the world's highest after the city ranked fourth globally for wealth per adult in the latest UBS Global Wealth Report, highlighting its continued strength as an international financial and wealth management centre. The report underscores Hong Kong's importance for private banks, family offices and investment managers serving affluent clients across Asia. UBS reported average wealth per adult in Hong Kong of USD648,267, placing the city behind on

The Philippines upper-middle income classification has been restored by the World Bank after the country's gross national income per capita increased to a record USD4,850, reflecting several years of sustained economic expansion. The milestone is expected to enhance the country's international investment profile while strengthening confidence among foreign investors and financial institutions. The Philippines had remained in the lower middle-income category since 1987 and nar

China family wealth has reached RMB145tr (USD20.2tr), with Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong remaining the country's leading centres for affluent households, according to a report by Bank of East Asia and the Hurun Research Institute. The findings underline the concentration of wealth in China's major financial hubs and reinforce the importance of the Greater Bay Area as a key market for private banks, family offices and wealth managers. Hong Kong recorded around 521,000 afflue

Wiki Finance Expo Hong Kong 2026 will bring together global investors, technology companies and financial institutions when it takes place at Hong Kong's Hopewell Hotel on July 23-24. Organisers describe the event as Asia's largest conference dedicated to financial technology, foreign exchange and cryptocurrency, reinforcing Hong Kong's position as a regional hub for digital finance and innovation. The event is expected to attract more than 12,000 participants from over 120 c

Singapore China capital markets cooperation has been reinforced after the Monetary Authority of Singapore and the China Securities Regulatory Commission reaffirmed their commitment to closer supervisory and regulatory collaboration during their 10th annual supervisory roundtable held in Singapore on June 29. Officials reviewed developments in both equity markets, including Singapore's Equity Market Development Programme and reforms to China's STAR Market and ChiNext exchanges

The APAC banking outlook remains broadly stable despite growing geopolitical risks, although Asia-Pacific banks could face an additional USD180bn in credit losses if conflict in the Middle East persists, according to S&P Global Ratings. The warning forms part of the agency's latest midyear assessment of regional banking conditions. S&P said that 92% of Asia-Pacific bank ratings continue to carry stable outlooks, reflecting expectations that credit ratings will remain largely

Family offices are increasingly adopting formal wealth-purpose frameworks as they prepare for one of the largest intergenerational wealth transfers in history, according to preliminary findings from the 2026 AlTi Tiedemann Global and Campden Wealth Family Office Operational Excellence Report. The family office wealth purpose trend reflects a growing focus on governance, succession and preserving family values alongside financial capital. The survey of 126 family office princi