Family office impact investing is increasing as younger wealth holders seek measurable social and environmental outcomes alongside competitive financial returns. A report by The Venture Network and 220dots said traditional philanthropy remains widespread, with 71% of family offices globally supporting charitable activities. However, many families are expanding into investments designed to generate both financial performance and broader societal benefits. Global impact investi

The Korea Post venture fund mandate is seeking up to three asset managers to oversee a KRW60bn (USD41m) domestic venture capital allocation for the state-run postal agency's insurance unit. The blind fund will have a five-year investment period and primarily target South Korean startups, small and medium-sized enterprises and high-technology companies, according to a request for proposals issued on 30 July. Korea Post did not disclose detailed selection criteria for participa

Taiwan brokerage accounts increased by 118,840 during July to a record 14.61 million, led by younger investors despite extreme stock-market volatility. Taiwan Stock Exchange data showed that account holders aged 19 and below recorded the largest increase, rising by 43,116 to 828,674. Investors aged between 20 and 30 increased by 32,813 to 1.89 million. Together, these two age groups accounted for almost 64% of the monthly increase. Investors aged 61 and above remained the lar

ASEAN infrastructure investment should be driven by private capital and commercial discipline, supported by predictable government policies and deeper regional integration, according to Singapore Coordinating Minister for Public Services and Defence Chan Chun Sing. Speaking at the ASEAN & Asia Forum, Chan said investors choose Singapore for its consistent delivery and global connectivity rather than the size of its domestic market. Policy certainty is particularly important f

Thailand family offices are expanding as rising private wealth increases demand for specialised investment management, succession planning, tax structuring and philanthropic services. A recent report said affluent families are increasingly adopting formal family office structures to manage more complex financial needs and preserve capital across generations. Thailand's growing wealthy population, expanding middle class and continued foreign investment are creating favourable

Family business succession should focus on developing capable stewards rather than automatically transferring management control to an heir, according to Angela Koh, UOB Private Bank's head of wealth planning and family office advisory services. Koh said future leaders need sound judgement, emotional maturity, resilience and a commitment to preserve and grow family capital. Families can reduce conflict by separating ownership from management and creating clear governance stru

The Hong Kong growth forecast for 2026 has been raised by UBS to 4.5% from 3.3%, placing the bank's outlook above the market consensus of 3.5%. Hong Kong's economy expanded 4.3% year on year during the second quarter, below expectations of 4.9%. Nevertheless, UBS expects steady growth to continue, supported by the development and implementation of China's next Five-Year Plan. Song Yu, chief China economist at UBS Securities, said policy priorities have shifted towards support

AI skills in finance are becoming more valuable than traditional business qualifications, with 86% of US finance executives saying AI training is more useful than an MBA for many new employees, according to PwC. The survey of more than 1,000 executives found that 91% of companies were increasing compensation for workers with artificial intelligence capabilities. Employers are particularly seeking professionals able to build, deploy and manage AI agents across financial operat

Hong Kong SME credit conditions remained broadly stable during the second quarter of 2026, according to the Hong Kong Monetary Authority's latest survey of small and medium-sized businesses. Excluding respondents who were uncertain about banks' lending stance, 78% viewed credit approval conditions as similar to or easier than six months earlier, up from 73% in the first quarter. The proportion reporting more difficult conditions declined to 22%. Among SMEs with existing credi

China and Hong Kong capital markets cooperation is set to deepen through new measures supporting cross-border listings, offshore yuan products and faster exchange-traded fund approvals. The Securities and Futures Commission and the China Securities Regulatory Commission said eligible mainland companies would continue receiving support for Hong Kong listings, while qualifying Hong Kong-listed firms could seek listings on mainland exchanges. Hong Kong companies may also issue b

Paragon family office coverage is expanding following the appointment of Thitaree “Pat” Natthikawong as vice-president and partner at Singapore-based wealth management boutique Paragon Capital Management. Natthikawong brings experience in fund distribution, capital raising and merchant banking across Southeast Asia, supported by relationships in Singapore, Hong Kong and other regional financial centres. Paragon said her network and Thailand-focused expertise would strengthen

The ASEAN and China free trade agreement is expected to be upgraded by the end of 2026 as both sides seek to deepen cooperation in digital trade, green commerce and regional supply chains. Officials attending the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement Joint Committee meeting discussed completing negotiations on ACFTA 3.0 before a leaders' summit scheduled for November. The revised framework will introduce new commitments covering digital trade, environmental goods and services, and

Kaohsiung family offices are playing an increasingly important role in Taiwan's ambition to become a leading Asian asset management centre, with banks in the city's financial zone now advising 189 family offices. The Financial Supervisory Commission said these family offices oversee NTD91.5bn (USD2.8bn) in assets. During the zone's first year, 57 financial institutions, including banks, insurers and investment firms, established operations. Banks are also serving 427 wealth m

Singapore assets under management increased 10% during 2025 to SGD6.7tr (USD5.2tr), supported by stronger financial markets and rising international capital inflows, according to a Monetary Authority of Singapore survey. Traditional asset classes, including equities and bonds, expanded 9%, while alternative investments such as private equity, venture capital, hedge funds and real estate grew 0.4%. Overseas investors accounted for 76% of assets, with 88% invested international

South Korea leveraged ETFs could face further restrictions as regulators seek to reduce market volatility and strengthen protection for retail investors. Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol and senior financial officials recently discussed proposals that could limit single-stock leveraged exchange-traded funds to 20% of an individual's investment portfolio. Officials said these products had contributed to heightened market volatility and agreed that further safeguards should be in

A major Vietnam capital markets reform programme aims to expand outstanding bonds to around 60% of gross domestic product by 2045 while making capital markets a significantly larger source of long-term financing. Under Decision 1413/QD-TTg, Vietnam will tighten credit-rating requirements, broaden bond products and modernise market infrastructure after outstanding bonds reached around 34% of GDP during 2025, below earlier targets. Planned reforms include infrastructure, ESG an

Taiwan family offices are increasingly turning to Singapore to institutionalise wealth, expand internationally and prepare for intergenerational succession as Taiwan's AI-driven economic boom creates a new generation of ultra-high-net-worth families. Wealth managers and legal advisers reported a sharp increase in enquiries over the past year for trusts, single-family offices, variable capital companies and investment fund structures. KGP Legal said it had received more than 1

Family office governance must become more structured if wealthy families are to achieve successful intergenerational transitions, according to executives speaking at the VCCircle Family Office Summit 2026. Panellists said many family offices are increasingly separating ownership from day-to-day management by appointing chief investment officers and adopting formal investment policy statements, family constitutions and dispute-resolution mechanisms. Younger generations are als

Societe Generale Asia has appointed former UOB executive Joseph Chia as head of supply chain management for Asia Pacific as the bank expands its transaction banking franchise. Based in Singapore, Chia will oversee accounts receivable and payable solutions across the region, reporting jointly to Asia Pacific transaction banking head Soo Tat Kua and Societe Generale Factoring Chief Executive Aurélien Viry. He joins from UOB, where he served as senior vice-president for financia

Thailand AI adoption should move beyond isolated pilot projects and become embedded across core business operations if organisations are to unlock the technology's full economic value, according to Google Cloud Thailand. Country manager Saruj Thipsena said enterprise-wide deployment could generate THB1.4tr (USD43bn) in economic value over the next five years. He said organisations require consistent AI governance, secure access to internal data, collaboration across departmen